Chapter 378 – Your family’s plum blossom is lost again (54)

“The matter has been made clear now, but I’m still angry. I don’t want to talk to you right now. Just go out first. Out!”

The little girl jumped off the bed and pushed Mu Ci, who had just stood up, toward the door.

Mu Ci saw that she really seemed a little flustered and annoyed. Since he had already achieved the result he was most satisfied with, he simply went along with her, allowing himself to be pushed out. Then, the door was slammed shut in front of him.

Mu Ci took a step back to avoid getting hit in the nose. He rubbed his nose but couldn’t help the smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Glancing at his watch, he eventually decided to head downstairs.

Lunch had just been prepared. When Yan Luzheng saw Mu Ci come down, looking positively radiant, with slightly reddened lips, his mouth twitched.

Suppressing his urge to punch someone, he gestured to the servants to delay serving the meals for a moment, then pointed at the seat across from him with a clear intention:

“You, come sit down. We need to have a proper talk.”

Mu Ci naturally knew what kind of reaction his current appearance would provoke from Yan Luzheng. He restrained the smile at his lips and walked over respectfully to take a seat.

“Grandpa Yan.”

“You sure took your sweet time upstairs, huh?”

—Did this brat even have any respect for his elders?

The girl upstairs, surnamed Yan, was only seventeen, and was his family’s precious little princess.

What exactly did this boy think he was doing? Was he planning a rebellion?

Jealousy tinged Yan Luzheng’s voice as his tone immediately turned hostile.

Mu Ci paused for a moment. But for the first time, he did not evade the topic. He met Yan Luzheng’s gaze head-on, his expression sincere.

“Grandpa Yan, I know everything you do is for Luoluo’s sake. But what I want to say is—maybe in the past, I wasn’t qualified to stand by her side. But now, that’s no longer the case. I hope you can give me a chance instead of rejecting me so quickly.”

Yan Luzheng was just about to snort coldly and question what capabilities this kid thought he had—when Mu Ci continued, his tone steady and resolute, carrying an undeniable certainty.

“No one is more suited for Luoluo than I am. No one can treat Luoluo better than I can.”

Yan Luzheng’s brows furrowed slightly. His fingers clenched as he stared at Mu Ci and finally asked, “And what exactly do you have to back up these words?”

Mu Ci’s eyes remained calm and unwavering.

There were some things that didn’t need to be laid bare for everyone to know. But at the very least, Yan Luzheng needed to have some awareness of his strength, so that Yan Luzheng wouldn’t become an obstacle in the future.

Besides, things were progressing very smoothly. Just a little more time, and everything that needed to end would come to an end.

Even the tiny glimpse he revealed was enough to leave Yan Luzheng, who had known nothing of it before, both shocked and doubtful.

—When had this kid, without making a sound, managed to stir up such a storm?

Of course, Mu Ci wasn’t just thinking about himself. There was also Lin Yixuan and the others. Although they planned to expose and destroy that laboratory, their origins had to remain a secret if they wanted to continue living peacefully.

Everyone involved—whether from that lab or the Mu family—would be dealt with. They couldn’t afford to leave anyone who might retaliate.

In the end, Mu Ci only told Old Master Yan one thing:

He was indeed the biological son of the Mu couple.

But his birth was never for himself.

He existed because of Mu Li—because Mu Li suffered from organ failure, and he was brought into this world as a living spare organ bank.

---

Chapter 377 – Your family’s plum blossom is lost again (53)

Everything Mu Ci said was much clearer and more detailed than what Wang Shi said. In addition, he kept defending himself, not giving Yan Luo a chance to speak. His childish and irritable mood made Yan Luo’s lips curl up.

—Well… he’s really kinda cute…

Her hand covered his cheek, moved up a little bit, across his eyelids, and wiped away the remaining crystal in the corner of his eyes.

Then she forced him to look up, and Mu Ci’s appearance was clearly reflected in her eyes.

Mu Ci looked at Yan Luo, and saw a faint smile on her lips, but it was not the smile just now. This smile was very clean and soft. Although he didn’t understand it very well, it made Mu Ci’s heart relax all of a sudden.

“‘Machine’ or something…” She raised her head slightly.

From this angle, Mu Ci could see her fair neck, the delicate collarbone going down, and the bright curve hidden under her clothes.

