Unable to resist Xia Lun's gracious invitation, Moke ultimately decided to stay the night in the magnificent manor after dinner.
Your manor is truly impressive, Moke sincerely sighed in admiration as he looked around the lavishly decorated hall. I never expected you to become a grand noble, Xia Lun.
Xia Lun merely offered a faint smile and said nothing.
No wonder you disbanded our party back then and went to fight the Demon Lord all by yourself. You just wanted to hog all the credit. Moke playfully punched Xia Lun's shoulder.
Moke was obviously joking.
Everyone knew that Xia Lun had disbanded the party back then for the sake of their safety.
After all, Xia Lun hadn't even brought Aina along.
If you like it, why don't you bring Shila and move in here? Xia Lun suggested. It would be a great thing to have some company.
Forget it, I've already gotten used to living over there... Although the climate is a bit worse, there's plenty of scenery you can't see anywhere else. Next time you have the time, bring Aina and come visit us, Moke invited.
There will be a chance, Xia Lun nodded in agreement.
At this moment, a maid slowly walked over, pushing a silver dining cart laden with exquisite tea and pastries.
Xia Lun naturally stood up to help.
Master Xia Lun... please sit. Do not trouble yourself.
It's fine, I'll do it. I have nothing else to do anyway, Xia Lun smiled.
Moke noticed that one of the maid's sleeves was empty; she had lost an arm.
Other than Xia Lun, there was probably no one else who would be willing to hire a disabled person like her for work.
I truly... don't know how to thank you, Master Xia Lun... for being willing to take in me and my daughter.
The maid bowed slightly, her sallow, rough face filled with gratitude and humility. The weathering of time and the heavy burdens of life made her look far older than her actual age of early thirties.
I am crippled and of little use... When Eni grows up, I will definitely make her work like a horse to serve you well, Master Xia Lun, the maid couldn't help but sigh.
Eni was her daughter.
She and her daughter had been captured by human traffickers and were almost sold into slavery... Her husband was killed while resisting, and she lost an arm trying to protect her daughter. It was Xia Lun, who happened to be passing by, who saved them and took them in to work here.
Don't say such things. Your daughter has her own life; she shouldn't be bound by us or by gratitude, Xia Lun shook his head.
Yes, yes, whatever you say, Master Xia Lun... Then I will teach Eni well when I get back, so she can take care of Young Master Aise in the future... the maid quickly corrected herself, her smile growing even more humble.
Xia Lun frowned slightly but did not say anything further.
...
Young Master Aise.
Aise turned around and looked at the exquisitely cute girl following behind him, frowning with some impatience.
Eni, why are you following me?
Eni was about the same age as him; she was brought back from the outside by his father a few years ago.
Usually, her mother did simple chores around the house, and when the private tutor came to give lessons, she would sit in and listen.
Aise's condition destined him to be unable to attend educational institutions and study with other children like a normal person.
The manor was very large, and the school was quite far away. It was somewhat unrealistic for Eni's mother to pick up and drop off her daughter for school. Thus, under Xia Lun's arrangement, Eni became Aise's only study companion.
I... my mother said I need to take good care of you, so I must follow you. Eni spoke a bit timidly, her small hands nervously gripping the hem of her skirt.
I don't need your care, go away. Aise snorted coldly, his tone nasty.
But Eni stubbornly shook her head. Mother said we must know how to repay kindness... Master Xia Lun saved us, so I will properly repay you, Young Master Aise.
The mention of Xia Lun's name made Aise's brow twitch slightly.
I'm a bad person, Eni. You'll get hurt if you follow me, Aise said fiercely. I'm sick. When my illness acts up, I will bully you and even hit you. If you know what's good for you, stay away from me!
I'm not afraid... You aren't a bad person, Young Master Aise. I've met real bad people. If they wanted to hit us, they wouldn't say so many words at all. A trace of fear flashed in Eni's eyes.
Suit yourself, but you'll definitely regret it later. Aise glanced at Eni and turned to walk away.
Anyway, as soon as she saw what he looked like when his illness acted up, this girl would be scared off.
Young Master Aise, what are you going to do next?
To the garden.
What are you going to do in the garden?
Crush ants for fun. Aise sneered, expecting to see a look of horror or disgust on her face.
Oh. Eni nodded, her face showing no unusual reaction at all.
Don't you have anything to say? Aise frowned; Eni's reaction did not satisfy him much.
I... what should I say? That Young Master Aise is amazing? Eni tilted her head. I play with ants when I'm bored too. I even ate ants before... But when mother found out, she said it was very dirty and spanked me.
Eating ants raw?
That sounded even more cruel than what he did... Aise couldn't help but re-evaluate this seemingly timid little girl in front of him, a sudden trace of inexplicable wariness rising in his heart.
...
Aise's index finger trembled slightly as he slowly pressed it down.
The ant was trapped between his fingertip and the ground. Aise could clearly feel the pulsation of life.
