Elder brother's garrison

Page 1969

"No, no, no, Admiral Fang Jie, I already said that's inaccurate." Admiral Ke Yuan put a finger to his lips and said with a smile, "Strictly speaking, what really exposed you wasn't me, but the disloyalty of your two friends. I just took the opportunity to test the loyalty of your friends. See, it was a simple test, wasn't it? Admiral Fang Jie, think about it carefully, is there any need to keep disloyal friends around? I just identified them for you before they made a bigger mistake."

"...This..." Admiral Fang Jie was stunned again.

“If your friends truly resist my temptation and are determined to die rather than comply, then I will naturally respect their wishes and will not wrong them in any way,” Admiral Ke Yuan said with a smile. “The people I admire most are those who are loyal and righteous, but unfortunately, they are not.”

"What you're saying might not be true!"

“You can ask your friends yourself. Actually, I’ve spoken to all of the dozen or so friends in your chat group, and I told them all the same thing, but only those two betrayed you,” Admiral Ke Yuan said. “Don’t you have your chat group? Go ask the others, and you’ll find the answer you’re looking for.”

"..." Admiral Fang Jie stared blankly at Ke Yuan.

Admiral Ke Yuan looked down at Admiral Fang Jie's phone.

Admiral Fang Jie quickly lowered his head and opened his phone's social media app, typing away rapidly for a while.

Ten minutes passed in a flash.

Admiral Fang Jie put down his phone, his gaze blank.

"So that's really how it is..." Admiral Fang Jie murmured.

"I never lie," Admiral Ke Yuan replied. "So, do you want to teach your two friends who betrayed you a lesson?"

"...So you mean you can punish them on my behalf?" Admiral Fang Jie frowned.

“Just say the word, and I can do it for you,” Admiral Ke Yuan nodded.

"...Heh, so you're also after the answers to the research questions, right?" Admiral Fang Jie sneered.

“I don’t deny it,” Admiral Ke Yuan smiled, “but that’s not a hard and fast rule. Admiral Fang Jie, I can help you punish them, but you have to give me a reason to do it.”

"What reason?"

"I... will only stand up for my friends." Admiral Ke Yuan smiled. "Admiral Fang Jie, as long as you are willing to form a friendship with me, then I can, as your current friend, reasonably help you teach your two friends a lesson. As for the answers to your research exam... hehe, although I really want them, a gentleman does not take what others cherish. If you don't want to give them to me, I won't force you. On the contrary, I am the thirteenth admiral in the world. Once you form a friendship with me, then you will be my friend. And I happen to enjoy making friends. Since you are my friend, you are naturally their friend as well. In the future, there won't be many people in this chapter of the sea who want to make things difficult for you."

Admiral Ke Yuan's words were incredibly sincere and full of allure.

"Why...why?" Admiral Fang Jie's anger dissipated completely, and he asked in a daze, "I'm just a lowly admiral, why are you with someone like me..."

"What else could it be? I've long heard of your application of mathematical knowledge, Admiral Fang Jie. I should have befriended you much earlier," Admiral Ke Yuan said with a smile. "I've just been busy lately and haven't had time to visit you... As for the reason for befriending you, it's simply because I admire your character, nothing more."

"quality……?"

"A person who possesses the answers to the research exam questions is essentially equivalent to possessing a special ship girl, so... naturally, they also possess the power to rank among the world's top ten naval bases." Admiral Ke Yuan reached out to Admiral Fang Jie, "Admiral Fang Jie, if you were me, ask yourself honestly, if an admiral who would one day reach the top ten naval bases were in distress before you, and you happened to have the power to save him, would you refuse this opportunity to befriend a future top ten naval base?"

"..." Admiral Fang Jie frowned, his expression complicated. "But I have no idea how to answer the research questions..."

"Haha, it's alright." Admiral Ke Yuan nodded with a smile. "Admiral Fang Jie, making friends is not an investment, and you will never lose money making friends. Even if you are not among the top ten naval bases in the future, you will still be the one with the most mathematical knowledge among my friends. I am very happy to have you as a friend."

"..." Admiral Fang Jie looked at Admiral Ke Yuan blankly.

"So, what are your thoughts, Admiral Fang Jie?" Admiral Ke Yuan asked with a smile.

"I...I..." Admiral Fang Jie lowered his head, looking at his hands.

It was clear that, although it was only a few words, Admiral Fang Jie was truly persuaded by Admiral Ke Yuan.

Admiral Ke Yuan seemed to be right. It wasn't him who betrayed him, but his friend. He hadn't made things difficult for his friend. Compared to those two heartless people, Admiral Ke Yuan was hundreds of times better than them. Moreover, as the thirteenth admiral in the world, he had also spoken out, saying he could help him resolve his current predicament...