Mu Ci suddenly realized that they were too close to each other, and his Adam’s apple slid up and down, feeling a little hot.

“My Xiao Gege has always been a normal person in my heart…”

Mu Ci’s pupils shrank slightly, and he felt her warm touch gently touching his chin.

“I always believe in my Xiao Gege, I just want to hear my Xiao Gege tell me in person…” That he wasn’t only using her, that what that woman said were all false.

As long as he say it, Yan Luo will believe it.

After all, he’s the person who has been with her for more than ten years, comforted her on rainy days, and drove away those boys who wanted to attract her attention. Those actions have never been fake.

[*Ding*—Mu Ci’s blackening value -20 (39/100)]

The sound of the blackening value suddenly lowered a lot made Yan Luo breathe a sigh of relief. It seems that this is indeed the point he has been worried about but is unwilling to say. As long as she solves it, she believes that the subsequent blackening value will be completely fine.

Mu Ci did not react at this moment, just staring at Yan Luo in a daze, looking at her eyes, as if something was about to come out from the bottom of her eyes.

In the end, he pressed on her again, swallowing up the two people’s words.

However, Yan Luo was only seventeen years old, and there was Yan Luzheng below. Now even if Mu Ci was full of restlessness, he could only stop in the end. Finally, he controlled his breathing and buried his head in her neck. Thinking about his completely uncalm behavior just now, he exhaled slightly.

Just now, the little girl did not resist his actions at all. Once Mu Ci really realized his thoughts and understood what he wanted, he only needed a little thought to know his position in the little girl’s heart.

Originally, his personality was reckless and casual, but he always treated Yan Luo with a little childishness, and at this moment, he was even more clingy and unbearable.

Rubbing against Yan Luo, his voice seemed a little aggrieved, slightly hoarse, low and somewhat seductive, “So embarrassing.”

After struggling for a few times and failing to get away from him, Yan Luo blinked her eyes and watched him slightly raise his head and move closer, his eyes still red, “Luoluo, can you comfort me?”

His lips also moved closer, the meaning was very clear, and he wanted to kiss.

Yan Luo stared at him with her eyes wide open.

How could he be so childish and shameless?

Then she curled her lips and smiled, “Okay.”

The bright smile dazzled Mu Ci for a moment, and he was pushed under the bed by Yan Luo, watching the little girl sit up with messy hair and slightly untidy clothes.

---

Chapter 376 – Your family’s plum blossom is lost again (52)

Yan Luo swallowed hard, blinking her eyes. Somehow, she had just made the big boss of this dimension cry…

She was utterly panicked.

Perhaps Yan Luo had hit too hard. The always-composed Mu Ci was only just beginning to understand emotions—he was even more clueless than a child.

In an instant, he was frightened by Yan Luo, convinced she was about to abandon him.

He pressed her down beneath him, rambling on in a low voice.

For the first time, he explained everything clearly.

How he had discovered that laboratory, how he found his companions and built a vast underground empire.

Among all the test subjects who emerged from the lab, he was the most perfect one. Yet even he had genetic flaws, let alone the others.

They all harbored a deep-seated hatred for the laboratory that had used them as mere experiments, discarding them at will. They had long been plotting its downfall.

But what was their goal after destroying it? Even he didn’t know. He didn’t understand why he had been brought into this world through such inexplicable experiments, nor what he was supposed to do next.

Live like an ordinary person? He used to find the idea laughable. But now, he yearned for it more than anything.

If he were just an ordinary man, he wouldn’t be so clueless about emotions. He wouldn’t have cast aside the little Luoluo who was so dependent on him. He would have held onto her sooner, right? Instead of like this, helplessly awaiting her final verdict on whether he would live or die.

Only now had he finally understood what life was. A life with her—that was what truly mattered. But was he about to lose it already?

He refused.

He thought his past had already been absurd enough, his soul drifting from place to place. But he never expected that his future could be so easily controlled by one person. Just a few words from her lips could decide his fate—his life or death.

The softest touch, yet the most lethal.

“Luoluo…” He stubbornly refused to lift his head, pressing gentle kisses against her neck.

Her familiar milky scent lingered at his nose. Something kept falling from his eyes, but he didn’t care. He just curled himself into her warmth, unwilling to leave.

