Shopping

The four returned to the Mu Family home. The servants were cleaning, while Mu Huai'an sat on the sofa clutching a cushion, as though he had been waiting for them all along.

"Dad, Mom..."

Mu Huai'an hung his head, looking as though he had suffered some terrible injustice.

Guilt welled up in Xie Yunshu. Although she had been thinking of her precious daughter's future happiness, leaving Huai'an home alone like that had been a bit much of her as a mother.

Mu Huai'an sniffled. "I know there's no room for me in your hearts now that my little brother is back. After all, I'm only your adopted son. I should move out of the Mu Family. This place belonged to him to begin with. I should have left long ago."

Xie Yunshu walked over to Mu Huai'an. "What nonsense are you talking about? You're my son too. Don't say things like that again."

Mu Huai'an looked at Yan Wen. "But I took fourteen years of Yan Wen's life away from him. If he hates me..."

Before anyone in the Mu Family could speak, Yan Wen cut in. "Why would I? You were only a child back then too. You were innocent. You can't be blamed for something you knew nothing about."

Trying to make the Mu Family hate me this way? What a joke. You think your big brother Yan can be screwed over whenever you please? You just want them to think I'm petty and can't measure up to someone with your fine upbringing, don't you?

The system, Xiao Qi, said, Host, look how dark Mu Huai'an's face has gotten. He never expected you to say that.

Xie Yunshu gave Mu Huai'an a strange look. Ever since Xiao Wen had come back, Xiao An seemed to have been acting oddly. Why did he keep saying Xiao Wen would hate him?

Mu Xu Xi frowned slightly. After what had happened today, her opinion of Yan Wen had completely changed. Whatever he might be like in the future, he had helped her today.

If not for Yan Wen, Lin Qi would still have been keeping her in the dark.

As for what Xiao An was saying, judging by her first impression of Yan Wen today, he would not act that way.

"Xiao An, Xiao Wen and you are both Mom's sons and my little brothers. The Mu Family has raised you for over a decade. We won't abandon you. I'm going to my room. You should all get some rest too."

Mu Xu Xi headed upstairs. She would have to keep observing Yan Wen's thoughts about Mu Huai'an for a while longer. Although he had been right about Lin Qi this time, that did not prove he would be right every time. Mu Huai'an had lived with them for fourteen years, and she was unwilling to believe those things Yan Wen had said.

Mu Xingfeng seemed to be in a good mood. "Xiao Wen deserves all the credit for getting rid of such a huge threat! I'll transfer a million to you as spending money. If it's not enough, just ask me for more."

Yan Wen's eyes instantly widened. A million! Xiao Qi, do you realize what that means? Just like that, I'm a millionaire!

Host, a million is only pocket money to the Mu Family.

Those filthy capitalists!

Xie Yunshu smiled. "We're planning to hold a banquet to welcome Xiao Wen back into the family in three days."

Mu Huai'an forced a smile. "Mom, isn't holding the banquet in three days a little rushed?"

"Not at all. I've spent sixteen years searching for Xiao Wen. Even waiting three days feels too long."

Xie Yunshu affectionately linked her arm through Yan Wen's, her eyes full of love and guilt.

Something flickered across Mu Huai'an's face, but it returned to normal a second later. "I just thought holding a banquet in three days might be hard for Xiao Wen to adjust to. Xiao Wen's only just returned and isn't very familiar with the Mu Family yet. Besides, we haven't prepared any clothes for him, have we? And everyone invited will be prominent figures in our circle. Xiao Wen doesn't know them. What if he says something wrong..."

Mu Huai'an stopped abruptly, but everyone could hear what he was getting at.

Yan Wen grumbled, Xiao Qi, now have you seen what a two-faced little snake looks like? He's deliberately saying I've never seen the world and will embarrass the Mu Family at the banquet.

Yes, yes, yes! I see it! He's certainly mastered the innocent act. But, host, Mu Huai'an won't give up easily. Xiao Qi has detected that he'll tamper with things at the welcome banquet. What are you going to do?

Can't you predict the future? Just take a look, and I can plan how to deal with him in advance.

I'm very sorry, host. Xiao Qi is currently upgrading. Right now, I can only foresee events twenty-four hours ahead.

Seriously?! Fine, knowing a day in advance is still good. I'll have to take a good look at what Mu Huai'an is planning when the time comes.

Mu Xingfeng cleared his throat. "Yunshu, take Xiao Wen to buy a few outfits tomorrow. We have to make sure he makes a dazzling entrance!"

