Asianovel

Indeed?

The Buddhist bed was covered with only a thin mat, making it stiff and uncomfortable to lie on. There were no curtains around it, offering no protection from the draft.

Her elaborate canopy bed was fitted with a thick carpet, a bedspread, cushions, a backrest, and a bolster, resembling half of a small room in its entirety.

This simple Buddhist bed couldn't hold a candle to her exquisite canopy bed.

A lady who insisted on adding bamboo salt and floral essences to her mouthwash—could she truly find such a bed comfortable?

With an indifferent expression, Gu Changjin said, "It's good if Lady likes it."

He was curious to see how long this delicate flower of a girl could endure staying here.

On the second night, Rong Shu arrived at the study at the same time as the previous evening, just as he extinguished the lamps. This time, she had someone bring in seven or eight pots of silver-veined charcoal, warming the entire study like a spring day.

She slept quietly that night, holding her crescent pillow without moving, her profile facing him.

The next morning, when she helped him dress, there was a faint mark on her face, its outline resembling the rabbit on her moon-shaped pillow, carved on the image of a cassia tree.

For about ten days, on the night of the Lantern Festival, an icy blizzard swept across the entire northern region, piercing through to the bone.

That night, the temperature in the capital plummeted. The seven or eight pots of silver silk charcoal were insufficient. Halfway through her sleep, she crawled back into his bed.

This time, it was not just her feet slipping into his pants; her hands also reached under his inner clothing, rubbing against his abdomen.

Gu Changjin was awakened in the middle of the night.

If he had not been certain that the young lady was seeking warmth in her sleep due to the cold, he might have suspected there was a rogue lurking within her bones.

He tugged at her sleeve with clenched teeth, almost growling as he pulled her hand away. Then, a ripping sound echoed—her thin inner garment, made of silkworm cocoon silk, was torn by him.

The young lady woke up, dazedly sitting up. She touched the long tear on the right shoulder of her inner garment and looked at him, "Why did you tear my clothes?"

Her tone was filled with confusion, and upon closer listening, a hint of reproach could be detected.

Moonlight from the snow illuminated the floor with a layer of frost in the dark room.

The young lady's thick, lustrous hair cascaded loosely down her shoulders. Her inner garment hung loosely, exposing half of the indigo blue undergarment hidden beneath.

The snowfall seemed to envelop her entirely, casting an enchanting glow on her alabaster shoulders and the tiny vermilion mole by her collarbone, exuding a subtle seductive charm amidst the vivid greenery.

Gu Changjin abruptly opened his eyes.

Chapter 25

In the study, half of the windows were ajar, allowing the wutong tree branches to brush against the lattice, accompanied by the rustling autumn wind.

There was no snow, no brazier, and no young maiden lying beside him.

It was a dream.

Upon realizing this, Gu Changjin became aware of his unusual state.

He had trained in martial arts since childhood, appearing refined and scholarly but possessing a robust physique. However, he had always been detached and uninterested in amorous pursuits.

Yet, today was different. It was as if he had transformed into an inexperienced young man with a fluttering heart, all because of an inexplicable dream that left him with a racing pulse and an intense thirst.

His mind was filled with the image of that maiden, innocently tugging at her clothing as she asked him questions.

It was utterly absurd and laughable.

Gu Changjin knitted his brows and got off the bed, draining half a cup of cold tea in one go. He glanced at the dark sky outside before returning to the bed, calming his mind and cultivating his breath for a good while.

When he had recovered his composure, he called for Chang Ji to attend to him.

Seeing that his master's expression was colder than usual, Chang Ji pondered and suggested, "Master stayed up late last night. Should I ask for a sick leave from the Ministry of Punishments? Since Li'er is no longer in immediate danger, I can escort her there alone."

Gu Changjin replied, "We must inform Lord Justice and Minister Tan about the assassination attempt on Xu Li'er as soon as possible. Even though Xu Li'er survived, it doesn't mean that we can just sweep this matter under the rug. Those people and the officials from the Ministry of Punishments will undoubtedly pin the blame on Yang Xu's faction."

The Eastern Depot had caused countless injustices over the years; it was time for Yang Xu's group to experience the taste of being unjustly accused.

After explaining his plan, Gu Changjin rubbed his temples and said, "Bring me a basin of cold water."

Pausing for a moment, he added, "Also, brew two cups of iced tea."

Chang Ji acknowledged with a "Yes," but as he left, he couldn't help but wonder: Although Master never cared whether the tea was hot or cold, why would he request iced tea if he was already brewing tea? It was still chilly early in the morning—why would anyone prefer cold tea?

Gu Changjin's request for cold tea and water was promptly delivered to his study.

As the two, master and servant, left the study, the lights in the Songsi Courtyard were still extinguished.

Chang Ji said, "I heard that Lady Heng spent the whole night talking with Miss Xu yesterday. She's probably only been asleep for an hour or so. Should I not go around the main house and directly call out to her in the eastern secondary chamber?"

Back when Lord Gu Changjin resided in the Songsi Courtyard, Chang Ji and Heng Ping could enter freely. But now that there was a female mistress living there, they couldn't just barge in as they pleased.

Recently, their master had established a rule that they were not to deliver messages in the corridor and were not allowed to approach Lady Heng directly. They were only permitted to convey messages through Ying Que, Yingyue, or Mother Zhang.

Chang Ji didn't dwell on it much, assuming that their master disliked Lady Heng, hence why he prohibited them from having too much contact with her.

With this thought, Chang Ji sighed inwardly, wishing that his master would have a maid or servant by his side. That way, entering the inner courtyard would be much more convenient.

Unlike now, where he had to be cautious even when entering to deliver a message.

Gu Changjin pondered for a moment before saying, "Stay here and I'll go in."

After speaking, he stepped through the Moon Cave Gate and halfway through his journey, he noticed someone pushing open the door of the main house.

It was Mother Zhang.

Nanny Zhang, upon seeing him, hurriedly greeted with a smile, "Madam Rong has already woken up and is currently instructing this servant to serve breakfast to Second Master and Miss Xu. Would Second Master like to wait inside the room?"

Gu Changjin nodded slightly. Yesterday, he had mentioned to Rong Shu that he would be taking Xu Li'er back to the Ministry of Justice early in the morning. Just now, noticing that the lights were still off in the room, he assumed that Rong Shu was still asleep.

He had come in with the intention of waking her.

After all, Xu Li'er was an unmarried lady. In the haste of events yesterday, she was allowed to rest in the Songsi Courtyard. However, both he and Chang Ji should avoid any appearance of impropriety.

Chapter 156: Economy

Enchanted weapons were not allowed in the ranking matches, so Weiyun's dual curved blades, versatile for both long-range and close combat, had to be set aside.

Wen Ying crouched in a corner of the arena, selecting the interconnected set of equipment he would use later. He had replicated so many magic cards that he had even forgotten some of them.

Half an hour passed quickly. Dragon-Serpent Weiyun leaped onto the arena. Her stance was solid, and her actions more cautious compared to Yan Kuo's.

Wen Ying stood up. The old devil referee glanced at both competitors and announced, "Begin."

Wen Ying deftly released a "Flexibility" card from between her fingers, aimed at the Succubus.

Weiyun dashed forward with lightning speed, and Wen Ying noticed the tip of her scaly tail tense up, evading Weiyun's attack by swiftly stepping aside, avoiding the whip-like tail.

"Smack!" Weiyun's tail missed its target, leaving a dent in the ground.

In an instant, Weiyun flipped her body and swept her long legs, while Wen Ying raised her right hand to her chest, sending two magic cards flying outwards. The third card adhered to her body, dissolving into light.

These were the basic spell "Slow," Beros' "Flaming Blaze," and finally, the protective "Water Shield."

So close?! Weiyun never expected Wen Ying to release Belos's Incinerating Flame at such a close range. His pupils constricted, and although his mind urgently wanted to retreat, his body couldn't keep up. The scorching black flames engulfed towards Weiyun.

As Wen Ying cast a Water Escape spell on himself, he also cast a "Boost" on himself, enhancing his speed to quickly leave the center of the flames.

Before the Incinerating Flame dissipated, Wen Ying sent a "Puppet Master" card to Weiyun, who was using his magic to resist the flames. It was an early copy of his, only at the N-card level, but it could control Weiyun for a few seconds without any issues.

The many demons in the spectator seats watched in astonishment as Weiyun jumped off the stage in a stiff manner.

(There's still additional content in the author's note)

Author's Note:

"One who controls magic? Wen Ying copied it from the Masked Puppet, right?"

"How come I didn't realize how cheat-like the Magic Mirror Demon's innate magic is? It's like having an unfair advantage."

"The Magic Mirror Demon's innate magic is only used effectively by Wen Ying. Other Magic Mirror Demons can hardly replicate other demons' innate magic, let alone intermediate spells."

"I feel like Yan Kuo and Weiyun haven't really drained Wen Ying's stamina or magic power at all. They're crazy; I actually think Wen Ying can keep winning like this."

"A hallucination, Phileas could already teach him a lesson with full strength."

"Lilith can do it too!"

"The first place belongs to His Highness!"

The conversation shifted to fans vying for their favorite's top position.

Weiyun's expression froze, then she looked intently at the demonic mirror on stage, realizing what had just transpired. Despite her caution, she had still fallen prey...

Weiyun's face darkened as she shot venomous glances at Wen Ying.

This feeling was driving the demon mad! It was too frustrating – she hadn't even unleashed a fraction of her skills!

That was the rule of the ranking match – if one competitor stepped out of the arena, they lost. Wen Ying had exploited this rule to conserve her energy.

Chapter 202: Embrace

This was the first time Sang Luo had ventured deep into the mountains alone with Shen Lie. Their destination was an area less frequented by others.

Both were clear about their mission; they weren't here to hunt, but instead focused on identifying animal tracks to avoid other wildlife while searching solely for goats. When he didn't have to consider anyone else, Shen Lie's attention was primarily on Sang Luo. Even though there were edible plants in the mountains during winter, especially in such an isolated area, Shen Lie only gathered enough for their journey.

This was a different experience from his previous hunts where his main focus was finding food. Now, it was more about connecting with nature, much like how she felt when she first saw Yun Gu.

As they reached mid-afternoon, approaching feeding time, they found a suitable spot to stop. Shen Lie hunted a pheasant and roasted it, adding some sweet potatoes to the fire. He then poured water from a bamboo tube to clean some dates he picked along the way before handing them to Sang Luo.

Sang Luo received the dates with a smile in her eyes.

With someone like Shen Lie by her side, life could be quite pleasant if they didn't have to worry about intruders disrupting their tranquility in the inner region.

In the evening, they spotted a deer from afar, but no signs of goats. Shen Lie began looking for a place to spend the night. They found a small cave, and with his expertise in constructing shelters and Sang Luo's assistance, they managed to build a door and burn the cave floor before sunset. They added thick layers of reeds, spread two wolf pelts for bedding, stacked stones nearby for a campfire, creating a cozy and warm space.

Shen Lie used the branches he cut for the door as cover and obstacles, ensuring their hiding place was well-concealed. After tidying up, he allowed Sang Luo to rest while he prepared to lay down some reeds at the entrance.

San Luo observed him and suddenly asked, "Aren't you afraid of the draft there?"

She moved to the side and patted the space next to her. "I'll share half my spot with you. I'll use the other wolf skin, and since you're closer to the fire, you won't be cold, right?"

Shen Lie was taken aback.

Could he still say that he was cold? He hurriedly shook his head. "Not at all."

The cave was tiny, and only a few steps separated them from the bed covered in wolf skins. The wolf skin wasn't very wide, more than enough for San Luo to sleep alone. If two people were to share it, it would be very cramped. Shen Lie laid out the rush grass along the edge of the bed to make the space slightly bigger. His heart pounded as he sat closer to the edge.

San Luo stared at him for a while, clearly seeing his Adam's apple move up and down. He sat straight, even controlling his breathing.

For some reason, she felt like teasing him. Leaning slightly towards him, she asked, "Shen Lie, are you nervous?"

Shen Lie subconsciously leaned back just a little before stopping. Being so close, his Adam's apple's movement was even more noticeable.

San Luo, twenty-eight years old or perhaps twenty-nine at heart, couldn't tear her gaze away.

His eyebrows, nose, lips, and jawline were illuminated by the flickering firelight, highlighting his sharp features even more. And, they were...irresistible.

How many times had this desire arisen?

They were so close that Sang Luo couldn't tell if her breath had slowed or deepened. She only knew that in that instant, she seemed to be ensnared by longing.

Staring at Shen Lie, their gazes intertwined subtly, and for a moment, she found it impossible to look away. As the depth of his affection and ardor in his eyes grew more apparent, Shen Lie's breathing intensified. He ventured closer, testing the waters. It was then that Sang Luo became aware of what was happening and retreated backward.

Seventeen years old, and she wouldn't turn seventeen for another month.

She cleared her throat, feigning casualness. "Get some rest."

Then, she hurriedly lay down, wrapping the wolf skin around herself.

The moment she turned away from Shen Lie, she realized what she had almost done. Just now, she had nearly succumbed to the temptation of tasting those beautifully shaped lips.

Her heartbeat echoed loudly in her ears.

Shen Lie felt a void within him as he saw the space in front of him empty. His breaths were heavy as he turned his head to look at Sang Luo. From his angle, he could only see half of her face; her eyes were already closed, and he could glimpse her curled eyelashes.

Aluo seemed to have... Shen Lie swallowed, wondering if it was just his imagination.

A void, a loss, and a blossoming joy intertwined, two contrasting emotions colliding within his heart.

He lay down cautiously, initially on his back, his mind still consumed by the fleeting moment their eyes had met. All his thoughts were focused on Sang Luo, lying beside him. How could he resist? Gradually, he tilted his face to look at her, and before long, his entire body followed suit.