“I’ve never lied to you… I just wanted to be good to you. I don’t even know when it started. Clearly…”

Clearly, he had just begun to understand what emotions were. He was so close to grasping what he wanted. So close to burying the past forever.

So why did she have to come like this at this moment?

Why did she have to tear everything open in a way he never saw coming?

Things had come to this point, yet he was too clumsy to find the right words to salvage it. All he knew was—he would never let her go.

He would stake everything on it.

At the very least, she had to know—meeting her had been pure coincidence. He had merely recognized her. He had never intended to use the Yan family for personal gain. And even less so her.

There were so many things he wanted to say. Yet in the end, he could only bury himself in her embrace like a child, feeling utterly wronged.

How had things ended up like this?

Will she abandon him, because he was different, because he was not like others?

He wouldn’t allow it.

Even if he had to rob, even if he had to take by force—he would never let her…

Let go of his hand…

Dark waves surged in his eyes, shadowy emotions spreading.

Just then, a cool little hand touched his cheek.

---

Chapter 375 – Your family’s plum blossom is lost again (51)

Even the slightest mistake could put Mu Ci’s life and death in the other party’s hands.

With such a truth, would she truly accept him? Did she really understand, truly know? Or had she only grasped some other part of the story?

Mu Ci stared at her stubbornly, his gaze deep and unwavering.

Yet, within him, an uncontrollable emotion surged.

In his understanding, that emotion seemed to have a name—fear.

“Xiao Gege, I’m a little tired. I want to rest now.”

In the end, Yan Luo merely pressed her lips together and spoke these words, raising a hand to push against Mu Ci’s body. Her tone indeed carried a trace of exhaustion.

Panic shot up to its peak in his heart. Of course, Mu Ci would not let go.

Instead, he firmly clasped the hand that had tried to push him away, pulling her back into his embrace with force. Then, taking advantage of his absolute height advantage, he lifted her up, half-carrying her into the room.

“What are you doing? Let go of me!”

Yan Luo was stunned. Her dangling feet kicked about in protest, and she angrily slapped at Mu Ci’s shoulders.

Mu Ci completely ignored her struggles. Entering the room, he pressed her directly onto the soft bed.

Then, he leaned in, so close that Yan Luo could see the length of his eyelashes clearly.

This person was truly too good-looking—his thin lips always carried a hint of a roguish smile. Even though his eyes revealed little emotion, they still had an inexplicable allure.

He pressed down on her stubbornly, this tall figure seeming as though he wanted to curl up into her embrace.

Aggrieved, yet carrying a trace of restlessness.

On him, such behavior should have felt childish, yet somehow, it was inexplicably endearing.

Realizing that struggling was futile, Yan Luo gave up and met his gaze.

Her large eyes were bright and clear, beautiful like the stars in the sky.

Looking at his stubborn and persistent eyes, she finally let out a soft sigh.

“Then, Xiao Gege, can you tell me about the lab, the artificial humans, and… how you have no emotions?”

With every word Yan Luo spoke, Mu Ci’s pupils contracted slightly. By the time she uttered the phrase ‘no emotions,’ his expression dimmed, as though something had come to mind.

At last, he could no longer hold back. He lowered his head abruptly, seeking her lips.

Sensing her attempt to evade him, his once-gentle demeanor suddenly turned fierce. He seized her lips, no longer careful as before, but aggressively drawing in her sweetness.

A few deep breaths later, Yan Luo found herself struggling to breathe. She clenched her eyes shut, her small chest rising and falling rapidly.

Then, something cool landed on her face.

Startled, Yan Luo’s eyes snapped open—only to meet a pair of exquisite eyes, so close, shimmering with crystal-like tears.

She blinked in surprise.

Why was he crying?

Yet, she had no control over the situation. Her breath was still tangled with his, rising and falling with him.

She didn’t know how much time had passed. Just as she was about to lose consciousness from his relentless kisses, Mu Ci finally pulled away slightly.

His dark, beautiful eyes were clear yet tinged with a faint redness.

His emotions seemed cold and composed, yet tiny, cool teardrops continued to fall onto her face.

“Luoluo…”

His voice was the same as always, yet now, it carried a hoarseness, a hint of grievance.

His gaze bore into her, as if desperate for her to see his true heart.

