[2]: What's It Like to Have High Emotional and Intellectual Intelligence? / [1]: This Wicked World ...

Shaoyao: Forensic medicine, forensic psychiatry, criminal investigation, interrogation...

Shaoyao rattled off a list of subjects, all clearly related to professional knowledge. Her voice sounded rather relaxed, and she even wore a smug expression.

Shaoyao: I read those books last night, too.

Xiangyi was overjoyed. For the first time, she thought that the haughty Shaoyao was actually useful.

Xiangyi: Great. Once I've gotten a general understanding of this novel, I'll approach that man. If I need you to prompt me later, just recite what's in your head.

Shaoyao nodded, then made sure to give Hua Nu a provocative look.

Hua Nu didn't seem to care at all. She merely added in a quiet voice, "Oh, if you need knowledge about the human body, I can help too. Hehe. Especially when it comes to killing people. I know how to make someone keep bleeding without letting them die."

What kind of experience was it to have both high emotional intelligence and high IQ?

Compared to what that author had written earlier, Hua Nu's casual remark made Xiangyi's scalp tingle. She forced a smile and pretended to go to the bathroom. In fact, she spent some time in the Flower God Ring, looking through the man's detective novel.

Then, on her way back from the restroom, she pretended to be drawn to the content on the man's computer and stood nearby, staring at it. The man noticed her, but seemed long accustomed to curious glances from others. He focused on his laptop again, occasionally flipping through some reference materials to fill in gaps in his professional knowledge.

Xiangyi stayed quiet, waiting until the man stopped to look for professional references. Then she swiftly handed him the book in her hands and pointed to the information he needed.

The man looked puzzled, and a little displeased. Xiangyi quickly explained, "Master, I've been a fan of yours for a long time. I've been reading your XXXXX."

The man had been somewhat skeptical, but after Xiangyi accurately described the book's contents, his expression softened. He smiled and said, "I was wondering why you kept staring at my manuscript. So you're one of my readers."

He believed her completely now. Taking the opportunity to get closer to him, Xiangyi started talking about the cases in his book.

"Master, what kind of mindset would make XX turn into a cannibal?" Xiangyi continued asking, eagerly voicing the questions she had.

The man, who had little knowledge of the subject and relied entirely on what he'd learned from books, felt awkward. The questions touched on the limits of his expertise. Then he noticed Xiangyi wasn't a pretty woman, so he brushed her off.

Xiangyi pretended to look disappointed, but this time she moved closer to where Xia Shang was sitting. Holding the book in front of her, she murmured to herself.

"Why, though? If she'd already killed him, why eat him..." Xiangyi didn't speak loudly, but she was sure it would be enough to attract Xia Shang's attention.

Because of their professional instincts, people inevitably developed certain habits. Though Xia Shang seemed focused, she'd already been distracted while Xiangyi was talking to the author.

Shaoyao: Flower Master, she looked over at you four and a half times just now.

Xiangyi was speechless. Five times is five times. Where did you get four and a half?

Shaoyao patiently explained, "Once, she looked over at you out of curiosity, but then seemed to realize something and stopped halfway."

Xiangyi found the explanation strange, but kept moving, flipping through the Criminal Psychology book Shaoyao had just gotten for her. Xiangyi was dressed like a student, so it was perfectly natural that she wouldn't understand the mindset of criminals. As she focused on the pages, she deliberately touched her wrist guard.

It was summer. Other than Chosen Ones, hardly anyone wore wrist guards in their everyday lives. Xiangyi was sure that would catch Xia Shang's attention, too.

As a psychological profiler, how could Xia Shang possibly pass up useful material like her? But Xia Shang had far more patience than Xiangyi. She waited for a long while. Xia Shang not only failed to approach, but even started getting up to leave.

Xiangyi sighed inwardly, knowing her plan had failed. But as Xia Shang walked in her direction, she stopped right in front of her. Then Xia Shang adjusted her glasses and smiled. "Perhaps this will answer your question."

As she spoke, Xia Shang turned and left. Xiangyi didn't rush after her. She opened the piece of paper Xia Shang had given her. It was covered in closely written answers, all highly professional. Xia Shang had clearly put thought into them. Xiangyi hurried to her feet and, just as she'd expected, caught up with the departing Xia Shang.

"Miss, could you wait a moment?" Xiangyi had finally found a chance to approach Xia Shang. How could she have forgotten that Xia Shang was so considerate? It was precisely because she was considerate that she wouldn't approach a stranger and offer help on the basis of her professional expertise. Instead, she would use the most tactful approach to do what she could.

