Wielding the Thunders Across Two Worlds

Jiang Shishi was so exasperated she started to laugh.

Unlike Xiao Ya, who came from a family of scholars—with a calligrapher grandfather, a writer for a father, and a musician for a mother—Jiang Shishi was born into an ordinary, moderately wealthy merchant family.

As for her musical talent? That was a gift from her mother—a music academy student with limited abilities but a desire to cash in on them, whom her well-off father had married.

However, Father Jiang was never satisfied. When Jiang Shishi was in her teens, he brought home a younger brother for her.

So, why was Jiang Shishi able to accept sharing a man with Xiao Ya?

Because she had grown up in a similar family!

Besides, the message from Father Jiang just now fit perfectly with her long-held perception of him.

Putting her phone down, Jiang Shishi ignored her old man and went back to watching the gala with Xiao Ya and Gu Zhao.

During the break after the first performance, a host read well-wishes from people across the country.

"The crew of the Antarctic Research Vessel sends their greetings, wishing everyone across the nation a happy Lunar New Year!"

"The industrial workers at the Northwest Solar Power Base send their greetings, wishing our motherland prosperity and strength!"

"All the officers and soldiers of the Djibouti Escort Fleet send their greetings, wishing everyone in the country the best of luck in all their endeavors!"

"The crew of the Celestial Palace, far out in space, sends their greetings, wishing everyone happiness and fulfillment!"

During the next break, the host celebrated new scientific and technological achievements from various sectors.

"From Jiangnan Shipyard: Our Type 004 has launched and will be commissioned in the new year!"

"We have successfully synthesized starch and sugar, and our biotechnology is advancing steadily!"

"A breakthrough in next-generation battery technology means the range of electric vehicles will soon surpass the three-thousand-kilometer mark!"

"New discoveries from our Moon Soil research! The existence of water on the Moon has been confirmed, further solidifying the foundation for our Guanghan Palace project!"

Hearing this last announcement, Gu Zhao raised an eyebrow. He remembered that the last time he'd delivered the gold, he'd considered taking a trip to the Moon to bring back some Moon Soil for the authorities to study.

He just hadn't gotten around to it before Yun Fei'ang showed up to get himself killed. Afterward, the whole thing slipped his mind. After all, as the Lord of Daluo Palace, he was quite busy, what with supporting the Otherworld and recruiting people on Blue Star.

But now that he remembered, Gu Zhao decided he would make the trip.

He'd made a "Mountain of Gold and Sea of Silver" landscape last time, so what was a landscape of moon rocks and soil in comparison?

'Just imagine it: a group of tourists are admiring the display when a few researchers walk in, chip off a piece, and walk away with it. The tourists would livestream the whole thing, and foreign scientists, who can't get their hands on even a single gram of Moon Soil, would be left drooling. How awesome would that be?'

'It's decided. I'll go right after the New Year!'

As he thought this, the gala moved on to a segment featuring a massive dance party with robots and robot dogs.

The music was catchy and the atmosphere was festive. The robots' and robot dogs' movements were smooth but hilarious, making the live audience and everyone watching at home roar with laughter.

...

「The next day」

Gu Zhao and the two women had lunch at home. In the afternoon, they took a walk around the neighborhood, reminiscing about their good old days, when they ran into Zhang Hang, who was also out for a stroll with his girlfriend.

"Hmm?" Gu Zhao was taken aback.

Zhang Hang wasn't one of the wildest playboys, but he was never short of female companions. He'd just never brought one home before.

'Is he finally settling down?'

As expected of a childhood friend, Zhang Hang knew exactly what Gu Zhao was thinking just from a single look.

Zhang Hang couldn't help but roll his eyes at Gu Zhao, feeling indignant.

'No matter how much of a player I am, I'm nothing compared to you and your two girlfriends!'

Of course, neither of them would call the other out in public. Zhang Hang stepped forward and introduced his girlfriend to Gu Zhao and the others. Her name was Song Qiuqiu. She was also from Yangcheng, from an ordinary family, but was well-educated and polite.

Gu Zhao looked the woman up and down. With a probe of his Divine Sense, he understood her background and character, then gave her a Golden Gang Bracelet.

"Holy shit!" Zhang Hang swore. "I was going to wait until I got married to ask you for something! I can't believe you're so on the ball!"

Gu Zhao laughed. "I was worried you'd end up having a shotgun wedding, so this bracelet is really for my future nephew."

Zhang Hang's eyes lit up. "Can my son learn Cultivation from you in the future?"

Gu Zhao nodded nonchalantly. "Of course. But whether or not he succeeds will depend on his talent."

Zhang Hang declared proudly, "My son has the potential of a Great Emperor!"

He then took the bracelet and put it on his girlfriend's wrist himself.

Song Qiuqiu was still a bit bewildered. She was stunned that Gu Zhao had two incredibly beautiful girlfriends and assumed he must be one of those super-rich playboys from Zhang Hang's circle that he sometimes mentioned.

She was so intimidated she barely dared to look at them, afraid her expression might betray her disapproval.

Now, having received the bracelet from Gu Zhao, she could only manage to force a smile and thank him. "Thank you!"

"You're welcome." Gu Zhao smiled and waved a hand, unconcerned by Song Qiuqiu's attitude. He could tell she was a good girl; Zhang Hang hadn't even gotten to first base with her.

"Are you heading back to the city today?" Zhang Hang asked. "If so, let's go together. I could use a ride."

"Got plans?"

"We have a flight tonight."

"Going on a trip?"

"A little vacation in Pattaya."

"Sure," Gu Zhao agreed. He and the two women had no plans, so it didn't matter if they left today or tomorrow.

...

「That afternoon」

Gu Zhao drove Zhang Hang and Song Qiuqiu straight to the airport before taking the two women home.

Gu Zhao didn't stay in Yangcheng for the next few days either.

He noticed a glimmer of envy in both women's eyes when they heard that Zhang Hang and Song Qiuqiu were going on a trip. Realizing it had been a while since he'd traveled with them, he decided to take them on a spontaneous vacation.

None of the three were interested in going abroad. Xiao Ya and Jiang Shishi were from the north, and while Yangcheng was near the sea, it didn't have any real beaches.

They quickly agreed on a destination: Cliff City in Qiong Province.

The place was expensive, notorious for ripping off tourists, and had a bad reputation, but it was undeniably the best-equipped subtropical coastal city in the country, with the best amenities.

As long as you ignored the prices, you could have a very comfortable stay.

Luckily, Gu Zhao didn't care about prices. Plus, they could save a fortune on travel expenses.

Gu Zhao: (๑❛ᴗ❛๑)

He flew with the two women to Cliff City, where they visited Tianya Haijiao, the Guanyin of the South Sea, and Wuzhizhou Island.

The rest of their time was spent eating seafood, walking on the beach, and swimming in the ocean.

Oh, right, they also saved on diving fees. It was the first time Xiao Ya and Jiang Shishi learned that, in addition to flying, Gu Zhao could also dive underwater.

Jiang Shishi was thrilled, giddily asking Gu Zhao to take her deep-sea diving. Before long, they were surrounded by pitch-black darkness, which scared her so much she shrieked and burrowed into Gu Zhao's arms.

Gu Zhao rather savored the thrill of the dark environment.

After taking Jiang Shishi back to shore, he took Xiao Ya for a dive as well.

An hour later, a completely sated Gu Zhao sat with the two women on the hotel's beach loungers, enjoying the sunset.

Then his phone rang. It was Zhang Hang. "Gu Zhao, help me!"