Chapter 014 Chapter 14

After discussing the matter of the Black Tower, Li Zhou did not leave immediately.

He placed his arms on his knees, clasped his hands together, and thought for a moment, looking down. As if he had finally made a decision, he raised his eyes and said, "I helped you once before. Can you help me once too?"

Xia Meng was waiting for him to say this.

When he asked for help before, she took the initiative to say that she owed him a favor and that he could come to her anytime when he thought it through.

I didn't expect it to come so soon.

She nodded readily: "You say, as long as I can do it."

Li Zhou hesitated for a moment before slowly speaking, "I'd like to ask you to enter my mental image and help me find something."

Xia Meng thought about it and felt that this matter seemed quite simple.

So she asked, "What are you looking for?"

Li Zhou lowered his eyes: "I don't know."

Xia Meng: “?”

She asked again: "What kind of thing is it?"

Li Zhou shook his head: "I don't know."

Xia Meng was a little amused and helpless.

"Then how can I help you?"

Li Zhou touched his nose. Indeed, this conversation sounded a bit unreasonable.

But he really had no other choice.

He had been searching for too long.

Keep looking for it for three years, five years, ten years, or maybe even the next twenty or thirty years.

Li Zhou raised his eyes to look at her and said softly, "I don't know, so I want you to try to help me find it."

Xia Meng read a kind of desperate determination and persistence from his expression.

It seemed as if he would be willing to spend his entire life looking for it.

Somehow, Xia Meng was moved by the subtle persistence in his eyes.

She didn't hesitate: "Okay."

It’s just entering the spiritual picture. I’ve had this experience once before, so it shouldn’t be difficult to enter it the second time, right?

It just so happened that she also wanted to try it herself and see how it was done.

She put down the water bottle and rubbed her hands expectantly: "Now?"

Li Zhou shook his head: "Maybe after a while. Right now... my spiritual image may still be a little dangerous to you."

Xia Meng: “?”

Li Zhou didn't explain too much.

After saying that, he stood up and said goodbye.

Xia Meng walked him to the door.

She held the door, hesitant to speak for a long time, and finally called him when he was about to enter the elevator.

"Li Zhou."

Li Zhou stopped and looked back: "What?"

Xia Meng paused, looked into his eyes and asked, "Why do you want me to help you with this?"

She didn't know much about sentinels, and if she remembered correctly, sentinels would rarely actively invite guides into their mental images.

Just as a puppy will only show its belly to those it trusts, the mental picture is the weakness of all Sentinels.

It can't be that Li Zhou chose to trust someone he had only met a few times, right?

Does she look so innocent?

She believed that the experienced guides in the Black Tower would be more suitable than her.

"Maybe it's because..." Li Zhou tilted his head and thought for a moment, "You don't look like you're going to die easily?"

Xia Meng: “…”

Xia Meng: “……???”

Wait, what's the logic behind this?

Is this person provoking her?

Thinking of this, Xia Meng met his innocent and peaceful eyes, and could even read some sincere kindness in them.

So she slowly realized that he was probably really praising her sincerely when he said that.

Xia Meng: “………………”

Praise a person who is not easy to die -

Is this person probably suffering from some serious illness?

…

…

Black Tower.

"Three hundred thousand!? Cough cough cough cough cough——"

Zhou Qi was choked and coughed for a long time.

A few seconds ago, Zhou Qi was still happy when he heard Li Zhou come back and report that Xia Meng agreed.

Until Li Zhou said those five sinful words——

Monthly salary!

Three hundred thousand!

Where was he going to get three hundred thousand for her?

Go grab it?!

This morning, Zhou Qi was still racking his brains over the budget for their Criminal Investigation Center.

The sentries under his command may not have many other skills, but they are all very good at spending money.

Li Zhou said as a matter of course: "Then deduct it from my salary."

Zhou Qi glanced at him.

Oh wow, so generous?

Yes, this young master awakened early.

The Black Tower will provide additional subsidies to S-level and A-level sentries, especially precious gems like Li Zhou, who are only seven in the world. In addition to salary, they will receive at least an additional subsidy of 500,000 to 1 million yuan every month.

After so many years, his assets are enough to buy ten houses in Beijing.

However, he took out 300,000 yuan without blinking an eye, and it was still 300,000 yuan every month.

Who would spend so much money on someone they’ve only met a few times?

Only Li Zhou is rich.

Thinking of this, Zhou Qi looked at Li Zhou and hesitated to say, "You treat Xia Meng like this, don't you..."

Li Zhou blinked, his eyes clear and pure: "What?"

Zhou Qi paused and shook his head: "Nothing."

He must have been overthinking it.

Xia Meng is only a B-level.

S-class sentinels and B-class guides, this is not appropriate.

Even if Li Zhou had this intention, Heita would never agree.

What's more——

Zhou Qi didn't think about it any further.

"By the way." Zhou Qi asked, "Did Xia Meng tell you when she would come to work?"

Li Zhou: "Oh, she said she would report in early morning."

