Chapter 207: Chapter 207: Gossip
Inside the hotpot restaurant, thanks to General Shen Chi’s heroic performance, the atmosphere gradually livened up.
Then, the big screen continued broadcasting the real-time news: [Crown Prince Ji, the Galaxy Empire’s first in line to the throne, due to his health, has voluntarily renounced his imperial succession rights. Emperor Lante is deeply grieved, and both the Empire’s Congress and Senate have repeatedly tried to retain him. However, Crown Prince Ji’s mind is made up, and after much consideration, Emperor Lante has agreed to his request.]
Huh?
What’s this?
As this news was broadcast, the hotpot restaurant instantly buzzed, and everyone started talking.
"Crown Prince Ji is stepping down?"
"Doesn’t this feel like it’s full of conspiracies?"
"So sudden, if Crown Prince Ji gives up the succession rights, wouldn’t the throne fall to the second in line, Prince Qi?"
"That’s a bit tragic."
"Crown Prince Ji has been frail since childhood, it’s not surprising that he has health issues now."
...
Ji You, joining everyone in eating hotpot, couldn’t help but make a quip after seeing the news: "Poor Crown Prince, look, even a Crown Prince faces unemployment risks these days, we commoners really need to work harder."
Xie Lingzhi shot her a look: "How do you know he stepped down because he wasn’t good at his job? Not for some other reason?"
Ji You grinned, saying: "I’m just rambling. Look, being in poor health means you can’t handle the job, right? See—sacked. I’m telling you, don’t be fooled by the Emperor’s grief and how earnestly the Congress and Senate seem to be retaining him, if they really wanted to retain him, they absolutely wouldn’t have agreed. So—just a bunch of pretense for a good show, all about face."
Xie Lingzhi curled her lip: "Oh... You seem to know quite a bit."
Ji You picked up a piece of lettuce and popped it in her mouth, saying: "Of course, all those years of watching melodramas weren’t for nothing." Anything involving a change of throne or successor is never straightforward.
In short—
The depths of wealthy families are profound.
But the imperial palace’s depths are even more so.
Speaking of eight o’clock melodramas, the next piece of news immediately switched to entertainment news.
Ji You’s eyes instantly lit up:
Unexpectedly, in this entertainment-scarce interstellar era, there’s actually entertainment news.
The screen: [Alliance Flower Ye Lu publicly declared her love for Admiral Bai Ji, who, citing the unresolved Beast Tide threat, refused to consider marriage, kindly rejecting Ms. Ye Lu’s advances...] The news also came with a detailed account of Ye Lu’s love confession.
Ji You gasped in shock:
"Sss..."
"Isn’t this the pure and innocent lady?"
"Such a delicate flower acting so boldly and openly?"
"Impressive!"
Ji You was truly taken aback.
Lea couldn’t help but ask, "What are you talking about? Ye Lu is one of the most popular women among men across the Alliance, her title ’Alliance Flower’ is well deserved."
Ji You scratched her head, smiling: "Ah ha~ it just slipped out, no derogatory meaning at all, I’ve been hanging around Teacher Mu recently, catching up on dramas, and just watched her play a mistress, indeed she was pitiful and charming, just not so smart with the eyes—setting her sights on a scumbag like the male lead."
Hearing this, Lea became interested and said: "Are you talking about that drama ’Ex-wife’s Temptation’? I’ve been watching it recently too, Ye Lu’s performance is so beautiful, it’s such a pity Mo Feifan gave her up in the end."
Ji You: "..."
Sss—
Sister Liya, your thinking isn’t right, actually supporting the mistress’ ascension.
Nearby.
Xie Lingzhi pouted, saying: "What’s there to fight over a piece of crap like Mo Feifan? I think these two women might as well make do with each other."
Ji You: "..."
Sss—
Sister Lingzhi, your level of enlightenment is way too high, frighteningly so... You actually support yuri.
Terrifying.
Scary.
Ji You was at a loss for words at the moment.
Upon hearing this, Xie Chuanqiong smiled warmly and said, "Actually, people like Mo Feifan who lack responsibility and commitment are not suitable partners. Both Ye Lu and his ex-wife should let go decisively and look for a better match."
Only then did Ji You smile and say, "Brother Qiong is the more normal one."
And—
Brother Qiong is clearly an excellent husband material.
Just don’t know which lucky person will get him in the future. Thinking about this, Ji You sneakily glanced at Sister Li Ya, only to find that Sister Li Ya didn’t catch her glance at all. Instead, she was excitedly discussing the plot with Xie Lingzhi.
Ji You: "..."
Could it be—
She saw it wrong?
That’s impossible!
Her eyes were the best at spotting romance!
Ji You glanced at Xie Chuanqiong again, who looked up, met Ji You’s gaze, and asked curiously, "You, is there something wrong?"
Ji You shook her head: "No! Nothing at all, nothing wrong."
Could it be—
She really got it wrong?
Forget it.
Forget it.
True romance will eventually come!
Those not meant to be, cannot be forced.
She had almost finished the hotpot, Ji You thought, and it was time to go back to the dormitory. But at that moment, Xie Chuanqiong, Xie Lingzhi, and Lea all became excited at the same time and said, "The time has come!"
Ji You, feeling confused, went "Huh?"
Lea explained: "It’s a shop promotion. On the 23rd, the hotpot restaurant’s anniversary, they hold a competition for a free meal. If you win first place, not only is this meal free, but you also get another free meal on this day next month."
Ji You’s eyes lit up instantly and she asked, "Is there really such a good thing?"
A free meal?
That means free?
Ji You loved nothing more than the word ’free’, so she hurriedly asked, "What are the processes for the event?"
Lea smiled and said, "Don’t worry, just watch for yourself."
At this moment, domestic robots had already set up the competition area and started explaining the rules to the customers.
In short—
There were five events in total, with participants battling through each to determine the final winner.
The first event: Ball grabbing.
This event was whimsically set; all customers at the scene could participate and try to grab a ball that marked progression to the next round. Those who didn’t grab one were eliminated straight away. This step knocked out 80% of participants.
One word: luck.
Fortune would be evident with just one grab.
When Ji You stood up, she found Xie Lingzhi, Lea, and Xie Chuanqiong getting up at the same time, with everyone priming their fingers, ready to test their fate.
Xie Lingzhi even said to Xie Chuanqiong, "Brother! Don’t move later, your hand stinks, don’t bring us bad luck."
Xie Chuanqiong was a bit upset and said, "I’ve only had bad luck a few times."
Lea very much agreed with Xie Lingzhi, she glared at Xie Chuanqiong and said, "Just a few times... From the first day we entered this store, you haven’t grabbed a successful one. At least Lingzhi and I got it twice. Anyway, you’re not allowed to touch it later."
Xie Chuanqiong’s mouth twitched slightly, but in the end, he didn’t insist further.
Ji You eagerly raised her hand, her tone full of confidence: "I’ll do it! I’ll do it! I’ll do it! I have the best luck!"