Chapter 81: My Little Sister Has Returned

The days passed quickly, and soon the end of the year was approaching.

Shen Xin thought of his younger sister, Shen Lan, in the imperial capital, wondering how she was doing. He wanted to ride his giant goose to see her, but worried his disaster-prone fate might bring calamity to her. After some consideration, he decided against it, planning instead to buy some New Year’s goods and return home to wait. After all, Shen Lan was a superhuman now, not a child.

He sought out Tang Ziran, intending to take her along for the shopping, but had no idea what to buy. Though Bull City had seen many big events in the past year, the festive atmosphere grew stronger as the New Year approached.

When Tang Ziran heard he wanted to buy New Year’s goods, her brows furrowed. “Brother, do you even have any money?”

“Why ask?”

“I don’t have any. The money you gave me went into renovating the house. Maybe we should take another job, so we can celebrate in style. We could bring Mom, Dad, and your little sister here, and have a lively New Year in our new home.”

She gazed at the man she admired, full of hope.

“No need for that. It’s more festive to celebrate in the countryside.” Shen Xin didn’t dare bring his parents here, fearing they might suffer unintended misfortune.

“That’s fine, but we’ll still need some money for home, right?”

Shen Xin fixed his gaze on Tang Ziran, a surge of inexplicable irritation rising within him. His tone hardened. “Are you teaching me how to handle things? Please remember your place and identity. You’re just a hired helper, at most a friend. Do you understand?”

Tang Ziran was stunned, at a loss, holding back tears as she nodded and rushed into her room. Soon, Shen Xin heard her heart-wrenching sobs.

“Was I too harsh?” he wondered, but decided that short pain was better than prolonged misunderstanding. He quietly left the courtyard alone to buy New Year’s supplies.

On the way, he stopped at a pharmacy run by a superhuman and bought a few Qi and Blood Pills for his parents. Ordinary people could take these pills in small, frequent doses to strengthen their bodies.

He had dealt with the pharmacy owner several times and they were familiar. The owner, Fan Yuze, was a young man in his early thirties, with a prosperous look. Surprisingly, his superpower was as a dancer—when he danced, he was enchanting, gathering many fans on video platforms.

Yet Fan Yuze enjoyed running his shop most. He was shrewd but honest, which made Shen Xin a frequent customer.

“Boss Shen, are those big bundles for going home for New Year?”

“Yes, that’s right. What about you, Boss Fan?”

“My family’s in Saint City, too far to go back now. I’ll return for the ‘Dragon Raises Its Head’ festival in February.”

“The fish in Saint City Lake are delicious.”

Shen Xin’s thoughts drifted back to his last visit to Saint City.

“Exactly! The fish in Haitian Lake are extraordinary. You’ve been to Saint City?”

“No, only to Tianxiong City.”

“Oh, you can get them there too, but I recommend trying live fish in Saint City—that’s truly fresh.”

“Maybe next time.”

“On ‘Dragon Raises Its Head’ day, Saint City will hold a selection tournament. I’ll be going back. If you come, I’ll host you.”

Shen Xin smiled, put away the bottle of Qi and Blood Pills, waved his hand, and said, “We’ll see. If I go, I’ll definitely contact you. Don’t complain if I bother you.”

He thought to himself that he knew few people in Saint City, and Fan Yuze wasn’t bad. If he ever visited, he’d likely need his help.

Driving back to his new home, he found Tang Ziran waiting at the gate.

“Brother, you’re back! The food’s ready. Wash up and eat.”

“Hmm, put the things away.”

“Okay, brother.”

Tang Ziran took the packages, ran off to store them, then hurried to serve the rice.

“Brother, eat.”

“Sit down and eat with me.”

“No, brother, I can’t sit at the table with you. I’m a servant, and servants don’t eat at the master’s table.”

Shen Xin laughed angrily. “Since you want to be a servant, stop calling me brother. Call me Master instead.”

“Master, please eat.”

“You should say ‘Master, please take your meal,’ then serve me food, debone the fish, and remove bones from the meat. If you can’t do it, hurry up and get out!”

Tang Ziran’s eyes reddened. “I’m just a country girl, I can’t serve you. I’ll leave tomorrow, alright?”

“If you leave, where will you go? Isn’t it good being my sister? Why insist on being a servant? Sit down and eat, stop being so stubborn. Tomorrow, I’ll buy you five pounds of gold jewelry.”

“Okay.”

“That’s better. You’re only eighteen; focus on cultivating now. In future, you’ll have the chance to see the great rivers and mountains, and your life won’t be wasted. Now, sit down and eat.”

Tang Ziran, though still a bit sad, felt a little better. She thought if she worked hard at her cultivation, she might stay by Shen Xin’s side.

The next day, Shen Lan appeared in Shen Xin’s new home without warning.

“Little sister, you should’ve called first. What if I wasn’t home?”

Shen Lan looked around the courtyard, smiling. “Brother, you’re impressive—still in college and already bought a big house. Where’s your wife?”

“What wife? She’s younger than you, she’s your sister.”

Tang Ziran brewed tea and brought it out. “Sister, please have some tea.”

Shen Lan took the tea, laughing. “Haha, Ziran, you’re so kind! Even if my brother sold you, you’d help him count the money!”

“No, brother treats me well. I can’t help much, just do laundry, cook, and take care of exotic beasts.”

“You! Where’s the goose? I don’t see it.”

Shen Lan looked around, but the proud white goose was nowhere in sight.

Shen Xin sighed. “That creature is getting more unruly, always out hunting. It’s definitely going in the stew this New Year.”

“Hehe, brother, could you bear it? That goose is a treasure! I have a rich classmate who offered a hundred million for it.”

Shen Xin and Shen Lan often video chatted, so she’d seen the goose many times.

“A hundred million? She’s dreaming!”

After some joking, Shen Lan grew serious. “Brother, I came for something important.”

“Let’s talk inside.”

Once inside, Tang Ziran sliced fruit and arranged a platter, eagerly hosting Shen Lan.

“Brother, do you know what I’m researching now?”

Shen Xin shook his head. “How would I know?”

Shen Lan lowered her voice. “Artificial mutants. Specifically, I’m studying the cause of mutations in mutants. I’ve made some progress and extracted some serum. If injected into ordinary people, there’s a chance they’ll mutate and become mutants.”

Shen Xin was surprised. “Is that possible? Looks like going to Imperial University was the right choice, much better than Long City or Bull City University. By the way, what are mutants? Are they the same as superhumans?”

Shen Lan explained, “Not exactly. Our professor divides superhumans into mutants and divinely blessed. Mutants undergo physical changes and gain some superpowers, which can be replicated scientifically. Divinely blessed powers can’t be replicated. For example, I’m a mutant, my abilities can be copied—I’ve even extracted my own serum. Brother, do you want an injection? There’s a high chance you’ll gain my abilities.”

Shen Xin shook his head. “No, I don’t like your power. Which category do you think Ziran belongs to?”

“Sister-in-law is probably divinely blessed, but it’s hard to define. We’d need experiments for an accurate answer.”

Tang Ziran panicked, waving her hands. “Ah! I don’t want my blood drawn. When I was little, they drew my blood so many times, I’m terrified!”

Shen Xin stood up, feeling protective, and comforted her. “With me here, no one can hurt you—not even the emperor. Come on, I’ll treat you both to a seafood feast today. Eat to your hearts’ content. Afterwards, we’ll go shopping—buy whatever you want, brother will pay.”