Asianovel

Chapter 84: Negotiation

Lu Ran hadn't expected Ji Min to be so well-prepared. Shen Xingyu narrowed his eyes.

He said, "This is a private matter of the Shen family. Isn't Mr. Ji getting a bit too involved?"

The bodyguard didn't step aside and merely replied, "Please understand our duty."

Seeing Shen Xingyu being stopped, Lu Ran was taken aback for a moment as well.

But he still walked over.

He patted the bodyguard on the shoulder and said, "Brother, you were sent by my boss, right? Thank him for me, but in this situation, it's not convenient for you to intervene. I'll handle it."

Bodyguard: "?"

Lu Ran glanced at Shen Xingyu across from him.

It was within his expectations that the Shens would come knocking. There was no need for surprise.

Amidst the bodyguard's baffled expression, Lu Ran took two steps toward Shen Xingyu before pausing and returning.

Handing the backpack to the bodyguard, I said, "This contains my newly acquired experimental samples. Please handle with care."

He carefully handed over his lab coat as well, saying, "I have another one that's being washed and hasn't dried yet. Don't get this one dirty."

Having thus imparted all that needed to be said, the youth strode forward with resolute steps, coming to stand before Shen Xingyu.

Shen Xingyu frowned at him and said, "You've had your fun outside for over ten days. That's enough."

Lu Ran also met his gaze head-on, asking, "Tell me, why does the Shen family insist on my return? If you give me a reason, I'll go back with you."

But Shen Xingyu averted his eyes, saying, "It's time for you to fulfill your responsibilities."

Lu Ran bared his canines in a lopsided grin. "Since you're not telling me, there's nothing I can do."

Just as Shen Xingyu was about to respond,

Lu Ran suddenly sprawled out right in front of him.

Shen Xingyu was taken aback.

In the next second, Lu Ran let out a loud cry, "Help! Someone's being beaten! The CEO of the Shen Corporation is attacking a student at University Y!"

Shen Xingyu had imagined various scenarios of Lu Ran's non-cooperation.

But he never expected it to be so straightforward and crude.

Shen Xingyu had never encountered such a situation before, and he was immediately dumbfounded.

There were quite a number of people coming and going at the school gate at that moment, with enthusiastic university students being the majority.

Upon hearing the commotion, they rushed over immediately.

The security guards on duty also sprang into action.

"What are you causing a fuss about?" Shen Xingyu promptly reached out to grab the person lying on the ground.

As he reached out, he inadvertently confirmed the act of "assault."

Some quick-witted people around them had already started snapping photos with their phones.

Hearing the commotion, Lu Ran's classmates from the same major rushed over and asked, "What happened to Lu Ran?"

Lu Ran pointed at Shen Xingyu and said, "He tried to hit me and forced me into his car."

Sure enough, there was a car parked behind Shen Xingyu.

The door was now open, revealing someone inside, apparently waiting for them.

Seeing this scene, many people suddenly became alert.

Someone immediately commented, "Could it be human trafficking?"

Upon seeing this, Shen Xingyu quickly clarified, "No, I'm his older brother. He's having a disagreement with our family and refuses to go back home..."

However, his words only made the surrounding students, especially the girls, even more wary.

Good heavens!

Isn't this a common abduction scenario from the internet?

Although Lu Ran didn't quite fit in with his classmates, he wasn't one of those rowdy boys that others found irritating.

When girls asked for his help, he would quietly take care of things without complaint.

Moreover, he was an excellent student and skilled at laboratory work, drawing crowds during lab classes to watch him operate.

Someone immediately asked Lu Ran, "Do you know him?"

Lu Ran cautiously evaded the question, "I know him, but not well. But he wants to take me back and lock me up."

As he spoke, Lu Ran retreated even further.

Upon hearing this, instead of dispersing, the surrounding people's eyes widened in shock.

Oh my god.

Could it be that they were truly family? Family members actually blocking someone at the school gate and resorting to violence?

Rumors had it that they were from the Shen family, the very CEO of the Shen Corporation.

In this age where same-sex marriage was legal, would such an influential family try to force an arranged marriage?

The onlookers instantly imagined a melodramatic tale of wealth and conflict.

More people gathered around to witness the spectacle.

Shen Xingyu's expression was grim.

At this point, the Shen family couldn't afford negative public opinion. If this were to really blow up...

He reached out to seize Lu Ran's wrist, intent on forcibly pulling the man away.

Upon seeing him make a move, the people around immediately stepped in to stop him. "Hey, hey, hey, what are you doing?"

Someone pointed at him and said, "We live in a society governed by law now, and I've already reported this to the campus security."

The bodyguard stood aside, watching in astonishment.

He didn't forget to call his boss and report, "Boss, Shen Xingyu is here."

On the other end of the line, Ji Min's voice was somewhat cold, "You didn't stop him?"

"No, it was Young Master Lu Ran..."

Ji Min's voice immediately became more anxious, "Lu Ran was taken away?"

"No..."

The bodyguard, with a dazed look, stared at the campus police car approaching, "He put Shen Xingyu in the police car..."

Ji Min: "...."

This time, Shen Xingyu didn't come out on top.

Not only did he fail to take Lu Ran away, but he even got a free tour of the Y University security office.

Moreover, a video of his "disturbance" outside Y University's gate was posted online.

To prevent the situation from escalating into a public scandal, the Shen family had no choice but to spend more money to suppress it.

Seeing that Ji Min had arranged for someone to keep an eye on Lu Ran, the possibility of taking him away from school was virtually nil.

With no other options, Shen Xingyu had no choice but to follow proper procedures and request a meeting with Ji Min.

Ji Min wasn't surprised by this development.

Initially, he hadn't intended to tell Lu Ran about it.

But after careful consideration, he decided to inform Lu Ran anyway.

After all, it was an issue related to Lu Ran.

Despite addressing him as a "child," Lu Ran was already nineteen years old.

However, Ji Min had no intention of taking Lu Ran to meet Shen Xingyu.

He had previously consulted Doctor Kemler about Lu Ran's condition.

Doctor Kemler's advice was straightforward.

If panic attacks only occurred upon encountering specific individuals, the best solution would be to stay away from the source of fear.

That was how Ji Min rationalized it.

And that was his plan.

But as he sat in the car, ready to set off, he noticed Lu Ran's haunting gaze fixed on the window on his side.

It was rather unsettling at first glance.

Ji Min: "…"

He rubbed his forehead and sighed. "Why didn't you go to school?"

"I don't have any classes this morning!" Lu Ran declared.

Already, he had circled around to the other side and skillfully slid into the car.

Ji Min could only signal the driver to wait before starting the vehicle.

Turning to the young man beside him, Ji Min said, "I'm going to meet Shen Xingyu."

"I know," Lu Ran replied.

He looked earnestly at Ji Min and continued, "That's precisely why I followed you. I knew you were going to see him."

Ji Min was taken aback.

He had assumed that Lu Ran would choose to avoid Shen Xingyu.

To his surprise, Lu Ran continued, "Shen Xingyu has issues with his mind. What if he suddenly goes crazy? Can you outrun him in your wheelchair?"

Ji Min was speechless.

Forgive him for being unable to conjure up such a scenario.

After all, no matter how eccentric Shen Xingyu was, he shouldn't be using Ji Min's cup to rinse in the toilet.

Or suddenly releasing cockroaches at him out of spite.

In Ji Min's eyes, Shen Xingyu was an outstanding individual.

However, his excessive concern for his family made his weakness equally evident.

Yet upon turning his head to catch sight of the youth's expression, Ji Min was momentarily taken aback.

Lu Ran was serious.

He was genuinely worried about him.

Assuming that his own apprehension toward Shen Xingyu might somehow extend to their encounter, he feared that he could also be in peril when meeting Shen Xingyu.

Ji Min suddenly found himself at a loss for words.

After a moment of silence, he said, "Forget it. If you don't want to go down, just stay in the car."

Upon hearing this, Manager Chen turned back silently and gave him a glance, seeking an answer through his eyes: "Sir, what about your principles?"

Ji Min turned his head away, pretending not to notice.

The meeting with Shen Xingyu was arranged at a golf club.

Although he had brought Lu Ran along, he had no intention of letting them interact.

Upon alighting from the car, he gave a subtle signal to Butler Chen, instructing him to take the young man to play a game.

He, on the other hand, would handle the negotiation with Shen Xingyu.

When Ji Min arrived, Shen Xingyu was already waiting by the side of the court.

Seated at a nearby round table, he had a cup of black coffee placed before him.

Upon seeing Ji Min approach, his demeanor remained as respectful as ever.

Rising to his feet, he nodded at Ji Min. "Senior Ji."

Ji Min glanced over his shoulder at the not-too-distant figure behind him. "Walk with me for a bit."

Shen Xingyu obligingly agreed.

The two strolled leisurely across the grassy expanse of the golf course.

Ji Min didn't have many friends.

He has a tempestuous nature, with an inherent air of aloofness and arrogance.

Shen Xingyu is one of the few individuals whose company he genuinely enjoys.

Because Shen Xingyu possesses an exceptional level of executiveness, he is rarely swayed by his emotions.

Remaining composed in his work, he never allows emotional outbursts to interfere with efficiency when dealing with subordinates' mistakes.

This is something that Ji Min greatly appreciates.

Back in college, Ji Min had casually asked about the reason, but Shen Xingyu hadn't replied.

"It was at the alumni gathering the last time we met," Ji Min commented casually.

"Mm-hm," Shen Xingyu nodded. "Last time, when I sought your advice on the difficulties I encountered at work, you gave me many valuable suggestions."

After exchanging a few words, they fell silent again.

At first glance, their relationship seemed to still be that of the distant, gentlemanly acquaintance they'd once been.

But there was an undeniable barrier between them now.

Ji Min maneuvered his wheelchair, stopping occasionally, only glancing sideways every now and then towards the other side of the lawn.

There, a young man was practicing by rolling a ball. Afterward, he would jog over with his puppy to retrieve it.

Ji Min observed with a soft scoff, commenting, "Your skills haven't improved at all."

Shen Xingyu followed his gaze.

"Is Lu Ran over there?" He asked with certainty.

Ji Min nodded, showing no intention of hiding the truth from him.

By mentioning Lu Ran, he was conveying to Shen Xingyu that even if Lu Ran were right before him, he wouldn't have the ability to take him away.

Shen Xingyu was well aware of this fact.

Realizing that he might not achieve his goal today, he frowned and said, "I didn't expect that you would have such a close relationship with my brother."

Shen Xingyu emphasized the words "my brother," making it clear that he was displeased.

Ji Min's lips curved faintly, showing no sign of distress.

He said pointedly, "Children need someone to dote on them."

Shen Xingyu immediately lowered his gaze.

Instead, Ji Min started a casual conversation:

"Do you know the circumstances under which I first met him?"

Shen Xingyu didn't respond.

He was well aware of Ji Min's capabilities.

This man with a disability was usually reticent, but when necessary, his words could become his most potent weapon, capable of slaying not only the body but also the heart.

Ji Min didn't expect any particular reaction and continued with a detached tone:

"He placed himself in front of a speeding sports car, and its headlights came to a stop just grazing his knees."

Saying this, Ji Min tapped the armrest of his wheelchair.

"had it been a little closer, his best outcome would have been to end up like me, confined to a wheelchair for life."

Shen Xingyu's brows furrowed, but he remained silent.

"Oh," Ji Min added, as if recalling something, "That car seemed to be connected to Second Young Master Shen's family."

Pausing here, he cast a quizzical, almost amused glance at Shen Xingyu and said, "If my memory serves me right, this second young master of the Shen family is also sort of Lu Ran's elder brother, isn't he?"

"I'll educate Shen Xingzhuo when we get back," Shen Xingyu said with a frown.

Ji Min smiled but didn't respond.

He simply halted his wheelchair, quietly gazing at the youth in the distance who had once again swung his club into empty air.

After a moment, he continued to himself, "When we first met, this kid had no respect for his elders. I offered to send him abroad to study, and he rejected me in a way that left me with no face."

Shen Xingyu's brows knitted even tighter.

If Ji Min really hid someone abroad, the Shen family would truly be powerless.

Ji Min sighed.

"At first, I was puzzled. Despite my initial help, why did he act as if he couldn't recognize me, treating me with such suspicion as if I were about to sell him off?"

Shen Xingyu didn't understand the relevance of this statement.

Only to see Ji Min turn his wheelchair around, gazing directly at him.

Despite being seated in a wheelchair and required to look up at the person beside him, the man's aura in no way diminished.

A faintly chilly curve formed at the corner of Ji Min's lips as he said,

"Not until I witnessed that slap did I realize that perhaps the initial cold treatment I received was all because of my association with you, my elder brother."

Ji Min also emphasized the word "brother" heavily.

Shen Xingyu recalled the incident.

He hadn't initially been aware of Shen Hongyuan's dinner invitation to Fang Chen that day.

At the time, he was attending an event when he happened to encounter Ji Min and went over to greet him.

Upon receiving news from his assistant, he hastily rushed to the Shen residence, worried that Shen Hongyuan might inadvertently spoil things.

He hurriedly bid Ji Min farewell.

Little did he expect that this senior, who usually minded his own business, would glance at him and voluntarily offer to visit the Shen family.

Reflecting on it now, it was likely all for Lu Ran.

Shen Xingyu inwardly sighed, acknowledging that brute force was not the way to proceed.

He cast a glance at Ji Min, then turned his gaze towards the distant youth still engrossed in playing ball.

Shen Xingyu suddenly remarked, "He's not very skilled. Senior Ji, did you not teach him?"

Ji Min's grip on the wheelchair controller tightened ever so slightly.

His gaze darkened for an instant.

Staring at the young man in the distance, Shen Xingyu nonchalantly said, "But I can teach him."

He continued,

"As his older brother, teaching him how to play golf wouldn't provoke any undue rumors or suspicions from outsiders."

"There's no need to clarify or avoid suspicion."

Shen Xingyu's eyes swept over Ji Min's knees as he emphasized each word, "I can teach him properly."

Chapter 169 - Inept at Titles (Part 2)

The journey back to the cave wasn't far. The kitchen door was left open during the day. Shen Ning lit the fire and added water to the pot. As she turned around, she saw Shen Jin and Shen Yin. She ran out to greet them. Seeing how thin they were, not much better than Shen Tie, she peered behind them.

Before she could ask about Tian Ya, the Chen family, who lived closer, had heard the news and arrived. They were stunned by the emaciated Shen Jin and Shen Yin. The Chen family hardly recognized the two brothers; they looked no better than those on the brink of death during the drought years.

