Xia Yu originally thought the star fragments might be useful, but it turned out they were merely tools for crossing between worlds and could offer no help at all. He had no choice but to handle everything himself.
An Tianfeng had no interest in what Xia Yu was about to say next. He wasn’t a man easily persuaded, but he had already sensed the determination of both An Siyao and Xia Yu, knowing his resistance wouldn’t change anything.
Moreover, Xia Yu kept reminding him of his own immoral actions through words, making it impossible for An Tianfeng to continue listening.
More importantly, if he continued to oppose them, wouldn’t his own grandson end up belonging to the Yu family?
An Tianfeng couldn’t bear this humiliation.
“Alright, don’t say any more. I won’t interfere anymore,” An Tianfeng raised his hand to stop Xia Yu.
He then asked, “When are you two planning to get married?”
Xia Yu was taken aback.
“A child is already on the way; why not get married soon?” An Tianfeng glared at Xia Yu.
Xia Yu opened his mouth, unsure of what to say. An Siyao had said the child was a lie!
“Leave it to me. I’ll pick an auspicious date for you,” An Tianfeng sighed, feeling that the younger generation wasn’t as reliable as his own.
“Oh, by the way,” An Tianfeng suddenly remembered something else, “You can’t leave your little mistress in Yaoguang; send her to another city. And if you get exposed, don’t blame me for turning my back on you.”
An Tianfeng meant for Xia Yu to keep things quiet and avoid being discovered.
“I don’t plan to keep a mistress,” Xia Yu replied, realizing the problem wasn’t resolved yet. An Tianfeng assumed he intended to hide away a lover.
“If you don’t keep a mistress, how else will you manage? Don’t tell me you’re planning to have multiple wives in the outer districts,” An Tianfeng looked at Xia Yu in astonishment.
Xia Yu had indeed considered such an idea, but he knew An Tianfeng would never agree. It wasn’t a solution to the problem.
“There’s absolutely no way I’d agree. If that’s what you’re thinking, you might as well not get married at all. Having a messy private life sounds better than being labeled crazy. I’d rather people say Siyao used a pretty boy to have a child than believe she was tricked into going to the outer districts by him,” An Tianfeng said firmly.
His main objection was based on public opinion.
“Besides, what will happen to my group and her grandfather’s group if you go to the outer districts?” An Tianfeng added.
Undoubtedly, an outer-district person couldn’t inherit either the An or Yu family’s business empires.
“I’ll figure it out,” Xia Yu said.
“You’ll figure out nothing! If it could be solved, I would’ve done it long ago…” An Tianfeng almost blurted out his true thoughts but stopped himself in time and changed the subject, “It must be settled before the child is born!”
“Fine,” Xia Yu decided to be more careful lately and avoid creating any more “children.”
Unaware that the child was a fabrication, An Tianfeng had already started planning how to force Xia Yu to comply with his wishes in seven or eight months.
After leaving An Tianfeng’s hospital room, Xia Yu gave An Siyao a thumbs-up indicating success.
An Siyao walked in. Father and daughter were still sulking at each other, saying nothing.
An Siyao poked at an apple, offering it to An Tianfeng, who initially refused to eat, but thinking of the pain of toothpicks poking his mouth, he finally opened his mouth.
Xia Yu took a fruit knife and began peeling an apple.
In the evening, Xia Yu and An Siyao left.
An Tianfeng’s female secretary brought a large food container to the hospital room.
She opened the container, revealing an abundant array of dishes.
An Tianfeng glanced at the trash can filled with apple peels and told the secretary, “Take it away. I can’t eat anymore.”
Watching the fragrant food move away from him, An Tianfeng lay in bed, his expression pained.
He suspected that An Siyao and Xia Yu were deliberately tormenting him—constantly peeling and feeding him apples. He had eaten apples for two hours straight!
Meanwhile, Xia Yu, who was being blamed by An Tianfeng, was already holding An Siyao in his arms, fast asleep.
Nights were spent holding An Siyao, while days were spent working in Xu Youxiang’s body. Two more days passed like this.
At the research institute, they finally developed a relatively mature drug. Next came the long process of clinical trials, which were handed over to the experts. Xia Yu temporarily had some free time.
That afternoon, while playing a video game, he received an inter-district call.
Puzzled about the caller’s identity, Xia Yu pressed the answer button. Zhurui’s voice came through.
“How’s it going?” Xia Yu asked.
In reality, he already knew the situation. Although he hadn’t asked Yu Ningmeng, from An Siyao’s cheerful demeanor over the past few days, Zhurui’s chances at the throne were likely gone.
“Not too bad,” Zhurui replied.
“Then come back soon,” Xia Yu said. It wasn’t safe for her to stay in the outer districts for too long; unexpected events might happen.
Zhourui was silent for ten seconds before speaking firmly, “I want to be the queen.”
“…I don’t have that kind of hobby,” Xia Yu replied.
“???” Zhurui, inexperienced and naive, didn’t understand what Xia Yu meant.
“What queen? Come back home and be a couch potato. Is the gaming bad or the snacks unappetizing?” Xia Yu urged.
“I want to be,” Zhurui’s voice softened, “Will you help me, Bear?”
“I don’t have the ability to help you become queen,” Xia Yu refused.
“I see,” Zhurui sighed softly, muttering, “Then I’ll have to assassinate them.”
“Wait, what did you say?” Xia Yu sat up straight.
“If I eliminate all the rebel factions, I can become queen,” Zhurui shared her plan with Xia Yu, “I’m going to host a party and blow them all up.”
“Is that even feasible?” Xia Yu was extremely shocked.
“I guess so?” Zhurui answered with a question.
“This isn’t the time to be cute!” Xia Yu felt a headache coming on as he rubbed his temples, beginning to think.
When deciding whether to do something, one must consider two questions: feasibility and necessity.
Zhourui was clearly determined. Helping her was necessary. The remaining question was whether this plan was feasible.
Xia Yu opened his skill menu and looked:
[Pharmacy LV6, Music LV5, Test Education LV5, Dexterity LV5, Shooting LV4, Strength LV4, Programming LV4, Dressing LV3, Flattery LV3, Business LV3, Painting LV3, Comforting LV3, Massage LV3, Endurance LV3, Inspiration LV3, Martial Arts LV2, Intimidation LV2, Makeup LV2, Driving LV2, Mental Therapy LV2, Flower Arrangement LV2, Buddhist Philosophy LV2, Night Vision LV1, Elegance LV1, Video Gaming LV1, Telepathy LV1, Dexterity Boost LV1, Test Education Boost LV1, Shooting Boost LV1]
None of these skills were particularly useful. The An and Yu families’ influence couldn’t reach District 14. Although District 14 ranked relatively low, it was still a powerful nation.
Fortunately, Zhurui herself possessed the necessary skills.
Exploitation, oratory, and political acumen—exactly the traits of a queen.
The experience cards she had accumulated could help Xia Yu quickly elevate these skills to a high level. The next step would depend on the situation in District 14.
Opportunity makes the hero; without the right timing, no action would be effective.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage