Chapter 922

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Main Character:

Shen Yao

Gentle, soothing music filled the entire carriage; Shen Xi's voice grew quieter and quieter until she finally tilted her head and fell into a deep sleep.

Shen Yao knew Shen Xi was very tired, so after the mother and daughter met they didn't say much — basically Shen Xi talked about things inside the instance while Shen Yao, as a qualified observer, was responsible for listening.

When the vehicle beneath them stopped in their own villa's underground garage, Shen Yao patted Shen Xi's shoulder and woke her with a gentle tone.

Shen Xi blinked, turning her head to look at the environment outside.

Oh, so we've arrived home.

Three days of instance life had left Shen Xi exhausted; the nap just now had relieved some of it. She raised a hand to rub her eyes, then pushed open the car door. "Still, home is best."

Compared to the instance's uncertainty of surviving each day, and the tense vigilance when leaving the instance, only at home could she relax her mind and be herself again.

Shen Yao smiled. "Go inside. Whatever you want to say, wait until you've rested well."

At those words Shen Xi gave an "mm" and nodded, quickened her pace two steps, raised her arm and hugged Shen Yao's elbow. Shen Xi rarely acted spoiled, saying she had improved a great deal this time and her instance evaluation was also very high.

The mother and daughter walked home like this, talking as they went, until the electronically locked door closed behind them, once again shutting out prying eyes from outside.

Motion-sensor lights lit up the whole villa. Shen Xi sat on the sofa hugging her favorite plush doll, finally in the mood to check her clearance records.

The overly simple personal interface had nothing much to say. Shen Xi first quickly set a nickname for herself, then swiftly scanned the other content, mainly focusing her gaze on the items and traits she had obtained.

Compared to Shen Yao's Spirit Enhancement, Shen Xi had a Body (Speed) Enhancement in addition to Spirit Enhancement. Because she had narrowly escaped death many times in the instance, her body's potential was stimulated, granting her abilities stronger than ordinary players.

"Speed Enhancement?"

Shen Yao took washed fruit from the refrigerator and brought a cup of warm water to Shen Xi.

"Mm, it can greatly save movement time." Shen Xi picked up a fruit from the fruit platter, then demonstrated the speed ability to Shen Yao.

Shen Xi, who had been sitting on the sofa, in the next second appeared on the distant empty ground, then arrived at the doorway, then flashed back before Shen Yao's eyes.

Shen Yao: ……

Without a second thought Shen Yao tossed the apple in her hand toward the distance. The apple, which should have fallen to the ground, was caught by Shen Xi. When Shen Yao turned her head, Shen Xi was sitting on the sofa eating the apple Shen Yao had thrown.

Oh, it seems this Speed Enhancement, if further upgraded, might even produce a Blink effect; removing distance limitations, it would be the optimal trait for rushing to provide support.

"However, to reach that level the current enhancement effect is still far from enough." Shen Xi pointed at the segment she had just moved — her stamina plummeting at extreme speed. Traits like these might look strong, but in usage there are still considerable limitations. Still, compared to ordinary players who have nothing at all, trait enhancements are a trump card.

Finished talking about traits, Shen Xi glanced at the few items she had obtained.

Because her clearance evaluation was A-rank, Shen Xi received A-rank items.

Flaming Heart (A), Omni Bracer (A), Instance Library Card (A), Hardware Store Toolbox (B), Flower Shop Seed Collection (B), Substitute Doll (B), Memory Crystal Ball (Special), Happy Town Invitation (Special), Little Red Flower of the Brave (C)

The items granted by the instance weren't many. Besides those, Shen Xi herself had also actively taken some items; these now all appeared in the item column, and the lowest quality among them was B-rank. Among them, that pocket watch with a little red flower stuck on it had an A+ rank ability.

Punctual Pocket Watch (A+): The pocket watch is used for timing; it innately possesses the ability to be punctual. Likewise, if it is not punctual it will pause time to make it punctual. One must believe in the watchmaker's determination……

Summoning Alarm Clock (B): As long as you tell it the time, it will wake you up, no matter where you are.

Sea of Knowledge (A): Don't be fooled by its thinness; the knowledge inside is vast as the sea. Non-Intermediate Players are not advised to open the book and attempt to read.

…………

Omnipotent Flowerpot and Black Soil (A): Plant whatever you wish; it will all grow, as you desire.

Shen Xi swiftly took out everything she was hugging in her arms, packed in her backpack, and carried in her pockets, matching them one by one against the item column descriptions.

Although her expression still didn't change much, those eyes growing brighter and brighter still showed Shen Yao that Shen Xi's trip into the instance had yielded a rich harvest.

