Asianovel

Silence suddenly enveloped the surroundings.

Lin Shuicheng looked up and smiled at Yan Zi. "Auntie, please sit down and have something to eat. Why is everyone standing?"

Yan Zi seemed to awaken from a dream and quickly took her seat.

Due to Fu Xue's initial intention to join in the conversation with Lu Shengwen, she had no choice but to sit as well.

Her face alternated between flushes of red and paleness. She was on the verge of having a pleasant conversation with Lu Shengwen, which would have served as a warning to the Su family. Yet, Lin Shuicheng unexpectedly intervened!

Why is it Lin Shuicheng again!

On the other side, Dong Shuoye and Fu Luoyin approached as well. Upon seeing Lin Shuicheng, Fu Luoyin's throat constricted, and he immediately turned to leave. Dong Shuoye grabbed him, "Minus Two, if you leave now, Su Yu will laugh at you endlessly in the future. He'll tease you for being afraid that he'd steal your man. It's just Lin Shuicheng, are you scared you can't catch him?"

Fu Luoyin murmured, "Yes, it's just Lin Shuicheng."

They also approached and sat down. This time, Fu Luoyin didn't sit beside Lin Shuicheng; instead, he positioned himself diagonally across from him, lifting his gaze to fixate intently upon him.

Su Yu whispered, "Sister-in-law, do you feel like Second Bro's gaze is like a laser beam? I feel like I'm being pierced through..."

Lin Shuicheng let out a barely audible sigh.

Lu Shengwen was incredibly warm towards Lin Shuicheng, seemingly delighted by his unexpected presence: "When you called a few days ago, we were thinking of inviting you over for a chat. And here we are, meeting at Doctor Yan's place! Oh my, what a coincidence, isn't it? Mr. Lin, are you currently working with Doctor Yan?"

Lin Shuicheng smiled in return: "Not really. I haven't been taking on many projects lately. Su Yu is a friend of mine, and the Yan family has been very helpful. I'm here today to celebrate Doctor Yan's birthday. But I didn't expect the world to be so small – turns out Mr. Lu is also a friend of Doctor Yan. I had no idea before. How have you been, Mr. Lu? Any new developments in your company's organic exploration efforts?"

Su Yu, nervous as he devoured the steak that Lin Shuicheng had cut for him, strained his ears to continue listening to their conversation.

Lu Shengwen's expression was somewhat peculiar.

Lin Shuicheng's casual question had hit the nail on the head.

They were a pharmaceutical company, and their development was currently thriving. Their recent competition with the Su family partly stemmed from their desire to expand into Star City's market. Backed by the Han family from the former Middle East division, they lacked neither funding nor suppliers. Their financial prowess surpassed that of the Su family, and if they wished, they could secure exclusive agreements with all raw material suppliers and clinical trial sites on the market.

Money was not an issue, but the most crucial shortage they faced was top talent.

Two centuries earlier, organic synthesis relied on AI-generated pathways, large reaction matrices, and brute-force simulations of reaction conditions. Robots and machine learning had already replaced 95% of the workforce in this industry. Automation had scaled up, forming a closed loop in experimental processes, both physically and data-wise. In short, pharmaceutical factories might once have relied on formulas and reactions as their competitive edge, but that was no longer feasible – the composition of drugs was no longer the benchmark for industry leadership, as every company's system could now brute-force screen drug components. Speed of research and development, effectiveness in clinical trials, and successful market launch were the lifeblood of the industry.

Lu Shengwen was a decisive and visionary man. He had foreseen the current trend years before the advent of quantum computers, downsizing the organic synthesis team and pushing for digitalized pharmaceutical systems. This wise decision propelled Lu Pharmaceutical to unparalleled heights, but he was also confronted with a problem: while the middle and lower tiers of researchers who could be replaced by machines had left, there was no influx of outstanding talent to fill the gap, and the future direction of the company seemed unclear.

The AI's performance in synthesizing new drugs wasn't as terrible as anticipated, but neither was it as promising. The root of the issue still lied in the existing theories. Organic chemistry was replete with indirect methods and creative successes, while direct approaches were scarce, and reaction flaws were inadequately documented. The AI had replaced most human labor, but when it encountered defects, no one was there to correct them.

Lin Shuicheng had first interacted with them during his sophomore year. At that time, Lu Shengwen had hit a roadblock in a study on an antidepressant's reaction with neurotransmitters in the human body, and even their specially appointed expert couldn't identify the cause.

Out of desperation, and considering Lin Shuicheng's affiliation with Yang Zhiwei, as stated in his resume, they invited him to give it a try.

After spending just one day in their lab, Lin Shuicheng vanished for a whole two weeks. Lu Shengwen was disheartened, assuming that the overambitious young student had been intimidated and fled. Surprisingly, Lin Shuicheng returned.

He could still recall Lin Shuicheng's appearance that winter. He dashed over in his lab coat, carrying the pungent smell of solvents – not exactly pleasant, but Lin Shuicheng's demeanor made one overlook these odors, his messy hair, and his exhausted look.

With a boisterous laugh, he embraced them and announced, "I did it!"

Their special consultant, disbelief etched on his face, asked, "This can't be true, Lin. We've consulted all available literature, and there's no—"

"Yes, I did them all! Some documents were wrong, some didn't mention the concentration of the reactants!" Lin Shuicheng waved a USB drive in his hand, his eyes sparkling with a radiant smile like the dawn of spring.

For a full fifteen days, this student with no background in organic chemistry had retraced every single documented experiment to verify the reaction, working tirelessly without much sleep. Most importantly, he had actually succeeded.

Lu Shengwen had a particularly deep impression of Lin Shuicheng, and they had collaborated once before. When the company encountered new issues this time, Lin Shuicheng was the first person that came to mind. However, he had been unable to get in touch with him.

The reason why it took Lu Shengwen so long to recognize him today was that Lin Shuicheng's entire aura had changed.

His appearance remained the same, but his demeanor had become more subdued, even cold and distant, as if he were detached from the world. This was different from the young man who had burst into the company with laughter in Lu Shengwen's memory. Even if they looked identical, his initial reaction would be that he had merely encountered someone who coincidentally resembled Lin Shuicheng.

Yet, it turned out to be Lin Shuicheng himself!

Lu Shengwen gave him a meaningful glance, pursed his lips, and shook his head. The answer was well-known among industry insiders.

He asked, "Teacher Little Lin, are you really not taking on any projects lately?"

As a seasoned CEO who had accepted his fate, he respectfully addressed him as "Teacher Little Lin." Despite the fact that the people at the table already recognized Lin Shuicheng's capabilities, they were still taken aback by the honorific.

Fu Xue's expression could no longer be described as merely "unpleasant"; it was now laced with an obsessive jealousy and an indescribable awkwardness. Why did Lin Shuicheng have to intervene right now?

He had just cut a steak for Su Yu, making it clear which side Lin Shuicheng stood on. Although Lin Shuicheng hadn't mentioned the unseen mediation that had just occurred, his presence made it obvious that he was here to help the Su family regain their footing!

Had his relationship with Su Yu truly reached such depths?

The key was that he could actually hold his own!

She wanted to leave the table in a fit of desperation, but that would be improper etiquette. Instead, she forced a smile and continued listening, stiffly.

Lin Shuicheng chuckled. "I've been quite busy lately, so I might not have the time. However, since you and Aunt Yan are partners, perhaps I can offer some suggestions and see if they can be of assistance to both of you. I didn't expect to run into you here. Had I known you were affiliated, I wouldn't have held back. The book I gave Dr. Yan might come in handy; it summarizes recent trends and field knowledge in medicinal organic chemistry. If there are any further questions, feel free to contact me."

Lu Shengwen glanced at Yan Zi, his thoughts racing. "Ah... Of course, of course! As partners! Our desire to collaborate is very strong!"

The stubborn Lu Shengwen, who had refused to budge just moments ago, now seemed to acknowledge their "partner" status with the Su family?

Su Yu's eyes widened.

Yan Zi, too, was stunned. Only after Lin Shuicheng's words did she remember to check the book he had given her—there were simply too many items for her to examine them all. She had yet to thoroughly look through what Lin Shuicheng had sent.

Flipping through the first two pages, she immediately realized—it was an invaluable industry gem!

The book was bound by hand, with beautiful handwriting indicating that it was all done by Lin Shuicheng himself. On the front page, he had scribbled a few lines: "This book attempts to explore potential research directions for the current state of medicinal organic chemistry, combining AI-based production planning analysis under bottleneck conditions... and conducting feasibility verification. Originally intended as my undergraduate thesis, its completion was suspended due to a change in my major focus to analytical chemistry and atomic assembly."

"Post-Graduation Supplement: Due to a shift in focus to quantum analysis, the progress of this book has been discontinued, and the publishing contract has been terminated. The completed content will not be publicly released. Apart from a few unperformed experiments, the feasibility of the rest has been verified. I now bequeath all creative works and experimental achievements to the legal representative of Su's Pharmaceutical Company, Dr. Su Yu. Additionally, I wish Dr. Yan Zi a joyous 53rd birthday."

This is an industry Bible, clearly outlining the current shortcomings and future prospects, detailing feasibility, research methods, and potential challenges. Each point reflects a young student's earnest exploration and reflection on a sunset industry, a discipline transitioning from science to technology.

This is a true grand gesture. Lin Shuicheng knows that the entire birthday celebration was orchestrated to pave the way for Su Yu, and he has essentially presented all avenues to the Su family!

Su Yu exchanges a glance with Yan Zi. Although innocent, Su Yu understands everything from Lu Shengwen's reaction.

Unable to sit still, Su Yu pulls out his phone, sending a question mark to Lin Shuicheng. Simultaneously, he receives a message from Yan Zi, containing a picture of Lin Shuicheng's thesis cover.

Taking a look, Su Yu continues messaging Lin Shuicheng, "What are you doing, why are you giving such a valuable gift? We can't accept this; it's your academic achievement, a thick volume! How can you give it away so casually?"

"It's a gift for you. I said today is about you. I believe there's no better present for Aunt Yan Zi," Lin Shuicheng replies, even though Su Yu is sitting right next to him. "Moreover, the book isn't complete, only about 75% finished. I've decided not to continue or publish it. If it can be of any assistance, I'm glad."

Years ago, he eagerly proposed this topic to Yang Zhiwei, who remained noncommittal. His ambitious plan met with a tepid response: "Go ahead. It'll be challenging, but that's not the most crucial thing."

He proceeded, and looking back now, he finally understands what Yang Zhiwei meant by "challenges."

His thesis would undoubtedly disrupt the entire pharmaceutical industry, functioning as both a Bible and a blade. Once published, it would bridge the gap between major corporations and small businesses, potentially leaving many in a declining industry jobless. He aimed to expand the pie and distribute it equally, but inevitably, more people would resent their smaller slices rather than appreciate the increase.

And he was no longer the ambitious youth of old, having chosen a path of failure that was now reaching its end.

Confused, Su Yu continued firing off messages to Lin Shuicheng. Before he could finish one text, Lu Shengwen noticed their exchange: two young men texting each other back and forth, obviously seated together yet secretly engaged in a sweet little game.

Lu Shengwen's attention shifted to Su Yu. "Little Su and Mr. Little Lin...?" He glanced at them with a knowing smile.

Again, Su Yu was caught off guard. Mustering a forced laugh, he said, "Oh no, not at all, hahaha, though I wish it were true."

Both Fu Luoyin and Dong Shuoye looked up from across the table.

Realizing his joke had gone awry, Su Yu quickly corrected himself. "Hahaha, actually, she's my sister-in-law! Yes, sister-in-law!"

Lin Shuicheng shot him a glance.

Finding the laughter bitter on his lips, Su Yu continued, "I mean, she used to be my sister-in-law! Hahahaha..."

Fu Luoyin set down his glass.

"Everyone, enjoy the food, enjoy the food..." Su Yu urged.

For some inexplicable reason, Su Yu felt like crying. He would rather stand at the entrance for another week in the freezing cold than continue to stay here!

It was the first time he had seen the gentle and refined Young Lady display such an expression. He could even hear the loud "thud" when she collided with the door frame from afar.

At this thought, Chang Ji's thoughts suddenly paused.

When he went to the Ministry of Punishments earlier, he had mentioned Young Lady's loss of composure.

"Young Lady couldn't even stand steadily. She didn't even realize she had bumped into the door frame. It seems she must be extremely worried about Madam Hou."

Upon hearing his report, his master's gaze softened slightly, and he calmly instructed Chang Ji to fetch someone from the Sun family. However, just as Chang Ji was about to leave, his master called him back and asked,

"Where did she bump?"

It took Chang Ji a few moments to realize that his master was asking where Young Lady had bumped herself.

But how would he know? Didn't his master forbid him from entering the inner courtyard?

All he could do was wait by the Moon Cave Gate of Songsi Courtyard. If not for his keen hearing, he wouldn't have noticed what was happening inside. After Young Lady hurriedly left, he rushed to inform his master, naturally not paying attention to where she might have hurt herself.

Fortunately, his master's question seemed to be casual, and he himself seemed taken aback after asking it. Without waiting for a response, he dismissed Chang Ji to go to the Sun family.

Gu Changjin's act of bringing Sun Daoping to the Qingheng Courtyard was nothing short of a lifeline for Rong Shu, like a ray of light in a dark room or a warm coal in a snowstorm.

Sun Daoping barely glanced at Madam Shen before dismissing the need for a pulse diagnosis. He promptly retrieved a case of needles from his medical kit and, with a serious expression, said, "Madam Gu, time is of the essence. I won't write out a prescription. Please commit these medicinal ingredients to memory and send someone to decoct them immediately."

Upon Sun Daoping's arrival, the previously panic-stricken servants and maidservants in the courtyard found their composure and began working methodically.

