Prop Rewards

Warm sunlight filtered through the foliage, casting dappled shadows beneath the tree. Ye Feng leaned against the trunk with his hands behind his head, leisurely gazing at the grass bending under the breeze. Li Mucheng sat with her knees hugged to her chest, quietly observing the scene.

"Miss, feel this moment. You'll discover the charm of nature," Ye Feng said.

Li Mucheng mimicked Ye Feng, closing her eyes. In that instant, everything seemed to quiet down, and her soul experienced an unprecedented uplift. The noisy urban chaos that had been weighing on her heart seemed to dissipate.

"So... peaceful."

"Yes, if you ever feel uneasy, you can come here to sit. Nature will soothe your mood."

"Mmm."

Li Mucheng peeked open an eye and glanced back at Ye Feng, who was still savoring the moment. For some reason, her heart felt warm, as if a gentle hand was melting away the ice within her.

"Ye Feng, why don't you teach me tomorrow too?"

Hmm?

Ye Feng suddenly opened his eyes and looked at Li Mucheng. Her serious expression made it clear she wasn't joking.

You want me to work overtime? No way! You rich people really love exploiting us poor folk's sweat and blood.

"I'm sorry, Miss, but I'm only free on weekends, so..."

"Enough, I get it."

Li Mucheng's previously calm mood instantly erupted like a lit fuse.

"Let's go back, I'm tired."

"Alright..."

Look at that! Once her true colors showed, she immediately blew up. Good thing I've watched those workplace dramas, or I would've been duped by this seemingly polished but inwardly dark woman!

Luckily, I outsmarted her.

When they returned, Ah Fu was waiting at the door. Upon seeing Li Mucheng, he respectfully said, "Miss, Master requests your presence at a gathering."

"No."

"But Miss..."

"I said no!"

Li Mucheng shot Ah Fu a glare and walked straight to her room.

"Uh..."

Ye Feng quickly distanced himself, shrugging and shaking his head.

"Kids these days are so stubborn. They get upset at the slightest thing."

"What happened? Did you make Miss upset?"

"She wanted me to work overtime. Of course, I refused."

"......"

Ah Fu pursed his lips in helplessness. Everyone would kill to be Li Mucheng's teacher, yet Ye Feng refused the opportunity.

"Ah Fu, does Li Mucheng have a lot of classes besides weekends?"

"Yes, that's what Master requires. After all, Miss will inherit Master's group someday, so she needs to be trained as a proper heir."

"No wonder that girl lives so depressed. I'd have collapsed by now."

"Well, someone has to inherit the family business, right?"

"True."

"Actually, Master feels deeply guilty about Miss. He couldn't see Madam before she passed, which is why their relationship has been strained."

"......"

"Anyway, why am I telling you all this? I need to report back to Master. I'll have someone drive you home later."

"No need, Ah Fu. I can go back myself."

"Alright then. If you need anything, just call me. Here's my number."

Ye Feng took Ah Fu's card, waved goodbye, and left the villa. Little did he know, his actions were being watched by a pair of eyes from a window.

"I'm sorry... I didn't mean it..."

Li Mucheng murmured softly, staring at the spot where Ye Feng had disappeared. Only after confirming he was gone did she return to her desk and continue drawing herbs.

Underneath her sketches of several herbs were simple descriptions:

Anesthetic, pain relief, sedation...

"Woohoo!"

Back at home, Ye Feng lay on the sofa, enjoying his personal time. If not for the system threatening his life, he would have already started a peaceful, undisturbed new life somewhere far away. That was his dream.

【Ding】

【Progress updated in the compendium. Please check promptly.】

"Seriously? It updates every day now? Suddenly, little Miss Mucheng seems quite adorable."

Ye Feng quickly summoned the system and checked his rewards.

【Li Mucheng Information Progress: 30%】

【Obtained: Universal Key (consumable), Life-Saving Doll (consumable)】

"Oh? There are items too!"

Ye Feng had expected the system to just grant him a few days of life, but this time it gave him something he hadn't encountered before. He eagerly checked the backpack and found the two items, along with detailed descriptions.

【Universal Key: Can unlock any lock within visible sight, but only once】

Unlocking locks? Too bad it's not a permanent item; otherwise, I could become a locksmith.

【Life-Saving Doll: Evades fatal damage once when held, but only once】

This is great! It's like an extra life. Guess the system isn't completely useless.

Ye Feng was thrilled, but then he realized something, and his excitement gradually faded.

Wait, why would the system give me these items? It feels like a boss battle is coming, like in those movies where someone inevitably raises a flag before the fight.

Oh well, maybe I'm overthinking it. Li Mucheng is well-protected, and I don't need to worry. Just finish the task, save up some life time, and declare my freedom.

After closing the system, Ye Feng headed to the bathroom to shower, planning to take the next few days off.

......

Meanwhile, in a high-end hotel in the heart of Shu City, well-dressed and elegantly adorned people gathered, chatting and laughing. It seemed they were attending a party.

"Old Li!"

A loud voice suddenly boomed through the crowd, drawing the attention of many.

A waiter nearby sneered disdainfully, as if serving these upper-class individuals elevated his own status.

"Who's this uncouth fellow? Making a racket at such an event, how embarrassing..."

Before the waiter could finish, a slap landed on his face, leaving him stunned. When he regained his senses, he saw the hotel manager glaring at him.

"Manager...?"

The manager's expression was furious as he said through gritted teeth: "If you don't want that mouth of yours, you can cut it off! Do you know who he is? He's Su Wanli, the acknowledged boss of Shu City's underground. If someone with ill intentions hears you, our entire hotel is done for!"

The waiter finally realized his blunder, quickly bowing to apologize, but it was too late.

"You're fired. Get out now."

"Yes, yes, I'm leaving... I'm going..."