ASFTB 54: I Think Li Lingfeng is Just Jealous of Me! 1

The matter on Qimeng Mountain shocked the entire society.

The issue regarding the safety and protection of the children should have been the school’s negligence, but it seems everyone’s attention was focused on the Underground City.

“As expected, we shouldn’t go to the Underground Mountain.”

“It’s just dangerous.”

“It’s a place where all kinds of people mix together, there are all sorts of people.”

“Isn’t that right?”

“Scary…”

There’s a lot of discussion online.

Even the school seemed to think it had nothing to do with them. On the contrary, they took advantage of this opportunity to glorify the contributions made by the military and the Princess for the children.

For this reason, after all the children were discharged from the hospital, the school went all out to organize an event.

They invited the Princess to the school to receive the children’s most sincere gratitude.

Major media outlets swarmed in.

After all, knowing someone as famous as the princess, they definitely need to film more for publicity.

At the school morning assembly, the Princess was dressed in a white ceremonial robe. She stood at the very front, smiling as she looked at the people below. With a gentle smile, she said softly, “Thank you all for your help and care. I just feel that caring for and loving every child is something I should do. I feel very honored and very happy…”

The media below the stage were frantically taking photos.

The live stream of the events on the mountain had already been cut off that day, and no one knew what exactly happened.

All they knew was that, in the hands of such a vicious criminal, the Princess still managed to rescue all the children unharmed, brave and resolute. No one doubted her contribution.

The director reminded the child who was about to take the stage, “Just tell the truth, okay?”

The child gently nodded.

The director patted the child’s head and smiled.

The child nodded and said obediently, “Okay.”

The other young children sat below the stage, and even the senior students of the entire academy were required to come and watch.

The first ones to take the stage were Pingping and Alice. These two children were usually very outstanding students. They had just been discharged from the hospital not long ago and were called to give the morning assembly summary.

Pingping and Alice stood on the stage.

There were also quite a few live streaming equipment below the stage.

The host teacher asked, “You two children, go ahead and tell us. Were you very sad when you were trapped?”

The microphone was in the hands of the two children.

The little girls exchanged a glance.

Children of this age have an inexplicable sense of dignity. If they admit that they are very scared and sad, they are easily looked down upon by adults.

So, Pingping and Alice both shook their heads, then with a sweet and childish voice, “Not sad.”

“…”

The air was silent.

The host wanted to curse inwardly.

However, she quickly composed herself and then smiled at the media below the stage. “The children are all very strong, truly the future of our Empire!”

There was a round of applause from the audience.

The host tried to guide the children, “When you were trapped on the mountain, were you tired and hungry?”

That must be true, right?

Use the children’s plight to highlight the Princess’s greatness!

Pingping, being straightforward, said, “Not hungry, Uncle Jian cooked meat for me and the other classmates!”

The host: “Huh?”

Alice also had a smile on her face. The fair and clean little girl took the microphone and said, “Uncle Jian also told Alice lovely bedtime stories.”

“…?”

There was a moment of stunned silence from the audience.

Wasn’t this morning assembly supposed to be held to honor the Princess? Why is there suddenly someone else showing up?

The unfamiliar name of Jian Chengxi, one that had almost never been mentioned, appeared in everyone’s ears.

Pingping spoke with more enthusiasm as she went on. “The spicy rabbit heads he cooked are so delicious!”

Alice’s voice was sweet and soft, “Uncle Jian also helped Alice dry her clothes.”

…

The entire room erupted in an uproar.

Even the princess couldn’t keep her composure.

Fortunately, the host was quick-witted and immediately said, “So in the end, it was the Princess who saved you, right?”

Pingping nodded and said, “Cousin came to find me.”

The host let out a sigh of relief—things had finally gotten on track! The topic of conversation had finally gotten to the point!

Yet unexpectedly—

The child suddenly said in a clear voice, “However, my cousin was quickly caught.”

“…”

The scene fell into a brief silence.

If it weren’t for Jian Chengxi, when all the parents were in trouble, without his negotiation skills and quick thinking in the moment, the three-year-old children would definitely have been left with psychological scars that would be hard to shake off.

Jian Chengxi’s bravery and kindness protected the children’s innocence.

