Stepping on the Demoness to become the strongest

Yan Yu's flattery indeed turned Tang Xiaolian's anger into joy, making her steps lighter.

This clearly showed that Tang Xiaolian was on a different level of cunning from Li Minghu. As for preferences, some people like clever, wise women, while others prefer innocent and carefree ones, both having their own charms.

Yan Yu: I want both.

Of course, he and Li Zhaojiang were completely different. The brother-in-law was greedy with endless desires; Yan Yu, on the other hand, helped them out generously as he saw their potential to form top-grade golden cores, and to restore their reputation, he had to sacrifice himself. How could he be compared to Li Zhaojiang?

Moreover, if Li Zhaojiang succeeded, it would be just like taking a wife and concubine at home. Yan Yu, however, would gain two loyal Golden Core True Men for Lu Country through marriage and family ties. As long as Yan Yu didn't betray, they wouldn't betray, which was clearly an act of great sacrifice for the country. Although the forms were the same, there was a fundamental difference inside.

With Yan Yu holding the hands of both women, Minghu's skin cool and Xiaolian's palm warm, the touch felt like a blend of ice and fire, indescribably pleasant. Yet, thinking of their significance to Lu Country, he felt a heavy burden on his shoulders, making it impossible to relax easily.

The two women had different thoughts. Tang Xiaolian was originally annoyed because Yan Yu didn't come to play with her. Now, with a few sweet words, she was happy again, but also started to feel a bit competitive for attention:

Walking hand in hand with Yan Yu in the mountains was nice, but it would be better if his other hand wasn't holding another woman.

Although thinking this way, Tang Xiaolian didn't speak. She had thoughts but didn't know what to say. Moreover, she was no longer angry and didn't want to target Li Minghu, lest she became the kind of deep-hearted bad woman she hated.

Li Minghu wasn't thinking about Tang Xiaolian at all. She was just tightly holding Yan Yu's hand, savoring every moment by his side.

Having been weak since childhood and considered her life short, she played the role of the giver at home, giving her love to her parents and brother without expecting equal emotional returns. Yan Yu was the first man to give her more love.

Every time she thought of this, warmth flowed in her heart like a warm bath.

As for Tang Xiaolian? Just a companion to share the hot springs with, nothing to worry about.

Tang Xiaolian had thoughts but no ability, while Li Minghu had ability but no thoughts. Thus, they stayed by Yan Yu's side without engaging in intense scheming.

Yan Yu attributed it to his personal charm, feeling increasingly elated. When they rested in a pavilion by the mountain path, he took out the couple recognition agreement for Li Minghu to sign and said to Tang Xiaolian:

"I didn't expect to meet you when I came out. I left your copy at the room. I'll give it to you when we go back."

Tang Xiaolian felt discontent again, thinking even if there was an agreement prepared for her, why was it after Li Minghu? Does this mean her favor in his heart is also not high?

If Zhao Yuanzhen were here, he would have erupted immediately. Tang Xiaolian, though not as straightforward as an enchantress, knew it would do no good to throw a tantrum at Yan Yu here, so she simply didn't speak, resting her chin in her hand and staring at the nearby scenery, letting her mind wander.

Li Minghu read the document carefully and secretly transmitted to Yan Yu:

"Hey, why are you acting foolish again? With this kind of thing, either take out both at the same time or pretend nothing happened and give it to me later when we're apart. What will Xiaolian think if you ask me to sign now alone?"

"She'll be impressed by my charm and be generous enough not to care about such things." Yan Yu was full of confidence.

Li Minghu was speechless, finally saying, "Can I think about it before signing? No problem, right?"

"Of course." Yan Yu was a bit surprised, thinking she would sign immediately.

Seeing Tang Xiaolian's surprised expression as well, Yan Yu quickly realized. If she didn't sign immediately, it meant she hadn't officially become a couple with him, so Xiaolian wouldn't feel a stronger sense of "you two are a perfect match while I'm alone."

Minghu was careful and thorough, truly showing the demeanor of a primary wife! No need for enchantresses when the Valkyrie could easily replace them!

Tang Xiaolian, being simple-minded, indeed felt as they predicted – first surprised and confused, then secretly delighted, thinking Minghu's feelings for Yan Yu were less than hers. If it were her, she would have signed immediately without even looking at the terms.

Yan Yu and I are true love!

The three sat in the pavilion for a while before flying back to the base with Sword Control. Since Li Minghu took the initiative to smooth things over, Yan Yu didn't want to disappoint her goodwill and immediately returned to get the document for Tang Xiaolian, repeatedly explaining:

"It's not that I intentionally put you after her. Gathering everyone to distribute documents would be weird, so I give it to whoever I meet. It's purely a matter of luck and doesn't reflect any emotional preference."

Tang Xiaolian accepted the explanation, saying with a grin, "Who told you to find so many girlfriends? If you really dared to gather us all, none of us would sign. We'd just use the pens to poke you hard!"

"Of course. You'd turn me into a porcupine." Yan Yu also smiled wryly. "After you sign, don't tell the others to avoid misunderstandings. Consider this a favor, okay?"

If no one knew who signed first or last, there would be no unnecessary jealousy. Tang Xiaolian didn't think much, pleased just to hear "favor":

"Hmph, since you asked so nicely, I'll keep your secret."

Without a pen, she took the document back to the room to sign it later.

Just as she entered the room, she saw Zhou Hongyu sitting on the bed, bored while watching TV.

"Captain Zhou, why are you here?" Tang Xiaolian asked in surprise.

"You still call me Captain?" Zhou Hongyu responded indifferently. "The team's gone; call me sister from now on."

"Okay, sister." Tang Xiaolian liked the title, feeling like real sisters. "This movie's not good. The actress's acting is too exaggerated. Let me find you a better one."

"Sure." Zhou Hongyu's gaze fell on the document. "What are you holding?"

"Yan Yu gave me the couple recognition document..." Tang Xiaolian blurted out, immediately realizing her mistake.

Oh no! I let it slip!

"Sister, let me explain!" she started quickly. "Yan Yu said it'd be weird to distribute them together, so he gave it to whoever he met first. I just happened to run into him. It's not that he didn't plan to be your boyfriend!"

Zhou Hongyu showed no anger, listening expressionlessly before frowning, "That's it?"

"Yeah." Tang Xiaolian was puzzled. Isn't she angry?

"Got it." Zhou Hongyu stood up and headed for the door.

"Wait, are you going to find Yan Yu?" Tang Xiaolian asked cautiously.

"Yeah, to get the document." Zhou Hongyu replied.

"Can I come with you?" Tang Xiaolian was still uneasy.

Given Zhou's usual temper, yelling at Yan Yu, "Why didn't you give it to me first?" would be normal. Her calmness was frightening now!

"Fine." Zhou Hongyu nodded.

They quickly left the room. Tang Xiaolian caught up and asked, "Fine what?"

Zhou Hongyu glanced at her, asking, "He hasn't come to see you recently, right?"

Tang Xiaolian suddenly realized. Zhou wasn't angry about the document order but felt neglected by Yan Yu lately!

So, apart from getting the document, what else she would do was obvious.

"Um." Tang Xiaolian looked distressed. "Maybe I'll just go back. I didn't mind it that much..."

"Then help me by pushing from behind." Zhou Hongyu's eyes turned cold. "It's been so long, and he expects us to be his wives? No way!"

"If he doesn't get weak in the knees, we won't sign!"