“Iliya is openly seeking a son-in-law?!”
An incredulous exclamation echoed through the City Lord's mansion. Chen Yu, who had been slumped over a table moments before, now had eyes as wide as saucers.
He stared intently at the projection on his wristband, his mouth agape as if he could swallow an egg.
He was stunned.
Jiang Yaqing had just told him that Princess Iliya of the Northern Sea Mermaid Kingdom was actually recruiting a son-in-law.
This was too preposterous!
Although Chen Yu and Iliya had been apart for some time, they had never heard of Iliya having any intention of choosing a husband when they were in Freedom Town.
Given the Northern Sea's affection for Iliya, they likely wouldn't force her into anything like this.
Was it a sudden whim?
Or perhaps, Ilina had taken Iliya away precisely for the matter of selecting a husband.
“Why are you so surprised? Do you have feelings for the Third Princess of the Northern Sea?” Seeing Chen Yu’s shocked expression in the projection, Jiang Yaqing grumbled slightly, feeling a bit displeased.
Chen Yu stretched and yawned, shaking his head with a smile.
In terms of appearance, Iliya was undoubtedly the most beautiful Chen Yu had encountered in the underground, and there was no one he could find to compare her with.
Even Jiang Yaqing and Mi Mu were a slight bit inferior to Iliya.
From Iliya's demeanor when she was with him, he could also feel that Iliya actually had a good impression of him. If he were willing, he might genuinely have the possibility of a relationship with Iliya.
Despite this, Chen Yu harbored no improper thoughts towards her.
His feelings for Iliya were relatively more like friendship, or rather, the kind of affection one has for a younger sister. He had indeed thought of a possibility for a brief moment.
It was just that he felt it was unrealistic.
Although Chen Yu could be somewhat roguish and always hung out with Hei Dou like a perverted leader, he had never truly fallen for anyone.
Or rather, he didn't want to fall for anyone.
Taking Iliya as an example, he knew very well the gap between himself and Iliya.
Iliya was a princess cherished by everyone in the Northern Sea, the focal point of attention for the entire underground world. In a sense, Chen Yu was also a focal point, but his background and strength were far too different from Iliya's. Not only were they not a match, but he wasn't even worthy of being her suitor.
With such a disparity, why would he dare to fantasize about a future with Iliya?
Moreover, given his current situation, the Command Tiger Talisman was like a blazing fire; anyone who got too close risked getting burned. In such circumstances, he should maintain a distance from Iliya.
To avoid causing unexpected trouble for the Northern Sea, and for others as well.
“I was just a little surprised,” Chen Yu said, smiling with pursed lips. “As I recall, Iliya hadn't even come of age, and suddenly they're seeking a husband. I, a minor figure, shouldn't speculate too much on the thoughts of those important people. What about you, why are you suddenly asking about this? Can news even reach your icy, snowy land?”
“Please, how many times do I have to tell you?”
Jiang Yaqing spread her hands in the projection, her face full of helplessness.
“Although my place is a harsh and cold land, it's not to the extent of being information-blocked. I, on the other hand, find it surprising about you. In the human kingdom, where information flows so frequently, you're unaware of the Northern Sea's selection of a husband. Currently, no one in the entire underground world should be unaware of Princess Iliya's quest for a consort.”
“In my situation, outside news doesn't even get in,” Chen Yu said with a wry smile.
Although he was busy every day, he actually had very little time for social interaction. Furthermore, no one would specifically mention the matter of Iliya seeking a husband to him. If he didn't ask, he wouldn't know these things.
“Then… are you interested in giving it a try?”
Suddenly, Jiang Yaqing in the projection raised her eyebrows with a mischievous grin towards Chen Yu.
“Huh?! Am I out of my mind to become a live-in son-in-law?” Chen Yu spread his hands and said, “Look at the foundation I have now, why would I be idle and marry into a family?”
“The Third Princess of the Northern Sea, the most beautiful woman in the underground.”
Jiang Yaqing stated with earnest eyes, staring at him.
