As Ye Xun walked up to the entrance of a decently decorated restaurant, the system notification chimed in his mind once again: [Columbina Favorability +5] Current Favorability: 20/100 (Increased from “Aloof” to “Ordinary”) Obtained one system reward.
[Drawing System Reward…] Reward: Skill [Mamba Iron Elbow] upgraded to [Mamba Unyielding Iron Elbow].
Mamba Unyielding Iron Elbow: Ignores all defense; can directly send an opponent one rank higher than oneself flying with an elbow strike.
Hearing this, the corners of Ye Xun’s lips curled up in a slight, pleased arc.
He then walked into the restaurant and ordered a sumptuous dinner.
Borscht, potted braised beef, herring salad, and black caviar, paired with a bottle of vodka—it was thoroughly refreshing.
By the time he stepped out of the restaurant fully satisfied, night had fallen, and a bright moon hung high in the sky.
The streets were sparsely populated, with only the cold wind howling past.
The Winter Capital was a dull and oppressive city.
To carry out the Tsaritsa’s noble ideal, the common people had to shoulder heavy workloads.
After a busy day, many just wanted to go home and collapse into bed.
Of course, the nobility and elite didn’t suffer from such troubles.
A short while later, Ye Xun arrived at the door of the House of the Hearth and knocked gently.
Ye Feilin opened the door.
“Uncle, you’re here!” She looked up, her small face bright and her eyes sparkling with delight.
Ye Xun gently ruffled her hair.
“How have you been living here lately?” “Very well!
Everyone takes great care of me,” Ye Feilin replied without hesitation.
Ye Xun nodded slightly.
“Study hard here from now on, and make progress every day.” Ye Feilin nodded dutifully.
Afterward, Ye Xun walked toward Arlecchino’s study.
On the way, he happened to run into Lynette, who was wearing pink pajamas.
As they passed each other, she gave a cold snort, making no effort to hide her disgust for him.
Ye Xun didn’t mind in the slightest.
With a soft chuckle, he carried on walking forward.
Pushing open the study door, Arlecchino’s cold, majestic figure came into view.
Under the bright light, she sat upright behind the desk, slowly lifting her eyes to look at Ye Xun with a calm gaze.
“It’s time to execute the final step of your plan.” Ye Xun stepped forward, pulled a paper filled with writing from inside his coat, and placed it on the desk.
Arlecchino reached out to take it and looked down to scan the contents.
As her eyes moved down line by line, a look of unmistakable astonishment and shock gradually surfaced in her black-and-red pupils.
A moment later, she put the paper down and looked up at Ye Xun again.
“I’m very curious…
how did you learn all this?” “That’s a secret,” Ye Xun smiled mysteriously.
“I only tell…
those closest to me.” Arlecchino’s eyes turned cold, a flicker of annoyance rising in her heart.
“One day, I will uncover every single one of your secrets.” Ye Xun wore an indifferent expression.
“You’re welcome to try anytime.” As his words fell, Arlecchino stared straight at him, an oppressive pressure as heavy as a mountain emanating from her body.
Ye Xun felt that terrifying pressure once more, as if he were being forcibly held underwater, unable to breathe.
Facing such terrifying aura, he gritted his teeth and refused to bow his head.
If one lacked even the courage to look a mountain directly in the eye, it would be better to give up early than try to conquer it.
Time ticked away second by second.
His back was already drenched in cold sweat, his legs trembling uncontrollably as he neared his limit.
Just then, Arlecchino withdrew her aura on her own initiative and said flatly, “You have nerve, but you lack strength.” Ye Xun panted heavily, his voice halting yet resolute.
“Haa…
haa…
Strength…
can always be gained…” “Is that so?” The corners of Arlecchino’s red lips curled slightly.
“However, I must remind you—once this matter concludes, that person will surely fight you to the death.” “I am well aware of that.” Ye Xun’s expression remained calm.
“That’s why I found myself a few backers.” “Oh?
Do tell.” “I am a devout believer of the Moon Goddess, an uncle of the House of the Hearth, a senior commissioner of the City Hall, and a close follower of La Signora.” Arlecchino listened quietly, fell silent for two seconds, and remarked, “…You truly are shameless.” The next morning.
“Bang!
Bang!
Bang!” While Ye Xun was still sound asleep, a rapid and crude banging on the door startled him awake.
He unhurriedly got up, dressed, and straightened himself before ambling over to open the door.
Standing outside was a Fatui soldier whose face was covered in festering sores, smelling strongly of pungent disinfectant.
“Ye Xun, do you still remember me?” The man glared intently at him, deep-seated malice burning in his eyes.
Ye Xun’s expression was indifferent.
“Sorry…
I don’t.” “I am Goris, the person in charge of subjects at the medical research facility!” The man gritted his teeth, his voice trembling with rage.
“If you hadn’t tricked me into letting that test subject go, how could I have been punished by Lord Dottore?” At the thought of that hellish torture, the hatred in his eyes almost materialized into substance.
“Tricked you into what?” Ye Xun countered.
Goris accused him harshly, “You’re not Lady Columbina’s person at all!” Ye Xun gave him a cool glance.
“Did you ask her yourself?” Goris was rendered speechless for a moment, then forcefully blamed, “It’s all your fault!” Hearing this, a look of contempt and disdain flashed in Ye Xun’s eyes.
“Out with it,” he spoke coldly.
“What business brings you to my door so early?” Goris grinned, his contorted facial expression making his already terrifying face even more hideous.
“You must report to the lab tomorrow.
Don’t even think about running away—otherwise, we’ll make you wish you were dead!” “Got it.” Ye Xun nodded expressionlessly.
“Anything else?” Goris froze, completely unprepared for the man’s calm reaction.
Ye Xun couldn’t be bothered to waste any more words on him, his tone mocking.
“It seems that aside from barking like a dog, you have nothing else to say.” Before the man could respond, he slammed the door shut with a loud bang.
Outside the door, Goris growled fiercely: “Fine…
just you wait!
Tomorrow, I’ll show you the meaning of true agony!”