"Aren't we taking the initiative right now?"
Now, Xu Shi could finally reassure her, saying, "Losing one or two 'inspectors' isn't a big deal. We can just keep arresting them in other areas. If 'Heavenly Justice' really has the ability to clear their names, then it's like cutting off their own arm."
"And also..."
"And what?"
"And don't you think that by doing this, they are actually showing weakness?"
Xu Shi smiled and said, "If they really didn't care about our actions, they wouldn't have been in such a hurry to do this."
"……Too."
Tang Shuang paused, then nodded noncommittally. "Tianli's" actions did indeed give people the feeling of "I'm afraid of you."
If they truly remain as fearless as the masterminds behind the scenes, they certainly won't rush to erase any possible traces.
Thinking about it this way, she felt much better. After all, just as Xu Shi said, they were now taking the initiative to explore a larger world and discover more things about "natural law". If they could really do it, losing one or two "observers" might not be a big deal.
Of course, what pleased her even more was Xu Shi's attitude, which could be described as spirited and always maintaining that high-profile, fearless confidence in the face of difficulties.
It's hard not to be attracted to a man like that, isn't it? Not everyone can possess such personal charm.
"...Let's not talk about that. I called you here today to have a good meal."
She chose to put those thoughts aside for the time being and focus all her attention on cooking. "Give me the fish... Oh, why did you cut off the fish head?! I'm going to make a whole fish for you!"
Why?
Xu Shi himself was actually unaware of this, and only realized it after hearing her say that. Just now, he had been chopping up and almost mincing the dog's head, which he had regarded as "heavenly justice"...
Oh, this.
Fish: First of all, I haven't offended any of you.
...
So in the end, the steamed fish became boiled fish fillets, and the fish head was used to make soup.
To Xu Shi's surprise, the dinner was not like the farewell feast he had imagined; instead, it tasted surprisingly good.
"Did you really do this?"
A hint of doubt crept into his eyes. "You didn't secretly order takeout when no one was looking, did you?"
"Can't I learn to cook?"
Tang Shuang was displeased. "Some people say they'll just disappear without a trace when they go out to play. It's been over a year, I need to find some hobbies to pass the time, right?!"
Xu Shi looked away.
That was the proper tone of a wronged woman, and he wasn't going to respond.
However, Mr. Xu was actually quite happy—Tang Shuang probably chose cooking as a hobby because she subconsciously wanted to cook for him.
Her appalling cooking skills were still fresh in people's minds. Governor Tang was so proud that he would not let such a thing become a stain on his life.
It's hard to imagine that a year ago, no one would have thought that the decisive and ruthless director of the inspection bureau would one day wash his hands of cooking for his beloved.
Yesterday was a welcome dinner, and today is too, only the people at the table have changed.
However, the atmosphere was still very good. It was clear that during the year that Xu Shi was away, the relationship between Tang Shuang and Lin Yue, the governor and deputy governor, had become much closer. They had more in common, and there were some things that only they knew that Xu Shi couldn't even get a word in edgewise.
As for Shen Qin... although she had only been working at the Governor's Office for a day, she was surprisingly quite compatible with them.
Mr. Xu buried his head in his rice, wondering if he was the one who was superfluous.
The dinner ended in this strange atmosphere.
"I'm finished eating, thank you for the meal."
As night fell, Shen Qin gently put down her chopsticks and murmured, "Then I'll head back now. I haven't had time to tidy up the dormitory assigned to me by the Governor's Mansion."
Yes, surprisingly, she didn't choose to stay at Xu Shi's house, but instead made this request to Tang Shuang.
"……Wait a moment."
Tang Shuang thought for a moment, then called out to her, "Sister Chen Qin, is it really okay for you to back out here?"
What are you talking about?
Shen Qin turned around, her voice trembling slightly.
"You've been avoiding Xu Shi lately, haven't you?"
Governor Tang said earnestly, "Now that we finally have this opportunity to speak frankly, are you really going to just walk away like this?"
That's pretty clear, or rather, who can't see what her feelings for Xu Shi are?
Before, she wished she could become a pendant and hang on Xu Shi.
But recently, the two have indeed become much more estranged – including her series of actions, which do give the impression of deliberate avoidance.
"...He's just my older brother."
Shen Qin pursed her lips and said this.
But anyone could tell from her tone that she was saying one thing and meaning another.
Do you really think so?
Tang Shuang narrowed her eyes. "Alright then, remember to come to work on time tomorrow."
"At the same time, remember what you said today and uphold the duty in your heart."
Her tone was somewhat aggressive, "Otherwise... I might not be so polite."
"...What right do you have to be rude to me?"
These words seemed to touch a nerve with Shen Qin, causing her to retort instantly, "What happens between my brother and me is none of anyone else's business."
"Is he really just my brother?"
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