Rebirth to Erase Dark History Chapter 57 Part 1

Chapter 57: Two Kinds of Lives  

"Alright, take more money with you. It’s inconvenient to be without money when you’re away from home. I’ll also prepare some gifts for you to bring to Wei Jing’s grandparents. Since you’re going there, it wouldn’t be right not to visit the elders, especially since they’ve helped so much." Yang Jiabo hadn’t even left yet, but Yang Jianjun was already nagging.  

"I know, I also need to prepare something for Wei Jing." Yang Jiabo began considering what to bring.  

After Wei Jing and Ren Boying finalized their collaboration, they had been busy setting up the company. Selecting office space, assembling a team, handling paperwork - they were swamped. Every day, Wei Jing would return home exhausted, collapsing into bed as soon as he arrived, completely neglecting Yang Jiabo.  

Wei Jing sat behind his desk, frowning as he flipped through a resume booklet. He had an interview coming up and wanted to familiarize himself with the candidates’ basic information.  

"So, any promising candidates?" Ren Boying walked in carrying two cups of coffee, placing one in front of Wei Jing before sitting down across from him.  

"Not yet. The people we’re interviewing now are for management positions, it’s not that easy. Many experienced candidates take one look at young bosses like us and either act condescending or assume we’re just playing around. Youth is an asset, but sometimes it’s also a hindrance." Wei Jing set down the resume booklet, took a sip of coffee, and leaned back in his chair, relaxing.  

Ren Boying: "I thought a young boss like you, who’s studied abroad, would prefer building a young and energetic team."  

"Brother Ren, are you joking? Don’t you know how things work here? How many young people can actually navigate all the social connections and networking? We should hire young people, but only as potential talent to develop. What we need now are experienced people who can handle things independently. Young people have their strengths, but they have far more weaknesses. Take me and my dad for example, do you think I can compare to him in how I handle people or conduct myself?"  

Ren Boying said tactfully, "There’s still a bit of a gap."  

"Exactly. That’s the fatal flaw of young people. Right now, we need experienced managers. Because I’m lacking in this area myself, geniuses are still human, and they need experience too." Wei Jing sighed, rubbing his temples tiredly.  

"I’m relieved to hear you think this way. Keep working hard." Ren Boying smiled.  

"Brother Ren, the way you’re talking makes me feel like you’re about to dump everything on me and walk away." Wei Jing eyed him suspiciously.  

"Nothing like that."  

"Buzz—" Wei Jing’s phone vibrated incessantly. "I need to take this."  

Ren Boying: "Go ahead."  

Wei Jing picked up his phone and saw Yang Jiabo’s name on the caller ID. He was surprised, Yang Jiabo usually never called during work hours.  

"Jiajia, is something wrong?" Wei Jing asked.  

"No, are you busy right now?"  

"Not busy." Wei Jing lied without blinking.  

Ren Boying sipped his coffee but didn’t call him out.  

"I’m at the airport. Do you have time to pick me up?"  

"What? You’re coming? Why didn’t you tell me earlier so I could arrange to meet you? Which airport are you at? I’ll come right away." Wei Jing was completely caught off guard.  

"Huh? There’s more than one airport in Beijing?" Yang Jiabo sounded utterly confused, looking around. "I think it’s the Capital International Airport?"  

"Check again, which terminal?"  

After clarifying Yang Jiabo’s location, Wei Jing hung up and turned to Ren Boying. "Partner, it’s time for you to step up. I need to go pick up Jiajia, handle the rest for me."  

"Go ahead. Find time to have a meal with Jiajia, I still owe him my thanks." The cordyceps Ren Boying had brought back had worked miracles for his grandfather.  

"We’ll see. The fact that he showed up out of the blue like this means something must’ve happened." Yang Jiabo’s behavior was unusual, and Wei Jing was worried.  

"Seems like you know him pretty well?" Ren Boying’s tone carried a hint of something deeper.  

"We grew up together, of course I know him." Wei Jing found it completely natural and didn’t catch the subtext in Ren Boying’s words.  

"Buddy, we also grew up together." Ren Boying picked up the resume booklet. "Hurry up, don’t keep him waiting."  

"Thanks." Wei Jing grabbed his jacket and car keys and headed out.  

When Wei Jing arrived at the airport, he was stunned to see Yang Jiabo with what looked like an entire family's worth of luggage. Boxes upon boxes left him speechless. The trunk of Wei Jing’s car was packed full, and even the back seat was stuffed to the brim. Yang Jiabo, sitting in the front passenger seat, held a large bag in his arms.  

"Jiajia, are you moving house?" Wei Jing felt that compared to Yang Jiabo, his own packing habits were amateurish.  

"I didn’t have a choice, most of this was prepared by my dad. It’s mostly gifts for your grandparents. I also brought some things for Xu Chen and the others, and somehow it ended up being this much."  

"Xu Chen will be thrilled. After eating your family’s food, he’s become pickier, nothing else tastes fresh to him now. He’s gone through two procurement managers at his restaurant, and the head chef almost quit in frustration." Wei Jing couldn’t help but laugh at the thought.  

"He’s mentioned it a few times, but fresh ingredients are hard to transport. I did bring him some dried vegetables, they’re decent, I guess." Hearing Wei Jing’s words, Yang Jiabo suddenly felt less confident.  

"Bringing him anything is already generous. His restaurant’s dishes are great, I’ll take you there to feast on his dime." Wei Jing joked.  

"Sure, I’ll order the most expensive things."  

Rebirth of the Useless Young Master’s Counterattack Chapter 49

Chapter 49: The Qingyun Ring  

Upon hearing his words, Su Yun became even more convinced that the young man before him was a master, while the elderly man was likely just a decoy to avoid drawing attention.  

He truly had no other choice. Even though he didn’t believe a young man could know much, he was at the end of his rope. If his streak of bad luck continued, death might be the only way out.  

"Young Master Mu, your foresight is impeccable." Su Yun knew he was being reckless and that his actions might bring danger to others.  

If it weren’t for his financial troubles, Mu Lichuan would have kicked this man out immediately. Yet, a voice inside him urged him to obtain the hidden item the man carried.  

Mu Xiaoran frowned, filled with unease. They were in no position to handle something as ominous as a "cursed object." If it carried any malevolent energy, it might cost them their lives.  

"Hand it over." Mu Lichuan extended his hand and spoke slowly while Su Yun stood there nervously.  

Su Yun let out a sigh of relief. As long as he could rid himself of this hot potato, losing a villa was nothing.  

[烫手山芋 (tàng shǒu shān yù): lit. a hot potato; fig. a troublesome or burdensome matter)

"Let’s be clear, aside from the villa, this cursed object now belongs to me," Mu Lichuan stated upfront, leaving money out of the discussion for now.  

"Of course, of course. As long as this thing doesn’t return to me, I’ll give Young Master Mu an extra three million," Su Yun replied awkwardly. His finances were tight.  

He had tried to discard this ring countless times, even entrusting it to a master for suppression, yet it always found its way back to him. The relentless recurrence filled him with terror.  

Mu Lichuan gave him a faintly mocking look. "You may leave." He had no intention of saying more.  

"Thank you, Master! Thank you!" Su Yun didn’t dare linger, fearing the master might change his mind and return the ring, leaving him with no recourse.  

"Lichuan, the evil aura from this ring is terrifying," Mu Xiaoran said, not daring to touch it. Without any spiritual power, he was no different from an ordinary old man, save for his discernment.  

Mu Lichuan was surprised. "Grandfather, you can sense the evil aura?" Though the ring felt icy in his hand and he sensed something clinging to him, he felt no physical discomfort.  

He examined the ring closely. Its material was unidentifiable, its design simple - just a plain band engraved with patterns resembling indecipherable script.  

"You… can’t feel it?" Mu Xiaoran asked in shock. "Lichuan, I dare not touch this thing. If I do, I might die instantly. That man wasn’t old, but judging by his appearance, this ring was draining his vitality. Lichuan, get rid of it now!" His tone turned grave.  

Though the current state of the Mu family was uncertain, if anything happened to Lichuan, their lineage would truly end.  

"Grandfather, look." Mu Lichuan sighed as the ring slid onto his middle finger, resizing itself to fit perfectly.  

"This…" Mu Xiaoran was baffled. He hadn’t even seen his grandson put it on, how had this evil object chosen him?  

Mu Lichuan clearly sensed a surge of malevolent energy from the ring. "Grandfather, I need to rest. Don’t disturb me," he said quickly, realizing his recklessness. Why had the ring switched owners so abruptly?  

