Even so, Ruan He was already overjoyed.
“Go on, go on, but remember, if anything happens, you must call Grandpa. And if you encounter anything unpleasant, you must tell Grandpa too…”
Ruan He’s patient reminders were so unusual that Zhao Kuo couldn’t help but glance at his own grandfather and asked hopefully.
“Grandpa, don’t you have anything to say to me?”
Grandpa Zhao looked at him expressionlessly. “Just don’t cause trouble for me, and I’ll thank the heavens.”
Zhao Kuo: “…”
He knew it. Why is it that all grandpas are grandpas, but his is like this?
Just as they were leaving, he was called back again. Zhao Kuo turned around, full of expectation. Did Grandpa finally realize he was being too harsh?
“Take good care of Shushu. If you dare to bring her around those friends of yours and let them say anything inappropriate in front of her, just see what I’ll do to you.”
Zhao Kuo: … Is this really his grandpa? Who exactly is the real grandchild here?
After they left their grandparents’ range, Zhao Kuo asked Ruan Shu, “Sister, where do you want to go? I’ve been here several times with Grandpa; I can take you anywhere you want to go!”
Ruan Shu said, “I want to go to the ninth floor, to the presidential suite.”
The expression on Zhao Kuo’s face slowly faded, his mouth even stiffening a bit.
He wondered if he’d misheard, or if this little ancestor was messing with him.
“What did you just say?”
Ruan Shu looked at him, innocent and pure. “I want to go to the ninth floor, to the presidential suite.”
Zhao Kuo: “…”
How could she say something so bold in such a sweet voice?
Ruan Shu looked at him in confusion. “What’s wrong? Can’t we go to the ninth floor?”
Zhao Kuo swallowed. “It’s not that, little ancestor, but how did you even think of going to the ninth floor? And, of all places, the presidential suite—that’s where His Majesty stays.”
Ruan Shu blinked. “Yes…”
She was about to say a friend had invited her up, but a sudden voice interrupted her.
“Well, well, isn’t this Zhao Kuo? How come you didn’t bring those friends of yours along? Oh, I forgot, someone recently got publicly reprimanded.”
Zhao Kuo’s face darkened at the sight of the newcomer. “What are you doing here?”
The man smiled with ill intent. “To watch you make a fool of yourself, of course. Came to enjoy the show.”
Someone next to him chimed in. “Zhao Kuo, when did you stoop so low as to babysit? Hahaha, it’s hilarious…”
Zhao Kuo pulled Ruan Shu behind him. “Mind your own business. Now, if you don’t mind moving aside, we’re heading upstairs.”
“Oh? Which floor? Let’s go together.”
Annoyed by their expressions, Zhao Kuo blurted out, “The ninth floor!”
As soon as he said it, Zhao Kuo regretted it, wishing he could slap himself. Why couldn’t he keep his mouth shut? Why did he have to blurt out the ninth floor?
The ones mocking him went silent for a moment, followed by an even louder burst of laughter.
“Zhao Kuo, are you out of your mind? You think you can go to the ninth floor? Can you even get up there?”
“It hasn’t been that long since we last saw you, but you’ve really started dreaming big, huh? Haha, the ninth floor? Go on, show us!”
Young people at this age are especially impulsive, and even more so in front of their rivals.
“Fine, I’ll go!”
Ruan Shu looked at them with a strange expression. Was there a problem with the ninth floor? Why did they all look so nervous?
As Zhao Kuo led Ruan Shu into the elevator, the other boys followed, clearly intending to watch him make a fool of himself.
“What are you waiting for? Go ahead, press it!”
“What, you’re scared now? Weren’t you acting all tough just a moment ago? Regretting it already?”
Zhao Kuo’s face flushed with anger, but his hand hovered over the button, unable to press it.
Seeing him struggle, the usually quiet Ruan Shu took matters into her own hands. She stood on tiptoe and pressed the button for the ninth floor.
For a moment, the entire elevator went dead silent, and everyone stared at Ruan Shu in shock.
Including Zhao Kuo, who looked at her in a mix of horror and disbelief. Ahhh! Little ancestor, what did you just do?
Ruan Shu shrank back beside him, avoiding the others’ gazes, her eyes innocent as she asked softly, “Is there a problem with the ninth floor?”
Zhao Kuo looked like he was about to have a meltdown. “You pressed it without knowing? The Emperor is on the ninth floor!”
The boys who had been mocking Zhao Kuo began to panic.
“Quick, can we cancel it?”
“No, it’s locked in!”
“Press another floor!”
“This is a dedicated elevator—it goes straight to the ninth floor!”
“Aaaah, what do we do? We’re done for!”
They had only dared to follow Zhao Kuo into the elevator because they were sure he wouldn’t actually press the button. But who could’ve imagined that the quiet little girl standing beside him would have the nerve to press it?
Seriously, the cuter someone looks, the bolder they are.
That was the Emperor up there! Though they secretly dreamed of joining the Knight Legion someday, it was just wishful thinking. Forget the Knight Legion—just holding their own in the military would be an accomplishment.
The Emperor was almost like a god to them; they could talk about him with reverence, but who would dare stand before him?
And with today being the Beast God Festival, everyone knew that the presidential suite on the ninth floor wouldn’t just have the Emperor; there would also be other distinguished guests from different star systems, at least of duke rank or higher!
But no matter how much they panicked, the ninth floor arrived.
When the elevator doors opened, they were met with a formidable sight. From the door to the hallway, two rows of tall, imposing knights in military uniforms turned their gazes on them, each holding a weapon with precise and intimidating posture.
In an instant, cold sweat trickled down the faces of the boys in the elevator. Zhao Kuo and his rival, terrified, even clung to each other.
All the boys shrank into the corners, making Ruan Shu, who was standing at the front, stand out even more.
Silence…
After a few seconds, the knights lowered their weapons.
“Miss Ruan.”
One of the knights stepped forward and, to the astonishment of the boys—who looked like they could fit eggs in their gaping mouths—placed his right fist over his heart in a respectful salute.
“His Majesty has been expecting you.”
Under the intense gaze of so many people, Ruan Shu tried her best to maintain a calm exterior, though in reality, her fingers were nervously clutching the fabric of her dress.
Then she slowly walked out of the elevator. She paused in front of the knight and suddenly remembered something, turning back.
“What about… them?”
The knight followed her gaze and asked gently, “Are they your friends?”
Under the hopeful, wide-eyed stares of the boys, Ruan Shu gave a small nod. Technically, the only one she knew was Zhao Kuo.
“His Majesty has instructed that anyone accompanying you is welcome to join, though we must first perform a security check on everyone’s identities.”
The boys, who just moments ago had been loud and arrogant, now nodded like obedient little chicks, all traces of their earlier bravado completely gone.