Fang Che accompanied her throughout the entire event.
Fang Qianyi found it very odd. Her son had never participated before, but this time, he seemed remarkably patient.
He even sat through till the meeting adjourned.
"What's up with you? Got a problem in your head?"
Fang Qianyi, worried, touched her son's forehead, which wasn't hot.
Fang Che helplessly removed his mother's hand.
It had been almost a month since his rebirth.
Ever since that night when he saw his mother, Fang Qianyi, Fang Che always had a peculiar feeling.
He always felt that whether chatting or working with Fang Qianyi, it was similar to the camaraderie he had with his old brothers—a robust Jianghu vibe.
It was straightforward, direct, and naively honest.
Not the slightest bit of that delicate femininity typically found in girls, not even close to delicate but rather careless.
Their interaction was exceedingly comfortable.
"My old man must have smoke billowing from his ancestral grave to have found such a good wife."
Fang Che envied in his heart.
Being with Fang Qianyi, there was rarely a feeling of a mother caring for her son. Instead, it was Fang Che who was accommodating and taking care of his mother.
It even felt like "caring for a sister who didn't quite get it" and "looking after a daughter."
That was quite odd.
Seeing that Fang Che had no reaction, Fang Qianyi mumbled as they walked, "You took that girl Ye Meng into our family. I saw her, she's pretty, with a nice figure, full chest, wide hips, can give birth. You plan to take her as a concubine, right?"
Fang Che's mouth twitched: "...Er..."
Fang Qianyi solemnly warned, "However, if you want to achieve something in Martial Arts, you must not lose your virginity before reaching the Innate Grandmaster Realm. Remember this point."
Fang Che had a deadpan expression.
There was no need for you to say that, I already knew.
Fang Qianyi huffed and said, "Like your mother, I was deceived by your father. I had you before reaching the Innate Grandmaster Realm and as a result... Ah, I was a genius in my time too."
There was a wistful tone in Fang Qianyi's voice.
Fang Che rolled his eyes.
"Mother, can you teach someone without that hidden satisfaction? To those who know, you're sighing, but to those who don't, it seems like you're boasting, encouraging me to find a wife early."
"Is that so, is that so?"
Fang Qianyi hurriedly adjusted her attitude.
Fang Che sighed wearily and changed the subject, "Mother, I have a question to ask you. Why do I have the surname Fang? What's my father's surname?"
Fang Qianyi turned her head in surprise, "Why would you have such a thought?"
Fang Che was amused and frustrated, "Shouldn't a child normally take their father's surname?"
"Yes."
Fang Qianyi said, "What's the problem?"
Fang Che was stunned and stammered, "Could it be... Could it be..."
Fang Qianyi matter-of-factly said, "Your father's surname is Fang too. Didn't I tell you?"
Fang Che: "..."
Suddenly, everything became chaotic.
The old sarcasm was suffocating, extremely uncomfortable.
Fang Qianyi was already frowning, questioning herself, "I didn't tell you? Huh? ...Emmm, it seems I really did forget to tell you... Hahaha..."
As she spoke, she started laughing at herself.
She found it very humorous that she had made such a big joke out of her oversight.
Fang Che looked up to the sky, his face strained with the effort of keeping a straight face.
It took a moment before he said, "Mother... Thank you, it truly wasn't easy for you to raise me. Really."
"That's true, I was there through all your... "
Fang Qianyi began to lament the difficulties of raising a child.
Fang Che kept looking skyward.
You haven't understood what I meant at all...
"...What about my father? Where is he now?"
"I've told you this a hundred times. Your father can't return yet, but he's a good man. A great hero!"
There was pride in Fang Qianyi's voice.
These words would have been scoffed at by the original owner of the body, but now, Fang Che truly believed them.
...
That night.
After dinner.
Before going to sleep, Ye Meng brought in water, starting to fulfill the duties of a maid.
Fang Che comfortably sat down on the bed, as Ye Meng began to wash his feet.
He seemed not to be surprised by Ye Meng's recovery.
Ye Meng served obediently and meticulously.
Aside from the sound of water, there was silence.
Finally,
"Ye Meng, have you grown accustomed to your new name and new home?"
Fang Che broke the silence.
He knew that some things had to be initiated by himself because undercover agents like Ye Meng would never ask anything on their own.
They would only silently observe.
"Very accustomed, thank you, Young Master."
Ye Meng replied obediently, her voice soft and laced with unease, exactly like a vulnerable young woman who had just been rescued and felt completely insecure and out of place in a new environment.
Fang Che nodded; he was unconcerned with her pretense.
On the contrary, he wished her act would be stronger, hopefully to the extent that even he wouldn't notice.
"Then do you know why I fed you that Immortal Fruit?"
Fang Che asked.
"Immortal Fruit?" Ye Meng feigned just the right amount of confusion.
"That was a Tianmai red fruit, very beneficial for improving one's aptitude."
Fang Che clarified everything plainly.
He knew Ye Meng would not agree with him, so he had to 'clarify' everything himself.
"Ah... to receive such an Immortal Fruit, this servant, this servant... is unworthy..."
Ye Meng knelt in fright, continuously knocking her head on the ground.
A flash of approval crossed Fang Che's eyes.
This girl's acting skills were indeed quite good, befitting someone sent specifically to go undercover.
"When I first saved you, it was merely an impulse."
Fang Che earnestly spoke a lie that even he didn't believe, "But after saving you, I realized it wouldn't do, having you just serve as a maid is simply too wasteful."
"..." Ye Meng remained silent.
"Having you as a concubine... Well, I haven't reached the Innate Grandmaster Realm yet, so I can't be seduced by you to lose my virginity and affect my future prospects," said Fang Che.
"...!"
Ye Meng lowered her head, hardly suppressing the urge to roll her eyes.
"So I pondered over it, and you're not much use to me."
Fang Che stated proudly.
Ye Meng began, "I..."
Fang Che continued, "So I had to give you some benefit, allowing you to train in Martial Arts. Perhaps you could prove somewhat useful in the future."
"It's settled then, from tomorrow, you will train with me. If you fail to meet my requirements, you will be discarded at any time."
"Do you understand?"
"This servant understands."
"Hm, work hard, for I have no use for a waste."
Fang Che finished drying his feet and laid down on the bed, "Why are you still here? Want to serve in my bed? I'm telling you, don't dream of such pleasures."
"!!!"
Ye Meng clenched her fists, her head bowed.
Fuming, she turned and walked out, "This servant shall take her leave!"
"Dreaming is allowed," Fang Che added.
Her footsteps grew heavier.
...
Fang Che had already gone to bed, and silence filled the bedroom.
In the outer room.
Ye Meng tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
She felt that this mission was proceeding too smoothly, everything unfolding as perfectly as she desired in her heart.
Before arriving, she had prepared herself for immense difficulty and danger.
But now, it didn't seem that way at all?
Everything was considered, even how to serve in his bed using Illusion Techniques or a double had been meticulously arranged.
But now, just this?
That night.
Ye Meng sent her first undercover report from Fang Che's side.
[As usual, requesting votes at midnight]