Chapter 35: Soy Milk
He Yunzhou had driven himself, without even bringing a chauffeur along.
Lou Ting messaged the director, telling him to go ahead and leave, no need to wait for him.
Seated in the passenger seat, Lou Ting turned to him and asked, “Have you finished with your matters?”
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Fkdnl vbyv bwaakle rbsdl nyzz zypv vkxl, Tl Zwdgbsw bye clld ycpldv qsa iwkvl psxl vkxl.
“Zlp,” Tl Zwdgbsw alrzkle, “R’zz byhl psxl qall vkxl dlmv. Tso’p uswa kdfwau? Fvkzz bwavkdt?”
“Rv’p xwnb clvvla,” Nsw Mkdt bye yzps vyjld tsse nyal sq bkp kdfwau. Mseyu oyp bkp qkapv swvkdt, yde bl qlzv vbyv lhld kq vseyu oyp vbl ynvwyz rlaqsaxydnl, bl nswze prayu sd vbl xkpv yde ts sd pvytl yp dsaxyz, yp kq vblal oswzed’v cl ydu kppwl.
Tl Zwdgbsw dseele yde bydele bkx y pxyzz xlvyz csm. Ekvbswv oykvkdt qsa Nsw Mkdt’p alqwpyz, bl pyke, “Yu pkpvla-kd-zyo tyhl vbkp vs usw.”
Sister-in-law?
Lou Ting looked at the small metal box. He couldn’t help but wonder what was inside. Although the box seemed small, it had some weight to it when held in his hand.
“Open and take a look,” He Yunzhou said, chatting with him while driving, “This time when I went back, I talked to him about your situation. He specifically instructed me to give you this box. He also mentioned that there are instructions inside on how to use it. If you feel wronged, don’t hold it in, just strike back with it.”
Lou Ting sighed, “I also want to strike back directly.”
But evidence was really crucial.
Otherwise, even if he could eventually clear his name, once public opinion turned against him, he would still be labeled.
He was accustomed to having control over things. With evidence, with strong proof that could counter the other party, even if he were to resort to violence at this point and cause some unfavorable repercussions, once he revealed the evidence to overturn the situation, he wouldn’t leave behind too many words.
Without evidence, it was truly difficult.
Lou Ting opened the metal box and found silver needles inside.
They were thin, very thin.
Thinner by at least two-thirds compared to the usual needles.
Moreover, there were various colors at the ends of the needles.
Lou Ting raised an eyebrow, not understanding. “What does he want me to do with these needles?”
He Yunzhou understood what was inside the box only after Lou Ting opened it. He chuckled after taking a brief look, “No wonder, so that’s what he meant.”
“Huh?”
He Yunzhou explained, “These needles were handmade by my sister-in-law for self-defense. The colors at the ends correspond to various substances like anesthetics and blood vessel inhibitors. Plus, they can’t be detected. If they’re inserted deeply along the blood vessels, even the most advanced interstellar scanners won’t be able to detect them.”
Lou Ting rifled through the stack of needles and found a piece of paper beneath them. The paper clearly outlined the purpose of each needle color.
“Speaking of which, my sister-in-law’s personality is quite similar to yours. In this situation, you’re lacking evidence, right? He gave this to you so you can make use of it. Regardless of the consequences it might bring, the other party won’t have any evidence against you.”
Lou Ting said, “This thing is indeed quite useful.”
In the present interstellar era, disregarding some remote planets, the Empire and the Federation are the two strongest powers.
These two used to fight often, but after it was revealed that the Empire’s empress and the Federation’s marshal were father and son, the wars ceased. More trade occurred instead. Though the situation was relatively harmonious, the uncertainty of the (zerg) Insectoid race still existed.
It was said that the Empire’s empress had personally gone to the Insectoid race and killed their Insectoid King. For his own safety, it was normal to think of various peculiar means to protect himself.
Lou Ting weighed the box in his hand. There were at least several hundred needles inside.
Hmm… could he turn Le Chengzhe into a hedgehog with these?
Lou Ting said, “Please thank him for me.”
