Asianovel

Chapter 87: Station 23: Unmarried

Ming Yiyang felt a sense of bewildered emptiness.

This was actually the outcome he had anticipated, and he should have accepted it calmly without any surprise. However, he had clearly overestimated his ability to endure.

Upon hearing the affirmative answer, a fiery irritation spread from his stomach to his throat like burning alcohol, constricting his vocal cords as if they were stuffed with cotton, leaving him with an unfamiliar sensation of not knowing how to react.

Yan Qiling seemed indifferent to his emotions. Not only did he not promptly change the subject, but he gently recounted past details:

"At first, it was merely a childhood whim between two young ones. But as our families' friendship deepened, my in-laws intended to hold the wedding before I left for abroad."

"My mother thought I was too young, and teenagers inevitably have their blind spots in judgment. A hasty marriage would be irresponsible towards both children, so she advised me to establish myself first before settling down."

"My father has always deferred to my mother's opinions, so he had no objections and politely declined the arranged marriage on my behalf, allowing me to go abroad first."

Ming Yiyang felt a bit more at ease but was still puzzled.

"You rejected the arranged marriage, yet you still call that young lady your fiancée... Isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

"Relax."

Yan Qiling smiled as if he found it amusing, his heterochromatic eyes shimmering with curiosity.

"The marriage contract between our two families wasn't settled before I left. So the girl who originally negotiated the marriage with me got married early on. By the time I returned to the country, she already had two children."

Ming Yiyang's expression changed abruptly as he imagined a grim scenario.

"Tell me she didn't marry someone else, and you still have feelings for her... Planning to marry a widow?"

Yan Qiling couldn't help but laugh and sigh at the same time.

"How could that be? Her husband runs a medicinal business locally, and their family is prosperous with many descendants. Even if she lost her husband, her clan would take care of her and her children. How could they allow her to remarry someone else? Perhaps such restrictions no longer exist now, but back then, once she was married, there was no possibility of any connection between us."

Upon learning that it wasn't some melodramatic storyline of undying love, Ming Yiyang secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Gently smoothing his unruly silver hair, he pretended nonchalance and said,

"Not a problem then. Carry on."

Yan Qiling gave him a fleeting glance, twirling the creased cigarette between his fingers with casual indifference,

"At first, I thought this matter was settled, and my family started looking at other potential brides... But I didn't expect that my in-laws were indeed persistent."

"He insisted on marrying his youngest daughter to me as a fiancée, wanting to rekindle our past relationship... My family was quite content with this match, so I now have a new fiancée."

Ming Yiyang was deeply astonished; this twist was unforeseen.

"So, your in-laws married off the original fiancée to someone else... and after you returned home, they found their youngest daughter for you?! Wait, with your personality, you actually agreed to it?! I thought you would decline outright."

A rare expression of surprise flickered across Yan Qiling's face, probably because Ming Yiyang's reaction was more intense than he had anticipated.

Then, he smiled warmly,

"Yes, I was different back then. Although I had returned from studying abroad, my family's opinions held significant weight to me."

"Bound by the will of our parents and the words of matchmakers, one can hardly defy such arrangements. The most rebellious act I could muster back then was to persuade my father to let me secretly meet the maiden a few times. If she were unwilling, this marriage could not proceed, no matter what."

Ming Yiyang glanced sideways at the man's face and scoffed lightly, "With a face like that, who would dare to say no?"

"That's not something you can take for granted," Yan Qiling replied, spinning his pinky ring. His gaze was profound as he continued, "Perhaps someone might remain unmoved, or perhaps she simply doesn't fancy my type. It's all still uncertain."

Ming Yiyang wasn't keen on engaging further, so he pretended not to care and said, "Since she's become your fiancée, it seems she's quite pleased with you."

Yan Qiling answered candidly, his tone as if discussing someone else's story, "I had no objections to the maiden in the first place. Later, when I learned that she also had no issues with me, I went back to report to my father. After further discussion with her family, the matter was settled."

Ming Yiyang tried to hold back but couldn't resist, leaning in to ask,

"Is your fiancée beautiful?"

Yan Qiling pretended to recall the memory seriously.

To be honest, the matter of his fiancée was indeed too distant and long ago for him.

So much so that when he tried to remember her appearance now, it was like being lost in a fog, indistinct and vague.

He could only vaguely recall her outline, with faint hints of a gentle and refined lady's elegance still lingering.

Following the fragmented memories, he pieced them together carefully, saying,

"She... is delicate and charming, with a face as round as a silver platter. Although she has a few freckles, they only add to her liveliness and cuteness, making her extremely animated. She doesn't usually wear makeup, but would occasionally apply some when she saw me. On rainy days, she would go without, presenting her natural self, which was also lovely."

Ming Yiyang listened with great displeasure, but since he had initiated the topic, he had to endure it even if he disliked it.

Seeing Yan Qiling describe his fiancée in such a lovely and captivating way, he forced a grin through gritted teeth:

"Not tall, big face, with spots – doesn't sound appealing at all."

If Chi Zihe were here, he'd probably be overwhelmed by this person's sudden surge of jealousy.

But right now, only Yan Qiling was present.

As one of the main characters, he didn't seem to detect any hint of jealousy. Instead, he found the young man's reaction amusing and couldn't help but chuckle:

"If you had met her, you wouldn't think that way."

"She's a reasonable woman. Although she's been sheltered by her father-in-law for years, her vision isn't limited to cosmetics and jewelry. She secretly collects some nice Western dresses and wears them privately. I've even had a few sent to her from Guang City, which she adores. She looks adorable in those dresses."

Ming Yiyang began to regret his decision to speak up.

If he had known he would hear more praise about his fiancée, he would have preferred being silenced by poison just a second ago – silence would have been better.

Now, he was irritated to the point of craving a cigarette.

Snatching back the cigarette that the man had been holding, Ming Yiyang refrained from lighting it immediately and asked:

"So then, why is she just your fiancée and not your wife?"

Upon asking this, he felt a sudden relief in his heart, and his tone softened, carrying an unconscious hint of amusement:

"You keep referring to her as your fiancée... You two haven't gotten married, right?"

Yan Qiling didn't answer immediately but instead gazed at the moon above.

The cold moon cast a thin, dark shadow beneath his long eyelashes.

Amidst the solitude of his raised gaze, Yan Qiling broke the brief silence with a deep, soothing voice:

"According to custom, we should have been married."

"However, my mother passed away shortly after my engagement... Back then, I was bound by tradition to observe three years of mourning for her. And then..."

His expression was detached, as if he were recounting a story unrelated to himself:

"I am no longer alive, thus this marriage no longer concerns me."

This was not an answer Ming Yiyang had anticipated.

He stood frozen, taken aback by the response.

In a somewhat sluggish manner, he realized, yes, the Master of Wujian was someone who had died before. Only the deceased could sink into the realm of Yin and Yang, where there was no escape.

Yet, he couldn't fathom how Yan Qiling could have met his end.

Judging from Yan Qiling's physical form, there were no apparent signs of bodily harm... except for that artificial blue eye.

He gazed quietly at the man's exquisite face, which usually betrayed no emotions.

When Yan Qiling didn't smile, he seemed like a lifeless doll.

The light of humanity, which had been swirling within his dual pupils, rapidly dimmed away.

Instead, they were replaced by a pair of dull eyes, resembling glass beads, lacking any spark or life.

He wished to inquire about the cause of the other's death, but asking in such a setting wouldn't convey concern; it would instead seem like an innocent yet intrusive curiosity, solely to satisfy his own inquisitiveness.

By now, he fully understood why Yan Qiling kept his true nature hidden from others.

For someone carrying so many secrets, revelation was not a relief but a burden, a bloody dissection.

Each explanation might be like a surgeon's knife piercing through the abdomen, reopening old wounds for others to inspect.

It brought nothing but pain to oneself and gossip for others.

Ming Yiyang suddenly yearned to embrace the person in front of him tightly, even though he knew it wasn't needed and might discomfort the other party. Yet, he still desired to do so.

His fingers, holding the cigarette, tightened and then gradually relaxed. Ming Yiyang tried to control his muscles, not wanting to reveal too much abnormality, lest Yan Qiling feel pitied or sympathized with.

Such emotions could be an intrusion to Yan Qiling at this moment.

As Ming Yiyang was mentally arranging his words, Yan Qiling casually took the cigarette that had been in his hand, dismissing its significance.

The cigarette had been crushed and twisted beyond recognition, its wrinkled appearance suggesting it had been smoked countless times.

Yan Qiling twirled the cigarette between his fingers, then suddenly smiled.

With his usual, standard grin, he turned his head to look at the young man beside him, unexpectedly initiating a new topic:

"Speaking of which, do you know how my mother passed away?"

Ming Yiyang sensed that the story that followed might not be a pleasant one.

Yet, he felt Yan Qiling's rare urge to share, so after a moment of hesitation, he gazed at the cigarette, forming a vague conjecture in his mind:

"...Lung cancer?"

"Not quite that dignified," Yan Qiling chuckled, smoothing back his disheveled hair before speaking softly, "She died from opium addiction."

Bathed in the azure moonlight, a solitary figure twirled a tobacco-scented cigarette with an utterly indifferent air.

Yan Qiling gently placed the unlit cigarette on the roof tile, letting it rest there like an ordinary ornament.

Ming Yiyang's fingers twitched but did not make contact.

He heard the man say with a wry smile,

"A perfectly good person ends up as a ghost in the end."

There was not a hint of sorrow in his tone.

Not the slightest trace of reluctance.

Yan Qiling leaned against the rooftop with a relaxation that surpassed any other time.

Chapter 124: Deceit

This feeling was eerily familiar. As Lan Jiaying saw the demon on the other side with a look of terror, he felt his heart plunge abruptly, accompanied by a sense of foreboding that he knew all too well.

His neck creaked like a rusted machine as he turned to face them, and there, as expected, stood Wen Ying, not alone but accompanied by an extravagant line of demons behind the sofa he was sitting on.

Wen Ying, Muershi, Beros, Essence, Wei Er, Phileas.

"Good evening~"

"Hello there."

"Your Highness."

"Why did you stop?"

"…Damn it." Even someone as composed as Lan Jiaying couldn't help but swear, his expression darkening instantly.

"How did you all end up here?"

Boros, having learned from Wen Ying's previous prank, eagerly suggested, "Come play, Muershi said the wine in this place is excellent."

Coming to such a place just for wine? Lan Jiaying found it utterly implausible. However, as he was about to speak, Wen Ying's innocent voice interrupted, "We've been observing you for quite some time. It seems you've been paying close attention to what that demon was saying."

The words Lan Jiaying had intended to say were stuck in his throat as he quickly changed his statement, only to be interrupted once more.

Muershi exclaimed with surprise, as if he had discovered something magical, "You're not here to learn how to charm someone, are you?"

Lan Jiaying blurted out, "How could I!"

"Tsuk, tsuk," Essence's enchanting pink eyes gleamed with playful mockery.

Phelous also revealed an intriguing expression.

Lan Jiaying felt both embarrassed and annoyed. He stood up, "Are you all here for the same reason too?"

"Impossible," Muershi widened his eyes, "Lilith invited us to taste the new wines they've acquired."

Wen Ying leaned against Muershi, standing crookedly with his bright eyes shining under the dim light, "You confessed yourself. You're indeed here to learn how to charm someone. Seems like our esteemed prince isn't as confident as we thought."

Muershi continued, "I can hardly believe that you're humbling yourself to study for the final exams."

Muershi's exaggerated sigh and Wen Ying's genuine laughter echoed in Lan Jiaying's mind like a persistent buzz, making his temples throb with irritation.

Where was the proud and arrogant First Prince of the Demon Realm, who acted like a noble? All that remained was a terrifying Lan Jiaying, whose face contorted with rage.

When demons got angry, their differences from humans became starkly apparent. Humans remained human in appearance when they were upset, but when demons flew into a rage, demonic traits emerged, their features and bodies taking on a more bestial quality.

