Chapter 358: Stalling
Chapter 358: Chapter 358: Stalling
"Miss Ning, when it comes to Contractors, there’s no need to discuss ’like’ or ’dislike.’ Keep the ones you like by your side and send the ones you don’t far away. You only need to dispense a bit of your pheromones periodically—there are no other requirements. In fact, if you truly dislike one, you can even break the Contract. It’s all your decision," Chairman Wang shamelessly persuaded.
"Chairman Wang, I can’t do that. My Contractors must be to my liking. I have already fulfilled the obligations required of an adult woman under the Contract system. It makes no sense to overturn that and start all over again," Ning Xuan flatly refused.
When she discovered Ji Wuchen was the one behind Jin Shanshan’s actions, Ning Xuan had been wondering about his motives. But with Chairman Wang here today asking her to go through the matching process again, it all clicked into place. Ji Wuchen was just a pawn in this affair, used to force her into agreeing to a new match.
"Ning Xuan, don’t be so final about it. How about this: we’ll have the Mainframe run another match for you. You can screen the prospective Contractors first this time. If you’re not satisfied, you can just refuse to form a Contract. How does that sound?" Chairman Wang promised.
"Chairman Wang, please, say no more. I’m still young—I only just came of age, you know? The Mainframe’s original five, plus Di Youlin and Lan Xin, makes seven. That’s already a lot. I haven’t spent much time with them yet; things are still in the honeymoon phase. Maybe after a while, when I’ve grown tired of them, I’ll be in the mood to take on new partners. But right now, it’s absolutely out of the question."
"I know you’re here on behalf of others. Could you please go back and ask them to wait patiently for a few more years?" Seeing how persistent Chairman Wang was, Ning Xuan resorted to a delaying tactic.
Chairman Wang sighed with a wry smile. "Fair enough. We were too hasty. However, according to predictions, a great disaster will befall the Federation Star Domain in the coming years. All the major powers and families are searching for a solution. To be frank, those ancient, powerful families... while they are strong, that strength was built up over generations. Because they have senior masters holding down the fort, their descendants have actually grown weaker with each passing generation. That’s why they’re all desperately seeking to produce heirs with strong Bloodline Talent to continue their ancestors’ legacy. Fortunately, your first match included powerful figures like Ying Yaoshi and Yu Mingche. It’s only because of them that the other families don’t dare to act too brazenly against you. Otherwise, if they were to reach some kind of agreement, you would be in grave danger."
"So, the reason I’m safe is all thanks to Ying Yaoshi and Yu Mingche?" Ning Xuan mused.
"To be precise, it was mostly thanks to Marshal Ying at first. Yu Mingche has decent political influence, but the actual power he wields is still somewhat lacking. However, looking at you now, are you planning to make Yu Mingche your main husband? Would General Ying agree to that?" Chairman Wang asked, a hint of gossip in his tone.
"Do I need his permission to choose my main husband?" Ning Xuan retorted.
"Haha, you don’t need his permission for that. I’m just worried you won’t be able to keep him in line. If you anger him and one of the other great families that covet you manages to poach him, you’ll have a huge problem on your hands," Chairman Wang said, his tone half-joking, half-warning.
"Then I’ll find some time to ask him," Ning Xuan said with a smile.
"Alright, I’ll be heading back. I’ll relay your intentions to those old geezers and try to buy you a few years. But if the situation changes, they’ll inevitably start scheming about you again. You’d best be prepared. You could also start looking into those families. You can choose one you find agreeable and form an alliance to give yourself more backing," Chairman Wang said, standing up to leave and offering a final piece of advice.
"Thank you, Chairman Wang. I’ll see you out," Ning Xuan said, politely rising to escort him.
"No need to be so formal. I’ll be on my way. Let’s stay in touch." Chairman Wang was inwardly quite proud that Ning Xuan had been willing to show him such deference.
After seeing Chairman Wang off, Ning Xuan was heading back when Chen Nan came stumbling over to her. "Contractor! Contractor! How is my cousin, Chen Hao? The drug was so potent! I’m afraid his Contractor won’t be able to neutralize its effects for him."
Although Chen Nan had passed out last night from being unable to bear the strain, he still remembered how awful it felt at the beginning. That woman, Cao Yulan, only had a C-level Spiritual Power Level, had never been on a battlefield, and was in extremely poor physical condition. He feared she wouldn’t be able to neutralize the drug’s effects for Chen Hao at all.
"You should worry about yourself first. You knew yesterday was a trap, yet you went recklessly anyway. What, were you that confident in yourself? If I hadn’t happened to be nearby, do you really think you wouldn’t have made a public spectacle of yourself?" Ning Xuan said, looking at Chen Nan with a sneer.
At Ning Xuan’s question, cold sweat beaded on Chen Nan’s face. He dropped to his knees and lowered his head. "I’m sorry, Contractor. I was reckless and caused you trouble."
"Your cousin is fine. He always gets through his heat periods on his own; he’s not as delicate as you are. I prepared some medicine for him and gave him acupuncture. He recovered a long time ago."
"Also, did the fever fry your brain? Have you forgotten? Yesterday, you were the one who begged me to help Chen Hao get away from his Contractor and set him free. Your father has already helped him break the Contract," Ning Xuan said.
"Really? He’s okay? He’s free?" Chen Nan was so overcome with emotion that he couldn’t stop himself from hugging Ning Xuan’s leg, crying and laughing at the same time. "*Sob*... Lord Contract Master, you’re incredible!"
"Why are you so worked up? Do you want your freedom, too?" Ning Xuan asked with a hint of disdain, using her fingers to push Chen Nan’s fluffy head away.
"I don’t want freedom! I want my Contractor! I want to be by my Contractor’s side every single moment! Contractor, don’t abandon me!" Having been with Ning Xuan for so long, Chen Nan had a decent grasp of her moods. Knowing she was in a good one right now, he couldn’t resist hugging her leg tightly like a spoiled child.
"Alright, alright, get a hold of yourself. Now hurry up and go see your cousin." Ning Xuan peeled him off her and headed for the front hall.
"Oh, right," Ning Xuan said, turning back to Chen Nan after taking a few steps. "Yu Mingche will be looking for you later to investigate what happened yesterday. If he finds anything to hold against you, he won’t let you off easy."
Seeing the panicked look that instantly appeared on Chen Nan’s face, Ning Xuan was inwardly amused. ’It seems Yu Mingche has already established his authority in this household. I suppose it’s time I sounded out Ying Yaoshi’s thoughts as well.’
’It wasn’t that she wanted Ying Yaoshi to play second fiddle to Yu Mingche. It was just that Ying Yaoshi was incredibly busy. He wasn’t like Yu Mingche, who could take several years off for vacation. Ying Yaoshi didn’t fit her need for a household manager, but Yu Mingche was a perfect fit.’