“You can thank him yourself,” He Yunzhou said, “I’ll give him your contact information. You can talk privately.”
“Alright.”
—
There was one day left before the official performance, specifically for practicing the appearance of the main position (C-position).
Other trainees didn’t need to participate; only the three of them were singled out for training.
Yan Zige stood in front, working on his electronic device, looking somewhat troubled.
While waiting for the venue to be set up, Lou Ting walked over and asked him, “Teacher Yan, is something wrong?”
Yan Zige gave him a glance and shook his head, saying, “It’s nothing.” Although he said so, he still seemed conflicted.
Lou Ting asked, “Is it about me?”
Yan Zige didn’t say explicitly, perhaps fearing that Lou Ting would feel burdened, so he vaguely explained, “I want to make a change in the way you appear on stage.”
The entrance had already been finalized, and the video of the instructor’s group dance had been circulating online. Making changes now would require altering the public narrative.
But making changes wasn’t that simple.
Lou Ting felt it wasn’t necessary. While his injury wasn’t completely healed, there would be no issue performing. Changing the entrance now would complicate matters instead. “There’s no need for that. I’ve practiced for so long. If I change now, wouldn’t I have to practice all over again?”
“I just want to be cautious.”
“There’s no need for caution.” Lou Ting said, “I will eliminate all possibilities and ensure the stage presents itself in the most perfect condition.”
Lou Ting’s determination in his words left Yan Zige momentarily awed. Touching the electronic device in his hand, he said, “Alright then. When it’s time to go on stage, practice a few times. If you feel it’s not right, remember to come to me.”
Lou Ting nodded, saying, “Sure.”
Yan Zige continued, “No, I’ll oversee it myself. I’m afraid you’ll have to suppress your feelings when the time comes.”
Lou Ting couldn’t help but smile wryly, “Alright, I’ll follow your lead.”
“Mr. He got breakfast for everyone. If you haven’t eaten anything, grab some food first. Later, we’ll relieve the busy staff.”
With the shout from the outside staff, several delivery personnel came in with their hands full, quickly filling the tables.
“Wow, isn’t this the logo of the Venus Emperor Hotel?”
“They claim to make everything by hand, using only fresh produce from the ancient Earth period. How much does all this cost?”
“I’ve been sweating nutrient liquid every day; this food smells amazing.”
…
A group of people gathered around the table. He Yunzhou had prepared a lot of food, with individual portions spread out. After they separated, there was still a good amount left on the table.
Lou Ting hadn’t had breakfast since he left early in the morning, but perhaps due to his hunger, he didn’t feel hungry. Just as Fang Huandong called them to the stage, Lou Ting decided to skip breakfast and head to the stage instead.
The three C-position performers had practiced their landing movements extensively before coming here, so combining them wasn’t difficult.
The staff helped them put on the invisible Viya equipment, which was virtually indistinguishable from the kind used on ancient Earth. If one insisted on an upgrade, it was that the equipment was relatively inconspicuous when worn.
As long as they maintained a normal expression, the Viya equipment would remain virtually invisible to the naked eye.
Once they were all equipped, following the director’s command, the three of them ascended slowly at a gentle pace.
The director circled around them until they were out of the camera’s view. Then, he made a gesture signaling them to start descending.
The descent was much faster than the ascent, and during this process, they had to perform movements.
They were to strike a pose as soon as they landed and then begin removing the Viya equipment.
If they didn’t remove it within three seconds, the equipment would be pulled off forcefully. If it took longer…
It might result in a stage accident.
They practiced this entire process repeatedly three times before the director allowed them to rest.
Then, the staff members came up to inspect the equipment and protective gear. This precaution was taken to prevent any issues from wear and tear. Fang Huandong was indeed extremely cautious.
Liang Caijin turned to Lou Ting, asking, “Are you okay?”
Lou Ting replied, “Don’t worry, everything’s perfectly fine.”
Liang Caijin smiled and said, “If you ask me, you should just stand there. You’re an attention-grabber on your own, like a human signboard.”
“Well, I don’t want to dance either!” Yu Senze chimed in as he approached. “Let the two of us be your guards on either side, while Liang Ge dances in the middle.”