At this moment, Lan Jiaying's face was covered in dragon scales, and his eyes transformed from normal human pupils into cold, vertical slits.

A barrage of raging demonic energy swept towards them, and Wen Ying blinked, softly warning, "There's a demon taking pictures."

The tension dissipated instantly. Lan Jiaying swiftly donned his mask of refined elegance, as if the monster he had just been about to attack had never existed.

"Damn…" Wen Ying murmured in disbelief. Was it really that effective? How much did Lan Jiaying value his image? Even the crown princes of ancient feudal kingdoms in the Human Realm weren't as meticulous as him.

Lan Jiaying's gaze shifted behind him, where the handsome male demon he had designated as a 'learning subject' trembled as he knelt on the ground. Lan Jiaying spoke calmly and elegantly, "Keep your mouth shut."

The demon nodded frantically.

Lan Jiaying glared at Wen Ying and Muershi. Instinctively, he believed that these two devils were the masterminds behind tonight's mischief. Tomorrow was the final exam; otherwise, he would have dragged them outside the capital for a scolding.

Muershi had precisely this plan in mind. Tomorrow was the final exam, so any devil who came to "study" must be striving for a good ranking. Wanting a good rank, they would definitely hold their anger and not act tonight.

After all, if they fought, their condition wouldn't be optimal, affecting their trip to the Human Realm tomorrow.

Muershi hummed a cheerful tune, exuding an aura of delight. He glanced at his phone and chuckled, "Come on, let's move on to the next spot."

Wen Ying seemed to understand now. So that was Muershi's plan – to weaken their opponents without any direct confrontation.

In the following hours, they disrupted many of their classmates, leaving the enraged devils fuming as they departed.

Chapter 86: A Blind Date

Shen Xingyu was eight years older than Lu Ran.

The year Lu Ran was born, Shen Xingyu was taken away by Elder Shen.

At that time, Elder Shen was already quite old but was profoundly dissatisfied with his only son, Shen Hongyuan.

Many people speculated that Elder Shen was personally grooming the next generation of heir.

Shen Xingyu didn't understand these matters back then.

All he knew was that his grandfather was strict and rarely smiled at him.

He had to learn so many things, and life seemed to become bitter all at once.

It wasn't until he was ten years old that Shen Xingyu experienced his first failed investment.

Feeling defeated, he cried to Madam Shen, longing to return home.

Mr. Shen made no comment and allowed Shen Xingyu to return home.

However, he took away the two-year-old Lu Ran and the four-year-old Shen Xingzhuo.

Shen Xingyu was only required to visit for lessons every weekend.

It was during those times that Shen Xingyu first felt the weight of his identity and family responsibilities.

He was irritated and found everything displeasing to the eye, especially children.

In Shen Xingyu's eyes, the troublemaking Shen Xingzhuo, who was only in his teens, was nothing but a fool.

Lu Ran wasn't much better off.

What was even more annoying was that the child, for some reason, had an affinity for sticking close to him.

Whenever Shen Xingyu went to the old mansion for his lessons or when Lu Ran returned to the Shen residence, the child would follow him around like a little tail, inexplicably tagging along wherever he went.

Shen Xingyu was taking his lessons in the study.

He would occasionally rush in, pull out a candy from his pocket, and offer it to him, saying, "Big Brother, have some candy!"

In no time, he would come padding over with a cup, exclaiming, "Big Brother, drink some water!"

At times, he would gaze at Shen Xingyu with his sparkling eyes and say, "Big Bro, I... I learned a children's song today."

But Shen Xingyu had no mood for such things.

When he was relatively calm, he would tell the child, "I'm studying now."

The boy would respond with an "oh" and quietly withdraw.

Yet, he didn't leave. Instead, he would secretly peek into the study through the window.

Even Shen Xingzhuo's invitation to play ball couldn't pry him away.

Sometimes, when Shen Xingyu lifted his head from his heavy workload, he would catch sight of a fluffy little head poking out of the window.

Actually, when Shen Xingyu first caught sight of the figure outside the window, he couldn't quite pinpoint his emotions at that moment.

An adolescent of eleven or twelve wasn't capable of distinguishing every subtle feeling.

Shen Xingyu vaguely recalled that, somehow... it wasn't all that bad.

But soon enough, his mood would plummet.

He thought to himself, if he were to flash a smile at this child now, perhaps the child would only become more persistent in bothering him.

So Shen Xingyu put on a cold facade and looked out the window, saying, "What are you doing here? Scram."

This was the better scenario.

There were far worse times.

On another occasion, Shen Xingyu was scolded again.

Upon seeing the child who had approached his legs, he suddenly lost his temper.

Just as Shen Hongyuan scolded him, he bellowed at the bewildered child,

"I told you not to cling to me, can't you just go away!"

His voice boomed.

The child couldn't help but be startled.

He trembled on the spot from the yelling.

But he didn't cry, nor did he call for Grandpa or Mommy to come over.

He merely gave Shen Hongyuan a glance before turning around and running off, his footsteps echoing.

When he had run out of Shen Xingyu's study and reached the corridor,

Shen Xingyu turned to look.

He saw the child gently patting his chest, behaving like a tiny grown-up, softly soothing himself with a muffled voice:

"No worries, no worries..."

"Big Brother Pot is just in a bad mood, just like how Dad is sometimes in a bad mood too..."

In that instant, Shen Xingyu was taken aback.

For some reason, his anger vanished completely.

He felt amused, suddenly finding it a little funny.

The next day, the child he had yelled at acted as if nothing had happened.

They still sent him candy during class as usual.

They would still secretly lean against the window, revealing only their eyes and a fluffy crown of hair.

But one incident led to another.

Once again, Shen Xingyu couldn't hold back.

He pushed open the window and bellowed at the child,

"I've told you not to come near my study, leave me alone. Can't you understand simple instructions?"

This time, the child was genuinely frightened.

Shen Xingyu could clearly see the child's entire fluffy head tremble uncontrollably.

Then, with those obedient black eyes gazing up at him, the child turned and ran away.

From that day on, Shen Xingyu no longer had his little shadow.

The child no longer followed him.

No longer did he rush over to offer candy when Shen Xingyu was frowning during class.

And he no longer trailed behind Shen Xingyu, eagerly recounting the children's songs he had learned that day.

When Shen Xingyu finished his studies and looked up, habitually glancing out the window, he never saw that fluffy little head again.

He approached and pushed the window open, glancing down below.

The lawn was deserted, devoid of any presence.

There were no children stealthily crouching there, looking up at him with a grin on their faces.

Occasionally, when Shen Xingyu returned from school, he would cast a fleeting glance into the yard from afar.

There, the child would be seen playing in the sand with Shen Xingzhuo.

Upon noticing Shen Xingyu's gaze, Shen Xingzhuo would contemptuously make a face at him.

Yet, the child would quietly continue scooping sand into a small bucket with his little shovel.

Sometimes, Shen Xingzhuo would run off to play wildly.

Then, the child would stay by the sandbox, entertaining himself.

Later on, Shen Xingyu realized that the child seemed to have developed a slight fear of him.

Occasionally, when he caught himself gazing at the boy, he couldn't help but hide behind the sofa.

Or take refuge behind an adult.

It seemed to be what Shen Xingyu intended.

But at times, when he saw the child playing hide-and-seek with Shen Xingzhuo in the yard, he would inexplicably feel irritated.

He thought that playing with that fool Shen Xingzhuo all the time would eventually make him just as foolish.

Then, another incident occurred.

Shen Hongyuan took him to meet an important client.

This client had a strong preference for spicy food, so Shen Hongyuan deliberately arranged their meeting at a Sichuan cuisine restaurant.

And he brought Shen Xingyu along.

At first, the atmosphere was jovial and harmonious.

Shen Xingyu enjoyed his hotpot, his experiences surpassing those of his peers in many ways. Occasionally, he would engage in conversation with the client, earning their praise with his remarks.

Shen Hongyuan was also quite pleased.

However, he couldn't resist throwing in a few teasing remarks, saying that his son wasn't sophisticated enough for such occasions.

It wasn't until the server brought out another dish that things took an interesting turn.

It was a plate of spicy rabbit heads. Vegetables were arranged at the bottom as decoration, while four rabbit heads were neatly lined up on top.

Initially, Shen Xingyu didn't recognize what kind of animal it was.

After trying one, his curiosity piqued, and he asked what exactly it was.

The customer across from him informed him that it was rabbit's head.

But Shen Xingyu adored rabbits.

He kept two lop-eared bunnies, and this spring, they had given birth to two little ones.

He tended to this quartet with great care, sometimes even bringing them to school.

He nurtured them meticulously, usually not allowing his younger siblings to touch them.

At that age, Shen Xingyu couldn't comprehend or accept the idea of his beloved creatures becoming food to be consumed.

It repulsed him deeply.

Unable to hold back, he slammed down his chopsticks and exclaimed, "How can anyone eat such a thing!"

As he spoke, he slumped over the table, retching.

By now, Shen Xingyu had forgotten the reaction of the two people sitting at the table back then.

All he could recall was that client casting him a glance and remarking, "A boy being so timid won't do."

Shen Xingyu had no idea how the business deal went.

He only knew that Shen Hongyuan flew into a rage upon returning home.

He made Shen Xingyu kneel as punishment.

Scolded him for being an incompetent good-for-nothing.

And he even had the servants bring out the rabbits Shen Xingyu had been raising.

That scene was etched vividly in Shen Xingyu's memory.

With both hands, Shen Hongyuan lifted the rabbit cage high up before crashing it down onto the lawn in the backyard.

The grass was left in disarray.

The cage was broken, and the four droopy-eared rabbits scattered in all directions across the lawn.

Shen Hongyuan seized the two larger ones and, right before his eyes, mercilessly broke their necks.

Despite his frantic search, he couldn't locate the two smaller bunnies, causing Shen Hongyuan to scream in frustration, virtually turning the entire backyard upside down.

After Shen Hongyuan's explosive rage subsided, tranquility gradually returned to the Shen household.

Shen Xingyu still had to attend his upcoming finance class.

He sat in his small study, awaiting his tutor's arrival.

The waiting was torturous.

Silently, he waited, his mind haunted by the image of the two lop-eared rabbits meeting their demise.

In an unintended glance upward, he noticed a tiny figure standing at the entrance of his study.

At this moment, Shen Xingyu was in a terrible mood.

Regardless of who approached him, he would assume they were there to mock his misery.

Yet there seemed to be an underlying yearning within him, a silent hope that someone might approach, even if just for a moment.

Looking at the child outside the door, Shen Xingyu asked, "What are you here for? Scram!"

The child was still very afraid of him and, upon hearing his roar, instinctively took two steps back.

But after a pause, he returned.

He paused before Shen Xingyu's study door, being very cautious not to step over the threshold into the room.

The child was dressed in light blue plaid overalls.

He stood by the study door, clumsily pulling down the straps of his overalls.

Shen Xingyu was taken aback, unsure of what the child was doing.

Next, the child removed the straps and rolled up the white sweater underneath a few times.

From his belly, he then pulled out two fluffy little bunnies.

He carefully bent down, supporting the two bundles on the ground with his hands.

Then, he stood up and pointed at them on the floor, addressing Shen Xingyu in the room, "Bunny!"

After saying that, he turned around and ran away.

The straps of his overalls were still loose, dangling loosely from his arms.

From then on, the child's relationship with Shen Xingyu didn't improve.

He still hid from him every time they met.

Shen Xingyu vaguely recalled that later, the child came to find him again.

But he was troubled by something and, as usual, chased the child away harshly.

It was during that incident that when he regained his composure, someone told him that the child had gone missing.

...

Over the following decade, amidst his busy schedule of studying and work, Shen Xingyu would occasionally reflect on this.

That child must have been terrified of him.

He must have had no other choice but to approach him that day.

If only he hadn't yelled at him...

Later still, the youth who could be brought to his knees by a plate of spicy rabbit heads, and who would all too readily unleash his temper in shouts at others, had vanished.

