Fang Baiâs order was swiftly carried out.
Within five minutes, numerous packages, large and small, were loaded onto Fang Baiâs military vehicle by the guards. Then, Fang Bai drove off rapidly toward a certain destination.
...
In the inner city zone stood a spacious mansion.
To say the security was tight, with guards stationed every few steps like a fortified garrison, would be an understatement.
This was because it was the home of the supreme military leaderâor, more accurately, the current supreme leader of the Human RaceâLin Haifeng!
Looking at the imposing residence before him, Fang Bai heaved a deep sigh.
The Old Man... he hasnât been back in such a long, long time...
Since when was it...?
It seems it was after Tang Haofei handed over partial authority of the Eternal Sky City to the military...
No!
Fang Bai slowly shook his head.
It was after Kuangliu âresurrectedâ and moved in here with Claire!
Fang Bai was absolutely certain of this.
...
He passed through several security checkpoints along the way. The militaryâs protection for Lin Haifeng was comprehensive in every aspect; even for his own family, security checks remained strict, despite Lin Haifeng not currently being present.
Ten minutes later, Fang Bai, carrying numerous bags, made his way to the central building within the compound.
The siheyuan-style layout was reminiscent of the military compound where he had lived as a child. Perhaps it was due to the sentimentality of the older generation, but this modest courtyard housed all of Lin Haifengâs relatives: his âson and daughter-in-law,â and his daughter and son-in-law.
A happy family, all together...
Itâs just a pity the head of the family isnât here.
At this thought, Fang Bai sighed softly again.
...
"Youâre back? Why so early today?"
A graceful figure emerged slowly from the left wing-room. Her gentle, warm face momentarily stunned Fang Bai.
His former lover, now his wife...
Carrying many kilograms of food, Fang Bai slowly walked to Xiao Xueâs side, gently put his arm around her waist, their foreheads touching. He said softly, "I came back right after the meeting. The war situation isnât too pressing. Besides, I missed you, and our little one..."
As Fang Bai finished speaking, he immediately kissed his beloved wifeâs lips.
"Mmph... mmph... stop messing around!"
Xiao Xueâs playful punches landed softly on Fang Baiâs chest, making him chuckle foolishly.
Then, gently caressing his wifeâs belly with both hands, Fang Baiâs eyes filled with deep affection.
"Has our little one been good today~~?"
Xiao Xue slapped his hand away and rolled her eyes dramatically.
"It hasnât even been a month..."
Fang Bai could only offer a sheepish laugh in response.
"Oh, right, I brought back some food. Iâll cook something nice for you and Sister-in-law later... I bet the two little ones are hungry too..."
After saying this, Fang Bai walked towards the kitchen with a smile. Regardless of their high status and wealth, the Lin family had maintained the habit of cooking for themselves.
Watching her husbandâs departing figure, Xiao Xue sighed inwardly...
Big Brother...
Sister-in-law...
The people in this mansion... no, almost everyone in the Yanjing Assembly Site knows what this is all about...
The former War God of the military, reduced to a breeding tool for the Supreme Commanderâs family...
The capriciousness of fate...
Itâs as if fate is mocking Lin Haifengâs ruthlessness, and at the same time, toying with the joys and sorrows of the Lin Family, the current foremost Aristocratic Family of the Human Race...
...
Fang Bai skillfully prepared the ingredients heâd brought backâdeep-frying, stir-frying, and making cold cuts. With the help of a few servants, the dishes were served on the dining table in the main hall.
Fang Bai was quite adept at cooking.
In the main hall, two beautiful figures were whispering to each other. His enhanced physique granted him excellent Hearing Ability, allowing him to clearly overhear the two womenâs conversation.
Parenting experience... early childhood education... plans for their childrenâs futures...
In this post-apocalyptic world, two pregnant women, safe and well-provided for, probably had little else to discuss.
Marriage, pregnancy, impending childbirth...
Fang Bai mused.
It had transformed "the former Sequence Number 5âClaire" and Xiao Xue, the militaryâs former Super Warrior No. 1, into chattering, careworn housewives.
Nearby, the figureâfamiliar, heart-wrenching, and even nostalgic to Fang Baiâsat leisurely in a chair, sipping tea.
Even though he had been reduced to a mere tool for procreation, even though Lin Haifeng had placed him under a form of house arrest, even though he was merely Kuangliuâs duplicant, his composed posture and gaze still irresistibly reminded Fang Bai of days long past.
Their youthful recklessness...
