Chapter 63: I’m Not Being Pessimistic
The others didn’t believe it either. Yan Ci frowned and scolded, “What are you yelling for? What good does getting angry here do? You should be more considerate of…”
He turned to look at Xie Qiang, worried that seeing this would leave her heartbroken.
However, Xie Qiang remained expressionless, focused entirely on the food in front of her.
Lei Lie also noticed her reaction and asked, “Qiangqiang, aren’t you angry?”
“Of course I am. But what’s the point? Instead of wasting time being angry, I should hurry up and eat my fill. Who knows? This might be my last delicious meal.”
Si Ye froze. He had made this entire table of food; how could it be the last?
“If you want to eat, just call me anytime. I can cook for you. Don’t be so… pessimistic.”
Xie Qiang, a chicken wing stuffed in her mouth, looked up at him. After a thought, she pulled it out.
“Pessimistic? I’m not being pessimistic.”
Then she stuffed the wing back in.
Bai Zhi asked in confusion, “Then why did you say this is your last meal? Even if he doesn’t have time to cook, I can make desserts for you. But what you just said… it sounded like you’d never eat again in this lifetime.”
Xie Qiang realized that her words had been misunderstood by both of them.
It wasn’t just those two; Lei Lie seemed to have misunderstood as well.
Yan Ci, on the other hand, was likely familiar with the intricacies of such situations due to his long experience in the business world.
Since Xie Qiang was still eating and it was inconvenient to talk with her mouth full, Yan Ci took over the explanation.
“Where do you think this news came from? It’s not just the news; look at the forums. There are all sorts of claims and ‘evidence.’ Only we can tell it’s fake. But who has the power to provide such realistic fake evidence?”
“Lotia.” Si Ye had likely been too busy for the past few hours for his brain to keep up, but hearing Yan Ci’s explanation, he understood immediately.
“This could only have come from Lotia. When a Prince provides information, people will accept it as truth whether it is real or not. Besides, they’ve already been building up public opinion. People are primed to believe him now.”
Lei Lie let out a long “Ohhh—”. Xie Qiang thought he finally understood and asked, “What is it? Do you get it now?”
But that wasn’t why Lei Lie had exclaimed.
He shook his head and asked, “Why would Lotia do this? What does he gain if Qiangqiang gets arrested? It’s not like he’s the one catching her.”
Yan Ci looked at him as if he were looking at an idiot.
Xie Qiang stopped Yan Ci from explaining and said instead, “Have you forgotten the experiments Lotia was performing? He needs to research me. Do you still think he has nothing to gain?”
So that was it. Lei Lie had almost forgotten.
Xie Qiang pulled out a tissue, wiped the corners of her mouth, and said, “The news has spread nationwide. I expect people will be coming to arrest me soon. So, while I still have a little time, I’m going to eat as much as I can.”
So that was her logic. Lei Lie finally nodded in understanding.
Wait, arrest!
“Who did you say is coming to arrest you?” Lei Lie seemed to have been dulled by the fighting; he couldn’t keep up with the conversation at all.
Bai Zhi finished eating quickly and wiped his mouth. “Anyone is possible. The Emperor, Lotia, the Imperial Guards—maybe even the military. After all, Qiangqiang is now a ‘dangerous element’ and a massive threat to the Empire. Qiangqiang, take your time eating. I’ll go help you pack. Si Ye, if you have time, make some more food and put it in a high-speed thermal box for her to take. Just in case she ends up somewhere where she can’t get a proper meal.”
The food Si Ye made was something lower-income families couldn’t afford. Preparing some for Xie Qiang wasn’t just for her to eat; it might serve another purpose in an emergency.
Lei Lie immediately put down his utensils. “I—I’m done eating. Qiangqiang, take your time. I’m going to make some arrangements.”
Since Xie Qiang was about to start her life as a fugitive, he needed to help out.
Yan Ci sat calmly beside Xie Qiang, finding the time to put her favorite dishes onto her small plate while offering comfort. “No rush. Eat slowly. We still have time.”
Xie Qiang wasn’t particularly worried. Even if the news had broken quickly, and even for someone as fast as the Emperor, it would take time to mobilize people to arrest her.
Half an hour later, Xie Qiang finished her meal. She was surrounded by four Sentinels, each with their own arrangements.
Yan Ci carried Xie Jun on his back. Si Ye was communicating with the Sentinel Management Bureau. Lei Lie said his soldiers were on their way and would split into two teams—one to escort them and the other to surround Xie Qiang’s house to create the illusion that they were still inside.
Only Bai Zhi kept some distance from Xie Qiang.
He said, “Qiangqiang, it’ll be more effective if I act from the shadows. Don’t worry about me; I’ll protect you from out of sight.”
Yan Ci’s hovercar was parked in front of them. It looked like an ordinary vehicle from the outside, but the interior was a different world.
It utilized nano-space compression technology. Stepping into the cabin was like entering a suite with a living room, bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom.
The kitchen was stocked with ingredients, and Si Ye immediately filled the refrigerator with the cooked meals.
Yan Ci placed Xie Jun on the bed in the bedroom and turned to say, “This room is for you and your brother to rest. We’ll be right outside. We’ll take turns coming in when we need sleep. There’s a call button on the wall; let us know if you need anything.”
Xie Qiang looked around the room and nodded.
Lei Lie finished his arrangements and climbed directly into the pilot’s seat.
The cockpit was equipped with a comprehensive monitoring system that required constant attention.
Xie Qiang murmured, “Won’t you all be too exhausted?”
“Not at all,” Lei Lie, who had the “ears of a dog,” heard her clearly. “The three of us have agreed to rotate every four hours.”
Si Ye added, “Qiangqiang, go and get some rest. We have a lot of work to do. Knowing you’ve rested well is the best comfort for us.”
Yan Ci was already working off to the side. Actually, Xie Qiang didn’t know if he was working or not, but he was so focused on his terminal that he didn’t even look her way.
Xie Qiang nodded and turned to enter the bedroom.
Xie Jun still needed care. Bai Zhi had checked him before boarding and said he would wake up soon.
As his sister, Xie Qiang wanted to be the first person he saw when he woke up. That way, she could ask him some questions.
As soon as Xie Qiang entered the room, Yan Ci sent the latest information to the small group chat the four men had created.
雷烈 (Lei Lie): An arrest warrant! Is His Majesty really that heartless? Qiangqiang helped him heal so many generals and marshals, yet he actually signed an arrest warrant?
司夜 (Si Ye): He has no choice. Look at the public opinion online; it’s spiraled out of control. Guides are calling it a disgrace to have someone like her among them, and Sentinels are terrified of being controlled. The Emperor was forced into this.
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