Asianovel

Chapter 66: The Crimson Butterfly

Huo Lanjing's gaze darkened. "Huo Fei, she is my wife."

His words carried a clear warning.

Huo Fei leaned back nonchalantly and sneered. "Isn't she your ex-wife? I seem to recall you signing the divorce papers rather swiftly."

Huo Lanjing clenched the teacup in his hand, his icy eyes furrowing.

"Why are you glaring at me? Isn't what I said the truth?"

Huo Fei shrugged indifferently but noticed him stand up and turn to leave.

She quickly called out, "Hey, where are you going?"

Huo Lanjing paused, then replied, "Back home."

Huo Fei smiled. "Wait, weren't you looking for Luo Le? I might have a lead."

Huo Lanjing retracted his steps and turned around. "What?"

Huo Fei straightened her posture, suppressing the smile on her lips. "I can tell you, but before that, I have a few questions for you."

Huo Lanjing replied, "Ask."

Seeing his willingness, Huo Fei didn't prolong the suspense.

"What do you truly think of Luo Le?"

Huo Lanjing opened his mouth but wasn't sure where to begin.

How did he view Luo Le?

Ever since Luo Le's departure, he found himself uncontrollably thinking about him, often lost in thought.

Later, he realized that a part of his heart was empty, an emptiness that couldn't be filled.

He wanted to see Luo Le, even if it were just an illusion.

Huo Lanjing mused that perhaps this was the answer to Luo Le's previous question.

Huo Fei sighed. "Think carefully. Is it habit or genuine feelings you have for him? If it's just a matter of habit, there's no need to bring him back. You'll eventually get used to…"

Huo Lanjing clenched his fists, refuting, "No."

"Very well, that's emotion. Have you figured out what kind of emotion it is? There are numerous forms of emotions - familial love, romantic love, friendship. Do you see him as a younger brother, a friend, or perhaps, a lover?"

Unfamiliar words suddenly presented themselves before me.

Huo Lanjing was taken aback for a moment before he pursed his lips. "Lover."

"Really? Did you feel something odd when he was declared dead?"

Huo Lanjing nodded. How could he not?

At that time, it felt as if an invisible hand was mercilessly kneading his heart, making it hard to breathe.

Huo Fei pressed on with her question, "Did you keep thinking about him afterwards?"

Struck by the truth, Huo Lanjing suddenly felt like he had grasped that answer.

"Yes," his tone held a hint of excitement.

"Anything else?"

"I want to see him."

Huo Fei's smile was forced. "You based your judgment on these factors?"

Huo Lanjing shook his head but remained silent.

"I'll ask you this—do you want to see Father and Papa?"

Without waiting for a response, Huo Fei continued, "When they left, did you go crazy missing them, feeling guilty towards them?"

At these words, Huo Lanjing's heart tightened. These reactions were what he had experienced after Luo Le's departure. Did Huo Fei think he was mistaken?

His dark red eyes narrowed as he pondered, "What are you trying to say?"

"I want you to understand your feelings for him. Both Father and Papa were deeply devoted, so how did they produce a heart of stone like you?"

Huo Fei sighed as she spoke.

Exhausted by the barrage of inexplicable questions, Huo Lanjing's voice turned cold. "Are you done? Give me the information."

Huo Fei fell silent for a moment before lifting her gaze with sincerity. "Speaking of him, I even pity him. When one truly loves someone, it's impossible to hide it. Yet you... Don't even mention him. I can't sense any love from you. Your actions now are identical to when Father and Papa first left."

Why was Huo Fei telling him all this?

A possibility suddenly occurred to Huo Lanjing. His icy gaze pierced her as he interrupted, "Are you saying all this to make me give up?"

"No, I won't pressure you into making any choices. Although I don't hold him in high regard, our Huo family has never produced a scoundrel who'd so utterly disregard others' emotions. As your family, I hope you clarify your feelings before deciding. Until then, don't disturb him."

Huo Fei sipped her tea. "Love, friendship, and familial affection—distinguishing these may be too difficult for you. Let me tell you the most direct difference between love and the other two: possession and desire. Think back. Do you feel stifled or uneasy seeing him with someone else? And... umm."

Awkward as it was for her to discuss such matters as an elder, Huo Fei cleared her throat softly. "That desire, you know."

Grasping Huo Fei's intention, Huo Lanjing softened his tone and lowered his eyes. "Alright, I understand."

"Here you go."

Huo Fei tossed over a small box, which Huo Lanjing effortlessly caught. Upon opening it, he found a black cufflink inside.

Perplexed, he reached out, "What's this?"

Seeing his reaction, Luo Le probably hadn't given it to him yet.

She had thought that she had given it to him, but he had declined.

"Haven't you heard? It's the gift your wife gives you every year."

Huo Lanjing paused. Luo Le would indeed bring him a pile of items every year, but after he declined them, they would never reappear in front of him.

However, he had never seen this particular cufflink before.

Huo Lanjing was wearing a white shirt and a black jacket that day. After some consideration, he affixed the cufflink onto his left sleeve.

His action of putting on the cufflink was deliberate and unhurried.

Light glanced off the black cufflinks, casting a deep crimson hue that harmonized superbly with the irregularly patched suit he wore.

Huo Fei couldn't help but secretly admire; Luo Le truly had an excellent eye. This cufflink was indeed perfectly suited for the young man.

Though the Luo family wasn't an influential aristocratic clan, Luo Le wouldn't be someone to take a liking to Huo Lanjing merely because of his family's wealth.

After much contemplation, she still believed that Luo Le was more likely drawn to her appearance.

"Any news?"

"I've given it to you."

Huo Lanjing adjusted it and looked up at her. "You didn't mean that..."

"I won this cufflink at an auction on the Second Planet."

Having said that, Huo Fei didn't elaborate further.

In auctions like those, the previous owners' names were usually visible. Upon seeing the name on it, she finally understood.

Huo Lanjing turned and left.

As he reached the door, Huo Fei called out to him again.

He slightly tilted his body, his gaze seemingly inquiring what was the matter.

"After all these years, have you still not let yourself go? Father and your father wouldn't want to see you like this."

Huo Lanjing paused for a moment before pushing the door open and departing.

Watching his retreating figure, Huo Fei was momentarily at a loss for words.

When Huo Lanjing was young, his behavior was wayward, and by the age of twelve, he became even more insubordinate, defying everyone's attempts to discipline him. Their grandfather was unable to manage him, so they sent their father to take him into the military for training.

After joining the military, his character landed him in numerous troubles. By chance, he stumbled upon the traces of the insectoid race and, alone, followed them.

Back then, he encountered the royal family of the insectoids, whose guards were incredibly powerful combatants.

Despite Huo Lanjing's formidable mental strength and exceptional talent, he was no match for those guards.

He was taken away just like that.

Later, their father received a challenge, and their father, upon learning the news, couldn't remain idle and immediately went to the military.

Somewhere along the way, something happened, and only he survived.

Their grandfather, already displeased with Huo Lanjing's wayward nature, was devastated by the loss of his child. His unchanneled fury then fell upon him.

Huo Fei was only sixteen at the time, harboring her own grievances, so she watched coldly from the sidelines.

She didn't notice that her already reticent brother had become even more composed and taciturn.

This composure was a composure akin to death.

Yet, no one realized back then that something was amiss with him.

Eventually, their grandfather passed away from the heartache, and following the funeral, Huo Lanjing departed for the First Army.

After that, he rarely replied to her letters.

It wasn't until Huo Lanjing returned home that Huo Fei sensed something amiss.

In the past, he was merely reserved and disinclined to share his thoughts. But now, when she spoke to him, she felt an invisible barrier between them.

It was as if he had barricaded himself inside, unwilling to come out or let others in.

Only then did Huo Fei realize that Huo Lanjing was the only person in this world with whom she shared the same blood. If anything happened to him, she would have no family left.

Thus, Huo Fei sought out psychologists everywhere, hoping to mend their relationship, but Huo Lanjing refused to go.

Eventually, when Huo Lanjing ascended to his position, he was forbidden from seeking psychological help for the rest of his life.

Huo Lanjing left the house promptly, heading straight for the spacecraft. After bidding farewell to Commander Lin and the administrative officials of the Second Planet, he set off.

The afternoon sun was warm, and below the hospital, patients in their gowns were leisurely chatting under the trees.

Gu Heting and Luo Le strolled leisurely through the small garden, occasionally discussing with him the precautions of raising children.

Luo Le listened attentively, interjecting with a question from time to time.

"By the way, you're being discharged today. Have you finished packing?"

"There's nothing to pack."

"By the way, when you return, make sure to take it easy and have a light diet. Honestly, my advice would be to stay for a longer period."

"No, I'm not particularly fond of the scent of hospitals."

Each visit to the hospital always brought something unpleasant, and he couldn't rest well here anyway.

Luo Le still preferred to go back home.

"Alright, if there's anything, I'll be staying next door. Just look for me."

"Mm-hm."

They chatted all the way back to the hospital room.

Upon arrival, the nurse carried Chen Chen in.

Previously, Chen Chen had been sleeping in an incubator, not with him.

Luo Le spread his arms, signaling for the nurse to place the child in them.

Seeing his stiff hands, the nurse smiled and said, "Support his bottom, head, and neck gently. His spine isn't fully developed yet."

Prior to this, Luo Le had been lying in bed and hadn't held Chen Chen much, following the nurse's instructions with some success.

Luo Le dared not hold on too tightly, feeling Chen Chen's heartbeat, he was somewhat dazed.

Is this... his creation?

How tiny it is, with its soft body and milky scent. It's sleeping with its eyes closed, so well-behaved.

Gu Heting watched from the side, and Luo Le, seeing the child's dazed expression, felt as if he was about to be overwhelmed with cuteness.

After a moment, Luo Le gently placed the child on the bed and draped a small blanket over him from the side.

Having completed these tasks, Luo Le deftly unfastened the buttons with one hand while tidying up the small water cup with the other.

Since his back was turned, Gu Heting could only see him tidying up.

Approaching her, he was about to offer assistance when Luo Le removed her garment.

Upon his left shoulder, a tiny blood-colored butterfly blossomed, its allure vivid and enchanting.

Gu Yiting froze, seizing his wrist in surprise. His gaze lingered unwaveringly on it.

Luo Le turned his head. "What are you doing?"

Chapter 115: "Falling for Another"

"Cough."

Ji Min cleared his throat softly.

He cast an upward glance at the youth beside him.

Lu Ran lowered his gaze, engrossed in playing with his phone, utterly disregarding him.

It appears to be engaged in conversation with Fang Chen.

For a while, Ji Min watched, then reached out to take the young man's phone.

"What are you chatting about? Let me have a look," he said.

Lu Ran evaded his hand and glanced at him. "What are you doing, invading my privacy?"

Ji Min: "..."

He slowly withdrew his hand and said with displeasure, "How come I didn't know when you became so close to Fang Chen?"

"Who knows?"

Lu Ran's voice was leisurely. "Suddenly having a good friend fall from the sky, one must cherish it properly."

The tone was incredibly sardonic.

If Ji Min couldn't pick up on this now, he might as well have not lived all these years.

He thought to himself that this kid could be incredibly dense at times, but shockingly perceptive at others.

It was clear that Lu Ran had noticed his arrangement and was unhappy about it, thus provoking him here.

"Cough."

Ji Min raised his hand to touch the tip of his nose. He spoke softly, "I just thought that you should socialize more with people your age, that's why I... "

To his surprise, Lu Ran agreed without any hesitation.

"Yes," he said. "I used to spend time mostly with those older than me. Now I realize, it's the young ones who are more fun."

Ji Min: "..."

He raised his hand to rub his forehead.

With no other option, he glanced aside, seeking help from Butler Chen with an imploring expression.

Housekeeper Chen pretended not to notice and focused intently on examining the carpet in the rehabilitation area.

The consequences of one's actions should be faced by oneself.

Observing him is utterly pointless.

With a sigh, Ji Min could do nothing but accept it.

He turned to the youth at his side, a note of helplessness threading through his voice as he said,

"Is that how you behave? Is it appropriate to openly discuss falling for someone else with me, your current boyfriend?"

Ji Min emphasized the term "current boyfriend."

To which the young man replied, "Why wouldn't it work?"

Lu Ran smirks, his eyes narrowing as he looks over.

"You're both settling your estate and arranging for friends. You put so much effort into acting as my senior."

"Given that we can't be boyfriends now, is it not acceptable for me to share my romantic journey with you, as a respected elder?"

Saying this, Lu Ran beamed and showed him a photo of himself and Fang Chen together.

Q: "What do you think? Is the romantic interest I've chosen this time satisfactory? Is he better than the last one?"

Ji Min: "..."

It's over, there's no soothing this situation now.

A tense stalemate ensued for a moment.

As the nurses around, eager for a spectacle, gradually dispersed, Butler Chen also walked to a short distance away, engaging in conversation with the on-duty doctor.

Only then did Ji Min let out a sigh.

He leaned in closer to Lu Ran once again, then gently touched his forehead against the youth's before resting his chin upon the younger man's shoulder.

"Please, don't tease me anymore, I beg of you," he pleaded in a soft, earnest tone.

After the surgery, there's bound to be some difference.

Unconstrained by the wheelchair, the man across from him could now approach as closely as he desired.

And there was no need for Lu Ran's consent.

Ji Min, standing well over six feet tall, now leaned his entire upper body forward, his build towering and imposing.

He resembled an oversized teddy bear for hugging.

In his almost-thirty years, Ji Min's display of coquettishness was rather irresistible.

"Keep your distance," Lu Ran said sternly, pushing him away.

He exerted some effort, but surprisingly, he couldn't budge the man?

Considering the other person's leg, Lu Ran didn't dare to apply too much force.

In the end, he only said coldly, "Hey, I already told you I've moved on!"

"Y-Yes, yes."

Ji Min chuckled against his ear, "If you've really moved on, why do you still come to this hospital you hate the most every day to accompany your ex-boyfriend for rehabilitation?"

"Do the person you like now know how much you're still hung up on your ex-boyfriend?" the man asked softly.

"..."

The words sounded like an affair, making Lu Ran's face flush red.

With great effort, he pushed the man away and sat up from the bench.

