Chapter 12
In his dream, Wen Linyu sensed someone watching him. He looked around cautiously, but saw no one.
Since it was a dream, he didn’t dwell on it, continuing his leisurely swim in the river.
Meanwhile, 998 watched Gu Chi return with a puzzled expression. It had only been a minute. It had clearly stated the “video call” could last for five minutes.
Why was he back so soon?
Gossip sparked in 998’s beady eyes. It was curious about what had transpired in that minute, and why the Demon Lord’s expression was even more peculiar now.
The way he was looking at it was also strange.
But what did it have to do with him?
Perhaps sensing its thoughts, Gu Chi refrained from hitting it, only growing more confused. If it wasn’t the chicken’s doing, then what had just happened?
Seeing it wouldn’t be punished, 998’s curiosity returned, eager for details, but Gu Chi remained silent.
He had been fooled yesterday, but today, the Demon Lord seemed to have regained some of his wits.
He might not have understood the first time, but this was the second. He suspected the problem lay with himself.
One shouldn’t expose their weaknesses so easily.
However, 998 was still useful, so the Wen Linyu live stream remained active.
As he watched, Gu Chi’s expression turned dangerous, his gaze shifting to the equally engrossed 998.
This time, 998 was remarkably perceptive, puffing out its chest: “Don’t worry, I’ve borrowed enough. You can go over today!”
Hmph! Tomorrow is payday. Once I repay the debt, I’m out of here! This Demon Lord can’t blame me for anything anymore, mwahahaha…
The next day, Wen Linyu woke up early.
It was still early, so instead of going to school, he sat by the window, sketching the river and flowers from his dream, and the shadowy figure from the night before.
The figure had no discernible features, but it didn’t matter. He knew who it was.
He carefully stored the sketch in a heavily protected box. He decided to record everything he found beautiful, delicious, or interesting in this sketchbook, either in words or drawings.
Although he knew they would likely never meet again, what if…?
Couldn’t he indulge in a little fantasy?
Only Wen Linyu and Wen Cheng were at the breakfast table again. Wen Cheng announced that he would be going to school later and that Wen Xi was returning.
Going to school later meant he would be visiting his parents at the hospital first. Wen Xi was Wen Linyu’s younger sister.
Their relationship wasn’t exactly good, or rather, they were barely acquainted, practically strangers.
Wen Xi was exceptionally talented in the arts, a prodigy in both music and dance, winning national championships at a young age. Now older, she participated in prestigious international competitions.
She was busy, too busy to come home, let alone bond with her suddenly reappearing brother.
Her return didn’t affect Wen Linyu much. He assumed she was only coming back because she had heard about Wen Hongbo’s hospitalization.
Without Wen Cheng, Wen Linyu took the family’s chauffeured car to school alone.
The Wu Shujie incident had blown over. His classmates, seeing that he hadn’t suddenly become violent, and aside from being more noticeable than before, hadn’t changed much – he was still a loner, not bothering anyone.
So, his deskmate was no longer afraid of him.
When he arrived, his deskmate was gossiping with the students in front of him.
“Did you hear? Someone got into trouble playing a game!”
“What game?”
“Tsk, tsk, the Spirit Plate! Four people playing in the middle of the night, and now three of them are hospitalized.”
“…No way, are they… gone?”
“Not dead, but in the hospital…”
“Seriously asking for trouble!”
Heads huddled together, whispering about the latest gossip. Wen Linyu, sitting down, overheard their conversation.
The incident had initially been kept quiet, but someone from the group of four had posted a plea for help on the school forum. Curious students’ inquiries led to the story spreading.
“The one who’s not hospitalized is now offering a million-dollar reward to anyone who can help him!”
His deskmate’s story drew a crowd, everyone adding their own bits of information. Wen Linyu, listening, made a mental note of the reward.
Perhaps he could join the fun? Not for the sake of helping, but for the potential financial gain.
He immediately pulled out his phone, opening the school forum. Besides the incident his deskmate mentioned, he also found photos of himself on the homepage.
He assumed it was related to Monday’s incident, but a quick glance revealed that they were discussing his changed appearance.
Wen Linyu: “…”
Not what he expected, but it didn’t matter.
He opened the help post, skimming through it, and added the original poster’s contact information. Perhaps many people were trying to contact the poster, as his request wasn’t accepted immediately. He put the matter aside.
After class, Wen Linyu looked out the window. It was raining.
Two days had passed. His parents would likely make their move tonight.
He hadn’t been discreet when taking their hair. They would definitely retaliate. He was curious about their methods.
Watching the rain dripping from the eaves, Wen Linyu’s eyes lit up. He could set up a backlash formation at home! Anyone entering the formation intending to harm him would suffer the consequences themselves.
This formation was something his teacher had specifically taught him.
“You’re too soft-hearted, only defending, never attacking. You can’t always be passive.”
“What? They haven’t done anything to you, so you can’t retaliate?”
“I give up! Learn this. If you can’t even master this, don’t call me your teacher again!”
The final threat had made Wen Linyu nervous, so he had studied diligently, even improving the formation—it not only affected those who entered, but also those who instructed them to do so.
After all, those directly confronting him might not be the ones truly harboring ill intentions, but merely following orders. Harming them wouldn’t directly affect the mastermind, so he had made adjustments.
His teacher had praised his improved formation, making him secretly proud.
He had been slacking since his return, forgetting about it until now.
After classes ended, he checked his phone. The original poster still hadn’t accepted his friend request. He dismissed it as a rumor, likely exaggerated through retelling.
He didn’t dwell on it. On his way home, however, he noticed someone lying in a ditch.
The Wen villa wasn’t in the city center. Their neighborhood was a mountain, with the Wen family occupying the peak. The person was lying in a drainage ditch by the roadside.
There was water in the ditch, not deep, but if the person remained in that position, they would drown in minutes.
Wen Linyu initially intended to ignore them, but after the car had passed, he frowned and asked the driver to turn back.
If his teacher were here, he would be scolded.
Indeed, Gu Chi, seeing Wen Linyu picking up a stranger, frowned. Why was his little apprentice so incorrigible? This useless kindness!
No, he had to go there. Without him, he feared his apprentice would revert to his former self.
Making this decision, Gu Chi felt a sense of purpose. He was a man of action. He immediately closed the Wen Linyu live stream and began his preparations.
He packed his essentials into his interspatial pouch, summoned the butler for a brief explanation, and, after some thought, added a few delicacies not found in Wen Linyu’s world.
Ready, he addressed the system: “Alright, I’m going.”
The butler, watching him depart, his eyes filled with tears of both joy and confusion, wondered: Who is Master going to see? He’s so eager and excited. I haven’t seen him like this in years.
