Elder brother's garrison

"No, I just used makeup to make my skin look a little rougher," said President Er Gou, hands on his hips.

"Huh? That's it?" Xiaobai was taken aback.

"Yeah, I also did a little bit of mascara, blush, and eyebrows."

"..."

Xiao Bai covered her mouth, peeked out, and carefully examined the current appearance of President Er Gou.

"President sister...you don't actually look a lot like Noka sister, do you?" Shiro asked.

"...Where do I even begin to criticize your statement?" President Er Gou looked at Xiao Bai helplessly, shook her head, then turned to the side, crossed her legs, and plopped down next to Xiao Bai.

After getting closer, President Er Gou brought his face close to Xiao Bai's and pointed to the corner of his eye: "Look."

"..." Xiaobai shrank his neck.

"Weren't our faces quite similar?"

"Hmm..." Xiaobai nodded.

"Why did you only realize this now?" President Er Gou asked, speechless.

“…Uh.” Xiaobai gave an awkward laugh.

How can this kind of problem be explained?

It can only be said that the difference in physical age and skin color between President Er Gou and Mu Naihua, coupled with their respective tastes in clothing, created two completely different impressions from their otherwise similar faces, which is why they deceived those around them.

However, Xiaobai thinks the main reason is that President Ergou is always crazy and likes to wear big sunglasses all the time, so it's hard to imagine him being with the quiet Muna.

— Xiaobai almost forgot that President Ergou is Konoka's younger sister, so it doesn't seem like there's anything wrong with her looking a bit like Konoka.

"In short, just do a little makeup on her face, cover up any differences with cosmetics, then put on contact lenses, fix your hair, go to her room to find some clothes to change into, and the transformation will be sparkly and perfect." As President Er Gou spoke, he slowly put the contact lenses back on his fingertips. "As for making the voice the same, I practiced falsetto for a while."

After Er Gou finished pressing his contact lenses, he blinked, regained his Munai-ka-like appearance, and smiled at Xiao Bai.

"...President sister, are you going to pretend to be Nohana sister?" Shiro asked.

"Yes, that's right." President Er Gou nodded.

"Hmm—" Xiaobai looked at the guild leader Ergou, thought for a while, and asked with some confusion, "Why are you pretending to be Nono-chan?"

“Cover her shift,” said President Er Gou. “I don’t want to use my own identity as the temporary head of the family.”

"Can't you?"

"That would be fine, but don't forget I still owe you a lot of money," President Er Gou said to Xiao Bai. "If I take over now, I'll be driven to death by all those relatives before I can even deal with the situation."

"Uh... well, then I'll terminate the contract now..."

“No need. With this face, we can better mobilize manpower, which has many advantages. Besides, Little White, you don’t want to explain what happened last night to those people, do you?” President Er Gou said to Little White.

"..." Xiaobai thought for a while, then looked at President Ergou, "Then, President Sister, can you play the role of Nonohana Sister well?"

"Not everyone is a detective." President Er Gou poked Xiao Bai's forehead with his finger. "Eighty percent of the world's wisdom is in the hands of twenty percent of the people. So, it's not difficult to fool the remaining eighty percent."

“…Oh.” Xiaobai rubbed his forehead. “But, I feel like this is too risky…what if we get caught…”

"Yeah, isn't it exciting?" President Er Gou's expression showed no tension whatsoever, but rather an eager excitement.

"..." Xiaobai looked helplessly at President Ergou.

—The president is really not afraid at all; she doesn't consider the consequences of her actions at all.

—What kind of family could raise such a thick-skinned woman?

A few minutes later, Xiaobai quickly got dressed and followed President Ergou into the living room.

Not long after, after Xiaobai and Guild Leader Ergou had been sitting in the living room for about half an hour, Missouri, Kaga, and Luo Lian also got up and came down to the living room one after another.

When they entered the living room, they were surprised to see that Muna, who had looked pale and almost dead yesterday, was now sitting on a sofa with a rosy complexion, chatting and laughing with Shiro.

Fortunately, Xiaobai took the lead and told them about the current situation before President Ergou did, preventing President Ergou from putting on an act.

"Admiral, what would you like for breakfast?" In the living room, Missouri, having learned the situation, quickly accepted reality and asked Xiaobai.

Although the villa where everyone was staying was very large, they did not hire any housekeepers. According to Chairman Er Gou, it was because the old man in the family did not like to see unfamiliar faces, so they hired a professional to come in and clean the house every few days. As for cooking, since takeout was probably not available, they could only cook for themselves.

"I want steak!" President Er Gou raised his hands high.

