"Hey, is this Shan Weihao? Got time to meet up?"

"Master! Of course! When? Where?"

He still calls me "Master." Whatever, can't change it now. Let him.

"Tomorrow noon. Two Shores Cafe."

"Got it."

After hanging up, I re-examined the landscape painting. Sure enough, that initial feeling was gone. The beauties on the pavilions had vanished too.

*Sigh*... Shouldn’t have burned her with black flames. Those girls were the soul of the painting—the finishing touch! Such a waste. Feels like the artwork lost its spirit.

I rolled it up and tossed it aside. I’d hoped Shen Yufeng might give clues, but half-baked knowledge stays half-baked. Relying on him? Forget it.

"Yuchen, why’s there no hot water?"

I rushed to the bathroom. Ye Zixin hadn’t even turned on the water heater. How could there be hot water?

"Sister Zixin, remember to switch on the heater next time you shower."

"Huh? I need to turn it on? I’ve never used one before."

Rich people’s lives baffle me. Total heiress behavior. But why’s she living with us? Just no place to stay? Seriously, hurry back to Hong Kong. And with all that money, why squeeze into our tiny place?

Aunt Mengmeng didn’t mind Ye Zixin staying. Said she worried I’d get bored and needed company... Please, I’m not a kid. *She’s* the one scared of boredom.

"Mmm~ Refreshing! Ice-cold milk after a shower hits different!"

I hadn’t noticed when a beauty wrapped only in a white towel appeared in the living room, holding a glass milk bottle. She ignored everyone’s stares (though only Aunt Mengmeng and I were home).

"Sister Ye! Clothes! Your clothes!"

"Oh? Sorry, sorry! Mengmeng and I did this in our college dorm. Haven’t kicked the habit yet."

So she sees me as a docile lamb? Time to show my wolf side! *Awooo!*

"Yuchen, what’s with the howling? Teenage hormones acting up?"

"N-no! Just a random episode. Ignore it."

I actually howled like a wolf. I’m a Doom Dragon—I should roar like one!

Ye Zixin suddenly hugged me from behind. I tried to squirm free, but she tightened her grip. Soft, bun-like warmth pressed against my back. Her scent—girlhood mixed with milk—wrapped around me. I pretended to struggle. Truth was, I liked it.

"Want me to teach you how to be a man, little virgin?"

Her hand slid slowly down my chest. No! If she keeps going, she’ll reach *that* spot...

"S-sister Ye, don’t joke! Things could get messy."

She ignored my warning, breathing softly into my ear. Like ants crawling over my heart. Unbearable. Is she a virgin seducer? Total flirt!

"S-stop! If Aunt Mengmeng sees us, she’ll misunderstand!"

"M-mengmeng?" Ye Zixin froze mid-grope like a glitching robot. I broke free and darted aside.

"Yuchen, don’t you dare tell Mengmeng what I just did!"

"Tell me what?"

Aunt Mengmeng had slipped out of her room, smiling warmly. Same as always—but why did it feel terrifying?

"Ye Zixin, gossiping about me behind my back? You know I hate that."

"N-no way! I’d never badmouth my bestie, right, Yuchen?"

Damn it, don’t dump this on me! I’m stuck.

"Of course not! I’d never gossip about Aunt Mengmeng."

"Good. By the way, Zixin, why dress like that? Trying to seduce Yuchen?" Aunt Mengmeng hugged me from behind, glaring at Ye Zixin. "Nope! Yuchen’s mine. Not sharing."

Seriously, I’m not a teddy bear. Ye Zixin hugs me, then Aunt Mengmeng? When did I get this popular? Both gorgeous, but not my type. I prefer gentle girls. Zixin’s too fierce. And Aunt Mengmeng... sorry, I’m not risking jail. Mom would execute me.

Next noon, I sat at Two Shores Cafe, sipping the cheapest coffee while waiting for Shan Weihao.

"Master, sorry to keep you! What’s this about?"

Ugh, why bring Mengze? They’re glued together. I’ll report you to the Single Dog Protection Association!

Jerk! Serve me that lovey-dovey dog food—I’ll eat while we talk.

I placed the landscape painting Shan Weihao gave me on the table. "Glad you two look good. Since we’re friends, I’ll be blunt. I’m here about this."

"Master short on cash? I’ve got 2,000 on me and a 5,000-yuan card. Take it."

My eye twitched violently. Rich people logic—hopeless. I’m just poor.

I cleared my throat and pushed his card back.

"Ahem... Not about money. Listen. This painting’s cursed. You said your dad’s business partner gave it to him. I think he’s trying to harm your father."

"No way! Uncle De’s an old friend. He wouldn’t do that."

Uncle De? Old friends? Could a normal person accidentally buy this spirit-infested painting and gift it blindly?

"Don’t panic. Just a theory. No proof yet. Can you take me to meet Uncle De?"

"Well..."

"Qiuyuchen, explain clearly. What’s wrong with the painting? You’re putting Weihao in a tough spot." Mengze defended him as he looked down.

I sipped coffee silently. *Weihao, Weihao*—how long has she even been at his place to be this cozy?

"Honestly, Uncle De’s at my house now. You can visit, Master. But no weird spells on him—not until we know the truth."

Clueless guy. Me, Endsinger, offering help? A lazybones who could sleep till doomsday is doing you a favor. You should be grateful. I almost walked out.

"Don’t worry. I’m cautious (mostly). Won’t accuse anyone without proof."

Later, we arrived at Shan Weihao’s home. Not huge, but exquisitely decorated. Two middle-aged men discussed business in the living room...

"Dad, I’m back."

"Weihao! I told you not to come home now. Can’t you see I’m discussing business with Uncle De? Greet him properly."

A bespectacled man scolded Weihao gently. Their faces shared a resemblance—clearly his father. The chubby, smiling man beside him must be Uncle De.

"Uncle De!"

"Good boy! You’ve grown taller. Is this your girlfriend? Impressive!"

Mengze blushed and hid behind Weihao. So cute~~ Why’s she a tomboy around me? Why am I so unlikable?

"Old De, stop teasing them. They’re just kids. She’s a temporary housemaid."

"But they’d make a fine couple. Don’t you want grandkids soon?"

"Haha... Enough about aging. Back to business. Weihao, take your friends to your room. Stay out."

*Doom Dragon’s Golden Pupils—activate!*

I scanned everyone. Weihao and his father glowed white—ordinary humans. Mengze radiated gold from the Celestial feather. If I looked in a mirror, I’d see black (Doom Dragon vibes—unmatched!). But that chubby man? Crimson aura!

"Hm? Something on my face, kid?"

I shut my Golden Pupils instantly. "Nah. Just think you’re... special, Uncle."

"How so?"

"Especially handsome!"

"Haha! Smooth talker. You’ll go far! Go play. Business talk only—no interruptions."

In the room, I cast a soundproof Barrier to block eavesdroppers.

"Well? Any findings?"

"Your Uncle De’s suspicious. Details unclear. I’ll leave soon. Watch him closely. If he gives your dad anything—or acts weird—alert me immediately."

Crimson aura? This is messier than I thought.