Chapter 105 Perfection Through Refinement (4)
She had a headache and slowly walked downstairs, poured herself a glass of water, and Shu Changyan followed closely behind her without saying a word.
The sky outside the window was just beginning to lighten. Relying on the superior eyesight of the superhuman T, the two did not turn on the lights inside the room, and everything inside was bathed in a dim shadow.
Shu Ningmiao picked up the teacup, which contained plain water.
She hasn't had the leisure to sit down and slowly brew tea like she used to for a long time.
Shu Changyan watched her hold the teacup and drink water with her head down. The tip of her nose turned a faint pink from the steam, and her eyes were lowered quietly.
After she finished drinking, he very naturally reached out and took the empty glass from her hand.
"I dreamt about you." She paused, then suddenly spoke.
Shu Changyan walked to the counter and washed the teacup. Hearing this, he raised an eyebrow in surprise, then a gentle smile appeared on his face: "What did you dream about me about? You weren't conquering me in your dream, were you?"
He sensed that Shu Ningmiao was still slightly dazed as the water flowed over her fingers.
“Just like you dreamed.” Shu Ningmiao sat at the table, resting her chin on her hand, staring at him absentmindedly for a while before finally looking away.
Seeing Shu Changyan's face, the scene from my dream flashed by.
A barely perceptible breath, a gentle, subtle touch that brushes against the lips.
"A TV series." She pondered for a moment. "Perhaps this dream will continue."
"Don't joke like that." Shu Changyan's smile vanished instantly, and his face darkened.
He strode over her, placed the clean cup beside her, and after a long pause, carefully spoke: "A dream is just a dream."
The fact that she's sitting here perfectly fine in real life is more important than anything else.
Knowing that she was entangled with Prometheus, he volunteered to deal with Archenie, but he was too late.
In the end, Achini died and Prometheus fled east and west; the scenario they had both inexplicably dreamed of could no longer become a reality.
Shu Ningmiao certainly didn't bring this up with him because she was having nightmares or was afraid of death.
She stared at Shu Changyan for a while, then casually changed the subject, seemingly not taking the previous words to heart.
"Mrs. Grana invited me to the Shi family manor yesterday. Would you like to come along?" Shu Ningmiao turned around in her chair and leaned against the armrest.
The room was too quiet, so she casually tapped the central control panel and turned on the overhead projector. A huge screen was projected onto the dining table. There were no entertainment programs at this time, and the screen was replaying previous news reports.
The host in the studio had a serious expression, and his slightly fast-paced voice was slightly distorted through the screen, but he was concise and efficient.
"...The ceasefire has not yet lasted three months. Yesterday afternoon, the southern waters of Pigne were attacked again by the Intori. Our armed forces retaliated, and so far, there has been no large-scale damage or casualties. The Intori Red Sand Party claims that the secularization of Manla is a desecration of nature. Professor Lin, according to your analysis, will this statement by the Red Sand Party ignite a new round of religious war in the Intori, and what impact will it have on Pigne?"
"Okay, based on my current understanding of the situation in Intori, let me give you a brief introduction. As you may know, Intori is one of the least developed countries in the world, with a land area of only 670,000 square kilometers. The reason it possesses such a powerful armed force is mainly due to the fact that almost 100% of its citizens are awakened. This closed and primitive country accounts for 30% of the world's superhumans. Hehe, many viewers may be curious about the secret behind the birth of so many superhumans in this poor and backward country."
"Based on research data collected over the years, some experts believe that their high awakening rate comes from a hallucinogenic plant unique to the local area. They would chew large amounts of this suspected drug during the Fire Seed period to stimulate their superpowers."
The man on the screen pushed up his glasses and spoke eloquently: "If it's blasphemy, who exactly is blaspheming the laws of nature? — Is their behavior more regulated than our scientific mining? I personally believe that they are just a group of ignorant people controlled by illusions. They have no theoretical religion, not even a proper government, and are not enough to threaten Phineas."
"Wasn't he just dismissed from his post?" Shu Ningmiao looked at the refined man on the screen, finding him increasingly familiar, and casually remarked.
Lin Chuxu's uncle, Lin Shengyi, was one of the former councilors. After Weston was exonerated, he was dismissed from his post following Gavinde, the dean of the School of Life Sciences, and Weston filled the vacancy.
