Jinhsi tapped her delicate chin with a finger, looking puzzled. “Speaking of which, why did we suddenly decide to have a gathering today? It’s quite unexpected.”

Lucian explained, “Oh, it’s like this…”

He then recounted how he had “fished up” Yinlin earlier.

Chixia sighed in exasperation. “Lucian, why do you always have such bizarre things on you?”

Rover, looking proud, declared, “As expected of the man I’ve set my sights on.”

Then, she picked up a piece of tofu with her chopsticks, held it gently between her lips, and fed it to Lucian.

Chixia: “?”

Seeing this, Chixia grew annoyed and slapped the table. “Lucian, I want to feed you too!”

She grabbed a slice of meat from the champion-style spicy pot, placed it in her mouth, and leaned over to feed Lucian.

However, the champion-style spicy pot was clearly loaded with an excessive amount of chili sauce, leaving Lucian’s face flushed and his neck stiff from the heat.

Rover crossed her arms and shook her head slightly. “You can’t even remember your lover’s preferences…”

Provoked by Rover’s taunt, Chixia couldn’t hold back. “Who says I don’t?! Of course I remember! I just got careless for a moment…”

Changli smiled faintly and picked up a cup of light tea. However, she was more reserved and didn’t feed Lucian mouth-to-mouth like Rover and Chixia had.

Chixia: “?”

Jinhsi: “?”

Jinhsi looked at her Teacher in confusion. ” Teacher, even you…?”

She recalled her Teacher’s earlier words about keeping Lucian in Jinzhou. Was this the method she had in mind?

Deep in thought, Jinhsi picked up a piece of hand-shredded chicken and carefully brought it to Lucian’s lips.

Chixia: “?”

Rover: “?”

After a moment of silence, Lucian spoke up. “…Has it occurred to anyone that I have hands of my own?”

Yangyang watched the scene in amazement. Even the Magistrate herself showed favor toward Lucian… Did Chixia even stand a chance…?

Across the table, Yinlin smirked coldly. This guy really has no shortage of female admirers. What a playboy.

With that thought, a mischievous impulse rose in Yinlin’s heart. She slipped off her high heels hidden beneath the tablecloth, stretched out her long, shapely legs, and slowly reached toward Lucian…

Lucian, who had been enjoying Rover’s mouth-to-mouth service, suddenly stiffened. Feeling something brush against his pant leg, he glanced down discreetly—but the table blocked his view.

He calmly looked up and saw only Yinlin smirking at him from across the table.

Immediately understanding, Lucian nonchalantly slid his left hand under the table, seizing the increasingly bold, fair-skinned foot and playing with it in his palm.

Yinlin tensed at the sudden warmth on her foot, her thighs tightening reflexively. The chair jerked with a sharp screech.

Everyone turned to look at her. Yinlin coughed lightly, feigning composure. “It’s nothing…”

Suddenly, Chixia stood up solemnly. “Since Magistrate Jinhsi and Counselor Changli are both here today, I have an announcement to make!” Read complete version only at novel·fiɾe·net

Rover froze, recalling what Changli had once mentioned—that Chixia had gone to the City Hall to propose marriage to Lucian.

“I declare that I will marry Luci—mmph!”

Before she could finish, Rover stood up and clamped a hand over her mouth.

Changli smiled knowingly. She was clearly aware of what Chixia intended to say. Last time, when Chixia had gone to the City Hall, only she and Sanhua had been present, so Jinhsi had no idea what had transpired.

Jinhsi tilted her head slightly. “You will… what with Lucian?”

Chixia pried Rover’s hand away and shouted, “I will marry Lucian!”

Silence instantly fell over the private room.

Even Jiao-Jiao and Abby set down their chopsticks, watching curiously.

Changli, her eyes curved in amusement, whispered to the silent Jinhsi, “Jinhsi, what do you think?”

Jinhsi fell into thought. She recalled her Teacher’s earlier words about keeping Lucian in Jinzhou. If Lucian married Chixia, would that ensure he stayed?

Lucian was not of this world and had no family ties. But as an intelligence officer, he was technically her subordinate. If Chixia sought her approval, it wasn’t entirely unreasonable…

But then, what was my Teacher’s earlier gesture about? She had never seen Changli feed any man so intimately before…

Realization struck. Could it be… Teacher also likes Lucian?

If that were the case, should she still approve this marriage? Jinhsi was torn.

Had Lucian known her inner turmoil, he would have laughed. This is what happens with information gaps!

After all, Changli likely hadn’t yet told Jinhsi about his plan to settle in Jinzhou after helping Rover regain her memories. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be so conflicted.

“I think…”

Chixia watched Jinhsi expectantly, but the Magistrate hesitated.

Then Changli spoke. “As Lucian once said, Jinzhou advocates for freedom in love. Emotions are a matter between two individuals. The decision shouldn’t fall to Jinhsi.”

“If you like Lucian, why not let him decide for himself?”

Lucian: “?”

Chixia: “?”

Rover: “?”

Lucian was stunned. Seeing Changli’s faintly smug expression, he sighed inwardly. So she’s tossing the ball back to me? Clearly, she wanted to see how he’d handle this.

Chixia was equally dumbfounded. She had hoped the Magistrate would make the call—since Lucian was Jinhsi’s intelligence officer, he’d at least have to consider her opinion.

But if the decision was left to Lucian himself, things became uncertain, especially with Rover glaring daggers at her.

Before anyone could react, Rover slammed the table. “I object to this marriage!”

Lucian: “…”

Chixia: “…”

Chixia planted her hands on her hips indignantly. “Counselor Changli just said emotions are between two people! Even the Magistrate can’t decide—what right do you have to object?!”

Rover remained calm, pondering for a moment before declaring, “That may be so, but Lucian is my property.”

Lucian: “???”

Chixia: “???”

Lucian frowned. “Since when was I your property?”

Rover answered flatly, “Just now.”

Lucian: “…”

Chixia waved her hands in frustration. “No, no, no!”

“As a Jinzhou Outrider, I must remind you—this violates Lucian’s personal rights and dignity. Do you realize you’re breaking the law?!”

Yangyang blinked in surprise. “Chixia actually knows so much about legal matters?”

Chixia huffed. “I am a Patroller! Don’t treat me like I know nothing!”

Rover, however, either didn’t listen or only caught a few words.

She dropped a bombshell. “Violate? How do you know I’ve violated Lucian?”

Chixia: “?”

Yinlin’s foot kicked restlessly in Lucian’s grip, her face cold with disdain.

Lucian: “…”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep