Let Me Tell You a Story

Those sixty-eight thousand points were still a little insufficient. Now, Mu Zibai's only source of points was Wenren Lingmeng.

According to the system's rules, as long as he stayed beside someone of noble status for thirty seconds, he could touch them once. He could completely bring in more people; that way, his point-farming efficiency would be higher.

Unfortunately, he did not have such conditions. Mu Zibai had also tried touching Xiao E while he had been massaging Wenren Lingmeng's back earlier. Regrettably, Xiao E's status was not high enough to trigger it.

This also left Mu Zibai unable to grasp the system's threshold. Just how noble did someone's status have to be? How were the points determined?

There was another way to quickly gain points: a first touch. Especially someone like Wenren Lanzhang—one touch had earned fifteen thousand points.

Since maidservants could not trigger it, he could visit the steward of the residence, or perhaps its retainers.

Besides that, there was something even more important: the point increase after the first touch. He had to figure out that rule as well. Once he did, his points would grow like a snowball rolling downhill.

As he pondered, Xiao E had already returned with the food.

Smelling the scent from outside, Wenren Lingmeng, who had slept all afternoon, was lured awake by the fragrance. The aroma seeped into her heart and lungs.

If Wenren Lingmeng had not been a vegetable now, her drool would have long since pooled on the floor. Only someone who had drunk plain rice porridge for half a year could understand her suffering at this moment.

Unfortunately, she could smell it but could not eat it. It was simply torture!

She wanted to force herself into sleep again and ignore the disturbances of the outside world, but she could not control it at all. The fragrance drifted past Wenren Lingmeng's nose, seducing her appetite.

How was she supposed to calm down?

The aroma drew closer and closer, as though it were right beside her.

"Just put it by the bed. Feed Ling Meng first."

"Mm."

Wenren Lingmeng let out a sigh in her heart. Eating bland, tasteless rice porridge while smelling fragrant delicacies drifting through the air made everything taste utterly dull.

Still, this would end tomorrow. Half a year had already passed; what was one more day? Hold on a little longer—she had to persevere, even with tears in her eyes.

"The cooking really is good. Take this Steamed Pink Crab Lion's Head alone—it's fresh, tender, and delicious, leaving one with an endless aftertaste." Mu Zibai pursed his lips, thoroughly enjoying himself.

Compared to this, what had he been eating back at the Mu family? A master chef truly deserved the title. Being able to eat food prepared by the head chef was exceptionally fortunate.

"Of course. Our residence's head chef once served as an imperial chef in the palace. Ordinary chefs cannot compare."

Xiao E spoke with a smile, her words carrying a hint of pride.

"Indeed." Mu Zibai nodded in agreement.

Wenren Lingmeng: '┭┮﹏┭┮'

She seemed to be able to hear her stomach growling. She was already craving food, yet these two kept talking about it right beside her all day long.

Talking about it would have been one thing, but the key was that she could not eat any of it. These two were practically beasts!

"Achoo!"

Mu Zibai sneezed and cast an odd glance to either side.

"What is it, son-in-law?" Xiao E asked.

"Nothing. I just feel like someone is praising me behind my back," Mu Zibai said solemnly.

"Pfft!" Xiao E burst into laughter. "I've heard that there's no such thing as sneezing because someone is praising you behind your back. It must be someone behind your—"

Before she could finish, she gave Mu Zibai a look that said he should understand for himself. Mu Zibai remained perfectly composed.

He rose and stretched lazily.

"What, could it be that the son-in-law is tired? Xiao E can take you to a room to rest." Seeing Mu Zibai stand and loosen up, Xiao E thought that he was finally tired. If Mu Zibai kept holding on, she would start wondering whether he was even human.

Besides, if Mu Zibai continued keeping watch like this, his body might develop problems. She could not bear that responsibility.

"No, I've just been sitting too long. I'm moving around a bit."

Seeing that Mu Zibai still had no intention of leaving, Xiao E was puzzled. She asked, "The son-in-law has kept watch for a day and a night. Aren't you sleepy at all?"

"I'm not sleepy. You've been keeping watch for so long too. If you're tired, go back and sleep first. I'll watch over her. Don't worry—if there's anything I can't handle, I'll call you." Mu Zibai rubbed his brow.

Although the Energy-Boosting Coffee had no side effects, that only meant there were no side effects on his mental state. His body had held out for so long, and it was starting to feel uncomfortable from staying still.

Xiao E drew a breath, frowning. "It's fine. Xiao E practices martial arts; going several days without sleep is commonplace. Xiao E has been by Miss's side since childhood, and Miss is used to Xiao E taking care of her. Besides, before the son-in-law came here, you were also a young master. When it comes to caring for people, Xiao E should handle it."

"Then I'll trouble you, Xiao E." Mu Zibai nodded slightly. Put plainly, she still did not trust him.

But Xiao E's attitude had improved considerably. Respect had entered her tone, unlike when they had first met, when her voice had held no emotion at all and even carried a trace of chill.

At this rate, it was only a matter of time before Xiao E and the others fully accepted him.

"It's no trouble. Son-in-law, just call me Xiao E. I am a maidservant; I truly cannot bear being called 'miss' by you," Xiao E said nervously.

"Alright."

Mu Zibai gently caressed Wenren Lingmeng's palm. It was another quiet night.

Xiao E shut the doors and windows to keep the cold wind from blowing in. Wenren Lingmeng's body was frail; it would be terrible if she caught a chill again.

"Son-in-law, would you like Xiao E to fetch you an extra garment?" Xiao E asked with concern. Mu Zibai was still wearing the clothes from yesterday's wedding, and they were rather thin.

It was already late autumn, and winter was near. The weather was cold. Mu Zibai had never cultivated, so she worried that he would catch cold.

"No need. My body isn't that weak." Mu Zibai replied gratefully.

"Son-in-law should rest early. Tomorrow, you must return to your family home. It is only a pity that Miss is too inconvenienced to go. When the time comes, Xiao E will accompany you."

Mu Zibai slowly shook his head. "Forget it. There's no need to return to my family home. Ling Meng is weak right now and needs someone to care for her. Besides, I have time to keep her company."

He tenderly rubbed Wenren Lingmeng's palm. Returning to his family home was nowhere near as important as staying with Wenren Lingmeng.

Besides, even if Mu Zibai wanted to return, the Mu family would not want to receive him.

Xiao E said nothing, but she understood everything in her heart. She only felt a little pity for Mu Zibai. From what she had seen over the past two days, he was a decent person—at the very least, he treated Miss well.

Seeing how quiet the surroundings were, Mu Zibai thought that two people keeping watch over someone sleeping through the long night would be rather boring. Last night, he had spent the entire night flipping through Shen Nong's Herbal Compendium.

Shen Nong's Herbal Compendium ultimately had to be combined with cultivation. Simply reading it dryly was inefficient, and Mu Zibai seemed to have reached the limit of cultivating through that method.

With nothing to do, he could not possibly just stare wide-eyed at Xiao E.

"Ling Meng, let me tell you a story."

There was still a copy of Dream of the Red Chamber in his mind. He vaguely remembered that back in high school, they had been required to read it because it would be tested in the monthly and final exams.