Miss Beautiful C.E.O and her system

Chapter 763: Should I be happy with your praise?

After all those discussions, Ling Qingyu's face turned grim, and she smiled helplessly as if mocking herself.

Xiao Yue raised her brow and asked, "What's wrong? Are you feeling burdened about avoiding others' attention on us?"

"Nope. We don't even need a distraction. It already exists. What I'm fighting against is my conscience."

"We already have a distraction?"

"The whole world's upper beams are crooked and cooked right now," Ling Qingyu sighed as she grabbed her tablet.

She tapped a few times on the screen and showed it to Xiao Yue, whose forehead scrunched up as she read the files. Anger, then calmness, and finally acceptance crossed her face.

The exact reaction Ling Qingyu had experienced. The final mood of acceptance came from the fact that the ludicrous slave trade had never truly been abolished.

Human trafficking, despite all measures, persisted into the modern era. The systemic battle against it merely slowed it down instead of eliminating it entirely.

Don't think demons didn't exist. They walked among us—sadists, pedophiles, and worse. Of course, Ling Qingyu already knew devils lived among humans, but it was still a shock to see how many famous and influential people were on that list. It delivered a gruesome blow.

Especially when ruling parties were involved. It wasn't something that happened solely in the West. Her motherland, as well as many others, had their own buried filth. Disgusting cults thrived. The ruling class was often the same. In fact, rulers were frequently the first to break rules, playing with ordinary people like gods to mortals. They feasted on that sense of superiority.

Psychologically, many fancied seeing others weakened and trembling before them—being worshiped and feared. Deep in their bones, most seemed to crave such feelings.

She wasn't too surprised since her girls had dealt with many sex trafficking rings before, but those were merely low- to mid-level operations.

The higher elite involvements were already under her radar, and Athena's intelligence worked closely with Gu Yi. Official battles were best left to her. Should she request kinetic or silent options, Spirit Fox was ready at any time.

"Well, perhaps I'm not from here and haven't spent too much time here, so it doesn't shock me as much," Xiao Yue said.

"Perhaps you've seen more direct horrors in your time," Ling Qingyu replied, understanding her. Xiao Yue nodded.

"I couldn't disagree. But in my time, most wouldn't have been able to accept that someone they admired and served turned out to be evil."

"We don't need to look far to see how fans collapse when their favorite idols are exposed as criminals."

"Well, I don't know about those," Xiao Yue joked about her antique generation. "What puzzles me is your wry mood when you show me this. Why the hesitant expression when you're already mentally prepared? I don't believe for a second that a cold-blooded person like you is affected by this news."

"Woah, woah, little Yue. I'm not cold-blooded," Ling Qingyu argued.

"Then why?"

"Because I'm going to exploit it as a distraction to benefit me."

"Hold up, Qingyu." Xiao Yue looked speechless. "That's it? That's the reason for your hesitation?"

Ling Qingyu nodded imperceptibly. Xiao Yue nudged her forehead with a finger, and Ling Qingyu smiled wryly. "Bring back my former ruthless sister."

"Alright, it's just my mood, but I'm not going to let it inhibit my plans. I'm not that weak."

"Good," Xiao Yue sighed in relief. "Then your concern isn't about exploiting it."

"No, it's the morals in conflict."

Xiao Yue instantly understood.

After all, Ling Qingyu's reluctance was purely psychological. Most of her crushed opponents had been dealt with cleanly by striking at their weaknesses and exploiting her advantages, regardless of right or wrong.

In business, the winner took it all, as long as her actions didn't affect or destroy families outside her interests.

Well, technically, neither she nor her past self had done so—except for a very few who lost their properties after offending her.

Here, by making use of the attention drawn to those files, Ling Qingyu intended to rapidly form her system while ensuring the flare continued burning.

"What are you fussing about? It's just riding the tide and the timing. You aren't muddying the water," Xiao Yue shrugged and glanced at her with disdain. "You might be ruthless, villainous, and pragmatic, but you aren't despicable. You're only evil to your enemies—and perhaps to the real demons."

"Wow, Mom. Aunt's praise fits your magnanimous aura." Athena's voice cut in, no longer able to bear the silence.

Ling Qingyu's lips twitched. What villainous? What evil? She refused to accept such descriptions.

And you, my daughter… she inwardly hoped Athena to hurry up with creating her body so she could manifest physically soon.

Naturally, Ling Qingyu understood Xiao Yue's meaning—she didn't involve innocents or create chaos that could have benefited her while ruining many lives. She could have. Yet she didn't.