"A Luo," he whispered tentatively.

Sang Luo's eyelashes quivered. Pretending to sleep was too childish. She decided to open her eyes and turned slightly to respond.

"You just now..." Being inexperienced and naive, she could only muster the courage to ask the beginning of a question.

The corners of Sang Luo's lips curved up again. Following her heart's desire, she turned to lie on her side, facing Shen Lie. Her eyes shimmered with a playful smile as she raised her hand, her fingertips hovering near his lips. Eventually, she allowed herself to gently touch them, applying a subtle pressure.

Mmm, I'm tempted by your masculinity.

Though the words remained unspoken, Shen Lie somehow deciphered her intention, and his breathing grew heavier.

That recurring scene from his dreams was recreated, only this time, reality had swapped roles with fantasy. His chest rose and fell, his hand lifting slightly. Before he could make any further move, Sang Luo leaned closer to him, aligning her cheek with the side of Shen Lie's shoulder, echoing his gesture.

"Shen Lie, wait for the right time."

Some things, once you taste the beginning, are hard to resist.

Her voice was soft, yet unbelievably tender, weaving through his heart with a gentle persistence that made his pulse race. As her cheek brushed against the side of his neck, Shen Lie felt as if he held the entire world in his embrace.

His half-raised hand descended slowly, cautiously resting on Sang Luo's body. Seeing no resistance, he gently enfolded her in his arms, a sigh of contentment almost escaping his lips.

Finding an unforeseen courage, he slightly tilted his head, nearly brushing against her forehead. He whispered softly, "A Luo, you like me too, don't you?"

One more inch and their lips would meet.

Sang Luo smiled softly and wrapped her arms around him. A faint warmth seemed to linger by his neck as she said, "Goodnight."

Chapter 113: Reality: Blindness

Ming Yiyang had an incredibly long dream.

In the dream, he seemed to have passed away, placed on a small boat with a lantern at its prow, illuminating a person.

That person had a thin braid, resembling a centipede, with hair as black as the surrounding darkness, blending seamlessly together.

Yet, a silver-gray ribbon was tied around their head, its length reflecting a hint of silver bamboo embroidery in the faint glow of the lantern.

The person held a slender bamboo pole, and the boat drifted gently along the water.

It felt like he had returned to the very beginning of life, curled up warmly within a womb, free from worries, and content with the tranquility of that moment.

Then, like a silver vase shattering.

The boat suddenly flipped upside down, plunging him and the boat into the depths beneath a waterfall.

And the person holding the pole looked down at him from above, their face breaking into a gentle smile in an instant.

Ming Yiyang awakened.

The fragments of his dream dissipated swiftly into indistinct patches of color. Outside, the sky had already turned dark, just like in his dream, pitch-black as if one's hand could not discern five fingers in front of their face.

...That wasn't right.

Reaching out, Ming Yiyang found the air conditioner remote control by his pillow and, relying on memory, pressed the power button straight ahead.

The air conditioner hummed softly as it turned on.

Yet, he couldn't see any trace of indicator lights.

In the whistling cold wind, he realized the truth.

It wasn't that the sky had darkened; he was blind.

In his twenty-three years of life, Ming Yiyang had believed he would no longer fall into the sweet traps woven by others. But reality delivered a harsh punch to his gut.

At this point, the heat within his body seemed to have been poured onto the icy plateau of Mount Everest. His mind slowly cleared, frozen amidst a crimson frost.

Ming Yiyang fumbled for the cellphone tucked in his embrace, the familiar touch sending a chilling sensation throughout his body that was difficult to describe.

He knew he was trembling, yet there was nothing else he could do but cling to his last semblance of safety. He unlocked the phone's flip keyboard and, guided by touch alone, pressed and held down the number 1 key.

The automated dialing began.

A prolonged beeping sound echoed through the spacious room, yet despite being nestled in soft bedding, Ming Yiyang felt as if he were exposed to the elements, with holes piercing him from all directions, leaving no place for him to find solace or repair.

However, the anticipated panic and fear did not materialize.

He felt like a paralytic, sinking slowly into an abyss of black water, his remaining calm now ashes burning within him.

With a beep, the call connected.

Through the speaker, Chi Zihao's casual laughter reverberated, infused with an amplified radiance that reached the young man's ears:

"Hey, you're out, huh? So, how's it going?"

After a brief silence, Ming Yiyang wasted no time:

"Blind, take me to the hospital."

Chi Zhe's jovial tone suddenly ceased.

When it resumed, it was filled with panic:

"Don't scare me, Ming Yiyang. What do you mean by blind?! Have you overused your eyes??? Where's Yan Qiling? Didn't he—"

Before the question could fully form, Ming Yiyang hung up the call.

He sat alone in the overly spacious room, lifting his lifeless, black eyes in silence.

His heart, which he thought had long been calm, still stirred at Chi Zhe's words, creating ripples that shouldn't have existed.

That cold tenderness seemed to linger on his lips and teeth, reminding him once more of frozen fish flesh.

And the venomous snake slithering through the water in summer.

It must have been a snake.

There was no excessive strain on his eyes.

It was simply a case of someone taking something away from him.

-

Chi Zhe had considered the possibility of unexpected circumstances, and he had also pondered what Yan Qiling could possibly desire in Ming Yiyang.

But he never would have guessed that the other party had their sights set on the Qingdu Ziwu Yin-Yang Pupils!

...But how could the Lord of the Realm of No Return make use of such an item?

The Qingdu Ziwu Yin-Yang Pupils were incompatible with Yin energy and were the bane of all evil spirits. The Lord of the Realm of No Return couldn't even touch it without trouble—how could they possibly use it? !

Unless... Yan Qiling intended to give it to someone else to use.

Damn, that hurt even more.

Swallowing down his jumbled suspicions, Chi Zhe entered the doctor's office with trepidation, holding the medical report.

Ming Yiyang was lying on a bed outside. As the "family member" of the patient, he had to handle some of those miscellaneous matters.

The doctor didn't exaggerate the situation and spoke in a gentle tone:

"Your child's condition seems to be caused by sudden retinal ischemia. Overall, there's a chance for full recovery. As long as he cooperates with the treatment, he should return to normal within two weeks."

"I'll prescribe some medication to start with. If there are any other issues, we'll find a solution then."

Chi Zhehe felt a slight relief but remained anxious.

After Ming Yiyang called him, he quickly took a flight to Guang City.

By the time he arrived, it was already late afternoon. Fortunately, with the help of a friend, he managed to secure an appointment with a specialist despite the difficulties.

Although Ming Yiyang had barely mentioned anything about Yan Qiling throughout their conversation, Chi Zhehe had prepared for the worst—Yan Qiling was in big trouble!

Initially, he had assumed that given Yan Qiling's ruthless nature, Ming Yiyang would have lost his eyes. However, it seemed that the latter had only taken away the ability of the Yin-Yang Eyes.

While Yan Qiling was undeniably in the wrong, the severity of the act didn't change the nature of the situation. Still, there was an indescribable subtlety to the whole affair.

Chi Zihao felt that if Yan Qiling had held back this card, he must have had more tricks up his sleeve.

Ming Yiyang was too inexperienced. How could he possibly compete with someone who had lived for hundreds of years?

...But for now, these were merely his speculations.

With Ming Yiyang refusing to speak, there was nothing Chi Zihao could do.

Sighing, he took the medical report back to the temporary ward where Ming Yiyang was eating behind the blue curtains.

Although he couldn't see, the man seemed to be moving about without difficulty; there was no sign of him accidentally feeding himself with the spoon. However, his actions were much slower than usual.

The expressionless way he stuffed food into his mouth was somewhat heartbreaking to witness.

He looked like a little dog drenched by rain, shivering in the cold with a broken leg, yet stubbornly trying not to make a sound as it sought shelter on its own.

Vulnerable, pitiful, and miserable.

Chi Zihao put on a cheerful facade, but remembering that Ming Yiyang couldn't see, his smile turned grim.

However, he tried to keep his voice steady:

"I asked the doctor just now. They said that with proper care, your eye will recover in about two weeks. I'll have someone prepare some nutritious food for you these days. Eat more to regain your strength, and don't worry too much. Try to maintain a positive mood."

Ming Yiyang had already set down his utensils when he entered and tilted his head to listen patiently to what he had to say.

Perhaps it was because he couldn't see anything.

In the past, the young man would have added a playful remark after such a statement. But now, he only listened silently, without any sign of joy on his face; just pure indifference.

Chi Zihao felt a bit anxious as he watched this. He sat nervously by the bedside, hesitantly considering how to ask:

"Um... Was there something difficult that happened in the instance? Why did your eyes... suddenly lose sight?"

The young man finally spoke, uttering his first words since arriving at the hospital:

"Have you been to his house?"

At first, Chi Zihao didn't understand why Ming Yiyang would ask this question.

Rationally speaking, they entered together, and Yan Qiling had promised to bring Ming Yiyang back alive. So, they should have returned together. But now...

Suddenly, Chi Zhe felt that all his worst assumptions seemed to have come true!

His voice trembled as he didn't answer Ming Yiyang's question but instead confirmed again:

"Was it Yan Qiling... right?"

When he first arrived at Ming Yiyang's house, Chi Zhe had also inquired about the condition of his eyes.

Ming Yiyang had simply replied with two words: Accident.

Concerned about Ming Yiyang's eyes, Chi Zhe hastily drove the Maserati to send him to the hospital, leaving no time to delve deeper into the matter.

But now, he realized that the word "accident" couldn't fully explain the situation Ming Yiyang was currently facing.

"As you can see, he didn't take my eyes," Ming Yiyang said, his tone as cold as snow on an icy day.

"He merely took the power of the Yin-Yang Pupil."

With that said, he buried his head back into his food, eating much faster than before.

Too many questions flooded his mind, leaving Chi Zhehao momentarily overwhelmed and unsure which shock to address first.

But now that his suspicions had been confirmed as truth, he felt compelled to take action.

Fumbling with the tassels by his ear in anxious circles around the room, Chi Zhehao blurted out, "I'll call your sister-in-law!"

Turning to leave the ward, Ming Yiyang's detached voice echoed from behind, "Call Pan Hu first."

Chi Zhehao understood the reasoning behind this request and, without hesitation, immediately dialed Pan Hu's number.

Pan Hu responded promptly – it was still within his working hours.

Amidst the faint clinking of pots and pans being rinsed, Pan Hu's deep voice resonated with authority:

"Good day, Mr. Chi. Do you have a message to convey to the Master?"

"... Isn't Yan Qiling at home?"

"No, the Master is still in a deep sleep. For some reason, this time in the Unbounded Realm seems longer. Is there an issue?"

Chi Zihao glanced back at Ming Yiyang.

Though the young man's gaze lacked focus, he precisely turned his head towards him and lowered his voice:

"Tell him that I've already come out."

Chi Zihao turned to relay the message:

"There seems to be a problem. Ming Yiyang is out, but why hasn't he woken up?"

Pan Hu was unaware of what had transpired on the other end of the phone.

Upon hearing the discrepancy, concern involuntarily tinged his voice, "I'm not sure about that. I'll go upstairs and check on Mr. Ming later. How is Mr. Ming doing? Could you describe in detail if anything unusual happened before he left?"

Chi Zihao felt a pang in his chest upon hearing this. He looked at Ming Yiyang once more.

The young man's silver hair complemented his icy demeanor beautifully, "Tell him that we will pay a visit in a few days to assess the situation."

Chi Zihao's aching heart skipped a beat.

But the patient's well-being came first, so he steeled himself and said, "Keep an eye on him. If he doesn't wake up, I'll come with Ming Yiyang to check on him in a few days."

Pan Hu agreed and politely ended the call.

Chi Zihao held the phone and asked,

"Are you going to see him?"

Surprisingly, Ming Yiyang coaxed a smile from the corners of his lips.

It was a cold smile, with an unfathomable sharpness that seemed distant from human emotions:

"Isn't it precisely because of my current state that I should go see him?"

Han Huang often came to visit Lin Shuicheng.

He knew his boundaries and didn't visit too frequently. When he did, their encounters were never awkward. They would usually care for stray cats together, or Han Huang would invite Lin Shuicheng to watch his debate competition, or ask for his assistance in reviewing his thesis.

Sometimes Lin Shuicheng would decline, while other times he would agree to help.

Observing that Lin Shuicheng spent most of his time at home, feeding cats and playing matching games, Han Huang once asked if he wanted to join the animal rescue organization at school.

Decades ago, there had been an abandoned zoo near Star University due to insufficient funding. With sick animals left uncared for, the students organized a public performance to raise funds, providing a dignified end for these creatures. Later on, they also took in stray animals. Today, the Animal Protection Association of Star City Alliance University was a well-known rights organization across the entire alliance. Students united stray cats and dogs, ran cat and dog cafes, and produced merchandise and advertisements for small animals. All income and expenses were transparent, and the group was self-sufficient, with any surplus funds allocated to animal and environmental protection.

Han Huang said, "I originally joined to learn management and coordination skills. My father insisted I join since Star University's Animal Protection Association has grown from a student club into a registered rights guild and foundation. Have you considered joining, Senior? It's not much work, and you can meet many people... Oh, Senior Sister Xu Mengmeng is also a member!"

Lin Shuicheng replied, "Thank you, but I'm not in the mood to go out recently. There's no need."

Reading Lin Shuicheng's message, Han Huang wanted to say something but held back. Instead, he searched for Xu Mengmeng's contact information.

"Ah? You're asking about Junior Brother Little Lin? I haven't been in touch with him for a while. Has something happened to him?"

"No, no, Senior Sister. I just wanted to inquire. I thought you two were close friends and might know about his recent situation."

Han Huang once encountered Lin Shuicheng and Xu Mengmeng at a restaurant, assuming they were close friends.

