NOVEL NEXT Chapter Sixteen: So What Does the Master Want—Steamed Fish or Grilled Fish?
“What’s wrong?”
As Sang Zhe sank into silence, Si Jingzhu suddenly sneered derisively.
“Weren’t you just full of bravado, looking like you wanted to come avenge yourself?”
“Little fish, you don’t really think that joining the Demon Cultivators will let you do anything to me, do you?”
“I know your type. You’re just a cowardly, insecure little worm. Even if given the chance to bully me, someone as timid as you wouldn’t dare lift a finger.”
“Come on, show me what you’ve got.”
“Let me see just how fierce your so-called ‘Demon Cultivator’ tactics really are.”
“You little trash~ useless~”
A smirk that begged for a smack splashed across Si Jingzhu’s face.
Though she seemed to be putting on a calm and collected front, after earlier’s system prompt, Sang Zhe couldn’t help but feel there was a glimmer of expectation in her eyes.
That feeling made him uneasy.
If he really tortured her, wouldn’t that just play right into her twisted desires?
So, she’d traveled so far to deliver herself up just to satisfy her perverted XP system, huh?
This was heavy-duty.
“System, what do I do?”
【Si Jingzhu despises being ignored or neglected above all else. Suggested approach is as follows…】
Listening to the system, Sang Zhe nodded thoughtfully.
That made sense.
Across from him, Si Jingzhu, petite and shackled, was staring at him with impatience.
She didn’t understand.
Why had Sang Zhe been silent since he walked in?
Even when she provoked him, he maintained a poker face, as if completely unfazed.
What’s going on?
Aren’t you supposed to be the interrogator?
Why don’t you interrogate me?
Then I’ll refuse to say anything, and you can start torturing me.
Use all those methods you’re good at, grinning wickedly as you rip my clothes in front of everyone, humiliating me with my miserable, tear-filled cries while you torment my body…
Si Jingzhu didn’t even realize that just imagining that scene brought a twisted smile to her face.
But while she was still blushing and lost in those thoughts, Sang Zhe suddenly said:
“Ah.”
“Sorry.”
He lamented, “It’s time to clock out.”
“Ah, what a shame. Looks like I’ll have to make Miss wait for now. Let’s talk about this when I’m back on the job.”
With that, he tidied up the table and turned to leave.
Si Jingzhu blinked, dumbfounded.
“Ah?”
So that’s it? Clocking out just like that?
“W-Wait a second.” She couldn’t help but speak up, “Aren’t you a Demon Cultivator?”
“I’m, I’m the daughter of the Sect Leader of the Celestial Sect fallen into your hands, aren’t you going to torture me for information?”
“Can’t help it,” Sang Zhe shrugged and sighed, “In this day and age, they don’t pay overtime, so who wants to work past closing time?”
“Have a little sympathy. Life as a corporate slave is tough. It’s a grind from nine to five, and I can’t even sleep in! Once I drag myself out of bed, it’s a full day of work. Finally, when it’s time to clock out, all I want to do is go home and sleep! You dare ask me to stay late? Even just looking at work is torture!”
Si Jingzhu was baffled.
You’re the interrogator here, not the one being tortured; why are you tired?
“… Ah, I get it.”
After a moment, she sneered dismissively: “You think the usual torture methods won’t work on me, so you want to go back and brainstorm more cruel methods, right?”
“Hmph, little fish, no matter what tactics you use, I won’t yield.”
Yet Sang Zhe merely gave her a strange look.
“I already told you, we’re not discussing work after hours.”
“Let’s save the interrogation for tomorrow.” He waved his hand and turned to leave.
“Ah? Don’t go!”
Seeing him truly intent on leaving, Si Jingzhu hurriedly called out, “D-Don’t you hate me? I bullied you all the time back at the Celestial Sect!”
“Don’t you want to get back at me?”
With her clinging so stubbornly, Sang Zhe turned around, feeling a bit impatient:
“Didn’t I say it already?”
“We’re not discussing work after hours. Even if I hated you, I still have to work during work hours, right? Unless you’re going to pay me overtime for being here?”
“I’m leaving.”
With that, bang, he slammed the door shut.
Leaving Si Jingzhu gaping at the prison door with a completely befuddled expression.
——
——
Great.
Now, two big projects had somehow just cropped up.
If he could wrap these up together, maybe the Demon Cultivators Sect Leader would personally come to commend him. A promotion and a raise would be a given.
He was about to live the elite lifestyle he never dared to dream of in his past life.
Just thinking about it made him a little excited.
After work, Sang Zhe specifically bought two fish and some discounted vegetables, carrying bags and bags back home.
But as he stood at the doorway, he suddenly hesitated.
…About the system mask.
Zhang Xiaoying had been present throughout today.
Didn’t he owe her some kind of explanation?
Truth be told, Sang Zhe didn’t want to deceive her.
After all this time together, he had gotten used to having her around. Used to the little maid always ready to attend to him, showering him with meticulous care.
It felt a bit like family.
But the matter of the system couldn’t be discussed. If she couldn’t hold back and probed today’s events, how would he explain that to her?
After a moment of worry, he shook his head and slowly opened the door.
“I’m back.”
As usual, Zhang Xiaoying was waiting at the entrance.
But she didn’t say much. She silently took the fish and vegetables from his hands and gently helped him out of his outer garments.
Sang Zhe found her usual calm demeanor made him feel strangely awkward.
Once inside, he had just planned to take a bath when suddenly Zhang Xiaoying’s voice came from the kitchen:
“Master, may I ask something…”
Sang Zhe’s heart raced.
“Uh, today’s events are a bit complicated. It’s not that I meant to hide it from you—please don’t be upset. I just don’t really know how to explain it right now…”
Before Zhang Xiaoying could finish, he babbled a bunch of incoherent excuses, even confusing himself in the process.
But after a while, Zhang Xiaoying’s timid little head peeked out from the bathroom door.
“Master, I wanted to ask…”
“Do you want steamed fish or grilled fish for dinner?”
Sang Zhe was momentarily speechless.
“W-weren’t you going to ask me about today’s events?”
“What events?”
“The matter with Shi Qingyan and Si Jingzhu…”
“Weren’t they knocked out, as you said?”
Sang Zhe fell silent for quite some time before he couldn’t help but ask, “D-Do you really believe what I said?”
“I believe everything Master says.”
Zhang Xiaoying blinked her beautiful eyes at him, “So, do you want steamed fish or grilled fish?”
“Uh, grilled fish…”
“Then Master, you go take your bath first. I’ll have everything ready soon.”
Once Zhang Xiaoying returned to the kitchen, Sang Zhe suddenly realized.
The maid he picked… seemed genuinely better than he had imagined.