As soon as Sun Daoping finished his acupuncture treatment, the herbs that Rong Shu had been instructed to prepare were delivered.

Rong Shu personally administered the medicine and, with a hoarse voice, handed a cup of honey water to the exhausted Sun Daoping. She asked, "Doctor Sun, has my mother been rescued from danger?"

Sun Daoping spoke truthfully, saying, "Madam Hou has indeed stopped bleeding now, but there was an excessive amount of blood loss earlier. I cannot say for certain whether she will regain consciousness; all we can do is exert our utmost efforts and leave the rest to fate. Please be assured that for the next half-month, I shall come to the Marquis's residence daily to administer acupuncture to Madam Hou. This decoction serves to seal the veins and replenish blood, with eight doses prescribed per day. It is imperative that not a single dose be missed."

Sun Daoping never sugarcoated his words, and Rong Shu knew he spoke the truth. Her heart felt as though it was weighed down by a massive boulder, making it almost impossible to breathe.

She nodded gracefully and said, "Many thanks to Doctor Sun for your kindness." With that, she instructed Yingyue to carry the food basket and escort Sun Daoping out of the mansion.

Her countenance was truly unsettling, with a pallid complexion and parched, wrinkled lips - a clear indication that she had neither sipped water nor tasted a morsel of food for several hours.

Sun Daoping parted his lips, intending to speak, yet the consoling words lingered on the tip of his tongue, refusing to be uttered forth.

Human emotions can be difficult to fathom, rendering words often meaningless in such moments. As a physician, she found it more productive to dedicate her energy to studying medical cases rather than engaging in idle talk, with the ultimate goal of curing Lady Hou swiftly.

Chang Ji had been waiting outside the courtyard, observing coldly as Prince Cheng'an escorted a court physician inside. The physician, aware that Sun Daoping had already visited, waved his hand dismissively. "Doctor Sun may be young, but he is highly skilled. With his presence, there is no need for my services here."

What a joke; if even the esteemed descendant of Doctor Sun couldn't cure the patient, what hope did he have? Why bother?

Rong Xun could only watch helplessly as the physician left, pacing back and forth along the corridor in anticipation. He had overheard the conversation between Sun Daoping and Rong Shu.

Yearning to see Shen for himself, he was stopped by Nurse Zhou.

"Doctor Sun mentioned that Lady is currently in a coma, needing peace and quiet now more than ever. His Lordship should return to Qiuyun Hall for rest," she said sternly.

Rong Xun's lips twitched. In the past, Nurse Zhou would always greet him warmly whenever he came to Qingheng Courtyard. Why the sudden cold shoulder?

Yet, Rong Xun found himself unable to rebuke her, nor did he have the heart to do so.

"I just want to see Zhen Niang for a moment," he croaked, his voice hoarse.

Nanny Zhou, however, didn't respond immediately. She glanced behind Rong Xun and said calmly, "Madame has sent someone over, and this old servant really can't leave. I hope His Lordship could lead those people away and inform them at Ho'an Hall on my behalf. Comfort Madame and tell her that our Lady will surely overcome any adversity, so she doesn't need to worry."

The moment the Lady started bleeding, several nannies had arrived at Ho'an Hall and stood guard outside without leaving.

How could Nanny Zhou not know what their purpose was?

They were there to keep an eye on when the Lady would die and how her dowry should be arranged after her death.

At this thought, Nanny Zhou's anger flared up. She leaned close to Rong Xun and whispered through gritted teeth,

"Do you know why the Lady would rather take medicine twice than give birth to that child? It's because she doesn't wish to have another daughter. If she knew that you are such a father, she would rather not have given birth to the first daughter, nor let her suffer in the Cheng'an Marquis Estate. The eldest daughter was forced to leave the estate at the age of four. Do you know that while you were enjoying family bliss with Second Lady and Fourth Young Master in Qiuyun Hall, the eldest daughter was crying out for 'Mother and Father'? She even had to spend her birthdays alone!"

Nanny Zhou's face twisted, and her molars ground together audibly. After finishing her words, she lifted the curtain and entered the room.

The people in the courtyard were too far away to hear what Nanny Zhou had said. Seeing the dazed look on Rong Xun's face, they assumed that the Lady's condition had worsened.

A trusted nanny by Madam Rong's side hurried forward and anxiously said, "His Lordship, is the Lady not well? This old servant must remind you that the eldest daughter is already married. You must keep a close watch on the Lady's dowry to prevent—"

Slap!

Before the nanny could finish her sentence, Rong Xun slapped her across the face.

The nanny clutched her cheek, disbelief etched on her features.

The Marquis was known for his filial piety and had always treated the nannies around Madam Elder with kindness and respect; when had anyone ever seen him so enraged?

Rong Xun closed his eyes briefly before stating coldly, "All of you, return to Ho'an Hall!"

...

Not mentioning the incident in the courtyard to Rong Shu, Amao merely mentioned lightly, "This old servant managed to persuade the Marquis to return to Qiuyun Hall."

Chapter 116: Reality: An Exchange

This favor was not difficult for She Lingshuang to fulfill, but she understood the significance of the Spirit Binding Rope to Ming Yiyang.

Her thoughts transcended simply erasing the mark; it was more profound than that:

"…Would you kill Uncle Yan?"

Ming Yiyang's expression was genuinely surprised, as if it was inconceivable that she would ask such a question. Then, he suddenly smiled:

"No."

That smile was bright and harmless, seemingly genuine.

Chi Zihe, who already felt that something was off, found the situation even more unsettling. He couldn't resist disrupting the superficial joy and tried to comprehend the changes that had occurred in just a few short days:

"Don't tell me you don't hate him!"

Ming Yiyang appeared somewhat bewildered, almost innocently following the direction of Chi Zihe's words as if to "look," and said:

"I don't hate him."

Chi Zihe felt somewhat suffocated.

It was as if he sensed a perilous transformation in the person before him, into a time bomb that could detonate at any moment, but he had no idea when. There was a manic feeling of things spiraling out of control:

"How can you not hate him?! He's done all those things to you!!"

"Yes, he did those things to me."

Ming Yiyang remained unruffled.

He had turned himself into a mirror, speaking without any emotional ripples:

"Now, I understand the essence of the Unseen Rulers."

"They have no emotions. All those human-like sentiments are merely habitual disguises, nothing more."

"You know all this, yet you still..."

The young man interrupted him, his unfocused eyes holding something far more profound:

"But."

"I still... want him."

Chi Zihe was deeply shaken by these words.

Then, he became so enraged that he felt like stomping his feet in frustration, wishing the other would shape up!

Putting aside how they had spent that chaotic morning, Chi Zihe, unable to contain his impatience, rushed to Xinhepu Road with his wife.

The usually elegant and refined Taoist was now wildly pressing the doorbell, barely restraining himself from kicking the tightly shut black iron door to make it open faster.

Pan Hu, wearing sunglasses, assumed something was wrong and hurriedly rushed out of the house to greet them.

Chi Zihe went straight to the point with his first question:

"Where is Yan Qiling?"

Pan Hu said,

"Our Master is still upstairs..."

Chi Zihe immediately headed upstairs, his steps swift and purposeful.

Pan Hu hurried to follow, not even having the chance to attend to She Lingshuang:

"Mr. Chi, are you going to see our Master? But Master is still deeply asleep..."

He followed behind the obviously agitated Taoist, somewhat perplexed:

"Mr. Chi, what's wrong with you? Has there been any change in Master's condition? Should I prepare something...?"

Chi Zihe slammed open the bathroom door and strode a few steps to the bathtub.

The bathroom was as pristine as a painting, and in the pure white tub, a man clad in a black silk robe lay at the bottom, not even stirring a bubble with his breath, as if he were lifeless.

Pan Hu, noticing Chi Zihe's strange demeanor, couldn't help but glance back at She Lingshuang, who was also quickly approaching.

She Lingshuang averted his gaze, not meeting it directly. Pan Hu sensed that something unusual had occurred, and it was undoubtedly connected to Yan Qiling... Yes, perhaps more than just being related.

There might even be a grudge involved.

After all, Chi Zihe's demeanor resembled someone coming to collect a debt.

Maintaining a composed demeanor, Pan Hu approached the bathtub and used his muscular arm to partially shield Chi Zihe's body from Mr. Lingshuang, creating a barrier between this potentially menacing man and his master:

"Mr. Chi, if there's something you need to discuss, let's do it outside. My master is still sleeping, and it wouldn't be convenient for him to wake up for a conversation right now."

"Let's discuss this outside so I can take note of your opinions. When Master wakes up, I'll surely report it to him for his judgment."

Chi Zihe sneered and said,

"What judgment is there to make? He plucked out Xiao Ming's eyes! Xiao Ming can't see anything now, what decision can he possibly make?!"

This was an unexpected turn of events that Pan Hu hadn't foreseen.

However, upon actually hearing it, he didn't show much reaction.

He promptly displayed an apologetic expression, resembling the basic politeness maintained at a funeral for someone unrelated:

"It is indeed regrettable. Is Mr. Ming's condition still stable?"

Chi Zihe's anger flared upon hearing this:

"Regretful? What bullshit! Your master did such a foolish thing, and all you can do is feel regret? Let me tell you, if Yan Qiling doesn't wake up and clarify this mess right now, this won't be over anytime soon!"

Pan Hu was also quite helpless:

"Mr. Chi, I understand your agitation at the moment. I doubt that Mr. intended for this to happen to Mr. Ming. Moreover, given Mr.'s character, even if he did do something like this, there would surely be a reason behind it."

"Besides, I don't believe that Mr. took Mr. Ming's eyes out of greed. Once everything is settled, Mr. will certainly return them. On that point, I have faith."

"You're his dog, so why should I believe a word you say?"

Chi Zihe tried to push him away:

"Get lost. I'm going to wake him up and ask. Does this guy even have a heart? Does he know what condition Little Ming is in right now? Damn it, if he doesn't return them, he'll ruin Ming Yiyang. What's the difference between that and sending him to his death?!"

"No way!"

Pan Hu grabbed the Taoist, but the man nimbly evaded his grasp. Pan Hu had no choice but to pounce on Chi Zihe with his bear-like body, lifting him up and carrying him out of the bathroom.

She Lingshuang, who had witnessed everything, thought to herself, Impressive, such an unconventional tactic.

With a stormy expression, Chi Zihe was forcefully taken out of the bathroom and sat silently on a small sofa in the living room.

Now, only She Lingshuang could speak up:

"Pan Hu, it's not that we intended to cause trouble. Uncle Yan really overstepped this time."

"I was the one who asked him to help Ming earlier. Now, with what he's done, I have no way to explain it to Old Chi or to Ming."

"What Yan Qiling has done has nothing to do with you. Don't take on all the blame."

Chi Zihe huffed in response.

There was a slight pause in She Lingshuang's tone, but she maintained her gaze at Pan Hu, undeterred.

"We're only using the Revenant Array to temporarily summon Uncle Yan back for a brief consultation. It won't interfere with his affairs in the Realm of Purgatory."

Pan Hu wasn't an innocent fool. The Revenant Array was not something that could be used frequently on humans, let alone on the vulnerable Wujian Lord.

Though Yan Qiling didn't seem fragile, who knew if it was really a Revenant Array they were using? What if it was something else?

His unspoken concerns remained unsaid as he maintained his usual politeness: "Miss She and Mr. Chi, I understand your concerns. But you both know how perilous the Realm of Purgatory can be."

"What if you summon him carelessly and something similar to last time happens? What if other Heaven Rank Wujian Lords detect this? I cannot allow Mr. Yan to take such risks."

Pan Hu was well aware of these people's eagerness to see Mr. Yan, so he wasn't worried about them resorting to force: "The task Mr. Yan is currently undertaking concerns many individuals, not just Mister Ming."

"I admit that Mr. Yan doesn't always consider the feelings of individuals, or even those close to him. However, once he makes a promise, he will undoubtedly keep it."

"Both of you aren't newcomers to this world; you should be well aware of the consequences of making deals with Wujian Lords."

"Sir fulfilled his promise to Miss She, ensuring Mr. Ming would leave alive. Now, hasn't Sir kept his word? Mr. Ming is unharmed except for his eyes, isn't he?"

"The Black Rank Wujian Master protecting two ordinary people to leave alive... Mr. Chi, you understand the magnitude of this challenge."

"You can't assume that because Sir is a Wujian Master, this task was effortless. That wouldn't be fair to him."

Pan Hu's furry fingers interlaced, his beast-like eyes behind the sunglasses exuding calmness:

"Regarding Mr. Ming's eyes, I'll be straightforward. Sir isn't someone who would take something from others without reason, let alone from those around him."

"At times, the reasons are not convenient to share. Although Sir took Mr. Ming's eyes, he surely didn't abandon him. If you truly believed Sir to be like other Wujian Masters, cold and heartless, you wouldn't be listening patiently to me now, would you?"

Chi Zihe stared at him coldly, while She Lingshuang's gaze held a hint of pleading:

"We only want to understand how Uncle Yan is considering this matter. Without the Yin-Yang Eyes, the dangers in Little Ming's future are clear, not just to us, but even more so to Uncle Yan."

Pan Hu refilled her tea cup:

"Sir's approach has always been an exchange. He took the Yin-Yang Eyes from Mr. Ming, so he must have given him something in return. Haven't Mr. Chi and Miss She noticed any difference in Mr. Ming?"

Chi Zihe rolled his eyes upon hearing this.

"You can't possibly be talking about the Spirit-Binding Rope, right? How can these two things be compared?!"

She Lingshuang, on the other hand, felt that they might have overlooked something crucial. After a moment of pondering, an idea struck her, and she turned to ask,

"Did... did you check Ming's train ticket?"

Chi Zihe was taken aback, his brows furrowed.

"No...? With his eyes in that state, I had no interest in checking his ticket."

After their eyes met, both saw the answer reflected in each other's gaze.