Shen Xingyu once believed that he might become someone similar to his father.

Yet, over those long dozen years, he had become what he is now.

Calm and composed, unaffected by emotions, never given to fits of temper.

My mind is consumed with weighing the pros and cons.

Shen Xingyu's gaze gradually focused on the fragments of the rabbit balloon in his hand.

The balloon featured a cartoon rabbit.

The rabbit had long ears and round eyes.

It didn't resemble the four lop-eared rabbits he used to keep at all.

After studying it for a while, Shen Xingyu suddenly became uncertain.

He couldn't clearly recall what those former lop-eared rabbits looked like anymore.

So... it must be just a coincidence.

He himself couldn't even remember.

How could that four-year-old child still recall such details?

It was impossible that... he had forgotten everything else but still vaguely remembered these random things.

For some reason, Shen Xingyu didn't contact Ji Min regarding Lu Ran anymore.

A few days later, it was Shen Hongyuan who initiated the communication.

Probably having learned from Shen Xingyu that Ji Min had no immediate plans to send Lu Ran back to the Shen family, Shen Hongyuan didn't bring up the matter.

His tone was courteous and appropriate as he mentioned that there were certain business events where a Shen family member should be present, and he hoped Lu Ran could attend.

He even specified the location and arranged for a clear schedule of when Lu Ran would return.

Upon receiving this news, Ji Min was somewhat taken aback.

However, he had never intended to completely restrict Lu Ran's contact with the Shen family.

Attending formal events as a member of the Shen family would be beneficial for Lu Ran. Of course, everything would ultimately depend on Lu Ran's decision.

Upon learning this, Lu Ran agreed without hesitation. He had previously stayed at the Shen residence to keep an eye on the Shens and see what they were up to. Of course, he would go now. Shen Hongyuan was also surprised that Ji Min had let him go so easily. Until he saw Lu Ran outside the predetermined restaurant. There was a bodyguard standing on either side of Lu Ran, both towering and imposing figures. Behind Lu Ran, they resembled small mountains. Shen Hongyuan: "…" Lu Ran was also slightly speechless. He turned his head to look behind him and asked, "Brother, are you all going to follow me like this from now on?"

The two bodyguards had long been instructed by Ji Min.

Now, with great experience, they came up with an explanation, "The boss said this is the treatment his ex-boyfriend deserves."

Lu Ran suddenly understood.

He thought to himself, So this is what a tycoon's aura looks like.

Today, Shen Hongyuan didn't seem to have any intention of causing trouble.

He chose to meet outside and even brought along Shen Xingran.

Lu Ran examined him carefully and noticed that Shen Xingran seemed to have even gotten a special hairstyle.

His attire was also meticulously chosen.

Lu Ran wondered who they were meeting this time.

Upon entering the private room reserved by Shen Hongyuan, three familiar figures caught their sight.

One of them even raised his glass towards Lu Ran, the corners of his lips lifting into a seductive smile as he said, "Honey, long time no see."

Lu Ran: "..."

It was the Lino family.

Currently, the Linos were competitors with the Shens, and if one traced their history back another generation, they were sworn enemies.

Now, Shen Hongyuan had actually arranged to meet with the Lino family.

Upon seeing Jin Chao, the eldest son of the Lino family, greet Lu Ran, Shen Hongyuan appeared nonchalant.

On the other hand, Shen Xingran shot Lu Ran a slightly surprised glance, a hint of rivalry flickering in his eyes.

However, he behaved obediently and didn't say much.

As the dinner began, the Lino family on the opposite side was also very courteous.

Shen Hongyuan took the initiative to introduce his two sons.

He chuckled and said, "My youngest son, I believe you've all met him before, so I won't elaborate."

Then, he pointed at Shen Xingran and continued, "This is my adopted son, also studying at Y University..."

Lu Ran shot a glance at Shen Hongyuan, feeling that the situation was somewhat odd.

Soon, Old Lino on the other side began his introductions as well.

"These two are my rascals. The older one seems unreliable, but he's actually very devoted when it comes to someone he has feelings for. The younger one is honest and caring..."

Lu Ran found the situation even stranger.

He excused himself to go to the restroom and called Ji Min.

Before receiving Lu Ran's call, Ji Min had been reviewing a document on his computer.

It was a dossier compiled by his assistant on the young generation from prominent families.

Ji Min clicked to a page featuring the Gu family.

Foremost among the images was Gu Ningqi's arrogant face.

Ji Min frowned and clicked the mouse to turn the page.

Below that was Gu Zhi.

Though he was a generation higher than Gu Ningqi, he was just as foolish.

Butler Chen stood behind Ji Min.

Observing the man's grim expression and his highly critical gaze as he swiftly scanned through the documents, he eventually reached a conclusion: none of them were worthy.

Afterward, Ji Min tossed aside the mouse and gazed out the window, lost in thought.

It wasn't until Lu Ran's call came in that his attention was pulled back.

The young man's voice still carried a vibrant energy.

Connected promptly, he quickly exclaimed, "Oh no, Boss, I have a feeling Shen Hongyuan invited me here for a blind date."

Ji Min: "?"

Ji Min: "!"

In no time, he grasped the situation, his brows knotting tightly as his usual calm tone escalated.

"A blind date? How old are you? Why would you go on a blind date?" the man asked.

Yet, Lu Ran was concerned about another matter, "What if this gets out and affects my job? People might say, 'Ji Min's ex-boyfriend pretends to be chasing after him while secretly going on blind dates behind his back. Clearly, there must be something wrong with Ji Min.'"

The teenager mimicked the gossipy tone perfectly.

However, Ji Min didn't dwell on that, insisting, "Hold on, that's not important right now."

Chapter 170: The Different Households

In the valley, the Chen, Zhou, Shi, and Lu families were engaged in similar activities.

Old Lady Lu was measuring grain with Feng Liu-nyang into two small cloth bags. Turning to her husband, she asked, "Three measures of rice and one bushel of beans?"

Old Man Lu nodded. "Alright."

Lu Da-lang stood by, watching until Lu Shuzhu prodded him from behind, bringing him back to reality. He then asked, "Father, if you're giving them, do I need to give them some too?"

The moment she heard that their family would also be providing food, Wang Chun-nyang, lying in the small cave, couldn't stay still; it was as if she was pricked by needles. However, with the two elders present, she dared only roll over to look outside, not daring to say another word.

Old Man Lu was just about to nod when Old Lady Lu intervened. "Your family has many children, and you lack hunting skills. You should keep the food for yourselves."

Lu Da-lang responded with two "mm-hmms" upon hearing this.

Wang Chun-nyang in the cave genuinely let out a huge sigh of relief.

Lu Er-lang and Lu San-lang exchanged a glance with their elder brother. Both brothers looked away after a brief glance, remaining silent.

Old Man Lu gave his wife a surprised glance but didn't ask anything. When he went out to deliver the grain to the Shen family, he softly asked after walking a distance, "Why did you stop Eldest Brother?"

Wife Lu shot him a glance. "Don't you know in your heart?"

"If it's from the bottom of your heart, there's no need to ask. But if it isn't, just drop it. Eldest Brother Shen and A Luo might not even want to owe him that favor. Don't add to their troubles."

Old Man Lu sighed. "I also wanted to do something for Shuanzhu."

He had seen how Shuanzhu had been silent and still for a while as he looked at his father, and how he had prodded him.

"Eldest Brother is really not even as good as fifteen-year-old Shuanzhu."

After only a few steps, they encountered the Shi couple, who were also carrying cloth bags. Ahead of them was the Zhou family—the village head and his wife had also come out. None of the three families were idle, and they all laughed when they saw each other.

...

When the Xu family carried the grain bags to the entrance of the Shen family's cave, Shen Lie and Sang Luo both came out to greet them.

"Shopkeeper Xu, what brings you here?"

With a mere sweep of his hand over the grain sack, Shen Lie knew its contents and guessed the purpose behind Manager Xu's visit: "Manager Xu, your family is large, and you also lack food. You can't do this."

Manager Xu took a look at the Shen family's cave – it was indeed small, and he could see everything in one glance. He said, "Lack of food is a problem for everyone right now, but thanks to you and Da Shan, we haven't reached a point where we can't survive. Isn't that better than the situation outside? We can't predict what will happen in the distant future, but if we all tighten our belts a little, each saving a bit, the food for your three children will be covered for several months. It would also ease your burden."

Seeing that the young couple had no intention of accepting the offer, Manager Xu smiled and suggested, "If you're not comfortable taking it for free, you can repay us by occasionally giving us some meat when you hunt. Just think of it as our families exchanging meat."

The mother and children's faces truly looked healthier – a glow that couldn't be achieved with just rice and wild vegetables. Most of the lard on the chopping board was evidence enough that the Xu family had been well-looked after by skilled hunters on a regular basis.

Before Shen Lie could reply, Chen Laoren's voice, tinged with amusement, drifted over. "Manager Xu is always quick on his feet. We were only a step behind you."

Upon hearing the voice, Shen Lie and Sang Luo descended the stone steps leading out of the cave and followed the sound to see the Chen couple approaching. Behind them were Chen Youtian and Qin Fangniang, each carrying a cloth bag. A few steps further back were the Zhou, Shi, and Lu families, all holding similar cloth bags. Even more people, young wives and curious children who had heard about Shen Jin's arrival, had tagged along.

Chen Laowu followed her gaze and chuckled. "Without discussing it, we all ended up doing the same thing."

Everyone laughed. The situation outside the mountains was dire, but precisely because of that, the unspoken understanding and mutual support among the valley residents became even more precious.

The wife of Village Chief Zhou spoke up, "I heard what Manager Xu said, and it's the same for us. Our family has benefited from everyone's help before. In the past, we didn't have much to offer in return, but with Little Jin and the others here, we thought about how much pressure Ah Lie and his wife must be under. If we can lend a helping hand, even a little bit, it'll make a difference. Honestly, knowing the current situation outside, our whole family is grateful. If it weren't for everyone's willingness to include us, who knows what state our family would be in now."

Without mentioning taxes and conscription, they had to relocate to the county town. If the city fell, would they have a good life?

The woman's emotions stirred, and she even pressed the corner of her eye.

Gan also joined in, saying, "We don't need to mention our family. We were able to save these grains all thanks to A Luo's kindness. She included us in her business dealings and helped with purchasing grain alongside Manager Xu. Otherwise, how could we still have surplus grains now? We wouldn't be much better off than those outside."

She glanced at Sang Luo and continued, "In the past, we couldn't even feed ourselves adequately, so even if we wanted to help, we didn't have the strength. Now, this amount of grain won't cause significant damage to us. It's just a token of our gratitude."

Sang Luo knew that Gan was referring to when their main family was separated and they couldn't afford to eat properly. At that time, the government had collected grains in advance, and before the autumn harvest, every household was running low on rice. Everyone was living on meager meals, and they truly lacked the means to help others. Besides, they didn't have such a close relationship back then.

People's friendships developed over time.

Amidst the chatter, Sang Luo was momentarily at a loss for words. However, she genuinely felt warmth in her heart. Perhaps it was because they all appreciated kindness and had compassionate hearts that they came together as a group.

She smiled at everyone and said, "We appreciate your intentions, but you really don't need to give us grains. Jincheng and I have discussed it. He will hunt more, and we'll have more meat in our daily meals, saving as much grain as possible. When autumn comes, there will be plenty of food in the mountains that can replace grains. With careful management, we'll manage."

With the grains already brought, who would take them back? Lu put her own grain bag on top of the two large bags Manager Xu had delivered and said, "A Luo, don't refuse. Every family in this valley has benefited from your support. We can't give much, but this measure or two is our token of appreciation. Raising three children isn't easy; we can't do much to help. The hard work lies ahead for you."

When Lu Po put down her grain sack, every family followed suit. Shen Lie and Sang Luo exchanged glances, at a loss for words for a moment before they both laughed and gratefully bowed to everyone without any further hesitation.