Applying force slowly, the ant's fragile exoskeleton was easily crushed.
Aise slowly narrowed his eyes.
A nearby line of ants seemed completely oblivious to this scene, bypassing Aise's finger and continuing on their way.
Is this fun, Young Master Aise? Eni looked in confusion at the faint smile appearing on the corner of Aise's mouth.
You don't understand. Aise scoffed.
Oh. Eni, looking utterly bored, stretched out her foot and stomped on the marching line of ants, even grinding her foot down hard a few times. Isn't it faster to step on ants like this, Young Master Aise?
Aise's mouth twitched.
This little brat...
What are you two doing? A cold, clear voice came from behind.
The smile on Aise's face deepened as he slowly stood up. Mother.
Lady Aina. Eni immediately stood up straight and proper, not daring to move, looking quite nervous.
Eni looked up to glance at Aina, then quickly lowered her small head again.
Within the manor, all the servants feared this mistress.
Eni found it a bit strange. Lady Aina was clearly so young and beautiful, and she never made things difficult for others. Why was everyone so afraid of her?
Even Master Xia Lun seemed to become somewhat submissive in her presence.
] [Lone Wolf, No Male Gaze] [Protagonist is pursued early on; extreme protagonist-stans, stay away!] The "Carnival Paradise" descends and slowly devours the real world in the form of a game. By chance, Zhu Yan awakens the talent [Roleplay], becoming one of the first beta players. He thought he could develop safely, but after clearing the first instance, he is branded by humanity as the chief culprit behind the game's spread—a traitorous villain. A villain? Who would ever... become one! He'll be the villain! From then on, Zhu Yan is not only a player but also a lackey for the Carnival Paradise. Between the straight path and the crooked path, he chooses the con. With his left hand, he dons the villain's mantle, staging scenes within instances, infuriating players who decry him as a despicable traitor, all while the game happily promotes him. With his right hand, he joins the non-human organization "Fangcun Mountain," which opposes the Carnival Paradise, transforming into a mysterious player who slaughters game bosses, earning cheers of "Long live the expert!" from fellow players. Gradually, Zhu Yan rises to become an S-rank human player in Fangcun Mountain's archives, while also being the Carnival Paradise's certified top game Boss. But when the final war erupts and both major factions place their hopes in him— Players tag his various aliases: "Experts, this offensive depends on you." The Carnival Paradise's supreme Boss throws an arm around his neck: "Bro, you're the iron, I'm the steel; you can't let me down again!"
ions, keeping it grounded and realistic】 After quitting his job, office worker Su Yang accidentally binds with the "Enjoy Life System." As the name suggests, simply by indulging in life's pleasures, he can earn random rewards from the system—no need to spend money on beautiful women or grovel before anyone. Just enjoy, and the money follows, making it all about effortless fun. The system comes with a scanning feature, allowing him to establish a favorability bond with women rated 85 points or above. Every 20-point increase in favorability unlocks additional rewards. After suffering through over twenty years of hardship, Su Yang trembles with excitement, his dull eyes suddenly gleaming with newfound hope. "Enjoy life? How hard could that be?"
y came from. The chests contained supplies, currency, class-change scrolls, skills, talents… and even godhood! The laws of the world were completely rewritten. This became a world where everyone gambled with their fate! Some people, despite having nothing, opened a divine artifact and rose to the top, eventually ruling the world. Others went bankrupt, opened nothing but worthless junk, and leaped from skyscrapers in despair. Lin Ye arrived in this world from another reality, utterly bewildered. “What is going on? Why is everyone a gambling addict?!” “Opening chests? No way. I refuse to gamble. I’ll start with myself!” Until— On his first chest, he obtained a Mythic Talent: Void Incarnation! He could become completely intangible, pass through all things, and reduce everything to nothingness! … On his fiftieth chest, he obtained a Mythic Weapon: Blade of Karma! With a single slash, karma shattered, twisting the universe and overturning the myriad phenomena of creation! … On his ninety-ninth chest, he obtained a Mythic Divine Treasure: Primordial Purple Energy! It could split open the heavens and earth, create all things, and evolve countless worlds with a single thought! Lin Ye: “Now that I think about it… shouldn’t someone have told me that every chest is guaranteed to contain something Mythic?!”
【Prologue: The Beginning of It All – Use holy water to heal the saintess tainted by demonic energy, then converse with her.】 Shen Nian stared at his older sister sipping yogurt, lost in thought. So you’re telling me my sister is the saintess, and yogurt is the holy water? 【Main Quest 1: Brave Youth, Become an Adventurer! Reward: Rookie Adventurer Title.】 【Side Quest 1: Find the Adorable Kitty! Reward: 1000 Gold Coins.】 Shen Nian: "Wait, I’m a high school senior here—did some guy who got isekai’d accidentally bind his system to me?" Hold on, completing quests gives gold rewards? Titles even boost stats? Is this for real? (A lighthearted, absurd campus comedy—not a revenge power fantasy.)
