This thing is no longer worth keeping.

As Xu Lin was struck, the sounds in the venue fell silent in an instant. Chu Qingchan and Chu Fengyi rushed over, with staff members quickly gathering around. The director and producer hurried to pull the two women aside, preventing any further altercations.

“I'm fine, really. I wore thick clothes—just a couple of scratches on my hand and neck,” Xu Lin said.

“Just squat down and don’t move! Let me have a look,” Chu Fengyi instructed.

He endured the pain and crouched, while Chu Fengyi checked him over and helped remove his baseball jacket.

“Call for the school doctor!” several teachers shouted. Since it was only a campus short film, the crew hadn’t arranged for an on-site physician.

A few minutes later, two school doctors arrived. They disinfected, applied medicine, and bandaged his wounds. Luckily, he’d protected his head well. He had two cuts on his hand and a scratch on his neck, but nowhere else was bleeding.

Once finished, Chu Fengyi curled her lip. “Just a few tiny wounds and you’re grimacing like that.”

“I can't handle it now,” Xu Lin admitted, recalling memories of himself in white robes, wielding a slender sword, able to charge through thousands, seven times in and out. Once, he'd suffered a wound as long as his forearm, and during healing, hadn’t so much as flinched. Now… the pain was unbearable!

But more than the pain, as he got up and was supported by the woman, he received a notification—she qualified for the 12 Zodiac system's certification.

He was a bit baffled, but for the first time, felt no urge to pursue this further, regardless of whether she truly seduced someone’s husband or not.

He couldn’t handle her personality, and besides, once filming ended tomorrow, he’d return to Linshui, and likely never cross paths again.

Of course, there was General Ye as well, who treated him kindly, though mostly because of Peony. They’d all left Jinling; even if they found time to meet, it wouldn’t be often.

He opened the system, intending to check Ye Qinleng’s profile. The system, always obsessed with looks, made him wonder if General Ye’s figure counted toward her charm score.

[Ye Qinleng]
[Age: 31]
[Zodiac: Dog]
[Intelligence: 7.5]
[Constitution: 4]
[Charm: 8.5]
[Current Favorability: 19]

As expected, her charm score was high, likely boosted by her figure. In terms of looks, Ye Qinleng was about equal to Teacher Su, who scored 8. The extra 0.5 must be attributed to her rare physique, while Teacher Su’s was more typical.

[Liu Qinwan]
[Age: 14]
[Zodiac: Rabbit]
[Intelligence: 7]

[Constitution: 3]
[Charm: 7.2]
[Current Favorability: 24]

Heavens—her favorability was already at 24, higher than General Ye’s. The hero-saving-beauty trope was really effective?

Her charm was similar to Ji Yun’s. Though both had a good foundation and temperament, they hadn’t fully matured yet. Their values would change with age.

Finally, he found someone as weak as he’d been before training—a fourteen-year-old girl with the same constitution as his seventeen-year-old self.

“Thank you for your guidance, Master,” Xu Lin said quickly. Chu Fengyi nodded absent-mindedly.

After a while, another commotion broke out. Liu Qinwan’s agent and the two women exchanged insults, while Liu Qinwan sat quietly to one side, saying nothing.

A few minutes later, a police car drove up, and instantly the women fell silent.

After ten more minutes, a rather attractive middle-aged woman arrived, embraced Liu Qinwan, who immediately began to cry.

“That’s her mother—I’ve seen her on a show before.”

“Let’s go now—her mom’s here. Are you still hurting?” Chu Fengyi asked.

“Let’s go, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to take Peony out for fun in this state.”

“You’re so invested, and she’s not even your real daughter.”

“Who wouldn’t like such a cute, obedient child?”

“You just like her mother, don’t you?” Chu Fengyi shot him a glare.

“How could you say that? I haven’t met her mother, and I treat her well too.”

“I trust Xu Lin. He’s just a high schooler, how could he have such thoughts?” Chu Qingchan chimed in, though Chu Fengyi curled her lip—he was definitely not as innocent as he seemed.

Everyone returned to the hotel, planning to pick up the little one for dinner, and found that Ye Qinleng had come back early today.

“What happened to you?” Ye Qinleng hurried over, grasping his arm, her face full of concern, making Chu Qingchan doubt her own judgment for a moment.

No, it was just friendly worry, nothing more. It was Chu Fengyi’s words that had influenced her.

Xu Lin briefly recounted the day’s events. Ye Qinleng nodded—compared to the chaos of the business district, this was nothing; it wasn’t a big deal.

So they booked a small private room in a nearby restaurant to have dinner together.

Ye Qinleng mentioned she would be leaving tomorrow, as her affairs were nearly settled.

Peony sat on his lap, looking a bit upset.

“Brother, can’t you carry Peony anymore?”

“Sorry, once my hand heals, I’ll carry you again.”

“But Peony will leave tomorrow.”

“In the future, you can come find brother anytime you want to play.”

Peony looked up at Ye Qinleng, who reached out to ruffle her hair.

“Yes, when I have free time, I’ll definitely bring you to see brother.”

“Mom likes to lie,” Peony pouted.

“When have I ever lied to you? I just promised you for a later date,” Ye Qinleng tapped her daughter’s nose.

“Mr. Xu, you know my phone number. Whenever you’re in Linshui, I hope I won't disturb you.”

“Not at all, you’re always welcome. Linshui isn’t large, but the environment is pleasant. I’ll take you out to the countryside.”

While everyone chatted and ate, Peony, who seemed much happier, suddenly blurted out:

“Mom, when will you find me a dad?”

“Jiangli, here you go again—I told you, you don’t have a dad.”

Ye Qinleng’s face changed instantly, glaring at Peony and pulling her into her arms.

“But everyone else has a dad—why don’t I?”

Her little eyes reddened, glimmering as if about to cry. The three watched her, their hearts aching, but Ye Qinleng spoke even more firmly:

“Your father is gone, and I won’t find you another.”

“Boohoo... why won’t you find me a dad?”

“Because he wouldn’t just be your father, but my husband too,” Ye Qinleng said, regardless of whether her daughter understood.

“Then why not let Brother Xu Lin be my dad?”

“Jiangli is talking nonsense again! Miss Chu, please don’t mind her,” she pinched Peony’s bottom and quickly addressed Chu Qingchan.

Chu Qingchan didn’t take it to heart—she wasn’t even dating yet. Xu Lin, you’d better make a move, can’t let me be the one to act first.

But Chu Fengyi fired a shot: “Xu Lin doesn’t have a girlfriend. If General Ye is interested, she should seize the opportunity.”

“Ah... I really didn’t mean it...” Ye Qinleng quickly sipped her wine, glancing at Xu Lin. Chu Qingchan truly wasn’t his girlfriend.

Xu Lin happened to catch the sight of Ye Qinleng’s tongue brushing her lips, freezing in place.

Chu Qingchan hurriedly poked her sister. You’re giving us another rival!

Peony delivered another blow: “Mom, didn’t you say you like brother?”

“When did I ever say that!”

“Just last night, when you thought I was asleep and talked to yourself...”

Damn it! This child must go!