Chapter 023: Lickspittle x Scoundrel x Saintly Complex (5)

Chapter 023: Lickspittle x Scoundrel x Saintly Complex (5)

The labor contract took three or four days to arrive in Feng City, a thick stack of papers with official seals on each page.

Seeing that it was Keding's first time signing a contract, the system reminded him to read every line and not miss any clauses.

Keding: "I actually found a job in my sophomore year! I have a job now!"

System: "No, that's not the point..."

Since he was still a college student, social insurance and housing fund contributions were temporarily unavailable, but could be compensated in cash on a monthly basis.

There was no clause for breach of contract, but it explicitly prohibited entering into a romantic relationship with the system or mission characters, otherwise, there would be mandatory labor for three years, during which salary and rewards would continue to be paid.

"This is because," the system coughed twice, "the turnover rate is too high nowadays, and sometimes experienced employees either take others away or get taken away... The board has been upset several times."

Keding responded with an "Oh" and didn't find it unreasonable, continuing to browse through the document.

He was young, not interested in romance, only in making money.

The contract terms were clear, detailing dispatch frequency, performance evaluation, confidentiality clauses, and more, without any unfair terms.

"Due to business conditions and spatiotemporal limitations, the company cannot conduct labor arbitration and signs annual contracts with each employee. After performance evaluations, individual special contracts can be applied for."

Keding couldn't help but imagine himself going to the labor bureau.

"What? You've been working illegally while sleeping? Get out of here, don't come here to cause trouble!"

He couldn't help laughing, finished reading the pages, signed his name in the designated spot, and sent the contract back to the specified address.

"Welcome aboard," said the system, "I've also applied for sleep and nutrition allowances for you! Treasure, eat well and you'll grow taller!"

Keding was touched: "I almost feel bad accepting them."

"Foolish college student," the system whispered in his ear, "big companies always use small favors to trick you into working overtime."

To know how harsh a big company's overtime is, look at how sumptuous their night snacks are!

The youth walked a few steps, then turned to look at the courier station and the nearby cafeteria.

Once he received another paycheck, he would immediately cancel his status as a poor student and give the assistance opportunity to someone who needed it more.

The urgent task was to crack the tough nut that was Si Jinghua!

System: "If it doesn't work, we can still make some noses bleed."

Keding: "No! I have a brand new plan! I can do this!"

Back in the book, the Immortal Sect was in chaos.

Half the people were surrounding the nearly unconscious Si Jinghua, struggling to drive away the hungry wild boars and geese.

Another group was tracking Mo Luo's origins, urgently screening the mountain for any remaining cult members.

At this stage, Si Jinghua's sanity was almost at its limit.

He had multiple bite and scratch marks on his body, and his dignity was shattered.

Before the disciples from the medical pavilion could finish bandaging him, a child came running with news: "Uncle Master! Senior Brother Xiao Baiqiong has turned back into a human!"

Rong Zijin, who had been wiping away tears while cleaning Si Jinghua's wounds, stood up in surprise: "My eldest disciple is awake?"

"He's awake! But he doesn't remember anything!"

"Wake up, wake up!" Rong Zijin squeezed Si Jinghua's hand tightly. "I'll go see him and be right back!"

Si Jinghua watched her leave, his heart cold.

Xiao Baiqiong had finally transformed back from a golden monkey to his original form, though he remembered nothing of what happened during his transformation. Fortunately, his mind was clear and his spiritual energy intact.

Not only did Rong Zijin breathe a sigh of relief, but the entire sect also celebrated his return by throwing a welcoming banquet.

As for the wild boar rampage, Mo Luo's death, and Si Jinghua being drowned in wine, everything was still under investigation and no conclusions had been drawn yet.

Despite his injuries, Si Jinghua was invited to the banquet. However, he was wrapped in bandages from head to ankle, resembling a cold, emotionless white mummy.

Without the fluffy little monkey to pet, Rong Zijin felt a bit lost and served her eldest disciple food and wine with extra gentleness, harboring many unspoken apologies.

System: "Be careful; he brought long swords and short knives today. If you get close, you might not win."

Keding: "Don't worry, I'm about to start revealing things."

System: "What?"

Xiao Baiqiong raised a cup of fine wine and said, "Everyone says I turned into a monkey, and I am curious about what happened during that time."

"But today, there's something more important to say, and I thank all the elders for gathering here to celebrate my return."

He slowly rose and bowed deeply to Rong Zijin.

Rong Zijin frowned slightly, feeling uneasy.

Xiao Baiqiong continued, "Though I don't remember the details of being a monkey, I have recalled everything from my past life."

Upon hearing this, the patriarch suddenly paled and slammed his wine cup onto the table.

"You! You really remembered everything!"

Si Jinghua suddenly looked up, disbelief written all over his face.

Does he really know everything? What does he plan to do?!

Xiao Baiqiong still had a simple and honest demeanor, his gaze toward Rong Zijin pure and respectful.

"Master, my past life was the Demon Lord of Slaughter Sea, and I placed a life-binding curse that forbids you from falling in love with anyone after your reincarnation."

