Asianovel

Chapter 89: Applying Medicine

Ji Min glanced again at the red mark on Lu Ran's neck.

With a questioning tone, he uttered, "Pinched?"

"Exactly!"

As Lu Ran confirmed, he pulled down his collar to show Ji Min.

With his movement, a small patch of creamy-white skin on his neck became exposed.

Ji Min hurriedly averted his head.

The youth leaned in so close that he could almost discern the warmth emanating from that small patch of skin.

The man instinctively retreated, distancing himself slightly.

But behind him was the backrest of the wheelchair, offering no escape.

Before him, the young man still furrowed his brow, his face a portrait of consternation as he said, "I've watched online tutorials, but this is quite challenging. If it's not done properly, it'll be obvious at a glance that it's fake."

Saying this, a hint of pride surfaced on his face.

He raised his chin and said, "But I'm very clever. I started practicing from the bottom up. That way, when I look up, all that's visible will be perfect results!"

From his tone, it seemed as if he wasn't pretending to have any love bites.

He was, in fact, diligently conducting experiments in the laboratory.

It seemed to stem from a mixture of triumphant delight and the eagerness to impress their superior.

He moved even closer, tilting his neck up for Ji Min to see.

Yet, the man in the wheelchair seemed to have his gaze glued to the patterns on the soft-glowing floor tiles.

His back was also firmly pressed against the wheelchair.

Only upon catching the scent of citrus-infused bath gel on the youth did his Adam's apple subtly quiver in restraint.

Lu Ran continued, "Boss, do you want me to add a few more for you?"

Ji Min replied, "..."

He thought to himself, Those are love bites, not chickenpox. Why would he need a few more...

Seeing that Ji Min didn't respond, Lu Ran quickly explained, "Don't worry, I've become quite skilled at it now. I won't hurt your skin."

Upon hearing this, Ji Min's brow subtly knitted together.

He turned his head, and at last, with the corner of his gaze, bestowed upon the youth beside him a fleeting glance that barely scratched the surface.

Lu Ran had already released his grip on the collar.

Yet, the collar of the round-neck sweater had not fully retreated, leaving a small patch of skin around his collarbone exposed.

Upon that small patch of skin, there were still some slightly swollen love bites concealed beneath the collar.

Ji Min's gaze flickered slightly, dispersing all those inappropriate thoughts that had occupied his mind.

He furrowed his brow and leaned in closer, his fingertips delicately pinching the collar of the youth's garment, gently tugging it apart.

Visible beneath the collar were even more signs of "practicing."

Some were merely swollen, or bore obvious nail marks.

Some of them even had broken skin.

Presumably, it was from getting water on the wound during his morning bath, and the scab hadn't even formed yet.

It was rather startling against the previously healthy and unblemished skin.

Ji Min's brows were knitted tightly together.

He glanced at the child, his tone somewhat sharp, "Why did you do this?"

"Huh?"

Confused by Ji Min's anger, Lu Ran straightened his collar and tried to clarify innocently, "Isn't it your birthday soon?"

His reasoning was sound:

"There will be many people coming on your birthday. Think about it, since I'm currently living with you, I should put on a show, right?"

Ji Min: "..."

He was speechless, suddenly feeling a mix of irritation and frustration.

The one who was angered was not Lu Ran.

But rather, it was the version of himself who could only retain the youth by resorting to such a pretense of "work."

The collar slipped back, rubbing against the wound.

Unable to resist, Lu Ran tugged again.

Ji Min reaches out to help him adjust it properly.

He gazed intently at the wounds on the youth's body, his voice weighted with concern, "That still doesn't warrant your doing something like this."

There was a tiny wound, adhered to the fabric of his clothing due to the exuded tissue fluid.

Ji Min extended a fingertip, yearning to make contact.

But in the very instant when his fingertip was poised to touch the youth's skin, he drew it back.

The man's eyebrows were deeply furrowed.

His expression was deadly serious, as if the marks on Lu Ran's body were not bruises but horrifying knife wounds.

Lu Ran found it rather peculiar.

He tilted his head to observe for a while and, unable to resist, leaned in closer to inspect Ji Min's eyes.

"What are you looking at?" Ji Min retorted irritably.

Once again, he extended his finger, gently pressing against the youth's brow, before softly guiding him back.

Lu Ran chuckled at him and said, "Boss, it doesn't hurt."

Ji Min had no intention of listening to his nonsense and turned to seek out Manager Chen instead.

Upon turning back, I found Manager Chen was unexpectedly nowhere to be seen.

"Trust me, it doesn't hurt at all," Lu Ran assured.

Ji Min ignored him, frowning as he called out, "Uncle Chen, bring the first-aid kit."

"I dare you to try it," Lu Ran challenged.

As he spoke, he reached out and pinched the man's neck as well.

"..."

Ji Min, who was turning his head to call for help, was caught off guard and received a direct pinch.

It wasn't particularly painful.

However, the area where he was pinched soon turned red.

Ji Min's skin was even fairer.

It was a paleness that came from being shielded from sunlight all year round.

Even the color of his blood seemed a shade darker than normal people's.

Yet, this made the red mark on Ji Min's neck stand out even more prominently.

After Lu Ran finished pinching, he exclaimed, "Woah."

Unable to resist, he leaned in for a closer look. "Boss, this mark on your neck is so perfect!"

As he spoke, he took out his phone and used its camera as a mirror to show Ji Min.

CEO Ji, who now had an inexplicable love bite on his neck, "..."]

He took a deep breath and gritted his teeth, saying, "Behave yourself."

The butler Chen, who had rushed over with the first-aid kit, was speechless.

He had only just stepped away for a moment before returning to find a love bite on his employer's neck.

And then he heard Ji Min snarling at Lu Ran to behave himself.

Well, well.

It seemed that his decision to step aside earlier had been a wise one.

Ji Min was furious.

He slammed the first-aid kit onto the table and pointed at the butler, "You go and apply the medicine for him."

Butler Chen hesitantly approached and opened the kit.

Sure enough, Ji Min spoke up again, "Let him do it himself."

Butler Chen smiled as he prepared the iodine and cotton swabs, placing them in front of Lu Ran before stepping aside and standing obediently like a mural.

Lu Ran thought to himself that the rich really were particular.

He picked up a cotton swab and, looking into the mirror, carefully applied the medicine to his wound.

Not wanting to soil his shirt collar, he was meticulous with his movements.

Ji Min watched for a while before he couldn't bear to look anymore.

He exhaled slowly. "Forget it, come here. I'll apply it for you."

Lu Ran handed him the cotton swab, not forgetting to instruct, "Remember to apply it in a circular motion from the inside out."

Ji Min remained silent, not uttering a single word.

With a cotton swab soaked in medicine between his fingers, he cautiously approached Lu Ran's wound.

For fear of soiling his clothes, the youth tugged his collar open quite wide.

Everything that should and shouldn't be revealed was exposed.

Ji Min pressed his lips together.

The moment the cotton swab touched Lu Ran's skin, his usually steady hand trembled, causing him to suddenly withdraw it.

The man's anger was inexplicable.

He crumpled the cotton swab in his hand and threw it into the trash can, his ears turning red with frustration.

Perhaps it wasn't anger.

He gazed out the window for a long moment, then his gaze began to roam around the room.

Ji Min's gaze swept across Butler Chen.

Butler Chen maintained an air of nonchalance, pretending that I was completely invisible.

After surveying the scene for a moment, Ji Min's gaze returned to the young man by the table, who remained utterly perplexed.

After a long pause, he said, "Apply it under my guidance."

In an instant, Ji Min found himself on the receiving end of Lu Ran's quizzical gaze.

Lu Ran gave him a withering glare.

He simply shrugged off his sweater, dipped two or three cotton swabs into iodine, and casually swiped them over the wound.

"Alright, it's settled."

Finished with the task, Lu Ran slipped on his clothes.

When he emerged from the collar of his shirt, he found that the man who had been sitting across from him had vanished.

He turned around, searching for him, and eventually discovered that the man had, at some point, moved outside to the corridor.

He was bent over, seemingly engrossed in the lawn within the research institute's grounds.

Lu Ran stuffed two more steamed buns into his mouth before approaching.

At that moment, Ji Min's assistant entered.

He bowed slightly towards Ji Min and then greeted Lu Ran.

Just as he was about to speak, he caught sight of something on Ji Min's neck, causing his jaw to twitch uncontrollably.

"Mr. Ji, Mr. Ji, Mr. Jiii..."

"What's wrong with me?" Ji Min interrupted him impatiently.

Despite himself, he reached up to adjust his collar.

The assistant chuckled awkwardly before continuing, "I've informed all the guests on the list. However, Mrs. Li from the Li family said they might be late and asked if it would be possible to postpone the banquet..."

Lu Ran was somewhat surprised by this.

He couldn't resist asking, "Isn't a birthday only one day? How can you postpone it?"

The assistant felt a bit embarrassed too.

If anyone else had inquired about this, he wouldn't have mentioned it to Ji Min.

But Madam Li was Ji Min's own aunt.

She was also the late Mr. Ji's most beloved daughter from his later years.

Upon careful consideration, although the Ji family was vast and prosperous, most of them were distant relatives.

Now, the only person in the Ji family who shared a blood tie with Ji Min was this aunt.

Ji Min remained composed and said, "Inform the Li family that they don't need to come if they can't make it."

The assistant acknowledged.