Old Lady Chen opened her mouth but couldn't speak.

San Luo handed Shen Jin and Shen Yin over to An Ning and An Qing. "Take Little Jin and Little Yin inside to sit down. Give them two bowls of water to moisten their throats. I'll go with your Grandma Chen and the others to see if there's anyone else."

Shen An and Shen Ning agreed.

As San Luo and the Chen family moved away, they could still hear Shen Ning's low voice guiding the others towards the cave. "It's only been three months, how did you end up like this? Didn't your big brother send you dried meat? And didn't Wen Yin's father exchange food for you? What about Tian Ya? Hasn't she come down yet?"

San Luo sighed softly.

The Chen family glanced back. Seeing that the children had reached the cave entrance, Old Lady Chen whispered to San Luo, "I heard from Lu's second son that Qiyang County has fallen. Little Jin and his two siblings came over. What about Shen San, Li Shi, and Tian Ya?"

San Luo shook her head. "I don't know the details yet."

As Xu family members were being lowered one by one with ropes under Shen Lie's guidance, the Shi, Zhou, and Lu families also arrived in quick succession.

All preoccupied with the situation outside, they didn't move from their spots and immediately asked about the circumstances. Shopkeeper Xu explained the situation, but, considering the children, he didn't go into great detail about the events involving the Shen family's third branch, vaguely brushing over it.

Only then did everyone in the valley learn what had transpired outside.

For every family in the valley, that day was a difficult one. Their once-abandoned homes were now truly lost, with countless villages in Ten Mile Village and Qi County now deserted. How many could return when peace was restored?

The three Shen brothers and the Xu family, who had managed to survive, were incredibly fortunate. Many others had either lost their lives or were still trapped in an unknown hellish situation.

After their sorrow, they felt immense relief for having been able to hide safely in this small valley, escaping a great calamity. Their loved ones had prepared early and taken refuge in the mountains.

As for families like the Xus and Shens, who had managed to save some relatives, there was even more gratitude. Old Lady Xu held her son and daughter-in-law, hugging her two grandsons as she wept and laughed.

Being alive was everything; survival surpassed all else.

Despite her advanced age, the old lady, upon learning that her son's family had been rescued by Shen Lie and Chen Dashan, attempted to bow in gratitude to the two young men. But Chen's wife, quick-eyed and nimble-handed, promptly supported her.

Gan, Shi Erlang's wife, Feng Liu, and the Zhou family's mother and daughter, all with loved ones outside, couldn't help but inquire in detail from Shen Lie and Chen Dashan about the situation in the mountains. Upon learning that most people had retreated to within a three or four day journey of the inner region, they were reassured.

Shi Erlang asked, "Will it be even more difficult for us to leave the valley after a while?"

They were only two days away from the inner region.

Chen Dashan thought for a moment and shook his head. "Those two days aren't easy either. There are more wild beasts than outside. Unless you're a hunter who knows the signs of their movements and can avoid them relatively easily, it won't be easy for ordinary people to venture further in. The outer region is vast enough. As long as there isn't a large number of bandits entering the mountains, there should be enough resources to sustain everyone for a while. Most people probably won't venture deeper anytime soon."

There might already be casualties among those who had ventured deep into the mountains. Daily travel was generally fraught with anxiety.

Shen Lie said, "We should hunt as much as possible lately, preferably venturing deeper into the inner region."

Shi Erlang was puzzled. "Isn't it more dangerous to go deeper?"

Shen Lie nodded. "It's more dangerous, but still manageable. In the direction of the outer region, my advice is to avoid traveling if possible. Leaving those wild animals alone serves as a protective barrier for our valley. With more beasts and fewer people daring to enter, our valley will be safer. And when the situation outside becomes truly dire and many people retreat inward, the beasts will also withdraw, preserving resources for others seeking refuge in the mountains."

At times, humans could be far more terrifying than beasts. If they could maintain a natural barrier through certain measures, it was best to preserve it.

Given the knowledge that people were already resorting to cannibalism outside, everyone agreed with this perspective.

The situation outside was well-known. The Xu family and the three Jin brothers needed to be settled, so everyone returned to their respective homes.

Sang Luo and Shen Lie lagged behind, finally having a chance to speak privately.

Sang Luo looked at Shen Lie. "Xu Boss was rather vague just now. What's the situation with Little Jin's family?"

Shen Lie sighed and shared everything he knew with Sang Luo.

On their way here, he had also taken the opportunity to privately ask Jin about how they entered the city, how they lost the grain, what happened to Tian Ya, and how she was eventually brought back. Thus, he was now well-informed.

The only solace for Shen Lie was that Tian Ya was ultimately escorted out by Wang Meiniang, sparing her from the most dire of fates.

Now he also understood Li's determination to risk everything to kill Shen San. If Shen San were to survive, it was unlikely that any of the Shen brothers, including Shen Jin, would live to see another day.

San Luo didn't have much affection for Shen San or Li Shi. Upon hearing this, she could only sigh for Tian Ya, or perhaps, for the ways of the world.

She was aware of the fragility of human life in chaotic times, and of the desperate act of exchanging children for food. Yet, the true depths of such devastation were but a mere stroke in a book to her. Having grown up in the twenty-first century, she had never personally experienced such hardships.

By this point, Sang Luo felt nothing but gratitude. She was glad that back then, she needed an identity and saw that Shen An and Shen Ning were obedient and sensible, so she decided to stay in the drafty, dilapidated cottage of the Shen family. She was also grateful that after Shen Lie returned, she observed his character and chose to stay a second time.

Otherwise, she couldn't bear to imagine what she would be facing now.

Still processing Shen Lie's account of the situation outside, Shen Lie pondered for a moment before discussing his plans for his brothers, Shen Jin and the others.

Sang Luo listened quietly. As he spoke, her eyebrows lifted in surprise.

He first established his stance, clarified responsibilities, tactfully informed her of Shen Jin's attitude, and finally sought her opinion on whether he could share part of his hunted game and rations with his three cousins.

With meticulous care and palpable tension, he spoke logically and fluently.

Sang Luo didn't reply. Instead, she stood still, looking at Shen Lie, and asked curiously, "How many times have you gone over this in your head since you returned?"

Shen Lie was taken aback.

Sang Luo chuckled. "To be honest, I don't think we'll go hungry with you protecting us in this vast mountain range."

Her main challenge would likely be figuring out how to alter their diet.

She glanced at Shen Lie and said with a smile, "So, it looks like you'll have to work harder hunting in the future. And thank you."

That "thank you" left Shen Lie in a daze, but Sang Luo didn't elaborate. She simply said, "Come on, Xiao An and Ah Ning must have found out by now."

Who knows how much weeping and wailing there would be.

I'm sorry, but you haven't provided any text for me to translate. Please provide the specific lines or paragraphs from your novel that you would like translated into English, along with the necessary context, and I will be happy to assist you with an elegant and accurate translation.

As Sangluo had anticipated, Shen An and Shen Ning's eyes were slightly swollen.

Shen Lie and the youngest, Tian Ya, didn't actually have much interaction. On the other hand, Shen An and Shen Ning, especially Shen Ning, had taken care of Tian Ya since she was a young girl. The sudden realization that she was gone brought immense sorrow, which needed no explanation.

San Luo didn't offer comfort; there was little that could console in such a situation. It was a process of acceptance that had to run its course.

What she truly wished to express was this: Be grateful for the division of the household, and even more so for Shen Lie's timely return. For had he not come back when he did, it would not have been Tian Ya who suffered first, but rather Shen Ning, followed by Shen An.

Shen Ning might not even end up with a fate as seemingly fortunate as Sweet Ya's; rather, it's entirely possible that long before reaching the status of a golden bracelet-bearer, she could have become yet another Wang Meiniang.

Sanlang's bottom line was something Sangluo had yet to witness. As for Li, while she was kind to her own child, she couldn't be said to treat Shen An and Shen Ning with the same warmth.

But now that the person was gone and retribution had been served, it would only be a jab at the Shen brothers if she were to mention it. Thus, she decided against it and patted Shen Ning's head instead. "Enough. Have you kept an eye on the water in the cauldron? Be careful not to let it boil dry."

It was better to work than to dwell on sorrow with tears in her eyes.

Upon hearing Sang Luo mention the pot of water, Shen Ning wiped away her tears and hurriedly went to the kitchen.

Shen Jin still felt nervous around Sang Luo, but she didn't put pressure on him. Instead, she let Shen An take the two younger ones to wash their hands and faces first. That way, they could enjoy their food soon. Meanwhile, she examined the two-tiered bed and pondered how the large family would accommodate themselves before the cave above could be cleaned up.

Thankfully, they had built a raised platform when constructing the bed. Now that it was summer, each side of the platform could sleep one person, and there was no other space to squeeze in anyone else.

...

While Sang Luo considered the layout of the small cave, next door at the Xu residence, Shopkeeper Xu, Wei Lingzhen, Xu Wenqing, Xu Wenhuang, and Uncle Xu stood dumbfounded in their own cave.

They had never imagined that living in a cave could be like this, with so many variations of beds?

Xu Wenying's eyes sparkled as she held her mother's arm, saying, "Mother, isn't it beautiful? The canopy for this bed was woven by my grandmother and me."

In fact, the Xu family's cave only had two beds. Although larger than Sang Luo's, its irregular shape made it winding and difficult to arrange. Taking advantage of the cave's original form, Sang Luo had carved out a separate small room for Grandma Xu and Xu Wenying at the back.

With just an elderly woman and a young girl, there was no need for a two-tiered bed. However, since Xu Wenying had been envious of the Shen family's platform, Sang Luo designed a similar one. But instead of having a second level, there was only a very low platform bed against the wall. With a mattress and a mat laid on top, it looked incredibly clean and neat.

A rod was installed above the bedhead, designed to hold up a mosquito net, resembling the canopy found in a modern-day princess bed.

On the remaining space of the platform, two cushioned seats and a low bedside table were placed, providing a spot for daily relaxation. When needed, the platform could be lifted to reveal storage compartments beneath it. Due to Xu Wenying's envy of Shen Ning's bed with steps, Sangluo had even specially designed a two-tier staircase to access the platform.

Certainly, the platform was initially intended for added storage and to fulfill Xu Wenying's little wish. Now, with its height effectively blocking dampness, it could even serve as a tatami mat without issue. With the addition of a mattress, the couple, Shopkeeper Xu and Wei Lingzhen, now had a bed for themselves.

As for Wei Qinghe, Wang Yunzhen, and Xu Wenbo, they were accommodated with a trapezoidal-shaped loft bed. A wardrobe was built beside it, effectively solving the living arrangements for the three of them.

The kitchen and the furniture were all novelties; in short, it was entirely unlike what they had envisioned.

Madam Wei admired the room, nodding repeatedly. "Beautiful! What an ingeniously crafted idea."

Xu Wenyin chuckled. "It was Sister Aoluo who helped us design it. Every bed in this valley is stunning!"

Shopkeeper Xu also stroked the platform, grinning. "Madam Sang has always been clever with her designs."

Granny Xu watched with a smile, finally speaking up. "From now on, the two of you will sleep on this platform. For Uncle Xu and Wenyin, Wenqing, and Wenhong, we can build a bunk bed like the one Qinghe and the others have outside."

Shopkeeper Xu looked around. If they added another bed, there would barely be any space left for a walkway. He suggested, "Wouldn't that be too crowded? Shen Lie mentioned there's another small cave. Perhaps Uncle Xu and the boys could live there with Little Jin and his siblings."

Mrs. Xu cast him a sidelong glance and said, "I told you to stay here, so stay here. What's the problem with being crowded? Which family in this area isn't squeezed together? You haven't seen the tiny cave at the Shen residence. This valley was originally discovered by both the Shen and Chen families. Back then, they let A Luo choose first, and out of consideration for us, they chose the smallest one. It's already cramped, and now with three more children, I say we should just give that small cave to the Shens and avoid the squeeze altogether."

The young couple still slept in separate beds.

Xu Wenying frequently visited the Shen family and was constantly whispering with Shen Ning. How could she not know which bed Shen Ning slept in? Xu Wenying, in her casual chats with the elder, would inadvertently reveal this information.

An Ning slept on the upper level with her eldest sister-in-law.

...

And wouldn't the old lady know all about it?

With the emergence of this cave, what business did her family have interfering? It didn't matter how Shen Lie and Sang Luo used it; ultimately, it would be best to seize the opportunity to incorporate the cave into the Shen family's domain. Only then would her old heart find peace.

Master Xu was unaware of his mother's intricate thoughts, but upon learning that the Shen family had been assigned the smallest grotto, he immediately dismissed the idea of letting his son occupy another one.

"Alright, I'll inform Shen Lie right away."

He returned to the rack where the grain was stored and found two unopened sacks of rice. He called Wei Qinghe, Uncle Xu, and Xu Wenqing to help him carry the rice bags to the Shen residence.

The debt of saving one's life couldn't be repaid with mere two bags of rice, let alone two hundred. Delivering rice would underestimate both himself and Shen Lie. However, with the sudden addition of three mouths to feed in the Shen family, the pressure was immense. He intended to do his part to help.

Chapter 85: Station 23: The Oyster Shell

"Don't you have anything to say to me?"

The young man removed the cigarette from his lips and asked with a calm tone reminiscent of their previous discussions about strategies when Yan Qiling was at peace.

Yet, Yan Qiling sensed an underlying restlessness in him.

He had a general idea why, but regardless of the reason, he had no intention of revealing more to this person.

So, he maintained a polite smile and replied softly, "I've said everything I needed to earlier. If you have any doubts, feel free to ask directly."

Ming Yiyang gazed steadily at him and suddenly chuckled.

Nodding briefly, the young man walked towards him, "You want me to ask directly, right... Alright then."

The young man stood resolutely before Yan Qiling, his amethyst eyes shimmering with intense emotions in the ambiguous light.

"You came here with me, was it because of Si Shuhao and me, or is there another reason?"

Before Yan Qiling could respond, the other's tall figure leaned down, whispering hoarsely into his ear:

"I only want the truth."

Yan Qiling smiled composedly, as if he had nothing to hide.

"I promised Lingshuang that I would never let anything happen to you."

A hand encrusted with calluses suddenly clasped the other's porcelain-like jaw, forcing Ming Yiyang to look up and meet his gaze.

In the youth's amethyst-hued eyes, storms brew and surge, poised for unleashing.

"Really? Then could you explain to me why, with you standing right in front of me, your pinky ring is telling me that you're currently in the embroidery room?!"