Shen Lie then turned to call out Shen Jin and Shen Yin, who were watching the scene from the doorway. He patted his brothers and said, "Pay respect and express your gratitude to Grandpa, Grandma, uncles, aunts, and everyone else. They're unrelated to us, yet they've provided food in these times. Remember this life-saving kindness."

Shen Yin, obedient as always, was about to kneel and pay his respects when Shen Jin pulled him back, turning him to face Shen Lie and Sang Luo first. He bowed three times with great sincerity and said, "I'm thanking Big Brother and Big Sister-in-law on behalf of my younger brother for not holding grudges from the past and still saving us. In the future, I'll learn to hunt and work hard to support my younger brothers. When we grow up, we'll repay Big Brother and Big Sister-in-law."

After another set of three solid bows, he led Shen Yin to turn around and kneel to thank Chen Po and the others.

Chen Po sighed as she helped them up, patting their knees. "You should indeed thank your Big Brother and Big Sister-in-law. We don't know how long this chaos will last, and no one can truly rely on anyone. We could only help once, but your Big Brother and Big Sister-in-law took in all three of you. That's not easy in these times."

Shen San and Li Shi were sincerely hoping that these children would inherit the best qualities from whoever they resembled, so they would all grow up well-behaved.

Shen Jin nodded. He knew everything, even that the reason everyone had brought so much grain today was because of his big brother and sister-in-law. All these favors now rested on their shoulders.

With the grain delivered, it was time to return the bags. Sang Luo went into the house to find two empty sacks, sorting the grains into their respective types.

Xu Shopkeeper had directly brought over two stones of rice, so his bag wouldn't be returned just yet. The other families had brought various amounts, ranging from more than one to two dou. After combining everything, they estimated they had a total of two stones and six dou of grain.

Sang Luo could roughly identify whose sack was whose and mentally noted them all. After returning the grain bags, she invited everyone to stay and chat inside.

The cave was too narrow, so everyone waved their hands, saying, "Take care of the children. We don't need such formalities."

The adults left, allowing only the shopkeeper to remain with Shen Lie to discuss the cave situation. Chen Youtian also stayed behind, as it was clear that the Xu and Shen families were about to establish a bond through marriage. He intended to assist in any way he could.

Once the adults dispersed, the group of children seized their chance and swarmed around Shen Jin and Shen Yin, engaging in their own conversations.

Xu Wenying had also noticed Shen Jin and Shen Yin. She approached Shen Ning, who was stirring porridge in the kitchen, and asked, "He's Little Jin, right?"

Shen Ning's eyes were still red as she nodded. "I've heard everything from Little Jin. Fortunately, your father and the others arrived promptly to rescue them. Otherwise, Little Jin, Little Yin, and Little Tie wouldn't have survived."

Wiping away her tears, she took a small jar from a cabinet, retrieved a tiny piece of malt sugar, and added it to the porridge. She put the jar back and cracked an egg from another rattan basket, stirring it into the porridge. Then, she divided the mixture into three large bowls, using a ladle to mix the hot porridge and create a sweet egg-flower soup.

Xu Wenying helped shift the firewood aside and said, "My parents and brothers were also fortunate that your brother and Big Shan arrived quickly; otherwise, they would have been in danger too."

Observing Shen Ning carrying the porridge towards the cave, Xu Wenying offered to assist her.

Shen Jin, who had been engrossed in the commotion, had initially been surrounded by his familiar playmates. Upon seeing Shen Ning with the porridge, he hurriedly ran inside to rouse Shen Tie. Together with Shen An and Shen Ning, they fed the porridge to Shen Tie.

Needless to say, the cave was bustling with children.

When Shen Tie opened his eyes, he saw a group of familiar faces, and his usually dull eyes lit up.

...

The children would take care of their own affairs. For the time being, the Shen family's platform could accommodate them all. After discussing, they decided to help the Xu family build a bed first. Hence, Chen Youtian joined Shopkeeper Xu in woodworking.

Sang Luo and Shen Lie were brainstorming ways to create a path leading to the upper cave. This would require utilizing the natural terrain, digging, carving, or paving. The mountain wall happened to be where their vegetable garden was situated; some plants would need to be relocated. The two of them discussed their plans together, and soon, Shen Jin and Shen An also joined in to lend a hand.

Sang Luo surreptitiously observed Shen Jin. Compared to before, the child had become much quieter.

Of course, after everything they had been through, it was only natural for him to change.

By the time they finished creating a path to climb up, it was already late afternoon. Sang Luo entered the small cave and looked around. "It's quite nice. Although not spacious, it's well-arranged, and there's good lighting."

Shen Jin was also inspecting the cave. He licked his dry, chapped lips and asked, "Big Sister, are we going to live in this cave from now on?"

Sang Luo smiled. "Yes, I'll ask your brother and Uncle Youtian to help build a bunk bed and a few cabinets. Just be careful when you go up and down from now on."

A glint of joy appeared in Shen Jin's eyes. With this cave, it meant that the three brothers had truly settled down in the valley. He nodded repeatedly. "We're not afraid of that. We're always in the mountains anyway."

He pointed at the entrance of the cave and asked Shen Lie, "Big Brother, can you build us a stove here?"

Everyone seemed more lively.

Shen Lie smiled. "Sure, I'll make a table and chairs for you too. Jin, you and Xiaonan level the ground. I'll go fetch the tools to chisel the walls smoother."

There was nothing Sang Luo could do either, so she followed him down. When they reached the ground, she said to Shen Lie, "Little Jin has grown up a lot."

Shen Lie pondered and said, "Perhaps it's because he needs to take care of Little Yin and Little Tie."

He was just like himself back then.

Sang Luo looked at Shen Lie. It was clear that they were on the same wavelength. She averted her gaze and said, "Let's build another shelf for the grain bags. Put today's harvest on it. We'll give them another stone of rice and one stone of coarse grains. In total, that's four stones and six bushels, about 550 pounds of grain. With some meat to supplement their diet, they should be able to make it last for two and a half years if they ration it properly. By then, we'll find ways to get more mountain produce. They shouldn't go hungry. If the world remains chaotic, we can give them more."

She continued, "Let's also give them two chickens and two ducks to raise themselves. Divide some salt among them as well. Aside from these, there shouldn't be anything else they need."

Shen Jin had already brought in the earthenware, bowls, pots, kitchen knives, bedding, and the likes by himself.

Shen Lie looked at Sang Luo and sincerely thanked her. After some thought, he added, "There's no need for chickens or ducks. The pheasants we caught are still alive. We can clip their wings and raise them; they'll lay eggs too."

With his words, Sang Luo was unconcerned and nodded. However, she had one concern, "Manager Xu delivered too much grain today. The Xu family has many people now. Will the food be enough?"

Shen Lie calculated and replied, "It should be enough. When the grain was initially transported in, there was more than enough to distribute as gifts. But since each family didn't expect it, they probably won't ask for it now that the Xu family has increased its population. Our family took those two measures of gifted grain. The Xu family should have more than thirty-seven measures left. There's also quite a bit hidden in the refuge outside the town. There's no rush for that. Once things aren't so chaotic, I'll take the Xu family out again to find an opportunity to bring in more grain."

This could be considered repaying their kindness.

For Shen Lie, going out wasn't too difficult, so he didn't give it much thought. He then asked Sang Luo, "I'm leaving the valley early tomorrow morning and will head deeper in. Is there anything you want me to look for?"

Sang Luo nodded. "Yes, there is. Mugwort. Let's gather more while we still can. If there's mature wick grass, we should harvest more too. It's useful for making lamp wicks and pillow stuffing."

She actually wanted to go out with him, as many ideas would come to mind when she saw things for herself. She looked at Shen Lie and asked, "You're really taking Little Gold hunting?"

Shen Lie nodded. "I'll teach him gradually. In two or three years, he'll be fully trained. When everything is peaceful outside, as long as it's not deep in the wilderness, he should be able to catch prey in the mountains without difficulty. He can also protect the household."

Upon saying this, he looked at Sang Luo.

Sang Luo only nodded, not particularly interested in what he said.

Shen Lie observed her expression and realized belatedly, "You want to leave the valley?"

Sang Luo's brows twitched. Looking at Shen Lie again, her eyes shimmered as she nodded. "I want to see what's out there. While there aren't many people in the inner circle now, I could gather some resources, right?"

Shen Lie chuckled. "Let's wait for a couple of days. In the beginning, I won't bring Little Gold along; I'm afraid he might get anxious. After a few days, when I'm more familiar with the woods in the inner circle, I'll take you out, alright?"

Sang Luo's eyes instantly curved into a smile. "Sounds good!"

Just watching her smile, Shen Lie couldn't help but curve his lips upwards. Curiously, he looked at Sang Luo. "Aren't you afraid of the dangers outside?"

None of the Zhou brothers dared to venture out frequently.

Sang Luo was honest. "Of course I am. But can you protect me?"

Shen Lie's brows and eyes crinkled into a warm smile. "I can."

Chapter 86: Station 23: Profound Rank

This intense emotion vanished in an instant, hidden within Yan Qiling's heterochromatic eyes.

Yan Qiling quickly changed the subject and spoke to Ming Yiyang,

"Check if her bandages are properly done."

Ming Yiyang reassured the other without causing any concern,

"I've already looked. For the next few days, don't let the wound get wet. Use a damp towel to remove the ointment and change it promptly. Her nails have been trimmed, and the treatment was done well. I checked, and the nail bed doesn't seem to be injured. It should grow back; there shouldn't be a major issue."

Si Shuhao sighed heavily, wearing a casual smile as she said,

"Oh well, as long as they grow back, that's fine. If I can never do manicures again, I'd be devastated. Luckily, I have you guys; otherwise, I wouldn't know what to do. When we get back, I'll definitely treat you all to a life-or-death feast."

Ming Yiyang chuckled,

"Just a meal?"

"If you're not satisfied, I'll treat you to eating dirt."

Ming Yiyang glanced at her sideways, and Si Shuhao pretended not to notice, deliberately asking,

"Why are you looking at me? Is there something wrong with your eyes?"

"No, it's just that people who stir eggs in their heads are quite rare. Seeing one alive, I couldn't help but take a few more glances."

Sometimes, Si Shuhao thought Ming Yiyang's sharp tongue could be donated to someone in need.

Throughout their conversation, the other three people inside the room had stood at a distance. Liao Xinya lifted the curtain and whispered,

"The guards seem to have heard something."

Ming Yiyang promptly closed the window, and Si Shuhao, standing on the other side, whispered softly,

"You're aware of the family rules, right? Be cautious entering the house tonight."

The young man didn't respond verbally but tapped the window twice as an answer.

Yan Qiling glanced at the eaves of the Xie Shan rooftop and asked,

"How do we get up there?"

Ming Yiyang openly spread his arms wide,

"Teacher Yan, carry me up and let me fly with you."

Yan Qiling fell silent for a moment,

"Where's your Spirit Binding Rope?"

"It says it doesn't want to move."

This was clearly an attempt to dodge responsibility.

Upon receiving this answer, Yan Qiling seemed to ponder for a moment, and his lips curved into a subtle, standard smile.

"Alright, I'll take you flying."

-

The moon above their heads resembled an oversized ring, clasping the deep blue sky firmly.

Its glow was slightly brighter than the previous night, but with a more cyan hue, as if it had passed through the filter of an ancient painting, exuding a chilly and ethereal aura.

There was no need for lamps on the rooftop, nor were there any rules dictating otherwise.

It was a bit of a cheat, but for their current situation, it was indeed a good strategy.

Yan Qiling was still engrossed in the red note in his hand.

The fishy odor from the note had completely dissipated, and the greasy cover seemed to have been wiped clean at some point.

As he held it and flipped through, there was a touch of antique charm about him.

Ming Yiyang maintained his Purple Willow Eye state, his arm resting almost imperceptibly behind Yan Qiling, half-holding him in a manner that was both protective and possessive, leaving no room for escape.

Yan Qiling seemed oblivious to this.