Xu Mengmeng replied, "No, Little Lin and I just had a casual meal together. We're not particularly close friends, to be honest. Recently, our department was temporarily closed, and I haven't been able to get in touch with him. I'm not sure how he's doing. I didn't want to bother him, assuming he might be too busy."

Han Huang frowned, "Does Lin Shuicheng not have any friends here?"

After some thought, Xu Mengmeng tried to recall, "Well... I don't think so. He was originally from the Jiangnan branch, right? I've never seen any of his classmates come over to visit... But he does have a boyfriend! He's very handsome, probably a former soldier. I remember seeing him pick Lin Shuicheng up a few times."

"I understand. Thanks for telling me, Senior Sister."

Han Huang put down his phone, his brows deeply furrowed.

A student council member leaned in, asking, "What's wrong, President? Did something not go well with your relationship? I heard that you visited God Lin after he moved here a few days ago?"

Han Huang rubbed his head. "That's not it."

Pausing for a moment, he asked with a frown, "If someone... doesn't have many friends and isn't keen on going out during holidays, could there be potential issues with them isolating themselves like this?"

The council member hesitated, "You're talking about God Lin, right? I don't think there would be any problems. Isn't that how researchers usually are? They're like otakus... Of course, God Lin is undoubtedly the most attractive research otaku in our school!"

Han Huang still frowned.

The operator said with a chuckle, "Oh, come on, you're just being overly anxious because you care. How could something happen to God Lin, such a capable person?"

"Never mind, you wouldn't understand," Han Huang said. "Remember to turn off the electricity and water in the department office. I have an appointment this afternoon, so I'll go take a look."

"Ugh! Worrying about the worst here and then going on a date!" The operator spat at his back. "People in love are so overly sentimental!"

Han Huang had arranged to meet Lin Shuicheng in the afternoon to deworm and vaccinate a few cats.

When he knocked on Lin Shuicheng's door, he found him still in pajamas. Seeing him, Lin Shuicheng was slightly surprised. "Why are you here?"

Han Huang felt a bit odd but still told him, "Senior, we scheduled to deworm and vaccinate a few cats this afternoon."

"I remember now. Sorry, I forgot. I was just thinking that there was something I hadn't done," Lin Shuicheng rubbed his temple, said 'wait a moment,' and then went back to his room to change and get ready. He put on his shoes and headed out.

The two of them caught the cats and stuffed them into the car's backseat before driving to the pet hospital.

As Lin Shuicheng struggled to lock the car, Han Huang noticed that he hadn't activated the AI control system. He asked, "Senior, are... you alright?"

Lin Shuicheng took a deep breath. "Sorry, I've been sleep-deprived these few days and have a slight fever, so my reaction isn't that good."

Han Huang didn't say anything and accompanied him to carry the cat upstairs.

The little gray cat was found to have a bit of ear mites and needed separate medication. Before writing the prescription, the doctor asked Lin Shuicheng which tier of medication he preferred: "The first one is a bit more expensive but works faster with minimal irritation."

Lin Shuicheng replied, "Let's go with that one."

The doctor wrote out the prescription and instructed him to get the medication and pay, as there were still a few cats that needed their vaccines. Nodding, Lin Shuicheng entrusted the remaining cats to Han Huang and went to retrieve the medicine himself.

The pharmacy was downstairs. With the prescription in hand, Lin Shuicheng descended and was about to join the queue when an elderly man stopped him. "Excuse me, young man, could you teach me how to use this machine? I'm not sure how it works."

The trembling elder held his medical card in front of him, swaying it back and forth. On his back was a small airline cage containing a weak parrot.

The ground floor was brightly lit, with large glass windows that allowed a peculiar, dusky yellow light to filter in, resembling both sunset and sunrise. It was as if the light had passed through a water filter, muting the sounds of others around them into a gentle hum.

The elder's lips kept moving, but Lin Shuicheng realized he couldn't understand a word he was saying—each individual word was clear to him, but when strung together, their meaning escaped him. He instinctively grasped the old man's dilemma: he was unsure how to cancel his appointment using the self-service machine and reschedule with another specialist.

Guiding the elder through the process, they successfully completed the task. The grateful senior returned to thank him.

Now Lin Shuicheng understood what the young man was saying: "Thank you, lad. My bird is fifteen years old. If it weren't for its illness, it would express gratitude more fluently than I."

The filter was lifted, and the sounds from the crowd swelled into his ears, suddenly booming like thunder. This was followed by intense tinnitus, bringing with it sharp pain.

Lin Shuicheng clutched at the base of one ear, pressing hard against the painful spot with his fingers, which trembled slightly.

Someone walked past him from behind, while someone else moved away in front of him. There were doors both behind and before him, and the steps outside were identical to those inside. He couldn't make sense of the direction people were heading.

He couldn't recall why he had come here.

- Why did I come down to the first floor?

Lin Shuicheng bit down hard on his fingertip, and the pain finally stirred some clarity in his mind.

Looking down, he saw the medical report in his hand, which bore the name "Fu Luoyin."

- When's my birthday, Lin Shuicheng? Don't worry if you get it wrong.

- What did you just call me? Say it again?

——Lin Shuicheng, my little kitten, where do you get all these sorrows from?

The name "Fu Luoyin" was like an alarm bell, a totem in films, a reference between dreams and reality, slicing through his muddled thoughts with the flash of lightning.

He had given this name to a small cat.

Lin Shuicheng jolted awake, gripping the medical chart tightly.

Three meters in front of him, the words "Pharmacy" were engraved clearly and solemnly.

When Lin Shuicheng returned, Han Huang was assisting the doctor in restraining the howling mess that was the Cooking Sergeant, preparing to administer a vaccine.

The leader was accustomed to grand scenarios — it was a cat that had weathered several storms. Today, it was merely here for an leisurely visit, already curled up on the stool and dozing off.

The little gray cat weaved around the commander, endeavoring to nuzzle its head against him for comfort, but alas, it was repeatedly swatted away by the commander's paw.

Lin Shuicheng retrieved the little gray cat and gently embraced it, deftly unscrewing the ear mite medication before administering the drops with utmost care.

"Fu Luoyin," the feline, behaved relatively well. Lin Shuicheng held it with one hand while swiftly administering the medicine with the other. The cat's ears twitched, and he gently rubbed them to help spread the liquid. After both ears were treated, the little gray cat stumbled down, vigorously shaking its head. In its frenzy, it accidentally stepped on the leader, who then playfully swatted at it with a few paws.

As evening approached, Lin Shuicheng, as usual, attended to the feeding of his feline companions.

It was time for each to return to their respective homes, and the chief strolled leisurely into his room. The cats outside lingered for a while before they, one by one, began to disperse.

Lin Shuicheng watched the small gray cat at the foot of the wall for a while, hesitated, then crouched down and gently reached out his hand.

The little gray cat approached, sniffed at the palm of his hand, then looked up at him with its tiny eyes, which were filled with great curiosity.

Lin Shuicheng effortlessly scooped him up and, upon entering the room, made sure to close the door behind them. "How about staying with me for a while? Your ears are unwell, and it'll be easier for me to tend to them here."

The little gray cat was unaccustomed to being held, and it squirmed, freeing itself from his embrace. It then began to cautiously sniff around the area, wandering about, but showed no intention of leaving.

The commander stood on a raised platform, meowing with a certain wariness.

Lin Shuicheng slit open a pillowcase and slipped it over a large corrugated paper bowl, fashioning a cozy nest for "Fu Luoyin" as well.

"Depression can manifest in various ways, including an inability to concentrate, potentially leading to sleep disturbances such as insomnia, difficulty falling asleep, or waking up too early. Conversely, some may experience excessive sleepiness and constant fatigue, making it challenging to stay alert. A segment of individuals may lose their appetite, having no desire to eat, while others might exhibit increased hunger, resembling binge eating behaviors. A decline or loss of motivation may follow, to the extent that even the will to get out of bed is diminished, subsequently affecting other social functions. In more severe cases, hallucinations, illusions, and memory impairments may occur, like suddenly forgetting what one is doing. These episodes can vary in duration, leaving the person feeling as if they have abruptly arrived at a place, much like a blackout from alcohol consumption. They often find themselves unsure of their location or purpose."

The doctor said to Fu Luoyin, "Madam previously experienced hallucinations and auditory illusions. Now, under medication, she's mostly just lethargic. We need to switch her medication and closely monitor her response. Should you notice any abnormal changes in her condition, inform me immediately. Those in the arts tend to be more sensitive and emotionally rich. During this period, it would be advisable to control her exposure to books, films, and newspapers. It's best to avoid literature with negative themes."

"I understand. My father and I aren't often at home, so I'll make sure they take good care of my mother," Fu Luoyin said. "Thank you, Doctor, for your hard work."

He stood up to see the guest off, escorting them all the way to the door.

Chu Jingshu's condition fluctuated, and Fu Luoyin's unexpected visit today surprised everyone in the household.

Unlike her previous hysterical outbursts or awkward encounters, Chu Jingshu only wept silently when she saw him today, unable to stop her tears.

Though she didn't say a word, Fu Luoyin could still sense some inexplicable emotions in her gaze directed at him, such as resentment, regret, and perhaps even envy.

The butler and nanny hurriedly took Chu Jingshu back to her room.

The butler came over to serve tea. "Young Master, why not take a break? Since Madam is resting, would you like something to eat?"

However, Fu Luoyin veered off topic. He glanced upward towards Chu Jingshu's room on the upper floor and spoke softly, "I can't recall if it was a book or a movie, but there was a story about a family with twins. The mother favored the elder one, but he ended up passing away. One day, the younger son got into an argument with his mother. She asked him, 'Why did it have to be you who died? Wouldn't it have been better if it were you instead?'"

The butler's face paled. "Young Master..."

"My mother wouldn't say such a thing," Fu Luoyin smiled. "She might think it, but she wouldn't voice it. If she doesn't say it, I'll pretend I don't know, and you all should do the same."

He returned home today purely because he couldn't stay at Lin Shuicheng's place.

Zhou Heng had arranged for cleaners to come over, and since he disliked the noise, he decided to drop by Chu Jingshu's place instead.

As for the information on Lin Shuicheng he wanted, it had been delivered to him earlier that afternoon.

Fu Luoyin made himself a cup of tea and retreated to his own room to peruse it at leisure.

He had looked into Lin Shuicheng's background before, but not thoroughly. As the newly appointed chairman of Fu's Military and Technological Corporation and one of the future core leaders of Department Seven, anyone who came into contact with him would have their backgrounds thoroughly vetted to ensure they weren't corporate spies or individuals with ulterior motives.

Zhou Heng had screened Lin Shuicheng's information and merely informed him that there were no issues. Satisfied, Fu Luoyin then proceeded to present Lin Shuicheng with a black card at the hospital.

He recalled Zhou Heng mentioning that Lin Shuicheng's family was impoverished, struggling financially.

Thus, he chose the simplest and most direct approach to acquire him—money for goods, a clean transaction.

This was the first time he was giving Lin Shuicheng's credentials a thorough review.

He turned to the first page and noticed that Lin Shuicheng's birthplace and verification documents were missing. The timeline began directly from when he was three years old. A photograph was attached to the printed records, depicting Lin Shuicheng at that age.

A chubby toddler sat on the steps, tilting his head naively as he gazed at the camera, revealing his round, fair cheeks that gave him a girlish charm, making him look adorable.

Fu Luoyin couldn't help but smile.

He had assumed that someone with Lin Shuicheng's personality might have been somewhat matured at a young age, but it turned out not to be the case.

Lin Shuicheng had been a perfectly normal child, except for being much more intelligent than most.

He didn't have any memories before the age of five. Neighbors once thought he was a foolish child, but once he started remembering things, he astonished everyone by consistently topping every exam.

While many would say that extreme intelligence often leads to injury, Lin Shuicheng was well-protected by his family. He didn't become arrogant due to his excellence nor did he feel inferior because of his family's poverty or the absence of his mother.

Despite being denied twice for early promotion and being sought after by multiple schools for middle and high school admission, Lin Shuicheng chose to stay in his hometown for high school, where he could receive a full scholarship and save his family the cost of visiting him.

Fu Luoyin observed that among the schools that had offered Lin Shuicheng opportunities was Star University's affiliated high school, which happened to be his alma mater.

Although Lin Shuicheng's first seventeen years of life weren't entirely smooth sailing, they were filled with joy and flavors. He was doted on by his father and grandfather while exercising a balance of kindness and authority over his younger brother.

The words were simple yet strangely evocative, allowing Fu Luoyin to vividly picture the scene: a child growing into a youth, and then maturing into a young man, with the warm glow of countless lanterns from a small town at his back, the jostling sounds of desks scraping against each other, the clamor and singing. Lin Shuicheng had faced disciplinary action for defending Lin Deng in a fight, even reciting a self-criticism before the entire school; yet, that punishment was later rescinded when Lin Shuicheng swept all gold medals in that year's Alliance Training Camp's Mind Games Competition—such an achievement had not been seen in nearly three decades at Dongtong Experimental High School.

That year, esteemed institutions such as Xingda Affiliated High School and Keda Affiliated High School, known for their assembly of prodigies and elites, were unexpectedly outshone by an obscure, little-known school. The winter enrollment at Dongtong Experimental Middle School was exceptionally fervent that annum.

He could envision Lin Shuicheng following his equally nervous teacher to a competition, a young man on the cusp of greatness, brimming with youthful vigor and a touch of innocence in the depths of his eyes. He could almost picture the number of people who would be drawn to him. In his mind's eye, Fu Luoyin sketched out what Lin Shuicheng must have looked like in high school, and upon turning the page, found his mental image to be spot on.

Lin Shuicheng was dressed in his school uniform, looking neat and fresh with an air of youthful innocence. A glint of self-assurance and pride shimmered in the depths of his eyes.

