Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Absurd.

Eerie, too.

When I first heard the System say that Qi Zhiye was selling his son, I wanted nothing more than to reach across space and slap him silly.

But at this moment, I was simply standing around the corner, asking the System a question.

“What’s the deal with those injuries on him?”

The System hurriedly replied, “I didn’t do anything! He’s been running around picking fights like a complete psychopath! He trashed a shop belonging to the Fox Clan, poured boiling water into the Mermaid rearing tanks, and spent ages shouting insults at the Eagle Clan with his chin held high!”

I let out a frustrated laugh.

Impressive.

He hadn’t spared anyone from the sea, land, or air.

The System sighed. “Your son is the Male Lead of this world, yet his father is trying to sell him before he’s even grown up! Host, your mission this time is to stop Qi Zhiye from continuing his downward spiral and get your son back on the growth path I’ve designed for him.”

Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward.

I certainly didn’t agree with that bullshit ‘growth path,’ but I had to focus on staying here first.

The System spoke up again. “Wait! Don’t reveal your identity. I’m afraid that in his current state of madness, he might actually hit you! Luckily, you have a new face now.”

I curled my lip but remained silent.

The System was being far too generous in its assessment of Qi Zhiye’s temperament.

If he knew who I was, he would probably tear me to pieces.

Thinking of this, I instructed the System, “You need to mask my scent while you’re at it.”

“Already done! As long as you don’t expose yourself, he’ll never recognize you!”

I walked over and stopped in front of the sign that read: ‘Selling Son to Bury Father.’

Just as I was about to speak, the White Tiger’s nose twitched slightly.

Then, with a sickly whimper, he opened his eyes.

His gaze was fierce, but covered in blood as he was, it looked more like a desperate bluff.

Qi Zhiye hated revealing his true form. He was likely only doing so now because his injuries were too severe to maintain a human shape.

When he spoke, his voice was hoarse.

“Buying?”

I turned to look at the little cub beside him.

Given the natural alertness of a White Tiger, Qi An’an shouldn’t have been sleeping this soundly.

As if sensing my doubt, Qi Zhiye said impatiently, “He’s alive. I just drugged him to knock him out.”

“Are you out of your-”

I cut myself off halfway through, realizing my tone was too agitated.

Twitching my lips, I asked, “How much?”

Qi Zhiye’s tail flicked-a sign that he was in a foul mood.

“How much do you think my funeral expenses will cost?”

The wounds on his body were an eyesore. I shifted my gaze away. “I think you’re not going to die just yet. There’s no need to sell your son to bury yourself.”

Qi Zhiye let out a cold snort and shifted into his human form.

The external injuries that had looked dense on his fur were even more shocking against human skin.

His features were sharp, his lips pale.

He gave a reckless, mocking smile. “Who knows? A Beast Clan joke like me-wife gone, enemies everywhere-could drop dead at any moment.”

“…”

The System complained in my ear, “I’m seriously over this. Didn’t he make all those enemies himself?!”

Perhaps the transformation had taken too much strength. One of the wounds on Qi Zhiye’s body suddenly split open, blood gushing out.

It made my eyes ache just looking at it.

“Well, don’t die yet! I happen to be short a manservant. I’ll buy both of you, father and son!”

Qi Zhiye arched an eyebrow. “You’re rich?”

The System shrieked, “Host, be careful! What if this crazy tiger asks for an astronomical price!”

I shrugged and replied to the System in my head: “You’re the one who wants me to solve your problem. So, no matter how much he wants, you’re paying.”

In the end, the System had to cough up a year’s worth of its salary.