With flushed ears, he smoothed out the wrinkles on his clothes.

"I'm going back," he said.

Without thinking, Ji Min pulled him back and frowned. "Where to?"

"Back home," Lu Ran replied.

Ji Min glanced at the sky outside.

He held the youth's wrist, unable to shake off a lingering reluctance as he said, "It's so late. Don't bother going back. There's an empty room here."

Lu Ran rolled his eyes at him. "You just said a moment ago that I hate hospitals the most."

Ji Min: "..."

He fell silent for a moment, eventually releasing Lu Ran's hand. He sighed and said, "Be careful on your way."

Ever since Ji Min embarked on official rehabilitation, he also began handling company affairs personally.

Conducting video conferences and communicating with partners via video calls had become the norm.

Ji Min had been absent for nearly three months, and upon his reemergence, everyone noticed that the wheelchair he used to rely on was gone.

In its place was an ordinary office chair.

This change was truly conspicuous.

Ever since Ji Min assumed power, he had always been seen in a wheelchair.

Though it was never explicitly mentioned, everyone assumed that his legs were beyond healing, leaving him disabled for life.

To everyone's surprise, however, the operations of the Ji Corporation hadn't skipped a beat during those three months.

Miraculously, Ji Min's legs had recovered.

Soon, this news spread like wildfire through the entire high society of Jing City.

Despite the fact that Ji Min's status and net worth remained unchanged.

Yet, the mere act of him standing up from his wheelchair elevated the young head of the Ji family significantly in the public's perception.

Another topic of much discussion was the Shen family.

Previously, the Shen family had been vying with the Lino family for the rights to the HZ project.

In terms of strength, both families were evenly matched.

However, during the competition, Shen Hongyuan grew overly anxious, going so far as to entertain the young master of the Fang family and proposing a joint venture with the Lino family.

His eagerness invited speculation about the state of the Shen family.

Later, the Lino family released some unfavorable news about the Shen family, seemingly gaining the upper hand in the competition.

But business landscapes can shift dramatically overnight.

Who could have predicted that just when all seemed lost, a laboratory under the Shen family's umbrella would make a groundbreaking technological breakthrough, suddenly turning the tables on the Lino family?

Rumor had it that the Fang family was preparing to sign a contract with the Shen family.

This instantly elevated the Shen family's status within the social circle.

Shen Hongyuan, wanting to seize this opportunity to attract more investments, decided to host a grand banquet in celebration of Shen Xingyu's birthday.

Lu Ran also received an invitation.

The invitation was personally delivered to the Ji residence by Shen Xingyu's assistant.

Flipping it open, Lu Ran gave it a glance.

Recently, his mind had been preoccupied with Ji Min's surgery, leaving him with no interest in keeping tabs on the Shen family's affairs.

The invitation served as a reminder that it was time for him to pay a visit.

On Shen Xingyu's birthday, Lu Ran had no classes in the afternoon.

After school, instead of going to the hospital, he returned home for an afternoon nap.

Awakening from his nap, he found Ji Min's video call waiting for him.

Probably realizing that he had upset Lu Ran, Ji Min had been reaching out to him more frequently lately.

It was almost to the point of being clingy.

There would be a call in the morning, another during lunchtime, and yet another before bedtime.

Sometimes, Ji Min would even time his calls to coincide with the ten minutes after Lu Ran's classes ended.

Most of the time, Lu Ran would answer.

Occasionally, when he grew annoyed, he would dismissively say, "I'm playing games with Fang Chen. Can't talk."

Thus, as soon as he connected the video call this time, the man on the other end frowned and asked, "Playing games with Fang Chen again?"

Lu Ran rubbed his eyes, yawned, and said,

"Yes."

"Your face still bears the marks, and you're trying to deceive me?" Ji Min said.

"Oh." Lu Ran showed no sign of being caught in a lie, responding casually, "I got hit in my dream."

Ji Min: "..."

This statement was a direct hit.

For a moment, Ji Min genuinely regretted why he had ever thought of finding a playmate specifically for Lu Ran back then.

"I'm angry, Lu Ran," the man said in a deep voice. "You can already dream about someone you've just met?"

To his surprise, Lu Ran looked at him in shock.

He asked, "Are you only starting to get angry now?"

Ji Min: "..."

Suddenly, he felt like laughing again.

Noticing the displeased expression on the young man's face, he quickly composed himself and tried to soothe him.

"Not at all, I've been seething for days, even in my dreams."

Lu Ran raised his hand, poised to terminate the video call.

Ji Min hurriedly asked,

"Didn't you come over today? Were you too tired?"

"Didn't you say you were fine? Why should I have come over?" Lu Ran retorted.

President Ji, who used to say "it's fine" all the time, fell silent.

...Thank you, he truly realized his mistake.

Lu Ran checked the time and ended the video call with Ji Min.

He changed his clothes and prepared to return to the Shen family's residence.

Just as he was about to leave, Big Yellow sauntered over slowly.

Recently, Lu Ran had been constantly visiting the hospital, and pets were not allowed there, resulting in less time spent with Big Yellow.

Lu Ran immediately scooped up the dog in his arms, feeling sorry for him:

"Come on, let Daddy take you out to play."

Before leaving, Lu Ran glanced through the leashes and chose the slightly worn one with a rabbit doll attached.

Upon arriving at the destination but before entering, Lu Ran spotted Fang Chen with a displeased expression.

A circle of people had gathered around Fang Chen, yet the man acted arrogantly, ignoring everyone.

Spotting Lu Ran, he excitedly waved and dashed out from the crowd.

"Goodness gracious, you're finally here! I was about to burst!"

Fang Chen then crouched down, lavishing Big Yellow with affectionate pats.

"Why come if you felt suffocated?" Lu Ran looked at him.

Fang Chen felt a bit awkward as he replied, "I didn't want to come either, but my dad insisted I attend."

Lu Ran understood Fang Chen's implication.

Fang Chen's father had sent him as a gesture of respect to the Shen family.

It seemed that the Fangs were indeed very interested in the Shens.

Guests had started arriving one after another.

Shen Hongyuan was greeting them alongside Shen Xingyu. Upon seeing Lu Ran, his face froze, and he involuntarily asked:

"Why are you here?"

Today was an important event for the Shen family. What was the banquet assassin, Lu Ran, up to?

Seeing this, Lu Ran smiled.

He pointed in the direction of Shen Xingran, who was not far away, and said frankly, "Your dear son here specially sought me out to tell me that you've been in a good mood lately, so he asked me to come home for a visit."

Shen Xingran's face paled immediately.

In the end, it was Shen Xingyu who stepped forward and said, "I was the one who invited him."

With Shen Xingyu taking responsibility, Shen Hongyuan naturally couldn't say anything more.

Besides, Fang Chen was still present.

After Lu Ran and Fang Chen entered together, Fang Chen was promptly pulled aside by familiar uncles and elders for a chat.

Lu Ran looked around and, remembering his unfinished business from last time, decided to make a quick visit to the restroom.

Having flushed all the water balloons down the drain, Lu Ran washed his hands and stepped out.

No sooner had he left the restroom than he bumped into Shen Xingyu head-on.

The man, who had been distant yet polite outside, looked up at the restroom sign behind Lu Ran, then at the teenager in front of him, and let out a somewhat helpless sigh.

"What mischief have you cooked up this time?" Shen Xingyu asked.

"Nope," Lu Ran shrugged, continuing to lead Big Yellow out.

He passed by Shen Xingyu's side with a sidelong glance.

As he walked, the rabbit puppet dangling from the leash in his hand swayed gently, its ears fluttering.

Shen Xingyu's gaze involuntarily lingered on that rabbit puppet for a long time.

Just as Lu Ran was about to exit the corridor,

he suddenly spoke up, his voice soft, "Ran Ran, I'm very happy that you came today."

Lu Ran turned to glance at him. "You don't have to be happy. I came here to play a prank, not because of you."

Shen Xingyu was taken aback.

Sighing, he stepped forward and asked, "Can't you really come back home?

Lu Ran looked at Shen Xingyu across from him.

Actually, sometimes Lu Ran couldn't help but marvel at how remarkable Shen Xingyu was.

Born into the Shen family, he neither became a spoiled heir like Shen Xingzhuo nor was he preoccupied with power struggles like Shen Xingran.

It wasn't easy for him to grow up so focused on meaningful matters while also being highly capable.

Just like this HZ project.

With such a huge loophole within the Shen Corporation and Shen Hongyuan personally hindering progress.

Yet, Shen Xingyu could apply pressure step by step without revealing any signs of distress in crucial areas.

With a sudden smile, Lu Ran gazed at Shen Xingyu and asked,

"Do you want me to go home because you, as my elder brother, can't bear to see me wandering, or is it because the Shen family needs me back?"

Despite being only in his late teens, the young man's eyes were astoundingly perceptive.

When their gazes met, Shen Xingyu felt a flush of embarrassment and quickly looked away.

He didn't dare to meet Lu Ran's eyes nor did he dare to glance at the rabbit doll clutched in his hand.

However, Lu Ran didn't push for an answer to this trivial matter.

Casually, he glanced behind Shen Xingyu.

Then, with another smile, he said, "Don't you have an idea about what happened to me in the Shen family? Would you dare to ask me to return home without any solid evidence if you were in my shoes?"

There seemed to be a hint of leeway in his words.

Shen Xingyu promptly reassured, "Don't worry, I'm working hard to make these things happen..."

At the corner of the hallway.

Shen Xingran retracted his gaze and leaned against the wall, taking a deep breath.

As expected, he knew Lu Ran had ulterior motives!

What was Shen Xingyu up to? After being rejected once by Shen Hongyuan, did he really plan on pulling Lu Ran into the Shen family?

A familiar sense of panic welled up within him.

Shen Xingran retreated silently.

In the main hall, Mrs. Shen was engaged in lighthearted conversation with several wealthy ladies.

Shen Xingran immediately approached, hoping to find solace in his mother's presence.

Noticing his approach, Mrs. Shen swiftly found an excuse to pull him aside.

Shen Xingran assumed that Lady Shen had sensed his distress and was about to console him.

Instead, she looked around and patted her chest, asking, "Did Lu Ran come over today?"

With an unusual tone, Lady Shen remarked, "He didn't cause any trouble today, did he?"

Shen Xingran opened his mouth but said nothing.

Lady Shen looked at him, as if she wanted to say something but held back. She patted Shen Xingran's hand and advised, "This banquet is crucial for our family. Be obedient and don't provoke him."

Although her words still showed her favoritism towards him, in that moment, Shen Xingran felt an immense discomfort, a profound uneasiness.

It was as if his only source of support had distanced itself from him.

"Mom…" Shen Xingran called out.

But Lady Shen had already smiled and greeted another lady who had just entered.

Shen Xingran gazed at Madam Shen's retreating figure without uttering another word. There was no trace of disappointment in his eyes. Instead, he was merely reminded of the time when Madam Shen had suspected him of being Shen Hongyuan's illegitimate child. A scoff escaped Shen Xingran's lips as he turned and left. "I've made preparations to bring you into the Shen Corporation."

Shen Xingyu was sharing his plans with Lu Ran.

His assistant hurried over and whispered, "Your uncle has arrived and is currently chatting with President Shen..."

Upon hearing this, Shen Xingyu's brows immediately knitted together.

He immediately strode towards the entrance.

He took two steps forward, then paused, addressing the youth behind him, "Wait for me just a moment."

That was when they left.

Lu Ran overheard his assistant's words and pondered for a moment.

Cousin?

Shen Hongyuan had several cousins.

But in Lu Ran's memory, there was only one.

That cousin wasn't quite a proper person; he once attempted to harass Shen Xingran.

Eventually, he was sent to prison with the combined efforts of the Shen family and Shen Xingran's admirers.

Lu Ran glanced toward the door and saw a middle-aged man in his forties with stubble on his chin, looking rather rakish.

However, Shen Xingyu quickly blocked the man outside the door.

Lu Ran shifted his gaze away, but he could still hear Shen Xingran's voice in his ear.

"It's only natural for Brother to want to return home now, considering the rumors about the head of the Ji family…"

Shen Xingran was engaged in conversation with his friends, his voice lowered but not entirely discreet.

Upon hearing the mention of "Ji Family," the crowd around immediately lost their drowsiness.

Now, it's common knowledge that Ji Min's leg has been cured.

With his legs healed, his status naturally changed.

Leaving aside other aspects, their positions in the matrimonial market were poles apart.

At this moment, many people discreetly cast their gazes at Lu Ran when they thought of the rumors linking Ji Min with Shen Family's wayward young master.

If their memories served them right...

Lu Ran hadn't been seen with Ji Min for quite some time.

Moreover, it was rumored that he didn't have an amicable relationship with the Shen Family and had always resided outside.

Now, he had taken the initiative to return to the Shen family...

Some of Shen Xingran's friends deliberately flattered him, saying,

"At that time, he was still disabled, but he still took a fancy to you. Now that he's better, naturally, he wants someone better."

Shen Xingran stopped there without elaborating further.

Lu Ran found the conversation rather intriguing as he listened.

After a while, he interjected, "He didn't even fancy you when he was disabled; now that he's recovered, he likes you even less. So why are you whining about it?"

This comment was a direct and indiscriminate jab at the gossipers.

Shen Xingran felt that he had guessed correctly.

Otherwise, Lu Ran wouldn't have said such a thing.

Pausing for a moment, Shen Xingran looked at Lu Ran and sighed,

"Brother, how can you say that? Even though Mr. Ji... he has helped you a great deal. Isn't it rather impolite to speak of him in such a manner?"

As Shen Xingran spoke, he shook his head and hesitated before adding, "Back then, to provoke Father, you even said that Mr. Ji was hopelessly in love with you, going mad if he couldn't see you for an hour."

Upon hearing this, the looks from those around Lu Ran turned somewhat amused.

It was unexpected that someone would boast about themselves like that.

Shen Xingran, engrossed in brewing tea, failed to notice the sudden silence at the entrance.

Until the silence spread to where they were.

A tall, imposing shadow loomed over them.

Only then did Shen Xingran instinctively step back and turn his head.

Before him stood the man who had once been wheelchair-bound, appearing at the banquet in a way no one could have imagined.