That way, Xia Shang wouldn't get entangled in the matter, and she could still help someone. But Xiangyi had to get in touch with Xia Shang. She had to let go of her pointless fear and unease.

Xia Shang stopped and gave Xiangyi a slight smile.

"Is there anything else you'd like to ask?"

Xiangyi hurriedly shook her head. "No. I just wanted to thank you."

Xia Shang kept smiling. Her smile was very professional, neither warm nor distant, and it formed a protective barrier around her. Compared to someone like Muning, who already had some emotional connection to Xiangyi, a meticulous person like Xia Shang, with no such connection, was far more frightening.

"All right, then. Goodbye." Xia Shang continued on, and Xiangyi followed, unwilling to give up. Xia Shang made no attempt to shake her off. Once they'd left the library, she stopped.

She turned back again, as if she'd deliberately led Xiangyi outside. The unexpected turn of events made Xiangyi realize something was off.

"So, pretty girl, what are you really after?" Xia Shang asked first. Clearly, she'd already noticed Xiangyi's keen interest in her and had deliberately given Xiangyi this opportunity.

Xiangyi felt awkward. Xia Shang's professionalism made her difficult to deceive, and Xia Shang had been written to have both high emotional intelligence and a high IQ. Xiangyi felt like a level-one minion who'd run into a level-999 teammate.

The gap in their levels meant that no matter what Xiangyi did, she couldn't make her protagonist's aura turn Xia Shang into an ally.

People displayed all sorts of microexpressions and gestures unconsciously. Someone who had mastered psychology could tell what kind of person someone was, and what their personality was like, from just one sentence. Xiangyi was like an open book to her. Lying now would be pointless.

Xiangyi knew she couldn't keep lying, so she simply admitted what she wanted.

"Sorry. I just wanted to meet you."

"You wanted to meet me? That's an interesting thought, little girl." Xia Shang repeated her words, her eyes watching Xiangyi through her glasses. As she asked her questions again and again, she was really checking whether Xiangyi's words were true.

Xiangyi nodded again, then pointed to her wrist guard. "I've read your reports. I know you're a famous criminal psychologist."

A hint of surprise finally appeared on Xia Shang's face. But remembering that Xiangyi had said something similar to the man earlier, she stepped closer and smiled. "Little one, the same trick won't work twice. Unless... you can name one of my works."

Xia Shang asked again, apparently curious to see just how much effort Xiangyi would put into approaching her. Unfortunately, Xiangyi knew nothing about her work. But Shaoyao, beside her, quietly added:

Shaoyao: Oh, I happened to see one of her articles in a book. I'll read it out now. Just repeat after me.

Shaoyao's voice came through just then. To Xiangyi, the chattering she usually found annoying sounded like music from heaven.

"This article, 'On the Criminal Genes of Chosen Ones'..." Xiangyi began repeating what Shaoyao said. Xia Shang's faint smile turned to surprise, then amusement, and finally admiration. She seemed delighted that Xiangyi could recite her paper without missing a word.

"That was an impressive recitation. I have to say, you did your homework. Well, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Xia Shang, and I'm a criminal psychology analyst." Xia Shang had gone from calling Xiangyi "little one" and "pretty girl" to introducing herself and getting acquainted with her. That showed how her attitude had changed.

Although Xia Shang still felt that Xiangyi had a strong ulterior motive for approaching her, she was now willing to get to know her.

"My name is Xiangyi."

"Oh, you're the Discarded Daughter of the Qin Family?" Xia Shang's eyes lit up a little, as if she'd become even more interested in Xiangyi. Xiangyi looked confused. Hearing those melodramatic words, "discarded daughter," made her feel as though she'd stumbled into some bizarre soap-opera plot.

But then she remembered that she'd written this melodramatic world herself, and managed to suppress the urge to curse it. She smiled. "Professor Xia, you know who I am?"

Xia Shang smiled more warmly and moved closer. She'd kept three meters between them at first; now there was only one. At that distance, Xia Shang's scent drifted over—a faint feminine fragrance, much like the impression she gave.

But Xia Shang soon put her signature smile back on, adeptly concealing her true feelings. Still, the distance between them showed that she'd developed a genuine interest in Xiangyi.