---

Chapter 374 – Your family’s plum blossom is lost again (50)

Mu Ci had originally been contemplating how to question the little girl about what exactly Zhou Zhuo was to her, but at that moment, he was stunned. He lowered his gaze to look into her eyes.

Her eyes were clear, as if she were simply asking a question.

Was he really not going to say anything? Did he think it was okay?

He hadn’t explained anything. Was he thinking how much Wang Shi had told her, or thinking about what he should say?

After everything that had happened that morning, after learning his true identity, after realizing that he was the only one who had sensed something was wrong and had started searching for her so early—she didn’t believe for a second that Mu Ci would simply accept that she had only gone out to buy things.

Or did he think there was no need to explain? No need to talk about the lab, the artificial humans… or the fact that he had no emotions?

Was saying nothing really enough? If he had no emotions, then why did he keep drawing her in? Why did he do things that made people misunderstand?

Yan Luo’s hand, which was pressed against Mu Ci’s chest, unconsciously tightened.

Her voice was so soft, so gentle, so sweet—yet it made Mu Ci’s body stiffen slightly.

He looked at her expression, but she had already lowered her head, hiding her thoughts from him.

She exerted a little force, trying to break free from Mu Ci’s embrace.

Mu Ci pressed his lips together stubbornly, unwilling to let go.

When she couldn’t struggle free no matter what, Yan Luo eventually grew tired and let her hands drop slowly.

“I understand now.”

Since nothing had ever begun, then it didn’t matter. Her gaze lowered slightly, her voice carrying a hint of dejection. It sounded as though she was speaking to herself, yet at the same time, it felt like a declaration as she lifted her head to look at him. A faint smile played at her lips, but her eyes were dim.

“You will always just be my Xiao Gege.”

Just a brother, nothing more. That would never change.

But that wasn’t true. It shouldn’t be like this…

Mu Ci clenched his teeth.

If he was just her brother, then did that mean she wanted to be with that bastard Zhou Zhuo instead?

—You are mine…

His hands tightened, gripping so hard as if he wanted to hold onto something that was slipping away. A silent protest—why must you be taken away from me?

But the little girl gave him no response.

Mu Ci had never experienced this kind of reaction from Yan Luo before, and for the first time, panic set in.

All he could think about was holding her even tighter, yet beyond that, he had no idea what to do.

How was he supposed to handle this?

What could he do to make sure that he was the only one in her eyes?

Would locking her away, trapping her in his arms… be enough?

His mind raced.

In the end, all he could do was force out a dry, uncertain voice, like a stubborn child, lost and helpless.

“Luoluo… what do you want to know?”

Yan Luo didn’t respond. She lowered her head again, refusing to look at him.

The two of them were so close, their breaths practically intertwined, and yet, they felt so far apart.

So far that Mu Ci had no idea what she was thinking at that moment.

Determined, he lifted a hand and gently raised her chin, lowering his head so their eyes met. He stared into her gaze, unwilling to let her escape.

—What do you want to know? What have you already figured out?

For the first time, Mu Ci felt utterly helpless. He wanted to tell her everything, to lay it all bare.

But he couldn’t.

The lab, the artificial humans, the underground empire…

No matter which truth he revealed, it would all be too horrifying.

And how was he supposed to tell his little girl…

That the Xiao Gege she had always depended on and trusted was nothing more than a research subject in a lab? That he wasn’t even designed to have emotions?

That the only difference between a machine and a human was the capacity for feelings?

And in the end, he was just a special kind of machine—one with flesh and blood, but nothing more.

---

Chapter 373 – Your family’s plum blossom is lost again (49)

After everything that had happened recently, combined with today’s stormy weather, Yan Luzheng decided to let Yan Luo rest for a couple more days.

Watching Mu Ci step in right behind Yan Luo without saying much, he Luzheng didn’t comment either.

The reason Yan Luzheng had spoken to Mu Ci previously was because Mu Ci himself didn’t understand what he truly felt.

After spending enough time with him, one would realize that although he seemed like someone with a strong personality, he actually reacted to everything with indifference. No matter what happened around him, nothing seemed to catch his attention.

Except for Yan Luo, only she could stir the emotions in his eyes.