Admiral Fang Jie's hands began to tremble, and his heart began to waver.

Perhaps... becoming friends with Admiral Ke Yuan would be a wise move...

Seeing Admiral Fang Jie's reaction, Admiral Ke Yuan, who was not far away, revealed a faint smile.

That smile was calm, polite, and sincere.

But deep within that smile was a hint of mockery, like a hunter toying with a rabbit caught in a trap.

The prey... has taken the bait.

"I..." Admiral Fang Jie thought for a long time, tentatively lowered his hand, and looked at Ke Yuan with a tentative yet longing gaze, "I think..."

Admiral Ke Yuan's lips curled up slightly.

"No! Think it over, Brother Fang Jie!"

However, at that moment, another loud shout rang out from beside Admiral Fang Jie.

Admiral Fang Jie and Admiral Ke Yuan were both stunned and looked at the source of the sound.

Upon seeing the figure at the source of the sound, Admiral Ke Yuan's gaze turned cold for a moment, and he subtly clicked his tongue.

The one who uttered that loud shout was the world's seventeenth admiral, Jin Shiqi.

"Admiral Fang, don't believe this man's lies!" Jin Shiqi shouted, blocking Admiral Fang Jie's path and glaring indignantly at Admiral Ke Yuan. "I know this man! He's a master manipulator, a master of lies! Making friends? It's all a lie, a complete fabrication! He doesn't consider anyone a friend! If you agree to his lies, he'll find a way to make you hand over the answers to the research questions sooner or later! Once you do, he'll cut you off completely! He'll abandon you and leave you to fend for yourself! Don't fall for it, Brother Fang!"

Chapter 2757 But I refuse!

Jin Shiqi's shout made Admiral Ke Yuan frown slightly, but he quickly relaxed his brow.

Admiral Ke Yuan did not pay attention to Jin Shiqi immediately, but looked at Admiral Fang Jie.

Upon seeing the bewildered and confused look on Admiral Fang Jie's face, Admiral Ke Yuan's expression returned to calm, and a smile once again appeared on his lips.

"Upon closer inspection, isn't this Admiral Jin Shiqi?" Admiral Ke Yuan smiled as he looked at Jin Shiqi. "Really... If you hadn't shouted so loudly just now, I would have thought you weren't here."

"Of course, of course I'm here! I am the embodiment of justice! I'll be wherever I'm needed!" Jin Shiqi pulled Admiral Fang Jie behind him like a mother hen, then glared indignantly at Admiral Ke Yuan, "If I weren't here today! Wouldn't there be another admiral who has fallen victim to your evil deeds!"

"Admiral Jin, people of our status usually have to take responsibility for their words." Admiral Ke Yuan clapped his hands lightly, his eyes fixed on Jin Shiqi. "I can swear on my future that I, Ke Yuan, have never committed any murder or robbery in my life. As for the accusation of being murdered, where did you get that idea from, Admiral Jin?"

"Do you think I don't know your ways? Although you never directly use poison, your specialty is deception and fraud. You first befriend people, then use words, tricks, and even traps to deceive them, making them willingly let you extract their value. Once you've completely squeezed them dry, you turn your back on them!" Jin Shiqi angrily pointed at Ke Yuan.

"Hehe, Admiral Jin, it seems you harbor resentment towards me." Admiral Ke Yuan listened to Jin Shiqi's angry rebuke, but his face still held a calm and composed smile. "I have never thought about maintaining good friendships with everyone. This world is so big, and I have seen quite a few people like Admiral Jin who have some prejudice against me. But I still hope that Admiral Jin will keep his thoughts to himself and not let them affect others... You see."

Finally, Admiral Ke Yuan raised his finger and pointed behind Jin Shiqi.

“Admiral Jin, why don’t you take a look at Admiral Fang Jie, whom you’ve pulled behind you? He seems to be in a difficult position.”

"What?" Jin Shiqi was stunned and quickly turned to look at Fang Jie.

Fang Jie was pulled behind Jin Shiqi, but his expression showed some hesitation.

“Brother Jin, I think we should consider Admiral Ke Yuan’s suggestion…” Admiral Fang Jie tentatively said to Jin Shiqi, “Since he won’t force us and is willing to befriend us, this matter seems to be entirely beneficial to us…”

"No way!" Upon hearing Admiral Fang Jie's words, Jin Shiqi's eyes widened immediately, and he shook his head hastily. "Brother Fang, no way! You can't trust this person! You mustn't be fooled!"

