After Sylvester's explanation, Jing Yuan finally understood why the clock was built so sturdily.
His face, calm just moments before, now twisted as if he had just watched someone pour bean soda into hot milk for flavoring.
Utterly revolting.
A clock that couldn't be shut off had no soul!
The true meaning of an alarm clock was to ring for a second, then be silenced by a half-conscious hand before the brain had even processed it.
But fifteen minutes of forced ringing? Such a cruel, anti-human design!
Morning was meant for peace. To be jolted awake by something like this would ruin an entire day's spirit.
To wake naturally, enjoy a good breakfast, and doze a little on the Starskiff ride to work—that was living.
If he had to use this thing, his Mara would probably manifest a hundred years early.
Jing Yuan's disgust didn't show too much, but Sylvester still caught it easily.
He knew full well: the Dozing General often dozed in the morning.
Without his cat's tongue providing half a system hour's worth of "lick alarm," he could hardly be roused at all.
Now, getting saddled with this clock—wasn't that poetic justice? Like a thief trying to flee early and running headfirst into Feixiao's spear.
Watching this sly old fox, famed for his "unexpected stratagems," tripped up by something so petty was deliciously funny.
While Sylvester was smirking inwardly, Feixiao dismissed the clock with a scoff: "This thing is utterly useless."
Jing Yuan smiled faintly and nodded at her words.
Oh? The Vanquishing General thought the same way? Perhaps he really ought to chat with her about health and lifestyle sometime.
Seeing Jing Yuan's approval, Feixiao also felt pleased.
Morning was for running with the sunrise for at least one system hour, then finishing with a hot bath.
Jing Yuan's nod must mean he was also one of those diligent types who exercised daily.
So, she said boldly: "Surely no one would set an alarm only to ignore it? What's the point then? Just to wake for a single second, pretend to wake up early, and soothe their guilty conscience?"
She wagged her finger, adding with mild pity: "If people like that exist, how pitiful! Waking early, training hard—it doesn't just strengthen the body, it sharpens the spirit. The whole day becomes filled with vitality. Don't you agree?"
She said it naturally, with no intent to mock.
Yanqing clapped his hands. "Exactly! That matches my own experience, General Feixiao. Could you show me your training regimen?"
"Of course." Feixiao agreed readily, then turned toward Jing Yuan and Sylvester. "You two as well?"
But as her words fell, the shop seemed to freeze.
Because she had struck right into their guilty hearts.
Jing Yuan stood silent, staring at her.
Her declaration left him shaken. And with Yanqing's eager agreement, he fell into deep self-doubt.
This isn't what I thought at all… Morning training? Such intense exercise? My old bones can't handle that! Is this truly the way of the younger generation? Terrifying… Has my lifestyle become obsolete?
He stayed rooted, unable to answer.
Sylvester, meanwhile, propped his chin on steepled fingers, sinking into thought.
Not good—boomerang to the face.
These days he opened his shop punctually each morning. But back in his student years? He was exactly the kind of "early riser imposter" Feixiao had described.
The sacred art of silencing an alarm in a single second came to him naturally. To him, the bell of an alarm was simply a signal to sleep deeper.
Awkward. Just moments ago, he had been mocking Jing Yuan's laziness—and now his own past was laid bare, without a word.
Fortunately, he had the habit of keeping his jabs unspoken.
He glanced at Jing Yuan, grateful for his own restraint. If he'd actually voiced those barbs earlier, he'd probably have buried himself ten feet deep in shame by now.
Wait—what's with that look?
Jing Yuan caught Sylvester's half-smile and grew even more uneasy.
Could it be that Sylvester knew about his morning habits?
How?
His thoughts leapt to Feixiao's detection device. His mind nearly exploded.
So that's it, isn't it? You can forge golden Curios, but you're also snooping on people's privacy now? Outrageous!
He fixed Sylvester with a weighty stare. "Shopkeeper Sylvester, youth must be vigorous and disciplined. Don't let small indulgences lead you astray and harm your future."
Huh? What's this now?
Sylvester froze.
Since arriving on the Xianzhou, he had never slept in until midday. So how did Jing Yuan know about his past? Was he implying that?
Impossible! He'd never sold a Curio like that.
Then realization dawned—oh, this old fox was bluffing. With so many people prone to oversleeping, he was trying to deflect attention back at him!
Well, I won't let him win that game.
"Thank you for the advice, General. But I assure you my health is quite sound. On the contrary, I'd say your household cat might need more meals to strengthen its tongue."
He lifted his head with a faintly provocative gleam.
Come now—we each hold the other's weakness. Is it more shameful that I was a lazy student, or that you, the Luofu General, get licked awake by a cat every morning?
"…"
Jing Yuan went silent, then said calmly: "Mm. There are still five cans unopened. My duties are many—let's proceed quickly."
In his eyes, Sylvester could almost see the words:
Let's both drop it. Case closed.
With his professional smile, Sylvester gestured toward the shelf. "Please, help yourself."
The meaning was clear enough.
Fine. Agreed.
"Hey, hey, hey, what are you two whispering about? Are you taking my training plan or not?"
Feixiao glared as both men turned away, intent on the cans.
Really? Leaving me hanging mid-conversation?
And those glances they'd been trading—if they were man and woman, it would look like blatant flirting.
But Feixiao was no stranger to silent dealings between officials.
Her irritation only deepened.
Why hide things from me?
She studied them both, replaying their exchange—and suddenly, she realized.
A triumphant smile spread across her face.
Could it be… these two are both lazybones?
Her grin grew slyer and slyer until she burst out laughing, wild and unrestrained, shoulders shaking.
And the harder she laughed, the darker Jing Yuan and Sylvester's faces grew.
It was over. They'd been found out.
Both turned sharply, locking eyes.
This is your fault. Running your mouth and exposing us!
Catching the exact same look in each other's eyes, they shifted again in perfect unison.
You copying my look?
…
Still copying?