After a moment's thought, he added, "The individual in prison has requested another call with you."

This time, Ji Min smiled slightly but didn't comment.

The assistant understood his unspoken meaning.

The assistant merely conveyed, "A few days ago, the prison guards contacted me, saying that his leg is broken. He probably wants to get in touch with you because of this."

Ji Min replied nonchalantly, "There's no need to make a fuss about it. Everything will follow the proper procedure."

His tone was so calm that it dispelled the playful thoughts that had arisen in the assistant's mind when they saw the love bite earlier.

Back when the Ji family seized power, it had caused a bloodbath.

Ji Min had been betrayed and ended up in a wheelchair at a young age.

Yù——xī——zhèng——lì——

But after that incident, Ji Min had only sent his illegitimate younger brother, who had tampered with his car, to prison.

For all these years, there hadn't been any additional hardships imposed on him.

However, who could have known that years later, the man would suddenly break his leg while inside.

The assistant assumed it must have been an accident while operating a sewing machine.

Ji Min arranged a few more matters, and his assistant subsequently left.

Lu Ran, listening by the side, was utterly confused.

However, he was sharp in certain areas, so he turned to Ji Min and asked, "Don't you have a good relationship with your aunt?"

"It's okay," Ji Min replied.

Lu Ran pondered for a moment before phrasing his question differently.

He bent down to examine Ji Min's eyes closely and asked, "Did they bully you?"

Ji Min was taken aback, then found the situation rather amusing.

"No one bullied me," he turned his head to look at the young man, "But there is someone who frustrates me to no end every day."

"Who's that?" Lu Ran inquired.

His question was posed with an unsettling openness.

So composed that Ji Min was left speechless for quite some time.

Well, it seemed the boy genuinely had no idea how irritating he could be.

Ji Min's birthday party arrived quickly.

The day before, Lu Ran was eagerly preparing to seize the opportunity to make a big move and further his "work."

But on Ji Min's birthday, he overslept.

The courtyard was already decorated.

After breakfast, Ji Min waited a long while for Lu Ran to come downstairs, but to no avail.

He went upstairs and rolled his wheelchair toward Lu Ran's room with the remote control.

Lu Ran had been living there for a while.

However, apart from the one time he called Doctor Kemler over, Ji Min hadn't visited again.

They lived on the same floor but resided on opposite sides.

An elevator shaft and stairwell acted as a dividing line, akin to the Chu-Han Contention in history, or perhaps a boundary that one man had drawn in his heart, a line he never dared to cross.

At least, not at night.

Now, Ji Min maneuvered his wheelchair forward with a remote control.

The corridor was slightly dim, so he instructed the butler Chen to draw back all the curtains.

As large swaths of sunlight flooded in, eradicating any trace of darkness, Ji Min made his way toward Lu Ran's room.

Ji Min asked the butler by his side, "What time did he return last night?"

"Somewhere around two in the morning," the butler Chen replied.

Ji Min furrowed his brow. "What's going on with their school? How can they allow someone to stay in a lab for so long?"

As they spoke, they arrived at Lu Ran's door.

Without hesitation, Ji Min knocked on it.

However, as he did, the door creaked open slightly.

The man standing outside was momentarily stunned.

After a moment, he turned to the butler and asked, "Does he sleep with the door unlocked?"

Butler Chen shrugged in response.

And so, Ji Min paused just outside the door.

He raised a hand to massage his forehead before voicing his grievance to Chen, "How can he not close the door?"

"Perhaps I was too exhausted from last night's return," Butler Chen replied nonchalantly.

Thinking to myself, only you would be so concerned about whether or not someone else's child has locked their door at night.

"The door to his inner bedroom is surely locked," Ji Min said.

Only to find upon entering that the door to the inner bedroom was wide open.

Even from a distance, one could discern the figure of the youth reclining on the bed.

Ji Min: "..."

He took a deep breath, suddenly feeling a sense of discontent.

How could this kid be so insensitive?

Did he really treat him as an elder?

Chapter 88: Station 23: Opium

Ming Yiyang almost believed that Yan Qiling was basking not in the cold moonlight but under a warm midday sun on his lounge chair.

However, looking at him like this stirred up a strange, overwhelming, and indigestible emotion within him.

It was akin to the feeling he had when his father, upon his stepmother's suggestion, left him to be raised by the local chieftain, creating a tiny unreachable and intangible shadow in the depths of his heart.

Yet, this sensation was different.

Its source came from the outside world.

It was a shadow grown for another person.

Ming Yiyang wished to take the cigarette resting on the blue tiles, unusually thin and swaying gently in the breeze.

But with just a word from Yan Qiling, he lost the strength to reach out, instead focusing intently on the cold words that spilled from the man's lips.

The words flowed calmly, as if they had been smoothed out by a paperweight:

"My mother is an innocent woman. Born into a wealthy family, she never had to lift a finger her entire life. After marrying my father, she didn't experience any significant hardships."

"My father is cautious and perceptive. Under his stewardship, our family's business flourished like never before. Thus, my mother never had to worry about finances. Moreover, due to his integrity, he never took a concubine within the inner courtyard. Therefore, when it came to matters of affection, my mother never had to compete with anyone else."

He paused in his narration, his tone detached as if annotating a passage in a book:

"In the eyes of outsiders, they devoted themselves to loving each other wholeheartedly. Such a relationship would still be enviable even in today's world."

"There are gossipers who believe it was my mother's beauty that ensnared my father. They curse her for captivating him with her looks, expecting their bond to be fleeting. Or they secretly mock my father for his shortsightedness, lured as he was by mere external beauty and willing to forsake the world outside."

"I was one of the few closest to them."

With a nostalgic hint of a genuine smile, he continued:

"Though simple, my mother was not foolish. Her foresight was something even my father admired. In those times, however, women often remained in the background, no matter their capabilities. Thus, while she strategized behind the scenes, it was my father's decisions that the world saw."

"She had a grand demeanor and an immense capacity for tolerance. Whenever Father lost his temper and sought to engage in petty squabbles, it was she who held him back, using her own reason to secure greater gains for our family."

"Her thoughts were delicate, and together with Father, they always complemented each other perfectly."

The warmth in her blue eyes faded first, turning into shards of icy detachment:

"Before I went abroad, she was still that gentle and rational woman, taking my marriage very philosophically. Her love for Father remained as deep as ever. But when I returned, everything had changed beyond recognition."

Yan Qiling couldn't recall the exact date of his return; he had even forgotten how he reached home.

Perhaps he took a rickshaw, or maybe some of his cousins came to fetch him in the family carriage.

Regardless, after several weeks of traveling, he finally arrived.

He saw his father at the entrance, but not the graceful and gentle figure he was accustomed to.

He asked about his mother, but the relatives around him looked uneasy, even his father fell silent, only urging him to freshen up and meet his mother later.

From this point on, his memory became vivid.

Suspecting that his mother might be suffering from a severe illness, he secretly visited her in the house, unbeknownst to anyone else.

Before even entering the room, a pungent white smoke, tinged with the scent of urine, wafted out, so thick that it was impossible to ignore.

His mother, once a beauty with delicate features, now looked haggard. She leaned against a long couch in the main chamber, puffing on a specially crafted jade opium pipe, lost in a cloud of smoke.

Upon seeing him, she immediately greeted him with a gentle smile.

She spoke to him in that familiar, sweet voice, as if no time had passed since their last conversation.

But within her intoxicating, dazed state, Yan Qiling could sense that his mother was not in a lucid frame of mind.

Rather than expressing joy at his return, it seemed as if she had stumbled upon her son by chance while lost in a dream-like realm, warmly acknowledging an illusory vision of him.

Throughout their encounter, she didn't budge from her spot, lying there and gazing at him with her captivating eyes, repeatedly calling out "my child," remarking that he seemed both plumper and thinner.

Later, he learned that it wasn't because his mother didn't want to touch him.

Instead, the effects of the opium had relaxed her muscles, leaving her limbs weak, desiring only to lie there and prolong the blissful sensation.

She was inflicted with an incurable illness.

An addiction that could no longer be cured.

After a brief silence, Ming Yiyang struggled to find the words he wanted to say.

Even the thought of retrieving his cigarette vanished, leaving him only to clench the metal ring on his pinky finger.

Yan Qiling's voice was so soft it was barely audible:

"I had advocated for her to quit smoking, but Father refused."

"He said that Mother didn't just pick up the habit momentarily; she started soon after I left. By the time he discovered it, quitting had become almost impossible. Fortunately, our family's wealth allowed her to indulge until her fifties without much harm."

He let out a low laugh, tinged with a rare hint of self-deprecation:

"I couldn't believe those were the words that came from my father's mouth. Yet, he did say them and acted accordingly. Until this day, I can't comprehend why his love for Mother took such a form."

All while the woman he loved most pursued her downward freedom.

Rather than trying to intervene, Father resorted to using his resources to hasten her self-destruction.

It was as if she had submitted to her fate, severing herself from the pain of womanhood and, in turn, cutting off all hope for survival.

"The family's servant boy went out to make purchases, and I caught a glimpse. The opium was wrapped like gold bars, engraved with the characters 'Fu Shou Gao.' But once you're hooked on this, there can be no immortal longevity or eternal youth."

The man's voice rang like the chiming of precious metals—icy, rational, impervious to external influences:

"Our family's wealth could indeed sustain her for a hundred years, but her opium addiction would never allow her to reach that age."

