Chapter 55 Returning to China, I like him because he's powerful, influential, and good-looking.

His Majesty didn't ask about the dream the next day, which puzzled Shi Wei. Had her secret research been discovered?

Impossible, absolutely impossible.

Even in autumn, the temperature in Manla was still very high. Mid-August was the full moon festival in Fran, and Shi Chuan would come to ask Shi Wei if she was going home every August.

She asked almost every three days, saying her mother missed her very much.

Sigh, this is already her fifth year in Manla.

It was really hard to believe that he hadn't returned to Fran in five years. Shi Wei first went to Lu Qi to ask if there was any feasible solution.

“From a safety-first perspective, it’s best not to leave the country. But from a moral standpoint, it’s a bit unreasonable to prevent you from going to Fran.” The head of the secret service spoke subtly to Shi Wei, “The decision rests with His Majesty. As long as His Majesty agrees, the Security Bureau will fully cooperate.”

The way she said that made it sound like she wasn't going home to visit her family, but rather going to infiltrate an enemy country.

However, getting His Majesty on her side was quite easy. Shi Wei confidently went to see Sklag II and, after much persuasion and making a bunch of nice empty promises, finally got His Majesty to nod in agreement.

"If you can only have three days, the longer you stay abroad, the more dangerous the risks become."

Shi Wei readily agreed. The Fran Empire and the Manla Empire had always been on good terms, and now that her identity was semi-public, the Fran Empire wouldn't dare to do anything to her.

As for mercenaries, haha, Shi Wei had already asked Lu Qi beforehand; Yi Lan is currently fighting against the Pegasus Alliance of the Business Alliance—

This guy robbed a shipment of goods worth billions from Tianma Star. The Prime Minister of the Business Alliance was furious and spent a lot of money to pick up a group of elite troops from Manla... cough cough... from the no-man's land. He was determined to beat Yi Lan to a pulp.

The battle between the two sides has reached a fever pitch, so this guy probably won't have time to deal with her.

Upon learning that Shi Wei was going to the Fran Empire, Miss Moran gladly offered to go with her and take the opportunity to inspect her family's businesses in Fran.

This put His Majesty at ease. The Tira family also has a large number of businesses in the Fran Empire, monopolizing the high-end optical computer market in Fran. With Miss Moran around, Fran would be even less likely to act recklessly.

Shi Wei once again enjoyed the generosity of a super-rich woman. All the staff of the Security Bureau, the guards, and other accompanying personnel could be packed into Tira's luxurious aircraft without attracting attention.

This time, Prada, the vice-captain of the guard, accompanied them. This young Alpha had probably been instructed by Lavezzi on something, and he was very vigilant, having to follow Shiwei wherever she went.

The location was also carefully chosen by the Security Bureau. It was a small town on the border between the Fran Empire and the Manla territory. Although it was not as prosperous as the city where the Shi family lived, and even a bit remote, Shi Wei did not mind. She was happy to see her father, mother and brother.

Celebrating the full moon festival in this remote border town, Shi Chuan, who is usually picky, didn't say anything. He brought his parents there early and waited for his sister's return.

He always believed in his heart that his sister was still a Franco, even if she had changed her nationality to Manla, it was only temporary—this meeting was just the beginning, and they would see each other more often in the future.

He's absolutely certain he can change his sister's mind this time they meet.

Miss Moran left the main group behind and took a dozen or so people to inspect the central city of Fran. Out of courtesy, she also met with Shi Wei's relatives and greeted them.

Shi Wei's mother liked this pretty little girl very much. After seeing Miss Moran's way of getting around, she looked at her son with regret and said, "Sigh, you are not good enough for her at all."

Shi Chuan didn't even notice whether this Moran was Miss Bai Lan or not. During the meal, he forcefully demanded that the captain of the guard, Prada, leave, but was refused.

Shi Wei had no choice but to mediate and arrange for Prada to have dinner in the outer room.

People from Hunan have a habit of discussing important matters at meals, which Shi Wei, a foodie, finds very distasteful. Whether it's work or business, why do they have to eat and drink while discussing it?

Shi Wei's parents are easygoing and have become more detached from many things due to their age. They were excited when they first saw Shi Wei, but once they saw that she was doing well, they were relieved.

Shi Wei's mother said, "She looks much better. I couldn't tell from the last video, but now that I see her in person, she's even prettier, all fair and chubby—"

Shi Wei listened to the first part of the sentence with a smile, but the last few words made her face fall. She puffed out her cheeks and asked her mother, "Am I fat? Where am I fat? I've been this weight for so many years!"

