“What are you looking at?”

Snapping out of his daze, Ye Thirteen saw Qu Yi practically drooling right in front of him. A slight twitch tugged at the corner of his mouth.

*Still… she’s undeniably cute.*

Qu Yi jolted back to reality, her face flushed crimson.

She never expected that a closer look at Uncle Ye would be so strikingly handsome!

His sharp-featured face and perfectly balanced features gave Ye Thirteen a rugged, enduring appeal.

He wasn’t delicate—but radiated raw masculinity.

That tiny scar near his right eye added a faintly menacing edge. When he glanced sideways or looked down, an intimidating presence seemed to press down on you.

Qu Yi adored every single detail.

Ye Thirteen had no idea. If he did, he’d probably just ruffle her hair with a dismissive smile.

People saw others differently. Some called Ye Thirteen cold-hearted, too fierce-looking.

If he knew Qu Yi’s thoughts? He’d likely just chuckle.

Still, he *did* notice her admiration—and it warmed him.

No one minds pure admiration, especially from someone as bright and capable as her.

*Though she is a bit young.*

Hearing his question, Qu Yi fiddled with her hair, cheeks burning. She quickly changed the subject:

“Um… Uncle! What do you do for a living?”

Ye Thirteen shrugged. “As you can see—unemployed.”

Qu Yi’s face turned pinker. In a soft, shy voice: “So… your girlfriend wouldn’t mind… or anything…”

Amused by her clumsy probe, Ye Thirteen gave a fond smile. “Since when did I have a girlfriend?”

Qu Yi’s eyes lit up. She lifted her head—

—and in that moment, Ye Thirteen felt like he was gazing at the sun.

A blazing sun whose warmth melted winter itself.

She’d already snooped around his apartment while making breakfast. Knew he lived alone.

This question was her final check.

But meeting his teasing, affectionate gaze, she flushed again and sank back into her seat!

Grabbing the water glass, she drank slowly, then hid behind it:

“Uncle… is there any job you’d like to try?”

Ye Thirteen shook his head. “Not right now. Just wanna slack off.”

“Yeah… you just left your team. Must feel rough…”

Qu Yi peeked over the cup, watching him closely.

When “leaving the team” made Uncle Ye’s expression dim with quiet dejection, she knew—he still cared.

*Naturally.*

In this demon-infested world, Demonhunters stood as humanity’s shield—and held immense status.

But demons weren’t pushovers. They were near-extinction-level threats.

Demonhunters merely held the line now.

Before Entry-Rank, teams were essential.

The Alliance ranked Demonhunters in nine tiers:

Rank 1: Awakening

Rank 2: Rookie

Rank 3: Novice

Rank 4: Elite

Rank 5: Ace

Rank 6: Soldier Rank (Entry-Rank begins)

Rank 7: General Rank

Rank 8: Monarch Rank

Rank 9: Saint-tier

Below Soldier Rank? Strongly advised to team up.

Even some General Rank hunters kept their squads—scattered in peace, reunited against true threats.

The Alliance endorsed teams… but not factions.

Demonhunters were simply too powerful.

Only during catastrophes would multiple squads appear together.

That’s why a team meant everything to a Demonhunter. Often, a lifetime bond.

So Uncle Ye feeling low after leaving? Completely understandable.

*It’s not his fault,* Qu Yi thought fiercely. *Must be the teammates!*

Yes! Exactly!

Truly—girls in love are blindly biased. No exceptions.

Seeing his dejected look, her heart clenched. She rushed to comfort him:

“Really, it’s okay without a team! A Demonhunter can do great things alone! And… not only Demonhunters help society—look at my dad!”

Ye Thirteen perked up. “Your father isn’t a Demonhunter?”

He’d assumed Qu Yi came from a three-generation Demonhunter line. Never expected Qu Xuelin’s son wouldn’t be one.

Qu Yi bounced back, beaming with pride: “Dad isn’t! But Mom is—and she’s *incredibly* strong!”

*Interesting.*

Qu Xuelin’s son, not a Demonhunter. His daughter-in-law, yes.

Ye Thirteen knew many Demonhunters looked down on non-hunters now.

He disagreed—but one man couldn’t shift society. That was the reality.

*Did Qu Xuelin…?*

Spotting his skeptical look, Qu Yi hurriedly added: “Mom and Dad fell in love freely! She loves him—so, so much!”

Ye Thirteen smiled gently and nodded.

Qu Xuelin wasn’t the type to pressure anyone. If someone disliked his son? He’d never force it.

Sharp-tongued, yes—but deeply upright.

He chuckled at flustered Qu Yi: “I believe you. Only a happy, loving home could raise a bright, lively girl like you.”

Such unions were rare. Few lasted.

But Qu Yi’s parents clearly did.

Qu Yi pouted playfully: “Even if that’s not much of a compliment… I’ll take it~”

Ye Thirteen crossed his legs, smiling. “Wait—you don’t have class? You’re sixteen. Still in high school, right?”

“Uncle! It’s *Sunday*! Schools have two-day weekends now~”

Qu Yi squinted with a sly grin, clearly teasing him.

Ye Thirteen checked his phone: December 14th. Yep. Sunday.

*Sigh.* Slacking off so long, he’d even forgotten what day it was.