Pretending To Be A Boss

He actually just walked away?

He should be coming back, right?

Qiao Shanshan suddenly felt a bit panicked.

...

...

Tang Xian indeed left but didn't go far.

In a rare spot in Waning Time Valley where one could see the night sky through the guiding locust tree's branches and leaves, with Tang Xiaojiu by his side, he started to appreciate the moon in this desolate wilderness.

The moon was very round tonight.

Dong Ran, feeling a bit uneasy, said to Tang,

"Tang, we've already come here. Even if Miss Qiao doesn't agree to join the team, we should still save her."

"If you want to go, then go. You don't need to tell me," Tang Xian said calmly.

"...So are we going to save her or not? If we don't save her, Miss Qiao will really die."

"I really envy those who didn't grow up at the bottom."

"Ah... what do you mean?" Dong Ran was puzzled. Your next read is at empire

"Qiao Shanshan's death is a foregone conclusion. When a person is in a desperate situation, if they do not have the resolve to abandon everything to survive, then when death comes, they don't have the right to regret or complain."

Tang Xian found that the moon was indeed beautiful in every aspect; no wonder so much of human history's complex emotions were entrusted to it.

Tang Xiaojiu, too, squatted down, gazing at the small patch of starry sky above her. She didn't understand what Tang Xian and the big sister were talking about but felt that the moon looked so round and delicious.

"My coming here is her only chance to survive, breaking the fate that she should have died. She can choose to do everything to meet my demands, to please me. That's her right."

"I also have the choice to help her unconditionally, to take her away. Or I may remain indifferent and just pass by here like a sightseer. That's my right."

Dong Ran was frozen.

At this moment, Tang carried a kind of rationality that was somewhat uncomfortable.

"People who let morals guide their thoughts, I admire that kind of person. I sincerely hope they are treated kindly by fate. If possible, I too would love to live in the ancient times of the 21st century, when children often complained about their lives but didn't have to spend their days worrying about survival like me and those bottom-level workers."

"The rule of living at the bottom is simple: more work, more gain, equivalent exchange. To get anything, you have to pay a price. Qiao Shanshan wants to live but also wants to reject my demands. To me, this shows her lack of determination to live. Such a person, even if they were to become my teammate in the future, will inevitably die sooner or later.

If she can't be 'Tang Busi,' then she might as well die now."

Tang Xian's tone was as casual as always, but these words sounded somewhat cold-blooded.

But that was indeed what he thought.

A woman was in danger due to her own reasons and was about to die. Unless someone saved her, she was certain to die.

Then a man arrived, and he could save the dying woman. But if the woman ends up dead, should her death be blamed on the man for not saving her?

Tang Xian wouldn't bother with such a ridiculous question, because at the bottom, there are always temp workers dying, and there are always people who could redeem them.

Indeed, some people do survive. In exchange for their survival, they would do anything, making them seem worthy of redemption to their saviors.

Others choose to die with pride. Tang Xian respects those people.

But he does not agree with them.

He understands and supports Qiao Shanshan's desire to survive, but as a bottom dweller, he says: Okay, but it'll cost extra, as sentiment alone is not enough.

"Let's go, the night wind is a bit chilly. We'll set up the tent after leaving the valley."

After a long silence, Tang Xian suddenly spoke, taking Tang Xiaojiu's hand and walking northward.

...

...

The night was deep. There was wind tonight, blowing south.

Dong Ran couldn't sleep, neither could Tang Xian, especially since Tang Xiaojiu was so enamored with the moon. After pitching the tent north of Waning Time Valley, Tang Xian decided to make braised pig's ears.

First, though, he went through the trouble of killing two pigs.

This was why Dong Ran couldn't sleep.

Tang Xian asked her to guard the tent, instructing her not to leave it. He, meanwhile, took Tang Xiaojiu out for a stroll.

During this time, some frightening tremors came from outside Waning Time Valley.