Seeing that they had grasped the situation, Pan Hu felt relieved, knowing his guess was correct. He got up to bid them farewell.

"If Sir doesn't wake up tonight, I'll have to retrieve him and dry him off. There's still much work to be done, so I'm afraid I won't be able to entertain the both of you any longer."

Feeling anxious to verify his theory, Chi Zihe didn't dwell on other matters.

Yet, he was genuinely surprised by Pan Hu's loyalty:

"You're married, aren't you? Does your wife know that you spend your days with a handsome man as pretty as a flower? Doesn't she suspect anything about your sexual orientation?"

Pan Hu returned a sincere smile:

"I always finish work on time when Mr. Yan is around; I can go back home at six to cook for my wife. But there's no way around it during times like these; I have to work overtime. Besides, Mr. Yan pays extra for overtime, and my wife thinks this is a good job."

Only after finishing his sentence did he realize the focus of Chi Zihe's question. He chuckled:

"My wife really likes Mr. Yan. She buys all the magazines he features in, and during holidays, she comes with me to visit him. She even asked if Mr. Yan was hiring assistants before, because she wanted to apply."

Chi Zihe understood now. Pan Hu's wife was also a sucker for good looks; she would forget everything once she saw Yan Qiling's face.

There was no need to doubt anything – the couple would probably love to sleep in the same bed as Yan Qiling.

Damn it, never mind.

Anyway, none of them were ordinary people!

Chapter 86: You Agreed? (3000+)

For the safety of Chen Wuxing and Xu Ming, Qing Yi instructed Qing San to keep an eye on them and to send a signal in case of any abnormalities.

Upon hearing Huo Lanjing's words, the two remaining individuals turned their heads to look at Qing Si.

Considering his size, wouldn't that mean it's intended for him?

All eyes were on Qing Si, waiting for her reaction.

Yet, he witnessed Qing Si rise from his seat without uttering a word, completely ignoring Huo Lanjing as he passed by.

Huo Lanjing's expression turned grim in an instant.

Qing Si emerged from the restroom, only to bump into Huo Lanjing head-on.

Leaning against the door frame, it was evident that he was waiting for someone.

Qing Si simply brushed past him as if he hadn't seen anyone at all.

Huo Lanjing, noticing this, hurriedly caught up. "Luo Le."

Qing Si remained indifferent, continuing on his way as if in his own world.

This unfamiliar sensation stirred an inexplicable anxiety within Huo Lanjing.

In a few long strides, he approached Qing Si, grabbed him, lifted his hat, and pulled off his mask.

"The mole on the back of your neck is identical too. Why won't you admit it?"

Seeing that Qing Si's expression remained unchanged, as still as a tranquil body of water, Huo Lanjing's anger flared. He activated his holographic screen and pointed at Chen Chen's photo.

Upon seeing the picture, Qing Si's eyes flickered before returning to calmness.

The other employees noticed the commotion but, intimidated by Huo Lanjing's presence, dared not approach.

Seeing his silence, Huo Lanjing's frustration grew exponentially, like a snowball rolling downhill.

His gaze darkened as he firmly grasped Qing Si's shoulder. "Answer me."

Qing Si glanced at the obstruction before him and dismissed it with a single word. "Scram."

Taking advantage of Huo Lanjing's momentary distraction, he attempted to slip past him.

Just as he took a step away, his hand was seized.

Without hesitation, Qing Si turned around and fiercely slapped back.

Huo Lanjing's head jerked to one side from the blow. His untended locks, grown out over time, shielded his eyes, obscuring his expression.

Upon witnessing this scene, the onlookers bowed their heads, pretending to be occupied with tasks.

The spacious store was filled only with the sound of music playing through the speakers.

Qing Si wanted to leave, but his wrist remained firmly clasped, preventing escape.

After a moment, Huo Lanjing finally moved. He used his thumb to wipe the dampness from the corner of his mouth.

"You have the same face and similar habits as him. If you're not him, then who are you? Why are you pretending to be him, and what's your purpose?"

His tone was like that of an interrogator, devoid of any emotion.

Qing Si looked at his captured hand and lifted his gaze to meet the dark red gaze. He rubbed his thumb against his index finger.

"Daddy?"

"I've finally found you, I... Luo Le?"

Two voices sounded simultaneously from behind.

Qing Si turned his head and saw the scene at the door.

Huo Fei was holding Chen Chen with an astonished expression on her face.

Chen Chen: "Put me down, put me down."

Huo Fei regained his composure and gently set Chen Chen down.

Chen Chen dashed over to cling onto Qing Si's thigh, looking up at him with big eyes. "Papa, Papa, you're finally back! Chen Chen missed you so much!"

Qing Si maintained his cold demeanor, showing no reaction.

Huo Fei sensed something amiss and turned to look at Huo Lanjing. Upon seeing the swollen redness on his face, everything clicked into place.

Oh, he got beaten up.

Then, Huo Fei inquired with a glance what had actually happened.

Huo Lanjing remained silent, his mind in turmoil. A person's first instinct was often the most genuine.

Ever since Chen Chen appeared, that person hadn't shown any signs of recognition towards him, as if they truly didn't know Chen Chen.

Could it be that Luo Le had lost his memory?

Huo Lanjing recalled the day when Qing Si had evaded him. It didn't seem like Qing Si didn't recognize him.

Chen Chen called out for a while, but when the man didn't lift him up as he usually did, he sensed something was amiss.

He tentatively called out "Daddy" again, but the man still didn't respond. Panic seized him. "Daddy, don't you recognize Chen Chen? Why won't you hug me? Are you angry that Chen Chen was with Uncle? Daddy, I didn't mean to..."

As he spoke, tears began to fall relentlessly.

In the next moment, Chen Chen felt the person holding him shift.

A gentle hand brushed away his tears, and the gaze seemed to convey, "Don't cry."

Chen Chen lifted her head, glanced at Qing Si, then sobbed as she threw herself into his arms. She wiped her tears on his shirt, back and forth.

Qing Si pushed him away, saying, "I'm not, your father."

He then rose to depart alone, leaving Chen Chen behind.

Upon seeing this, the ease that Huo Lanjing had felt upon witnessing Qing Si's half-kneeling posture vanished without a trace.

Chen Chen, looking at the back of her father, cried even louder.

Huo Fei had no experience in soothing children. She walked over and nudged Huo Lanjing.

"Hey, come back to your senses. Go comfort your son."

Huo Lanjing regained his focus and looked at Chen Chen, who was crying on the floor. He crouched down in front of him and whispered something into his ear.

Chen Chen looked up at him. "Really?"

Huo Lanjing replied, "Give it a try, but let's do it another day. You should go back for now."

Chen Chen initially disagreed, but after Huo Lanjing spoke to him again, he obediently followed Huo Fei away.

Huo Lanjing then turned around and returned to the VIP room.

At that moment, the manager was about to take Qing Si's measurements, but Qing Si was reluctant, resulting in a deadlock between them.

Huo Lanjing approached and said, "Use my wife's measurements for that white outfit. Order a set of best man attire for each of them and have them delivered to one address."

Manager: "Yes, sir."

This was something the host family should have prepared, so they didn't refuse.

Qing Si was no exception.

For the next three days, Huo Lanjing didn't show up.

The wedding candies and banquet were booked, and the affairs progressed smoothly.

Today was the day for taking wedding photos.

The photography company was chosen by Xu Ming, and the location was selected in the suburbs.

Given the suburban location, they attached extra importance to safety this time, deciding to go together.

Save for the first day when they went to select their attire, they worked in shifts on all other occasions.

By the time they arrived, the photographers were already on site.

Photographer: "You've arrived. The newlyweds, follow him to change into your attire. Everyone else, accompany him."

Qing Yi senses something amiss and inquires, "Who arranged this?"

The photographer winces, "No one. They're just changing clothes; why are you following them?"

"So, we can follow then, right?"

Qing Yi whispers this, but Chen Wuxing and the other photographer, engaged in conversation, do not hear him.

Seeing their persistence, the photographer relents.

However, the photographer only permits one person to go along. Qing Yi contemplates and decides to send Qing Er.

Afterward, they are led to two vehicles and instructed to change their clothes.

Although puzzled, they comply.

Once dressed, the photo session begins, starting with a group shot of both of them.

They position themselves as directed by the photographer, with Qing Si seated on the farthest right step.

He gazed down at his hands, lost in thought.

"What are you looking at?" a voice suddenly asked.

Qing Si turned his head, spotting Huo Lanjing in his dark purple suit.

He shot up and moved to the other side.

"Hey, what are you doing? Don't move, you're disrupting my composition. Sit back down," Chen Wuxing, who had been forewarned, spoke up as he witnessed the scene.

Qing Si hesitated for a moment before sitting back down.

"Pay attention to your facial expressions, we're about to start shooting. Here we go, 3...2...1... Is the watermelon sweet?"

"Yes, it is."

Amidst laughter, only the two individuals on the far right wore frosty expressions.

After the photographer snapped the picture, Huo Lanjing subtly shifted closer to Qing Si, their heads nearly touching.

The photographer had finished shooting, but upon noticing their gesture, captured a few more frames.

"Alright, let's proceed to the next location."

Throughout the shoot, they took numerous pictures, and without fail, Huo Lanjing stood beside Qing Si in each one.

However, most of the time was spent watching Chen Wuxing and Xu Ming filming.

"Come, everyone, you've worked hard. Let's have a bite to eat first."

Upon seeing the fruits and pastries on the table, Qing Er leaned in and exclaimed, "Wow, there are even fruits. This sort of treatment for a photo shoot must be quite expensive, right?"

Qing Si cast a glance, noticing the crates of fruit within the carriage, then shot a look at Huo Lanjing without uttering a word.

"I must be insane to have a conversation with a barrel of wine, like you."

Qing Er, feeling unamused, left first.

That box was used exclusively by the vendor who supplied the Huo family with fruits and organic vegetables, all transported from the Third Planet via spacecraft.

Qing Si didn't join the others in eating but turned around to sit on a chair on the other side.

As soon as he sat down, someone else took a seat on the adjacent chair.

Qing Si glanced and saw it was Huo Lanjing, promptly averting his gaze.

Huo Lanjing noticed and placed the fruit plate on the table. "Have some."

Qing Si looked and saw grapes. He glanced at the group of people nearby who were also enjoying their fruits.

Silently, he reached for a grape and began to eat.

Huo Lanjing spoke up, "That day... I'm sorry."

Qing Si lifted his head to look at him, then lowered it again to continue peeling his grape.

Has he come to his senses?

Huo Lanjing continued, "Over the past three days, I've done a lot of thinking, and I still feel the need to apologize to you. I shouldn't have suddenly grabbed you that day or said those things."

He then looked at Qing Si, awaiting his response.

After a moment's silence, Qing Si replied, "It's alright."

Huo Lanjing furrowed his brows, concern etched on his face as he asked, "Can I trouble you with something?"

Qing Si lifted his head, inviting him to speak with his gaze.

Huo Lanjing pressed his lips together, hesitating for a while before saying, "Do you still remember that child from that day? He fell ill after we met."

Pausing briefly, he continued, "I'm not implying it has anything to do with you. To be honest, his father is no longer around, and he's not even five years old. We've never dared to tell him. Before, it was just that you resemble his father so much that I made a mistake."

"Would you be willing to act out a scene with me? Just until he gets better. I'll pay you by the day, a million per day. What do you think?"

Qing Si lowered his head, deep in thought.

Huo Lanjing remained silent, waiting patiently.

After a moment, he glanced over and noticed that they had almost finished everything on the table.

"All right," he said.

Huo Lanjing turned his head at the sound of this, looking slightly surprised. "Really? You agreed?")

Qing Si continued, "The timing is up to me."

Huo Lanjing's lips curved into a smile. "Sure."

Suddenly, a person at one of the tables collapsed, causing a commotion.

Qing Si immediately rose to his feet and approached.

The person lying on the ground was frothing at the mouth with eyes rolled back, clearly in a state of unconsciousness.

Qing Er is wiping the residue from the corner of his mouth. "Hurry, bring the car over."

The driver acknowledged and hurried to get the car moving.

Qing Yi glanced at the items scattered on the ground and then at the objects on the table. He nudged Qing Si, who had rushed over.

"Give me an evidence bag."

Qing Si looked behind him at the approaching crowd and shook his head.

Qing Yi understood and addressed everyone, "Does anyone have a sealable bag?"

One of the photographer's assistants dug into their backpack and produced a stack. "Like this one?"

Qing Yi nodded, first collecting the fallen pastries from the ground and then the remaining fruits and desserts on the table.

Huo Lanjing took one look and grasped the situation; his gaze darkened.

Had they been engaging in such perilous tasks for these past three years?

Chapter 72: This Seat's Soup Preparation

That night, the two of them lay on a spacious stone bed. The days of confinement were truly unbearable. They had practiced their cultivation, eaten their meals, and there was nothing else to do.

Roaming around in that small cave, Chu Wanning's calmness allowed him to endure it, but it was different for Mo Ran; he genuinely felt as if each day dragged on like a year.

"Sigh, how boring, how boring. What should we play? What can we play?"

Closing his eyes, Chu Wanning replied, "Sleep."

"It's still very early," Mo Ran glanced at the water clock and shook his head. "Very early."

Chu Wanning ignored him.

Mo Ran rolled around on the bed a few times before suddenly reaching out to tug at his face.

"Niangzi."

"…"

"Junior Apprentice Brother~"

"..."

"JUNIOR APPRENTICE BROTHER!!"

Chu Wanning abruptly opened his eyes, seething. "What do you want!"

Mo Ran shamelessly held his hand and shook it back and forth. "Play with me."

"Am I the junior apprentice brother or are you?" Chu Wanning's anger was palpable as he flung away Mo Ran's hand. "Who's going to play your nonsense?"

