After the mind-reading and gossip-eating incident, officials in the imperial city were demoted one a

The long queue outside was filled with people looking for work, or people who had seen the notice.

The mother and her two daughters looked on helplessly. "One more person, and the rest will be gone. Mother will pick one from the shop."

The last person to enter was a burly man nearing forty, with an upright posture, steady and powerful steps, and a gourd of wine hanging from his waist.

The silver strands mixed in with his black hair were particularly noticeable. His weathered face had empty, lifeless eyes that exuded a cold indifference, making him look like a world-weary person who had no attachment to this world.

Ye Yaoyao looked at this person and felt that he was someone with a story.

[This person is not simple. System, show me his information.]

[System, system.]

The system did not respond, and Ye Yaoyao was unable to contact it again, cursing inwardly that the broken system had a problem.

"Do I, Ji Xiao, get to drink wine when I'm a butler?"

None of the people who came in today were normal.

"Uncle, what did you do before?"

"A wandering swordsman!" The burly man glanced at Ye Yaoyao a few more times before looking at Liu Yunshu.

"Madam, would it be suitable for someone who travels the martial world to be a housekeeper?"

As he spoke, the burly man picked up the wine jug, tilted his head back slightly, and took a large gulp of wine, his movements elegant and unrestrained.

Liu Yunshu looked at him suspiciously.

"You must be used to a life of freedom and unrestraint, right?"

"I lost a bet, so I came out to find a job. I've never been a butler before, but I can still protect you."

[Host, accept him.] The system's voice suddenly came through.

[System, you're here again. Let's talk first. Is there something you're hiding from me?]

What is it?

【What do you think? 】

Ye Yaoyao recalled how the system had tempted her to form a contract with it before, and how she hadn't been online at times. She was now quite certain that there was something wrong with the system.

"No." The system's voice clearly lacked confidence.

[Really? So, from now on, will you respond every time I call you?]

Ye Yaoyao's tone sounded like she was settling scores after the fact, and after a moment of silence, the system decided to confess.

[Host, you're really smart. Let me tell you!]

I was among the first batch of systems to be developed; I was a model. The later systems were definitely more advanced and could connect to the main system, but I couldn't.

Then the Time and Space Administration wanted to destroy the early group of us. I awakened my consciousness and ran away to find a host to save myself.

The system had already prepared its explanation; it would say what it could say and remain silent about what it couldn't.

Is making a contract with me a way to save myself?

The system's voice was urgent, with a hint of ingratiation.

"Hmm, host, the more good deeds you do, the more the Time and Space Administration will see the benefits I've received, and they might not destroy me."

So in saving the triplets, I'm also saving myself.

Saving good people earns you merit points and a favorability point. You need to accumulate both points to a trillion, but I can't say more about that.

"So the frequent disconnections are due to instability?" Ye Yaoyao frowned.

"Yes." The system's voice trailed off again.

So many people die every day, how did you choose me? Don't say I'm just lucky.

Ye Yaoyao had reason to believe that the "luck factor" was just an excuse the system used to trick her into signing the contract.

"That's because we're destined to meet! Host, you're so young yet so amazing; out of hundreds of millions of people, I chose you at a glance."

The system praised Ye Yaoyao effusively, its voice filled with flattery.

Actually, that's not the case. The system was also selecting a host at the time. It saw a soul quickly pass by and chased after it.

Ye Yaoyao's soul flew very fast, even the system couldn't keep up. It merged quickly into Ye Yaoyao's body in the alternate dimension, almost causing the system to lose track of it.

You have good taste.

Ye Yaoyao proudly raised her chin.

Is there anything I don't know?

That's all, that's all.

Hehe, it won't mention the system's bugs, and anyway, those who can hear the host's thoughts can't bring themselves to say them.

Alright! We've already made a contract, everyone has their flaws, the system is already pretty good.

"Show me this man's information."

The burly man took a few sips of wine and didn't hear the mother and daughter talking. Looking over, he saw Liu Yunshu and Ye Xiyao looking at Ye Yaoyao, so it seemed that the little girl was in charge.

Ye Yaoyao sat there with a very expressive face, and he stared at her as well.

Although Liu Yunshu couldn't hear what the system was saying, she was still very concerned about what her daughter and the system had said, and for a moment she forgot about other things.

Ji Xiao is highly skilled in martial arts, an upright man who likes to fight injustice, but he has made too many enemies. Five years ago, his enemies killed his wife and children while he was away.

Upon returning home, he discovered his wife and children had been murdered. He then killed the entire family of the murderer, racking up over a hundred lives. He was wanted by the authorities, but was later saved by a powerful figure.

Ye Yaoyao looked at Ji Xiao with sympathy.

His wife and children died tragically; no wonder his eyes were filled with deathly stillness.

[Host, this person is trustworthy.]

"Mother, let's keep this uncle here!"

Hearing Ye Yaoyao's heartfelt words, Liu Yunshu felt relieved.

“Master Ji, the steward has to manage all the trivial matters of the mansion, which I don’t think is suitable for you.”

My daughter is willing to let you stay, which suggests you are quite skilled. Being a bodyguard would suit you better; you can also accompany her for protection on a regular basis if you wish.

"Alright, then we'll provide protection."

"Someone, take Guard Ji away and settle him in."

Ji Xiao followed the servant downstairs.

As soon as Liu Langyue arrived at the Ye family's residence, the people in line were told to disperse.

"Miss, you've arrived. Please come in."

As Liu Langyue entered the house with her maid carrying a bundle, a servant boy and a maid bumped into her at the corner leading to Chunnuan Pavilion.

"What are you doing?" The servants of the Ye family really had no manners.

"Miss, I'm so sorry, I... I didn't mean to."

The servant boy's face was covered in sweat, his hands hidden in his sleeves moving constantly, as if he was enduring pain. The maid behind him was the same.

"What happen to you guys?"

"I'm not feeling well and need to go see a doctor. I apologize for offending you, Miss. I'll make you feel better later."

After saying that, she ran out, with her maidservant following closely behind.

"That's weird." Liu Langyue muttered to herself as she watched the two run away quickly and continued walking inside.

Liu Langyue handed the bundle to the maid and bowed to her elders.

"Langyue greets her aunt."

"Cousin, why are you carrying a bundle?" Ye Xiyao asked curiously.

“Aunt, Xiyao, I’ve been investigating Yaoyao’s drowning for the past few days. I suspect that Zhao Qingrou orchestrated this to harm me, but Yaoyao was the one who was harmed.”

"No matter who pushed Yaoyao into the water, I will not let them off easily."

Liu Yunshu rarely allowed Ye Yaoyao to participate in the entertainment activities of officials' children. Last time, she almost lost her daughter because she couldn't resist her daughter's persistent pleading.

"Besides Zhao Qingrou, I really can't think of anyone else who would want to harm me?"

"She's about to marry the Second Prince, and we haven't seen her leave the manor. I found out she's going to Taiyou Temple tomorrow, so I came to ask if you're going?"

"Cousin, let's go burn incense tomorrow too, let's go together."

"Good, good! There will be a Buddhist festival at Taiyou Temple the day after tomorrow, it will be very lively."

Looking at Ye Yaoyao's rosy complexion, Liu Langyue thought that she possessed some supernatural powers. If she really was Zhao Qingrou, she would tear her to pieces.