Chapter 365: The Eighth Day in the Struggle for Supremacy World

Chapter 365: Day Eight in a Power-Struggle Novel

Every afternoon, An Yi usually spent two hours in his study.

Some of that time went to reading and sorting the books and notes he planned to take; the rest, he spent on the tasks Bai Ji was gradually taking over.

Bai Ji turned out to be exactly what he'd said—an "extraordinary man."

Whatever An Yi handed him, he handled with impressive skill.

And fast, too.

An Yi sighed with a smile. So useful, so useful.

Not bad at all.

Soon, An Yi started handing him more important, more core tasks.

They talked more and more, and their bond deepened.

Often, An Yi would lay out a direction or a question, and Bai Ji would immediately run with it, offering several options and weighing the pros and cons. His insight was sharp, his foresight ran deep, and his thinking often lined up perfectly with An Yi's.

In short, An Yi could clearly tell that Bai Ji was getting more and more comfortable in his position. The quiet excitement and devotion were nearly impossible to hide.

He seemed to genuinely love being trusted with big responsibilities, being part of core planning, and trading ideas with his lord.

But it felt like there was more to it than that.

Comment section:

"The author is definitely setting up a pair of kindred spirits!"

"A perfect pair of lord and minister for a crisis era?"

"But An Yi is still on guard, right? He's only giving him vetted info."

"Well, the MC's only been here a few days!"

"Seeing how reserved he is now, maybe they won't just be kindred spirits—maybe one of them will die, or they'll turn on each other! Like, what if the MC's achievements end up overshadowing the lord's or something!"

"Don't speculate about the plot!"

"..."

Besides being incredibly talented, Bai Ji was also flawless in how he dealt with people.

He was always gentle and courteous to the servants of the An household, never harsh or short with them. Before long, the servants had grown fond of this "Mr. Bai, whom the eldest young master highly valued and personally invited." He seemed a bit frail and pale, but he had a good temper, no airs, and deep learning—so they served him with extra care.

When An Yi's classmates from the Imperial Academy or his literary friends from Yuncang came by, Bai Ji handled himself just as gracefully.

Add his handsome face and unique bearing, and he quickly earned a reputation in An Yi's circle: "Mr. Bai may come from humble roots, but his talent and manner are top-notch—Brother An really knows how to spot talent."

Almost everyone in the household had a good impression of this Mr. Bai who'd appeared out of nowhere.

They thought he was learned, humble, and considerate, and that he got along great with the eldest young master—a real right-hand man.

Everyone, that is, except An Yi.

An Yi could sense that beneath the mask of gentleness, courtesy, and efficiency, Bai Ji was getting closer to him on purpose.

This closeness wasn't flattery, and it wasn't desperate bootlicking—it was something finer, subtler, like spring rain soaking into the ground.

And it started with the people around him.

As for the reason...

An Yi set down his brush and took a small sip of his tea.

A faint, almost invisible smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

Why? What else could it be? Ugh... sometimes having too much charm is a burden.

An Yi couldn't help touching his face again, cracking himself up with his own vanity.

The young servants lowered their heads and hid their smiles, wondering what had the eldest young master so happy.

If the eldest young master was happy, they were happy.

The departure date was finally set for ten days out.

----------

As the trip got closer, the household's preparations went into their final stage.

Carriages lined up at the side gate, loaded with books, clothing, and all sorts of stuff...

Before leaving, An Yi had one last long talk with his father, An Zheng.

They met in the study again, with candles burning late into the night.

An Zheng looked at his son's still-young face, his heart full of mixed emotions.

The kid he'd watched grow up had, at some point, become a man even he found a little hard to read and a little awe-inspiring.

But he chose to trust him, betting a big part of the family's future on An Yi.

"Chuwei..." An Zheng finally patted his son's shoulder, his voice slightly hoarse. "Take care of yourself. I'll be waiting for your news in Yuncang."

"Don't worry, Father." An Yi stood and bowed solemnly. "I won't let you down."

He looked down. The An family... was also a prominent family.

Meanwhile, An Jin, knowing he was about to leave his parents and the Yuncang he knew, was really reluctant.

----------

Kids show their feelings easily, and for several days he clung to his parents, especially his mother, Dong Yi.

An Yi, as the elder brother, patiently accompanied his younger brother, listening to his rambling about missing his friends in Yuncang, the back garden where he often played, and even the kitchen auntie who made great pastries. He gently talked him down, promising new fun in Sique—he could raise a pony, go exploring in the mountains—slowly getting his brother excited about Sique instead.

Dong Yi wiped her tears, held both An Yi's and An Jin's hands, and gave a million instructions: be careful on the road, watch what you eat, dress for the weather, write home often, listen to your brother, don't get into trouble... A mother's heart, all nagging and worry.

An Yi listened patiently, nodding at everything, and seriously promised to take care of his brother and write home often to let them know they were safe.

Comment section:

"So much wholesome family detail..."

"Little An Jin doesn't want to leave, and An Yi comforting his brother is so sweet."

"Ah, makes sense. A mother always worries when her kid's far from home."

"An Yi is so thoughtful, even thinking of his mother's orchids."

"With all that detailed description, this contrast makes his softer side really stand out."

"He's truly gentle with his family, unlike the polite distance he keeps with outsiders."

"LOL, the male lead is lurking and low-key jealous."

"What exactly is he jealous of? He's seriously not right, and I'm not just being paranoid!"

"Yeah, what's he jealous of? Jealous because his boss has a happy family and isn't as close to him? What's wrong with him? Unless he's got a crush on his boss."

"Even if he has a crush on his boss, being jealous of his family is still messed up!"

"I read it closely; it's not jealousy, just envy! It's not jealousy, period!"

"Seriously... the male lead seems like he's in the closet. Maybe the author is too? (stroking chin in thought.jpg)"

"Please, stop defaming me!"

"Everyone, come see! We've caught an author! Let's sit on him and crush him flat!"

"..."

An Yi: "..."

Oh, really?

----------

The night before departure, everything was quiet.

An Yi was alone in the study for a final check.

The candle flame flickered gently, stretching his shadow long across the wall.

The candlelight played across his jade-like profile, his long lashes casting a small fan-shaped shadow beneath his eyes.

The study door was softly knocked.

"Enter." An Yi didn't look up, his gaze still fixed on the documents.

The door opened, and Bai Ji walked in.