The meeting at Soul Skywell finally concluded that evening.

For the past month, Gu Jianlin had steadfastly adhered to the principle of "being kind to others," embraced love and compassion, and engaged in heartfelt exchanges with his superiors and conversion of his enemies. His efforts culminated in impressive results.

Keep striving to be a good person.

Originally, Uncle Mu and the others planned to keep him for dinner today. After all, his arduous efforts over the past month were evident, narrowly escaping death multiple times, deserving some reward.

He initially intended to agree, until he saw the message on WeChat.

Farewell, until we meet again.

Goodbye.

He left the Black Cloud City base and caught a cab outside the Forbidden Zone.

"Hello, take me to Luodong District."

Through the car window, the night scenery glowed brightly. Along the coastline, the vast beach and rolling ocean waves came into view. Summer travelers gathered into street crowds, vendors selling balloons and glow sticks lit up the roadside.

Across the way, the commercial district bustled with young girls in breezy attire laughing by the snack stalls.

The sea breeze washed over him, invigorating and refreshing.

The Parrot Emperor rose proudly upon his shoulder.

"Young man's in good spirits, huh?"

The middle-aged driver joked.

Gu Jianlin indeed felt relaxed—perhaps the most he had since entering the Extraordinary World.

The weight on his heart finally lifted.

More importantly, he accomplished what Old Gu couldn't.

This proved that the son surpassed the father.

Ha, what even was Old Gu? Just second-rate.

So satisfying!

The cab reached his home. From afar, the rich aroma wafting from the kitchen's window gave away soy-braised ribs, fried chicken wings, and crispy fries.

Upon entering the house, sure enough, there were no outsiders present.

The dining table was piled high with delicious food—soy-braised ribs, carefully cooked bone broth, fries topped with ketchup, fried chicken wings, beef brisket stewed with tomatoes, a crispy roasted fish, and two bowls of rice.

Su Youzhu, reportedly once disinterested in cooking, learned from his mom with persistent dedication years ago, eventually mastering it beyond expectations.

Coincidentally, all the dishes she made were his favorites.

Even chores, which she once never touched, she eventually picked up.

Gu Jianlin understood—likely Old Gu had entrusted her to take care of him back then. Given her inherently serious and determined nature, she probably aimed to do everything perfectly.

Whether in the extraordinary world or daily life.

She genuinely took herself as his child bride.

"Why are you home so early?"

The bedroom door was slightly ajar, and a voice with a crystalline, ethereal quality came through—still as pleasant to hear as ever.

Suddenly, Gu Jianlin had the illusion of himself as a husband returning home from work, with a gentle yet fiery wife waiting alongside a table brimming with hot meals—a warmth blossomed inexplicably in his chest.

He quickly shook his head, dispelling such unrealistic fantasies.

Women only slow down his punches.

Yet, given his victorious haul today, his confidence soared while speaking.

"Didn't you call me back?"

He placed the metal case on the table and sat on the couch. "Come out, I need to talk to you."

Su Youzhu peeked half her head through the doorframe; her light teal short hair cascaded like water, her delicate features icy and flawless, her gaze skeptical. "Is it because I mentioned wearing black stockings that you rushed back so quickly?"

Gu Jianlin frowned, "What nonsense are you spouting?"

But when Su Youzhu stepped out of her room, she indeed stunned him.

The young woman wore a red camisole mini dress, revealing snow-white shoulders and slender collarbones. The pleats of her skirt barely covered her thighs while her long, elegant legs were wrapped in black stockings. Through the intricate weave, faint glimpses of her fair skin teased visibility—a tantalizing allure.

True to her word about the black stockings—she had actually worn them.

Youzhu's figure was petite, but her proportions left nothing to be desired.

Gu Jianlin only stole a glance before hastily averting his gaze.

The Parrot Emperor muttered solemnly from his shoulder, "Amitabha, form is emptiness, emptiness is form."

Su Youzhu plopped herself beside him on the couch, snugly positioned, and snorted coldly. "Hmph, even the Buddhist Sect has joyful meditation practices. Stop spouting unrelated nonsense. If I say I wore black stockings for you, I mean it."

She blinked her sparkling eyes, lifting her chin. "Is it to your liking?"

Gu Jianlin calmly picked up his chopsticks and started eating, refusing to engage.

Youzhu understood his demeanor; her mentor once described him as someone who only speaks after considerable prodding. She served him ribs and poured steaming bone broth into his bowl, mumbling, "I thought you'd be home closer to eight. I didn't even manage to put makeup on—just slapped on some primer."

Bringing up makeup irritated Gu Jianlin the most.

Several times, his mom had made him tutor her on schoolwork.

Yet he'd end up waiting outside for hours while she remained inside.

She claimed it was because she was drawing eyeliner.

Hehe.

"You need makeup just to see me?"

Gu Jianlin dryly asked while shoveling rice into his mouth.

"Hmm?"

Youzhu rested her cheek on her palm, her bright eyes swirling mischievously. "What do you mean? Are you saying our relationship is now close enough to skip such rituals?"