"The Qingyun Ring?" Xiao Mo, who had been dormant, suddenly awoke. His voice was filled with shock as he saw the ring on Mu Lichuan’s hand.  

[青雲 (Qīngyún): Azure Clouds, symbolizing lofty ambitions, immortality, or the heavens)

"You recognize it?" Mu Lichuan’s unease settled slightly.  

After a pause, Xiao Mo said, "This is a spatial ring fought over in the divine realm. No one knows what’s inside, but…"  

"It doesn’t quite match. The evil aura clinging to it is overwhelming. Purifying it would require an extremely pure soul force."  

Mu Lichuan found his words unhelpful. "Solution."  

Xiao Mo replied slowly, "Expel it with your willpower." He could possess the boy’s body precisely because of his pure soul force, which was a rarity even in ancient times. But given his current physical limitations, he couldn’t handle spiritual cultivation yet.  

Mu Lichuan focused inward. In his consciousness, he saw red tendrils of energy encroaching, repelled by milky-white wisps.  

Though he knew nothing of cultivation or soul control, he guided the red energy outward. Yet it grew denser, coiling around him.  

A dull pain spread, but it was bearable. He focused his inner power and expelled the red energy.  

"Container!" Xiao Mo suddenly shouted. Mu Lichuan’s eyes snapped open as his hands formed intricate seals, trapping the red energy in a transparent glass jar with a talisman-laden lid.  

The action felt instinctive, though he had no memory of learning it.  

He stored the jar in his spiritual sea, then examined the Qingyun Ring. Despite being cleansed, it seemed unremarkable.  

"You haven’t even touched the threshold of cultivation. Don’t expect to unlock the Qingyun Ring," Xiao Mo said flatly. "I’ll return to dormancy. Study the books in your space, they’ll aid your worldly trials."  

Exhausted, Mu Lichuan lay down and slept, relieved to have resolved the crisis.  

The next morning, he felt refreshed. Mu Xiaoran was equally surprised but relieved his grandson was unharmed.  

Su Yun arrived early, relieved to find the ring hadn’t returned - proof of Master Mu’s prowess. Keeping his promise was wise,  offending such "master" never ended well.  

"It’s settled. Proceed with the transfer," Mu Lichuan said coolly. The "haunted villa’s" secrets would require a nighttime visit.  

When the deed was in hand, Mu Lichuan marveled at how easily he’d acquired a villa and three million. But he knew such dealings were best avoided - karma was no joke. The Qingyun Ring was sheer luck.  

"Grandfather, what do you think? The villa’s decent, but the layout’s off, and the trees are too dense," he remarked.  

Mu Xiaoran surveyed the surroundings. "Lichuan, this place isn’t just haunted. Su Yun hid something from us." A seasoned judge of character, he pegged Su Yun as a shrewd but not irredeemable merchant.  

"Right. I only fixed the ring. His karma is his to bear," Mu Lichuan said, smiling. He wasn’t kind enough to clean up after deliberate deceit.  

In his past life, he’d dismissed the supernatural until Mu Xiaolin killed him, his soul was refined, and he was reborn at fifteen. Now, with yin-yang eyes, he straddled both worlds. Even his birthdate was a blur to his family.  

Mu Xiaoran hesitated, then said firmly, "Lichuan, pursue your path without restraint. I won’t stand in your way." His own cultivation was lost, but he wouldn’t hinder his grandson’s future.  

"Thank you, Grandfather."  

Night fell swiftly. Armed with talismans and his grandfather’s "spirit sword," Mu Lichuan ventured to the villa.  

True to rumors, the air was thick with a chilling, bloodied aura. His studies suggested no ghosts, but something else lurked within.  

Moonlight vanished at the villa’s gates, replaced by a murky haze. The trees, denser than by day, seemed to shift.  

His soul-enhanced vision pierced the dark. The leaves, green by day, now glowed blood-red. The trunks themselves moved.  

A talisman flew from his hand with a sharp whistle. Crackling energy repelled an attacking tree.  

The Sweet little Fulang Chapter 167 Part 1

Chapter 167  

    Such joyous news as a pregnancy naturally had to be shared with Shen Xuanqing’s father and Lu Gu’s mother. Shen Xuanqing carried a basket of incense, candles, and offerings as he and Lu Gu went to sweep the graves, taking the opportunity to clear away some dried branches and leaves from the burial mounds.  

    When they arrived before Ye Yuzhen’s grave, they saw traces of burned offerings and a few withered fruits scattered on the ground - clearly left some time ago. Lu Gu was momentarily stunned, unable to fathom who might have come to pay respects. It couldn’t have been relatives from his mother’s side, and Lu Daxiang and Du Hehua were even less likely.  

    Shen Xuanqing set down the bamboo basket in his hand and, after a moment of thought, said quietly, “It must have been someone from the Xu family.”  

    He had previously mentioned Xu Yanrong’s matter to Lu Gu in passing, without hiding anything.  

    Back when Lu Gu was with the Lu family, seeing Lu Daxiang’s favoritism toward Lu Wen had always upset him, and he could never understand why his father treated Lu Wen so well. Meanwhile, whenever Du Hehua hurled the word “bastard” at him, Lu Daxiang never showed anger - instead, his impatience toward Lu Gu only grew. After learning about Xu Yanrong, even someone as slow-witted as Lu Gu understood the reason.  

    Because of this, he held not an ounce of goodwill toward the Xu family. His previously cheerful expression dimmed instantly, his smile fading as he lowered his head and kicked a clump of dirt away with the tip of his foot, sending it rolling aside.  

    Shen Xuanqing picked up the shriveled offerings and tossed them far away. As he stepped forward to pull out the withered weeds from the grave mound and tidy up, he noticed Lu Gu’s unhappy expression.  

    “I’ve already made it clear to him, he won't come looking for you or pester you again. Don’t worry. Even if we run into him, we’ll pretend not to know him.” He comforted Lu Gu, then added with a smile, “Today’s a happy day, we’re here to share the good news with your mother. You should be happy too. In the future, we can bring our little one to visit her.”  

    Mention of the child finally lifted Lu Gu’s spirits. They lived their own lives. What connection did they have to with the Xu family? Even if they crossed paths in the future, there’d be no connection whatsoever. Why should he wear a gloomy face before his mother?  

    There was no taboo about tidying his own mother’s grave. The two of them worked together to pull out the dry grass and roots from the burial mound. Only after cleaning it up did they burn paper offerings, kowtow, and share their joyous news with her.  

    With the New Year approaching, they'd have to return for another family visit during the festivities. This time, however, they didn't linger. Lu Gu was pregnant, and kneeling for long periods wouldn't be good for him.

    When they returned home, Shen Yaoqing had already hitched the mule cart, planning to go to Liangzhang Bridge to buy New Year goods. Shen Yan was overjoyed, as an unmarried girl, unlike Lu Gu and Ji Qiuyue, she didn’t often get to go to town, so she was naturally excited about the market trip.  

    Seeing Lu Gu return, she beamed and asked what he’d like to eat or if there was anything he wanted her to buy. Now that she was an aunt to two children, she was especially hoping Lu Gu would have a daughter or a shuang'er—that way, she could braid the little one’s hair and play at dressing them up with flowers.  

    Taking the mule cart to Liangzhang Bridge would be easy on their legs, but Wei Lanxiang was overly cautious. Normally, it was fine to wander around nearby villages, but if the mule cart went too fast, what if the jostling caused harm? She worried about Lu Gu's safety. So, she didn't let Lu Gu go, and even Shen Xuanqing was told to stay home and keep Lu Gu company. 

    Though this was her second grandchild, after Shen Shunfu’s passing, the house had felt too quiet to her. Naturally, the more grandchildren, the better—it made their family seem more prosperous. Moreover, this was Shen Xuanqing’s first child. She’d been extremely attentive when Ji Qiuyue was pregnant, and now she couldn’t show favoritism with Lu Gu.  

    Zhao’er was only four months old and couldn’t be left alone, so Ji Qiuyue couldn’t go either, she had to stay behind to care for and nurse the baby. Thus, only Shen Yaoqing, Shen Yan, and Wei Lanxiang went to shop.  

    After listing the foods they wanted: crispy oil cakes (酥油饼), chewy candy (胶牙饧), salt-pickled plums, sugar-pickled plums, and hawthorn cakes—Shen Xuanqing had given many instructions, and Wei Lanxiang agreed to everything. Buying these things wasn’t difficult, Liangzhang Bridge’s grand market had everything.  

