You still hope I can start a family, and grow old with someone else?
Updates Mon/Wed/Fri!
His long black hair fell against his back as he handed the reins to the guard who had come with him.
“Take good care of it,” he instructed, before following the messenger away.
Before leaving, he glanced around—as if signaling someone to come along.
Only after he had gone did the archery field erupt in a collective hiss of amazement.
On Su Xi’s screen, dialogue boxes of all sorts popped up in succession:
> “The third round ended too fast! I didn’t even see what happened!”
> “What really shocked me was the second round—how did Young Master Lu cut off our guard’s arrow feathers mid-flight?!”
> “They’re doomed. The guards’ faces are green! When they return to camp, they’ll definitely be drilled half to death.”
> “Who just called the yuanwailang away? The Minister of War? I heard his unmarried daughter came too—”
……
Su Xi looked at the generals’ dark expressions while the cartoon soldiers chattered excitedly, showering Zai Zai with endless praise.
She grinned so wide her face hurt, her heart swelling with the proud delight of a mother.
Today’s mission—she hadn’t helped him even once!
It seemed that the sleepless month and a half of Zai Zai’s practice—piling stakes, shooting arrows, training sword and push-ups—had truly paid off.
His martial skill had clearly advanced far beyond what it had been at Qiuyan Mountain.
She wanted to savor the soldiers’ astonishment a bit longer, but the Zai Zai already halfway up the tower’s long stair kept glancing sideways, his dark brows drawn together—as if wondering why she hadn’t followed.
Su Xi quickly dragged the screen forward and tugged at Zai Zai’s sleeve.
Only then did his brows relax.
Still riding the high of witnessing his absolute victory, she couldn’t help herself—after tugging his sleeve, she gave another playful tug at the longbow in his right hand.
Her boy was so handsome!
Zai Zai seemed to have guessed why she was so excited; the corners of his lips lifted slightly in quiet pride — but the moment she looked his way, he quickly pressed them back down, pretending nothing had happened.
The pavilion atop the high tower, however, was beyond the boundaries of the military camp — Su Xi hadn’t unlocked that area yet.
After sending Zai Zai inside, she left the interface hovering on the long causeway outside to wait.
───♡───
From Yunzhou, to assisting the Scholar Shangguan, to entering the Ministry of War and reforming the Second Division, and now to today’s archery field —she and Zai Zai had fought through so many challenges, all to pave the way for Mission Seven.
Now that Zai Zai had finally managed to approach General Zhenyuan, Su Xi was certain he’d accomplish it soon.
Sure enough, it didn’t even take ten minutes before the screen flashed a new message:
【Congratulations — Main Mission Seven completed: Master superior martial skills, military tactics, and physical endurance, and gain the recognition and support of General Zhenyuan!】
【Reward acquired: 500 gold coins, +10 points!】
Holy crap — ten points in one go?!
Su Xi nearly jumped up from her seat. She hurriedly checked her current stats — 54 points!
With these new points, she could now unlock five new panels.
The screen popped up another summary of current status:
【Wealth & Assets】: Rewards from the Emperor and the Old Madam, outer-city residence, two estates.
【Allied Heroes】: Zhong Ganping (Tenth-Rank Capital Merchant), Minister of Revenue (grey), Old Madam (grey), General Zhenyuan, Minister of War, Fifth Prince (grey).
【Expandable Harem】: Daughter of the Minister of War — Han Yue.
Su Xi scanned through the list line by line, eyes bright with excitement.
The ones in grey likely represented allies of convenience — not true comrades.
Those without grey, though, had fully joined Zai Zai’s side; his own people now.
But this time, there was one new line — Expandable Harem.
What?!
Su Xi’s eyes lit up — this game really had a harem system?!
Her excitement spiked instantly.
But then she remembered what Zai Zai had said before the archery contest, that he intended to “live and die alone.”
Her enthusiasm deflated just as quickly.
Sigh… fine, let fate decide that kind of thing.
───♡───
In the game interface, the sun was already dipping below the horizon when Zai Zai finally emerged with two guards.