Flipping through the red note, he suddenly recalled the man in the red shoes who had vanished abruptly after eating the dried fish.

His fingers brushed over the second rule as his voice was as gentle as a night breeze:

"It so happens that this man in red shoes, Ming Yiyang and I encountered him in the accounting office."

Ming Yiyang leaned in for a closer look and softly clicked his tongue:

"Red shoes, huh..."

Yan Qiling sensed an underlying meaning in his words and asked:

"Do you have any leads?"

The young man nonchalantly played with the strands of hair falling across his forehead, his silver tail ring shimmering under the dusky moonlight.

There's a saying in the Guangdong region.

Yan Qiling turned to face the youth, his heterochromatic eyes of crimson and blue taking on a cold gleam of inquisitiveness beneath the dense, emerald moonlight.

Their proximity was somewhat too close.

Yet, perhaps only Ming Yiyang held this perception.

The cold breath of the person mixed with the evening breeze as it brushed against his cheeks, making him feel as if an ice-making machine sat before him.

But visually, that strikingly beautiful face occupied almost all of his attention, leaving him utterly unable to associate this person with an ice-making machine.

He would ponder how this person's skin was soft.

Though the embrace was chilly, the boundless sense of inclusiveness within it was genuine.

Cruelty and tyranny do exist, but his occasional display of openness is uniquely captivating.

This person is undeniably vibrant with life.

Though his body seems as cold as obsidian, his soul burns like molten lava.

Ming Yiyang knew he should immediately respond to the question, but his thoughts were beyond his control.

He recalled that hurried, almost devouring kiss beneath the blue tiles and white walls.

He desired to draw closer, but feared the other might retreat because of it.

Yet Yan Qiling didn't.

Not only did he not step back, this man, who had elegantly brushed aside the black hem of his robe, didn't even show any confusion. He simply gazed at him quietly, patiently awaiting an outcome.

Ming Yiyang eventually held back his urge to push his luck.

His index finger gently caressed the smooth ring on his little finger:

"When we say a man 'wears red shoes,' we either mean he's a traitor, betraying those close to him, or that he's become a kept man, or even sneaked into someone else's home to steal their partner. In such cases, we'd say he's 'wearing red shoes.'"

Yan Qiling asked,

"What's the origin of the term 'red shoes'?"

Ming Yiyang replied,

"Red shoes are women's shoes. When a lover is caught in the act, they might hastily put on a woman's shoe in their rush to escape. With more and more instances of people fleeing in red shoes, the phrase just stuck."

Yan Qiling's inquisitive gaze returned to the red slip, lost in thought:

"Hmm... I seem to have heard something similar before."

He held the red slip, his thoughts drawn by some unseen force.

Looking up at the moonlight above, Yan Qiling seemed to be asking both the person beside him and the sky itself:

"Do you think the rules written on this red slip are trustworthy?"

Ming Yiyang nonchalantly pulled a cigarette case from his breast pocket, selecting one that caught his eye and placing it between his lips, unlit.

"You're always saying that 'an answer doesn't guarantee peace'."

"The red slip is an answer, it could be right, but it probably has nothing to do with us leaving."

Yan Qiling turned back to look at him, a hint of warmth returning to his cold, ethereal eyes under the moonlight.

Ming Yiyang's eyes remained fixed on him, unwavering.

He thought his fascination was merely with those captivating eyes, but it wasn't until much later that he realized the truth.

He was afraid of missing even the slightest hint of genuine emotion this person rarely displayed.

Yet at this moment, he purely appreciated the beauty that was laid bare before him, finding it unusually soothing—gazing at a beauty under the moon, as long as the beauty was captivating, it was always comforting.

But suddenly, this person's hand gently pinched the cigarette between his lips.

Ming Yiyang slightly raised his eyebrows, attempting to create an air of displeasure, but the coldness from the other seemed to cool his temper.

This time, he complied unusually, releasing his grip on the cigarette, allowing the other to take it away.

He expected Yan Qiling to dispose of the cigarette humanely.

Instead, the man merely held the middle of the cigarette lightly, gazing at it with a peculiar, nostalgic look in his eyes.

As if lost in some memory.

Ming Yiyang disliked when this person thought about things unknown to him, just like now.

He continued his speculation, attempting to draw the other's thoughts back:

"The shrine that Old Madam Bai worships should hold more clues. I feel that both the Bai and Wen families might be pawns of whatever is enshrined there. The Bai family is already deeply entangled, while the Wens have just entered the game."

"You're absolutely right. We should find time to investigate. However, I think even if we don't go, Old Madam Bai would eagerly want us to visit."

The man gently spun the cigarette between his fingers, his expression as pale and detached as moonlight:

"Before visiting the shrine, we need to learn more about the Bai family. While I've often emphasized the importance of entrances, the logic of a Profound Level Interloper is different from previous ones. If we lack information, it's easy to fall for Its deceptive tricks."

"And I don't wish to utilize extra power to subdue It before everything is clear. Ideally, we should resolve this quietly and without a trace."

Yan Qiling met the gaze of the young man beside him.

The silver hair, distinct under the moon's glow, cast shadows like black butterflies, concealing the hidden desires in the youth's purple eyes.

Ming Yiyang suddenly smiled, a mischievous glint appearing on his handsome face:

"I thought you'd be eager to dismantle these worlds and promptly destroy the entire Prison Train. Is the Profound Level Interloper too challenging?"

"The Black Level Unsealer is exceedingly rare. I've traveled through more than twenty stations, and this is my first encounter with one."

Yan Qiling spoke with an almost imperceptible calmness on his face:

"It's not often we meet, so we should make the most of it. Besides, haste often leads to waste. I prefer indirect approaches and working behind the scenes, making the most advantageous choices. That way, any action becomes more agile and straightforward."

Ming Yiyang gazed at the cigarette, pausing for a moment:

"Are you being sincere?"

Yan Qiling offered him a warm smile, like the gentle breeze of March:

"Yes, I am."

Fixated on that unexpected grin, Ming Yiyang recalled a question that had lingered in his heart for a long time but had never been voiced.

The question danced on the tip of his tongue before it was finally, softly spoken under the moonlight, ethereal as a wisp of smoke:

"Speaking of which, you're from the Republic era."

"Before you died, you must have been married, right?"

Yan Qiling's expression remained unchanged, giving no indication whether he was considering his response or suppressing a sudden surge of emotions.

Ming Yiyang waited silently, his gaze unwavering.

The black robe, slightly curled at the knees, fluttered in the breeze, blending into the night as if Yan Qiling's silent demeanor was about to be absorbed by the nocturnal wind, leaving only the faintest whisper of breath that could barely be heard.

His fingers holding the cigarette froze in mid-air.

He seemed like a still-life sketch, captured in black and white against the backdrop of this night and moon.

Ming Yiyang hadn't expected a sincere answer, but this prolonged silence caught him off guard.

With anyone else, such silence might not have felt out of the ordinary.

But this was Yan Qiling.

This realization unexpectedly stirred a fleeting moment of unease within him.

The man's voice echoed like a mountain spring bursting from a canyon, abrupt, clear, gentle, and melodious like the tinkling of flowing water:

"...That's indeed an excellent question."

The man smiled warmly at him:

"I did have a fiancée."

Ming Yiyang's heart involuntarily hovered with unease.

Chapter 85: Engagement

Shen Xingyu was indeed the one who could revive the almost-dead Shen Corporation.

In the business world, he was skilled at exploiting people's vulnerabilities.

After doing so, he softened his tone and spoke sincerely, "The Shen family owes an apology to Lu Ran. Starting from today, the Shen family will give Lu Ran everything he deserves."

Pausing here, he added, "What you mentioned earlier will not happen again."

Ji Min had already calmed down.

Although Shen Xingyu had indeed hit upon the points Ji Min cared about the most and perceived his regard for Lu Ran, approaching the matter from Lu Ran's perspective in an attempt to persuade him, these tactics were nothing new to Ji Min and thus would not affect him much.

Looking up at Shen Xingyu, he asked, "How can you ensure all this?"

Shen Xingyu paused.

Just as he was about to speak, Ji Min raised his hand to stop him, and said with a smile, "In the Shen family, you can't even guarantee your own dignity. How can I believe that you'll protect him?"

Shen Xingyu tensed slightly.

But he quickly composed himself and said calmly, "My dignity isn't important; the dignity of the Shen family is what matters."

Then he pressed on relentlessly.

Fixing his gaze on Ji Min, he continued, "Senior Ji, you're a man of principles. Lu Ran is only nineteen and has an engagement with the Gu family. It's not appropriate for him to be living in the Ji residence."

Raising an eyebrow, Shen Xingyu asked, "Or are you suggesting that the Ji family has intentions of forming an alliance through marriage with the Shen family?"

If it had been any other man, Shen Xingyu wouldn't have dared to say such a thing.

His words were like a ladder, offering a way out for the other party to accept the proposal smoothly.

Yet, in the end, he would not only fail to take away Lu Ran but also inadvertently offer up his own brother.

But Ji Min wouldn't.

This man was exceptionally composed and would never let others' words cloud his judgment or abandon his considerations.

The reason he asked this question was because Shen Xingyu had noticed that Ji Min genuinely cared for Lu Ran.

It wasn't the playful indulgence of a dominant figure towards a pet, but a sincere affection.

Upon realizing this, Shen Xingyu felt a slight relief.

Even if Lu Ran returned to the Shen family, with Ji Min looking out for him, Shen Hongyuan should not go too far.

And it was precisely because of this affection that Shen Xingyu knew Ji Min wouldn't casually make a promise about an "engagement."

For the more one cared for someone, the more unwilling they would be to have that person spend their life with a disabled person.

Sure enough, Ji Min didn't respond.

Shen Xingyu pressed on, "I don't wish for my brother to endure those slanderous whispers."

Indeed, no one dared to spread rumors about Ji Min in reality.

Ji Min fell silent for a moment.

He looked up at Shen Xingyu and asked, "In what capacity are you saying these things to me? As an alumnus or as Lu Ran's brother?"

Shen Xingyu wasn't sure why Ji Min was asking this, so he simply replied, "Of course, I'm Lu Ran's brother."

Ji Min scoffed. "Are you worthy of that title?"

Just three simple words left Shen Xingyu momentarily speechless.

If it were Shen Hongyuan, he would have flown into a rage at this point.

Madame Shen would have gone even crazier.

But in negotiations, Shen Xingyu wasn't someone swayed by emotions.

He immediately said, "He is my younger brother, an objective fact."

Ji Min chuckled instead.

"Little brother?" He lifted his gaze, as if seeing through everything. "Are you here to find me or to say these words because Lu Ran is your younger brother?"

"Shen Xingyu, stop deceiving yourself."

Ji Min sighed. "You merely see Lu Ran as a sheep in the Shen family's flock, while you're the shepherd dog that the Shen family has meticulously trained. Naturally, you have to bring the sheep back when it strays."

"As for whether the sheep is kept alive, slaughtered, or sold, that depends on the master's intentions. You, as the shepherd dog, have no say in the matter."

All pretenses were ruthlessly exposed, and Shen Xingyu pressed his lips tightly together.

The negotiation reached an impasse.

In the distance, Lu Ran had played golf for a while and found it uninteresting. He frequently looked up at Ji Min.

Noticing this, Manager Chen smiled and said, "What are you looking at? If you're tired, come sit with this old man and have some tea."

As he finished speaking.

A golf cart happened to pass by Ji Min's side.

Upon seeing the vehicle, Lu Ran, who had just been standing still, suddenly abandoned his golf club and sprinted rapidly toward Ji Min.

Butler Chen failed to react in time. By the time he looked up again, Lu Ran had already run more than a hundred meters away.

The golf cart approached, passed by, and then receded into the distance.

Ji Min also espied the youth who had run over, panting heavily.

He paused, surprised, and asked, "Why are you out of breath like this?"

With labored breathing, Lu Ran hurriedly positioned himself behind Ji Min's wheelchair, unable to utter a word in time.

Pulling the wheelchair back with a sudden force.