At this point, he exuded a composed and modest demeanor without appearing rigid or dull. Lin Shuicheng seemed like the kind of student that all teachers would adore.

Fu Luoyin found it indescribable; he couldn't articulate why these few sheets of paper, with their pale and mundane words, had become so enchanting. Every character and every space between them made him find them endearing, unable to let them go.

He kept reading them over and over again, and somewhere deep within his heart, it was gradually softening. It was as tender as the belly of a feline leader's cat.

For a fleeting moment, he even entertained the thought that Lin Shuicheng's act of defiance, their breakup, might be forgivable—wasn't a breakup just that? Something that could be chased after once more.

Lin Shuicheng was human, and humans had tempers. Even a cat would scratch a bit when it turned its back, so why couldn't Lin Shuicheng mention a breakup to him?

Fu Luoyin continued to read on.

As he turned another page, Fu Luoyin's gaze softened slightly.

Family Relationships:

Biological Mother: Wang Huaiyue, involved in drug-related activities; whereabouts unknown after compulsory rehabilitation.

At the age of twelve, Lin Shuicheng lost his grandfather.

At seventeen, upon graduating from high school, Lin Wang and his younger brother Lin Deng were involved in a car accident. Lin Wang passed away, while Lin Deng fell into a coma and became a vegetable.

The details of the accident were a tragic coincidence. On a rainy day on a mountain road, Lin Wang and Lin Deng were driving normally, signaling with their horn and lights before turning. However, a large truck was approaching from the other side, driven by a drunk driver. Due to the blind spot, the truck collided head-on with their smaller vehicle, causing both cars to roll off the cliff.

Lin Wang died instantly, his final action being an attempt to shield Lin Deng, his youngest son, in his arms. But against the force of steel, flesh proved fragile. A twisted metal rod pierced through his heart and bones, then deeply impaled Lin Deng's scapula, going all the way through.

Thanks to the airbag, Lin Deng survived but has remained unconscious until now.

The Alliance later ruled that the truck driver was fully responsible for the accident. However, the driver was an escaped criminal, without any legal identity, leaving no one to take responsibility. Ultimately, a judge personally covered the funeral expenses for Lin Shuicheng's family, while his high school competition teacher assisted him in organizing the ceremonies.

Afterwards, Lin Shuicheng entered Star University, attending classes at the Jiangnan branch while also caring for his brother.

Lin Shuicheng's workload during his undergraduate years surpassed that of many professionals with years of experience. He single-handedly undertook over forty projects in drug intermediate synthesis. His clients were sometimes struggling graduate students or pharmaceutical companies. He didn't ask for co-authorship on papers; all he wanted was money.

For Lin Shuicheng back then, money carried immense weight.

During his junior year, he was hospitalized four times within three months due to overexertion and anemia. He burned his life like a match to generate light and warmth.

It was a year after Lin Shuicheng's graduation when they met. By then, he had become more financially comfortable and even saved a considerable sum. It was also around this time that Lin Shuicheng decided to stop taking on such strenuous projects and prepare for a postgraduate program in quantum analysis.

No wonder Lin Shuicheng could repay him so much money without using the card he had given him.

As for that fateful night they met, whether it was due to alcohol-induced recklessness, love at first sight, or something else, Fu Luoyin couldn't tell.

He began to understand how Lin Shuicheng's character had been shaped. A gifted individual who had experienced society's hardships alongside his family from a young age, accustomed to solving problems alone, he naturally carried a sense of pride and stubbornness, refusing to bend or seek help.

He had recognized this aspect of Lin Shuicheng's personality early on but never pondered why he was like that.

He merely found it amusing, as if Lin Shuicheng was a little kitten.

A well-behaved and affectionate kitten, one cared for its soft fur, not bothering to delve into its thoughts. Such a tiny creature, even if it resisted, could be easily held in one's palm.

Reading this, Fu Luoyin's heart ached intricately, even his stomach was affected.

He closed the file and took a deep breath.

Reaching for his phone, Fu Luoyin found Lin Shuicheng's number. His finger hovered above the screen for a long while but ultimately didn't press it.

He realized that he was actually afraid.

After the cleaning was completed, the housekeeper informed Fu Luoyin to inspect the results.

Pushing the door open, Fu Luoyin noticed that the house looked largely the same, only slightly brighter.

The housekeeper explained, "Sir, you don't have many things here. You've just moved in, haven't you? We feel a bit embarrassed about charging you for the cleaning fee, as others usually have piles of belongings everywhere. Your place is spotless, so tidy it's like a hotel room, hahaha."

"Nothing at all?" Fu Luoyin entered quietly, changing his shoes, and scanned the surroundings.

Indeed, there weren't any significant changes, as everything inside was already sparse.

Suddenly, he realized the difference between this place and Su Yu's home, Dong Shuoye's residence, or even his parents' villa.

A place that feels like home is bound to bear the marks of its inhabitants. In Su Yu's room, a collection of figurines and train models adorned a specialized display cabinet, while Dong Shuoye favored amassing paperbacks and lighters. At the Fu family villa, fresh flowers were delivered daily, with carpets of Chu Jingshu's own selection adorning the corridors from the first to third floors.

Yet, where he and Lin Shuicheng resided, there was nothing.

For convenience, Fu Luoyin almost ripped the wires from the wall to charge his devices; eventually, he placed a power strip on the right side of the sofa. In the small kitchenette, a basket held a jumbled mix of his stomach medications and coffee.

Only Lin Shuicheng left no trace behind.

He lived like a transient traveler, not adding any personal belongings, knowing he wouldn't stay long. There was no need for him to rearrange furniture or consider replacing the stiff chair cushion in the workspace. He refrained from spontaneous shopping, as it would only complicate moving out.

Slowly, Fu Luoyin walked into the living room and sat down.

On the coffee table beside the sofa, there was another file containing recent updates about Lin Shuicheng's life.

Flipping through it casually, he landed on a photo, timestamped from two days prior.

In the picture, Lin Shuicheng looked healthy and wore a hint of a smile in his eyes. He appeared slightly plumper and more vibrant than when he was here. Across from him, a young man was presenting him with a magnificent bouquet of flowers. The atmosphere between the two was relaxed and harmonious, suggesting they were a perfect match.

At once, Fu Luoyin recognized the young man standing opposite Lin Shuicheng – it was the same guy he had encountered when he came to pick up Lin Shuicheng on one occasion!

Lin Shuicheng wasn't upset at all; in fact, he seemed to be doing even better after moving out.

Fu Luoyin's initially calm expression began to crumble in that instant, transforming into a distorted and pained mask. His voice turned hoarse as well.

Bending over, Fu Luoyin clutched his stomach tightly, desperately fighting against the sudden surge of excruciating pain and the metallic taste of blood. He suppressed his hot, labored breathing between his lips, the very air he inhaled tinged with the scent of blood.

When Su Yu received the call in the middle of the night, he thought it was a ghostly encounter.

On the other end, Fu Luoyin remained silent for a long while. Just as Su Yu was breaking into a cold sweat from fear, he heard Fu Luoyin's hoarse whisper, "He lied to me."

"What... what?" Su Yu asked, "About what?"

Fu Luoyin stubbornly muttered in a trance-like state, "He lied to me."

Author's Note:

Today's Little Fu: He lied to me! (Wiping tears)

Today, our Little Fu will grace us with a rendition of "The Love Deceiver, Lin Shuicheng."

Saying what~ You love me for millions upon millions of years,

Saying what~ Your affection remains eternally unchanged.

Turns out, you were just a smooth talker,

Tricking my true feelings away~~~

Ah~ I ask you~ Where, oh where, is your conscience hiding?

In~~ which~~~ place~~~!

Chapter 129: Useless

Shen Hanshan was the old Master Shen's name.

Upon hearing his grandfather's full name, Shen Xingyu was momentarily stunned.

But he quickly grasped the key point in the detective's words.

Both his grandfather's death and Lu Ran's car accident were somehow connected to his father, Shen Hongyuan.

Shen Xingyu felt an overwhelming sense of absurdity in that instant.

However, the detectives didn't give Shen Xingyu time to react. One of them began questioning him about his memories of the two incidents while the other two, having learned from the doctors that Shen Hongyuan was currently conscious and could still communicate, entered his ward and explained their purpose.

In his bed, the once-alive-but-now-better-off-dead Shen Hongyuan reacted fiercely to their revelation.

Struggling to sit up, he found his body unresponsive and could only fix his gaze intently on the two detectives, mustering all his strength to demand, "Evidence!"

One of the detectives merely replied, "We've apprehended Shen Cheng."

Upon hearing this, Shen Hongyuan's face contorted fiercely.

Despite his predicament, he persisted, shouting, "He's defaming me!"

The two detectives exchanged a glance before stating, "We have also brought back Ms. Hu, who was Mr. Shen Hanshan's caregiver back then, from abroad."

Upon hearing this, Shen Hongyuan's heart was utterly consumed by despair.

Lu Ran and Ji Min investigated Shen Cheng's mistresses.

This man, whether by nature or design, had an abundance of both mistresses and children.

After much exertion, they managed to locate a Ms. Hu who had previously worked as a caregiver for Elder Shen at a private hospital in New City.

Not long after Mr. Shen passed away, she left the country with Shen Cheng's son, assuming new identities and living comfortably abroad.

Yet, throughout all these years, she had maintained financial ties with Shen Cheng.

Upon reporting to the police, they discovered that on the night before Mr. Shen's death, Shen Hongyuan had secretly visited his father's hospital room.

He thought he had done it stealthily.

However, coincidentally, Ms. Hu was on a date with Shen Cheng that very evening. After an argument, she returned home and accidentally witnessed the scene.

Ms. Hu remained silent, but bravely recorded what Shen Hongyuan was doing through a crack in the door.

In his later years, Mr. Shen had developed diabetes.

Requiring daily insulin injections.

Yet, at midnight, when his blood sugar was already low, Shen Hongyuan administered another shot.

In the late stages of diabetes, blood sugar fluctuations can be significant, and the risk from hypoglycemia becomes higher than hyperglycemia.

During his hospitalization, Mr. Shen had experienced several hypoglycemic shocks.

The use of insulin had to be approached with extra caution.

Moreover, Mr. Shen was already extremely disciplined in managing his sugar intake, and after the disappearance of his grandson, he had significantly reduced his food consumption.

Thus, when it was discovered the next day that Mr. Shen had passed away due to hypoglycemia, people merely expressed condolences without delving deeper into the matter.

Only Ms. Hu secretly kept the video.

She was self-aware, knowing she was just an ordinary caregiver and lacked the power to truly manipulate Shen Hongyuan.

Promptly, she contacted Shen Cheng.

Their interests aligned, and they arranged for Ms. Hu to be safely settled abroad first.

Then, it was Shen Cheng who would blackmail Shen Hongyuan over the course of more than a decade.

Shen Hongyuan refused to cooperate with the police investigation, leaving them no choice but to temporarily withdraw while assigning two officers to stay at the hospital.

Shen Xingyu finished his statement.

With the consent of the two police officers, he was escorted into Shen Hongyuan's hospital room under their supervision.

Shen Hongyuan lay on the bed, his eyes, now a dull yellow, fixated blankly on the ceiling.

Shen Xingyu took a seat by the bedside.

A considerable distance away.

He hunched forward, interlacing his hands against his forehead as his gaze lingered on the floor for a prolonged period.

Shen Xingyu was no fool.

Prompted by the police, all the inconsistencies in his mind began to connect.

After a long silence, he spoke in a hoarse voice, "You've taught me since I was young that as the eldest son, I exist for the Shen family."

Shen Xingyu's voice was deep, tinged with exhaustion and confusion.

"On the day I joined the company's management, you revealed the truth about the inheritance to me."

"You said that Grandfather had become senile before his death and left everything to Ranyan, but Ranyan couldn't find it. If this were to get out, it would pose a great danger to the Shen family. So you were forced to forge the inheritance."

"I believed you then."

"When Ranyan had the car accident, I asked you, and you said you knew nothing about it. I believed you too."

Shen Xingyu rubbed his forehead, his face creased with worry.

He spoke in a barely audible whisper, "I thought you just had a bad temper but still cared about the family's well-being..."

"Now..."

Shen Xingyu laughed, though it was an ugly smile.

He looked at the silent Shen Hongyuan lying in the hospital bed and asked,

"So that day you were paralyzed and threw a cup at me because... you thought I would treat you the same way you treated Grandfather?"

Shen Xingyu had always been resolute.

He bustled about for the Shen family, even though Shen Hongyuan only knew how to throw tantrums, Madam Shen cared only for her clothes and accessories, and Shen Xingzhuo acted like an irresponsible child.

But it was Shen Xingyu who held the family together.

Occasionally, he felt weary.

As if he were climbing a steep cliff alone, with a bottomless abyss beneath him and no companions by his side. The only thing keeping him from falling was a rope tied around his waist.

At the other end of that rope were Shen Hongyuan and the others.

And so he dragged this rope upward, always climbing but never reaching the end.

His ingrained sense of responsibility and mission since childhood sustained him through it all.

Shen Xingyu couldn't recall when he had become this way.

Back then, as a youth, he had detested the heavy responsibilities weighing upon him.

Yet, in the end, he persisted with unwavering determination.

He worked tirelessly, day and night.

He weighed his options, discarded emotions, and tried to avoid any meaningless endeavors.

He believed he was safeguarding honor and treasures.

But eventually, he realized they were nothing but worthless scraps, not even fit to be called trash.

Leaning against the cold hospital wall, Shen Xingyu asked in bewilderment, "I... we, what are we to you? After all these years, was the burden you made me protect just the sins you committed?"

Shen Hongyuan remained silent.

He simply gazed at the patterns on the hospital ceiling in silence.

His father's reproach echoed in his mind: "Useless thing."

But Shen Hongyuan was well aware.

His father was different from him.

