Puppet Notes (Wearing Book) - 186

 

| PN | Election | 186

After setting up the meeting with Elliton, Qi Chao tossed his communicator aside and spent a leisurely afternoon cuddling Shen Yuxi for a nap.

When Shen Yuxi woke up and learned that Elliton was coming over, he tilted his head slightly. “So, you’ve already discussed it with him?”

“Yeah.”

Qi Chao hugged his partner from behind, gently nuzzling his forehead against Shen Yuxi’s shoulder. “It’s all arranged. He’ll come over for dinner tonight, and we can discuss how to proceed to the next step then.”

Shen Yuxi leaned his head back slightly and kissed Qi Chao’s temple. “You handle it. If needed, I’ll call Qiao Sheng over, and we can plan things together while we’re at it.”

Qi Chao thought it over and found the suggestion reasonable. Since they were going to cooperate, it made sense to introduce their respective partners.

Seeing this, Shen Yuxi chuckled softly.

“In that case, I’ll let Qiao Sheng know.”

Inviting Qiao Sheng over wasn’t just for formality’s sake. Since Qiao Sheng had voluntarily proposed cooperation, backing out now would be difficult. 

If they didn’t extract every bit of his potential value, Shen Yuxi felt it would be a waste of his years of experience.

Qiao Sheng had just finished repairing the tail of his eldest daughter when he received a message from Shen Yuxi.

Beside him, Lu Chen noticed Qiao Sheng lowering his head, lost in thought, and asked curiously, “What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” Qiao Sheng replied as he turned off his communicator. If Lu Chen knew about his cooperation with Shen Yuxi, he would undoubtedly try to dissuade him. It was better to negotiate directly with Shen Yuxi himself.

Lu Chen could tell Qiao Sheng was hiding something. His gaze lingered on the sleeping Xing Chen, lips pressed tightly together. 

But he didn’t press for answers.

No matter what Qiao Sheng did, it was always for the sake of his puppet. After a moment of hesitation, Lu Chen ultimately decided to stay silent. 

If something truly went wrong, he could step in to help later.

Lu Chen didn’t linger long at Qiao Sheng’s villa. Half an hour later, the military urged him to return to the palace to handle matters related to the Emperor’s funeral preparations.

Not long after Lu Chen left, Qiao Sheng departed alone for the location Shen Yuxi had sent him.

Qiao Sheng knew Shen Yuxi well enough to understand his habits and behaviors.

The saying “Know yourself and your enemy, and you will never be defeated” held true. Qiao Sheng was thoroughly familiar with Shen Yuxi’s residence in the Linjing District. 

However, the villa in front of him was entirely unfamiliar. It was likely purchased during the time he had lost his memory—unsurprising given his junior brother's financial means.

With that thought, Qiao Sheng stepped off the aircraft.

After taking just a few steps, he encountered the master-level puppet master Elliton. The two exchanged polite nods in greeting. It wasn’t until they both stood in front of the same villa door that they realized their destinations were identical.

“You’re right on time. Come on in.”

Qi Chao opened the door, flashing them a smile. Though his demeanor was friendly towards both of them, a closer look revealed subtle differences—his attitude towards Elliton was noticeably warmer than towards Qiao Sheng.

Qiao Sheng didn’t mind.

He adjusted his glasses. Despite losing most of his memories, he still remembered Qi Chao. 

From what he recalled, his junior brother seemed to care deeply about this person.

Elliton cast a glance at Qiao Sheng, his expression unreadable.

It was clear to Qiao Sheng that this person, too, might have some form of collaboration with Qi Chao and his group.

This was the first time Qiao Sheng and Elliton had visited Qi Chao and Shen Yuxi’s home. As soon as they stepped inside, they were greeted by the sight of a lively living room filled with puppets. 

Some were chasing each other playfully, others were bickering, and a few were wearing aprons, carrying trays of food from the kitchen.

In just a few seconds, the diverse personalities and temperaments of these puppets were vividly on display. 

Both Qiao Sheng and Elliton could immediately tell how much love and attention these puppets received.

Qi Chao, who had just opened the door to this animated scene, felt a bit embarrassed. He smiled apologetically at the two guests before turning towards the lively children. 

