Chapter 8

This means I have more money than I can spend.

Fixed assets require appraisal and valuation, which takes a little time, but ownership has already been transferred… it belongs to whoever it belongs to.

Mù Yú's phone was a bit far away, so he had the System transfer the full agreement to him. It opened in the background of his mind, and he read through it from beginning to end.

Mù Yú closed the background process.

His expression was calm as he asked gently, "How much is a Snow Valley worth?"

System: "..."

The System dared not speak. It frantically messaged its colleague responsible for another dimension on the work channel. The colleague reacted quickly and immediately notified all the Autobots to go home.

That Autobot world experienced some turbulence – good guys and bad guys were fighting to the death, and halfway through, they all suddenly transformed back into large trucks and lined up neatly in the parking lot.

Peace and quiet, all grievances forgotten, little colorful flags of harmony stuck into their truck heads.

Don't ask why. If you have to ask, it's because no one wanted to be dragged into another world and driven to the ends of the earth by a "normal person with a little extra cash," to personally go and ram a supervillain who insisted on chasing people to give them money.

...Mù Yú didn't get an answer. He stood by the fireplace and slowly ate two hazelnuts.

The shells of wild hazelnuts are thick and hard. The System watched with trepidation as the shells turned to powder silently with a gentle touch from Mù Yú's fingertips.

The System, clutching the valuation receipt for Snow Valley, shed tears from places where tears should and shouldn't flow. The entire System was distressed and miserable: "QAQ..."

Mù Yú brushed the powder from his fingertips and came back to himself: "I'm fine."

The System could barely believe it. It hurriedly destroyed the valuation receipt, which was blasted by the hot metal of the fireplace, and its waterlogged speaker crackled.

Mù Yú drew a box for it and fixed the speaker.

He thought for a moment, then added, "You don't need to tell me how much it's worth. Come eat hazelnuts."

The System, filled with tears, flew back to snuggle against him.

Mù Yú opened a hazelnut and picked out the kernel for it, then shelled the rest.

The hazelnuts were good. The kernels of the wild ones were small, but very fragrant to chew.

Mù Yú took a piece of paper and folded a small paper bag, putting the shelled kernels inside, intending them as a snack for Yàn Sǔn.

The System felt a little relieved and helped hold open the paper bag: "Host, are you really okay?"

Mù Yú was used to it: "This kind of thing happens sometimes. Worrying won't help."

It wasn't the first time he'd encountered such a strange situation. He'd pretty much guessed the answer and decided to try: "Can I transfer Snow Valley back to Cumberland?"

"Not for now... Under the laws of this world, there must be at least three months between changes of ownership for fixed assets."

The System indeed gave a negative answer. After a slight hesitation, it added, "Besides, even after three months, Host probably shouldn't do this..."

Mù Yú asked, "Why?"

System: "...Cumberland still has that huge Ice and Snow Club in their hands."

If Mù Yú returned Snow Valley after three months, and Cumberland got too excited, they might dare to change the owner of the Berghead International Bank Ice and Snow Club as well.

The System had been so scared earlier, scrambling for information, that it had strayed too far and accidentally hacked into Cumberland's surveillance footage. It had seen the crumpled letter of intent.

Mù Yú: "..."

Mù Yú sighed softly, let go of his obsession, found Little Snowball, who had somehow put on his pants and was now trailing him like a small tail, and picked him up to cuddle him.

The little guy had slept very well. He was soft and warm, and very nice to hold.

Mù Yú's pinky finger was held by him. He clasped the soft little hand back, and they held hands for a while, watching the snow outside together.

The snowflakes had already turned into goose-feather-like flakes, swirling and dancing all over the sky. The world was a vast expanse of white, sharp and clean.

In the distance, the snow-covered mountains and forests were bowed under the weight of silver dust on the verdant green, pressing the branches down slightly.

Mù Yú, holding Little Snowball with one arm, waited for the Recovery Card to take effect.

This kind of card was not very effective against injuries and illnesses left in the core of consciousness. Mù Yú had tried it a few times before; it could last for about four or five hours, and then he would return to his original state.

Effective, but not completely effective.

In terms of duration, it wasn't even as good as a self-heating hand warmer.

Yàn Sǔn suddenly slid off Mù Yú's lap.

He went straight for the quilt and returned with the cup Mù Yú had just given him water from.

Yàn Sǔn stood on tiptoe, held the cup up high, and mimicked Mù Yú's actions, touching it to Mù Yú's lips.

Mù Yú thought for a moment and leaned down to take a sip.

It was sweet.

There was a strange sweetness, like milk, but because there was so much water, the taste was very faint.