Mo Ran smiled sweetly, truly brazen. "Of course, it's you who'll play along with my nonsense. Who else could it be?"

Chu Wanning: "..."

The headband had been untied from Mo Ran's head – a thin red strip, tied at both ends, now looped between his fingers in a distinctive knot.

In the end, Chu Wanning sat up on the bed, his temper frayed. "What is this? How do you play with it?"

"This is a flower thread game. Girls usually play it more often, while boys don't, but I grew up in a music ensemble, didn't I? There were many girls there, so I learned how to play it."

"..."

"It's actually quite interesting. Watch closely, now you try looping this string around your finger... No, not that one, it's your little finger, yes, just like that. Then use your thumb and index finger to hook the other two strings..." Mo Ran spoke slowly and gently, with great patience and tranquility.

The candle flames crackled, casting a warm golden glow on their figures, big and small, both engrossed in weaving the red string pattern. Their expressions softened as they focused on the task.

Chu Wanning held the thread taut, following Mo Ran's instructions to create the design. Suddenly, he made a mistake, and as he transferred the string, instead of forming a new pattern, it simply returned to its original, simple double strand.

He stared blankly, his hand still suspended in mid-air, confusion etched on his face as he muttered, "Why did it come apart? How could it...?"

"Haha, you must have tangled it wrong again."

"....Let's try again."

"No more," Mo Ran chuckled. "It gets boring if we keep doing the same thing. Let's try something else."

"I insist." This time, it was Chu Wanning who was displeased. He said solemnly, "We'll try once more."

"..."

For three days, the two remained in the cave. On the fourth night, as usual, Mo Ran prepared something delicious for Chu Wanning. He had already figured out that his junior apprentice brother and master indeed shared the same hometown, as their preferences in food were strikingly similar.

That evening, the Feathered people delivered a hen and a few mushrooms. Mo Ran planned to make a savory mushroom chicken soup with homemade noodles – it was bound to taste delightful.

"Chicken soup for dinner tonight?"

"Mm-hmm," Mo Ran replied, glancing at Chu Wanning. Although this young man possessed an exceptional talent in martial arts, he couldn't grasp the intricacies of playing with a jump rope. Yet, he stubbornly persisted, always fiddling with a hair tie whenever there was nothing else to do, which was quite amusing.

Mo Ran chuckled. "Sit there and play slowly, but I'm afraid my soup will be ready before you figure out this rope game."

Chu Wanning snorted and paused before casually asking, "Is there any ginger left among the remaining ingredients?"

"I'll check... Oh, yes, plenty of it. They gave me a bunch yesterday."

Satisfied, Chu Wanning said, "Add more to it. It'll help remove the gamey taste."

Mo Ran stroked his chin. "Hmm... Do you think I should add some goji berries as well?"

Chu Wanning's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Ha. Of course not. I just think your taste is similar to your Shifu's. He also likes adding ginger to his soup and goji berries."

"... You remember what he likes to eat?"

"Haha, yes, yes, because I'm obedient." Mo Ran didn't bother explaining further. He couldn't possibly tell his junior disciple about their past lives. So he simply replied, "I'm the perfect filial disciple, but unfortunately, my sincere admiration for Shifu goes unnoticed."

As Mo Ran spoke casually, he started preparing the poultry, thus missing Chu Wanning's expression. He efficiently plucked the feathers and removed the organs, ready to boil water to wash away the blood. At this moment, he heard his junior disciple say softly, "He might actually know."

"What?"

When Mo Ran looked up, Chu Wanning's ears suddenly turned red. He coughed awkwardly and said, "I meant that he might know how well you treat Elder Yu Heng."

"Oh, that. Actually, it doesn't matter. I've gotten used to it. Sometimes, I do fantasize that he could be like other masters, sharing intimate conversations with me or knowing my preferences as I do his. But those are just thoughts from the past. When I first joined the sect, I was deceived by his handsome appearance and thought he was gentle. Now, looking back, I realize... Sigh, he's too high and mighty, too busy with his duties. How could I ever catch his eye? Ha, ahahaha."

Upon hearing this, Chu Wanning was initially annoyed. However, upon reflection, he realized that although he cared for Mo Ran, he had always kept a distant attitude. This realization turned his annoyance into embarrassment, causing him to lower his head in silence. After a while, he jumped off the bed and quietly walked over to Mo Ran.

"What are you doing?"

"You've been cooking for days now. Let me make something simple for you today."

Mo Ran was taken aback, then he chuckled. "Why the sudden idea? You're so small, how can you cook? You can't even reach the stove. Besides, I'm your senior brother; since you call me that, what's a few meals?"

Chu Wanning fetched a stool and stood on it silently, staring stubbornly at him.

Mo Ran: "… Why are you glaring at me?"

"I want to see if I can reach the stove."

"…"

"Senior Elder Yu Heng doesn't know what you like to eat, but I'm not as heartless as he is," Chu Wanning said expressionlessly. "Go rest, I'll cook for you."

After bustling around for half a day, Chu Wanning didn't let Mo Ran help. He brandished a kitchen knife with an intimidating gaze, cutting the dead hen's body with a focused yet stiff demeanor, a sight too gruesome to bear.

Mo Ran had initially wanted to lend a hand, but his junior disciple's bad temper reminded him of their master. They both disliked being disturbed when concentrating on tasks. After several failed attempts, Mo Ran scratched his head and lay down on the bed to rest in a daze.

Finally, the chicken was put into the pot. Chu Wanning covered the clay lid of the soup pot and turned to say something to Mo Ran when a soft voice echoed from the entrance of the prison cave.

"Are you there, Ah Ran and Junior Brother Xia?"

Upon hearing this voice, Mo Ran was struck as if by lightning. He leaped off the bed and rushed to the door. Through a crack, he first saw a cold Feathered standing outside. But when his gaze shifted, he spotted Shi Mo standing behind her, dressed in white and looking worried. Overwhelmed with joy, he exclaimed, "Shi Mo! You... Why are you here?"

"I have an urgent matter to discuss with you," Shi Mo said. "The Ruler has received a report and has come to Peach Blossom Spring. They're currently negotiating with the Feathered. How have you been? Have you suffered during these days?"

"I'm doing great, eating, drinking, and bouncing around just fine," Mo Ran paused before asking, "What about Master? Where is he?"

"He claims to still be in seclusion for cultivation and hasn't come," Shi Mo replied.

"Oh..." Mo Ran's eyes flickered, then he sighed softly, muttering to himself, "It's better that he didn't come... It's better that way."

"But Elder Xuan Ji is here, saying he's vouching for Junior Brother Xia," Shi Mo continued. "Is Junior Brother Xia sleeping?"

Mo Ran answered, "No, he's making soup. Junior Brother—come over quickly!"

Chu Wanning put down the small bamboo fan he had been using to fan the fire and walked to the door. Looking at the two people outside without any surprise, he said coolly, "What's going on?"

Before Shi Mo could speak, the Feathered huffed and shot back, "Isn't it obvious? Your master is here, saying they'll protect you while negotiating with our Celestial Ruler."

"...My master?"

"The Elder Xuan Ji."

"Oh." Chu Wanning paused, his expression unreadable. "Very well."

The Feathered tribesman pouted and said, "Both of you come out. The Esteemed Lords have gathered at the Dew Drinking Pavilion, waiting for your explanations."

Chu Wanning glanced back at the simmering chicken soup and said, "I won't be going. The soup is halfway done, and I can't leave. Mo Ran, you can represent me."

Upon hearing this, the Feathered tribesman thought to himself that he was indeed just a naive child, speaking so irresponsibly. He sneered and threatened, "If you don't go, you'll miss your chance to defend yourself. If you're found guilty of killing Miss Eighteen, you'll be executed."

To his surprise, Chu Wanning didn't seem to be afraid at all. Instead, he looked indifferent, gave him a cold glance, and walked away.

Shi Mo was about to call after him, but Mo Ran shook his head with a smile. "Let him be. I'll go instead."

"But Elder Xuan Ji has come a long way. It would be rude if he doesn't pay his respects..."

Before Mo Ran could speak, Chu Wanning's voice drifted from afar, "Senior Brother Mo, please convey my regards to our Master."

"..." Surprised that his soft-spoken words had been overheard, Shi Mo felt a bit awkward. Clearing his throat, he waited for the Feathered to clear the bramble outside the dungeon entrance before taking Mo Ran's hand, ready to leave.

Unexpectedly, Chu Wanning turned back and called out, "Senior Apprentice Brother."

"Has Junior Apprentice Brother changed your mind and decided to come with me?" Mo Ran asked with a smile.

Chu Wanning waved his short sleeves and replied, "I'm not going. I just came to remind you to return early. If you're late, the soup will be cold and won't taste as good."

Startled, Mo Ran laughed. "Alright, then wait for me."

"Mm." Chu Wanning didn't say anything more. Only when Mo Ran was far away and had disappeared around the corner did he turn back and focus on cooking the soup.

The Pavilion of Dewdrops wasn't far from the dungeon. On their way, Shi Mo casually asked, "Ran, it seems like you've become closer to Junior Apprentice Brother Xia these days?"

Smiling, Mo Ran answered, "Yeah, we've gone through some hardships together. Why, is Shi Mo feeling jealous of a child?"

"...) Nonsense."

"Hahaha, don't worry, Shi Mo. You're still my favorite, and that won't change."

"…Stop the nonsense. I just find Junior Brother Xia a bit peculiar…"

"Peculiar? Oh…" Mo Ran pondered and nodded. "He is rather odd, indeed."

"You think so too?"

"Yes," Mo Ran chuckled. "At such a young age, he speaks as if he were an adult, and his magical powers are formidable. Besides, what happened in the illusionary realm was even more bizarre. I haven't had the chance to tell you yet. Did you know? I suspect he might be a distant relative of our Master."

A flicker of emotion passed through Shi Mo's eyes as he asked, "In what way?"

"We saw someone in the illusion who was the son of the Taishou (Governor) of Linan City two hundred years ago, and he also bore the surname Chu. He looked incredibly similar to our Master. He had a son whose appearance was also…."

Just as he was about to divulge the crucial point, a furious string of curses echoed ahead. Looking up, they saw Xue Meng storming towards them with a scowl on his face, still yelling, "Scoundrel! Beast! Shameless cur!"

Hearing the sound of a beverage bottle being forcefully set down on the table, Lin Shuicheng turned around and noticed Fu Luoyin.

Fu Luoyin was clearly enraged. Without saying a word, he swept his sleeves and stormed off.

Su Yu wore a miserable expression, on the verge of tears. "Oh no, I'm finished... Sister-in-law, Negative Two will kill me!"

After a moment of silence, Lin Shuicheng spoke calmly, "It's alright. I'll talk to him. It was me who chased after you, not the other way around. You can consider my words. If you have reservations about my suggestion due to morality or public opinion, perhaps you could try an open marriage. You can still live your previous life without putting too much pressure on yourself."

Su Yu remained stunned. He looked at Lin Shuicheng in horror, trembling as he failed to utter a single word.

Lin Shuicheng nodded gently at him before heading towards Fu Luoyin.

Fu Luoyin walked swiftly. He exited the main hall of the hotel through a side door and stepped outside. Their hotel was near the sea, with the guest rooms situated close to the beach for the convenience of relaxation and leisure.

The sand had been imported, fine and soft, and very clean. Beyond it was a greenhouse area separated by glass walls, resembling a beautiful garden.

Fu Luoyin stopped in this spot and reached for a pack of mint cigarettes. However, after searching for a while, he couldn't find a lighter. Then, a hand appeared in front of him, offering a lighter.

Fu Luoyin gazed at that hand.

Lin Shuicheng's hands were long and elegant, slightly too pale, soft to the touch when held. Occasionally, he felt as if this person had no bones, so unbelievably pliable that each time he couldn't help but crave more while worrying about damaging Lin Shuicheng.

On that dark night, he watched as the man before him leaned in, taking the cigarette from between his fingers. This left him slightly dizzy, a sensation more intoxicating than nicotine addiction, more surreal than being drunk. He couldn't articulate the kind of joy it brought; just like then, he held back gently, suppressing his emotions carefully, not daring to dwell too deeply, for it felt like a fragile ray of light that would dissipate with a mere breath.

These were the hands he once held tightly and kissed fervently.

Fu Luoyin didn't reach for the lighter. Instead, he crushed the freshly lit cigarette in his palm, turning away from Lin Shuicheng's gaze.

His voice was calm: "Is this amusing to you, Lin Shuicheng?"

Lin Shuicheng looked at him for a moment before replying, "I didn't mean it, I'm sorry. I didn't expect you to come so quickly."

"Who the hell cares if it was intentional or not!" Fu Luoyin erupted suddenly. He turned his head, his eyes bloodshot. After that outburst, he quickly regained his composure, regaining his earlier calmness.

He finally lifted his gaze, locking onto Lin Shuicheng's—Lin Shuicheng's expression remained indifferent.

With a hoarse voice, Fu Luoyin said, "So you never really liked me. You could say you want to pursue my brother just two weeks after breaking up with me... What do you think of me, Lin Shuicheng?"

He sensed his voice on the verge of breaking but stubbornly held back, forcing himself to stay strong as he asked, "What do you think of me?"

"..." Lin Shuicheng lowered his gaze. "I'm sorry."

Indeed, he had nothing to explain.

During those two years, he had treated Fu Luoyin as Chu Shihan's substitute. Even though Fu Luoyin hadn't taken him seriously from the start, it was still not a proud act. It was one of the mistakes he had made.

And now, all those mistakes needed to be corrected; things should return to their normal course.

His straightforward admission left Fu Luoyin speechless.

"You used to..."

After a long while, Fu Luoyin whispered, "Back then, you were clearly very fond of me."

He took a deep breath and spoke as if in a trance, "You liked me. You cooked for me, waited for me after work, you..." He gradually trailed off.

