Unexpected Declarations in the Rain

“Together?!” Liuxia was taken aback, her delicate face instantly etched with anxiety.N“How can that be? Lunch break is almost over; you’ll be marked absent!” The young woman’s tone suggested she was discussing something truly dreadful.NIndeed, in this world, absenteeism was a genuinely terrifying issue.NUnder the pervasive propaganda of the Holy Tower Church and the grim reality of “negative value transforming one into a goblin,” absenteeism was condemned as an utterly immoral act.NWithin such a stringent moral framework, even actions like changing jobs or requesting leave were virtually nonexistent.NFrom the moment they graduated, everyone in society yearned for a stable occupation—no matter how undesirable, it promised a consistent flow of blessed gold coins.NOf course, many spent their entire lives fruitlessly searching for such a position, inevitably drifting into various grey or even illicit industries, carving out a precarious existence on the edge of danger.NSuch paths were inherently fraught with peril; moreover, they constantly faced the threat of crackdowns from the Holy Temple.NLiuxia’s urgency was far from unfounded. She genuinely feared that the job she had painstakingly secured for Li Chunsheng would be jeopardized by unauthorized absence.NShould that happen, Li Chunsheng’s future would undoubtedly become immeasurably harder than his present circumstances.N“It’s fine…” Li Chunsheng, however, appeared utterly unconcerned. While ordinary people dreaded their value plummeting to negative and transforming into goblins, such a fear had never once touched him.NAfter a brief moment of contemplation, he said to Liuxia with a hint of hesitation, “Well… President Mu… she… wouldn’t dismiss me just for something like this.”NLi Chunsheng knew his words sounded almost arrogant, yet he possessed an undeniable intuition.NFurthermore, given how effortlessly he had acquired this job, Li Chunsheng didn’t truly value it highly. What truly concerned him was how his senior would react upon learning that Mu Shengling was his boss.NUnbeknownst to him, his current employment was, in fact, something Liuxia had pleaded for on his behalf.NLiuxia, exasperated, let out a short, mirthless laugh, then couldn’t help but scold him, “Chunsheng! Where on earth do you get such confidence?”NBefore her words fully faded, a startling thought struck the young woman, the very conjecture she had previously suppressed forcefully now resurfacing: ‘This confidence… could it be that Chunsheng and Shengling truly…’NConsequently, Liuxia’s gaze upon Li Chunsheng became tinged with a peculiar, slightly wistful expression.NAs the two remained locked in a stalemate amidst the rain, a voice Liuxia knew intimately resonated from behind them.N“Chunsheng… where are you going?” The voice trembled faintly, betraying a hint of grievance.N“Didn’t you promise to have lunch with me?” Both turned their heads simultaneously, following the sound—it was none other than Mu Shengling, whom Li Chunsheng had previously ignored.N“Shengling…!” Upon seeing her, Liuxia instinctively gasped aloud.N“Hm?” Mu Shengling directed her gaze toward the young woman, her brow furrowing slightly. “Do you know me, miss?”NIt was the first time the young mistress of the Mu family had truly looked at the unfamiliar girl beside Li Chunsheng. With just a single glance, an involuntary flicker of astonishment crossed her beautiful eyes.N’How beautiful…!’ This was the initial thought that flashed through her mind.NThe very next thought, however, instinctively stirred a pang of jealousy within Mu Shengling: ‘…and so ample!’NThe young mistress found the unfamiliar girl’s remarkably soft, subtly quivering chest, which swayed with each breath, incredibly striking.NOn Liuxia’s part, the moment she realized her slip of the tongue, she was instantly overcome with regret. Hurriedly, she attempted to mend the situation, explaining in a fluster, “Oh… no, no, that’s not it! I merely heard Chunsheng mention you quite often!”N“He often praises Miss Shengling as a gentle and considerate boss in private, you see? That’s how Liuxia came to know of you!”NDespite her suspicions about their personal relationship, the kindhearted young woman still wished to prevent Li Chunsheng from angering Mu Shengling, thus desperately trying to cover for her junior.N“Oh? Is that so…” Mu Shengling appeared convinced, her expression gradually softening.N’What? So that Li Chunsheng is a tsundere after all… He actually praises me in private?’ A secret thrill coursed through the young mistress’s heart.N“Well then… Chunsheng.” Mu Shengling regained her usual elegant composure. “Won’t you introduce this… beautiful young lady?”NUpon hearing this, Li Chunsheng frowned slightly, then stated in a flat tone, “She’s the friend I mentioned to you before—the one who just arrived from the countryside without temporary identification. Her name is Liuxia…”N“…From the countryside?” Mu Shengling’s expression momentarily froze.NSuch stunning looks, yet she hailed from the countryside?NHowever, her surprise was fleeting, and she quickly regained her composure.NIt was merely a genetic mutation; such occurrences, though rare, were not unheard of.NJust like Li Chunsheng, despite his remarkably handsome appearance, wasn’t he also a ‘value-impaired’ individual?NWith this thought, the country girl named Liuxia seemed to pose no threat to her objectives.NNot only did her own beauty and demeanor in no way fall short of this person’s, but her family background alone was enough to leave Liuxia trailing in the dust.NThus, Mu Shengling became entirely composed, and her tone towards Li Chunsheng grew more intimate. “I see… Well then, Chunsheng, shall we go back and continue our meal? If we don’t eat soon, the food will get cold.”NThe young woman casually glanced at the simple bento box in Liuxia’s hand, a faint curve of disdain gracing her lips.N’Hmph, a country bumpkin. If she knows what’s good for her, she’ll leave on her own.’ The young mistress scoffed inwardly.NHowever, Mu Shengling’s demeanor inadvertently ignited a long-suppressed emotion within Liuxia.N’Shengling… she’s actually using such an intimate tone!’ A bitter pang struck the young woman’s heart. ‘During the years we dated… she never once spoke like that…!’NLiuxia had long since abandoned any thoughts of a future with Mu Shengling, now wishing only to take care of herself and Li Chunsheng.NYet, witnessing Mu Shengling’s affectionate display still brought an undeniable twinge of heartache.NThus, almost instinctively, Liuxia reached out and gripped Li Chunsheng’s arm tightly, refuting vehemently, “No!”N“Hm?” The young woman’s intense reaction startled Mu Shengling. She frowned slightly and spoke coldly, “This is between Li Chunsheng and me. What does it have to do with you, Miss Liuxia?”N“I… I…” Liuxia was momentarily speechless.NIndeed, even setting aside the fact that she was ostensibly a stranger to Mu Shengling, even in her past life as Liu Xia, she had already severed ties with her.N“Liuxia is my girlfriend.”NJust then, Li Chunsheng, who had remained silent all this while, spoke with sudden calm. His words, like a bolt from the blue, simultaneously struck Liuxia and Mu Shengling.N“Wh—” Liuxia instinctively wanted to retort, but then Li Chunsheng suddenly leaned in, gently planting a kiss on her smooth, jade-like cheek.N’Oh my goodness…’ the young woman shrieked internally, utterly unprepared for such a reaction from Li Chunsheng.NThe unexpected kiss instantly flushed Liuxia’s already fair face crimson. Her body trembled slightly, and she instinctively wanted to push Li Chunsheng away in resistance.NCapitalizing on their current close and intimate posture, Li Chunsheng whispered into Liuxia’s ear, “Senior, have you forgotten? Last time, when we faced Investigator Liao, we pretended to be a couple. To avoid any inconsistencies, let’s stick to that now…”NLiuxia’s mind worked quickly, and she soon accepted Li Chunsheng’s explanation. Though still feeling ashamed, she obediently leaned into him.NTo Mu Shengling, who stood nearby, their intimate actions appeared to be nothing short of a public display of affection between lovers.NThis caused a vein to throb on Mu Shengling’s forehead, her face darkening considerably.N“Li Chunsheng! I demand an explanation!”N“An explanation? My apologies, Miss Shengling… The truth is, my usual disregard for you stems from the fact that I am already taken. Surely, you understand this?” Li Chunsheng’s words, like a clap of thunder, reverberated in Mu Shengling’s ears, nearly causing her to lose her footing.NAs previously mentioned, in this world, once an ordinary man confirmed a relationship with a woman, he was expected to uphold the moral code of lifelong fidelity, provided the woman had no desire for change.N’What? I’ve actually been cuckolded!’ Mu Shengling thought, utterly incredulous.NIt had always been others who secretly coveted the men she desired; now, it was the other way around?!NAs a beneficiary of this moral code, Mu Shengling, who considered herself a champion of pure love, was profoundly shaken, momentarily frozen in stunned disbelief.N“Senior, let’s go!”NSeizing the moment of Mu Shengling’s stupor, Li Chunsheng quietly pulled Liuxia away from the scene.