Chapter 38: Vice Head (Part 2)

  Transtor: Krukist

  Shuitian fshed Lin Yu a smile, his tone light yet firm. “Lin Yu, I’m not joking—I’m seriously inviting you to be Vice Head of the Dining Pavilion at Heavenly Cloud Academy.”

  Seeing Shuitia Lin Yu with such respean Zhan’s jaw dropped, but no words came. To him, Lin Yu was a mere oner—valuable, sure, but ripe for strong-arming. Yet Shuitian’s earlier words echoed: status meant nothing. Nan Zhan wisely kept quiet.

  Spouting off would earn Shuitian’s s, right? He’d pyed it safe his whole life—too cautious to cross someone even Situ g feared. Instead of cautioning Shuitian like Situ g had, Nan Zhan gri Lin Yu. “Master Lin, I agree. The Dining Pavilion’s no big name, but Heavenly Cloud Academy’s the kingdom’s mightiest, full of hidden talents. Spirit Chefs are rare there, but I hear the Pavilion’s got a recipes. As Vice Head, you’d gaiy.”

  Qin Caiyun chuckled behind her hand. “If Master Lin takes the job, we’ll struggle to hire him for our kit.”

  “This—” Lin Yu wao refuse, but the eager stares pinned him—even Lin Ling’er, clueless as she was, looked hopeful. To her, it meant seeing her brother at the Academy often.

  “Sigh.”

  “ Shuitian’s no small fry—bigger thau . Rejeg him publicly, bruising his pride, might spark payback,” Lin Yu thought, f a smile.

  Shuitian seemed to read him. “If you don’t want the leash, Lin Yu, saying no’s fine.”

  *Yeah, right—like your tone doesn’t scream trouble if I do.* Lin Yu’s forehead twitched. “What’s the Vice Head do?”

  Shuitian expined, “The Pavilion’s Head is away. It’s a mess—fas g at each other. You’d calm them, but not cross them…” *Cross them, and even I might not save you,* he thought, adding aloud, “If someone bucks your rules—fair ones—you e to me. I’ll back you.”

  “Sounds like a hassle—”

  “Not at all. It’s mostly a title. Your Braised Pork outshines spirit pills. Make thirty pieces daily, and I’ll hahe rest.” Shuitian grinned.

  Lin Yu frowned, puzzled. If it’s that simple, why Vice Head? Why not just a grunt ing out pork? Yet Shuitian was shoving this hot potato his way. Unease grew, fueled by Situ g’s warning. “He called it a trap. If even Situ g says that, it’s not as easy as Shuitian cims. One slip, and I’m sunk.”

  His eyes glinted. Lin Ling’er, oblivious to the stakes, tugged his sleeve. “Brother, w at the Academy’s cool! I could grab your food anytime.”

  Lin Yu flicked her h a ugh, saying nothing.

  Shuitian pohen smiled. “I know you’re worried—worried you’ve got no bag. But that’s why I picked you. Truth is, this gig’s a wolf den—tons want it. You won’t get why yet, but you will soon.”

  Lin Yu stayed calm. “No bag, like a bnk ste—so you think I’m easy to steer, Shuitian?”

  The bluntness cut the air. Nan Zhan barked, “Lin Yu, what’re you saying? With Shuitian’s stature, you think he’s scheming? Without him, you’d be dead under Situ g—”

  “Father!” Nan Ziyan’s soft cry stopped him.

  Nan Zhan caught himself, bowing to Shuitian and Han Ya before stepping back, huffing at Lin Yu.

  Lin Yu’s face stayed bnk, but inside, he scoffed. *Cssic good-cop, bad-cop—soft and hard to nudge me along.*

  Shuitian spoke up. “Steer you? If you were useless, maybe.”

  Their eyes locked, a shimmer swirling in Shuitian’s gaze. Lin Yu froze—through it, he glimpsed a cloud bridge, two tall figures atop. One was Shuitian; the other, a hazy blur. His heart jolted. If Shuitian wanted, he could wipe Lin Yu’s mind—no sed transmigration, just oblivion.

  A man like that needing tricks to trol him? Laughable.

  Shuitian’s eyes cleared, a faint smile returning. “I believe everyone should hold their own fate. Lin Yu, if you prove your worth—beyond just Braised Pork—I think you do it.”

  Lin Yu bowed slightly. “Then I’ll take the role—”

  He turo Lin Ling’er, grinning. “Well? Call me Vice Head already.”

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