Although Su Xi hadn’t followed him inside, she could more or less guess what had transpired.
As he stepped out, a round-faced cartoon girl hurriedly followed, sending him off.
Su Xi recognized her from earlier — she must have appeared during the conversation between General Zhenyuan and the Minister of War.
Now, the once-generic “Girl A” had a proper name: Han Yue.
Han Yue twisted her handkerchief nervously, not daring to lift her head as she shyly asked, “I wonder how Young Master Lu plans to return to the city?”
The unspoken meaning: Would you allow me to accompany you back?
Even though Su Xi hadn’t been very fond of this “future daughter-in-law” a moment ago, the sunset scene was so beautifully painted that, watching through the screen, she couldn’t help smiling like a proud mother watching her favorite drama.
She eagerly leaned in, waiting to see how Zai Zai would respond — maybe he’d blush, maybe stammer—
But then she saw—
Dressed in tight riding clothes, the round-faced Zai Zai focused intently on the horse being led toward him by a guard.
The moment it arrived, he strode down the steps in quick, decisive strides—and within moments, he had vanished entirely.
When Han Yue finally lifted her head again, the space beside her was already empty, the only thing left the cold wind brushing past.
Han Yue stood frozen in the wind: “……”
He hadn’t heard her—
He really hadn’t heard her—
After mounting the horse, he immediately turned toward the air beside him, anxiety flickering in his eyes.
In a low voice, he asked Su Xi, “Are you still here? Why didn’t you follow me in just now?”
Su Xi was exasperated enough to want to knock some sense into him: ….
Zai Zai, look at yourself—does that bun-shaped face of yours not have ‘dense as a brick’ written all over it?!
She tugged at his sleeve, and only then did Lu Huan breathe out in relief.
He knew she wanted to push him closer to the Minister’s daughter, and the thought made him quietly furious.
But he could never bring himself to use an irrelevant woman just to spite her.
Other than her, there was no room in his eyes for anyone else.
Besides—she probably wouldn’t even get jealous.
Not only that, she might sincerely be happy for him.
Thinking of this, Lu Huan pressed his lips together, and once again felt a bucket of cold water pour over his heart…
Still, General Zhenyuan’s attitude toward him had changed drastically today.
His words carried the suggestion of recommending Lu Huan for service in the army, to journey north to the frontier.
That was exactly the direction of the plan he and Su Xi had discussed—it was a step closer.
As Su Xi excitedly calculated points at her desk, Lu Huan’s heart was also quietly alight with joy.
The two of them returned together to the official residence.
The streets were crowded and not suitable for private words.
Once they arrived home, Lu Huan poured himself a cup of tea to quench his thirst, then began to consider how to bring up the matter of transferring his soul.
While she hadn’t been by his side, he had read through many books and discovered several possible methods.
He just didn’t know if any of them would work—he would have to take her to find that shushi to verify it.
Su Xi, of course, had no idea that Zai Zai’s progress had come this far—that he had already found a possible way.
She was still fretting over his earlier words about “growing old alone.”
Was it a phase of rebellion, or did he really intend to live like a widowed monarch?
Either way, it was a truly headache-inducing thought.
Lu Huan looked toward the empty air, emotions churning within him—
If she could truly appear before him one day, then perhaps the desires in his heart wouldn’t be so unspeakable after all.
All he wished for—was to see her once in this lifetime.
He was just about to speak when someone outside called, “Yuanwailang, someone has brought you a delivery.”
Lu Huan’s thoughts were broken off; he frowned slightly and said to the unseen spirit beside him, “I’ll go take it. Wait for me here, don’t leave.”
He rose and walked toward the door, and before stepping out, he turned back again, uneasy.
“I’ll be right back. Half a stick of incense at most, don’t disappear.”
Su Xi chuckled, brushing at his sleeve to signal him: Go on, I’m not leaving.
Standing at the doorway, Lu Huan looked back at her—his brows and eyes softened with a helpless, dazed affection.
He lingered for a moment before stepping outside.