She only realized that the congressman who was talking to Gawande in his office was him after she saw the report that Weston forwarded.
"It's not a serious crime. The Lin family has the resources to back him up. When he returns to Cornunos, he'll still have an honorary professorship in international relations."
Shu Changyan answered her question, but paused slightly.
She had never taken the initiative to learn about political news before, let alone such detailed job changes. Yet, with just one sentence, he keenly sensed something amiss.
Shu Ningmiao changed the channel, cutting off the incessant sound on the screen. Another channel was broadcasting important domestic news.
According to local reporters, there have been several malicious homicides in New Territories recently. Based on the modus operandi, the perpetrators are preliminarily identified as the same person or organization. Due to the escalating security situation, all access routes between New Territories and other locations will be suspended for the time being, with the resumption date to be determined.
She frowned slightly; the lockdown of Xindi was completely unexpected.
To be honest, there have never been few murders in New Territories. The usual checkpoints are already strict enough, so there's no need for a complete lockdown.
Could it be that Pine discovered they were traveling to and from the capital using teleportation devices?
Shu Changyan seemed to only then remember what she had asked earlier: "What did you just say?"
"Do you want to come to the Shi family with me?" Shu Ningmiao repeated, unusually good-naturedly, "If you're here, I'll have an excuse to come back sooner."
Shu Changyan looked down at her, couldn't help but chuckle, then sighed, "You know I don't like Shi Yu."
She looked up at him: "Didn't you contact Shi Yu before?"
"It's because I can't find you." Shu Changyan helplessly reached out and tapped her forehead with his fingertips: "Alright, don't speak. I don't want to hear his name from your mouth. I'll go with you."
After all that fuss, it was already broad daylight.
Bright sunlight streamed in through the window. Shu Changyan leisurely prepared breakfast and obediently followed her instructions to organize the coats in the wardrobe.
While he wore a fixed uniform at the military headquarters, his personal clothes were rather unremarkable, consisting of only a few very ordinary pieces, barely enough to fill the wardrobe in his guest room.
Shu Ningmiao didn't sleep well last night and lay on the bed, exhausted, reading "Understanding and Introduction to Supernatural Abilities". The fact that the teacher who taught this course had left did not mean that there would be no exam. On the contrary, it meant that the probability of getting a perfect score was more random.
"Have you seen what I gave you before?" Shu Changyan turned his back to her and unbuttoned his shirt, revealing his lean and muscular back. Shu Ningmiao saw the dark red scars on his back, intertwined and grotesque scabs, some new and some old, and she didn't know when they had been there.
Just as Yelü Qi had once been indifferent, Shu Changyan was equally unmoved by these wounds, never even considering covering them up. A person who wants to win cannot be afraid of getting hurt, and Shu Ningmiao has now become much the same.
She turned another page.
He fastened the last button, sat on the edge of the bed, and casually draped his coat over her head.
"Alright, I know his father is mentally ill, and he's mentally ill too, but that's the Shi family's business." Shu Ningmiao turned over and forcefully pulled open her coat: "It has nothing to do with me."
“You two are still engaged, how can you not be related?” Shu Changyan lowered his head, his fingers brushing the stray hairs by her ear: “His family doctor’s treatment plan for him in recent years has met the criteria for high-functioning ASPD (antisocial personality disorder), and it doesn’t seem to be improving much. Mrs. Shi is well aware of all this, but she didn’t tell you. Before his father passed away, Mrs. Shi was often in tears and attempted suicide many times.”
"Their doctors must have signed a lot of confidentiality agreements, right?" Shu Ningmiao casually changed the subject: "How could you find out so much?"
Shu Changyan was unaware of the deal between her and Shi Yu.
Because of that ambiguous dream, she harbored a tentative thought, yet didn't want to explain it too clearly.
"Don't you understand?" Shu extended his long, slender fingers and flicked her forehead, causing the strands of hair by her forehead to sway gently in the air.
"Being with this kind of person would be very difficult."
"That……"
Shu Ningmiao suddenly grabbed his hand, propped herself up slightly, and looked at him: "Is it okay if it's not him?"
“Of course.” Under her slightly sharp gaze, Shu Changyan’s eyes were surprisingly calm, with a hint of surprise: “As long as you like it, as long as that person won’t hurt you.”
Although he spoke casually, every word he uttered showed no sign of deception; it was entirely an attitude of wanting her to be happy.
