[Ding! Congratulations to the host for making a choice. Qin Shiyao's favorability +5, current favorability 50. Obtained skill: Speaking Out for Justice (Beginner).]
[Speaking Out for Justice (Beginner): Your speech is more persuasive.]
Hearing the system prompt again, Su Ci was overjoyed. She hadn't expected the system to drop another skill for her.
And just by the description, it was the ultimate tool for 'drawing big cakes' (making empty promises).
Whether it was farming favorability with the female protagonists or constructing grand blueprints for her employees to make them work for her wholeheartedly, it could play a role in all aspects of life.
Suppressing the excitement in her heart, Su Ci turned her head and asked Lan Wanting about her progress: "Wanting, how is your breathing technique practice going?"
Lan Wanting picked up a piece of steak, thought for a moment, and said: "Sister Su used her internal energy to guide me in learning the breathing technique. My understanding is that through the frequency of breathing, the Qi circulates regularly through the acupoints in the body. I don't know if I'm right."
Jiang Su nodded: "A very apt summary. All breathing techniques follow the same principle; most are just as you described."
Lan Wanting chewed the steak for a while, then swallowed: "I've mastered the general circulation route of Qi and the breathing frequency. Next, I just need to slowly adjust my daily breathing frequency. It should take about a day or two. By then, I can start working for Miss Su."
Hearing this, Su Ci pursed her lips: "The way you say it makes me sound like some black-hearted boss who kidnapped you and is forcing you to work."
Jiang Su and Lan Wanting couldn't help but laugh out loud at Su Ci's expression and words.
Su Ci still reminded her: "But there's no rush to start. It's not too late to learn a few moves for self-defense first. When someone gets close, they won't give you time to pull a gun."
The girls' smiles were so pure and innocent. The harmonious atmosphere and the delicious food made Qin Shiyao dismiss the somewhat absurd thoughts in her mind.
She had been too presumptuous, using her habits as an Inspector to scrutinize the actions of Su Ci and the others, thinking they had ill intentions toward her.
The sudden prompt in the morning had even given her a way to become an Ancient Martial Artist.
Su Ci's seemingly kind gestures were a bit suspicious. After all, who would help someone they didn't even know? There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world.
But on second thought, with Su Ci's status, she could have anything she wanted. Why bother playing games with her?
Realizing this, Qin Shiyao's attention unconsciously drifted to the conversation between the three, especially when Lan Wanting mentioned the breathing technique. She pricked up her ears and held her breath, afraid of missing a single word.
Listening to them, another guess formed in her mind.
Was Lan Wanting already an Ancient Martial Artist?
Or did Lan Wanting have the talent to practice ancient martial arts?
Thinking of this, her eyes couldn't help but show a hint of envy.
If it was the former, the only thing that could have turned an ordinary person like Lan Wanting into an Ancient Martial Artist was the marrow cleansing pill given by Su Ci.
Then what method did she use to get the marrow cleansing pill from Su Ci overnight?
Su Ci narrowed her eyes, noticing Qin Shiyao's curious and envious gaze, especially her face, which was becoming increasingly flushed—perhaps from the alcohol. It looked like she might face-plant into her plate at any moment.
She knew another opportunity to farm favorability had arrived. She spoke tentatively, simultaneously activating the new skill granted by the system:
"If Miss Qin is interested, you can also have Sister Su teach you. Anyway, I promised to give you a marrow cleansing pill soon."
Drawing big cakes? It didn't cost anything anyway. If favorability went up, the promise could be fulfilled; if not, she could just delay it.
It's just that Sister Su would have to work a bit harder.
Qin Shiyao was stunned, unable to believe her ears. Realizing what Su Ci had said, she took a deep breath, the flush on her face fading slightly as she stood up excitedly: "Is that really okay?"
A breathing technique that could allow someone to step onto the path of ancient martial arts was usually a closely guarded secret.
Not only was it strictly controlled within the circle of Ancient Martial Artists, but even if some were available on the market, they were often low-grade even if bought for a high price.
Furthermore, the state did not allow breathing techniques to circulate widely on the market.