Old Master Yan couldn’t uncover what Mu Ci was hiding. In fact, Mu Ci’s behavior was so perfectly normal that it made Old Master Yan unsure if he was hiding anything at all. But one thing was clear. Regardless of the truth, things couldn’t continue this way between the two of them.

One was diving in headfirst, while the other seemed indifferent. Sooner or later, it would cause problems. Just like now, Old Master Yan could clearly sense that Yan Luo didn’t reject Zhou Zhuo the way she did with other strangers.

Perhaps it was the stormy weather, and Zhou Zhuo has given her a sense of security, causing her to develop a faint sense of goodwill toward him.

But for Mu Ci, this was definitely not good news.

After all, he was no longer the only one in Yan Luo’s world.

Yan Luzheng sighed as he watched the two enter the house.

If Mu Ci could sincerely care for Yan Luo and ensure her happiness, then even if he was utterly hopeless otherwise, the Yan family would still support him. But if he couldn’t…

A deep, unreadable look flashed through Yan Luzheng’s eyes. But thinking too much about it now was useless, the most important thing was what their little princess wanted.

He turned and entered the house. By then, Yan Luo and Mu Ci had already disappeared from sight. Glancing upstairs, he decided not to interfere in their matters.

If Mu Ci could figure things out, that would be best. It wasn’t too late yet. Though, no matter who ended up taking care of their little princess for the rest of her life, Yan Luzheng wasn’t going to be happy about it.

With a sigh, Yan Luzheng took the tea offered by a servant and sipped it moodily.

---

Meanwhile, Mu Ci followed Yan Luo upstairs.

The little one clearly knew he was right behind her, yet she stubbornly refused to look back at him.

She stomped her way to her room, opened the door, and was about to shut it.

If Mu Ci still couldn’t tell she was angry, he’d have to be a fool.

He quickly took two steps forward, naturally refusing to let her close the door on him.

But when she tried to slam it shut, it was abruptly blocked by something.

A muffled grunt followed.

Yan Luo instinctively yanked the door open and peeked out. “Xiao Gege, are you okay—”

Before she could finish, a certain someone, who had been waiting for this moment, pulled her straight into his arms.

The world spun, and in the next second, Mu Ci was inside her room. Before Yan Luo could even react, he smoothly shut the door behind him.

With a faint *click,* the lock engaged.

Apart from the gentle patter of rain outside, the room instantly fell into a heavy silence.

In that quietness, Yan Luo could only hear his breathing and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

Yet, he said nothing.

He simply held her in his arms.

Yan Luo hesitated at first, waiting for a moment before finally looking up.

Her clear eyes locked onto him, unwavering.

Then, in a soft yet subtly complex voice, she whispered near his ear—

“Xiao Gege, don’t you have anything to explain to me?”

---

Chapter 372 – Your family’s plum blossom is lost again (48)

“Grandpa Yan, Luoluo.” Mu Ci approached and spoke.

His voice was somewhat gloomy, unable to conceal the agitation in his heart.

Why were there suddenly someone else here? Why couldn’t her eyes be on him alone?

Luoluo, be good, don’t make him angry… okay? He was afraid that if he lost control, he might hurt her…

His emotions were too obvious. Not only did Yan Luzheng quickly notice, but even Zhou Zhuo, who had been silently standing nearby, slightly raised his eyebrows.

It seemed he had heard that the eldest daughter of the Yan family had a childhood friend who grew up with her. Was it this person standing before him?

This hostile emotion…

Mu Ci walked directly to Yan Luo’s side. Seeing that the little girl was keeping a noticeable distance from Zhou Zhuo, his heart calmed down slightly. Then, he noticed Yan Luo glance up at him before quickly lowering her head again, as if something had crossed her mind.

His heart tightened slightly.

Though highly intelligent, when it came to Yan Luo, Mu Ci was like a child with his favorite toy—easily unsettled by the slightest upset, clumsily fuming in his heart.

Especially after realizing that the girl he thought was entirely within his grasp could fly away at any moment, his unease and helplessness became even more apparent.

Combining her disappearance for the whole morning with Wang Shi’s situation, Mu Ci could vaguely piece together a connection—or rather, it was likely Wang Shi’s doing.

And if she was capable of such things, she must also know something. So, what did she say to Luoluo?

“I was just about to send someone to inform you. Luoluo got lost but has already been brought back,” Yan Luzheng responded, then looked at his precious granddaughter with a helpless expression.

