Chapter 505

Arriving at a new place out of the blue, Shen Yao thought she would suffer insomnia at night, but unexpectedly she slept soundly until dawn.

When she was woken by a robot and looked around in a daze at the slightly unfamiliar surroundings, Shen Yao realized only then: oh, they were no longer on the spaceship; this was the Xu Family residence.

She got out of bed, picked up the water cup brought by the robot, and moistened her throat.

Shen Yao buried herself in washing up and tidying up; when she came out again, she looked completely refreshed.

Xu Zi Qing had sent a communication early; they would gather in the hall first as a family.

Shen Yao:...

"Not" going to visit the Xu Family elders? Looking at the dishes that had already covered the entire tabletop, Shen Yao opened and closed her mouth.

"Yao Yao is here, hurry and sit, hurry and sit," Xu Mother stood up and pulled Shen Yao's wrist, pointing at the table full of food and saying they were all specialties of Planet N25, asking her to taste them.

Xu Zi Qing quietly mentioned that this morning had not been peaceful; they needed to fill their bellies before they could properly enjoy the show.

"Zi Qing, after all, they are your elders," they were all old people of several dozen to over a hundred years old; how could one speak so bluntly?

Xu Father looked at his son disapprovingly; before Xu Zi Qing could refute, he was glared at several times by Xu Mother, who had returned to his side.

"Is there any elder like them? Back then, why didn't Zi Qing go to the army? Xu Tingxi, do you really not understand or are you pretending not to? Is Xu Zi Jin better than our son? He still successfully entered the army."

Speaking of this made Xu Mother angry, the kind that even a table full of delicacies could not soothe.

Xu Father:...

Xu Father immediately dared not speak further, honestly comforting his wife that it was not like that; although the Xu Family had not done things properly, they had at least saved some face, so when they came in the future, they could save some trouble.

As for Xu Father's feelings toward the Xu Family elders, there was basically nothing left.

Being able to say that was just Xu Father wanting some face; it was not that he was truly foolishly filial and ignorant.

Seeing this, Shen Yao exchanged a glance with Xu Zi Qing; the two smiled tacitly, everything left unsaid.

Ignoring the little incident that had happened, the four of them had a relatively warm breakfast.

During the meal, Xu Mother kept pulling Shen Yao to chat, not forgetting to talk about her and Xu Father's work; they had long been rooted in different exploration planets, spending little time with Xu Zi Qing. If it were not for Xu Zi Qing striving on his own, their family of three might have been exiled to live on a remote planet.

Xu Father:... Not that serious; after all, he was also an Xu Family member (although marginalized).

Xu Zi Qing saw that the time was about right and interrupted Xu Mother, who still wanted to continue her topic: "We should go greet the elders."

Xu Mother nodded reluctantly, still wanting more: "Go, go early and return early."

She usually disliked seeing the Xu Family elders the most, but because of Xu Zi Qing, their family of three had to attend several events held by the Xu Family every year.

Sighing and groaning, Xu Mother hooked her arm around Xu Father's arm and complained that Xu Father was too indecisive; back then, he should have just taken Xu Zi Qing and left directly.

"I did bring it up back then; I said you thought the exploration planet environment was harsh and not good for Zi Qing's growth," that was why they left Xu Zi Qing in the Xu Family, resulting in their family of three suffering tragedy for many years.

Xu Mother:...

Xu Mother was angry and reached out to twist Xu Father's arm; would this old man ever know how to speak?

Did he have to oppose her? Did he have to sing a different tune? Did he have to take her seriously?

Xu Father:...

Xu Father meekly said he dared not, he dared not; he was definitely too old, his memory had become chaotic, he had just remembered wrong.

Seeing this, Xu Mother was very satisfied and continued to mutter quietly about the Xu Family's impropriety.

Shen Yao:...

Shen Yao was numb, staring blankly at Xu Father and Xu Mother walking ahead; she never expected this couple to get along like this, and that Xu Zi Qing could grow up to be like this was indeed not easy.

Xu Zi Qing:... Although but, his life was still quite easy.

Four people, four thoughts; when they arrived at the residence where the Xu Family elders were, they all tacitly closed their mics, adjusted their emotions, and focused on what was before them.

"It's Zi Qing, ah."

"This time you're back, Zi Qing brought a girlfriend?"

"Second Uncle, this is my fiancée."

Xu Zi Qing introduced Shen Yao to the Xu Family people in the hall without humility or arrogance.

No matter what the other party thought, Shen Yao and Xu Zi Qing were both very calm.

As for Xu Father and Xu Mother, they had already run to a corner and slipped away successfully.

"There are really so many people in your Xu Family," this uncle, that uncle, this aunt, that aunt, and many older brothers, younger brothers, elder sisters, younger sisters.

Oh heavens, where is this one big family? This is clearly a small kingdom.

