Chapter Thirteen: This Doesn't Seem So Bad After All

After breakfast, with nothing else to do, Ye Yan lounged in the living room watching TV. On the screen played a passionate anime—King of the Sea: The Summit War. A cigarette dangled from Ye Yan’s lips as he watched with relish, occasionally reaching for a sip of cola from the can beside him.

Life was as carefree as a deity’s.

Xia He sat lazily not far away, head bowed as she tended to her nails. Next to Ye Yan sat the Tidecaller Jiao, who wore a Peppa Pig apron.

Although the Tidecaller Jiao was simply sitting there, something was clearly off about it today.

The reason was simple—it was out of work.

Each of Ye Yan’s flag spirits had a special talent. The Tidecaller Jiao, with its water-spraying abilities, was best suited for housework and cleaning. But today, after emerging from the flag, it found its usual duties had been snatched away by that little imp with a head like a green melon rind.

It had nothing left to do.

This left the Tidecaller Jiao feeling quite out of sorts.

“Tidecaller Jiao, I’m out of cola. Go fetch me a new can…”

Upon hearing the command, it stood up mechanically, heading for the kitchen, ready to open the fridge and grab another cola.

But halfway there, the doorbell suddenly rang.

Tidecaller Jiao paused and, without a word, turned to look at Ye Yan, as if seeking instruction.

At the same time, Xia He, upon hearing the bell, abruptly stood and walked back to her room. Master Lu also headed upstairs.

Only Ye Yan and the Tidecaller Jiao remained in the living room.

“Ace…”

The TV was at a climactic moment; Ye Yan, utterly absorbed, just waved a hand without turning.

Soon, the door opened.

Tidecaller Jiao returned, leading in two people, one tall and one small: it was Feng Shayen and Feng Yaya.

As soon as they entered, Feng Shayen glanced around and teased, “I thought you were injured or something, but here you are hiding at home watching cartoons. You really know how to enjoy yourself alone.”

“Brother-in-law Ye Yan!” called out Feng Yaya, who followed behind, covering her mouth and looking at him playfully.

If she hadn’t spoken, Ye Yan might have remained unruffled, but her greeting instantly reminded him of yesterday’s events, making his expression distinctly awkward.

Still, since they had come to visit, he couldn’t just ignore them, so he forced a smile and said, “Shayen, Yaya, what brings you two here today?”

Feng Shayen caught every hint of his discomfort; she pursed her lips with some displeasure. “What, are we not welcome?”

“And besides, you’re now known as one of the Three Great Heroes. People like us hardly rate a watchman’s notice anymore, don’t you think?”

Her words were barbed with sarcasm.

“Of course not,” Ye Yan replied, grinning sheepishly.

Fortunately, Feng Yaya broke the tension, saying, “Brother-in-law Ye Yan, our father sent us to check on you.”

“Right,” Feng Shayen added. “Since you just had a fight with Ding Island yesterday and then skipped work today, Dad was a bit worried. So he sent me and Yaya to look in on you…”

“Who would have guessed that someone’s not only doing fine, but also perhaps keeping beauties hidden away at home?” Her tone turned plaintive as her gaze landed on the bottle of sakura-pink nail polish on the coffee table.

“Uh…” Ye Yan quickly changed the subject. “So why is it just you two here? Where’s Little Star? Why didn’t he come along?”

Feng Shayen thought for a moment and replied, “You know Jia Zhengyu, right? From the Jia family in the Northwest. Dad’s been inviting him to join the World Society for ages. Just yesterday, he finally agreed, so Dad took Little Star to meet him.”

“I see,” Ye Yan nodded.

He did recall Jia Zhengyu—somewhat of a name in their circles. As far as Ye Yan knew, Feng Zhenhao had previously invited him several times, only to be turned down.

“Isn’t that guy tough to win over? Why did he suddenly accept?” Ye Yan asked with curiosity.

Feng Shayen explained, “Dad says he’s extremely ambitious, always dreaming of instant success. He’d refused us multiple times because he looked down on the World Society, thinking there was no future here.”

“But thanks to you, after your fight with Ding Island yesterday, he changed his mind. He now believes the World Society is a dark horse with great potential.”

“That’s why he agreed to join.”

She summarized it succinctly.

“Is that even possible?” Ye Yan’s eyes widened in surprise. He hadn’t expected this turn of events to be linked to him.

“Of course it’s because of you,” Feng Shayen said earnestly. “You really are out of touch—do you have any idea how influential you’ve become in our circles?”

“Just your title as the Third Great Hero means that wherever you go, whichever sect you visit, people will give you ample respect.”

Her eyes were full of envy.

With this one move, Ye Yan and his team of watchmen had truly made a name for themselves.

To stand against Ding Island was no small feat.

And to take him down solo, even less so.

“Whatever,” Ye Yan scratched his head, indifferently lighting another cigarette and leaning back on the sofa, puffing smoke.

To be honest, Ye Yan cared little for fame or titles. The reason he accepted Ding Island’s challenge was partly to test the top-tier power among the exotics, and partly to repay Feng Zhenhao.

When the contract ended, he’d leave the World Society.

But Feng Zhenhao, and the World Society as a whole, had always treated him well. He wanted to use this last stretch of time to bring them some renown.

It was a form of repayment.

“By the way, why are you wearing a dress? I remember you never liked skirts before. But I have to say, this outfit looks really good on you.”

Ye Yan spoke casually, cigarette in hand.

Feng Shayen’s heart leapt with joy, and she teased with a grin, “Noticing details like that—no wonder they call you a lady-killer, Ye Yan.”

“Cough, cough—” Ye Yan was mortified, coughing awkwardly. “There’s a kid here, don’t talk nonsense.”

“Oh, I’m the one talking nonsense?” Feng Shayen rolled her eyes. “And who was it, in front of a child, who… acted all sanctimonious?”

There’s no getting past this, is there?

Ye Yan didn’t bother to retort, though inwardly he felt bitter.

He stubbed out his cigarette, took a deep breath, and tried to explain, “Let me clarify, that message yesterday wasn’t sent by me.”

“Not you? Then who?” Feng Shayen scoffed, clearly unconvinced.

Ye Yan racked his brains but couldn’t figure out who to blame for his social death—he certainly couldn’t pin it on Xia He.

Just then, the Tidecaller Jiao came out of the kitchen carrying a tea tray, having been sent to make tea by Ye Yan.

Looking at the Tidecaller Jiao, Ye Yan’s eyes lit up with inspiration.

“It wasn’t me—it was the Tidecaller Jiao.”

With that, he clapped his hands, shifting all the blame in an instant, the weight landing squarely on the Tidecaller Jiao’s head.

Feng Shayen burst out laughing in delight.

The Tidecaller Jiao, holding the tea tray, stood there utterly baffled, a head full of question marks.

Since when do I like mature women?

But… actually, that doesn’t sound so bad.