Yan Qiling's expression remained composed. He placed his cold fingers on the back of this person's hand, speaking in a soft tone.

"In the realm of the Black Rank Unbounded Master, anything can happen. Don't be nervous, I am who I am. What you see now is genuine. There's no need for me to hide this from you."

Ming Yiyang didn't seem to intend to take the offered out.

Their foreheads were almost touching, and the contrasting temperatures of their breaths, hot and cold, failed to intertwine:

"You're still lying to me."

Yan Qiling's gaze remained steady, his smile still on his face, but patience was clearly waning.

"There's no need for me to deceive you. If this answer doesn't satisfy you, there's nothing I can do about it."

Fingers encased in thin calluses brushed against the man's soft, smooth cheek. The young man, his eyes stormy with purple, descended upon him unannounced.

He encountered lips as cold as porcelain yet as pliable as jelly.

These lips held no taste, but their texture was astonishing.

He bit deeply into them, using his teeth to grasp the other's lower lip, attempting to pry open the tightly clenched jaws.

The man's lips remained tightly sealed, unyielding to his attempts to pry them open with licks and bites. Instead, the man began to physically push him away.

Ming Yiyang did not insist.

He felt that he might have momentarily lost his mind just now.

Letting go of the man's lips, he released his hold and stepped back, meeting the man's extremely cold gaze head-on.

Ming Yiyang was not afraid of such indifference.

Ever since he posed those questions, the spark he used to feel whenever he encountered this man had turned to ice.

Now, it was as if mere ice particles were hitting that icy wall, producing a lonely clinking sound.

The noise from outside grew louder, signaling the approach of outsiders.

"You should leave."

Ming Yiyang casually put the crumpled cigarette back into his mouth and nonchalantly lit it with a lighter, exhaling smoke as he spoke.

His expression matched the man's indifferent demeanor, suggesting he no longer cared about the other's opinion.

The hand opened once more, reaching out in front of him.

With the cigarette held between his fingers, Ming Yiyang brought it to his lips again. He blew a thick cloud of smoke towards the man's flawless face.

"Let's go. Don't make me ash my cigarette in your hand," he said, taking two steps back to create some distance between them.

As Yan Qiling lifted his gaze from a lowered position, he had already composed himself, wearing a seamless smile as if looking at a mischievous child. "You're being childish."

Ming Yiyang remained silent, merely puffing on the cigarette with a cold demeanor.

That delicate and graceful hand extended toward him, gently closing in a beautiful gesture right before his eyes.

Amidst the black smoke rising from searing flesh, a man's amused voice echoed:

"Even if you're angry, don't harm your own body."

The young man's eyes narrowed.

Yan Qiling clenched his palm around the burning cigarette!

Ming Yiyang was astonished, releasing his grip on the filter between his teeth as he witnessed this man extinguish the cigarette with his tongue for the first time.

Just now, he had been on the verge of giving up altogether.

Regardless of the reason, being kissed on the lips in the midst of an argument by someone of the same sex left him with no grounds to forgive. Even someone as indifferent as Yan Qiling couldn't possibly take such an incident so calmly.

Ming Yiyang wasn't surprised that Yan Qiling insisted on him putting out the cigarette.

He wouldn't have been surprised if the other man had beaten him until he was immobilized and taken the cigarette, or even used some method to restrain him before snatching it away.

But this time...

Yan Qiling still chose to harm his own body as a means to extinguish the cigarette.

"Is your body something you can treat with such disregard?" Ming Yiyang asked in an unprecedentedly deep tone, watching as the man bent down to retrieve the discarded, cooled cigarette end.

The man paused slightly, hiding his burned palm beneath a silk handkerchief.

"I am dead, while you are alive; of course, it's different for us," he replied.

After carefully replacing the two cigarette ends, Yan Qiling's upturned face was devoid of any emotion, now resembling a blank scroll of calmness.

"I merely mend flesh, whereas you would risk your life. Rather than hurting you and then extinguishing the cigarette, I choose my own method. Besides, putting out the cigarette is for your own good. If I were to force you through physical pain, wouldn't that defeat the purpose?"

Yan Qiling tucked the handkerchief into his chest pocket.

"I have never believed in the notion that a child will become filial only through strict parenting. A father should be kind, and then the child will be filial. How you treat others is how they will treat you in return."

Ming Yiyang couldn't imagine anyone else but Yan Qiling uttering such an utterly pure and profound maxim.

Upon hearing these words, he felt that it was something Yan Qiling would say.

Moreover, there was a subtle sense that he had been subtly insulted by the other party.

Stepping through the Moonlit Gate, Yan Qiling's dark robes brushed past the threshold, vanishing at the end of the cobblestone path.

Ming Yiyang gazed in the direction where he had vanished, suddenly reaching out to cover his eyes. He let out a deep sigh.

All conditioned things are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, and shadows.

Like dew on a blade, ephemeral as lightning; thus should it be perceived.

In this vast world, with myriad mortal desires and five aggregates of existence.

To inhabit an uncharted body, perceiving reality through sensory experiences.

It is indeed difficult to view it in such a detached manner.

-

When Yan Qiling returned to the accounting room, Shiwen Guang was nowhere to be found.

He stepped into the room, not bothering to light a lamp despite the dimness, and headed straight for the exquisite cabinet with its polished ancient bronze mirror.

He stood directly in front of it, yet the reflection in the mirror was empty.

Strictly speaking, everything behind him was perfectly mirrored, save for himself.

In the stillness of his expression, his handsome features mirrored the calmness of the glass.

It could have been an instant or a few seconds that passed.

As if wiped by an invisible hand, the mirror began to reveal faint outlines amidst the recurring shadows.

The contours gradually sharpened until finally, it reflected a figure with cerulean eyes.

Yan Qiling never placed faith in anything that appeared in mirrors.

Even if the reflection was his own.

He didn't trust anything that could reflect him, such as the eyes of others or their words between teeth. He didn't care about them and didn't believe they represented anything.

He only believed in a fleeting moment captured unintentionally or a spark of inspiration.

He loved those coincidences that couldn't be concealed. From that hasty honesty, he could perceive a sense of security and control, along with exploitable genuine emotions.

The figure in the mirror offered a charming smile.

Its originally ethereal appearance was dragged into the mundane world by that slightly ingratiating and seductive grin:

"I've taken good care of Si Shuhao as promised. Can I have the reward now?"

Yan Qiling in front of the mirror didn't smile. Not only did he not smile, but his voice, when he spoke, was so cold that it barely sounded like his own, resembling the eternal polar ice at the South Pole:

"It's not enough yet."

"I want you to be like a nail, rooted by her side, warding off any deadly threats to her. Only then will I give you the reward you desire."

The reflection was evidently not content with this answer. Its cerulean eyes spun around, as if contemplating some wicked plan. But just as it did, Yan Qiling's surrounding crimson threads began to float upward.

The delicate red threads surged into the mirror like waves, soon enveloping the figure within the lake-blue eyes.

The reflection dared not defy these seemingly harmless threads; it had witnessed their power before.

Without much resistance, it submitted to the intimidating presence, swiftly transforming into an obedient form: "Of course, as you wish... Whatever command the Master gives, I shall fulfill."

"You'd better."

With that, Yan Qiling didn't wait for the reflection to vanish from the mirror before reaching out to wipe across the finely polished surface. The mirror suddenly became mottled, revealing nothing more.

When Yan Qiling met Ming Yiyang in the embroidery room, they expected some discomfort on his part.

-

Yet, that person was hidden behind the locust tree outside the backyard, absorbed in figuring out how to bypass the guards undetected tonight, showing no sign of discomfort.

Upon seeing him, Ming Yiyang waved as a form of greeting, then immediately lowered his voice.

"There are five guards in the vicinity, two posted at the outer and courtyard gates, one by the entrance, mostly situated in the front yard."

"However, there should still be patrols at night. Our safest bet would be to ascend to the rooftop and position ourselves against the northern side's blue tiles. That way, the servants in the front courtyard won't be able to see us."

Yan Qiling had no objections to his arrangement.

"Mm, I'll follow your lead. How about Si Shuhao?"

Ming Yiyang's lips curled up slightly, hinting at a smile, but he quickly smoothed out the curve of his mouth. He cautiously led the way to the back window of the embroidery room, gently knocking on it three times.

In a short while, half of the back window was pushed open, revealing Si Shuhao's little face.

The young girl's expression was still the same as before, but there seemed to be a subtle change in her demeanor.

She remained lively, yet the dark circles under her eyes indicated that she hadn't had a good night's sleep.

Upon seeing them, Si Shuhao hid her smile behind her well-bandaged hand, softly saying,

"When did you arrive? I was terrified when Ming Yiyang came to explain the rules earlier. You're still here? Hurry and leave before the guards find out; the consequences could be severe."

Ming Yiyang clicked his tongue twice.

"I never left. Yan Qiling and I will keep watch for you tonight. Get a good night's rest and don't make yourself look so haggard, as if the world owes you something."

"I don't have a reason not to be bitter, do I? Try being subjected to that old witch's nonsense."

The young girl pouted but quickly smiled again.

"Just remember to help me retaliate later. Anyway, I didn't lose anything. It's fortunate that I didn't break any major rules this time. Don't worry, my hand has been treated with medicine, and the old witch wouldn't dare starve us. She sent some food, so we won't go hungry for a few days."

As Yan Qiling gazed at her scarred fingers, a storm brewed in his usually aloof eyes.

Of course, he wasn't concerned about Si Shuhao.

Instead, the familiar injuries on her fingers reminded him of another, long-lost acquaintance.

Chapter 122: One Month

Beros's ears rang as he had never encountered a demon who dared to treat him like a lover. Watching the arrogant and domineering Demon Mirror before him, Beros endured as much as he could but finally lost his patience and took action.

As a result, the patrons in the shop were stunned. The silver-haired guy was actually fighting Beros, the notorious demon, on equal footing! At that moment, they even forgot their fear of the Three-Headed Hellhound and eagerly tried to get a better look.

The silver demon seemed to be the Demon Mirror, and it was evenly matched with Beros? The scorching black flames couldn't be disguised; that was Beros, and no demon would be bored enough to dye their hair a symbol of weakness.

The incubus held back Phileas, who wanted to intervene. While the other side was causing a ruckus, he remained seated calmly, even smiling flirtatiously.

"Isn't this your shop? Why aren't you going to break up the fight?" Phileas asked. He had researched online and found that the shop was very popular with glowing reviews. Therefore, Phileas assumed that the demons here were skilled at appeasing customers, which was why he came.

It would take some time for the shop to recover from the damage and for Beros's terrifying aura to dissipate. The incubus might not mind the financial loss, but wouldn't Essence feel the pinch from losing one of his nightlife spots?

Essence understood what Phileas was thinking and smiled even wider—his handsome face wasn't effeminate, even with pink hair. This incubus exuded standard male hormones.

Despite his seemingly delicate and boneless appearance, it was difficult to ignore his aggression. It was a different kind of aggression. Behind his usual affectionate gaze lay an indifferent heart with no waves, and his promiscuity was cold.

If the incubus were easy to handle, Phileas would have flipped him over already.

Essence tapped his reddened lips with a finger, "Have you heard of a masochist?"

Phileas: "?"

"Given Bellerophon's lingering aura, there should be quite a few demons attracted here to experience it."

Phileas: "F*ck." Could this succubus possibly be a masochist?

Since they were inside the shop surrounded by other demons, Bellerophon didn't dare to act too wildly and couldn't vent his anger on Wen Ying as he wished. After the intense activity, Wen Ying panted heavily, one hand on his waist while the other supported an overturned chair beside him, but his brows still held a brazen arrogance.

"If you still refuse, tomorrow's headline will be 'Bellerophon breaks into that kind of establishment and gets into a huge fight with a demon who caught him in the act.'"

Bellerophon: "..." He spat out a mouthful of blood.

With a chilling gaze, Bellerophon stared at Wen Ying and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand.

It's easier to suggest opening a window after proposing to open a door to someone who disagrees. If they reject the first suggestion, suggesting a window next will be more acceptable.

Wen Ying said, "How about this then, how about a month?"

Beros immediately agreed, "Alright."

Wen Ying was taken aback for a moment before realizing what had happened. He opened his mouth to speak, but Beros interrupted him, "Starting from today."

Wen Ying became dejected, his face clearly showing his displeasure. His unhappiness, however, made Beros happy. He grinned, pleased with himself despite knowing that his tactic would harm both himself and the enemy.

Muershi couldn't help but scold, "How could you stumble at the final step?"

The next day, they were scheduled to go to the Human Realm for their final exams. It was uncertain how long they would be away, but it would likely take at least a week, maybe even longer. Even after the exams, Beros could allow his consciousness to remain in the Human Realm for a full month before returning.

Essence had been standing by the side, also sighing. Wen Ying's intelligence seemed to falter at crucial moments, just like in many Human Realm TV dramas.

Recalling something, Beros turned to the surrounding demons with a cold demeanor and warned, "Whoever dares to mention tonight's events to anyone else will face my wrath."

The demons immediately nodded, chorusing "We dare not," "We won't say a word," "Absolutely not," and "Not even under torture."

Satisfied with their responses, Beros' expression darkened once more as he thought about the incident. He caught sight of Essence and walked over to him, "I'll transfer the store renovation fees to you."

Wen Ying wore a resentful look. Muershi approached and patted his shoulder. As Wen Ying turned his head, he saw Muershi grinning mischievously, spoiling the scholarly charm of his handsome face.

"…Anything good?"

"Muershi," the other said, "this place is ruined, but there are others. My subordinate just texted me that Lan Jiaying sneaked off to 'Nightfall.' Oh, it's a similar establishment. Let's quietly follow and give him a big surprise."

Boros, who was about to storm off in anger, paused when he heard Muershi's enthusiastic voice. His toe, which had been lifting to take a step, turned back around.

He saw Phileas not too far away. Hearing Muershi's words, he guessed that Phileas had probably come here before him and had a similar experience. He should have left angrily, but…

Just as Boros was thinking this, Wen Ying asked, "Boros, do you want to give Lan Jiaying a big surprise together?"

Without hesitation, Boros replied, "Let's go." If he was having bad luck, he wanted to see others suffer too.

Their eyes met, and Phileas shifted his gaze awkwardly. He hadn't expected to witness Boros' misfortune when trying to see another demon's downfall.

Chapter 83: Ambush

Mrs. Shen's piercing cry not only startled Shen Hongyuan but also Shen Xingyu in the adjacent room.

He had just returned home and was taking a shower to relieve his exhaustion.

