Volume 1 Chapter 5 Exchange Conditions

  "I'm in!" A clear male voice rang out, followed by a figure flashing in.

  Was he waiting outside the door all along? I furrowed my brow, and saw him sit down naturally across from me, looking very pleased as he watched me drink congee.

  Jin Niang stepped forward and saluted him. He waved his hand without looking at her, saying to me: "Very good, this is the wisest choice."

  I smiled and said, "Has the host had breakfast? Let Jin Niang add a set of bowls and chopsticks for you."

  Jin Niang's eyes flashed as she stood behind Ling Yi, knowing I wanted to get rid of her without making any move. I smiled at her with a hint of provocation in my eyes. Ling Yi waved his hand and said, "I don't need you, Jin Niang, you can go down."

  Jin Niang was taken aback, wanting to say something but ultimately didn't speak out loud. She stared at me for a moment before turning around and leaving. I took note of this, it seems that Jin Niang isn't absolutely obedient to Ling Yi after all. Then, what can I gain from this?

  I lowered my head and continued to drink my porridge, eating with extreme care, as if I had put all my heart and soul into dealing with that bowl of porridge. Ling Yi silently watched me, not making a sound, the room was quiet for a moment without any noise.

  "Aren't you going to eat something else? What's so good about plain porridge?" The unusually gentle voice from above my head made me pause.

  I looked up at him, and in those eyes that had once made me fearful, there was an unusual warmth, making me lose my composure for a moment, but then I suddenly came to my senses - this was concern for Gu Qingying! I let out a cold snort, this wasn't good, I wanted him to remember at all times that the one sitting in front of him was Fang Ning Xi. I sneered, my eyes gleaming with sharpness.

  As expected, his expression changed, and his eyes returned to their usual calmness. He opened his mouth and said, "What do you want from me?"

  I put down the porridge and poured him a cup of hot tea, then said calmly: "Let's talk about the conditions." I, Fang Ning Xi, am not a lamb waiting to be slaughtered. In one day, I will fight for the most favorable conditions for myself.

  "Oh." He paused for a moment. Narrowed his eyes to look at me. After a while, he said unexpectedly: "Tell me about it. As long as it's not too excessive. I should be able to agree to it."

  "You're really kind." I sneered, "I haven't even stated the conditions yet. You've already set a framework for me. What's too excessive? If this is the standard you're setting, then what's left for me to say?"

  Negotiate with me? You want to have all the explanation rights from the start? Then I've been wasting my time in my previous company for several years? Now, I'm taking a step back. Not saying anything else. Let's see what you'll do!

  As expected, anger began to gather in his eyes. A dangerous spark was lit, but he suppressed it again. I smiled slightly and didn't speak, only hearing him say in a low voice: "Fine, state all your conditions!"

  "Hmm." I looked at him. Slowly nodded and said: "First, I want to know. Within three months. Can you find another body for me? And transfer my soul over?"

  He probably didn't expect me to say that. Hesitating, he picked up the tea on the table and took a light sip. After a long time, he looked at me deeply and said: "I, Ling Yi, have never lied. I promise you. I will try my best to find a body that matches your soul, so that you can continue to live."

  I wasn't surprised that he would make such a promise, because he wanted to reassure me and couldn't let this body go wrong. But how could I trust him? The moment I was possessed, the pain that was etched in my bones made me shudder every time I thought about it. Moreover, even if he really did intend to do so, I would never allow myself to be treated like a SIM card being swapped around.

  But I have to ask this way because I want him to think that I have a request, let him think that I still hold hope, so he will relax his vigilance and agree to my subsequent conditions.

  A moment later, I let out a breath and stared at him firmly: "You swore!" Of course, when acting, one has to act the whole set.

  Ling Yi's expression was exceptionally solemn, he closed his eyes and said word by word: "I swear. Heaven is above, if I, Ling Yi, do not do so, I will fall into the eighteen layers of hell, never to be reborn."

  "Good." I let out a sigh of relief and didn't bother to pursue his grammatical error, pretending to be satisfied as I looked at him: "Then we can start discussing the terms now."

  He was taken aback, raised an eyebrow and looked at me: "Isn't this your condition?"

  "Of course not, this is the most basic foundation of our cooperation." I smiled, but my eyes instantly turned icy: "Otherwise, what makes you think that I would take good care of this body for you even though I know I'll be dead in 81 days? If there's no such foundation, I might as well go die now. At least I can drag someone down with me, and have Qingying accompany me on the road to the underworld, so it won't be lonely!"

