Chapter 266: The Foolish Clown

“Huh?”

At first, Jiang Sui thought she had misheard.

To be honest, when she first saw Group Leader Fu from the Execution Division, Jiang Sui felt his gaze on her was nine parts wrong, if not ten.

It wasn’t quite the kind of look a pervert would give a pretty woman, but it still made her deeply uncomfortable.

Add to that the scar on his face and one eye that had already turned cloudy and murky—such an appearance really didn’t inspire much goodwill.

If this Group Leader Fu had proposed something like her spending the night with him, Jiang Sui would have pretended to agree, then had his corpse hung at the entrance of the Executive Department Base the next day for everyone to admire.

But he said he wanted her to work for the Execution Division?

Jiang Sui seemed unable to process the meaning of those words. She carefully studied Group Leader Fu’s expression and didn’t think he looked like he was lying.

Seeing that she remained silent, Group Leader Fu explained:

“What I said is literal. I want you to serve the Execution Division, nothing more.”

“May I ask why you’ve set your sights on me?”

Group Leader Fu stuffed his hands into his pockets and answered with a smile:

“I’ve looked into your background. Your father, Jiang Yanchen, fled to escape the million-level debt he owes the Luo Family, leaving you and your mother to bear it alone.”

“You worked as a maid for the Luo Family, and I’d guess your initial purpose was to repay that debt. Then you came across some kind of opportunity and became a Secret Arts Practitioner. Am I right?”

Jiang Sui was somewhat surprised to hear this. The old man had investigated so thoroughly, yet he still hadn’t uncovered that she was a natural-born Secret Arts Practitioner.

“What’s noteworthy, though… as for being ordinary, your father’s trail is especially scarce. That’s what makes it strange.”

“To be honest, your family background is unusual, but nothing special.”

Group Leader Fu continued:

“Regardless of how things turned out, I think you hold no goodwill toward the Luo Family. Am I correct?”

“That much is true.”

Jiang Sui twirled a strand of hair around her finger.

“But what does that have to do with you, Group Leader Fu?”

“As you know, the Execution Division and the Luo Family have always had a tense relationship. It’s only because of the special circumstances in Donghai City that we appear friendly.”

Group Leader Fu narrowed his eyes slightly.

“It seems the people around you don’t know you’re a Secret Arts Practitioner. You’re someone who knows how to endure. You’d make a fine spy for the Execution Division.”

“I’m sorry, but I re—”

“The million-level debt. The Execution Division can clear it for you.”

Jiang Sui’s eyes widened slightly.

“The only reason you’re bound to the Luo Family is that debt weighing you down. Hiding your identity as a Secret Arts Practitioner is also your way of seeking a faster escape.”

Group Leader Fu’s eyes fixed on her.

“As long as you agree to join the Execution Division and help us deal with the Luo Family, that debt can be left entirely to us. Then you can break free from the Luo Family fair and square, and live the life you want with your mother.”

His expression made it clear: this offer is good enough, isn’t it?

It really was a bit tempting.

That’s what Jiang Sui thought inwardly.

Group Leader Fu wasn’t in a hurry for her answer. He left his contact information and told her to think it over carefully in the next couple of days.

Even after Group Leader Fu and Dong Youer had left, Jiang Sui was still somewhat dazed.

“Jiang Sui? Jiang Sui?”

Lu Yunze’s voice broke into her thoughts, making her turn her head.

“Are you okay? The guests are already long gone. Why are you still spacing out?”

Lu Yunze raised an eyebrow.

“Did you catch a cold from the wind?”

“I’m fine.”

“Then get inside. Don’t let yourself catch a chill.”

Jiang Sui turned and went into the house, leaving Lu Yunze, who had wanted to chat with her a bit more, feeling awkward. He could only scratch his head.

That night, Jiang Sui told the Black Cat directly about Group Leader Fu’s recruitment attempt and asked for her opinion.

“What? Something this good actually happened?”

The Black Cat was clearly shocked.

“Is this really something good?”

Jiang Sui was puzzled.

“Isn’t it?”

The Black Cat hopped onto the table, golden eyes fixed on Jiang Sui’s face.

“A golden opportunity to shake off the Luo Family quickly is right in front of you. Why hesitate? If it were me, I’d have agreed already.”

Jiang Sui propped her chin on her hands, elbows resting on the table, momentarily at a loss for words.

“If it were you, Senior, would you agree?”

“No.”

The Black Cat answered without hesitation.

“Because the conflict between me and the Luo Family is irreconcilable. Mere escape would never be enough. I have reasons I must defeat the Luo Family.”

She paused there, then spoke again:

“But you’re different, Jiang Sui. The only grudge you hold against the Luo Family is the debt owed to them. Once that debt is settled, you can fly far away.”

“But Senior, I’ve told you before that I share the same goal as you, haven’t I?”

“So what? Didn’t that Group Leader Fu already make it clear? Even after leaving the Luo Family, you can still keep targeting them, and you’d have allies like the Execution Division to help.”

“What do you mean ‘allies like the Execution Division’? Senior, you don’t actually think they’re reliable people, do you?”

“Jiang Sui, in my view, the farther you go, the better. Rather than throwing away your own life, you should focus more on yourself.”

The Black Cat’s gaze dropped.

