Chapter 3: They Said You

In the master bedroom.

Lin Tianhao leaned against the headboard, lighting a cigar with a look of satisfaction.

His bare upper body was covered in crisscrossed scars—the medals of a war god’s glory.

“Still got it, General Lin.”

Su Wan, wrapped in a silk robe, lazily rested her head on her husband’s shoulder, her fingers tracing lightly over the scars:

“Looks like that dragon meat really paid off—your combat power hasn’t faded a bit.”

“Of course!”

Lin Tianhao smirked, raised an eyebrow, and waved his hand with a touch of boldness:

“Look who you’re talking to—Thundering War God!”

“If I hadn’t been afraid of waking up Mo’er with the noise, I’d have unleashed two more rounds of ‘Thundering Storm’ just now!”

Su Wan rolled her eyes at him and pinched his arm lightly:

“Stop showing off—you trying to tear the house down?”

At that, Su Wan’s eyes grew worried:

“I hope this time we get a kid with decent talent—so if Mo’er gets bullied later, at least he’ll have a younger brother or sister to protect him.”

Lin Tianhao took his wife’s hand.

“Don’t worry—I’ve got a feeling this one’s going to work!”

“Mo’er was… well, an accident. Next time, we’ll get a little monster!”

Just then.

Vrrr—vrrr—

The phone vibrated on the nightstand.

Lin Tianhao frowned slightly, picked up the phone, glanced at the caller ID, and his expression turned strangely tense.

“Who’s calling this late?”

Su Wan asked.

“Old Zhao.”

Lin Tianhao sneered, clearly disgusted, “That old bastard Zhao Lei—probably just here to show off.”

The moment he answered, Zhao Lei’s booming voice blared through the speaker:

“Hey! Old Lin! Still up this late? Sounds like you haven’t even rested yet!”

“Get to the point!”

Lin Tianhao snapped back, “I’m busy—don’t waste my time with your nonsense.”

“Heh, nothing big—just my boy just awakened, and I thought I’d share the good news with an old war comrade.”

Zhao Lei didn’t take offense; his tone dripped with pride.

Before Lin Tianhao could respond, Zhao Lei launched into his boasting:

“You know, my boy awakened as a Flame Mage—shame his fire affinity rating’s only S-grade, kind of average, really.”

Zhao Lei sighed, feigning modesty.

Lin Tianhao snorted.

Flame Mage, S-grade fire affinity—you call that average?

My own Thundering War God affinity? Also S-grade.

Anyone with an S-grade elemental affinity is guaranteed to be among the city’s top-tier combatants.

“Oh, that’s nice,” Lin Tianhao replied flatly. “Congratulations.”

“Same to you!”

Zhao Lei pretended not to notice Lin Tianhao’s irritation and continued:

“You know what? My boy’s already almost level 3.”

“By the way, Old Lin, I heard your Mo’er’s awakening was pretty weak—how about letting my boy help your Mo’er level up? Give him a little guidance? We’ve known each other a long time, right?”

Beep…

Before Zhao Lei finished, Lin Tianhao stared blankly and hung up the call.

The bedroom fell into a brief, heavy silence.

Su Wan hugged his arm protectively and whispered:

“Angry about what Old Zhao said?”

“Hmph, you know what that old bastard’s like.”

Lin Tianhao leaned back against the headboard, but this time his hand gripping the cigarette tightened slightly:

“Back in college, I crushed him. Then when he joined the City Defense Force, I crushed him again.”

“For decades, Zhao Lei never once stood tall in front of me!”

“Now the heavens hand him an S-grade Flame Mage son…”

“He’s been holding his breath for decades—finally found his chance to get back at me!”

Su Wan sighed, her eyes also filled with helplessness:

“Honey, an S-grade Flame Mage? That’s a genius among geniuses.”

“In three days, during the Careerist Exam, Zhao’s boy will steal the spotlight—he might even break the city record.”

“When that happens, if Mo’er’s results are terrible… the gossip won’t stop.”

“He dares!”

Lin Tianhao’s eyes flared, a surge of aura bursting forth, “If he dares say one bad word about Mo’er to my face, I’ll rip his mouth open!”

“Ah, Old Lin, your fists can silence Zhao Lei—but not the whole city’s tongue.”

