“Damn, you look down on my Keqing sword technique or what?”

Lu Feng was still deep in his gaming session today—labeled weak, incompetent, and only good at flaunting his butt—so he got kicked out of the room shortly after.

“So what if I accidentally woke a few Ruins Guards? If you’re *that* amazing, why not try taking on monsters way above your level?”

Win? All thanks to my skill. Lose? Clearly, *you* just didn’t try hard enough.

To stay sane, you’ve gotta think this way. Blaming yourself or feeling guilty? That’s just toxic for your mind.

So yeah—everything’s *your* fault. Simple.

Splash—

A bucket clattered over in the bathroom.

Lu Feng rushed in. Yuzi sat on the floor, her dress soaked through and clinging to her petite frame. A finger tucked in her mouth, she stared blankly at the overturned bucket and trickling water.

“Be careful. If you can’t manage, just call me,” Lu Feng said, lifting her up.

“Hand,” Yuzi murmured, voice soft and sweet, holding out her tiny palm.

Her fingers were dusted with potato chip crumbs, some spots already licked clean.

“Wash after eating. And no licking,” Lu Feng said gently. He set her down, refilled the bucket, and washed her hands.

Then he gave her a full bath.

Undressed, the girl sat with her back to him in the tub. Her youthful silhouette flickered in view as Lu Feng lathered shampoo into her hair. Yuzi twitched her ears, letting him work. A yawn escaped her; her eyes blinked slowly, lids drooping with drowsiness.

“Feng…” She rubbed her eyes and turned her head.

“Finish washing first. Then sleep,” Lu Feng said.

Yuzi shook her head, tiny hands gripping his arm. She leaned her cheek against him and closed her eyes.

Asleep already.

Lu Feng scratched his head helplessly. Gazing at her pale skin and the white tail swaying gently behind her, his face suddenly burned hot.

She might be a catgirl treated like a pet—but she was still the opposite gender.

He looked away, hastily finished washing her, dried her off, wrapped her snugly in a towel, and carried her upstairs to tuck her gently into bed.

Truly, pet parents are heroes.

*Ding-dong.*

The doorbell rang downstairs.

Lu Feng opened the door. Sisha stood there in a sleek black uniform, her aura subtly transformed.

“Thank you for your kindness these past few days,” she said, bowing deeply.

“No—*I* should thank *you*. Your cooking puts mine to shame,” Lu Feng replied.

So she was leaving.

“Heading home?” Lu Feng asked, eyebrows lifting.

“Mm.” Her reply was barely a whisper.

“Then… are you ready to face your family?” Lu Feng met her eyes, voice earnest.

She was a noble daughter who’d eloped for love. Her family opposed it; the man fled. She chased him alone—only to find a scumbag. Now stranded, ashamed to return.

*Could the God of Medicine know about Blood Clan infighting?* Sisha’s heart jolted.

“I… don’t know,” she shook her head.

Without clarity, what awaited her at home? Confinement? Forced marriage?

How cruel, these aristocratic clans.

“I’ve little to give. Take these seeds,” Lu Feng sighed, pulling a small black packet from the cupboard. He grew herbs for calm and healing; maybe flowers would soothe her spirit.

“Even if life offers no hope—never surrender. Struggle on bravely.”

Sisha accepted the packet. The seeds inside writhed faintly.

*Extinct ancient Bloodsucking Treant seeds.*

Before humankind, they ruled the world. Touch soil, and they’d devour spiritual energy—growing into city-razing horrors.

“When you’ve lost all hope in that home… sow them there. Breathe their fragrance. Rebel with everything you have.”

*Plant this in Blood Clan territory… total annihilation.* Sisha trembled inwardly.

Lu Feng’s brow furrowed. *She still fears them. Just hearing “rebel” shakes her.*

“When they see you as a tool, not a person—its scent may show you a battered self amid ruins. But only through that wreckage comes dawn!” His voice rose, gaze sharp.

“Bloom amidst slaughter, like a flower at dawn.”

“Fear nothing. When fate slips from your grasp—*smash it!*”

His words struck deep. Sisha’s chest tightened.

*Why follow Blood Clan rules? Why accept their cage? Why do I strive while idle elder sisters feast in the palace?*

*Isn’t it the old Empress’s favoritism?!*

*Why shrink from claiming the throne? If old rules chain me—shatter them. Build anew!*

“I understand,” Sisha breathed, tucking the seeds away.

Lu Feng nodded.

Another successful talk therapy. That deep breath? A decision made.

Her path would be thorny. To break free, she’d need to fight like a battlefield warrior—blade in hand, bleeding but unbroken.

One day, seeing those blossoms, she’d remember—and keep fighting.

“Um… before I go… may I massage your shoulders one last time?”

Sisha fidgeted, knees pressed tight, a faint blush warming her cheeks.