The scolding was rooted in his anger and disappointment, fueled by the fact that he found his capable young son displeasing to his eye.

How Shen Hongyuan wished his father were like him, lashing out due to the quirks of old age.

But he knew that wasn't the case.

With his father's pragmatic and profit-driven nature, not wanting him to inherit the company and calling him useless—none of this was a random emotional outburst.

There was only one reason.

And that was… in his father's eyes, he truly lacked the capability to uphold the Shen family's legacy.

It was more painful than taking his life.

Seeing how the old master Shen was willing to abandon him in favor of grooming his own son.

This left Shen Hongyuan in a state of despair for a long time.

Until one day, when the old master Shen suddenly fainted due to low blood sugar at an event he was attending.

With the old man hospitalized, Shen Hongyuan took his father's place to attend the occasion.

During this event, Shen Hongyuan heard numerous compliments.

They praised him for his filial piety, commended him for his youthful achievements.

Hope flickered within Shen Hongyuan at that very moment.

He even thought that perhaps he hadn't done a good job previously.

But it wasn't entirely his fault, nor did it mean he was truly incapable.

It was because Grandfather hadn't given him enough opportunities to learn and grow.

He was always assigned to low-level positions or sent to work in subsidiary companies.

He never had the chance to participate in significant decision-making processes. How could he become competent?

But after Grandfather Shen returned from the hospital, he immediately resumed his duties.

Shen Hongyuan found himself in another dilemma.

On one occasion, he accompanied Grandfather Shen for a follow-up hospital visit.

The doctor instructed Grandfather about monitoring his blood sugar levels and the proper dosage of insulin.

Shen Hongyuan paid close attention.

Rekindling his long-forgotten knowledge of biology, he recalled what insulin was all about.

Initially, his attention to such details might have been driven by filial piety.

But from that point on, a seed seemed to have taken root in Shen Hongyuan's heart.

On one occasion, he could no longer restrain himself.

While the elderly man slept soundly, Hongyuan discreetly administered another dose of insulin.

It was the first time Shen Hongyuan had done something like this.

His heart pounded fiercely, fearful that the old man might awaken from the sound of the injection.

He had even prepared an excuse.

He would say that the glucose meter was malfunctioning, showing an elevated blood sugar level for the elder.

Out of excessive concern, he had thought about administering an injection just in case.

The old man would probably just scold him for being foolish when he woke up, and wouldn't think too much into it.

But Shen Hongyuan's prediction was wrong.

The elder Shen was already exhausted at that time and found it difficult to awaken once he fell asleep.

Moreover, the insulin pen needle was extremely thin. The old man had been injecting himself with one or even two shots daily for over a decade. His abdominal skin had long grown accustomed to this slight pain.

To his surprise, the elder Shen didn't react at all when the needle pierced his skin.

At that moment, Shen Hongyuan was so nervous that his entire body had gone numb, leaving him with no sensation at all.

He merely watched the insulin inject a few units before immediately retracting the needle.

The next morning, the elder Shen felt dizzy and unwell, preventing him from going to work.

Shen Hongyuan's experiment had succeeded.

He began to taste the sweetness of his accomplishment while remaining ever cautious.

On the surface, he remained the heir apparent, vexed by the need to win his father's approval, acquiescing to the elder's every wish and tending to him with utmost devotion.

He was ever at the patriarch's side, obedient and attentive.

Yet, in secret, he would seize the opportunity of being the caregiver to administer medications stealthily into his father's sleep, all for the sake of seizing power.

Shen Hongyuan had everything planned out perfectly.

There was no need for him to do anything to Elder Shen; all he needed was for the elder to remain in a state of occasional frailty. This would allow him to gradually infiltrate the management.

Wouldn't it be a sure thing for him to inherit the Shen Corporation then?

He would also take good care of the elder in his old age.

This scheme continued for a period of time.

One evening, after Shen Hongyuan secretly administered his insulin injection and put away his personal insulin pen, he was about to return to his room to sleep.

Suddenly, a drowsy voice echoed from behind him:

"Dad, what are you doing?"

Shen Hongyuan broke out in a cold sweat.

He spun around to see his youngest son standing by the door.

The child was wearing small slippers, rubbing his eyes, looking utterly exhausted and struggling to keep them open.

At this age, the child was still too young to understand anything, which brought a sigh of relief to Shen Hongyuan.

When not enraged, Shen Hongyuan was a compliant son and a loving father.

The elderly man first took in his eldest son, but the boy couldn't withstand the pressure and cried to come back.

Then, he took in his youngest son, raising him from the age of two until now.

Shen Hongyuan was well aware of the old man's character.

He criticized more than praised, and due to his health condition, he was extremely particular about his diet.

Although Shen Hongyuan couldn't defy the elderly man, he felt that the child was suffering by staying with him.

To make matters worse, the old man was now hospitalized yet insisted on bringing the child along.

Shen Hongyuan couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for his younger son.

"Daddy disturbed your sleep, didn't he?" he asked gently as he approached.

The child shook his head and replied, "I need to go to the bathroom."

"Then let Daddy take you there," Shen Hongyuan led the child towards the restroom.

Unexpectedly, the child stopped and glanced back at Grandfather's sickbed, asking,

"Daddy, what happened to Grandpa? Why did you uncover his blanket?"

Shen Hongyuan froze at the question.

He still held the insulin pen in his hand, not putting it down.

The child's gaze naturally fell upon it.

Feeling slightly flustered yet deeming it unnecessary, Shen Hongyuan crouched down, looked into his young son's eyes, and tried to conceal the truth. "Grandpa is sick and needs injections all the time, haven't you forgotten?"

"Ahh! I remember now! After using this, we have to put it back in the fridge."

The child pointed at the insulin pen in Shen Hongyuan's hand.

Relieved that the child didn't persist with his questions, Shen Hongyuan was simultaneously startled that the child actually remembered that insulin should be refrigerated.

But he didn't dwell on it too much.

After all, the child was only four years old.

He took the child to the bathroom and then coaxed him to sleep before going to bed himself.

The next morning, Old Master Shen experienced low blood sugar again.

Given how often this happened, the doctors were already accustomed to it.

However, when the caregiver injected insulin into the old man during the day, the quiet child, who was waiting to eat, suddenly tilted his head. He looked at Shen Hongyuan and then at Old Master Shen in the hospital bed, asking,

"Grandpa already had an injection last night, right? Why does he need another one?"

The child's clear voice filled the room, casting a sudden hush over the atmosphere.

Both the elderly man receiving an injection and the doctors conducting their rounds nearby turned to look at the child.

Unaware of his misstep, the child instinctively looked to Shen Hongyuan.

Shen Hongyuan's heart leapt into his throat.

He quickly corrected, "You must have mistaken. Your grandpa was previously on rapid-acting insulin, which required two injections. Now, he only needs one."

Relying on his recent research, he hastily explained and, without thinking, scolded the child, "Don't interrupt. Grandpa is waiting to finish his injections so he can eat."

The child pouted, seemingly wanting to insist that he was right.

But with Shen Hongyuan's sternness, he eventually fell silent.

In the hospital bed, Shen's father frowned at his son.

However, his mind was preoccupied with the assistant's report, and his attention soon shifted elsewhere.

Unnoticed by all, Shen Hongyuan's shirt had become damp with sweat against the air conditioning.

On that day, Shen Hongyuan took the child back to his residence under the pretense of the child missing his mother.

However, the elder soon retrieved the child once more.

What concerned Shen Hongyuan even more was the attitude of his younger son.

Perhaps it was due to the events that transpired during the previous night, the child would now attentively watch by the side whenever the elder administered his insulin injection.

It could also be Shen Hongyuan's illusion, but he felt as if the elder was somewhat guarding against him.

Out of caution, Shen Hongyuan refrained from making any moves for several consecutive nights.

The elder's health visibly improved significantly.

The doctors all agreed that, given some more time without any fluctuations in blood sugar levels, the elder could be discharged from the hospital.

Shen Hongyuan found himself trapped once again.

After attending various events as the heir and figurehead of the Shen family, Shen Hongyuan was increasingly unwilling to return to his previous position.

His mood became profoundly gloomy.

He treated his youngest son with an unspoken wariness, and arguments with Madam Shen frequently erupted within the household.

To appease Madam Shen and to give himself some respite, Shen Hongyuan organized a short trip.

To prevent any loose talk from the children in his absence, he also used the excuse of summer vacation for them to gather, thus taking his youngest son along.

Unfortunately, the trip failed to alleviate his vexation.

Most of the time, Shen Hongyuan sat in his SUV, smoking cigarette after cigarette.

Even being in Madam Shen's luxury RV irritated him.

During the journey, the antics of the children proved challenging, and as expected, another dispute erupted between him and his wife.

Shen Hongyuan retreated into his car, but his thoughts were not occupied by the recent argument.

He was worried that the innocent child might inadvertently reveal the events of the night, which would undoubtedly provoke a furious reaction from the elder. At the same time, he felt stifled by the seemingly endless wait to inherit the Shen family's legacy.

When one is suppressed for too long, extravagant thoughts tend to surface.

For a fleeting moment, Shen Hongyuan wished the elder would just pass away.

After all, elders should yield to the younger generation; why did he insist on holding onto power indefinitely?

But as soon as this thought crossed his mind, he was overwhelmed with guilt. He scolded himself inwardly for harboring such a notion.

Regaining his composure, he lifted his gaze and caught a glimpse of a small figure receding in the rearview mirror. Shen Hongyuan's eyebrows knitted together once more.

He inwardly cursed his family for being utterly useless. With his mother present and an auntie hired, they had still allowed such a young child to wander off on their own?

How dangerous!

If not for him, the father, happening to notice...

Suddenly, Shen Hongyuan paused in the act of opening his car door.

An odd impulse rose within his mind.

It was an impulse that didn't require any action on his part, no need for hesitation.

All he needed to do was stay where he was, doing nothing.

That would be enough.

Doing nothing...

Would solve everything.

And... he didn't even need to consider an explanation later.

Because, there was no one who could prove that they had seen anything.

He had simply failed to notice anything at all.

Shen Hongyuan stood frozen in his spot, as if time had stopped for him.

Yet, his heart began to pound wildly with the fading distance of the child in the car behind him.

In the rearview mirror, the child's figure grew smaller and smaller.

Eventually, it vanished at a turning.

Only then did Shen Hongyuan come back to his senses, peering out of the car window like a thief.

The driver had gone to the restroom and had yet to return.

None of the occupants in the other cars ahead had gotten out either.

In that instant, Shen Hongyuan felt that it wasn't his fault at all.

Didn't they fail to notice just like he did?

Soon, the driver opened the door and entered the car, saying, "Mr. Shen, judging by the sky, it's about to rain. Let's hurry up and leave."

Shen Hongyuan managed to force a composed smile on his face.

He replied, "Alright."

Chapter 81: It Can't Be... (3100+)

The man had a scar on his face, and he menacingly commanded, "Get up and come with us."

Luo Le still felt weak and was unable to resist.

After some thought, he picked up Chen Chen with one hand. His body trembled as he stood up.

He had no idea what kind of drug they had used; its effects still lingered until now.

The intelligent brain has been damaged, and the ring has been taken away.

Luo Le had no notion of how much time had passed.

A plump man led the way, while the menacing one followed behind, keeping a watchful eye on Luo Le to prevent any escape attempts.

The journey was an unbroken expanse of dense forest, where the trees stood unusually tall, and the path was mere earth, giving the impression that no one had ever dwelled here.

Before losing consciousness, Luo Le thought it was someone sent by Gu Heting, but it was not until just now that he realized it was not the case.

After a while, Luo Le was led in front of a small villa.

Pushing the door open, she saw a gigantic table inside, with an elegant scholar-type man sitting at the head of the table.

He pointed to a seat beside him and said with a smile, "Please be seated."

Before Luo Le could react, Chen Chen, in her arms, asked, "Daddy, can I open my eyes now?"

Before Luo Le could respond, the refined man spoke, "It's alright, I just wanted to invite you both for a meal."

"Who are you?" Luo Le kept her hand on her hip, still wary as she looked at him.

The man chuckled. "Just a space pirate, that's all."

Luo Le felt a sudden tension. "Why did you capture us?"

"Come, let's eat first. Don't let the child go hungry."

Looking at the bountiful dinner on the table, Luo Le furrowed her brow.

"Don't you understand simple language?"

The man's expression shifted abruptly, like a rogue hovering on the edge of the law.

As his words faded, the menacing man slapped down on his back.

Luo Le stumbled, nearly falling.

He knew there was no escape from this meal.

He went over to gently lay Chen Chen on the chair and whispered in his ear, "Have a good sleep."

After that, he turned to look at the man. "I'll eat then."

Though it was phrased as a question, his tone left no room for argument.

The man shrugged. "Of course, help yourself."

Seeing that he couldn't avoid it, Luo Le scanned the table filled with chunks of meat. Eventually, he picked a perfectly sealed nutrient pack, tore it open, and drained its contents in one go.

He dropped the trash in his hand and asked, "Can we talk now?"

The man clapped gently. "Very well, of course we can."

Putting his hands down, he continued, "Since you're so straightforward, I won't beat around the bush. Someone has put a price on your life, and also your body."

Luo Le was taken aback. "Who?"

"Do you know Du Wei?"

Who's Du Wei?

Luo Le pondered for a while but couldn't recall who this person was.

The man chuckled. "The Fifth Planet, the Mecha Competition, does that ring a bell?"

With his reminder, Luo Le remembered – it was the one who stole his work.

"Why him?"

Didn't he just win the argument? They didn't do anything to him after that. Could they possibly hate him this much?

The man seemed surprised. "You don't know?"

Luo Le looked at him quizzically. The man smiled and said, "The Huo family suppressed his family's businesses everywhere. Eventually, the Du family was left with only their headquarters on the Fifth Planet. After Grandpa Du passed away, the Du family fell."