With Athena, truth and falsehood could appear before the world at her decree. Doing nothing and simply watching everything unfold while she focused on her own matters seemed like the most appropriate choice.

Nonetheless, considering her habit of taking advantage of the timeline, she figured she could offer silent help—such as disclosing information that shouldn't remain hidden through Athena. She would merely amplify the effect.

"Alright, just for my peace of mind, I'll provide some support."

"As long as you're happy," Xiao Yue smiled. "What idea?"

She wasn't surprised by Ling Qingyu's plans.

"I mean, should the justice system fail, there's no shortage of willing righteous vigilantes," Ling Qingyu shrugged. "Athena will act like a case officer, assisting with logistics and intelligence."

"Yes, Mom. From what I've investigated, many ex-military personnel are quietly grouping together to form social organizations to help people with their expertise. Online, they claim it's about healthcare, law, and technology. However, I highly doubt they'll stop at just that."

"See that, Sister Yue? I don't even need to do anything—they'll seek their weapons themselves. Maybe after a few difficulties, we'll step in."

Hours passed. Dawn nearly arrived as the two women and Athena continued discussing and imagining future scenarios until Xiao Yue finally yawned.

"Tired?" Ling Qingyu asked, not waiting for an answer. "Come and accompany me to bed."

"No thanks. I still have a duty to fulfill." Xiao Yue bolted upright as if her earlier drowsiness had been an illusion.

"Eh, you're not going to rest?" Ling Qingyu almost laughed in speechlessness.

Please, do you have to be so afraid of me?

"In front of a kind boss, how could I neglect a task I've already spoken of?" Xiao Yue turned her back to her. "Have a sweet dream."

"You too." Ling Qingyu gave up trying and watched the door shut. Out of caution, she locked it and collapsed onto the bed.

Athena turned on a calm, soothing melody for her mother, and Ling Qingyu drifted into sleep.

The next day, Ling Qingyu left half of her guards behind as Mo Yunxi and Yin Jingfei headed to the university, while she and Xiao Yue planned to meet the city officials.

Someone had explicitly sent word through the airport director. It would be somewhat impolite not to reciprocate without a proper excuse. Not that she cared too much—but it didn't hurt to pay a visit.

When Mo Yunxi and Yin Jingfei departed for the university with bright smiles, Ling Qingyu and Xiao Yue headed to the government building after Athena made a call.

There was no delay. The mayor's secretary was already waiting at the entrance and politely invited them inside.

Of course, Ling Qingyu didn't bring all her girls—only two for the sake of image. Since she could fight while outnumbered and outgunned, and with the ridiculous security measures she possessed, her confidence had risen sharply.

The invincible perk further accentuated her aura.

The discussion was nothing more than pleasantries and the officials persuading her about investment potential. Ling Qingyu responded that she needed time to survey and consider before making a decision—an elongating, ambiguous technique of gentle refusal.

However, she added the possibility of a small donation for public health. "Small" was measured by Ling Qingyu's wealth, but the amount was still significant even for the officials.

Regardless, the officials would reap reputational merit from the public and prestige in their political careers.

She also hinted at the possibility of financially supporting their next election campaign. This brought the relationship closer.

When the officials asked whether Ling Qingyu had any needs, she exchanged a favor—requesting that her entourage be legally permitted to carry weapons within the city and possibly the state, citing the need for self-protection in a dangerous, gun-prone environment.

The officials didn't refuse such a minor favor and were happy to oblige. They never asked why Ling Qingyu sought their patronage despite her girls already possessing gun licenses.

Politicians were rarely stupid. Questions that yielded no answers only pushed others away.

Now, Ling Qingyu no longer needed to worry about human factors if her group were scrutinized by federal agents.

Furthermore, she hoped the mayor could look after Mo Yunxi and Yin Jingfei. Throughout the entire meeting, Ling Qingyu did the talking while her secretary, Xiao Yue, carried herself like the real boss.

In any case, both sides were satisfied with the initial exchange. A great morning to begin the day.

From now on, she wouldn't need to feel tense when dealing with federal agents in the future—particularly the CIA and the faction she had offended by eliminating their operatives, at least within the political spectrum.

Kinetic and covert attacks still required vigilance. Ling Qingyu welcomed them to test her guards anytime. The sense of dread brought by their legendary vaporized after experiencing once their methods.

Still, she must prepare to fend off non-conventional ways— poison the simplest technique.