The man was dressed in a tailored haute couture suit that accentuated his tall and slender figure even more.

His broad shoulders and sturdy physique exuded an innate sense of intimidation.

And now, with his dark eyes fixated intently, the air around him grew even more oppressive.

He said,

"That's right, I'm hopelessly in love with him. I go mad if I can't see him for an hour, lose my appetite, and feel like I can't live without him."

"Well, is there a problem with that?"

The room fell silent.

Shen Xingran felt his cheeks flush red in that instant.

After a long moment of silence, scattered greetings and congratulations began to echo around them.

The man who had just delivered those "tough" words approached Lu Ran and, once again, lowered his gaze, the corners of his eyes and brows carrying a hint of a smile.

He reached out to take the leash from Lu Ran's hand.

About to say something.

There was the sight of the youth sending him a sharp, disdainful glance.

"Acting, is there anyone more pretentious than you in this world?"

Ji Min: "..."

The man, who had just exuded an overpowering presence, gently cleared his throat and, with a leisurely touch, reached out to caress the young man's finger.

Lu Ran rolled his eyes.

"Why are you standing there? Are your legs quite capable of supporting you now? Find a place to sit down."

Ji Min: "..."

The man fell silent for a moment before obediently finding a nearby sofa to sit on.

Chapter 104: Stop 23: One Roll

Bai Changfeng gazed coldly at the person across from him, his fingertips flicking, sending the gambling cup soaring into the air!

The cup jingled with a rapid and crisp sound, and not only that, there were faint roars and growls of strange creatures emanating from within.

The eerie noises produced by the swaying cup were excruciating to the ears, and Yan Qiling immediately covered Si Shuhao's ears.

The others were less fortunate. Their expressions turned ghastly, and they felt their minds growing hazy, almost on the verge of dozing off.

As a ray of diamond-like radiance flashed past, Ming Yiyang observed the performance before him with an unchanging expression, unaffected.

He clearly saw Bai Changfeng's hand, like a withered branch, extending in all directions, sprouting tiny grains-sized flowers that exuded a faint purple mist.

This mist seemed to have a hypnotic effect, inducing a desire to sleep. However... Ming Yiyang thought, it might not be that simple.

The mist penetrated the gambling cup, manipulating each dice as deftly as fingers, flipping them into the shape Bai Changfeng desired.

Before the answer was even revealed, Bai Changfeng had already rolled six sixes, a fact that Ming Yiyang had already witnessed.

"Clack."

The gambling cup landed on the octagonal table, revealing the dice arranged in perfect order. It seemed there was no point in continuing the game.

With a mischievous grin, Bai Changfeng nonchalantly lifted the cup.

Everyone, relieved that the torment had finally ended, gazed intently, gasping in trepidation.

Bai Changfeng's concubines, of course, lavished him with sugary compliments, praising his unparalleled gambling skills.

Yet, the outsiders felt a chill run down their spines.

This seemingly uneducated Bai Changfeng had effortlessly rolled a total of 36 points – all six sides of the six dice showed a six!

How could anyone possibly win against this?

Bai Changfeng crossed his hands over his abdomen, basking in the fear and tremors emanating from the spectators around him. Satisfied, he elegantly nodded at Ming Yiyang.

"Mr. Ming, your turn."

The young man's slender eyelashes shimmered with a silvery glow in the dim room as he raised an eyebrow in mocking skepticism.

"Six sixes, isn't that hard?"

Ming Yiyang abruptly slammed his hand on the table, sending the cup flying into the air. It spun a full 360 degrees mid-air before landing upside down with a "pat" on the surface.

The room fell silent for a few seconds. Bai Changfeng was somewhat puzzled. He tried to peer through Ming Yiyang's cup, but it remained veiled by a faint layer of light, revealing nothing.

Rather than feeling anxious, he inclined to believe this was just Ming Yiyang's attempt at intimidation.

Bai Changfeng's disdain grew, but he maintained a facade of politeness.

"I hope, Mister Ming, you won't be too hasty? After all, six sixes aren't exactly difficult, right?"

"That's right."

Ming Yiyang tilted his head to look at him, his cold demeanor hiding a subtle disdain.

He then turned his gaze to the beautiful maid standing behind Bai Changfeng and said,

"Go lift the lid."

The beautiful maid was startled, but Bai Changfeng smiled nonchalantly,

"What are you standing there for? If Young Master Ming is calling you, go to him."

She cautiously lifted the lid of the insect jar.

All six dice showed a six, resulting in a total of 36 points - a grand slam!

"That's impossible!"

Bai Changfeng's expression drastically changed as he glared fiercely at the pale-faced maid who had lifted the lid,

"Did you conspire with him to cheat?!"

The maid shook her head in panic, her voice trembling as she replied,

"Mistress, I didn't, I-I-ah!"

Bai Changfeng kicked her right in the chest!

Despite his frail appearance, as if he needed assistance just to walk, this kick sent the maid flying two yards away, crashing into a pillar with a thud! She fell unconscious, her condition unknown.

Ming Yiyang wore a mocking smile, watching the scene with folded arms like it was a spectacle.

"I told you, six-six is not difficult. Winning against someone like you doesn't require tricks. As for her..."

He lowered his gaze to the woman being dragged away by servants, his amethyst eyes beneath silver lashes remaining calm and unperturbed.

"Perhaps she intended to cheat for Lord Bai but failed?"

"You!"

That kick had vented White Longfeng's anger, but the spark was reignited by the other man's brief remark.

Nonetheless, he forced himself to regain composure, returning to his seat and taking a deep breath before sneering.

"I merely spoke off the cuff, but... I wonder how Mister Ming managed to shake a six-six with one hand? Please share the secret, so we spectators can accept your victory with conviction."

"Why do I need your heartfelt submission?"

Ming Yiyang found it ridiculous. The sarcasm on his face was just short of branding "You're an idiot" onto the other person's forehead:

"You lost, and you admit it. That's the biggest rule at the gambling table. Hand over the chips."

Bai Changfeng was well aware of this principle, but he wasn't willing to accept defeat.

Initially, the rules were in their favor. As long as Purple Smoke entered Ming Yiyang's insect vessel, he could make the guy be any number he wanted. No matter how many different combinations the opponent rolled, the digits wouldn't change.

But strangely, after Purple Smoke passed over, he lost contact with it, and he couldn't see through the situation inside the insect vessel... In any case, it was clear that Ming Yiyang had a way to win, and judging by the current situation, the other party seemed confident in consistently winning.

If that were the case, Ming Yiyang would get a full house every round.

If he allowed the game to continue, his mother would surely kill him!

He hesitantly turned back to the woman sitting on the couch.

The woman used her fan to conceal her face, looking down at him with a gentle yet intimidating gaze from her alluring eyes, conveying a seemingly loving warning.

Bai Changfeng turned his head stiffly and clapped his hands, saying,

"Change chips for Mister Ming."

The maidservants hurriedly brought over trays.

According to the rules, Ming Yiyang bet five teeth, and Bai Changfeng also bet five. If Ming Yiyang won outright, he would recover his original stake plus the opponent's, a total of ten teeth.

But with a leopard, the reward was doubled, so now he held fifteen teeth in his hand.

"All in."

Ming Yiyang pushed the fifteen teeth back onto the gambling table with nonchalant ease. It was as if victory was an inevitable outcome for him, and he seemed never to have entertained the notion of losing and its consequences.

Seeing Ming Yiyang bet all his teeth, Bai Changfeng forced a smile, "Although Young Master Ming insists on clarifying that you didn't cheat, your dice and the betting container... I think it's reasonable for someone to inspect them, don't you agree?"

Ming Yiyang nonchalantly rested his knuckles against his lower lip, leisurely observing the disgruntled man across from him. He said,

"It seems Mister Bai puts great faith in 'technique' at the gambling table. But perhaps it's simply because I have a knack for luck, allowing me to roll the numbers I desire effortlessly."

Bai Changfeng smiled but didn't respond directly, his intention to inspect the dice cup was evident.

Thus, Ming Yiyang pushed both the cup and dice onto the gambling table, raising an eyebrow suggestively.

"If Mister Bai has any doubts, we can switch dice cups. Or get me a new one altogether. I have nothing to hide; I welcome scrutiny."

Acting on habit, he reached for the spot where he usually kept his cigarettes, only to stop midway.

At the gambling table, he would typically light up a cigarette to enhance his sense of touch.

...But not this time.

Bai Changfeng regarded the insectarium with utmost wariness, as if it were contaminated with some deadly virus.

Ming Yiyang chuckled softly.

"You're scared of that? Look, the dice and the cup are from your Bai family. If there's a problem, it's your family who tampered with it. I only touched it briefly at the beginning. After that, I didn't even touch the cup during the shaking or opening. Young Master Bai, are you up to this?"

Bai Changfeng hated being provoked more than anything in his life. He knew Ming Yiyang was telling the truth, but he couldn't believe he had lost – especially with a divine entity's assistance!

Running his hand gently over the cup in front of him, Bai Changfeng forced a smile.

"Mr. Ming, I have no intention of making things difficult for you. Dice games are all about having fun. How about we switch cups for fairness? What do you think?"

"Sounds great. Couldn't be better."

With his fingers combing through his shimmering silver hair, the young man with purple eyes beamed.

"In life, the most important thing is to be happy."

Bai Changfeng decided to mimic Xi Yi and gave Ming Yiyang a fake smile.

After exchanging the cups, the maidservants personally washed the dice in both cups. The shuffled dice were then placed back in front of the two players.

The maids and concubines, who were previously curious about Ming Yiyang, had fallen silent after Bai Changfeng's outburst. They kept their eyes lowered, afraid that a casual glance at Ming Yiyang might earn them the label of traitor from their master.

But Bai Changfeng's demeanor shifted at this moment. With a radiant smile, he said:

"Mr. Ming, you see, I have my lovely wife and charming concubines here, while you're all alone. Aren't you feeling lonely? Why not choose a few that you fancy to sit by your side? You can pick any woman from my group."

"Thank you."

The young man, who was once again inspecting the cups and dice personally, didn't even look up as he replied,

"I have no interest in women."

Si Shuhao and Lin Yongjian turned their gazes toward him instantly.

Si Shuhao's eyes were filled with astonishment, unsure if Ming Yiyang was genuinely declining or simply making an excuse to avoid the White Lord.

As for Lin Yongjian, he clenched his teeth, his face darkened with the expression of "I knew it, you have impure intentions towards Teacher Yan." His resentment seemed to be written all over his face.

Yan Qiling remained indifferent to the suggestion, gently caressing the cold, matching bracelets hidden in his sleeves.

Bai Changfeng wasn't too surprised. Judging from the dark circles under his eyes, this man clearly had no qualms about his preferences:

"That's easy. If you fancy handsome servants, my Bai family has plenty for you to choose from!"

"Is that so?"

Ming Yiyang tossed the dice into the game box with a clatter and asked,

"Can it be someone who's not a servant?"

Bai Changfeng sensed that this person was upping the ante, and he was curious to see whom he would choose.

He thus nodded and replied,

"Anything goes. Pick whoever you like."

Ming Yiyang turned his gaze to the elderly Madam Bai, who was lounging on the couch.

Si Shuhao almost covered her eyes in embarrassment behind them. She could vividly picture Ming Yiyang nonchalantly pointing at Old Madam Bai and telling Bai Changfeng, I choose your mom.

...In every sense of the word, it was quite provocative.

Surprisingly, she heard two patting sounds on the leg.

Then, she watched, wide-eyed, as he shamelessly said,

"Professor Yan, come, have a seat here."

Everyone: !!!

Obsessive Crown Prince was My Ex-Husband [Rebirth]

Chapter 65 - Little Yuan

"Well... now that you mention it, I recall that our school is hiring an online teaching assistant to manage student profiles... though the pay isn't very high. Would you like to give it a try?"

In the Empire, such positions at prestigious institutions required registration in the national system.

It might be the same on the Second Planet.

After some deliberation, Luo Le didn't want to reject the offer outright. "Alright, I'll think about it and let you know. Thank you."

Gu Heting: "Alright, let me know once you've thought it through."

Upon returning home, Luo Le gazed out the window, lost in thought for a moment.

My hand unconsciously caressed my belly, already seven months along.

In two months' time, the due date will arrive.

Luo Le's original plan had been to surreptitiously return to the Luo household and retrieve their mother's ashes, but unforeseen was the tiny life already nestled within their womb.

With this thought, Luo Le sighed, soothing his stomach, and murmured, "Mom, I'm sorry for not being able to pick you up on time as promised. You might have to stay in that unpleasant place for another two months. But don't worry, I'll come for you once the baby is born."

The job that Gu Heting mentioned is not an option anymore.

Suddenly, Luo Le recollected something, promptly activating his intelligent brain to commence a search. Considering the presence of such a need prior to 423, perhaps it might also exist here.

Yet, after searching for a while, not a single relevant piece of information was found.

Luo Le sighed. Without a holographic helmet, he couldn't access the Star Network to take on missions either.

After two days of searching, nothing turned up.

There wasn't anything valuable in the space, so he couldn't possibly sell his mecha.

Wait a moment.

Luo Le suddenly recalled something – before heading to the military zone, he seemed to have purchased a 70 million credit cufflink.

With a wave of his hand, a box materialized in his palm.

Upon opening it, the obsidian-like cufflink shimmered with a crimson glow.

Fortunately, it was still there.

Though such an item didn't hold its value, it was enough.

Luo Le smiled and posted a bounty online, borrowing someone's identity to schedule an appointment with a luxury goods recycler.

After bidding farewell to that person, Luo Le grabbed a nutrient pack, consumed it, then proceeded to freshen up and rest.

*

Qin Chen entered from outside and spotted the person sitting in the office chair. He smiled and closed the door behind him.

"Welcome back. Did you have any luck?"

After that day, Huo Lanjing had been shuttling between Planet 423 and the Empire, inspecting several planets connected to 423, but to no avail.

Huo Lanjing remained silent with a grim expression.

From his demeanor, Qin Chen deduced the situation. Casually walking over to the sofa, he sat down and glanced at him. "Are you planning to reestablish your military?"

Huo Lanjing didn't respond immediately. "Did they have any contact?"

Qin Chen shook his head. "I've been keeping an eye on him all this time."