  "YOU!" His anger suddenly erupted, and all that could be heard was a "bang". The cup in his hand shattered into pieces, scalding hot tea dripping down his hand, but he didn't react at all, just glaring at me.

  I silently watched him smile, this is your bottom line, this is your greatest weakness, you brought me here for Qingying, and you will also lose her for her sake, you will ultimately lose, and be defeated thoroughly.

  It's time to comfort him. I put on a smile that understands people: "Master, why get angry? Since you promised to find me a body, I will cooperate with you and take good care of this body until Qingying returns."

  Looking at his eyes, which gradually calmed down after forcing back his emotions, I suddenly felt that my smile was a bit stiff. A sour feeling surged up in my heart. Gu Qingying, you are really so blessed. I haven't seen you, but I'm jealous of you. Jealous of your family, your loved ones, and the man who loves you so much. But your blessings are so great that even heaven is envious of you, so you're so unlucky. Sorry, Gu Qingying, we may not have a chance to meet in this life, because I want to live on!

  "State your conditions!" he said coldly.

  "I have only two conditions." I paused, observing his reaction, seeing him slightly moved but not expressing anything, and then continued: "Firstly, let Jin Niang disappear from my line of sight. I don't need her to serve me, give me a simpler-minded maid instead."

  "Jin Niang can protect you." He said calmly.

  It's not as good to get along with him, I know he heard my conversation with Jin Niang just now outside the door. He let Jin Niang watch me, apart from being afraid that I would do something stupid, it should also be because he was afraid that I would reveal the fact that Gu Qingying had already died.

  I smiled and said, "What is the Lord of the Fortress worried about? Since I want to discuss conditions with you, I will definitely show my sincerity. My sincerity is that I will take good care of this body for you, and also help you keep this secret well."

  He hesitated for a moment before saying: "I'll consider your condition, what's the second one?"

  I looked at him in disappointment, but secretly delighted. In fact, whether Jin Niang stayed by my side or not, I didn't care. With her high martial arts skills, even if she didn't let me see her, she could still monitor me everywhere without me noticing. However, I had to say this first condition because what I really wanted him to agree to was my second condition.

  I deliberately hesitated for a while, then pretended to be reluctant and said: "Alright, my second condition is very simple. That is, you can't restrict my freedom. Of course, I won't leave the castle, but you can't lock me up either. If you don't even agree to this, then we have nothing more to discuss."

  For my current situation, I don't have many demands, except for material things. For this body of mine, in order to welcome the return of its rightful owner 81 days later, Ling Yi would be more than happy if I take good care of it, so whatever I ask for, he will definitely grant me, but only limited to material things. Therefore, I won't waste my precious opportunity asking for these things; nor can I foolishly hope that he'll let me go, which doesn't align with the purpose of my being captured. I'm very clear about what I want now - I want to escape, to get away from this strange and terrifying event, even if it means living a low-key life in hiding. So, I mustn't be locked up by him; I need to go out and find opportunities.

  And I, having experienced so many big and small negotiations in my past life, how could I not understand that a negotiation always has only one theme? So my conditions cannot be too many, otherwise it will make him avoid the main issue; but also can't have just one, or there will be no room for maneuver. Give him two conditions, he can't deny both, otherwise this negotiation can only end in breakdown. We all have something to ask from each other, so we can only compromise a little bit.

  He stared at me, with something in his eyes that I couldn't understand, and after a long time, he said, "Is this your purpose?" His voice was devoid of any emotion.

  I was stunned, it turned out that he had seen through me. This man is not stupid after all, so what? If he doesn't want today's conversation to be in vain, he should at least agree to one of my conditions. However, judging from his tone, it seems like he doesn't intend to reject me, so why bother pretending anymore.

  "So you're agreeing then."

  He pursed his lips, a hint of sadness floating in his eyes, but I automatically ignored it, only to hear him sigh softly and say: "Yes, I promised, but you have to remember your promise, I'm willing to choose to believe you."

  Are you betting? I smiled slightly in my heart and shrugged indifferently: "It's settled with one word."

  He silently looked at me for a while, stood up, walked to the window with his hands behind his back and softly said: "You are very clever."

  I raised an eyebrow, has he finally started to take me seriously? Or did I not turn out to be as easy to control as he imagined? I had wanted to retort with a few words, but in the end, I held back and merely said calmly: "Thank you for your praise. If the Lord of the Manor doesn't have any other matters, I'd like to rest now."