The soundproofing in the Shen family's villa was excellent, and he was in the bathroom, so normally, he wouldn't have been able to hear anything.

The fact that he could hear it meant that the scream must have been incredibly loud.

Shen Xingyu assumed something major had happened.

He hastily turned off the showerhead and reached for the towel hanging on the rack.

However, his hand paused mid-air when he realized that right beside the towel, on the wall, was something that made Shen Xingyu dizzy and nauseous at the mere sight of it...

It was crawling at a leisurely pace.

It seemed to be strolling along the slippery wall with its antennae waving, resembling an elderly gentleman taking a morning walk.

However, this sight turned Shen Xingyu's face pale.

He had a deep psychological aversion to this creature.

Anyone who had swallowed half a cockroach would likely have such a trauma.

Yet, Mrs. Shen in the adjacent room continued her shrill screams, as if Shen Hongyuan had suddenly died that very night.

Shen Xingyu gritted his teeth and forcefully suppressed the urge to vomit. He stretched out his hand extremely slowly, attempting to retrieve his towel hanging on the wall without alarming the "Grandpa Cockroach."

Perhaps his movements were quiet enough that Shen Xingyu successfully avoided the cockroach and retrieved the towel.

Shen Xingyu let out a huge sigh of relief.

He quickly grabbed the towel and was about to wrap himself in the pristine bathrobe.

Unexpectedly, as he shook it, four or five dark shadows darted out from within.

Instantly, chaos erupted throughout the second floor of the Shen household.

A series of chaotic scurrying sounds echoed.

Of course, Shen Xingran, who lived on the third floor, heard the commotion as well.

He was staying up late, soothing each fish in his pond one by one. Hearing the noise, he instinctively got out of bed and stepped out of his room.

However, the moment he pushed open the door, he heard Madam Shen scream, "Roaches! They're roaches!"

Shen Xingran had experienced firsthand how terrifying those creatures could be. He promptly retreated back into his room and slammed the door shut.

"No worries, no worries."

He reassured himself.

Even if there were cockroaches, they would be on the second floor. The pest control company had visited his third-floor room three times, ensuring its safety.

With this in mind, Shen Xingran was even more hesitant to open the door.

He pretended not to have heard anything and retreated back to bed.

Throughout the night, aside from an uncomfortable pillow, nothing else disturbed him.

Shen Xingran became even more convinced that his room was secure.

The next morning, he descended to the dining room.

Despite being kept awake by the commotion from the main family the previous night, the servants had still diligently prepared breakfast.

When Shen Xingran came downstairs, Madam Shen, Shen Hongyuan, and Shen Xingyu were already waiting downstairs.

Their expressions were strikingly similar.

One could say they all looked as pale as ash.

Seated together, they resembled three small graves.

Shen Xingran feigned surprise, "Dad, Mom, and Big Brother, why do you all look so terrible?"

Mrs. Shen opened her mouth, lacking the energy to even explain.

She simply said, "We'll have to call the pest control company again today."

Shen Hongyuan nodded in silence.

Shen Xingyu, on the other hand, had made up his mind to move into the company tonight.

Maintaining a puzzled look, Shen Xingran started on his breakfast.

As he ate, he didn't forget to console Mrs. Shen, "Mom, how about you rest at my place for a while later?"

Mid-conversation, Shen Xingran lowered his head and frowned at the small steamed bun on his chopsticks.

There, in the bun he had taken a bite of, a black, thread-like object was revealed.

Shen Xingran felt a sudden wave of disgust.

Ew! How could these servants be so careless? There was actually a hair in the bun?

Shen Xingran was just about to summon a servant to demand an explanation.

Upon closer thought, it seemed that this small steamed bun was made by Madam Shen herself on a whim yesterday afternoon.

Shen Xingran could only suppress the disgust in his heart and silently used his chopsticks to pick out the hair.

When he tried to pull it out with his chopsticks, it wouldn't budge.

He tried again.

To his horror, the so-called "hair" was attached to half a dead cockroach, which was pulled out from the steamed bun.

There was no such thing as "hair."

Those were cockroach antennae!

Shen Xingran: "..."

At that moment, before a scream could escape his throat, Shen Xingran had only one question in his mind.

Why was this cockroach only half complete?

What happened to the other half?!!

The breakfast table was once again in chaos.

Shen Xingran was so disgusted that he didn't attend school that day; instead, he spent the entire day holed up in his room.

Despite the cockroach incident, the sole consolation was that his third floor remained safe.

Shen Xingran had always comforted himself in this way.

Until one day, he got up in the middle of the night to get a drink.

After filling the cup, he lifted it to his lips and took a sip.

Suddenly, he felt something touch his lips.

Shen Xingran quickly turned on the light.

Looking down, he saw a gigantic cockroach floating in the water.

It wasn't just in the cup.

To his left, to his right, on the ceiling...

Then, the largest one flew straight at his face.

Shen Xingran let out a startled cry, shattering the alluring bubble he usually cultivated in his voice.

He rushed into the bedroom without a care, grabbed the pillow, and started swinging it wildly.

A ripping sound echoed.

These past few days, he had found his sleep rather uncomfortable, and now the slightly sunken pillow split open.

In an instant, a swarm of cockroach larvae spilled out.

The latex inside the pillow was riddled with holes.

All these days!

He had been sleeping with these things!

Shen Xingran rolled his eyes, nearly fainting.

It had to be Lu Ran! Definitely Lu Ran!

Completely unaware of the turmoil the Shen family was enduring, Lu Ran had been living quite comfortably lately.

These past two days, Ji Min must have been upset with him and didn't pay much attention to him.

But the mattress in Lu Ran's room had been replaced with a firmer one.

The bedding that he used to keep on the floor was also moved up there.

Now, Lu Ran would return to Ji Min's place after school.

In the spacious villa, only he, Ji Min, and Manager Chen were present.

With the daily battles for supremacy at home no longer part of his routine, Lu Ran initially felt a bit uneasy, as if something enjoyable was missing from his life.

However, over time, Lu Ran began to realize that he had started to resemble his peers.

There was no longer the fear of a sudden outburst waiting for him at home, nor the worry of his belongings being inexplicably thrown out.

It was as if he had truly become an carefree university student.

His days now consisted solely of studying and socializing.

Upon returning home, a hearty meal was already prepared.

He was slightly more fortunate than the average college student, for he had Big Yellow to accompany him and play with!

Today was a weekend.

In a rare occurrence, Ji Min didn't go to the office but instead stayed in the sunroom of the villa.

The spring sun shone brightly.

A pot of tea was brewing on the round table.

Big Yellow sprawled on the floor, basking in the sunlight.

Butler Chen was pruning the flowers and plants in the yard.

Lu Ran followed closely, also holding a pair of gardening shears.

He attentively listened as the elderly man explained how to trim the plants properly.

Ji Min gazed through the veil of steam at the elderly figure and the young one in the courtyard.

To be honest, he was rather surprised.

Given Lu Ran's character, Ji Min had long prepared himself for the inevitable chaos and commotion that would ensue in their future life together.

Yet, the young man stayed at Master Ji's residence for several days.

The intimidating aura around him had softened, making him appear even more obedient and endearing.

He was also quite tranquil, apart from occasionally bickering with him at the dinner table. Otherwise, he would either read books or do homework, or play with Big Yellow on the lawn.

It was clear that this child had a distinct fondness for Butler Chen.

He often clung to Butler Chen like a little shadow.

Now, after listening to Butler Chen's instructions, he took up the rather large gardening shears and approached the bonsai pine as if facing a formidable enemy.

Butler Chen praised with a smile, "Well done, just like that."

However, as soon as Butler Chen turned around, the young man lost his grip on the scissors, lopping off half of the pine tree's crown.

The boy was utterly stunned.

He hurriedly caught the severed branch and vainly tried to attach it back to the cut surface.

It was as if he was praying for some miracle that would allow the branch to reattach.

But clearly, that wasn't an option.

So when Manager Chen turned around, he quickly hid the severed branch behind his back.

Ji Min had been watching the entire scene and couldn't help but chuckle, exposing him,

"You're still hiding? You've practically trimmed it bald."

Lu Ran: "..."

He was itching to throw what he was holding at the man's face.

Butler Chen also cast a disapproving glance at Ji Min.

Turning to comfort Lu Ran, he said, "It's normal for beginners to make mistakes."

At that moment, one of Ji Min's personal assistants entered and handed Ji Min a sheet of paper, saying,

"The guest list for your birthday party has been drafted. Chairman, please take a look and see if there's anything you'd like to change."

Lu Ran perked up at the mention of this.

Putting down his gardening shears, he walked from the garden into the house, asking, "Boss, is your birthday coming up?"

Ji Min glanced at him but didn't respond, only remarking, "Look at how muddy your feet are."

His tone was incredibly disdainful, but he didn't show any intention of stopping Lu Ran from entering.

Lu Ran took off his shoes and ran over to him, asking, "When is it?"

Ji Min didn't respond.

Lu Ran circled around to see the date on the form in his hand.

Ji Min held it out of his reach.

Lu Ran: "…"

He looked at Ji Min and sighed. "Boss, you're really childish."

Ji Min: "?"

A kid ten years younger than him called him childish.

Lu Ran sighed again. "Isn't it just that I rejected you a few days ago? You're still upset about it?"

Upon hearing this, the assistant immediately wore a gossiping expression.

Ji Min: "…Shut up."

Seizing the opportunity when the young man wasn't paying attention, he quickly glanced at the date of the banquet and then skipped away with a cheeky smile.

Ji Min, not one to engage in trivial squabbles with children, glanced down at the form and then looked up at the assistant, saying, "The Li family will be returning as well, include them on the list."

"Very well," the assistant acknowledged.

Lu Ran glanced at Butler Chen.

Housekeeper Chen explained softly, "The Li family is Mr.'s aunt and uncle's side, they returned to the country this year."

Lu Ran found himself instinctively wanting to inquire about Ji Min's relationship with his aunt.

But upon further reflection, he realized it was none of his concern and decided against asking.

The weather grew warmer.

With spring in full swing, life blossomed and multiplied rapidly.

The Shen family was on the verge of a catastrophic disaster, and even by seeking refuge at the company, Shen Xingyu couldn't escape its reach.

Instead, it had caused numerous bugs to surface within the company.

Despite the hardships, life went on, and responsibilities still needed to be fulfilled.

It had been half a month since Lu Ran left the Shen family.

Finally, Shen Hongyuan couldn't bear it any longer and ordered Shen Xingyu to bring Lu Ran back.

Shen Xingyu was busy with the preparation of the bidding proposal for the HZ project. Despite this additional task, he didn't find it troublesome.

He was well aware that Lu Ran was an integral part of the Shen family and needed to return.

As for the matter of bringing Lu Ran back to the Shen residence, it was both challenging and straightforward.

The challenge lay in the fact that Lu Ran was under Ji Min's protection.

Yet, it was simple because Lu Ran had to attend school every day.

In any case, the Shen family was Lu Ran's legal guardian by name.

Shen Xingyu was well aware of Ji Min's character.

It was very difficult for others to sway this man's decisions.

And exerting pressure on Ji Min was virtually impossible.

That same day, Shen Xingyu personally led his team to blockade the entrance of Lu Ran's university.

Shen Xingyu was meticulous in his work.

There were three main gates at University Y, and he had arranged for people to be present at all three.

If they were to take Lu Ran away directly from school, there would be no need to inform Ji Min.

The waiting period was tedious.

But Shen Xingyu was patient, staying in his car the whole time and even using the opportunity to get some work done.

It wasn't until the afternoon when someone sitting beside him tapped Shen Xingyu, reminding him, "Mr. Shen, he's here."

Shen Xingyu lifted his gaze to peer out the car window, witnessing a group of students clad in lab coats stepping down from the school bus and marching orderly into the campus.

Many veterinary students had external practical classes and internships.

They often returned from farms in the afternoon, rushing to attend their subsequent classes.

Instead of alighting immediately, Shen Xingyu remained seated in the car, observing for a moment.

There were nearly thirty individuals in the group.

With little effort, Shen Xingyu spotted Lu Ran among them.

While the other students chatted in pairs or small clusters, Lu Ran walked alone, removing his lab coat as he strolled. He folded it neatly and held it in his hand.

He carried out these actions in silence.

It was a tranquility that set him apart from his peers, a distinct contrast to the surrounding atmosphere.

For the past decade or so, it seemed he had been living similarly, spending his time alone in silence.

He avoided interacting with peers from families brimming with happiness and parents' affection.

In that instant, Shen Xingyu recalled the time they picked up Shen Xingran from school.

The entire Shen family was there.

There was Shen Hongyuan, Madam Shen, Shen Xingzhuo, and himself.

They watched as Shen Xingran was surrounded by adoring followers like a star.

Both Shen Hongyuan and Madam Shen took pride in this scene.

Shen Xingyu's hand was already on the car lock, but he paused for a moment.

Someone beside him asked, "What's wrong, Mr. Shen?"

"Nothing," Shen Xingyu replied, pushing open the car door.

As a son of the Shen family, he was well aware.

This time, Lu Ran's return home would be far from pleasant.

His father's attitude toward him would only worsen.

But Lu Ran had to go back.

There was no room for negotiation when it came to the Shen family or the Shen Corporation.

And so, there was none with Shen Xingyu either.

Shen Xingyu got out of the car and strode directly towards the group of veterinary students.

Tall and blessed with long legs, he possessed an outstanding appearance.

Upon approaching, he immediately caught the attention of some people.

Lu Ran soon noticed Shen Xingyu as well.

Amidst the crowd, Shen Xingyu approached him with a stern gaze in his eyes.

On the adjacent road, the sound of vehicles whizzed by.

This scene was eerily reminiscent of how Shen Xingyu had come for him in his previous life.

Lu Ran took two steps back, instinctively wanting to flee.

But soon, he suppressed that impulse, pressed his lips together, and stepped forward to meet Shen Xingyu.

Shen Xingyu was also drawing closer to him.

It seemed as if everything was replaying the events of their past lives.

Just then, a burly man wearing a hat and smoking a cigarette stepped between them.

He stretched out his hand to block Shen Xingyu's path.

Shen Xingyu frowned at him.

The person spoke with a relatively polite tone, "Mr. Shen, President Ji specifically instructed us that no one from the Shen family is to approach Young Master Lu Ran within two meters."

Chapter 82: "Caress"

Lu Ran was taken aback by the question.

He sat up straight and fell into a moment of silence.

Ji Min had initially just tried to change the subject with a casual remark.

Noticing the sudden stillness in the car, he too was startled.

