Shen Qiu looked at the text message on his phone and couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
He thought about it and sent Bai Lanxin a message back.
"good!"
Soon the message from the other side came back.
"Well, see you tomorrow at six o'clock in the afternoon."
After reading the message, Shen Qiu stretched. He was going to have dinner with Bai Lanxin tomorrow night, so he could ask her for help in dealing with Zhang Can's matter.
See if Bai Lanxin has any way to solve the food problem in the residential areas outside. If she can't, she can find a way to sell the food. If that doesn't work, she can solve it with her own money.
…
The next evening.
A pickup truck stopped at the gate of the City Lord's Mansion.
As soon as Shen Qiu opened the passenger door and got out, Chen Ye beside him hurriedly shouted to Shen Qiu.
"Boss, when will I pick you up?"
"Let's talk about it later."
Shen Qiu waved at Chen Ye, then walked towards the City Lord's Mansion.
The soldiers guarding the door saluted when they saw Shen Qiu, but did not question or stop him.
After Shen Qiu walked in, he looked around. The City Lord's Mansion was exceptionally quiet today. There was no atmosphere of a banquet. It seemed that Bai Lanxin had invited them privately.
He picked up his phone and sent a message to Bai Lanxin.
"I'm here, where are you?"
Soon a message popped up.
"Go to the back garden first. I have something else to do. I'll come to you as soon as I'm done."
After reading the message, Shen Qiu walked towards the back garden.
…
At this time in a warm room.
Bai Lanxin was seen sitting at the dressing table with her long blue hair draped over her left shoulder and wearing a noble and elegant white lace dress.
The dress flatters her figure perfectly.
She took the swan crystal pendant from the jewelry box and tied it around her neck, then picked up the lipstick and applied some red lipstick in front of the mirror.
Through the mirror, you can see that Bai Lanxin has put on light makeup today.
For a moment, it seemed that the beautiful face was less valiant and more gentle, and it looked even more beautiful in a different way.
After applying lipstick, Bai Lanxin looked at herself in the mirror. After making sure that everything was fine, she hurriedly stood up and walked towards the door.
At this time, the door was pushed open.
Major An Li walked in with a tray and shouted.
"Miss, ah~"
Major An Li was so frightened when he met Bai Lanxin that the tray in his hand fell to the ground.
The medicine bottles and water cups on the tray fell directly to the ground.
"What are you doing?"
Bai Lanxin looked at the clumsy An Li and asked helplessly.
Major An Li quickly picked up the things and asked in disbelief.
"Miss, why are you dressed like this? Don't you never dress like this?"
She felt that Bai Lanxin was a little mentally abnormal today.
When Bai Lanxin heard An Li's words, she suddenly looked a little embarrassed, then coughed and said.
"Nothing, I just had nothing to do so I decided to try something different. Oh, and here's the thing I asked you to get."
"Here."
An Li handed the medicine bottle in his hand to Bai Lanxin.
Bai Lanxin took it and said to herself happily.
"Hehe, I don't believe I can't get you drunk. Let's see how you can fly out of my palm today."
"What are you talking about, young lady?"
"nothing."
"Miss, what do you want the strong sleeping powder for?"
Major An Li asked in confusion.
"Ahem, I haven't been sleeping well lately. Let's not talk about that anymore. Um, where's my dad? What is he doing?"
Bai Lanxin changed the subject and then asked like a thief.
"Master, he is in his room getting dressed."
"He's fixing his clothes? What's he doing?"
"I don't know. It seems that an important guest is coming to visit tonight. The master is preparing to entertain him, so the master probably has no time to take care of you today."
An Li thought for a moment and replied.
"That's great. Okay, I won't tell you."
Bai Lanxin's face lit up when she heard this, and she immediately opened the door and walked towards the back garden.
Da da~
Because Bai Lanxin walked very fast, her white high heels made a crisp sound.
