As long as you have no morals, you won't be blackmailed

Xia Xiashan and Xia Yiwei frantically shot glances at Lin Yu, their expressions screaming that something was terribly wrong.

Lin Yu took one look and thought: "…"

At this point, did they really need to communicate with just their eyes?

Wasn’t the situation obvious enough?

He wasn’t an idiot—of course he could tell something was off with Aunt Ruxue.

But when dealing with someone suffering from dissociative identity disorder, the worst thing you could do was outright point out their issues or aggressively question them.

Especially when it came to Aunt Ruxue’s third personality, which couldn’t tolerate even the slightest hint of skepticism.

Keeping his expression neutral, Lin Yu played along with Du Ruxue’s words:

"Aunt Ruxue, didn’t you sleep well last night?"

"The dinner gathering went on for too long, and you’re in a new, unfamiliar environment—it’s no surprise you had trouble resting."

"Just now, I heard you mention something about… chores?"

"There’s hardly ever that much housework in the apartment. Aunt Qimeng and I can handle it in no time."

He deliberately brought up Aunt Qimeng, hoping her name might have some effect.

Maybe hearing "Aunt Qimeng" would trigger even the slightest reaction.

However.

Du Ruxue acted as if she hadn’t heard him at all and continued speaking on her own:

"Maomao just told me about the apartment’s rules…"

"No freeloaders are allowed here. Everyone who lives here has to contribute to the household chores."

"Xiao Yu, let’s go out to the yard, shall we?"

"Anything Maomao can do, I can do too."

"Don’t hesitate to assign me tasks—no need to hold back."

Maomao quickly averted her gaze, not daring to meet Lin Yu’s eyes.

Lin Yu stared at her: "…"

Great. Just great.

Maomao was, as always, impressively consistent—completely oblivious to the consequences of telling the truth.

Not that Lin Yu was entirely innocent here.

But being caught red-handed by someone’s parent was an undeniably awful feeling.

Before Lin Yu could say another word, Du Ruxue stepped out the front door first, cutting off any chance of escape.

Now, whether he wanted to or not, Lin Yu had to go outside.

Seizing the moment, Xia Yiwei sidled up to Lin Yu and whispered urgently:

"Little Master, you’d better go out there now."

"Remember, whatever Aunt Ruxue tells you to do, just play along."

"In her current state, not even the Monkey King himself could stop her."

"As long as you cooperate and endure whatever insults she throws your way, nothing bad will happen—trust me!"

This time, Xia Yiwei genuinely meant well.

Lin Yu knew this firsthand.

During the [Virtual Aunt Ruxue] simulation tests, he had already learned the best way to handle her "third personality."

Now, it was time to see just how accurate Maomao’s data on Aunt Ruxue really was.

If Maomao’s research was precise enough, not only would Lin Yu come out unscathed—he might even turn the tables on Aunt Ruxue.

"Yu, I’m sorry… I think I messed up again."

"Should I come with you?"

"If Aunt Ruxue really insists on doing chores, maybe she’ll feel better if I help her."

Xia Yiwei: "Absolutely not!"

Xia Xiashan: "Absolutely not!"

Lin Yu: "ABSOLUTELY NOT!!"

All three shouted in unison.

Sometimes, Lin Yu really didn’t know what to make of Maomao.

On one hand, if she didn’t understand Aunt Ruxue—

How could she have developed the virtual simulation?

On the other hand, if she did understand Aunt Ruxue—

Why didn’t she know how to manage her moods?

Honest to a fault, Maomao had no clue how serious the situation was.

Nor did she realize where Aunt Ruxue’s sudden outburst had come from.

Lin Yu couldn’t let things escalate further.

If Aunt Ruxue saw Maomao working again, it might trigger another personality shift.

No matter how much Maomao wanted to stay, she’d end up getting herself kicked out—by her own doing!

Frozen by their collective outburst, Maomao stood rooted in place, not daring to move.

Lin Yu quickly added:

"Maomao, just stay put. Don’t go anywhere, don’t do anything."

"Leave Aunt Ruxue to me. I’ll handle it—no trouble at all."

With that, Lin Yu marched toward the yard like a soldier heading into battle, resigned to his fate.

Watching his retreating figure, Xia Xiashan muttered worriedly:

"Will Lin Yu… really be okay?"

Xia Yiwei scratched her cheek nervously:

"P-probably?"

"My Little Master does have nerves of steel."

"But I’m not sure if even he can withstand… Aunt Ruxue’s venomous tongue!"

……

In the yard.

Du Ruxue had already picked up a large broom on her own.

Surveying the fallen leaves, she turned to Lin Yu and asked:

"So Maomao sweeps this entire yard by herself every day?"

"That little rascal has really grown up. She never lifted a finger at home, but here she’s learned so fast."

Lin Yu pretended not to hear the sarcasm dripping from her words.

He took a deep breath and braced himself for what was coming…

One of the best strategies for dealing with Aunt Ruxue’s "third personality":

Throw politeness out the window—shamelessness is key.

Talk more, do less—let her frustration build.

Whatever she says—play deaf.

Personal integrity? Leave it behind!

Now was the moment of truth—would Maomao’s program hold up?

Lin Yu couldn’t help but feel a little nervous.

Steeling himself, he spoke up:

"Aunt Ruxue, it’s not just this yard…"

"If you go around back, there’s another courtyard behind the building."

"Usually around this time, Maomao’s sweeping that too."

Dead silence followed his words.

Lin Yu watched Du Ruxue anxiously, heart pounding: "…"

Please don’t roundhouse kick me right now.

She’s even more skilled in martial arts than Xia Xiashan—a legit fighter!

Stay alert. Avoid getting beaten up at all costs.

Du Ruxue stared at Lin Yu, momentarily stunned.

As if trying to comprehend what kind of person could say something so brazen.

I say my child is suffering in your care—

And your response is that she’s suffering even more than I thought?

This kid must have a death wish!

Is he doing this on purpose?

No way he’s as clueless as Maomao!

Du Ruxue took a slow, deep breath and nodded:

"Good. Seems Maomao’s learning all sorts of things here."

"In that case, I should follow tradition…"

"Your apartment’s custom is to make guests work themselves to the bone, is it?"

"Today, I’ll do the chores. Let Maomao take a break!"

Lin Yu: "…"

Here it comes.

The classic guilt-tripping sarcasm!

Anyone with a shred of conscience would feel terrible hearing this.

But Lin Yu’s mindset was simple—

Abandon morals, embrace chaos!

If I have no conscience, you can’t guilt-trip me!

The terrifying thing about the third personality was its relentless psychological assault—effective against anyone remotely normal.

So what?

Like I’m normal anyway!

As a proud member of the "unhinged by choice" club, Lin Yu had never claimed to be sane.

Watching Du Ruxue start sweeping, he quickly stepped closer:

"Aunt Ruxue…"

She paused, expecting him to take the broom.

But Lin Yu made no move to grab it. Instead, he pointed to a corner of the yard and said:

"When we sweep the yard, we usually start from one end and sweep all the way to the other!"

Du Ruxue: "???"

...

(First update for today, with an extra chapter still coming tonight!)