I Have 10 Trillion Dollars only Usable For Simping Chapter 2177 - 1392: Planting a Demon in the Dao Heart (Part 2)

Cao Xiugo rose to his feet, clutching a book, and declared, "I’ll go cook."

Youmao, oblivious to the recent events, had paused and now only noticed the young lady's serious expression.

This little rabbit, why does she seem so joyful every single day?

"Sit down!"

The finest ingredients typically demand the most straightforward preparation techniques.

Instead of preparing various dishes from a single fish, Cao Xiugo decided to simmer a seven-or-eight-pound carp in a single pot.

Youmao, who had been full of energy moments before, suddenly appeared dejected. She sat at the table with her bowl in hand, and even the enticing aroma of the fish soup failed to stir her; she remained quiet.

"She got scolded again."

Cao Xiugo, the one responsible, felt a secret delight. As the family head, he surprisingly assisted the maid Youmao by serving her some fish.

Youmao puckered her lips in resentment, murmuring, "Thank you, young master."

"Don’t quarrel with your young lady; just enjoy the fish."

Cao Xiugo offered some reassurance.

Youmao lifted her bowl, transforming her sorrow into a hearty appetite.

"Watch out for the bones."

Being reprimanded didn’t erase the care, yet Youmao possessed her own stubborn streak. Much like a pouting youngster, she disregarded the young lady’s good intentions and kept devouring her meal.

Cao Xiugo dished out a bowl of rice for his sister, instructing, "Jiang borrowed a book from me and finished it; please help me store it away."

Personal and business affairs must remain distinct.

Every item carries its unique worth.

Every loan demands a repayment.

"Why do I have to meddle in your affairs?"

Cao Jinse accepted the bowl, evidently still nursing her resentment.

"Jiang simply didn’t mention it to you; perhaps he wished to avoid interrupting your duties—try to be more understanding."

"I’m not angry."

Cao Xiugo nodded and took his seat, adding, "As long as it doesn’t bother you. No need to overreact to something so minor."

A minor issue.

What exactly does that refer to?

"Jiang Chen visited?"

Youmao lifted her gaze.

This girl truly lets go of grudges quickly—how much time has passed? Just a few mouthfuls of fish, and she’s already moved on?

"Did the Taoist nun show up?"

"Stop calling her that; it’s disrespectful. Little rabbit, you’re not any younger than her, so address her by name from now on."

"But she’s far more powerful than me."

"..."

"..."

No surprise there.

In her view, power commands respect, not age-based hierarchy.

"Can’t you show a bit more drive?"

Cao Jinse let out a soft laugh; Youmao obviously had a bold spirit, so why this sudden lack of "ambition"?

"Miss, I do have drive, but drive isn’t Chakra—it won’t help you triumph in battles."

"Eat your food."

Cao Jinse chose not to elaborate further.

"Prior to visiting me, Jiang had a meeting with Song Chaoge."

Regarding this, Cao Jinse showed no astonishment, responding, "I know."

Fang Jun had requested that he "look after" Hu Die, and though he wasn’t obligated to comply, given that man’s temperament, he’d surely seek out Song Chaoge.

"Do you have any idea what they discussed?"

"I didn’t install a bug on him, so how would I know?"

Cao Xiugo savored a spoonful of fish soup before speaking calmly, "Song Chaoge has undergone quite a transformation."

Observing her brother’s demeanor, Cao Jinse sensed there was more to it, pressing, "What exactly did they discuss?"

"Jiang came to me today primarily to chat about the trolley problem."

Cao Xiugo opted for "chat" over "seek advice."

"The trolley problem?"

Cao Jinse knew this philosophical dilemma well and couldn’t help creasing her brow, "Why bring it up out of nowhere...?"

"It stems from Song Chaoge’s influence. Song Chaoge distrusts everyone, yet he surprisingly views him as a close ally."

"Brother, what on earth did they discuss?"

Cao Jinse set down her chopsticks, her fine eyebrows knitting together in earnest concern.

"If you’re unaware, then how would I be?"

"How could you possibly not know? You’re Cao Xiugo. He spent so much time conversing with you—surely you discerned his intentions."

If her memory served right, Cao Xiugo instructed in foreign philosophy, not the study of the mind.

"Topics unfit for sharing and those that should be, Song Chaoge likely revealed everything to him."

Upon hearing this, Cao Jinse gradually lowered her chopsticks, her gaze wavering as she fell into prolonged silence.