However, when Bai Lanxin was about to go downstairs, she ran head-on into City Lord Bai Shao who was also about to go downstairs.
“Wow~”
Bai Lanxin was startled and looked at Bai Shao in disbelief.
Bai Shao City Lord was wearing a long white robe with vivid birds of peace embroidered on it. He also combed his hair meticulously and even used moisturizing lotion on his face, which made his complexion look very rosy and shiny. What was even more exaggerated was that Bai Shao City Lord also wore white gloves and black leather shoes.
The whole person can be as formal as he wants.
"What are you doing?"
City Lord Bai Shao was frightened by Bai Lanxin and asked unhappily.
"What's wrong with you today? Why are you dressed so formally? I remember watching the video of your wedding, but I didn't see you being so exaggerated."
Bai Lanxin looked her father up and down in disbelief.
City Lord Bai Shao's expression suddenly froze, and he said to Bai Lanxin.
"No way, can't I dress more formally?"
"I didn't say no, I just thought you were suspicious."
"Wait, why do you care so much? What are you wearing? How old is this skirt?"
"I just happened to find it, is there any problem if I want to put it on?"
Bai Lanxin suddenly looked unnatural and replied with a guilty conscience.
City Lord Bai Shao looked at the abnormal Bai Lanxin and was about to ask a few more questions, but then he remembered something and spoke.
"It's up to you. Just behave yourself today and don't cause any trouble for me!"
After saying this, City Lord Bai Shao hurried downstairs.
Seeing this, Bai Lanxin followed him downstairs. After they went downstairs, they turned right at the same time.
"Why are you following me? Didn't I tell you to behave yourself today?"
City Lord Bai Shao said angrily to Bai Lanxin who followed him.
"I didn't. I was going this direction too."
Bai Lanxin looked aggrieved. She didn't want to follow Bai Shao. The problem was, if she didn't go here, how could she get to the back garden
"I don't care what you want to do, just stand here for a while, I'm leaving first!"
Bai Shao was too lazy to talk nonsense with Bai Lanxin, so after speaking to her, he hurried forward.
Bai Lanxin had a dark face, but there was nothing she could do. She could only stand there for a while and wait for the old man to go away.
It just so happened that she didn't want to go with this old man.
…
In the back garden.
Shen Qiu strolled leisurely.
A gentle breeze blew past, and the green leaves on the branches swayed.
Chirp~
The cicadas in the trees kept chirping.
Shen Qiu felt quite comfortable and his heart was much calmer.
However, at this moment, Shen Qiu saw a small blue lake in front of him and walked over.
As he approached, he saw a familiar figure standing by the lake, with his hands behind his back, looking out at the lake.
Shen Qiu's eyes suddenly lit up, and then he walked up and shouted excitedly.
"Ryuji."
The figure was startled for a moment, then turned to look at Shen Qiu.
At this time, in the corners around, figures wearing black fang demon masks saw Shen Qiu coming and were about to attack.
At this moment, red prohibition warnings suddenly popped up on their masks, so they all retreated.
At this time Shen Qiu walked in front of Long Er. Long Er was about to say something, but Shen Qiu smiled and hooked his hands around Long Er's neck and said happily.
"Haha, what a surprise! You're so mean. You just left without saying anything last time."
When the figures around saw this scene, their eyes widened and their legs trembled. Many of them held the weapons at their waists and wanted to rush forward.
Long Er, who was being hooked by the neck, was slightly startled, but then he reacted and spoke calmly.
"Oh, something happened last time."
"Okay, no need to explain. I know you're busy, so I won't bother with you. We haven't seen each other for a while!"
"have."
Ryuji said calmly.
Shen Qiu suddenly felt something was not right and said.
"Why does your voice sound a little bit off, a little hoarse?"
"I'm old, and my health is definitely not as good as yours. Plus, my previous injuries haven't healed yet, and I caught a cold, so that's it."
Ryuji explained calmly.
