Chapter 162
"..." Yuan Heng frowned slightly.
Xi Ning observed this, and a trace of dissatisfaction showed in his eyes: "What, are you unhappy about it?"
"City Lord, I..." Yuan Heng seemed about to refuse, though clearly now was not a good time to do so.
Wang Jin quickly took over the conversation: "Brother, what about the original deputy city lord?"
Hearing this, Xi Ning replied: "Zhao Yu has long been unfit to be deputy city lord. I have wanted to replace him for a while, and now is the perfect opportunity."
"..." After recalling the original owner's memories, Wang Jin understood Xi Ning's reasoning. After the original owner's father left, Zhao Yu had taken over control of Ning'an City. His role should have been to assist Xi Ning in governing, but he had instead seized power for himself. The authority Xi Ning now held had been gradually reclaimed piece by piece as he came of age.
Since Zhao Yu's power had already been mostly stripped away, Xi Ning was bound to reclaim the deputy city lord position sooner or later. This time, with both the deputy city lord and Pan Shulin having made mistakes, it was a perfect chance to reclaim the deputy city lord title. Once reclaimed, someone needed to fill the position.
Xi Ning chose Yuan Heng, which was both an opportunity for Yuan Heng and a testament to Xi Ning's belief in Yuan Heng's abilities.
However...
Wang Jin looked at the man. The man showed no trace of joy on his face; he pressed his lips together, seeming ready to speak and refuse at any moment.
Seeing this, Wang Jin continued speaking, not giving Yuan Heng a chance to talk: "Then, brother, if the deputy city lord is no longer deputy city lord, what will he be? How do you plan to deal with them, brother? Might they fight back? And what about Pan Shulin?"
"Zhao Yu and Zhao Shan are currently kneeling in the main hall. I will leave them in suspense for now. Upon returning, I will strip them of their duties and demote them to ordinary citizens of the city, providing them with a residence to live in. Their power has already been taken back, and their remaining followers are not a concern. However..."
"?" However?
"Pan Shulin..." Xi Ning paused, his expression turning grim: "He took advantage of the chaos and escaped."
Yuan Heng frowned and stood up. Wang Jin hurriedly reached out and pulled him back: "Brother Heng, what are you going to do?"
"I'm going to catch him and bring him back." Yuan Heng pressed his lips together.
Before Wang Jin could speak, Xi Ning frowned and said: "Where do you think you're going? Now that Yao'er is pregnant, you should stay and accompany Yao'er. As for Pan Shulin, I will send people to capture him."
Hearing this, Wang Jin quickly shook Yuan Heng's arm and said: "Yes, Brother Heng, brother will handle it. Stay here and keep me company, okay?"
His tone held three parts coquettishness, two parts pleading, and five parts reminder.
"..." Yuan Heng and Wang Jin had been together for a long time and were very familiar with each other. Just by looking at the expression of the ger staring up at him now, Yuan Heng roughly understood the ger's meaning.
The ger was reminding him that this was a city matter. Xi Ning had been handling it all along, so it should be left to Xi Ning. If he intervened midway... Xi Ning might get a bad impression of him, thinking he didn't trust him as the city lord.
But others could be left to Xi Ning. However, Pan Shulin was the main culprit who had bullied the ger. Yuan Heng did not want to entrust his punishment to anyone else.
He wanted to handle it personally.
Yuan Heng frowned and opened his mouth to speak. Seeing his expression, Wang Jin understood his thoughts and quickly spoke first: "Bro... brother, I'm hungry. Earlier, Brother Heng and I brought back some delicious things from the sea. Let Brother Heng cook them for us, okay?"
Although he was addressing Xi Ning, his gaze was fixed on Yuan Heng, conveying a message with his eyes, his face showing urgency and anxiety, with a few more parts of pleading. Yuan Heng hesitated slightly.
Xi Ning remembered the unique seafood he had earlier instructed Uncle Shan to put away. A glimmer of interest appeared in his eyes, and he added: "I saw those things earlier. So they were meant to be eaten? How are they eaten? Will Yuan Heng prepare them?"
Xi Ning looked up at Yuan Heng, wondering if this beastman could actually cook those things.
Yuan Heng collected himself and finally swallowed the words he was about to say. He nodded slightly towards Xi Ning: "City Lord, please wait here for a moment."
With that, he stood up and went out. Wang Jin heaved a huge sigh of relief and seized the chance to praise: "Brother, you don't know, but Brother Heng is really good at cooking. He knows all kinds of recipes. If I stay with Brother Heng, it will definitely be me who enjoys good fortune."
Xi Ning heard this and raised his eyebrows, thinking that his younger brother really seized every opportunity to vigorously speak up for that ancient beastman in front of him... His heart was probably completely set on that beastman.
"Alright then, I'll have to have a good taste later." Xi Ning agreed, a hint of teasing showing in his gaze.
"..." Wang Jin was momentarily stunned, feeling that ever since his brother learned he was pregnant, he had been exceptionally good-tempered.
Yuan Heng cooked very quickly. Soon, Uncle Shan led a group of gers to set the table, filling it to the brim.
The crescent meat had been prepared earlier. Yuan Heng fried it until the outside was crispy and the inside tender, then added some seasonings poured over it, making it look especially appealing.
Besides Haiqiong crescent meat, there were many scallops. Yuan Heng steamed them with sauce, arranged one by one, looking particularly tempting.
Some larger shellfish meat was sliced and stir-fried with some seaweed, the colors coordinated extremely well, making it look very appetizing.
As for the shrimp, they were stewed in a pot. With this whole table of dishes, the room was filled with the aroma of food, making even Wang Jin unable to help swallowing his saliva.
Wang Jin led Xi Ning to the table. Yuan Heng entered carrying a bowl of honey water and directly handed it to Wang Jin—clearly prepared specifically for him.
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