"That account."

"It's been traced. It's a custom number exclusive to the Capital Bank, allowing the user to alter it freely without leaving any trace in their system, even their own."

Huo Lanjing frowned, muttering, "Capital Bank?"

"Never heard of it? Me neither, until now. I wonder how they got the authorization. Even the military zones couldn't find anything."

It was only through his own authority that he managed to uncover this information.

Recalling the person sewing clothes in that small room on Planet 423, Huo Lanjing bit the inside of his lip. If he had known Luo Le would leave, he should have given him more back then.

During his search, Huo Lanjing realized that there were still slums existing in this era. The children were emaciated, subjected to violence and theft as common occurrences.

There, human nature distorted, and justice was nowhere to be found.

Whenever he shut his eyes, Huo Lanjing would see Luo Le, defenseless and alone, being bullied – just like those emaciated victims of injustice.

This only fueled his urgency to locate Luo Le, though his efforts remained fruitless.

He had no clue where Luo Le was or how he was faring.

Huo Lanjing shot to his feet, heedless of his companion, and strode toward the door.

Qin Chen: "I have to say, your application is about to expire. You should consider renewing it soon, or it'll cause me quite a headache."

"Mm-hmm."

He had initially planned to return after a brief respite.

"By the way, do you intend to come back?"

He recalled that the old man hadn't approved Huo Lanjing's request to withdraw from the military. Hence, he was currently on leave. If he wanted to return, all he needed to do was give a word.

Huo Lanjing glanced at him sideways upon hearing this. "Are you afraid I'll snatch your position?"

Qin Chen: "How could that be? By the way, the insectoids will be coming to the empire to sign the treaty in two months. You're aware of this, right?"

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing much. Haven't you been traveling around lately? Take Captain Lin with you. I'll assign a few more people to your team. Although the insectoid king is willing to retreat and sign the treaty, he's an heir who succeeded the previous king who fell ill and died. The subordinates of the deceased king were pro-war and don't accept this new king's decisions. They've caused quite a ruckus. Now that they've fled, it wouldn't bode well for you if you were to encounter them, outnumbered as you would be. It's better to be cautious."

"No need." With that, Huo Lanjing strode out of the room.

Qin Chen spread his arms wide, looking up at the ceiling, then sighed. After much deliberation, he decided to secretly dispatch someone to follow Huo Lanjing.

Huo Lanjing had an illustrious military record, and the insectoids' retreat was a result of his efforts. Both the military and the citizens of the empire were well aware of this.

The credit for this feat already stirred discontent, and Qin Chen couldn't afford to let anything happen to Huo Lanjing.

As the door opened, Little Yuan's familiar voice rang out. "Welcome home, Master."

Huo Lanjing tossed his coat to Little Yuan before loosening his tie and heading upstairs.

"Master, shall I prepare dinner for you, Little Yuan?"

Frustrated, Huo Lanjing adjusted his tie hastily. "No need. Just bring a pot of tea to the study."

"Aye."

During this period, it was Huo Fei who had been managing the affairs of the Huo family while Huo Lanjing devoted all his efforts into searching for Luo Le.

Yet... there were no significant findings.

Huo Lanjing gazed at the small figurine on the desk that seemed to be moving, lost in thought.

"Tired? Perhaps you should have a sip of tea and take a break."

That voice?

Luo Le!

Huo Lanjing quickly turned around, but there was no sign of Luo Le in the room.

At the tea table, only Little Yuan was seen serving the tea.

He rose slowly and approached, wondering if the sound had originated from it.

Huo Lanjing switched off its power and connected it to his AI, beginning to inspect the system's programs.

After a moment, the AI detected a sequence of code, which upon analysis, turned out to be a small program containing a voice package.

Huo Lanjing paused, then reached in to tap the voice package, selecting the one labeled "Study - Tea."

The same voice clip as before was played once more.

Huo Lanjing tapped on the next one, and then the one after that...

Each represented a different scenario with distinct messages, but they all shared two common features: Luo Le's voice and words of concern.

Take a break.

Have something to eat.

It's time for bed.

...

Something along those lines.

So... Luo Le had prepared all these?

That was why Luo Le had been inexplicably upset during his first visit, right?

At this thought, Huo Lanjing felt a pang of anxiety. What else had he missed? Was there more to it?

Luo Le must be quite disappointed, given that he hadn't noticed this after such a long time.

Could there be things in the Empire that he had overlooked as well?

He needed to go back and take a look.

*

The winter sun shone warmly through the window, bathing Luo Le, who sat in an armchair, with a small blanket covering his abdomen.

He swayed, grabbed a bunch of peeled grapes from the table, and stuffed them into his mouth.

Before he could swallow, a sudden, intense pain gripped his abdomen, and he felt a dampness below.

Luo Le froze, a realization dawning on him... it seemed he was in labor.

But there were still almost two weeks left until the due date!

With no time to ponder, he gritted his teeth, enduring the pain, and struggled to his feet, intending to fetch the birthing kit.

"What's wrong?" Hearing the commotion, Gu Heting came in from outside and saw Luo Le with one hand on her waist and the other hand covering her stomach, her expression pained.

Understanding dawned on him, "Just wait a moment, I'll go get the hospital bag."

Originally scheduled to head to the hospital for delivery the day after tomorrow, he had an engagement tomorrow, so he came today to help Luo Le pack her things.

During this period, through their interactions, Luo Le and Gu Heting have become familiar with each other.

Later, Gu Heting confessed that he had fabricated the story previously, and the medicine was also developed by himself.

When Gu Heting is not attending classes, he goes to the hospital to work.

After some consideration, Luo Le decided to visit the hospital where he was located.

Gu Heting, carrying a bag, approached Luo Le, took his hand, and asked, "Can you still walk?"

Luo Le was sweating profusely as he tried to speak, but before he could utter a word, Gu Heting directly lifted him up by his waist. Subconsciously, Luo Le wrapped his arms around Gu Heting's neck to maintain his balance.

"Hold on tight,"

Gu Heting did his best to avoid hitting his stomach and carried him forward with haste.

"I'm right here, don't be scared, we're almost there," she reassured him, her voice filled with soothing concern.

Luo Le had initially felt nothing, but for some reason, his words tugged at her heartstrings, and tears welled up in her eyes, refusing to cease.

Gu Heting scrutinized the road carefully, failing to notice his presence.

Luo Le held his coat with one hand, burying his entire face into its fabric.

Gu Heting pressed the button, placed Luo Le in the passenger seat, fastened his seat belt, and then got into the driver's seat.

I can drive at a quicker pace when I'm alone.

Moments later, the hovercar came to a halt in front of the hospital entrance.

Gu Heting had already given a heads-up beforehand. As soon as he stepped out, a bed was wheeled in.

"Wheel him into the delivery room first, I'll be right there."

They acknowledged and, with a concerted effort, pushed the bed toward the delivery room.

After tidying himself up, Gu Heting entered the delivery room.

Luo Le bit her lip, a touch of crimson staining the corners of her mouth. Beads of sweat adorned her forehead and neck, veins pulsating beneath the skin. Yet, she only let out an occasional groan, refraining from crying out in pain.

"If it really hurts, feel free to cry out."

He's only dilated two fingers; the cervix is opening too slowly.

Luo Le clung tightly to the quilt, speaking in a halting manner: "Rather than... calling... for me, it would be better... to save... my strength..."

Gu Heting sighed, "You have a clear understanding. Come, do as I say."

"Breathe in!"

"Breathe out!"

As a professional novel translator, I will provide you with a more elegant and reasonable translation of the given text into English, taking into account the context and translating each line accordingly. However, you have not provided any specific text to translate. Please provide the text you would like me to translate, and I will be happy to assist you.

Luo Le followed his instructions, and after a while, the pain would subside for a few minutes.

"Push hard, don't take a break."

Luo Le could only comply. His hair was damp with a mix of tears and sweat that he couldn't distinguish.

Come on, baby, hurry up and make your entrance.

"Breathe in."

After a while, Luo Le was exhausted, feeling as if he were in a dream.

"Almost there, Gu Zhiwei, wake up. Don't sleep."

In the main hall of the Huo family, tensions ran high at the same time.

"I just don't get it. What kind of enchantment did Luo Le cast on you? First, he makes you retreat, then he has you jumping between planets."

Huo Fei glared at the expressionless individual and lashed out.

Chapter 145: Photos

"Lan Jiaying," he said, "we share the same father but different mothers. Once I recover, I'm going to kill that human who claims to be my father."

Wen Ying: "???"

"Calm down. He Shengliang's father is just an ordinary person, right?" Wen Ying recalled the image of the middle-aged man they met at the banquet two days ago. He was completely ordinary.

For any exorcist, the magical fluctuations on their body would be difficult to conceal from the eyes of a high-ranking demon like them.

Lan Jiaying's expression remained unchanged. "Aren't you curious about my situation? I suspect that it was that man who exposed me, followed by that woman."

Wen Ying sorted out the information. The person Lan Jiaying possessed was He Guodong's illegitimate child with his mistress. Then, He Guodong and his mistress reported Lan Jiaying to the church.

"How were you discovered?" Wen Ying was curious. On his side, Yang Rixi's parents had no idea their child was involved with a demon.

Lan Jiaying fell silent again. After a moment, he casually mentioned, "She must have seen me using magic," before promptly dismissing Wen Ying from the bedroom.

Wen Ying: "..." It was excruciating to only know half of the story. Wen Ying kicked open the door and walked in again. "Where does the human you possess live? I want to check out the situation."

"There's nothing interesting to see." Lan Jiaying had been lying on his back, but when Wen Ying arrived, he rolled over, turning his back to her, and closed his eyes, intending to rest.

Wen Ying dashed to the other side again. Lan Jiaying flipped over, and Wen Ying followed suit. This happened several times until veins popped out on Lan Jiaying's forehead, his expression turning fierce. "What's wrong with you?!"

Wen Ying appeared innocently nonchalant. "I just wanted to ask where the human you possess lives. The Wang Run we dealt with last night was a pawn of the Extreme Faction. I need more information."

Listening to the illogical and forced explanation, not only did Lan Jiaying's temples throb, but he also felt an intense headache coming on. Impatiently, he gave an address, urging Wen Ying to leave.

Were it not for the fact that he currently needed to rest and recover, he would have eagerly engaged in action already.

With the address in hand, Wen Ying left with a tune on his lips. Before he departed, he gently spoke through the bedroom door to Lan Jiaying, "I'll be out for a bit, take good care of yourself."

"Get lost!"

Since Yang Rixi had shown up at the scene yesterday, it would be too coincidental for him to appear again today. Hence, Wen Ying decided to go in his true form.

The human that Lan Jiaying possessed lived in the same neighborhood as last night. Following the house number, Wen Ying quickly located the residence and entered through the balcony.

This house's balcony was equipped with foldable iron railings. Using a vine, Wen Ying retrieved the key hanging on the wall beside the balcony and unlocked the railing's lock. He slipped in effortlessly.

With no one at home and no surveillance cameras, Wen Ying strolled around the house openly, examining every corner without touching anything that might give away his presence. The homeowner wouldn't suspect an intruder had been there.

In what was clearly the room of the human high school student, Wen Ying spotted a framed photograph on the desk. It featured him, a woman, and He Guodong together.

How brazen, Wen Ying mused. Infidelity seemed to be a family tradition for the Hes. He Guodong, He Shengliang's father, had cheated, and so did He Shengliang himself. Fortunately, Wen Xinxin had broken up with him.

Upon seeing He Guodong in the photo, Wen Ying couldn't help but scoff. Then, something flashed across his mind when he saw the woman. Her hair was golden, incredibly smooth, reaching past her waist.

Golden hair...

Feeling peculiar, Wen Ying recalled that Lan Jiaying, as a pure-blooded demon from the Realm of Magic, inherited a formidable bloodline. It was unlikely she would have any special feelings for an ordinary person just because of their golden tresses.

Unfamiliar with Lan Jiaying's affairs, he called Muershi through the puppet clone.

Housekeeper Uncle Lin found it odd that the heir of the Huo family would often visit Yang Rixi. When did they become such good friends?

Huo Jue offered a polite smile to the butler. "Is Rixi in his room?"

The butler nodded. "Young Master already informed me you would be coming. He's in his room now."

Huo Jue made his way familiarly towards Yang Rixi's room.

The butler found it odd. In such a grand villa, why did Huo Jue always head to Yang Rixi's room? There was a small living room specifically for guests, after all.

Huo Jue had been informed that he and Yang Rixi were now a loving couple. When the demon with dark purple hair told him this with a grin, a string of curses ran through Huo Jue's mind.

Meeting Yang Rixi stirred up a mix of emotions in him. The other party was clearly just as awkward, obviously aware of the situation.

Muershi perched on Huo Jue's shoulder and suggested, "Go out for dinner tonight to solidify your relationship. The Church's exorcists will likely investigate you in the next few days – they might send someone to tail you or even come to question you directly. They'll also interview witnesses, so make sure you act the part."

Yang Rixi couldn't help but ask, "What exactly are you guys doing? Last night... you killed someone, didn't you?"

Huo Jue's face paled. Even with privileges, murder was not an easily resolved matter.

"But you said you were doing something righteous," Huo Jue said, immediately feeling ridiculous. A demon talking about righteousness was like a serial killer claiming to have never taken a life.

Wen Ying's delicate puppet hand gently patted Yang Rixi's cheek. "Don't worry. That man deserved death. He was part of the organization we've been tracking down, and a leader at that. He already had many lives on his hands."

Huo Jue's expression turned grim. He couldn't trust the word of a demon. This could be a conflict between two demonic organizations, or perhaps a battle between a demonic group and the exorcists' organization.

Now, he might still have a chance to escape. But as time passed and he became more entangled, it would be increasingly difficult for him to break free. Those exorcists who appeared the night before last seemed to be from Huaxia Nation's official ranks...

Unaware of Huo Jue's thoughts, Muershi spoke cheerfully, "Yesterday, we found a new companion. He has been attached to that human without leaving and is progressing quickly in his cultivation."

A chill ran down Huo Jue's spine. The seemingly harmless puppet on his shoulder now sent shivers up his back, causing goosebumps to erupt all over his body.