The main reason was that in the late 20th century, an Ancient Martial Artist, seeking fame, shared his breathing technique online. Just as he expected, it quickly gained nationwide attention.
Initially, the state took a wait-and-see approach. If one or two geniuses in ancient martial arts emerged, it would help improve Eastern Brightness's international status.
However, things took a turn for the worse. The vast majority of people in Eastern Brightness neglected their work and meals to pursue that sliver of a chance for transcendence. By the end of that year, it even triggered a nationwide famine, and many people starved to death.
Not a single martial arts genius was found, and many promising candidates became insane due to the lack of systematic guidance.
They would walk down the street and say to anyone they met, "Grandpa, I've made it!"
Out of necessity, the state had to step in and regulate, while also banning the widespread dissemination of breathing techniques.
With Su Zhenguo's reputation, the breathing technique Jiang Su taught definitely wouldn't be bad.
She had just promised to give her a marrow cleansing pill, and now she was offering to teach her a breathing technique for free. To be honest, Qin Shiyao found it hard to believe.
Su Ci raised her hand, signaling Qin Shiyao to sit down, and then looked at Jiang Su: "We naturally have to provide good after-sales service for Miss Qin. Teaching you both together will save Sister Su a lot of time. I'll have to trouble Sister Su then."
Su Ci's words were sincere, and Qin Shiyao couldn't find a single flaw. She unconsciously believed her a bit more.
With Su Ci's status, she had everything. There was no need for her to mock someone with whom she had no grudge.
She also looked at Jiang Su. If this were true, then she would never be able to repay Su Ci's kindness.
Jiang Su rested her chin on her hand and looked at Su Ci, her eyes sincere but her lips curling into a mischievous smile: "The Young Lady's orders are my duty. There's no trouble at all. But could the Young Lady give me a little reward?"
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for making a choice. Qin Shiyao's favorability +5, current favorability 55.]
A reward?
What kind of reward?
In the five years of the original host's memories with Jiang Su, this was the first time she had heard Jiang Su actively ask for a reward.
However, giving employees rewards was naturally what a boss should do; otherwise, employees might become sluggish.
But looking at Jiang Su's direct gaze, was this reward... decent?
Su Ci's eyelid couldn't help but twitch. She had a bad premonition. Could the reward be... herself?
She picked up the milk on the table and took another sip, pretending to be calm: "Then what reward does Sister Su want?"
Just as she finished speaking, Su Ci's pant leg moved for some reason. The cold air from the air conditioner blew directly onto her calf.
Then, something slipped into her pants from the leg opening, brushing against the skin of her calf.
The texture was comfortable, soft, and slightly warm. What was that?
Just as Su Ci was about to look down, the object gently moved up and down her thigh, making her skin crawl with goosebumps and her nerves tighten unconsciously.
Looking down, Su Ci's pupils couldn't help but dilate. It was a fair foot—Jiang Su's foot. Since she had just finished showering, she wasn't wearing socks or anything.
Even under Su Ci's gaze, that foot continued to rub restlessly against her skin, as if teasing her.
Wait, we're still eating!
Although the tablecloth hid everything, and no one would notice as long as they didn't look down, this was way too bold. It was practically insubordination.
Su Ci grit her teeth, pulled her leg back to break free from Jiang Su's touch, and glared fiercely at her.
Jiang Su retracted her foot sheepishly. Watching every change in Su Ci's expression, her face was full of triumph: "As for the reward..."
She dragged out her last words, keeping the other two at the table in suspense.
However, Jiang Su had no intention of letting Lan Wanting and the other hear. She leaned her head close to Su Ci's side, shielding the others' view with her hand, and whispered:
"Looking at the Young Lady's expression, I'm sure you've already guessed what reward I want. I'll wait for you in my room tonight."
The warm breath from Jiang Su's words hit Su Ci's ear, and the tips of her ears gradually turned a shade of pink.
Hearing this expected answer, Su Ci's heart pounded wildly, as if it would jump out of her chest the next second.
"The fire the Young Lady started, she must extinguish herself!"
Finally, Jiang Su openly gave Su Ci a wink and then began to enjoy the food immersively.