My Core is the Boss

In the living room, Canary scrutinized every corner of the room, as though intending to memorize every last speck of dust in it. The red Double Happiness characters were especially festive.

"Meow meow meow!"

Xie Xinsu shook herself violently, clearly unhappy about the sticker pressed onto her back. She felt deeply wronged.

While Qi Yuan had been away, Zero-One had put her through absolute torture. She'd been dying to file a complaint on abuse. However, Zero-One not only continued to film videos every day, but also rationed the catnip.

Unfortunately, no matter how persistently Xie Xinsu meowed, Qi Yuan couldn't understand a word of it. After enough meowing, she just felt miserable. If she had her true form back, none of this would have happened! She'd be the one Qi Yuan would beg to. This stupid owner of hers would prostrate himself and beg her to be his teacher!

Canary gazed at the cat warmly. "What an adorable cat!"

She raised a finger lightly, and Xie Xinsu involuntarily drifted straight into her arms.

Xie Xinsu's head spun. Immortal technique?!

Even though she hadn’t felt a single ripple of spiritual energy?! Whatever that had been, it was at least at the late stage of the Qi Refinement realm!

She went taut. An actual cultivator, here? Which world is she from?

For the first time, Xie Xinsu took a proper look at Canary and froze immediately. The woman looked just like a fairy! What did her useless owner ever do to deserve a fairy like this? Then again, Xie Xinsu supposed his looks were exceptional.

Xie Xinsu consoled herself, Hmph! Those who have just entered the immortal path are so easily dazzled by worldly beauty. They are nothing like me, a true Core Formation realm cultivator. She had long transcended earthly attachments. [1]

Still, the woman being a cultivator was good news. When Xie Xinsu managed to recover even a sliver of her cultivation, they could communicate. If Xie Xinsu gave her some guidance, the woman would probably submit to her, allowing Xie Xinsu to reclaim her status.

When that day came, Zero-One would have to do exactly as Xie Xinsu said. Catnip—whenever she wanted, and as much as she wanted. She'd go on strike for taking videos and become a manager instead. Xie Xinsu reveled in her thoughts.

Canary spent a while stroking the cat, clearly pleased with herself. Before long, she followed Qi Yuan back to his room.

Qi Yuan called softly, "Little Bride."

A red wedding garment appeared in the room.

Canary's gaze flickered, then her expression softened into a smile. "Is that Sister Little Bride?”

She'd heard Qi Yuan mention Little Bride before, and she knew their story.

Canary said, "She's very special."

"Everyone is special," Qi Yuan stated matter-of-factly, staring between Canary and Little Bride. "You're special; she's special; I'm special.. How about we register the marriage tomorrow?"

From Little Bride's cool sleeve, a little wooden plaque painted with a happy face slid out. No matter what Qi Yuan said, she always seemed delighted. Canary leaned into Qi Yuan's side and nodded.

Qi Yuan wondered, a trace of genuine worry in his tone, "But is registering three people together illegal?"

He didn't care much about morality; he was flexible in nearly every regard. His sole requirement was that the marriage be legal.

Pleased with her own cleverness, Canary suggested, "How about I wear Sister Little Bride and we register together?"

Qi Yuan blinked at her. "I didn't realize you were this smart."

Then, he shook his head.

"No, that won't do. These things should be done properly. We can't have a wedding banquet where Little Bride doesn't even have a seat."

Though he'd always followed the rules, bending them a little should be permissible for the family.

Looks like I need to pull some strings. Time to call Kuang Huan.

Qi Yuan dialed Kuang Huan's number.

***

Meanwhile, Kuang Huan was in his hotel room, staring at the television without really watching it. Every so often, he turned to look out the window at the extra sun in the sky and broke into a stupid, besotted grin.

His gentle, elegant wife watched him somewhat helplessly. "According to experts, people should avoid staring at that extra sun for too long. It can cause memory problems!"

Kuang Huan stared at the sun like it was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. "What do you know? Who cares about memory problems!"

His mind was still full of how it had felt to be locked inside that steel-walled compound. And when the second sun appeared in the sky, his heart leaped. Hence, even though he was under house arrest, he had a good appetite. Sure enough, it didn’t take long before people came to personally escort him out.

Moreover, they weren’t from the military camp, but the capital. Even though they had a completely different social standing, they'd appeared in person and offered formal apologies, speaking to him in the most polite way possible. It was something Kuang Huan had never experienced before.

Afterward, he'd learned about the public vote and the destruction of thirteen Eyes of the Sky. The marquis laughed, admiring Qi Yuan even more.

To Qi Yuan, the Seven Martial Stars were nothing but ants. Even the supposedly terrifying, god-slaying weapon was just a mere toy to him. The cultivator stood at the peak of the world.

No wonder Mr. Qi was always talking about games, NPCs, lores, and storylines... For someone like him, the world is probably just a grand game.

Kuang Huan felt a complicated mixture of joy and unease. He felt like a new bride who had just discovered her husband was the emperor—thrilled at first, only to become anxious upon realizing the emperor hadn't visited her chambers in quite some time.[2]

Right on cue, the ringtone labeled Special Important chimed, and Kuang Huan's brow shot up.

From the soft chair nearby, his wife caught his expression and lamented bitterly, "You know, you've never set me as Special Important..."

Kuang Huan shot her a look. "Can you even compare yourself to this? Quiet!"

He proceeded to answer the call with the utmost care.

His wife observed the whole display and smiled to herself.

1. Wasnt she just begging for food or catnip? ☜

2. ***E/N: this comparison. ☜