"As time passed, she wasted away, her mind clouded. All day long, she could do nothing but lie in bed craving another hit, unable even to dress herself. Any fabric brushing against her skin became torment. She could only be covered by a silk blanket to shield her body."

Yan Qiling suddenly turned to the silent young man at his side and asked,

"Are you interested in hearing these stories?"

Ming Yiyang met his gaze, his snowy eyelashes drooping slightly,

"I want to hear. You've shared so many stories with me; it's only fair that I learn something about you too. Please continue."

"...In short, her addiction to smoking grew stronger each day. If her cravings weren't met, she would scream in agony, completely losing her human form."

The man lifted his pale face to meet the blue moonlight, his well-proportioned nose and jawline forming a handsome profile.

"She was beautiful and charming when I was young, like a white magnolia. She often said that a gentleman should live in this world with no shame before heaven, ancestors, or temples, cultivating virtue and practicing self-restraint for the benefit of future generations. I once took her words as my guiding principle, but she herself forgot them."

"On the day she left, in her final moments of vitality, unable to get anyone's attention, she got out of bed to smoke. Just as she lit it and took a puff, she choked on the smoke and suffocated to death."

Ming Yiyang lost all interest in smoking.

The young man lifted his gaze, tracing the seemingly unemotional contours of the person beside him.

With the sound of tiles whispering, his body reacted instinctively, his arm wrapped around the man's back like a scorching chain, allowing him to gently pull the person into his embrace.

But this sudden action was fleeting. After holding the other person briefly, he quickly released them.

Ming Yiyang didn't bother explaining the motive behind the hug. Instead, he reached out to brush away the strands of hair falling across the person's forehead and whispered, "I'm sorry."

He wasn't sure what he was apologizing for.

Yet the man sitting in front of him seemed to have interpreted the apology in his own way:

"No need to apologize. I just can't stand seeing people smoke. It's rather domineering of me, but I can't help it."

Ming Yiyang was about to respond when a sudden "meow" echoed extremely close by!

The alluring feline's voice was so near that it sent shivers down his spine. Without hesitation, his hand reflexively pulled out the wooden chip from his neck, revealing a sharp long blade!

However, the cat seemed to be merely conducting some mysterious observation. Its bright green, round eyes stared at them for a while before dashing towards the courtyard, vanishing without a trace.

Just then, Yan Qiling suddenly gasped, clutching his chest.

Ming Yiyang swiftly scooped him into his arms and, remembering the rules, two purple flames ignited in his eyes.

Hearing the unusual sound, the guards at the door were about to open the embroidery room when the four girls inside hurriedly rushed out.

After they left, a stone flew through the window, extinguishing the candles within the house.

Closing the back window silently, Ming Yiyang knew he couldn't stay here any longer to guard Si Shuhao and the others. He could only follow Yan Qiling back to the accounting room for now.

There were only the two of them in the accounting room; Shi Wen Guang and the others had clearly gone to the Wen family with Diao Qingchang.

Ming Yiyang didn't understand the mechanism behind Yan Qiling's heartache and wanted to examine him:

"Did you injure yourself?"

Yan Qiling held onto his collar button, declining the offer:

"It's nothing, just a sudden stab of pain in my heart."

The young man looked at him skeptically, his purple eyes flickering in the candlelight like a little fox that had suddenly wandered into human society, expressing its tentative affection with half-belief.

Yan Qiling felt an inexplicable tenderness towards his current appearance and reached out to gently stroke the angular side of his face, softening his voice:

"Really, it's nothing. If you're tired, take a rest here for a while. There's a small bamboo bed by the window; you can sleep there."

Ming Yiyang hadn't initially planned on sleeping.

Even when he was lying on the bamboo bed, he thought he would only doze off for a short while.

Yet Yan Qiling sat beside him, flipping through accounts. The herbal scent emanating from this person, mixed with the smell of ink, somehow lured him into a deep, dreamless sleep.

When he woke up again, it was already broad daylight.

Ming Yiyang: ... Damn.

Yan Qiling must have given him some sleeping pills. How could he have slept like a log without even dreaming?!

Feeling bewildered and fearful, he quickly slapped himself hard.

Thus, with a clear handprint on his face, he grumpily accompanied Yan Qiling to the secluded courtyard where they had briefly reunited the day before, waiting for Diao Qingchang and the others to arrive and share information about the Wen family.

Unexpectedly,

Diao Qingchang's group looked even more grim.

Not only that.

One person is missing.

Mai Zeyu, he's nowhere to be found.

Chapter 125: Consciousness

Not all classmates were present, and among the demons who had come, only powerful ones like Lan Jiaying and Wu Shaluo dared to express their anger, while those weaker in strength kept their resentment to themselves.

Despite their outward appearances, these demons were inwardly restless.

After a night of "work," only Muershi, Wen Ying, and Essence had truly been engaged; the other three demons felt as if they had spent the entire night playing.

Muershi stretched with a contented sigh. "We should be done now. Although it was amusing to watch their reactions, it's still a bit tiring."

Phaeros sneered. "You find playing tiring?"

Wen Ying chuckled. "We weren't playing."

Wei Er was puzzled. "Weren't you playing?"

Beros instinctively knew that Muershi and Wen Ying wouldn't engage in something boring. With the final exams tomorrow, these two demons wouldn't be idle enough to seek out classmates to trick. One or two might be for amusement, but spending an entire night doing so hinted at a scheme.

Muershi looked at Wen Ying, who said, "We were applying negative debuffs to our competitors in advance. What we did tonight has a high chance of delaying their success in finding a human willing to host them."

The three demons were no fools; they quickly grasped the situation, their expressions a mix of astonishment and oddity.

"Your move there..." Phileas blinked, searching for an appropriate adjective in his mind, "was rather cunning, don't you think?"

Muershi commented, "You seemed quite pleased just now."

Phileas fell silent, choosing to keep quiet.

Beros felt that this devious plan must have come from Muershi and Wen Ying's minds. It wasn't just about pleasure, but also served a great purpose. Their irritable classmates would likely be unable to approach any suitable humans with a friendly demeanor for at least one day, thus causing the humans to either flee or reject them.

The more Beros pondered over it, the more he realized how ingeniously harmless this strategy was. Fortunately, Wen Ying hadn't been so ruthless as to involve him too... As Beros was lost in thought, his emotions turned peculiar.

Wen Ying yawned. He sensed Beros' glare once again. Sleepy tears welled up in the corners of his eyes as he mumbled, "It's late. Let's head back to our respective homes. We might need to wake up early tomorrow, and who knows when the demon responsible for delivering the dolls will arrive."

Essence agreed, "Mmhmm, goodbye... See you in the Human Realm?" A reunion was indeed highly likely to happen in the Human Realm.

Wei Er added, "The Human Realm is vast; we may not necessarily meet each other."

Phileas chimed in, "We won't be going in our true forms but possessing humans instead, making it difficult to identify one another."

"Essence, by then we'll be rivals," Muershi chuckled. "We might even end up fighting when we meet."

Boros hadn't considered that possibility until Muershi mentioned it. He realized now that they could indeed send their competitors straight back to the Realm of Devils.

A moment of silence fell, the atmosphere turning peculiar. Muershi laughed it off. "I was just joking. Don't hit me when we meet; we can cooperate."

Phaeros commented, "Are you trying to lower your own score by working with you?" His resolve was firm. If he found Muershi in the Human Realm, he would eliminate him first to prevent any potential trouble from Muershi.

Muershi looked innocent.

Wen Ying patted his shoulder. "Don't worry. If I see you in the Human Realm and there's no danger, I won't attack you."

Boros chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "So you're saying that if you think Muershi is a threat, you'll beat him and send him back to the Realm of Devils?"

Muershi mumbled softly, "Who sends whom back to the Realm of Devils remains to be seen."

"I'm leaving first," Wen Ying turned and waved. "I'm exhausted."

After returning to the castle, Wen Ying went to check on the Blood Tree. It was thriving, likely due to Aruda's care. Many new branches had sprouted, and it had grown to a height of about ten feet, its growth rate astonishing.

Wen Ying gazed down at his shadow, where faint ripples of blood-red hues seemed to be swirling within.

True to its nature as an evil spell, the boost in power was undeniable. Satisfied, Wen Ying flew through his window, entering his room with a sense of joy. He carefully examined all the cards he had retrieved from his spatial bracelet and platinum tail ring.

These cards were likely impossible for the puppet doppelganger to carry away, as it could only transport a portion of his consciousness. Wen Ying sighed, knowing that he would have to expend magical energy to create magical cards later on.

Wen Ying was no longer the inexperienced rookie he once was when he first arrived in the Realm of Magic. Even without magical cards, he wouldn't be easily defeated. However, he felt somewhat incomplete and uneasy without them.

After much contemplation, he found no viable solution and decided to simply go to sleep.

The next day, Wen Ying woke up early, feeling like a child eagerly awaiting a school spring trip. His spirits were high, and he woke up with enthusiasm.

At eight o'clock, the academy demon responsible for delivering the puppet doppelganger arrived. As Wen Ying observed the puppet, he noticed a striking resemblance, nearly a third of his own features.

The doll was stuffed with cotton, giving it a quality appearance rather than looking cheap.

The demon delivering the doll instructed Wen Ying on how to proceed. Following the instructions, Wen Ying soon felt himself floating before splitting into two distinct entities. When he opened his eyes, he "saw" himself.