Even…

If it weren’t for the Princess’s appearance.

Perhaps in the end, such a big conflict wouldn’t have occurred.

The host gave a forced laugh. “The Princess was caught because she was trying to save you and defeated the pirates. She was so brave, and we should learn from her, right?”

The host thought the children would agree.

However—

Alice gently spoke up, “But it was Uncle Jian who knocked out the bandit with a pot.”

The princess didn’t do anything, did she?

The host was stunned.

Because in the recent rumors, all the rumors spoke of how brave the Princess was, and how fearless she was in the face of danger, stepping forward to save the kids.

But why do the children have a different version of the story?

The host looked towards the Princess not far away, but saw that her expression was also dreadful. She gave a forced smile and said, “We still need to thank the Princess. Without her presence, we wouldn’t have been able to rescue you so quickly. What should you say?”

Pingping was very thoughtful, “Thank you, cousin.”

The Princess’s expression improved greatly.

Alice, who was standing nearby, walked over. The little girl was well-behaved and graceful, she bowed to the people below the stage and said softly, “Thank you, Uncle Jian, thank you, Princess.”

“…”

The smile on the Princess’s face froze.

This moment was originally meant to belong to her alone—a moment under the spotlight of the entire crowd.

Yet it was all ruined by that lowly person of the Underground City!

After the two children got off the stage, a number of reporters also noticed Jian Chengxi’s daughter, Li Suisui.

Some media wanted to verify if the situation was true, so they interviewed the little girl and asked, “Hello, may I ask if it was you and your dad who took care of others that night?”

Li Suisui nodded. The fair and cute little girl was especially photogenic, looking adorable on camera. “Yes, but Daddy doesn’t let Suisui talk about it.”

The media became curious.

Even the Princess felt that the opportunity had come. Was there some kind of trick involved?

The Princess didn’t wait for the media to ask and took the lead in asking, “Why?”

“Because…” Li Suisui looked at the camera. Her voice was sweet and childish, “because Daddy said, do good deeds without expecting recognition. As long as everyone is okay, he will be at ease!”

The camera recorded this scene.

Including the Princess’s face, which stiffened in an instant.

The media was loudly promoting how much she loved the people, which was the persona she had painstakingly built for herself.

Yet it was all erased by a lighthearted sentence from Jian Chengxi, “Do good deeds without expecting recognition,” which completely wiped it out. He didn’t even need to lift a finger to make herself seem like a fool!!

The media also felt a bit awkward and approached the Princess for an interview, saying, “You…”

The Princess’s face twisted for a moment, but for the sake of royal etiquette, she could only force a smile and say, “I also think Mr. Jian is right. Doing good deeds is meant for the people. This interview should end here.”

The media: “…”

Turns out that the person who called us here wasn’t even you!

While the outside world was in an uproar, the Li family was peaceful and harmonious.

Jian Chengxi was at home while researching new recipes. He had recently gotten some chili peppers, so he became completely obsessed with figuring out how to create new dishes using chili peppers.

Tonight’s dinner was also quite simple.

He chopped the chili peppers into small cubes and took the eggs he had bought at the supermarket last time out of the fridge.

When the children at home were growing, he cracked the eggs and placed them in a bowl, using chopsticks to stir in a clockwise direction until the egg mixture turned a golden yellow with a slight white hue.

This way, the eggs will have a better texture.

Next to the stove, there was the meat he had previously simmered. He scooped a little with a spoon and placed it in the pan. Once the oil heated up, he added the chili peppers first.

Once a slight aroma began to rise, he poured in the egg mixture.

He cracked the eggs and placed them in a bowl. He used chopsticks to stir in a clockwise direction until the egg mixture turned a golden yellow with a slight white hue.

This way, the eggs will have a better texture.

Next to the stove, there was the meat he had previously simmered. He scooped a little with a spoon and placed it in the pan. Once the oil heated up, he added the chili peppers first.

Once a slight aroma began to rise, he poured in the egg mixture.

He didn’t rush to use the spatula. He waited for the egg mixture to set a little in the pan, and once it turned golden, he began to stir-fry it properly.

