But I really didn’t want to care about the whole sugarcane thing.

My mind got messier. Like downing half a liter of Erguotou, it all hit me. So hot, so uncomfortable.

I called out to 419, and didn’t hear a response. Maybe it did reply, but my head was so full of noise that I couldn’t make out anything.

In the end, all I could do was try to shrink towards the wall.

The wall was a bit cool.

Very cool, and when I touched it, a soothing chill made me want to feel it more.

It was a good wall, though it seemed to have some nails in it.

Who the heck put nails in the wall? Are they messing with me? Why put sugarcane on my bed, and now this long nail on the wall?

Who exactly?

Crazy!

But could not care for now.

Following my instincts, I huddled to the wall to solve what needed solving.

…

Time passed, and the burning sensation eased off. Finally, I wasn’t feeling so awful, but my mind was still a mess, and sleepiness followed.

I leaned against the wall, that wonderfully cool wall, and fell into a deep sleep.

The dream was full of surreal scenes.

Like exploding fireworks, laser lights, huge plants, dazzling colors…

Everything swirled in my dream.

I don’t know how long I slept, but thirst woke me. I checked the time, just past 2 a.m.

This time, my head was still a bit fuzzy, like the dizziness after a hangover. But I was clearer now, at least able to think a bit.

I’d been tricked, definitely tricked. That Wang Zai milk, that bottle of Wang Zai milk!

Was it Rong Zihan?

No way, that kid’s only four, what would he know? If it was him, someone must have instructed him.

Who! Who on earth!

Which jerk dared to drug me like this? I’ll find you and beat you to death with a flying big ding-dong!

Gritting my teeth with hate, I took a deep breath, wanting to get up and drink some water.

Only now did I suddenly realize that the cool thing I’d been leaning on wasn’t a wall, but a person.

A person.

——I was curled up in someone’s arms, holding onto their hand.

I was so scared I nearly jumped out of my skin, screamed out, and threw the nearest blanket over them.

The person didn’t respond, unmoving, while the thin blanket just covered them.

Wait, hold on…

This was the Rong Family Old Residence; I was supposed to share a room with my Sugar Daddy tonight. Except I’d asked for a small bed to be brought in for me. Clearly, that was the big bed, not the added small one.

The wall I found cool and comfy…

What wall? It was my Sugar Daddy!

And, I was even holding his hand!

What if I did something with that hand?!

I knelt on the bed with a thud, “Sugar Daddy, I swear I did nothing! I solemnly swear I didn’t do anything good! No, I solemnly swear I did nothing bad! Really, you’re still innocent, you have to believe me!”

Maybe.

Sugar Daddy had no reaction.

I quietly let out half a breath—yes, just half.

The good news was Sugar Daddy was in a vegetative state; most likely, he didn’t know anything just now. The bad news was Sugar Daddy likely had a system, who knows if he might learn something.

Another issue, if the wall was Sugar Daddy, then the nail on the wall… and the big sugarcane… that was…

Aaaah!

I wanted to die.

My face was already red, now my whole body burned hot.

I quickly said, “Sorry, sorry, Sugar Daddy, I didn’t mean to before——ah, wait, is it really Sugar Daddy’s? Doesn’t seem right, did Sugar Daddy take some growth pills?”

I wasn’t calm now; my hand acted faster than my brain, reaching to pull back the blanket on Rong Wangzhi.

Gaze, pupil, the earth trembled.

Cheng Leyan: ?!?!!?

Cheng Leyan: “Okay, Sugar Daddy, you really did take growth pills.”

Silently pulled the blanket back over.

Then realized another issue: Sugar Daddy wasn’t wearing any pants.

Quickly checked under the blanket to confirm.

Seriously! No pants!

Who the heck took his pants off!?

… Could it have been me!?

Aaaah, I actually did such a thing, the pervert is me! Quickly need to put them on!

So, hurriedly searched the bed for Sugar Daddy’s pants. Found my robe, threw it on, but didn’t find Rong Wangzhi’s. Neither outer nor underpants.

Cheng Leyan was shocked: “Where are Sugar Daddy’s underpants? What the heck! Did some thief come in and steal his underpants!?”

Angrily said, “Who steals that, the freak! Give me my husband’s underpants back, you bastard!”

Meanwhile.

Rong Wangzhi was about to suffocate, gritting his teeth as he said, [250, when on earth will this cursed ‘Panties Take Flight’ buff end!]