Through the doll's perspective, he saw himself, while from his own eyes, he saw the doll.

It was an odd sensation, and Wen Ying suddenly found himself grasping the intricacies of a split-shape technique. He would have to try using the Magic Mirror to create a sentient clone sometime.

Chapter 88: Restraint

The scene in the private room was momentarily breathtaking.

Probably because Shen Hongyuan's sincere promotion of his son just now had been too convincing.

Although the wine had an unusual taste, Old Linno still took a large sip without hesitation.

And the result was...

That jet of peculiar-tasting liquid shot out from his mouth.

It flew a long distance.

It soared over the dining table in front of him, bypassed Shen Hongyuan with eyes popping out, and directly splashed onto Shen Xingran, who was sitting across the round table.

Though his two sons hadn't drunk much, their conditions weren't much better either.

Upon impact, it scattered like a divine goddess scattering flowers, splashing everywhere.

Old Linuo was a ranged attacker, and he just indiscriminately hurled his attacks everywhere.

It was impressive that Jin Huan still remembered his flirtatious persona and tried his best to maintain his elegance without bursting out in laughter.

Yet, this scent was something no one could resist.

And so, this "wine" silently trickled down from the corners of his mouth and chin.

A trail of moisture stained the lapel of his robe.

Shen Hongyuan was dumbfounded.

He glanced at Shen Xingran and then at the Lino family, hurriedly standing up to ask, "What's going on?"

Old Lino thumped his chest and stomped his feet, pointing at Shen Xingran across from him, unable to utter a single word.

He and his two sons scrambled to grab the water cups on the table.

He hastily gulped down the water, unsure whether he should spit it out or swallow it, causing him to rush around the table in a panic.

Just as he managed to slightly suppress the taste in his mouth, he immediately pointed at Shen Hongyuan and then at Shen Xingran, angrily exclaiming, "What did you give us to drink? Toilet water?!"

Yang chimed in with agreement, "Exactly, what have we done to offend you? Look at this mess you've served us!"

Shen Xingran was also dumbfounded.

The smugness in his eyes hadn't faded when he immediately tried to defend himself: "No, I didn't..."

Shen Hongyuan also chimed in, "Is there some misunderstanding? My son has always been very reliable in his actions..."

"Misunderstanding?" Old Lino was enraged.

He raised his hand and splashed the remaining half of the "wine" onto Shen Hongyuan's face. "Experience the misunderstanding for yourself!"

A loud splash echoed.

Shen Hongyuan reached out to wipe his face, falling silent.

After the silence, he pointed at Shen Xingran and unleashed a torrent of abuse. "Disgraceful child, what kind of drink is this? Who told you to bring such a disgusting thing here?"

Seeing even Shen Hongyuan was scolding him, Shen Xingran panicked instantly.

He hadn't done anything!

He hadn't tampered with anything; he had merely brought over the wine that Lu Ran had prepared!

Recalling that when he went to fetch the wine, Lu Ran was in the restroom, Shen Xingran suddenly fell quiet.

He looked down at the "wine stains" on his clothes and cautiously lifted them to his nose for a sniff. His face paled immediately.

Gazing at the furious Lino trio and Shen Hongyuan, Shen Xingran couldn't afford to care about anything else now.

He hurriedly confessed the truth. "I'm sorry, Uncle, and two elder brothers, I didn't pour this wine—it was actually my brother, Lu Ran, who poured it. I just brought it over…"

"Bullshit!" Old Linaro pointed at him and scolded. "You clearly said you poured it yourself just now."

"I, I..."

Usually, it was Shen Xingran who slandered others. When had he ever been in a situation where he couldn't defend himself?

Shen Xingran could only grit his teeth and admit his mistake. "I was wrong. I lied at first."

But no matter what he said, the others only thought he was trying to shift the blame, not believing a word of his explanation.

Jin even sneered at him coldly, "You're saying it was your brother who poured it? I've drunk from your brother's cups countless times without issue, so why would something go wrong just because you're here?"

"Yeah!" Yang said angrily, "Can the urine you poured compare to the fine wine that Lu Ran serves?"

Shen Xingran stomped his foot in frustration, "But this is the wine Lu Ran poured!"

The Lino trio didn't believe a word of it:

"Hah, we've all had wine poured by your brother before. It has a unique, slightly bitter aroma. How could it be anything like this stuff that seems to have been scooped straight out of a toilet?"

Over there, Lu Ran emerged from the restroom and noticed that his tray, left aside, had vanished.

For a moment, he felt a twinge of anxiety.

Hopefully, it hadn't been taken by someone unaware and consumed.

But after pondering for a while, Lu Ran quickly guessed who was behind the prank.

He stealthily returned to the private room.

Cracking the door open just enough, he caught the scene of Old Leon spewing out the drink.

Lu Ran's concerns eased slightly.

The right person had consumed the appropriate beverage – that was only reasonable.

He stood outside the room, quietly observing for a while.

Until Shen Xingran began desperately trying to prove his innocence, did Lu Ran push the door open and enter.

As soon as Lu Ran entered, he waved his hand in disgust, "Ew... Why does it smell like a toilet?"

The sight of him made Shen Xingran lose his mind.

Pointing at Lu Ran, he exclaimed, "How can you say that? Didn't you spill the wine?"

Lu Ran looked at him in surprise.

Confusion and disbelief flickered in his eyes before he finally sighed, adopting a hurt tone that anyone could hear, "If you and Father insist on believing that, then I'll take the blame."

Shen Xingran was overwhelmed by this obvious act of 'serving tea' and was utterly dumbfounded.

This was the first time in his life that he had been 'served tea' by someone else!

Sure enough, Jin Heyang, sitting across the round table, immediately spoke up indignantly, "Shen Xingran, how dare you accuse him!"

Old Leonardo could no longer remain seated.

He stood up and pointed at Shen Hongyuan, yelling, "Look at the fine son you've raised! You want an alliance with our Leonardo family? Think again!"

"In this project competition, the Lino family won't hold back at all!"

With that, he swept his hand and swiftly left the private room with his two sons in tow.

Seeing the situation turn sour, Shen Hongyuan hastily followed them out.

Before exiting, he didn't forget to give Shen Xingran a resounding slap. "Look at the mess you've caused!"

Shen Xingran took the blow without dodging.

Soon, the once bustling private room was left with only Lu Ran and Shen Xingran.

Covering his cheek, Shen Xingran glared at Lu Ran with resentment.

Lu Ran's gaze was clear. "You anticipated that I'd retrieve the drink you poured, so you deliberately set me up!"

Lu Ran fell silent for a moment.

Then, he spoke sincerely, "This time, it wasn't planned."

But Shen Xingran, of course, didn't believe that. He was convinced that Lu Ran had planned this all along.

When Lu Ran left the restaurant, he saw Ji Min's car waiting outside.

He got into the car and said in surprise, "Boss, why are you here?"

Ji Min glanced at him and replied, "I was passing by."

Chen Butler, sitting in the front passenger seat: "…"

Your "passing by" sure is quite a roundabout way to put it.

Lu Ran didn't pay attention to such nuances.

As soon as he got in the car, he couldn't resist leaning over the backrest of Ji Min's wheelchair and eagerly recounted the incident of feeding Shen Xingran the "Original Liquid" to the Lino family members.

After finishing his story, he sighed with a hint of regret, "How did those drinks end up in his hands?"

"Are you unhappy about it?" Ji Min asked.

"Certainly, it's more satisfying to feed them personally!" Lu Ran declared.

Ji Min, who had hurried over in a rush, fearing that someone might be at a disadvantage, was speechless.

Well, he had worried unnecessarily.

Given the current situation, offending the Linos would likely keep Shen Hongyuan and Shen Xingyu preoccupied with troubles for a while.

Shen Hongyuan hadn't bothered Lu Ran for several days.

However, another topic had recently arisen in the upper echelons of Beijing's social circles – Ji Min's twenty-ninth birthday.

Families associated with the Jis and companies that had business ties with the Ji Corporation were already in the midst of preparations.

But not everyone could attend Ji Min's birthday soirée.

Unusually, the Ji residence had become bustling with activity lately.

A professional team was in charge of planning the banquet decorations.

However, Lu Ran had been busy lately, constantly rushing around to the point where he was hardly seen.

There were even two instances when he unusually forgot to walk Big Yellow, leaving the task to Butler Chen.

By Saturday morning, Ji Min could no longer hold back his curiosity.

After finishing his breakfast, he glanced upstairs and asked Butler Chen, "What has he been up to lately? Was he out very late last night?"

Butler Chen simply smiled without responding.

Ji Min lowered his gaze, sipping his tea with furrowed brows. "How can a child stay out so late?"

"Perhaps he's preparing a birthday gift for you," Butler Chen suggested.

Ji Min was taken aback.

moments later, Lu Ran descended the stairs, yawning widely.

He had returned in the wee hours of the morning, and his hair was now tousled from sleep.

When he descended to the dining room, his voice still carried the roughness of just waking up.

"Good morning, Master," Lu Ran rubbed his eyes.

Recalling what Butler Chen had just mentioned, Ji Min hurriedly averted his gaze.

Clearing his throat softly, he asked, "Why have you been busy until such late hours lately?"

The voice carried a barely perceptible hint of anticipation.

