Chapter 452: Charging

The box held over a dozen roses, fresh and delicate, exuding a rich fragrance.

The secretary, just reaching the door, caught the scent and turned back, puzzled. Seeing the box Jiang Qingli was holding, she asked in surprise, "Are those Amber Roses?"

Jiang Qingli had never heard the name before, so she repeated, "Amber Roses?"

"Yes, Advisor Jiang. As you know, the Third District has a warm climate and is home to the Empire’s largest plant cultivation base." The secretary stepped closer for a better look. "My cousin works at the flower base there. Last week, they developed a new rose variety that, when paired with a special nutrient solution, can keep the cut flowers in bloom for three to six months."

"The only drawback is that their yield is low. They have very high requirements for light and temperature, and they wilt within a few hours of leaving the cultivation base. That’s why they haven’t been released to the public—"

Before the secretary could finish, she noticed something flashing from within the roses.

She thought they were tiny light bulbs and took a step forward. Suddenly, she saw several motes of light emerge from among the leaves, circle Jiang Qingli once, and come to a stop above the roses.

The secretary recognized this as a Light Ability and immediately understood what was going on.

A Light Ability could generate heat. The gift-giver was likely using their Superpower to simulate natural sunlight and extend the roses’ lifespan.

But the Light Ability was rare to begin with, and using it this way consumed an enormous amount of spiritual power. It wasn’t something most people would use so casually.

Looking at the girl by her side, the secretary couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe.

’They all say Advisor Jiang has a boundless future, and it’s certainly true,’ she thought. ’People are already resorting to these kinds of measures to curry favor with her.’

The secretary suggested, "Advisor Jiang, I believe there’s a glass vase in the storage room. It was crafted by a master artisan and should be the perfect size for these roses. Shall I go get it?"

Jiang Qingli snapped out of her reverie. "Yes, please. Thank you."

The secretary quickly retrieved the glass vase, washed it until it was spotless, and placed it on Jiang Qingli’s desk.

The weather in the Twelve Cities was grim. The sky was almost always blanketed in dark clouds, making the sun a rare sight. The plants that managed to survive were mostly various kinds of trees or vines.

Now, vibrant roses bloomed on her desk, with her very own sunlight circling above them, adding a splash of brightness to the dull office atmosphere.

After the secretary left, Jiang Qingli glanced at her terminal. Yuan Shiyao had sent a nervous message, asking if she liked the gift.

Jiang Qingli: [I haven’t seen roses in a very long time. They’re truly beautiful.]

[It must have been a lot of trouble to get them here. Thank you.]

「On the other side of the screen.」

Yuan Shiyao’s eyes lit up as he read the new line of text, and he almost shot up from his office chair.

But there was another intern in the office, so he took a deep breath and resisted the urge to celebrate.

As he looked back at the screen, Yuan Shiyao couldn’t help but smile.

The young man carefully tapped out his reply, word by word: [My Superpower is perfect for this, so it’s no trouble at all. I’m just glad you like them.]

Obtaining the Amber Roses had, in fact, been difficult. He had to protect them carefully the entire way. The temperature and number of light orbs had to be precise and stable—it was a mentally and physically draining task.

But Yuan Shiyao didn’t consider it any trouble at all. The entire time, he had been imagining Jiang Qingli’s expression when she received the flowers.

’It’s a bit of a shame I can’t see her reaction in person, though.’

But Yuan Shiyao could sense that Jiang Qingli’s attitude was softening slightly. He knew he couldn’t get too close. Perhaps taking it slow and letting her see his sincerity was the most important thing.

Just as Yuan Shiyao was wondering what gift he should send tomorrow, his terminal vibrated again.

Jiang Qingli had sent another message: [They sell greenhouse grow lights in the Twelve Cities. You can retract your Superpower. Keeping it lit here must be draining your spiritual power.]

Her wording was polite, but it held a subtle undercurrent of concern.

’She’s worried about me...’

’And not as a friend.’

’As more than a friend...’

Yuan Shiyao covered his face, feeling it flush uncontrollably.

His hands were even trembling as he typed.

Yuan Shiyao: [It’s fine, just leave it there. There’s a big difference between a grow light and real sunlight. It would affect the flowers’ condition.]

Jiang Qingli: [But unlike a grow light, you can’t be recharged.]

Yuan Shiyao: [Just talking to you right now is all the ’recharging’ I need.]

...

Jiang Qingli reached out to adjust the vase. As she drew near, she noticed the motes of light beside the flowers grow distinctly brighter.

She reached out to touch one, and the mote of light shot backward as if shy, its exaggerated movement knocking against a petal and causing the dewdrops upon it to tremble.

After a few seconds, it drifted slowly back and nuzzled against Jiang Qingli’s finger.

A warmth that was pleasant but not searing enveloped her skin.

It even began to change into various shapes, as if trying to amuse her.

Jiang Qingli propped her chin on one hand, and her thoughts turned to Yuan Shimo.

In the middle of the night yesterday, Jiang Qingli had been unable to sleep, so she sent a message to Yuan Shimo, asking if he knew all along that Yuan Shiyao had feelings for her.

During their conversation, Yuan Shimo had tried to be evasive on his twin’s behalf, but Jiang Qingli could still tell that he had known all along.

Jiang Qingli asked, "Cat Teacher, what do you think? If you don’t want anything to happen between me and Yuan Shiyao, I will respect your wishes and firmly reject him."

"From now on, I won’t even be his friend."

"If we meet at work, our relationship will be strictly professional."

In the Empire, it wasn’t unheard of for a woman to marry two brothers. In fact, many noble families saw it as a symbol of a particularly strong alliance between their houses.

After carefully analyzing the situation, Jiang Qingli admitted to herself that she also had some favorable feelings for Yuan Shiyao.

But she knew that, due to his family’s past, Yuan Shimo had very complicated feelings toward his younger brother.

Once her feelings were sorted out, her rational side took over.

After all, she had gotten together with Yuan Shimo first. If he minded, she would stop being friends with Yuan Shiyao.

Yuan Shimo was silent on the other end for a long time before he finally said slowly, "Qingli, I’m sorry."

"I did know all along that Yuan Shiyao likes you."

"I promised you that I’d tell you everything. You’ve kept your end of the bargain, but I haven’t. That’s my failure."

"As much as I hate to admit it... the role of your husband was originally supposed to belong to Yuan Shiyao."

Yuan Shimo took a deep breath and briefly explained the deal between Xie Youchen and Du Yushan, as well as the history of his relationship with Yuan Shiyao.

He was normally a man of few words, but at times, he could be quite verbose.

Jiang Qingli never expected Xie Youchen would do something like that; she was a bit stunned.

But hearing his voice fading on the other end, she immediately said, "It doesn’t matter why we ended up together. I am your female master now, and my promise to you will not change."

Yuan Shimo fell silent again.

His breathing grew heavier, then, a moment later, became light, as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

When he spoke again, Yuan Shimo’s voice trembled slightly. "Thank you, Qingli."

On the other side of the video call, Yuan Shimo closed his eyes and slowly exhaled.

He said softly, "Qingli, those cliché novels always say that love is about wanting the other person to be free. I used to scoff at that."

"But now, I find myself agreeing with it."

"Your decision shouldn’t be influenced by me."

"Don’t feel burdened. I’m not fragile. I can compete with him on equal footing, as a rival, for your attention and affection."