Faced with Yan Luo’s complete lack of a sense of direction, getting lost every time she went out, he was speechless.

Then, his gaze shifted to Zhou Zhuo, a glimmer of admiration flashing through his eyes.

So young, yet already so calm and composed… Suddenly, Yan Luzheng paused, a sense of déjà vu washing over him.

His eyes moved to Mu Ci standing beside him. Mu Ci’s gaze was locked onto Yan Luo, completely unaware of Yan Luzheng’s scrutiny.

Come to think of it, the first time he met Mu Ci, he had a similar impression.

Looking at Mu Ci’s expression and Yan Luo’s demeanor—the deep possessiveness hidden in those heavy eyes—Yan Luzheng slightly raised an eyebrow before letting out a soft sigh. He then turned his attention back to Zhou Zhuo.

“Zhou Zhuo, is it? I was just discussing you with your Grandpa recently. He mentioned that your name was chosen from the <Classic of Poetry¹>, carrying his expectations for you. Now that I see you today, it seems he chose well.”

‘There is a noble gentleman, refined like jade, polished and shaped².’

Mu Ci : Ha, *spits*!

Filled with displeasure, he finally turned his attention to the person beside him.

One look and his agitation grew even harder to suppress.

Not bad-looking, tall and lean, with a smile on his face, reminding Mu Ci instantly of that dream he once had.

He wanted to hit someone.

This level of agitation was something Yan Luzheng had never seen from Mu Ci before, especially with such a clear target.

His eyes flashed with contemplation, but in the end, he merely had Yan Luo thank Zhou Zhuo before sending Zhou Zhuo off.

Mu Ci stood silently to the side the entire time. Yan Luo stole several glances at him but couldn’t discern his thoughts. Even his blackening value remained unchanged.

She pursed her lips slightly, said a word to Grandpa Yan, and turned to head inside, completely ignoring Mu Ci.

---

1. The Shijing (诗经) is the oldest existing collection of Chinese poetry. It’s one of the Five Classics of Confucianism and holds immense cultural, historical, and literary significance in China. ↩︎
2. 有匪君子，如切如磋，如琢如磨 (Yǒu fěi jūnzǐ, Rú qiē rú cuō, Rú zhuó rú mó) is a famous line of the Shijing (Classic of Poetry). It describes a gentleman whose character is not innate but is actively and continuously cultivated and perfected through diligent effort, learning, and moral practice. Zhou Zhuo’s name Zhuo (琢 zhuó) is taken from the third part, and in itself meaning to chisel/carve (a jade). Presumably, the name was given in hopes that the child would continue to chisel (improve) himself to posses inner virtue and moral excellence, striving to become a gentleman as noble as the jade. ↩︎

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Chapter 371 – Your family’s plum blossom is lost again (47)

At this moment, the restless unease in his heart, which was something he had never experienced before, made it abundantly clear to Mu Ci just what Yan Luo meant to him.

She was water, she was air, she was the only person who could make him truly understand what it meant to feel fear. She was also the only one who could teach him what emotions really were.

—So, Luoluo, don’t let anything happen to you.
Xiao Gege is coming to find you soon and will take you home, just like before.
Alright?

His phone buzzed incessantly, but it wasn’t a call. It was a message from Lin Yixuan.

Through hacking into surveillance cameras, Lin Yixuan had finally located Wang Shi in a small alley not far from the school. Her mental state seemed unstable.

Mu Ci’s eyes darkened as his lips pressed into a thin line. He took a step forward, anger simmering in his gaze, laced with a fear he barely acknowledged.

Wang Shi had been found… but where was his Luoluo?

Just a few minutes later, another message from Lin Yixuan arrived.

Yan Luo had been found.

She was on her way home.

Mu Ci’s pupils contracted slightly. His mind didn’t have time to process the relief. His body had already turned around, heading straight for the Yan residence.

Meanwhile, in his workspace, Lin Yixuan sat at his desk, frowning as he twirled a pen between his fingers, eyes fixed on his computer screen.

After searching for so long, they had finally found her, and she was unharmed. That was definitely something to celebrate. But…

On the surveillance feed before him, the Yan Luo they had been frantically looking for was walking under an umbrella with another man. Though there was no audio, the atmosphere between them seemed amicable.

