With tears streaming down his face, Fang Yuan rushed to Fang Zheng's side, kneeling beside him.
His cries were raw, ragged, as his hands hovered over his brother.
"If you won't do it, I will." His voice was hoarse, but there was a quiet strength there, too.
"His brother is still alive. I won't let him die."
Fang Mo's heart twisted in his chest, his emotions flooding in waves as he watched his two sons—so different, yet so deeply connected—grieve for one another.
Jiaying's expression softened, her own heart torn.
"Fang Mo…" Her voice trembled, but she caught herself before speaking further. After a long pause, she made a decision. "I'll go."
"You'll reject the clan mission."
Fang Mo's gaze flickered up, his eyes filled with regret but also determination. "No. You stay. Let me handle the task."
Fang Yuan, eyes ablaze, turned to his father.
"No. No—Fang Zheng needs all of us."
"He needs both of you here. How can you even think about leaving him?"
The tears in his eyes were the only sign of weakness—fury, grief, and love colliding in one angry wave.
"Mom, you go and reject the clan mission."
"As for Dad's—hire Uncle Dong Tu. He's taken so many primeval stones from Father already, it's time to make him pay up."
Jiaying's eyes widened in surprise at her son's boldness. Fang Mo's face darkened as he thought, the wheels in his mind turning.
If the mission was already assigned to him, someone stronger could take it—provided they agreed. That was how the clan worked.
Finally, Fang Mo gave a resigned nod.
"Alright. Tell him I'll waive half of his debt if he takes this task in my place."
A silence fell between them, heavy and thick.
Fang Mo looked back down at Fang Zheng's still form and let out a deep sigh, his voice low but firm.
"Can't we, as parents, just stay with our children when they need us most?"
Jiaying nodded, her eyes dark with sorrow. She left in a quiet rush, headed for Dong Tu's location, while Fang Mo stayed behind, sitting vigil with his sons, waiting for Fang Zheng to wake up.
...
Fang Yuan cradled Fang Zheng's limp body in his tiny arms. His face was streaked with tears, his shoulders shook with sobs — but behind the wet lashes, his eyes were disturbingly still.
There was no panic, no horror.
Only a cold, glacial calm as his gaze shifted past his brother's paling lips to the flickering panel in front of him.
System 007: Tasks
Task 1: Leap from your chamber window within twenty-four hours. Ensure severe injury.
Reward: EXP +0.01 — (Rejected)
Task 2: Let your fall appear accidental.
Reward: EXP +0.001, parents abandoning their clan mission. — (Rejected)
Task 3: Employ Gu Yue Dong Tu to complete the clan mission.
Reward: EXP +0.001, your parents safety, and a peaceful existence within the Fang household. — (Accepted, In Progress)
His tiny hands trembled as he held his brother tighter, but his expression didn't break.
The glow of the panel lit his tear-streaked cheeks like some cruel halo.
Fang Yuan's scheme had been flawless.
A childish game, a startled shriek, and then — the faintest push.
So subtle that even Fang Zheng, trembling from fear, believed the chill brushing his back to be nothing more than a ghost's touch.
Now, tears streamed down Fang Yuan's cheeks, his cries sharp and pitiful.
But the sobs were hollow, the redness in his eyes nothing but the sting of chili powder he had scattered into them moments earlier.
The world saw grief; in truth, he was cloaked in calculation.
'As long as Dong Tu accepts the mission… everything will fall into place.' The thought curled in his mind like a serpent, his lips quivering in sorrow while his heart exhaled in relief.
Minutes bled away. Then, like a blade striking its mark, the task panel flickered—
Task 3: Completed.
A ripple of satisfaction stirred within him, hidden beneath the trembling mask of a mourning child.
He turned suddenly, voice breaking in practiced desperation.
"Father, we should call a doctor! Fang Zheng's not waking up!"
Fang Mo's brows furrowed.
He hesitated, then muttered, "Wait until your mother arrives. After that, I'll fetch a healer."
Fang Yuan shook his head quickly, forcing the fear into his tone.
"No, Dad! It's fine—I'll stay here. Please, go now."
Fang Mo's eyes flicked from his unconscious son to the weeping figure cradling him. Silence stretched.
Finally, he gave a curt nod.
"Don't go anywhere. I'll be back soon."
With heavy steps, he strode out of the house, leaving Fang Yuan alone—alone with his brother's still body, his own crocodile tears, and the cold smile trembling just beneath the mask.
Fang Yuan slipped away from his brother's side, his small frame trembling—not from grief, but anticipation.
His gaze swept toward the flickering panel only he could see.
Host: Fang Yuan (William Kingston)
Age: 3
Location: #0929822332 (Gu World)
EXP: 0.999
Task 3: Employ Gu Yue Dong Tu to complete the clan mission.
Reward: EXP +0.001, your parents safety, and a peaceful existence within the Fang household.
Status: Completed.
The words shimmered, then dissolved.
A pulse of unseen force pressed into him as his reward settled.
Numbers shifted.
EXP: 0.999 → 1.000
For the first time, the value stood whole.
His heart thudded once, heavy, like the toll of a bell. He dragged the panel open again, eyes glinting beneath the veil of childish tears.
Host: Fang Yuan (William Kingston)
Age: 3
Location: #0929822332 (Gu World)
EXP: 1
His lips curled faintly.
EXP could be converted—into comprehension, strength, attainment, even aptitude. To gain such power required only luck.
"System," he whispered, voice sharp, commanding. "Awaken my Aperture."