The woman stood by the roadside, clothed simply in fitted blue training robes. Though not yet thirty, her hair was pulled up by a worn cloth handkerchief, faint strands of white hiding within the glossy black. Her features were exquisite—delicate brows like painted strokes, black eyes brimming with melancholy.
When she saw Su Bei walking across the grass with Xiao Wu at his side, her heart trembled. To her, the boy's flawless, jade-like features were like a blossom blooming in snow's dead silence, igniting life in her weary eyes.
Her lips moved with a sigh. "If I could have a child like this in my lifetime… I would die content."
But then her gaze dimmed. A shadow entered her mind: a middle-aged scholar with sharp eyes and stiff posture. Bitterness tugged her heart, forcing her to smile sadly.
"…What a pity."
His name whispered silently across her thoughts—Yu Xiaogang.
The one she had loved and been abandoned by. Their tangled regrets still cut into her chest like glass. Children? Never. Happiness? Stolen.
Her gaze fell back to Su Bei, and she murmured, "If I cannot bear my own, then perhaps… I can hold onto someone else to ease the emptiness. This child's beauty fills my heart. It would be enough to call him my son. That will be enough."
The decision sparked, and once struck, Liu Erlong was a woman who never hesitated. Her body blurred across the ground.
"Child, please stay!"
Su Bei halted mid-step, Xiao Wu flanking him curiously. His reflection cast back the image of the beautiful woman. Mature charm, sharp confidence, yet sadness lingering deep.
Before Su Bei could even ask—
Ding.
His system chimed loudly:
[Clock-in complete – Goddess Target Detected: Liu Erlong]
[Initial Affection: 20]
[Purposed Intention: The other party wishes to adopt you as her dry son.]
[Choose Your Reward (C-Tier):]
① Soul power +1 level
② Permanent stat bonus (Choose 10% Attack / 10% Speed / 10% Defense)
③ Increase Yu Xiaogang's "Awakening Value" inside Liu Erlong's heart by 15%
Su Bei's mouth twitched violently. What the hell, system! Option three is literally buffing my rival. What kind of green-hat trap are you trying to lay on me?!
His mind raced. Having Liu Erlong was like holding dynamite. She was powerful, fierce, known as the "Fire Dragon Woman" for good reason. And though he admired her fierce loyalty, she was tragically obsessed with Yu Xiaogang—the original King of Spouting Nonsense.
But… the chance to flip her script early was worth it.
Su Bei's eyes tightened with thought. Erlong right now is raw, emotional, and regretful. If I play this right… she won't think of me as a son for long. Heh… Beigod system strategy: turn "dry mother" into goddess conquest.
Yet Xiao Wu bristled beside him.
The rabbit girl, fiercely protective, felt her territory threatened. She stepped in front of Su Bei, frowning warily. "Big sister, what do you want with Brother Bei?"
Liu Erlong crouched gracefully, her eyes warm as she gazed at Su Bei. "I only want to know this child's family background. Such beauty shouldn't be wandering alone. If possible, I want to adopt him. To give him the love… I've never been granted."
Xiao Wu's cheeks puffed fiercely. "No way! Brother Bei already has Xiao Wu as family. He doesn't need a second mother—hmph!"
Innocent words, sharp as arrows.
Liu Erlong blinked, taken aback. Then, hearing that refusal, her warmth cracked, replaced by her true infamous temper.
Her brow surged with fiery rage, her aura flaring like a firestorm. "Refuse? You dare reject me?!"
Boom—
Seven rings lit at her feet. Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black—colors flaring brighter than the blazing sun. One by one, they towered into existence, each pulse shaking the roadside, scattering pebbles and burning grass under their glow.
Xiao Wu's breath hitched, legs trembling. "Soul… Soul Saint!"
Even Su Bei's jaw tensed. Gu Yuena's dragon blood suppressed arrogance in beasts, but facing human Title Soul Saints was its own challenge.
Still, he forced a calm smile, stepping boldly forward. "So this is your real power, senior?"
The flames swirling Liu Erlong's fiery soul rings swayed violently about her, her voice low and fierce. "Boy, since fated hands led me to you, don't resist. Today… I've decided. You'll call me mother, and I will decide your fate!"
Her gaze softened faintly again, almost trembling. "I will raise you. Protect you. Love you… You'll never be abandoned as I was abandoned."
Xiao Wu instantly clung to Su Bei's arm, eyes glimmering with panic. "Brother Bei!"
Su Bei's heart raced. System, you bastard, this is your idea of comedy? Having me stuck between loyal rabbit-sis and fiery adoptive mother candidate?
The firelight rings spun slowly, oppressive and forceful, as Liu Erlong's determination pressed closer like a dragon of flames.
System: [Alert. New Affection Mission triggered.]
[Choose: Respond to Liu Erlong's dry-mother demand.]
① Accept – Become her "adopted son" to skyrocket initial affection values – unlock rare Fire Dragon Bloodline reward.
② Refuse – Counter with charm, shift her fixation away from "son" to romantic interest. Risk increased hostility; reward: future breakthrough opportunity.
③ Tease – Pretend to accept as son, then slyly twist the bond into dependence over time. Unlock the hidden affection route.
Su Bei exhaled.
This system really wants me dead of social chaos.
He lifted his chin, jade-like face glowing beneath the halo of her seven soul rings.
With a low chuckle, Su Bei muttered, "Dry son… or something sweeter than that? Fire Dragon Woman, are you truly sure you know what you want?"
Liu Erlong froze, black eyes trembling…