Yet the youth beside the table merely lifted his head to take a sip of water, his words indistinct as he murmured, "Mm... There's been something on my mind lately."

Glimmering at the corner of Ji Min's eye, his gaze inadvertently froze.

The youth raised his head to drink, extending his fair neck, revealing a tiny scarlet mark nestled beneath the collar of his garment at the nape.

Not just one.

Glimpses of faint, indistinct markings could be discerned nestled within the collar's crevices.

A vivid scarlet mark, layered upon the milky-white, youthful health of the boy's skin, was strikingly conspicuous.

Ji Min stood frozen for a moment, then hastily averted his gaze to look out the window.

Unconsciously, he wondered if there were any mosquitoes around lately.

Is it possible that the bedding or the fabric of the clothing is causing an allergic reaction in the youth?

While such scenarios might unfold elsewhere, they were absolutely forbidden within Ji Min's residence.

Eliminating these possibilities, coupled with Lu Ran's recent late nights, another explanation began to dawn on them.

Ji Min's fingers, holding the glass of water, unconsciously clenched tighter.

Upon realizing this, he deliberately relaxed his grip.

Still, an uneasiness lingered, prompting him to lift the glass and place it back onto the dining table.

In this moment, Ji Min's emotions were a complex entanglement.

An indescribable emotion welled up, tugging at his heart within his chest.

Another surge of anger.

Anger towards the person who could have inflicted these marks upon the young man.

Yet, amidst this intense tug, he couldn't help but think that Lu Ran was already nineteen years old.

Though... he always regarded Lu Ran as a child, legally, he was an adult.

Children from their kind of family tended to grow up quickly.

There were plenty who got into trouble in their teens.

Lu Ran was already considered late by comparison.

His heart continued to be torn apart.

Ji Min's fingers trembled slightly, and he couldn't resist doing something.

For instance, pulling the young man into his embrace.

Fingertips gently press against the mark on the side of his neck.

Conceal these traces with something even more substantial.

Yet, Ji Min was also deeply grateful.

Thankful that Lu Ran was seated farther away, and grateful for the wheelchair that restrained his actions, Ji Min prevented himself from truly succumbing to those horrifying impulses.

He pondered again, realizing that he had always positioned himself as Lu Ran's elder.

He had consistently treated Lu Ran like a child.

So, as an elder, what should he say in this situation?

Admonish the young man to pay attention to his physical well-being?

Feeling that he had to say something, Ji Min spoke up.

One had to suppress the impulse within the bones, muscles, and nerves with words.

"You..."

Ji Min heard his own voice crack as he asked, "Have you recently found a girlfriend... or a boyfriend?"

"Hmm?" Lu Ran, with a shrimp ball halfway to his mouth, lifted his head.

Struggling to maintain his usual composure, Ji Min said with effort, "Be mindful of the boundaries."

Saying this, he swiftly maneuvered his wheelchair to leave.

Before he could even turn around, he caught sight of the youth by the dining table, whose eyes suddenly lit up.

Laying down his chopsticks, he slid his chair across the floor, drawing himself closer to Ji Min until both he and the chair were nestled beside him.

Ji Min wished to retreat.

He wanted to say, don't get so close to him at a moment like this.

Should he lose control...

But the youth, with his bright, sparkling eyes wide open, suddenly tugged at his collar and leaned in close, asking:

"Boss, did you see this!"

In the next instant, the warm, milk-white skin drew even closer to Ji Min's eyes.

He could discern the pulsing blue veins beneath the surface.

And the subtle tremors in the skin as the carotid artery throbbed beneath.

Ji Min's jaw muscles bulged momentarily. He turned his head away awkwardly, biting down on his itchy gums in restraint.

At that moment, the child before him said with an air of triumph, "Look, Boss! Doesn't my grip look realistic?"

Ji Min: "?"

Chapter 171 - Envy

With Xu's family settled, Wei Lingzhen used the available ingredients at home to steam two steaming pots of sticky rice cakes. Old Lady Xu portioned them out and placed them in a basket before leading her son, daughter-in-law, and grandson to visit their neighbors, both to familiarize themselves with the area and its people.

Their first stop was the Shen residence. Wei Lingzhen had heard much about Shen Lie and Sang Luo since her mother-in-law had taken her children, brother, and nephew into the mountains for safety. She was perpetually grateful for their kindness.

After the chaotic reunion, they finally made a proper visit to express their gratitude. Wei Lingzhen was genuinely delighted by the encounter. Besides being well-educated, kind, and generous, as her family had described, Sang Luo exuded an extraordinary sense of ease, cleanliness, and tranquility that was soothing to be around.

A top servant in a grand household who could have her servitude annulled, receive a dowry, and be arranged a good marriage must possess exceptional interpersonal skills. Her words were pleasant, and she warmly embraced Sang Luo while praising Shen An and Shen Ning. Before leaving, she thanked Sang Luo for looking after her family and chatted for a while. Looking at the time, she realized there were still more households to visit, so she bid farewell to the Shens and proceeded to the next house.

They visited the Chen, Shi, Zhou, and finally, the Lu families.

As Wei Lingzhen had seen, each family's cave dwellings and furniture were indeed novel. But she also witnessed something no one had mentioned – small caves with fences and locks inside the larger ones, inhabited by idle women who stared at them intently upon hearing the commotion. Wei Lingzhen handled the situation with tact, merely glancing at the scene without dwelling on it, maintaining her composure as she conversed with the Lu family and offered them her homemade desserts.

It wasn't until the Lu family escorted them out that Old Lady Lu said, "We have a troublesome one at home. Please don't mind her."

Wei Lingzhen didn't probe further, and Old Lady Xu skillfully changed the subject. After exchanging some casual conversation, they mentioned the late hour and the need to prepare dinner before bidding the Lus goodbye.

On the return journey, she mentioned to Wei Lingzhen, "That was the Lu family's eldest daughter-in-law just now. I forgot to mention her to you."

Wang Chunniang hadn't ventured out for a long time. It was said that she only strolled around the large cave at specific times each day, accompanied by someone from the first family. Hence, Madam Xu truly had forgotten about this person.

As the two women conversed, Wang Chunniang, taking advantage of the fact that both Lu and Feng were outside seeing off their guests, eagerly clutched the wooden fence and called out, "Daughter, come here! Who were those people just now? Were they from the Xu family?"

She still recognized Madam Xu.

Something seemed amiss in the valley today. After Lu Er returned, the whole family rushed out, and even the elders carried food with them when they came back.

Wang Chunniang had been curious for a while, but alas, the cave was always occupied, either by the second family or by Lu Sanlang. She didn't have the chance to inquire with her children.

Now that people had come to their doorstep, it was evident that strangers had entered the valley, and there were quite a few of them!

Could Wang Chunniang resist asking?

The moment Lu and Feng left, she softly called out to her daughter, Lu Dazhuang.

In truth, Lu Dazhuang had never ventured outside. If her parents needed to leave, she and her elder and second brothers usually stayed in the cave, keeping watch over their mother.

However, Huizi and the others had left, and she knew a little about it. She only knew that people had entered the valley and that there seemed to be bandits outside. She didn't know anything else.

Now, when Wang Chunniang called her over for questioning, she told the truth: "That was Madam Xu from Shopkeeper Xu's family. She's Wenbo and Wenying's mother. The other two should be their older brothers."

Wang Chunniang held onto the wooden fence. "The whole Xu family has entered the valley? How many of them came?"

Lu Daniu felt a bit flustered under her mother's gaze and lowered her head, honestly saying, "Shopkeeper Xu, his wife, and Wenying's two older brothers. I think there was also an uncle or something. I heard that the bandits from outside have arrived."

Wang Chunniang's breathing grew heavier.

Five!

Five plus five made ten. Just the Xu family alone had ten people entering the valley.

She asked Lu Daniu, "Then who were your grandparents bringing the grain out for today? The Xu family is so wealthy; they wouldn't need our kind of family to help them, would they?"

For some reason, Lu Daniu felt nervous whenever her mother spoke. She stuttered, "No, it's Little Jin, Little Yin, and Little Tie, the three brothers who've also entered the valley."

Wang Chunniang let out a soft scoff through her nose.

Back then, she was separated from her family just for revealing a bit too much to her maternal home. Not only did they make her fetch supplies in the mountains, but they also bound her for days. Now look, the Xu family can still take in more people. Didn't Shen Lie bring in Shen Jin and the others? They've cut ties, so aren't they considered outsiders?

So it's just because they have a problem with her, right?

These rules only apply to her, don't they?

With a dark expression, Lu Dazhu scared the wits out of Lu Datou when she looked up. The girl anxiously glanced back at the entrance of the cave, relieved to see that Grandma Lu and Second Aunt Feng hadn't returned yet. She quickly whispered, "Mother, you shouldn't say anything rash again. Many must have died outside. Shen Jin's parents and sister are gone."

Wang Chunniang's brow twitched as she heard footsteps outside the cave. Realizing that Mother Lu and Feng Liu had returned with the Xu family, she immediately turned around and lay back down on the bed.

...

No one knew about the conversation between the Lu mother and daughter. As evening approached, smoke rose from the chimneys of each household in the valley.

Since they were still sharing meals, dinner was still porridge, but with added minced meat and finely chopped green vegetables and scallions, making it a savory meat porridge.