Xiangyi didn't know whether it was because of her protagonist's aura or because Xia Shang was interested in the identity of the Discarded Daughter of the Qin Family. She patiently waited for Xia Shang to explain. Xia Shang took her time, leaving Xiangyi hanging before finally saying, "After all, I came to Ocean City partly because of you."

Xiangyi was even more confused, but Xia Shang clearly had no intention of elaborating. She still wore that faint smile. Her voice was gentle, yet her eyes were calm. Even behind her glasses, Xiangyi could sense the sharp gaze slowly sweeping over her.

Xiangyi felt as if she had nowhere to hide. Then she remembered that she didn't have anything to expose, so she simply let Xia Shang look.

Xia Shang also realized her professional instincts had taken over. She apologized. "Sorry. Anyway, it's nice to meet you." This time, she reached out first. Xiangyi was about to take her hand, then hesitated when she remembered the Flower God Ring on her finger.

The small gesture didn't escape Xia Shang's notice. She lowered her head, glanced at the unusually shaped ring, and complimented it. "That's a beautiful ring." As she spoke, Xia Shang let go and stepped back to a comfortable distance.

"Hehe, I like it too," Xiangyi replied, suddenly realizing she'd brought the conversation to a dead end. Still, she had successfully met Xia Shang and made a strong impression.

Just as Xiangyi was wondering whether to say goodbye, Xia Shang's phone rang, resolving the awkwardness.

"Sorry, I have to take this." Xia Shang glanced at the caller ID, shielding part of it, but Xiangyi still caught a melodramatic contact name: Zhang Mou.

Zhang Mou was Prince Qin's birth mother. It didn't take much imagination to figure out that because Xiangyi had left Prince Qin paralyzed, and refused to help him recover, Zhang Mou had been forced to seek out Xia Shang.

But Xiangyi had never written Zhang Mou and Xia Shang as relatives or friends. According to Xia Shang's character, she wasn't short on money, and she was rather aloof. No matter how much the Qin family paid, they couldn't have hired Xia Shang.

So this was probably another case of the world filling in some strange details because Xiangyi had disrupted the plot she'd originally written.

Whatever the case, there was no way she'd let Prince Qin stand up again. Xiangyi settled on that and told Shaoyao to be careful as she listened in on Xia Shang and Zhang Mou's conversation.

Shaoyao became more cautious, too. Strangely enough, whenever Shaoyao got within a certain range, Xia Shang seemed to sense something wrong and looked around. Shaoyao could only manage to catch a little of the conversation.

Shaoyao: They said they'd have dinner together tonight. The place was something called the Ocean Hotel?

Shaoyao reported what she'd overheard, a hopeful look in her eyes, as if she wanted Xiangyi to praise her for her hard work.

Xiangyi: Got it. That's enough. Shaoyao, you're improving quickly. I'll buy you some meat on the way later.

Shaoyao: Yay! Hehehe, I want the kind that's roasted!

Though Shaoyao was a flower person, she seemed to have a special fondness for meat. The moment she heard about her reward, she excitedly threw herself at Xiangyi. Visually, all anyone saw was a gust of cold air, while Xiangyi's whole body rocked a few times as if she were hugging someone.

A woman passing nearby jumped in fright and began walking cautiously, thinking the place was haunted in broad daylight.

Xiangyi could only sigh. She pulled Shaoyao off her and straightened her clothes. "One more thing. When will you be able to show yourselves to humans?"

She remembered that although the flower people were invisible, they could still reveal their appearances whenever they wanted.

Shaoyao looked troubled, but stole a furtive glance at Hua Nu. There was no need to ask. Old Driver Hua Nu had said something strange again.

Xiangyi: So, Hua Nu, why don't you... No, why don't we flower people show ourselves? It makes me worry every day that I'll be sent back to Baichi Sanatorium.

Hua Nu covered her mouth, stifling a laugh. "Flower Master, you don't have to force yourself to call us 'we.' It's mainly because of the flower people."

Xiangyi didn't remember setting up that many complicated details. She could only ask Hua Nu to explain.

Hua Nu: Then let this old servant ask you: what do you think of Shaoyao?

Xiangyi: She's pretty good.

Hua Nu: ...

Xiangyi's answer had brought the conversation to a dead stop. Hua Nu was struggling not to laugh, while Shaoyao glared murderously, as if she wanted to hit Xiangyi a few times.

Xiangyi hurriedly changed her tune, taking the opportunity to praise Hua Nu, too.

Xiangyi: Mainly, I like your type, Hua Nu.