"Host, milk candy was added." The System had been keeping an eye on the little villain and knew what was going on. "It was hidden in Doraemon's bell earlier."

Yàn Sǔn was good at hiding things.

The things he'd given Mù Yú before were hidden in his hoodie pockets, which were mostly safe, but there were times when he might be grabbed and searched.

There were some treasures that Yàn Sǔn was even more reluctant to have stolen, like half a piece of milk candy. He had wrapped it in paper and hidden it inside the bell of Doraemon's hoodie.

He had hollowed out the cotton in the bell and also hid a small, thin razor blade. Yàn Sǔn had found the blade in the trash chute. The edge was wiped clean and wrapped in paper, used for cutting the milk candy.

Yàn Sǔn carried a knife and candy with him, cutting off a little bit each time to savor.

The System had actually seen the process of making this cup of sweetened water for Mù Yú. Mù Yú was looking at the transfer agreement at the time and hadn't noticed the movements outside.

When the System detected movement from the little villain, it automatically went into work mode, diverting some of its data to open the surveillance.

Yàn Sǔn's eyes were dark and clear but empty. He moved and acted without making a sound. It was easy for those who didn't know him to be startled by him.

The System watched Yàn Sǔn. Yàn Sǔn hid in a corner, and together they stared at the cup of warm water and the half piece of milk candy for a long while.

Yàn Sǔn took out the razor blade from the bell.

He placed the milk candy on his knee, lowered his head, and cut the candy, taking about two-thirds and putting it into the cup.

Then, Yàn Sǔn put away the candy and the knife, hugged his knees, and continued to stare blankly at the cup.

...Only when the System thought the process was over and prepared to float away, did Yàn Sǔn reach for his bell again.

He took out the remaining candy from the bell and placed it directly at the rim of the cup, slowly unwrapping the paper bit by bit.

The water with the milk candy added had been warmed in his arms, then tucked into a warmed plush blanket. By now, it had melted almost completely.

...Mù Yú crouched down.

Yàn Sǔn clutched the cuff of his sleeve, his fingertips turning white from the force, staring fixedly at him.

"It's very sweet," Mù Yú said. "Thank you."

He took another big sip of the sweetened water from the cup: "Amazing."

Yàn Sǔn's eyes widened. His chest began to rise and fall again.

Mù Yú smiled, carefully placed the cup down to avoid spilling it, and made a gesture.

Yàn Sǔn recognized the gesture and immediately spread his arms, jumping up. Mù Yú caught him steadily and lifted him up, flying.

The System was responsible for the atmosphere, bringing in some small snowflakes from outside to sprinkle.

The little villain loved playing "flying" and accidentally became engrossed in the incomprehensible phrase "Amazing." His little ears turned bright red, and he buried his flushed face into his collar, dispelling the aura of offering sweet water that he had just had.

Mù Yú played enough. He put the little guy down, put on his jacket, and thanked him earnestly again for the cup of water: "Thank you."

Yàn Sǔn didn't understand, but Mù Yú said it twice, so he felt it was a very good word and followed along: "Tha- Thank you, tha-"

His pronunciation was surprisingly accurate, even mimicking Mù Yú's intonation, just much slower, like a slow-motion playback.

Mù Yú stroked Yàn Sǔn's hair.

The System vaguely guessed what the Host was thinking: "Yú Mù's notes said that Yàn Sǔn's language ability has been deteriorating."

When Yàn Sǔn was with the Yan Family, he didn't speak because Yàn Xī found him noisy. He didn't speak when he was with the Xu Family either, because Xǔ Sīchéng was only two years younger than him and was at the age of learning to speak, and the Xu couple worried that Yàn Sǔn would influence him badly.

Over time, Yàn Sǔn stopped speaking and became increasingly accustomed to silence.

At five years old, Yàn Sǔn couldn't understand or comprehend, but he could imitate Mù Yú speaking. At fourteen, however, that Yàn Sǔn could no longer speak a simple sentence clearly.

Mù Yú didn't speak. He listened to Yàn Sǔn repeat himself haltingly, each pronunciation slightly different, becoming smoother with each attempt.

The little villain had learned his first new word in life.

Yàn Sǔn was bundled up tightly in a small scarf and hat, only his eyes showing. He held onto Mù Yú's sleeve: "Thank you."

Yàn Sǔn tugged on Mù Yú's sleeve, found it had been replaced by a hand, and immediately gripped it tightly: "Thank you."

Holding Mù Yú's hand, Yàn Sǔn walked out of the small courtyard through the wind and snow: "Thank you."

Being so small, Yàn Sǔn was almost blown away by the wind and fell into the deep snow. Mù Yú scooped him up, holding his arms: "Thank you."