Lin Yixuan hesitated for a long time before deciding against calling Mu Ci. Instead, he cautiously drafted two text messages and sent them to the boss.

Then, he clicked his tongue as he watched the man nonchalantly keeping close to their little Yan Luo.

That guy sure had guts. But once the boss saw this, would he lose his mind?

Lin Yixuan’s mouth twitched slightly. He had known Mu Ci since childhood, and that man had always been indifferent to everything.

Because Mu Ci, lacked emotions, all his joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness were mere facades. Deep down, he simply didn’t care.

His only goal had been to escape the laboratory’s control, and he had used every possible means to achieve that.

Most of the time, no matter how much trouble they caused, it didn’t matter to him. But when it came to Yan Luo…

Mu Ci’s emotions, though weak, did exist. They weren’t just an act. He simply wasn’t aware of them himself.

As subordinates, as friends, as fellow survivors who had also suffered under that laboratory but were ultimately freed by him, Lin Yixuan and the others all harbored the same hope—that Yan Luo could help Mu Ci truly understand what emotions were.

And it was working.

Mu Ci might not have realized it yet, but in front of Yan Luo, he was no longer his usual calm and collected self. He actually displayed irritation—an emotion that should have been foreign to him. But now…

Lin Yixuan glanced at the boss’s location, then at Yan Luo’s.

Wasn’t this just asking for trouble?

Oh well, here we go. Direct confrontation.

Mu Ci had hurried home, completely unprepared for the sight that awaited him.

His little girl was standing there, a faint, shy smile on her lips. Next to her was another young man.

And right in front of them was Yan Luzheng, who had also been searching for Yan Luo.

Calm down… Right now, whether in Yan Luo’s heart or Old Master Yan’s, his position was already somewhat unfavorable. He needed to stay calm…

Mu Ci’s fingers tightened slightly. He pressed his lips together, forcibly suppressing the fire raging within him, and walked forward—appearing perfectly composed.

---

Chapter 370 – Your family’s plum blossom is lost again (46)

Zhou Zhuo stretched out his hand and handed over the light blue umbrella.

Yan Luo’s lips twitched slightly. She understood that, due to the power of that pseudo-system, this world had automatically corrected her disappearance as simply going out to buy something and not returning.

It sounded a bit far-fetched, but given that strange force, no one else seemed to find it odd.

Looking at the umbrella being handed to her, Yan Luo lowered her head and didn’t take it.

Zhou Zhuo paused slightly, raising an eyebrow. “What’s wrong?”

“Um…” The girl’s gaze wavered for a moment before she looked up at him. “The way back…”

Yan Luo : How do I tell him that I have a poor sense of direction and can’t find my way home?

Zhou Zhuo hesitated for only a moment before realizing what was going on. He recalled hearing rumors that the eldest daughter of the Yan family had a terrible sense of direction.

And this place was indeed somewhat remote…

Could she have gotten lost?

Zhou Zhuo raised an eyebrow, curling his lips into a smile. After a brief moment of hesitation, he said, “If it’s not too much trouble, I can walk you home.”

—No, no, no! If he sends me home and runs into our blackening male god in our family, what then?

Yan Luo thought this instinctively, then blinked as her eyes lit up. She sized up Zhou Zhuo.

Oh, wasn’t she just thinking about giving Mu Ci a little… stimulation?

And now, the opportunity had presented itself.

In the end, she nodded in agreement.

The school wasn’t far from here. Though Yan Luo and Mu Ci were usually driven to and from school, the actual walking distance was only about twenty minutes.

---

The rain continued to fall, pattering down. Mu Ci stood there without an umbrella, his features cold and sharp, an air of hostility lingering around him.

His hands clenched and unclenched, his eyes dark with a violent edge.

He had arrived at school early in the morning, but Yan Luo was nowhere to be seen. He heard she had been sent out to buy something, and at first, he hadn’t doubted it in the slightest.

It wasn’t until after the first class that he suddenly realized something was off.

When he asked the teacher, their response was vague and evasive.

He went to Lin Yixuan to check the nearby surveillance footage.

But strangely, there was no sign of his little girl anywhere. And only then did he notice, the transfer student was also missing.