“Zhao’s boy’s always been arrogant and has never gotten along with our Mo’er—he’ll surely stir up his little cronies to spread rumors…”

Su Wan glanced at Lin Tianhao, her worry deepening.

After a long pause, Lin Tianhao exhaled a smoke ring, his voice now hoarse and low:

“The Exam… for fairness, only basic Bronze-grade gear is allowed—it’s pure, unfiltered strength, broadcast live across the entire city, under everyone’s eyes.”

Saying this, Lin Tianhao crushed the freshly lit cigarette with force, a look of grim resolve flashing in his eyes:

“No! I won’t let Mo’er endure this humiliation!”

“Wife, tell Mo’er tomorrow—he’s taking a sick day for the Exam.”

“We’ve got more than enough money—spend some to get him into any university, coast through a few years.”

“Better to let him sleep comfortably at home than be laughed at by Zhao’s whole family in front of everyone.”

Su Wan froze, then her eyes welled slightly as she nodded:

“Whatever you say. We only have one son—face doesn’t matter. As long as he’s not hurting, that’s all that counts.”

Lin Tianhao crushed the newly lit cigarette again, turned to Su Wan, and said:

“Wife, let’s try again!”

“Zhao Lei wants to compete over sons? Fine! Then we’ll compete to the end!”

“As for Mo’er… this lifetime, we’ll shield him from every storm. Even if he’s a waste, he’s still my Lin Tianhao’s most precious waste!”

Su Wan wrapped her arms around her husband’s neck, her gaze tender: “Yes. Our Lin family’s child doesn’t need anyone else to bully him.”

…

The next morning.

Lin Mo opened his eyes groggily, stretching lazily.

He’d slept more soundly than ever.

“Comfortable~”

Lin Mo rubbed his eyes and instinctively opened his career panel.

【Name: Lin Mo】

【Career: Mage】

【Level: Lv.3 (25%)】

【Skills: Fireball (Lv.3), Multiple Exploding Fireballs (Lv.3)】

Lin Mo’s pupils shrank sharply—his sleepiness vanished instantly.

“What the hell? Really level 3?”

In this world, leveling up wasn’t easy.

Even a genius from a wealthy family, with a full team guiding them, might barely reach Lv.3 on the first day.

And me?

Slept one night, did nothing—and now I’m Lv.3?

And my exp bar’s already 25% full!

“This is the charm of auto-farming?”

Lin Mo couldn’t help but marvel.

He glanced at his skill bar—beneath 【Fireball】 was a status note:

【Status: Sleeping (snoring loudly)】

【Mood: Extremely Exhausted (even craving a midnight snack)】

[Last Night's Results: Slain Toothed Rabbit x158, Prairie Gray Wolf x135, Poisonous Spider x112…]

[Comment: Dead tired... whoever you are, get me some fire-element food fast, or I'm going on strike!]

Seeing this somewhat irritable comment, Lin Mo wasn’t angry.

Why get mad at your own skill?

Besides, it’s helping you level up.

At that moment, a gentle voice came from downstairs—his mother Su Wan:

“Mo’er, awake? Come down for breakfast.”

“Coming!”

Lin Mo flipped out of bed swiftly, washed up quickly, changed into casual clothes, and hummed a tune as he went downstairs.

……

In the dining room, his mother Su Wan and father Lin Tianhao were already seated at the table.

“Morning, Mom, Dad.”

Lin Mo pulled out a chair and sat down, grabbing a slice of toast, his mood excellent.

Watching her son’s carefree demeanor, Su Wan felt another pang of sorrow.

Lin Tianhao’s words from last night still echoed in her ears.

Though telling their son to take sick leave and skip the big exam was meant to protect his mental health and spare him from gossip,

to tell him outright, “You’re not good enough, don’t go and embarrass yourself,” was truly cruel.

Su Wan was weighing her words, preparing to bring up the sick leave request,

when her instinct as a Holy High Priestess suddenly sensed something odd.

The aura emanating from Lin Mo…

How had it strengthened so much since yesterday?

“Huh?”

Su Wan instinctively turned her gaze toward him.

She cast a [Scout Spell] at Lin Mo.

The next instant, Su Wan froze in place.

[Lin Mo, Level: LV.3]

3… 3rd level?!

You were supposed to stay home and live the life of a spoiled heir—did you sneak out to level up in the middle of the night?!