Mm

More than a rich harvest — Shen Xi doing it once equals others doing it for a year. So many A-rank and B-rank items are comparable to the Special Investigation Bureau's heavily guarded warehouse. The key is the Bureau's stash is the result of everyone's efforts, while these are just one person's rewards — Shen Xi's.

Once again revealing a young girl's lively cuteness, Shen Xi looked at the items of varying sizes on the tabletop, unsure how to choose.

Too many things is also a sweet burden. As an Apprentice Player she fundamentally doesn't know which ones to use.

"Use whichever you want. However, these items cannot change shape; overly bulky ones can only be stored in the item column for on-demand use.

Suggest keeping defensive items on you at all times, so that when attacked you'll have a chance to retrieve items from the item column." Otherwise you're just making wedding clothes for others — items can be snatched from each other, as long as you personally kill the person who possesses the item.

Shen Xi gave an "mm" and nodded. Then she took out the Flaming Heart — a very small red gemstone hair clip that can be pinned in the hair. It is an offensive item that can release flames that burn everything, just like its name: Flaming Heart.

Omni Bracer — an item capable of both offense and defense. The pale blue wristband was put on directly; no one would imagine such a cute little thing is actually an A-rank item.

Instance Library Card — this is a proof used only inside instances; it should be the bookstore's reward.

Punctual Pocket Watch — a silver-white watch chain paired with a dial of the same color scheme; inside are delicate, tiny hands. Just right to pin on her chest.

…………

What could be worn was worn on the body; what was temporarily inconvenient to carry was put into the item column, to be taken out when opportunity arose. Shen Xi busied herself until the distant sun rose slightly, then returned to her room to rest.

Shen Yao accompanied Shen Xi the whole time. The mother and daughter also exchanged their respective clearance experiences.

That's right. Shen Xi learned that Shen Yao was also an Apprentice Player, and they even compared the names of the five fixed instances each had encountered.

Result: not a single one matched. For the upcoming fixed instances they could only act separately. Fortunately, this random instance served as a foundation, so each of their safety could be guaranteed.

…………

"It's already the third day?" Shen Xi looked bewildered. She hadn't expected to sleep a whole day and night. Looks like her three days in the instance were more exhausting than imagined.

Shen Yao had long prepared the meal. The two of them ate while discussing the next arrangements.

"Mom, Uncle Huo suggested I join the Special Investigation Bureau." Shen Xi took a bite of the sandwich brought to her mouth. "Right now the Jinghua University matter is reaching its end; I reckon Uncle Huo will take the initiative to find me."

The two met inside the instance. Although during the day Shen Xi acted alone and refused Huo Xunqi's good intentions, at night she still borrowed Huo Xunqi's light. Don't think the plaza is safe — one careless moment and people can lose their lives.

Shen Yao raised an eyebrow. "He called this morning. Depends on your time.

If it's urgent, we'll go straight to the Huo Family after eating. If not urgent, we'll wait for him to finish his business and come find you."

Huo Xunqi is now the Eldest Brother of the Special Investigation Bureau. Every day he opens his eyes and works; even when sleeping he doesn't rest easy. Shen Yao once complained to the system about Huo Xunqi's body being truly durable — tossing about like this and still having energy. He's truly a heaven-chosen workhorse.

Shen Xi quickly finished the sandwich in her hand. "Then let's go to the Huo Family. Just right — Mingze and Mingjue haven't been seen in a while. Don't know how those two are doing at the Huo Family."

Shen Yao snorted a laugh. "How could those two be? The Huo Family's kids tied together aren't their match." Who knows if it's Huo Xunqi's genes that have a problem or (absolutely not herself) what, but Huo Mingze and Huo Mingjue these two kids are simply demon pills reincarnated. Although their behavior style looks normal, the things they do just leave one speechless.

Back when Shen Yao and Huo Xunqi divorced, she had thought about taking the two kids with her, but these two kids' destructive power ordinary people can't bear. Yet the kids' worldview has no problem — it's just their hands-on ability is a bit too strong. The Huo Family elders all like them very much, so Shen Yao ultimately chose to let Huo Xunqi suffer with them. Whose son, whose responsibility (she would also visit often, just not as tired as Huo Xunqi).

Shen Xi looked up at her birth mother, her heart understanding clearly that Mingze and Mingjue must have done something embarrassing again. Sigh, they're both good kids, how can they be so troublesome? She wasn't like this when she was little.

Mother and daughter finished breakfast, then changed clothes, and only then drove away from home to visit the Huo Family.

The Huo Family's residence isn't far from them, because the Huo Family hasn't split households yet. Old, middle, and young three generations counting the kids four generations under one roof — one can imagine how large the residence area must be.