As Shen Ning ladled the porridge, she filled only half a bowl, hesitating with the spoon. Sang Luo took the spoon from her and topped off the bowl, whispering, "Being frugal isn't the issue here. Porridge can be easily made by adding more water and more ingredients. If all of you skimp on food, do you think Little Jin and the others would dare to eat more these few days?"

Shen Ning understood and nodded. After filling each bowl to the brim, she carried them out.

Upon seeing the full bowls of porridge, Shen Jin and his brothers didn't dare to touch them. Shen Jin rushed to fetch three bowls from his basket, and the trio shared one bowl among themselves. After dividing it, Shen Jin held his bowl and gazed at Sang Luo, saying, "Sister-in-law, we've been hungry for so long that our appetites aren't big."

Indeed, they had been famished for a while. Sang Luo nodded in agreement. "It's good to eat smaller portions frequently. If you're hungry again, help yourselves."

Shen Tie had consumed two servings of sweetened egg-flower porridge in the afternoon and was surrounded by familiar children. He appeared much livelier now. He could even sit on the bench with a backrest on his own.

It was only then that the family noticed how desperately hungry Shen Tie was. From the moment the small bowl of porridge was placed before him, his eyes were fixed on it, making sure it belonged to him. Despite being weak, he ate as if he hadn't eaten in days, completely ignoring whether it was hot or not. His only focus was to fill his mouth.

He had been terrified of being hungry.

Shen Jin quickly pressed his hand down, urging, "Eat slowly."

With his hand held down, Shen Tie looked up at Shen Jin, his eyes pleading. "I'm so hungry."

The whole family fell silent.

This wasn't just physical hunger; they were scared of being hungry, feeling it deeply within their hearts.

In truth, Sang Luo couldn't quite imagine what it felt like to eat mud cakes for days on end, or to be limited to only one or two bites of it each day.

Upon her initial transmigration, she was also famished, feeling as if she would collapse from hunger. Yet during the original owner's actual period of near-starvation that lasted for over ten days, there were still occasions when they could boil wild vegetables with a few grains of rice. However, the continuous ordeal of fleeing famine had weakened her constitution, exacerbated by food shortages and constant fear, which eventually led to her falling ill. In her delirious state, even the meager soup of wild vegetables and rice cooked by her two younger siblings barely registered on her appetite. Amidst this confusion, she had taken over the body.

Arriving only because she had awoken famished, Shen Ning then fed her a few wild fruits under the moonlight. Soon after, Chen couple brought along salted sugar water and rice. Perhaps it was also due to the healing influence of the transmigrator's spiritual essence on her body; in any case, she didn't suffer too much. Nourished by rice porridge and fish soup for a few days, she gradually recovered her strength.

Hence, whether it was the original owner's memories or her own experiences, she could not fathom Shen Tie's sensation of being ravenously hungry despite having just eaten, nor did she know how to address this situation.

Shen Jin pressed down on Shen Tie's hand and said, "There will be no more hunger, not now, not ever. We've left the county town; Big Brother and Uncle Xu have brought us out. Look, there are mountains all around. Big Brother, Big Sister-in-law, Grandpa, Grandma, Uncles, and Aunties have all given us food. Big Brother will take me hunting too, truly, never again shall we go hungry. Eat slowly now."

Noticing that Shen Tie still held the spoon, Shen Jin pointed to the other two bowls of porridge. "Look, there's more food if you're hungry."

Sang Luo nudged the plate of glutinous rice cakes, sent by the Xu family and placed in the center of the table, closer to Jin Tie. "Go ahead and have some. You can eat a piece, but they're made of glutinous rice flour, so they might be a bit hard to digest. Start with just one."

Observing the hearty servings in everyone's bowls on the table, Shen Tie swallowed his saliva, and the overwhelming fear of hunger subsided slightly. However, after Shen Jin released his grip, despite his best efforts to restrain himself, he still devoured his food voraciously. Yet, amidst this haste, there was an inherent sense of restraint. He didn't touch much beyond what was designated for him to eat.

At six years old, I didn't know the phrase "living under someone else's roof," but I already vaguely grasped its meaning.

San Luo didn't say anything more. It wasn't something that could heal in a day or two; it could only be left to time for a gradual recovery.

As a professional fiction translator, I will provide an elegant and contextually coherent English translation for each line. Please provide the lines you would like me to translate.

After the meal, water was boiled and tempered to a warm temperature. Upon returning from outside, everyone took turns to bathe. The brothers took care of washing their own clothes.

With a damp cloth, Shen Ning wiped the bed, mat, and pillow that Shen Tie had slept on during the day. Sang Luo measured some beans to soak in water for the next morning's meal.

On this particular evening, the siblings, Shen An and Shen Ning, unusually set aside their books. Engaged in casual conversation, they lingered until late before extinguishing the lights and retiring to sleep.

The following morning, Shen Lie rose early and diligently ground the beans soaked overnight in the kitchen hearth. By the time Sang Luo arose from her slumber, a pot of freshly brewed soy milk was already simmering on the stove.

She accepted the hand with a smile, awaiting the boiling of the soy milk. Once ready, she filled a large soup bowl to the brim with it. Next, she fetched the prepared brine and deftly curdled the mixture. As the curds formed, she ladled out another generous helping into a second large soup bowl. The remainder was carefully poured into the small tofu frames custom-made by Shen Lie, layered with cheesecloth, and weighted down with wooden boards and stones. In this manner, each frame yielded four neat blocks of tofu.

One portion was for their own consumption, while the other three were for the Chen family, Shi family, and Xu family, who had all inquired a few days prior about when Sangluo would make tofu. They had delivered soybeans or grain beforehand to secure their share. In the valley, vegetables were scarce, but Sangluo could occasionally provide tofu, fermented bean curd, or vegetarian mock abalone. Each household would exchange for these treats.

Shen Ning had also finished her grooming and joined them. Upon learning that they would be making tofu residue pancakes, she promptly chopped up some leftover vegetables from the previous day, measured a small spoonful of flour, cracked an egg, and began preparing the meal. She also brought out the condiments for the salty tofu flower.

For breakfast, there was soy milk, tofu, golden fried tofu residue pancakes, sticky rice cakes from the Xu family, and half a bowl of congee left by Shen Jin and his brothers, which Shen Ning reheated.

As the table was set, the eldest branch was accustomed to such meals, but Shen Jin and his two brothers stood dumbfounded, unsure of where to start eating.

Seeing the trio standing in a daze, Shen Ning placed the bowls and chopsticks on the table. Addressing them, she said, "Stop staring, help yourselves to whatever you want. Since it's made from beans, I'll make sure to bring you a share next time we make it at home."

"Beans, you say?"

The three brothers couldn't discern any similarity to beans at all.

Promptly recalling what his mother had earlier asked him to investigate, Shen Jin refrained from inquiring further. He expressed his gratitude to his sister-in-law, then, along with Shen Yin and Shen Tie, he helped himself to some soy milk and began his breakfast with a steamed bun.

It had been nearly a month since Shen Lie and Chen Dashan had left. Lu Erlang, Lu Sanlang, Shi Dalang, and Shi Erlang had been suppressing their impatience for a long time. Today, they finished their breakfast early and hurried over to the Chen and Shen households.

With antivenom powder sprinkled on his shoes and leggings, Shen Jin eagerly slung a bamboo basket over his back and fetched his slingshot and kitchen knife.

Shen Lie observed this and exchanged his ax for a machete, also swapping the bow and arrows that Shen An used for Shen Jin's use.

Although the children in the valley would occasionally practice archery, they rarely ventured out. Apart from the initial grain transportation, there weren't many opportunities for them to showcase their skills.

A group of adolescents, including Shen An, gathered around to watch the spectacle, looking up at Shen Jin with envy.

They longed to go out too, but they understood that the inner and outer regions were different, as were hunting and merely entering the mountains. When in the mountains, they could avoid wild beasts by choosing alternative routes. If they did encounter one, their trained abilities allowed them to swiftly climb trees for hiding, offering occasional assistance.

But hunting required venturing into places where beasts were known to reside. The likelihood of them becoming liabilities was higher, leaving them with nothing but admiration for Shen Jin's opportunity.

Xu Wenqing, standing nearby, was envious. Which young man didn't like swords and arrows? Shopkeeper Xu found it amusing. He had seen the teenagers in Ten Mile Village, all of them with their bows and arrows. So he said, "Later, you can borrow a bow and arrow from Little An and practice. Let Little An teach you. After you've got the skills, you can follow your Elder Brother Lie and Elder Brother Shan on their trips."

Shen An, overhearing this, turned to Xu Wenqing and smiled, agreeing wholeheartedly. Then he pulled Shen Jin aside. "Don't be scared, Little Jin. Learn well. Once you master these skills, you'll become formidable. Maybe even when I go into the mountains, I'll have to rely on you to guide me."

Shen Jin's first smile since entering Cloud Valley appeared. "I'm not scared."

With his elder brother by his side, he wasn't afraid at all.

A smile also appeared in Shen Lie's eyes. He patted Shen Jin's head and said, "You haven't forgotten how to climb trees, right? This time, we're going to places where there might be wild beasts. Set traps, catch some small prey. If a big guy comes along, remember to climb a tree. Be careful of insects and snakes up there."

Shen Jin held onto the bow tightly, nodding repeatedly. "Got it."

Shen Lie smiled and looked towards the cave.

San Luo had filled two bamboo tubes with water. He walked over to take them and, after placing them in the basket, asked San Luo, "Are we leaving then?"