Led by Mù Yú into the indoor ice rink, Yàn Sǔn put on skates and circled around Mù Yú: "Thank you."

Mù Yú also put on skates and entered the rink: "System."

System: "Thank you, no, Host."

Mù Yú: "..."

The System finally managed to extract its data from "Thank you" and opened the mall: "Host, do you need a figure skating related skill card?"

"No," Mù Yú said. "...Never mind."

He had wanted to buy a language learning early education machine, but thinking about it, Yàn Sǔn's situation was special, and an early education machine might not be very effective.

It was fine for him to teach.

Yàn Sǔn wasn't noisy. When he could say those two words exactly like Mù Yú, his upturned little face was buried in his scarf, his little nose, red from the cold, was covered in a fine sheen of sweat, and his eyes sparkled.

Mù Yú, on the ice, picked up Little Snowball and skated backward for a distance: "Amazing."

The System was still surprised by Mù Yú's smooth and effortless gliding posture. In a moment of distraction, it couldn't stop him: "Host!"

Mù Yú: "What is it?"

System: "..."

How to put it.

Just now, Mù Yú had said "Amazing" for the second time today.

...Five-year-old Yàn Sǔn's language ability was indeed stronger than it was at fourteen.

Specifically, if Mù Yú repeated a word twice, Yàn Sǔn would start to learn it.

The System floated by the side of the rink, sifting through its data bars, numbly deleting "Amazing" one by one, unable to resist looking at Mù Yú, who was earnestly correcting Yàn Sǔn's movements.

Mù Yú's gliding was quite smooth and beautiful, stable and light, with an elegant and poised posture. His edge work was even deeper than that of Father Yan, who actually coached at the Ice and Snow Club.

Father Yan, as a figure skating coach, excelled at jumps, and Yàn Xī's training also focused on this.

The System searched through his competition videos from when he was young. His technique was strong and the difficulty level was high, but the elegance of his glide was lacking. He didn't have that ethereal quality and looked more like he was walking on ice.

Compared to this, Mù Yú was truly amazing.

"Host, Host," the System asked, "Were you a figure skater before?"

Mù Yú, who was correcting the fine details of Little Snowball's movements, looked up when he heard this and wiped his sweat: "I acted."

His first big screen role was an ice-themed movie. He was seventeen that year, playing a figure skater who had broken his leg.

Mù Yú was a freshman at the Film Academy then. His mentor was a typical immersion-style teacher, so Mù Yú was also sent to the ice rink to train with professional athletes for three months.

High-difficulty moves like jumps could be assisted by wires, but gliding was different. It had to be practiced by himself, otherwise, he couldn't achieve the best effect on screen.

Mù Yú's gliding skills had never left him, and he still had the theoretical knowledge in his head. During those three months, he watched thousands of training sessions and competitions, attended numerous meetings with the coaching staff, and mastered more detailed movements and techniques than an ordinary figure skater. If he were to become a coach, he might not be worse than Father Yan.

After being corrected a few times by Mù Yú, Yàn Sǔn's gliding posture visibly and rapidly became standard. The small figure was jumping and hopping on the ice, and some movements were already quite passable.

Mù Yú skated alongside Yàn Sǔn for protection. He briefly recalled his connection with figure skating and thought, "I learned it well."

The System had long thought so and immediately agreed: "Especially well."

The little villain was engrossed in repeating words and circling Mù Yú: "Amazing."

System: "..."

Mù Yú wiped away the light sweat and pressed his forehead, amused by the two of them: "Alright, let's take a break."

He skated two laps slowly with Yàn Sǔn. Once he had cooled down from his sweat, he carried the little guy to the edge of the rink, opened his backpack, and took out the thermos he had specially brought.

The large and small sat side by side, each with a straw, sharing the water with milk candy dissolved in it.

On the way, Mù Yú had secretly bought a few more milk candies and added them. The sweetness was just right now.

Yàn Sǔn held the water bottle and drank. He took a sip and found it fragrant and sweet. Subconsciously, he took another sip, but realized he was drinking too much, and quickly pushed the cup back to Mù Yú.

Mù Yú took back his own straw. In front of Yàn Sǔn, he puffed out his cheeks and pretended to drink with great effort, swallowing with a gulp.

Yàn Sǔn didn't feel sorry for him at all. Instead, his eyes widened. The ice rink was cold, and his ears, which had been pale from the cold, began to turn red with happiness.

Mù Yú used this method twice, coaxing the little guy to drink a few more sips of water with plenty of milk candy added. He screwed the lid back on and placed the thermos aside.

Little Snowball sat obediently to the side, looking over at Mù Yú several times. Finally, realizing that the large thermos was not in Mù Yú's arms, he began to pretend to be the thermos and quietly snuggled into Mù Yú's embrace.