He turned his gaze sidelong to the youth at his side.

The youth gazed with those eyes of gentle curvature, faintly knitting his brows.

Even his lips curled up involuntarily.

This is a look of intense contemplation.

He was earnestly pondering over the answer to this question.

Ji Min, who had spoken casually, suddenly felt a bit uneasy.

Time seemed to slow down abruptly.

Even the intricate cityscape fleeting by outside the car window turned into a blur of indistinct shapes.

The sounds of the driver's breath and Manager Chen's breathing in the front seat appeared to grow distant.

In this nearly motionless small space,

Ji Min felt his heart beating heavily and distinctly within his chest.

"Thud, thud..."

Once, twice, three times...

Ji Min's Adam's apple involuntarily bobbed.

He gazed at the youth by his side, aware that it was nothing more than a lighthearted jest to initiate their exchange.

Now, the one who had initially initiated the playful banter seemed to be awaiting a judgment preceding doomsday.

Finally, under the man's gaze.

The youth, who had been deeply engrossed in thought, stirred. He raised his hand to touch his forehead, then caressed his own cheek.

He then paused, sitting with a furrowed brow, seemingly lost in thought about something.

A subtle shift could be detected in Ji Min's Adam's apple.

He was somewhat inclined to ask, "Is everything alright? Are you feeling unwell?"

But then again, he feared that the slightest utterance might disrupt the young man's contemplation.

Thus, obtaining answers they'd rather not hear.

Another minute passed.

The youth raised his gaze to look at him, blinking twice before saying, "I don't think I like you... at all."

Ji Min was taken aback.

His heart, suspended in mid-air, thumped heavily back into place with a "pat."

Not...?

All that effort, all those schemes and maneuvers for nothing?

Without much thought, almost on instinct, Ji Min asked, "Why?"

The moment he asked, he immediately regretted it, realizing he had gone too far.

But the youth seemed utterly unfazed.

He answered earnestly,

"Given that you just posed this question, I didn't blush or experience a racing heart as depicted in those novels. I even counted my pulse just now, and it's well within the normal range, not accelerating at all!"

Ji Min: "..."

The man's expression froze in place.

Almost instinctively, he wanted to say, "All that nonsense in novels is fake. Think about it carefully!"

But after realizing what he was thinking, his expression grew even darker.

The child by his side continued, "Boss, you really have an overactive imagination. How could I possibly like you?"

"You're my boss, and you have such a terrible temper..."

Biu~

Another dagger pierced President Ji's heart.

"Still remember that I'm your boss, huh?" Ji Min gritted his teeth.

Without waiting for Lu Ran's response, he called out to the driver upfront, "Stop the car."

Then, turning to face Lu Ran with a cold expression, he said, "Get out."

Unfazed by the other's demeanor, Lu Ran replied, "But there's still one more stop until my school."

"Catch a walk," Ji Min said with icy indifference.

Grumbling, Lu Ran slung his backpack over his shoulder and got out of the car.

As he closed the door, he continued to gripe, "You're so petty. I've turned you down more than once or twice; why are you still so upset?"

Ji Min: "…"

How could it be the same?

That was merely your one-sided rejection.

Watching the sedan drive away, Lu Ran shook his head and sighed. "Why must you be so petty?"

At the Shen residence.

The recent internal issues within the Shen Corporation were still severe.

When Shen Hongyuan and Shen Xingyu returned home the next day, they found Madam Shen celebrating with Shen Xingran.

The two of them had opened a bottle of champagne and ordered a feast, seemingly in high spirits.

When Shen Hongyuan was exhausted, he disliked seeing anyone in the house indulging in merrymaking.

He immediately spoke in a stern tone, "What's all this ruckus? After a long day outside, we can't even have peace at home."

Shen Xingran pretended to be slightly fearful and put down his chopsticks.

Madam Shen promptly said, "We're celebrating because something good has happened. Can you guess what it is?"

Shen Hongyuan initially thought that Madam Shen might have a connection to facilitate their new project.

Just as he was about to feel delighted, he heard her say, "Lu Ran has moved out."

Shen Hongyuan froze, his expression darkening instantly. "What did you say?"

Unaware of his reaction, Madam Shen continued, "Finally, no one is causing trouble at home or messing with those filthy things. Now, we can sleep soundly."

Shen Xingyu's expression was also somewhat grim.

He frowned and asked, "Mom? What do you mean? Where did Lu Ran go?"

"He was picked up by Ji Min," Mrs. Shen said with a huff. "He didn't think highly of our Shen family, so he went to enjoy the benefits at the Ji residence."

As soon as she said this, she saw Shen Hongyuan, who had been wearing a stern look all along, suddenly lose his temper.

He slammed his hand on the table, toppling the champagne bottle.

The sound of the bottle hitting the ground mixed with Shen Hongyuan's roar:

"What nonsense are you spouting!"

"How could you let Lu Ran go?"

"I raised that orphan in the Shen family, throwing away all dignity. I held a grand banquet to welcome him back publicly, and now you just let him go with a single word?"

Mrs. Shen was startled by Shen Hongyuan's sudden outburst.

She covered her chest, looking at Shen Hongyuan in confusion, and said, "Why are you angry? If he wants to leave, Ji Min came to pick him up personally. What can I do about it?"

"But we can't let Lu Ran go. He's... he's..."

Shen Hongyuan stumbled over his words for a while before finally pointing at Madam Shen's nose and yelling, "He's your biological son!"

Madam Shen seemed to have been struck by something, suddenly freezing in place.

Then, like a madwoman, she leaped up to grab Shen Hongyuan's face.

The room was now filled with Madam Shen's shrill cries, "What do you mean, Shen Hongyuan? Are you coming to me now with your problems? If you hadn't argued with me during that trip, our child wouldn't have been lost!"

"It's all because of you! I'm his mother, aren't you his father?"

In the living room, the middle-aged couple began to grapple with each other.

Shen Xingran was rather stunned.

Although Madam Shen and Shen Hongyuan often quarreled, this was the first time he had seen them fight so fiercely.

He instinctively took two steps back, positioning himself in a corner away from the conflict.

Shen Xingyu looked at Shen Hongyuan and Madam Shen.

He first called out, "Dad! Mom!"

But the two, caught up in their heated argument, didn't respond.

Shen Xingyu stood by, watching them silently for a while.

He covered his forehead, sighing as if seeking refuge from the scene.

Eventually, he lowered his hand and stepped forward to forcibly separate the pair.

The living room was noisy for a while longer before it returned to silence.

Shen Hongyuan did not leave the Shen residence for work as he usually would after an argument with Madam Shen.

But the ruckus today was too great.

Even in the villa area, it was likely that the neighbors had heard something.

If he were to leave now, would the Shen family's dignity still hold any value?

In the evening.

Shen Hongyuan sat alone in the small living room, smoking a cigar.

After her outburst, Madam Shen had already retreated to their bedroom to sleep.

Shen Hongyuan's expression was somber.

Reaching out, he clipped the cigar open. As he lit it, he realized his hands were trembling.

But then, he reassured himself.

Lu Ran and Ji Min's close relationship wasn't a recent development; they had spent the night together before.

He wouldn't overreact just because Lu Ran had moved in now.

After all, they were merely two eccentric individuals; how much trouble could they really cause?

Moreover...

With a cigar between his fingers, Shen Hongyuan gazed through the partially drawn curtains at the dark night outside.

His gaze was distant.

It had been more than a decade since those events; there was no point dwelling on them.

Lu Ran was just a four-year-old back then, and after going missing, surviving a landslide – he wasn't someone worth such fear.

Still, for the sake of the Shen family's peace, Lu Ran couldn't be left to roam freely.

Something needed to be done to keep him in check.

But with these crucial days for the Shen Corporation, it might be for the best to let that Lu Ran stay outside for a few days.

Preventing any trouble at home.

With this realization, Shen Hongyuan calmed down entirely.

He was no longer in a hurry.

Gently moving his fingers, he leisurely puffed on his cigar.

The cigar was already in his mouth when he suddenly noticed something moving.

The ceiling light was off, and the room was dimly lit.

With the cigar between his teeth, Shen Hongyuan's eyes caught sight of a shadow almost as long as the cigar itself creeping slowly along its surface.

Slowly, it drew closer and closer to his face.

For a moment, both of Shen Hongyuan's eyes bulged like those of a cockfighting rooster.

Until those slender whiskers brushed against the edge of Shen Hongyuan's lips.

With a sudden cry, he leaped right off the sofa.

The lit cigar fell onto his thigh, causing him to howl in pain yet again.

His screams echoed through the room.

Mrs. Shen, who had just dozed off in the bedroom, was instantly roused. Clad in her pajamas, she stormed out irritably and asked Shen Hongyuan, "What on earth are you howling about? It's the middle of the night; someone might think our house is on fire."

"No! There's... there's..." Shen Hongyuan couldn't quite make out what it was.

After all, the object in question bore a striking resemblance to the cigar, and the lighting in the room was rather dim.

"It's from the cigar," Shen Hongyuan pointed out, gesturing toward it.

By now, the burning cigar had tumbled onto the sofa, leaving a hole in the leather upholstery.

"My goodness, what were you doing? !"

Mrs. Shen said with concern.

She walked over, picked up the cigar, and examined it from both sides. "There's nothing here. Are you just seeing things because of your age?"

At that moment, Shen Hongyuan was also somewhat uncertain.

The two of them circled around the sofa but found nothing suspicious.

Mrs. Shen scoffed. "We just had a pest control company over a few days ago. The place is spotless. There couldn't be anything here."

"Could it be… that I really saw wrongly?"

Shen Hongyuan was no longer sure.

He was indeed too exhausted today, with no progress at work and then the commotion at home.

Over there, Mrs. Shen had already gone to bed, reassured.

Shen Hongyuan gave one more suspicious look around before finally entering the bedroom.

Unbeknownst to all, a dark silhouette was climbing steadfastly on the living room's curtains.

Within the folds of the curtains, another two or three figures lay concealed...

At first glance, they seemed to blend seamlessly with the pattern of the drapes.

In the dead of night.

Mrs. Shen found herself in a half-awake, half-asleep state, sensing a slight itch on her foot.

It felt as if something was crawling over it.

Reaching out to touch it, she found nothing there.

For a moment, Mrs. Shen snapped to full awareness, then chuckled with understanding.

Back when she and Shen Hongyuan had their arguments, he often employed such tactics to soothe her.

Seems this time is no different.

Thus, Madam Shen slept soundly once more.

For the following few nights, she felt as if something was gently "caressing" her.

Sometimes it was her toes and calves, other times her arms, and occasionally, it seemed to be stroking her hair.

Initially, Madam Shen was rather pleased, thinking that he was apologizing in his own way.

Each time this happened, she pretended to be deeply asleep and deliberately remained still.

However, as the "touching" occurred more frequently, Madam Shen found it disruptive to her sleep.

The anger from their argument days ago had long dissipated for Madam Shen.

One morning during breakfast, she chided Shen Hongyuan, "We're already an old couple; there's no need for all these affectionate gestures all day. Just behave at night and sleep properly."

Upon hearing this, Shen Xingran, who had just descended from upstairs, chuckled and said, "Mom and Dad really have a great relationship."

Only Shen Hongyuan was left bewildered.

He glanced at Madam Shen and asked in puzzlement, "What's gotten into you early in the morning?"

With that, he put on his coat and left for work.

Madam Shen said to Shen Xingran, "Look at him, he's even blushing."

Night fell once again.

The familiar sensation, resembling both a crawl and a caress, returned.

Madam Shen smiled slightly.

She thought to herself, she had finally caught him red-handed.

Didn't he deny it? Well, let her catch him in the act then.

Quick as a flash, Madam Shen slapped out with her hand.

After her attempt, Madam Shen's fingers missed their target, leaving her momentarily stunned.

Soon, she felt something moving in her palm.

Curious, Madam Shen picked up the object.

Under the moonlight seeping through the window, she brought it closer for a better look.

There, in her hand, was a cockroach larger than her thumb, wriggling its antennae and claws in a desperate struggle.

Wasn't this what one would call "caressing"?

Madam Shen: "..."

Madam Shen: "Ahh——"

A shrill scream pierced the silence of the night, echoing throughout the entire Shen residence.

Chapter 168: Return to the Valley

When Shen Lie said he was leaving, it was only to take a few steps away to compose himself. Afterward, he informed Chen Dashan and headed to the small courtyard of the Shen family to collect some clothes and items such as bedding and pillows that Little Jin and his brothers couldn't bring along previously.

Shen Jin knew that his elder brother was gathering his belongings, so he borrowed a hoe from Master Xu's shop and dug a grave himself. He buried Li Shi in a mountain plot not far from his shelter.

No tombstone was erected; instead, he simply remembered the location by the tree beside which she was laid to rest.

The conditions of Shen Yin and Shen Tie were poor. Shen Jin knelt down, said a few words, bowed three times, and then hurried to catch up with Shen Lie and the others, who were waiting nearby. Together, they left Ten Li Village.

As a professional translator specializing in literary works, I will provide an elegant and contextually coherent English translation for each line. Please provide the lines you would like translated.

By the time they reached the cave where Xu had previously communicated with the shopkeeper, darkness had thoroughly descended.

Shen Lie and Chen Dashan had managed to catch two pheasants and a litter of rabbits on their journey. Wei Qing, who had accompanied them on several trips in and out of the mountains, had also gained some experience. Though he was not skilled in hunting, he had gathered considerable firewood along the way, which they would not lack for in the cave.

The cavern was narrow and long. After the group lit fires to examine every nook and cranny, ensuring that no insects or snakes lurked within, they finally settled the children safely inside.

The tasks of slaughtering chickens for soup, roasting wild rabbits were taken over by the Xu family. By late afternoon, the last remnants of rice gruel and salt-sugar water were consumed by Shen Yin and Shen Tie. Come evening, Wei Lingzhen prepared a pot of oil-skimmed chicken broth, mincing the meat finely. She added a bit of rice, carefully saved from Wei Qinghe's unfinished portion, along with some wild greens picked by Shen Jin on the journey, to create a small clay pot of delicate chicken porridge for the three youngest ones.

The pottery pots, jars, and utensils were what Jin had left behind in the shelter. Shen Yi picked them up and carried them on Wei Qinghe's basket, which could be considered their brothers' belongings.

Despite having five meals a day, each of which was small and mostly liquid, they were still substantial compared to the past few months. Though Shen Yin and Shen Tie still lacked energy, they were much better off than during the day; at least they no longer feared that their brother might fall asleep and never wake up again.