San Luo nodded with a smile. "Be safe."

Chapter 87: Misleading Description

What mattered was...

"Who were you on a blind date with?" Ji Min asked.

"I met the Linos with Shen Hongyuan," Lu Ran replied.

Upon hearing Lu Ran's words, the man on the other end of the phone unconsciously let out a sigh of relief.

It was a subtle relief.

As if he had suddenly realized that some threat had been averted.

Each time Lu Ran met with the Lino family, he would make them drink toilet water.

So there was no way he could have taken a liking to either of the Lino brothers.

Only now did Ji Min realize how unnecessarily anxious he had just been. He coughed lightly to disguise his unease.

Lu Ran pondered for a moment and said, "Goodness, am I going to be betrothed to that Jin fellow?"

He immediately felt a bit overwhelmed.

"I'll have to kiss him if we're married, right? After making him drink so much toilet water, will I eventually be the one to suffer the consequences?"

Ji Min: "…."

He couldn't help but find it a little amusing.

Yet, he also found it hard to laugh.

How could this kid think so far ahead, even considering kissing...

But just thinking about that scene made Lu Ran shiver uncontrollably.

He racked his brains for a while more and then spoke earnestly to Ji Min, "Boss, I might describe our relationship inaccurately later on. Please don't take offense."

Ji Min: "?"

Your description is already far from the truth; how could it be any more misleading?

The call with Lu Ran was still ongoing.

Shen Hongyuan found him.

Gazing at Lu Ran with a kindly expression, he asked, "Why are you staying outside? The food will get cold."

Lu Ran held up his phone to show Shen Hongyuan and sighed. "I'm on the phone with Mr. Ji."

A glint flickered in Shen Hongyuan's eyes.

Indeed, he had invited Lu Ran over this time with a hint of matchmaking intentions.

The Shen family and the Lino family were indeed competing for the same project.

The Shen family's advantage wasn't particularly prominent.

But Shen Hongyuan suddenly thought that a cooperative partnership with the Lino family might be a good strategy.

Moreover, during his negotiations with the Leno family, he discovered their strong interest in Lu Ran.

Whether it was using Lu Ran to establish a good relationship with the Leno family or exploiting them to estrange Lu Ran from Ji Min, it was a win-win situation for Shen Hongyuan.

Hence, Shen Hongyuan spoke earnestly at this moment, "Dad knows that Ji Min has feelings for you, but he is, after all, handicapped. You should still consider your options more carefully."

Just then, Lu Ran let out a deep sigh. "Mr. Ji will fly into a rage if he doesn't hear my voice for an hour."

Ji Min, on the other end of the phone: "?"

Shen Hongyuan was also taken aback.

Lu Ran sighed again and said, "He loves me to the point of obsession. He says he would lose all joy in life immediately without me and is tempted to do something terrible."

Shen Hongyuan's lips quivered twice as he thought to himself, You're making this up, right?

But then, he recalled Ji Min's "condition" during their last meeting.

Suddenly, he wasn't so sure anymore.

Lu Ran furrowed his brows in deep distress and asked, "Tell me, if someday I were to be with someone else, do you think Mr. Ji would get so angry that he'd break up with Shen Hongyuan?"

As he spoke, he trembled in fear.

Ji Min: "…"

This was the first time he had heard someone dare to spread rumors about him right to his face.

Shen Hongyuan also fell silent.

Recalling the influence of the Ji family, he momentarily doubted if he had made a reckless move.

But… with things already as they were, Shen Hongyuan gritted his teeth and said, "The more he acts like this, the more cautious you need to be. This man is too insane!"

Lu Ran nodded at him and then raised his phone, saying,

"Mr. Ji, did you hear that? My dad said he doesn't agree."

Ji Min was taken aback, his face turning pale instantly.

On the other side, Ji Min suppressed the laughter in his throat and played along with the young man's act. He lowered his voice and said in a mysterious tone, "Oh, is that how President Shen sees it? It seems that the Shen Corporation has made up its mind to weather the impending storm." Then, he spoke to Lu Ran in a grave voice, "Hurry back, or I'll have no choice but to catch you myself with a cage!" Shen Hongyuan: "..." Madmen! Both of them were madmen!! Shen Hongyuan led Lu Ran back to the private room in a daze. Initially, he had planned to wrap up the dinner quickly and send Lu Ran away before that lunatic Ji Min could show up. But when he saw Shen Xingran, he regained some composure.

Thankfully, I brought Shen Xingran along.

He had brought along his two sons; even if Ji Min were to show up, he could claim that this visit was solely for the purpose of setting up a blind date for Shen Xingran.

It has nothing to do with Lu Ran.

On the other end, Ji Min hung up the call and lowered his head to look at his phone. Suddenly, he burst into laughter.

Not a hint of the lifeless expression he had while reading the documents just now.

After his laughter subsided, he then noticed Manager Chen and the assistant standing behind him, and gradually composed himself.

Realizing what he had just said on the phone, he sighed, resting his forehead in his hand, feeling a slight embarrassment.

"Why am I following this kid around and getting involved in his affairs?"

Butler Chen: "..."

Don't pretend, aren't you quite delighted about this?

Perhaps they were all speaking from the heart.

In the private room.

Shen Hongyuan warmly said to Old Lino, "Young people have more in common, let them get to know each other better."

However, wary of Ji Min, he only gestured towards Shen Xingran.

At that moment, Yan, the second son of the Lino family who was sitting across from them, turned his gaze towards Lu Ran.

He said, "I remember you. I still have a vivid memory of the wine you poured for us last time."

As the second son of the Lino family, Yan usually had little presence.

But because of Lu Ran's glass of wine last time, he had spoken up quite a bit during the negotiation with Ji Min.

Thus, Yan had a very favorable impression of Lu Ran's wine.

Saying this, he turned to look at Old Linuo, seeking confirmation. "Father, do you still remember? You also gave your detailed evaluation last time."

Old Linuo looked at Lu Ran with a warm smile.

Of course, he had seen through Shen Hongyuan's intentions when accepting the invitation.

But he had his own objectives as well.

Lu Ran was both a member of the Shen family and had a deep connection with Ji Min.

Through Lu Ran, perhaps he could stir up chaos in Beijing's business circle.

By then, it would be much easier for the Linuos to establish themselves.

Moreover...

Old Linuo took another look at Lu Ran. If he recalled correctly, this young man should be the one who had always been by Old Master Shen's side back then, right?

After some contemplation, Old Linuo nodded with a smile. "Of course I remember."

Jin didn't say much.

Instead, he shot a suggestive glance at Lu Ran and unexpectedly flicked the tip of his crimson tongue across his lips.

Among all witnesses, Shen Xingran was both the most surprised and the most annoyed.

What was going on with the Linos?

How come, while sitting beside him, these three individuals couldn't stop talking about Lu Ran?

With a slight pout, Shen Xingran pretended to look surprised and cast a glance at Lu Ran.

He then whispered softly, "Brother, aren't you the one who's always living outside and doesn't even know the simplest way to sober up? Did someone nice help you out?"

His words implied that the alcohol Lu Ran had served them earlier might have been poured by someone else.

Yang was still lost in memories of his first time engaging in business talk and didn't bother to pay attention to what Shen Xingran was saying.

He simply replied, "What would you know?"

Shen Xingran: "..."

He silently clenched his fists.

What was even more infuriating was that Jin, the eldest son, also cast a heartfelt glance at Lu Ran and said, "The sentiment in the wine is what truly matters."

Unable to hold back, Shen Xingran glanced up at Lu Ran.

Goodness, this guy Lu Ran usually seemed clueless.

Not only had he bewitched Ji Min, but he had even charmed the two Lino brothers like this.

What tricks had he played?

As the only one in the room who understood their conversation, Lu Ran thought, "..."

He flashed a naive and bashful smile at the three Lino members and said, "Should I go choose another bottle of wine for the three of you?"

"Of course, that would be great!" Yang replied.

Jin's eyes also curved slightly. "I'm looking forward to it."

In his heart, Lu Ran thought, I'm looking forward to it too.

He lowered his head again, revealing a bashful expression before stepping out of the private room.

Outside, Lu Ran approached a server and requested a few cups, placing them on a tray. With great cheerfulness, he made his way to the restroom on this floor.

As he entered the restroom, there happened to be a customer finishing up at a urinal with his pants still unzipped.

Upon seeing Lu Ran enter with a tray of cups, the man's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

Lu Ran noticed the person inside as well, but he found the situation perfectly opportune.

Meeting the man's stunned gaze, Lu Ran calmly returned the look and surveyed the urinals as if inspecting them.

Finally, he apologized to the freshly relieved man. "Excuse me, sir. The flush button on this urinal is broken; it might splatter water everywhere. You don't need to flush; I'll take care of it."

The man was taken aback by Lu Ran's professional tone, mistaking him for a restaurant staff member. As a result, he nodded in response.

He straightened his pants and left the room, but not before casting a suspicious glance at the tray he had set aside.

After the person left, Lu Ran grabbed two garbage bags, slipped them over his hands, and picked up the champagne flutes from the tray.

He stared intently at the freshly used urinal for a moment.

In the restaurant's urinals, ice cubes were usually placed inside.

At this moment, the slightly yellowish ice cubes were still emitting warmth.

If it were an event related to Ji Min, Lu Ran would dilute the "alcohol" for the sake of Ji Min's dignity.

