After Beating the Game, I Became the Villain BOSS

Shangguan Li sneered, "Director Su, you’re really confident. Using the power of the authorities? How do you know whether you’re using others or being used by them?"

"Do you think being buddy-buddy with Sikinkov, helping each other today and tomorrow, laughing at the table, makes him truly see you as a brother?"

"Let me tell you, it won’t happen. Politicians like him only see prospects and benefits. He’s good to you only because you’re useful to him."

"Every piece of assistance you request has already been secretly marked with a price, and later he will demand it back tenfold, hundredfold."

At this point, Shangguan Li looked towards the vast ocean, his gaze becoming profound, "And if one day something actually happens to you, and your harm outweighs your usefulness, he won’t hesitate to kick you aside like throwing away a broken pipe."

Su Mo looked at Shangguan Li’s profile without speaking.

He knew why Shangguan Li was saying all this.

He also knew what had led her to this perspective.

After a moment of silence, Su Mo slowly opened his mouth, "You’re still holding a grudge about the authorities causing your father’s death, aren’t you?"

Shangguan Li’s pupils dilated intensely, and a hint of hostility appeared in his eyes.

Su Mo leaned back on the recliner, speaking lazily, "Don’t look at me like that, many people know about that incident, and the intelligence department at the Edge isn’t just for show."

"Your father was originally a well-known Great Mercenary, close to the then City Council’s executive member, now the City Council President Amir, similar to my relationship with Sikinkov."

"When you were ten years old, your father offended the Hegemony Company during a commission, tried to erase the trace to hide it, and sought Amir’s help."

"As a result, Amir betrayed your father to gain favor with Hegemony Company, and he died in the company’s purge."

"Amir then used this event to rise step by step, eventually becoming the current City Council President."

Smiling amicably, Su Mo raised a beer to Shangguan Li, "Captain Shangguan, you aren’t as cold as you appear. You’re someone who’s cold outside but warm inside."

"You told me those things because seeing my current relationship with Sikinkov reminded you of your father back then, and you wanted to caution me, right?"

Shangguan Li’s expression stayed unchanged, speaking coolly, "You’re overthinking it. I was just speaking on impulse."

"I’ve long let go of my father’s thing. I’ve even had dinner a couple of times with the City Council President Amir, and openly discussed my father’s matter."

"We’ve both agreed to put past grievances behind us. He continues being the City Council President, I continue being a mercenary, and we don’t interfere with each other. We might even collaborate if there’s a chance."

Though Shangguan Li said this, and her demeanor looked like she didn’t care anymore.

But Su Mo knew that in those icy eyes, deep down, burns a strand of cold flame that never extinguishes.

Su Mo didn’t bring up the old matter again, handed over a skewer of grilled squid, "Alright, let’s not talk business during vacation. Let’s have some squid."

Shangguan Li: "I’m allergic to seafood."

Su Mo: "Oh... then I’ll eat it."

For the next period, the two chatted about unimportant topics.

At this point, a dripping wet KK came jogging over, "Bro, why just sitting around here? Such good weather, come down and swim."

He saw Shangguan Li and froze.

Su Mo and Shangguan Li’s loungers were a set, the two were quite close, and KK inevitably got the wrong idea.

KK awkwardly laughed and retreated, "Bro, carry on, I won’t be the third wheel."

"Come back, what are you thinking?" Su Mo called KK back with annoyance and introduced, "This is Shangguan Li, leader of Mo Xue Mercenary Corps, our predecessor."

KK thought: My goodness, a girl shorter than Dongdong is a mercenary leader.

His old habit kicked in, performing on the spot, rubbing his nose with a cheeky air, "Hey, first meeting, I’m KK, third boss at the Edge, folks call me Master K."

"Hmm? Third boss?" Shangguan Li was a bit puzzled, "I only heard of a strong second boss at the Edge. When did a third boss pop up?"

KK coldly laughed and said disdainfully, "I gave the second boss title to Dongdong, too lazy to compete. If I got serious, I’d punch her down with two quick hits."

Su Mo cooperatively chimed, "This time, taking down Ou Chenyu, our third boss deserves half the credit."

Shangguan Li got interested, sat up from the recliner, "That amazing? Show me, have a sparring match?"

"What?" KK was dumbfounded, frantically looking to Su Mo, "Sparring... is it necessary?"

Su Mo chuckled to himself, keeping a serious look, "Don’t chicken out, Master K, you claimed you could punch Dongdong down, show Captain Shangguan what you got."

KK turned to flee, "I-I-I’ll go find the second boss, you chat!"

Su Mo couldn’t help bursting into laughter, "This kid loves acting, don’t mind him."

Shangguan Li gave a brief laugh, "Already saw through it, the way he walks isn’t like someone who’s trained."

Time slowly passed, and by evening, the glow of the setting sun had turned the entire sky orange-red, stretching to the end of the sea, bathing the beach in a sheen of light.

Waves on the sea stirred and surged under the soft breeze, seagulls soared against the spray, and people bathed in the sunset, lingering as they gazed at the beautiful scenery.

Su Mo walked to the seaside and called out, "Dongdong, KK, almost time."

Dongdong waved to Su Mo from the sea, "Boss, it’s not dark yet, let’s play a little longer."

Su Mo smiled, "There’s plenty of time to play later, let’s eat first. I’ve reserved a table at the seaside BBQ, there’s lots of tasty seafood."

"Alright, coming!" hearing about good food, Dongdong and KK were hooked.

The three each returned to their rooms to shower, changed into refreshingly cool clothes.

KK wore a beach shirt and bermuda shorts, even mimicked Chu Nanyi with sunglasses on his head, looking like a tourist.

Dongdong changed into a cool floral mini-dress, feet in flip-flops showing smooth toes, brimming with youthful vibes.

The dinner location was an open-air seaside food stall, reasonably priced and very accessible.

Although the Black Rose Hotel had high-end restaurants inside, Su Mo felt that since they were at the seaside, they should enjoy the outdoors more; food stalls had more of that everyday flair.

During dinner, the food stall was very lively, filled with people, laughter mingling near and far.

Su Mo and the others sat at their reserved spot, the small candle on the table emitted a warm yellow light, and the twinkling stars in the night sky made one feel embraced by nature while dining.

Within the World Government Territory, various cities experienced significant development differences due to history and geographic conditions.

For instance, New Moon City, though renowned as one of the "Five Great Metropolises," didn’t truly have a great living standard; the wealthy were very wealthy, but the poor couldn’t afford a hot meal.

Saint Rivelan was different; it was a coastal and thriving tourist city, with much better living conditions than New Moon City.

The seafood here at the stalls was extremely affordable, priced around the same as synthetic meat in New Moon City, with hearty portions; three or five hundred moon coins got them a big table.

The vibrant little lobsters spread their claws, surrounded by grilled dipping sauces. The golden garlic scallops were cooked just right, exuding rich fragrance. There were translucent shrimp, plump and juicy crab legs, each bite full of meat.

Dongdong and KK had long enjoyed good days with Su Mo, no longer the poor kids who barely got by, but New Moon City indeed lacked seafood.

All of this fresh sea fare had them chomping eagerly, working both hands as if afraid it would soon be gone.

Amidst the three enjoying their delicious dinner with the sea breeze...

"Ah!" A little girl’s tender scream suddenly sounded not far away.

...

(An extra Chapter today, another double-length Chapter tonight)