And within the kingdom, classes were distinct; whether one could rise depended entirely on one's own value.

For example, the middle-aged woman currently standing among several old men (said by Xu Zi Qing to be figures of the Xu Grandfather Generation) had two children at home with strong Mental Power; their manifested Spirit Bodies were Mutant Flame Tigers, and they immediately entered the Xu Family Core Circle, becoming the next generation heavily promoted by the Xu Family.

As for the couple with dejected expressions not far from that middle-aged woman, they were the parents of the previous Xu Family's Chosen One of Heaven; at this time, because the Chosen One of Heaven was too rebellious, they were temporarily cast into the Cold Palace by the Xu Family elders.

Shen Yao:... Not to mention anything else, these matters of the Xu Family looked like they would be quite entertaining.

Xu Zi Qing led Shen Yao to a region with less foot traffic to rest.

Around them were all Xu Family Younger Generation, who could not compare with Xu Zi Qing at all, so there was no one deliberately causing trouble to make things difficult for Shen Yao.

The kind of plot in novels where everything targets the female lead and the Male Lead heroically saves the beauty at the critical moment could only be said to have a low probability of happening in real life.

Shen Yao picked up a small cake and brought it to her mouth; just as she bit into it and chewed two mouthfuls, before she could swallow, she was slapped in the face by Xu Zi Jin rushing in from outside.

The people who had been harmonious all fell silent, their gazes all looking toward the doorway.

Tang Mian Mian hid behind Xu Zi Jin; around her were mecha single soldiers (also descendants of other famous families) who had a good relationship with her.

"Zi Jin is back, hurry in, hurry in, the family has been missing you."

The abrupt voice broke the strange atmosphere and allowed everyone to catch their breath.

Looking at Xu Zi Jin being pulled away by his father, Shen Yao glanced at Xu Zi Qing beside her.

"What's wrong?" Xu Zi Qing's eyelashes trembled slightly, leaving a patch of light and shadow.

Shen Yao smiled and shook her head; because she had put the small cake in her hand into her mouth, her cheeks on both sides puffed up slightly, like a cute little squirrel.

"Xu Grandfather, I disagree; that is the reward Mian Mian obtained by relying on herself."

「Zi Jin」

"Ridiculous! Without your help, how could a mere ordinary person like her obtain a World Core on a dangerous exploration planet? Do you think I don't know the situation?"

"Grandpa Xu, you can't violate interstellar law; this doesn't comply..."

"Outrageous! What gives you the right to speak here?"

「……」

The argument grew louder and louder; it was impossible for the others to pretend they couldn't hear.

Although Shen Yao and Xu Zi Qing were far away, the System wasn't limited by distance, so the real-time broadcast assistant was online again.

The System rattled on about the frontline situation, and it felt pretty intense.

Mainly, Xu Ziyu was arguing with several Xu family elders for Tang Mian Mian's sake, while the others (around Tang Mian Mian) helped chime in and maneuver; Tang Mian Mian hid in the back without expressing an opinion (she had tried to speak before, but was shut down).

"Host, what do you think the final outcome will be?"

"If Tang Mian Mian is smart, she'll directly hand over that resource-rich planet to win the elders' favor and bind herself to Xu Ziyu for good."

That might look like a loss right now, but it'll definitely pay off more in the long run.

Xu Ziyu is the one the Xu family is grooming; normally speaking, his future is limitless.

Tang Mian Mian got that planet's World Core, and Xu Ziyu contributed significantly, even with the Xu family's assistance; otherwise, the elders wouldn't be this furious.

Not saying Tang Mian Mian is at fault—she got it through her own ability, so why should she give it up? But if she wants a better life later, she has to lower her head.

Unless Tang Mian Mian can find a potential stock even better than the Xu family's Xu Ziyu, she can't afford to give up the benefits she can get in the Xu family for just one planet.

Judging by the intel the System provided, Tang Mian Mian has other contacts, but few can match Xu Ziyu.

"Oh my, Host, Tang Mian Mian didn't agree," the System relayed the previous conversation in a weird, dramatic tone.

Tang Mian Mian insisted this matter had nothing to do with the Xu family and that she and Xu Ziyu could handle it themselves.

Xu Ziyu agreed with Tang Mian Mian's stance, unwilling to divide assets over this planet.

Seeing the negotiation fail, the Xu elders waved their hands and had people chase them away.

Xu Ziyu took Tang Mian Mian's hand and turned to leave, ignoring his own parents' embarrassment and not caring how the rest of the Xu family viewed the matter.

Anyway, it was pretty dashing~

"Host, are you envious?" Impossible, you probably despise them deep down.

The System felt that if it were the Host, she definitely couldn't pull off something like falling out face-to-face; after all, it's such a huge enterprise, and she's worked hard for years—it would feel wrong not to recoup some of that investment.