But since this gathering was organized by Shen Hongyuan, Lu Ran was more than eager to stir up some trouble.

With a cheerful smile, he filled each glass with pale yellow ice cubes.

Still, he wasn't quite satisfied after doing so.

Thus, he held the slender glass by its stem and dipped it forcefully into the pool once more.

Not until he had both "ice cubes" and "broth" did he feel content.

Lu Ran didn't bother opening any wine.

What a waste of food.

Instead, he filled the glass with toilet water directly and placed it back on the tray.

After pouring all three "drinks," Lu Ran looked at them with satisfaction and carried the tray out of the restroom.

The corridor was empty.

Lu Ran first set the tray down on a side table.

He examined his hands.

These days, Lu Ran had become increasingly sensitive to dirt. Despite wearing two layers of plastic bags, he still felt slightly uneasy.

Thus, he retreated to the restroom again, pumping out two doses of hand sanitizer to thoroughly wash his hands.

Meanwhile, Shen Xingran also found an excuse to leave the private room.

Something was bothering him.

Alcohol, alcohol, alcohol!

Was the wine Lu Ran poured that delicious? The entire room was chattering about it!

Even if it was, it was because the wine itself was good. What did Lu Ran, the one pouring the wine, have to do with it?

Not to mention, Shen Hongyuan hadn't initially planned on bringing him along today.

It was only after Shen Xingran sensed Shen Hongyuan's arrangements and pleaded insistently that he managed to tag along.

Although there were many fish in the pond, Shen Xingran was far from satisfied.

Now, he couldn't even spare a glance for Gu Ningqi.

Upon hearing that Shen Hongyuan intended to form an alliance with the renowned Lino family who had always lived abroad, Shen Xingran immediately perked up.

But now...

Was he here merely to act as a foil for Lu Ran?

That wasn't Shen Xingran's style.

He aimed to be the dazzling crown prince, the center of everyone's attention.

After his initial frustration subsided, Shen Xingran began to ponder.

Could it be that Lu Ran possessed some extraordinary skill in pouring wine that made the three from the Lino family so captivated?

Or perhaps...

Shen Xingran's eyes narrowed. Could it be that Lu Ran had added something to the wine to draw the attention of the Lino family members?

As he was lost in thought, Shen Xingran turned the corner and caught sight of Lu Ran.

Lu Ran had already poured the drinks, filling the three glasses with amber-colored liquid and floating ice cubes.

Shen Xingran watched from a distance for a moment.

He expected to see Lu Ran adding something to the drinks, but instead, Lu Ran simply set the tray aside and entered the adjacent restroom.

It seemed like a simple trip to wash his hands and use the facilities.

Frowning for a while, Shen Xingran suddenly came up with a plan.

He quickly approached.

Peeking around the corner, he saw Lu Ran attentively washing his hands at the sink.

Shen Xingran glanced at the tray, then swiftly picked it up and headed back to the private room.

Anticipating Lu Ran's pursuit, he walked briskly.

Only when he reached the door of the private room did he slow down his pace.

Shen Xingran pushed open the private room door, and everyone's eyes instinctively fell on the tray he was holding.

This was a moment Shen Xingran relished – being the center of attention.

He offered a gentle smile and said, "I went out to take a look, but I couldn't find Brother anywhere. He hasn't come over yet."

"I was worried that you all might be waiting impatiently, so I took the liberty to pour three glasses of wine for you."

As he spoke, he imitated Lu Ran's bashful gesture, lowering his gaze slightly, and added, "Of course, my pouring skills might not be as good as Brother's. Please don't mind."

With that, Shen Xingran placed the three glasses of wine in front of the Lino family members.

Shen Hongyuan glanced at Shen Xingran and also chuckled. "My son is quite outstanding too."

Shen Xingran had some reputation within the high society circle.

Old Lino gave him a warm smile and said, "He's a well-behaved child."

Saying that, he picked up the glass in front of him with great courtesy.

Upon seeing his action, both sons also raised their glasses.

The moment the three of them lifted their cups, they all, without exception, furrowed their brows, took a light sniff, and then exchanged glances.

Observing their reactions, Shen Xingran thought to himself, As expected!

His guess was correct!

Lu Ran must have put something in the wine, which is why these three couldn't stop thinking about the drink he poured.

It would be better to impersonate than to expose him.

If they found that the wine Shen Xingran poured had the same taste, Lu Ran wouldn't be the only one in the spotlight!

And Shen Xingran would seize the opportunity to make a name for himself.

Under Shen Xingran's gaze,

The Leno trio raised their wine glasses with suspicion etched on their faces.

A triumphant smile tugged at the corners of Shen Xingran's lips.

Suddenly, Old Leno, who had been the first to show politeness and drink the liquid, spewed out a jet of water!

Followed by two more "pfft" sounds, Jin Heyang also vomited on the spot.

Chapter 87: Station 23: Unmarried

Ming Yiyang felt a sense of bewildered emptiness.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Relax."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Not a problem then. Carry on."

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

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

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

Ming Yiyang was deeply astonished; this twist was unforeseen.

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

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

Then, he smiled warmly,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Is your fiancée beautiful?"

Yan Qiling pretended to recall the memory seriously.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

But right now, only Yan Qiling was present.

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

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

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

Ming Yiyang began to regret his decision to speak up.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This was not an answer Ming Yiyang had anticipated.

He stood frozen, taken aback by the response.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"...Lung cancer?"

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

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

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

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

He heard the man say with a wry smile,

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

There was not a hint of sorrow in his tone.

Not the slightest trace of reluctance.

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

Chapter 124: Deceit

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

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

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

"Good evening~"

"Hello there."

"Your Highness."

"Why did you stop?"

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

"How did you all end up here?"

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

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

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

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

Lan Jiaying blurted out, "How could I!"

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

Phelous also revealed an intriguing expression.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The demon nodded frantically.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chapter 86: A Blind Date

Shen Xingyu was eight years older than Lu Ran.

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

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

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

Shen Xingyu didn't understand these matters back then.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lu Ran wasn't much better off.

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

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

Shen Xingyu was taking his lessons in the study.

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

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

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

But Shen Xingyu had no mood for such things.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

But soon enough, his mood would plummet.

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

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

This was the better scenario.

There were far worse times.

On another occasion, Shen Xingyu was scolded again.

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

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

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

His voice boomed.

The child couldn't help but be startled.

He trembled on the spot from the yelling.

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

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

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

Shen Xingyu turned to look.

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

"No worries, no worries..."

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

In that instant, Shen Xingyu was taken aback.

For some reason, his anger vanished completely.

He felt amused, suddenly finding it a little funny.

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

They still sent him candy during class as usual.

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

But one incident led to another.

Once again, Shen Xingyu couldn't hold back.

He pushed open the window and bellowed at the child,

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

This time, the child was genuinely frightened.

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

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

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

The child no longer followed him.

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

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

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

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

The lawn was deserted, devoid of any presence.

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

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

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

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

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

Sometimes, Shen Xingzhuo would run off to play wildly.

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

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

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

Or take refuge behind an adult.

It seemed to be what Shen Xingyu intended.

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

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

Then, another incident occurred.

Shen Hongyuan took him to meet an important client.

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

And he brought Shen Xingyu along.

At first, the atmosphere was jovial and harmonious.

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

Shen Hongyuan was also quite pleased.

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

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

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

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

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

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

But Shen Xingyu adored rabbits.

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

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

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

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

It repulsed him deeply.

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

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

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

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

Shen Xingyu had no idea how the business deal went.

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

He made Shen Xingyu kneel as punishment.

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

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

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

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

The grass was left in disarray.

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

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

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

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

Shen Xingyu still had to attend his upcoming finance class.

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

The waiting was torturous.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

But after a pause, he returned.

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

The child was dressed in light blue plaid overalls.

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

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

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

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

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

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

After saying that, he turned around and ran away.

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

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

He still hid from him every time they met.

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

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

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

...

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

That child must have been terrified of him.

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

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

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

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

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

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

My mind is consumed with weighing the pros and cons.

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

The balloon featured a cartoon rabbit.

The rabbit had long ears and round eyes.

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

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

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

So... it must be just a coincidence.

He himself couldn't even remember.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The two bodyguards had long been instructed by Ji Min.

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

Lu Ran suddenly understood.

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

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

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

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

His attire was also meticulously chosen.

Lu Ran wondered who they were meeting this time.

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

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

Lu Ran: "..."

It was the Lino family.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shen Hongyuan took the initiative to introduce his two sons.

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

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

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

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

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

Lu Ran found the situation even stranger.

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

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

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

Ji Min clicked to a page featuring the Gu family.

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

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

Below that was Gu Zhi.

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

Butler Chen stood behind Ji Min.

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

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

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

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

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

Ji Min: "?"

Ji Min: "!"

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

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

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

The teenager mimicked the gossipy tone perfectly.

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

Chapter 170: The Different Households

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

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

Old Man Lu nodded. "Alright."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

...

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

"Shopkeeper Xu, what brings you here?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

People's friendships developed over time.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Needless to say, the cave was bustling with children.

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

...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Everyone seemed more lively.

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

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

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

He was just like himself back then.

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

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

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

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

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

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

This could be considered repaying their kindness.

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

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

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

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

Upon saying this, he looked at Sang Luo.

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

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

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

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

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

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

None of the Zhou brothers dared to venture out frequently.

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

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