No women in the heart, the blade rises divine

"You're just asking for trouble, aren't you? Aren't you afraid of getting payback?" Ren Yuege had finally figured it out—this annoying little brother of hers was just stirring up drama for no reason.

Cao Cheng snorted with amusement. "Who'd dare mess with me? I've trained through freezing winters and scorching summers since childhood. I know a thing or two about various martial arts styles, and I've mastered about eighty to ninety percent of footwork and techniques. Three or five women wouldn’t even get close to me."

Ren Yuege scoffed. "...Three or five women can’t get close? And you’re proud of that?"

"What do you know? If a man can keep women at arm's length, that’s the ultimate discipline and self-control. Ever heard of a true gentleman? Back in the day, there was Liu Xiahui, who remained unmoved with a woman in his lap. And now, there’s me, Cao Cheng, playing hard to get."

"Is that even how you use that idiom?" Ren Yuege facepalmed.

Cao Cheng waved her off. "Close enough. You get what I mean. Just tell me, doesn’t my logic hold up? How many men can actually resist women? Any guy who can control himself is destined for greatness."

"Ever heard the saying, 'With no women in your heart, your blade strikes with divine skill'?"

"Nonsense."

"I’m gonna take a dump. Boil some water for me—I’ll make tea later." Cao Cheng headed straight for the bathroom as soon as he got home.

Ren Yuege grumbled a few complaints under her breath but obediently started boiling water.

She wanted some of that purple tea too!

……

……

In the blink of an eye,

a week had passed since Ren Yuege arrived.

The two had grown much closer.

Even Ren Yuege couldn’t quite explain how their relationship had become so sibling-like so quickly.

If they went out together, no one would guess they’d only known each other for a week.

But…

life was full of partings and reunions.

"I’m leaving!"

"Mhm~~"

Today was the day Ren Yuege would go.

Cao Cheng walked her downstairs, loaded her luggage into the trunk, and gave a silent nod.

The mood was tinged with melancholy.

Cao Cheng didn’t even try to hide it—his eyes were full of reluctance!

It even made Ren Yuege a little emotional. "Why don’t you come back with me? Mom and your dad are already home anyway. Wouldn’t you be bored staying alone in Sanjiang?"

Bored?

Which part of me looks bored to you?

I’m having the time of my damn life.

Cao Cheng shook his head slowly. "Not yet."

"Then when will it be 'yet'?" Ren Yuege didn’t understand.

Truthfully,

she’d already invited him two days ago.

She’d told him that apart from Second Sister being a bit "standoffish," neither she nor Third Sister minded Cao Cheng joining them. As for Eldest Sister, she was the gentlest—she definitely wouldn’t reject him either.

But Cao Cheng’s answer had been the same: "Not yet."

Ren Yuege didn’t get what "yet" meant, and Cao Cheng wouldn’t explain.

"Just go. Drive safe. I’ll visit Zhonghai in a few months!" Cao Cheng waved.

In the end,

Ren Yuege drove off.

Cao Cheng watched her car disappear into the distance.

He really didn’t want her to leave.

Such a massive source of emotional tax revenue—after this week, he was almost ready for another ten-draw gacha.

Ren Yuege’s contributions had been invaluable.

Even Aunt Wang couldn’t compare.

As for why it wasn’t "yet"...

It came down to money.

As Cao Cheng had considered before, if he went now, he’d likely be eating, living, and spending under the Ren family’s roof. It wasn’t exactly being a freeloader, but it’d still mean living under someone else’s shadow.

Right now, all of Cao Cheng’s money was silently sitting in the secondary market.

The numbers fluctuated daily. He’d already made over a hundred grand, but the real big wave hadn’t hit yet.

So even if he went to Zhonghai now, he wouldn’t have much to do.

Better to stay in Sanjiang City, wait for the profits to roll in, and then head to Zhonghai with funds to invest.

……

That night,

Ren Yuege returned to the mansion in Zhonghai.

She looked slightly worn out.

But after drinking so much purple tea over the past few days, her stamina had improved dramatically. Even after driving all day, she wasn’t as exhausted as she would’ve been before.

