The servants scrambled into action, but none were more anxious than the Li family guards. If they didn't provide an explanation for what happened today, their livelihoods would likely be forfeit.
They hurried to check the surveillance footage, but the problem was that there were only a few cameras, and almost all of them were located in the servants' quarters.
There was only one camera at the entrance of the second branch's courtyard, and it had captured absolutely nothing.
“What do I even pay you for? Someone managed to kill my pets right inside my own home!”
“I’m telling you, if you don't catch the culprit today, every single one of you can get out!”
The Second Madam was fuming. A young maid beside her hurriedly tried to soothe her.
“Madam, your health is what matters most. Captain Wang is a Clerk; he will surely catch the culprit.”
Captain Wang, however, had a grim expression.
“Madam, the one who did this was a transcendent!”
Upon hearing the word 'transcendent,' both the Second Madam and the young maid were startled.
The Li family had plenty of transcendents of their own, but how strong would someone have to be to break into the Li mansion without alerting anyone?
“Can you see any spiritual residue?”
The Second Madam had her fair share of contact with transcendents and was familiar with the basics.
Captain Wang shook his head.
“It's incredibly faint—not worth the effort of tracking. Someone must have cleaned it up for them.”
“Second Madam, this person is very troublesome.”
“Moreover, they broke into our estate and did nothing but kill a few of your parrots and hamsters. It feels like... a warning.”
Captain Wang didn't continue, but the Second Madam understood the subtext of his words.
‘Did you offend someone out there? Why else would they target only your pets and no one else?’
The Second Madam narrowed her eyes.
“Captain Wang, a transcendent infiltrated our home. How exactly have you been performing your duties as security captain?”
“If you can't even protect a few pets, how can I trust you with our safety?”
Captain Wang’s expression turned exceedingly sour at those words.
The Second Madam simply turned and left.
“If the culprit isn't caught today, you can submit your resignation yourself!”
Captain Wang stood there, waiting until the Second Madam was far out of earshot before muttering under his breath.
“Stupid bitch.”
...
“Impressive. It hasn't been that long, and you're already Sequence 8. If you keep this up, you might even surpass me.”
Hearing Yin Yang’s praise, Canned Food puffed out its chest with pride.
Last night, Canned Food had successfully broken through to Sequence 8, becoming an Assassin!
It was no exaggeration to say that Canned Food now possessed the strength to easily take down an ordinary adult human.
“But you still need to be careful. There are demigods here.”
“Meow~”
Canned Food flicked its tail to show it understood, then lowered its head to ravenously devour its canned cat food.
Yin Yang picked up his shears and began pruning the flowers.
“Are you the new gardener?”
The door to the greenhouse was pushed open from the outside, and a slightly frivolous voice rang out.
Yin Yang turned to see a thin, gaunt man leaning against the doorframe, looking at him.
“Yes, I am the new gardener.”
Yin Yang wore a smile, but his spirituality was boiling violently.
In the shadows, the blade-wielding ghost, the lantern-carrying ghost, and the Red-Haired Ghost all opened their eyes simultaneously!
The man took a deep breath.
“Strange. Ever since I walked in here, I feel like my breathing has become much smoother. The air in your greenhouse must be quite good.”
Yin Yang’s smile didn't waver, but he thought to himself, Is it because the air is good? Or is it because you’re breathing with my lungs!!!
“I am the Third Young Master. Prepare a bouquet for me; I need it to pick up girls tonight.”
“Of course, Third Young Master. Do you have any specific requirements?”
“Just flowers. What else could I need?”
“That depends on the personality of the lady you wish to pursue.”
Hearing this, the Third Young Master curled his lip disdainfully.
“I don't need all that nonsense. Just any bouquet will do.”
“With that lot, all I have to do is say my name and they throw themselves at me shamelessly. Why would I waste effort thinking about their personalities?”
Yin Yang nodded with a smile, walked over to snip a few flowers, and arranged them into a bouquet before handing it over.
“Your flowers, Third Young Master.”
The Third Young Master took the flowers and gave them a sniff.
“Hmm, not bad. Your taste is a bit better than that old fossil before you.”
Having said his piece, he turned and left without a second glance.
Yin Yang stood in place, wrapping paper in his left hand and shears in his right.
In the shadows behind him, three pairs of eyes stared fixedly at the Third Young Master’s back, as if they wanted to hack him into a thousand pieces.
The Third Young Master seemed to sense something and suddenly turned around, only to see Yin Yang waving at him with a gentle expression.
Behind the gardener, the sun was bright, and the flowers were in full bloom.
...
“Brother Yang, you're so amazing! I didn't know you could cook, too.”
Dong Xin looked at Yin Yang with eyes full of admiration. Yin Yang laughed and handed him a grilled chicken wing.
“Give one to your sister. Careful, it’s hot.”
“Okay!”
Dong Xin was a responsible older brother; he carefully blew on the wing until it cooled before handing it to Dong Yue.
Dong Yue’s little mouth was covered in grease as she focused entirely on eating, not even looking up.
“Yummy! So yummy!”
“Tonight, let's have Dad grill some chicken wings, too. We can send some to Brother Yang then.”
The two little ones were full of excitement. Yin Yang opened a bottle of chilled Coke and handed it to Dong Xin.
“Xiao Xin, didn't you say the Third Master manages the household? How come I never see him?”
Dong Xin took the soda and replied, “The Third Master is very busy. People say he’s the manager, but the Third Madam is actually the one who makes all the decisions, big and small.”
“Mhm, mhm, mhm!”
Dong Yue nodded repeatedly, agreeing with her brother. She then looked at Yin Yang expectantly, wanting a sip of the Coke as well.
Yin Yang handed her a bottle of orange juice instead.
“You’re losing your baby teeth; carbonated drinks aren't good for you.”
Dong Yue took a big gulp of the juice and went back to her battle with the chicken wing.
“What about the Eldest and Second Masters? Do they not come home either?”
“Yeah.”
Dong Xin nodded. He took a sip of his Coke, looked around to make sure no one was watching, and leaned in close to Yin Yang’s ear like a little conspirator.
“Brother Yang, I’ll tell you, but you can’t tell anyone else.”
“I won’t.”
“My dad says the Eldest and Second Masters have other families outside.”
Yin Yang feigned a look of surprise, which encouraged Dong Xin to speak even more eagerly.
“It’s true! I heard that one of the families from outside even showed up at the front door once.”
“And then what happened?”
“I don't know after that. My dad wouldn't tell me.”
Dong Xin looked genuinely disappointed that he didn't have the rest of the story.
“What about the Old Master?”
“The Old Master stays in his own courtyard for his retirement. No one is allowed in there except for the three masters—not even the Madams.”
“Unless it’s the annual ancestral ritual, you won’t see him at all.”
“Mhm, mhm, mhm!” Dong Yue continued to nod in agreement.
Yin Yang smiled and patted her head, looking out past the greenhouse.
“An ancestral ritual, huh?”
“Yeah, the Li family is a big clan,” Dong Xin said expectantly.
“Every year during the ancestral ritual, the Old Master hands out a lot of reward money.”
“I’m planning to use this year’s reward money to buy a game console!”
Yin Yang smiled upon hearing that.
I’m afraid he won’t be handing out any reward money this year.
Rate on N.U.
