The master’s words sounded cryptic, but in an era of spiritual resurgence, nothing was truly impossible. Su Mo pondered them for a long time.
Ye Qingyi, too, couldn’t decipher the meaning behind the master’s message.
When they reached the doorstep, the house was eerily silent—not a single sound. Su Mo’s heart skipped a beat. Something’s wrong.
“Wait,” he said.
Ye Qingyi froze in place, her pale golden eyes scanning the interior. “It’s fine, probably just a burglar. Uncle could handle that easily.”
No sooner had she spoken than a stranger’s pained cry rang out from inside. With a fierce shout from Su Wenjun, two knife-wielding thugs came flying through the door, landing at their feet.
Then out strode Su Wenjun, looking every bit the heroic martial artist…
“Oh, you’re back.” He scratched his head awkwardly, as if embarrassed that his abilities had been exposed—though a hint of pride flickered across his weathered face.
“Uncle, you’re…?” Ye Qingyi stared in disbelief, while Su Mo’s jaw practically hit the ground.
Unable to suppress his grin any longer, Su Wenjun burst out laughing. “Accidentally awakened while working out of town. In your professional terms, I guess I’m around E-rank.”
Hearing him mention “E-rank,” Su Mo immediately understood.
Ordinary people who knew their exact rank upon awakening had likely been “invited for tea” by Beidou. But since his dad wasn’t working for them, he must be an independent awakened.
Honestly, Su Mo had suspected as much—he just never brought it up, figuring his father had his reasons for staying quiet.
Ye Qingyi, too, had noticed.
Su Wenjun hauled the two thugs up by their collars, glowering. “Blame your bad luck for running into me. Enjoy the cold embrace of silver bracelets.”
Just then, Yu Xiaowen stepped out, massaging her temples. “Alright, alright, we all know you’re awakened now. But our Xiao Mo and Qingyi are way stronger than you. You’re just showing off in front of experts—careful not to throw your back out.”
Su Wenjun straightened up, beaming. “I’m not the man I used to be.”
“Sure, sure, you’re amazing.” Yu Xiaowen swatted his arm, then gave Su Mo an apologetic smile. “Your dad’s just like this…”
Su Mo bit back a laugh and said solemnly, “A man should be humorous. It makes life more interesting.”
The moment those words left his mouth, both parents turned to their “son,” eyes brimming with pride.
That’s my boy—smooth with the ladies, just like me.
After the police hauled the criminals away, Su Wenjun suddenly pulled Su Mo aside for a private talk in the yard, while Yu Xiaowen led “her son” inside.
Before parting, Su Mo and Ye Qingyi exchanged a glance—both recognizing the unspoken message in each other’s eyes.
…..
“Uncle, did you need something?” Su Mo smiled sweetly.
Su Wenjun studied him deeply, then sighed. “I wish I had a daughter like you.”
“Once Xiao Mo and I get married, won’t I be your daughter?”
Su Wenjun snorted, his expression odd. “A daughter-in-law isn’t the same as a real daughter.”
Su Mo’s lips curved slightly. No surprise there—just as he and Ye Qingyi had guessed, his dad had already figured out their secret. No wonder he’d been asking strange questions lately.
Still, he played dumb. “Uncle, what do you mean? I don’t quite follow.”
“I can tell when you’re faking,” Su Wenjun huffed. “Or have you gotten so used to calling me ‘Uncle’ that you don’t want to acknowledge me as your dad anymore?”
Su Mo suddenly grinned, shedding all pretense of elegance. “Dad, you always see right through me. How’d you even notice?”
“Actually, your mom figured it out first.”
“Mom did?”
“Yep. She sensed something was off but didn’t dwell on it—until the clues piled up.” Su Wenjun paused dramatically. “Then there’s my ability.”
Seeing his expectant look, Su Mo obliged. “What is your ability?”
Su Wenjun puffed up with pride but kept his tone casual. “Human lie detector. I can tell when someone’s lying.”
Su Mo “gasped” in realization. “No wonder you kept asking us weird questions! You were testing your theory!”
His starstruck admiration made Su Wenjun momentarily lose himself in the glory.
“But if your ability’s so useful, why didn’t Beidou recruit you?”
“Pfft. Their recruiter kept feeding me empty promises, so I lied and said my power was extending lifespans. Good luck disproving that.”
Su Mo couldn’t help but salute. “Only you, Dad. Even corporate BS doesn’t work on you.”
A moment later, Yu Xiaowen’s voice called from inside: “Get in here.”
Su Mo glanced at his dad, who nodded.
Classic Dad—always keeping Mom in the loop. Clearly, the other side had come clean too.
Inside, Ye Qingyi sat stiffly on the sofa. Spotting Su Mo, she hurried over to sit beside him, her usual ease replaced by visible tension.
Under Yu Xiaowen’s scrutinizing gaze, Su Mo scratched his head. “Mom, why’re you looking at me like that?”
Yu Xiaowen said nothing, exchanging a look with Su Wenjun as they studied the pair.
Su Mo felt Ye Qingyi shrink slightly beside him, her eyes dimming.
“Mom, I know this is hard to explain, but just so we’re clear—I’m marrying Qingyi. If you won’t allow it, then fine, I’ll marry into her family instead! But don’t even think about marrying me off to your bestie’s son!” He threw an arm around Ye Qingyi’s shoulders, the picture of stubborn devotion.
Yu Xiaowen burst out laughing. “Who said anything about stopping you? I’m not that old-fashioned. You kids handle your own affairs—we won’t interfere.”
“Really?” Their calmness was almost eerie. Su Mo narrowed his eyes. “This feels too easy. What’s the catch?”
“Just one condition.” Yu Xiaowen held up a finger. “You’re only allowed to be with Qingyi. No… other boys, okay? Because, well…”
Some things didn’t need spelling out—it’d just embarrass everyone.
“Got it, got it.” Su Mo thumped his chest in assurance.
Relief washed over Yu Xiaowen. At least that nightmare scenario was off the table.
“Qingyi.” Yu Xiaowen took “her son’s” hand gently. “Don’t feel like an outsider over this. You’ve called us Mom and Dad all this time—keep doing it. We love hearing it. This’ll always be your home.”
Su Mo’s eyes lit up.
Nice!
Ye Qingyi’s cheeks flushed pink. “Thank you, Auntie. Even if there were reasons, I still lied to you and Uncle. That was wrong.”
“Still calling us Auntie and Uncle?” Su Mo nudged her, smirking.
“Hey! Bullying Qingyi right in front of us?” Both parents glared. “We said it’s up to her what she calls us! If you pressure her—”
Every child recognizes that pause—the kind where potential consequences loom larger with every second of silence.
“Understood, Your Majesties!” Su Mo saluted.
Ye Qingyi giggled, the earlier tension melting away. The warmth of family settled over them again—only now, in their true roles.
And she loved it even more.