Xu Yuan pretended to be startled and ran back into the room.
Perhaps he had ruined his father's Creation deal, which would explain that attitude, but—
His father's life mattered more.
Bang.
The door slammed shut.
Yalita was still lying on the floor.
Their father had gone to the kitchen and was cooking something in an iron pot.
"Elder Liu owed me a favor. I paid a steep price to have him tamper with the test so you'd both get Top Grade results."
His voice came from the kitchen.
"You really didn't have to. We're strong, Father," Xu Yuan called out.
"I hope so..." his father said quietly.
The food was ready soon.
He brought it to the table.
It was a hodgepodge of beef, potatoes, and Carrot. It smelled delicious.
Xu Yuan was about to dig in when his father stopped him.
"Lin, you've always been sharper than your sister. There's one more thing I want to tell you."
"Go ahead, Father."
"There are some precious materials hidden in a compartment beneath the Meditation Cushion in my room. You could sell them for eight Merit points, enough to last you two a while." "Huh? Why are you telling me?"
"It's safer if one more person knows."
Their father rubbed the little girl's head, then got up, walked out of the room, and left.
Xu Yuan sat stunned for a moment. Then he looked back.
Yalita was awake.
She leaned against the wall and slowly sat up, her voice thick with tears.
"Little sister, I'm so useless. Dad won't even talk to me."
But you survived all along.
Your father bribed Elder Wang to rig the test, letting you stay in the Lineage with a Top Grade aptitude. At least that gave them a reason to keep you alive.
"He's