"Okay, stop pretending. Your physique is not much worse than mine, and it's rare to see you here. Come on, I'll treat you to a drink, and we can have a good time together. There are too many people here."
Shen Qiu actually noticed that there were quite a lot of guards in the back garden, and it was not suitable for chatting because there were so many people around.
"OK."
Ryuji said and agreed.
"I'm telling you, I know there's a really good tavern in Clear Sky City. I'm sure you'll like it very much."
Shen Qiu hooked his arm around Long Er's neck and walked out while smiling. In his opinion, how could he let go of such a good opportunity
Just then City Lord Bai Shao hurried over. He saw Shen Qiu hooking his arm around Long Er's neck from afar.
His eyeballs almost popped out, his whole old face was stunned, and there was an expression of utmost disbelief in his eyes.
Just as he was about to move forward.
Suddenly, a figure wearing a metal mask of a fang demon stretched out his hand to block City Lord Bai Shao.
"No, I..."
City Lord Bai Shao said in great surprise.
Before City Lord Bai Shao could finish his words, the figure in front of him shook his head.
City Lord Bai Shao stood there in a daze, just watching Shen Qiu hook up with Long Er and walk towards the back door.
…
On the other side, Shen Qiu and Long Er left the City Lord's Mansion through the back door.
On the street, Shen Qiu did not forget to pick up his mobile phone and sent a simple message to Bai Lanxin.
"I have something urgent to do. I'll go take care of it first and come to see you later."
Long Er saw Shen Qiu sending a message, so he asked kindly.
"What? Is there something wrong?"
"It's okay, we'll take the express bus in front."
"good."
Ryuji nodded.
Not long after, Shen Qiu and Long Er arrived at Chunjian Tavern on Huaying Street, 3rd Ring Road.
Since this tavern is quite famous, Shen Qiu often comes across it and has long wanted to try it, so he took this opportunity to come.
It was already dark by this time, and the sign outside the pub was lit up.
The two walked in and were greeted by a charming proprietress wearing a blue dress and with a sweet smile on her face.
"My dear guests, would you like to stay in the hall or in the private room?"
"Private room."
Shen Qiu replied directly.
"Please follow me."
The proprietress led Shen Qiu and the other person inside.
This pub is not big, with a U-shaped bar in the middle and people can sit on both sides of the bar.
Next to the bar, there are small private rooms separated by wooden screens. These private rooms have no doors, only curtains hanging down to slightly block the view.
Shen Qiu and Long Er were led to one of the rooms and sat down. Then Shen Qiu ordered a few bottles of liquor and some side dishes.
"Okay, I'll serve it to you right away."
The proprietress then retreated.
Long Er looked at the small private room, seemed a little touched, and said in a low voice.
“I haven’t been to a place like this for many years.”
"Why isn't there this in Shenxing City? Where do you usually go to drink?"
Shen Qiu asked in a good mood.
"No, by the way, you are so attentive to invite me to drink, is there something going on?"
Long Er looked at Shen Qiu and asked lightly.
"It has to be you. I can't hide it from you. The LV2 realm book you showed me last time, doesn't it have a LV3 one? Let me see it! I have basically completed the LV2 realm now."
Shen Qiu didn't bother to be polite with Long Er and spoke with a grin.
After listening to Shen Qiu's words, Long Er took out half of an inconspicuous book from his loose sleeves and handed it to him.
Shen Qiu didn't expect Long Er to be so straightforward, and was slightly startled. But then he reacted and quickly reached out to take it.
He flipped through it briefly and found that it was indeed the second half of the book.
Shen Qiu was immediately delighted and took it. It turned out that the reason why Long Er didn't give it to him before was not because he was stingy but because he was afraid that he would bite off more than he could chew.
"That's nice! You're so nice."
"Just read this book for yourself, don't show it to anyone else. Once you have studied it thoroughly, return it to me the next time we meet."
Long Er instructed Shen Qiu calmly.
"No problem, but I don't quite understand."
Shen Qiu was happy but also a little confused.
