Lin Xiao silently listened from the beginning to the end, although he foresaw most of it, his eyebrows jumped at the crucial parts, and he couldn't help but clench his teeth to suppress his worry.

Shen DaiYing wouldn't lie, so Elena was in danger!

Although she may be invincible after transforming into a red-eyed black cat, but, but…

“Okay, even if Anderson is up to something, Snow is still there. With her intelligence, how could she let Anderson do as he pleases? So it should probably be fine.”

Yes, he wasn't worried, since Snow was there, why would he need to be worried?

As for the palpitations and his anxiousness… that was all because he didn't get any sleep!

“Snow? That young Saintess… do you think a child can stop Anderson by herself?”

Faced against her overbearing gaze, Lin Xiao shook his head.

“No, maybe not, but there's still Caesar! With his strength, even if he can't beat them, he should be able to escape and survive…”

Even though Shen DaiYing already took a step back, Lin Xiao was still beating around the bush. Shen DaiYing boiled with rage as she looked at his appearance.

“Caesar? Heh, is the person you're worried about Caesar? Lin Xiao, stop trying to deceive me with foolishness!”

She suddenly felt that the man in front of her was really laughable.

“Elena! The person who's really in danger is your maid, right?”

“She doesn't have any strength, even if Caesar luckily survives, can she?”

“Do you want her to die? Are you willing? Answer me! Huh?”

“I…”

Lin Xiao stayed silent when faced with Shen DaiYing's interrogation.

Please stop asking, I really can't answer you!

Lin Xiao felt like his head was about to explode.

Sister Ying, you're right, all of it! But that's why I can't answer you!

“It might not be too late, there's still a way… Lin Xiao, you definitely have a way, am I right?”

A way?

Stop with that nonsense! You noisy woman… what kind of way would I have?

“Anderson's scheme would involve a lot of people, do you not want to stop him?”

Of course not!

I don't want to get involved with something so strange!

I just want to live my life eating and playing.

Why the f.u.c.k do I have to worry about who dies or not?

“Lin Xiao, why aren't you speaking? Do you want to see a tragedy happen?”

That's right!

So what?

Even if Caesar dies, there are other people who can become heroes!

Even if Rosie dies, there's going to be one less willful fool!

As for Elena…

She…

I…

“Lin Xiao, aren't you strong? Even stronger than me, right! If it's you, you should be able to save them, what are you still hesitating for?”

What am I hesitating for?

You fool, you clearly know so why do you have to force me to say it?

I saved you! Why don't you just quietly embrace me and be my wife? Instead of spouting all that c.r.a.p…

d.a.m.n! Why do you keep forcing me?

“Lin Xiao!!!”

Shen DaiYing couldn't take his silence anymore. She roughly gripped his cheeks and faced him, demanding an answer.

“Shen DaiYing!”

Finally, Lin Xiao clenched his teeth and was able to squeeze out some words.

I, I, I just…

I just…

Just…

“Like…” Lin Xiao's voice was almost inaudible.

“Like.”

He continuously repeated that word.

“I like you.”

It wasn't a lie, those were his sincere words.

“Shen DaiYing, I just want to stay with you! What do they have to do with me? If Caesar dies, then your engagement would be cancelled, then I can openly marry you… are you not willing?”

“Of course I'm willing…”

Why was she forcing Lin Xiao?

She already knew the answer, and his feelings were clear. Why couldn't she just shut her mouth and be his wife?

If she kept silent and awaited tragedy, then she could successfully obtain the happiness she longed for, so why did she have to get to the bottom of it?

Perhaps it was because Lin Xiao's words weren't from the heart.

She couldn't accept a forged happiness.

“If you can stay with me, of course I'm willing…”

It was like a heavy burden was lifted, she let go of Lin Xiao's face and sat silently, her peaceful smile sharply contrasted her urgency from earlier.

Yes, it would be nice if Lin Xiao could stay.

Even if everyone died, Lin Xiao would still stay with her. Just thinking about that made her feel comfortable.