Wen Ying spoke casually, "That person is He Guodong's illegitimate child. From what I gathered, it was He Guodong who exposed him. He told me that once he recovers, he plans to kill He Guodong."

Huo Jue felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar. Goosebumps crawled up his spine, from his feet all the way to his back.

"The possessed" referred to the human host, and "he" was the demonic entity that inhabited him.

Yang Rixi felt somewhat reassured, as Wen Ying had always treated him with gentleness. His life had improved since meeting Wen Ying, so he wasn't overly frightened at this moment. Although he still held some skepticism about what Wen Ying said, he didn't completely dismiss it.

Observing Huo Jue's deathly pale complexion, Yang Rixi, lacking empathy, inquired, "Are you very cold? I'll close the balcony window."

It was bitterly cold outside that day, with a drizzle accompanied by chilly northerly winds that penetrated every crevice, even making thermal wear seem insufficient.

Closing the balcony door, Yang Rixi also turned on the heating. Ordinarily, he wouldn't have done so, considering it a waste of electricity. Despite now being a wealthy second-generation heir, the frugal habits ingrained from his upbringing didn't change easily.

With the warmth from the heater, Huo Jue finally felt a hint of comfort. As long as the burden on his shoulder remained, the chill in his heart would never dissipate.

The two demons' conversation just now had clearly sensed his intention to seek out an exorcist. Huo Jue tucked away his thoughts, at least hiding them completely on the surface.

Tragic, Wen Ying thought. Even Yang Shiming wasn't as scared as Huo Jue. Apart from Yang Shiming not being as clever and overthinking as Huo Jue, Muershi's actions were also part of the reason for this situation.

But Muershi showed no sign of self-reflection. He let Huo Jue and Yang Rixi leave before asking Wen Ying why he had summoned him.

Wen Ying: "Do you think Lan Jiaying has any special feelings towards someone with golden hair?"

Muershi was obviously taken aback. "Why are you suddenly asking this?" He immediately suspected that Wen Ying had discovered something.

"What did Lan Jiaying tell you?" Muershi was curious. "Did you say he exposed himself because his father reported him? Wait, the golden-haired human you mentioned, is it the mother of the person Lan Jiaying possessed?"

Noticing the change in Muershi's tone, Wen Ying nodded. "That guy Lan Jiaying refused to say why he wanted to go back, so I got his home address out of him and went to take a look. There, I saw a family photo."

Muershi pondered for a moment. "Take me there."

Wen Ying allowed Muershi to fly to the neighborhood on his own. As Wen Ying's original form was already there, he pointed out the location of the house to Muershi. After Muershi went in and took a look, he gasped at the sight of the golden-haired woman in the photograph.

Wen Ying was puzzled. "What's the matter? Is there something wrong with this person?" He had never seen Muershi wear such an expression of astonishment as if his worldview had been shattered.

Muershi's lips moved for a while before he spoke in a strange tone. "Lan Jiaying got what he deserved."

Wen Ying shook Muershi. "Don't just be amazed by yourself. What's the problem with this woman?"

Muershi hesitated. "Well, she looks like Lan Jiaying's late mother. Her hair is golden, and her face resembles hers too. You get the idea, right?"

Wen Ying: "??!" He swore in disbelief, staring intently at the woman in the photo. Now that he looked closely, the blonde woman in the picture did indeed have some resemblance to Lan Jiaying.

Wu Fei appeared more masculine than Lan Jiaying, suggesting that Lan Jiaying's softer side came from his biological mother.

Muershi smacked his lips. "About 50% alike. I've seen a picture of Lan Jiaying's mother in the Devil King's castle. She was a very beautiful female devil, although she was only a low-ranking devil with an ordinary bloodline."

Wen Ying blurted out in shock, "Lan Jiaying's birth mother was a low-ranking devil?!"

Muershi looked at him calmly. "Don't reveal this. Not many devils in the Demon Realm know about it. The Devil King has intentionally concealed the information, so not many devils knew from the beginning. It's been almost a hundred years now, and even fewer devils are aware."

"Did Perseus and the others know?"

Muershi pondered, "I'm not sure. It depends on whether their parents told them. Demons in the Realm of Devils generally believe that Lan Jiaying's birth mother was an Upper Demon, and they take it for granted. If you delve deeper, the golden dragon was actually a golden serpent."

Wen Ying learned another astonishing fact today. Proud as Lan Jiaying was, his birth mother had merely been a Lower Demon? And yet, he despised Lower Demons?

Lan Jiaying shared the same disdain for Lower Demons as Bellos, albeit for different reasons. The latter disliked their weakness, while the former felt an outright aversion, though Lan Jiaying tried to hide it. When Wen Ying first met Lan Jiaying, he keenly sensed the other's rejection of his own Lower Demon status.

Was it like nobles looking down on commoners? But there was something incongruous about it, a complex and conflicting loathing.

What was wrong with Lan Jiaying? Why did he despise Lower Demons when his birth mother was one? Did he blame her bloodline for holding back his strength?

A flurry of thoughts crossed Wen Ying's mind before he asked, "When did she pass away?"

"Childbirth complications," Muershi shrugged. "The Realm of Devils discourages relationships between Upper and Lower Demons because Lower Demons can't withstand the power of Upper Demons. If the female is a Lower Demon, she may easily lose the child during childbirth, or even before that, her magic could be drained, resulting in both her and the fetus perishing."

"If the male is a Lower Demon and the female an Upper Demon, they would have difficulty conceiving offspring."

After saying this, Muershi added with great feeling, "His Majesty the Devil King's power is immense, his bloodline domineering. For that beautiful blonde demon to have successfully given birth to Lan Jiaying before passing away is truly a miracle."

Images of the devil king's flirtatious photos flashed through Wen Ying's mind. It was hard for him to imagine.

Wen Ying: "Speaking of which, I still don't understand why Lan Jiaying came back last night. If he really wanted to protect that blonde woman, shouldn't he have kept his distance?" Or perhaps he disliked the blonde and wanted the exorcist to cause her trouble?

Muershi spoke with a hint of depth: "There's another possibility. That woman might have taken advantage of Lan Jiaying's trust to deceive him into consuming poison."

Wen Ying: "????"

Muershi chuckled. "When I was treating that human's wounds last night, I noticed signs of poisoning. His magic power was being suppressed."

Now Wen Ying understood why Lan Jiaying had fallen silent when discussing the matter last night, with a hint of pain and melancholy in his expression.

"It's not hard to guess," Muershi continued. "The blonde woman resembles his biological mother, and she's been posing as his mother these past few days. After leaving the Old Town last night, Lan Jiaying probably wanted to see her one last time or say something. The woman took advantage of his guard being down to feed him the poison given by the exorcist to suppress his magic power."

As Muershi spoke, he muttered to himself, "I didn't expect Lan Jiaying to be so emotionally attached to his birth mother. You wouldn't have guessed it from his usual demeanor. He's really fallen into a trap because of this..." It was time to update Lan Jiaying's information card.

Lan Jiaying sneezed repeatedly in bed, determined not to reveal what had happened last night. Otherwise, his image would be ruined, and Wen Ying and the others would never let him live it down.

Wen Ying, now more informed, suddenly remembered their main task. He prodded Muershi, who was still studying the photo, and said, "I didn't see any exorcists in this neighborhood today. Shouldn't they still be here? We should thoroughly search this area."

"Mentioning that," Muershi paused and looked out the window, "have you noticed that the magical aura in the air seems strange today, fluctuating up and down with an unusual pattern?"

"It's not the same as usual," Wen Ying observed. "There doesn't seem to be much of an issue..."

No sooner had Wen Ying finished speaking than, in a reversal of the usual 'as you wish' phenomenon, a fierce gale suddenly swept in from outside. The previously clear sky was now shrouded in dark clouds, casting a gloomy veil over everything. Within those clouds, a swirling vortex began to take shape, gradually expanding as it released an aura of demonic energy from the Realm of Devils.

Wen Ying muttered, "...Damn."

Muershi chimed in softly, "Now, the problem is enormous."

Chapter 114: Anger

The two of them were separated by a layer of anti-theft window and a layer of gauze window.

They stared at each other in silence.

Ji Min felt that either there was something wrong with his brain,

or there was something wrong with his eyes.

Otherwise, why would he have spotted Lu Ran leaning against the second-story security window?

Was this some aftereffect of the surgery?

In fact, Ji Min even noticed that the person outside the window had gazed at him for a while before visibly relaxing.

Then, with an unruffled and casual demeanor, the person nodded at him and said, "I'm relieved to see that you're still alive."

"Since you're alright, I'll go back to work on my assignments then."

As he spoke these words, the youth's expression was exquisitely tranquil.

It was as if he hadn't climbed up the drainpipe to peek into the second-story window, but had simply glanced in while passing by after school.

With those words spoken, the youth lowered his gaze downward for a momentary glance and then, with determined resolve, began his descent, carefully scaling down the structure.

Only when he shifted did Ji Min abruptly break free from the almost illusory scene.

Realizing that the figure outside the window was indeed the very real Lu Ran, Ji Min's heart nearly leapt out of his throat.

"Lu Ran!"

It was the first time Ji Min had yelled out Lu Ran's name.

"Why are you standing there?"

The man almost immediately rose to his feet on one leg from the chair.

He even forgot his cane beside him, leaning on the table as he started to walk towards the window.

Upon taking just two steps closer, he feared that his sudden approach might startle the person, so he hastily stopped.

Flustered, he pointed at the person outside the window, stammering, "Quickly, get down there!"

Finishing his words, the man swiftly reached out to press his forehead, hurriedly grunting, "No, no, no! Don't move! Hold on tight!"

"Everything is fine."

The youth who leaned against the windowpane remained ever so composed, his countenance serene as he spoke to him.

"I'm merely here for a visit. I'll return the way I came."

"Is everything alright?"

What the hell does "nothing's wrong" mean?

Go back the same way?

Where's a damn path?!

Ji Min was so furious that his vision turned black.

He felt as if his chest would explode on the spot.

Yet, Lu Ran was currently leaning out of the second-story window, and Ji Min didn't dare to show any anger.

He was terrified that the slightest hint of frustration might cause the boy to slip and fall.

At the mere thought of such a scenario, every hair on Ji Min's body stood on end.

The man could only take a deep breath and forcefully calm himself down.

His Adam's apple bobbed nervously, and he then slowly approached the window again.

Moving cautiously and softening his voice as if he was afraid of startling the child, he said warmly,

"Hold on tight, don't move for now."

However, Lu Ran, watching from outside the window, replied,

"No, I need to go back. I still have to work."

With that, he started to climb down again.

Ji Min nearly choked on his own breath.

Work, work? Was this really the time to be thinking about work?

Veins throbbed visibly on the man's forehead, pulsing wildly.

But Ji Min dared not show any anger.

He pleaded, "Wait! You came all this way, don't you want to talk to me?"

With a cold expression, Lu Ran replied, "No, I don't."

Ji Min fell silent.

The man maintained his gentle tone, gritting his teeth as he spoke, "I want to, damn it, I want it so badly!"

Only then did the one climbing down turn back to look at him and say, "Oh, I didn't realize that."

Ji Min: "..."

He took another deep breath, reminding himself to remain calm, to not let anger get the better of him.

At this moment, one must absolutely not lose one's temper.

As the youth spoke, Ji Min finally made his way to the window.

With a swift motion, he flung open the gauzy window screen, extending both arms through the protective bars of the security lattice. Beyond this barrier, he firmly encircled the waist of the youth outside, his embrace securing the slender form against the barrier that separated them.

Wrapping his arms around the person, Ji Min's heart, which had been suspended in his throat, gradually descended as he felt Lu Ran's warmth through his fingers.

Pounding fiercely back into his chest with a "thump thump."

"You scared me to death!"

Only then did the man suppress his fear and let out a roar.

In that brief moment, cold sweat trickled down Ji Min's temples.

His shirt on the back was drenched with perspiration.

Lu Ran, held in his embrace, glanced down at him and said coldly, "I'm fine. What could possibly be wrong?"

Ji Min: "..."

Perfect, he still remembered to throw his own words back at him at a time like this.

He let out a sigh.

Only then did he divert his attention to Manager Chen behind him and instruct,

"Quickly get someone to help him down!"

Manager Chen was also stunned by Lu Ran's antics. It took him a while to react before he hurriedly called the hospital.

Lu Ran glanced at him and said, "No need. With all that fuss, everyone in the world will know you're staying here. What's the point of keeping it a secret?"

"I can go down myself," he said.

"Is this the time to be thinking about that?"

Ji Min's hand on his waist twitched. He really wanted to give his waist a light tap without any further ado.

But he was afraid that he might accidentally push the man down, so he quickly tightened his grip.

Even with his arms around him, he still felt a little uneasy.

After all, there was a security window between them. What if he couldn't hold onto him in case of an accident?

He promptly instructed, "Fetch a rope!"

Housekeeper Chen hung up and hurriedly fetched a rescue rope.

Ji Min took it, wrapped it around Lu Ran's waist, and tied a secure knot.

He then secured two more knots on the safety bars.

Still not entirely at ease, Ji Min looped the rope around his own waist twice.

With Lu Ran firmly bound to him through the safety bars, Ji Min finally exhaled in genuine relief.

Reacting to the situation, Housekeeper Chen quickly fetched a chair and placed it behind Ji Min, saying,

"Sir, you shouldn't stand for too long!"

Ji Min waved dismissively, about to say that it hadn't been long.

Lu Ran glanced down, his eyes lowered. "If you don't sit now, I'll crawl down."

Ji Min promptly adjusted his position and sat down.

After settling in, the man's irritation resurfaced, prompting him to finally scold:

"Have you become something, Lu Ran?"

"Who taught you how to climb through windows? How old are you, to have already mastered the art of scaling walls?"

The more Ji Min spoke, the angrier he became.

The youth across from him showed not the slightest hint of fear, fixing him with a stare and retorting, "And what about you? Haven't you done quite well for yourself too? Why didn't you tell me about your second surgery?"

"With one leg still limping, you tell me everything is fine, fine, and perfectly alright!"

"Well, then climbing through a window sounds delightful!"

Ji Min felt a moment of guilt, but he couldn't help but continue:

"How can I possibly feel at ease with you behaving like this?"

