The Guan Family valued Shen Ju so much—what about the kid’s tasks?
Did the Guan Family even realize…
Qin Chief: [So baby’s unhappiness is still because of the tasks, right?]
Chief’s Wife: [This task looks unavoidable.]
Guan Chief: [He has an obsession in his heart. It must be something only impossible by human means, that’s why he accepted this thankless task. But the kid’s a good one, torn both ways, not in control of himself. We overheard his chats with that shit-stirrer clearly—knowing exactly when he’s acting—so it won’t hit the reactions he and the shit-stirrer want.]
Seeing “shit-stirrer,” Qin Soxi coughed lightly. She’d suggested code names in the group, but broke it first.
After “getting along” this long, she’d realized 996 was a bit dim-witted. It always tied talk to tasks, but wasn’t truly bad. Mainly, Shen Ju got along fine with it, so Qin Soxi subconsciously dropped the jab. But Guan Jianshan still used it in chat, and she didn’t dare correct him—it was her idea.
Kinda awkward now…
Member Xiao Yao: [So what exactly does he want to change or achieve?]
The question hung, silencing the family.
Qin Soxi and Guan Mulin exchanged glances—they’d spent the most time with Shen Ju, sensed what he cared about, what he was extra sensitive to.
But it wasn’t confirmed; they held back.
Guan Mulin, silent till now, suddenly thought of something.
That time in Pei Yan’s study, when he argued with Pei Haochuan—and the Task Energy Bar rose after.
Plus Shen Ju’s chats with the System…
Member Xiao Lin: [I think for Shen Chirp’s tasks, there’s a win-win way.]
[But we need to test it…]
Shen Ju and Guan Mulin shared the same birthday. For their eighteenth, it had to be celebrated properly.
So, just a few days into winter break, the family of five returned to He Yuan once more.
The birthday banquet held there was even grander in scale than the previous one publicly announcing Shen Ju’s identity.
Jian Yi and Xu Ru came too.
After all, it was their two nephews’ birthday—they couldn’t not show up.
Ever since the parents’ meeting, Xu Ru had thought about a lot back home. It was impossible for her not to feel pleased seeing Wei Jing and Jian Zhan Guo like that. And that satisfaction came not just from her son, but also from Shen Ju. If Shen Ju’s status hadn’t changed, if he didn’t have the Guan Family backing him, even if Jian Yi took first place, Wei Jing probably would’ve mocked her right to her face.
And Jian Zhan Guo—when he left that day, there had been clear reluctance in his eyes. He’d wanted to say something to Jian Yi, but Shen Ju had blocked in front of Jian Yi, glaring fiercely at Jian Zhan Guo and stopping him from approaching.
Later, when they got home, Jian Yi looked at her and said that even if Shen Ju’s status hadn’t changed, he still would’ve stood in front of him to protect him.
“Mom, don’t you know what Shen Chirp is really like?”
“He hasn’t said a single bad thing about you to this day.”
“He’s always acknowledged you as his aunt.”
Yeah, how could she not know what that child was like?
The softest heart, kinder than anyone.
Sometimes overly cautious, overly considerate, never wanting to be anyone’s burden or drag them down. Living in this family, he’d always tried his best to contribute something.
It was just her own bewitchment and obsessions.
Xu Ru thought about a lot.
The more she thought, the more uneasy she felt inside, the more regretful and pained.
She wanted to make it up to him somehow.
But perhaps the most she could do now was not disturb Shen Ju too much by relying on their past ties and status.
That was also what Jian Yi hoped for.
But her son had overthought it—by now, Xu Ru had nothing left to ask for.
At the birthday banquet, the Guan Family brought out two three-tiered cakes. Aside from a few minor details, they were identical.
But Shen Ju had a little cart too.
The cart was piled high with gifts—eighteen in total.
Qin Soxi stood beside Shen Ju, stroking his head. “These make up for the birthday gifts from your childhood onward.”
“Happy birthday, Mommy’s good baby.”
Guan Lifeng stood on the other side. “These are just from Mom. Dad prepared gifts too—they’re all in your room.”
Guan Muya pulled out a card directly. “Red envelopes from childhood onward, plus the Guan Family just landed a big project thanks to you being ‘chiefly responsible.’ There’s a reward for you in there too, rounded up to a neat thirty million.”
Guan Jianshan took out a palm-sized rosewood box and beckoned to Shen Ju. “Good child, come here.”
Shen Ju walked over.
Guan Jianshan opened the rosewood box, revealing a jadeite bracelet with excellent water quality.
Guan Jianshan rubbed the jade bracelet fondly. “This was left behind by your grandma. She never got to see you, never even knew you existed—must’ve been endlessly regretful and heartbroken. So I took it upon myself to give you her favorite bracelet from her lifetime. Of course, Grandpa prepared a gift too: shares in the Guan Family. Just sign your name later. Take it, child.”