He didn't stop until he was more than ten meters away from Shen Xingyu.

This child appeared frail and delicate.

But when he exerted himself, there was a recklessness as if he were willing to risk his life.

Ji Min's wheelchair tilted slightly backward under his pull.

The scene suddenly took on a comical twist.

Seeing how Shen Xingyu avoided him like the plague, he fell silent.

Only then did Lu Ran recall explaining his actions.

Gasping for breath, he pointed at Shen Xingyu and declared earnestly, "Stay away from him. Who knows if he's carrying any cockroaches. What if they fly over to us!"

Shen Xingyu: "..."

Ji Min found himself in an awkward situation, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

He turned sideways to gaze at the youth behind him.

Only upon taking a closer look did I realize the person behind me exuded an intimidating aura.

But it was unclear if it was due to the recent swift run or the effort of pulling his wheelchair.

The youth's hands, along with his slender forearms, continued to tremble delicately.

Ji Min's brow instantly furrowed as he reached out to seize the youth's arm, clasping it firmly within his palm.

Over there, Butler Chen was walking over as well, leading Big Yellow with him.

Ji Min wheeled around, guiding Lu Ran back to the round table.

As he turned, he glanced back at Shen Xingyu, who was still standing in place.

Suddenly, he said, "Since you're speaking to me as a brother, I'll consider the engagement."

Shen Xingyu's brows immediately knotted into a tight knot.

By the time Lu Ran was seated beside Ji Min, he still hadn't grasped what the two of them were discussing.

He glanced at Shen Xingyu not far away and asked softly, "What marriage contract?"

The man who had just moments ago pledged to consider the engagement was now being deliberately vague.

He pinched the quivering forearm of the youth, strained from excessive exertion, beneath his fingertips and chided, "Children shouldn't eavesdrop on grown-ups' conversations."

Lu Ran: "..."

He mused to himself that his boss must have some serious issues going on.

Ji Min glanced at Shen Xingyu, who hadn't left, and let out a soft sigh.

Shen Xingyu wasn't the type of person to give up easily.

Lu Ran's team could use some additional support.

Yet these were matters he had no intention of divulging to the youth by his side.

Yet gripping the arm that still trembled ceaselessly within his hand, recalling the sight of the youth dashing towards him at full speed just moments ago, Ji Min couldn't help but feel a lingering trace of annoyance.

He playfully tapped Lu Ran's forehead and scolded, "Didn't you say you weren't afraid? Then why did you pull on my wheelchair and retreat ten meters away? Are you going to abandon your arm?"

Lu Ran covered his forehead.

"I said I'm not afraid of him," he stated.

After that, as if to prove his point, Lu Ran withdrew his hand.

He glanced around and dashed over to a nearby children's golf class, where he requested a small white rabbit-shaped balloon as a reward.

Clinging onto the balloon, he ran back to Shen Xingyu with quick steps.

With a loud "smack," he popped the balloon.

Instinctively, Shen Xingyu turned his head to dodge.

The fragments of the white rabbit-decorated balloon brushed against his cheek as they fell.

Lu Ran approached with an intimidating demeanor.

Having playfully popped the balloon, he stomped off in a huff.

He didn't forget to boast to Ji Min, "See? I scared him, didn't I?"

Ji Min was utterly clueless about the point of his friend's antics.

He simply reached out to hold Lu Ran back, "Take a break, will you?"

Turning around, Ji Min looked at Shen Xingyu.

To his surprise, Shen Xingyu, who had been unwavering just moments ago, was now staring intently at the scattered remains of the balloon on the ground.

His expression seemed somewhat dazed.

Without further ado, he left earlier than expected.

On the way back, the silence in Ji Min's chauffeur-driven car was palpable.

Lu Ran dozed off in the rear seat.

Rushing toward Ji Min with almost full force, he barely paused for breath before dragging both the man and his wheelchair backward by several meters.

Despite being seated in a wheelchair, Ji Min's electric model had powerful brakes, making it particularly challenging to maneuver on the grass. Add to that the considerable weight of the grown man himself.

Suddenly exerting such great force, it would be strange if one wasn't exhausted.

"Let him rest for a while. Wake him up later, we still have classes in the afternoon," Ji Min said.

Butler Chen nodded and, as instructed, handed over a thin blanket.

Ji Min unfurled the garment and gently laid it over the youth in the back seat.

The interior of the car is spacious.

He wheeled himself around and gazed at Lu Ran's sleeping face for a moment.

There might be other reasons behind Lu Ran's fear of Shen Xingyu.

But Ji Min could somewhat comprehend the sentiment that Lu Ran felt, his reluctance to acknowledge Shen Xingyu's illness and desire to avoid him.

After today's conversation with Shen Xingyu, Ji Min sensed that, compared to the rest of the Shen family, Shen Xingyu held a somewhat familial affection for Lu Ran.

But in Shen Xingyu's world, such feelings didn't amount to much.

Ji Min himself had few close relatives.

He could roughly imagine how Lu Ran had felt growing up as an orphan.

When surrounded by others with complete families, young Lu Ran must have consoled himself, imagining that his parents and loved ones surely loved him deeply, they just hadn't found him yet.

That illusion was utterly shattered when he was taken back into the Shen family.

Yet, people are reluctant to accept that they are destined to be unloved by nature.

They refuse to acknowledge that they deserve such a family, such parents.

One has to cling to fantasies to survive.

Thus, they imagine that Mom and Dad have simply forgotten him after such a long time, that they no longer recognize him.

If they were to remember him, they would love and protect him.

But these frail illusions were shattered by Shen Xingyu.

Shen Xingyu remembered him and treated him like a younger brother.

But so what?

It seems he is still the one who remains unloved.

This is what they call familial affection.

The familial affection he had yearned for over a decade, in the end, amounted to nothing.

Ji Min reached out to gently rub the youth's forehead.

After leaving the golf course, Shen Xingyu returned to his company.

He was so occupied that he didn't return to the Shen family's residence until late at night.

Upon entering, he was met with Shen Hongyuan's cold expression.

Shen Hongyuan glanced at him and asked, "How's the progress on the project?"

Shen Xingyu sighed. "Dad, it's not that fast."

With a stern expression, Shen Hongyuan inquired further, "What about Lu Ran? Why hasn't he returned?"

Shen Xingyu opened his mouth but remained silent.

"Useless!" Shen Hongyuan scolded. "You can't handle family matters, and your work is a mess. What exactly have you been up to lately?"

Saying this, he threw the stack of documents in his hand onto Shen Xingyu's body. "This is the bidding proposal from the Lino family. Study it well for me!"

Shen Xingyu stood his ground.

He only picked up the documents after Shen Hongyuan had gone upstairs.

He had already received this file earlier that morning.

He was well aware that Shen Hongyuan's behavior toward him was a result of his personality.

The other reason was that Shen Hongyuan was terrified by his own gradual aging.

With the extra document in hand, Shen Xingyu climbed the stairs with leaden steps.

Before entering his room, he glanced at the adjacent one.

The child had moved out, leaving the neighboring room empty once more.

Shen Xingyu entered his room, switched on the light, and resumed his seat at the desk to review several proposals sent by his subordinates.

Moments later, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," Shen Xingyu said.

The one standing outside was Madam Shen.

She pushed the door open and peeped in. "Son, I just heard your father scolding you again. Are you alright?"

Warmth welled up within Shen Xingyu.

He shook his head, about to say that he was fine.

But Madam Shen had already pushed the door open and squeezed inside.

As if her previous words were just an introduction, she quickly dismissed them from her mind. Holding her phone out to Shen Xingyu, she said,

"I remember you have a membership with this brand. I really like their new collection this season—this piece, this one, and this one..."

"All these items are limited edition. I've sent them to your WeChat; make sure you remember to help me grab them, okay?"

Shen Xingyu opened his mouth.

At this moment, he couldn't distinguish the differences between the outfits that Madam Shen had mentioned at all.

He wanted to say that he had been busy lately and might forget, and that his assistant was swamped with work as well...

But after Madam Shen finished her instructions, she left the room humming a tune.

The door closed, and silence returned to the room.

The initial concern seemed as intangible as a mirage.

In that instant, Shen Xingyu suddenly felt exhausted, extremely so.

The pile of work on the desk weighed down on him like a mountain.

Behind him was a steep cliff, offering no support.

For the first time, Shen Xingyu found himself unable to continue working.

He got up and went downstairs, opening the sliding door to the backyard before sitting on the steps to smoke.

After two cigarettes, the pack was empty.

Shen Xingyu reached into his pocket and fumbled around for a while, eventually pulling out a fragment of a balloon.

It depicted half of a rabbit's ear.

Then he found another piece, featuring the rabbit's large eyes and two front teeth.

Staring at the fragments in his hand, Shen Xingyu took another deep drag from the nearly extinguished cigarette.

Shen Xingzhuo was only two years older than Lu Ran, so it was likely that he didn't remember anything from their childhood.

But when his younger brother went missing, Shen Xingyu was already twelve years old.

He clearly remembered who his real brother was, and who was the adopted son that came later.

Who was the genuine "Shen Xingran."

However, Shen Xingyu didn't have a particularly good relationship with Lu Ran when they were young.

Chapter 123 - Nightfall

Before Wen Ying appeared, Phelios was an ardent fan of Berlos and admired him greatly.

When Wen Ying first emerged, Phelios' impression of him was – where did this overambitious and ugly fairy come from?

Later on, he transformed into a bewitching fairy that damaged Berlos' image. Before Phelios could even mourn over it for long, Wen Ying became the source of rage for a group of devils, particularly Lan Jiaying, whose fury shattered everyone's perception of the Mirror Devil.

Oh, that devil who flew into a rage included him as well, especially that day when he was pressed onto the infirmary bed by Wen Ying and had many of his fish scales pulled out. He had never suffered such humiliation since he was young.

Despite that, before tonight, Phelios never imagined he would witness such a scene – it seemed like catching someone in the act, yet also like a threat.

Meeting Berlos' gaze, Phelios felt a little awkward.

Berlos snorted coldly and looked away.

"Quickly, quickly." Muershi glanced at his phone screen and rushed out, turning back to urge them on at the stairs.

Wen Ying followed immediately, and of course, Berlos went along. Phelios pondered for a moment. Although he was a bit awkward facing Berlos now, it was Lan Jiaying's drama, and ultimately, his desire to see Lan Jiaying's spectacle prevailed, so he followed too.

Wei Er gazed at the mess inside the shop and asked Essence, who seemed unbothered by the chaos, "Aren't you going to stay and deal with it?" Essence seemed intent on following him.

Taking a step forward, Essence turned back and said, "The lower-level demons can handle it. Come on, come with me. You definitely can't miss seeing Lan Jiaying getting humiliated!"

With Muershi leading the way, they arrived at "Nightfall" quickly. Essence explained that it wasn't his shop but Lilith's. Upon hearing this, Wen Ying looked at him with a peculiar expression and asked, "Lilith is on your side?"

Muershi nodded matter-of-factly. "Yes, of course. Otherwise, how could I have convinced so many demons in our class?"

Like Essence's shop, "Nightfall" was also located underground, with its entrance above ground. After Muershi instructed everyone to conceal their auras, they descended the stairs swiftly. According to the message he had received, Lan Jiaying was seated at the farthest table to the right, wearing sunglasses and hiding his golden curls under a hat.

After some time of "rest and recuperation," Lan Jiaying's hair had grown significantly, though it still hadn't returned to its original length.

The group of demons concealed their auras as they descended the stairs. They hurried past, heading straight to the left side of the shop. Not wanting to be seen by Lan Jiaying, they deliberately chose a spot out of his line of sight. For a while, Lan Jiaying remained unaware of their presence.

Lan Jiaying had also carefully concealed his aura. Although being discovered wasn't a significant issue, he disliked other demons knowing about his visit, especially during such a sensitive time. While other demons might be oblivious, those in his class would certainly know why he was here.

He was currently listening to a demon trying to ingratiate himself with charming conversation. This demon was skilled at bridging the gap between them.

