Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 424 - 227 Luo Wanqing’s Madness

During these two days, Jiang Shouzhong occasionally accompanied Ran Qingchen to work on cases, sometimes discussed life with Xia He, or spent his days idly with the boss, Mr. Li.

Life was indeed a rare bit of leisure.

At the moment, under the bright sunshine, Jiang Shouzhong was playing chess with Mr. Li.

They were still at that tea stand.

Li Nanshuang and the tea stand owner called "Qin" were playing against each other, battling intensely; the latter had already lost three games in a row.

Just like before, whenever Qin was about to win, mysteriously, a chess piece on the board would either vanish or appear out of nowhere.

This infuriated Qin so much that he blew his beard and glared with anger.

But then, considering the large sword at the girl’s side, he held back.

The tea stand girl, just as before, held a collection of poems, occasionally glancing at Jiang Shouzhong with youthful affections twinkling in her eyes.

"Hahaha..."

A moment later, Mr. Li let out a very unflattering laugh as he placed down a piece triumphantly, "Qin, I’m sending you on your final journey!"

Qin’s eyes widened, "How is there another chess piece again?"

Li Nanshuang waved her hand smilingly, "It’s normal for the eyes to go blurry with old age. I even let you win a few moves this time, so you can’t say that I cheated, okay? Otherwise, I might really have to chop you with my sword."

The girl swung her large sword, kindly reminding him.

Qin’s face turned beet red.

"Ah, the loneliness of a true master is like snow. You’re not wronged in your defeat against absolute power."

Li Nanshuang stood up, "I’m leaving, I’ll torment you again next time."

The girl shouldered her big sword and left cheerfully with Jiang Shouzhong.

While Qin picked up the chess pieces, he muttered to himself, but ended up chuckling and stroking his beard reflectively, "It’s rare to see such a pure-hearted young lass; Shi Luoxia did indeed take on a good disciple."

Seeing his granddaughter still staring at the departing figure of Jiang Shouzhong, Qin tossed a chess piece at her, "Snap out of it, girl."

"Snap out of what, you old grouch!"

The girl retorted with an unamused look.

"Give me back the chess piece." The old man extended his hand.

The girl picked up a piece from the table, chewed it a few times in her mouth, and then swallowed it.

Qin sighed helplessly, "Girl, those are costly."

Seemingly addicted, the girl now picked up a teacup and began to nibble on it, the crisp biting sounds very audible.

Soon, she had consumed the poetry collection, teapot, and everything else entirely.

Burping contentedly, the girl patted her stomach and laid down on the table to sleep, satisfied.

...

"Braised Noodles, I’ll take you to Nan Mountain Lake for fishing tomorrow."

Li Nanshuang said to Jiang Shouzhong with nimble steps, "Fishing can make one smarter; look at how clever I am now. My chess skills are almost unbeatable because I fish so often."

Jiang Shouzhong couldn’t help but retort, "That’s no excuse for you to slack off as a superior."

"I’m not slacking off!" Li Nanshuang protested.

Jiang Shouzhong said expressionlessly:

"Anyway, when Zhang and the others are out capturing demons, I rarely see you, our superior. Either you are playing chess, flying kites, fighting crickets, or going fishing. I’ve never seen a supervisor as easy-going as you."

"I said, I am training you all," Li Nanshuang argued, patting her ample bosom with a righteous expression,

"Braised Noodles, the reason you’re so smart is because I’ve been training you in secret. You should thank me. No need for gifts, just remember to accompany me more in the future."

"I must have found the best supervisor in the world," Jiang Shouzhong said with a smile.

"Of course," the girl said as she tilted her noble head back proudly.

Warm sunlight softly fell on the girl’s fair complexion, casting a golden sheen akin to fine threads on her youthful visage.

"Oh right, there’s a lantern festival in Qingzhou tonight; want to join me?"

Li Nanshuang looked forward with anticipation.

After a moment’s thought, Jiang Shouzhong shook his head softly, "No, I still have some things to do."

"Oh."

Li Nanshuang was somewhat disappointed.

But the girl had a free-spirited nature and quickly cheered up, patting the man’s shoulder, "Braised Noodles, I’ll make a wish lantern for you later. Tell me your wish, and I’ll make it for you."

"I don’t believe in that stuff," Jiang Shouzhong said.

"You must believe!"

Li Nanshuang’s pretty face was serious as she stood with her hands on her slender hips, "That thing really works. I remember I made a wish when I was little, hoping to grow up pretty—and it really came true."

"Um, boss, you’re not exactly modest," Jiang Shouzhong laughed.

Li Nanshuang grinned, showing her teeth fiercely as she raised her little fist, "What are you saying, Braised Noodles? Calling me ugly, huh? You’re asking for a beating!"

"Not ugly at all, my boss is certainly the most beautiful woman in the world," Jiang Shouzhong quickly flattered.

Li Nanshuang’s mood brightened from cloudy to sunny, and she chortled, "Let’s not go as far as ’the world’s first’—leave that to Li Guanshi’s Shi Xiuqiu. I can just barely be considered ’the world’s second’."

"Indeed, boss not only has a beautiful face but also a high cultivation; truly deserving of the Innate Vajra Body, without a hint of blushing,"

"Right, I... eh? Braised Noodles, are you mocking me?"

Li Nanshuang caught on and moved to hit him.

Jiang Shouzhong quickly ran off.

"You dead Braised Noodles, stop right there!" Li Nanshuang chased after him furiously.

On the crowded streets, the two chased and played like children.

At this moment, the sun was just right, casting a warm glow all around.

Unintentionally, their silhouettes in the depths of memory carved a shallow, indelible warmth.

——

In the evening, the crescent moon was like a sliver of new light.

Within Qingzhou, the streets bustled, the lights brilliant, with ten thousand lanterns echoing the stars in the sky, intertwining gold and silver into one.

Just as Li Nanshuang had mentioned, there was indeed a lantern festival.