TGCF React

Chapter 8

"That's right. They could even be spies sent here to scout around, set on deliberately making trouble in our territory!"

The last part of the sentence really jabbed where it hurts. While it was true that they were sent by Heaven, their intention had never been to cause trouble at all, but only to scout out the situation. Xie Lian wasn't sure if Hua Cheng had seen the faint glimmer of divine light which Lang Qian Qiu had emitted earlier, and wasn't entirely confident that they would still be free to walk if he had seen it. His chest tightened a little in trepidation.

"Don't worry gege, I won't do anything to you and your...friends." Hua Cheng said with disdain towards the end. Xie Lian didn't notice, though, and smiled brightly at him which made him smile back.  

But then he heard Hua Cheng drawl, "Are you not going to make good on your bet?"

Xie Lian looked at him blankly. "Bet?"

Lang Qian Qiu stomped forwards to shield him, demanding warily, "Are you trying to renege on the deal?"

Xie Lian thought, Hua Cheng would not go back on his word, is he referring to something else? He stepped out from behind Lang Qian Qiu and said, "But did I not win when we gambled earlier?"

Hua Cheng replied, "It's true that gē gē beat me. However, do not forget that prior to that, you did lose a round."

Xie Lian was baffled. "But you said it didn't matter, that round doesn't count."

Everyone in the room was also baffled but didn't dare say anything because they knew Hua Cheng would never fool the crown prince. It was proven over and over again so why must they bother? They would just end up making a fool out of themselves. Xie Lian was also confused but trusted Hua Cheng so he said nothing and just continued watching. 

Although the rounds in which he lost were not taken into account, and only the winning round was considered valid, when said out loud it did sound very brazen and shameless of him. Nonetheless Xie Lian still thickened his skin to ask this.

"Don't worry about such a small thing, gege." Hua Cheng said. "I'm the one who told you those rounds didn't count so no one will dare say anything about it."

"Still..." Xie Lian said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. 

'Isn't that thick skinned of me?' he thought.

'Just let him spoil you.' Lynn thought with sparkling eyes.

Hua Cheng replied, "Correct, the losses while gambling with me do not count. But I was referring to the round you bet on at the very beginning."

Only then did Xie Lian recall. Turns out, Hua Cheng was referring to his first experimental attempt at betting on the smallest roll, but ended up rolling out two sixes instead.

"...Oh yeah." Xie Lian said in realization before blushing a little in embarrassment, remembering how horrible his luck was.

Lang Qian Qiu said heavily, "I did say he was harboring ill intentions. He was never planning on letting us leave so easily. This time, I will not allow myself to be tied up again."

"It was your carelessness that got you tied up in the first place." Wu Du coldly said which made Qian Qiu flustered with a frown, knowing that it was true. 

He sounded fully geared and prepared for another round of fighting. Xie Lian promptly pulled him back. "It's fine, don't worry, there's no need to fight again."

"Thank you for stopping a fight, your highness." Ling Wen said with gratefulness, looking relieved that she won't get more paperwork in the future.

"Hahaha." Xie Lian could only laugh, knowing what she was thinking.