250 shrunk itself, [The effect lasts for ten hours in total. Still quite a few hours to go.]

Rong Wangzhi: […Why is it so long?!]

250: [We’re an R18 system, I did the research, and it’s really competitive now. Ten hours actually isn’t considered long; some go on for days or nights. You probably don’t get it, host.]

Rong Wangzhi: ………..

He doesn’t want to get it.

He couldn’t figure out how this all happened.

His consciousness returned that day when Cheng Leyan climbed onto his bed.

Yes, Cheng Leyan climbed onto his bed.

He had no tactile sensation, no sight, he just heard the bed make a faint “creak”, then Cheng Leyan’s strange breathing sounded beside him, mixed with two noises of cloth rustling, and the nasal sounds of the other party, resonating through his chest.

Rong Wangzhi’s heart thumped wildly, wondering what was going on, then 250 exclaimed happily, [Host, host, another task is complete! Wait, this task… “Your lover is affected by drugs, uncontrollably drawn to you, seeking comfort.” Eh? Drug influence? What drug?]

Rong Wangzhi thought the system was dumb.

He understood the situation but this was the Rong Family Old Residence! Who did this, daring to drug Cheng Leyan!?

The system still cheered, [The reward points are huge! The biggest rewards so far, host! Uh, then there’s a passive buff called “Panties Take Flight”. The effect is your panties will fly away, and your… you know what, will have a system boost.]

“What you know what”.

250 was shy to say, but Rong Wangzhi understood because he heard Cheng Leyan say, “Who the heck put a sugarcane on my bed.”

Sugarcane.

Cane.

It didn’t stop there, suddenly he gained feeling.

And he felt Cheng Leyan touching him.

Just…

Touching him.

He’s a vegetable, his consciousness arose because of some “accident” Cheng Leyan caused, but he actually never had any sensation. He might have reactions to pain or stimuli, but those were just reflexive responses; he couldn’t feel pain, itch, comfort, or discomfort. He couldn’t perform any action, not even move a toe.

He was like a soul trapped in a puppet, but now, this soul could feel!

Rong Wangzhi: [System, what’s going on!? I can feel! Am I waking up?]

250: [No, host, it’s the side effect of the ‘Panties Take Flight’ buff, it enhances your sensation, oh, the effect works on vegetative states as well? Because of the enhancement, you simply gained sensation?]

The system kept rambling, but Rong Wangzhi wasn’t listening at all.

He had sensation now.

Sensation!

Such an ordinary thing was now incredibly precious.

Then he felt after Cheng Leyan touched him a few times, he pulled off his blanket and started to lean in.

Not just leaning, practically sticking, or you could say rubbing, and later on curled into his embrace.

He was tall, with long limbs, able to wrap up Cheng Leyan completely.

Cheng Leyan was very hot, scorching, like a ball of fire.

That ball of fire voluntarily nestled in his arms.

He naturally knew what the other was doing, could even hear the unrestrained sound from their throat.

He thought he’d feel disgusted, repulsed, sickened, but he didn’t.

His heart thumped wildly like a runaway train.

Later, Cheng Leyan finished, fell asleep, and their breathing gradually steadied out.

The intensely burning flame in his embrace turned into a quietly burning ember, providing continuous warmth.

Rong Wangzhi’s consciousness remained intact.

He was known among subordinates as a “work machine”, every inch dedicated to work, always at full throttle.

Never had he experienced a moment in life where there was nothing needed doing, nothing to think about, plan for, simply hearing Cheng Leyan’s breathing, feeling the warmth of their presence, that’s all it took.

This… was wonderful.

He relished this moment of tranquility.

Until the 250 voice suddenly sounded confusion, [Eh, why am I still here?]

Rong Wangzhi: [??? Why are you still here?]

250 was delighted, [Yes! I thought I was blocked so I just played on my own, just realized I wasn’t! Ah, so the R18 system not getting blocked during these moments is true. It’s actually quite awkward, host.]

Rong Wangzhi: […If it’s not, then leave out the visual, don’t watch.]

250: [Who wants to watch! But tell me what happened, align our progress feed, Cheng Leyan got drugged, you got buffed, then what?]

Rong Wangzhi: [Better not speak.]

250: [Who drugged Cheng Leyan? Did they want to do something? With human aesthetics, wasn’t he decent-looking?]