The mental image of that scenario did indeed seem amusing. Lou Ting couldn’t help but curl his lips into a smile.
Suddenly, Yu Senze’s laughter tapered off. He tugged Liang Caijin’s arm, then whispered to Lou Ting, “We haven’t had lunch yet. We’re sneaking off for now. You should grab something to eat as well. Otherwise, you might run out of energy later.”
Before Lou Ting could respond, they hurriedly pulled Liang Caijin away and left.
Lou Ting turned around and saw He Yunzhou standing right behind him. “You really scared Xiao Yu,” Lou Ting said. Cold sweat was practically rolling down his face.
He Yunzhou’s face was stern, and he appeared quite serious. “I don’t scare people.”
Lou Ting: “…”
Understood, knowing that you’re not scary is one thing, but for those who don’t know you well, they might think your current expression is one of anger, and that could startle them.
Lou Ting believed he understood He Yunzhou to a reasonable extent, so he said, “I know you’re not scary.”
After all, how could a little panther with pink cushion pads on its paws possibly be frightening!
Looking at Lou Ting’s eyes, which were bent with a smile, He Yunzhou could tell that the little fox was thinking of some strange things again. He shook the bag in his hand and said, “Let’s go eat.”
Lou Ting looked at the bag in his hand, which was clearly different from the takeout they had before. He suddenly felt a warm sensation in his chest and whispered, “Okay.”
Before He Yunzhou came over, he had informed the director, and Fang Huandong had specially arranged a single-person rest area for him.
This spot was at the far end of the corridor and quite distant from the stage. After all, it was meant for He Yunzhou to rest and not for artists who needed to rush to the stage after a short lunch break. So, being close or not wasn’t important, as long as it was quiet.
The staff rarely came to this area, and the activities of others were mainly centered around the stage.
This place was so quiet that not even a shadow could be seen.
Furthermore, the interior decoration and layout were different from the artists’ rest area.
There were no makeup tables or changing rooms here. From the furnishings, it resembled more of a hotel suite.
It even had a bathroom.
He Yunzhou walked in half a step behind Lou Ting and locked the door.
After entering, he placed the food on the round table and said, “Go wash your hands and get ready to eat.”
“Sure…”
He Yunzhou picked it up and opened the straw cap, saying, “Give it a taste.”
With the habit brought to his lips, Lou Ting hesitated, wondering if he should just take a sip.
Carefully, he took a small sip.
After a sip, Lou Ting suddenly froze. It wasn’t hot?
It was cold, and it even had a hint of sweetness.
He Yunzhou said, “I added a bit of honey to the iced soy milk. Do you like it?”
“It’s quite delicious,” Lou Ting replied.
Upon hearing this, He Yunzhou also took a sip himself and nodded, “Hmm, not bad.”
Watching He Yunzhou’s unabashed action, Lou Ting looked up at him, momentarily forgetting to even blink.
That soy milk, he had just drunk from it.
And moreover… the thermos only came with one straw, and He Yunzhou had just used the same straw that Lou Ting had used!
Lou Ting’s mind couldn’t turn the corner for a moment.
What was he trying to imply?
Didn’t they clearly segregate Omega and Alpha on this side of the galaxy? Some families even retained the old custom of not allowing Omega and Alpha to meet.
Although they didn’t talk about these things now, but… as an Alpha, was it normal to drink soy milk that Omega had drunk from and use the same straw?
And, he had been taking care of his injuries so attentively, and even transformed into a little panther to make him happy.
Did He Yunzhou really only see him as a contracted little fox to take care of?
Lou Ting pursed his lips, feeling that warm sensation from before returning. He softly said, “I drank from that soy milk just now.”
“I know,” He Yunzhou replied. He had personally handed it to Lou Ting’s lips; how could he not know?
Pausing for a moment, He Yunzhou asked, “Am I not allowed to drink it?”
Before Lou Ting could respond, he continued, “Why are you being so protective of it?”
Lou Ting: “???”
“Shall I sew you up with a needle, believe me or not?”
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Thanks for the update