"Tell me about it."
Ryuji replied calmly.
At this time, the proprietress brought up sake and side dishes and placed them in front of Shen Qiu and Long Er.
Shen Qiu poured a small glass of white wine for Long Er and asked curiously.
"I have a question. Why don't we spread this book that can popularize realms to everyone below? In this way, everyone can become stronger and deal with disasters together."
"The reason is very simple. We can't do that. Some things can't be popularized casually. How do you know whether the people you are popularizing are good or bad? If one out of ten people has bad intentions, wouldn't it be troublesome? Therefore, this kind of thing can only be opened to those who have been carefully selected. Even if the standards are relaxed in the future and points can be used to exchange, those who use points to exchange are also screened in a sense. After all, when they earn points, they are also fighting for the Red Alliance."
Ryuji took off the lower half of his mask, took a sip of wine and explained calmly.
"It seems to make sense, but in a sense, if it were popular, there should be more good people than bad people!"
"Which do you think is easier, breaking a cup or restoring it?"
"Well, what you said makes sense, but why are you talking so seriously today? Did you encounter something recently or feel stimulated by something?"
Shen Qiu looked at Long Er with more and more curiosity.
"No, it's just that there have been so many major events recently that I feel a little emotional."
Ryuji responded with a faint smile.
Just then, Shen Qiu and Long Er heard two guests at the bar outside complaining while drinking.
"You said life is really unfair. Why can others live in the City of Sunken Stars from birth, but we can only stay here?"
"Don't be discouraged. It's just that your immigration application was rejected. Try again next time."
"Those reviewers are really looking down on me. It makes me so angry."
"There's nothing I can do. I feel like I'm naturally superior and I'm not in the same circle."
…
When Shen Qiu heard this, he lowered his voice and talked to Long Er thoughtfully.
"Long Er, you said that we are all members of the Red Alliance, so why do you have to create so many circles? It is indeed a bit unfair to the people below."
Long Er picked up the bottle and poured a glass for Shen Qiu, then asked calmly.
"What is fair? How do you know that the so-called circle is not fair?"
"Tsk tsk, you'll get scolded if you say that."
“Looking back at history, have you ever noticed that those circles look like an era that has ended?”
"this… "
Shen Qiu was stunned. He thought carefully from the eighth city to the first city. Each city seemed to be a part of a different historical process.
"If we compare circles to ponds, some ponds are filled with shrimps, some are filled with fish, and some are filled with sharks. If you are not strong enough, what will happen if you jump from one pond to another? The times are progressing, and the strong will always be strong. There will always be people who cannot keep up with the times and eventually become the targets of the strong. As for the so-called circle, you may think it is a restraint, but isn't it a kind of protection! It not only restrains the people below, but also the people above."
“But this also limits people in the circle and cuts off their path to upward mobility.”
Shen Qiu hesitated for a moment and replied.
"If you don't even have the ability to break the circle, then what qualifications do you have to say that I can survive in the upper circle? The truly strong will not be bound by these barriers."
Ryuji explained calmly.
"Hey, you're right, but isn't the situation different now? The cities below are not very safe anymore and are often attacked. It's very difficult to deal with them, and the Red Alliance's support for the cities below is also very average."
"In fact, after the city below was attacked, the Red Alliance did its best to send out all the experts it could to provide support. There were no extra manpower available."
"That's not right! How could there be no experts? When Shenxing City was attacked, weren't there many experts?"
Shen Qiu asked curiously.
“That’s the saddest part.”
Long Er said with some emotion.
"Wait, you mean profit comes first?"
Shen Qiu suddenly reacted and said.
"That's right, it's interests first. Who would be willing to do this without interests? Did you see Chu Wuji, Lei Jing and others appear when Clear Sky City was attacked?"
Ryuji asked calmly.
When Shen Qiu heard this, he also resonated with Long Er's words.
Isn't this exactly what I was worried about at that time
"Is there no way to change the situation?"