Suddenly, intellect hit Rong Wangzhi like a lightning bolt.

The door.

The door must be locked.

Cheng Leyan got drugged, whoever did it, whatever their aim, the door must be locked.

No, locking isn’t enough; fingerprints or passwords could open it. Needs another way, block it so no one can come in.

Yet, now he was just a vegetable, not even capable of twitching a toe.

Rong Wangzhi’s anxiety spiked sky-high.

System 250—usually useless—came through this time, spoke up with, [I got this! There’s a prop that can help, a lock based on the law of causality, once placed there nothing will open it, including doors. It just looks a tad odd.]

Rong Wangzhi: [I can’t move, how do I use the prop?]

250: [This lock has a fixed range effect, host give me permission, I can set the prop at a specific coordinate, 3D coordinate aimed at the doorknob will do. This use method is very popular in the infinite flow world.]

Rong Wangzhi: [Granted.]

He granted permission, 250 placed the oddly-shaped “lock” on the doorknob, the system assured: [Rest easy, host, it’s ironclad now. Hey, this is our first proper cooperation! Today really calls for celebration! Anyway, how about a deep night chat then?]

Rong Wangzhi: [Sure, mute now.]

250: [Huh???]

Rong Wangzhi: [Mute.]

Finally, the silence returned.

Rong Wangzhi resumed counting Cheng Leyan’s breaths.

The ember restfully nestled in his arms, pulsating with the rhythm of the heart.

Around, there was quiet, comfort, safety, and—emptiness.

Rong Wangzhi was astonished at how much he was enjoying this emptiness.

But he did, truly soaked in it.

Reminded him of the quote, “My heart is infinitely soothed, like from a train traversing a boundless wilderness at night, then glimpses a distant homestead’s tiny light.”

It was the most incredible period in his life.

Hours later, the time arrived as of now, Cheng Leyan awakened.

And immediately, Cheng Leyan started scouring the bed for the pants, failing to find them, and kept talking about “where did my husband’s underpants go”, “who stole my husband’s underpants”, “I must find my husband’s underpants”…

The idyllic atmosphere obliterated, wonderful memories mingled with oddity, Rong Wangzhi was on the verge of a blackout.

Could we drop the fixation on my underpants already!!!

Focus on something else, please!

In the end, a long-silent 250 joyously exclaimed again in his mind, [Host! Host you’re a god!! Task completed again! “You can’t stand your lover’s attention being elsewhere, can’t stand it at all, drives you to frenzy nearly.”]

Read the task description, the system queried in confusion, [Ah? Host, did the task describe accurately? You can’t stand it? Can’t stand his attention being on underpants? You’re driven to frenzy? On the verge of madness over underpants?]

The system summed up, [Wow, you’re probably the first host going mad over underpants.]

Rong Wangzhi: [Shut up! I no longer wish to hear ‘underpants’.]

Also queried, [Is there any buff along with this?]

System was cheerfully chipper, [Sure is! You’ve been awarded ‘Hiss-Ha Hands’!]

Rong Wangzhi: [What’s Hiss-Ha Hands?]

System: [Probably just makes you hiss ha when you see them?]

Rong Wangzhi: Hmm? Will Cheng Leyan too?

Cheng Leyan kept ranting about the underpants thief.

Utterly failing to find Sugar Daddy’s underpants, he again called for system 419 in his mind, but 419 ignored him, as if offline.

At this moment, with a mistaken focus, Cheng Leyan suddenly noticed the hands of Sugar Daddy.

That hand, distinct and refined, every arc was perfect. The skin was fair and smooth, like warm white jade. On the back of the hand coursed blue veins, slightly raised, distinctly beautiful.

Yet, such a perfect piece of art harbored some suspicious white markings.

Jade slightly flawed.

Cheng Leyan flushed crimson with embarrassment.

Oh this.

Cheng Leyan: “Hiss—Haha, it wasn’t on purpose.”

Rong Wangzhi: …Not that kind of hiss-ha.

But whatever.

With that said, the arrival of the “Hiss-Ha Hands” buff was right on time.

Mind transmission tools required contact with buff areas, without this hand, conversing with Cheng Leyan, it seemed, would mean buff spots were reduced to just…

Rong Wangzhi quickly cut off his thought train.

Rong Wangzhi: [Switch to mind communication tools, I want to talk to him.]