Luo Le paused, disbelief etched on his face. "You're sure it was the Huo family?"

"What, you don't believe me?"

It was one thing for him to believe or not, but shouldn't this be something the person involved would say?

Luo Le stared directly at the man. "No matter how much he offers, I'll pay four times that amount to let us go."

The man suddenly laughed. "With the little money he has, it's just an extra bonus."

Luo Le's brows knitted together. "What do you mean? Wait, who's the other person?"

Judging by what he said, it seemed like another group was involved.

The man replied, "That's something I can't tell you."

"Luo Le," he started, but the ground began to shake beneath him.

He was angry, but this reaction seemed excessive.

No, that wasn't right.

"You what?!"

Luo Le toppled onto the table, sending a glass tray crashing to the floor with a clatter.

The man snorted coldly, his previous smile now vanished from his face.

Chen Chen, hearing the commotion, opened his eyes and witnessed the scene. He scrambled to his feet and grabbed his father's arm, calling out persistently, "Father, Father..."

The man snapped his fingers, and the intimidating figure approached, lifting Chen Chen by the back of his collar with one hand.

Chen Chen felt suffocated with his collar gripped so tightly.

The man shot him a sharp glance. "What? Do you want me to strangle you and hand you over?"

Upon hearing this, he put on a pitiful expression that, combined with his features, was hard to describe.

Despite his looks, the man was actually an S-class Alpha, someone they all feared the most.

He carefully picked up the child and acknowledged before leaving.

As the door closed, the man stood up and spoke to the shadows behind him. "Come out."

From the darkness emerged a lizard-like creature with only its left hand and half of its face resembling a human – Du Wei.

In his left hand, he held a small knife, his demeanor bordering on madness. "My dosage was just right."

Walking behind Luo Le, he plunged the blade into the man's abdomen. It was a common silver knife, which he deliberately twisted back and forth, causing blood to spill instantly, pooling on the table.

He tilted his head and watched the cold sweat trickling down Luo Le's forehead, laughing. "Just enough to paralyze you without losing consciousness. Aren't you the Empress? Rise up then, why can't you move now?"

"Is being an Imperial Admiral so grand? All I did was take one of your chips. I've apologized; must you be so relentless? High and mighty Empress, I suppose you've never known the taste of pain, huh? Today, I'll teach you."

Du Wei had forgotten that he himself used to be the one who bullied others with power.

If he were truly in control, Luo Le would have fared much worse.

"I should have aimed my sniper a fraction more to the side last time," Du Wei said as he flipped Luo Le over, running the blade across his chest.

He paused at one spot and continued, "This way, your heart will—bang!—explode like a tomato in an ionizer. Oh, what a spectacular sight that would be."

Just as he lifted the knife to strike, someone grabbed his hand.

Du Wei turned around, fury blazing in his eyes. "Qing Song, what are you doing?"

The man, Qing Song, smiled. "Enough. If you kill him, how will I fulfill my mission?"

Du Wei gritted his teeth. "I paid for this."

With a forceful shove, Qing Song sent Du Wei reeling backward.

"That's already beyond your means, considering what you've done."

Upon finishing his words, seeing Du Wei charging at him like a madman, Qing Song stood in front of Luo Le and kicked him to the ground from a considerable distance.

Du Wei felt a stifling sensation in his chest, followed by a mouthful of blood.

"Hold on, take him down for treatment. Also, lock up Du Wei," instructed Qing Song.

Two men entered from outside and lifted each of them, responding with a nod before departing.

*

"Are you certain they're here?" Wind City gazed at the towering forest, his brows slightly knitted as it seemed like monsters could emerge at any moment.

Lieutenant Lin glanced at the general who remained silent and turned to Wind City, "All the evidence we've gathered points to this location."

Huo Lanjing pretended to be asleep with his eyes closed, ignoring him, though inwardly, he was in turmoil.

A few days prior, he had arrived at the First March using the fastest spacecraft available.

Upon arrival, Lin3 Captain informed him that remnants of the former Worm King were still at large. Somehow, they had struck a deal with a faction of interstellar pirates, securing financial support.

This led to the reopening of a decades-old telepathy experiment.

Decades ago, the insectoid research facility developed a drug capable of suppressing mental power development.

These substances were distributed among various planets.

Even until a dozen years ago, before the Empire's crackdown, there were still victims.

Strangely, those children who had taken the drug began passing away one by one, their time running out.

The First Army started tracking this issue five years ago. Only recently did they discover that Luo Le was also a victim.

Recalling this, Huo Lanjing clenched his fists. He now understood the immense suffering Luo Le had endured within the Luo family.

Thinking back to how he had treated Luo Le when the latter sought help for the family, Huo Lanjing wished he could go back in time and punch himself. Reflecting further, Luo Le never appeared genuinely joyful whenever he claimed to have resolved issues.

Yet, he hadn't noticed it before.

"General, we've arrived. From here on, we can only proceed on foot."

The group then alighted and entered the dense forest.

After a short while, they heard the wailing of a child up ahead.

Wind City exchanged a glance with Captain Lin.

Chen Chen.

Upon looking in the direction of the sound, they saw Huo Lanjing had moved away from them at some distance.

They immediately hurried after him.

Just as they pushed aside the undergrowth, they saw two people lying on the ground. Huo Lanjing was flipping through the blood-soaked clothes of the child in his arms, asking, "Where are you hurt?"

The moment Captain Lin saw a hint of gentleness flash across Huo Lanjing's icy gaze, he knew they had found the right person.

Chen Chen was still weeping, unable to stop.

Spotting the marks on his neck, Huo Lanjing's icy gaze darkened. He looked down at the person on the ground and said sternly, "Don't cry."

Dying was too easy for him.

Startled by Huo Lanjing's menacing expression, Chen Chen forgot about his tears, and his sobs gradually subsided.

Seeing that he had quieted down, Huo Lanjing tried to soften his demeanor. "Where's your father?"

If Chen Chen was here, where was Luo Le?

He had just searched Chen Chen's body and found no wounds. So where did all the blood on him come from?

It couldn't be...

He dared not imagine it.

"Daddy was eating and fell asleep. I fought the bad guys, but they caught me... Waaah..."

Chen Chen sobbed as he spoke.

Despite the disjointed manner of his speech, Huo Lanjing managed to comprehend it.

"Do you remember where you came from?"

With tears streaming down his face, Chen Chen pointed in a certain direction.

Huo Lanjing gazed at the narrow path and pressed, "Are you sure?"

Chen Chen was dumbfounded for a moment before slowly nodding. "Mm."

He was a clever child. He wouldn't forget the paths he had taken.

Lieutenant Lin and Wind City observed this heartwarming scene between father and son without uttering a word.

Suddenly, Huo Lanjing placed Chen Chen into Wind City's arms. "Take care of him for me."

Wind City recalled his mission to find Luo Le, but he was unsure if Chen Chen would be willing to stay with a stranger. As for Huo Lanjing, there was no way he could remain here.

After some contemplation, he looked at Huo Lanjing's solemn expression and said, "Alright."

Almost immediately after, Huo Lanjing left, leaving only his departing figure behind.

Wind City paused for a moment before turning back and carrying Chen Chen.

Lieutenant Lin followed Huo Lanjing, leaving a carriage full of people to protect Chen Chen.

Exhausted from crying, Chen Chen was soothed to sleep by Wind City.

Gazing at the dense forest, Wind City thought to himself, Brother Le, you have to be okay. I'm still waiting for your farewell feast.

Chapter 67: This Seat's Heart Aches

The City God Temple marked the limits of Chu Xun's magical powers. While its steps were still protected by the barrier, the temple itself could no longer be enveloped within it.

Inside the temple, the lights flickered dimly.

A dozen ghosts who had regained their corporeal forms stood on either side. A woman dressed in red was bound and facing away from everyone, looking up at the deity statue enshrined on the altar.

Beside her, Xiaoman stood with his eyes lowered, holding a young child in his grasp.

Chu Xun cried out, "Lan-er!"

This child was none other than Chu Xun's son, Chu Lan. Mo Ran's heart tightened as the memory of the half-moon cake lingered on his tongue. Seeing the young master restrained, he wanted to step forward, but Chu Wanning stopped him.

"Don't go," Chu Wanning said.

"Why not? !"

Chu Wanning glanced at him and whispered softly, "They're all people who died two hundred years ago. Now that this illusion has become reality, I fear you might get hurt."

"..." Mo Ran only then recalled that it was indeed so. No matter what he did, the dead were still dead, and nothing could change that.

The young master screamed outside the barrier, his words muddled: "Father! Father, save me! Save Lan-er!"

Chu Xun's lips trembled as he sternly addressed Xiaoman, "What are you doing? I've never wronged you. Release him!"

But Xiaoman seemed deaf to his words, his face lowered as if he hadn't heard a thing. However, the hesitation in his heart was evident through his tightly gripping hands on Chu Lan. A black mole adorned the fleshy part of his left hand, and blue veins bulged on the back of his hand, trembling uncontrollably.

By now, the citizens who had gathered at the Governor's mansion for refuge had also rushed over. Upon witnessing the scene inside the temple, they were both shocked and enraged, murmuring among themselves:

"That's the young master's son..."

"How could this happen..."

Xiaoman sliced down with his knife, freeing the red-clothed woman from her binds. The woman regained her senses and slowly turned her head. She was exquisitely beautiful, like a lotus in a pond, with a graceful neck and handsome features. Her face was as pale as paper, but her lips were as red as blood. Her smile directed at Chu Xun was more eerie than enchanting.

The ethereal candlelight illuminated her expressive face. In that moment, both Chu Xun and some of the older people in the crowd behind him froze.

There was a tinge of sorrow in the woman's smile as she softly spoke, "My husband."

Mo Ran: "!!"

Chu Wanning: "..."

This woman was none other than Chu Xun's late wife!

With her gaze flowing like a rippling brook, Lady Chu attempted to take her son from Xiaoman's arms. Xiaoman initially resisted, but as a ghost, she possessed far greater strength than him after breaking free from constraints. With just a little effort, she managed to take the child away. Unfortunately, she had succumbed to an epidemic before the child was even a month old, so the young master had never seen his mother and continued to cry, calling out for his father and asking Chu Xun to save him.

"Good child, don't cry. Mother will take you to find your father."

With arms as slender as autumn reeds, Lady Chu scooped up the child and carried him out of the temple, stepping down the rain-soaked stone steps, all the way to the Upper Clear Boundary barrier. She stood before Chu Xun, her expression a mix of joy, sorrow, grief, and happiness.

"Husband, it's been so many years since we last met. Have... Have you been well?"

Chu Xun was unable to utter a single word. His hanging fingertips trembled, and his phoenix-like eyes, gazing at the woman beyond the barrier, gradually reddened.

In a soft voice, Lady Chu said, "Lan'er has grown so much, and you've become more composed. You're different from how I remembered you. ...Let me have a good look at you."

As she spoke, she reached out her hand and placed it against the boundary, but as a ghost, she couldn't cross it. Instead, she silently watched the person on the other side through the shimmering barrier.

With his eyes closed, Chu Xun's eyelashes were already wet with tears.

He raised his hand as well, placing it against Lady Chu's palm through the barrier. Reopening his eyes, the two gazed at each other, as if time had reversed to yesterday.

Chu Xun choked out, "My lady..."

Their family had been separated by the divide between life and death for many years, with the days they spent together countable on one's fingers.

"Did the peach blossom tree I planted beside the courtyard survive?"

Through his smile, Chu Xun's eyes shimmered with tears, "They've all grown tall and strong, providing ample shade."

Lady Chu seemed pleased, her voice gentle, "That's wonderful."

Chu Xun forced a smile, saying, "Lan-er loved that peach blossom tree. In spring, he would always play beneath its branches. He adored peach blossoms just like you, every...every Qingming Festival..." His voice cracked as he spoke, pressing his forehead against the edge of the barrier. Tears continuously rolled down his cheeks, his sobs uncontrollable, "Every Qingming Festival, he would pick the most beautiful flower to place at your grave. Wan-er, Wan-er, did you see? Every...every year, did you see?"

In the end, his sobs shattered, his words bleeding with sorrow. He wept bitterly, his demeanor of a gentleman long gone.

Lady Chu's eyes reddened too, but as a ghost, she could not shed tears. However, the sorrow etched on her face tugged at the heartstrings of those who witnessed it.

For a moment, silence fell upon the area as no one dared to speak, all silently observing the scene before them. Some could be heard softly weeping.

But then, a chilling and icy voice echoed through the air.

"She certainly does know, but very soon, she won't anymore."

Mo Ran's face paled. "It's the Ghost King!"

Chu Wanning was equally grim. "A despicable coward, hiding and not daring to show yourself!"

The Ghost King laughed in a hissing tone, like sharp nails scraping against a pot's bottom, sending shivers down everyone's spines.

"Ling Wan'er is now of my Ghost Clan. Originally, I had no intention of harming her, but since you dared to oppose me and destroy one of my eyes, I'll rip out your heart and liver, making your pain surpass mine!"

As the words faded, more than ten ghosts in the temple began to chant incantations in unison.

"The heart of humanity is long dead, past memories erased—"

Madam Chu abruptly widened her eyes and trembled as she cried, "My lord, Lan-er, take Lan-er!!"

"A mortal heart has withered, and memories of the past have vanished—"

"Lan'er! Quickly! Go to your father!"

Madam Chu pushed her child, attempting to pass him through the barrier, but the young master was like a ghost, blocked by that thin film and unable to return.

Xiaoman stood before the temple railings, looking down at them with a mix of sorrow and satisfaction. His once handsome face was now twisted nearly beyond recognition.

"It's useless. As per the Ghost King's order, I marked him with a ghostly seal. He can't enter the Upper Clear Barrier, not even a step."