The aroma of the chili and the eggs blended perfectly together, making one’s appetite stir. Jian Chengxi finished stir-frying the dish and placed it on a plate, letting some heat escape.

It was at this moment that Li Lingfeng returned.

Jian Chengxi glanced at him and said, “You’re back?”

Li Lingfeng nodded. “Mm.”

The man in formal military attire seemed to bring a chill with him as he entered from outside.

He took off his coat and hung it on the coat rack in the foyer.

He smelled the aroma coming from the kitchen and asked, “What are you making?”

“Chili peppers.” Jian Chengxi casually set the dish aside and said with a smile, “I discovered them a couple of days ago when I was on that mountain. I think they’re quite tasty, give them a try.”

Li Lingfeng walked into the kitchen.

The man glanced at the chili peppers on the plate. His gaze seemed to deepen slightly, and he spoke, either intentionally or unintentionally, “Is this the chili you used when you cooked the rabbit for Monka?”

Jian Chengxi was taken aback for a moment. “How do you know?”

Li Lingfeng lowered his gaze faintly, his voice deepened, “I’ve heard him mention it.”

Jian Chengxi thought he was being praised. He said with a smile, “Back on the mountain, I saw Monka seemed to really enjoy it.”

Li Lingfeng replied slowly, “Is that so?”

The temperature in the air seemed to drop a few degrees because of it.

Jian Chengxi, who was naturally a bit slow-witted, didn’t quite notice and foolishly said, “Hmm, Monka even said my cooking was good. I never thought someone like him, a pirate, would be willing to eat this. Yet thanks to this, he seemed to really like it, so he didn’t make things difficult for us. Honestly, I don’t think he’s as heinous as the rumors say.”

Li Lingfeng lifted his eyelids and glanced at him, “You really admire him?”

Jian Chengxi was stunned.

Although he was slow-witted, he wasn’t foolish.

He could still tell a good word from a bad one, and from his general’s tone, it was obvious something was off.

Jian Chengxi said softly, “What’s wrong?”

Li Lingfeng walked to the side of the kitchen, washed his hands, and placed the dish on the nearby dining table. “Yesterday, Monka asked the prison guard to inquire with me. He said the elf who cooked the rabbit meat for him that day was good, and he’s willing to offer a few treasure maps in exchange for you.”

“…”

The air fell into a brief silence.

Jian Chengxi’s mind briefly short-circuited.

However, he quickly snapped back to reality. He looked into Li Lingfeng’s eyes, which seemed to sparkle with half a gleam, and asked, “So, has the general exchanged?”

Li Lingfeng glanced at him with a chill in his gaze. His voice was dark and ominous, “What do you think?”

Jian Chengxi shook his head and said, “Then it definitely hasn’t been exchanged.”

Li Lingfeng did not confirm or deny.

Jian Chengxi said half-jokingly, “I don’t think I would just be worth a few treasure maps, at the very least, it should be multiplied a few times!”

…

The temperature in the air dropped a few more degrees.

Li Lingfeng’s stern face revealed only the cold line of his jaw. He glanced at Jian Chengxi, “If he adds a few more, would you be willing to go with him?”

It’s true. How could he forget that his little wife was always a greedy one.

When he wasn’t home back then, didn’t he almost run off with someone?

Li Lingfeng’s heart churned with bitterness. He squinted his eyes as he looked at the slightly thin Jian Chengxi not far away.

He was about to open his mouth to threaten, but unexpectedly—

Jian Chengxi boiled the water in the pot and casually said, “Of course I wouldn’t. Even if he added more, I still wouldn’t want to.”

Li Lingfeng paused for a moment, almost imperceptibly, and asked, “Why?”

Could it be that he doesn’t actually covet those riches?

Some lively thoughts began to spread in Li Lingfeng’s mind.

However—

Jian Chengxi leaned against the stove. Every time the topic of money came up, his IQ seemed to peak, with the sound of his mental abacus clicking away. “He’s already been caught, and all those treasure maps have been handed over to the general. Rounding it up, the general is now the richest. So of course, I’m going to follow the general and enjoy the best of everything!”

“…”

He knew it.

Li Lingfeng’s face darkened.

