"I, apologize to him? For what? I didn't do anything wrong."
Ji Shiyou had initially been pleased to see Mingyue scolding Ba Jiu, thinking it was the legendary display of a protective partner.
But when Mingyue told him to apologize to Ba Jiu, Ji Shiyou was confused. What had he done to deserve this?
He had kindly come to comfort that brat Ba Jiu, but the kid hadn't appreciated it, even saying he wasn't good enough for Mingyue, which had angered him.
Now he had to apologize? He was the brother-in-law, the elder, practically a senior, and he had his dignity!
Ji Shiyou stiffened his neck and tilted his head, refusing to comply.
"For what? Because he's a child. If I hadn't come, would you two have started fighting?
You're an adult, arguing with a child, are you not ashamed?
You're so much older than him, an adult, why are you picking a fight with a child?
He's just starting to develop human emotions. As his brother-in-law, you should patiently teach him how to behave.
Instead of arguing with him impatiently, tell me, didn't you do something wrong? Should you apologize to him?"
Mingyue slapped Ji Shiyou on his stiffened head, lecturing him.
Both the older and younger man were important to her. In fact, for those close to her, there was no need for excessive reasoning, nor was there any reason to be reasoned with.
Mingyue's reasoning in front of them was actually meant for the other person. This was her cleverness.
When she scolded Ba Jiu, Ji Shiyou would feel valued. When she scolded Ji Shiyou, Ba Jiu wouldn't feel ignored.
"Ba Jiu, I'm sorry. It was my fault, brother-in-law apologizes to you."
In Ji Shiyou's ears, only the words "brother-in-law" registered. He hadn't paid attention to anything else Mingyue said.
This was Mingyue's affirmation of him. He felt like he was floating on clouds; nothing else mattered.
Ba Jiu also thought that his sister still cared about him. Even if she acknowledged Ji Shiyou as her brother-in-law, so what? His sister loved him the most, otherwise, why would she make Ji Shiyou apologize to him?
The two men, one big and one small, both thought they were incredibly cunning, but together, they couldn't even muster a single brain.
With a few words, Mingyue had them completely wrapped around her finger, and they immediately shook hands and made peace.
Bu Ying sat in his office, his brows furrowed, a deep crease forming between them.
His long fingers tapped on the desk with a chaotic, irregular rhythm, reflecting his inner turmoil.
He had received intel that Mingyue's team had gone out of the city on a mission, but only the accompanying Rose team had returned.
Bi Shiyuan was also nowhere to be seen, with no news whatsoever. This made Bu Ying even more agitated.
He wasn't worried about Bi Shiyuan's safety. He was just a subordinate; what did it matter if he died? He wasn't worth his concern.
He was afraid that Mingyue's team would never return, that they would leave Cloud City Base, and then he would be doomed.
He felt fear and unease because he harbored a secret.
Everyone thought he was the ruler of Cloud City Base, but in reality, he was just a puppet.
No one knew that before the apocalypse, he was already a Level 3 water ability user.
Back in college, he had been forcibly recruited into an organization called the Demon God.
Through special methods, his abilities were awakened, and he was later sent to Cloud City.
When the apocalypse began, he received instructions to build Cloud City Base and collect a large number of crystal cores.
To complete his mission, he racked his brains and used every method imaginable to gather the crystal cores in Cloud City.
The Demon God organization required him to send the collected crystal cores to Azure Dragon Base every ten days.
Bu Ying executed this flawlessly because he dared not disobey, nor did he dare to ask too many questions.
He knew too well how powerful and cruel the Demon God organization was.
He had once witnessed a Demon God envoy dismember an ability user of the same rank who had failed in their duties.
His initial interest in Mingyue's spatial abilities and Water of Life was to secure a way out for himself, hoping to escape the Demon God one day.
But an unexpected event shattered his plan. The crystal cores that should have been sent to Azure Dragon Base on time were intercepted en route.
Bu Ying was questioned remotely by a Demon God envoy, which terrified him into revealing information about Mingyue, hoping to redeem himself for the loss of the crystal cores.
Upon learning that Mingyue possessed a resurrection drug, the Demon God envoy became extremely interested.
He informed Bu Ying that within three days, at the latest five, he would personally come to Cloud City to seize the spatial abilities and the divine medicine.
At the same time, he instructed Bu Ying to keep a close eye on Mingyue and ensure she came to no harm.
That's why, when Mingyue demanded compensation at the villa that day, he couldn't produce any crystal cores.
All of Cloud City's crystal cores had been sent to Azure Dragon Base, so he genuinely had none.
Fearing Mingyue's departure, he had no choice but to agree to all her conditions to stabilize her first.
Extending the crystal core delivery date by five days was because the Demon God envoy would have arrived in Cloud City by then; it was a delay tactic.
But now, Mingyue's team was out of the city and their whereabouts were unknown.
Calculating the time, if the Demon God envoy arrived quickly, he could be here tonight.
If he found out Mingyue was not in the city, Bu Ying had no idea how he would appease the envoy's wrath.
Just as Bu Ying was feeling anxious, he sensed a gust of wind passing through the room.
Then, a black-robed figure wearing a mask appeared like a ghost, standing before him.
"Greetings, Envoy. You've arrived so quickly?"
Bu Ying, terrified, quickly stood up, his face ashen, his body trembling uncontrollably.
"Why are you so nervous upon seeing me? Have you failed to complete the task I assigned you?"
The Demon God envoy's voice was icy. He sat down in Bu Ying's chair, his snake-like gaze piercing through the mask.
"Envoy, I am nervous. The loss of the crystal cores this time is a serious mistake. Please punish me."
Bu Ying's legs gave out, and he knelt directly on the ground, no longer bothering to control himself. His body shook like a sieve.
"Hahaha, don't worry. Although you lost the crystal cores, you discovered the divine medicine. Your contributions outweigh your mistakes, so we won't pursue it further.
Get up, and take me to that Mingyue. Once I have the divine medicine, I will leave. Don't be nervous."
The black-robed figure stood up and motioned for Bu Ying to lead the way to Mingyue.
"Envoy, there's no rush. You've traveled a long way to Cloud City. I should fulfill my duties as a host.
Your cultivation is profound, and Mingyue is just a minor ability user. Obtaining the divine medicine will be effortless; she won't escape.
You don't know, this Cloud City is an ancient city with a long-standing wine culture.
Many of the original inhabitants here have a hobby of collecting aged wines. I know you appreciate good wine.
When collecting supplies, I would store any good wine I found in the warehouse for you!
Since you've graced Cloud City with your presence, please allow me the opportunity to show my respect and thank you."
Hearing that the Demon God envoy was about to go find Mingyue, Bu Ying, in his panic, quickly stood up from the ground.
He knew the Demon God envoy loved wine, so he could only cater to his taste and buy time.
He was desperately hoping that Mingyue hadn't truly left, but was merely delayed by something, and would return soon.
At the same time, he cursed Bi Shiyuan inwardly, wondering why he hadn't reported Mingyue's departure.
"You are thoughtful. You will not be shortchanged once I hand over the divine medicine."
Upon hearing about the good wine, the black-robed figure's tone softened. He reached out and patted Bu Ying's shoulder.
"My lord, please wait a moment. I will go and fetch the fine wine for you, and prepare a few dishes as well."
Bu Ying's face was fawning, and he turned to leave the room, but his eyes held a glint of ferocity.