The chanting behind him rose and fell like tidal waves: "A mortal heart has perished, and wisdom is lost—"

"Husband!!" Madam Chu was panic-stricken. She clutched her child and pounded on the barrier. "Husband, remove the barrier, please take it down so Lan'er can enter. Protect him, protect him—I'm... I'm almost... I..."

"A mortal heart has died, compassion fades away—"

"Husband—!!!"

Madam Chu fell to her knees, her eyes wide with terror, her body trembling. Crimson curse marks slowly crept up her face. "Child... Lan'er... You promised me you would take care of him... Please, I beg you... Remove it... Husband!!"

Chu Xun's heart was utterly shattered. He raised his hand several times, ready to cast a spell, but ultimately let them fall back down.

Outside, Chu Lan wailed in tears, looking up with a tear-streaked face as he stretched out his small hands, crying, "Father, are you... abandoning Lan-er...? Father, hold Lan-er... Daddy, hug me..."

Madam Chu held him tightly, kissing her child's cheeks. The mother knelt while the son cried, both imploring Chu Xun to open the Upper Clearing Barrier and let the child through.

Suddenly, someone in the crowd shouted, "Young Master! You can't do this! If you remove the barrier, the remaining hundreds of citizens in Lin'an will die too — it's a scheme from the Realm of Ghosts! Young Master, please don't remove it!"

"Yes, you can't take down the barrier!" The desire for survival compelled one commoner after another to kneel before Chu Xun, their voices filled with despair. "Young Master, please, don't take it down! If you do, we'll all die!"

"Madam, please..." Some even knelt before Madam Chu. "Madam, you're merciful and compassionate. We'll be eternally grateful if you stop the young master from removing the barrier. Please, have mercy and save us from our plight. I beg of you..."

In an instant, apart from the Governor's guards and a few civilians who didn't kneel, the rest wailed in unison, their cries overpowering the pleadings of Madam Chu and the young master outside the barrier.

Chu Xun felt as if standing on a razor's edge, pierced by thousands of sharp blades that lacerated his organs and crushed his vital parts.

His wife and son were in front of him, and a hundred lives hung behind him.

In this torment, he seemed to have already died, consumed by flames until his bones turned to ash.

Yet, the eerie incantations persisted, growing ever more shrill.

"Humanity in my heart is long dead, emotions utterly extinguished—"

"Humanity in my heart is long lost, desires utterly vanished—"

More and more runes appeared on Madam Chu's face, crawling up from her fair neck to nearly cover her entire visage, even seeping into her eyes.

She seemed unable to utter a coherent sound, her throat constricted. She could only gaze despairingly at her husband, muttering brokenly.

"If you... I... will... hate you... You... for Lan'er... I hate... I..."

The curse pattern seeped into her eyes, causing her frail body to tremble violently as if she was in unbearable pain. She shut her eyes tightly.

"I HATE!!!"

A sudden shrill scream echoed, the tail end of it morphing into a beast-like howl!

Madam Chu abruptly opened her eyes, revealing a bloodthirsty glint. Her once delicate apricot-shaped eyes now bore four pupils, crowded closely together, pushing out all the whites of her eyes.

"Wan'er!"

Chu Xun was overwhelmed with grief, momentarily forgetting that the Upper Clearing Barrier could only be activated with the caster standing within it. All he wanted was to be reunited with his beloved wife. However, just as he was about to step out of the barrier, an arrow pierced through the air with a sharp whiz, striking his shoulder and halting his reaching hand.

It was a young man from the Governor's residence, still holding the pose of drawing his bow.

The youth, with his helmet fluttering, sternly addressed Chu Xun, "Young Master! Wake up! You've always taught us that the way of the righteous puts others first and oneself last. Were all your words empty promises? Now that the situation concerns you, are you willing to sacrifice a hundred lives for the sake of one person's life?"

Beside the young man, an elderly woman trembled as she spoke, "Y-you must put down your bow. How can you hurt Young Master? Everything, everything is a choice made by Young Master. He has already shown the utmost kindness. H-how can you... You are ungrateful!"

Yet, before the dispute could escalate, a sudden cry of terror echoed from ahead.

Madame Chu had descended into an utter frenzy. She who had once held her child with such tender love now behaved no differently from a wild beast. She howled at the sky, saliva dripping from her mouth as her teeth elongated abruptly.

Cry as he might, Chu Lan's voice had turned hoarse within her embrace. Through his sobs and choked sobs, he managed to call out intermittently, "Mother..."

In response, Madame Chu's blood-red claws pierced straight through his throat!

And in that moment, all sound seemed to vanish from heaven and earth.

Blooms of blood floated petal by petal.

It was as if that year, when the flowering crabapple trees blossomed, Lady Chu held her newborn child, standing by the window as she gazed at the fragrant flowers in the courtyard, their deep red petals scattering gently.

Gently swaying her child in her arms, she softly sang, "Crimson crabapples, golden crabapples, how gracefully they sway with the wind's blow. A distant child echoes in harmony, tugging at thoughts of father and mother."

Crimson crabapples... Golden crabapples...

Her tender touch that once caressed Chu Lan's hand now tore through his skull, limbs, and flesh.

How gracefully they sway with the wind's blow.

Heavy rain poured down, mixing with flowing blood, as the mother devoured her child's intestines.

A distant child echoes in harmony.

The City God Temple's pavilion stood grandly with its eaves, adorned with solemn treasures, embodying boundless compassion.

That year, when the infant was born, Mother knelt before the City God Pavilion. With her warm, slender, and pure white hands clasped together, the sound of bells rang, birds scattered, and incense smoke filled the air as she bowed, praying for her child's longevity, health, and a peaceful life, wishing for a hundred years of serenity...

With thoughts weighed down by his parents' wellbeing.

His flesh torn asunder, Chu Lan's heart was ripped out, greedily devoured by Lady Chu. Fresh blood trickled down the corners of her mouth.

"AHHHHHHHHH!!!" Chu Xun finally broke down. He knelt on the ground, clutching his head and repeatedly banging it against the earth, blood streaming down. He wailed with a shattered soul, kneeling in the rain, in the blood, before his wife and child, before the citizens of Lin'an City. He knelt before the divine statue, in the mire.

He knelt amidst sin, amidst purity.

Kneeling in gratitude, yet in hatred.

Bowed down to the dust, his very soul was torn asunder, utterly extinguished.

In shared sorrow with the eternal dust.

After an extended period, someone mustered the courage to speak, their voice trembling.

"Milord..."

"Milord, please restrain your grief..."

"Your kindness, Young Master Chu, is immeasurable and shall never be forgotten..."

"Young Master Chu embodies righteousness! Truly, he is a noble soul...!"

Someone embraced their child tightly, covering the child's eyes to shield them from the gruesome sight. Only now did they dare to relax their grip, their face pale as they spoke to Chu Xun, "Young Master, you saved our lives. Our lady and young master will surely...ascend to paradise..."

Another person spat in disdain, "Scram away with your child! Why don't you ascend to paradise with your offspring?!"

The person retreated timidly.

The quarrels seemed so distant, as if they were coming from across a vast ocean of the past. Chu Xun felt as if he had already passed away. Listening to their voices felt like hearing echoes from a bygone era.

In the midst of the torrential rain, the man was covered in filth. A translucent membrane separated him eternally from his wife and child, a haunting scene of bared bones and tears streaming down. Mo Ran gazed at this sight and suddenly recalled his past life. Had his indiscriminate killing back then given birth to not just one Chu Xun, not just one Chu Lan, not just one Lady Chu...?

He suddenly lowered his head to look at his own hands.

In a fleeting moment, it was as if I saw blood stained all over my hands.

Yet, in the blink of an eye, I realized it was still icy raindrops falling into my palm, collecting into a stream.

He trembled slightly.

But in the next moment, his hand was grasped.

It was as if he had abruptly awoken from a nightmare. He turned his gaze to see his junior apprentice brother looking at him with concern. That child's appearance was so similar to the deceased Chu Lan.

Mo Ran slowly knelt down, leveling himself with him. Like a sinner seeking forgiveness before a soul returned, he gazed at Chu Wanning with eyes brimming with rain and tears.

Chu Wanning didn't speak. Instead, he lifted his small, tender hand and stroked Mo Ran's head.

"It's all in the past," Chu Wanning whispered. "It's all memories now."

"Yes," Mo Ran replied after a long while, forcing a bitter smile. He lowered his eyelids and murmured, "All in the past."

Yet, even if they were just memories, they were still actions he had committed. Though he hadn't killed Chu Lan, how many others like Chu Lan had perished because of him?

The more Mo Ran thought, the more horrified and pained he became.

Why had he been so ruthless... Why had he been so stubborn...

When Fu Luoyin awoke, he found himself hugging a fluffy slipper in bed.

His head throbbed with pain. As he got up, he accidentally knocked something off the bedside table. Picking it up, he realized it was his backup phone.

The screen was still on, displaying the message he had sent. Fu Luoyin glanced at it.

Lin Shuicheng hadn't replied to him all night.

That jumbled sentence with misspelled words didn't seem like something he would have sent. Fu Luoyin looked at it, barely managing to resist the urge to smash this phone too.

A movement caused a wave of pain in his stomach, making him pause slightly.

He picked up the phone again and read the message once more.

Lin Shuicheng truly hadn't responded.

Both his backup phone and his main phone shared the same number sequence. It dawned on him that he had blocked Lin Shuicheng yesterday. Even if Lin Shuicheng had replied, he wouldn't have seen it.

He tapped on the menu bar, and an automatic synchronization appeared, prominently asking, "Remove from blacklist?"

Fu Luoyin gazed silently at those words for a moment, then exited the page. He proceeded to type in the input box: "Wrong message sent."

Concisely, he sent the three words followed by a period, adhering to proper etiquette. Back then, it was Su Yu, or perhaps someone else, who often teased him about his habit of adding periods when typing online, claiming he resembled a stiff, old scholar, conveying an air of aloofness. Yet, he had grown accustomed to this – it was part of the strict Fu family upbringing. When he texted Fu Kai, Fu Kai would also nitpick his choice of words, urging him to be concise and focused, as befitting someone engaged in significant endeavors.

He never alters his pace for anyone. Xia Ran saves his pocket money to buy him a hairdryer, yet he still contends with the winter wind and other boys in class to be the first to turn on the classroom lights. The sky at dawn is sparsely studded with stars, and frost forms in his hair. Su Yu teases him about his typing style, which ends sentences with periods and seems cold, yet he never changes it.

In these twenty-five years, he had never lost control in such a manner, except for yesterday, which left a slight impression on him. Fu Luoyin attributed it to the influence of alcohol.

He tossed the plush, black-and-white slipper under the bed.

Only after sending "Sent in Error" did he realize that his previous message had directly addressed Lin Shuicheng by name.

"Lin Shuicheng, I'll have porridge if the chicken soup's not available."

"My stomach's upset."

After an entire night, "Sent in Error."

It was like trying to cover up a mistake only to make it more obvious. He wondered what Lin Shuicheng would think upon seeing this.

Fu Luoyin's grip on his phone tightened.

He told himself that he didn't care what Lin Shuicheng thought.

After all, he wasn't interested in Lin Shuicheng.

When Fu Luoyin finished his ablutions and emerged, Zhou Heng was already waiting in the living room.

On the table were congee with century egg and lean meat, as well as scrambled eggs with ham, clearly ordered by Zhou Heng when he heard movement from inside the room, anticipating Fu Luoyin's awakening.

In addition to that, there was a new phone on the table, identical to the one Fu Luoyin had shattered at the door the day before. Fu Luoyin knew without asking that Zhou Heng had arranged for its delivery, with all the data synchronized and restored as if the old one had never existed.

The food was from a private restaurant Fu Luoyin frequented, which normally didn't accept reservations or deliveries. Only ten tables were served each day. The congee was rich and savory, and the scrambled eggs with ham were cooked to perfection. However, Fu Luoyin found it tasteless, barely managing a few bites before setting down his chopsticks and picking up his phone to read documents.

Zhou Heng dared not even breathe loudly beside him.

He was aware of what his boss had been going through recently. When Dong Shuoye and Su Yu had contacted him yesterday, they had given him a general idea about Fu Luoyin's situation, likely related to an unhappy romance. Having observed the situation now, Zhou Heng guessed that Lin Shuicheng was no longer living with him, probably due to a breakup.

There was no visible change in Fu Luoyin; he appeared slightly paler and more exhausted than usual, but still maintained his customary silence while handling matters.

Yet, he noticed that Fu Luoyin seemed a little off today; his train of thought would occasionally break. During the intervals of reading documents, if there were any information to look up or when waiting for Zhou Heng to fetch something for him, those brief pauses would turn into moments when Fu Luoyin was lost in thought. His eyes slightly lowered, and the shadow beneath his eyelashes seemed to conceal some profound preoccupation.

Su Yu called him, even video-called him, sending countless ingratiating emojis: "Minus Two, Minus Two, Brother Minus Two, I've skipped work to surprise you with Old Dong. Hurry up and answer the video call."

Seeing Su Yu reminded Fu Luoyin of the slipper from last night. He hung up once, but Su Yu relentlessly called again. This time, Fu Luoyin answered.

Su Yu's silly face almost filled the screen before he adjusted it, probably handing the phone over to Dong Shuoye for assistance in capturing the moment.

Fu Luoyin could now see that Su Yu was at an A-grade pet center. He recognized the place as the most expensive specialized pet breeding facility in the entire alliance. All pets were raised in a free-range environment. For instance, each cat had its own dedicated nutritionist and health consultant, regardless of whether the cat was for sale. They took full responsibility for the cat's care and medical treatment from birth to death.

Still ingratiatingly smiling, Su Yu continued, "Look, your birthday is coming up soon. As your brother, I'm going all out this time. Whatever kind of kitten you want, I'll get it for you. Go ahead and pick one."

