Chapter 103: Snatching a Spot?
The Ling Family.
"What are you doing back here?"
Father Ling sat in the seat of honor, as if he had known in advance that Ling Yanzhi would return.
In a commanding tone, he said, "The Exotic Beast Egg from last month’s auction is a decent Level. I promised your uncle and his family that I would send it over once it hatches. When you have a free moment, you can..."
Ling Yanzhi couldn’t be bothered to respond.
If Jian Yu hadn’t remained unconscious, he wouldn’t have come back to get anything.
He turned and went straight to the top floor.
Seeing the spot where Ling Yanzhi had stood was now empty, Ling Chengfeng’s face flushed red with anger.
He had dismissed everyone else precisely because he knew Ling Yanzhi wouldn’t give him—his own father—any face.
He never imagined he would be ignored to such an extent.
Muttering and cursing, he followed, only to be blocked at the door because he wasn’t the true Family Head.
He berated him in a low voice from outside.
"Do you still see me as your father? Don’t forget, if it weren’t for me back then, that crazy bitch would have strangled you to death long ago."
After stowing the last few high-vintage Beast Fruits into his Space Button, Ling Yanzhi opened the door.
The advantage of his height forced Ling Chengfeng to take two steps back instinctively.
His gaze swept up and down the increasingly decrepit man before him.
’Sometimes I really don’t get it. A man nearly seventy years old, still thinking about having a second child.’
Every time he wanted something, he would constantly bring up saving him when he was a child.
"Oh. You’re tired? Want to retire?"
Ling Yanzhi’s expression was languid. "This position of acting Family Head... if you don’t want it, I can find someone else to take your place."
Ling Chengfeng opened his mouth, his imposing manner instantly deflating.
"It’s your second uncle’s birthday soon, and your cousin needs a Contracted Beast. You’ve already given several A-level Exotic Beast Eggs to other family members. It should be your cousin’s turn by now, shouldn’t it?"
Ling Yanzhi didn’t want to get into it. "Xi Yu won it at the auction. I just lent him some money."
"Aren’t you two on good terms? Just ask for it back."
Ling Chengfeng pressed on relentlessly. "You paid for it, so what’s the deal with him taking it?"
"There’s no deal. When you have nothing better to do, try recording yourself and listening to what you say. Do you even sound respectable? Anyone who didn’t know better would think you’re some nouveau riche upstart."
Ling Yanzhi’s eyelids drooped, a hint of impatience showing.
"The clan members earn their rewards through their own merit. If my cousin wants a Contracted Beast, tell him to show some real ability."
Ling Chengfeng snorted coldly.
"Don’t think I don’t know what you’ve been up to at the academy. You have the nerve to put down your cousin? You think you’re so great for falling for some special admission student?"
He craned his neck defiantly. "Let me tell you, I will never allow an ordinary special admission student to marry into our Ling Family."
Ling Yanzhi’s laughter was chilling.
His black pupils were tinged with crimson, and his eyes rolled to fixate on the man before him.
He enunciated each word with chilling clarity. "Then you can get the hell out of the Ling Family right now and start one of your own."
His eyes shifted into vertical slits, and a serpentine shadow arched over his body.
Their eyes met, and Ling Chengfeng shrank back.
A cyclone of black and red energy swept across the floor, carrying a biting, malevolent aura as it shot toward the sky.
Staring at the scorch mark on the floor, Ling Chengfeng’s brow furrowed deeply.
’He’s getting more and more out of control.’
’If Ling Yanzhi ever found out that he hadn’t saved him that day, but had actually tried to harm him...’
’Forget being the acting Family Head. He would likely suffer the same fate as the Xi Family’s Clan Leader.’
’But this son of his had no weaknesses whatsoever.’
A weakness.
The deep frown on Ling Chengfeng’s face suddenly smoothed out.
...
Jian Yu woke up in the morning and didn’t miss her classes.
"Why were you on leave for so long? The Beast Taming Competition is in three to five days. I thought you were going to miss it."