    Shen Yan and Wei Lanxiang climbed onto the cart, and Shen Yaoqing, sitting at the front, flicked the reins with a shout, urging the mule forward. Only once they reached the smooth, wide official road did the mule break into a trot.  

    Since Ji Qiuyue was alone at home with the baby, Wei Lanxiang and the others had already fed the livestock earlier. Shen Xuanqing locked the courtyard gate, and he and Lu Gu headed to the old house. With nothing else to do, they decided to prepare the pork skin jelly (水晶脍) for the New Year while they had time. After letting it freeze overnight in the yard, they could slice a plateful to taste the next day, this was a delicacy they only enjoyed a few times a year.  

    Lu Gu had only just become pregnant, so his belly wasn’t showing yet, and walking or working posed no issue. But Shen Xuanqing, seeing him and Ji Qiuyue bustling about in the kitchen, stood there scratching his head, wanting to tell him to rest but unsure how to say it.  

    “The child hasn’t even arrived, yet the father’s already acting foolish.” Ji Qiuyue, who was slicing pork skin, suddenly noticed a tall shadow blocking the light. Turning her head, she saw him and teased.  

    Shen Xuanqing grew even more embarrassed.  

    Lu Gu could easily guess his concerns, but country folk weren’t so delicate. Smiling, he said, “It’s just cooking, not heavy labor. If you’re free, peel and wash the cabbage, there’s hot water in the pot.”  

    Only the three of them would be eating at noon. There was still a block of tofu left from yesterday’s shopping, so a stewed cabbage and tofu dish would be perfect, neither too fishy nor too greasy. Duck and chicken were off-limits for Lu Gu lately, but pork was still fine. There was even a bowl of steamed pork slices left from earlier, mostly lean with little fat, which could be reheated and eaten.  

    “Alright. Anything else to wash? I’ll do it all at once.” Shen Xuanqing nodded in agreement.  

    Lu Gu smiled. “Nothing else. There aren’t many people for lunch, one dish is enough.”  

    Shen Xuanqing walked out, whistling to call the two increasingly plump and fluffy pups along, so they wouldn’t dart under Lu Gu’s feet and trip him. The older dogs had been left behind to guard the house, and only these two had slipped out when the gate was locked.  

    Earlier, on their way over, they’d run into Shen Shunwang. His third uncle had laughed and said the two pups were so sturdy they’d look like round balls if not for their legs.  

    With all the badger meat they’d eaten alongside the older dogs and the bone-gnawing they’d learned, how could they not grow fat? But like chubby babies, plump pups were also endearing. Once properly raised, they’d be excellent guard dogs. Even without hunting hounds, these two would be enough.  

Transmigrated As Cannon Fodder To Marry Chapter 100 (End)

Chapter 100

   1) Du Yuling × Zhou Chengwang  

    Zhou Chengwang and Du Yuling grew up together, genuine childhood sweethearts, closer than even their own siblings.  

    Later, Jiang Lin joined them, forming a notorious trio of troublemakers in the capital. Though their friendship cooled for a time after Jiang Lin’s misguided attempt to seduce them, he reformed after marriage and reconciled with them, restoring their bond.  

    However, married life changed Jiang Lin. With a new home and responsibilities, he no longer spent every day with them, leaving Zhou Chengwang mostly with Du Yuling.  

    Zhou Chengwang never imagined he’d fall for a man. Though he envied Jiang Lin and Wei Yunzhao’s love, the idea seemed too unconventional.  

    Yet he remained unmarried while his peers started families, showing no interest in women, not even a bedwarming maid.  

    At first, this didn’t strike him as odd, because Du Yuling was the same. But when Du Yuling’s family arranged a match for him, Zhou Chengwang realized his discomfort. He couldn’t bear the thought of Du Yuling marrying someone else.  

    The resentment festered like a growing lump.  

    Yet Du Yiling acted first, rejecting the match and confessing his feelings.  

    Overjoyed, Zhou Chengwang’s only other thought was: He’d lost again, Du Yuling had beaten him to it!  

    But mutual affection prevailed, and they began a secret romance.  

    Aside from fearing their families’ wrath, all was well.  

    Eager to share the news with Jiang Lin, Zhou Chengwang was preempted - Jiang Lin had already guessed.  

    Another loss: Jiang Lin had noticed before he’d even spoken!  

    Yet this brought clarity. Zhou Chengwang realized his family had never pressed him to marry, perhaps they’d long suspected his bond with Du Yuling wasn’t platonic.  

    He and Du Yuling agonized over how to confess, knowing the likely outcomes: a beating (best case), broken legs, or death (worst).  

    Resigned, they decided to gamble on honesty, after one last indulgence.  

    Rummaging through fire-avoidance illustrations, they fumbled their first attempt, nearly failing before settling who’d top via a size contest.  

    Undressing, Zhou Chengwang recalled childhood comparisons. “We’ve been shameless since we were kids,” he laughed.  

    “Fate destined us,” Du Yiling declared, pushing him down.  

    The fallout was chaotic. Zhou Chengwang fell ill, only recovering just in time to face their families, who made them wear bundles of kindling on their backs as a humiliating form of punishment.

    “I suffered for you,” Zhou Chengwang said. “If you ever betray me, Jiang Lin will castrate you.”  

    Jiang Lin: “???” (He doubted heaven relayed random oaths.)  

    Braced for the worst, they entered Zhou Chengwang’s father’s study.  

    The patriarch wielded a monk’s staff - thick, long, and brutal. Zhou Chengwang’s backside covered in welts.  

    His mother calmly explained, “This beating is your dowry. Remember, you chose this path. If you regret it later, you’ll get another round.”  

    Tearfully, Zhou Chengwang vowed eternal devotion, he was afraid that another beating would kill him.  

    Satisfied, the family sent Du Yuling home for his own thrashing.  

    The Du family showed no mercy. Du Yuling’s injuries were worse, leaving the lovebirds bedridden for a month.  

    Reunited, they wept and swore never to part - who’d willingly endure that pain twice?  

   

    (2) Wei Yunzhao × Jiang Lin (Ancient)  

    Dayue's borders were in turmoil. Wars broke out following the new Emperor's ascension, led by Jin Wang, Yue Ge, and the reinstated General Wei Yunzhao.

    Victories revived Wei Yunzhao’s fame, with rumors calling the Wei family the kingdom’s “pillar of peace.”  

    With the Emperor's trust, Wei Yunzhao commanded the capital defenses and imperial guard - positions that gave him the power to potentially overthrow the throne if he chose to.

    Courtiers whispered of treason, but the Emperor dismissed them: “If he wanted the throne, he'd have taken it by now. I’ll not kill loyal men for baseless rumors.”  

    Later, it emerged that the Emperor’s trust stemmed from Wei Yunzhao’s tether, his love for Jiang Lin ensured he’d never covet power.  

    When a southern general retired, Jin Wang took his place. Wei Yunzhao then requested command of the northern forces, bringing with him Jiang Lin, his own brother Wei Yunqi, and Jiang Lin's half-brother Jiang Xuan.

    The Emperor agreed, leaving only Wei Yunzhao’s female relatives in the capital, a breach of tradition where families were kept as hostages.  

    Before heading north, they visited Jiangnan’s Yun family, now imperial merchants due to Jiang Lin’s earlier assistance.  

    The north’s rugged beauty grasslands, deserts, snow-capped peaks stunned them. Riding across the wilderness, Wei Yunzhao asked, “Do you like it here?”  

    Jiang Lin gazed at the horizon. “It’s where you belong. I love you, and thus this land you protect.”  

    Wei Yunzhao’s eyes darkened. “Such words tempt me.”  

    “To what?”  

    “To make love under the sky,” he whispered.  

    Jiang Lin scoffed. “Too wild. What if wolves eat us?”  

    They compromised with kisses, returning to the city where Jiang Lin transformed the barren north into prosperity.  

    Years later, they traveled the land together, witnessing the Emperor's reforms firsthand: new crops flourishing, towns thriving, and progress unfolding everywhere.

    (3) Wei Yunzhao × Jiang Lin (Modern)  

    Unfamiliar white ceiling.  

    Jiang Lin blinked. Decades in the apocalypse and ancient times had erased memories of this home.  

    The phone and computer both displayed 2021 - pre-apocalypse.  

    No trace of Wei Yunzhao online. Sighing, he resigned to work until a wheelchair blocked his office entrance.  

    Its occupant turned, revealing a familiar face.  

    “Crippled again?” Jiang Lin quipped. “What’s your deal with wheelchairs?”  

    The man smiled. “Linlin.”  

    Fate, absurd as ever.  