Their dashing, unrestrained past...
The times they fought side by side...
But all of that, today, in this moment, was reduced to a single, simple sentence.
"Kuangliu, try todayâs food."
...
The upbringing in a great family was always strict, even for the Lin Family, which had risen to prominence in a relatively short period.
"No talking during meals or in bed"; this was a rule of the Lin Family, and also part of the upbringing Fang Bai had received since childhood.
But...
When Fang Bai saw the hollowness hidden deep beneath âKuangliuâsâ composed facade, and when he recalled the figure from todayâs meeting, a figure as dark as a black hole...
He couldnât hold back.
"Wen Yu is back."
This simple sentence instantly froze the atmosphere at the dining table.
SNAP!
"How dare he come back? How *could* he come back?"
The power of an Early Stage Level 5 cultivator instantly crushed the chopsticks in Xiao Xueâs hand into a pile of splinters. Her face contorted, her eyes glowing red with hatred and fear. Under the surge of her intense emotions, the small Soul Beast on her shoulder also bounced up and down, as if silently venting its fury!
Swallowing hard, Fang Bai gently took Xiao Xueâs hand and said slowly, "This is Dadâs decision."
"Why would Dad call him back? Why not kill him? Why not kill him???"
The once beautiful Xiao Xue now resembled a life-reaping specter!
"Xiao Xue."
A calm voice interjected.
Kuangliu picked up a piece of tender, succulent veal, placed it in Claireâs bowl, and said slowly, "Letâs not dwell on this anymore, alright? Arenât we doing... quite well now?"
Silence...
Is it good, or is it not...?
Everyone knew the truth...
"In a couple of days, Iâd like to go see Wen Yu. Bai, can you arrange it?"
Seeing the serious look in Kuangliuâs eyes, Fang Bai was silent for a long moment before nodding.
"Thank you..."
"Youâre welcome."
Between brothers...
There should be no need for thanks...
...
Even though âKuangliuâ was sitting right in front of him, and even though this family had never shown âKuangliu and Claireâ any ill will or treated them differently.
But, some things had changed...
Yes, things had definitely changed,
Fang Bai thought.
The sumptuous meal ended more quickly than expected. Afterward, Kuangliu took Claireâs hand and they returned to their room, leaving Fang Bai and Xiao Xue alone in the main hall.
"Bai, I want to talk to you."
"Donât," Fang Bai interrupted. "Iâve already considered what youâre about to say. Fran warned meâIâd die. Sacrificing the lives of the living for those who are already dead... itâs not worth it..."
A soft, small hand gripped Fang Baiâs slender arm tightly. He turned to see Xiao Xueâs delicate features.
"Thatâs not what I wanted to talk about. Iâm not a child anymore; I know whatâs more important. Actually, I want to advise you not to go looking for trouble with Wen Yu. I understand how terrifying he is..."
Fang Bai looked at Xiao Xueâs earnest expression, his mouth opening slightly, but no words came out.
So... she wasnât a child anymore...?
But why... did his heart feel a chill...?
"What I want to discuss with you is something else."
Xiao Xueâs eyes were bright as she softly uttered, "Claire and I are both due next year, but..."
"Our child will take the surname Fang. Claireâs child will take the surname Lin."
A chill wind seemed to blow straight into Fang Baiâs heart. For the first time, he felt that Yanjingâs winter was truly, deeply cold.
Looking at the beautiful face before him, Fang Bai fell completely silent.
Truly... no longer a child...
Xiao Xueâs hushed voice continuously flowed into Fang Baiâs ears, yet her words seemed somewhat indistinct.
"Dad... Yanjing... the world... paving the way... future... child... power... family ties..."
A buzzing filled Fang Baiâs ears, making his scalp tingle.
"Wait, I... I still have things to do. I need to go to the Frontline Command Post first."
Fang Bai forced a smile and bolted from the hall as if fleeing for his life, leaving Xiao Xue behind, her expression unreadable.
A darkness, like a shadow, fell over Xiao Xueâs face, obscuring her expression.
Watching her husband flee the Lin Family mansion, Xiao Xue gently caressed her belly, nurturing the small life within. She murmured softly, "My baby, Mommy will do anything for you..."
Perhaps it began on her wedding day...
Transforming from a girl into a woman...
From a younger sister into a mother...
From innocent and carefree to scheming and ruthless...
Compared to her child, hatred was unimportant. Even her fatherâs decisions were unimportant!!!
What truly mattered was her childâs future...