Shen Gu had grown more comfortable around her, and he now looked at Jian Yu without hesitation.
He knew that with Xi Yu and the others around, Jian Yu would definitely be able to get in to see the competition.
"I had some things to take care of." Jian Yu wanted to say she wasn’t feeling well, but she was worried Shen Gu would let his imagination run wild and get the wrong idea.
She’d gone to sleep, and three days had passed. She felt more frustrated than anyone.
Ling Yanzhi had disappeared somewhere, and it wasn’t long before Xi Yu and his companion were also called away for a meeting.
So, she decided she might as well come to class.
Shen Gu prattled on, sounding a little disappointed.
"Teacher Hu is choosing seven people for a new project the academy is starting. Usually, the selection is based on grades and personal impression. Since you haven’t shown your face for three days, you probably won’t be picked."
There are three classes in their major, with forty to fifty students in each.
Besides regular classes and quizzes, making an appearance is very important.
"It’s fine. There’s always next time." Having showered, Jian Yu felt much more comfortable.
After searching a bunch of shops and web pages, she discovered that current emotion-recognition devices couldn’t precisely identify specific types of emotions.
Her shattered composure began to piece itself back together.
They couldn’t determine the specific type of emotion, but could only monitor fluctuations in physiological indicators to infer the intensity and general tendency of her emotions.
’Good. I can relax now.’
"Yeah, there’s still a chance." Shen Gu encouraged himself. "My grades are good. If I raise my hand more in class later, maybe I’ll be chosen for the next research project."
Jian Yu found that exhausting.
She didn’t want to discourage him, so she made a fist sincerely and said, "Let’s work hard together."
Just then, two people walked up to her.
One of them was the recently elected class president.
She was a round-faced girl with a green brooch and a very likable appearance.
"Um, Jian."
Jian Yu looked up, her expression puzzled. "Is something wrong?"
Shen Gu realized something. "I forgot to tell you, someone @’d you in the class group chat."
The class president nodded. "After lunch today, there’s an hour-and-a-half-long lecture in the hall next to the auditorium. It’s your turn to go."
No one wanted to listen to a long-winded professor from another planet.
A rotation system based on student ID numbers was the best solution.
It just so happened to be Jian Yu’s turn this time.
Shen Gu sounded troubled. "I have another class, so I can’t go with you."
Then his tone shifted.
"But it’s okay. At the lecture, the student council is in charge of attendance and maintaining order. Lin Yu and Chief Sheng will both be there, so if you need anything, just find them."
Shen Gu blinked.
"I asked around. The professor giving the lecture this time is Shi Zhao’s teacher. You know Shi Zhao, right? The incubation genius from Emperor Source Star. He might come along too."
Shen Gu glanced at the door and hurriedly finished, "A lot of people are camping out for it. If it wasn’t our class’s turn, a ton of people would have probably signed up."
Teacher Hu arrived.
Jian Yu sat up straight.
Another egg was assigned to her.
Her fingers tingled with anticipation.
But Teacher Hu was speaking, so she had to listen carefully.
"Before we begin the practical lesson, I will announce the list of students participating in the project."
Teacher Hu called out several names in a row.
Jian Yu was a little distracted at first, until a strong intuition struck her.
’Her name might be on the list.’
"And the last one is Jian Yu."
After finishing the list, Teacher Hu continued the lecture, leaving only half the class period for the students’ practical work.
Jian Yu had a feeling that something was going to happen today.
When class ended, she noticed someone in the classroom with their head down, not moving.
"Shen Gu, wait."
Shen Gu was in a hurry to get to his next class. "Can’t, can’t, I have to go. Someone will bring you food later. Make sure you eat well. Don’t be a picky eater, and don’t eat too fast."
Jian Yu pulled her hand back.
She stood up, about to leave as well.
A dark shadow fell over her.
She lifted her eyes.
’Damn, it wasn’t my imagination.’
’Someone really is here to cause trouble.’