    Pushing the chair, Jiang Lin grumbled, “Two lifetimes of this.”  

    In the CEO’s office (yes, Wei Yunzhao was now his boss), they reunited.  

    “Still Wei Yunzhao,” the man said.  

    That sufficed.  

    “Stand, I want a hug.”  

    But Wei Yunzhao couldn’t, there was another tragic backstory, this time corporate sabotage.  

    “So I need you,” he said.  

    “Why not call me ‘wife’?” Jiang Lin teased.  

    “Wife.”  

    “Husband.”  

    Then, smirking, Wei Yunzhao whispered, “I’ve learned a new term: office play.”  

    Jiang Lin kicked his chair. “Dream on.”  

  

  -End-

My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 16 Part 1

Chapter 16  

"Chang Sui!"  

The door burst open as a woman in her twenties rushed in, her cheeks flushed from running.  

Both sides visibly froze upon seeing each other.  

"Third Sister Wu."  

Ji Taoyu stood up and called softly, afraid Wu Lianhe might not recognize him. He was about to introduce himself when Wu Lianhe forced a smile and addressed him, "Tao, Tao ger."  

"Third Sister Wu still remembers me?"  

"How could I not? You look just as lovely as you did when you were little."  

Though they were fellow villagers reuniting after a long separation and should have exchanged more pleasantries, Wu Lianhe's mind was entirely fixated on Zhao Changsui at that moment. She hastily held up a hairpin: "This...where did this come from?"  

As she spoke, she didn’t even notice her own voice trembling.  

Seeing this, Ji Taoyu stepped forward to close the door first.  

He introduced Huo Shu to Wu Lianhe: "This is Brother Changsui's comrade-in-arms. He specially brought this hairpin back from the north."  

Wu Lianhe had noticed Huo Shu the moment she entered the room. At first, she thought it was Zhao Changsui returning, but a closer look confirmed it wasn’t him.  

A faint unease crept into her heart, and when she heard Ji Taoyu’s introduction, her heart instantly plunged into an icy abyss. Tears welled visibly in her eyes.  

Finally meeting the person Zhao Changsui had longed for, Huo Shu also stood up. He glanced at Wu Lianhe before fixing his gaze on the hairpin: "This was something he carried with him on every battlefield. Before he died, he asked me to bring it back. Now that it’s returned to its rightful owner, I’ve fulfilled my duty."  

Wu Lianhe stared fixedly at Huo Shu upon hearing this, then suddenly raised her head to look at the sky, trying to hold back the flood of tears threatening to spill. Her fingers clenched tightly around the hairpin, as if she might snap it in half.  

After a long silence, she abruptly laughed, and the tears she could no longer control streamed straight down her face.  

"All these years, I thought he had long forgotten me."  

Huo Shu frowned slightly: "No. For eight years in the northern frontier, he never forgot you for a single day, not until the moment he closed his eyes."  

Wu Lianhe looked at Huo Shu’s stern face, listening to his flat, unemotional tone, as if he were stating something trivial.  

But the more indifferent he sounded, the more reassured she felt, because she couldn’t help but believe every word he said was true.  

"As long as he never forgot me, that’s enough. That’s enough."  

Wu Lianhe smiled: "Then all these years of waiting have been worth it, and not just a joke."  

Though Ji Taoyu had never experienced such emotions himself, he was deeply moved by Wu Lianhe’s plight.  

He stepped forward to steady the swaying woman: "Third Sister Wu, sit for a while."  

Wu Lianhe complied and sat down.  

"Third Sister Wu, back when you had that falling-out with your family, was it because of Brother Changsui?"  

Ji Taoyu poured a cup of tea and handed it gently to Wu Lianhe, voicing the question on his mind.  

"Exactly. Back then, when Changsui was conscripted, I wanted to save up money to pay his exemption fee so he wouldn’t have to go so far away for conscript labor. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough, and when I asked my family for help, they not only refused but also found out about our relationship."  

The Wu family disapproved of the two being together. The Zhao family was poor, but as long as the man was hardworking, life could still improve.  

But there was also a paralyzed elderly father who required constant care and medical expenses. Given the Wu family’s status, they could easily find Wu Lianhe a decent match and didn’t want their daughter to suffer.  

When they learned Zhao Changsui was being conscripted, the Wu family saw it as the perfect opportunity to sever the relationship. Why would they lend money to their daughter to subsidize the Zhao family?  

Later, after Zhao Changsui left for the northern frontier, the Wu family immediately began arranging marriages for Wu Lianhe.  

But the two had already pledged themselves to each other. Wu Lianhe refused to marry anyone but Zhao Changsui, vowing to wait for his return. She clashed with her family repeatedly.  

The Wu family scolded her, beat her, and even tried starving her into submission. But Wu Lianhe’s temper was unyielding, she’d rather starve to death than comply.  

In the end, she was their own flesh and blood. Their actions were only meant to secure her a better life, not to drive her to death. So they had no choice but to relent.  

"If that’s the case, why did Third Sister Wu leave the village and even claim to have gone to the mountains? If you had openly declared your engagement to the Zhao family and your intention to wait for Brother Changsui's return, the villagers wouldn’t have gossiped. Instead, they’d have admired your loyalty."  

Wu Lianhe looked at Ji Taoyu and stated bluntly: "Because I was pregnant with Changsui’s child."  

Ji Taoyu’s eyes widened in shock. Even Huo Shu who was usually composed, tensed slightly.  

Huo Shu wanted to ask directly where the child was now, but his sleeve was tugged lightly.  

Ji Taoyu feared the child might no longer be alive. Knowing Huo Shu’s bluntness, he worried a single question might reopen old wounds and signaled him not to ask.  

Fortunately, Wu Lianhe soon addressed their unspoken concern: "I was unmarried and pregnant. Staying at home would only bring shame to my family. My parents and brothers, out of pity, sent me to the city to live in secret."  

Hearing this, Huo Shu glanced at Ji Taoyu. Seeing no further objection, he asked: "Where is the child now?"  

Wu Lianhe respected Huo Shu and didn’t hide the truth: "He lives with me now. When he grew older, I sent him to a private school. I work at the workshop during the day, and by the time I finish, he’s usually done with classes."  

Ji Taoyu was astonished and couldn’t help but feel sympathy for Wu Lianhe: "Third Sister Wu, raising a child alone all these years must have been so hard."  

"It’s all in the past. Thankfully, I have some skills, and the workshop manager values me. These last two years haven’t been too difficult. The early years when I wasn’t working were much harder, my family supported me then."  

She sighed: "I’ve burdened my family all these years. I feel guilty about it."  

Meeting a fellow villager after so long, Wu Lianhe couldn’t help but ask: "How is Aunt Yuan? I heard earlier that Uncle Zhao passed away. I really should have taken the child back to pay respects, but given our… unofficial status, it would’ve only caused trouble for the old man."  

Ji Taoyu looked at Huo Shu: "Aunt Yuan has already adopted Huo Shu as her foster son. From now on, Elder Brother Huo will take care of her. Third Sister Wu, you don’t need to worry."

Rebirth of the Useless Young Master’s Counterattack Chapter 48

Chapter 48: The Haunted House

Mu Lichuan had always adhered to the principle of not provoking others if unprovoked. They had just arrived in the capital and couldn’t possibly have offended anyone. Even without asking, he knew who was behind this.  

"Tell your employer to be careful, lest they lose both their reputation and wealth." Some people flaunt their status as mistresses, whether for love or money, but that was their personal affair. It had nothing to do with him, and he had no interest in meddling.  

"Y-yes, yes!" The gang leader nodded frantically, shrinking back in fear of another beating. His stomach still ached terribly. Who would’ve thought this unassuming pretty boy could pack such a punch?  

With that, Mu Lichuan left. He still needed an agent to help him rent a place. In his past life, he’d rarely bothered with daily trivialities—even his clothes were custom-made. Back then, his focus had been solely on work and study.  

The capital’s prosperity far surpassed Chuan City’s, but so did its rents. The money in his hands was far from enough to buy property.  

"Young Master Mu?" The agent had been chattering away when he noticed the boy staring fixedly at one listing. "This one?" he asked cautiously.  

Mu Lichuan pointed. "Why is this house so cheap?" A villa for two million, with a decent interior area to boot.  

The agent quickly pulled him aside, whispering, "Young Master, that place is uninhabitable. They say it’s haunted, every new tenant ends up dead. Over time, the price kept dropping." He loved money, but not at the cost of someone’s life. He lacked that kind of nerve.  

"I see." Mu Lichuan nodded sagely. A haunted house would naturally scare buyers off. "Can you take me to see it?"  