“If you can win her favor, you'll enjoy endless wealth and prosperity, and you'll have a beautiful wife by your side. You know Iliya, so why wouldn't you try? Perhaps you'll be chosen. Besides, what is the foundation you have now in the eyes of the Northern Sea?”
How strange of Jiang Yaqing, Chen Yu mused inwardly, crossing his arms.
The matter of Iliya seeking a husband shouldn't be that important to them, yet she kept dwelling on it and pestering Chen Yu about it.
She was even instigating Chen Yu to try and become a live-in son-in-law to Iliya.
What benefit would this bring her?
The Northern Sea couldn't possibly contact Jiang Yaqing to act as a persuader, urging Chen Yu to marry into their family.
After a moment of silence, Chen Yu also decided to tease her a bit.
“Hey? You're right!” Chen Yu, who had been frowning in deep thought, suddenly looked up. “I hadn't thought of it this way until you mentioned it. Marrying into the Mermaid Kingdom doesn't seem too bad after all. Iliya has looks, she has a great figure, and her voice is the ceiling of girlish voices – soft and sweet. If I could be with her, not only would I not worry about wealth for the rest of my life, but married life would also be very blissful. Sister Qing, you've made a good point, I really should give it a try.”
???
One moment, Jiang Yaqing's face was trying hard to suppress a mischievous smile; the next, it turned dark.
“Are you trying to die?!”
“Chen Yu, you shameless wretch! Look, look, just a little attempt and you've exposed your true intentions! It's embarrassing for a grown man to become a live-in son-in-law, isn't it?”
In the snowy landscape, Jiang Yaqing forgot to rub her hands or blow on them to warm up. She raised her fair little hands and slapped her own face.
“I'm embarrassed for you, marrying into a family!”
“I truly never imagined you could live such a pathetic life. You have such a large territory, yet you won't develop it properly and go to the Northern Sea to be a live-in son-in-law and be pushed around.”
“What are you thinking?”
“Do you really think Princess Iliya would fancy you? Will you be a noble son-in-law of the Northern Sea if you go there? Wake up, man, a live-in son-in-law is destined for servitude, understand?”
Jiang Yaqing in the projection trembled with anger. Just as she was about to scold him further, she noticed the mischievous smile on his face.
Instantly, Jiang Yaqing thought of a possibility.
“You… you're deliberately playing a trick on me?” Jiang Yaqing asked angrily, frowning. Chen Yu shrugged with a smile, “You were the one constantly saying strange things. I saw that you seemed to enjoy playing, so I decided to humor you. Look how angry you are. Why are you angry if I marry in? Do you have feelings for me?”
“Scram!”
Jiang Yaqing glared, and Chen Yu grinned.
“I'm not kidding around with you anymore. Is there something specific you wanted to tell me about Iliya by bringing her up? Her seeking a son-in-law shouldn't be of much concern to you, right?”
“I heard that the Northern Sea is planning to build an ice palace in the deep sea.”
“An ice palace?”
“Yes, as you know, my region has abundant ice crystal ore. To build an ice palace under the immense pressure of the deep sea, the ice crystal ore from my region is definitely the optimal choice for material selection,” Jiang Yaqing said, her eyes also turning serious. “You know people in the Northern Sea, can you help me connect with them?”
“Sister Qing, I really can't help you with this.”
Chen Yu, looking at the projection, was filled with apology in his eyes.
“Although I know people from the Northern Sea and have a good relationship with Iliya, I don't have Iliya's contact information, let alone Ilina's. I truly want to help you, but I truly can't.”
If Chen Yu could contact Iliya, he would definitely help Jiang Yaqing build this bridge.
They were allies, and Chen Yu would certainly be willing to lend a hand for development.
“You don't have Iliya's contact information?” Unexpectedly, Jiang Yaqing did not seem particularly disappointed upon hearing this news. Instead, she appeared somewhat pleased. “Then, by that token, your relationship with Iliya isn't particularly good either. Forget it, if you can't connect, you can't. I'll try through other channels.”