His tone turned stern as he addressed them, “We have guests. Stop making a fuss and quiet down. You can play later.”

“Okay!”

Qiu Qiu, Lan Luo, and Li Bai, who had been chasing each other, obediently raised their hands and responded with sweet compliance.

Even Agu and Xing Yu, who had been arguing, quieted down.

The living room quickly became much calmer. At that moment, Shen Yuxi stepped out of the kitchen.

He was wearing a white cartoon-printed apron, and his braided blond hair draped over his shoulder added a touch of elegance. A loose strand of hair fell across his cheek, giving him a warm and gentle air, as if he embodied a picture of a virtuous wife.

When Shen Yuxi saw Qi Chao standing in the living room with two guests, his peach-blossom-shaped eyes curved into a polite smile. “You’re here?”

But in Qiao Sheng’s mind, one question loomed: What kind of strange creature is this?

The moment he laid eyes on Shen Yuxi’s face, a shiver ran down his spine, and his hairs stood on end. Instinctively, his hand twitched toward where his blade would have been.

This is supposed to be my junior brother?

Qiao Sheng distinctly remembered his junior as someone who, on the surface, seemed all smiles and friendliness but was secretly as venomous as a snake, capable of scheming anyone into ruin without batting an eye.

But now, after a period of amnesia, this same person seemed to have transformed into the perfect picture of a gentle and dutiful wife?

Perhaps Qiao Sheng’s penetrating gaze was too obvious, because Shen Yuxi cast him a faint sidelong glance. Though it appeared casual, there was an unmistakable hint of warning behind it.

Only then did Qiao Sheng relax.

Now, this feels more normal.

Unlike the tension between Qiao Sheng and Shen Yuxi, the atmosphere between Qi Chao and Elliton was notably more harmonious.

The sight of so many lifelike puppets had nearly stopped Elliton in his tracks. He stood in the living room, his gaze transfixed as Qi Chao interacted with his puppets. 

His eyes brimmed with a mix of admiration and nostalgia, as if recalling something deeply cherished.

Qi Yang, Qi Chao’s younger brother, sat on the sofa, completely indifferent to the situation. To him, the two new guests had relatively low combat prowess and weren’t worth any additional attention.

In contrast, the household’s puppets showed great interest in Elliton. They seemed aware that this guest was one of their Dad’s new collaborators, so their attitudes were exceedingly friendly.

Lan Luo even gave up his seat, ensuring that Elliton could sit closer to Qi Chao, making it easier for them to discuss matters.

The conversation soon turned to the key topic: how to help Elliton ascend to the throne.

Initially, Qiao Sheng slouched despondently in his chair, but as he listened to the discussion, he quickly pieced together their intentions.

“I can help you claim the throne,” Qiao Sheng interjected, his tone calm but firm. “But first, tell me—if you become emperor, how will you handle the association?”

Elliton froze for a moment. Memories of what the association did to his five children surfaced in his mind, casting a shadow over his expression. 

If Qi Chao hadn't asked Superman for help, he might still be immersed in the past, unable to move forward.

“If I become emperor,” Elliton replied, his voice cold and resolute, “I will disband the association.”

Elliton paused, then said, “An organization that monopolizes all puppet master records and exists solely to serve the upper class has no reason to continue existing.”

Disband the association?

Qiao Sheng found it hard to believe Elliton’s words. Just as he was about to make a sarcastic remark, Qi Chao, noticing the shift in his demeanor, tapped his fingers lightly on the table in front of Qiao Sheng.

“Before you speak, think it through,” Qi Chao said with a polite smile. “Since you’ve come to us for collaboration, you’d best adjust your attitude accordingly.”

Though Qi Chao maintained a courteous expression, there was a sharp edge to his words. He hadn’t forgotten how this man used to mock Shen Yuxi. 

Were it not for the current circumstances, Qi Chao wouldn’t have let him step through the door.

Qiao Sheng choked on his words, momentarily silenced.

When he turned his head, he caught sight of Shen Yuxi smiling warmly at Qi Chao—a clear display of affection. His demeanor screamed someone hopelessly in love.

“Fine,” Qiao Sheng relented with a shrug. “Then tell me this: the royal family has plenty of bloodline contenders. How exactly do you plan to get Elliton on the throne? He has no prior political experience—he’s just a puppet master.”