The man paled. "Young Master, you can’t be serious! I can’t let you—"  

"It’s fine. I’ve got a strong fate. I even want to see what a ghost looks like." Despite his youthful appearance, Mu Lichuan’s demeanor made it easy to forget his age.  

Zhao Xiaoyun sighed. Another rich kid bored enough to chase thrills. He’d met plenty like him.  

"Fine. I’ll take you during the day, but I’m not going in." Zhao Xiaoyun valued his life. He’d warned the boy, if he didn’t listen, that was on him.  

Mu Lichuan agreed. His courage came from skimming a "Ghost Subjugation" manual in his spatial storage last night. The knowledge was etched in his mind, all that remained was practice.  

He wasn’t sure if it was due to his soul’s tempering in his past life, but his senses and memory had sharpened dramatically. Anything he read stuck instantly.  

Upon arrival, his first impression was desolation, but no eerie aura. It was odd. Yesterday, the ghost energy around Zhang Jin’s mother had been palpable. Perhaps the daytime kept spirits at bay.  

The villa stood isolated, likely by design when built. The overgrown trees lent an unnatural silence, almost oppressive.  

The main house spanned three to four hundred square meters. The front yard’s once-luxuriant plants now thrived wildly, giving Mu Lichuan the unsettling feeling of being watched. Yet when he turned, only potted trees greeted him.  

The unlocked door revealed dust-coated furniture, about sixty percent new - barely used before abandonment.  

Mu Lichuan entered the house. Dark, congealed stains, likely blood, were splattered near the staircase in the living room, leading up to the second floor. In contrast, the second-floor hallway was dusty but spotless otherwise.

Besides the master bedroom, guest rooms, and study, the other side opened to a terrace connected to the living room. Plants blocked most sunlight, making the space cool and pleasant in summer but bleak in winter.

Though no feng shui expert, Mu Lichuan found the layout deliberately oppressive, as if designed to block all light. Prolonged darkness would sour anyone’s temperament.  

Zhao Xiaoyun waited outside, shivering despite the daylight. The villa’s chill seeped into his bones. A rustle of birds taking flight startled him into falling on his backside, arms clutched over his head.  

"D-don’t come near! I’m a good man, I’ve done nothing wrong!" he wailed.  

"It’s me." Mu Lichuan’s calm voice made Zhao leap up.  

"Young Master! Thank heavens you’re back. This place, even fifty thousand wouldn’t tempt anyone." Zhao Xiaoyun rubbed his arms. No wonder colleagues fell ill after visiting. A true haunted house, terrifying even by day.  

Mu Lichuan’s eyes glinted. "If you can get it for fifty thousand, I’ll give you a hundred thousand commission."  

He hadn’t detected anything supernatural yet. Perhaps nighttime would reveal more.  

Zhao Xiaoyun looked horrified. "You can’t be serious!" Who gambled with their life? Even rich kids had limits. What if he ended up jailed for manslaughter?  

"Since when do I joke? I just fancy buying a haunted house for fun. But my allowance..." Mu Lichuan trailed off meaningfully.  

Zhao Xiaoyun didn't understand spoiled rich kids. First, there was the Zhang family's reckless son, and now this crazy one. What was he supposed to do?

"Fine. But are you sure?" The villa was a hot potato. Only a fool would waste money here.  

Mu Lichuan shook his head. "A deal’s a deal. What’s there to fear?" If they survived, business would flourish.  

Truthfully, Mu Lichuan planned to specialize in the supernatural - cases science couldn’t explain. Ordinary careers held no appeal. His path was cultivation.  

Fifty thousand was pocket change to the wealthy but substantial for commoners. Initially, Mu Lichuan hadn’t planned to buy a property, just browse. But the agent’s comment made him propose it casually. If it fell through, renting would suffice.  

Back at the hotel, he discussed the "haunted house" with his grandfather, who warned against rash action. The capital’s strong imperial aura meant this wasn’t just a simple haunting.  

Sure enough, visitors arrived that afternoon.  

"Are you the ones interested in the western villa?" A middle-aged man with graying hair looked at them with hopeful eyes.  

"Depends on the price. We’re just country folk with shallow pockets." Mu Lichuan smiled. Negotiations were his forte. His grandfather’s expertise lay in cultivation, not haggling.  

"So you’re the masters." The man showed no disdain. "When we built that villa, we uncovered something. A master suppressed it, but the place became unsellable. Too many deaths."  

As a modern man, he’d dismissed superstitions, until years of misfortune forced him to seek help. Even the previous master had died mysteriously, deepening his dread.  

"If you can lift the curse, the villa is yours," Su Yun said sheepishly. His family had fled abroad, leaving him to resolve this alone.  

Mu Lichuan laughed coldly. "What a bargain. Who knows what horrors you dug up? No wonder no one dares touch this."  

Despite his worn appearance, Mu Lichuan knew he was a cunning businessman - one who had probably made his fortune through questionable means.

"Young Master Mu is sharp." Su Yun had expected the elder to be the real expert. But hearing the boy had inspected the villa, he dared not underestimate him.  

Mu Lichuan’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. "You brought the unearthed object with you, didn't you?" The man's arrival seemed to bring a dark, ominous energy.

My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 15 Part 2

Soon, the attendant returned with several bolts of fabric.  

Huo Shu glanced at them. The colors were nearly identical - at a glance, they seemed the same, making it hard to see why one needed to choose.  

He sipped his tea as the attendant explained the craftsmanship, materials, and hues - phoenix purple, hibiscus purple, mushroom purple.  

Huo Shu raised an eyebrow. They all looked purple to him, yet the attendant spun elaborate descriptions, and Ji Taoyu listened with keen interest.  

“Purple fabrics are common here in Tongzhou. Elsewhere, they’re expensive, let alone having so many varieties to choose from.”  

“Young master, you’d look splendid in these. Wearing this to an autumn chrysanthemum viewing, you’d stand out in the crowd.”  

Ji Taoyu smiled faintly. He was long immune to such flattery.  

He was no longer the naive ger who’d empty his purse at sweet talk. Coming here, he was cautious.  

He touched the fabrics, the texture was decent. It wasn't silk, but the price would still be at least three to five taels per bolt.  

Buying two would drain his savings and force him to work for his grandfather for months.  

Though he found the fabrics beautiful, he stayed sharp, never forgetting his real purpose.  

Just as he was about to ask about weavers under the guise of discussing dyeing techniques, Huo Shu suddenly spoke.  

“Wrap them up.”  

Ji Taoyu and the attendant both froze, turning to the man who had seemed like mere decoration.  

Before Ji Taoyu could protest, the attendant who was quick to spot a big spender exclaimed, “All three, sir? I’ll pack them right away!”  

Huo Shu nodded.  

The attendant looked as if it were New Year’s. “You have excellent taste, sir! I’ll prepare them immediately.”  

Ji Taoyu grabbed the attendant’s sleeve, forcing a smile. “No need, no need! My brother was joking. We’ll keep looking.”  

He shot Huo Shu a glare, urging him to take it back.  

But Huo Shu leisurely set down his cup and took out his purse. “How much?”  

“Five taels per bolt, but for three, we’ll charge fourteen taels and eight qian.” 

[1 tael = 10 qian (钱)]

Huo Shu placed a silver ingot on the table. The attendant, fearing he’d change his mind, swiftly pocketed it. “I’ll get your change!”  

“Keep it.”  

Huo Shu said, “Consider the rest your tip. I want to ask about someone.”  

The attendant beamed. “Of course, sir! I’ve been here a long time, I know many people.”  

Huo Shu glanced at Ji Taoyu.  

Ji Taoyu's heart sank. Seeing the attendant already secure the silver, he forced a smile.  

“We’re looking for a weaver named Wu Lianhe.”  

The attendant thought for a moment. “Do you mean Third Lady Wu? She’s the only Wu in the weaving section, we call her Third Lady, but I don’t know her full name.”  

“Her skills are exceptional, highly valued by the manager. But she rarely meets outsiders. Many customers have asked to see her after admiring her work, but she always refuses. The manager respects her wishes and doesn’t arrange meetings.”  

“Even if you wish to see her, she likely won’t agree.”  

Huo Shu took out a token. “Show her this. Whether she comes is up to her.”  

The attendant carefully accepted the hairpin. “Understood. Please wait a moment. Would you like more tea or snacks? I’ll have some brought in.”  

“Just a little is fine.”  

Once the attendant left, Ji Taoyu turned to Huo Shu. “What was that? We came here to find someone, not buy half the shop!”  

