Chapter 119: Evasion

Chang Yu could never have anticipated that Little Chubby would pull such a stunt on him, leaving him stunned on the spot.

“What are you doing? Get up this instant!” Katerina, exasperated by her brother’s lack of composure, grabbed Little Chubby by the ear.

“Yangyang is a Lucky European; with him around, I can borrow his luck at any time.” Little Chubby, ear in hand, looked utterly aggrieved. “The relationship between Yangyang and me really isn’t what you all imagine.”

“Oh, I finally understand what’s going on now.” Katerina sighed, her delicate features filled with helplessness.

In her memory, the last time Zhen Youcai drew an SSR was over a year ago.

She’d had to help him with several rounds of ten consecutive draws before he finally got one...

There was nothing for it. Though the siblings both had European heritage, their “European luck” was sorely lacking.

At least, Katerina comforted herself, her own luck was a tad better than Zhen Youcai’s.

Compared to Zhen Youcai, who could only ever draw R cards, she could at least claim to be a genuine European.

That fellow was the very definition of the unluckiest of the unlucky.

No matter how much money Zhen Youcai spent, he simply couldn’t draw an SSR.

Such was his fate!

This time, with Yangyang’s help, Zhen Youcai neither spent money nor burned incense—he simply borrowed a bit of Yangyang’s luck and got the SSR he wanted. It would have been strange if he weren’t overjoyed.

“Chang Yu, I know you and my sister are usually very busy and might not always be able to take care of Yangyang,” Little Chubby said, winking at Chang Yu. “But I’m not busy—I have plenty of time to help you watch the child. You can let Yangyang stay at our place!”

The way he said it sounded generous, yet somehow it was just a little aggravating.

“That won’t do. You can’t even take care of yourself; how could I possibly trust you with Yangyang?” Just recalling his first visit to Zhen Youcai’s home, with its mountains of trash everywhere, Chang Yu refused without hesitation.

Zhen Youcai hardly seemed normal; he’d just been hugging Yangyang’s stinky little feet and taking deep whiffs.

The look of bliss on his face was like something out of an asylum.

How could Chang Yu ever entrust Yangyang to Zhen Youcai’s care?

“I see…” Little Chubby’s face was visibly crestfallen.

For the sake of his future happiness, Little Chubby persisted, “Then, please, at least let Yangyang come over to play when you’re free.”

“I don’t ask for him to stay every day, but now and then, a change of environment and mood surely isn’t too much to ask?”

“That’s really up to Yangyang.” Chang Yu glanced at Yangyang, outwardly seeking his opinion, but in truth desperately signaling for him to refuse.

Refuse him! Refuse him quickly!

That was the message Chang Yu was desperately trying to transmit to Yangyang.

His main worry was that Little Chubby, a hardcore couch potato, would be a terrible influence on Yangyang.

The mere thought of Yangyang becoming as slovenly, lazy, and childish as Little Chubby under his tutelage made Chang Yu fear for his future.

But since Zhen Youcai was Katerina’s brother, and she was right there, he couldn’t very well refuse outright.

All he could do was hope Yangyang would catch his meaning and firmly reject Zhen Youcai’s overzealous invitation.

“Yangyang, as long as you’re willing to visit often, I’ll always bring out my most treasured possessions to entertain you,” Zhen Youcai said, trying to tempt him.

He pulled open several drawers beneath his desk, revealing a trove of snacks.

Potato chips, chocolate, rice crackers, cheese—every snack you could name was there.

And that wasn’t all; Zhen Youcai also opened his bedside cabinet, dragged out two large boxes from beneath his bed, and drew back the curtains on the windowsill, revealing rows of carefully arranged treats.

In an instant, Yangyang found himself surrounded by a sea of snacks, his wide-eyed little face alight with delight and amazement.

“So many snacks… There are so many I’ve never even seen before,” Yangyang exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

To live here would be… such a blissful thing, Yangyang thought to himself.

“And beyond that, I have soda and ice cream for you. I’ll make sure you’re thoroughly looked after, so you truly feel at home.”

Zhen Youcai thumped his chubby chest with grand bravado, as if to say, “What’s mine is yours, and what’s yours is still yours.”

“So, if I’m willing to come, all these rice crackers, chips, spicy sticks, and sodas are mine?” For a moment, Yangyang felt as if he were floating on air, the scene too good to be true.

“Yes, they’re all yours!” Little Chubby paused, then added, “And whatever you want to eat or play with, just ask; I’ll get you anything!”

“Any snack you crave, any toy you fancy, if I don’t have it, I’ll get someone to buy it for you.”

“And if that’s still not enough, I can even pay you a salary. Your only job would be to help me draw cards every day!”

“No need to say more!” Yangyang declared righteously, springing to his feet. “I accept!”

Chang Yu: !!!

He stared at Yangyang in disbelief, feeling that he had never truly understood this mischievous child.