Cheng Leyan casually wiped Sugar Daddy’s hand clean with tissue. Then guiltily held onto the hand, intending to tuck it back under the blanket.

Result being, at the instant of grabbing the hand, his mind resonated with a voice: [Mr. Cheng, it’s me. Did you encounter any trouble?]

Cheng Leyan flinched, letting go of the hand.

It’s Sugar Daddy’s voice, ah!

He used mind transmission tools again.

What’s happening, did Sugar Daddy come to scold? Could he know what I did? Know I tainted his hand?

Won’t that big villa of mine be in jeopardy??

Finally, biting the bullet, he grabbed the other’s hand again, “There is a bit of trouble, uh, Mr. Rong, how did you know?”

Rong Wangzhi: [I didn’t know, just received a warning, checking in.]

The voice was as steady as a mountain, exceedingly reliable, with lies woven faultlessly.

Cheng Leyan instantly sighed, quickly saying, “Sugar Daddy you won’t believe, I was waiting in your old residence to attend your grandma’s birthday banquet, and someone drugged me with that seasonal stuff!! Seasoning drugs, you know!? But you needn’t worry, it’s just left my mind a bit muddled, I can still well control myself hah.

“Wait… damn I better secure the door first!”

Rong Wangzhi: [No need. There’s a lock in place, based on the law of causality, it ensures the door won’t open.]

Cheng Leyan, surprised, “Law of causality? Stuff like that exists? Let me check!”

He jumped straight out of bed, ran to the suite door, scrutinized carefully…

What?

No, look again.

After a few looks, he twitched: How did Sugar Daddy find this thing!

This thing, this, completely, was a lock for, that, place! Seemed pairing with that flying big ding-dong 419 pulled out before!

Cheng Leyan’s skin crawled looking at the lock, shaking his head, pressing the doorknob.

An odd phenomenon happened, nothing pressed down.

Truly the law of causality!

Cheng Leyan clicked his tongue in wonder.

He quickly ran back to the bedroom, seized Rong Wangzhi’s hand, and continued the dialogue: “I saw the lock, it’s very effective, I couldn’t press the door handle from inside myself! But, it’s just… that lock, it, it…”

Rong Wangzhi remained the epitome of calm: [Appearance not so great? In times like these, don’t care about appearances, right.]

Cheng Leyan: “It’s not about care for looks, this, this, this, is a… sugarcane lock! A lock for that place, understand! This thing can even lock doors, stunned my whole family.”

Sugarcane lock…

Cane…

Rong Wangzhi suddenly realized: This was clearly a kind of that lock!

Gritting teeth nearly shattered, he said: [Two, Five, Zero!]

250 protested innocence, [I have only this kind of lock! Told you, I’m an R18 system, what other kind would you expect me to have!]

Rong Wangzhi’s head nearly exploded.

What would Cheng Leyan think of him, would he think he’s perverted?

Cheng Leyan himself: “…No, no. How’s this perversion? It’s discovering different purposes for a lock. If it were me, never would I think of a door-use for a lock like that.”

Normal folks wouldn’t think of this. Those who do must be some pros.

A weird silence followed.

Cheng Leyan coughed twice, rapidly steering the topic away, “Sugar Daddy, your nephew gave me the drugged milk. Speaking of which, do you think your nephew is an adult who time-traveled here? Something like womb-travel?”

Typically, upon hearing this theory, folks would peg Cheng Leyan as unhinged; Rong Wangzhi, however, meticulously replied, “Doubtful. At three, he still wet his pants and played with toilet water. If he’s an adult, what a sacrifice that’d be.”

Cheng Leyan: …Good point.

“In that case, someone likely used a kid’s hands to mess with me. Who do you think did it?”

Rong Wangzhi contemplated for seconds, mentally ran through the family members, finally said, [Can’t declare. Don’t hide this from my mom, tell her directly, let her investigate.]

Added, [Regardless, it must stem from me. Mr. Cheng, apologies for dragging you in. In my current state, unable to offer you any compensation—let’s do this, my study contains antiques, choose one freely, as my promise.]

Cheng Leyan: !!! Good going!

Heart warmed, he said, “Forget the antiques, uh, Mr. Rong, could you give me my wife?”

Rong Wangzhi: […Your what?]

Cheng Leyan: “Not wife, ah what the heck it came out, it’s the golden apple in your room that I like a lot! Could I have it instead of antiques?”