However, at this moment, Jian Chengxi pursed his lips and smiled. He said, “Just teasing you.”

Li Lingfeng lifted his eyelids and looked at him.

Jian Chengxi took off his apron while heading to the study to check on the children, and softly said, “Even if we have no money, I’ll still be with you and the children.”

The night outside was quiet and still.

The warm yellow light from the kitchen fell on him. It was so gentle and kind.

Yet at this moment, Li Lingfeng felt like he could hear the clear sound of his own heartbeat. He had always been emotionally detached since childhood, rarely feeling joy.

But right now, it was as if the withered cliff had sprouted fragile branches.

The general, decisive and ruthless on the battlefield, was facing an attack he couldn’t fend off for the first time. It wasn’t heavy, but it felt as if he was willing to lay down his armor and surrender.

Is it because he’s more valuable than Monka?

So that’s why he chose him.

However, his emotions hadn’t lasted long—

Jian Chengxi, having taken off his apron, walked slowly towards him. His clean and beautiful eyes sparkled with a smile and he said, “After all, the general is much more handsome than Monka.”

“…”

After dinner in the evening, it was family time to relax and watch TV.

Today, the TV was broadcasting various important news stories.

Li Suisui and Li Chen’s class teachers both assigned homework, which was to watch the punishment of the intergalactic pirate, Monka.

Jian Chengxi also watched along—it was a full 200 lashes. The imprisoned intergalactic pirate leader didn’t utter a single sound. Even when his flesh was torn and bloodied, he didn’t cry out in pain.

Jian Chengxi still felt a bit shaken after it ended.

He looked at his two children and saw that they were also watching intently. He asked, “What do you think after watching it?”

After all, the fate of being a pirate is so tragic.

He thought that if the school made the children watch this, it was probably to remind all the children not to go down the wrong path.

Li Suisui said, “Suisui has some thoughts.”

Jian Chengxi didn’t expect his daughter to be so insightful. His eyes brightened, and he smiled, patiently asking, “What thoughts do you have?”

Li Suisui’s small face was full of seriousness. “As a pirate, you can’t be too greedy for rabbit meat, or else you’ll get caught easily.”

“…”

Ah.

She has thoughts, but not many.

Jian Chengxi held back his laughter, looked at Li Chen next, and asked, “What about you, Xiao Chen?”

Li Chen also looked at the back of the intergalactic pirate and seriously said, “Being an intergalactic pirate means you get beaten up.”

A surge of hope rose in Jian Chengxi’s heart. After all, in the original storyline, his child’s crimes were even worse than Monka’s, and more terrifying than being an intergalactic pirate. Could this be a lesson learned, deciding to turn back and change?

The old father was so moved!

Jian Chengxi, filled with expectation, said, “So, from now on, are you going to…?”

Li Chen clenched his small fist and said, “If it were me, I’d be an intergalactic pirate that is even more powerful than him!”

“…”

It was clearly intended for you two to watch educational news.

It wasn’t meant to be a motivational meeting.

The night grew deeper.

After watching the news, the time had already passed much later.

After Jian Chengxi sent the two children back to their room to sleep, when he went downstairs, he saw Li Lingfeng still watching the news on TV.

After discovering Monka’s background, most people began to heavily criticize the Underground City.

The tone of disdain and contempt made it hard to watch.

In the news, it even called for the residents of Sky City to stay further away from the Underground City to reduce danger.

Jian Chengxi walked over and sat down, letting out a light sigh. “This statement is really a bit too absolute.”

Li Lingfeng glanced at him. “Are the children asleep?”

Jian Chengxi nodded and softly said, “They’ve been tired these past few days so they’ve been sleeping more deeply at night.”

Li Lingfeng nodded. The weather had become much cooler in the evening. After Jian Chengxi sat down, he took the small blanket from beside him and covered Jian Chengxi with it.

It was a simple and effortless gesture.

Jian Chengxi pursed his lips and smiled. He sat a bit closer and shared half of the small blanket with Li Lingfeng.

Li Lingfeng said softly, “I’m not cold.”

Jian Chengxi leaned against him and said, “You’re warm, I’m cold.”