…

Xia Meng decided to go to the Black Tower.

It is only right and reasonable for me to inform my master first.

So that night, Xia Meng crossed half of Beijing and went to a roast duck restaurant that was known for its "crispy but not greasy" roast duck. She waited in line for two hours, and then happily went to Wang Xiangyi's house carrying a roast duck and a dozen beers.

A little after nine o'clock.

It’s just when dinner has been digested and you can start eating a midnight snack.

Wang Xiangyi has not yet learned the bad news.

Suddenly seeing his disciple being so filial, he looked at her suspiciously: "What are you planning now?"

He was just short of writing the words "The weasel pays a New Year's visit to the chicken" on his face.

Xia Meng held the roast duck in her hands and smiled innocently: "What a stupid idea! I just miss you and Master's wife!"

Wang Xiangyi still blocked the door and refused to move.

His eyes scanned back and forth across her face like two searchlights, trying to find some clues.

Xia Meng had no choice but to seek help from outside the field. She stood on tiptoe and yelled at the top of her lungs: "Master's wife! I'm here, Master's wife!!"

Soon, Wang Xiangyi's wife's gentle response was heard not far away: "Xia Xia is here! Come in quickly!"

Don’t be fooled by the gentle nature of Master’s wife. The final say in their family lies in her hands.

The evil plan succeeded, and Xia Meng quickly pushed Wang Xiangyi aside and ran inside.

As he ran, he shouted, "Master's wife, I brought you roast duck!"

Wang Xiangyi's home is decorated in a style that is unique to literary and artistic people.

There are unique abstract paintings on the wall, a unique vase on the table, a retro record player on the cabinet, countless old records piled next to it, and a piano and acoustic guitar in the corner...

My teacher’s wife is an artist. She used to be a music teacher in high school. Later, due to poor health, she rested at home.

Occasionally guide students one-on-one.

The master's wife was making tea in the small tea room. When she saw Xia Meng come in, she smiled and waved at her: "I just made some tangerine peel. Come and have a cup."

Xia Meng was quite familiar with Lao Wang's house.

She skillfully took her slippers and changed into them, then Baba went to ask the Master's wife for a cup of tea.

Lao Wang's sinister voice rang out from the distance: "Xiao Xia, if you don't want me to throw you out, put that weasel of yours away immediately!!!"

Xia Meng turned around holding the teacup.

I saw that her little ferret appeared again at some point.

The red-feathered chicken that was chasing Wang Xiangyi was running around the house, cackling.

Then Wang Xiangyi was so angry again that he was fuming and his blood pressure was rising.

Wang Xiangyi pointed at the little ferret and complained loudly to Xia Meng, "This thing is even more rude than you!"

The little ferret responded angrily, "Squeak!"

Wang Xiangyi: "What are you squeaking about! I'm talking about you!"

Little ferret: "Squeak!"

The man and the itachi started quarreling on the spot.

It's just unbearable to watch.

Xia Meng turned back silently.

She drank the tea in one gulp and smiled sweetly at the Master's wife: "Thank you, Master's wife!"

Just as he was about to stand up, his wife seemed to have guessed something and reminded him with a smile, "No matter what decision you make, tell Lao Wang about it. He will understand and support you."

Xia Meng paused, she hadn't said anything yet.

She subconsciously touched her face: "Could it be that it's all written on my face?"

The master's wife smiled and said, "You should have decided where to go after graduation by now. Isn't it easy to guess?"

Xia Meng put down her hand: "That's right. Thank you, Master's wife."

The master's wife stood up and turned to Wang Xiangyi and said, "I'm going to sleep first. You two can chat well and keep your voices down."

Wang Xiangyi nodded reluctantly.

There was no way. Every time he saw this wronged disciple, his voice would unconsciously get higher.

But I can't disturb my wife's sleep.

Wang Xiangyi waved at Xia Meng unhappily: "Let's go to the rooftop to eat."

This was not the first time that the master and apprentice had done this. They had a tacit understanding. One of them carried roast duck and beer, while the other carried wine glasses and bowls and chopsticks, and they went to the rooftop to report.

By nine o'clock, the heat on the rooftop had dissipated.

Wang Xiangyi turned on the electric fan.

The fan shook its head, blowing away the last bit of heat on the rooftop.

Xia Meng picked up a can of beer, and with a "pop", the faint aroma of beer spread along with the poured clear golden liquid.

She filled both of their glasses.

Wang Xiangyi didn't say a word the whole time, just staring at her pouring wine.

After Xia Meng pushed the wine glass over to him, he slowly picked up the glass and took a sip.

"Go ahead and tell me the truth." He was very straightforward and asked directly, "Why did you come to see me so late at night? Have you done anything wrong to me again?"

After all, the two of them had been master and apprentice for several years, and they had a deep understanding of each other.

In Wang Xiangyi's opinion, as soon as Xia Meng's eyebrows moved, he knew that she was up to no good again.

In short, this person just can't sit still and always likes to stir up trouble.