But…

“But, am I worth it?” It was like a question but also self-ridicule, Shen DaiYing took a deep breath and asked, “Answer me, if Elena died, would you be heartbroken?”

“Eh?”

“Your maid, if she wasn't with you anymore, would you be sad? Or have you never even thought about it? Days when Elena isn't by your side… you haven't even thought about it at all, right?”

Shen DaiYing was still smiling, her gentle tone didn't have any forcefulness, but Lin Xiao trembled like he received a huge shock.

“Elena, gone? …”

If Elena was gone, then he could be free.

He wouldn't be constantly pestered by a nasty Demon King.

He didn't have to worry about getting involved in the fight between the Church and the Demons.

There wouldn't be any gluttonous cats stealing his money.

There also wouldn't be anyone poisoning his breakfast.

There also wouldn't be anyone swearing at him and calling him a pervert with a cold expression.

If Elena wasn't there, he could fully concentrate on his relations.h.i.+p with Shen DaiYing and fight to become the emperor's son-in-law.

But that kind of life… without Elena, what would it be like?

Lin Xiao has never thought about it.

Not even once.

He always thought that he could maintain his current life and Elena will always be his maid.

That made him feel at ease, and comfortable.

Elena would never leave.

The enemies would never appear.

He always thought…

“Lin Xiao, stop lying to yourself, go and save her. Don't worry about me, I may be wounded, but more than enough to protect myself… don't forget, I also have the two swords you got for me.”

“Lying to myself? I'm not! I'm not going!”

Though he was saying obstinate things, but at that instant, an incomparably cozy scene appeared in front of him.

It was am elegant girl wearing a s.e.xy maid outfit, swaying back and forth with him lying lazily on their sofa at home, peacefully enjoying their free time.

He still remembered that Elena once said that he would have to make a choice, a choice between her and Shen DaiYing, because she was Shen DaiYing's enemy…

Is this the choice she was referring to?

To leave or to stay.

He had to choose between one of them.

He could only choose one of them.

“Idiot.” She looked at his mixed expressions and gently pulled his neck over.

“Sister Ying? Mhmff…”

When he came out of it, he noticed that his lips were blocked by something soft.

Shen DaiYing kissed him like they were lovers, one-sidedly giving him all the warmth that she could and greedily enjoying that brief and unreal happiness, as if she wanted to catch every minute, every second.

But time was one thing that could never be caught.

Like an hourgla.s.s, the remaining precious time gradually elapsed second by second…

“Okay! Enough!”

Seemingly satisfied, Shen DaiYing suddenly pushed Lin Xiao away and turned her back to him. She sternly sent him away like a she was a different person.

“Go! Lin Xiao, don't worry about me. My promise won't change, I'm still willing to give my body to you, so you can come find me anytime.”

“I…”

“Still not leaving? Stop dawdling!”

“Sorry, I…”

Shen DaiYing never turned around and didn't know what kind of expression Lin Xiao had. All she heard was him apologizing as his voice faded until it completely disappeared into the depths of the forest.

She never turned even at the end.

“Miss…”

Suddenly, a familiar voice came from the shrubs, and then a girl with freckles appeared in front of Shen DaiYing.

“Eh? Xiao Hua? W-why are you here?”

Shen DaiYing froze, then guessed the reason and quickly covered her face and rubbed her eyes like she was hiding something.

“You don't have to cover it up, I saw everything…”

No greeting, no concern, these were Xiao Hua's first words after meeting.

“Wu… no, I just…”

“Do you need me to kill him?” Xiao Hua frowned and seriously asked.

“Ah? N-no… why would you do that?”

“A man who made you cry doesn't deserve to live.”

She had a cold expression and killing intent as she looked towards where the youth left.

“Cry? Hehe, what are you saying? I'm not crying, why would I be crying?”

Shen DaiYing was still smiling but she clutched Xiao Hua's arm and hugged her.

“Miss?”

Drip, drip…

If that wasn't the sound of tears.

Then it was probably the sound of a sweet dream shattering.