My Heart Is Too Soft!

When things are abnormal, there must be a demon; when people are abnormal, there must be a knife.

Li Mu Yang naturally didn't believe Yan Xiangma, just as Yan Xiangma didn't believe Li Mu Yang could defeat Crow alone.

Li Mu Yang knew Yan Xiangma didn't think highly of him. A toad wanting to eat swan meat – how would the swan's family feel about that?

So, when Yan Xiangma asked if he believed him, Li Mu Yang answered "no" without hesitation.

Yan Xiangma was both ashamed and angry. When had the young master of the prestigious Yan Family ever been so insulted and rejected?

Yan Xiangma pouted and said with a face full of mockery, "You're like a dog biting a kind hand, unappreciative of good intentions. I saw you were in a difficult situation, so I kindly offered a solution to help you with your exam. Since you're unwilling to accept my goodwill, I'll just pretend I never said anything."

He glanced at Luo Qi, Li Yan, and Li Sinian lying on the ground beside Li Mu Yang and said, "You stay and guard them. As for today's exam – it doesn't make much difference whether you take it or not, right?"

Li Mu Yang pondered for a moment, his eyes scrutinizing Yan Xiangma's face and body. Finally, he asked, "Are you really willing to… help me look after my family?"

"Not anymore," Yan Xiangma said with extreme arrogance. This young master isn't anyone's servant. Why should I take care of your family?

Li Mu Yang fell silent again for a while. Looking at Yan Xiangma, he said, "I really want to take this exam. You don't know what it means to me—"

"—" Yan Xiangma leisurely fanned himself. Beg me, beg me. If you beg me, maybe I'll agree.

"You just said the Cui Family and the Yan Family owe me a favor?" Li Mu Yang said, his voice hoarse.

Yan Xiangma had a bad feeling, but he couldn't go back on his word now that he'd said it. He could only brace himself and say, "I did say that."

"Then, can you… repay that favor to me now?" Li Mu Yang looked at Yan Xiangma with a sincere expression. "Considering I helped your Cui Family and Yan Family, can you help me look after my family? Just for a little while. I'll be back immediately after my exam."

"Li Mu Yang—" Yan Xiangma wanted to get angry but didn't know where the anger was coming from. This wasn't the negotiation he wanted.

"You won't agree?"

"It's not that I won't agree—" Yan Xiangma said. "It's just—"

"Can't the merit of killing Crow be exchanged for such a small request?"

"—Fine," Yan Xiangma said with a bitter tone.

Li Mu Yang carried Li Sinian back to the hall and then brought his mother, Luo Qi, in as well.

When he went to carry his father, Li Yan, Li Yan had already opened his eyes and regained consciousness. However, his injuries were severe, and he couldn't regain his strength for a while.

"Mu Yang, are you alright?" Li Yan asked urgently.

"Dad, I'm fine—" Li Mu Yang grinned, but with his face covered in blood, his smile looked like that of an Asura from hell.

"Your mom and Sinian… are they okay?"

"Dad, don't worry, they're fine—" Li Mu Yang pointed to his mother Luo Qi and sister Li Sinian lying not far away. "They were just disoriented by the poisonous mist. They'll wake up soon."

"That's good," Li Yan finally relaxed, his eyes turning red as he looked at Li Mu Yang. "It's my fault for being useless and letting you suffer."

"Dad, we're all fine. It's good that our family is safe."

"Yes. Safe is good." Li Yan patted Li Mu Yang's shoulder, then suddenly remembered and said urgently, "Mu Yang, today is your written exam— hurry and go take it. Don't delay."

"Dad, I'm prepared—"

"The exam has probably already started by now. Don't talk anymore, hurry up and go."

"But you guys—"

"I'm awake now, I'll be fine." Li Yan knew how much his son valued the written exam, and he had seen his son's relentless effort over the past month. "Mu Yang, don't be late. Otherwise, when your mother wakes up, she'll be worried sick. You don't know how much she cares about this exam of yours."

"Dad, I've already asked—" Li Mu Yang glanced at Yan Xiangma, who was looking around the hall. "I've already asked Cousin Xiangma to help look after them. He's my cousin. I'll be back after my exam."

"Everything is fine at home, you should go quickly," Li Yan urged repeatedly.

Li Mu Yang was about to head out when Yan Xiangma gave him a cold glance and said, "If I were you, I'd wash my face and change into clean clothes first. Otherwise, with your current appearance, you might have trouble getting into the examination hall—"

Li Mu Yang thought that was true. If he went to the school in his current state, people wouldn't think he was there to take an exam; they'd think he was there to cause trouble.

Li Mu Yang strode upstairs, rushed into a room, washed his face, and changed into a clean set of clothes. Then, he rushed into the courtyard, picked up the schoolbag he had dropped earlier, opened the courtyard gate, and ran outside.