"You don't trust me if you hide everything from me, even secretly dividing up your will. Did you ask for my consent before making these arrangements?"

Lu Ran didn't back down.

"That was just a precaution!" Ji Min explained.

The man closed his eyes. "You're really driving me crazy."

Lu Ran spoke loudly, "I'm angry too!"

At that moment, the hospital director, who had rushed over upon hearing the commotion, arrived.

He reached up to touch his increasingly sparse hair and, on the verge of tears, pleaded,

" Gentlemen, could you please not argue through the security bars on the second floor?"

How risky that was.

After a while, Lu Ran finally sat firmly in Room 217.

The hospital director wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and left with his team.

Butler Chen, being foresighted, used the excuse of preparing dinner to step out as well.

As a result, only Lu Ran and Ji Min were left in the ward.

Both wore serious expressions, neither of them uttering a word.

In the end, it was Ji Min who couldn't bear to watch any longer.

He leaned closer to the young man beside him, gently tugging on the sleeve torn by the wire, his brow furrowed as he said,

"Stay still, let me check if there's any abrasion inside."

Lu Ran intended to withdraw his hand, but upon seeing the man's right leg still supported by a brace, he refrained from doing so.

Ji Min pulled the other person to sit across from him.

He reached out to roll up Lu Ran's sleeve, examining the red marks on his arm.

Most of them were mere scratches.

But there were a few that had cut through the skin, oozing tiny droplets of blood.

"Your skin is broken. Do you want a tetanus shot?" Ji Min raised his hand, about to call for a doctor.

Lu Ran rolled his eyes. "Such shallow wounds, what's the point?"

Ji Min glanced at him. "You still need to ask the doctor."

Speaking of which, he fetched iodine and gauze, tending to Lu Ran's wounds without further ado.

The hospital room fell silent once more.

Just moments ago, they had been shouting at each other face-to-face, and the atmosphere still carried a hint of tension.

Ji Min finished applying ointment to Lu Ran's hand and then examined the abrasion on his ankle.

After a moment of silence.

In the midst of this irritating quiet, the man softly spoke up:

"I'm sorry, I was in the wrong this time."

Lu Ran looked down at him.

Ji Min sighed. "I shouldn't have hidden the details of your surgery from you, shouldn't have treated you like a child in every aspect, and shouldn't have only shared good news while keeping worries to myself."

"And what else?" Lu Ran asked.

Ji Min: "..."

He sighed again. "I shouldn't have kept from you the fact that I've written a will."

Only then did Lu Ran give a small huff.

"But you've gone too far."

Just thinking about the scene earlier made Ji Min break into a cold sweat.

Unable to hold back, he applied the ointment a little more roughly on his hand.

But as soon as he increased his strength, Lu Ran didn't react, so he immediately softened his touch, afraid of causing any pain.

Ji Min grumbled,

"Luckily, I live on the second floor, not too high up. If I were on the fifth or sixth, would you really have climbed up there?"

"I'm not stupid."

Lu Ran was unusually guilty at this moment, "That's precisely why I climbed up, knowing it was only two floors."

"You're not stupid, huh!"

Ji Min reached out to tap his head, "If you were downstairs and insisted on coming in, who would dare stop you?"

Lu Ran: "..."

He rubbed his forehead and, upon sudden realization, exclaimed, "Oh, right."

Ji Min almost drove him to the point of exasperation.

He gathered the used cotton swabs at hand and disposed of them in the trash bin.

He raised his gaze once more, fixing it upon the youth seated opposite him for a prolonged moment.

It had been nearly three months since they last met.

Now, this was Ji Min's first encounter with Lu Ran in three months. It was impossible for him to say that he didn't miss or feel excited about seeing him.

But who could have predicted such an unusual act from this guy?

Strangely, such an eccentric incident seemed oddly plausible when it came to Lu Ran.

Ji Min recalled the first time he had laid eyes on Lu Ran.

This guy actually went as far as to stop a car in the middle of the road.

Back then, when Ji Min saw such a scene, he merely raised his eyebrows slightly, feeling somewhat surprised.

But now, recalling the image of the sports car pressing against Lu Ran's knees, he couldn't help but shudder in fear.

"Never do something like that again."

Ji Min took Lu Ran's hand and held it warmly in his palm.

He said with a hint of helplessness, "Nothing is more important than your safety."

Lu Ran glanced at him but didn't respond.

There was always an air of recklessness about this man, as if he was willing to risk his life when he lost himself in the moment.

Ji Min narrowed his eyes and threatened, "If you ever do that again, I'll...?"

But as the man spoke, his words caught in his throat.

"I am..."

The prominent head of the Ji family stood there for a while, but failed to articulate any substantial point.

"And what if I do?" Lu Ran asked him.

Ji Min: "..."

He leans in, his face nearing the youth's cheek, his teeth gritted as he growls, "I'll stare at you relentlessly, forbidding you from doing it."

Lu Ran found the idea quite appealing.

Admitting to the setting: "Go ahead, if you have the guts, keep staring at me."

There was truly nothing Ji Min could do about him.

He could only secretly resolve to keep a closer eye on the person in the future.

Once again, he raised his gaze to fixate upon the youth before him.

After several months apart, the person in front of him seemed to have lost some weight.

But due to poor diet and sleep, he was visibly thinner.

Even those sparkling eyes that he had painstakingly nurtured had returned to their initial deep, dark hue.

Ji Min's heart ached all over again.

He touched the dark circles under Lu Ran's eyes with his fingertips and sighed, making a promise,

"Everything's fine now, don't worry. Nothing like this will happen again in the future."

Finally, a softening expression appeared on Lu Ran's face.

He lifted his gaze to look at Ji Min.

The risky and arduous surgery, followed by a recovery period of one or two months in bed, had taken a significant toll on the man's condition.

His muscles had clearly atrophied, and his complexion had become even paler.

Acting on instinct as if preparing for surgery, Lu Ran moved closer, intending to sit on his lap. But upon noticing the leg still supported by the brace, he retracted his body, filled with concern.

He asked gently, "Does your leg still hurt?"

Ji Min reached out to draw the man into his embrace.

"The surgical wound has healed. It's fine if you sit for a while," he assured.

As the distance between them narrowed, the suppressed longing surged uncontrollably. The familiar, comforting warmth and scent enveloped Ji Min, who closed his eyes, feeling his heart ache from the intensity of his longing.

Unable to resist, the man leaned in for a kiss. But remembering the presence of surveillance cameras in the hospital room, he restrained himself, holding the other tightly instead.

After a moment, Ji Min sighed softly.

He changed the subject, asking casually, "Is it near the end of the semester? How's your exam preparation going?"

"Oh," Lu Ran replied truthfully. "I just skipped two classes."

Ji Min: "...."

Well, with that response, all romantic notions had vanished.

Only frustration remained.

After that episode, it was naturally impossible for Ji Min to continue keeping Lu Ran at bay.

A few days later, he removed the brace from his right leg and began formal rehabilitation.

Lu Ran would come to the hospital after his classes each day and return home in the evenings.

Despite Lu Ran's daily visits during these few days, Ji Min could still sense something amiss.

The young man would come every day, sit beside him, and either work on his homework or read academic papers.

An air of indifferent aloofness, as if he had no intention of engaging with anyone.

Exiting the rehabilitation area, Ji Min sat beside Lu Ran to rest.

He gazed at the child's expression for a while, then sighed. "Still angry, huh? So hard to appease?"

Only now did Ji Min comprehend the weight behind Lu Ran's words, "I'm angry."

Lu Ran, it seemed, was not one to fly off the handle easily.

When genuinely angered, it's not something that can be easily appeased with just a few sweet words.

Just like now.

The youth raised his gaze to glance at him, saying, "None."

"Your expression clearly indicates that you do," Ji Min remarked.

"No, I just find you, an old man, uninteresting and want someone younger," Lu Ran said.

Ji Min chuckled.

With amusement, he looked at the offended young man and asked, "Have your eyes on someone?"

Lu Ran lifted his gaze to glance at him deliberately and said, "I've been getting along quite well with Fang Chen lately. You know Fang Chen, from the Fang family. I quite like him now."

Upon hearing Fang Chen's name, Ji Min was momentarily seized by a guilty conscience, recalling his own plans.

Yesterday, when I apologized, I don't think I mentioned this.

But Ji Min had a certain level of confidence in this aspect.

He stated firmly, "It's impossible; he's not your type."

Yet even as the words left his mouth, the man found himself involuntarily stealing a glance at the expression of the youth by his side.

"Oh, is that so?"

Lu Ran smiled and showed Ji Min a picture of Fang Chen on his phone. "But I think he's adorable."

Ji Min: "..."

Chapter 191 - Revealing the Formula

Madame Feng and Madam Gan were so agitated that they wished they could stay awake until dawn. Finally, when daybreak arrived, they joined the hunting party heading towards the Zhou and Zheng households. Wang Chunniang seized her opportunity and found a chance to speak with Lu Dalang alone in a cave.

"Are you aware of what Second Sister-in-law is up to?"

Lu Dalang was truly clueless about it.

Ever since Lu Erlang and Lu Sanlang—no, the hunters in the valley—had suddenly stopped returning, he had developed some resentment due to his ignorance. The elder matriarch noticed this and explicitly told him that chaos had erupted outside, and they were afraid of exposing the valley's location. Thus, the hunters couldn't return frequently and had to stay outside.

With just that one sentence, he no longer cared to know anything.

Wasn't it better to remain in the valley without venturing out?

In essence, he was living the life that only the weak, elderly, and children in the valley could lead. He was benefiting from it, so after that, he didn't ask any questions. He tended to the small plot of land in the valley, raised the chickens and ducks allocated to him, and tried his best to conserve food. When the children cried from hunger, and the elder matriarch or his younger siblings couldn't bear to watch, the kids would get a meal.

It was a bit humiliating, but he felt that it was good enough as long as he wasn't begging for food. This was the extent of his abilities, and that was how he could raise his children.

Lu Dalang was content with the current situation. Even if he was obviously isolated, he was fine with just tending to his small plot of land. There was nothing shameful about being rich or poor; everyone had their own way of living.

Satisfied with the present state of affairs, when Wang Chunniang inquired about Second Aunt's situation, Lu Dalang's initial reaction wasn't resentment but rather suspicion.

"What do you want?"

Is she causing trouble again?

Lu Dalang's face darkened. "What has it got to do with you what my second brother's family is doing? If you're tired of living peacefully, don't drag us down with you."

As soon as he finished speaking, footsteps approached, and upon turning his head to see Shuanzhu entering, Lu Dalang's expression remained grim. "It seems your mother isn't content with peaceful days. You and Dadao should be more cautious. Don't ask Grandma for the key to let her out lately. I still hope to live these remaining years in peace."

Wang Chunniang stared at Lu Dalang in surprise, and in the next moment, her face twisted. In the past, she would have scolded him loudly in her rage, but since Lu Dalang rationed her meals to only two per day, each with just a few bites, she lacked the strength to raise her voice. Instead, her gaze was venomous, and her tone sarcastic. "Lu Dalang, are you even a man?"

Even someone as submissive as Lu Dalang couldn't tolerate being called not a man. He became even less willing to engage with Wang Chunniang, focusing solely on Shuanzhu. "Don't take my words lightly. It's not safe outside now. Your second uncle and third uncle only come back to the valley every seven or eight days, and they have to do so under the cover of night. Don't let your mother cause any more trouble, or we won't have a chance to survive."

Shuanzhu appeared numb. He wanted to correct his father, to point out that if his mother caused more trouble, it wouldn't just be their family without a way out, but the entire valley would suffer. However, he lacked the energy even to move his lips, only nodding slightly as an acknowledgment.

Seeing her son nod, Wang Chunniang seemed to deflate. After Lu Dalang left, she turned to Shuanzhu. "You came out from my womb, yet you treat me this way?"

Shuanzhu sat on his bed, resting his head on his knees for a moment. Once he regained some composure, he spoke, "Mother, Father isn't speaking nonsense. It's truly not safe outside. Isn't it good for you to stay hidden safely in this valley? Why are you so concerned about Second Aunt?"

"Is asking a question staring at her? The world outside is said to be turbulent, but how would your father know? He's just one of those guarding against us."

Shuzhu looked at her. "Then why are they all guarding against us?"

Madam Wang immediately fell silent.

Lu Shuanzhu rubbed his face, many words had long since become worn-out; at this point, there was only one sentence he could utter: "Mother, you should rest."

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

When Sangluo and Shen Lie visited the Zhou family two days later, a rudimentary settlement had taken shape around the Zhou family, with the Zhou Lazi household and the Zheng Butcher's as its core.

It was called an outline because the land reclamation and wall construction were still in progress.

The Fengs were a family well-versed in concealment, having honed their skills in the outskirts. Hiding was their top priority. Yet, when they saw Zhou Laozhi's high walls filled with thriving soybeans and vegetables, even the Chengs, who had settled here later, had flourishing crops within their tall walls.

It was impossible not to feel envious. They had the seeds, but how could they dare to cultivate them outside, hidden away? They had been relying on wild vegetables for over half a year.

Once the thought of farming takes root, it's hard to suppress.

This was no longer the outskirts; they were deep in the mountains, and the vast range around Qiyang made it like scattering chess pieces into the Huai River – there was little difference between one person and another. Both the imperial army and the rebel factions vying for sovereignty were preoccupied with seizing and defending territories; they wouldn't waste substantial time and manpower to search for scattered civilians hiding in these remote depths. Their only concern now was guarding against ill-intentioned individuals. And with over a hundred people living together in this inner circle, they were well-equipped to do so.

They would resist if they could, flee if they couldn't, but they must still cultivate the land.

The most pressing issue was that their food supplies wouldn't last long. Even those as prepared as the Fengs and Gans had impoverished members in their clans. There were still those like Zhou Lazi who struggled to make ends meet. Hence, the newcomers quickly made a choice similar to Zhou Lazi and Butcher Zheng's on the night of their arrival.

They tilled the land to plant vegetables, hoping to sow a late autumn crop before winter set in. In a month or so, they would be able to enjoy the harvest.