Xia Meng blinked and said innocently, "I just came here to share the delicious food with you, Master!"

With delicious food in front of you, why say anything to spoil the fun?

As she spoke, she respectfully presented the most delicious part of the roast duck to Wang Xiangyi.

By the way, I reached out and helped the master wrap a roll.

Wang Xiangyi snorted twice, obviously not believing her nonsense: "You'd better be okay."

The master and the disciple showed off a whole roast duck to each other.

During this period, scenes of spiritual bodies fighting each other would occasionally occur behind the two of them.

Xia Meng's weasel is quite powerful, but it suffers from its small size.

Wang Xiangyi's golden pheasant stood up to half a person's height. Although it suffered a lot of losses at the hands of the weasel at the beginning, after regrouping, it relied on its flying plug-in to launch sneak attacks from the air and gained a lot of advantages.

Wang Xiangyi was full and in a better mood after eating and drinking. The look in his eyes when he looked at the weasel finally became a little calmer.

He took a sip of beer and said, "Huh, why is your spirit body like this?"

Xia Meng held the wine bottle and spread her hands: "I don't know, I slept and had a dream, and it appeared when I woke up."

Wang Xiangyi leaned back in his chair and said lazily, "Look at how lively it is. It looks quite like you."

Xia Meng chuckled and, not forgetting to return the compliments, said, "If you really want to compare it that way, your chicken is just like you! Elegant! Noble! Cool! And majestic!"

Xia Meng usually talks a lot of nonsense that can choke people to death, but when she speaks sweetly, she can still make people happy.

It’s a pity that alcohol may have affected my performance today.

Her first flattery hit the horse's leg.

Wang Xiangyi puffed his beard and glared: "It's the Golden Pheasant! It's the prototype of the Phoenix! Do you understand?"

Xia Meng nodded quickly and immediately changed her tone: "I understand! Your phoenix!"

Not far away, the weasel jumped up like lightning, and with a roar, it grabbed a handful of phoenix feathers on its butt.

“Kuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!”

“Squeak!”

The chickens fly and the mice jump.

Wang Xiangyi finished his second can of beer.

He shook his empty glass and said calmly, "Alright, we've eaten the roast duck and drunk the wine. You know how much I can drink. If you drink any more, I'll lose my memory. I won't be able to remember a single word of what you discussed tonight when I wake up tomorrow morning."

The fact that he has been able to wait patiently until now is already enough to give this little girl face.

Xia Meng leaned on the edge of the table, her chin resting on the beer can.

After thinking for a while, she told him that Li Zhou had come to see her in the evening.

Wang Xiangyi seemed to be drunk and couldn't remember who Li Zhou was for a moment. Until he heard the words "monthly salary of 300,000", his attention was immediately drawn to him.

He raised his voice: "Three hundred thousand!?"

Xia Meng nodded and said slowly, "I've asked Director Bai from the Guide Center. The average new employee can only get a monthly salary of 10,000 yuan in their first year, before tax. But I just confirmed with Zhou Qi, and he said that if I go, I can get 300,000 yuan a month."

Wang Xiangyi's brows furrowed, as if they could pinch a fly to death: "Are they planning to sell you by the pound?"

Xia Meng nodded in agreement: "I think it's about the same. Three hundred thousand is the price I have to pay for my life."

There is no such thing as a free lunch.

Zhou Qi doesn't look like a boy who gives away money for charity.

Wang Xiangyi stared at her, his tone somewhat incredulous: "Even so, you still want to go?"

Xia Meng supported her chin and did not answer immediately.

She naturally cherishes her life.

But the strange thing is that even so, she still wants to go and see.

Fan Xue's face, Jiang Qiongran's face, and the faces of the professor couple flashed before her eyes...

There is also Zhou Qi's face and Li Zhou's face.

There's even a slogan in the Black Tower lobby:

Welcome to join the world of Black Tower, the future belongs to you!

What will her future be like?

Before yesterday, she had a clear answer to this question.

Now she is a little uncertain.

"Master..." she puffed out her cheeks and asked softly, "If I really choose to go to the Black Tower, will you support me?"

Wang Xiangyi was silent for a long time after hearing this.

Xia Meng waited and waited, thinking he would at least give her an answer, but he didn't.

It seems that it is still not supported...

Xia Meng felt a little disappointed.

Could it be that their relationship as master and disciple ends here?

So she lowered her eyes and silently asked again: "If I could ask you to give me one last piece of advice, what would it be?"

This time Wang Xiangyi didn't stop for too long.

He spoke almost immediately.

"Always follow your heart," he said. "Don't let the Black Tower make any choices for you."

Xia Meng raised her eyes.

Wang Xiangyi continued calmly, "If you don't understand something, just ask Master. Humph, you still have a lot to learn."

Wang Xiangyi also said this yesterday.

At that time, the two of them were arguing with each other, but when I listened to it again now, it suddenly had a different flavor.

Xia Meng couldn't help laughing.

The Master’s wife was right.

No matter what decision she makes, Master will always support her.