He’d clearly hinted for Yangyang to reject Zhen Youcai’s offer, and yet…

“The snacks don’t matter that much,” Yangyang said, feigning indifference with remarkable composure.

“I’m not coming for the snacks; it’s really to do you this favor!”

“After all, you’re Katerina’s brother, so we’re practically family now. From this day on, you’re my friend, no doubt about it!”

Well, there you have it.

Two strangers, now friends, just like that.

“Deal!” Little Chubby exclaimed, slapping his palm in excitement. “It’s settled, then!”

Even after returning to their apartment building, Yangyang still brimmed with the kind of joy that could make him smile in his sleep.

“Why did you agree to him?” Chang Yu lamented, exasperated. “What if you pick up bad habits from him?”

“That’s easy for you to say.” Yangyang rolled his eyes. “With all those delicious snacks in his house, why shouldn’t I accept?”

“Look at him—so generous and open-handed. Compared to him, you really fall short.”

“Let’s talk about our home; there are no chips, no rice crackers, no soda.”

“The only thing in the whole house that could be called a snack is the raw peanuts in the kitchen!”

“With how stingy you are, you’d never spend money on snacks.”

“Other kids never lack for treats, but me? I’ve had to drink plain water every day with you.”

“What’s the point of sticking with you? For fun? I might as well hang out with Zhen Youcai and feast to my heart’s content.”

Oh, now he’s complaining? Chang Yu fumed inwardly.

As the saying goes, “A son never finds his mother ugly, nor a dog its home poor.”

To resent the parents who raised you from infancy is nothing short of disloyal and ungrateful!

“If you want to get as fat as Zhen Youcai, go ahead and eat whatever you want!” Chang Yu tried reasoning with him. “Are snacks and soda really good for you? When you end up with diabetes or leukemia, you’ll be sorry!”

“I don’t buy you snacks for your own good—I’m just looking out for your health, understand?”

“Save it!” Yangyang scoffed, not believing a word. “I’m tired—I’m going to bed.”

With that, he climbed onto the bed, completely disregarding Chang Yu’s warnings.

“Young people never heed the advice of their elders,” Chang Yu sighed, removing his shoes and climbing onto the top bunk.

…

“Master! Master!”

Ever since drinking that cup of peach blossom wine, Chang Yu felt his luck had turned.

He could dream whatever he wished.

Just before falling asleep, he’d hoped to visit the Valley of Poria, and sure enough, there he was.

In the past, such dreams were rare—eight out of ten nights, he wouldn’t find his way to the Valley.

Visiting the Valley had always been a matter of luck; only by sheer chance could he get there.

Now, though… it didn’t seem so difficult anymore.

Think of it, and you arrive—it was remarkably convenient.

He called out again and again but Master Hao Er was still nowhere to be seen, which puzzled Chang Yu.

Could his master have gone out drinking again?

No, that couldn’t be; hadn’t he just returned from a drinking session?

Was he deliberately avoiding him?

A suspicion crept into Chang Yu’s mind, though he found it hard to believe.

“Master, I know all about it now—it was your doing, wasn’t it?”

“You don’t need to deny it; Yangyang told me everything. He said it was all your idea—you’re the mastermind.”

He paused, then continued mournfully, “I should have guessed sooner—the so-called medicine quest was just a trap you set.”

“Your real intention was to make me have a child for you!”

“Alas, my once-glorious name is now tarnished; not yet twenty and already a father.”

“I… I’m a man! And you’d even do this to a man!”

“How am I supposed to explain Yangyang’s existence when I’ve never had a girlfriend or been married?”

“Who would want to date a guy with a child in tow?”

“You… you want your loyal disciple to be alone forever, don’t you!”

Chang Yu’s words were so loud and impassioned, they seemed to shake heaven and earth, the sorrow and indignation unmistakable in his voice.

“Stop your pointless shouting.” Master Hao Er finally replied, though his voice was tinged with helplessness and melancholy.

“Master! Master, where are you? Won’t you show yourself?” Chang Yu looked around, but saw no sign of his master—only the voice, but no one to be seen.

“I’ve had a mishap in my cultivation recently, and my body isn’t well. It’s best if we don’t meet for now,” Master Hao Er said again.

“Yeah, right!” Chang Yu curled his lip, not believing him for a second.

Master Hao Er’s voice was strong and resonant, with no hint of weakness—he was clearly trying to fool Chang Yu.

“Oh? Master, how did you get injured?” Despite his gritted teeth, Chang Yu’s face wore a perfectly calibrated mix of surprise and concern.

“Let me check your wounds, Master, so I can show my filial piety.” With that, Chang Yu strode purposefully into the depths of the valley.

But his demeanor was hardly one of concern—it was more like someone coming to settle accounts.

If Master Hao Er would not show himself, Chang Yu would seek him out; after all, the valley was only so large. If he wanted to find him, he would.

Such was Chang Yu’s thinking.

Rather than wait for his master to appear, he’d take the initiative himself.

(The end of this chapter.)