You're my wife, don't doubt it!

"Xiao Yao, didn't you have something to say to me?" The boy walking beside Xiao Yao suddenly turned around and asked.

“Ah, yes, yes,” Xiao Yao replied eagerly.

“Well… do you think you should just say it directly?” Zhang Zhengkai suggested.

"I'm not in a hurry, not in a hurry. Let's sit down and talk slowly." Xiao Yao waved his hand, trying to appear calm, composed, and confident.

Indeed, walking this stretch of road made Xiao Yao feel very uncomfortable; it was the first time he had felt nervous in front of Zhang Zhengkai.

This was certainly not because of Zhang Zhengkai himself—although he tried his best to dress like an adult today, Xiao Yao knew in his heart that a naive little kid could not possibly grow up much in a month or two.

What made Xiao Yao nervous was the ripples surrounding Zhang Zhengkai and himself that only he could perceive.

The organization arranged for Zhang Zhengkai to be lured here—no, to be brought to this place. Although it wasn't explicitly stated, it was clear that a plan had been made here.

The surrounding area is full of old alleyways in Shanghai, very similar to the Shikumen where Yu Luying lives, but this is my first time here.

Are these hawkers, chatting neighbors, diners, and pedestrians really just vendors, neighbors, diners, and pedestrians?

Xiao Yao was somewhat suspicious.

Which one, or which ones, are agents—or assistants—planted here by the organization to wait for an opportunity to strike?

Perhaps, at the slightest sign of trouble, they will leap up, subdue Zhang Zhengkai, and then use their unique technology to make him look like Zhao Xiaomei.

Although it's hard to call Zhang Zhengkai a friend, that's not the outcome Xiao Yao hoped for.

Why did the vendor who was hawking his fried dough sticks stop hawking them when we passed by? Did he not want us to buy his fried dough sticks?

He probably knows my mission and purpose and doesn't want to disrupt our schedule; he might even be an informant for the organization.

Furthermore, those two middle-aged women who were chatting didn't even look at Zhang Zhengkai and me—usually these gossipy old women are most interested in unfamiliar faces, so what made them suppress their gossipy nature? Of course, it was the organization's order.

Hey, you two sitting across from each other in the ice cream shop, you've been exposed! Who orders hot coffee in a place like this? Were you getting tired of being on surveillance? I'll report you and dock your pay when we get back.

Those foreigners with backpacks don't need to block the intersection; I know which way to go.

"Stop acting crazy, you drama queen," Yu Luying thought to herself. "Focus on dealing with Zhang Zhengkai in front of you."

"Yes, sir," Xiao Yao thought.

"Xiao Yao, is it called Shunfeng Hotel?" Zhang Zhengkai suddenly asked.

"Oh? Yes, it's really delicious. I've been there, it's true."

"It seems we've gone too far," Zhang Zhengkai kindly reminded Xiao Yao.

"..."

"..."

"What kind of weird, crooked-mouthed dragon king's son-in-law?" Zhang Zhengkai sat down with a laugh. "She actually watches this kind of stuff?"

Xiao Yao didn't try to show off by booking a private room, and besides, he hadn't made a reservation in advance and couldn't book one now anyway—so he graciously invited Zhang Zhengkai to sit at a table in the lobby.

Zhang Zhengkai was not offended.

“I was surprised too,” Xiao Yao said, “and then I criticized her.”

Private rooms were sold out, but there were still plenty of tables in the main hall.

Yu Luying sat at the table diagonally opposite Xiao Yao, the two separated only by a corridor.

She didn't order food or drinks; she just munched on the sunflower seeds provided by the hotel, drank the free lemonade, and sat with her back to the two boys, continuing to read her book.

It took Zhang Zhengkai a lot of effort to force himself not to question Xiao Yao about their relationship and what he meant by bringing this woman along.

“Hey,” Zhang Zhengkai said, “You’re being nosy. If Xiao Shenjie wants to watch, then let her watch.”

"Mm," Xiao Yao said.

“But that lousy novel about the crooked-mouthed dragon king’s son-in-law is actually quite famous,” Zhang Zhengkai said. “I’ve read a little bit of it too.”

"Wow, they've really become famous all over the country!" Xiao Yao exclaimed.

While sighing, he stood up, moved closer to Yu Luying, and patted her on the back.

"Stop eating sunflower seeds," Xiao Yao leaned down and whispered in the girl's ear, "We haven't even started talking business yet, and my throat is already parched."

"Tsk." Yu Luying put down the empty sunflower seed shell in her hand with dissatisfaction.

Xiao Yao returned to Zhang Zhengkai's table: "Excuse me."

"Who should order?" Zhang Zhengkai held the menu and flicked it with his index and middle fingers.

"You order first, and I'll add more later," Xiao Yao said after thinking for a moment.

Zhang Zhengkai didn't stand on ceremony with him and lowered his head to write and draw on the menu. He would sometimes underline things on the menu and sometimes twirl the pen a couple of times, continuing the previous topic: "I don't really like this book. There's a supporting character in it, what's his name again? He was supposed to be the female lead's husband."

