Chapter 759: One Strike, Then Weaken, Then Fail

「……」

After hearing the Red-haired Director's "negotiation" content, Li Ang's expression twitched slightly in embarrassment.

Imagining the scene where the Red-haired Director, whose small life was going well, threatened the Square-head Old Man—saying he'd spread the news that he was his "disciple" and ruin his reputation—Li Ang even felt a faint pang of guilt.

After all, though the Square-head Old Man was eccentric and foul-mouthed, he still contributed to humanity even in death; threatening him with such a thing was truly inappropriate.

After silently apologizing to the Square-head Old Man on the Director's behalf and memorizing this useful negotiation tactic, Li Ang reached out and touched the translucent, peculiar gloves.

【Name: Scream Hands (Suppression, Resentment, Revival)】

【Appearance: A pair of strangely shaped translucent gloves, with reinforced finger joints, entirely stitched from translucent stinging nettles growing in the Yellow River, and upon close inspection, covered in countless microscopic barbs】

【Ability: Suppress divinity, Grudge Mantra, brief revival】

【Cost: Requires no infusion of power—merely wearing them on the hands activates their effect.】

【But each time a punch strikes a target, the barbs inside and outside the gloves pierce both parties' skin, injecting a massive amount of soul toxin that suppresses divinity and causes unbearable pain】

【File: An anomaly forged by the Anomaly "Spirit of Smithing," made from translucent spirit-nettles growing beside the Yellow River and fragments of the Water Bearer Director's special soul essence, exerting extreme suppression over the divinity distributed within a true god's flesh.】

【Additionally, angered by the disgraceful threat he endured, the "Spirit of Smithing" accidentally selected the ultra-penetrating translucent spirit-nettles during material selection, greatly enhancing suppression effects while inflicting unimaginable pain on the user and ensuring their soul remains perpetually alert and sharp.】

【And under initial contact without psychological preparation, the toxin seeping through the translucent spirit-nettles into the soul is potent enough to briefly revive the dead with pain】

【Evaluation: One punch, two screams—one yours, one mine】

【Contamination Value: 0. 】

「……」

Seeing the file's note that the gloves could "briefly revive the dead with pain," and the evaluation "one punch, two screams," Li Ang's mouth twitched violently.

Thank you, Third Master, for this generous gift!!!

From now on, you are my only teacher in the art of forging! No one shall stop me from spreading your fame!

Carefully stowing the item into the Mirror World and warning Little Ha to never touch it, Li Ang—whose mood had greatly improved upon learning of the Water Bearer's death—turned to Emma beside him and smiled as he asked:

"Sorry, Senior Emma, I didn't quite catch that… what did you say Ellie needs?"

「……」

Ellie needs a complete family, especially one that treats her… and her mother… exceptionally well, one that can make up for the paternal love she's lacked for so many years… the… the…

"Why are you staring at me?"

Ignoring her best friend's "Why aren't you leaving yet?" glare, the Red-haired Director, utterly oblivious to being a third wheel, remained comfortably in Li Ang's office, eyes half-lidded with malice, smiling sweetly and urging:

"Go on, Emma~"

"Say what you want~ I love little Ellie too, and I'll help her get whatever she wants~"

「……」

Emma's earlobes had turned crimson without her noticing; she glared at the Red-haired Director with fierce irritation, wishing she could stab her into a red-haired porcupine with her eyes alone.

But no matter how vicious her gaze, the words already on the tip of her tongue refused to leave her mouth.

……

Simply put, there was a full ten-year age gap between them—even her own daughter was now the same age as Li Ang's younger siblings.

Even if Li Ang had once drunkenly claimed he didn't care, the situation would still resemble a divorced middle-aged man with children courting a fresh-out-of-high-school girl.

She might have been able to say it if it were Olivia, but her own face simply wasn't that thick; she couldn't bring herself to do such a thing.

The first time she nearly spoke, it was because she'd suddenly learned Ellie could return to normal—her emotions had overwhelmed her reason.

The second time she managed to speak, it was only by clinging to the belief of "cherishing what's before you" and the desire to give Ellie a complete family, forcing herself to muster a sliver of courage—only for Olivia to ruin it again.

Now, after her excitement had cooled and her courage had been abruptly shattered, this third attempt was already nearly impossible—especially with this bastard, familiar to both her and Li Ang, watching with a knowing, teasing grin…

How could she possibly speak now?

After glaring furiously at the Red-haired Director several times—only to have her insults completely ignored—Emma realized she had no power over this rogue; she bit her lip, enduring the burning heat in her earlobes and the bitterness in her heart, and spoke in a steady voice:

"Ellie… needs peers and friends, and also a normal child's life… could she attend a school with Melanie and the others?"

After forcing herself to speak, concern for her daughter surged again; Emma pushed aside her chaotic thoughts and added anxiously:

"Ellie is rather introverted, has never interacted with children her age, and has never attended school. I worry she won't adapt if suddenly thrust into an unfamiliar environment… if possible, could your younger siblings look out for her?"

"No problem!"

Overwhelmed by the Water Bearer Director's death and riding a high, Li—Fresh-out-of-High-School—Ang didn't notice the silent battle between the Director and Senior Emma; he slapped his chest and promised outright:

"Let Ellie join the same class as William and the others! And if possible, seat her close by!

As for making friends, Melanie and the others may not be top students, but they get along great with everyone—having them guide her, Ellie will fit in before long."

"Thank you…"

She offered her thanks with genuine sincerity, yet still felt a bitter ache in her chest; unable to endure her best friend's two parts flirtation, three parts mockery, and five parts knowing teasing gaze,

Emma's cheeks flushed red; she instinctively turned her head away from Li Ang and the Director, hastily shoved open the office door, and fled as if escaping death, leaving behind only a trembling farewell:

"I… I have something to do—I'm leaving!"

After her hasty departure, the two inside, who had appeared calm, both relaxed their expressions at once.

Just as Li Ang opened his mouth to ask about the details of the Water Bearer's death and check for any lingering doubts, he felt his collar tighten—before a stunningly beautiful face, teeth clenched in a furious smile, pressed right up to his own.

"Three days!"

Grabbing Li Ang's collar, the Red-haired Director, who had held it in for hours, bit her teeth and demanded with a half-laugh, half-snarl:

"I was gone for three days—and you've already won over my Emma? Are you really that efficient, you bastard?"

(End of Chapter)