"If Master were to desire a lifelong companion, it would bring about a world-ending calamity, affecting all living beings."

Upon hearing this, everyone at the table was stunned.

"Could it be that Immortal Venerable Yiyue's past life was the Sword Lord who slew that demon?!"

"A world-ending love curse?! Baiqiong, you can't be joking with us!"

"Ancestor!! You were involved in that battle back then. Is what he's saying true?!"

The ancestor, under everyone's gaze, nodded heavily.

"Yes."

"That's why I once advised Zijin to practice the path of no emotions, to stay away from romantic entanglements and avoid disasters."

Si Jinghua gripped his sword tightly. "Why are you revealing all this now? What are you trying to threaten?"

If not for you, how could I have harbored such deep feelings, afraid to let Zijin sense even a hint of my affection!

The secret that the ancestor and I guarded so fiercely has been exposed by you! Are you afraid of not being conspicuous enough?!

Xiao Baiqiong looked righteous. "Of course, it's to bless Uncle Master!"

Everyone turned their heads like sunflowers. "Bless him?!"

Xiao Baiqiong poured himself a cup and sipped the osmanthus wine, enjoying its sweetness.

"In fact, Uncle Master has liked Master for years!"

"They grew up together, knowing each other's hearts. It's better if I break this windowpane for them!"

Feng Qinqin's mouth gaped open. "Uncle Master, you've been secretly pining for Master..."

Rong Zijin, not expecting Xiao Baiqiong to say such nonsense, blushed and said, "You must be drunk; otherwise, why would you say such things?"

"Jinghua, quickly refute it. After the banquet, I'll also discipline him severely."

Si Jinghua remained silent for a long time before finally admitting.

"Yes, Senior Brother, I have loved you for many years, suffering in silence."

"Everything he said is true."

Rong Zijin stared at him, speechless.

"Today, I will formally announce," Xiao Baiqiong said, making a gesture with his hands. "The curse of the past ends here."

"I have no intention of associating with the demon sect or interfering with Master's happiness."

"Xiao Baiqiong acts openly and honestly, ready for scrutiny."

Si Jinghua, unable to care about anything else, grabbed Rong Zijin's hand and led him away from the banquet, seeking a quiet place to talk.

No one at the banquet could focus on eating or drinking, almost bursting with the explosive gossip.

Feng Qinqin spoke first. "No wonder you sat on those two Mo Luo!"

"I didn't know about the Mo Luo incident," Xiao Baiqiong said emotionally. "But my heart is clear, and I will never turn to darkness! If something like this happens again, I will sit on it without hesitation!"

Everyone applauded enthusiastically.

Good! Your butt did a great job!

Si Jinghua, despite his difficulty walking, still managed to pull Rong Zijin into the depths of the bamboo forest, gazing into his eyes amidst the drizzling rain.

"Did you hear what I said just now?"

Rong Zijin reached out to brush the wet raindrops from his eyelashes, his eyes red. "Do you truly love me?"

"Deeply and truly." Si Jinghua held his wrist, forcing him to feel his pounding heart. "Senior Brother, I've known this secret for a long time, which is why I've always kept my distance."

When he was young and frail, he was ostracized by his talented fellow disciples in the Immortal Sect, but only Rong Zijin protected him, wiping the rain from his face.

Just as today.

Rong Zijin momentarily forgot past grievances, looking at his junior brother with immense concern.

How could you bear all this alone, never sharing any of it with me?

Si Jinghua no longer held back, leaning in for a kiss, pouring his heart out through the deep embrace.

He wanted to be the most outstanding person in the entire Immortal Sect, to be admired and feared by all, and to win Rong Zijin's admiration.

Darkness grew from the deepest insecurities, silently sprouting and blooming into a love that dared not see the light.

The man tightly held the Immortal Venerable's waist, whispering to him in the deep kiss.

"How I wish you would look only at me, smile only for me."

"I never dared to speak of my feelings, those years were like thorns in my heart, but I couldn't bear to remove them."

The Immortal Venerable looked at him with red eyes. "Jinghua..."

The system broadcasted the scene of their passionate kiss and said, "Ke Bao, is this mission about to go south?"

"They're looking like they're heading straight for a happy ending; it's going to be hard to find an opportunity to intervene."

Keding said, "When these two main characters were unable to be together despite their love, my chances of success were only thirty percent."

"Now?"

"Sixty percent." Keding smiled. "Whenever the prince and princess live happily ever after, the fairy tale stops there."

The system sighed deeply, worriedly saying, "Do you remember that the biggest obstacle to a good end in this entire book is you?"

"Originally, they wouldn't have been able to be together because of you, enduring your obsessive torment, and even facing life and death because of you."

"The biggest obstacle isn't me," Keding said. "It's him himself."

If Xiao Baiqiong had let go easily at the beginning, perhaps he would have obtained everything he wanted much earlier.

"Hmm, so what do you plan to do now?"

"Get up and make some banana pancakes."