Shen Qiu asked after pondering for a while.
"It's not that simple. What the Red Alliance can do now is to balance all aspects and try to guide everything back on track."
Ryuji said calmly.
"In that case, why not consider cutting off those that don't obey?"
Shen Qiu asked curiously.
"There has to be a reason for the cut, right? Otherwise, who would accept it? Everything they do is within the rules. Just because they are doing well, are you going to cut them for no reason? In other words, if the Red Alliance cuts you for no reason, are you willing?"
"Of course I don't want to."
"Yes, if you don't want to, how can they? This world is full of contradictions, and there are many contradictions within the Red Alliance. Some people complain that the people above them monopolize resources and wealth, and some people complain that the Red Alliance has too many rules and regulations, which affect their fair competition and prevent them from developing as they wish. Do you think they are wrong? In fact, they are all right, but they just have different standpoints."
"I understand that when looking at anything, we need to stand in the perspective of different people, so that we can see the essence of things."
"That's right."
Long Er looked at Shen Qiu with more and more admiration.
"If, for example, you had the opportunity to sit on it, what would you do?"
Shen Qiu asked with interest.
"Of course, we will try our best to balance everything, unite everyone, deal with future crises, and strive to make life less difficult for everyone."
Long Er pondered for a moment and gave his answer.
When Shen Qiu heard this, he looked at the calm and idealistic Long Er, his eyes a little dazed for a moment.
At this moment, he seemed to recall a figure who had said something similar before. Unfortunately, when he woke up from his dream, the figure disappeared.
"What are you thinking about?"
Long Er poured Shen Qiu a glass of wine.
Shen Qiu took a sip of wine and changed the subject to Long Er.
"I feel like you're not normal today. I don't usually see you so calm and profound."
Shen Qiu said this from the bottom of his heart. Except for the first time they met, he always felt like he was being led astray when he got along with Long Er before.
But today I feel like I’ve been dialed back.
"Really? Which one do you think is better?"
Ryuji asked with a smile.
"Everything is fine. By the way, you have such a broad vision. I just happen to have a question to ask you. Can you help me solve it?"
"Go ahead."
"What do you think is the meaning of life?"
Shen Qiu asked Long Er.
When Long Er heard Shen Qiu's question, he paused slightly and looked at Shen Qiu in surprise.
"Why do you suddenly want to ask this question?"
He was very curious now, was it a coincidence or some other factor that Shen Qiu asked this question
"Oh, it's a test given to me by an elder. I've never figured it out."
Shen Qiu then explained.
When Long Er heard this, he asked in a deep voice.
"Your elder? What's his name?"
"Dean Zhao Anyuan, is there any problem?"
Shen Qiu asked curiously.
When Long Er heard the name, he immediately stood up and said to Shen Qiu.
"I have something else to do, so I'll stop drinking here today."
"Hey, you just left like that. How can I find you later? Give me a way to contact you."
"We'll meet again if we're destined to."
Long Er didn't stop and walked straight out of the tavern.
Shen Qiu touched his forehead. This guy was doing this again. He couldn't help but sigh if he couldn't find anyone when he had problems.
"Why!"
Then Shen Qiu picked up the wine glass and drank it all, then stood up and walked out. He still had to go to the City Lord's Mansion.
Bai Lanxin is probably still waiting.
Not long after, Shen Qiu appeared at the gate of the City Lord's Mansion.
Bai Lanxin was standing at the door, revealing a creepy smile and staring at Shen Qiu.
"What a coincidence?"
Shen Qiu said with an awkward smile.
"What a coincidence? I've been waiting for you here for quite some time."
Bai Lanxin was so angry that she was about to explode, but luckily she suppressed it and kept reminding herself not to lose her temper, otherwise she would scare people away and all her efforts would be in vain.
"Oh, sorry, I really had something urgent to do and ran into a friend I haven't seen for a long time."
Shen Qiu quickly explained.