Couple Fraud

Li Mo was teaching Ying Bing his mother’s bargaining techniques.

"Ying Bing, the most important thing in bargaining is presence! You have to be fierce!"

"Like this?"

Ying Bing furrowed her delicate brows, her snow-colored eyes gleaming coldly.

Young Li Mo leaned back slightly.

"Uh, maybe not that fierce. We’re bargaining, not threatening to kill someone."

"......"

Ying Bing felt she and Li Mo were making the exact same expression.

To be precise, Li Mo’s icy demeanor was something he had learned from her in the first place...

"I’ve got it!"

Li Mo raised a finger—genius Li Mo had a solution!

He plopped the newly bought white cat-fur hat onto Ying Bing’s head.

With the fluffy hat on, Ying Bing’s aloof, jade-like face was now framed by soft white fur. Though her expression remained cool and detached, the sharp edge that made it seem like she might slash you with a sword was gone.

After all, even a haughty cat is still adorable.

Ying Bing—Limited Edition Cat Hat Version!

"Suits you pretty well."

"......"

And so, Li Mo dragged Ying Bing through the bustling market.

His mother’s legendary bargaining techniques—First Move: Dragon Slayer, Second Move: I Know the Market, Third Move: Just Take Less Profit, Fourth Move: I’ll Walk Away—were already unbeatable.

But now, they had a new addition!

Ying Bing, show them your fierceness!

Thus, the Tiger Vanguard and the White Cat Queen set forth, leaving a trail of devastated merchants in their wake.

Their seamless combo moves ensured that every vendor on the street would remember that peerlessly beautiful face.

In fact, a rumor later spread through Qinghe County:

Young Master Li’s wife bargains even harder!

Peeking out from behind a tree, the Three Heroes of Hengyun once again fell into deep contemplation. Under the bewildered tree, bewildered fruits grew—and beneath it sat bewildered you and me.

Is this how peerless geniuses usually act…? So down-to-earth?

What happened to transcending mortal limits, rigorous cultivation, and secret techniques?

They even haggle over candied hawthorns!

After a while, the two had nearly finished exploring the New Year’s market. They’d bought plenty of things, though there were a few items even their bargaining prowess couldn’t secure.

Li Mo glanced at the sky, arms laden with bags, and decided it was time to head home for the New Year’s Eve feast.

"That’s enough for today. Let’s go back."

"Wait a moment."

"What else do you need to do?"

Before Li Mo could react, the figure in the white cat hat had already turned and vanished back into the market.

Maybe there were a few things she still wanted to buy?

"Phew…"

Standing in the snow, Li Mo exhaled a white breath as he watched the market dim under the evening sky.

A short while later, Ying Bing returned, carefully reattaching a big-headed doll charm to her waist.

"What did you go back for?"

"Not telling."

"Tch, it’s not like I’m that curious anyway…"

The Li Residence.

The family was busy preparing the New Year’s feast, with Li Dalong and Gu Xueqin personally cooking up a storm in the kitchen.

The estate was decked out in festive red, lanterns and decorations dispelling the winter night’s darkness, while delicate snowflakes drifted onto the courtyard.

Li Mo, wearing a tiger-head hat, sorted through their purchases by the door. He fished out some firecrackers and lit them with a flick of hellfire for fun.

Ying Bing sat on the clean steps, her white cat hat slightly askew. Her usually frosty eyes softened as they reflected the sight of the boy playing with firecrackers, the snow around her seeming gentler in the glow.

Li Dalong clicked his tongue, watching the two, and suddenly felt a sense of contentment. He turned to Gu Xueqin, busy in the kitchen, and asked,

"Wife, do you really think your plan will work?"

"If they’re just one push away from figuring things out, why not? And even if it doesn’t settle anything, it’s not like we’re meddling too much."

"Fair enough. Is the food ready? I’ll bring it out."

As everyone knows,

The parents of a genius are often master schemers in their own right.

Though they claimed not to interfere in their children’s affairs, the Li couple had their own methods.

"Son, Little Bing, dinner’s ready!"

Old Li called out to the pair. Once they’d gathered in the main hall, he carried in a freshly cooked dish.

"Dad, you never used to step foot in the kitchen."

Li Mo removed his tiger hat, puzzled.

His father wasn’t just the type to quote "educate everyone"—he’d also spout sayings like "a gentleman stays clear of the kitchen" without hesitation.

The man who’d never even washed his own bowls was now serving food?

"This dish was made by your mother herself. Of course it’s different!"

"Looks good. What’s it called?"

Li Mo served Ying Bing a portion before trying it himself.

"Delicious."

A glossy sheen of oil lingered on Ying Bing’s lips.

"Couple’s Slices."

"???"

Li Dalong had clearly done his homework this time. Pointing at the cold dish, he explained earnestly:

"Couple’s Slices symbolize marital harmony—husband and wife supporting each other, working together to build a happy life…"

"......"

Harmony?

Working together?

As his father rambled on, Li Mo couldn’t help but recall certain memories.

Back in the Southern Border, he was the Black Earth Immortal, and she was the Holy Maiden of the Wanxiang Sect…

At Rotten Ke Mountain, he handled external affairs while Ying Bing managed internal ones—their seamless cooperation had baffled the Demon Summoning Cultists while they solved the chess puzzle.

If he ever learned to make this dish, could it still be called Couple’s Slices…?

But the onslaught didn’t stop there.

"Here, this one’s ‘Shared Hardships.’ That one’s ‘Eternal Harmony.’"

"The wife cakes are delicious too. Li Mo, have some more."

"And the husband soup has quite the history—your mother learned it specially."

Old Li was on a roll, rattling off dish names like a seasoned storyteller.

Soon, Gu Xueqin joined in, piling their bowls high with food—every item either "husband" this or "wife" that.

"Dad, Mom, what’s the meaning behind all this? I’m still young, you know."

Li Mo sighed.

"We made these for ourselves, to celebrate our marital unity this past year. What’s it got to do with you?" Li Dalong took a sip of wine.

Li Mo glanced at Ying Bing, whose cheeks moved slightly as she ate, then mirrored her nonchalance, ignoring the loaded meal entirely.

Truthfully, the couple had considered just asking the pair outright.

But after discussing it, they worried too much interference might backfire.

Given how things were progressing between Ying Bing and Li Mo, nature would likely take its course soon enough anyway.

So despite their itching curiosity, the parents held back during dinner.

The meal lasted about half an hour before Li Mo, finishing first, stood to return to his room.

"I’m heading back first."

"Wait."

"What is it?"

Li Mo turned.

"Try to come out of your own room tomorrow morning, alright?"

Having bustled about without seeing what he’d hoped for, Old Li grumbled.

"Tch!"

Li Mo shrugged.

He’d thought his father was going to wish him a happy birthday.

Another year where everyone celebrated the New Year, and no one remembered his birthday.