At the Su family manor, Su Ming sprawled across the large bed, his arms stretched wide. It had been three days since his return from the Jade Spirit Sect. With the system's assistance, sneaking in and out without being detected had been effortless. Recalling the fierce battle between cultivators, a flicker of longing crossed his eyes. After all, who wouldn't dream of soaring through the skies, shifting the world at their whim, and wielding boundless mystical abilities?
Hoping to take his first step into the cultivation world, Su Ming asked the system if it could help him find a teacher. However, the system merely responded that its purpose was to correct variables, not create them. Of course, there was a cultivation manual available in the system's store, but the price was a staggering ten thousand points. Glancing at his pitiful balance of mere hundreds, Su Ming felt the urge to weep.
"Isn't there a better plot for me?" Su Ming grumbled in frustration. Why did every role assigned to him involve brainless conflict? Why couldn't he be a world-ending villain who wreaked havoc across the land? At the very least, that would be far more exhilarating. Yet, deep down, he knew that no matter how much he complained, he would never have any real connection to cultivation.
< I know the most suitable role for you, Host, > the system stated in its usual flat tone.
"Heh. Just admit there are better systems out there and that you're the best I can get," Su Ming scoffed. After spending over two weeks dealing with the system's irritating remarks, he had long since learned how to counter its constant jabs.
< I am a benevolent system. Even insects deserve salvation, > the system replied, as if gazing at something utterly pitiful.
"FUCK YOU!" Su Ming cursed, though he knew that, in the end, the outcome would always be the same. All he could do was vent his frustration at the system.
Tomorrow would also mark the next pivotal plot point—Chen Fan's heroic rescue of Wang Yue from a member of the Devil Sect, who had infiltrated the city and was secretly murdering people. It would be the moment when Wang Yue would finally become aware of the existence of cultivators.
As for Feng Xueying's engagement annulment, Su Ming had already gathered some information regarding her family's situation but found nothing out of the ordinary. There was no crisis, no hidden struggle, nor any man she secretly admired. Left with no choice, he decided that tomorrow, he would personally tail her to her office and uncover the truth firsthand.
----
At the Feng family manor, Feng Xueying sat at her desk, her gaze fixed on the stack of documents in her hands. Some were related to business affairs, others detailed upcoming gatherings and family plans, and among them was the engagement letter. Ever since she had come into contact with Su Ming and Chen Fan, she found it increasingly difficult to concentrate. No matter how hard she tried to focus, her thoughts always drifted back to the same lingering questions about their future. The uncertainty left her torn between ignoring it altogether or seeking the answers herself.
Tock, tock, tock.
The sound of knocking echoed from the door. Before Feng Xueying could respond, the door swung open, and Feng Yanyan entered with her usual bright, cheerful smile.
"I've told you before—" Feng Xueying started but then sighed, shaking her head. "Forget it. What do you want?" She had long grown accustomed to Feng Yanyan's willful nature.
"Nothing! I just wanted to see you," Feng Yanyan chirped as she approached her sister's desk. Her eyes skimmed over the piles of documents, and she quickly noticed how tired Feng Xueying looked. Concern flickered across her face. "Why don't we take a break? Play a game or watch a movie? I found an interesting one earlier!"
Feng Xueying could see the worry in Yanyan's eyes and understood that she was simply trying to help her relax. A warmth spread in her heart at the thought, and after a moment of consideration, she decided to put her work aside. "Is it a horror movie? Are you too scared to watch it alone?" she asked teasingly.
"Eh? Th-that—" Feng Yanyan hesitated before puffing out her chest. "I can watch it alone! No, actually, I will watch it alone!" But despite her bravado, Feng Xueying couldn't miss the way her sister's fists clenched slightly at her sides, betraying her nerves. A soft chuckle escaped her lips.
"Let's watch it together," she said, shaking her head in amusement.
Feng Yanyan's eyes lit up instantly. "Well, if you get scared, I don't mind keeping you company," she added, feigning nonchalance.
Feng Xueying arched a brow, seeing through her act, but chose not to say anything. Instead, she let her sister's words slide and turned her attention back to her desk. Meanwhile, Feng Yanyan's gaze drifted over the documents until she spotted an unusually old one. Curious, she picked it up and quickly scanned its contents. Her eyes widened in surprise before she turned toward her sister with excitement.