Rong Wangzhi: [Golden apple is yours, choose an antique too.]

Cheng Leyan: !!!

Voice broke, “Thank you, Sugar Daddy!”

Cheng Leyan grinned from ear to ear, wishing to bow twice right there, thinking: Could I have more of this drug? Keep drugging me, I’ll drain the Rong Family dry!!!

Rong Wangzhi: [No thanks needed. Five more minutes, Mr. Cheng, anything else you’d like to mention?]

Cheng Leyan: “Nothing! Ah no, no, I’m fine, but you’ve got an issue—your what, uh, just what, still up and towering, I suspect you also accidentally took something else! Is this fine?

“Another thing, your underpants are gone, searched everywhere couldn’t find, I suspect some underpants thief nabbed them! Don’t tell me it’s all connected!”

Rong Wangzhi: […I’ve no issue. Don’t worry about the pants, they’ll be back by around 8 a.m. Also, Mr. Cheng, I’d appreciate it if you never mention ‘underpants’ again in your life, in return, when I’m awake, I’ll send you a hundred thousand bucks.]

Cheng Leyan blurted out, “Husband! You shouldn’t value money so much, in my eyes, money ain’t that crucial, just my life! I swear you’ll never hear those three words again in this lifetime!”

Rong Wangzhi chuckled.

Though the small ember no longer nestled in his embrace, he seemed to still feel that ember’s thriving vitality.

Five-minute time limit ended, their connection severed.

250 abruptly interjected, curiously inquired: [Host, what were you laughing at?]

Rong Wangzhi: [I’m not laughing.]

250: [You were, yeah.]

Rong Wangzhi: [Because, innately, I’m cheerful.]

250 suspiciously: [Didn’t seem like it. By the way, is my recommended lock effective! Host, let me tell you, this lock is quite popular within the system circles; selling it out there could skyrocket prices a hundredfold, the extended door-use application seems discovered by a senior R18 group system…]

It began babbling on till Rong Wangzhi interrupted it.

Rong Wangzhi: [Now I still have awareness. 250, sum up tasks and points, and inspect all tools. All.]

This was overdue.

He couldn’t stand to remain in this unfeeling body, witnessing everything.

With a system present, it should be harnessed well to maximize self-benefit.

He figured things out at last.

This time, he shall seize back his autonomy.

At the same time, Cheng Leyan gulped water, taking a shower along the way.

The dizzy hangover state reduced even more. He curled back to the small bed, swiftly falling back asleep.

The sleep was revitalizing, but truth be told, Cheng Leyan somewhat missed that previously cool wall.

Leaning against it was comfy!

Though there were nails on the wall…

He slept soundly till broad daylight, later being disturbed by 419’s voice.

The system hollered shrilly: [Host!!! Good heavens, host, I got blocked, totally forgot I wasn’t R18 group back then, did I get filtered?? The new era really gives us lemons! Host, I’m back! You good, host??]

Cheng Leyan: [All good, System Father.]

419 responded, [What about you feeling too hot? Host, you might not know, you sure look it, but all signs say you got drugged!]

Cheng Leyan: [Already aware, System Father.]

419: [Why so sluggish! Get energetic, host!!]

Cheng Leyan: […Already got pumped up.]

419: [Meow meow meow? Did you tend to it yourself then?]

Cheng Leyan: [Spare the details, don’t wanna say.]

Suddenly recalling something, he climbed up to check Sugar Daddy’s condition, and discovered the state of the big sugarcane had indeed dissipated, plus underpants—and wait, promised Sugar Daddy, no mention of those three words! Not even mentally!

Just that—underpants returned onto him now.

So aside underpants, the prior big sugarcane was due to buff?

Thought so, not that exaggerated, everyone’s probably similar, I won’t lag too far behind.

Sighed in relief.

419: [Host, what’s big sugarcane?]

Cheng Leyan: [Never mind, System Father, jot these points: First, don’t know who’s responsible for the drug, revenge needs prep, won’t take it lying down.

[Second, thanks to my husband, reunion with my wife golden apple.

[Third, a certain Sugar Daddy had a system. He used a mind transmission tool before, heard him slip calling system identifier, 250.]

419 was dumbfounded: [What!? 250??? This is the top figure in the Story Plot group! A legend, said to handle tasks, always with a 30% success rate at minimum! When did it transfer to the R18 group?? How, why is it so!? Wait, it’s from Story Plot group, now R18; I’m R18 now Story Plot… coincidence??]