This process involves a lot of steps. Qi Chao then shared the preliminary plan he had in mind.

“The imperial election is indeed closely tied to the aristocracy. Back then, ‘Superman’ did manage to connect with many influential figures through his shop. But can you guarantee that Superman will support Elliton?” Qiao Sheng questioned skeptically, clearly doubting the feasibility of Qi Chao’s plan.

He was well aware of the uproar Superman had caused online. The association had reportedly tried to track him down but failed to locate his whereabouts.

“I can,” Qi Chao replied with a confident nod. After a brief pause, he continued, “But what about you? You mentioned that you could secure Admiral Lu’s support for Elliton. How reliable is that claim?”

“Seventy percent,” Qiao Sheng answered cautiously. Lu Chen hadn’t involved himself in the royal election yet, but with subtle guidance, there was a strong chance he could be persuaded to support Elliton.

Qiao Sheng’s gaze swept over Qi Chao, Shen Yuxi, and Elliton in turn, sharp and probing, as though trying to uncover their hidden thoughts.

“Let me make this clear in advance,” Qiao Sheng warned, his voice steady but firm. “Everything I’m doing now is aimed at dismantling the association. If, after the goal is achieved, you fail to keep your promises…”

“Rest assured.”

This time, Qi Chao didn’t need to step in. Elliton spoke firmly on his own, his tone resolute. “The association will no longer exist by then.”

Even if it was only to live up to Qi Chao’s trust in him, Elliton was determined to dissolve the association after ascending to the throne.

Seeing the conviction in Elliton’s eyes, Qiao Sheng said no more.

The sudden passing of the Emperor left the empire in a state of uncertainty, necessitating the selection of the next ruler through an election. Three days after the emperor’s death, the process of selecting a successor officially began.

Online discussions were ablaze. Speculation and gossip abounded, with even betting pools springing up to predict which member of the royal bloodline would take the throne.

Among the contenders, Allenqi, a royal who is engaged in business, was the overwhelming favorite. His extraordinary beauty and exceptional business acumen had won him widespread admiration. 

In just a few decades, he had amassed a staggering fortune, solidifying his position as the frontrunner.

By contrast, Elliton was the least prominent candidate.

Orphaned at a young age, his chosen profession as a puppet master—while earning him respect as a master in his field—was far removed from being in power.

Even if fans and ordinary citizens supported him, the aristocracy would never tolerate a puppet master ascending to the throne.

[So excited, so excited!]

[Oh my gosh! Who’s participating in the vote this time? The Qi family, the wealthiest family in the empire; five collateral princes; representatives of the twelve noble houses; members of the council; and representatives from various sectors? Is there anyone else?]

[+1, so excited! Finally witnessing history!]

[Praying for Allenqi to take the throne. He’s so capable!]

[I really want Elliton to become emperor. Imagine a puppet master ascending to the throne—how amazing would that be?]

[??? Are you serious? Letting a puppet master become emperor? Aren’t you worried about embarrassing the empire?]

[Embarrassing? You’re the one who’s embarrassing!  I was just saying.]

Even before the election officially began, heated debates raged across the internet, with some escalating into outright arguments. 

When the live broadcast of the election finally commenced, the fervent discussions gradually quieted as viewers tuned in.

But the moment the camera panned to one face, chaos erupted in Qi Chao’s fan base.

[!!! Is Master Qi representing the Qi family in the election?!]

[Who’s he voting for?! I need to know who Qi Chao is supporting!]

[Isn’t it obvious? The Qi family is the wealthiest—they’ll surely back Allenqi, the business genius!]

[+1, or is he going to vote for the puppet master Elliton? Even if Qi Chao is a puppet master, it's still impossible. Anyone with clear eyes knows there’s no chance of winning.]

The election venue was huge, even larger than a football field, with people spaced far apart, and no one knew who the others were supporting as the heir.

However, despite this, the online community had already made up their own list of potential candidates to be eliminated.

Elliton, the distant royal figure, was one of those on the list.

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TL: I know Lu Chen and Qiao Sheng were the original protagonists, but were they supposed to be in a relationship...? It sure doesn't seem like it.