“Admiral Fang Jie, I’m not forcing you like Jin Shiqi did. I respect my friend’s opinion.” In the distance, Admiral Ke Yuan began to fan the flames. “This Admiral Jin has had some past grievances with me. It’s not incomprehensible that he would now speculate about my behavior with extreme malice. But I still hope that you, Admiral Fang Jie, will not resent his tough attitude.”

"Shut up!" Jin Shiqi stomped his foot and shouted at Admiral Ke Yuan.

"Hahaha." Admiral Ke Yuan laughed heartily, but didn't say anything more.

Even without speaking, Admiral Ke Yuan's gaze as he looked at the impulsive Jin Shiqi and the wavering, confused Fang Jie was filled with a calm confidence.

He's encountered this situation many times.

Admiral Ke Yuan was very confident. He believed that if Admiral Fang Jie and Jin Shiqi talked for another three minutes, Admiral Fang Jie would still choose to befriend him, while Jin Shiqi could only watch helplessly as Admiral Fang Jie gradually fell into his trap... just like he had seen others before.

Jin Shiqi, oh Jin Shiqi... you're still too green.

People only believe what they want to believe. The more you try to obstruct him and go against his wishes, the more you'll only increase his annoyance and antagonism. Even if you were once as close as brothers, faced with the benefits and protection offered by this thirteenth-ranked admiral in the world, you two will ultimately drift further and further apart...

Thinking of this, Admiral Ke Yuan couldn't help but curl his lips upwards again.

“Brother Fang, believe me, this man is no good! There are dozens, if not more, of high-ranking admirals who have fallen into his hands! Every single one of them was deceived by his words, then used by him, and finally abandoned by him!” Jin Shiqi said anxiously to Admiral Fang Jie.

“But Brother Jin, since he won’t force me, why don’t we listen to him first and form an alliance with him?” Admiral Fang Jie listened silently with his head down, then said to Jin Shiqi, “I don’t have anything he can squeeze out of me anyway, and what he’s offering us now is all benefits. Even if we’re only looking at it from a profit perspective, it seems I should…”

"Don't think about that! If you do, you'll fall into their trap!" Jin Shiqi stamped his foot and desperately told Admiral Fang Jie, "That's just the kind of person he is! He'll offer you all sorts of things that seem very beneficial to you, but in reality, he'll set all sorts of traps for you when you're not paying attention—"

"But, Brother Jin, you've been taking me in all this time, and I've caused you a lot of trouble..."

"We're friends, do we really need to say that?"

“But starting today, I can’t stay with you anymore. My relationship with you has been exposed. If I continue to stay with you, even if you are the seventeenth admiral in the world, it will take much more effort for you to protect me… You have been kind to me, and I don’t want to become a burden to you.”

"Hey! You..."

Jin Shiqi watched as Admiral Fang Jie got stuck on a point, and for a moment he was as anxious as if he were watching a sheep run into a pack of wolves.

"No! You absolutely cannot go with him today!!" Jin Shiqi's eyes reddened as he grabbed Admiral Fang Jie's arm tightly. "Even if I have to force you, you're not allowed to go to Ke Yuan's place!"

“Admiral Jin, you just insulted me. I didn’t pursue it because we are both admirals ranked in the top teens in the world, but that doesn’t mean I can tolerate your behavior indefinitely.” Just then, Ke Yuan’s voice drifted over again. Admiral Ke Yuan looked at Jin Shiqi and Fang Jie with an expression that seemed to say, “Admiral Jin, I don’t care what you think of me, and I won’t even mind if you try to dissuade others. But if you use force to coerce my friend, I cannot turn a blind eye.”

"Your friend?!" Jin Shiqi turned around and shouted at Ke Yuan, "Who's your friend! Don't talk nonsense!"

"Hehe, my relationship with Admiral Fang Jie is not something an outsider like you can decide, is it?" Admiral Ke Yuan smiled as he looked at Admiral Fang Jie. "Admiral Fang, what do you say?"

"I..." Admiral Fang Jie looked conflicted.

“Jin Shiqi and I are both among the top ten admirals in the world. I believe he also has some desire for special ship girls.” Admiral Ke Yuan looked at Admiral Fang Jie’s expression and added, “Admiral Fang, let me put this out there. Compared to me, where do you get the idea that Admiral Jin Shiqi’s reason for not letting you come with me is to protect you, or that he also has designs on your research results?”

"One (two) another san Erqi Si Ba, no, impossible, he..."