With that, Guan Jianshan handed over the rosewood box.
Shen Ju instinctively reached out to take it, mouth opening, but no words came out.
His eyes reddened a little.
His throat felt choked, like something was stuck there.
996 started wailing first, a mix of being moved and sorrow: 【Host…】
【The Guan Family treats you so well—how are we supposed to do tasks now?】
【It’s over, over…】
【Will I get melted down and reforged when I go back? Waaah…】
【Brother 996…】
“Shen Ju, are you so touched you’re about to cry?”
A voice rang out, laced with obvious sourness.
【Huh?】
996’s crying cut off abruptly: 【Right! Guan Mulin hasn’t given you a gift yet! There’s still hope!】
【Is he finally got beef with you?!】
Shen Ju pursed his lips, probing softly, “You got a problem with it?”
“Yeah, I do.”
Guan Mulin tsked, suddenly reaching over to pinch Shen Ju’s cheek, tugging it outward. “I’m seriously jealous. Feels like the gifts you got all at once outnumber everything I’ve gotten in eighteen years.”
“Mmph, that’s perfectly normal…”
The Guan Family didn’t react much to Guan Mulin “bullying” him.
As if they indulged and spoiled Guan Mulin even more than Shen Ju.
996 glanced at the Task Energy Bar…
【It’s… it’s rising! Waaah! Finally rising again—23% now!】
Qin Soxi exchanged a subtle glance with Guan Lifeng before swatting Guan Mulin’s hand away. “Alright, stop messing around.”
【Heh heh, tasks still have hope!】
Looks like it hadn’t dropped.
Guan Mulin let go and instead pulled out a small box, opening it to reveal a golden ruyi lock.
“Here, for you.”
“What?”
“Actually, it’s returning to its original owner.”
Guan Mulin explained, “When Big Bro was born, a custom golden ruyi lock was made. This one’s custom too—originally for you. Now it goes back to you.”
Shen Ju took it in a daze, looking at Guan Mulin.
Guan Mulin touched his nose. “What’re you looking at me for? Mom, Dad, Big Bro, and Grandpa all gave you stuff. If I don’t, I’ll look like the odd one out, cheapskate or whatever. Besides, I’ll get a new one.”
“That’s the key point, a new one.”
“Gold prices are way higher now—making me a new one costs even more.”
“…”
Shen Ju huffed lightly. “At least they used solid materials back then.”
While Shen Ju lowered his head to fondle the ruyi lock, Guan Mulin glanced up at Qin Soxi and the others, quietly listening to the sounds around him.
Since doing tasks required their reactions, they’d give reactions.
But what if they followed up with damage control afterward?
Guan Mulin remembered at the Ant Market before, hearing the System say the Task Energy Bar rose—back then, it seemed Pei Yan had been teasing Shen Ju. So with their performance just now…
【Hee hee, Host.】
996 went from crying to thrilled: 【Our Task Energy Bar ended up at 25%!】
Guan Family: It actually works!!
In that case…
The Guan Family exchanged looks. Then they’d all act along with Shen Ju!
“Fix” it afterward—no way could they let Shen Ju really think they had opinions about him.
After all, this little System probably had tons of bugs and couldn’t accurately detect human nuances like “saying one thing but meaning another” or “tsundere” types who complained verbally but acted caringly.
Time to test their acting skills!
Time to test their acting skills!
Pei Yan watched from nearby, unable to stop a low chuckle.
Looks like Guan Mulin wasn’t totally hopeless.
“Sigh.”
A sigh came from beside him.
Pei Yan turned to see Pei Haochuan looking all crestfallen.
“Little Uncle, Mulin must be feeling bad.”
Pei Yan: “…”
At least one hopeless case.
But…
Pei Yan eyed Pei Haochuan closely.
Pei Haochuan started feeling creeped out.
“What’s up, Little Uncle?”
“You toward Guan Mulin…”
“Huh?”
Pei Haochuan looked baffled. “What about me and Mulin?”
He probed tentatively, “My bro-love for Mulin is heaven and earth as witness?”
“…”
Forget it.
Pei Yan turned away, not wanting to say another word.
Shen Ju’s tasking road was still “long and arduous.”
“Right, Little Uncle.”
Pei Haochuan seemed to remember something. With the mood still okay, he asked offhandedly, “This New Year… are you heading back, Little Uncle?”
But the moment he asked, he regretted it, wanting to slap himself!
Why bring this up here of all places?!
Are you sick, Pei Haochuan?!
He glanced at Pei Yan…
Sure enough, Pei Yan’s expression suddenly chilled.
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