Hua Nu finally couldn't contain her smile. She still covered her mouth demurely, then continued explaining: "Every flower person is a beauty among beauties. To humans, and to us, humans are all dangerous. But if Flower Master really wants to experience what it's like to walk around with Shaoyao, this old servant has no objections."

Snap, snap—another face-slapping moment.

Hua Nu had put it very tactfully, but Xiangyi understood. Shaoyao was so beautiful that Xiangyi, as the Flower Master, would be completely overshadowed. Not only that, she'd have to deal with a pile of romantic entanglements every day because Shaoyao was such a pretty young woman. That was why Hua Nu didn't recommend letting Shaoyao out.

The more Xiangyi thought about it, the more reasonable it sounded. She was just about to nod when she saw Xia Shang walking toward them. She pretended to be looking at her phone, then met Xia Shang's gaze naturally.

"Sorry, I have to go. It was nice meeting you." Xia Shang smiled apologetically, showing no intention of continuing their conversation. But from the way she said it, she seemed to think she'd see Xiangyi again soon, so she didn't ask to exchange contact information.

"All right. Goodbye, Professor Xia. I hope we meet again." Xiangyi replied politely. Xia Shang kept smiling and soon headed for a taxi parked nearby. Xiangyi watched her for a moment and read her lips as she spoke. It looked like she said "Ocean Hotel."

Xiangyi already knew why Xia Shang was going there. Besides, she was still living under Jing Shuxuan's roof and was being kept on a tight leash. She gave up on going to see what happened that night.

She looked around, making sure no one was nearby, then said, "Shaoyao, I'll take you to get some meat."

Shaoyao smiled, but then realized Xiangyi seemed a little too eager. She asked warily, "Wait. I won't have to pay some kind of price, will I?"

Shaoyao remembered how Xiangyi had been kissing her over and over before. But lately, Xiangyi had suddenly stopped, making Shaoyao suspect she was holding back some big move and planning to do something even more terrifying to her.

"Don't worry, you won't. This is a reward for helping me today... And besides..." Xiangyi trailed off, then looked at Shaoyao's lips and smiled before continuing, "You've grown up. You don't need me to feed you Spiritual Power by hand anymore."

Shaoyao looked incredulous, but Xiangyi had already started walking ahead. Shaoyao remained rooted in place until the Flower God Ring's power forced her to follow. Only then did she react. Even so, she still couldn't believe Xiangyi and warily watched for any other outrageous things she might do.

Xiangyi paid her no mind. She continued on, taking Shaoyao to eat several meat-stuffed flatbreads before following the map on her phone back to Jing Shuxuan's home.

It was already afternoon. Xiangyi turned on the news channel and let Shaoyao and Hua Nu keep learning about modern culture. Meanwhile, she wondered whether she should try to raise Jing Shuxuan's affection for her. But the only part of cooking she was any good at was knife work, so in the end she decided to clean the house to earn affection points.

At 6:10 p.m., there was a sound at the door. Xiangyi looked over and saw Jing Shuxuan in professional clothes. She wore heavy makeup, which hid her naturally delicate features. But perhaps it was Xiangyi's imagination; Jing Shuxuan's makeup seemed even more dramatic today, as if she'd run into someone she really disliked.

"What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?" Jing Shuxuan was startled to see Xiangyi. She still wasn't used to having someone else in her home, where she'd lived alone. Then she smiled at Xiangyi, offering a friendly greeting.

"Nothing. I just feel like your makeup is even heavier than yesterday's. Did you run into someone you dislike?" Xiangyi couldn't help asking. Her words seemed to strike a nerve with Jing Shuxuan, but she still shook her head.

"No. But how did you decide that my makeup had changed because I'd run into someone I disliked?" Jing Shuxuan sat down on the sofa, her beautiful eyes filled with curiosity.

Xiangyi felt awkward. She'd set it up that way, but couldn't say so. All she could do was bluff. "Oh, women like to show their best and brightest side to the people they like. I thought that since you deliberately made yourself look less attractive, Sister Shuxuan, you must have run into someone you disliked."

Jing Shuxuan's lips moved slightly, as if Xiangyi's words had made her realize something. Then she thought for a moment and stood up. "Maybe. I hadn't even realized how unhappy I was... All right, I'll go wash my face first, and then we can go downstairs to eat."

After saying that, Jing Shuxuan quickly left for the bathroom. Watching her retreating figure, Xiangyi felt she'd been a little too eager and had touched a sore spot.