“Oh, Sister Qing has other connections that can reach the Northern Sea?”
“What do you think?”
Jiang Yaqing's eyes also showed a hint of pride.
“Your Sister Qing is no longer the Sister Qing you knew. Yu Pu has a coal resource city, and you yourself have a territory comparable to a small country. How could Sister Qing be too far behind?”
“That's true.”
Chen Yu didn't doubt this.
It had been a year since they entered the underground world. From the early stages of entering, Jiang Yaqing possessed advantages that others couldn't match. Such a long accumulation of time would indeed create a qualitative change.
With a smile in his eyes, Chen Yu suddenly thought of what Mi Mu had said to him.
Destiny!
Jiang Yaqing came from a wealthy family. Such prominent families likely placed great importance on destiny and birth charts. Perhaps he could get an answer by asking her.
“Sister Qing, coincidentally, I have a small matter I'd like to consult you about.”
“What matter?”
“Do you know anything about destiny?” Chen Yu asked tentatively, his eyes probing. Upon hearing this, Jiang Yaqing’s delicate eyebrows knitted slightly. “Destiny, you mean the birth chart, like 'Po Jun' or 'Qi Sha'?”
See? She's a professional after all.
She clearly knows a thing or two.
Asking Jiang Yaqing would definitely be better than Chen Yu mulling it over himself. Although he knew some of what Jiang Yaqing said.
He still had to ask.
As the saying goes, even three cobblers with their wits combined might rival a Zhuge Liang.
Perhaps Chen Yu could get some inspiration from Jiang Yaqing.
“More or less. What I want to ask about isn't that. It's actually just a sentence.” Chen Yu cleared his throat and said, “It means, a person with this destiny cannot be the leader, but can thrive as a subordinate. What does this sentence mean?”
Jiang Yaqing in the wristband crossed her arms and frowned slightly, muttering Chen Yu's words.
“You know, what you just said, I think I've heard it somewhere before. Cannot be the leader… you mean it’s not ‘cannot be the leader, but can thrive as a subordinate’?”
“More or less, it should be. What does this sentence mean?” Chen Yu pressed.
“It's actually literal. It means that people with this kind of destiny cannot be in charge, like CEOs of a group or heads of an organization. If they take the lead, it will bring them disaster and their future will be obstructed. If they sit in the position of a second-in-command, they will have a smooth life and a bright future.”
Jiang Yaqing explained Chen Yu's question, then frowned slightly.
“Whose destiny is this? It's not yours, is it? If it's your destiny, then I advise you to quickly find a patron, so you won't be the head of your faction and can avoid disaster.”
Chen Yu knitted his brows tightly throughout Jiang Yaqing's explanation.
When she reached the part about finding a patron, Chen Yu suddenly understood everything. He instantly grasped the meaning of what Mi Ye had instructed Mi Mu to tell him.
She was sending Chen Yu a signal.
“Sister Qing, thank you!” Chen Yu stood up from the stone stool and cupped his fists in a bow towards Jiang Yaqing. “Your words have enlightened me greatly. If there's ever an opportunity, I will definitely pay you a visit to express my gratitude. Sister Qing, please excuse me for departing. We can talk more when I have free time. Farewell.”
After ending the video call, Chen Yu paced back and forth in the pavilion, clapping his hands.
So that's how it is, so that's how it is!
Chen Yu knew that Mi Ye wouldn't have Mi Mu say these things to him for no reason. Thus, according to Jiang Yaqing's explanation, Mi Ye wanted to inform Chen Yu through this that she had no intention of becoming the leader.
Judging by Mi Ye's strategic plan, she was ambitious.
Despite her ambition, her destiny dictated that she must be in the position of a second-in-command. Therefore, she chose Lao Qi to be her superior.
This was to ensure her future prospects.
By having Mi Mu tell Chen Yu about her destiny, she was also sending Chen Yu a signal that she was not loyal to Lao Qi, but rather that she simply needed someone to be above her.
If Chen Yu truly possessed sufficient capability, he could replace that person.