Before long, Tang Xian and Tang Xiaojiu returned. In his hands, he carried four bloody pig's ears,

These pig's ears were large, with one as big as two outstretched palms put together.

The four pig ears were washed clean and then put into the pot.

It looked enough to fill three people for a while.

Dong Ran didn't ask how the two pig ears came about, nor could she recognize what kind of mining area creature these were. Wild pigs in the mines were not easy to kill, but Tang's standard for difficulty did not apply to such matters.

About an hour and a half later, Tang Xiaojiu was rolling around on the ground in hunger, when Tang Xian finally finished cooking a plate of braised pig ears.

"Although those two Iron Can Pigs were really tough, luckily their ears were soft. Alright, come and eat," Tang Xian served the pig ears.

Tang Xiaojiu bounced up as if resurrected. Dong Ran initially thought she wouldn't have much appetite but then Tang Xiaojiu brought the plate right up to her face.

"Big sister, eat," Tang Xiaojiu said, looking up at Dong Ran with wide eyes.

Tang Xian said, "In the world of a child foodie, their willingness to share delicacies means you're very important to them."

Upon hearing this, Dong Ran naturally couldn't refuse the little girl's kindness.

After eating a few slices, she couldn't help herself. The more she ate, the more she wanted, and the large plate of pig ears quickly disappeared under the combined attack of the two women.

Dong Ran had felt uncomfortable because Tang Xian hadn't saved Qiao Shanshan and thought she would be eating without tasting.

Later, she realized she was overthinking.

It's really delicious.

This time, Tang Xian didn't let them finish everything. He said,

"The growth hormones secreted by the stomach not only make people want to eat, but also enhance the sense of smell. You need to slow down the pace of eating a little."

...

...

Qiao Shanshan was finding it hard to bear.

A Bogen Fruit had refreshed her quite a bit.

But the toughest part of hunger is actually when you still have the energy to feel it.

Especially now that she could smell the unique sweet and salty aroma of braised cooking.

It was simply unbearable.

As a doctor, she certainly knew what her body needed.

Qiao Shanshan clenched her teeth.

It was such a mean trick, tempting someone with the scent of delicious food when they were most hungry.

The wind was blowing south, and that man must have deliberately started cooking in the north for this reason.

Qiao Shanshan didn't think for long; after smelling that scent, she ultimately couldn't resist. After all, even if she were to die, she'd prefer to die on a full stomach, right?

She propped herself up and slowly headed north.

Following the sweet scent in her nostrils, her pace didn't quicken.

She even stopped.

Qiao Shanshan looked towards the dark north, slightly puzzled.

In the north, she had been wanting to leave this place for days, to chase the big snake that had killed members of the Scorched Blood Group.

But there had always been two Iron Can Pigs guarding there.

Among Perfect-level creatures, Iron Can Pigs are relatively weaker, but they are still Perfect-level. Qiao Shanshan couldn't possibly face two adult Iron Can Pigs, not to mention even a senile one without any chance of victory.

She looked curiously at the darkness ahead.

How could Tang Xian dare to eat in such a place? Especially such food that could easily attract wild beasts.

What about those two Iron Can Pigs? Come to think of it, what about the wild beasts around Waning Time Valley?

Qiao Shanshan moved forward again. Such irresistible flavors to human taste buds couldn't possibly be made by these ferocious beasts; it must be Tang Xian.

Perhaps they didn't realize how dangerous it was. Concerned, Qiao Shanshan quickened her pace. After about fifteen minutes, she saw a tent glowing with a dim light.

Tang Xian and Dong Ran also saw Qiao Shanshan not far away. Dong Ran was delighted, and Tang Xian was quite calm, saying,

"Come in and have something to eat?"

"There are two Perfect-level creatures in this place. Aren't you afraid of attracting them?" Qiao Shanshan was genuinely concerned.

Tang Xian said,

"They're in the plate. Hurry up before it gets cold; I won't reheat it."