"There's no need to take it seriously," Lin Shuicheng said. "You're an excellent person, Fu Luoyin. It's I who am not worthy of your affection."

He continued to look at him calmly and gently, awaiting his response. This tranquility was, in fact, the harshest judgment, like a basin of icy water poured over his head, extinguishing the blazing fire within.

A hiss of white steam rolled over, carrying bone-chilling cold and scorching heat that seared into the heart. The alternating sensations were utterly unbearable.

It was a piercing pain.

Suddenly, Fu Luoyin realized that this was one of the rare times Lin Shuicheng had called his name.

He drew in a deep breath, seemingly at a loss for words due to anger.

Lin Shuicheng glanced at him before turning back towards the hotel. However, just as he turned, someone grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back by the waist!

Fu Luoyin pressed him against the glass wall, reaching out to grasp his chin.

Forced to look up slightly, Lin Shuicheng met his gaze.

Fu Luoyin's eyes were deep and dark, filled with smoldering rage and an intense obsession.

Involuntarily, Lin Shuicheng sought support behind him, but all he could touch was the solid yet transparent glass wall. Though the wall was sturdy, its suspended transparency made him feel unstable. He instinctively clutched at Fu Luoyin's sleeve, only to have his hand caught and held above his head by Fu Luoyin.

It was an incredibly intimate position, one that left Lin Shuicheng completely immobile and at a disadvantage.

Lin Shuicheng spoke calmly, "If you want to, let's go back to the room."

Suddenly, the hand that was being held felt a slight pain — Fu Luoyin had tightened his grip in that instant, as if he were venting his anger, and his voice carried a chill, "… Do you think I care about sleeping with someone like you? I can have anyone I want…"

"Did you think I liked you, Lin Shuicheng?" Fu Luoyin shot back, then laughed bitterly, "I haven't had enough of you yet. I haven't even agreed to break up, so what gives you the right to make that decision on your own? Let me tell you, I don't care, and you're not going anywhere. Su Yu is my brother, and Han is just some rich guy. Don't think I'm powerless."

Lin Shuicheng looked at him for a moment, suddenly feeling a wave of exhaustion.

There was no fear or sadness in his gaze, and Fu Luoyin found himself unable to read Lin Shuicheng's expression, because the look in Lin Shuicheng's eyes was incredibly gentle, almost tender and pitiful.

Lin Shuicheng whispered softly, "Stop liking me, Fu Luoyin. I won't be coming back. Once the storm passes, I'll return home."

"… What?" Fu Luoyin was taken aback and asked.

Lin Shuicheng questioned him, "You didn't cancel the flight to Dongtong, did you?"

"What flight?" Fu Luoyin remained dazed, "You booked a flight back to Dongtong? Lin Deng is in Star City, why would you go back when there's no one at home?"

Lin Shuicheng looked at him thoughtfully for a moment, then chuckled mockingly, "Never mind, the storm affected the flights. It was unpredictable."

Lin Shuicheng gently withdrew his hand, stepping away from Fu Luoyin.

Fu Luoyin found that his thoughts were always drawn back to Lin Shuicheng. Despite starting out in control, he was always surpassed by Lin Shuicheng in the end.

When Lin Shuicheng mentioned the flights to Dongtong City, Fu Luoyin searched and discovered that all direct flights from Star City to Dongtong had been canceled due to weather conditions.

Did Lin Shuicheng think he was afraid of him running away, so he cut off this escape route?

Did he look like someone who enjoyed forcing others?

Almost amused by his anger, Fu Luoyin then rationalized: The cancellations of flights to Dongtong City were indeed unusual. Although it was currently a peak period for rain and snow, only that particular flight route heading southward had been suspended.

It wasn't entirely unreasonable for Lin Shuicheng to suspect him.

He called Zhou Heng, asking for help in investigating the issue with the Dongtong City flights.

Afterward, he felt as if all his energy had been drained. With both hands covering his face, he took a deep breath.

Unlike a few years ago, he didn't show weakness or vulnerability in front of Lin Shuicheng. This time, he wasn't heartbroken, nor did he lose face.

He did it exceptionally well.

Su Yu felt like he was in a dream, an entire day filled with surreal moments.

Drifting around the venue in a daze, he finally spotted Dong Shuoye, grasping at straws. He pulled him aside mysteriously and, while nibbling on a chicken leg, whispered, "The world is about to end! Can you guess why?"

Dong Shuoye sipped his champagne nonchalantly, pondering for a moment. "What has Lin Shuicheng done to Minus Two this time?"

With a mournful expression, Su Yu continued chewing on his leg of chicken. "Sis-in-law confessed to me! No, wait, he said he could pursue me! Or rather, he asked if I wanted to be with him, even offering to help manage our family business..."

Dong Shuoye choked on his drink.

Glancing at him, Su Yu covered his face and said, "The thing is, I actually found Sis-in-law's words quite reasonable! But that's not the reason the world is ending... The reason is that Minus Two overheard us."

Still coughing, Dong Shuoye looked at him with an unusual flicker of surprise in his eyes. Clearly, he had never expected such a turn of events. He asked, "So what do you plan to do? Lin Shuicheng is the one Minus Two is chasing after."

Scratching his head, Su Yu replied, "I can't possibly agree to Sis-in-law's proposal! I just wanted to share this with you."

Beyond the surreal feeling, Su Yu couldn't help but feel a secret delight. "But the fact that Sis-in-law finds me attractive makes me so happy, even if it seems like he's just returning a favor or looking for someone to settle down with... I'm still thrilled!"

Dong Shuoye glanced at him and said, "Immature."

Su Yu sighed. "Forget it. Negative Two won't be angry with me, but he might be upset with Sister-in-law. By the way, where did you go just now? Why were you chatting with that President Runsheng the whole time?"

"Diplomatic small talk, we seemed to click. He might be able to lend a hand if your family ever needs anything." Dong Shuoye handed Su Yu an old man's business card from Lu Shengwen's family. "That old fellow is cunning and smooth. He wants a monopoly on clinical pharmaceuticals. I saw Aunt Yan talking to him for a long time. They seemed to be getting along, but he's not easy to persuade. His family has connections in the former Middle East branch, which is far from us. It's not like there are many people who can influence him."

Su Yu muttered, "As much as it's uncertain, if they don't cooperate with us, our family's clinical trials might really be doomed. I'll... I'll still try my best."

He stared at the business card and sighed deeply.

When Lin Shuicheng returned, the table was already in chaos. After the MC wished the guest of honor a happy birthday, everyone moved freely to get food and chat.

Su Yu was still by the same table, while Dong Shuoye and Yan Zi were seated nearby. Xia Ran and Fu Luoyin were nowhere to be seen.

Su Yu held champagne and tried hard to persuade Lu Shengwen to continue their conversation. As the saying goes, one doesn't hit a smiling face. Su Yu had a clean-cut, obedient appearance that elders found endearing.

Just as Lu Shengwen was about to agree to "chat more," Fu Xue interrupted.

Smiling, Fu Xue approached them with her wine glass. "Little Fish, how long have you been talking to President Lu? Why don't you give us a chance? We at Yangfeng Nano have long admired President Lu's reputation. Your clinical trials on Nano Clear Clot are the best. We'd love to learn from you and discuss improvement methods. We've recently developed a new generation of clot-clearing robots. If President Lu is interested, we'd be happy to send you a few thousand sets to test out?"

Upon hearing this, Su Yu and Yan Zi's expressions turned sour.

The nanoclear thrombosis technology had always been an area of competition between the Lu and Su families. The Su family had fallen behind in both market share and clinical effectiveness, causing the suppliers to change their contract models due to the Lu family's gradual monopoly. In two years, all suppliers in the market would have to sign exclusive contracts with the Lu family, effectively pushing the Su family out of the game – without access to raw materials, how could they conduct clinical trials?

Especially since this was the Su family's territory; Fu Xue's actions made her stance clear. She was deliberately making them uncomfortable!

Although the Su family had invited many guests with different or even hostile stances, it was inevitable that there might be confrontations. However, no one expected it to happen so quickly.

The atmosphere turned chilly.

In the distance, Xia Ran tilted his head to ask Bai Yiyi, "What's going on? What is Sister Fu Xue doing?"

Bai Yiyi whispered in his ear, "She's helping you get back at them. You know Su Yu has never liked you. Didn't you hear him subtly putting us down just now? Our capabilities may be smaller, and our family businesses aren't as big as those in Star City's elite circle, but that doesn't mean we should just take their abuse. President Lu used to be in charge of the old Middle East division; they can't possibly have that much influence!"

Xia Ran frowned. "That won't do. Today is Aunt Yan Zi's birthday—"

He was about to go over and pull Fu Xue back when Bai Yiyi suddenly grabbed his hand. "Ran Ran, it's your kindness that allows that Lin person to take advantage! You saw how sulky you were today – completely under that Lin person's spell. Don't you feel terrible about it?"

Xia Ran was taken aback.

Bai Yiyi commented, "This matter has nothing to do with you. If you go now, it'll only make Yan Zi and Su Yu think less of you. Fu Xue is already the villain here; don't get involved unnecessarily. Yan Zi seems to like you, right? You gave her the right tea set. Besides, Su Yu is close friends with Fu Luoyin. That's what truly matters. When it comes to giving gifts, look at what that Lin person brought. I just took a glance, and it seemed to be an ordinary medical book, tsk."

Xia Ran was about to speak when his attention was diverted by some movement nearby.

In the crowd, Lin Shuicheng approached with two glasses of champagne in hand.

All eyes were on them, and many pairs of eyes were fixed on this side. Amidst the tension and hostility, the entrance of a cool and handsome young man immediately drew everyone's attention.

No one had ever denied Lin Shuicheng's striking appearance – his peach blossom eyes, red teardrop mole, and captivating looks with a hint of sharpness. Even though few people knew him, those present couldn't help but pay extra attention to him.

He strolled over as if nothing was amiss, seemingly unaware of the situation at hand. He cut through the awkward silence, moving through the crowd.

Placing a glass of champagne in front of Su Yu, he then sat down beside him.

Ignoring Fu Xue, Lu Shengwen, and others standing, he casually carved a perfectly cooked steak on his plate into bite-sized portions, drizzled sauce over them, and handed it to Su Yu. "Here, you must be tired from all the running around today. Eat more."

Su Yu: "…"

Why did Lin Shuicheng appear at this moment?

He felt as if his scalp was about to burst, making his tone sound weak, helpless, and pitiful: "Sister-in-law..."

Lin Shuicheng glanced at him, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

Just then, Lu Shengwen, who had been staring at him intently, finally recalled something. He pointed excitedly at Lin Shuicheng, "Ah... You! Teacher Little Lin, you're actually here too?"

Lin Shuicheng turned his head slightly and looked at him calmly, tilting it a bit.

"I am..." Lu Shengwen rubbed his hands together, suddenly forgetting everything else. He pulled a chair and plopped down directly across from Lin Shuicheng. "Runsheng Pharmaceutical, Runsheng Pharmaceutical! Do you still remember collaborating with us on two organic synthetic nerve medications? It's the company you requested a sample from a few days ago!"

Lin Shuicheng nodded. "Yes, I remember. Thank you for the medicine."

The shocking sight of the crimson color made Rong Xun's heart race.

Recalling what Shen had done, a surge of anger rose within him, only to be extinguished swiftly by a sense of anxious panic.

Rong Shu hurried through the Moon Cave Gate and grabbed Rong Xun's arm, asking, "Father, how is Mother?"

Seeing his eldest daughter with reddened eyes, holding back her tears, Rong Xun felt a lump in his throat.

"Your mother suddenly started bleeding two hours ago. The physician is currently administering acupuncture. As long as the bleeding stops, her life will be saved."

Rong Shu's voice faltered, "But what if it doesn't stop?"

Rong Xun didn't answer, only gazing silently at the door of the sleeping chamber.

He dared not contemplate the answer to Rong Shu's question.

When his father had initially arranged his marriage to Shen, he was very reluctant.

Unlike his two elder brothers who enjoyed military life, Rong Xun had always been fond of reading. He had envisioned a wife who would share his love for poetry and painting, a refined lady who would add fragrance to his scholarly pursuits.

Miss Shen was born into a merchant family, and in Rong Xun's eyes, she was a woman tainted with the stench of money.

However, after their marriage, she turned out to be different from his preconceived notion of a merchant's daughter.

Though not educated in the classics like a lady from an esteemed family, she had been pampered with fine food and gold. Apart from her fiery temper, she didn't possess the coarseness he expected.

Father said that Elder Brother was a natural-born military leader, favored by the Emperor. With him, the Rong family would sooner or later secure a position in the capital. But that wasn't enough; the Rong family lacked a solid foundation, and this foundation required vast wealth to build.

Thus, Father accepted the marriage proposal from the Shen family and arranged for Rong Xun to marry Miss Shen.

Rong Xun remembered the first year of their marriage. Although they often quarreled over trivial matters, their life together was generally harmonious.

She had traveled extensively with her father and brothers since childhood, and knew more about the world's wonders than he did.

When she spoke of the outside world, her eyes shimmered like stars in a cold night sky.

Rong Xun enjoyed listening to her tales of the past and watching her animated expressions.

But after he brought Pei Yun into the household, Miss Shen refused to let him enter the Qingheng Courtyard. He, too, had a temper. Since she forbade him entry, he decided not to enter.

Never had he imagined that the Qingheng Courtyard would one day lose its lady.

In his memories, Madam Shen was always vibrant, like a crimson red kapok flower, blooming brilliantly even without its branches and leaves.

Rong Xun couldn't associate the person lying inside, on the verge of death, with Madam Shen.

How could she die?

How could she?

"Madam!"

A sobbing voice of Ama Zhou echoed from within the room.

Both father and daughter were startled. Rong Shu, disregarding everything else, lifted her skirt and rushed into the chamber.

