You're Strong But Now You're Mine

The next morning, standing before Le Yuxin was the building that every student at the Imperial Academy hoped to see collapse in their lifetime.

The Platinum Tower.

The nickname made a lot of sense. The tower's white brick structure gleamed brilliantly in the morning sunlight, with dark purple crystal walls reflecting a golden glow, making the sunlight appear to flow down like liquid from the tower's peak. Gazing up from the base, it felt like this tower reached into the sky.

No wonder everyone wanted to blow it up; it was truly too infuriating.

Le Yuxin walked up the steps, and before him were two black steel doors. He sighed, took a step back, assumed a stance, and with a loud shout, unleashed a double fist light explosion!

Combined Combat Technique: Thunder Strike!

Biting Battle Technique: Double Desolate Bite!

A muffled sound reverberated on the black steel doors. Even though Le Yuxin's full-strength blow during the day only left an almost imperceptible dent on the door.

Bear in mind that Le Yuxin was a martial artist on the verge of the Peak of Perfection. If it were stone, these two punches would have shattered it instantly; if it were any standard military armor, it would send armor shards piercing into flesh and bone!

The fact that even he couldn't shake the steel door suggested that it was at least two fist widths thick!

As the door opened with a thunderous sound, a neatly dressed bald old man looked at him and politely said, "Are you Teacher Qin? Please follow me inside."

Le Yuxin sensed and found that the doorman also had the ability of Integration and Mastery. He politely asked, "May I know how to address you, sir?"

"No need to call me 'sir'; I'm just a little errand boy for Cha Huan. My name is Xie Liting, but if you esteem me, just call me Manager Xie." Xie Liting smiled, "By the way, I have no relation to Xie Chenyuan from the Statistical Department."

Le Yuxin asked, "Oh? Do many people think you're related to him?"

"Almost every student who knows my name thinks I'm under Xie Chenyuan, and some even warn Cha Huan to be cautious of me." Xie Liting looked a bit frustrated, "Even though the Xie family isn't that numerous, that doesn't mean anyone named Xie is related, right? Besides, when I knew Cha Huan, Xie Chenyuan was still nursing!"

The first floor of the Platinum Tower was a small library, eight meters high, looking solemn and grand. Bookshelves lined both sides, and sunlight streaming through the windows split into stripes. Le Yuxin noticed a small tea table and a lounge chair beneath the window. On the table were a newspaper and freshly brewed tea, indicating that Xie Liting was reading and having tea there earlier.

"Manager Xie knew the principal for a long time?"

"We were high school classmates first, then classmates at the Imperial Academy." Xie Liting laughed, "Cha Huan was a genius from a young age, while my aptitude was a bit lacking, so I could only follow him around. People said I was his follower."

"Manager Xie's ability isn't bad either, no need to mind those mundane folk." Le Yuxin complimented.

To which Xie Liting shook his head, "No, I actually wanted to be Cha Huan's follower from the start. I knew from a young age that he would achieve great things; being his sidekick was no shame."

"But I originally thought he'd become the Chief Minister, and I'd at least become an Assistant Minister; or if he became a governor of a province, I'd at least get to be a governor."

"Who'd have thought he'd become the principal, leaving me only to watch the gate. Ah, life's opportunities are truly unpredictable, relying on others is indeed unreliable."

Xie Liting spread his hands, "But relying on oneself is troublesome. Depending on others is more comfortable. Fortunately, Cha Huan is conscientious and didn't cut my pay or benefits, so I can live comfortably even as a gatekeeper. All in all, being Cha Huan's follower isn't a loss!"

Le Yuxin thought that Li Ying would definitely have a lot in common with this old man.

"Cha Huan is on the highest seventh floor; just take the mechanical ladder up." Xie Liting opened the door to the mechanical ladder, indicating for Le Yuxin to come aboard.

Le Yuxin walked in and curiously asked, "Manager Xie, why are you telling me so much about yourself on our first meeting?"