"Admiral Fang, you don't need to answer me yet. Think it over carefully," Admiral Ke Yuan said with a smile. "Stay calm and think carefully—you think that even friends who have known you for so long would betray you for personal gain, so why can't Jin Shiqi, who has only known you for a few days and was willing to take you in based on just a few words, do the same thing?"

Admiral Fang Jie stared blankly at Jin Shiqi.

Jin Shiqi, holding onto Admiral Fang Jie's arm, silently raised his head and met his gaze.

Admiral Fang Jie's gaze began to waver, but finally calmed down. He stared at Jin Shiqi, his eyes turning icy cold.

Seeing Fang Jie's expression, Jin Shiqi seemed to understand something and released Fang Jie's arm.

"It seems Admiral Fang already has his own ideas." Admiral Ke Yuan, standing in the distance, revealed a satisfied smile. He slightly raised his chin, watching Jin Shiqi's dejected figure with a mocking expression. "It seems Admiral Fang has realized who is more worthy of your staying, compared to my honest and kind nature."

“…Hmm.” Admiral Fang Jie nodded, then looked up at Ke Yuan. “I didn’t know what to do, but just now, I suddenly figured it out.”

"Good! Well thought out!" Admiral Ke Yuan applauded. "You've made a wise decision, my friend."

In the center of the quiet crowd, only the applause of Admiral Ke Yuan echoed.

Amidst the applause of Admiral Ke Yuan, Jin Shiqi's figure appeared even more humble.

Just then, Admiral Fang Jie spoke.

“Friend… ah…” Admiral Fang Jie murmured Admiral Ke Yuan’s words. He raised his head and suddenly looked at Admiral Ke Yuan with a cold gaze. “Admiral Ke Yuan, I think you’d better not address me so intimately. I suddenly feel like we’re not that close!”

"...Huh?" Admiral Ke Yuan's applause faltered, and he stood there stunned. "What?"

"Haven't I made myself clear?" Admiral Fang Jie frowned and said sternly to Admiral Ke Yuan, "What I mean is, I reject your proposal!"

I reject your offer!

The sudden change in tone and force made Admiral Ke Yuan's mouth drop slightly.

“Admiral Fang Jie… why… do you not trust me?” Admiral Ke Yuan retorted.

"No, actually, Admiral Ke Yuan, your proposal is very attractive. If it weren't for Jin Shiqi's persuasion, I estimate I would have agreed to your proposal long ago." Fang Jie shook his head.

"Then why did you..."

“Admiral Ke Yuan, I don’t know what happened between you and Jin Shiqi, nor do I know who is trustworthy between you and Jin Shiqi.” Fang Jie looked directly at Admiral Ke Yuan. “But Admiral Ke Yuan, I’m certain of one thing: you don’t understand Jin Shiqi at all!”

"……this?"

"I admit, during the initial period of contact with Jin Shiqi, I did suspect many times whether he wanted the answers to the research questions I had," Admiral Fang Jie said seriously. "But in reality, based on my observations over this time, Jin Shiqi's brain capacity is not at the level to support these cunning schemes! He's just a goofball who wants to be a champion of justice! To be honest, he's just a goofball with relatively high strength!"

"I never imagined that Admiral Fang Jie would be such an impulsive person." Admiral Ke Yuan's brows trembled.

"No, actually I've thought about it seriously. What if Jin Shiqi is really a very cunning person who's willing to play the fool to get the research results I have?" Admiral Fang Jie said earnestly. "If that's the case, then I'll accept it. He's been kind to me, so he's my friend, today, tomorrow, and the day after. As long as he acknowledges me, I'll be his friend! Even if he lies to me later, I won't feel like I've lost out by falling into the hands of someone with such a deep mind!"

"So that's your reason for rejecting me?"

"No, that's not a reason for me to reject you."

"Then what is your reason for rejecting me?"

"My reason for refusing you is, of course—" Admiral Fang Jie raised a finger, pointing at Admiral Ke Yuan, his eyes flashing with righteous light, "You just insulted my brother!!!"

Chapter 2758 Exposed!

You just insulted my brother!

You insulted my brother!

My brother!

……

Admiral Fang Jie's voice surprisingly created a small echo on the beach, which then dissipated with the sound of the waves.

Admiral Ke Yuan looked at Admiral Fang Jie, his expression turning icy cold in an instant.

“Admiral Fang, I once thought you might be an admiral who could think calmly and assess the situation,” Admiral Ke Yuan said. “But judging from the current situation, you seem more like a hothead who has given up thinking and acts on impulse than a mathematician who has made contact with the world.”

"Yes, it feels good to give up thinking. I only recently realized that myself," Admiral Fang Jie said earnestly.