Chapter 819: Doing as One Pleases

Thinking that if he didn't separate them, the two might actually sit down and wail on the spot, Qi Xia had no choice but to step forward and pull them away.

Qin Dingdong led the two sorrowful individuals to some nearby chairs and had them sit down to calm their emotions.

"It's fine to hang you up," Qi Xia said to Di She. "I'll help you with it, and I'll make it nice and tight so you can really experience that 'near-death' feeling."

"Sure, go ahead," Di She nodded. "You're the only one who can touch me, so I'm counting on you. Just remember not to tie a dead knot, or I'd really be done for."

"Don't worry, since I'm helping you with this, I won't let you die," Qi Xia replied.

"Exactly, hanging isn't about actually dying from it."

As the two left the room with the rope, the three people inside were left stunned.

Qiao Ji Jin and Chen Jun Nan had regained their composure, but their faces now showed even more confusion.

"Um..." Qiao Ji Jin turned to glance at Chen Jun Nan, "Should we go help them or stop them...? I'm a bit lost on what they're even saying."

After hearing this, Chen Jun Nan chuckled and shook his head. "I really envy that kind of mutual pursuit in their condition."

Qin Dingdong, upon hearing that, swung another kick at Chen Jun Nan, but he dodged it neatly.

The three of them waited bored in the room for Qi Xia and Di She to return from their hanging.

Chen Jun Nan couldn't sit still for even a minute and soon got up to wander around the room.

He walked over to a corner and looked at the books piled there, finding them quite interesting.

The four corners each had different themes: the northwest corner was filled with sad classics, like *Liang Zhu*, *Huo Zhe*, and *Luo Tuo Xiang Zi*, all familiar works; the northeast corner was packed with humorous pieces, even including four-panel comics; the southeast corner had a stack of popular science books, while the southwest corner was all psychology texts.

However, all the books looked extremely worn, as if they'd been flipped through countless times.

"I'm getting curious about this old guy's game," Chen Jun Nan said. "What the heck is all this?"

Qin Dingdong followed Chen Jun Nan's gaze for a while and then added, "I think 'books' are the most precious treasure in this godforsaken place."

"How so?"

"In this dump, there are no other forms of entertainment, so 'books' are what keep people from going insane," Qin Dingdong explained. "Wei Yang told me that as long as you keep reading, that knowledge becomes part of your flesh and blood. Even if you lose your memories one day, your subconscious will still hold onto it."

Chen Jun Nan and Qiao Ji Jin exchanged glances; they'd heard Wei Yang's theory before, and it seemed Qi Xia was putting it into practice.

"But for someone like me..." Chen Jun Nan said, "Even if I read, I'm just in it for the fun. If I could read like old Qi, I'd have my master's degree by now."

"Hey," Chen Jun Nan's words hit home for Qiao Ji Jin, "When I was a kid studying, I loved looking at the pictures in the books the most!"

"Who doesn't?" Chen Jun Nan laughed. "I even drew little figures on Du Fu's face once."

"Blasphemy, blasphemy," Qiao Ji Jin joked. "Next time, draw some foreign devils."

"No next time," Chen Jun Nan said. "Who goes back to school after graduating?"

Seeing the two chatting and laughing, Qin Dingdong sighed in resignation. "If you two could put in half the effort that Qi does, you'd be set."

Chen Jun Nan shook his head. "It's because I know no matter how long I spend, I can't catch up to old Qi, so I don't even try. I just follow his lead. I'll shine in my own way instead."

Just then, the two who had gone out to hang returned. It looked like Qi Xia had tied the rope very tightly—Di She was dry-heaving as he walked back into the room.

Qi Xia kept patting Di She on the back. "Aren't snakes supposed to have tough necks? How come you can't handle this?"

"You little brat..." Di She said between heaves, "You almost strangled a 'Di Ji' just now... Are you out of your mind?! What kind of insane knot was that?"

"If you hadn't called out my name at the start, I might have finished you right there—strangling a 'Di Ji' would be quite the feat," Qi Xia said. "Since the knot I tied is impossible for you to undo with one hand, you should thank me for my mercy."

"Fine... you little brat..." Di She coughed a few more times. "After people found out about my abilities, no one's dared to touch me for years..."

Hearing Di She's way of speaking made Chen Jun Nan feel uncomfortable all over. "You don't sound that old, yet you're calling old Qi a 'little brat'? What's your problem?"

"Do I look old to you?" Di She shot back. "You're the one calling yourself 'young master,' aren't you? What's the difference?"

"Mind your own business?" Chen Jun Nan retorted. "I was born facing the sun, not like you, some dark snake."

"Then why are you minding mine?!" Di She said. "I was born into the darkness, and I like calling people 'little brat.' I do what I want— what can you do about it?"

"You..." Chen Jun Nan frowned. "Fine, call away. But wasn't hanging yourself your idea in the first place? Now you're complaining that old Qi tied it too tight."

Di She nodded calmly. "I wanted to go hang myself earlier, and now I want to complain about it. I do whatever I feel like—who are you to tell me otherwise?"

"I'd love to skin you alive, you snake."

The two instantly started arguing fiercely, while Qi Xia pulled Di She aside and sat him down.

"Anyway, you don't need to worry about me," Di She said, steadying his breathing. "My life motto is 'Not seeking perfection, just doing as I please.'"

"Hah!" Chen Jun Nan snorted. "My life motto is—"

"Who asked you?!" Qin Dingdong kicked at Chen Jun Nan again, cutting him off. "Are you two introducing yourselves or what?"

"I'm just pissed off," Chen Jun Nan said. "Old Qi! Is this guy really the one you're looking for?"

Qi Xia didn't answer; he just lowered his head to look at the still shaken Di She, then asked, "Are you the one I'm looking for?"

Di She's golden eyes darted around as he replied, "That depends on my mood... I told you, I do whatever I want... If I'm in a bad mood, I might not even remember who you are..."

"I've heard enough of that," Qi Xia said. "You don't need to think about it now—I'll do the thinking. You don't have to consider what you want; just tell me if you'll do it."

"You...?" Di She paused. "Do what?"

"Do what I asked you to do before," Qi Xia said. "I can tolerate you doing as you please all the time, but if you try that now, I'll make sure you get off this ship."