Gu Jianlin choked slightly.

Suddenly, he noticed something peculiar on the table.

It was a set of Extraordinary Secret Medicine produced by Pharmacists—all six vials were used, along with the packaging box.

In one swift motion, Youzhu snatched the items and stuffed them into a plastic bag, teleported to the yard, and tossed them into the trash bin outside.

Returning to sit on the sofa as if nothing happened, she clasped her hands formally on her lap, perfectly imitating the demeanor of a sweet and obedient maiden.

If you overlooked her flushed, crimson face, that was.

Evidently, she cared deeply about matters concerning her chest.

"Wait, weren't those the Pharmacist's breast enlargement secret medicines?"

Gu Jianlin paused. "You... used them?"

Youzhu glared playfully at him. "I didn't."

"If you did, what's the harm in admitting it?"

Gu Jianlin reminded her of the last time she was furious about the secret medicines he gifted.

She had even put on a vest to lecture him on where he went wrong.

Recalling her social faux pas, Youzhu covered her face, refusing to speak.

Gu Jianlin, equally embarrassed, continued eating.

"Oh, um… my parents are traveling these days."

After a while, Su Youzhu abruptly changed the subject. "I'll be staying home to recover, no filming ads or anything. So for the next few days, I can cook for you. What do you want tomorrow?"

Gu Jianlin thought for a moment. "How about the roasted pork chops from last time?"

Youzhu peeked at him bitterly through her fingers, her delicate fingertips parting ever so slightly. "Gu Jianlin, you really think nothing of it, don't you? Do you have any idea how troublesome it is to roast pork chops?"

Actually, Gu Jianlin's nature was simple—if he accepted your kindness, he wouldn't hold back on it.

But he'd repay that favor through other means whenever possible.

This was why Youzhu had initially tried to conceal her background.

This young man was already burdened enough.

No need to complicate matters with her family history.

Gu Jianlin placed the metal case flat on the table and opened it with a click. "Worth some pork chops?"

Youzhu froze upon seeing its contents.

"Huh, isn't this Master's Doomsday Pocket Watch?"

She blinked wide-eyed in surprise. "Why is it in your possession?"

The Doomsday Pocket Watch was a Mythical Weapon from the Candle Dragon Clan—a relic transformed through endless time and circumstance, eventually becoming a pocket watch that fell into the You Ying Group's hands.

Mythical Weapons had intriguing properties; their inherent essence remained constant, but their external form transitioned to various mediums—a fascinating dynamic.

Reportedly, a Holy Land-level expert's weapon that once controlled thunder transferred its essence to an inflatable doll.

The expert allegedly fell into depression that day.

The pocket watch's value was extraordinarily high.

Youzhu had taken numerous bounty missions to accumulate contribution points just to vie for this weapon.

In the end, it was swiped by Master.

"What Master? It's yours now."

Gu Jianlin examined the gold-trimmed gift box engraved with Latin text. "And this Creation Angel Secret Medicine—capable of reviving the dead and healing injuries. Keep it with you at all times."

"I also have an Alchemy Weapon Redemption Voucher here. My sources tell me the Ether Association just launched a nanotech fabric armor. It attaches seamlessly to your clothes, offering not only protection but also preventing wardrobe malfunctions."

He continued, "How much longer until you advance to the Fifth Rank? Are your materials and ceremony ready?"

Su Youzhu blinked her delicate eyes, staring intently at the boy right before her.

"Gu Jianlin, are you afraid?"

She asked earnestly.

Gu Jianlin frowned. "Afraid of what?"

Youzhu smirked knowingly at him. "Are you scared you'll lose me or that I won't be around to accompany you?"

Gu Jianlin fell silent again. Every question she asked was a trap.

"Is it so hard to give an honest answer?"

Youzhu teased icily.

Though her tone was indifferent, the emotions in her expression betrayed no trace of coldness.

The Creation Angel Secret Medicine's reputation preceded it.

A rare potion only top-tier Omega Sequence geniuses could redeem.

Even Minister-level individuals weren't guaranteed access.

The value of the Doomsday Pocket Watch went without saying.

"I've firmly established myself within the Ether Association now."

Gu Jianlin said earnestly. "You no longer need to grind yourself so hard. Leave many of those tasks to me—it'll be more efficient."

Youzhu gazed at his profile contemplatively and suddenly said, "Congratulations."

Gu Jianlin raised his eyebrows. "Hmm?"

"Minister Lu already told me."

Su Youzhu curled her lips, glancing sidelong. "You accomplished what even your teacher couldn't."

Then she abruptly climbed into his lap.

Her long, slender legs wrapped in black stockings tightly squeezed his waist.

Gu Jianlin instantly tensed up, teetering on the edge of a reaction.

"Congratulations."

Youzhu sat atop him with an air of superiority, like a little queen.

"Now tell me honestly."

She raised her wrist and dangled a bracelet made from Heavenly Silkworm Silk. "What is this thing?"

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