With a large group, Shen Lie and the others frequently patrolled the area, deterring any particularly threatening wildlife. Thus, the new arrivals, whether they sought caves like the Zhous or built wooden houses like the Zhengs, only needed to fortify their living quarters. As for the farming areas, they first cleared the land and later erected simple fences.

When Sang Luo and Shen Lie arrived, the outlines of each household's settlement were visible, with much of the land already cultivated. At this moment, people from each household, whether building houses or tilling the fields, were being served meals, squatting on the ground to eat.

Dong Ge recognized Sang Luo from afar and, excitedly, stood up, waving at her. "Sang Lady! Brother Lie!"

Upon hearing his delighted cry of "Sang Lady," Dong Ge's mother was about to rush forward to greet her but almost grabbed him back. Fortunately, he also called out to Sang Luo's husband following behind.

This simple-minded second son seemed to be around the same age as Sang Lady. Why was he so earnest?

As Dong Ge's mother heaved a sigh of relief, Dong Ge had already dashed off. "Sang Lady, Brother Lie, have you had your breakfast?"

"I've eaten," Sang Luo glanced at the bowl in his hands, filled with wild vegetables, soybeans, and grass seeds.

Her gaze was heavy with concern. It was rare to see such a positive attitude from the boy, still managing to smile amidst adversity. She looked over at the half-tilled land and asked Dong Ge, "Are you cultivating this land?"

Dong Ge nodded eagerly. "Yes, our shopkeeper gave us some vegetable seeds. We're hurrying to cultivate it. That plot right there belongs to our family."

Following Dong Ge's direction, Sang Luo observed the area. Clearing land in the mountains involved cutting down and removing numerous plants. Something familiar caught her eye.

It was taro. When she first arrived here, she had nothing but relied on celestial tofu and taro to build up her livelihood. However, to the locals, the entire plant was toxic, and in the past, out of fear that children might accidentally eat it, any taro found near the village would be immediately dug up.

Sang Luo couldn't help but approach. She had mixed feelings about it.

It was time to harvest the taro. Squatting down, she used her knife to cut off the long stem and lifted the hefty taro, which weighed at least twenty pounds.

Dong Ge's mother grew anxious. "Madam Sang, they say this thing is poisonous. You shouldn't touch it."

Sang Luo smiled and shook her head. "The poison can be removed. This can be eaten."

Her words left the surrounding group stunned. Shen Lie, along with Shopkeeper Xu who had accompanied them, and the Gans were all taken aback. They turned to look at Sang Luo.

San Luo didn't hide anything and explained, "You've all tried it before. Shopkeeper Xu, this vegetarian 'mutton' is made from konjac, also known as devil's tongue."

This revelation stunned both Shopkeeper Xu, who had sold konjac before, and Madam Gan.

San Luo didn't waste any more time. She asked Dong Ge, "Where do you live? Show me the way, and I'll teach you how to detoxify the konjac."

Some people from the Feng family, who were nearby clearing land, overheard their conversation and gathered around to inquire. Konjac grew abundantly; once it sprouted, it spread in vast patches. Not only did Dong Ge's family find some, but other households had likely stumbled upon it too. Those who had grown up in the village had been warned since childhood that this plant was toxic.

Now, someone was saying that it was edible and that its poison could be removed.

How could this not attract attention? Suddenly, quite a few people followed them to take a look.

Madam Gan felt a little nervous. She looked at San Luo and called out, "Ah Luo?"

Without saying a word, her expression clearly conveyed that this was San Luo's livelihood.

San Luo glanced at Madam Gan, then turned her gaze to Dong Ge's family. Recalling the wild vegetables and grass seeds in Dong Ge's bowl just now, San Luo fell silent.

To be honest, she hadn't initially planned on revealing her trading business. Just like the divine tofu, she only picked some occasionally for her own consumption. Even the poorest family, Zhou Laizi's, had accumulated a fair amount of food with the help of Shen Lie and Chen Dashan.

What about the newcomers, then?

How many families like Dong Ge's could Shen Lie and Chen Dashan bring over? Besides, there weren't many edible plants left in this area that the locals were familiar with. Witnessing Dong Ge's family eating grass seeds and seeing edible taro being dug up and discarded, Sangluo suddenly lost the desire to hide.

"Let's just survive for now. There will be other ways to make a living in the future."

In fact, it wasn't just Dong Ge's family. The others who had come with Dong Ge, as well as those struggling in the Feng clan, had all gathered outside the cave where Dong Ge's family had settled. As Sangluo taught them step by step how to detoxify the taro and make taro tofu, more and more people arrived to learn.

After teaching everyone, as they waited for the final coagulation, Sangluo said, "If you peel and slice it, dry it, and store it properly, it can last a long time. It should still be edible next year."

Some were still uncertain. "Miss, is this really safe to eat now?"

The idea that the taro was poisonous was deeply ingrained in their minds.

Before Sangluo could answer, Xu Shopkeeper spoke up first, "Yes, it's safe. This has been sold in the county town for quite some time, at a decent price too. It's part of Miss Sang's livelihood."

To be honest, he hadn't expected that something like plain tripe would come from wild taro found in the mountains. What surprised him even more was that Sangluo was willing to share this method.

With this method in hand, it was truly a risk-free business. While it might not lead to great wealth, it would ensure a steady, modest income year after year.

Having taught this, Sang Luo was not reluctant to share more knowledge. Near Dong Ge's cave, she found the Guanyin Cabbage leaves and led everyone in identifying them, then they picked some. She then asked if anyone had gauze at home.

Several people responded, one of them volunteering, "My house is nearby, I'll go get it right away."

With that, she dashed off.

As she left and returned, more and more people gathered outside Dong Ge's small cave, including Zhou Lazi's family who had heard the news, followed closely by Chief Feng from Feng's clan.

Many had already learned how to make Silky Stomach and Immortal Tofu, so Sang Luo emphasized the key points to pay attention to, and estimated how long they would need to wait for the substances to solidify. Glancing at the sun, she realized they still needed to hurry up and hunt before bidding farewell hastily.

The crowd jostled, with latecomers asking those who arrived earlier about the specifics of the process. When they had their questions answered, they discovered that the young lady who taught them had already left.

They couldn't help but inquire further, only to learn that she was from Li Shi Village and called San Lady.

Chapter 103: Station 23: Teeth

Servants tiptoed in to set up a large, elongated table.

Just as Yan Qiling was about to sit down, his shoulders suddenly sank under the weight of someone's hands resting on them.

A young man's low voice, infused with breath, whispered close to his ear,

"Have you ever gambled?"

Yan Qiling paused slightly, his lovely twin phoenix eyes gazing back, fixating on the person so near, yet not uttering a word.

Ming Yiyang understood now.

This guy had never gambled before.

It was somewhat surprising that he had managed to live such a long life without indulging in it, but at the same time, it seemed somehow... unsurprising.

Not touching any vices – drinking, whoring, gambling, smoking – where did this saintly young master come from?

The unexpected criticism made a subtle smile flicker in Ming Yiyang's eyes.

Without hesitation, he turned to Elder Madam Bai, who was sitting elegantly on a couch, and said,

"I'll play for him."

"You, for him?"

Elder Madam Bai seemed to be savoring the implications of his words, her smile behind the fan pausing briefly before becoming even more enigmatic.

"Alright then."

She lifted her delicate jade finger and tapped them both lightly.

"But, this way, both of your chances will be counted as one."

"Mr. Yan, are you willing to entrust your fate to someone else?"

Ming Yiyang's heart skipped a beat. He was about to offer Yan Qiling an escape, but before he could say anything, the man at his side answered clearly and confidently,

"Certainly. Invite him in."

The decision was made without any hesitation.

Through the few strands of black hair that fell across the person's forehead, Ming Yiyang could only glimpse the spark in their eyes, unable to discern their true emotions when they responded. Nonetheless, even this was enough to instill a sense of encouragement in him from an unknown source.

He whispered softly,

"I won't let you lose."

Yan Qiling met his gaze and smiled warmly,

"I trust you."

Clapping sounded from the luxurious couch, as the woman tapped her fan gently against her palm. Her smile was ambiguous, yet there was a hint of eager anticipation in her expression as she said,

"What deep affection and loyalty."

Her gaze was fixated on the handsome young man in the hall, his rare silver hair making him appear exceptionally striking.

She used her fan to conceal her increasingly mischievous smile and suddenly said,

"Then, you can trade with your teeth."

At once, a beautiful servant girl presented a tray, upon which rested an intricately designed golden dental forceps. Its jaws looked menacing, yet they were polished to a pristine cleanliness.

Ming Yiyang raised an eyebrow as the tool was placed before him, asking,

"What's the meaning of this?"

"Betting chips,"

Madam Old Bai replied with a hoarse, rough voice,

"Don't you need to place a stake when joining a gambling table? Since the reward is a tooth, it only makes sense that teeth would be used as the chips. What's the issue here?"

Si Shuhao was incredulous:

"But you just said we'd bet on three rounds, not that teeth would be pulled from the start. And one tooth as a stake... How can anyone play like that?!"

"It all depends on how you choose to play."

Mrs. Old Bai gently stroked the golden armor on her fingertips, paying no heed to her criticism:

"In any case, these are the rules. If you're unwilling, you can simply admit defeat, and Grandma will fulfill your wish."

Si Shuhao was infuriated by her self-proclaimed "Grandma."

Diao Qingchang fumbled in his pocket and asked,

"Can it be anyone's tooth?"

Mrs. Old Bai chuckled softly,

"Certainly."

Diao Qingchang immediately perked up, letting out an "Aye" as he eagerly unbuttoned his pocket.

"Relax, relax, the stakes are teeth, right? I've got plenty of them! Ming Yiyang, come here, take as many as you want, there's an endless supply."

He casually pulled out a handful of gleaming white teeth from his pocket, stunning everyone present.

Mrs. Old Bai, seated in the prominent position, immediately changed her expression and sternly demanded,

"How did you get so many teeth?!"

"Oh, oh, last night, Mr. Wen insisted on giving me a gift, so he gave me this small bag of... items. Madam, these teeth are all clean and in perfect condition. Since you said any teeth will do, they're suitable to be used as stakes."

The handsome young man laughed heartily, appearing like an innocent fool,

"Haha, you won't suddenly change your mind later, right?"

Mrs. Old Bai's face darkened slightly, then she revealed a cold smile with hidden intentions,

"Certainly not. However, if you use these teeth for yourself, that's fine. But if you intend to give them to someone else, only one tooth can be used as a stake. Unless... you agree to give him both your first tooth and the chance to bid."

Surprisingly, Diao Qingchang nodded almost without hesitation.

"Certainly, I'm willing. Not only am I willing to give him my first tooth, but Mr. Shi as well, isn't that right?"

Shi Wenguang was slightly dazed. He had just narrowly escaped death the previous night, only to encounter such an absurd matter early in the morning.

However, upon seeing Old Lady Bai's scheming expression, he knew that he didn't stand a chance alone against these inhuman beings.

Understanding this, he no longer hesitated and nodded with a stern face, "Count me in."

Si Shuhao, seeing this, quickly raised his hand, "Then... then, count me in too?"

Old Lady Bai gave a disdainful smile, her beautiful eyes sweeping across the crowd as she affectedly sighed, "How deep your brotherly affection runs... Since that's the case, let me ask, is there anyone else who wishes to offer their teeth and opportunities to Mr. Ming? Oh, but don't forget..."

"The more chips you give him, the more teeth he'll earn. Now, he needs at least 150 teeth to have a chance of turning the tables for this group."

Liao Xinya quickly calculated that earning 150 teeth was impossible.

Starting with five teeth, even if she tripled her stakes and won the jackpot three times, the maximum profit would only be 135 teeth, not to mention the necessary risk of losing at least one round.

If one person were to bet alone for three rounds, the most they could multiply would be to 27 teeth.

According to Old Lady Bai's rule of 30 teeth per person, Liao Xinya had to choose which side would cost her fewer teeth.

If everyone staked all their teeth, starting with eight, a full win could double to 216 teeth.

But this was irrelevant.

It still couldn't cover the losses.

Moreover, the risk was too high; should everything collapse, the loss of teeth would be exponential.

Liao Xinya shook her head and said, "There's a possibility of a margin call. I'll bet with my own."

Suzhou Hao shot a pleading glance, to which Su Bo responded with an apologetic smile:

"I share the same thought as Liao Xinya; let's not put too much pressure on Ming Ge."

Lin Yongjian remained silent throughout.

Finally, Diao Qingchang took out five teeth from his pocket and placed them on the long table, representing their five teeth.

"That will do,"

Old Lady Bai was content with the situation. With her fan fluttering gently, she chuckled and said,

"Let's..."

"Aah, wait a moment!"

Diao Qingchang suddenly clutched his stomach, interrupting the impending incantation. He grabbed the nearby Shi Wen Guang, his face pale with distress.

"Madam, I think I might have eaten something wrong last night. Could I... be excused to attend to a personal matter first?"

Madam Old Bai regarded him with a grim expression, her beautiful face betraying a hint of ferocity.

Diao Qingchang offered her an awkward smile.

She disliked fanning herself and called out,

"Xi Yi."

Xi Yi promptly stepped forward respectfully, escorting this peculiar "matchmaker" away.

After the brief interlude, Madam Old Bai didn't bother with formal announcements and simply said,

"Feng'er, go ahead."

Bai Changfeng bowed towards his mother before leisurely taking his seat at the long table.

Ming Yiyang sat on the other end, sweeping his dangling bangs back to reveal his exquisitely handsome face, unapologetically radiating his own brand of charisma.

Despite the bandage against his cheek, his striking appearance still captivated attention; in fact, the war-worn accessory added a rebellious charm that set him apart from others.

Compared to Yan Qiling, his appearance was devastatingly attractive to these maids and concubines.

His every move exuded an unhesitant decisiveness that perfectly aligned with the common perception of a reliable man's fortitude.

Bai Changfeng clearly noticed this as well. He poured the dice from the cup into his hand, deliberately creating a clattering noise.

The maids and beauties, who had initially dared to admire his handsome face, hurriedly lowered their heads, afraid of catching Bai Changfeng's attention and thereby losing any chance at future prosperity within the residence.

This beginning evidently displeased Bai Changfeng, but what came next annoyed him even more.