"All right. I'll take Xiao Wen shopping for some clothes tomorrow."

Mu Xingfeng and Xie Yunshu returned to their room, leaving only Mu Huai'an and Yan Wen.

Yan Wen paid Mu Huai'an no attention at all. He yawned and went upstairs.

Cloudtop Shopping Center

Xie Yunshu took Yan Wen shopping, dragging Mu Xu Xi along as well.

Mu Xu Xi looked ready to cry. "Mom, why do you have to drag me along when you're buying things for Xiao Wen?"

Xie Yunshu poked her forehead. "What's wrong with an older sister keeping her little brother company on a shopping trip? Besides, what if you see something you like? Don't you want to buy anything?"

Mu Xu Xi's eyes lit up. "I get things too?!"

"Of course. You're both my precious babies. Buy whatever you like."

"Thanks, Mom! I love you to death!"

The three entered the building and headed straight to the second floor.

As soon as they stepped out of the elevator, they saw all kinds of clothes: suits, casualwear, sportswear, loungewear, and even... leopard-print overcoats.

They walked into a store, and a sales associate immediately came over. "Hello, Mrs. Mu. What style are you looking for?"

Xie Yunshu smiled. "Bring out two outfits for my son."

"Certainly. One moment, please."

The sales associate left briefly, then returned with two suits in the same style but different colors, one gray-white and the other ivory.

"Xiao Wen, go try them on."

Xie Yunshu held up the clothes and examined them before handing them to Yan Wen and ushering him into the fitting room.

Before Yan Wen could say anything, he was already inside.

With no other choice, Yan Wen began changing, chatting with Xiao Qi as he did.

As expected of a high-end clothing store. Even the fitting rooms are huge. What's this? Condoms!! They even have these here? Rich people really do get wild. This store certainly knows how to cater to its customers!

Xie Yunshu and Mu Xu Xi pressed their hands to their foreheads in embarrassment. Thank goodness only they could hear Yan Wen's thoughts, or this would have been mortifying.

Host, there are even wilder things out there. Once Xiao Qi's system finishes upgrading, I'll take you to see them.

Yes, yes, yes. What's life for if not enjoying juicy gossip? All right, all right, time to head out.

The fitting room door clicked open, and everyone's eyes landed on Yan Wen.

He wore a gray-white suit, its fitted cut outlining his lean waist. The trousers hugged his long, straight legs, while the exposed bones of his ankles rose beneath thin skin like two exquisite bone-china buttons.

The sales associate stared, transfixed, while Mu Xu Xi covered her mouth and gasped repeatedly in admiration.

Seeing their expressions, Yan Wen asked, "Does it not look right? I've never worn a suit before. Maybe we should forget it. I'll go take it off."

Xie Yunshu pulled him over and looked him up and down with delight. "It looks perfect. Absolutely perfect! How is my son so handsome? We'll take both suits!"

The sales associate packed up the two suits. "Mrs. Mu, the total for these two suits is eight hundred thousand."

Yan Wen's eyes widened in shock. "E-eight hundred thousand?!"

Xie Yunshu looked delighted. "And shoes, ties, and clothes in other colors and styles. Bring those out for me to see too."

The sales associate brought out several more styles of clothing and shoes: sportswear, casualwear, and the latest designs. Xie Yunshu told her to pack up all of them.

The total came to over two million.

Xie Yunshu paid without batting an eyelid, while Yan Wen was still reeling.

Over two million! That's enough for me to buy a nice home. I'd planned to earn money once I started working and buy Mom and Dad a good place so they could live comfortably for the rest of their lives. Who knew things would take a turn like this? I wonder how they're doing now. Maybe in a few days I should ask Mom and Dad about going back to visit them?

Host, the system has detected that your adoptive parents aren't ordinary citizens. However, its capabilities are currently limited, so I can't uncover their identities yet. But I can confirm that their backgrounds are far from simple.

Now Yan Wen was bewildered. Far from simple? In what way? Could they be... No, impossible! My Yan Dad and Yan Mom are kindhearted, honest people. They couldn't be that sort of person. So who exactly are they?

Xiao Qi can't find that in the system at present. Its capabilities are limited.

Then how can I help you upgrade your system?

"Enjoy juicy gossip, preferably by witnessing it firsthand. That way, Xiao Qi can earn upgrade points."

All right, all right, all right. Hurry up and find some juicy drama around here. We'll head over right now.