Kuang Ye looked at Mu Wan with a pitiful expression, realizing that their supposed to be first happy “experience” of the day was inevitably ruined. Mu Wan, equally flustered, hurried to pick up the clothes near the door, but Kuang Ye pulled her back, quickly putting on his own clothes as he whispered, “I’ll get them for you. You go upstairs and take a shower.”

Mu Wan nodded, her face burning with embarrassment. Being caught by a family member in such a situation was beyond mortifying. She didn’t even need a mirror to know her face was completely red. Wrapping herself in a blanket, she rushed upstairs but paused to remind him, “Don’t mention that we’re living together. If my brother finds out, he said he’ll break your legs.”

Kuang Ye: “…”

After washing his face with cold water to cool down and ensure no trace of their previous activity lingered on his face, Kuang Ye finally opened the door.

Standing outside, Mu Yan Ci had transformed into a freezing winter storm, his gaze icy and penetrating.

“Why did it take you so long to open the door?”

Kuang Ye had already prepared an excuse. “I was putting on a face mask. Wan wan said my face was too dry. It’s hard to talk with a mask on, so I had to shout. Hope I didn’t scare you just now, Gege^[1]Older brother, a form of respect.”

Mu Yan Ci didn’t reveal whether he believed the excuse or not. He stepped inside, glanced around the room, went to the kitchen to pour himself a glass of water, and casually sat down at the dining table.

“Where’s Wan wan?”

“She’s freshening up. We just got back from Uncle and Aunt’s place,” Kuang Ye answered.

Mu Yan Ci’s cold demeanor softened slightly. “I didn’t come for anything serious, just to check on Wan wan. Since she’s not here right now, I figured I’d have a chat with you.”

He raised his eyes and sipped his water from the glass. “Kuang Ye, you told Grandfather Kuang that as long as you could get engaged to Wan wan, you’d return to inherit the Kuang family, didn’t you?”

Kuang Ye hadn’t expected this topic, and his pupils slightly contracted. His hand by his side clenched instinctively.

“Gege, what are you trying to ask by bringing this up?”

Mu Yan Ci gave him a sidelong glance. “Don’t be so defensive. Since you call me Gege, I won’t harm you. I just want to know your plans so I can decide my stance toward the Kuang family.”

Kuang Ye relaxed a little and smiled. “I only promised the old man I wouldn’t compete in professional tournaments anymore. I never agreed to take over the Kuang family.”

Grandfather Kuang was different from Kuang Zhongbai. He was both patriarchal and obsessed with lineage, recognizing only Kuang Ye as the sole heir of the Kuang bloodline. However, Kuang Ye disliked being a CEO or running a business. His talent and passion lay in Hero World (HW). Even if he wasn’t a professional esports player, he could become a coach, manager, or at worst, a streamer.

He was confident that, even without a career as an esports player, he could provide Mu Wan with a comfortable life.

Mu Yan Ci glanced at Kuang Ye’s right hand. “Your hand was in that condition before,^[2]Mu Yan Ci talking about th einjury of Kuang Ye’s hand and yet you didn’t give up on your career. Are you truly ready to give it up now?”

Kuang Ye shrugged, his tone casual. “I’m giving up professional tournaments, not Hero World. Brother, you’ve investigated me, so you should know—my life only revolves around Hero World and Wan wan.”

Mu Yan Ci got the answer he wanted and knew he shouldn’t pry further. But, as if compelled by some force, he couldn’t help but ask one more question. “If Wan wan hadn’t gotten engaged to you back then, what would you have done?”

Kuang Ye grinned, raised his right hand, and replied, “I’d play HW until my hand broke.”

When Mu Wan finished her shower and came downstairs, she found Mu Yan Ci and Kuang Ye having what appeared to be a “harmonious” conversation. Curious, she walked over.

“Gege, what are you two talking about?”

Mu Yan Ci glanced at Kuang Ye, whose heart immediately tightened. He definitely didn’t want Mu Wan to know about their conversation.

“Nothing, just chatting,” Mu Yan Ci said nonchalantly, withdrawing his gaze. After directly interacting with Kuang Ye again, Mu Yan Ci came to the same conclusion as he had at Wang Lan’s birthday banquet: Kuang Ye was leagues better than Kuang Shuyu, that mediocre fool.

“Gege, thank you for helping me out these last two times. Let me give you a shoulder massage,” Mu Wan said gratefully, walking behind Mu Yanci and trying to curry favor. She even asked if he was hungry and offered to cook him some frozen dumplings.

“You finally get a visit from me, and you want to serve me frozen dumplings?”

Realizing her mistake, Mu Wan didn’t hesitate to pass the task onto Kuang Ye. “Then let Ah Ye make you Buddha Jumps Over the Wall.”

Mu Yan Ci turned to Kuang Ye, looking genuinely surprised. “You can make Buddha Jumps Over the Wall?”

Kuang Ye hesitated but replied, “…Probably!” Although he’d once followed an online tutorial to make it, he’d forgotten most of the steps. Still, he could always look up the instructions again.

Mu Yan Ci waved it off. “No need. I’ve already had dinner. I was just passing by the apartment building and decided to drop in to check on you. Wan wan, go to bed early. Kuang Ye, when you’re leaving, let me know—I’ll drop you off at the base on my way.”

Kuang Ye: “…”

Mu Wan shot him a series of exaggerated winks.

Kuang Ye sighed. “Okay.”

And so, ten minutes later, the once-burning-hot Wild God (Kuang Ye), who had been passionately bonding with his wife, was unceremoniously dumped on the cold roadside outside his esports team’s base. He rubbed his arms to ward off the chill and was about to call a car when his phone buzzed with a text message:

[Next time you lie, put away the blanket on the sofa first.]

Kuang Ye wanted to cry but had no tears. So his brother-in-law had known all along! And he’d still gone out of his way to mess with him. At this rate, he’d be single forever!