Thinking back to the report Lin Yixuan had given him, he realized that their reactions now mirrored those of the people who had been around Wang Shi.

Wang Shi had changed drastically in such a short time, yet no one around her had found it strange.

He should have known better. He shouldn’t have let them play around with Wang Shi yesterday. He should have removed this hidden threat completely.

Now, Luoluo alone left with that woman. Who knew what might happen…

But the more anxious he became, the more helpless he felt.

For the first time, Mu Ci experienced this kind of feeling.

Frustration built up inside him, yet all he could do was wander aimlessly. The unease in his heart grew stronger by the second.

Eventually, he came to a stop, his lips pressed tightly together. His wet hair clung to his forehead, partially obscuring his eyes.

His fingers clenched even tighter. Hours had passed, and still, there was no news. The rolling thunder in the sky only made his heart clench tighter.

—Luoluo, stop messing around. I still have things to tell you properly.
—It’s thundering so loud now. Without Xiao Gege by your side, aren’t you scared…?

But the more he thought about it, the more lost he felt.

Finally, he lashed out, kicking a rock nearby with force, cursing under his breath.

Yet, the frustration inside him remained completely unresolved.

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Chapter 369 – Your family’s plum blossom is lost again (45)

The sky was overcast, making it impossible to tell what time it was. However, the rain that had yet to fall earlier in the morning had now started drizzling steadily.

The rumbling thunder sent a slight tremor through Yan Luo’s hands.

This was definitely the most unfortunate dimension she had encountered. Whatever she feared always seemed to come true.

And… where exactly was this place?

Where on earth had that pseudo-system dumped her to?

How was someone with no sense of direction supposed to survive like this?

As the thunderstorm rumbled on, the rain suddenly intensified.

Yan Luo hurried forward, looking for a place to take shelter, but no matter how fast she walked, she couldn’t outrun the downpour.

Within just a few steps, the drizzle had turned into a torrential rainstorm, and the downpour only grew heavier. In mere moments, she was drenched to the bone.

Her hair clung messily to her face, and her school uniform was soaked through. Finally, she managed to escape the desolate area and found shelter under the eaves of a small shop.

Anxiety still lingered in her chest as she narrowed her eyes, scanning the completely unfamiliar surroundings before sighing.

This situation felt oddly familiar.

“Little Pink, Wang Shi just teleported me out like that, making us disappear out of nowhere. Is that going to be a problem?” She really didn’t want to clean up another mess right after dealing with Wang Shi.

[No worries, Dear Host. That pseudo-system has some power. It must’ve created a reasonable explanation for everyone around you based on your circumstances.]

That was reassuring.

Yan Luo nodded slightly and looked up at the gloomy sky. Glancing at the clock hanging inside the small shop, she was surprised to see it was already past eleven.

It seemed that time inside the barrier the pseudo-system had set up flowed differently from the outside world.

Just as she was thinking about this, her face paled slightly. She reached out to touch the raindrops falling beyond the eaves.

The rain had come quickly and left just as fast. The downpour gradually weakened, and the thunder had ceased. The soft patter of rain was now soothing to the ears.

“You are… the eldest daughter of the Yan family?”

A voice suddenly sounded beside her, making Yan Luo instinctively turn her head.

A young man wearing the same school uniform as her stood in the rain, holding an umbrella. He had paused mid-step, his voice carrying a hint of uncertainty.

He was handsome, though not in the striking and flamboyant way of Mu Ci. His features were gentle, free of any oppressive aura—like a figure walking straight out of a traditional ink painting, calm and elegant.

Handsome indeed, but… she had never seen him before.

Yan Luo blinked. “Um, and you are?”

A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, but he soon smiled warmly and stepped forward. “My name is Zhou Zhuo. I’ve seen you before at some of the Yan family’s events.”

Yan family events? Then his family was probably one of their business partners.

Yan Luo nodded as he continued, “I heard that earlier, a teacher asked you to buy some supplies for the class, but you never returned all morning. A lot of people at school have been looking for you and were really worried. That’s when I heard about it. I never expected to run into you here. My home is nearby, and since the rain has eased, you can take this umbrella and head home.”

Zhou Zhuo smiled with warmth and refinement. He seemed to be a grade above Yan Luo. She had never seen or heard of him before, but he was tall and lean, exuding a gentle, composed presence.

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