Cheng Leyan: [No idea about your system affairs, think through thoroughly what might it revolve. By the way, another thing, a lock for—there, also serves as a door lock, knew?? Shocked my whole family!]

419: [Knew! That method of use I invented, later blown wide in the infinite flow system market, raked tons for the R18 group, hehe. Why’re you asking?]

Cheng Leyan: [Darn… You invented it!? Last night, Sugar Daddy used this lock to secure the door, how’d you hatch door-use for that thing? Genius!]

He yawned, climbed, [Chat later, getting up now.]

Before leaving, glanced at Rong Wangzhi’s hand.

Still beautiful, encased in a gentle glow,

The brain suddenly recalled Rong Wangzhi’s lips, like crushed rose petals, delicate lashes trembling lightly, tears trailing over the skin, and such.

Beautiful.

But also…

Somewhat unreal.

Including the present perfect hand evoking a “hiss-ha”, all a semblance.

Rong Wangzhi himself was true.

Cheng Leyan retrieved his gaze nonchalantly.

The doorway lock no longer present, likely recalled by Rong Wangzhi or his system; hence, smoothly opened the door.

Zhuozhuo already up, accompanying Zhuozhuo to dress, wash, post-breakfast, entrusted Butler Li to play, went to chat with Mama Rong.

Straightforwardly stating, “Mom, our family’s impressive, birthed a TV-famous character, even bagged a Grammy!”

Mama Rong’s eyelid twitched: “Which character?”

Cheng Leyan: “Breaking Bad! Mom, someone drugged me!”

Mama Rong’s face drained, hastily jumped over, pulling him into a full-body examination, sighed: “Scared me stiff. What happened? Who drugged you with what? Laxatives? Taken any montmorillonite powder?”

To be fair, prior anxieties weren’t fake, Cheng Leyan felt genuinely touched.

He said, “Not laxatives, what for—Mom, they gave me that kind of drug, Viagra-like!”

Showed her the Wang Zai milk can drank yesterday: “The little tyke, Zihan, handed it over, I didn’t suspect so drank two sips. Fished from trash this can. May have residue for testing.”

Mama Rong’s expression turned serious, wrapped the can in paper towel: “I’ll get someone to test it. Let me make a call first.”

Dialed, inquired Wang Zihan’s milk source, yesterday’s can origin, on hold for reply.

After hung up, seriously asked Cheng Leyan: “How are you now? Any discomfort? Hospital visit necessary?”

Discussing such with parental figures was awkward. Especially with memories of last night involving her son, and couldn’t forget his hand’s near-perfect marks.

At this, turned red, said: “No biggie, now bouncing with energy, likely metabolized out. Last night locked the door first-hand, no entries. And Mom, I did nothing to Mr. Rong honest.”

Mama Rong counter-questioned: “Oh? Why not do something? Isn’t my son handsome?”

Cheng Leyan full-on confusion: “Uh?”

Mama Rong coughed lightly: “Never mind, when Wangzhi wakes, you two could further bond.”

Cheng Leyan laughed, “No, Mom, Mr. Rong wakes, first thing must be divorce at the registry.”

Indeed, originally, a marriage certificate existed between the original and Rong Wangzhi. A vegetative state wouldn’t allow marriage, but Master Liu said legally-binding marriage denoted authentic “wedding”, more beneficial for a happy flush, hence Mama Rong arduously procured them a marriage certificate.

A genuine one.

Cheng Leyan met Rong Wangzhi twice, felt, the other although gentle-mannered, was clearly a decisive, top-dog, strong-willed figure, unlikely to tolerate his marriage being an impromptu “joy flush”.

Added, “Though even if at the registry, wouldn’t go through.”

Mama Rong wondered, “Why not?”

Cheng Leyan: “Cooling period takes 30 days, you didn’t know? Mom, learn up.”

Mama Rong: …

She almost commented, if Wangzhi truly wanted divorce, plenty ways exist.

In a few words’ span, Mama Rong’s phone returned; post-call, she conveyed to Cheng Leyan, “Wang Zihan doesn’t drink Wang Zai milk, yesterday’s handed by the second house’s nanny. The nanny said random grab from a storeroom, with surveillance proof. Requires further follow-up. Immediately retrieved all Wang Zai milk.”

