Chapter 135: Rebound Word-Spirit (Part 1)
The shrimp, sea cucumber, and pork dumplings were fresh and juicy. While eating, Mu Lantu chatted with 005.
[Little Five, let’s draw the profession and golden finger. How about you give me a backdoor? If I can become a fortune-teller, combined with my “three divinations a day” skill, I’ll be instantly god-tier.]
005 replied seriously: [Forgive my incompetence. Please draw your profession, Host.]
A light screen popped up, dozens of cards with different designs lined up neatly in front of Mu Lantu.
He picked the ninth card.
[Congratulations, Host, you are now an Actor! Music!]
Colorful holographic petals and glitter rained down to cheerful music.
Mu Lantu raised a brow. Actor? Was this meant to make him debut as a star?
[Please draw your golden finger.]
Dozens of golden cards formed a glowing wall before him.
He picked the nineteenth card.
[Congratulations, Host, you’ve obtained “Rebound Word-Spirit”!]
That sounded interesting.
[Little Five, explain.]
005 said: [It’s simple. If anyone attacks the Host with words or actions, as long as you say the word “Rebound,” the attack will bounce back at them, leaving you unaffected. But use it with caution. For example, if someone jokingly says “go die” to you, and you say “Rebound,” the other person will actually die.]
Mu Lantu’s heart skipped—such a powerful golden finger really did require careful use.
His phone rang. He answered immediately.
“Hello?”
“Baby, it’s me.”
Far away, in the Xu family villa.
Xu Huazhang sat on the sofa calling someone “baby.” The family head Xu Shengming, his wife Zhou Huili, eldest son Xu Jinhui, and eldest daughter-in-law Jin Mingzhu all turned to him with strange expressions.
Even the butler and servants sneaked curious glances.
Yet under everyone’s gaze, Xu Huazhang acted like nothing was unusual. His deep, magnetic voice overflowed with warmth and affection. Standing up, he said: “Where are you now? I’ll come find you… You want to wait until school starts? Alright. I’ll call you later.”
After hanging up, Zhou Huili pressed him back onto the sofa and sat beside him, smiling brightly: “So, my son’s in love already? Which family’s daughter is she?”
Zhou Huili, forty-five years old, maintained herself so well she looked much younger—slim and graceful, smooth fair skin, hair down to her waist, stylish and lively. Tilting her head now, she teased with sparkling eyes—there was no trace of age at all.
“Too cheesy.” Xu Shengming muttered, shaking his newspaper, sneaking a glance at Xu Huazheng. “If it’s just a fling, fine. If you’re serious, bring her home. Your mother and I can help give you some perspective.”
Xu Shengming, three years older than Zhou Huili, also looked youthful, fit and broad-shouldered, brimming with mature charm.
“I’m serious. He’s the one.” Xu Huazhang’s words were short but firm.
The couple exchanged a look. They knew their youngest son’s temperament—he wouldn’t say such things lightly.
“Then we’ll meet him someday,” Xu Shengming said.
Zhou Huili added with a gentle smile: “We don’t care about his family background, as long as his character is good and he’s not a troublemaker.”
Jin Mingzhu’s face sank; she couldn’t shake the feeling there was a barb hidden in those words.
Xu Jinhui frowned, disapproving: “Huazhang, you need to be cautious in choosing a partner. You’re only eighteen, there’s no need to settle so fast. Get to know each other. That’s not a bad thing. From what I heard, you’re at the same university? Perfect. You have four years to date properly. By the way, you haven’t told us—whose daughter is she? Do we know her family?”
Zhou Huili’s smile faltered slightly as she leaned back toward her husband.
“You don’t know him,” Xu Huazhang replied.
Xu Jinhui chuckled. “So mysterious?”
Jin Mingzhu also looked relieved.
“Darling, since Huazhang is in love, should we give him some dating funds?” Zhou Huili said sweetly, clinging to her husband’s arm.
No one in the living room batted an eye—they were used to her coquettishness.
Xu Shengming laughed. “Alright, alright. I’ll transfer him five million later. Enough?”
“Not enough,” Zhou Huili said solemnly. “But that’s fine, I’ll also give him five million.”
He patted her hand. “No need. I’ll just transfer him ten million.”
Xu Jinhui and Jin Mingzhu struggled to keep smiling.
Xu Huazhang said nothing, just poured tea for his parents.
Moments later, his phone chimed—a bank notification. Ten million deposited.
Jin Mingzhu forced a laugh, half-joking half-serious: “Dad, Mom, aren’t you being a little biased toward your younger son? Aren’t you worried Jinhui might get jealous?”