"Are you still engaged to Brother Chen?" she asked eagerly.
"No," Feng Xueying replied, then gave her a questioning look. "But are you close with him?"
"No! He's bad! He always teases me and lies to me!" Feng Yanyan huffed, crossing her arms in mock indignation. She still hadn't forgiven Chen Fan for his antics the last time they met and had secretly vowed to get her revenge.
Feng Xueying, however, could see there was no real resentment in her sister's expression. On the contrary, she was all too familiar with this look—one Yanyan always wore when someone playfully teased her. A complicated feeling stirred within her.
From what Su Ming had said, Chen Fan was destined to have a harem in the future, making it difficult for her to feel at ease whenever she thought about him. But looking at Feng Yanyan, who seemed to share a close bond with him, she began to wonder—could it be that Chen Fan was simply playing tricks?
For a fleeting moment, the thought of forcing Yanyan to cut off contact with him crossed her mind. But she quickly dismissed it. That would only complicate things further, and besides, she had never been the type to impose her will on her sister.
Feng Yanyan could be considered the purest girl Feng Xueying had ever known. That was precisely why their family always went out of their way to protect her. Even if it meant making her a little naive to the world, they wanted to ensure she remained happy.
Thinking about this, coupled with the unanswered questions swirling in her mind about the future, Feng Xueying made a decision. She needed to see for herself what kind of person Chen Fan truly was. If he really was toying with Yanyan, she would make sure he paid the price.
"I'll go get the snacks, Sister!" Feng Yanyan's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. "Wait for me! I want to start the movie together"
Watching her sister cheerfully rush out of the room, Feng Xueying let out a small sigh. Then, pushing her thoughts aside for the moment, she stood up and followed her.
---
"Sis… Sis… When is Brother coming?" Wang Mei's small voice rang out as she rushed toward the bed where Wang Yue was still sleeping, shaking her awake.
Wang Yue stirred groggily, her mind still sluggish as it struggled to process the situation. But the moment she registered Wang Mei's words, an inexplicable irritation washed over her.
"Why do you want to see him?" she muttered, rubbing her temples. "He's probably with his girlfriend right now."
Ever since Chen Fan's arrival, Wang Mei had repeatedly asked about him. At first, Wang Yue had simply told her that he was busy, hoping that would satisfy her. But as time passed, her little sister's inquiries only grew more persistent.
Eventually, even Wang Yue herself had tried calling him several times. At first, she had felt nervous about reaching out, but as the days went by and her calls never connected, her unease turned into frustration. Again and again, she dialed his number, yet her phone remained devoid of any response—no calls, no messages, nothing from Chen Fan.
Recalling the voice in her head that had claimed she was part of his harem, an unfamiliar sense of irritation took root within her. The thought of him possibly entertaining other women while blatantly ignoring her calls sent a wave of disappointment crashing over her.
"Does that mean… he won't come anymore?" Wang Mei's voice trembled, and her wide eyes glistened with unshed tears as realization dawned on her.
Wang Yue's heart clenched with guilt. She hadn't meant to lash out. She understood better than anyone that their mother, being a single parent, had little time to spare for Wang Mei. With no one else to rely on, the little girl often spent her days either alone or at the playground. It was only natural that she had grown attached to Chen Fan.
"Why don't we go to the supermarket now?" Wang Yue quickly suggested, forcing a gentle smile. "I'll buy you lots of food and toys."
"No! I don't wanna!" Wang Mei pouted, stamping her foot in protest.
"Then… how about we go look for him? Maybe he's working at the supermarket right now," Wang Yue offered, hoping to coax her into calming down.
"Really?" Wang Mei's teary eyes brightened with sudden hope.
"Mm." Wang Yue hesitated, not knowing how to answer properly. In truth, she had no idea where Chen Fan was. But for now, she decided she would deal with that later—spending time with Wang Mei came first.
"Alright then! I'll go change my clothes!" As if her previous tears had been nothing more than an illusion, Wang Mei instantly perked up and dashed toward her room.
Watching her sister's retreating figure, Wang Yue could only sigh. Out of habit, she glanced at her phone once more, but as expected, there were still no notifications. Shaking her head, she put her phone away and began preparing herself.