“If we didn’t buy anything, why would they help us?”  

Huo Shu was unfazed. “If you like it, buy it.”  

Ji Taoyu gritted his teeth. “Do you know how much a shi of grain sells for? Just one or two taels! Even a rural family’s wedding might only cost twenty or thirty taels!”  

[1 shí (石) = 10 dǒu (斗) = ~59–70 kg of unhusked rice]

He muttered under his breath, “And here you are, spending half a dowry just to ask a favor.”  

“There’s still half left.”  

Ji Taoyu was speechless. Huo Shu looked utterly unbothered, as if it weren’t his money.  

He took a deep breath. Why was he worrying? It wasn’t his silver. If Huo Shu spent it all and stayed single forever, so be it.  

Noticing Ji Taoyu's exasperation, Huo Shu found it amusing. He raised an eyebrow. “What? Did the Yu family pay that much to marry you?”  

“Nonsense! They haven’t paid anything!”  

“Oh. So how much are your parents asking for?”  

“They’re not!”  

“Then how much are they planning to ask for?”  

Ji Taoyu frowned. “Huo Shu!”  

Huo Shu tilted his head. The ger was glaring at him, even using his full name - he was truly angry.  

Every time Yu Lingxiao was mentioned, he got upset. Tch.  

Huo Shu fell silent, refraining from further teasing.  

After a pause—  

“I was just asking for reference. So I don’t get swindled.”  

Ji Taoyu turned away. “With that face of yours, who’d dare swindle you?”  

“You never know. Greed emboldens people.”  

Ji Taoyu muttered, “You don’t even have a proper livelihood. Even swindlers wouldn’t bother.”  

Huo Shu glanced at him.  

Feeling the gaze, Ji Taoyu realized he’d spoken too harshly and shrank slightly.  

Just as silence settled between them, the door burst open.  

The Sweet little Fulang Chapter 166 Part 2

    Lao Wang returned soon. Before he even stepped through the gate, Wei Lanxiang shot to her feet, startling Granny Wang beside her. Unable to contain her joy, she pulled Lu Gu up and said, "Brother Wang, take a seat and check Guzi’s pulse for us."  

    "Alright, alright, no rush. Let me wash my hands first," Lao Wang replied repeatedly.  

 Once Lu Gu sat down and extended his hand, watching Lao Wang stroke his beard in silence, belated unease crept in. He couldn’t describe the feeling in his heart.  

    Then Lao Wang withdrew his hand and congratulated Wei Lanxiang and Shen Xuanqing with a smile.  

    Lu Gu’s mind exploded into whiteness, or perhaps a burst of color. He was utterly dazed. This surprise didn’t frighten him; instead, it filled him with an overwhelming, barely contained joy. But the joy was so intense it left him speechless, his reactions slowed.  

    Upon hearing he was pregnant, Granny Wang repeatedly congratulated Wei Lanxiang, her gaze at Lu Gu especially tender.  

    "Oh my, oh my, isn’t this wonderful!" Wei Lanxiang was so overjoyed she couldn’t close her mouth. This was heavenly news, their family already had Zhao’er, and now another child was on the way. Their family was truly flourishing.  

    But since they were in public, she couldn’t let her excitement show too much. She tried to restrain herself, adopting a reserved and modest demeanor. Though her expression and posture seemed a bit affected, everyone could see her sheer delight, so it didn’t come off as laughable or annoying.  

    As for Shen Xuanqing, who had been waiting to the side, Lao Wang’s words felt like something had dropped onto his head, leaving him dizzy. A towering, robust man like him actually swayed on his feet, nearly unsteady, and had to grip a nearby chair to steady himself.  

    Seeing him wobble, Wei Lanxiang rushed over in alarm, supporting him as she asked urgently, "What’s wrong with you?"  

    Her great joy turned to great fright, had something happened to Shen Xuanqing? She immediately called for Lao Wang, "Brother Wang, come quick and check on him!"  

    Lao Wang had also noticed his expression. After taking his pulse, he laughed heartily and said, "No worries, no worries! Strong as an ox, no illness, no ailment. He’s just too happy and lost his balance for a moment."  

    "Good heavens!" Wei Lanxiang smacked Shen Xuanqing’s arm in frustration, rubbing her chest to calm her racing heart. "You scared me half to death!"  

    Lao Wang had once assured Shen Xuanqing that Lu Gu would surely conceive. Now that he had diagnosed the pregnancy, he was also delighted. He carefully explained dietary restrictions and precautions to them.  

    When leaving, Wei Lanxiang and Shen Xuanqing who had finally regained his senses, thanked him profusely. Once outside, the three returned home in high spirits.  

    After walking so much, with the old house at the village’s far end, Wei Lanxiang had Lu Gu rest at the new house first, she couldn’t risk jostling her grandchild. Fussing over him, she said, "You rest here. I’ll go back and get you some date cake. What would you like for lunch? I told Yan Yan to steam a bowl of egg custard for you."  

    As she spoke, she hurried toward the gate, as if eager to cover the distance home in just a few strides. Lu Gu and Shen Xuanqing found it both amusing and exasperating.  

    "Egg custard is fine," Lu Gu said, accepting the water bowl Shen Xuanqing handed him.  

    "Good, good," Wei Lanxiang replied cheerfully, already stepping outside.  

    The distant back gate was open, and Dahui and Guaizi were nowhere to be seen, only the two greyhounds and two pups were guarding the house. Shen Yaoqing had likely gone to fetch water from the river.  

    Sitting in the chair, Lu Gu sipped the warm water. When he looked up, he saw Shen Xuanqing standing dumbly before him.  

    Shen Xuanqing scratched his head twice, grinning like a fool. He opened his mouth to speak but only managed another silly laugh, saying nothing.  

    Seeing this, Lu Gu’s eyes also curved into a smile. He was still a bit dazed, his steps had felt unsteady the whole way back, and he didn’t quite understand how he’d gotten pregnant. Then it hit him, and he inwardly chided himself for being foolish. Shen Xuanqing was always dragging him into bed, of course it had happened at night.  

    Who would’ve thought Shen Xuanqing now looked even sillier than him?  

    With no one else around, the two locked eyes, both wearing irrepressible smiles. Shen Xuanqing couldn’t help himself, he suddenly scooped Lu Gu up by the waist.  

    "Ah!" Lu Gu gasped softly, water sloshing from the bowl in his hand.  

    If Wei Lanxiang had been there, she surely would’ve scolded Shen Xuanqing for his clumsiness. Of course, when he saw the water spill onto Lu Gu’s clothes, he hastily set him back on the chair, an uncharacteristically sheepish look on his face. Rubbing his hands, he crouched before Lu Gu.  

    Finally, he managed to speak, "Should you change?"  

    Lu Gu set the bowl on the ground and wiped his front with a handkerchief. "No need," he said. "The sun’s strong, it’ll dry soon."  

    The clothes had only been changed a couple of days ago. In winter, heating water and doing laundry was a hassle - fingers would turn red and swollen from the cold wind. It was just water, after all.  

    "Then what would you like to eat? Mother went to get date cake. Do you want honey water?" Shen Xuanqing asked, starting to rise for the honey jar. But halfway up, he couldn’t resist, he cupped the back of Lu Gu’s neck, pressing their foreheads together before nuzzling his cheek. His starry eyes brimmed with joy. "We’re going to have a baby too."  

    Overflowing with happiness, he planted a firm kiss on Lu Gu’s cheek before finally going to fetch the honey.  

    Sitting in the chair, Lu Gu blinked. Shen Xuanqing’s words suddenly eased a weight in his chest, he could give Shen Xuanqing a child. He wouldn’t be infertile.  

    Amid his joy, curiosity also stirred. He lowered his head, touching his belly, but felt nothing. Puzzled, he wondered, was there really something inside?   

Rebirth of the Useless Young Master’s Counterattack Chapter 47

Chapter 47: Initial Display of Ability  

Zhang Jin stepped past the young woman, who dared not stop him and could only glare angrily as they went upstairs.  

Even though she currently managed all affairs of the Zhang family, as long as Zhang Jin was home, this stepmother of his held no authority whatsoever.  

"Wuu... Wuu..." A faint sound of "mournful wailing" came from the last room on the second floor, carrying a trace of sorrow.  

"It's so eerie." As they walked slowly forward, Mu Lichuan could distinctly sense the chilling aura. Even in the sunlight, a cold draft lingered.  

The moment he uttered these words, Zhang Jin's eyes lit up. "Young Master Mu, you can feel it too?"  