It wasn't Lan Jiaying's first time at such an establishment, but he had never paid attention to the conversational tactics employed before. Otherwise, he wouldn't have felt the need to make a special trip tonight.

Muershi and his group, using the bodies of numerous demons in the shop as cover, stealthily approached Lan Jiaying from the entrance. Even Belphegor, who was usually arrogant and haughty, concealed himself entirely at this moment.

As they drew near, Lan Jiaying seemed to sense something and glanced in their direction.

"Lord, is there a problem?" a demon standing before Lan Jiaying asked.

Lan Jiaying scanned the group of demons attentively for a while before turning back and saying, "It's nothing."

Wen Ying and the other demons crouched behind an ornamental wall, with the demons beside them looking at them in confusion. A mere glance from Belphegor sent them jumping, immediately turning their heads away.

Wen Ying's heart pounded like he was on a stealth mission; they were almost there. He focused and held his breath, following the group as they crept forward. Finally, they reached their target area!

Lan Jiaying's seat was at the deepest part of the shop, but it was backed by a fish tank, and there were booths beside it. Wen Ying and the others crept along the adjacent booth, slowly making their way around to the sofa behind where Lan Jiaying sat.

Lan Jiaying noticed that the demon in front of him suddenly froze in fear while speaking, causing his eyelids to twitch.

Chapter 17 - "Do You Need My Help?"

The mental strength of an Alpha could indeed be enhanced through practical combat training.

However, there were no records on how to improve the mental power of a mecha pilot.

Everyone in the entire galaxy believed that a mecha pilot's mental strength was unattainable.

But Luo Le didn't believe it. He vaguely remembered someone mentioning that it was possible to enhance it.

"Of course, the quality of the materials used for manufacturing also affects the performance of the mecha. The Vision Tower in the military district provides free D-grade mecha materials. You can go there and mention my name for practice anytime. Today, I'll teach you the techniques and methods of constructing a mecha arm."

"Alright, follow me now..."

Bai Feifei nudged Luo Le and whispered, "Why is General Huo always looking over here? Does he know someone in our team?"

Luo Le had been immersed in his thoughts and hadn't paid attention to his surroundings.

Upon hearing Bai Feifei, he turned around but found that Huo Lanjing was already nowhere to be seen.

"Perhaps."

Bai Feifei had only mentioned it out of curiosity and wasn't too interested.

"Why did you choose to join the First Military Unit? I joined to escape my family, and he's here with me."

Luo Le pressed his lips. "Maybe it's because... I have a lot of free time."

Bai Feifei's mouth twitched. "Honey, even if you don't want to answer, you don't have to be so dismissive, do you?"

From a glance, they could tell that the two were young masters experiencing life.

If someone found out that he was none other than the widely ridiculed Admiral Huo's wife on the Empire's Star Network, who knew what kind of trouble it would stir up.

Luo Le didn't bother explaining and instead gazed at the passing scenery by the roadside.

Besides, what he said was true; now that he was on break, he indeed had plenty of free time.

Seeing that Luo Le wasn't responding, Bai Feifei didn't persist in asking further.

Thirty minutes later, in Room 1 of Mecha Studio 21 on the Starlight Tower.

Yang Liqing shared more knowledge about mechas with them.

After demonstrating the assembly of a mechanical joint, he encouraged them to try it themselves, offering help if they encountered any issues.

Luo Le looked at the materials before him with a lack of enthusiasm, his thoughts drifting afar.

His own mecha had been shattered during a stellar storm.

Due to his frail physique, he had never been able to activate any mechas available on the market.

It wasn't until after his enrollment when his mentor showed him one that he eventually found a solution after half a year's search.

By adding a few extra components and two intricate programs to the mecha, he finally gained the ability to operate it. Initially, he could only control E-class mechas.

Years of Luo Le's dedication have now enabled him to pilot C-class mechas.

At present, he wanted nothing more than to construct another C-class mecha.

Not long ago, Huo Lanjing had asked him to go for a prenatal checkup. Who knew if he might be sent back to the Empire next?

If that happened, the Star Network would have a field day with his story, and rumors would surely spread like wildfire within the military district.

In that case, he'd leave on his own accord.

He could claim he went on an interstellar journey and never came here at all.

That way, he'd escape Uncle Huo Lanjing's sarcastic jibes.

It was one thing to think about it, but his current situation was that his mecha was broken.

Only mechas of C-class or above were capable of interstellar travel.

Yet, all he could obtain now were D-class materials. He knew Huo Lanjing had the authority to help, but given their recent unpleasant encounters, it would be pointless to ask.

"What are you doing? It's practical training time, and everyone else is working on the robotic arm shafts. Yet, you're just daydreaming here?"

Luo Le snapped back to reality, looking at the untouched materials on the table with a hint of embarrassment in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, I got lost in thought for a moment."

Yang Liqing had noticed Luo Le's distraction since earlier. It wasn't a momentary lapse; he hadn't been listening to the lecture at all.

"Don't think that an apology will settle this. As punishment, you'll be staying behind today to inventory the mecha parts. Those over there haven't been logged into the storage yet."

Luo Le followed Yang Liqing's gesture and saw that the roughly forty-square-meter room was filled with mecha components.

He didn't know how long it would take to finish, but acknowledging his mistake, he didn't argue.

After the afternoon training session, everyone else left.

Bai Feifei had intended to stay and help Luo Le.

Yet, Yang Jiao forbade anyone from assisting Luo Le and declared that he would personally supervise.

Powerless to intervene, he could only follow suit and depart.

Before leaving, he patted Luo Le's shoulder with an expression of mixed emotions.

"Poor darling, see you tomorrow."

Luo Le wore a helpless look. This person was far too friendly, addressing him as 'darling' on their first meeting.

One might mistake them for having a close relationship.

The thought that this man would continue to call him that made Luo Le somewhat uncomfortable.

"Um, it's better if you just call me by my name. I'm not really fond of others addressing me like that."

Bai Feifei, being carefree, patted his shoulder and joked, "Don't worry, I'm not trying to pursue you. Actually, I have many darlings."

Luo Le was taken aback; clearly, she had misunderstood his intentions.

Yang Liqing: "What are you dawdling for? Aren't you leaving?"

Bai Feifei sighed. "Darling, I'll go first then."

Seeing that he couldn't persuade him, Luo Le didn't insist. "Okay."

In any case, it wouldn't be him who would regret it later when everyone on Star Network found out that he was the ridiculed Admiral's spouse.

Soon, they were the only two left in the room.

Yang Liqing took Luo Le over, and the two of them began sorting and moving the parts and materials together.

But before long, he was suddenly called away, leaving Luo Le alone.

The setting sun's afterglow filtered into the room, casting a warm orange glow on Luo Le's face. Glistening beads of sweat dripped down from his forehead.

Luo Le had already documented most of it; now, all that was left were the mecha's legs and arms.

Gazing at the towering mech limbs that reached almost his full height, Luo Le sighed.

He then crouched down, exerting great effort to lift one. Just as he was about to set it down, his name was unexpectedly called out from the entrance.

He instinctively turned around, inadvertently brushing against the towering stack of mechanical shafts nearby.

One of them tumbled down, striking Luo Le's shoulder with a force that displaced it. The shaft was made of hard metal and quite heavy.

In pain, he exclaimed, "Ah..."

His grip wavered, causing the object in his hands to crash onto the ground with a loud thud.

Huo Lanjing: ...

Was he some kind of terrifying beast that Luo Le was so afraid of?

Luo Le watched as Huo Lanjing walked silently up to him and effortlessly lifted the mech limb.

"Where do you want me to put this?" His voice was deep, as if steeped in strong tea.

Luo Le raised his uninjured left hand and pointed to the slightly more spacious area on his right.

Only then did he realize how Huo Lanjing had arrived.

He watched as Huo Lanjing put down one box and lifted another.

"I'll help you."

Luo Le skipped over eagerly, after all, it was his fault that this happened.

"Hold back."

Noticing the disdain in Huo Lanjing's gaze, Luo Le stepped back, "Oh..."

After Coach Yang left, he hadn't returned. He probably wasn't coming back.

Luo Le nodded.

Walking with him to the door, she locked it securely.

Her shoulder throbbed subtly, likely bruised, and her arm was both painful and numb.

Luo Le walked along, using her uninjured hand to massage her arm from time to time.

Huo Lanjing glanced sideways and noticed Luo Le's damp, sweat-soaked bangs sticking to her forehead, and her lips appeared slightly pale.

A hint of purple bruise peeked through the right side of her shoulder, evoking a sense of vulnerability.

Huo Lanjing paused, then withdrew his gaze to ask, "Did you do something wrong?"

His tone was filled with accusation, devoid of any concern.

Luo Le chuckled self-deprecatingly and lifted her head to look at him. "General Huo, don't worry. No one knows about our connection, so I won't embarrass you."

Huo Lanjing's eyebrows knitted together as he spoke in a controlled voice, "Speak properly."

"Am I not speaking properly? Huo Lanjing, did I beg you to come over or help me move?"

Huo Lanjing's heart sank; he had come with good intentions to pick Luo Le up.

Yet, not only did he not receive a kind word, Luo Le's attitude was abysmal.

Huo Lanjing halted, his face dark as he cast a disdainful glance at him.

Then, he turned and left, striding quickly away.

There was no indication that he intended to wait for Luo Le.

Luo Le didn't want to provoke further annoyance by following, the mere thought of Huo Lanjing's cold expression making him uncomfortable.

He walked in the exact opposite direction.

Chapter 18: Departure

Despite still being angry, Huo Lanjing didn't drive away even after leaving Luo Le far behind.

After waiting for over ten minutes, there was still no sign of Luo Le.

Awhile later, Huo Lanjing's expression turned sour.

Where had that young master gone off to now? Forget it, let him be.

With a stern look, Huo Lanjing issued a command, and the hovercar sped away rapidly.

Not long after Luo Le left, he received a video call from Wind City.

"Brother Le, what did you leave in my car this morning?"

It was the medicine from earlier.

Luo Le pressed his lips together before saying,

He said, "It's nothing important. You can give it to me tomorrow."

"Hmm, I happen to be going shopping. I can drop it off for you on the way. Where are you, Brother Le?"

Luo Le pondered and decided that it would do.

After giving him his location, he found a bench to sit on while waiting for him.

About twenty minutes later, the flashy red hovercar glided gracefully in front of him.

"Brother Le, get in. I'll send you back home."

Luo Le shifted his gaze from the hovercar to Huo Lanjing's face. "Aren't you supposed to be shopping?"

Waving it off, Feng Cheng said, "That store seems to be near the Omega dormitory. It's on the way, so let me give you a lift, Brother Le."

Half of Luo Le's body was already in the car when he suddenly remembered that he was still staying at Huo Lanjing's place. He retreated.

He didn't want Feng Cheng to know just yet. After all, his reputation in the Empire wasn't exactly stellar.

"I just remembered I have something else to attend to. You go ahead."

"What's up? Brother Le, I'll come with you. More hands make light work."

Luo Le shook his head. "No need."

Understanding Luo Le's disposition, Wind City didn't insist.

"Alright then, Brother Le. Here's your stuff. If you need anything, just call me. I'll be at your service anytime!"

Accepting the medicine, Luo Le nodded. "Mm-hmm."

As Wind City closed the car door, he suddenly asked, "Brother Le, have you ever visited the First Rank Army's forum?"

"The forum?"

Luo Le shook his head. "No, I haven't."

"Brother Le, you should check it out. There are many mecha experts there. It might be helpful if you encounter any issues."

"Thank you, Brother Le, for being willing to sell me the mech. Even though I'm not well-versed in mech construction, I'm quite capable when it comes to gathering information."

Luo Le became intrigued upon hearing this.

The military district was filled with hidden talents and saw plenty of practical combat. Perhaps he could indeed find an answer there.

"What are the requirements to enter the forum?"

Military districts usually imposed numerous restrictions.