Madam Shen lay with her eyes closed, bleeding profusely from beneath.

Ama Zhou wiped away the flowing blood, weeping loudly, "Madam, Miss has come. You must hold on."

The midwife attending to Madam Shen was a seasoned one from the Rong family, who, despite being in her advanced years, possessed vast experience. Looking at Madam Shen's ashen face, she trembled with fear and said, "Madam... I'm afraid the situation is dire."

Rong Xun, who was about to enter the room, paused at the sound of her words.

Unlike his two elder brothers, Rong Xun was handsome and carried himself with the refinement of an erudite scholar. However, at that moment, his scholarly elegance vanished as if something that had been supporting him had suddenly disappeared.

Rong Shu glanced at the dispirited Madam Shen and grabbed hold of Rong Xun's sleeve, declaring decisively, "Mother holds the title of a Fourth Rank Lady, Father must rush to the palace to summon the Imperial physicians!"

Only then did Rong Xun snap out of his daze and rush out of the Qingheng Courtyard, stumbling along the way.

In his haste, he collided with a maid upon exiting. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was Yingyue.

"Lord, this is Doctor Sun from the Imperial Medicine Court! He has come especially to attend to Madam!"

Rong Xun didn't recognize Doctor Sun Daoping. Hearing that he was a physician, and seeing how young he looked, Rong Xun harbored some doubts about his abilities.

But Doctor Sun was not concerned with Rong Xun's thoughts. Focused on saving a life, he simply gave a casual bow and, carrying his medicine chest, hurried inside.

Rong Xun reached out to intervene, but before he could, a jovial voice interrupted, "Lord Hou, rest assured. Doctor Sun is the grandson of Court Attendant Sun. It was he who cured my lord's injury back then."

Rong Xun followed the sound, and his gaze fell upon a stranger, one whose countenance was unfamiliar to him. The attire adorning this person was plain and unassuming, immediately betraying that they were not a servant within the ranks of the Marquisate.

The man bowed respectfully and said, "I am Chang Ji, Lord Gu's personal attendant. My master, upon learning of Lady Hou's critical illness, has specifically sent me to summon Doctor Sun."

Lord Gu, Gu Changjin, whose son-in-law held a position in the Ministry of Punishments.

Rong Xun was now vaguely recalling that when Gu Changjin had fainted in the Throne Room, the Emperor had dispatched a Senior Physician to accompany him back to his residence. He had heard his colleagues mention this before, saying that the physician came from the Sun family and was the cherished grandson of the Grand Medical Director of the Imperial Medicine Court, known for his remarkable medical skills.

Rong Xun felt a slight ease in his heart, yet he remained concerned, for the child was still so very young.

"Yunzhi is thoughtful indeed," spoke he, "yet the Imperial Physician-in-Chief, being still young in years, I shall personally pay a visit to the Imperial Medicine Court." Thus saying, he hastened away.

Chang Ji watched him depart with a bowed back, a cold harrumph escaping his heart.

One who had previously shown such indifference towards his wife, why put on this display of heartfelt anxiety now that her life hangs by a thread? For whom is this performance intended?

Chang Ji glanced at the courtyard, where Yingyue had already led Sun Daoping inside.

Back in Wutong Lane, the moment Rong Shu left, Chang Ji hastened to the Ministry of Punishment to report the matter to his master.

His master judged that it might be too late to summon a court physician at this point. After a moment's deliberation, he instructed Chang Ji to go straight to the Sun residence and bring Sun Daoping with him.

Sun Daoping had been tirelessly attending to Gu Changjin day and night at the Gu household, which had deeply distressed his grandmaster, the eunuch in charge of his residence. As a result, he was granted a month's leave.

That was what allowed Chang Ji to seize the opportunity to locate Sun Daoping without hindrance.

Let's hope it isn't too late, Chang Ji thought to himself.

Chapter 159: Envy

Aluda truly fed the Blood Tree everything, poisonous or not, throwing it all in. The Blood Tree had a chance to assimilate and devour flesh, and Wen Ying currently didn't even understand what kind of hybrid it had become.

He now had a few trump cards specifically for dealing with devilish beings like Berlos and Lan Jiaying. He dared to be more relaxed against them because they looked sturdy.

He couldn't honestly tell Muershi. As an Extreme Evil Bird, Muershi inherited the powerful bloodline of one of the Three Great Devils. Wen Ying didn't believe that he wouldn't interfere in the ranking matches.

So, Wen Ying nonchalantly said, "Don't you think that Teacher Lai Yehua has been looking at me rather unfavourably lately? After I beat Huiguo up so badly, he might dislike me even more."

Muershi: "…Teacher?" His expression was like he had eaten something unpleasant.

When did Wen Ying start being so polite to Lai Yehua? Ever since Aluda had his back, this guy had been acting like he owned the place, except when Feng Luo was around.

Muershi pretended to be hurt as he wiped away fake tears, his voice wounded. "You didn't even tell me?"

Wen Ying calmly took out some food, leaving behind a casual remark. "Just because you're an Extreme Evil Bird."

Muershi muttered under his breath, "It's all prejudice."

After finishing lunch and returning to the dorm for an afternoon nap, Wen Ying received a call from the old devil referee around two o'clock. He had anticipated this, so he skillfully cast a quick water spell to wash his face.

Today, none of the favorites joined the fray except Scarlet; they were all attentively observing Wen Ying's cunning strategies. In each round, Wen Ying employed a distinct approach, and they meticulously noted them down to avoid falling into the same traps.

In the evening, Wen Ying returned to the castle, where Arulda presented dinner upon the dining table. Her countenance exuded maternal warmth, yet the bowl she bore was as dark as an abyss, emanating tendrils of black mist. Upon the inky broth floated desiccated crimson berries and a miscellany of indiscernible edibles.

Wen Ying drank it without changing his expression, as if it was just a bowl of bitter Chinese herbal medicine.

After finishing the drink, Wen Ying asked, "Great-grandmother, I still feel that I have limited control over the toxins within the Bloodwood branches. May I use them?"

Aruda remained unperturbed by the perilous topic, seating himself across from Wen Ying and picking up his bowl to eat. He nonchalantly replied to her while eating, "Those fellows have tough skin, so there's no need to worry. After drinking this soup tonight, you'll grasp most of it by tomorrow."

Seeing Wen Ying still looking worried, Aruda added, "If you're truly uneasy, just bring the antidote along."

The antidote was the liquid found within the main trunk of the Blood Tree.

The next day, Wen Ying discovered that they had finally made their move. The first challenger of the day was Levimo.

"Finally decided to show up?" Wen Ying sized up Levimo, who returned her gaze equally.

Levimo nodded slightly. "I've finished observing."

Wen Ying hinted, "But how do you know I've used all my tricks?"

"Try it and you'll find out." As Levimo spoke, his tails behind him suddenly transformed from one solid to one real and eight illusory, doubling in size. The three red demon patterns at the corners of his eyes were vividly crimson, and his eyes shimmered with an enchantingly strange glow.

In Wen Ying's vision, the arena for the ranking matches suddenly doubled in size. The railings twisted, and Levimo multiplied into nine.

Silently summoning his Magic Mirror clone, Wen Ying looked around. In the mirror, the arena remained unchanged, and there was only one Levimo, standing on the far right.

Confirming this, the one on the far right was the real one.

As the nine Levimos rushed towards him, Wen Ying attacked the one on the right, ignoring the others. Purple electric currents crackled and surged.

Levimo froze, dodging to the side. He split into several forms again, only to discover that Wen Ying could still locate his true body.

He noticed the magic mirror in Wen Ying's hand, his expression uncertain.

In the spectator stands, the demons were also surprised.

"How does Wen Ying always manage to find the right answer?"

"Can the Magic Mirror Demon's mirror dispel illusions?"

"Looking at Wen Ying's expression, it seems that what's reflected in that magic mirror is the true world."

The demons were as incredulous as if their worldview had been refreshed.

"Can the Magic Mirror Demon's mirror counter illusion magic?"

"I've never heard of such a thing!"

Lilith frowned. The Nine-Tailed Fox clan was renowned for their illusions, and any magic or artifact capable of countering their illusions would have long been investigated by her family. They had never come across any mention of a Magic Mirror Demon being able to see through their illusions.

Lan Jiaying stared intently at the arena. Indeed, Wen Ying could use the magic mirror in his hand to pierce through Levimo's illusion magic. A Magic Mirror Demon countering the illusions of one of the Three Great Powers of the Demon Realm, the Nine-Tailed Fox? No demon would believe it without seeing it with their own eyes.

Beros watched the arena with unwavering eyes. His power had indeed grown, in every aspect.

He had once read an ancient book which recorded that in ancient times, Magic Mirror Demons possessed mirrors capable of revealing all falsehoods. Back then, their mirror abilities were considered heaven-defying.

If Wen Ying really leaned towards his ancient ancestors, Pelos suddenly worried that he might not be able to defeat Wen Ying when he reached adulthood. Previously, he had never had such concerns!

He must work harder on his cultivation recently. Absolutely nothing could allow such a ridiculous situation to occur. If he were truly defeated by Wen Ying after reaching adulthood, he, the three-headed hellhound, would become a laughingstock that lasted a hundred years.

Just thinking about that scene made Pelos' face turn green.

On the arena, Wen Ying completely ignored Levimo's illusionary magic. Seeing that his pride and joy, illusionary spells, were completely ineffective, Levimo simply gave up on them and switched to other types of magic.

At this stage, they had not yet specialized in a particular type of magic. Everyone's proficiency in various series was roughly the same. Levimo, having abandoned illusions, was still proficient in using other forms of magic.

Levimo had already detected the magic card Wen Ying had hidden among the branches and avoided the gravity array. He was already on alert. The next second, Levimo hovered in mid-air, raining down a meteor shower of fiery stones towards Wen Ying.

The branches rose up to block, with some being snapped and burned. But new ones immediately replenished them, maintaining a temporary balance.

Phelos, the butterfly-winged mermaid, noticed the buds appearing on some of the branches on the arena and suspected something amiss.

Aruda had fed Wen Ying too many toxic potions, making him feel that any strange plant was poisonous.

In the ranking matches, weapons, potions, and other items were prohibited. The toxic potions that Aruda had given Wen Ying were now useless.

Poison magic differed from other forms; ordinary toxins like paralysis had little effect on demons, and more advanced poison spells required a higher level of proficiency, which Wen Ying didn't quite possess.

Felis fixated on the buds that were stealthily emerging, concealed by the silvery-white branches. As they blossomed, a mist, similar in hue to the branches, seemed to emanate from them. The extent of its spread was uncertain, for it merged seamlessly with the twigs, making it almost imperceptible that the flowers were releasing vapor.

Several branches adorned with Little Bai's flowers swooped towards Levimo's back. Without turning his head, Levimo countered with a wind blade that slashed from his palm, severing the branches attacking him.

The branches were severed.

Having dealt with the rear assault, Levimo resumed his focused use of magic against Wen Ying.

After channeling his magic for a while, Levimo began to feel a blockage within his magical energy. He forcefully broke through it, only to choke and spit out a mouthful of blood.

Levimo's expression was one of disbelief.

Smelling the scent of blood, Wen Ying seized the opportunity. While Levimo was momentarily dazed, she manipulated the branches to grow more, entwining them with the blossoming white flowers, attempting to pull him down from midair.

Levimo felt dizzy, and the once smooth flow of magic within his body suddenly turned into a thick liquid, even starting to solidify. More and more silver-white branches bound his limbs, and one of them coiled around his throat, lifting him upward.

"Cough...cough..."

Levimo's bat-like wings strained with exertion, resisting the downward pull. The constriction in his throat caused him to lose some of his gathered strength, dragging him towards the ground at an accelerating pace.

A commotion erupted from the spectator stands.

"Just a moment ago, it was evenly matched! How did the situation on stage change while I took a sip of water?"

"Why did Levimo suddenly start vomiting blood?"

"It looks like poisoning."

"Aren't potions forbidden in ranking matches? Did Wen Ying cheat?"

Levimo also wanted to know the source of the poison. Realizing he had been poisoned, he wondered if Wen Ying, a magic mirror demon, had replicated a poison spell, since that kind of magic wasn't related to his demonic lineage.

For the first time, Levimo envied the innate talent of magic mirror demons. Poison spells were difficult to master, and while he could manage basic ones, more advanced ones were awkward for him to execute, often disrupted by opponents in actual combat.

The old demon referee's silence indicated that no potion had been used, and those demons in the stands who had questioned the match realized their mistake, now filled with envy over Wen Ying's innate magical abilities.

Wen Ying's magical cards looked increasingly tantalizing! His battles seemed like cheating, yet he still managed to maintain an air of elegance.

Levimo was dragged to the ground, his magic flowing slowly. The magic he squeezed out neutralized the branches that swarmed towards him. Wen Ying approached, but Levimo had no extra energy to resist his own magic.

"I surrender."

Just as Wen Ying was about to push Levimo off the stage, the latter quickly and calmly admitted defeat.

Wen Ying froze for a moment. Alright, he saved him some magic power.

The old demonic referee announced leisurely, "Wen Ying wins."

The silver-white branches receded like a tide, shrinking back into Wen Ying's shadow.

Lying on the ground, Levimo sat up, placing his hands on his knees. He looked up at Wen Ying and asked, "When did you use a Poison Spell Card?"

"A Poison Spell Card?" Wen Ying's confusion didn't seem fake. "I didn't use a Poison Spell Card. It was the branches that were poisonous."

Levimo could almost hear the collective gasp of shock from the demonic spectators, and he felt his face involuntarily twitch.

(Extra content available for a limited time in the author's note.)

Author's Note:

Phelios said, "The toxicity doesn't lie in the branch, but in the white flowers blooming on it."

"Flowers?"

