Chapter 97: Imperial City Empress

Chapter 97: Chapter 97: Imperial City Empress

After paying for his groceries, Lin Zhengran walked out of the supermarket.

He hadn’t gone far when he spotted a Rolls-Royce parked a short distance down the road. The woman from before was sitting inside with the door open.

Her gaze seemed to drift toward Lin Zhengran, as if by chance.

This time, however, Lin Zhengran stopped and met her gaze.

As their eyes met.

A gentle smile played on the woman’s lips.

The system’s voice rang out once more.

[On your journey today, you encountered a woman in white with a peculiar aura, unlike that of an ordinary girl. Upon brief investigation, you discovered that her cultivation is terrifyingly powerful, she possesses countless top-grade treasures, and she is extremely familiar with her surroundings. After a moment’s thought, you have likely deduced her identity. In the Imperial City, a woman with such frightening strength who can move about so freely can only be the Imperial City Empress.]

’Empress... What an exaggerated title.’

Still, Lin Zhengran was quite certain of her identity. After all, her Rolls-Royce was identical to Jiang Qian’s. And while their expressions and auras were worlds apart, a closer look revealed a strong resemblance to Jiang Qian.

’They must be sisters. But if her older sister is the Imperial City Empress, what does the system think of Jiang Qian?’

"My name is Jiang Jingshi."

When she spoke, Lin Zhengran replied, "Lin Zhengran."

Jiang Jingshi smiled. "Care to get in for a moment?"

[An invitation from the Imperial City Empress. To accept or decline is, in itself, a fateful opportunity.]

Lin Zhengran got into the car, and Jiang Jingshi remarked:

"You bought a lot. Is dinner in there, too? If you don’t mind, I have hot water in the car for instant noodles. I happened to buy some myself, so we can eat together."

"Sure."

With the car door still open, Jiang Jingshi tore open her own packet of instant noodles and unscrewed a thermos.

But when Lin Zhengran tore his packet open, he found there was no seasoning packet inside. He lifted out the noodle block, but nothing was underneath. It was completely empty.

Jiang Jingshi pursed her lips in a sweet smile and poured half of her seasoning packet into Lin Zhengran’s cup. "Half should be enough, right? Any more would be too salty."

Lin Zhengran thanked her again, and Jiang Jingshi handed him the thermos.

He took it and poured the hot water over his noodles.

[You have consumed the Jade Dew from the Top-grade Spirit Pot. Strength +3.]

After a short wait, the noodles were cooked, and they began to eat.

Jiang Jingshi asked curiously, "You must be pretty popular at school, right? A guy as handsome as you is usually the school heartthrob."

"It’s not that exaggerated. Besides, you’re much more beautiful than I am."

Jiang Jingshi studied Lin Zhengran, then smiled and spoke her mind. "Such a sweet-talker. You must know my sister, right? Her name is Jiang Qian. If I’m not mistaken, you two have been spending a lot of time together recently?"

Lin Zhengran looked at Jiang Jingshi and smiled back. "Mhm, we’re deskmates, after all."

"Oh? You’re not surprised at all. It seems you recognized me long ago." Jiang Jingshi sat there, poised. "That makes sense. After all, you wouldn’t have gotten into the car if you didn’t recognize me. And we look so much alike, it’s easy to tell."

Even though this was the first time she had met Lin Zhengran, her natural intuition had told her at first glance that this boy was different.

His aura and good looks were far beyond what other boys his age possessed. ’The one who could win over my little sister is certainly not simple,’ she thought.

"I was just trying my luck, I didn’t actually expect to meet you. My little sister is so mischievous; it must be a lot of work looking after her. You should come visit us sometime when you have the chance. I’d be very happy to have you over."

After they finished their instant noodles, they didn’t talk much more. It seemed like just a chance encounter.

After Lin Zhengran got out of the car.

Jiang Jingshi remained in the driver’s seat. She slipped off her high heels, revealing her stocking-clad feet, and changed into a pair of flats to make driving easier.

She turned and waved to Lin Zhengran, who was already out of the car. "Lin Zhengran! I really enjoyed the noodles. Hope to see you again!"

Lin Zhengran politely said his goodbyes.

The Rolls-Royce drove off into the distance, but she watched Lin Zhengran’s figure in the rearview mirror.

She was suddenly reminded of a boy she had met in elementary school.

Jiang Jingshi thought back, sighing to herself.

’This boy... Am I just imagining things? It can’t be that much of a coincidence, can it?’

Staring ahead, Jiang Jingshi activated her car’s Bluetooth and spoke to her secretary. "Look into a student from Number One High named Lin Zhengran for me. I want to know which kindergarten he attended."