Shi Chuan chuckled and said, "If you're so capable, step on the scale."

Shi Wei pretended not to hear him and said, "You need to reflect on yourself. Stop always looking for problems in me. Reflect on whether you've been in too many classes and your aesthetic sense has become distorted... No wonder you can't find a girlfriend at your age..."

Shi Chuan, who had been harboring resentment for years, laughed in exasperation upon hearing this: "Me, so old? People over a hundred years old can still find silly young girls, what are you worried about?"

Shi Wei spat out a mouthful of tea, coughed for a long time, and then said, "Who are you pointing at here? Who are you talking about? Shi Chuan, we're like siblings, just say what you mean. Aren't you tired of all this roundabout talk?"

“Having a younger sister like you, of course I’m tired,” Shi Chuan blurted out.

The room fell silent.

Shi Wei remained silent, knowing that Shi Chuan was seething with anger, just as she had been when the Security Bureau arrested her.

Are you calm now?

No, it's just that the person who wronged her is dead, so who can she hold accountable?

Lu Qi? He was just following orders; he arrested her for the sake of chips and national security.

His Majesty? But it wasn't his fault. He had been good enough to her. In fact, if it weren't for him, she might have been imprisoned for life.

Who can I blame? Myself for insisting on going to Manla and chatting with the passenger next to me?

It was Shi's father who changed the subject. He was gentle by nature, and seeing the two siblings sulking, he wanted to lighten the mood. He asked his daughter, "From what you've said, His Majesty the Emperor treats you quite well. Has he proposed to you yet?"

The atmosphere in the room became even more eerie; one could even hear Prada and someone else whispering to each other in the outer room.

The father was somewhat bewildered by his son's angry glare.

Didn't my son say that my daughter found a boyfriend with a special status in Manla, so it's inconvenient for her to come home?

He figured the other party's conditions were alright. Although he was a bit older, he cared about his daughter and was the descendant of her idol, so it was barely acceptable.

"What's wrong? Can't I ask?" He asked his son with his eyes.

Shi Chuan took a deep breath, rolled his eyes at his own father, and thought that his stupid sister had definitely inherited his genes.

Shi Wei chuckled and said smugly, "Of course I proposed, but I don't want to get married yet. Let's talk about it in a few years."

She doesn't want to get married. Marriage is too much trouble. Although His Majesty seems like a high-quality stock with low risk and high returns, and she can increase her holdings in large quantities, it would be too unwise to bet all her wealth on it.

Shi Chuan: Not bad, not completely stupid.

After being glared at by his son, Shi's father finally understood his son's attitude. He considered for a moment and said, "But you're not young anymore. I read that experts say the best age for Omegas to have children is 50-80 years old. If you play around for a few more years, will His Majesty the Emperor still be able to have children?"

Shi Wei looked at her father, relieved that she had refused His Majesty's suggestion to send her parents to Manla. Her father's words could really infuriate His Majesty.

Shi Chuan propped his face up with his hand, covering half of it—Shi Wei was certain he was chuckling to himself.

She coughed and said nonchalantly, "Who wants to have children? If you want children, have your son have them for you... If His Majesty can't have children, then we'll just find someone who can."

Shi Chuan silently covered most of his face.

Prada, who was eating a Franco specialty dish outside: "..."

Before leaving, Captain Lavezzi instructed that no matter what he saw or heard, he should not pay attention to it. He only needed to ensure Shi Wei's safety, and the rest... should be ignored.

Prada finally understood what it meant.

Shi Wei could only stay in Fran for three days, so on the second day the family strolled around the small town. Shi Chuan chose very clever places with open views and were under the surveillance of electronic eyes the whole time.

The family had a great time.

Early on the third day, Shi Chuan grabbed his younger sister, who was sleeping in late, and dragged her to the restaurant.

They even drove Prada far away.

Exhausted, Shi Wei looked at the delicious food but couldn't muster any interest, because she knew what Shi Chuan was going to say.

Shi Chuan lowered his voice: "I'm ready one kilometer away. As soon as I confirm it, they'll move in immediately. I personally inspected the aircraft; it can reach their destination with just three jumps..."

"Stop—" Shi Wei pinched his mouth and said seriously, "Are we acting out some kind of idol drama where you chase me, I run away, and we love and hate each other?"

Shi Chuan looks like a foolish second male lead who likes to cause trouble.