"Not much, just a verification of your identity is needed. Oh, and a Military Star Card."

"A Military Star Card?"

He had a Star Need Card, but a Military Star Card...

He knew next to nothing about the military district.

Not long after their marriage, Huo Lanjing had left, disappearing for months. He wouldn't answer video calls and didn't reply to messages.

One day, feeling particularly down, Luo Le uncorked a few bottles of wine and got drunk.

As the saying goes, alcohol fuels the courage of the timid.

In that moment of intoxication, he rashly breached the exclusive star network of the First Military District.

However, in his inebriated state, he didn't conceal his tracks, and was promptly ejected within less than a minute.

Of course, he hadn't seen anything significant.

The following morning, Huo Lanjing made the first initiative to call him via video chat.

But before he could say a word, he was scolded relentlessly.

Huo Lanjing also forbade him from inquiring about military affairs.

From that day on, Luo Le refrained from seeking information about the military district.

"Indeed, anyone can apply, and there's no limit on the number of applications. But the process is quite cumbersome, requiring family information and approvals with multiple steps. I happened to have an extra one here, would you like to use this, Brother Le?"

Luo Le regarded the purple card in Huo Lanjing's hand without taking it.

It was only their first day in Wind City; there wouldn't have been enough time to apply for such a card.

Thus, this card must have been acquired through alternative means by Wind City.

He knew that Wind City intended to repay a favor; if he refused, Wind City would persist in finding another way.

As this thought crossed his mind, Luo Le caught sight of Wind City's hopeful expression. In the end, he reached out and accepted the card.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome, but... Brother Le, is your hand injured? Why is it hanging limply like that, and your lips look very pale. Are you alright?"

Luo Le smiled. Wind City had noticed his condition after just a few words.

Yet, despite witnessing everything, Huo Lanjing hadn't offered a single word of concern.

He had even gotten into an argument with him.

Luo Le displayed the item in his hand and said casually, "Just a minor injury. This is the medicine I bought."

His words were half-truths, and Wind City didn't sense anything amiss.

After bidding farewell to Wind City, Luo Le returned home.

Upon arriving, the sky was already dark, but the house was pitch black inside.

He recalled that every time he came back, the place would be brightly lit.

Even if Huo Lanjing wasn't home, Little Yuan would turn on the lights.

Could it be an insectoid invasion? He had heard rumors of the insectoids wreaking havoc starting from the Fifth Planet, but this was a military zone, after all.

Luo Le withdrew a short knife from his spatial pocket and held it to his chest as he stepped cautiously inward.

However, the scenario he had imagined did not unfold. After surveying the area thoroughly, everything seemed normal.

Having completed his inspection, Luo Le slumped onto the sofa, exhausted.

A few garments were missing from the wardrobe, and Little Yuan was nowhere to be found – there was only one possible explanation.

Huo Lanjing had left, taking Little Yuan with him.

Luo Le sighed. What a mess this was.

Why did it feel like he was the one who forced Huo Lanjing to leave?

After some thought, he attempted to initiate a video call to Huo Lanjing.

[Call failed. Please try again.]

Luo Le paused. When he tried sending a text message, it was also rejected.

It seemed that Huo Lanjing had blocked him...

His emotions were a jumbled mix.

How come he never realized how petty Huo Lanjing could be? Was it really necessary to react so strongly after just one argument?

In a fleeting moment, his gaze caught sight of a package of medicine on the coffee table.

Luo Le shook his head and got up to head upstairs. He filled the bathtub with water and then poured the medicine into it.

He opened the refrigerator and took out a purple nutrient solution from the neatly arranged rows of boxes beside it.

Forcing himself to look away from the unprepared fresh ingredients, he knew they must have come all the way from the Empire. These ancient Earth delicacies were now extremely scarce.

Only the research institutes within the Empire could cultivate them.

He was aware that his skills would only spoil them.

After downing the nutrient solution, his stomach finally settled.

Finished with the medicine and his grooming, Luo Le mixed the medicine in hot water according to the proper ratio.

The fragrance of the medicine filled the bathroom as the water turned blue.

Luo Le tested the water temperature and laid back in it.

Initially, there was no sensation, but as the potion submerged him, a subtle ache emerged, sapping his strength bit by bit.

By the time he finished soaking, he barely had the energy to stand up.

In the evening, within his bedroom.

Luo Le linked his military supply card and logged into the forum.

The forum interface was straightforward, consisting only of questions, answers, and a search bar.

/Acquiring Materials for C-Class Mecha Construction/

He clicked on search, and a top-rated reply appeared.

//

On Acquiring Materials for D-Rank and Above Mecha Construction

D-Rank materials can be obtained by any mecha class student at the Instruction Tower, with no quantity restrictions;

C-class materials, one must declare their purpose to the officers and file a report to acquire them, with a limit of two units (for the construction of a single mecha, for instance);

B-class materials...

....

//

Chapter 19: Compatibility Rate of 70%?

Should I inquire with the military officers?

I'll ask tomorrow.

This is a military region; someone might know how to enhance a mecha pilot's spiritual power.

With this thought in mind, Luo Le typed in his query. Upon clicking search, the page suddenly redirected to the homepage.

He tried again several times, but the result remained the same.

Strange. As he was puzzled, a post with a small star on the right-hand side appeared at the top of the feed.

/** Discussing the Mysterious Chemistry Between the Marshal and Deputy Chen! **/

/** We all know the Marshal's pheromones are incredibly dominant – only one person in the entire military region can tolerate them **/

/** That's right, that person is our very own Deputy Chen. I'm sure their compatibility rate must be sky-high. **/

Despite the fact that Admiral is married, as far as I know, their compatibility rating is exceptionally low – only 70%. The Admiral doesn't seem to like her at all.

....

Luo Le wore a puzzled expression.

How did this 70% compatibility rating come about?

Back then, Huo Lanjing didn't even bother to check their compatibility with him.

Seeing the flood of comments expressing excitement over their supposed relationship, Luo Le felt irritated.

This post was from two years ago. Could it be that Huo Lanjing didn't see it?

Looking at the empty room, Luo Le's frustration grew.

He would clear the air with him tomorrow.

By then, he would move out, and there would be no need for Huo Lanjing to endure such discomfort.

The next morning, as Luo Le entered the mecha room, he noticed everyone engrossed in a heated discussion.

Bai Feifei spotted him and promptly waved. "Darling, over here."

Luo Le glanced at the empty seat beside her. Yesterday, Bai Feifei had sat on his left, so why was she now seated in front of him?

He approached and glanced at the group gathered nearby.

"What are they talking about?"

Bai Feifei followed his gaze and replied, "Didn't you hear? Yesterday, the forums were abuzz with news that Admiral Huo led the First Army vanguard to the Ninth Planet early this morning."

Luo Le paused. The battle report Lin Weiwei had delivered yesterday seemed to be from the Ninth Planet.

"Is the situation on the Ninth Planet urgent?"

"Who knows? Military secrets aren't disclosed to the public. But over the years, the insectoids haven't spared the Ninth Planet much trouble. After all, it's home to the largest palladium mine – an ideal material for armor plating in mechas."

"But isn't it protected by the most stringent defense system?"

"Perhaps the insectoids have found some vulnerability. But it's alright now that Admiral Huo is there. As far as I know, he has never been defeated. So there's no need to worry."

Luo Le couldn't shake off a nagging sense of unease; he felt that there was more to the situation than met the eye.

He spent the entire morning in a state of agitation.

As soon as training ended, he rushed to Huo Lanjing's office.

After his conversation with Bai Feifei, he messaged Captain Lin, who had just replied.

Upon presenting his Star Need card, he gained easy access.

Huo Lanjing's office was empty, and Captain Lin was nowhere to be found.

On the desk, however, lay a mecha maintenance report.

/Name: Wolf Beacon One; Rank: SS; Maintenance Period: 5180 Star Era, 210th Stellar Hour, 5:08 AM to 5180 Star Era, 225th Stellar Hour, 11:30 AM.../

The SS rank indicated that it belonged to Huo Lanjing's mecha.

Today was the 225th Stellar Hour, and the mecha was still here.

Luo Le's heart skipped a beat. Huo Lanjing hadn't brought his mecha along at all.

A heavy feeling settled in his chest. What was going on?

Just as he was pondering, the door creaked open.

Lieutenant Lin looked at him with a puzzled expression. "Madam, why are you here?"

Luo Le picked up the maintenance order from the table and waved it in front of him.

"What's going on? Didn't he go to the battlefield with Wolf One?"

Lieutenant Lin glanced at the list in his hand and explained, "It's just that there have been some unusual developments at the border. The General took only the elite of the First Army with him. He was also prepared with an A-class armor. Madam, please rest assured."

Luo Le's expression darkened as she slammed the list onto the table.

"How can it be just some minor disturbance that he had to rush over immediately, not even waiting for a few hours?" She glared at him intently.

Lieutenant Lin observed Luo Le, sitting in her chair with an imposing demeanor, and rubbed his hands together.

Truly a couple sharing the same bed, their aura matched that of a General's identically.

"The answer to your question, Lady, is that the previous maintenance had an uncertain schedule, and... there was an incident. But please rest assured, General Huo Lanjing is unharmed."

Orders from the military were like mountains, Luo Le knew that further inquiry would yield no results.

Still, he couldn't shake off his unease.

"Prepare for me a C-class armor and its core components."

Captain Lin lifted his gaze at him. "May I ask, Lady, what is your purpose?"

"My armor was ruined on the way here. Now, I want a new one. Is that not allowed? I'll pay with this."

He pushed the Star Need card forward.

Captain Lin stepped back slightly. "Lady, I apologize, but I don't have the authority for that."

Luo Le glanced at him coolly. "Oh? Was this ordered by Huo Lanjing?"

Observing the nuanced expression on Captain Lin's face as his words struck a chord.

Luo Le tapped his right index finger gently on the antique purple sandalwood table, lifting his gaze to glance at him with each tap.

Captain Lin lowered his head, silent, a wry smile forming in his heart. The admiral had indeed given him a challenging task.

Seeing that he didn't respond, Luo Le leaned back in his chair, adopting an acquiescent posture.

"Alright, I understand."

Captain Lin sighed in relief upon seeing this.

This young master surprisingly didn't put up a fuss. He had expected more resistance.

"Thank you, Madam, for your understanding."

A faint curve formed at the corner of Luo Le's lips. "In that case, could you please purchase one for me? Just mention my AI ID – I'll provide you with the account details and permissions now."

Captain Lin was taken aback. "Madam? I..."

"Well, can't you?"

"Then I'll be at Planet Nine tomorrow."

Lieutenant Lin wore an expression of indescribable distress.

It was his mistake.

Didn't he know that this young master was spoiled? Only the General could handle him.

He sounded somewhat helpless. "Madam, please don't make things difficult for your subordinate."

Luo Le waved it off. "Fine then, but you have to tell me which district he's in, or else I'm not leaving."

Lieutenant Lin came over and unfolded a map, pointing at one particular spot.

"Here."

Luo Le stared at him straight in the eye. After a moment, she curved her lips into a light smile. "Thanks."

He then rose to his feet and left.

Captain Lin gazed at his departing figure and finally let out a long sigh of relief.

Suddenly, something came to mind, and he dialed an internal video call.

"From now on, anyone seen leaving with a Star Need card is to be held back."

....

That night, after training, Luo Le evaded the patrolling guards and made his way towards the main gate.

He had decided that he would still go.

Since Captain Lin refused to buy it for him and forbade him from applying through the military zone,

he had no choice but to venture out himself.

Originally, he could have used the Star Need card to pass through, but after the incident at noon,

the card was likely no longer useful.

Surveying the heavily guarded entrance, Luo Le decided to change his route.

He retraced his steps along the wall, intent on discovering the extent of the patrol area.

Gradually, the number of patrolling guards diminished.

Suddenly, a faint trail made by frequent foot traffic caught his eye.

Luo Le's lips curled into a smile. As expected, no newcomer could resist the urge to bend the rules.