Chapter 118: Lovers Like Allies

The reception room was filled with an unusual, suffocating silence. Lin Qi glanced at Blackbeard, then at Black Rose, and suddenly stood up. As Lin Qi rose, Blackbeard’s nerves nearly caused him to crush the teacup in his hands, while Black Rose Ross’s brows twitched in agitation, and she instinctively straightened herself on the sofa.

Ignoring the two guilty-looking figures, Lin Qi walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window, which offered a clear view of the ancestral estate’s grand entrance far off in the distance.

Fatbird Kirk, flanked by his guards, was climbing into a carriage, while Arthur stood attentively nearby. Too far away for Lin Qi to catch Arthur’s lip movements, he couldn’t use his lip-reading skills to discern their conversation. Yet, judging by Arthur’s humble demeanor, it was clear that Fatbird Kirk was the pillar of support Arthur had found.

“How foolish,” Lin Qi sighed softly. “If he chose this fat pig as his backing, why reveal himself so early?”

Blackbeard snorted and rubbed his large nose, saying nothing.

Black Rose Ross let out a few soft, coquettish laughs. She rose gracefully and walked behind Lin Qi, narrowing her eyes as she watched Fatbird Kirk’s entourage slowly depart beyond the main gate. She whispered, “Looks like little Arthur is scared too. What do you think, Blackbeard?”

Blackbeard chuckled darkly and stood beside her, shoulder to shoulder behind Lin Qi. His deep voice rumbled, “Yes, that brat’s afraid. He’s suffered so much at Lin Qi’s hands, and now Lin Qi shows him no mercy at all. He’s worried for his own life.”

Lin Qi nodded thoughtfully. “So, he’s desperate to bring his backer over here?”

Black Rose Ross shook her head. “He didn’t summon him; it’s just a coincidence. This morning, the three of us entered Dunkirk together. Don and I were closing a big deal outside, planning to pass through Dunkirk back to our own turf. As for the fat pig, it seems he just left the imperial capital to conduct his business. Without a noble’s support there, how could his goods move?”

Lin Qi sighed again. “Arthur really is foolish. How could he so easily rely on such a backer?”

Blackbeard clapped Lin Qi hard on the shoulder and said in a low voice, “You pressured him too much. He’s scared—terrified. He’s afraid he’ll be killed before taking over Red-haired Ghost’s territory. So he needs a backer, at least to make me hesitate, to keep me from striking him outright.”

With a charming smile, Black Rose Ross sighed softly, “Such a lovable fool. Blackbeard, even if you want to strike him, what harm could that fat pig really do?”

Blackbeard puffed out his chest, spread his legs firmly, and lit a cigar. Black Rose flicked her fingers gracefully, igniting a small black flame on the cigar’s tip. Blackbeard drew a deep breath, exhaling thick smoke through his nostrils with a cold sneer. “Forget the fat pig, that skinny stick—he’s trying to take advantage of the situation!”

Lin Qi nodded thoughtfully. Evidently, although Fatbird Kirk’s arrival was coincidental, he intentionally came to back Arthur, ensuring the boy’s safe return to his father, Red-haired Ghost’s domain. But what about Mantis Don? Why did he show up?

When Lin Qi saw Don, he sensed a scavenger drawn to opportunity—a hyena attracted by the scent of profit. If Blackbeard hadn’t revealed his connection with Black Rose Ross, and if the two black-clad stewards hadn’t joined forces, all the pressure would have fallen squarely on the Black Tiger family.

A major drug dealer was one thing, but Mantis Don was a bandit chief who dared to kidnap a grand duchess of a kingdom. His strength was formidable. Even the Black Tiger family would struggle to withstand the combined force of these two.

Yet, once Blackbeard and Black Rose’s relationship was laid bare, Mantis Don wisely chose to withdraw. After declaring support for Arthur, Fatbird Kirk also wisely left the Black Tiger family. Both sides made cautious probes — gaining some advantage, but nothing decisive. It was a delicate balance.

Perhaps the greatest beneficiary was Blackbeard himself.

With a somber expression, Lin Qi turned to Blackbeard. He glanced at his father, then at a flushed Black Rose Ross, and suddenly spoke, “Very well, Aunt Ross, you’re not going to marry my father, are you?”

Black Rose Ross cast Lin Qi a coquettish glance and smiled softly. “Being his lover suits me just fine. If we married, the others in the Night Alliance would be uneasy. He’s my lover and ally—little one, this is best for everyone, isn’t it?”

Pondering her words, Lin Qi beckoned to Blackbeard with a finger.

Blackbeard chuckled and obediently followed Lin Qi to a corner of the reception room. Lin Qi looked toward Black Rose Ross, who was fanning herself by the window, admiring the snowy scenery, and lowered his voice. “You didn’t give me a half-brother, did you?”

Blackbeard squinted and laughed softly. “Impossible. The family’s ancestral lessons are clear—I wouldn’t make that mistake. Honestly, your father’s a strong man. I need a woman, right? Ordinary women would break under his hands, but this one’s tough—the only one who can keep up with him all night. I’m satisfied, she’s satisfied—we’re allies!”

He poked Lin Qi lightly in the chest with a finger and smiled. “Close allies, son. This woman’s quite capable. By allying with her, we all benefit. We all enjoy ourselves, gain a steadfast ally, and don’t interfere in each other’s affairs. That’s a good arrangement, wouldn’t you say?”

“Arthur!” Lin Qi dismissed the matter of Black Rose. As Blackbeard said, his father was a healthy man who had his own life. Lin Qi wasn’t his mother, so he had no right to meddle in Blackbeard’s private affairs. As long as he didn’t bring home a half-brother, Blackbeard could do as he pleased.

The only real problem was Arthur.

“Well, the day after tomorrow, you take your men to the imperial capital, and he takes his men to his damned old man’s territory,” Blackbeard said gravely, looking Lin Qi in the eye. “From then on, I’m no longer responsible for his life or death. That was the decision made at the Night Alliance stewards’ meeting.”

Lin Qi smiled and bowed deeply to Black Rose Ross. “Aunt Ross, you are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. My father sure is lucky. I wish you both a delightful day. I’ll take my leave now.”

Laughing heartily, Lin Qi picked up the gold ticket Fatbird Kirk had dropped and strode out of the reception room with a light heart.