“Steak, is it? Missouri, I understand.” Missouri smiled and nodded at Chairman Er Gou, then looked at Xiao Bai, “Where’s the Admiral?”

"Uh...whatever." Xiaobai didn't really have much of an appetite today.

Kaga and Luo Lian sat down next to Xiao Bai, looking like they would eat whatever Xiao Bai ate.

"Okay." Missouri nodded knowingly and left.

After Missouri left, everyone turned to Chairman Er Gou.

"President, what should we do next?"

"Wait." President Er Gou, sporting a face like a mummy flower, sat on the other side of the sofa, happily sipping a pot of tea.

"Huh? Wait?"

“Yeah, the person who kidnapped that brat Mu Yu hasn’t sent us any messages yet. We can’t exactly go around posting missing person notices with a megaphone, can we?” said Chairman Er Gou. “Don’t worry, things will work themselves out.”

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Just as everyone was leisurely spending half an hour in the living room, and Xiaobai was still thinking that Mu Yu had been killed by the enemy, the doorbell of the villa rang.

The person who could quietly pass through the SUV door and successfully approach the villa couldn't possibly be a stranger. After Chairman Er Gou said that they were probably members of the Mu family who had come to report on their daily work, Xiao Bai got up, left the living room, walked through the corridor, and opened the door.

Upon opening the door, Xiaobai was surprised to find an acquaintance standing outside.

Outside the door stood Mu Chenglin, who had been brutally beaten by Kaga in the Chapter Sea earlier.

Mu Chenglin seemed quite surprised that it was Xiaobai who opened the door. He stared blankly at Xiaobai, and looked at Xiaobai's new clothes several times in a rather strange way before he came back to his senses.

"Ah, Admiral Lu, I apologize for my rudeness." Mu Chenglin raised his hand and bowed to Xiaobai. "I didn't expect you to open the door and was unable to greet you immediately. I am very sorry."

"...Uh, hello."

"Hello."

"...Is my outfit strange?"

Mu Chenglin's lips twitched, but he still shook his head: "I was just curious why Admiral Lu didn't put his uniform back on—but may I ask if Aunt Naihua is here? I have something urgent to report."

"..."

In the living room, President Er Gou, who was gradually getting into character, sat at the table with a knife and fork, quietly cutting his steak.

As soon as Mu Chenglin entered the living room, he smelled the aroma of charred steak.

"Aunt Naihua has a good appetite." As soon as Mu Chenglin entered the living room, he bowed to Chairman Er Gou.

"It's Cheng Lin, good morning." President Er Gou didn't stop what he was doing, but turned his head to give Mu Cheng Lin a serene smile. "You have a good appetite today. You had a steak for breakfast."

"It seems that Auntie has been working day and night and has exhausted herself, which is why she urgently needs to replenish her energy. Please take good care of yourself and get plenty of rest," Mu Chenglin said respectfully to Chairman Er Gou.

"Yes, I'll be careful." President Er Gou nodded and put a piece of beef into his mouth.

Looking at "Munaihua" so content, Mu Chenglin hesitated, seemingly considering whether to tell the person in front of him the information he had received.

Finally, Mu Chenglin lowered his head firmly and made up his mind.

“Aunt Naihua, I have something important to report. This matter is of great importance, so please be prepared.”

Mu Chenglin bent down and raised his voice to speak to the mummy flower in front of him.

"Well, please tell me."

President Er Gou's hands continued to cut the steak.

“Late last night, an overturned car was found on a mountain road. After verification, it was confirmed that it was the car that my uncle and Senior Mu Yu had taken to the hospital yesterday.” Mu Chenglin said with a serious expression. “My uncle is an excellent driver and has a calm demeanor, so he shouldn’t have been involved in a traffic accident. Therefore, considering the surprise attack by the unknown enemy yesterday, I suspect that Senior Mu Yu and my uncle may have encountered something.”

As Mu Chenglin finished speaking, he looked up at Chairman Er Gou, his expression somewhat grave.

Chapter 895 As expected of you, you understand me.

Although in Xiaobai's first impression, Mu Chenglin seemed to be a rather weak scholar, the kind of lazy bum who could be slaughtered by others, with no ability and could only occasionally play minor roles to make a living.

However, in reality, Mu Chenglin's abilities were quite recognized by the elders of the Mu family.

After all, he was of the same generation as Mu Yu, and even a slacker like Mu Yu had risen to the rank of governor. Mu Chenglin couldn't afford to be too disgraced.

At the very least, you need to have basic public relations skills, such as being able to handle situations smoothly and tactfully.