Shi Chuan slapped her hand away and said fiercely, "I think you've been watching too many idol dramas!"

“I didn’t bother to say anything yesterday when Mom and Dad were here. They’re both so naive, and so are you. Do you really think you’re living a Cinderella-and-Prince fairytale? Wake up—” Shi Chuan stared at her and said earnestly, “The timeline between the death of the first secretary and your disappearance is too coincidental. Even if he marries you, once this is exposed, how will you clear your name?”

"Those nobles have plenty of ways to smear you!" Shi Chuan didn't believe in love; he only believed in the rules that made this world work.

Shi Wei finally came to her senses, squinted at him, and said in a cold voice, "Who told you anything?"

Shi Chuan couldn't possibly know about Dekali's affairs. Only a few people in Manla knew about it, and even Jiang Guyuan wouldn't leak it out.

Shi Chuan said seriously, "Don't worry about how I know. He likes you now and can keep you safe, but what about later? You're betting your life on an Alpha's affection, Shi Wei. Is this how I taught you?"

"Then are your methods reliable?" Shi Wei looked at the jamming device on the dining table and said, "Can you guarantee that this thing will work? Can you guarantee that Fran's intelligence department hasn't done anything to you? Aircraft, triple jump, such a complicated thing, one link after another, can you guarantee that every link is so perfect that no force can take advantage of it?"

Having torn away the facade of the fairytale romance, Shi Wei was no longer restrained. She said, "Wasn't the lesson from last time enough? You can't outsmart Similan, Similan can't outsmart Yi Lan, and Yi Lan can't outsmart His Majesty... Shi Chuan, you're not as naive as you think. With the combined abilities of the two of us, we can evade both the Security Bureau and the Intelligence Bureau—and there's a mercenary who could jump out at any moment. If the two of us combined had that ability, the Eight Great Star Systems would have been under Shi Wei's control long ago!"

Shi Chuan was speechless. He could guarantee his plan with 100% certainty, but as Shi Wei said, the Security Bureau and the Intelligence Bureau... His face darkened.

"I'd gamble on love? If I hadn't gambled on love three years ago, I would have died." Shi Wei said calmly, "Without him, I'd be just an ant that could be crushed by any force. You've always asked me what I liked about him, so I'll tell you now—"

"I like that he is powerful, influential and good-looking, but I like even more that he makes me feel like a human being."

"If I had a choice, I would never let you go to Manla alone." Shi Chuan's hands trembled, and he couldn't hold the milk in front of him steadily. He couldn't even pour a glass of milk for his sister, so he had to give up.

Shi Wei looked at his hand, poured herself a glass of milk, and told a joke: "If I could choose, I would want to be the king of the universe."

What a joke! Does fate give you a choice?

Shi Chuan, his face pale, noticed Prada's gaze and forced a smile: "I understand, I was too hasty. Take it slow... How is this Miss Moran?"

Shi Wei paused for a moment before saying, "Impossible. She wouldn't do something like that for me. Actually, I'm safest in Manla right now. Even if he really doesn't like me anymore, surviving won't be difficult. In a few decades, when the regime changes, there will be opportunities."

Shi Wei is not a naive Omega. In such a competitive company, she was able to successfully cash out and achieve financial freedom in more than ten years, which already puts her ahead of most of her peers.

Both she and Shi Chuan are highly talented individuals. Perhaps they truly possess Asta's genes, but compared to the vast empire and ruthless mercenaries, they are still far too insignificant.

To reassure her brother, Shiwei comforted him, saying, "The worst outcome is that when the power shifts, I bet the Second Prince will take the throne. As a reward, it won't be difficult to make the name Shiwei disappear quietly."

The person associated with Dekali is Shi Wei; she changed her name and started a new life.

"I'd rather you loved him to death right now," the older brother said with a wry smile. "And what would be the best outcome?"

Shi raised an eyebrow and said smugly, "Actually, I don't think I'll be that unlucky. When he's about to die, I'll trick him into marrying me, and then I'll have more money than I could spend in ten lifetimes!"

Shi Chuan: "...Are you sure he really has that much inheritance to leave you?"

Shi Wei was very certain: "I've seen his secret stash of money. As long as Manra doesn't perish, it's still quite substantial."

She patted Shi Chuan on the shoulder and raised an eyebrow: "Miss Moran helped me set up an offshore account, and I've already deposited 500 million into it. Even if I don't inherit his estate, at this rate of saving money, I won't go hungry in the future."

