Inside the Hexagram Alliance's base, Liu Xiu was in the training room, engaged in his specialized exercises.
He had no idea that a massive conspiracy was quietly approaching him.
Now, Meng Ran and the others had all gone to university, leaving Liu Xiu as the only one still in high school. So he spent more time at the base than they did.
As Liu Xiu trained relentlessly, night gradually fell. Once he finished, he checked his phone.
Thanks to their efforts, the chaos from the New York battle was slowly settling.
Crime rates at night in New York were gradually returning to normal, thanks to the Hexagram Alliance.
During this period, they had reinstated the previous shift system, with one member patrolling New York City each night.
This arrangement saved manpower while allowing the others to rest.
At that moment, Liu Xiu's phone displayed a message from Meng Ran.
Since there were few classes tomorrow, and Gwen had gone home to handle some affairs, Meng Ran was also spending the night at home.
"Finished training yet? If yes, hurry home for dinner."
"The food's almost ready, just waiting for you."
Liu Xiu looked at Meng Ran's message, a warm smile spreading across his face.
Although he had lost his previous memories and his original family, he was content now.
Meng Ran and his family, along with the other Hexagram Alliance members, were his family now.
He quickly replied:
Liu Xiu: "Finished. I'll be home soon."
Meng Ran: "Hurry, hurry! If you don't, a naughty someone might eat all your ribs~"
Liu Xiu: "I'll be back soon! You better control them first!"
Meng Ran: "Got it, but you better hurry, or I won't be able to control it… or myself. ( )"
Liu Xiu: "(╥╯^╰╥) Bro! My big brother! Don't do this! I've trained so hard and I'm starving. I promise I'll be back soon."
Meng Ran: "Heh~ just teasing. I'm your big bro, am I that kind of person? ( ˉˉ )"
"Come back quick! The food's getting cold."
Liu Xiu: "Roger! Heading there fast!"
After sending the message, Liu Xiu grabbed his belongings and left the base.
Under the deepening night sky, he leapt across rooftops, quickly making his way home.
With his stamina, it would take only ten to twenty minutes to reach home.
Not that he didn't want to drive—just that he didn't have a license yet, and evening traffic was worse than running on his own.
Meanwhile, at Meng Ran's house, Meng Huo had just snatched the chopsticks from his son and scolded him:
"Weren't you supposed to wait for your brother to come back? Why are you grabbing the chopsticks already?"
Meng Ran laughed awkwardly and explained:
"Uh… I was just tasting the seasoning for you."
Meng Huo rolled his eyes.
"My cooking skills? You think I need your taste test?"
"Since you doubt my skills, today's ribs are gone."
Hearing his father's declaration, Meng Ran hurriedly protested:
"Ah! I didn't mean it like that…"
Meng Huo remained unmoved.
"Stop explaining. The ribs are for Xiu'er. He's been exercising today, so he must be hungry."
"At his age, he needs the nutrition. Let him grow strong and tall."
Meng Ran wailed again:
"He's almost taller than me! Why does he still need to grow? I need to grow!"
And he wasn't wrong—Liu Xiu's height was quickly catching up to Meng Ran's.
Liu Xiu was already around 1.8 to 1.9 meters tall, while Meng Ran was just slightly taller.
Compared to Liu Xiu's rapid growth, Meng Ran's height had plateaued—he was already in university and past his main growth years.
At most, he might reach near two meters.
Seeing that his protests had no effect on his father, Meng Ran pitifully looked at his mother, Zhao Li, who smiled warmly at the father-son bickering.
To her, these moments of domestic warmth were the best stress relief.
She chuckled softly:
"Don't look at me like that. In the kitchen, your father's word is law."
Meng Ran realized that today's ribs were probably lost to him.
"Why am I always so bad at talking? I actually asked him to taste his own cooking…"
Meanwhile, Venom, sensing Meng Ran's regret, couldn't help but gloat mischievously:
"Heh heh, didn't expect you to have a brain short-circuit moment, doubting Master Meng's skills."
"Master Meng's ribs are the best food in the world."
Meng Ran scolded him:
"Where are you getting so happy? Your intelligence seems to have devolved."
"I can't eat the ribs. Do you think I can?"
Venom paused. Of course—if Meng Ran couldn't eat them, neither could he. He couldn't openly appear at the table.
Venom had to receive the food only after Meng Ran put it in his mouth.
Thus, if Meng Ran missed the ribs, so did Venom. No wonder he had been gloating for no reason.
Realizing this, Venom began wailing internally with Meng Ran:
"Ah~ my ribs!"
"It's not my fault! Why should I suffer too?"
"I'm so stupid… I should have known my words would make him miss out, but I forgot I can't have them either…"
Seeing Venom wailing like an overdramatic child, Meng Ran's gloomy mood suddenly didn't feel so heavy anymore.
Indeed, when someone can share your pain, it somehow becomes less painful.