Chapter 117

Chapter 117: Two People Looked Intimate—While Someone Else Got Jealous Without Knowing

Jiang Tea Tea slowly released Sui Xuan Chu’s hand.

She stared straight into his eyes for a beat, then took one step back—making the distance unmistakable.

Only then did she turn her head and look at Chong Ming over her shoulder.

A sharp, provocative smile curved her lips. “What are we doing?” she asked lightly. “You saw it. Whatever you think you saw… that’s what we’re doing.”

Chong Ming’s brows drew together.

Low pressure rolled off him. The staff behind him, standing in a constant-temperature space, suddenly felt like the air had dropped below freezing. No one dared breathe too loudly.

Even so, more than a few of them glanced at Jiang Tea Tea with stunned admiration.

Challenging the commander-in-chief. Not flinching under his pressure.

Impressive.

Sui Xuan Chu stared at his own palm like it belonged to someone else. The vivid sensation was still there. His brain buzzed, half-shocked and half-horrified.

Jiang Tea Tea watched Chong Ming’s expression tighten and felt a flicker of satisfaction—like she’d clawed back a single point.

Under that, anxiety churned.

Would Sui Xuan Chu help her lie?

Chong Ming’s golden eyes held her gaze, steady as stone, taking her provocation without blinking.

Then he turned to the staff behind him. “Don’t follow. Focus on defenses. Continue working.”

“Yes, Commander-in-Chief,” the staff answered in unison.

Chong Ming stepped into the elevator.

He gave Jiang Tea Tea and Sui Xuan Chu one long, heavy look, said nothing, and pressed the close button.

The doors slid shut. The elevator rose.

Elsewhere, Insect Clan crown princess Asais sat in the meeting room, head tilted slightly. “Do you smell something? Something very fragrant—something that makes insects hungry.”

Her escort officers answered with mixed reactions.

“Reporting, crown princess. I didn’t smell anything fragrant, but I felt the commander-in-chief’s pressure. It’s terrifying.”

“I smelled it,” another said hesitantly. “Green. Like trees and leaves. A scent we insects like.”

“I smell it too,” a third added, voice rough with craving. “Strong green scent. Sweet. Like fruit and blossoms.”

“It’s too sweet if you inhale deeply—”

“Wait,” someone cut in. “It’s fading. It’s almost gone.”

Asais looked almost intoxicated. “That scent is wonderful,” she murmured. “Wonderful enough to make an insect want to own whoever’s emitting it—or the tree, or the flower—and chew it down.”

“Crown princess,” one escort officer said suddenly, eyes bright, “could it be the Zhen Lin Empire’s 3S-grade mutant plant-type healer?”

“Plant-type healer abilities. The higher the rank, the stronger the plant scent. Manipulating plants, making seeds sprout instantly, growing fruit and blossoms—those aren’t difficult at all for someone like that.”

Asais drew in a deep breath. For an instant, her disguised golden eyes flickered into insect compound eyes.

“If it really is that 3S-rank healer…” Her smile sharpened. “Capture her.”

“Forget my imperial elder brother. Even Chong Ming, that big earthworm, would have to cough up entire star systems as compensation.”

The escort officers exchanged glances. Some were her true confidants. One was even her consort.

If the crown princess wanted something, they would find a way to place it in her hands.

The elevator chimed and opened onto Chong Ming’s office floor.

Adjutant Ai stood waiting with Li Ao and Li Ao’s subordinates. He saluted.

“Commander-in-Chief. Director Li has a report.”