The vehicle drove slowly on the paved bureau. Shen Yao had called Huo Xunqi in advance. The two tacitly didn't mention Huo Mingze and Huo Mingjue — after all, neither wants to lose face in public.

As the grand gate before them opened, bypassing the fountain flower bed in the middle, Shen Yao parked the vehicle at the doorway of what looked like a palace.

As someone who once lived here, Shen Yao long ago had cognition of the Huo Family's domineering nature. If not for Huo Xunqi's generation producing this rebellious youth who insisted on emulating his seniors by joining the military for national defense, right now he should be wearing a suit and leather shoes handling the Huo Family's large and small group company affairs.

"Mom"

"Let's go"

Shen Yao raised a hand to stroke her temples, then together with Shen Xi mounted the stairs, entering this palace.

"Lady Shen, Shen Xi Young Lady"

"Zhong Shu, how is Zhong Shen's health? Have Little Two and Little Three been well-behaved this period?"

The elderly man called Zhong Shu laughed heartily, indicating everything at home is fine. "Mingze Young Master and Mingjue Young Master have always been cute and obedient. The family elders all like them."

Shen Yao:...

Fine then. What virtue her own born brats have, she as birth mother still doesn't know? The Huo Family's filter is really too thick.

The three walked and talked, speaking of large and small things that happened this period. The Huo Family ultimately has some personal connections, plus Huo Xunqi is still the Special Investigation Bureau's Bureau Chief. If not for the Huo Family still wanting to wait and see, afraid players would have been born long ago.

Their timing wasn't good. The family's old master and old madam went out visiting friends. The other elders were either at the company in meetings or attending various wine parties.

Besides Huo Xunqi staying home resting, several kids were still in free activity time. The house basically had no people.

Pretty good

Shen Yao also doesn't want to deal with the Huo Family. Not saying Huo Family people are bad, but adults' conversations are filled with various testing and transactions. Before, still in the Huo Family couldn't avoid it. Now divorced and still have to be like this — then wouldn't she have divorced in vain?

Waved a hand letting Zhong Shu go be busy. She led Shen Xi to find Huo Xunqi. Left or right, Huo Xunqi's residence hasn't changed — still that small building where they lived back then.

Along the Da Tang forward, passing several crystal doors, then taking the elevator upstairs. By the time Shen Xi arrived at Huo Xunqi's room doorway, she saw Huo Xunqi in a full set of casual wear lazily leaning against the door lintel.

Beside Huo Xunqi were also two kids with the same looks as him, just scaled down proportionally.

"Mama, Big Sister"

"Mama, Big Sister"

Huo Mingze and Huo Mingjue spread wide arms and pounced fiercely toward Shen Yao and Shen Xi. Don't look at their well-proportioned, not-fat bodies — that impact force is like a little calf.

Shen Yao rolled her eyes at Huo Xunqi. "Still haven't sent them to training camp?"

This energetic, the house can't contain them. Definitely have to let them out.

Huo Xunqi pinched his chin. "Dad and Mom are reluctant to let them suffer, thinking to train at home."

Train at home? Oh, then she really worries for the instructors. Afraid they'll be reversely tired out by the two kids.

Shen Yao raised a hand and patted Huo Mingze's little head, telling him to go play with Shen Xi. Then herself freed, she came to Huo Xunqi's side. "Hmm, looking like you can still live some years." Back before divorce Shen Yao always worried she'd become a widow young. Now divorced several years, Huo Xunqi instead can endure.

Huo Xunqi:...

Helplessly shook his head and laughed. Huo Xunqi turned and with Shen Yao walked into the room. From the moment the two met, Huo Xunqi knew his own this ex-wife had also become a player. Since so, then telling whom is all the same.

Knowing elders had words to speak, Shen Xi led Huo Mingze and Huo Mingjue away. The whole small building is their residence. Plus Shen Xi once lived here several years. Eyes closed she knows how to walk.

In front of birth sister, Huo Mingze and Huo Mingjue automatically transform into little cuties. Don't look at their two not-big ages, but some things from childhood ear-soaked eye-dyed. Same-age kids don't necessarily have their understanding.

Shen Xi didn't think to hide from the two younger brothers her own becoming a player matter. Moreover this world looking down, players will become more and more people's choice.

"But becoming a player, body capability heart-nature means none can be lacking. This time Jinghua University's instance, not many people survived, right?"

Shen Yao leaned on the chair, both hands together. Heart-thought: with modern people's long-peace thinking, regardless of clever or not, all hard to adapt to instance's cruelty. This is environment-caused, needs slow adjustment. Pity time doesn't wait for people. Instances frequently appear. Special Investigation Bureau again how many can it take care of?