He had once believed his mother's condition was due to shock, but later realized she would never "commit suicide." She cherished her life dearly, and as the one who doted on him the most, it made no sense for her to not even recognize him - let alone attempt to seek out other men. Had they not discovered it in time, the Zhang family would have been utterly disgraced.  

Though the Zhang family was insignificant in the capital, merely a minor clan in the eyes of the nobility, compared to ordinary people, they were still considered wealthy.  

"Zhang boy, let me tell you, my grandson here is far more capable than this old man." Mu Xiaoran seized the opportunity to boast. He could indeed sense something off about the surrounding air, understanding the source of this eerie chill. But whether the "patient" was possessed or afflicted by dark arts required seeing her in person.  

"Then let's see for ourselves." Zhang Jin was somewhat dismissive. In his view, the older the practitioner, the more powerful their Taoist arts should be.  

His trip to Longhu Mountain had been a shot in the dark. When he saw the grandfather and grandson sitting by the roadside, with the elder exuding an air of profound mystery despite lacking Taoist robes, he had resorted to desperate measures. Otherwise, his mother would have been sent to an asylum, making it near impossible for her to return.  

Mu Lichuan was sharp and knew the man doubted his abilities. Truthfully, he had no real skills, just a pair of Yin-Yang Eyes. As for the spatial secrets Xiao Mo mentioned, he intended to study related texts when he had time. For now, he had no choice but to try anything, as things couldn't get any worse.  

Zhang Jin led the way, instructing a maid to open the door. Inside, they saw a woman around fifty years old tied to a chair, a cloth stuffed in her mouth. "What is the meaning of this?" Zhang Jin demanded, his face darkening at the sight of his mother.  

The maid hurriedly explained, "Young Master, the new madam ordered it. She said the mistress's howling was too loud and disturbing, so..." Her words trailed off under Zhang Jin's furious gaze.  

Mu Lichuan watched as the young man rushed to the old woman, removing the cloth. Her eyes were filled with viciousness before she lowered her head and sank her teeth savagely into his hand.  

"Mother..." Even as blood welled on the back of his hand, Zhang Jin's tone remained gentle, reminding Mu Lichuan of his own mother.  

"Giggle..." The old woman showed no reaction, even licking the blood with her tongue.  

Zhang Jin used his uninjured hand to stroke his mother's hair gently. "Master Mu, what do you think?" Hope flickered in his eyes.  

He had invited many "masters" before, but all were frauds spouting nonsense, utterly useless in treating his mother's condition.  

The moment the door opened, Mu Lichuan activated his Yin-Yang Eyes. "She's possessed." Unlike the vague impression from last time, he now saw the malevolent spirit clearly, its ferocious form glaring back at him.  

Having lived through a past life and experienced many events in this one, Mu Lichuan felt no fear toward such ghosts. Even as it postured threateningly in his vision, he noted how the room was sealed—only lamplight inside, curtains drawn tight. Clearly, this ghost feared sunlight. He wondered why they had enclosed the space like this.  

At his words, Zhang Jin trembled, his face turning deathly pale. "Then... what can you do, Young Master Mu?" His voice shook slightly.  

Mu Lichuan had no solution himself, so he glanced at his grandfather, who said, "Given the setup, simply opening the curtains to let sunlight in should suffice."  

"To be honest, I tried that before, but it didn’t help at all. Instead, it caused her skin to rot." Zhang Jin's expression turned skeptical. Had he brought yet another pair of frauds? Were they just desperate paupers?  

Mu Xiaoran took out a talisman from his robe. "Place this on your mother’s body, then open the curtains." The rotting skin was because the vengeful ghost couldn’t leave the host.  

Though he was a cultivator, his close friend was from the Mo family, giving him deeper knowledge of metaphysics - especially regarding spirits. The talismans were gifts from said friend. To establish themselves in the capital, they needed to make connections.  

As for the Mu family of Chuan City, he didn’t know if it still existed. Now wasn’t the time to investigate. Fortunately, the surname Mu was common across Country C, so no one would link them to the Mu family of Chuan City.  

"If you don’t trust us, we’ll leave immediately." Mu Lichuan despised half-hearted believers. If you sought help, you should commit fully.  

Zhang Jin flushed with embarrassment. "My apologies, that was rude of me." He stepped back from his mother, who grew even more frenzied without the blood, snarling and howling unintelligibly.  

Taking the talisman, Zhang Jin placed it on his mother’s forehead. She thrashed violently, but the bindings held her fast.  

"Rest assured, we wouldn’t suggest this if we weren’t certain." In Mu Xiaoran’s view, the capital should have many capable individuals. How could a mere ghost run amok? Then again, true experts likely couldn’t be bothered with such trivial matters, focused instead on cultivation.  

Steeling himself, Zhang Jin threw open the curtains.  

"Ah—! Ah—!" The old woman screamed as if her heart were being torn out. Wisps of vapor rose from her, but her skin showed no signs of rotting, easing Zhang Jin’s fears.  

Within ten minutes, the vapor dissipated completely. Though pale, the woman’s eyes regained clarity. "Jin'er?" Her voice was weak, but to Zhang Jin, it was the sweetest sound.  

"Mother!" Tears welled in his eyes. Exchanging a glance, Mu Lichuan and his grandfather quietly withdrew, leaving the family to their reunion.  

After weeping for a while, Zhang Jin realized the two masters had left and cursed his rudeness. After ensuring his mother freshened up, he rushed out and caught them at the villa’s gate. "Masters, please wait!" His voice brimmed with reverence.  

Mu Xiaoran paused. Truthfully, what they needed most right now was money, everything else they carried with them.  

"Though I know material things mean little to you, please accept this token of gratitude." Zhang Jin hastily offered a bank card. "The PIN is six eights." This was originally meant for his mother’s treatment.  

Mu Lichuan accepted it with a smile. "Thank you." His ID had survived the spatial displacement, simplifying matters.  

"No, I should be the one thanking you." Zhang Jin bowed. Masters had eccentric preferences, best not to speculate.  

At the bank, Mu Lichuan used his ID to open an account and transferred the funds from Zhang Jin’s card. A mere million, but it was a lifesaver for them.  

"Grandfather, it’s late. Let’s find a hotel." Plans could wait. He was grateful banks operated 24/7—otherwise, this late-night errand would’ve been troublesome.  

Mu Xiaoran agreed. After a good meal and new clothes (since they only had what they wore), exhaustion claimed them. They slept until noon the next day.  

"Grandfather, rest here. I’ll look for a place." Hotels weren’t a long-term solution.  

Mu Xiaoran nodded approvingly. To him, Mu Lichuan had matured overnight—handling matters more steadily than even his own grandson, Mu Changnian.  

Familiar with the capital, Mu Lichuan had managed everything smoothly last night. Finding a house should be straightforward.  

"That’s him! Get him!" A group armed with clubs charged before he could react.  

Mu Lichuan’s eyes turned icy. Did they think he was just a 15-year-old boy? Even after rebirth, he’d kept up the martial skills from his past life.  

Transmigrated As Cannon Fodder To Marry Chapter 99 Part 2

      2) Fifth Prince × Yin Feifei  

    In his first year on the throne, the new Emperor accomplished much. His decisive methods starkly contrasted his refined demeanor. With the help of the sixth prince, Yue Heng (now Heng Wang), he consolidated power, leaving no official daring to neglect their duties.

    Competent officials were rewarded, while the mediocre eyed the Emperor’s empty harem as their path to advancement.  

    Before the mourning period for the late Emperor had even ended, someone proposed selecting concubines to serve the new Emperor. Since the concubines weren’t empresses, it wouldn’t violate propriety.  

    But the Emperor refused. Not only that, he demoted the proposer on the spot, banishing him to his hometown with no chance of return.  

    The warning worked. No one dared mention filling the harem during the mourning period again.  

    This frustrated many officials banking on female relatives for influence. The moment mourning ended, memorials flooded the Emperor’s desk, urging him to welcome an empress and select concubines to secure the imperial lineage. For days, the pile grew.  

    Some even coveted the empress’s position, unwilling to let Yin Feifei take the role, insisting she join the selection while another was chosen as empress.  

    After weeks of debate, the Emperor relented, he would marry the daughter of the Yin family, but only her. The harem would have just one empress.  

    The officials balked. This Emperor, ruthless in policy and shameless in negotiation, declared that without their agreement, he wouldn’t marry at all - he saw little value in women, especially a crowded harem.  

    The officials recalled the Emperor's mother, now Empress Dowager, who had suffered because of her lowly position, likely shaping his disdain for harems. Those hoping to persuade him through her gave up.  