More than her brother, she comprehended Jiang Chen’s nature, and she grasped Song Chaoge’s as well.

"What scheme is Song Chaoge pursuing?"

Cao Jinse furrowed her brows, utterly perplexed.

"At times, men seek to confide in peers of matching caliber, even rivals."

"Brother, is that sexist talk?"

Youmao, cradling her soup bowl, cast a quiet look at the young master.

"Do you believe men can ever truly grasp women’s perspectives?"

No wonder he excels as a guide for souls.

A straightforward counter-question deftly diffused the brewing tension and silenced Cao Jinse.

That’s true enough.

Men can’t wholly fathom women’s thought processes, just as women can’t with men.

"Even then, Song Chaoge wouldn’t bare his soul completely, would he?"

Cao Jinse’s analogy nearly caused Youmao, who was listening in stealthily, to erupt in laughter, prompting a fit of coughs.

"Miss, did Little Song really bare himself? Is he some kind of deviant?"

Cao Jinse shot her a sharp look.

"I already warned you against tossing out casual nicknames, or people will assume our household lacks manners."

"Oh, so why would Little Song... I mean, Song Chaoge do such a thing? Did he redirect his affections and develop a crush on Jiang Chen?"

Youmao appeared to uncover a shocking revelation, her eyes gleaming, "Has he turned gay as well?!"

"Eat your fish."

Youmao clamped her lips shut, though her perky pink ears betrayed her eagerness.

"Jiang’s path in life diverges entirely from Song Chaoge’s, and from ours too; beyond sharing secrets, one of Song Chaoge’s aims was..."

"To plant a seed of suspicion."

Cao Jinse answered absentmindedly.

Cao Xiugo halted briefly, "That’s not quite the way to phrase it."

He neither confirmed it.

Nor fully rejected it.

"My mistake."

Cao Jinse gathered her thoughts, speaking gently, "I was merely speculating."

"You believe, given Song Chaoge and Jiang Chen’s dynamic, they’d never truly connect, don’t you? You trust Jiang Chen’s resolve is unshakeable."

Cao Xiugo offered a faint smile, "Jiang Chen is remarkable indeed, but his development has been brief; don’t expect too much from him."

Cao Jinse managed a bitter grin, then turned to her brother.

"So, when he departed..."

"His spirits seemed lifted."

Cao Xiugo responded.

Cao Jinse laughed and chided, "Brother!"

"This world holds no absolute rights or wrongs, merely differing standpoints," Cao Xiugo echoed Jiang’s earlier words from the afternoon, "Everyone clings to what they perceive as just."

"Young master, your words ring with profound truth."

Youmao couldn’t resist interjecting; unlike the silent Tanki Liuli who could dine quietly, she thrived on chatter.

"The deeds of Little Song Chaoge are shady, yet such things occur everywhere domestically, and even more so overseas. Without the ailment that struck Old Master Fang... he wouldn’t have perished."

Individuals are shaped by their surroundings.

Youmao’s upbringing exposed her to views unlike those of the average person.

Differing worlds breed differing outlooks.

This occasion, Cao Jinse refrained from correcting Youmao, opting instead for quiet reflection.

"Eat."

Cao Xiugo grasped his chopsticks, inquiring, "How does it taste?"

"Delicious!"

Youmao served as the ideal mood lightener, springing up to ladle another generous serving from the pot.

"Brother, about that intention you alluded to earlier."

His perceptiveness was truly remarkable.

"What other motive does Song Chaoge harbor?"

Cao Xiugo remained silent on the matter, focusing on his fish instead, and reiterated, "Eat."

"Brother."

"Young master, please share with us!"

Youmao, setting aside old slights, joined the young lady in urging him, her inquisitiveness ignited as she always saw the young master as a reborn sage, surpassing even the Zhuge-like figures they’d encountered recently.

Cao Xiugo still withheld the explanation, advising, "Figure it out yourselves."

Quite so.

Even as an educator, he couldn’t lead students step by step through every challenge.

Cao Jinse creased her forehead in contemplation.

"I figured it out!"

Youmao exclaimed abruptly, brandishing her chopsticks, "Little Song remains cunning; Miss, he’s aiming to stir up trouble!"

Cao Jinse remained immersed in her musings.

Cao Xiugo cast a glance at Youmao, whom he’d nurtured since childhood.

This exemplifies the adage of profound insight hidden beneath simplicity.