"Because many people offer me money to do things for them," Xie Liting said nonchalantly. "So I'm telling you upfront: you can give me money, but don't ask me to do anything."

"I just don't want to handle these worldly relations, face the storms of life, ponder the future, or work hard, which is why I stubbornly follow Cha Huan."

"I don't lie, I don't work hard, I earn money to eat, drink, and wait for death with integrity—that's my principle!"

Le Yuxin was taken aback by this and said admiringly, "Uncle Xie, you're simply my life goal!"

"But you don't look like someone content with just getting by," Xie Liting chuckled. "To just get by, the most important thing is not finding someone who can support you but learning to compromise—with the world, with the environment. No tea, drink water; no meat, eat rice; no spouse, rely on your skills… Can you do that?"

"No, I can't." Le Yuxin smiled wryly, "I dream of inventing a machine that produces cool air in the summer. To say nothing of the world, I can't even compromise with the weather."

"Great idea, hope I get to enjoy your machine before I die." Xie Liting pressed a button on the mechanical ladder, and iron cables moved as the ladder swiftly ascended.

"You and Cha Huan would have many common topics—he's also someone who can't learn to compromise."

Second floor.

Third floor.

Fourth floor.

Without time to look closely at each floor's details, Le Yuxin quickly arrived at the highest seventh floor of the Platinum Tower.

The seventh floor was an ordinary office, albeit a bit large. Both sides were filled with shelves of materials, with a massive desk in the center. Cha Huan was working intently. Sunlight poured down from the glass ceiling, giving him a sacred, ceremonial appearance.

Le Yuxin stepped in and noticed a large birdcage with a small bridge, flowing water, rock gardens, and forests. A colorful parrot was eating. When it saw him, it flew over urgently, saying, "Help me, Cha Huan turned me into a parrot! Help me, Cha Huan turned me into a parrot!"

Le Yuxin was startled. Turning people into parrots?

Oh no! Now that I know this secret, will I also be turned into a parrot?

But looking into its calm eyes, Le Yuxin snapped back to reality and replied, "Oh, really?"

"Help me, I was turned into a parrot by Cha Huan!" the parrot repeated emotionlessly.

Damn!

Just as I suspected!

Cha Huan actually taught it to say that!

"How do you find it?"

The elegantly dressed, meticulously groomed elder looked up and inquired.

"Quite interesting," Le Yuxin said. "First-timers must be quite startled, right?"

"Just interesting, not scary?"

"Why be scared? It only says that one phrase, clearly something you taught it."

"Did you know, a parrot's vocal cords can't support it saying different phrases?" Cha Huan calmly said, hands folded on the desk. "It's not that they don't want to say more, but their vocal cords are too fragile, able only to voice the same phrase at a time."

"When meeting someone for the first time, they will always say, 'Help me,' but to someone they see for the second time, they say, 'Trust me.'

"Once a guest came here ten times, and ten times the parrot said different phrases seeking help. But he just thought I trained it well and even hoped I'd train his parrot…"

Cha Huan laughed, "So, would you say turning a person into a parrot is the safest yet cruelest of punishments?"

Le Yuxin blinked, "But it's impossible to turn people into parrots."

"Indeed, it's physically impossible for humans to transform into the bodies of parrots," Cha Huan said. "Teacher Qin, please have a seat."

Le Yuxin came over, noticing there was no chair. He glanced around, and just then Cha Huan stood up, "Teacher Qin, your seat is right here."

Cha Huan pointed to his chair.

"Principal Qin, please have a seat." Cha Huan bowed respectfully and said, "Don't be shy, this is your place."

Le Yuxin pulled a face and without hesitation went over to sit. However, just as his rear was about to touch the chair, Cha Huan swiftly moved the chair away and sat down himself.

Le Yuxin maintained his posture as if sitting in an air chair, not budging, and coolly said, "I fear sitting for too long will cost you years of your life."

"I'm not afraid, I'm young," Le Yuxin replied. "Unlike you old man, I have many years to spare."

The young man and the older man glared at each other, and after a moment burst into laughter together.