Li Dalu and the others at the entrance saw Li Mu Yang rushing out with his schoolbag and their first instinct was to stop him.

They remembered their young master's task for the day was to prevent this kid from suddenly rushing to the examination hall to take the test. Since everything is ready, let's stuff him in a sack and tie him up.

"Let him go," Yan Xiangma said, fanning himself as he walked in and issued a new order just as Li Dalu was about to act.

"Young Master—" Li Dalu looked at Yan Xiangma with confusion.

"He won't pass anyway," Yan Xiangma replied ungraciously, disliking Li Dalu's questioning gaze.

"Yes, yes, yes, Young Master's strategy is impeccable, winning battles a thousand miles away—" Li Dalu waved his hand, signaling for the path to be cleared.

Li Mu Yang glanced gratefully at Yan Xiangma and ran towards the examination hall like the wind, carrying his schoolbag.

Yan Xiangma watched Li Mu Yang's retreating figure and sighed softly, "The harder you try now, the more disappointed you'll be later— The most important thing in life is to have the right direction in your efforts."

"Yes, yes, yes, Young Master is right—"

Slap—

Li Dalu's head was struck by a folding fan.

Yan Xiangma returned to the courtyard with a group of his subordinates and said, "Clean up the courtyard. I don't like dirt, and I don't want any traces left."

"Yes, Young Master." Li Dalu waved his hand, and the group of black-clad subordinates immediately began tidying up efficiently. Crow's body was picked up and buried, and the blood was washed away. Even the bloodstains on the courtyard wall were meticulously cleaned.

"Today's events were our doing. Do you understand?" Yan Xiangma scanned the surroundings, his voice chillingly cold. "If anyone dares to leak even a single word, they can expect their family to collect their bones from the Beast Forest."

"Young Master, are you saying... we should claim this credit for ourselves?" Li Dalu asked, his eyes bright and a smile on his face.

"Credit? What use do we have for this credit?" Yan Xiangma said, his expression sinister. "However, this credit cannot be attributed to Li Mu Yang."

"That's right, we can't let him get away with such a huge advantage—Crow is an important wanted criminal. The City Lord's mansion has offered a bounty of three thousand gold coins. That's a substantial income."

"Idiot." Yan Xiangma glared at him, frustrated by his lack of understanding. "Do you think I'm snatching this credit from him for money? You dimwit, why don't you think for a moment? If this credit is given to Li Mu Yang, what will others think? Who exactly is Li Mu Yang? Countless people will likely want to find out. Furthermore, the people from the Assassin's Guild, and the employer behind Crow—will they let Li Mu Yang off the hook? If they find out it was Li Mu Yang who killed Crow, his entire family could be in even greater danger."

"I understand now." Li Dalu wore a look of realization. "But Young Master, weren't we planning to kidnap this guy? Why are you protecting and looking out for him everywhere?"

Yan Xiangma stared blankly for a long time, then sighed softly. "I'm just too soft-hearted."

"—"

Yan Xiangma returned to the hall and looked at Li Sinian and Luo Qi, who were still unconscious.

Li Dalu stood behind Yan Xiangma. Seeing where Yan Xiangma's gaze was directed, his mind immediately raced, and he said with a fawning expression, "Young Master, this young lady is truly beautiful. If Young Master fancies her—"

Slap—

Li Dalu's head was struck.

Knowing he had misjudged his flattery, Li Dalu quickly changed his tune. "Of course, our Young Master has seen all the beauties in the world and would naturally not be attracted to such common flowers—"

Slap—

Li Dalu's head was struck again.

Li Dalu was on the verge of tears. "Young Master, is this girl beautiful or not? Just say it clearly!"

"Shh—" Yan Xiangma made a shushing gesture. "Do not be rude to the lady."

"—"

Li Yan leaned in a corner of the chair, staring angrily at the two loose-lipped scoundrels.

One of his fists was clenched tightly, and in the other hand, he held a teacup he had just picked up from the table. If that lecherous rake dared to make the slightest move, the teacup in his hand would accurately smash into his head.

—

By the time Li Mu Yang rushed to the examination hall, its gates were already shut and guarded by personnel.

Countless students and parents stood quietly outside the main gate, their breathing cautious, as if afraid of disturbing the ongoing examination within.

Li Mu Yang handed over his admission pass and said to the two guards at the entrance, "I am a candidate. I was delayed by some matters and arrived late. Please allow me to enter."

"Entry time has passed. No one is allowed to enter. You should go back." The guard looked at Li Mu Yang with disdain. "You're late for such an important exam. A student like you won't achieve good results even if you enter. Going in now will only disrupt other candidates' answers—Go back. Come earlier for the next session. Perhaps there's still a chance."

"If you miss the first important subject, even if you score full marks in all subsequent subjects, you probably won't get into a very good school. I advise you to give up early—" the other guard said gleefully.

"What are you talking about?" A sharp voice came from behind Li Mu Yang.