Shi Chuan said wearily, "Don't worry about the money. I've worked myself to the bone for this company for decades. As long as you outlive them and come back safe and sound, you won't starve..."

Who knew his sister would look at him with disdain and say, "Brother, your dark circles are making me worry about your health. You're not much younger than him, who knows who will outlast whom? If you still don't have a wife by then, remember to leave all your inheritance to me."

Shi Chuan's lips twitched, speechless.

While taking a walk to digest their food, Shi Chuan said seriously, "If you really have this idea, then try to coax him more. I'm your own brother. I can't help having such an unlucky sister like you. I have to take care of you for the rest of my life no matter what... Men are different. You can coax him or lie to him if you need to. If all else fails, just pretend you don't know anything. Just don't get involved in those political infighting."

Shi Wei outwardly nodded in agreement, but inwardly she thought he was naive: if she wanted to gamble on Similan's rise to power, how could she not be involved in those power struggles?

But she still said, "I know, I'm good at playing dumb!"

Cyril is actually good in every way, but unfortunately there are too many powerful nobles in his faction, and she can't squeeze in. Sigh.

It's a pity, she actually had a good impression of Cyril, and he was much more reliable than Similan.

On the last day, Miss Moran returned. She first took Shiwei home, and then went to handle other matters elsewhere.

Although it's a small border town, the scenery at night is quite nice. Shi Chuan glanced at his personal terminal and said, "I've made a reservation at a three-star restaurant called 'Wheel of the Stars.' It has a beautiful water feature. How about we eat there?"

He was asking Miss Moran, and the young woman nodded politely, saying, "Thank you for your hospitality."

Perhaps because Shi Chuan didn't look like her, Miss Moran was very cold towards Shi Chuan, and the two of them talked about business matters.

It turns out that the Tira family also owns shares in this restaurant. Ms. Moran directly asked the owner to clear the place in advance, which made Shi Chuan's mouth twitch.

“Get used to it—” Shi Wei patted her brother and said, “She doesn’t like crowded places.”

Money makes everything right; customers whose appointments were canceled received compensation, and everything seemed harmonious.

Fran's last meal.

The guests enjoyed themselves. After being comforted, Shi Chuan's worries lessened considerably. Their parents and Miss Moran chatted happily. Shi Wei stood up and said, "I'm going to the restroom."

Suddenly remembering that she needed to upload a video to the platform, she stood on the terrace outside the bathroom. The evening breeze was cool and carried a slight fishy smell.

The light from the quantum computer illuminated her face. She clicked on a name and was just about to send a message when she saw a black shadow flicker on the screen.

Shi Wei subconsciously turned around, her eyes widening—

A fishy smell hit me.

After Shi Wei left, Shi Wei's mother showed Miss Moran photos of Shi Wei when she was a child.

“So cute,” Miss Moran said, asking Shi Wei’s mother to send her a copy of the photo.

The group chatted about Shi Wei's childhood. Shi Chuan glanced at his mother's personal terminal and asked in confusion, "How long has it been? Why hasn't she come back yet?"

Did you eat something that upset your stomach?

Shi Chuan glanced at the menu, hesitating whether to ask Miss Moran to go and take a look or go himself, when he heard his mother say, "It should be fine, I saw that tall guy go with them too."

She was referring to Prada. Shi Chuan thought about it and figured it should be fine.

The restaurant was thoroughly searched inside and out; even the bodyguards Miss Moran brought were no pushovers.

The three waited for a while. Shi Chuan looked a little puzzled. Ignoring etiquette, he stood up and said, "I'm going to the restroom to see if she's had too much to drink."

It's just a sip of fruit wine, it can't be that serious.

As he turned the corner, he saw several waiters lying on the ground.

Shi Chuan's heart jumped, and he stumbled to the bathroom, where he saw the tall man his mother had mentioned—

Prada lay on the ground in a twisted position, as if he had been snapped in two, his face down so that it was impossible to tell whether he was alive or dead, but the blood beneath him had already flowed to his feet.

His foot went numb, and a small black snake slithered away from his feet.

Dizziness began to set in, and Shi Chuan knelt on the ground, using her strong will to support herself. She then turned on her personal terminal and called her parents:

"Shi Wei... is missing, something... has happened, there... are... snakes... here..."

He collapsed into a pool of blood before he could utter the last word.

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Author's Note: Shi Wei: Why am I always the one who gets hurt?!

Trash author (feeling guilty): Because everyone loves you.