"Envious of what? Still what I said before: what a waste."

Whether it's Tang Mian Mian, Xu Ziyu, or those elite soldiers following them steadfastly, they're all too young, vigorous, and inflexible.

Once word of today's incident gets out, does Xu Ziyu still think he can achieve great things in the military? Being marginalized would be a best-case scenario.

In places with deep-rooted, tangled connections, having no background or backing just makes things difficult.

But this also shows the two's courage in not fearing the powerful. If there are forces hostile to the Xu family, they might just secretly support the two.

The show was about over (mainly because the Xu elders lost interest), so the others left one after another.

Shen Yao and Xu Zi Qing were just spectators; with the lead actors gone, they naturally wouldn't stay longer. After meeting up with Xu Father and Xu Mother, the four of them turned and left.

"Last time I saw Ziyu, he was just a half-grown lad; though arrogant, he still knew reason.

Seeing him today," Xu Mother didn't know what to say, only shaking her head and sighing.

"Young people are all like this; by the time they grow sensible, they'll realize that things shouldn't have turned out this way."

Xu Father couldn't bring himself to say Xu Ziyu's ideas were naive; the Xu family's door is easy to leave but hard to enter again, and besides, the family has poured so many resources into him—it can't be wasted.

Their relationship with Xu Ziyu was limited to exchanging greetings when they met, so there wasn't much to say; as for going to persuade Xu Ziyu, his own parents were there, so it wasn't their place to meddle.

Back at the residence, everyone rested separately.

Because Xu Father and Xu Mother still had work and could only stay three days before leaving hastily.

Shen Yao and Xu Zi Qing had other matters and had to stay at the Xu family for a few more days.

The Xu elders might have truly been infuriated by Xu Ziyu; even when they saw Shen Yao later, they were very calm, completely lacking the previous sharpness toward Tang Mian Mian. One white-haired old lady even urged Xu Zi Qing and her to get along well.

Shen Yao:... Magical.

"Mainly because I'm not as important as Xu Ziyu; no matter what the future wife is like, the Xu elders won't care too much."

"But can't deny, thanks to Xu Ziyu," it did serve a purpose, contrasting to reveal the truth.

Shen Yao helplessly shot Xu Zi Qing a glare, and the two began planning their departure from Planet N25.

After all, they'd been out for quite a while; never mind the Hengsuo Farm issue, the terraforming of Planet W4521 needed constant monitoring with no room for error.

So let's leave ASAP, lest the Xu family react and come looking for trouble.

Who let the Xu family have such a precedent? Xu Zi Qing had a very low opinion of the Xu family's bottom line.

"Not just that reason," Shen Yao looked at Xu Zi Qing with a smile.

"Xu Ziyu is still on N25, and the planet Tang Mian Mian got is nearby too," Xu Zi Qing shrugged calmly.

Shen Yao propped her chin on her hand, "Why don't they leave quickly then?"

Staying has no benefits; do they think the Xu family will back down first? Impossible.

The older generation's thinking is stubborn and rigid; once they decide on something, it's very hard to change.

Xu Ziyu used to be the favored son of heaven, wanting for nothing without even asking; even if he didn't speak up, the Xu family would prepare things in advance and send them over.

Now, Xu Ziyu thinks it'll still be like that, so he's waiting confidently for the family's reaction.

The reality? The Xu family is considering how to recoup their previous investment from Xu Ziyu, and will most likely resort to coercive measures.

"If they won't leave, we will; keeping our distance is the smart move."

Xu Zi Qing pulled Shen Yao toward the starship docking point; citing busy affairs, they requested the ship return to Planet N80 at maximum speed.

Only after the two left smoothly did Xu Zi Qing show Shen Yao his communication logs, which clearly detailed the Xu family's action plan.

"What about Tang Mian Mian?"

There was no personal information about Tang Mian Mian above, as if she had vanished into thin air.

Xu Zi Qing's expression was serious. "She's gone. Tang Mian Mian had already disappeared by the time Xu Zi Jin was caught and brought back to the Xu Family."

The Xu Family was also searching for someone, but to little effect, and were about to give up.

After all, strictly speaking, Tang Mian Mian's actions were somewhat immoral, but this was a private matter between Tang Mian Mian and Xu Zi Jin, having nothing to do with the Xu Family.

That planet was also Tang Mian Mian's private property, protected by Federation law, and the Xu Family had no right to interfere.

"What will happen to Xu Zi Jin next?" A marriage alliance? Or an arrangement to train on a remote planet? Or even to do some shady private work for the Xu Family? Shen Yao was somewhat curious.

"First look at Xu Zi Jin's attitude. After all, the Xu Family has cultivated her for so long," too much energy and assets had been invested, and the Xu Family elders definitely wanted to pull her back onto the right track, unless Xu Zi Jin was truly useless.