"When did flowers appear on the branches? I didn't notice."

"There seem to be a few, but they're very small."

Wen Ying gazed at Phelios pensively, and Phelios returned his gaze with an icy stare.

Phelios: "Do you dare not use poison?"

Wen Ying: "If you can guarantee that I won't be held responsible no matter how far this fight goes, then I dare."

"Don't underestimate me."

Phelios took to the arena, lifting his chin slightly. The dazzling, dreamlike butterfly pond of the Butterfly Merfolk was captivating, but the chilling aggression he exuded overpowered the elegance and gentleness.

Those icy-blue eyes held no trace of gentleness; their sharp gaze overshadowed his delicate features. Broad shoulders and a narrow waist were accentuated by the distinct muscles lining his body, adding an intimidating presence to his handsome form.

Seems sturdy enough, Wen Ying thought to himself. He could probably be a little more liberal with his strength. Originally, he planned to use Bellos and Lan Jiaying to gauge the extent of his current power.

As an AI language model, I'm happy to help you translate the given text into English. However, you haven't provided the specific text from the novel that you'd like me to translate. Please provide the text you'd like translated, and I'll be more than happy to assist you with a graceful and reasonable translation.

Chapter 205: Seeking Revenge

Even desperate dogs will leap over walls. Knowing that their true identities were exposed, these people surely wouldn't spare them. A melee was inevitable.

The knife-wielding men had to fight for their survival. Risking an arrow, they had to flee, charging towards the direction with women and children.

The dozen knife-wielders scattered, but the women and children who usually screamed, cried, and scattered in panic at the sight of them had become ghosts today. No one fled; no one was afraid. He chose two seemingly easiest targets, young girls who appeared no more than ten years old.

Yet, these young girls stared at him with gleaming eyes.

The weapons they acquired from joining the rebel army, those bright and imposing blades that had never failed them before, proved useless here. Before he could even charge and swing his blade, the two children and another adolescent boy nearby had already grabbed long sticks and charged at him.

Long sticks, made of wood—what use could they be?

In the past, he could easily snatch and disarm them. But today, the force behind the three sticks wielded by the children was immense, making them impossible to grasp. They moved like agile snakes, attacking him from high, middle, and low angles, forcing him to cover his head and jump around, screaming incoherently. After just a few rounds, he lost hold of his knife handle, which clattered to the ground. His shoulder, back, and leg were also struck fiercely. A sharp pain in his knee made it buckle, and he fell to his knees. Another blow from the stick ensured he couldn't rise again.

Rebellion, rebellion, it's all rebellion.

He held the knife but ended up being the one beaten.

How could this be??

...

Forty-seven people in total.

Nineteen had arrow wounds, and another dozen or so who attempted resistance or escape were subdued with clubs. The remaining few – including women and the inherently timid – were all bound without exception.

The Zheng family's mood was visibly off. Recalling that Zheng Da'niu had suffered in the county, coupled with Shen Lie's side having Shen Jin as the aggrieved party, the villagers from both villages turned their gazes onto Shen Lie and the Zheng father and son.

Shen Lie was easy to deal with. He asked Shen Jin, "Do you want to do it yourself, or should Big Brother help?"

Shen Jin had never experienced such a situation before, yet despite his trembling hands, he lifted them resolutely to take the knife from Shen Lie. "I'll do it myself."

Seeing how tense Shen Jin was, Shen Lie patted his head. "Alright, there's no need to do it here. Big Brother will teach you later."

His gaze fell upon the four bound brothers, treating them as if they were already dead.

At the butcher's stall, Zheng Tu's eyes were bloodshot, and he held a bloodstained hog-slaughtering knife in his hand. Looking at his father, Zheng Dalang said, "Father, call out Second Sister. She needs to identify her enemy and witness the revenge being taken."

Otherwise, she would never recover or lead a normal life.

Zheng Tu clearly understood that this was perhaps the only way for his daughter to overcome her nightmare. He nodded and instructed Zheng Erlang, "Go fetch her. Ask your mother and eldest sister-in-law to accompany her."

...

It was the first time Sang Luo had seen Zheng Daju since she delivered the medicine. Sang Luo seldom visited, and with Zheng Daju's poor condition, she barely left her room. Even on the few occasions when she did venture out, they never crossed paths. All she knew was that Zheng Daju's fever had subsided.

Now, as she observed Zheng Daju, it was apparent that she was in a trance-like state. Clutching a grass pillow, she was supported by her mother and sister-in-law on either side. Upon seeing the bound crowd outside, Zheng Daju showed no reaction; all her focus was on the grass pillow in her arms.

Zheng Tu hurried over, intending to comfort his daughter, but with a bloody knife in hand, he held back and said, "Daju, take a look and see who this is."

He then stepped closer to the bound woman, who had half her leg severed, leaving only a fraction still attached. The pain was so excruciating that she wished she could pass out, yet somehow, she remained conscious. Her entire body was drenched in cold sweat, as if she had been submerged in water.

Zheng Tu gently pulled back her hair, revealing the woman's entire face to his daughter.

Zheng Daniu was still soothing the grass pillow in her arms when Zheng Mother recognized the woman. Her hand holding onto Zheng Daniu's suddenly clenched tightly. Feeling her mother's grip, Zheng Daniu instinctively looked at her mother and then followed her gaze.

At first, her eyes were lifeless, but as she recognized who the person was, her pupils dilated, and she jolted in shock. Her face paled, and she retreated while holding the grass pillow, crying and calling out for her parents and elder brother incoherently.

Behind her, Zheng Erlang's eyes reddened as he supported Zheng Daniu. "Don't be afraid, Daniu. We're all here. Tell Second Brother who hurt Yuan'er? Who cut your flesh?"

"Yuan'er, Yuan'er." Crying, Zheng Daniu hugged the grass pillow and hid behind Zheng Erlang, shaking her head persistently. "Don't touch my Yuan'er, don't touch her."

She didn't hear a word of her brother's reassurance.

Zheng Erlang turned to pull her. "No one can touch you. Father and Mother are here, and so am I. Tell me, who has been touching you before?"

Zheng Daniu buried her face into Zheng Erlang's chest, weeping uncontrollably as she called out for Second Brother.

Seeing that she wasn't as terrified as before, Zheng Erlang cautiously led her towards the woman. "Don't be scared. Brother will avenge you and Yuan'er. Just tell me who they are."

The closer Zheng Erlang led Zheng Daniu, the more terrified the woman became. She had no idea that Zheng Daniu was still alive; how could she survive? Didn't she die at the East Market?

The woman's breath quickened until she met Zheng Daniu's gaze. Watching as Zheng Daniu lifted her trembling chin, pointing at her, "She, she took away Yuan'er. They used knives on me...my Yuan'er, my Yuan'er."

Zheng Datou clutched her straw pillow tightly and wrapped her arms around herself. "My arm hurts, Brother. My arm hurts, and my legs too."

The woman shook her head vigorously, addressing not only Butcher Zheng but also numerous villagers surrounding him and the rest of the Zheng family, people she did not even know personally: "Zheng Daniu has lost her mind. How can you possibly believe the words of a madwoman? Madness cannot hold any weight, can it?"

Zhang, already in a rage, had kicked over the basket. With bloodshot eyes, he asked his daughter, "Daughter, take another look. Is there anything left inside?"

Alongside Zheng DaLang, the father and son took turns lifting the bound individuals by their hair for Zheng Datong to inspect. Most of them wore indifferent expressions. However, when it came to the second row, three men stubbornly refused to lift their heads. After receiving several piercing kicks from Butcher Zheng, they finally lost their strength and were dragged up like lifeless fish.

Unbeknownst to them, when Zheng Datou recognized the faces of the three men, she trembled violently and clutched at her clothes before retreating. Upon realizing that they were bound and kneeling, and were even shorter than her, her fear lessened while her hatred emboldened her. Summoning an unknown strength, she rushed forward and snatched the butcher knife from her father's hand.

Before the onlookers, including Sangluo, could react, she had already lunged towards the group.

All her fear, pain, breakdown, and despair seemed to find an outlet through each swing of the blade. Sobs of despair punctuated the flashing light, her muffled curses indecipherable, save for the mention of "Yuanlang" and "beast."

Shen Ning, Xu Wenying, and the others were startled, quickly retreating behind a wall of people, too afraid to witness the scene. Shen An, Xu Wenbo, Second Niu, and Thursday Lang, being younger, also took a step back in terror.

Sangluo vaguely grasped the situation, a heavy feeling settling in her heart. She averted her gaze, unable to bear listening or watching any further.

No one attempted to stop Zheng Daniu, as most could guess what was happening. In this world, there were countless Zheng Daniu and her children, who only escaped such miserable fates by fortunate refuge in these deep mountains.

The Zheng family didn't stop her. Butcher Zheng only approached and gently embraced her with one arm when his daughter finally dropped the knife from exhaustion.

Among the forty-odd captives, witnessing the brutal deaths of their three companions and the woman they had kept, two of the more timid ones wet themselves in fear. Even the bravest, with their hands full of sins, now trembled and collapsed on the spot. In that entire stretch beyond the village, the only sound was Zheng Da'nuo's wailing as she clung to her father, her cries echoing with raw sorrow.

This outpouring of emotion stirred a glimmer of anticipation in both Zheng Ma and Zheng DaLang's wife. They had never seen their daughter cry like this since she was rescued; she would usually huddle with her grass pillow in the corner of her bed, secluded within her own world.

Zheng Ma approached and tentatively called out, "Da'nuo?"

Zheng Da'nuo turned to her mother, then looked at her sister-in-law, eldest brother, eldest brother, and second brother, one by one, as if seeing them for the first time. Her gaze finally landed on her father's empty sleeve, and her fragmented memories began to connect. She wept, holding onto that empty sleeve.

As the elder members of the Feng family observed Zheng Datou's now-clear eyes, they embraced and wept together before stepping forward to ask Shen Lie, "What should be done with those individuals?"

Those individuals, naturally, referred to the four brothers who had wronged Tian Ya.

Staring blankly at Zheng Datou and the pool of blood for some time, Shen Jin's body trembled, his hand holding the knife shaking. An internal struggle raged within him.

He was both shocked and impressed by Zheng Datou's decisive act of revenge, but he didn't possess the same courage as she did.

Observing this, Shen Lie addressed the few elders of the Feng family, "Each one of them carries the blood of countless lives on their hands. None of them can be spared. They all must be dealt with."

The Feng family's elders nodded, but they were momentarily at a loss as to how to proceed.

After all, they were ordinary folks; having slaughtered chickens before, they still trembled at the thought of harming someone they didn't know.

Observing their reaction, Shen Lie understood their predicament. He said, "There's no need for you all to be troubled. We don't need to dirty our hands with such individuals. Leave it to me. Just assign a few strong men to assist me in escorting them away."

Without the elder even needing to prompt, young men from the Feng family, Zhou family, Gan family, Zheng family, and even Dong Ge's elder brother stepped forward, a dozen strong.

The Zheng brothers returned with several makeshift dragging devices made of vine and wooden poles, as well as two mats. They took care of the four already deceased, while the survivors, their weapons confiscated by Xu Wencheng's group, were securely bound together with ropes, awaiting Shen Lie's instructions.

Shen Lie looked at Chen Dashan. "You lead everyone back first. I'll take Little Jin and Wencheng for a walk outside."

Chen Dashan nodded. "Alright, I'll bring the group back then."

It was appropriate for adolescents to witness some violence, but up to this point was enough. For the future, Little Jin would seek revenge personally, whereas for Xu Wencheng, Shen Lie clearly intended to toughen him up.

Shen Lie glanced at Sang Luo, who had guessed his intentions. She warned, "The stench of blood is strong. Be cautious."

"Rest assured, go back and get some rest. I'll be back soon."

...

There was a small stretch of overlapping paths, so the villagers from this side also accompanied them. Thus, a large group turned around and left the vicinity of Zhou's village in a grand manner. However, after just a few steps, Shen Lie, who was walking in front, halted his footsteps.

From afar, he gazed at a cluster of trees to his right front.

The people hiding behind the trees realized that they had been discovered. One by one, about seventeen or eighteen young men and teenagers, armed with axes and long sticks, emerged.

Shen Lie looked at them and recognized most of them. Many were the ones who followed them at a distance during their morning runs and secretly watched their training sessions from afar outside the village.

Their activities here were indeed quite bloody. Shen Lie explained, "None of us are innocent. We've all had our hands stained with the lives of others before entering the inner circle."

In other words, their actions weren't without reason.

His explanation caused the leader among the group to stammer anxiously, "N-No, that's not it. We just wanted to see if we could lend a hand."

Shen Lie smiled and replied, "It's not necessary. Thank you all the same."

The man let out an honest laugh. "I didn't do much, so there's no need for thanks."

Excitement sparkled in the eyes of the group of young men and boys trailing behind. However, they also knew that Shen Lie and his companions had serious business to attend to. Two bold ones ventured, "Can we assist you in escorting them?"

There were over forty of them.

Shen Lie glanced at the two young men and, after some thought, nodded. "Alright, then I'll have to trouble you two."

This elated the two youngsters, and several others of similar age stepped forward. "We'll help too."

Having several extra helpers was certainly beneficial. It was at this junction that Sang Luo informed Shen Lie and set off with Shen Ning and the others to join Chen Dashan's group.

Strangely, they seemed to know her. As Sang Luo passed by them, from the oldest to the youngest, they all called out in unison, "Madam Sang."

Each of them bowed slightly.

Sang Luo: "..."

She could only nod at them and acknowledge their efforts, "You've all worked hard."

...

Over forty individuals were forcefully dragged into the deserted forest, most of them bearing arrow wounds. On the pristine snow, a trail of crimson stains scattered like stars against the white backdrop.