Yes, he thought—this was why he so desperately wanted her to appear in tangible form.
He couldn’t see her, couldn’t touch her, didn’t know when she might vanish again.
This constant uncertainty was like an endless torment of fear and longing… one that would never end.
Su Xi waited inside for a while, then couldn’t resist following into the courtyard.
There she saw Zai Zai standing before two unfamiliar servants holding something in their hands.
They said it was a hand-stitched sachet personally sewn by the Minister of War’s young lady.
Su Xi: !!!
But the next second—Zai Zai closed the courtyard gate with a cold clang, his expression frosty and impatient, shutting the two servants firmly outside.
Su Xi: …
Su Xi muttered inwardly — with that door slammed shut, Zai Zai had probably just cut off any chance with the Minister of War’s daughter.
Sure enough, when she opened the status tab in the top-right corner of the screen, she saw the “Harem” section fade — Han Yue’s name dimmed gradually, then vanished altogether.
Zai Zai’s harem, once again, erased by his own hand. The column was left completely blank.
Su Xi: …
After closing the courtyard gate, Zai Zai turned back. He seemed to sense that she had come outside; the coldness in his expression softened a little as he looked toward the empty air. The candlelight under the eaves fell across his brows, gentle and calm.
Watching the shifting emotions on his round little face, Su Xi suddenly felt that he only ever let down his guard in front of her. The thought made her heart melt, and she didn’t have the heart to tease this iron-willed, oblivious boy anymore. She simply reached out and tugged his hand.
Lu Huan held her hand and walked back with her. Knowing she had seen that earlier scene and perhaps fearing she still hoped for it — he glanced at the sleeve fluttering slightly beside him, hesitated, and finally asked, “You… I already refused. Do you still wish for me to be with the Minister of War’s daughter?”
The girl was fine enough, but Zai Zai clearly had no affection for her.
Su Xi tugged his right hand again: If you don’t like her, don’t force yourself.
Zai Zai’s mood seemed to lift a little; the corners of his lips curved faintly.
“Why?” he asked. “Why don’t you wish for it anymore?”
There was a hint of expectation in his voice, but how could Su Xi possibly put all that into words?
Su Xi: …
Seeing she couldn’t answer, Lu Huan asked again, “If another official’s daughter appeared someday, would you still try to arrange a match for me?”
Outside the screen, Su Xi felt her patience fray. Was this boy really that petty? She’d meddled once, must he hold a lifelong grudge? Did he want his mother to admit her mistake now?!
She smacked his hand lightly in irritation, meaning: No. I won’t interfere with your marriage ever again.
His hand reddened from the playful hit, but when he raised it and looked at it, the smile at his lips could no longer be suppressed.
He tried to restrain it, yet the brightness in his eyes gave him away.
Standing in the courtyard with his hands behind his back, brows slightly lifted, he continued to question her: “Is it because you heard me say I’ll grow old alone, so you stopped insisting, or…”
He paused, seeming a little nervous. His gaze shifted downward, toe nudging a pebble, the tips of his ears faintly red.
“Or is there… another reason?” he asked softly.
Su Xi tugged at his left sleeve, meaning: The first one.
Lu Huan’s body went rigid. The faint hope rising in his chest was instantly doused in cold water.
A trace of disappointment crossed his face. He forced a small smile and looked toward the void — though he had no idea where to look, since he couldn’t see her.
His voice was low and hoarse: “Is that so?”
“If, one day, I meet a gentle, well-bred woman… and I come to like her, would you still hope that I marry her, that I start a family — and grow old with someone else?”
Of course Su Xi wanted that for him. Yet, sensing the faint loneliness in him, she couldn’t tell whether he hoped she would say yes or no.
— Why does this boy keep throwing these fatal questions at me lately?!
She didn’t answer, and Lu Huan took her silence as assent.
His lips tightened; his shoulders slumped; the light in his eyes faded away.
Without another word, he turned and walked quietly into the house.
Su Xi stared at the small, desolate figure retreating before her: …
Not again. Not upset again?!
Zai Zai, are you having your period or something?!