“I’ve already witnessed your resolve and your strength. They truly exceed my imagination. But you don’t need to deal with the Luo Family at all costs—like figuring out the secret on your body, the strange ancient book, or a constitution that ignores the side effects of Boiling Blood.”

“Even without investigating those secrets, the Black Cat believes Jiang Sui can live out an ordinary life as a normal girl.”

Jiang Sui’s background was indeed strange: a father whose whereabouts were unknown, and a constitution that ignored the side effects of Boiling Blood.

After the decisive battle with Baigui Shitu in Central City, the Black Cat could be certain that someone had been protecting her in the shadows all along, ensuring that she and her mother lived in peace.

Jiang Sui rubbed her chin, remaining silent for a long time. Her pale purple eyes showed not a single ripple, and it was unclear whether she was swayed by the Black Cat’s words.

“Once you leave the Luo Family, you won’t need to lower your head to anyone. You can forge your own path. Isn’t that good?”

“No, there’s nothing wrong with it.”

It was just that Jiang Sui felt something was holding her back.

If she just said the word, the Black Cat and Group Leader Fu would help her leave the Luo Family. But every time, the words caught in her throat and got swallowed back down.

Seeing her like this, the Black Cat wanted to say more, but the sudden sound of knocking at the door interrupted her.

The Black Cat quickly hid under the bed, while Jiang Sui got up to answer the door.

The corridor outside was empty, so Jiang Sui stepped out one pace.

Just as she turned her head, a bizarre face appeared right in front of her.

“Surprise!”

Lu Yunze held his exaggerated pose for a long time, but he never got the look of surprise he’d hoped for on Jiang Sui’s face.

No, wait. There was one.

After seeing his heavily painted face, Jiang Sui’s eyes clearly widened.

After a brief moment of awkward silence, Jiang Sui finally spoke:

“Young Master, what exactly are you doing?”

“Wasn’t it funny?”

“What’s funny about it?”

Lu Yunze had painted his face like a clown, with a wig on his head and a bright red nose that was particularly eye-catching.

But if you asked Jiang Sui if it was funny, her answer was:

“So dumb.”

Lu Yunze felt as if he’d fallen into an ice pit. He was completely deflated.

“So dumb.”

“Young Master, is this some new kind of prank?”

“Ah, no.”

“Young Master’s getting bolder and bolder. You even dare to—”

“No, really. I prepared a surprise.”

As he spoke, Lu Yunze told her to follow him, leading her to his bedroom.

The moment she entered, Jiang Sui caught the smell of meat, mixed with something sweet. It felt oddly familiar.

“What’s this?”

Lu Yunze opened the covered dish on the table and showed her his masterpiece.

“Ta-da! Red Braised Pork! I made it myself. How is it?”

“Why did you make this?”

Jiang Sui was even more confused.

Even with the Red Braised Pork right in front of her, he still couldn’t make her laugh. Lu Yunze gave up completely.

“Honestly, I noticed you seemed a bit off today.”

He thought Jiang Sui was too worn out from work, or felt too much pressure from cooking for him on the side, so he wanted to do something for her.

He’d spent the whole night preparing, all just to earn a smile from the girl.

Looks like it failed.

“It was for me?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

A flicker of light passed through Jiang Sui’s eyes.

Lu Yunze dejectedly took off the wig, planning to go wash his face.

“Pfft!”

Jiang Sui covered her mouth, her eyes crinkling into slits as she laughed.

“Young Master, you really are so dumb.”

Hearing the girl’s crisp laughter, Lu Yunze laughed along with her, his mood lifting considerably.

“You actually tried to win me over. Young Master, you really have gotten bolder.”

Even though the words were scolding, there was no trace of anger on Jiang Sui’s face. Instead, she picked up a piece of Red Braised Pork with her chopsticks and put it in her mouth.

“It tastes terrible. It really was made by the Young Master himself.”

But she didn’t stop there. She continued to enjoy the terrible Red Braised Pork, as if she could feel the strange sweetness spreading as the meat melted in her mouth.

When she’d had her fill, Jiang Sui spoke again:

“Young Master, if I left the Luo Family, would you be sad?”

“Yes.”

“So in your eyes, I’m really that important to you?”

“Cut it out. Don’t I know how important you are to me?”

Lu Yunze laughed at the remark.

“I’ve been relying on you all this time. If you left, of course I’d be sad.”

Jiang Sui nodded slightly.

“Then when I leave, Young Master, would you try to stop me?”

“Yes.”

Lu Yunze nodded firmly.

If dressing up as a clown could make her stay, Lu Yunze would sacrifice his pride without a moment’s hesitation.

“I see.”

Jiang Sui nodded, looking satisfied.

Before Lu Yunze could finish his words, Jiang Sui stuffed a piece of Red Braised Pork into his mouth.

“I finally understand.”

“Understand what?”

“I understand exactly what I should do.”

That faint thread of hesitation in her heart—Jiang Sui had finally figured out what it was.

So it’s you, Lu Yunze.

Staying here for a man. At first thought, it seemed utterly absurd, but upon reflection, it didn’t seem unacceptable.

This man would make her laugh when she was in a bad mood, and dress up as a clown to keep her from leaving.

As long as Jiang Sui was willing, would he always be content to play the clown?

This wasn’t Jiang Sui bowing to someone else. She was the one holding Lu Yunze’s leash.

So, for the sake of this foolish little clown, Jiang Sui had nothing left to hesitate about.