The System peeked through a seam in his clothes: "Host, Host."

Mù Yú: "Shh."

He pretended not to notice, leaning back on the chair in the resting area, and continued to rest with his eyes closed.

Since he had never done this before, the little guy was shy as he snuggled, hiding his hot face and tossing and turning for a long time before successfully squeezing under Mù Yú's arm.

Little Snowball nestled against Mù Yú's arm, holding his breath, and after waiting for a while, quietly rummaged through his clothes.

Mù Yú, with his eyes closed, asked the System in his mind: "Are all the candies hidden?"

System: Of course, it wouldn't fail: "Eighty-eight candies are hidden."

Mù Yú: "..."

He was momentarily speechless. After thinking for a long time, he said: "Amazing."

This was a plan Mù Yú and the System had discussed long ago. The little guy had given all his possessions to make him sweetened water, so they had to replenish some stock.

Of course, Yàn Sǔn's "treasures" were not bought.

When the Yan couple adopted Yàn Sǔn, they only wanted to find a scapegoat for Yàn Xī. Their attitude towards Yàn Sǔn was no different from how they treated a small animal they kept casually; they provided food, clothing, and shelter, but no special care.

This was also the alienation caused by the "greenhouse" – just as a student might not refuse to do two sets of practice papers, a candidate would almost never take someone else's papers to do after finishing their own. For Father and Mother Yan, Yàn Xī was their only set of papers. Yàn Xī's performance determined their rating, their social status, and their resource allocation. As for Yàn Sǔn, he was never within their scope of concern.

The candy Yàn Sǔn used to make water for Mù Yú was found in the pocket of an old piece of clothing of Yàn Xī's.

Yàn Sǔn hid the candy close to his body, concealing it carefully, and ate it bit by bit for half a month.

In the original timeline, after half a month, Yàn Xī brought up the past, accusing Yàn Sǔn of stealing his candy and forcing him to hand it over. Yàn Xī had plenty of snacks and didn't lack that one piece of candy. It was just that his cruel and stubborn nature was unchangeable, and he took pleasure in tormenting Yàn Sǔn – he thought Yàn Sǔn would obediently hand over the candy as before, but he didn't know that Yàn Sǔn actually had a razor blade in his hand.

When Yú Mù arrived, Yàn Xī was sitting on the ground, holding his bloody right hand, his expression terrified.

Yàn Sǔn was curled up in a corner, fiercely guarding that small piece of candy like a wolf cub, his eyes dark and cold, a thin razor blade in his mouth.

This was Yàn Sǔn's first act of resistance – and certainly not his last.

After this, Yàn Sǔn showed an extraordinary attachment to "candy."

No one could snatch candy from him. When Yàn Xī discovered this, he became even more insistent, deliberately targeting this weakness. He didn't expect that the little mute, who valued candy over his own life, would swallow all the candy covered in blood and dirt even when he was beaten to the point where he couldn't stand.

...Little Snowball was probably shocked by Mù Yú's sugar content.

Mù Yú also hadn't expected the System to hide eighty-eight candies.

He could feel the little guy diligently searching all over him. When he found the seventy-seventh candy, Mù Yú had to ask the System for help and buy a medicinal plaster.

Maintaining the same posture for too long, especially a stretching posture perfect for finding candy, his knees might still be intact, but his waist was probably gone.

The mechanical voice's count finally reached "Eighty-eight." Mù Yú sighed in relief and prepared to discreetly apply the plaster.

Just as he was about to withdraw his arm, Little Snowball, limp, buried his head in his shoulder, also sighing in unison.

The System had just removed the backing from the plaster when Mù Yú's arm stopped it.

Yàn Sǔn rummaged through Mù Yú's trouser pocket for a while and found the red plastic bag folded into a small square.

Yàn Sǔn opened the plastic bag, pushed all the candies into it, and then wrapped the plastic bag around Mù Yú's wrist twice, tying a firm knot.

...Yàn Sǔn didn't take a single candy.

He helped Mù Yú put away all the candies, and after confirming that they wouldn't fall out with a slightest touch, he still felt uneasy and hugged the bag of candies and Mù Yú's wrist.

...After a long time, Mù Yú opened his eyes and sat up with one hand supporting himself.

Little Snowball was asleep in his shadow, still hugging his wrist, diligently protecting the candies from all sides.

He remembered from a young age that having candy meant getting beaten.

Yàn Sǔn protected his candy, and his hand too.

His back was arched, his limbs curled up, and a thin razor blade was in his mouth.

It was a posture that he would never let go of, even if his ribs were broken and he was covered in bruises from being kicked.