Shen Qui didn't realize that fame could be used as a shield too. For someone like Lyca who was too lazy for confrontation, using fame and fear of the people was the best way to avoid conflict. Wouldn't it be nice to just sit there and eat while knowing no one would attempt to kill you as they were already afraid of your retaliation?
Seeing his complicated gaze, Lyca just left without sparing him another glance. She honestly didn't care about Shen Qui's thoughts, currently Lyca was not someone considered strong in this world, thus, people were trying to offend her.
Regret.
If only she had the power to turn back time. Lyca really wanted to decline her grandfather's offer. How did she accept such responsibility? Just the thought of it was giving her a headache. So, she decided to sleep instead. She didn't bother herself about Shen Qui's matters anymore. Since the man was confident to fight then she would watch him win. If he lost then… it only meant he no longer deserved to stand by her side.
Lyca was not a very kind person. She wouldn't want someone that would become a burden sooner or later. With this in mind, Lyca slept. When she woke up, it was already morning the next day. Another problem immediately knocked on her stomach. She was hungry!
Shen Qui cannot cook! How infuriating. Just the sight of this man was already making her more hungry.
"I made eggs." Shen Qui said when he sensed Lyca's bad mood. Surely, it was because of food. Why else would she stare at the kitchen without blinking? This young miss was just simply too weird. "Boiled. Soft boiled and hard boiled." He added. In case Lyca did not like Hard Boiled eggs, Shen Qui had made sure to prepare an alternative for her. "You shouldn't be picky or… you will starve."
"Hmph!" Lyca snatched the eggs from Shen Qui's hands. This man… was a really fast learner. She didn't even have the time to complain and he already resolved the problem. "Tell me." She said as she started eating eggs. When it came to food, Lyca was not actually that picky. It's just that this body had grown up in the luxurious household of Huang Sheng Hong and his wife. With a mother and father that gave her delicious food all the time, Lyca's palate had gotten used to delicacies.
However, in the previous world, Lyca had actually tried to eat almost everything. During her training, one of them involved survival. After all, it was not unusual for an assassin to be targeted and chased by people. What would happen if they ended up in an island or in a dense forest alone? Thus, they were trained to eat everything under the sun. Rats, snakes, raw mushrooms, everything. As long as it wasn't something with poison, then it should be fine. Above all else, the most important thing was to survive.
Funny how she had done everything to survive and yet in the end she had still fallen and became a victim of a shallow scheme. Lyca's face darkened. Until now, she couldn't accept her fate in her previous life. Should she really accept the fact that those people murdered everyone she loved?
"Do— Do you think the eggs are bad?" Shen Qui hesitated. He actually thought that he perfectly cooked the eggs this time. Then… why was she scowling? Did she require the eggs to cook for a specific number of minutes for them to be of her preference? For some reason, he felt chills run down his back. This young lady… She was not going to kill him because of eggs, right?
"The challenge."
"Oh!" Shen Qui nodded. "Five people already responded to your challenge. So… from tomorrow onwards… you will have to face them with your solvents."
"Five?" She frowned. Only five? She thought that the rewards were tempting enough! She needed more people. And she needed them to register before the first person would suffer under her hands. If they realized that her poisons were potent and might cause danger, those people would not accept her challenge! In the end… this was a problem.
Lyca swallowed the egg and closed her eyes, savoring the simple dish in her mouth. "I need fried chicken." Four eggs was not enough to satisfy her anger and hunger. She needed more. "Burgers too."
"Then I will buy them now."
"No." Lyca suddenly shook her head. "After the fight." She gave him a meaningful gaze. "Defeat him fast, then you can go buy food."
Shen Qui gulped before he nodded.
"Come." Lyca finished the eggs and gestured for him to follow her inside her room. When Lyca saw that he had already taken off his clothes, she immediately gave him a confused look. "What are you doing?" Was this man more comfortable when he didn't have a shirt on?
"I— I thought…"
"No problem. Continue." She shrugged before she suddenly strode towards him. Lyca's eyes turned fierce, a smile appeared on her face.
The next thing that Shen Qui knew, a dagger was already on his neck. He felt the sharp and small thing being pressed against his neck, a little push and the blade would surely cut him. Lyca's hot breath was already behind him. However, just who was Shen Qui?
Silence followed Lyca's actions.
"Not bad." Lyca smiled as she lowered her head and eyed Shen Qui's dagger that was aimed at her stomach. One wrong more and his dagger would pierce her organs. She nodded in approval and withdrew the dagger then patted his shoulder's twice, as if telling him to calm down. She then walked towards the bedside table, carelessly turning her back on him as if she didn't just tried to kill him a few seconds ago.
"Here." She handed a white piece of paper to Shen Qui. "You already know this. The person that you will fight is a national champion in sword fighting. Take him seriously. I highlighted the weakness in his style. Attack it, make him defend himself. Don't… make him attack you. Once he is already tired, beat him unconscious. Don't kill him. I need him for tomorrow." Of course, the person who researched it under her instructions was her favorite servant and sparring partner Yi'an.
Surprised flashed in Shen Qui's eyes, just earlier, this woman had pointed a dagger on his neck, then she gave him his enemy's weakness just like that. "You spoke too much."
Lyca, who was standing a few inches away from him, raised her head, she stared at him for a few seconds. "When it comes to my allies, I always talk a lot." She said, not a hint of emotion could be seen in her eyes. For a few seconds, Shen Qui was speechless. Does this mean she considered him an ally? He was about to ask another question when Lyca added. "Don't misunderstand. I don't have a choice."
Shen Qui nodded. Indeed, Lyca didn't have a choice but to consider him as an ally. After all, she was away from her family. "What if I betray you?" Out of nowhere, the words came out from his mouth. Betrayal, wasn't that the most hurtful thing that anyone could do?
Lyca snorted. "You won't."
"You seem really confident?"
"It's not confidence." Lyca said. "If you do. You die." A smile slithered on her face as she tiptoed, making her face closer to his. "And once you do… I will skin your body, cut you to pieces and burn you. Not even the dogs would be able to recognize your remains." She then leaned closer, her lips almost touching his.
Contrary to her expectations, Shen Qui didn't flinch. He only stared at her boundless eyes and smiled. "Good. Then from now on we are allies." Then he turned his back and left her alone inside the room. Allies… the word lingered in the air like a thick smoke, making the atmosphere tense and suffocating.
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