Ye Xun paused in his tracks and turned around slowly, a cool smile playing at the corners of his lips.
“What is it?
Is there a problem?” “Whose command do you serve?” The Fatui guard looked up, giving him a long, probing stare.
Ye Xun paused to consider for a moment, let go of the little girl’s hand, and took a step forward.
“I answer to Lady Columbina.” Hearing this, doubt flickered in the Fatui soldier’s eyes.
“From what I know, that Harbinger rarely has dealings with anyone…” “So, you think I’m lying to you?” Ye Xun asked calmly, though his tone grew noticeably colder.
At the same time, the Delusion at his waist gleamed subtly, casting an eerie, faint glow.
The Fatui soldier pressed no further, but a troubled look washed over his face.
“I’m still short one high-quality test subject.
It won’t be easy to give an accounting to Lord Dottore.” Ye Xun raised his chin, pointing toward the man groaning in agony on the ground nearby.
“Your test subject is right there, isn’t he?” “But…” The soldier’s gaze lingered on the little girl before he swallowed the rest of his words.
With the man’s identity still unconfirmed, he didn’t want to risk offending someone important.
What was more, that Harbinger, Damselette, was deeply favored by the Tsaritsa.
“Any more questions?” Ye Xun asked indifferently.
“No,” the Fatui soldier replied.
Ye Xun turned around and walked over to the little girl waiting for him.
Taking her small, chilly hand in his, he led her forward.
Once they had put some distance between them and the scene, he glanced down at the girl beside him and asked gently, “Do you have any family you can go to?” The girl shook her head timidly.
“No.” “I see.” Ye Xun gave a casual nod, shifting his gaze back to the path ahead as his dark eyes grew distant.
He had brought a huge mess upon himself.
If she found out about this, she would definitely call him an idiot again.
But after being scolded so many times, he was used to it.
Amid these thoughts, they arrived at their destination—the House of the Hearth.
It was a solemn, dignified apartment building.
Colorful flowers and plants bloomed all around, swaying gently in the breeze and lending a touch of tenderness to the cold, stern structure.
Ye Xun led the little girl to the front door and knocked lightly.
A moment later, the door swung open slowly.
Standing in the doorway was a young girl with cat ears and exquisite features.
She wore a fitted black magician’s dress, her long legs encased in sheer black stockings—a look that outlined her graceful figure while exuding a playful charm.
*My waifu.* “Ye Xun?
What are you doing here?” The girl frowned slightly, her voice laced with a hint of distance.
Ye Xun didn’t answer directly.
Instead, he squatted down and said warmly to the little girl beside him, “This is your Big Sister Lynette.
Say hello!” “Hello, Big Sister!
I’m Ye Feilin,” the little girl said obediently, tilting her face up to greet her.
Lynette startled, then glared angrily at Ye Xun, her pink cat ears twitching upright.
“Ye Xun!
You bastard!
Why are you always bringing trouble to the House of the Hearth?!” “I didn’t want to either,” Ye Xun said, throwing his hands up helplessly.
“My bleeding heart got the better of me.
I couldn’t just stand by and watch a child this young be used as experimental disposable material.” After listening, Lynette gathered the gist of what had happened, and her tone softened slightly.
“This is for Father to decide.
Follow me.” Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked ahead, her slender cat tail swaying gently with each step.
Ye Xun’s gaze unconsciously tracked the tail.
Sensing his eyes on her, Lynette bit her lip and made a quiet resolve— Given the chance in the future, she was definitely going to teach this guy a lesson.
After passing through a corridor, they entered a simple yet elegant study.
Inside the brightly lit room, Arlecchino sat upright behind a writing desk, her expression as stern and detached as the day they first met.
Ye Xun gently ruffled Ye Feilin’s hair and said softly, “This is your ‘Father.’ From today onward, with her protection, you won’t have to worry about a thing.” Ye Feilin looked up at Arlecchino, nervously clutching the corner of Ye Xun’s shirt.
“Uncle, I…” Hearing the word “Uncle,” Lynette felt even more annoyed.
She and Ye Xun were roughly the same age.
Now, because of this, she was suddenly dragged down a whole generation!
Ye Xun slowly squatted down to meet Ye Feilin at eye level, his tone serious.
“Only this place can truly keep you safe.” Ye Feilin blinked, nodding in half-comprehension.
Gathering her courage, she looked back at Arlecchino and spoke in a soft yet clear voice, “Father!” Arlecchino offered a slight nod.
“From now on, the House of the Hearth is your home.” Pausing briefly, she turned to Lynette.
“Take Ye Feilin to rest first.” “Yes, Lord Father,” Lynette replied softly, taking Ye Feilin’s small hand and leading her out of the study.
Soon, only Ye Xun and Arlecchino remained in the room.
“How do you intend to clean up this mess?” Arlecchino raised her eyes to look at him, her gaze calm as still water.
“For a prime subject like Ye Feilin, that man won’t let go so easily.” “Don’t I have you?” Ye Xun replied with an easy smile.
Arlecchino let out a cold chuckle.
“I heard your strength increased dramatically not long ago.
Sending you in as an experimental subject would certainly make full use of your potential.” Ye Xun couldn’t help an involuntary shiver.
“I’ll find a way to handle it, but I’ll need your assistance.” “My assistance?” Arlecchino rested her intertwined hands on the desk, a brow arching slightly.
“Have you mistaken something?
Why should I help you?” “Because…” Ye Xun remained unruffled, his eyes gleaming with confidence.
“…part of our goals overlap.” Arlecchino remained silent for a long moment before giving a concise nod.
“When necessary, I will step in.” “Thank you.” Ye Xun expressed his sincere gratitude and took his leave.
As he stepped out of the House of the Hearth, Ye Feilin’s crisp voice called out from behind him: “Uncle, come visit me often!” Ye Xun turned back and smiled warmly.
“I will!” With that, he turned and continued on his way.
After walking some distance, a cold, mechanical voice suddenly rang in his mind: [Arlecchino Favorability +5] Current Favorability: 20/100 (Upgraded from “Distant” to “Neutral”) [Obtained: System Reward × 1] [Drawing System Reward…] Reward: Strength upgraded to “High Mortal”.
As the voice faded, a surge of heat flooded into Ye Xun’s body, rapidly reconstructing his physique and elevating his power.
Moments later, the transformation was complete.
Ye Xun could distinctly feel his power surge.
Currently, his strength was roughly equivalent to an elite member of the Fatui.
Among ordinary mortals, he was considered an expert, but he was still far from matching those who possessed a Vision.
With a thought, he summoned the system panel in his mind: [Ultimate Female Harbinger Chaos System Bound] Host: Ye Xun Strength: High Mortal Mission: Stir up chaos with female Fatui Harbingers to raise favorability!
Favorability: Columbina: 15/100 (Distant) Arlecchino: 20/100 (Neutral) Sandrone: -15/100 (Dislike) Rosalyne: 40/100 (Mindful) Skills: Mamba Iron Elbow (Delivers an elbow strike capable of sending same-rank enemies flying)