Oh no…
He really had to bring up the exact thing not to mention.
Pei Haochuan let out two awkward “Ha, ha”s: “Little Uncle, I’ll go check on Mulin first.”
He bolted like a streak of smoke.
But he was genuinely worried about Guan Mulin, wondering if the other boy would feel a huge sense of loss.
Pei Haochuan thought of the Pei Family’s New Ski Resort that had just opened. Maybe take Mulin out to unwind? Winter break meant no extra classes anyway; a fun trip to blow off steam would be perfect.
…Yeah, good idea.
But the mistake was that Pei Haochuan hadn’t mentioned it to Guan Mulin alone.
【Chance to go out with Protagonist Gong and Shou! Gogogo!】
996, who had just turned the corner moments ago, was now pumped up like he’d been injected with chicken blood: 【Host! Go be the shameless third wheel!】
Guan Mulin lowered his head and rubbed his brow.
What third wheel!
As if there’s anything going on between me and Pei Haochuan right now.
But he couldn’t refuse.
After all, he had to help Shen Ju complete the tasks…
Before Shen Ju could even speak, Han Chengfeng, who had overheard from the other side, sidled over and declared he wanted to go skiing too.
Pei Haochuan tsked.
Han Chengfeng held up two fingers: “I’ve treated you guys to two meals already. Two! “
“Skiing costs more than eating, doesn’t it?”
“You just said it’s your Pei Family’s New Ski Resort.”
“Are we that close?”
“You owe me for two meals.”
“…You’re the one who spread the word about my little uncle tutoring us, right?”
“…”
One line killed the vibe.
Han Chengfeng guiltily rubbed his nose. Under the stares of Shen Ju, Guan Mulin, and Jian Yi, he cleared his throat and said: “Well, uh, I was just venting one day. That exam month nearly drove me insane, and my dad chewed me out for sucking at school. I regretted it, y’know? Should’ve joined you guys for tutoring…”
Pei Haochuan sneered coldly: “You think you can just tag along? My little uncle might not even want you.”
Han Chengfeng tsked: “I’m your classmate at least, aren’t I?”
Guan Mulin suddenly sighed wistfully from the side: “You two sure make a great pair.”
Pei Haochuan and Han Chengfeng: “?…”
996 freaked out: 【Nooo!!! Please take back your powers!!!】
Shen Ju: 【…Brother 996, what weird phrase did you pick up this time?】
But he did raise his hand too, signaling he wanted to go.
And while he was at it, he asked: “Will Pei-ge come?”
Pei Haochuan blurted: “Why do you have to ask about my little uncle for everything?”
Shen Ju tilted his head: “Did I?”
“Of course you did!”
“Oh, okay then.”
Pei Haochuan: “…” Just that reaction…
Don’t you find it weird?
Shen Ju thought, Weird how? Pei-ge is so great; of course I want to do everything with him.
Pei Haochuan was about to say his little uncle wouldn’t go.
This time of year, his uncle was always the last person you wanted to bother—especially after he’d just blurted out that comment earlier. He didn’t dare ask now.
“Then I’ll go ask Pei-ge.”
“You’re gonna ask…”
Asking him is useless!
Pei Haochuan was about to snap at Shen Ju, but Shen Ju turned and trotted off happily toward Pei Yan.
“He’s just asking for a snub,” Pei Haochuan said.
Guan Mulin glanced over too, wondering why Shen Ju was so fond of this Pei Family member. Like an elder? Or a big brother?
He already has so many “brothers” though…
Pei Haochuan was thrilled to watch the drama, arms crossed as he waited for Shen Ju to return disappointed.
But…
He saw Shen Ju speak, and not only did his little uncle smile—he even nodded.
Nodded! Once!
Does that mean he agreed?!
Why?!
“It’s settled then, Pei-ge!”
Pei Yan let out an “Mm.”
“But how many people are going? Have you guys figured it out?”
“No clue.”
Shen Ju shook his head: “Pei Haochuan said he sent discount coupons to their class group, so maybe people from his class will come too.”
“If you feel out of place, Pei-ge, I can hang with you.”
Shen Ju added.
As if worried Pei Yan might not vibe with them and bail: “I don’t even know how to ski. I’ve never been…”
Pei Yan raised a brow: “Want me to teach you?”
Shen Ju looked a bit shy: “Can I?”
“No. Not teaching.”
“Huh?”
Pei Yan reached out and pinched Shen Ju’s cheek—the same spot Guan Mulin had pinched earlier—then deliberately schooled his expression into something stern: “So, are you sticking with me, or just buttering me up so I’ll teach you to ski?”
“Kid, your intentions aren’t pure.”
Shen Ju’s face flushed red in an instant.
He hadn’t expected Pei Yan to call him that to his face…
He barely even registered 996 yelling that the Task Energy Bar had risen again.
“Pei-ge…”
Pei Yan “Mm”ed again, then added: “Did you change my contact name to that?”
“……!!!”
Shen Ju nearly died of shock. How did he know?!