Shu Ningmiao abruptly let go of her hand, beginning to wonder if she was being too sensitive.
Dreams are a mix of reality and illusion. If everything she saw was the truth, she wouldn't still be in the dark.
She inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief, raised her book to block his view, and continued to study while looking up at the sky. Shu Changyan didn't seem to mind and just watched her like that.
The temporary tranquility was broken only when the driver parked the car downstairs.
She declined many invitations, but she did not refuse Madame Grana.
Although she said she invited her over because she missed her, Lady Grana was in poor health and had been ill for a long time, rarely even leaving the house. Her main purpose was to help her and Shi Yu connect.
Recently, due to the goodwill shown by the Church of Praise, some rumors have been circulating about her and Wei Shengqianheng. Lady Grana has probably heard the rumors and is somewhat worried.
Normally, Shu Ningmiao wouldn't mind spending some time with Shi Yu. He wasn't talkative and was sensible. The two of them had already grasped the essence of each doing their own thing even before they were married.
However, thanks to Eric's reminder, and the fact that she had lost her immunity to [Arrogance], her level of vigilance towards Shi Yu was now completely different; otherwise, she wouldn't have specifically called Shu Changyan along.
What those two people thought when they met was not something she considered.
Upon arriving at the Shi family home, Madam Grana indeed claimed to be ill and refused to see them, leaving everything to Shi Yu to handle.
Shu Ningmiao was fully aware of these undercurrents of thought. Through the car window, she saw Shi Yu standing beside the car, dressed in a white shirt and black pants. His platinum blonde hair shimmered with a pale golden halo, making him as elegant as a successful portrait painting. She couldn't help but smile slightly.
His attire was clearly instructed by Madame Grana.
Seeing that the car had come to a complete stop, Shi Yu bent down to open the car door for her, but someone reached out and pressed down on her, stopping her in her tracks.
The fingers gripping the sword were long and strong, resting on the edge of the car door, with the knuckles slightly protruding.
Shu Changyan stepped out of the car, applied force with a light touch, and met Shi Yu's gaze for a fleeting moment, his tone unchanged: "Automatic door."
"It seems my attempt to ingratiate myself was inappropriate." Shi Yu had already withdrawn her hand and taken a step back when she saw him: "Brother."
Shu Changyan simply smiled, neither confirming nor denying.
Shu Ningmiao slowly walked out from behind him. Shi Yu glanced at her sideways, but she pretended not to see him: "Why aren't you entertaining the guests?"
"Are you a guest too?" Shi Yu smiled at her casually, speaking in a familiar tone. Then, without changing his expression, he turned to Shu Changyan and politely invited him into the house: "My mother is unwell, so I apologize for not being able to entertain you properly."
Shu Changyan raised an eyebrow slightly, took a step with a half-smile, while Shu Ningmiao walked on the other side, casually opening her terminal, seemingly with no intention of easing the atmosphere.
As the host, Shi Yu walked alongside him, a calm smile on her face. Her gaze gently swept over the young man beside her. This man was a head taller than the others, with slender shoulders and a narrow waist, casually wearing a white trench coat, his eyes and brows exuding gentleness.
But only for Shu Ningmiao.
Shu Changyan, in his early twenties, had already achieved remarkable military exploits. If Shi Yu was the model student admired by all the aristocratic families, then Shu Changyan was a name that couldn't even be mentioned in comparisons.
He had no desires, no hobbies, and not even a personal life worth whispering about in private. He was like a cloud of mist floating in the air.
Shi Yu didn't take it seriously. The only thing that made him feel slightly uncomfortable was that, as an adopted son, his concern for his younger sister Shu Ningmiao was a bit too much.
People like this, who come from new lands, have no roots or origins, and seem to always have to grasp at something to survive.
Shi Yu remained expressionless, gestured to the servant to pour tea, and said gently, "Mother heard that you have rarely gone out recently and is afraid that you are bored and restless at home."
She holds absolute power at home and could count money until the next century, so how could she be bored?
Shu Ningmiao turned off the terminal—recently, she had developed a bad habit of checking the game whenever she had nothing to do, poking at the game system to see if it could say anything, like she was raising a half-dead vegetable.
She moved her lips, about to exchange some polite words with Shi Yu, when she took a sniff and her brows furrowed slightly.
"Can't you smell it? There's a very strange smell."
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