Li Lingfeng paused for a moment. He didn’t say anything, but he allowed Jian Chengxi to lean closer and even helped pull the blanket up a little for him.

Jian Chengxi held a tea cup in his hand. The TV was filled with news about Monka. He pursed his lips and finally couldn’t hold back from asking, “Monka… What will happen to him? Will he die?”

Li Lingfeng’s tall frame leaned against the side of the sofa, and he said in a low voice, “Do you want him to die?”

Jian Chengxi thought for a moment and seriously shook his head.

Li Lingfeng raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Jian Chengxi held the warm tea cup in his hands and honestly said, “Although I don’t know him and know he’s a bad person, when we were on the mountain, he didn’t harm the children. He even shared food with them and gave them a place to sleep. I feel like he’s not completely evil to the core.”

Li Lingfeng said slowly, “He just wanted to leave a live hostage.”

“…”

Jian Chengxi choked up, almost choking on the water.

When he looked up, he met his husband’s cold and expressionless gaze.

Li Lingfeng was always the rational one.

It was like he was standing on the peak of a high snowy mountain, overlooking everything, unperturbed by any emotional turmoil.

Jian Chengxi tightened his grip on the tea cup. He thought for a moment, then nodded and said, “You’re right, I was being one-sided.”

The news nearby was still broadcasting about Monka’s heinous crimes, calling for the public to resist the existence of intergalactic pirates and stay away from dangerous elements.

Jian Chengxi sat on the sofa. His eyes were lowered, looking very well-behaved. He surprisingly looked a bit pitiable.

By some strange twist of fate, Li Lingfeng, who never explained things to anyone, spoke softly, “Monka has been galloping across the galaxy for more than a decade—burning, killing, and plundering, yet he never harmed the elderly, weak, or women and children.”

Jian Chengxi unexpectedly lifted his head, and his eyes unconsciously held a glimmer of hope. “So, you mean…”

Most people would be moved by Monka’s righteousness.

However, Li Lingfeng let out a cold sneer without any expression. “If it weren’t for his womanly compassion, he wouldn’t have been caught.”

The man sitting on the sofa had a face full of coldness, and there was no emotional attachment visible in him. His eyes were calm and undisturbed. This was the empire’s most feared general.

Jian Chengxi: “…”

Actually.

You’re too talented to not be a pirate.

A brief silence filled the room.

Jian Chengxi watched the broadcast on the screen and the overwhelming bias against the Underground City, feeling a strange sense of depression in his heart.

He leaned against Li Lingfeng and suddenly felt a strange sense of reflection. “Do they hate him this much because he’s an intergalactic pirate, or because he’s from the Underground City?”

Li Lingfeng’s voice was cold, “Both.”

Jian Chengxi’s mood became very complicated.

In the past, he had always lived in the Underground City so he couldn’t clearly feel the entire world’s prejudice and disdain towards the Underground City.

Yet now, it was different.

After he arrived here, he interacted with the people of Sky City and experienced the world’s malice towards the poor people of the Underground City.

Jian Chengxi glanced at Li Lingfeng and asked, “Is this situation impossible to change?”

Li Lingfeng looked at his kind little wife, and the corner of his mouth lifted in a somewhat sarcastic smile. “Unless one day, the Imperial Capital is leveled to the ground.”

For a general, that was considered highly disrespectful.

If it fell on the ears of any royal noble, it could lead to the annihilation of nine generations.

Jian Chengxi’s heart began to stir because in his dreams, the royal family was indeed leveled to the ground by his children, though that was something far in the future.

Jian Chengxi said tentatively, “The royal family has stood for thousands of years. It shouldn’t collapse so easily, right?”

Li Lingfeng’s voice was calm as he turned off the news channel on the TV. “Sky City controls more than 90% of the world’s resources.”

Jian Chengxi was stunned.

“Talent, technology, manufacturing.” Li Lingfeng rarely spoke about such things with anyone, but he showed more patience with his little wife than usual. “Sky City is high above, easy to defend but hard to attack. The Underground City has had uprisings in the past, but they were quickly suppressed. It wasn’t because they didn’t have weapons. Do you know why?”

Jian Chengxi immediately asked, “Why?”

Li Lingfeng said softly, “Supplies.”