Cheng Leyan asked, “Mom, you’re better attuned to the Rong Family, who do you suspect?”

Mama Rong pondered, then said, “Surely, not Rong Zhixian, that old man, right?? Maybe he found you attractive, had filthy thoughts? Gross! Though his preferences leaned female.”

And another thought, “Aha! If not him, then his wife, Li Lili! At 50-plus and harbor this? Aiming young boys, disgraceful! Those freaks, will give them hell!”

Rong Zhixian is Rong Wangzhi’s second uncle, Zihan’s grandpa. Li Lili is Rong Wangzhi’s second aunt, Zihan’s grandma.

Cheng Leyan almost burst, “Mom, you, without you at the helm, the mystery world is like sociology without Li Xiaoming. Li Xiaoming, you might not know, suggests curing the aging population by exporting elders.”

Mama Rong: …

Cheng Leyan: “Sideways thinking! Whoever tried drugging me aims more to capture leverage, maybe for scandal with Mr. Rong. Mom, read more top-family novels.”

Mama Rong: “That furthers my theory! Cheng Leyan—ah, feels off, I’ll call you Little Cheng.”

“Little Cheng, truth be told, when Wangzhi led, the Group adhered to him alone. Since his incident, divided into two sectors, ours and Zhixian’s, the conflict’s intense.

“They’re number one jerks, classics, if you see you’d know. Ninety-nine percent it’s their antics.”

Cheng Leyan: “Got it.”

Mama Rong: “Your look says otherwise, what’s on your mind?”

Cheng Leyan: “Mom, as a tabletop RPG DM, with hundreds of murder mystery plays, intuitively, suspicion rests on the absentee.”

Mama Rong’s face turned odd, “Ah, you suspect Wangzhi’s dad? Was absent last night, though wouldn’t stoop as such, his motive?”

Cheng Leyan narrowly choked, “No, meant not dad, meant Rong Lizhi! Wasn’t he away?”

Rong Lizhi, second house Young Master, Rong Wangzhi’s cousin.

Mama Rong paused, “Indeed, hasn’t been local for months, engaging overseas market.”

Cheng Leyan: “That’s highly questionable. While division at this scale, he’s off expanding overseas, ought to come back for grandma’s birthday, too fishy, unreasonable. Verifying if related is simple, if within a month he returns abruptly, it means he orchestrated things and tries to assess outcome.”

Mama Rong furrowed: “Ah… that boy… always well-mannered, could it be? Little Cheng, fear not, I’ll handle it seriously, results will come, won’t leave it unchecked!”

Cheng Leyan: “Okay, Mom.”

Inwardly hatched a genius plan.

Sugar Daddy was right, making someone repay when they must have funds. Now a hint on how to make Xiang Jingzhou wealthier emerged.

Rong Family second branch, a fit tool to fund Xiang Jingzhou.

Set a trap for them to willingly plunge, unsure if Mama Rong would collaborate.

The mind spun devious ideas, outwardly utterly innocent, he asked, “Mom, morning plans? The place is vast, may I tour with Zhuozhuo?”

Mama Rong replied, “Of course, let the butler fetch a sightseeing vehicle.”

Saying so, she prepared to call.

Meanwhile, Butler Li rushed in, anxiously: “Madam, Eldest Young Mistress, Zhuozhuo, and Zihan had a dispute downstairs, Second Madam is present, better head down.”

Cheng Leyan sprang up.

He and Mama Rong rushed downstairs, arriving just in time to hear saccharine-tainted female sarcasm, dripping with insinuation: “From now on, Zihan won’t participate in events, won’t mingle with little thieves.”

Thief? Thief, who says that?

Fury boiled within Cheng Leyan, quickened steps, glimpsed among the crowd, Zhuozhuo and Zihan tugging at a toy.

No longer that pikachu, now a keychain with a furry tail.

Zihan was stronger, Zhuozhuo tenacious yet overpowered, reddened cheeks, sweating profusely, eyes brimming with tears, summoning every ounce of effort.

Pushed to the limit, Zhuozhuo suddenly shouted, “Mine!”

Cheng Leyan: ?!!!?

Originally harboring murder in heart, suddenly ecstatic: “Zhuozhuo, Zhuozhuo, you spoke, Zhuozhuo!”

“My precious Zhuozhuo, you finally talked!”