Ye Jin coughed lightly as Little Wei silently flipped him the middle finger.
"Alright, stop teasing her. She’s quick-tempered right now—might actually bite you," Ye Jin joked half-heartedly.
Little Wei: "…"
Screw it. Might as well throw hands.
Come on, let’s fight. She’d genuinely had enough of this woman.
It was like she wasn’t even worth acknowledging.
Little Wei even rolled up her sleeves, ready to throw the first punch, but before she could, Si ruffled her hair.
"What’s wrong?" Si asked with a smile.
Little Wei: "…"
Seriously? At a time like this, she had the nerve to ask what was wrong?
"Can’t be bothered with you," Little Wei muttered, on the verge of tears.
There was just no communicating with someone like her.
"Feeling upset?" Si stroked Little Wei’s head again, her voice unexpectedly gentle.
For a second, Little Wei thought she’d misheard. But no—Si really was being this soft.
This was hilarious.
Had this woman been body-snatched or something?
Little Wei was about to headbutt Si, just to see how it felt to have her skull under pressure, but before she could, Si pushed her away in disgust.
"Let’s just go back and shower first."
Little Wei: "?"
That’s it, then.
Their so-called bond was flimsier than plastic wrap.
Ugh.
"How about using the bathroom at my place?" Ye Jin suggested.
Given Little Wei’s current state, she was practically a public eyesore—no, an interdimensional eyesore. He still had some dignity to uphold.
Besides, everyone in the Void Realm already knew he was retiring—and that a young girl like Little Wei was set to inherit his throne.
If people saw her looking this disheveled, where would that leave his reputation?
Six feet under?
"Well…" Si glanced at Little Wei. Honestly, saying she wasn’t bothered would be a lie.
But she knew Ye Jin all too well.
The man had stayed single this long purely by choice. Plus, he was a full-blown doting older brother—his retirement was all about tracking down his younger sibling. The host of System 008? That was Ye Jin’s brother.
Though even if he found him, Ye Jin probably wouldn’t return.
He’d always preferred traveling beyond the Void. Keeping him cooped up in Leapspace Corporation was practically a crime.
"Then I’ll go buy toiletries. We’ll use the bathroom in the living room."
Luckily, Ye Jin rarely used that one—he mostly stuck to the ensuite in his bedroom.
"Sure," Ye Jin agreed.
Si patted Little Wei’s head.
"Wait here. I’ll be quick—back in a flash."
Little Wei watched Si leave but caught her discreetly wiping her hands with a handkerchief before stepping into the elevator.
Ugh. Betrayed.
By the time Si returned, Little Wei’s face had gone numb.
"What’s wrong? Something bothering you?" Si asked, puzzled by her sour mood.
"Nothing. I’m going to shower." Little Wei snatched the toiletries from Si’s hands and marched into the bathroom without another word.
This was exactly why talking to women was impossible.
Si was lost.
What was her problem now?
As Little Wei disappeared into the bathroom, Si turned to Ye Jin. "What the hell just happened?"
"If I had to guess, she’s upset because you acted like she was dirty. Might be a bit sensitive?" Ye Jin hesitated, hardly believing this was the same proud, radiant Gu Wei from before.
They were like two different people.
The old Gu Wei would’ve never gotten mad over something so trivial.
Si: "…"
"That’s it?"
Thinking about it, given Little Wei’s grudge-holding tendencies, this was pretty on-brand.
But come on—any normal person would wipe or wash their hands if they got dirty.
Was she supposed to hug and kiss Little Wei while cooing, "Stinky baby"?
What kind of nonsense was that?
Si was at a loss for words.
"Just figure it out when she comes out," Ye Jin said, clearing his throat.
Si: "…"
She’d rather lie down and die.
Ugh. At this point, beating Little Wei up might be easier.
A terrifying thought crossed Si’s mind, and she shook her head violently to dismiss it.
What was she thinking?
She’d never do something like that.
"Anyway, don’t just stand around. I’ve already asked the Void Entities to track down that thing for you. Per our agreement, you’ll need to pay extra."
"As long as it’s found, money isn’t an issue," Si said quickly.
This item was crucial to her.
Even though Little Wei had achieved her goals, her soul was still fragmented. The thing Ye Jin had helped her find could automatically locate the missing pieces—and it worked fast.
It was dangerous. No ordinary person could get their hands on it.
But Ye Jin had connections. For him, securing it was no problem.
"Honestly, it’s not about the money. I shouldn’t even be charging you," Ye Jin sighed, slipping a hand into his pocket.
Si: "…"
"I’d rather just hand over my paycheck," she said flatly.
Nothing was worse than owing favors.
Ye Jin coughed. "That’s not what I meant. It’s just—you know I’m leaving soon. Leaving her alone to run the company… I’m not exactly confident."
He really wasn’t.
Sure, finding his brother was important, but he didn’t want his company falling apart either.
System 005 was a recluse. Systems 001, 002, and 003 barely lifted a finger—their work was sporadic at best, appearing once every five centuries if they felt like it.
There were other managers, but in terms of experience, Si was the only one Ye Jin trusted.
The rest? He half-expected them to sell the company the second he left.
No—they’d definitely sell it. Managing things was too much hassle for them.
The thought made Ye Jin tense up.
Maybe he should swing by once in a while. Otherwise, he’d have nowhere to cry if they actually went through with it.
"So you’re asking me to keep an eye on things?" Si caught on quickly.
The other systems’ attitudes toward the company were no secret.
They’d probably blow it up given the chance.
Not out of rebellion—they just had zero attachment to the place. Though Ye Jin still treated them like his own kids.
"Pretty much," Ye Jin nodded.
Now Si was conflicted.
She’d just retired. Was this some kind of forced overtime?
The company’s operations were a nightmare to handle.