Fu Luoyin replied, "..."

He said softly, "Nonsense, my birthday was just two months ago. Stop bothering yourself. You haven't even found a job yet, and you're thinking about selling yourself to buy a cat?"

Before Su Yu could say anything else, Fu Luoyin suddenly felt a sense of annoyance and weariness.

This frustration wasn't directed at anyone or anything specific. Fu Luoyin simply couldn't quite grasp the reason behind it.

Why does everyone think I'm not doing well and rush over to worry about me?

He hung up the call and then messaged Su Yu, "I'm fine, don't worry. Thanks for sending me back last night."

Su Yu replied, "You didn't look fine yesterday, minus two."

Fu Luoyin wrote, "I was just drunk, what's the big deal? Do you really think I had a breakup? Lin Shuicheng is the one who's heartbroken, not me."

Su Yu responded, "Okay, okay."

Fu Luoyin continued typing, "He likes me, and I'll prove it to you."

Su Yu wrote back, "Sure, sure. Don't forget about my mom's birthday, I won't send you an invitation, just come straight over, and I'll pick you up."

Fu Luoyin agreed.

After lounging on the sofa for a while, he suddenly said to Zhou Heng, "I want to..."

Zhou Heng sprang up, fully focused on listening to his request.

Fu Luoyin's voice was nearly hoarse, tinged with an imperceptible tremble. "I want all the information Lin Shuicheng has accumulated so far, both before and after being with me. Order someone to clean up thoroughly, check everything to see if he left anything behind. Go find out, investigate – I want to know what he's been doing these few days. He must like me."

Lin Shuicheng... must be even more disoriented than him.

These past few days, Lin Shuicheng had stayed in his rented apartment.

His fever lingered, an unbearable state where it remained low but persistent, sapping his energy entirely. The medicine seemed to have no effect.

He had repeatedly booked flights to Dongtong City, only to cancel them each time. Due to the recent lockdown in Star City caused by RANDOM's attacks, he didn't have a driver's license and couldn't rely on AI-assisted autonomous driving to return home. He was at a loss about what to do.

When tired, he would sleep, waking up groggy from his shallow slumber. He found it difficult to fall asleep, was easily startled, and his mental state deteriorated. Lin Shuicheng went to the school hospital for intravenous fluids, but the outcome wasn't satisfactory.

Eventually, he found a way to pass the time – playing Match-3 puzzles. His head spun, and he couldn't concentrate on any academic materials. The crystals in his storm glass had started to gray with contamination, yet he paid no attention. He simply lay in bed, quietly engrossed in the game.

Occasionally, he played a few rounds of Texas Hold'em Poker.

He tried watching movies and attending plays, but after purchasing tickets, he lacked the motivation to get up and leave as the showtimes approached. Thus, he continued to stay quietly at home.

When hungry, he cooked frozen dumplings, which resulted in Lin Shuicheng gaining a bit of weight over the days, no longer as thin as before.

On the first floor, with ample space, the leader gradually learned to sneak out to play. At first, Lin Shuicheng didn't pay attention, but later he discovered that the leader would bring a few cats home to play with, mostly stray cats from around the campus.

Thus, he found a new task – taking these stray cats to the school's pet hospital for check-ups, deworming, and vaccinations, and while at it, giving them baths. The cats didn't follow him home; they only came for food and drinks. Every day, the leader went out to inspect his feline minions and returned home with a grand entourage of cats. After Lin Shuicheng finished feeding them, they solemnly took their leave. The strays returned to their hideouts, while the leader was caught by Lin Shuicheng for a bath, meowing loudly in protest.

He named the orange cat Kitchen Squad Leader, the tabby cat Pepper, and the black cat Little Bai.

There was also a little gray cat who always tried to lick the leader's fur but was always pinned down by the leader, which Lin Shuicheng eventually named Fu Luoyin after much contemplation.

One day, he activated the autonomous driving system and brought the group of cats back from the school hospital. As soon as he got out of the car and released the cats, he heard a familiar voice behind him, "…Lin Shuicheng?"

He turned around and saw Han Huang.

Han Huang was wearing sportswear, drenched in sweat, clearly just coming down from the sports field. He was accompanied by several boys and girls whom Lin Shuicheng recognized. Upon seeing him, they giggled and whispered among themselves, their gazes filled with intrigue.

Scratching his head, Han Huang quickly corrected his address, "Senior, why are you here? And...?" His eyes swept over the pile of kittens that had just jumped out of his car, "You have so many cats?"

Lin Shuicheng smiled, "They're all brought home by my cats. I brought them along for check-ups. Luckily, they're all healthy."

Han Huang watched as Lin Shuicheng set his phone to command the car to park automatically, finally realizing, "…Senior, you live around here?"

Lin Shuicheng said, "I just moved in recently."

He glanced at Han Huang and his friends, politely asking, "Would you like to come in for a drink?"

"Oh no, we suddenly remembered that our debate team's report isn't ready yet. We should go! Thanks, senior! Brother Han, remember to have ours too!" Han Huang's friends were quick-witted, promptly pushing him towards Lin Shuicheng. Han Huang's ears turned red all the way to the roots as he stared at his laughing mates who were running away. He scratched his head bashfully, "Senior, don't mind them. That's just how they are."

Lin Shuicheng smiled. "Come in and take a seat."

He poured water for Han Huang while Han Huang observed his rental apartment – he had never heard that Lin Shuicheng lived within the Star University campus before.

The place was spotless, clean to the point that it conveyed the information of only one person living there. There was only a single pair of slippers by the door.

Han Huang had a certain speculation in his heart, so he asked softly, "Senior, are you currently...?"

"I've separated from him," Lin Shuicheng lowered his eyes and whispered. "Thank you."

Of course, Han Huang knew what Lin Shuicheng was thanking him for, and he felt relieved.

Fu Luoyin's identity was like a ticking time bomb. He knew that Lin Shuicheng was still unaware of its existence. If the two could separate, it would be the best outcome for Lin Shuicheng.

Han Huang initially expected their encounter to be awkward after the last incident, but to his surprise, it wasn't. However, Lin Shuicheng looked rather pale and exhausted.

Staring at Lin Shuicheng, Han Huang hesitated for a moment before saying, "You seem... not quite well."

Raising his gaze to meet Han Huang's, Lin Shuicheng sighed softly. "Maybe so. I've been rather lazy lately, sleeping too much."

"I...," Han Huang swallowed, mustering the courage to look directly into Lin Shuicheng's eyes, "can I pursue you now, Senior?"

Lin Shuicheng was taken aback before replying, "I might not be in the right place right now..."

"I understand," Han Huang interrupted, appearing eager. "I mean... you don't have to be with me, but can you give me a chance to court you? Before, I didn't even have the chance to get close to you. Now that you're single, I want to make up for what I owe you, like sending you flowers or inviting you to watch a movie—these things can happen between friends, right?"

Lin Shuicheng gazed at him for a moment, still searching for the right words. Before he could respond, Han Huang had already burst into a radiant smile. "Thank you, Senior! Please give me a chance! I'm a great guy!"

Before Lin Shuicheng could say anything, Han Huang hastily stood up and dashed out.

After a moment of hesitation, Lin Shuicheng also got up to look outside. He saw Han Huang running far away, stopping at a student florist on the corner. When he emerged, he held a large bouquet of sunflowers.

Han Huang had chosen sunflowers instead of roses that might put pressure on Lin Shuicheng. He rushed back and thrust the flowers into Lin Shuicheng's hands. "Senior, be as cheerful and energetic as these sunflowers every day!"

Lin Shuicheng took the sunflower and examined the vibrant golden bouquet – for a moment, he found the color too dazzling for his eyes.

He expressed his gratitude with a "thank you."

The Chief leaped out and tumbled with the little gray cat playfully.

In front of the rental apartment on the first floor, the two young students formed a picturesque scene that was flawlessly captured in the camera. This snapshot would soon become part of "Lin Shuicheng's recent updates" and be sent to Fu Luoyin.

Author's Note:

Little Fu: I'm lying to myself.

Little Fu: I can't keep it up anymore, what should I do? Urgent, waiting online.

Madam Gu was the one who pulled him back into the mortal world.

Xu Li'er responded with a smile, "Madam Gu is indeed incredibly capable."

"How am I capable?" The curtains rustled as a gentle voice entered along with soft footsteps.

"Miss!" Ying Que rose from the rug on the floor. "It's so late, why aren't you asleep yet? Your arm is still injured!"

The little maid chattered on, but Rong Shu chuckled. "Isn't it because I just heard someone praise me? I came specifically to hear more."

Ying Que said, "Didn't you tell us earlier that no one would force Miss Xu to die anymore? I mentioned it to Miss Xu, so she wouldn't have to worry."

Rong Shu had seen the panic and helplessness on Xu Li'er's face when they were at the inn, and she had intended to reassure her when she came to the eastern chamber.

Since Ying Que brought up the topic, Rong Shu took it up and spoke to Xu Li'er:

"Miss Xu truly has nothing to worry about. Now, everyone in the capital knows that someone wants you dead. The Emperor and Empress won't stand idly by, and those who originally wanted you dead won't dare make a move. To them, whether Miss Xu lives or dies is no longer significant."

Only if Xu Li'er took her own life would the blood letter spark public outrage and have its maximum effect.

But now that the plan has failed, even if Xu Li'er were to commit suicide, no one would believe it was done willingly.

Therefore, those people wouldn't dare to touch Xu Li'er again.

Xu Li'er had promised the individual that she would hang herself once the incense burned out. However, in her previous life, she died at midnight, almost two hours after the incense had finished burning.

This suggested that in her final moments, she chose to live. But the person never gave her a genuine choice. Taking advantage of her sleep, they silently strangled her, staging it to look like a suicide.

From the beginning, Xu Li'er was merely a pawn in their game.

But after tonight, this pawn would come alive for real.

In the study, Gu Changjin said the same thing to Chang Ji.

Chang Ji asked Gu Changjin, "Should I secretly protect Miss Xu when she visits Daci'en Temple tomorrow?"

Gu Changjin, who was applying medicine, replied nonchalantly, "They won't make another move. Xu Li'er has survived tonight, and she'll continue to live as long as she doesn't do anything foolish."

If she was clever enough, she would understand that Empress Qi's residence was indeed her best option.

When one is utterly incapable of self-preservation, the wisest course is to seek shelter under the protection of others.

With that, Gu Changjin fell silent.

After applying the medicine, he sat quietly on a reclining couch for half an hour, pondering the intricate web of hands manipulating events behind Xu Li'er's case.

Once he had somewhat untangled the mess of threads in his mind, he checked the time and extinguished the lamp before lying down.

Though the wound on his arm throbbed slightly, injuries were a common occurrence for Gu Changjin; he closed his eyes and soon sank into a deep sleep.

But halfway through the night, snow began to fall outside. The snowflakes scattered in the wind, creating a rustling sound as they struck the windows.

Gu Changjin had observed the clear, moonlit sky before going to bed, predicting a bright and sunny day ahead. How could it suddenly be snowing?

Even in his slumber, his mind remained active with thoughts.

As he pondered the unexpected snowfall, his lower leg suddenly felt a chill. It was as if the coldness had a life of its own, creeping up from his ankle straight to his calf.

It was as if two mice had escaped from an ice cellar and crept into the loose ends of his trousers.

Gu Changjin abruptly opened his eyes to find a warm, fragrant, and tender maiden nestled beside him.

To be precise, not in his embrace, but by his side.

The girl didn't seem to be sleeping soundly either. Perhaps feeling the cold, she clung tightly to his arm with her small hands, her tiny face shamelessly resting on his bicep.

Most infuriating of all, at some point, her two icy-cold feet had snuck into his trouser legs, presumably seeking the warmth of his calves. Now, they lay quietly in place.

A hint of impatience flickered across his eyes.

When the lights were extinguished at night, this maiden, draped in a thick cloak and holding a crescent moon pillow, had rushed from Songsi Courtyard to his study. In a gentle and soothing tone, she said, "Since you're not accustomed to the bed in Songsi Courtyard, I'll accompany you to sleep in the study."

Then, she had entered the study with an air of propriety.

He had been staying in the study for a long time, initially due to his injuries and busy schedule. But with the new year approaching, after he had just resolved two major cases, the Chief Justice, empathizing with his newlywed status and constant busyness, even with repeated injuries, had ordered him to take ten or twenty days off to rest at home and spend time with his newlywed wife.

With no more excuse to avoid sleeping in Songsi Courtyard, he could only claim that he was not used to its bed.

Little did he expect that this usually decorous and courteous young lady would come in with her crescent pillow.

He had no choice but to let her enter and lie down on the bed.

When they initially went to sleep, they were each in their own blankets.

Apparently, this girl must have been chilled in the middle of the night, hence she snuggled into his blanket.

Being afraid of the cold yet insisting on sleeping in the study with him on this narrow bed was truly self-inflicted suffering.

Gu Changjin scoffed inwardly, stretched out his calf, and shook off her cold feet. He then pushed aside her hand and stuffed her back into her own blanket.

Despite the commotion, she didn't wake up. She mumbled a few words softly before obediently curling up in her bedding.

Gu Changjin could clearly hear that she was searching for her crescent pillow.

There sure was a lot of fuss over sleeping.

With a stern expression, Gu Changjin stuffed the crescent pillow by his feet into her arms.

The next morning, the maiden was entirely unaware of her actions from the previous night. With a rosy tip of her nose, she helped him dress, her gentle eyes lowered and a subtle smile gracing her lips, which was particularly captivating.

Gu Changjin looked down at her and inquired, "My Lady, did you sleep well last night?"

Rong Shu discreetly sniffled and, standing on tiptoe, straightened his collar with a radiant smile. "I slept very soundly. No wonder Lord likes to sleep here. This Buddhist monk's bed is indeed incredibly comfortable."