“Biased?” Zhou Huili tilted her head in thought. “Not really. Jinhui’s had several relationships. Each time, though we only gave him one or two million, added up it’s nearly twenty million.”
Jin Mingzhu’s face went pale—she nearly dropped her teacup.
Xu Jinhui’s expression darkened, eyes sharp as knives when he looked at her.
The corner of Xu Huazhang’s lips curled faintly in amusement.
“Mom, tomorrow I want to buy some things for Baby. Will you come with me? After that, I’ll go shopping with you. Dad, don’t think I’m neglecting you—I know you’ll be busy. But when we’re done, we’ll bring you and big brother a meal.”
Zhou Huili beamed. “Of course, it’s been a while since I’ve gone shopping. Jinhui, learn from your brother!”
Xu Shengming chuckled. “You brat.”
Xu Jinhui smiled stiffly. “Mom, you know how busy I am. Next time, I promise I’ll go with you.”
Zhou Huili nodded gently. “As long as you mean it, that’s enough.”
September 1st.
The Xu family lived in Luzhou, the Mu family in Shouzhou, while Dongkai University was in Haishang City.
That was why Mu Lantu had said they’d meet again at the start of school.
They arranged to meet at Dongkai University’s gate, each taking a flight to Haishang.
Xu Huazhang arrived first, carrying two huge suitcases—one black, one gray. A plain black T-shirt, blue jeans, white sneakers. A black baseball cap shaded his striking face. On his sky-blue chest bag hung a matching white cap. His simple outfit drew every gaze, though his frosty expression drove away would-be admirers.
A taxi pulled up. A beautiful youth in a blue-and-white T-shirt, gray shorts, and black backpack stepped out unhurriedly. The driver quickly opened the trunk, handing him a sticker-covered suitcase.
At once, the attention shifted.
The youth paid with a red bill, earning a broad smile from the driver, then dragged his suitcase toward the school gate. His eyes searched the crowd—then he spotted Xu Huazhang. A smile bloomed. Dropping the suitcase, he ran forward.
Everyone around held their breath.
The cold youth’s face lit up with a dazzling smile. He strode forward, arms open.
The beautiful youth leapt into his embrace, and Xu Huazhang caught him effortlessly, lifting him off the ground.
Onlookers’ hearts shattered. Why were all the good men taken by… good men? What did they lack?!
After setting Mu Lantu down, Xu Huazhang held his hand as they retrieved the abandoned suitcase together.
Bystanders fumed inwardly: Was it really necessary to be this lovey-dovey? Even fetching luggage had to be done hand-in-hand?
They didn’t know the truth: in their previous world, Mu Lantu and Xu Huazhang had lived under suffocating restraint. Even with high status, the oppressive environment weighed on them.
Now, back in the modern world, they were finally letting themselves breathe.
Xu Huazhang took the white cap from his chest bag and placed it on Mu Lantu’s head. With both suitcases placed together, he only needed one hand to drag them—the other remained linked with Mu Lantu’s. Mu Lantu used his free hand to pull his own case.
“Waited long?” Mu Lantu asked.
“No, less than five minutes,” Xu Huazhang said.
Click.
A passerby secretly snapped a photo.
At the grand school gate, Mu Lantu looked up. For a fleeting moment, an inexplicable feeling welled inside him.
Leaning close to Xu Huazhang’s ear, he whispered smugly: “We’re in the same dorm.”
“Oh?” Xu Huazhang’s lips curved. “Then… Baby, can you tell me how you know that?”
Caught by his teasing gaze, Mu Lantu faltered for a second. “Alright, alright, I’ll tell you everything.”
He was now almost certain that in every world from now on, Huazhang would be there with him. There was no need to keep hiding things.
Xu Huazhang pressed down the cap on his head, tightened his grip on his hand, and together they walked down the tree-lined avenue, weaving through crowds to find their faculty’s registration booth.
The check-in process was routine.
“Please keep this slip. It has your dorm information and a campus map. Welcome to Dongkai University.” The senior sister’s gentle smile faltered as her eyes flicked toward their interlocked hands.
“Thank you, Senior Sister,” Mu Lantu said politely, then urged Xu Huazhang, “Quick, check the dorm number.”
“Building 5, Room 608.”
“Same as me.” Mu Lantu grinned. “Six and eight—auspicious numbers!”
“Superstitious,” Xu Huazhang muttered, though his eyes brimmed with indulgence.
The two senior sisters exchanged looks, covering their faces. So sweet it hurt!