After parking in the garage,

a girl who looked exactly like her stepped forward to help with the luggage from the trunk.

She whispered, "That brat didn’t come back with you?"

At that,

Ren Yuege pouted slightly and shook her head. "He said he’d come in a few months. No idea what’s going on in his head. He acts all carefree on the surface, but who knows what he’s secretly up to."

Ren Yuege wasn’t stupid.

Cao Cheng might seem like a retiree with nothing to do all day,

but after spending this past week with him, she knew full well this little troublemaker was anything but tame.

Third Sister, Ren Yushang, called Ren Yuege almost every night to chat, so even though she hadn’t gone to Sanjiang, she was well aware of what had happened there.

Plus,

the two of them were twins. Forget the mystical "twin telepathy"—their thought processes were just naturally similar.

Even their nicknames for Cao Cheng were the same.

"Seems like you really wanted that brat to come live with us, huh?" Ren Yushang asked curiously.

She knew a lot about Cao Cheng, but since she hadn’t met him personally, she was intrigued by Fourth Sister’s reluctance—clearly, she missed him.

Ren Yuege shook her head, stubborn. "It’s not that I wanted him to live with us. I just didn’t want him staying alone in Sanjiang too long and getting himself killed."

"Pfft—" Ren Yushang burst out laughing.

She’d heard about Cao Cheng’s antics over the past few days. The way Ren Yuege described it, he was like a human wrecking ball.

Back at home, Fourth Sister had always been the mischievous one, but compared to Cao Cheng? She was practically an angel.

"Anyway, forget about him for now. Is Second Sister home?" Ren Yuege asked.

"She’s not. Ever since Uncle Cao and Mom got back, Second Sister’s barely been home. She only comes back for dinner if Mom calls her. She’s been back twice this whole time—mostly stays at her work dorm," Ren Yushang explained.

Ren Yuege nodded, then asked again, just to be sure. "No one knows I was staying at his place in Sanjiang, right?"

"Relax, no one knows. They just think you were visiting your teacher and friends," Ren Yushang assured her.

After chatting for a bit longer, the two sisters left the garage and headed to the grand living room.

In the open-concept kitchen, Old Cao was busy making soup.

"Uncle Cao!" Ren Yuege greeted him.

Old Cao looked up. He still couldn’t tell the twins apart—he hadn’t spent enough time with them.

But he could recognize their clothes.

He smiled. "Yuege’s back. Have some soup later."

"Okay."

Ren Yuege nodded politely.

Honestly, having Uncle Cao around hadn’t disrupted their routines at all.

The mansion was huge, with multiple floors.

Everyone had their own private spaces, so there was no overlap or inconvenience.

Plus,

Uncle Cao was a decent cook. These days, he’d often prepare soups or tonics for Mom in the evenings.

Mom had thrown herself back into company work as soon as she returned from her trip.

Every night, she’d be buried in documents, reports, and news until late.

Thanks to the tonics, though, her complexion had improved—maybe also thanks to the glow of love.

Sure, they had maids at home.

But was a maid’s soup the same as one made by the man you loved?

……

Soon,

the soup was ready.

With the exception of Second Sister, everyone gathered in the dining room.

They didn’t usually eat this formally, but Mom had insisted—she apparently had something to say.

Once everyone was seated,

Aunt Ren sat in the center, cleared her throat, and announced, "Uncle Cao and I have discussed it. We’ll be moving out tomorrow."

"Huh?"

"What?"

"???"

The three sisters were stunned.

However, they quickly understood the reasons.

It was complicated.

There were many factors.

For instance, Ren Fanxing’s disapproval of Uncle Cao had led to her avoiding the house altogether. Such tension couldn’t be allowed to fester—better to live apart than let the family fall into discord.

Or perhaps Aunt Ren and Uncle Cao simply wanted their own space, free from interruptions.

Living together, even with separate areas, inevitably brought inconveniences and minor disruptions.

And then there was the possibility—what if they wanted another child?

And so on…

Moving out was for the best. Aunt Ren had mentioned it before, so they’d all mentally prepared for it.

Still,

no one expected it to happen so soon.