Pei Yan thought, With a little face like that, what can’t I see? It’s obvious.
But seeing Shen Ju’s wide-eyed stare, Pei Yan mercifully stopped teasing the kid: “Alright. Since it’s your first time skiing, we need to prep gear and stuff ahead of time. Ask me if you don’t know something.”
Shen Ju let out a relieved breath and nodded eagerly: “Mm-hmm!”
He didn’t even notice that for ski gear and such, he could’ve just asked Qin Soxi or Guan Mulin or anyone nearby.
Even if Shen Ju hadn’t thought of it, Pei Yan should have.
But Pei Yan acted like he hadn’t noticed at all.
Shen Ju had asked Jian Yi if he wanted to come, but privately.
He’d been tentative about it.
They’d never had the means for skiing before, and even if they did, it wouldn’t have been appropriate. But this Pei Family’s New Ski Resort had tons of projects; if Jian Yi wanted to go, there were plenty of other fun activities that’d suit him. Plus, with Pei Haochuan there, they’d get VIP treatment— a real taste of “elite privilege.” The whole experience would be comfy.
But Jian Yi still wouldn’t commit.
“Why not, bro? I can take care of you.”
Jian Yi sighed inwardly. That’s exactly why I don’t want to go.
If he went, everyone would hold back.
Especially Shen Chirp— they’d waste time and energy on him.
No need.
Shen Ju might not mind, but Jian Yi didn’t want to be a constant burden on him.
“I don’t want to leave Mom alone at home. You go have fun with the others.”
Jian Yi tsked: “And you think keeping first place is easy? Don’t distract me. I need to review at home, blow your minds again next semester.”
Shen Ju chuckled, not pushing further.
But after hanging up, he still felt a bit disappointed and sad.
996 popped up: 【No worries, Host! We’ve survived the toughest phase. Things are stabilizing now! Ding ding~~ The Task Energy Bar is steadily rising!】
【Yeah! Brother 996!】
Shen Ju perked up too.
And most importantly, the Task Energy Bar was rising, but he wasn’t getting hated on any more. Shen Ju secretly grinned to himself at bedtime: How am I this lucky? Hehe.
996 hehe’d too, logging work notes while checking metrics.
…This time, he scrolled further.
Eh?
Work suggestions…
996’s two little antennae rubbed together nervously as he read them…
…For playing the “Vicious Real Young Master” role, reverse-operate based on the “Fake Young Master” persona.
Hmm, that’s exactly what I did.
996 gave himself full marks. Of course he knew the host was the “Protagonist Shou” foil.
…Vicious Real Young Master role should act as an accelerator between Protagonist Gong and Shou; early stage, focus on sowing discord.
996 nodded seriously here.
Totally approves of myself.
That’s exactly what I told the host!
…Later, once Protagonist Gong-Shou relationship stabilizes, switch tactics: external setbacks.
(Suggest seducing someone of higher status/position than Gong-Shou, try using them against Gong-Shou, but don’t actually succeed. Maintain “hated-by-everyone Vicious Real Young Master” persona.)
So dizzying, so convoluted.
996 tried to parse it.
Stir trouble without actually succeeding. Use others to hassle Gong-Shou, but end up as the clownish fool yourself…
Hmm, you can play it like that?
Guan Mulin and Pei Haochuan’s rapport seemed pretty stable now. Maybe time for a strategy shift.
But where to find such a person?
While 996 pondered, Shen Ju was off to “play.”
Oh, right—to do tasks.
On the surface: Seize every chance to sabotage Guan Mulin and Pei Haochuan’s relationship.
In reality: Under the guise of sabotage, actually boost them.
Tough balance.
But with tasks going so smoothly lately—like a dream—Shen Ju was gaining confidence.
The Pei Family’s New Ski Resort was a high-end vacation spot with diverse ski terrain, top-tier facilities, and lavish services. Aimed at being a winter getaway paradise, it offered not just skiing but full-spectrum lifestyle entertainment, positioning itself as China’s premier comprehensive mountain resort. No surprise, the promo drew massive attention.
Pei Haochuan posted coupons in the class group, and tons responded.
Even lots from the Experimental Class showed up.
Some planned to stay a week or two for the full experience.
So Pei Haochuan grandly booked an entire hotel: Stay as long as you want, rooms galore for free allocation.
“Let’s all take one floor,” Ke Sheng suggested. “We can play cards at night or whatever—easier to hang out.”
“How many rooms per floor?”
Xu Sisi asked—the Elite Class’s arts rep.
Stunningly pretty, school flower level.
She directed the question at Ke Sheng, but her gaze flicked to Pei Haochuan.
Pei Haochuan didn’t notice; he was chatting with Guan Mulin.
![Hundreds of Assassination Attempts on the Immortal Venerable [Transmigration Book]](https://i1.wp.com/dobynovels.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/tr.jpg?resize=151,215 "Hundreds of Assassination Attempts on the Immortal Venerable [Transmigration Book]")