The Xu family, on the other hand, enjoyed chicken soup and roasted rabbit meat. Having endured hardships in Qiyang County, it had been a long time since they had a proper meal. After eating their fill, they all felt drowsy.

After a day of fleeing, both physically and mentally, everyone was exhausted. Shen Lie took the initiative to guard the entrance of the cave, allowing the Xu family and the Shen brothers to rest.

Chen Dashan was also supposed to rest but decided to relieve Shen Lie later in the night. However, remembering how unusually quiet Shen Lie had been throughout the day and that he hadn't eaten anything, he went to the cave entrance after everyone fell asleep. He found a rock nearby and sat down beside Shen Lie, turning his head to ask, "Still can't get over it?"

Shen Lie shook his head.

Of course, he was upset. The situation and realization had dealt him a heavy blow. However, once his emotions subsided, Shen Lie understood that his three uncles' actions were ultimately responsible for the plight of the children. He didn't blame himself too harshly.

Chen Dashan glanced at the cave behind him, ensuring they were far enough away from the others. He then whispered, "Having trouble figuring out how to explain this to your sister-in-law?"

He knew about Sang Luo almost starving to death, as it was his grandparents who rescued her.

Right? But not entirely.

Shen Lie found it difficult to express himself.

He said, "If I explain the situation clearly, A Luo won't be angry with me for this decision. If she were here today, she might have made the same choice."

Pausing, he continued, "It's just that her lack of resentment stems from her kindness. As for me, I genuinely don't know how to bring this up to her."

Even if he could hunt more, how could there be no pressure in bringing three additional children into the valley? There might be no pressure for a year, but what about two or three years?

He wouldn't really let Sangluo starve, but with an abundance of meat and a scarcity of grain, how could he bear to eat rice while watching his three brothers consume grass seeds?

He forced a smile, comforting himself as he spoke to Chen Dashan, "Seems like I'll have to revert to the way we lived in the depths of the forest that one year."

A diet consisting of meat and various wild vegetables.

He could endure such a life, as could Xiao An, An Ning, and Little Gold. However, he couldn't ask Sangluo to share such a lifestyle with them.

In the end, his relationship with Sangluo was only temporary. It would be unjust to drag her into the deep pit that was the Shen family with so many people.

If he didn't want to burden Sangluo, the plan should have been set from the beginning. Shen Lie had already considered the possibility of allocating the slightly smaller cave above his own for the Xu brothers and Little Jin to share.

He would bring some refined grains from home. Once the three children regained their strength, he would provide for their food through hunting, occasionally sparing a portion from his own share.

Although Chen Dashan was unaware that Shen Lie and Sangluo were not yet officially married, he knew that most of the Shen family's grain was actually due to Sangluo's tireless efforts beforehand. Shen Lie had brought back ginseng and sold the furs from his hunts to buy more food and medicine, mostly coarse grains.

In a family, one didn't usually calculate expenses so meticulously. Besides, Shen Lie hunted, and Sangluo wasn't the type to be stingy. It would have been different if it were just Shen Lie and his two siblings, but with six siblings in total, Chen Dashan understood why Shen Lie might find it difficult to bring up the topic.

Patting Shen Lie on the shoulder, he said, "Don't worry about it. I haven't spent much time with your sister-in-law, but I have a general idea of her character. She won't hold this against you. Besides, we managed well enough in the mountains last year. Eating meat and wild vegetables wasn't bad, right? Isn't that far better than eating grass seeds?"

This remark made Shen Lie chuckle, and he felt somewhat reassured.

...

After a brief rest, they roused everyone at dawn the next day, prepared some food for the journey, and set off again as soon as there was enough light.

Thanks to the arrival of the thousands of bandits, their return trip proceeded rather smoothly. For the first two days, they hardly encountered anyone while walking through the woods – presumably, everyone had fled deeper into the forest. It wasn't until the third and fourth days that they saw groups of people foraging for wild vegetables outside.

However, Shen Lie, concerned about the health of Shen Yin and Shen Tie, refused to take detours or waste time. Whenever they spotted signs of other people, the two children were carried by Xu Wenqing and Wei Lingzhen, while Wei Qing, Shopkeeper Xu, and Uncle Xu were armed with their swords. Even if their martial arts skills were undetectable, the sight of all five of them wielding military-grade blades was intimidating enough. Moreover, since they didn't carry any provisions, no one dared to approach them along the way.

By the fifth day, all signs of human activity had vanished from the forest, and by midday on the sixth, the group finally approached the vicinity of Cloud Valley.

Wei Qinghe, exhausted from the journey, beamed with anticipation. Turning to his sister and brother-in-law, he said, "We're almost there. Just a bit more climbing."

The Xu family members looked around in curiosity, trying to locate the cave that Xu Wenbo had mentioned. Only Shen Jin held onto the bundle slung across his body with nervous tension, the fabric strained under his grip.

Shen Lie and Chen Dashan surveyed their surroundings, confirming the absence of people. The woods were dense, and once inside, one's figure would quickly vanish from sight. Guided by Shen Lie and Chen Dashan through twists and turns, they eventually stopped at a spot, maneuvering around large boulders before uncovering a lid that was identical to a shelter.

No sooner had the lid been lifted when a voice echoed from within, "Who's there?"

It was Lu ErLang's voice.

Shen Lie chuckled. "Uncle Lu, it's me."

He arranged for the Xu family to descend first.

Upon recognizing Shen Lie's voice, Lu ErLang saw a line of people making their way down. He recognized Shopkeeper Xu and also noticed two young men who bore a resemblance to Xu Wenbo. It dawned on him that Shen Lie had brought the entire Xu family along.

After greeting the shopkeeper, she spotted Wei Lingzhen and Uncle Xu carrying Shen Yin and Shen Tie.

Seeing how emaciated Shen Yin and Shen Tie were, Lu Erlang's expression shifted slightly. He asked Shopkeeper Xu, "Is it chaotic outside?"

Shopkeeper Xu was also inspecting the cave. Hearing Lu Erlang's question, he nodded and sighed. "Fortunately, Ah Lie and Big Mountain went out. Otherwise, our family and these three children might not have made it."

Shen Lie and Chen Dashan had erased some traces outside before bringing Shen Jin in last. Without further ado, Lu Erlang locked the entrance from the inside and led the group towards the cave exit.

The Xu family only realized now that the secluded place Shen Lie had found to hide from the world was within such a hidden valley.

With so many people, descending the valley wouldn't be easy. Lu Erlang went down first to send a message, while Shen Lie and Chen Dashan had to bring the others down one by one or lower them down with ropes.

The Xu and Shen families were closest to this entrance, so Sang Luo was the first to receive the news. Shen An ran to inform the Xu family.

Upon hearing that Shen Lie had returned with Shopkeeper Xu's family and Little Jin and his brothers, Sang Luo's anxious heart, which had been hanging for five or six days, finally settled.

Shen Lie had been gone for far too long – over twenty days in total. For the first ten days, Sang Luo could still maintain her composure. But when he hadn't returned after fifteen days, her worry grew with each passing day.

Running out of the cave together with Shen Ning, they watched from below the entrance as Shen Lie descended the cliff holding a child in his arms. Both the aunt and niece looked up with joyful eyes.

Since she heard that Shen Jin and the others had arrived, Shen Ning couldn't contain her excitement. Now, as she saw her elder brother descending with a child in his arms, she guessed, "Sister-in-law, who do you think has come down? Is it Tian Ya?"

Upon observing the figure more closely, she ventured another guess, "Could it be Xiao Tie?"

Sang Luo nodded. "It seems like Xiao Tie. We'll know for sure when they come down."

At that moment, Grandma Xu was also hurrying out with the three children, following closely behind Shen An. They all gazed eagerly at the entrance of the cave high above. If not for the constraint of not wanting to shout loudly within the valley, they would have called out in excitement.

There was nothing more thrilling than a family reunion amidst the chaos of war.

Shen Lie descended to the bottom of the cliff and, upon turning around, spotted Sang Luo standing just a few steps away, her face beaming as she looked at him.

He had been gone for over twenty days. Seeing both Sang Luo and the tranquil An An waiting for him, his heart felt as if it was being gently caressed by a warm breeze. He held Shen Tie closer, his throat constricting as he stepped toward Sang Luo.

"I'm back," he said. The words seemed to get stuck in his throat, and after a brief pause, he continued in a low voice, "I've also brought Little Jin and the others back. I'll explain the details later, alright?"

Throughout their conversation, he was keenly observing Sang Luo's expression, so much so that his palms grew sweaty from holding Shen Tie tightly.

By now, Sang Luo had noticed the state Shen Tie was in – a far cry from what she remembered. He was practically skin and bones, and still asleep despite having just come down from the mountain. Suspecting something might have happened, she nodded, "Alright."

Reaching out to take Shen Tie.

Jin Lie hastily stepped aside and said, "He hasn't changed his clothes for days. I'll carry him in. Could you make some congee? The children must be starving; their health might have deteriorated. They can only start with light congee for now."

Sang Luo nodded. "Alright, has something happened outside?"

Jin Lie nodded. "Yes, Qi Yang County was attacked by bandits."

Jin An and Jin Ning, standing by the side, were already dumbfounded. Even at their toughest times, they had never been as thin as this. They couldn't imagine what could have happened. The siblings followed their eldest brother and sister-in-law into the cave hurriedly.

Shen Tie was placed on the bed where Jin Lie usually slept. It was hot now, so the thick bedding had been stored away. Only straw mats and a grass mat were laid out, with a thin summer quilt covering him.

Jin Lie had to go to the upper cave to receive more people, so Jin Ning took the initiative to cook the congee. Concerned about the situation outside, Sang Luo asked Jin Ning to make it light and to add an egg to make egg drops once it was done – that would nourish the body.

Jin Ning agreed repeatedly, quickly washing the rice while glancing back at Shen Tie's bed from time to time.

Until now, he still hadn't woken up. Her eyes were slightly red. After washing the rice, she promptly started the fire.

...

Both Shen Yin and Shen Jin were carried down by Shen Lie and Chen Dashan, one in front and the other behind. Shen Yin was in much better condition than Shen Tie. Though she was also emaciated, upon seeing Sang Luo and Shen An, her eyes reddened as she called out to her sister-in-law and second brother. In contrast, Shen Jin was much more reserved. He greeted everyone in turn and cautiously surveyed the valley, daring only to look straight ahead and not even turning his head to look around.

Shen An saw that Jin, Yin, and Tie had all descended and, staring fixedly at Shen Lie, asked, "Brother, where is Tian Ya?"

After posing the question, she glanced upward at the cave leading to the exit, where there were still people present.

Yet, Shen Lie merely patted Shen An and said, "Take Little Gold and Little Silver inside to rest."

Shen An stood there, utterly stunned. His gaze fixed on Shen Jin, his throat tightened with emotion, and after what seemed like an eternity, he managed to utter, "Where is Tian Ya?"

Shen Jin merely bowed her head, tears streaming down her face. Even Shen Yin's eyes reddened in an instant.

How could Sang Luo not guess? She patted Shen An and took each of Shen Jin and Shen Yin by the hand, saying, "Let's go in first. We'll talk inside."

Chapter 84: Stop 23: Evasion

The red note was quickly passed around among them.

Taking the opportunity, Shi Wen Guang asked uneasily,

"Where's Diao Qingchang?"

Yi Hongda scanned through the pages rapidly, not pausing in his speech:

"As a matchmaker, he's needed for many aspects of both weddings, so he was called early in the morning to accompany Madam Old Bai. Yu Kui and I will find an opportunity later to connect with him and synchronize information."

He looked at it some more and clicked his tongue in amazement. "Hmm, there are indeed many rules here. Where did you fellows find them? It's quite comprehensive."

Scholar Shi Wangguang secretly glanced at Yan Qiling, making sure that he didn't show any displeasure before divulging honestly, "Last night, we found three rules in the accounting room... Then, this morning, Mr. Yan brought the rest of the rules – mainly due to Mr. Yan's efforts."

Yan Qiling paid no heed to the person's cautious demeanor and instead unfolded the information he had gathered with a calm demeanor:

"In the accounting office, we discovered a severe financial deficit within the Bai family's coffers. The Bais once possessed thousands of acres of fertile land and hundreds of prosperous shops. However, starting five years ago, these assets were frenziedly sold off, mortgaged under various pretexts. Now, the entire Bai family is but an empty shell."

"The root cause of these issues lies in the eldest son of the Bai family, who is deeply addicted to gambling."

"Not only him, but his mother, Old Madam Bai, has also succumbed to the same vice."

Yan Qiling stood amidst the blue-green walls, his porcelain-white skin reflecting the damp moss on the tiles like a clear, cool pool beneath a verdant sky.

His tone was unruffled, as if nothing could perturb him:

"To plug the financial gaps in their household, the Bai family has borrowed tens of thousands from various moneylenders. Thus, they must bring back both their daughters to facilitate the marriage with the Wen family."

"Only then can they swiftly repay their debts and prevent further depletion of their wealth. Not only will this settle their obligations, but it will also provide more capital for them to continue gambling."

"The Wen family is well aware of this situation. However, they wish to know the extent of the Bai family's financial troubles. That's why Shih Wen Guang and I were brought into the Bai residence under the guise of accountants."

Lin Yongjian raised his eyebrows slightly.

"Well then, we could exploit this situation to attempt to sabotage the marriage between the Wen and Bai families. If the wedding is called off, the bride won't have to go through with it. That would break the first rule."

"Certainly an approach worth considering."

Yan Qiling didn't deliberately avoid him but expressed his agreement as he would with anyone else:

"Moreover, there are some unusual income streams in the Bai family's records."

"The Bai family isn't consistently losing money; they win and lose alternately."

The man's heterochromatic eyes, like twin glass beads, were as still as stagnant water:

"The Bai family has a substantial expenditure on temple offerings."

"The intriguing part is that, regardless of how much they spend on offerings, within three days of making the payment, the Bai family inevitably receives an unexplained windfall, which is two to three times the amount they spent on the offerings."

"However, the Bai family's offerings now exceed their capacity to sustain such expenses. Even if they continue to receive windfalls, it won't be enough to balance their books."

"The family's current existence relies entirely on loans and unexpected wealth, while their legitimate business has been neglected for years, resembling loose sand."

"The Wen family's dowry was like heavenly rain to the Bai family. Madam Old Bai dedicated all these gifts to the divine shrine."

"However, according to the accounts, it's already the fifth day, and the unexpected wealth hasn't appeared yet. This is truly fatal for Madam Old Bai."

