There Is a Bully in Our Town

In the evening, with nothing to do, Grace sat in her cozy little pavilion, gazing at the lights in the inner room, quietly brewing a new battle plan in her heart.

She had promised her father she would get it done within a month.

Time was really running out for her.

She had to sleep with him and awaken her Spirit Root within this month—no excuses.

She’d have to pull out all the stops to seduce him.

Like, when serving him tea, she’d "accidentally" brush his fingers.

Or, if she happened to trip, she’d just so happen to fall right into his arms.

And when changing clothes, maybe tease him a little... just for fun.

Oh, right—before all that, she had to figure out what was up with that Wan Family servant.

Tomorrow, she’d sneak out to talk to Tenner and see if that person would show up again. If he did, what was his real goal...

After giving her instructions, Grace climbed back over the wall and returned to the General's Manor.

The whole way back, she kept pondering her next move.

She couldn't let those two servants keep spying on her.

Even if she stayed hidden, what if they tried something else?

Like, what if they asked the other servants, or showed her portrait around to get information?

That would be a disaster.

Should she just have Tenner take them out?

Nah, that wouldn’t work.

That would just make Grace Wan even more suspicious.

Maybe she could ask Evan Xiao to just have them arrested?

That was even worse.

If those guys got scared and spilled the truth, not only Grace Wan but even Evan Xiao would start suspecting her.

Was there any way to make them back off without making everyone suspicious?

Grace stroked her chin, thinking as she walked.

"Little Fish!" Suddenly, she ran into Justin Guo.

Grace suddenly had a flash of inspiration and ran over to him, grinning.

Justin Guo was instantly over the moon at her cheerful greeting.

Wait, was it possible? Maybe Little Fish actually liked him too?

"Commander Guo, I was just looking for you!" Grace said.

"What is it?" he asked.

"I want to ask you for a favor," Grace said. She'd worked with Justin Guo a few times already, so they were pretty familiar.

"Whatever it is, just say the word," Justin Guo replied. "If I can do it, I’ll go to any lengths for you."

Grace laughed, "I knew you’d have my back, Commander Guo! So, here’s the thing—there’s this bully in our town. He keeps trying to make me his concubine."

Justin Guo frowned, "Seriously? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?"

"I thought working at the General’s Manor would keep him away," Grace said. "But now I’ve found out he sent two servants to spy on me outside the gate!"

Justin Guo's face darkened. "Just tell me who he is. I'll go teach him a lesson right now."

Grace grinned slyly. "Not so fast! If you scare him off, he’ll just come up with something sneakier. I want him to quit on his own."

Justin Guo looked puzzled. "Then what do you want me to do?"

Grace leaned in and whispered her plan. Justin Guo listened, his eyes widening in surprise.

By the time she finished, he was grinning from ear to ear. "You’re wicked, Little Fish! Count me in."

"Deal!" Grace winked. "Let’s get started tonight."

Justin Guo nodded. "Just leave it to me."

Grace watched him leave, a sly smile still on her lips. Everything was falling into place.

Now, all she had to do was wait for the show to start.

...