    After more haggling, the officials conceded, not that they had a choice. If the Emperor refused, they couldn’t force women into his harem without sharing the demoted official’s fate.  

    They consoled themselves: the Emperor was young. Once he tired of the empress, he’d surely desire fresh faces and more sons. Then would be their chance.  

    The Emperor didn’t care. His goal was achieved.  

    On an auspicious day, the grand imperial wedding took place, accompanied by schemes to disrupt it.  

    The last remaining antagonist, the former crown prince, simmered with resentment. The new Emperor had stolen his throne and his woman.  

    Somehow, rumors spread that marrying Yin Feifei was the key to the throne. Jiang Lin even thought that someone had eavesdropped when he’d said as much to Wei Yunzhao.

    The rumors’ origin was unclear, but they drove the former crown prince to ally with old supporters, plotting to kill the Emperor and seize the bride.  

    To ensure his fifth brother’s smooth wedding, Yue Heng intercepted the troublemaker.  

    Unlike his brothers, the former crown prince held little standing with the new Emperor, granted only the title of Ping Junwang - hardly illustrious.  

[Commandery Prince (郡王, Jùnwáng): lower than Prince (亲王, Qīnwáng); typically for lesser imperial relatives or meritorious officials]

    His residence was the fifth prince’s old, modest estate, a far cry from the Eastern Palace. His initial fury had been futile, he was no longer crown prince.  

    Now, he channeled that rage into assassinating the Emperor during the wedding and stealing the bride.  

    Yet most of his forces fell to Yue Heng before they even began.  

    Learning of Yue Heng’s plan to confront Ping Junwang, Jiang Lin dragged Wei Yunzhao along - partly for the spectacle, partly to settle their own score.  

    Jiang Lin wanted answers: Why had Ye Momo tried to force him to sleep with Wei Yunzhao on their wedding night? Before dying, she’d mouthed two words "Crown Prince," now Ping Junwang.  

    Chaos erupted in the Ping Junwang's residence as Yue Heng’s men surrounded it. Jiang Lin and Wei Yunzhao headed inside.  

    The system’s poison was potent. Even a small dose left Ping Junwang writhing in agony. No physician could cure it, only costly medicines dulled the pain.  

    They found him clutching his stomach in bed, pale-faced, speaking to subordinates. Yue Heng tossed the men out, shut the door, and sat opposite the bed, watching coldly.  

    “Still causing trouble? Seems the pain isn’t enough.”  

    Ping Junwang glared fearfully. “What do you want? If this crown prince die, word will spread of your regicide! Sixth Brother, you don’t want that stain on your name!”  

    Yue Heng smirked. “‘This crown prince’? The throne has a new owner. Or do you mean to be Fifth Brother’s son?”  

    Jiang Lin snorted, Yue Heng’s tongue was sharper than his.  

    “Nonsense! I'm the crown prince, the rightful heir! Yue Cheng is nothing! I’ll kill him and all of you!”  

    “Delusional,” Jiang Lin muttered, leaning on Wei Yunzhao.  

    Yue Heng wasn’t here to chat. He produced the remaining poison. “Don’t worry, I won’t kill you. You’re right, I value my reputation. I’ll just ensure you writhe in pain, bedridden for life.”  

    Mixing the powder with water, he moved to force it down the Ping Junwang's throat. Ping Junwang thrashed.  

    Jiang Lin seized the moment. “Answer one question, and I’ll persuade Heng Wang to go easy. Deal?”  

    Terrified, Ping Junwang nodded. “What do you want?”  

    “Back then, did you order a momo of the Wei family to force me to consummate my marriage with Wei Yunzhao? Why?”  

    It took Ping Junwang a moment to recall. “...Yes, of course to kill Wei Yunzhao. What other reason?”  

    Jiang Lin pressed, “Why would that kill him?”  

    Ping Junwang eyed the cup but caved as Yue Heng advanced. “You were drugged. Intercourse would’ve killed you both.”  

    Now Jiang Lin understood, the original Jiang Lin had been poisoned, explaining his transmigration. The spiritual water he’d drunk must have neutralized it.  

    Likely, the Jiang family - probably Jiang Jinyue had planted the poison.  

    “Last question, why Ye Momo?”  

    Ping Junwang sneered. “That jinx suggested it. If not for her, I wouldn’t be here.”  

    He refused to even name Jiang Jinyue, his hatred so deep.  

    Since being poisoned, he’d regretted reconnecting with Jiang Jinyue - the harbinger of his downfall.  

    With her involvement, it made sense. She’d known Ye Momo’s daughter was killed by Wei An, using it to manipulate her into acting.  

    But reminded of the stakes, Ye Momo had fled in fear.  

    Jiang Lin clapped. “Done, Heng Wang?”  

    Yue Heng forced the poison into Ping Junwang's mouth. “Even if you plead, I decide.”  

    Ping Junwang screamed as agony seized him.  

    Yue Heng observed coolly. “A lifetime of pain, watching everything he coveted slip away - my fifth brother revered, his marriage happy, while he rots helpless. Isn’t that worse than death?”  

    “And I’ll ensure he lives long enough to suffer it all.”  

    Jiang Lin noted Yue Heng’s hidden hatred - Ping Junwang had surely played a role in his past suffering.  

    “A fitting fate. Some fates are crueler than death.”  

    Outside, celebrations for the imperial wedding filled the streets with joy.  

    Jiang Lin took Wei Yunzhao’s hand. “Let’s go congratulate the Emperor on winning his beauty.”

    3) Sixth Prince × Su Qiao  

    The sixth prince’s love for a former huakui was common knowledge in the capital.  

    Once overlooked, his rise under Emperor Changde’s favor, his looks, bearing, and the Emperor’s regard drew attention.  

    Unmarried and previously too frail for concubines, he became a target for noble daughters eyeing his legal wife.  

    After establishing his estate, his movements were watched. Soon, it was known he frequented a shabby courtyard to visit a woman - Su Qiao, central to a recent murder case, formerly a huakui.  

    News of his infatuation spread, dashing many hopes.  

    Some, confident in their superiority, sought to compete.  

    Thus came the perfumed handkerchiefs, “accidental” encounters, and banquet invitations.  

[Perfumed handkerchiefs (香帕, xiāng pà) were often used in classical Chinese literature as tokens of romantic intrigue, exchanged secretly between lovers]

    Yet the sixth prince remained unmoved, devoted solely to Su Qiao, even bringing her into his estate.  

    Emperor Changde summoned him, but failed to dissuade him. Yue Heng’s determination only grew, deterring further advances.  

    Later, Su Qiao reclaimed her family name, and Yue Heng became Heng Wang. Still, their statuses diverged, with Su Qiao remaining in his estate unwed.  

    Yue Heng prepared everything for their marriage, awaiting only her word.  

    He attended Wei Yunzhao and Jiang Lin’s wedding, drank their toast.  

    Watched his fifth brother wed his empress, heard him speak of nothing else.  

    Even the Zhou and Du family’s good-for-nothings married before him.  

    Yet Su Qiao never asked him to marry her. The barrier between them seemed insurmountable. 

    So he waited, unmarried, just like her, holding onto the hope that someday things might change.

    Or perhaps never, so long as they were together.  

    Su Qiao hadn’t expected to linger with Yue Heng so long. Apart from formal marriage, they lived as an old married couple.  

    Once, she’d felt guilt, but Jiang Lin’s counsel dispelled it. She still called him “young madam,” who’d said:  

    “You love him no less than he loves you. Neither is trapped, you choose this.”  

    Su Qiao agreed.  

    Love, once tasted, was unforgettable—a lifetime’s devotion.  

    Years later, with the younger generation wed, Su Qiao made her decision:  

    “Some things I cannot forget. So let us linger thus, until the day our hearts grow cold.”  

    Yue Heng nodded in agreement, his eyes conveying conviction - words were unnecessary, he would let her understand.  

    Decades passed. Gray-haired, uncertain of tomorrow, Yue Heng made one request:  

    “Bury us together. On your stone, inscribe ‘Wife of Yue Heng.’ On mine, ‘Husband of Su Qiao.’”  

    At dusk, amid golden light, Su Qiao answered.  

    “Yes.”  

[I burst into tears while reading the part about Yue Heng and Su Qiao. Both had tragic pasts. They loved each other deeply, but insurmountable obstacles prevented them from marrying. Despite this, they remained devoted and faithful to each other until the end of their lives. Their love story is beautiful, yet heartbreakingly sad and poignant - brief, but leaving a lasting impact.]