Yi Hongda chuckled, "Could it be that the deity has been busy lately and doesn't have time to attend to Madam Old Bai?"

Mai Zeyu showed concern, waving his large, flower-patterned sleeves in a low voice, "The Bai family's obsession with wealth has become frenzied. They're willing to marry both their daughters into the Wen family, demonstrating how determined they are..."

Ming Yiyang, who had been listening quietly, took a cigarette from his pocket and put it between his lips, unlit. His expression was stern as he said, "There's no need to think of the Lord of the Abyss as humane. Whatever They do is for the sake of craving flesh and souls. The Bai family might be one part of the Lord of the Abyss, while the Wen family could be another."

"For the Bai family, there seems to be no immediate way out. Therefore, we should at least find an excuse to visit the Wen family tonight and see if the exit is there. Being able to escape is the ultimate goal."

Yi Hongda nodded in agreement. "Diao Qingchang happens to be a matchmaker. We can use his identity as a reason to pay a visit to the Wen family."

Yu Kui pursed his lips and tugged on Yi Hongda's clothes. "You... you forgot... about the servant announcing to all the courtyards this morning..."

The smile on Yi Hongda's face faded as he recalled, "Oh right, did you know that this morning, the servants were ordered to inform every courtyard to light up their lanterns and not extinguish them, regardless of whether anyone was inside? Anyone found putting out their lanterns would face family punishment, no exceptions."

Lin Yongjian and Mai Zeyu exchanged glances. As sedan chair bearers, they hadn't received such an order.

Lin Yongjian quickly sensed something amiss. "This rule... doesn't it contradict the established regulations?"

They once again unfolded the red note.

After the first three neat rows of rules, the rest was handwritten:

Never let any bride marry into the Wen family.

Keep away from men who wear red shoes.

Remember to extinguish the light when you leave, never forget.

When wishing a woman "early conception of an esteemed child," she will aid you.

Leave the room promptly when you hear a cat meowing, even at night.

After the third watch, scatter money as you pass graveyards.

All eyes were fixated on the phrase "Remember to extinguish the light when you leave."

Mai Zeyu scratched his head with his tattooed arm and asked:

"Why is there such a rule? Can we discuss it with the person in charge?"

Yi Hongda scratched his head, while Yu Kui clearly explained the reason:

"It should be... because of that Wen Family's son, right?"

Bearing the pressure of the surrounding gazes, Yu Kui steeled himself and said,

"I overheard it when I was doing odd jobs. They said that the Wen Family's son is too frail for normal activities, so the family decided to have two weddings, both for double happiness and to bring good fortune to the son."

"Then last night, the Wen Family's son suddenly collapsed. I heard he's on his deathbed. The Wen Family said that the master requested both families to keep the main lanterns in their houses lit without extinguishing them."

Yi Hongda happily put his arm around Yu Kui's neck and said cheerfully,

"Well done, boy! Your ears are even more perceptive than mine!"

Mai Zeyu tightly knitted his thick eyebrows together.

"There's no room for negotiation if it's like this. Madam White values these two weddings so much; there's no way she'd abandon this rule... Did they mention any time limit?"

Yu Kui shook his head.

"There doesn't seem to be any specific time limit for the mage's restrictions. Unless Wen Family's son experiences a sudden improvement in health, we'll have to abide by these rules indefinitely."

Yan Qiling smiled faintly, unconcerned.

"Such rules are inherently contradictory anyway."

He tapped the rule that read "Leave the room promptly when you hear a cat's cry, even at night" with his pale index finger and whispered, "For instance, if we light a lamp tonight and hear a cat's cry, regardless of whether you want to go out or not, the rule will force you to do so. There truly is no safe place here."

Yi Hongda's expression turned grave.

"What should we do then?"

Mai Zeyu stroked his chin and suddenly asked, "Hey, do these rules apply only to the Bai Family's residence or to the Wen Family as well? If we cross the burial ground and enter the Wen Family's territory, would we be free from these restrictions?"

Yi Hongda believed it was indeed a possibility, but Lin Yongjian queried,

"Though I'm unaware of how you came to this conclusion, even if what you say is true, what if we escape the Bai family's rules only to fall into the Wen family's rules?

"And besides, all of us are servants of the Bai family. What legitimate reason do we have to openly visit the Wen family? If we're caught and subjected to the family's punishment, wouldn't that just fulfill the Wujian Lord's plan?"

Yi Hongda was willing to give it a shot:

"Diao Qingchang should have a way. He's a matchmaker, after all. He could have a valid reason to bring people over."

Yu Kui timidly suggested,

"Actually... there's another method to avoid this situation altogether – not entering the house..."

"That's not possible," Yi Hongda promptly interrupted.

"As servants, both of us will inevitably have to enter. The same goes for those girls."

"The sedan bearers might not need to enter the house, but the matchmaker and accountant have to attend to their duties indoors. We don't have a valid reason not to enter… This won't work."

Shi Wenguang was also trying to find a way around this issue:

"What if we go in but don't light any lamps?"

Mai Zeyu rolled his eyes:

"You just forgot that Old Madam Bai would mete out punishment for not lighting lamps in the house? You said it yourself."

Shi Wenguang then refocused on Diao Qingchang:

"It should be acceptable for the matchmaker to send a few sedan bearers and servants, and even the accountant makes sense. However, the personal maid and young miss… It might not be possible to bring them along."

Anyway, he wanted to leave.

After the bizarre incident last night, Shi Wenguang had no desire to stay near the peculiar Yan Qiling. Secondly, he disliked the atmosphere in the Bai household.

Thirdly, he trusted Diao Qingchang, who had taken his job, more than any stranger. Yi Hongda made a swift decision:

"Time waits for no one. If we're going to make arrangements, it's best to decide now! Staying at the Bai family clearly doesn't guarantee safety based on the current situation. In any case, I'm going to give the Wen family a try."

Mai Zeyu pondered for a moment and said, "Alright, then I'll join you both at the Wen family's."

Lin Yongjian was still lost in thought, his gaze constantly following the figure standing amidst the crowd.

In the end, as if he had made up his mind, he disregarded Ming Yiyang's obstruction and walked straight up to Yan Qiling:

"Mr... Yan, I'll stick with you, shall I?"

Yan Qiling's indifferent eyes looked down at him:

"Why? I can't protect you."

"I don't need your protection, Teacher Yan. I can protect you. Isn't it better for you to have one more person by your side for safety?"

Ming Yiyang's scoff echoed.

Behind his shimmering silver bangs, the young man's deep eyes slightly lowered, tinged with unconscious arrogance:

"Protect him? You're not worthy."

The statement ignited a fire of anger in Lin Yongjian's heart. He could no longer hold back and turned to confront him:

"Ming Yiyang, we're strangers. I haven't wronged you, have I? Why do you always speak to me so disrespectfully?!"

Faced with the challenge, Ming Yiyang nonchalantly bit down on the sponge filter in his mouth:

"I'm just being honest. If you feel uncomfortable, that's none of my business."

Lin Yongjian furrowed his brows, clenched his fists, and swung them towards the young man's face!

He trained in boxing every weekend and had even studied Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. There was no reason he should lose to this arrogant punk!

His wrist was suddenly gripped tightly, and before he knew what was happening, his entire arm was pulled under the other person's armpit, pinned down by their tense muscles. Then, he received two hard punches to his stomach, leaving him almost unable to stand.

The moment his arm was released, he lost his balance and fell to his knees with a thud, utterly humiliated.

The young man who had attacked him didn't even have a strand of hair out of place. He took two steps back, still chewing on his cigarette, and asked indifferently,

"How can you protect him if you can't even beat me? You'd better follow that Taoist Diao; at least he'll care about your well-being. I won't."

Yi Hongda hadn't expected the two to come to blows so quickly, and the fight was over in a matter of seconds. After witnessing Ming Yiyang's speed in combat, he dared not comment further. Instead, he hurriedly helped Lin Yongjian up with Mai Zeyu, jesting,

"Brother Lin, why don't you come with us? Let's head to the Wen family's place; perhaps we'll find something new... As for Brother Ming and the others, um, they're quite capable. They'll be fine, don't worry, don't worry."

As Lin Yongjian tried to rush forward to continue the fight, Mai Zeyu held him back firmly. Yi Hongda quickly intervened,

"Hey, hey, calm down! We'll go look for Diao Qingchang first, Brother Ming. We'll leave the message from the Brocade Tower to you two to convey. If there are any arrangements, just find us; we should still be around before nightfall."

Worried that the two might clash again, their group hastily left the scene.

In Shiweng Guang's heart, thoughts of Diao Qingchang prevailed, and he promptly followed suit, leaving the scene. Yu Kui, always cautious, sensing the unfavorable situation, also hastily made his escape.

In this secluded corner, only the two of them were left, facing each other.

Chapter 121: Reason

Wen Ying returned the phone to Muershi. Berlos tried to snatch it back mid-way, but Muershi wasn't in a hurry. He said, "I have a backup."

Berlos's hand was already reaching for the phone, but when he heard this, he retracted it.

Wen Ying continued, "I'm not begging you. If you don't agree, I'll upload these pictures online."

Berlos looked at Wen Ying in disbelief, his eyes bulging as if they were about to pop out. His upright ears stood completely straight, curled at the tips.

Berlos felt that this situation was familiar, but the content was different. After a brief moment of shock, he immediately turned grim. His blood-red eyes were filled with icy fury. A cold aura surrounded him, chilling to the bone and making the surrounding demons' hair stand on end. The violence within this aura exceeded the tolerance of ordinary demons.

The canine demon standing by listened to the entire conversation, wishing he had never worked in this shop. His ears drooped in fear, pressed tightly against his head, pretending he hadn't heard anything.

Where did this demon mirror get the courage to threaten the easily angered Hellhound? He still wanted to live! In the face of Berlos's furious demonic energy, he trembled uncontrollably. If he could move, he would have fled long ago.

His breaths grew more rapid as if an invisible hand was choking his throat. The canine demon's back was drenched in sweat. Initially, he thought the demon mirror was also paralyzed by this terrifying pressure, but soon, he heard the other party's voice, seemingly unaffected.

"Rein in your demonic energy. You're affecting innocent demons."

Boros's grim expression shifted suddenly, his demonic glare lifting from Wen Ying and landing on Muershi beside him.

A most malevolent bird!

Even Muershi felt a chill run down his spine under Boros's furious gaze, yet he was innocent. He had merely encouraged Wen Ying to play a game of catching someone in the act, never expecting Wen Ying to surpass expectations and turn it into a coup d'état.

Muershi raised his hands in defense, protesting, "I really didn't come up with this idea!"

Wen Ying pressed his palms against Boros's face, turning it back towards himself. "So which one do you choose?"

"Isn't a romantic relationship supposed to form only after one person confesses and the other accepts?" Boros's voice sounded strained, as if squeezed out from his throat.

Wen Ying was surprised, but Boros huffed coldly. A thoughtful look crossed Wen Ying's face. "That does seem to be the case. Then we aren't in a relationship. Am I your lover obtained through dishonorable means?"

Boros almost choked on his own blood.

Muershi pressed the back of his hand against his lips, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he struggled to hold back laughter without success.

The canine demon nearby could only wish he could pass out – what kind of terrifying conversation was this?

Wen Ying spoke, finding the logic compelling. He slapped his thigh in enthusiasm, "Yes, precisely this point!"

Chapter 81: Doctor

By the time Shen Xingran finished his story, Lu Ran had already twisted the lid back on and placed the can back into his backpack as if he hadn't done anything.

Shen Xingran assumed that Lu Ran was stunned by his taste and knowledge, a hint of smugness flashing in his eyes.

He turned to Ji Min and asked, "Mr. Ji, what do you think?"

Ji Min: "..."

What did he think? He hadn't even heard half a sentence.

His full attention was on the can in Lu Ran's hand, afraid that the guy might accidentally shake the cockroach onto him.

Afterward, Shen Xingran took them to visit the main bedroom of the villa, which was the suite currently occupied by Madam Shen and Shen Hongyuan.

As soon as Ji Min opened the door, he caught sight of Lu Ran once again pulling out a canister.

Not only did he promptly pour a considerable amount into the crack of Madam Shen's bedroom door, but as he passed by Shen Xingyu's room, noticing that Shen Xingyu wasn't home, he also slipped several bugs underneath the door.

From the corner of his eye, Ji Min could only glimpse at the terrifying black shadows scurrying about on the ground.

It seemed that the fear of cockroaches was ingrained in human nature.

At this moment, even Ji Min, who was in a wheelchair, felt an urge to retract his feet.

Shen Xingyu, who had tasted cockroaches before, might have an unpredictable reaction when he returned home and saw these creatures crawling all over the floor...

By the time they reached the first floor, Lu Ran's large canister was almost empty.

Shen Xingran then led them to the kitchen.

The kitchen was spacious, and he intended to introduce the chef the Shen family had hired.

As Shen Xingran turned to call the chef, Ji Min swiftly wheeled his chair around to look at Lu Ran.

There were hardly any cockroaches left in the jar Lu Ran held, but it was still covered with a thick layer of egg cases.

Lu Ran then opened the kitchen cabinets and the refrigerator, stuffing the egg cases from the jar into every compartment.

Lastly, he poured the remaining ones into the gaps between the cabinets.

Ji Min: "...."

That was ruthless.

When Shen Xingran returned, he still persisted, "Chef Wang has gone out to buy groceries, Mr. Ji. Why don't you stay for dinner?"

The moment he finished asking, Ji Min firmly rejected the offer, "No!"

"Cough, let's leave now."

With that, Ji Min hastily led Lu Ran out of the Shen family's villa and into a car.

After leaving the villa, Lu Ran tossed the empty can into a trash bin.

Watching this scene, Ji Min couldn't help but ask, "Did you get rid of everything?"

"Relax! I left it all for them!" Lu Ran replied enthusiastically.

A mischievous smile appeared on his face as he continued,

"I've been wanting to pour it into their room, but cockroaches can crawl everywhere, and I would suffer too if I lived there. Now that we've moved out, I don't have to worry about it!"

Ji Min: "..."

Large cockroaches were not commonly seen in the capital city.

In a family like the Shens, they might never have encountered such pests before.

If Lu Ran had openly poured the contents into their room, the Shens would likely have immediately called pest control services.

But now, an entire can had been emptied silently...

The Shen family would have quite a time realizing the infestation, finding pest control, and eradicating them completely.

Besides, there was nothing that insecticide could do against egg cases.

At this moment, Ji Min felt as if he had invited a deity into his home.

But then again, this was the only source of amusement for the child. It wasn't too much to bear.

