Invincible Dad

But Xu Lai didn't dare to ask. He just gave Xiao Hei a kick and scolded, "Did you hear me?"

Xiao Hei looked bewildered.

I was just eating bamboo and watching the moon, why did so many people suddenly appear? Oh, dear. Who's pulling my ear? Oh, it's Ruan Tang... Never mind then.

Although Xiao Hei had not yet undergone Spirit Awakening, instinct told it that anyone in the family could be provoked except for this woman.

It turned and toddled away with its adorable gait.

Yiyi blinked. Her big eyes suddenly lit up, and she said in a sugary voice, "Daddy, I'm so sleepy. I'm going to bed now." After a pause, she added, "Qian Xiao, let's go."

Qian Xiao understood instantly. The boss is giving Uncle Xu and Auntie Ruan some space! He was deeply moved. That's my boss for you!

He immediately chimed in, "Yeah, I'm so sleepy! Goodbye, Uncle Xu, Auntie Ruan."

The two little ones scampered off.

Ruan Tang rolled her eyes. "How much did you bribe them to be such good helpers?"

As an adult, she knew exactly what her daughter and her best friend's son were up to.

Acting as Xu Lai's wingman at five years old? What will they be like when they grow up?!

"It's called personal charisma," Xu Lai replied with a straight face.

"You're getting more and more shameless," Ruan Tang said with a grin, staring at him.

Xu Lai said nothing, instead sweeping Ruan Tang up by the waist. Amidst her soft cry of surprise, he leaped nimbly to the top of the mountain. He sat down cross-legged, still holding her.

Ruan Tang wrapped her arms around Xu Lai's neck, lying in his embrace as they gazed into each other's eyes.

She shifted her gaze away, looking up at the night sky.

"Honey, do you know how many stars there are?" Xu Lai asked.

"No."

"Me neither."

Ruan Tang looked at him without a word, waiting for him to continue.

"But one day, we're going to live among the stars, so you should start preparing yourself," Xu Lai said. "Back then, you'll be in charge of countless people and responsible for countless things. Of course, if you don't like it, we can just travel the world and leave everything to Taotie and Baize."

"I know Taotie, but who's Baize?" Ruan Tang sat up from his embrace, a half-smile on her face. "That sounds like a woman's name. Come on, spill it."

Xu Lai and Ruan Tang lingered affectionately on the mountaintop for more than two full hours. The Formation blocked most of the sea breeze, so even on a chilly East Sea City night, the summit of Mount Haitang remained warm.

"I'm sleepy. Let's go home."

Ruan Tang sat up, and the two headed back to Haitang Court together. On the way, Xu Lai suddenly seemed to sense something and glanced to the west.

That was the direction of the airport, and also of the five-star hotel where he'd been before. The little monster had made its move.

"What's wrong?" Ruan Tang asked, surprised.

"Nothing." Xu Lai pinched the flesh on her arm and chuckled. "You seem to have put on some weight."

SMACK!

Ruan Tang slapped his hand away. "Xu Lai," she said, her face expressionless, "you're sleeping on the couch tonight. I'm serious."

Of course, Xu Lai had no intention of sleeping on the couch. He shamelessly climbed into bed, hugging Ruan Tang's fragrant body and refusing to leave no matter how much she pushed him away.

Finally, Ruan Tang gave up and slept until dawn.

「That night」

For most people, it was a peaceful night, but for the East Sea's Ruan Family, it was an incredibly thrilling one.

"How did it go? Did Master Dongfang succeed?"

In the main hall, Ruan Jin was surrounded by his grandfather and his parents, who were bombarding him with questions.

Ruan Jin slapped his chest, radiating confidence. "Of course! Master Dongfang is one of the top experts in Harbour City, a true immortal. You all saw him at the auction, didn't you? So many people were trying to curry favor with him!"

Everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief, agreeing that he had a point. Even at his age, Grandfather Ruan Su was pacing excitedly back and forth.

According to his grandson, as long as Master Dongfang Xun could curse—no, leave Xu Lai half-dead, they could acquire the five-hundred-million-yuan Haitang Court without a fight, as well as Above the White Clouds, which now had an annual revenue of at least one hundred million yuan!

The mere thought of it sent shivers of excitement through the Ruan Family. After all, the old master had been dreaming of moving into the wealthy villa district at the foot of Mount Haitang. Now, they had a chance to skip that entirely and move straight into Haitang Court, the most luxurious residence in East Sea City!

With various guarantees from the family patriarch and other relatives, Ruan Jin had quickly raised the five hundred million yuan. But from that night until now, Dongfang Xun had yet to call.

「At eight o'clock in the morning, the sun rose.」

Ruan Jin and the others, who hadn't slept a wink, all had dark circles under their eyes. Just then, a knock sounded at the door. Their hearts leaped. It's Master Dongfang! His intuition screamed.

He hurried to open the door, his eyes brimming with delighted surprise. It was indeed him!

But Dongfang Xun's clothes were tattered. His usually ethereal white hair was a mess, and his face was black and blue, as if he'd been dragged out from a pile of beggars under an overpass.

"Master Dongfang, what happened to you?" Ruan Jin cried out in alarm. "Please, come in!"

Dongfang Xun, his eyes swollen, glanced back fearfully. After confirming no one had followed him, he staggered into the Ruan home. Enduring the pain, he went to the bathroom to take a hot shower.

While they waited, the members of the Ruan Family looked at each other, uncertain what had happened.

"Son, it looks like the master was beaten up..." Song Ru whispered. "Is he really reliable?"

"Mom, hush!" Ruan Jin hissed in a panic. "Master Dongfang is an immortal! He has eyes and ears everywhere. He'll hear you."

Song Ru quickly covered her mouth.

Ruan Jin said in a low voice, "Mom, Dad, Grandfather, when the master comes out, don't say a word. He was probably ambushed by his enemies. Otherwise, with his Boundary and strength... how could he end up in such a miserable state?"

They all nodded silently, thinking it must be true.

A smirk touched Ruan Jin's lips as he chuckled to himself. It's easy to add flowers to brocade, but much harder to deliver charcoal in a snowstorm. The Ruan Family's chance to rise... has finally arrived!

Ruan Jin's reasoning was simple. He would take this chance to get on Dongfang Xun's good side. Once Master Dongfang recovered from his injuries, who would he be most grateful to? The Ruan Family, of course!

Half an hour later, Dongfang Xun emerged from his bath. Having changed into a clean robe, he sat in the main seat of the hall. He looked at the Ruan family members, who didn't even dare to sit and were the very picture of reverence, and felt a bit more at ease.

His reputation among the Leading Families in the thirteen cities of Jiangnan was now in tatters. Not only had he been forced to return the checks he'd scammed from families like the Wan and the Niu, but he had also coughed up all his previous ill-gotten gains and even written an IOU for one billion yuan.

Now, with his Boundary gone and with no other recourse, Dongfang Xun had thought of Ruan Jin, planning to collect the remaining fifty million and skip town.

Thankfully, the Ruan Family is a minor one and isn't well-informed. They still have no idea I'm a fraud.

Dongfang Xun considered this silently, putting on airs as he took a sip of tea. "Ruan Jin, is the money ready?"

"Of course." Ruan Jin quickly handed over a check for fifty million and asked, "Master Dongfang, about Xu Lai..."