"Oh, really?" Xiao Yao replied casually.

"The female lead's father made a three-year agreement with him, saying he would observe him for three years. Then, that supporting character served their family for three years, bringing them tea and water and sweeping the floor. But what happened? As soon as the male lead appeared, the old man seemed to have forgotten about the matter and directly kidnapped the male lead and brought him home to be his son-in-law."

"So men can be fickle too," Xiao Yao muttered, his gaze passing over Zhang Zhengkai's shoulder and landing on a stylishly dressed woman three tables away.

Although she changed her hairstyle, her tinted glasses, and her new clothes that didn't match her temperament at all, she still looked a bit like... Lucia.

isn't it?

“Who can argue with that?” Zhang Zhengkai said, “Later, that supporting character harbored a grudge and kept trying to get revenge on them. He eventually became a villain or a clown, and the male lead resolved his problems time and time again. In the end, he was kicked out of his home.”

“This kind of book,” Xiao Yao continued to observe “Luzia”, and casually remarked, “The supporting characters are all just tools, tools for the protagonist to show off and slap them in the face. They are all very stereotypical and don’t know what depth or three-dimensional character development is. They also lack the necessary humanistic concern.”

“Who can argue with that?” Zhang Zhengkai said, “Things like online novels…”

Lu Ziya realized that Xiao Yao had been watching her, so she quietly put her index finger to her lips and made a "shh" gesture.

Okay, it really was her.

Xiao Yao coughed and looked away.

Although neither Yu Bo nor Karlschdel never admitted it directly, Xiao Yao was still able to guess the hidden purpose of the seaside summer camp in August.

On the surface, it was just a student club activity.

In reality, it was indeed just a religious community activity.

However, beneath its grand and respectable exterior, it harbors another hidden agenda.

Bringing the children from the three parishes together.

Observe them in their studies, entertainment, daily life, and play.

To find more "potential individuals" for the organization who can inspire and harness the power of the spiritual fortress.

This allows the organization to expand its new workforce.

Lucia was undoubtedly one of the "jackpots" they found in this summer camp.

As for whether more "potential individuals" have been "captured" by the organization?

Xiao Yao had no idea.

Of course, that's not the focus right now.

Zhang Zhengkai had already ordered the dishes—three-cup chicken, roasted gluten, Shanghai-style braised duck, crab roe tofu, sweet and sour spare ribs, and braised pork belly.

Xiao Yao noticed that the amount seemed to have exceeded the limit, but to avoid being criticized by Zhang Zhengkai for being stingy, he still added braised eel with hot oil and mutton hot pot, plus half a dozen beers.

While waiting for the food to be served, the two chatted idly about all sorts of things.

But when Xiao Yao raised his glass to him, Zhang Zhengkai remained seated.

“I’m sorry, Lao Xiao,” Zhang Zhengkai’s expression turned solemn, “I can’t clink glasses with you; that would be a friendly gesture.”

Xiao Yao didn't take it to heart and finished his beer: "It's alright, I understand."

“From the moment we met until now,” Zhang Zhengkai continued, sitting upright without moving, “it’s been at least half an hour, if not an hour, but we’ve been chatting idly, talking nonsense, and talking about this and that—what exactly did you ask me to come out today?”

"Drink, eat, eat." Following the organization's instructions, Xiao Yao continued to extend his goodwill, displaying the magnanimity of a victor: "What's wrong with getting together occasionally? Do I have to have a special occasion to invite you to dinner?"

“Don’t pretend we’re still friends,” Zhang Zhengkai sighed. “What do you want? Just say it.”

"Well," Xiao Yao picked up a piece of eel with his chopsticks and placed it on the white rice in front of him, "I just feel really bad for you, and I think I should apologize to you in person."

“If you know you’re wrong, then give her back to me,” Zhang Zhengkai said.

“I’m not wrong,” Xiao Yao said without hesitation. “She’s not my property, and I have no right to return her to anyone.”

"So what's the point of this half-hearted apology?" Zhang Zhengkai asked Xiao Yao. "You have absolutely no intention of compensating the victims."

“If I could, I really wouldn’t want to hurt you,” Xiao Yao told Zhang Zhengkai. “Maybe this is just fate playing tricks on us.”

"You asked me out just to say this?" Zhang Zhengkai said somewhat sarcastically. "Kai Kai, even though I stole your fiancée, you should still be generous and forgive me. We can still be friends again. Don't be so petty."

The conversation seemed to have reached a stalemate, Xiao Yao thought with a headache.

"Actually, if it weren't for Shen Jie, we could have become pretty good friends," Xiao Yao said with some difficulty. "We actually share quite a few interests."

“Actually, if it weren’t for Shen Jie, I would never have had any interaction with you, and I don’t want to have any interaction with you,” Zhang Zhengkai said. “I’m actually very busy.”

A surge of anger welled up in Xiao Yao's mind.

What I got in return for my goodwill was arrogant rudeness and a declaration of "I despise you" to my face?

Xiao Yao held back and did not lash out.

Seeing the unpleasant expression on the other side's face, Zhang Zhengkai felt a little regretful.