The car slowly exited the gated community where the Shen family resided.

As the familiar yet oppressive house gradually disappeared from view, Lu Ran, who had just been gleefully releasing the cockroaches, fell silent.

He turned to stare out the car window, watching the Shen family's residence fade away, his emotions mixed.

This was because Lu Ran recalled the first time he left the Shen family in his previous life.

Deciding to sever ties with his biological parents was no easy task.

Especially since it severed the family bond he had yearned for over a decade.

When he left, Lu Ran was determined, feeling both relieved and strangely bewildered.

Yet, his resolve to leave the Shen family ultimately resulted in him being bedridden for ten years.

Upon his rebirth, Lu Ran swore he would never leave the Shen family.

Even if every idiot in the Shen family were to depart, he would remain.

He would endure until they were all gone.

But now, he still chose to leave.

The young man fell into a long silence.

Ji Min glanced sideways at him.

To his surprise, the child hadn't gone to the back seat; he hadn't even pulled out the folding seat in the middle row.

Once Shen's mansion was entirely out of sight, he sat directly in the car.

Noticing Ji Min's gaze upon him, the youth leaned slightly to the side.

He didn't touch Ji Min's leg but gently rested against the armrest of the wheelchair.

He said, "Boss, if there comes a day when you no longer want me to live with you, please inform me a month... no, three months in advance, okay?"

He gestured three fingers toward Ji Min and said, "I need to find a place early before I can move out."

Something softened within Ji Min.

The man didn't say, "I won't let you leave."

He understood that to a child who had always been homeless, such a promise was as fleeting as a castle in the air, offering no real comfort.

So, he simply nodded.

Extending his broad palm, he gently placed it on the child's soft hair and rubbed gently, saying, "Alright."

The car just happened to pass by a bustling commercial street. Ji Min gently ruffled the youth's hair and said, "Don't curl up any longer. Come on, take a look and tell me what you'd like for dinner tonight."

Lu Ran climbed up and peered out the car window for a while. He then said, "I'm going to buy some ice cream."

Ji Min's brows lifted subtly.

Though it's early spring, having ice cream is quite excessive, are you trying to give your stomach a hard time?

Yet, the thought that this boy could polish off four ice creams in one go during winter made him hold back any scolding.

He simply instructed the driver to pull over by the roadside.

Whatever Ji Min wanted to eat today, he was free to do so.

Lu Ran opened the car door and got out.

Ji Min didn't follow but lowered the window to look outside.

The young man entered an ice cream fast-food shop, but soon returned empty-handed.

"Why didn't you get any?" Ji Min asked.

"Because they didn't have the flavor I wanted," Lu Ran replied.

Ji Min thought to himself that this boy was quite particular.

Just as he was about to ask Lu Ran to get back into the car, he saw Lu Ran head for a shop a little further away.

After visiting three shops back and forth, the youth finally returned with four ice creams held delicately in both hands.

It was Ji Min who eventually opened the car door for him.

Seeing how many he was holding, Ji Min instinctively reached out to help share the load.

However, Lu Ran bypassed his hand and slid directly into the car.

Ji Min: "...Are you really going to eat all four by yourself?"

Lu Ran regarded him warily. "Of course, these four are all mine!"

With that, he bent down to bite off the tips of all four ice creams.

Ji Min rolled his eyes at him. "Look at how easily you're pleased."

Lu Ran ignored him.

"Nothing else?" Ji Min asked.

Upon seeing the youth nod in agreement, he then instructed the driver to proceed to a respectable restaurant.

Dinner couldn't possibly consist solely of ice cream, right?

Following Ji Min into the restaurant, Lu Ran still held the four ice creams in his hand.

It's not particularly warm outside right now; it would be quite a challenge to consume four in one go.

Yet the youth continued to eat at a leisurely, unhurried pace.

Ji Min furrowed his brow and took a closer look.

The youth held four ice creams in his hand, each representing three distinct flavors.

Two of them are vanilla-flavored, and the pink one is likely strawberry.

There was also a light yellow one, exuding a subtle lemon fragrance.

Ji Min possesses exceptional memory.

Vaguely, he recalled that last time Lu Ran had enjoyed ice cream in his office, it was these very flavors he'd chosen.

Ji Min inquired, "You really like these three flavors, particularly vanilla?"

Upon hearing the question, Lu Ran gave a vague response, "I guess so."

As he spoke, he took another large bite of the ice cream, all the way down to the cone.

In the evening, Lu Ran returned to Ji Min's villa.

It wasn't his first time visiting, so he was quite familiar with the place.

However, he hadn't expected that Ji Min had actually prepared a room for Big Yellow.

The room was fully equipped with a dog bed and toys.

Lu Ran couldn't help but marvel; indeed, men were willing to put in effort when it came to certain rumors...

Oh wait, he should commend his boss for his generosity.

Despite Ji Min providing a new doghouse for Big Yellow, Lu Ran still brought along the old one.

Big Yellow had accompanied him through several environment changes, always with this doghouse.

Although Big Yellow was already very familiar with Ji Min's place, having something with his own scent would likely provide the puppy a sense of security.

Having tended to Big Yellow's needs, Lu Ran returned to his own room. He caressed the soft bed. He clearly remembered his reaction the last time he slept on such a plush mattress. He still wasn't accustomed to sleeping on a soft bed. However, Lu Ran didn't call for anyone. Instead, he removed the bedding from the mattress and spread it out on the carpet, making himself a makeshift floor bed. Then, he laid down on it and studied his schedule for the next day. Downstairs, Ji Min was still occupied with his tasks. Looking up, he asked the butler, "Has everything been arranged?" "I've already informed Doctor Kemler, and he should be arriving shortly," replied Butler Chen.

Ji Min nodded.

Shortly after, the sound of a car echoed from outside the courtyard.

He instinctively glanced at the lit window upstairs.

Instead of waiting for the vehicle to come in, he went out to greet personally.

Doctor Kemler was a middle-aged man in his fifties, but his hair and beard were both snowy white.

He appears to be an energetic little old man, full of spirit.

He was slightly surprised to see Ji Min, and greeted him warmly, "Ji! You've actually come out in person to welcome me!"

"So eager, have you decided to go through with the operation?"

Saying this, he opened the car door and was about to step out.

In the fraction of a second before he could descend, Ji Min called out, "Wait a moment."

Dr. Kemler: "?"

He looked down to see Ji Min scrutinizing him from head to toe with great scrutiny.

Ji Min frowned and said, "You look too much like a doctor, that won't do."

Dr. Kemler: "?"

"I did tell you not to dress so professionally, but your stethoscope is even sticking out of your shirt pocket," Ji Min pointed out.

"But I am a doctor," Dr. Kemler replied.

Ji Min turned to the butler Chen and said, "Find him something more casual to wear."

Only then did he explain to Dr. Kemler, "The children at home have a strong aversion to hospitals, so please don't give off that hospital vibe when you go in."

Dr. Kemler tried hard to recall who this "child" Ji Min was referring to, but couldn't figure out where this person came from or why they held such importance to Ji Min.

Yet, after some contemplation, he decided to be honest and said:

"I'm not well-versed in pediatrics. Should I call for a pediatrician who is more skilled in dealing with children?"

Ji Min: "..."

Butler Chen couldn't help it and chuckled.

Observing the expression on Butler Chen's face, Doctor Kemler gradually grasped the situation.

He took the adoptive father from Butler Chen and teased in a clear, fluent Mandarin, "Ji Min, have you ever heard that every tycoon has a miserable doctor friend?"

"So what?"

Ji Min raised an eyebrow, his tone cold and detached, "You're not my friend, just a doctor I hired at great expense."

"Also, change your clothes quickly."

Dr. Kemler: "..."

After Ji Min waited for them to change clothes in the car, he allowed them entry into the yard.

He led the way into the villa.

Before going upstairs, he paused and turned to Dr. Kemler, saying, "Your glasses are too doctor-like. Change them."

Unable to resist, Dr. Kemler muttered under his breath,

"Is your 'child' really just afraid of doctors? He sounds like a delicate little princess."

Ji Min ignored the teasing tone in his words and corrected him, "He's a boy."

Dr. Kemler raised an eyebrow and smoothly adjusted his phrasing, "Then what's the issue with this delicate young male?"

Ji Min frowned as he recalled,

"He occasionally falls into a state of rigidity, drenched in cold sweat, and trembling. It usually happens when he sees a specific person."

"From your description, it sounds like a panic attack," Dr. Kemler said.

"And…" Ji Min paused, "I'm not sure, but you should check if there are any issues with his limbs and joints later."

"I could do that, but without professional equipment and without being able to reveal my medical identity, it might be quite challenging," Dr. Kemler replied.

Ji Min shot him a chilly glance and, in a tone of a concerned family member, complained, "Can't you just look with your eyes?"

Dr. Kemler: "…"

Was he supposed to be an X-ray machine?

However, Ji Min's cautious preparation piqued Dr. Kemler's curiosity.

Ever since Ji Min's car accident, he had been the latter's primary physician. But he also knew all too well that Ji Min was rather indifferent about his own health, let alone anyone else's.

Ji Min led him to a room on the second floor.

Doctor Kemler took note of the cushioned runner along the hallway.

As Ji Min raised his hand to knock, Kemler expected to see a delicate, pea-princess-like youth.

To his surprise, the door opened to reveal a lively teenage boy, around eighteen or nineteen, playfully crawling on the floor with a small dog.

Spotting an outsider by the door, the boy lifted his head in curiosity.

His healthy cream-colored skin was flushed from exercise.

Next to the pale Ji Min, this boy seemed to be the picture of vitality, not illness.

Feeling deceived, Doctor Kemler was tempted to turn and leave.

But remembering his substantial salary, he swallowed his frustration.

Then, Ji Min beside him cleared his throat and introduced their guest to the young man inside, "This is a friend of mine, visiting today."

"Oh." Lu Ran knelt on the ground, straightening his body.

There was still a hint of confusion in his eyes.

Disregarding his life in the orphanage, ever since he returned to the Shen family, Lu Ran had always been excluded from their social circle.

Therefore, he didn't quite understand why Ji Min's friend would come to visit him.

Ji Min noticed this as well.

His words paused, and he quickly fabricated an excuse: "He's very interested in Y University's veterinary program, so he heard about it and wanted to discuss it with you."

"Bring him in," Lu Ran tidied up the toys on the living room rug.

Before Dr. Kemler entered the room, Ji Min shot him a warning glance.

A silent message to not reveal his profession as a doctor.

Dr. Kemler responded with a serious OK gesture.

He then greeted Lu Ran with a smile, "Hello there, young one. I have a great interest in the nutrition program at your school."

Upon Dr. Kemler's voice, Lu Ran's ears perked up with acute sensitivity.

The youth's pair of lustrous, jet-black eyes appraised him for a moment, their gaze pausing significantly upon the pen fastened at his collar.

Gazing over at Ji Min once more.

Ji Min didn't notice.

The door to Lu Ran's bedroom was ajar, allowing Ji Min a clear view of the room upon entering.

The bedding had been removed from the bed and neatly arranged on the carpet.

Ji Min was somewhat surprised.

He turned to look at the child sitting beside him and asked, "Why aren't you sleeping on the bed?"

Lu Ran felt a bit awkward but still answered honestly, "The mattress is too soft; it's not very comfortable."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Ji Min asked with a frown.

"I can sleep on the floor too," Lu Ran replied.

Ji Min's lips twitched but he ultimately said nothing.

It seemed that the child had made do with such conditions last time as well.

Dr. Kemler, who was attempting to diagnose the patient with his keen observations, couldn't help but spare a moment's attention to their conversation upon hearing them.

Not fond of soft beds.

Some patients with joint pain did have this preference.

But for a teenager like the one before him, it wasn't typical.

Both Ji Min and Dr. Kemler were lost in their own thoughts when they heard the quiet child suddenly ask, "Doctor, which hospital are you affiliated with?"

"Oh, the New City Private Hospital," Dr. Kemler responded instinctively.

As soon as he spoke, he shuddered in realization.

Lifting his gaze, he met Ji Min's menacing stare.

Dr. Kemler hurriedly clarified, "Oh no, it wasn't me! I was trying my best to hide it!"

Ji Min sighed and gently placed a hand on his forehead.

Lu Ran found the situation amusing and asked, "Isn't it just a doctor making a house call? Why are you being so secretive, Boss?"

Ji Min thought to himself, 'You've got nerve.'

He sighed and asked, "How did you figure out that it was a doctor?"

"Didn't this doctor call you before?" Lu Ran pointed out.

Upon hearing this, Dr. Kemler immediately straightened up.

See, it wasn't that he couldn't withstand deception.

It was Ji Min who had let something slip ahead of time.

Ji Min never imagined that Lu Ran, who had only heard Dr. Kemler's voice once over the phone, would actually remember it.

Despite initially observing Lu Ran's aversion to hospitals, Ji Min had assumed he would also be resistant to doctors.

Ji Min had already envisaged various scenarios of the challenges of dealing with a sick child.

Surprisingly, Lu Ran was unexpectedly cooperative when he heard about the physical examination.

As Dr. Kemler was about to examine his joints, the youth hesitated momentarily, but then obediently extended his arm as requested.

Ultimately, Dr. Kemler was unable to discern anything unusual.

"Soothe your worries, Ji Min. Your young one is in perfect health."

Lu Ran, relieved but unnoticeably so, replied, "I told you!"

The next morning arrived.

Ji Min drove Lu Ran to school on his way to work.

In the car, Lu Ran continued to dwell on the matter, "You actually invited the doctor home and pretended he was a friend to hide it from me."

Feeling a bit awkward, Ji Min chose to ignore him.

Lu Ran gave him a scrutinizing look.

Suddenly, an idea struck him, and he asked, "Boss, if you have time to worry about a lively me, why haven't you had your leg surgery?"

Ji Min was taken aback.

Previously, Lu Ran's provocation had indeed prompted him to inquire about the surgery.

It wasn't yet certain that surgery was necessary.

Ji Min turned his head to look out the window, not responding.

It wasn't impatience but rather uncertainty about how to reply.

He also didn't wish to reveal his insecurity and... unease about the surgery in front of the child.

But the moment he turned, he felt someone boldly poke his arm.

Then, a fluffy head leaned in, persistently asking, "Why is that?"

Ji Min: "..."

After some thought, he simply employed the tactic Lu Ran often used.

Lowering his gaze to the young man before him, he inquired, "And what of you? Why do you take such an interest in my leg? Could it be that you harbor feelings for me?"

Lu Ran was taken aback.