If Mu Chenglin were truly the type who would bring shame to the Mu family if released, then the Mu family wouldn't have sent such a junior as him to find Chairman Er Gou in the second chapter.

After all, if a typical villain were sent there, he would probably be dealt with by Chairman Er Gou within a couple of meetings, and then he could find an excuse to leave.

And indeed, that's the case. In some matters, Mu Chenglin is very reliable.

If it weren't for his decision, President Er Gou wouldn't have obediently gone home in the end.

Last night, when the unmanned car belonging to Mu Yu and his son was discovered, the staff who towed the vehicle back conducted a routine inspection and recognized it as belonging to Mu Yu and General Mu. Just as the news was about to be relayed from the repair shop to the city, Mu Chenglin, having just learned of the news, rushed to the scene to prevent the spread of the information from putting the Mu family in a passive position. He then spared no effort to suppress the news from spreading and did his best to quell the unrest in the small area where the news had spread.

Finally, after working overtime all night, he managed to suppress the news and sign confidentiality agreements with everyone before rushing off to Munaihua's place.

After all, Mu Yu and Mu Jiangjun are of great importance, and this matter must be discussed with the temporary head of the family.

After informing Konohana of his discovery, Mu Chenglin was initially very worried about Konohana's emotional state. After all, these two men were Konohana's son and husband, and their encounter with the enemy could very likely affect Konohana's emotional state.

in the living room.

Having just shared his information, Mu Chenglin waited anxiously for Mu Naihua's reply.

Mu Chenglin made many preparations for this.

If Muna Hana panics, he'll comfort her and suggest she seek help from her grandfather at the hospital. Outside, he'll arrange all the necessary paperwork for the hospital trip. If her grandfather still hasn't woken up, he'll suggest Muna Hana seek help from her Aunt Munaoka. Aunt Munaoka may be a bit dramatic, but she's very capable and will surely offer plenty of advice in this situation. If that doesn't work, Mu Chenglin has even considered contacting other relatives…

Mu Chenglin felt like he was a launcher already on a spring; the moment Mu Naihua showed any emotion, he had to provide help and feedback immediately.

—After listening to what she had to say, Muna Hana finished speaking.

Muna opened her eyes and lowered her head.

Mu Chenglin watched Mu Naihua's movements intently.

"Holy crap, this steak is delicious."

Muna Hana lowered her head, looking at the empty plates on the table with a "I want, I want, I want more" expression.

"..." Mu Chenglin was dumbfounded.

He was immediately stumped by the mummy flower's reaction.

“I’m so glad you like it. Missouri hasn’t cooked steak in a long time, and my skills have gotten a bit rusty. This taste is all thanks to the high-quality ingredients in the refrigerator.” Missouri, holding a plate, stood by the wall and smiled humbly at Monica.

"No way! This perfect caramel, this perfect texture, this perfect crispy exterior and tender interior! It's like the Kitchen God reincarnated! You're absolutely a master chef!"

"Missouri is unworthy of such praise for a simple steak."

"Ah, I can't take it anymore, I'm going to die! I'll die if I can't eat your food anymore!"

"Please don't make fun of Missouri. Missouri is just an ordinary rookie ship girl."

In front of Mu Chenglin, Missouri and Muna started to politely defer to each other, oblivious to everyone else.

It seems that Muna Hana didn't take what she just said to heart at all...

Fortunately, President Er Gou finally remembered her current identity. She quickly coughed lightly twice, regained her dignified demeanor, and put down her knife and fork.

"Okay, I understand." President Er Gou nodded elegantly to Mu Chenglin, his expression calm and collected.

Mu Chenglin stared blankly at Chairman Er Gou for several seconds before his train of thought was finally reconnected.

Ah, I get it!

Aunt Naihua noticed my nervousness and was trying to ease it and relax!

Immediately, a deep sense of admiration welled up in Mu Chenglin's eyes.

—He truly has the makings of a head of the family.

Mu Chenglin was truly moved.

My aunt, a woman of frail health, not only stepped forward to shoulder heavy responsibilities during times of family hardship, but also worked tirelessly day and night. Now that she is no longer young, while other mothers are enjoying their retirement and square dancing, my aunt continues to contribute to the family.

She remained remarkably calm even when she heard the news that her husband and son might have been kidnapped by criminals.

She even sensed her own nervousness as the messenger, and to calm herself down, her aunt deliberately used this image-damaging method to relieve her stress...

This unwavering composure even when Mount Tai collapses before you, this selfless spirit of "I'd rather go to hell than face hell," this magnanimity that embraces the world, this kind and pure soul...