In the depths of winter, after days of continuous snowfall, the sun finally made an appearance mid-morning. However, its warmth was absent, leaving only its shape in the sky. Upon entering the old forest, not even a glimmer of sunlight penetrated, plunging the surroundings into a bone-chilling cold.

After Shen Lie surveyed the area and chose a suitable spot, those who had initially withstood the pressure now cowered in fear, prostrating themselves and begging for mercy. The women among them grew particularly daring with their words.

Unfazed by their antics, Shen Lie first pulled out the eldest of his four enemies. He beckoned to Shen Jin and, before the latter could clearly see what was happening, swiftly severed the man's hand and foot tendons with surgical precision.

The man let out a pained wail, drenched in cold sweat, but Shen Lie barely gave him a glance. Instead, he asked Shen Jin, "Have you memorized this position?"

"You can choose to avenge yourself like Madam Zheng did, but if that method doesn't suit you, consider this. In this old forest during winter, wild beasts are starving."

Shen Jin's breaths grew heavy, memories of that day when he found Sweet Girl lifeless in the outskirts of the county flashing through his mind. His cheeks tensed before relaxing after a moment. "I understand. I'll handle the other three myself."

Shen Lie rose to his feet. Xu Wenqing, aware of the situation, assisted Shen Jin in subduing the remaining captives one by one. As Shen Jin finished with one, Xu Wenqing passed another to him.

Amidst the forest, screams echoed relentlessly. The thirty or so people trailing behind were on the verge of hysteria at the sight before them. Among those who had volunteered to escort, not a single one was cowardly.

They had confiscated numerous weapons – several blades, axes, machetes, and hoes. At this moment, it mattered little what they were; as long as they could serve their purpose.

The young men who had willingly joined the escort were trembling in fear, but having eavesdropped from behind the trees that morning, they had an inkling of who these attackers were. They had always feared this pack of malevolent spirits lurking at the forest's edge. With steely determination, the older ones gritted their teeth and mustered the courage to step forward.

...

Overhead, the forest reverberated with anguished cries. These individuals, who had terrorized the outskirts for months, plundering, pillaging, and killing, had grown restless. Seeking new targets, they never imagined that upon entering the inner perimeter, their first encounter would lead to their untimely demise.

Such a horrifying end, lying lifeless in the icy snow, the air thick with the stench of blood. Yet, they remained alive.

Alive, to hear the approaching roars of beasts, growing louder with each passing moment. How they wished they could have bled out, frozen to death, or even been frightened to death. Anything was better than being conscious while being ripped apart.

But fate was not theirs to choose. Along with the scent of blood, another distinct odor of carnage swept through the air.

In their final moments, before their eyes flashed the faces of those they had once terrorized and left in despair.

In the end, those images merged with their own.

...

The snow fell from the sky once more. With a good snowfall, peace and purity would be restored to the world.

Lin Shuicheng spoke with casual nonchalance, and Fu Luoyin, standing beside him, hesitated several times before finally comforting himself by sipping champagne from the glass next to him, as if he couldn't bring himself to speak harshly to Lin Shuicheng.

Su Yu also felt the need to take a moment to compose himself and took a deep breath. "Why don't we all go back to our respective areas? I believe the party is about to start, and the birthday emcee will be preparing soon. We wouldn't want anyone's friends or family to get lost."

Yan Zi glared at him. "You child, it's just two floors, how could they get lost? Why are you still so dense and inflexible? Can't you adapt?"

Su Yu felt aggrieved. "Well, it's almost starting, and I don't want to hold up your time if the schedule gets delayed." Glancing discreetly in Xia Ran's direction, Su Yu thought that his words were both polite and effective in subtly urging people to leave—after all, he had been bothered by his mother's invitation of the Xia family. Back when the Xia family and the Su family were competing for hospital locations, the Su family had taken the initiative, only for the Xia family to intervene and snatch the permit, causing significant losses to the Su family. That month, half of his father's hair turned white from worry.

Back then, he was still young and could only choose not to play with Xia Ran. Eventually, Fu Luoyin came into the picture, and somehow ended up with Xia Ran. Su Yu, who was in the same class as Fu Luoyin, could only swallow his frustration but offered silent blessings. At that time, Su Yu believed that the actions of the Xia family didn't necessarily reflect Xia Ran's character, and it would be childish to hold a grudge. He let it go, hoping they might become friends someday.

But in their second year of college, Fu Luoyin graduated from military school, only to be dumped by Xia Ran, leaving him devastated for nearly half a year.

Su Yu was fiercely protective of those close to him, and Fu Luoyin was his best childhood friend. This incident completely soured his feelings towards Xia Ran and the Xia family.

After saying these words, Su Yu felt that anyone with a sense of propriety would understand that they should head downstairs—there weren't any seats reserved for them on the second floor!

Sure enough, Bai Yiyi stood up, smiling slightly awkwardly. "I need to use the restroom. Xia Ran has just returned, and he must be happy to see old classmates. I won't disturb your reunion." With that, she patted Xia Ran's shoulder, gesturing for him to stay, before walking away.

Having chased one away, the main character was still present. Although Su Yu felt reluctant, he could only force himself to be content.

Xia Ran sat quietly by the side, his eyes lowered as he gazed at the tabletop, lost in thought.

Yan Zi glared at him. "I told you, you're stubborn, and I wasn't wrong, was I?"

"Okay, okay, I get it." Su Yu sighed helplessly, then turned to smile at Lin Shuicheng. "Look, my mom just loves to tease me."

Lin Shuicheng looked back at him, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. "That's alright. Auntie is doing this out of concern for you."

Today, Lin Shuicheng was dressed in a suit, which added a subtle difference to his usual appearance as a handsome and gentle scientist. The subtlety lay in how the softness and warmth seemed to be concealed by the sharp lines of the suit, replaced instead by a cool, radiant charisma. That charisma was innate, but for some reason, Lin Shuicheng appeared slightly weary, breaking down the sense of distance he usually maintained.

There were scattered stars in the depths of Lin Shuicheng's eyes, which made him appear even more tender when he smiled.

Su Yu felt his heart skip a beat; he almost blushed in that instant.

Fu Luoyin glared at Su Yu beside him. If possible, he would have pulled Su Yu away and taken his place, being the one under Lin Shuicheng's gaze — Lin Shuicheng had never smiled at him like that before!

Fu Luoyin realized he had completely misjudged the situation. He had assumed that this little kitten seduced others with a playful charm, but to his surprise, it was the other way around with Lin Shuicheng — he was the one inviting others to take the bait!

How infuriating!

However, Fu Luoyin didn't dare to say much. Lin Shuicheng had already silenced him three or four times in the past ten minutes, so he didn't dare act recklessly.

The atmosphere that had cooled down earlier was warmed up again by Su Yu and Yan Zi's conversation.

Yan Zi asked Xia Ran, "You must be from the Xia Family, right? How old are you this year?"

Xia Ran was slightly taken aback before he smiled and said, "I'm the same age as Su Yu. Auntie, my parents couldn't make it here due to some matters in Old North America, so I came instead. I hope you like the gift I picked for you."

Yan Zi smiled warmly. "Oh, I haven't looked at it yet. You don't usually come over to our house to play. Remember to visit more often when you're back."

Su Yu was frowning by the side.

Yan Zi picked out Xia Ran's gift box and opened it. Inside was an exquisite set of tea utensils with intricate details. It was obvious that it was expensive.

The Su Family wasn't short on money, and Yan Zi had many more precious and beautiful tea sets than this. However, it was clear that Xia Ran had put effort into choosing this gift, and his attitude was polite. Yan Zi immediately smiled. "You really know how to pick gifts! Su Yu doesn't have such good taste as you! He only gave me tea leaves for my birthday. Do I need tea leaves? I can never have enough decent tea sets."

Xia Ran also laughed. "As long as you like it, Auntie. Su Yu told me that you enjoy drinking tea, so this is partly his credit too. I'm ashamed that I don't know what my mom likes to do."

With his words, he skillfully praised Yan Zi and Su Yu's harmonious mother-son relationship while modestly revealing the effort he had put into this matter.

Xia Ran maintained his composure as he engaged Yan Zi in conversation, though his attention was fixed on Fu Luoyin.

He struggled to stay calm, preventing his voice from trembling.

Su Yu stood up. "I'll go to the restroom."

As Lin Shuicheng watched Su Yu leave, he glanced at the remaining people at the table—just Fu Luoyin and Xia Ran. He also got up.

Fu Luoyin felt unprecedented tension in this situation. His attention was immediately drawn to Lin Shuicheng, almost reaching out to grab him. "Where are you going?"

Despite not having made a direct introduction, he knew for sure that Lin Shuicheng had recognized Xia Ran. Lin Shuicheng had seen his photo in his wallet and even spotted Xia Ran's picture in their chat history at the hospital, not to mention that Xia Ran was his ex-boyfriend.

Lin Shuicheng had already been planning to break up with him, and he had only just started to coax him back. He couldn't afford any more mishaps at this crucial moment!

Lin Shuicheng shot him a glance, and Fu Luoyin quickly softened his tone. "I mean... the food hasn't arrived yet. When the buffet table is set up, would you like me to get you some drink?"

Perhaps to prevent Fu Luoyin from following, Lin Shuicheng said, "In that case, please get a soda for both Su Yu and me."

Fu Luoyin immediately stood up. "I'll go right now."

This left Xia Ran and Yan Zi as the only ones at the table. Dong Shuoye was still engrossed in conversation with Lu Shengwen, showing no intention of returning. Yan Zi said, "Little Xia, help yourself to some food. Auntie has something to attend to. Remember to come over often these few days!"

Xia Ran replied quietly, "Sure, thank you, Auntie."

After that, he glanced at the empty table and got up as well.

With his back turned to Xia Ran, Fu Luoyin was at the buffet area, ordering a bottle of orange soda and a bottle of milk from the server – the soda here was served chilled, and Lin Shuicheng had actually looked a little under the weather today. Fu Luoyin took it upon himself to switch Lin Shuicheng's drink to a warm glass of milk.

As he turned around, Xia Ran was standing right behind him.

Xia Ran asked softly, "Is it really that terrifying to be alone with me at a table, Fu Luoyin?"

When Lin Shuicheng found Su Yu, Su Yu was sitting gloomily in the corridor outside the hotel's rest area, all by himself.

Seeing him, Su Yu was surprised. "Sister-in-law, why are you here?"

"I came to check on you since you seemed down." Lin Shuicheng extended a plate towards him, which held a braised chicken leg and a serving of sashimi. "I brought you some snacks. What's wrong? You're the main guest today; are you hiding here because you're unhappy?"

Su Yu felt a bit awkward. "I... I'm fine, just a bit down. Also, I'm not the main character here, my mom is."

Lin Shuicheng asked, "A bit down because you don't like Xia Ran?" After a moment of contemplation, he added, "Isn't he Fu Luoyin's ex-boyfriend? You mentioned him before. You two should have a good relationship, right?"

Su Yu gasped. "How did you see through it... Well, it's nothing major, just some personal issues between us. I used to think we could be friends since he's handsome and charming with elders, but later on, well, I won't badmouth him behind his back, but I just don't particularly like him, especially when I see how close my mom is with him, tsk."

"Your mom only wants what's best for you," Lin Shuicheng said softly.

"I know." Su Yu sighed again. "That's why it bothers me. If only I were more capable, but alas, I lack the intelligence to run a business and no grand plans. Since quitting my job, I haven't found another one yet... My parents can only do their best to help me network and introduce me to people. Even though the Xia family isn't in Star City now, there's no telling if we might cross paths in the future. Mom thinks it's better to seize any available resources rather than miss out."

Lin Shuicheng lowered his gaze and smiled quietly. "If there's anything I can assist with, feel free to tell me anytime. When I visited the hospital, the nurse mentioned that Didi's brain activity has increased compared to before. If you hadn't helped transfer Didi to the Third Hospital, who knows when his condition would improve."

Su Yu quickly responded, "It's no trouble at all, just a small favor! Don't worry about me, sis-in-law. My parents realize my limitations and have already started grooming a successor. The pressure on me isn't as great. As for pressure, I need to find a job soon and my mom keeps urging me to find a reliable boyfriend... Of course, it would be perfect if the boyfriend could also support the family business!"

Holding the tray that Lin Shuicheng had brought over, Su Yu noticed his favorite sashimi and chicken legs. He couldn't help feeling overwhelmed with happiness.

Biting into the chicken leg, he was moved to tears. "I was a bit down earlier, but seeing you, sis-in-law, cheered me up. You're the best. If I can find a boyfriend as excellent as you in the future, that would be perfect!"

"Someone like me?" Lin Shuicheng pondered and asked, "What kind of person am I?"

Su Yu exclaimed, "Handsome! Intelligent! A scholar! Skilled in cooking! Oh my, Sister-in-law, your virtues could fill three days and three nights of praise. Just take that famous painting case, you really startled me, but to think you actually—"

Lin Shuicheng interrupted him, "If these are the criteria, I can introduce someone to you. Or perhaps there's no need for an introduction; I could simply pursue you. What do you think?"

His expression was serene and gentle as he continued, "I have no experience managing a business, but given some time to learn, I believe I could manage. Besides, I... am not much use anymore, so perhaps I could find something else to do. I could cook for you too."

Su Yu's mouth gaped open, his mind completely frozen.

There was one more thing that made Su Yu wish he could vanish on the spot—right after Lin Shuicheng finished speaking, Fu Luoyin emerged from around the corner, coming to an abrupt halt with an extremely unpleasant expression.

Fu Luoyin placed the milk and drink he was holding on the table, pressed his lips together, and left without a word.

Author's Note:

Translating the script late at night.

Little Fu (pointing at this scene): Lin Shuicheng!

Little Lin (responding): You have no heart.

Little Fu: ...You stole my line! You have no heart!

Su Yu: None of you have hearts, thank you very much. I'm the one who suffers the most.