Ming Yiyang also emptied the dice from the cup and held them in his palm for inspection. However, he didn't look at the dice; instead, he leaned back leisurely, emanating an unprecedented aura of power.

He didn't appear like a gambler but rather like the house itself.

A few strands of hair, recently pushed behind his ear, now brushed against his forehead, giving him a rakish, untamed charm. Simultaneously, there was an air of nonchalance about him, the kind that made him the most troublesome opponent in a casino, someone who seemed capable of pulling off unexpected surprises at any moment.

With his purple irises exposed, he openly watched Bai Changfeng's actions, audaciously shaping the corners of his lips into a winner's confident smile, one that bespoke certainty of triumph.

Bai Changfeng despised such individuals the most.

He was different from ordinary gamblers; he was someone who could alter his fate with his own skills. With the assistance of a divine entity, he had become virtually invincible, rarely experiencing defeat.

Even if he did lose, he would recover all his losses in the next round.

It had been a long time since he had seen such a smile that made him want to tear it apart immediately.

It was a challenging smirk, one belonging to an experienced player. Now, he was determined to make the man across from him lose so badly that he wouldn't be able to smile, let alone cry!

Ming Yiyang finished his inspection and threw the dice into the cup with a clatter. He then snapped the cup down onto the board with a satisfying slap, his movements fluid and visually captivating.

Leaning back in his chair, he gestured towards Bai Changfeng with a polite invitation, "The guest follows the host's lead. Please go first, Mister Bai."

The striking young man moved at a leisurely pace, exuding grace and elegance.

Even without doing anything extra, he commanded the attention of everyone in the room.

Bai Changfeng's focus had shifted entirely from the allure of the black-haired beauty to the crucial task of making Ming Yiyang suffer a humiliating defeat.

He revealed a chilling smile, the darkness beneath his eyes making him appear somewhat neurotic.

"Then I won't hold back, Mr. Ming."

"Better not regret it."

The tension was palpable, like gunpowder ready to ignite.

Back then, Fu Luoyin's transfer to the Eighth District was not only a silent protest against his family's arrangement for his future but also primarily because of Xia Ran.

The Fu and Xia families had an average relationship. The main conflict arose when the Su family, in their development of a private neurology hospital, clashed with the Xia family over a choice commercial site. The issue remained unresolved, eventually leading to the Xia family seizing the land, thus planting the seeds of enmity between them.

The Fu family maintained closer ties with the Su family, while there were few opportunities for interaction with the Xia family. The Fu family focused on tech and military industries, while the Xia family was involved in unrelated light industries. Their business interests didn't align, resulting in a superficial relationship.

After Xia Ran's family encountered troubles in his sophomore year, leading to their decline, there were even fewer reasons for any further interactions.

Fu Kai was aware of Fu Luoyin's romantic involvement from the start. He was not particularly fond of Xia Ran. On one hand, it was due to the other family's background, and on the other hand, he knew that Fu Luoyin worked part-time to support Xia Ran, which he deemed as Xia Ran not appreciating the value of things.

Yet, his youngest son had a stubborn streak and refused to budge, refusing to speak even after their separation for two years following the Eighth Military District incident. It seemed that he had been deeply affected, becoming much more reserved as if he had matured overnight. He wasn't well-versed in the affairs of these young ones, but he had heard others mention that Fu Luoyin hadn't found anyone else to settle down with since then.

Now, the Xia family, after two years of decline, had somehow mustered momentum to make a swift comeback. They then relocated to the former North American branch and distanced themselves from the Alliance's Star City circle, vanishing quietly from the public eye.

Fu Kai's dignity and the authoritarian manner he assumed as a father made it difficult for him to utter any conciliatory words to Fu Luoyin. He was unwilling to apologize or retract his words, but he was indeed at a loss as to how to handle the situation with his son.

This child has fixated his heart on only one person; how could anyone possibly pry that person away from the very tip of his heart?

In the face of opposition from the elders, Fu Luoyin held his ground firmly, refusing to admit defeat or utter a single conciliatory word.

After Fu Luoyin left, the nanny approached cautiously to clear his dishes, noticing Fu Kai's displeased expression. She softly suggested, "Young Master Fu is still young, there's no rush to start dating so soon."

"He's just impossible to worry about, isn't he?" Fu Kai pinched his nose. "If he were as skilled at finding his way as his elder brother, I wouldn't be so concerned."

The nanny was rather surprised—she had never heard before that Chu Shihan had once had a partner. From the sound of it, Fu Kai had even met this person?

Fu Kai might have been affected by Fu Luoyin's recent presence, as a hint of age betrayed his emotions, visible in the subtle lines on his face. He pinched the bridge of his nose and, as if remembering something, said, "Just pretend you didn't hear that, especially don't mention it to Madam."

The nanny promptly replied, "Yes."

Fu Kai let out a soft sigh. "That child… I only met him once, when he came to deliver some documents for Shihan. Later, Shihan told me he was his partner. He was a lovely and well-behaved boy, efficient and polite. But that was the only time I saw him."

In the recording, the young man's voice was indifferent yet pleasing, enunciating each word perfectly, soothing to the listener's heart.

A person's natural charisma couldn't be concealed, and even through just their voice, Xia Ran could sense the sharp confidence, the weariness, the slight rasp, yet the brilliance that shone through.

He reached out to pause the playback, then exhaled softly. However, his fingers trembled uncontrollably.

No one else was home; both his parents were out attending to business. In the spacious villa, the housekeeper knocked on the door, calling out, "Little Xia, it's time for dinner."

The room was dark, and Xia Ran lay on the edge of the bed, gazing at the ceiling blanketed in blackness while his mind replayed that indifferent yet elegant voice.

The housekeeper, worried by his silence, opened the door and was about to turn on the light when Xia Ran sharply commanded, "Out! Don't enter my room!"

It was rare for him to speak so harshly, and the housekeeper, startled, quickly closed the door again.

He continued to stare vacantly into the floating darkness.

After a moment, he picked up his phone and dialed a number.

"Hello? My precious son Ran Ran, have you eaten? Mom is still out having dinner." Xia's mother had always doted on him, and since their family's misfortune, his parents had become even more indulgent, virtually fulfilling every request he made. He had grown accustomed to this intimate parent-child relationship. "Is there something you need? Or do you want me to bring you something?"

Xia Ran's voice was slightly hoarse. "I want to go back."

"Huh? Back where?"

"I want to return to Star City. I want to prepare for graduate school," Xia Ran said.

The specialized car sent by He Muya was almost completely enclosed, with sealed windows all around. Seated alone in the back, a custom-made optical shield separated him from the driver, likely to prevent him from recognizing their destination.

Beside Lin Shuicheng sat a military figure, his gaze fixed straight ahead throughout the journey, concealed behind dark sunglasses that made it difficult to discern his features.

After roughly half an hour, they entered an area resembling an estate villa district, where the distinctive partition turned transparent.

At first sight, Lin Shuicheng spotted the sea – as far as he knew, Star City only had a coastal strip to the north, a location unreachable within a thirty to forty-minute drive from the city center.

This sea appeared artificial and was unmarked on any maps, nor was it detectable by satellite imagery.

A beach had been constructed along the shore, adorned with numerous palm and coconut trees. In the distance, a deserted little pier held a small, white boat tied to its dock.

Lin Shuicheng retracted his gaze, but this small movement was immediately noticed by the soldier beside him. "Are you afraid of the pier, Lin?"

Lin Shuicheng's face turned slightly pale, yet he still managed a smile. "No, it's just a bit of motion sickness and curiosity about why there would be an ocean here."

"This isn't the sea. It's disconnected from the outside world and serves as an experimental platform simulating a continental shelf and deep-sea zone. The water source comes from underground canals," the soldier removed his sunglasses, revealing his light blue eyes, suggesting a mixed heritage. "There have been hikers in the past who mistakenly wandered into this area and claimed to have seen the ocean after leaving. We usually explain such incidents to the outside world as mirages. I forgot to introduce myself earlier. My name is Xu Hang, and I'm Ms. He's bodyguard and assistant."

Lin Shuicheng replied, "Then you could've just told me it was a mirage from the start."

Xu Hang smiled at him. "There was no need, you're a researcher after all. I doubt I could deceive you with that explanation, especially given your clearance level here."

Lin Shuicheng asked, "What level?"

Xu Hang replied, "Level A."

Lin Shuicheng didn't quite understand this, but he didn't pursue the matter further.

In his mind, he speculated that it might be a metaphor – He Muya clearly considered him important enough to leave his card behind and wait for him here.

Despite not knowing what the other party wanted from him – Lin Shuicheng had encountered admirers before in his life – he was aware that being appreciated by someone of He Muya's caliber solely based on one painting authentication project made him rather fortunate indeed.

Fortune, it seemed, had never favored him.

They arrived at a structure resembling a glass conservatory. Inside the translucent corridor, vibrant flowers thrived in nutrient solutions, blossoming under artificial greenhouse conditions.

He Muya sat alone, engrossed in a book, wearing reading glasses, with a pot of tea placed before her. This lady, almost sixty-five, appeared much younger than her contemporaries. Time had not left too many marks on her; instead, it had bestowed upon her a maternal warmth and openness unique to women.

Upon seeing Lin Shuicheng's arrival, He Muya nodded slightly, inviting him in. Xu Hang remained outside, standing with his back to them, guarding the entrance with an upright posture.

Lin Shuicheng sat down in front of her and softly greeted, "Good day."

He Muya looked at him and nodded. "I'm looking for you, Lin Shuicheng. First of all, I want to thank you. Through your excellence and intelligence, you've helped me solve a difficult problem and dealt with the rats from random.

Lin Shuicheng lowered his gaze. "It was my duty. I was just completing a task assigned by my superior."

He Muya chuckled. "That brings me to my second point, for which I apologize. I didn't expect my subordinates to try to outsmart me by assuming that since I was going to announce the donation at the birthday banquet, it would be best to resolve this case beforehand. As a result, they pressured the project into being completed within seven days. I've heard your suggestions in the report and am holding those responsible accountable. Please rest assured that I will address this issue."

Lin Shuicheng was taken aback, momentarily unsure of how to respond.

His impression of He Muya wasn't particularly favorable—she had been the direct initiator of this project. He had naturally assumed that this seasoned female general might also be someone seeking fame and glory. However, her willingness to apologize despite her rank and experience was unexpected.

Lin Shuicheng said softly, "I've caused you trouble as well. I was too impulsive with the incident in the auditorium."

He Muya smiled warmly. "Young people have their passions, and that's a good thing. The Alliance relies on outstanding young talents like you to ensure its future. Now, let's get down to business. Lin Shuicheng, I called you here today to ask your opinion about current molecular biotechnology. What do you think of it?"

Lin Shuicheng pondered for a moment. "It's not my primary field of expertise, but from a chemical perspective, gene editing has matured and is now applied in clinical treatments for genetic diseases, which is beneficial to medicine. However, regarding the evolutionary tree and gene interpretation, as far as I recall, there haven't been any significant new findings in many years."

"Why do you think that is?" He Muya asked.

Lin Shuicheng fell silent for a moment before responding, "I'm not sure. It's not my area of specialization."

"You, being such an intelligent student, should understand. But it's alright, I'll tell you the answer—it's ethics." He Muya gently placed the teacup on the table. "Sometimes, technological advancements require breaking through ethical boundaries to achieve something. To put it inappropriately, anatomical studies have made significant contributions due to human experiments."

Lin Shuicheng swiftly interrupted her, "But that significance was relevant only in a time when medical equipment was underdeveloped, plagues were rampant, and people still believed bathing could bring calamity. We don't live in such a time, and we certainly won't walk on streets filled with the blood of decaying corpses."

He had a vague idea of what He Muya was trying to convey.

He Muya continued, "Don't rush, young student. I'm just giving an example. It's clear that you're a researcher with principles and independent thinking, which is why I value you and invited you here."

Lin Shuicheng fell silent before responding, "I understand. Please continue."

"The Alliance now requires some talents to delve deeper into certain matters, or to put it differently, I need them," He Muya said softly. "The project you're researching might go against existing theories, even potentially making enemies with the entire academic community—would you be interested? Of course, for protective reasons, you might need to keep your identity hidden for a while. I've investigated your social connections; your network since college has been limited to your mentor and Little Fu. Little Fu is from Department Seven and understands the nature of confidentiality. As for your brother Lin Deng, we'll ensure he's taken care of."

Lin Shuicheng fell silent for a moment. "Are you looking for an opportunity to upend the current academic world?"

He Muya nodded candidly. "You could say that. I want you to be a sharp blade to cut away the rotten fruits. I think you might find this intriguing. Naturally, your personal safety comes first, and we will ensure that aspect."

"In two years' time, I might have been interested," Lin Shuicheng whispered. "But I have other commitments now, so I'm afraid I won't be able to take on this responsibility."

Seeing his straightforward refusal, He Muya laughed instead. "Won't you reconsider? This door may close to you today and never open again. I thought you'd be tempted. In you, I see the backbone that many in the current academic community have lost."

Lin Shuicheng persisted, "I'm sorry, but I'm unable to take on the responsibility. I have something crucial to attend to at the moment."

He Muya studied him for a moment before sighing. "Very well. Although this outcome is unexpected, I respect your decision."

She rose from her seat, indicating that their conversation had come to an end.

Lin Shuicheng also stood up and, from his coat pocket, retrieved a delicate gift box. "It's an honor to have caught your attention. Though there's no opportunity now, I still wish you good health and a long life, comparable to the southern mountain."

Before Lin Shuicheng's arrival, Xu Hang had thoroughly searched and inspected all the items he brought. The birthday gift, however, took He Muya by slight surprise. Upon opening it, she discovered a beautifully carved antique ink block, a piece worthy of collection.

Lin Shuicheng truly left no loose ends in his actions.

She instructed Xu Hang to escort Lin Shuicheng back the same way they came.

Watching the departing figure, she let out a soft sigh. "Such individuals are still hard to come by. I won't insist, but Star University does produce exceptional talents. Two years ago, there was Little Chu, who was excellent, but that incident... what a pity. It's quite a coincidence, though, that both are from the Fu family. He's Little Fu's boyfriend; perhaps this child knows him."