Chapter 125: The Fruits Of One's Labor (1)

Li Yang knew that it was coming, and yet it was finally here. He had a feeling that it was him, but he still couldn't be a hundred percent sure. There was no way he could simply trust a person's word and so he asked, "What did he say, Miss Bai?"

"I told you—"

"Did he share the results?"

"He told you to come pick it up since the results were sent to your house? How backwards, they could have emailed." The Mermaid said and tossed the phone to him. "I suppose you'll have to take care of this matter then, but don't forget to drop me off at the concert place. I have some of my luggage in my personal room there, so it will have to do."

"Alright."

There wasn't a lot that he could say or do now, he was destined to come home anyway to at least check on Taiga. It was two birds in one stone, but that meant he was going to drop off the Mermaid and Ying Yue He as well if she wanted to get back to her apartment.

It wasn't too troublesome for him, no matter what the creature said. And yet it truly was time-consuming when, at any other point in time, the CEO could have been home on a Sunday all by himself.

"Let's go now then."

—-

It wasn't only Li Yang who had kept some information hidden away from Ying Yue He—she had also neglected to remind him of something. The only reason why she had been focused on the news earlier was when the startling realization that the exact same hotel that Luo Ju Di and Chunhua had been staying at… it was the one that had been attacked by the monster from last night.

Her plate was filled to the brim with an assortment of three differently cooked eggs, strips of bacon, mashed potatoes and other stuff, but she hadn't touched it. If anything, it was almost like she was glaring at her food like some kind of child.

Ying Yue He was distracted with her thoughts. Did she forget about it last night? It barely had come to her, only focused on the events occurring… 

"But they're alright, right? Nothing should have happened to them." 

The image of a child dropping from the building came to her mind, and yet it was unrealistic. Surely it should be when she could tell that the monster had only come for the idol. It didn't actively attack anybody else?

"Miss He." A voice suddenly called out, and she realized that her boss and the idol had come to the buffet hall.

Her eyes widened, and she greeted him. "Mister Li, my apologies for taking too long, I'll get you your coffee now—"

"No need, I need to return to my house. However, I'd like to take you back to your apartment if you wish?"

Ying Yue He could see the impatient look on Bai Minghua's face, a stark contrast to the idol performing last night… and even if she hesitated now, the woman shook her head. "I can get back on my own, Mister Li." 

She could already imagine herself sitting with the idol in the back seat, and an unpleasant sensation chilled her spines.

"Are you sure, Miss He?" he asked with a look of concern in his eyes. Perhaps his thoughts were still on the event last night of the monster escaping them.

She managed a smile and nodded. "I'm taking advantage of the free breakfast, Mister Li. Please don't worry about me!"

"You can still stay here if you like then. We'll be going, Miss He so please take care of yourself."

Her boss was generous enough to let her stay at an Executive Suite all by herself, something bigger than three of her own room at Madam Dongxia's apartment combined. And so she was left on her own, alone with her thoughts and the man unaware of what had happened last night. He relied on her to take care of Luo Ju Di and the child's accommodations and didn't even worry that much, because it was she who covered it for him.

—-

While Li Yang was driving, the CEO had decided to call Luo Ju Di and inform her of the arrival of the results. And yet she wasn't answering her phone. And so he would leave it until he arrived home.

He gazed outside of his house and didn't see Taiga either. 

But once he stepped inside and reached the living room, he would see his brother and his partner huddled over some documents. "Are those the results?" Other concerns were placed aside for this moment.

"Woah, you could have at least told us you were here—are you some kind of ghost?" Liang looked up and held a hand over his chest. "I didn't hear your steps at all."

"Don't joke around and give him the paper." Gabrielle elbowed the younger man and had a knowing smile on her face.

It was almost a telltale sign of what were the results. And yet, even as he grabbed for the piece of paper and would check the results… his heart might have stopped at this moment. Electricity ran through his veins when his gaze focused on the words underlined and marked—

[ Congratulations! You Have Previously Spread Your Seed Into The World ]

[ Sowing and Reaping - I ]

Bestow your seeds and bear some progeny to spread good genes and power into the world. Due to the official results, the Host's past exploits have been rewarded!

[ You Have Received 10000 Charm Points ]

Even the System somehow managed to give him a bonus for the results. Li Yang clutched the paper in his hands, still staring at the contents. So this was it.

He was a father now.

Had been one already for about six years if he counted the age of Chunhua, but now it was finally on the table.

"I guess you're not just an Uncle Yang now. Have you contacted Luo Ju Di?"

Li Yang looked at his brother and nodded. "I've tried to, but she hasn't picked up my calls. I'll call her again or leave a message to inform her."

"So how does it feel to be a father—you look kinda pale?"

"... A bit shocked, but it is what it is," he said. But he wasn't so sure about it either. It wasn't easy to put it into words. But if he had to say it… there came a late sensation, a click in his mind that informed him that things have changed.

Another sense of responsibility thrust into him. His life was never going to be the same after this, and some things would have to change.

Possibly not as life-changing as getting thrown into a game of live entertainment for the heavens, but this was around the same level to him. Perhaps even more on a personal level. Because in some way, he had contributed to making another life, and now he had to watch over and finally participate in even more growth for his daughter.

And yet it was also a bit late to be feeling this much, to be thinking about it this much… but was it, really?

Author's Note: Thank you for reading! It's a little hard for me to emulate the idea and feeling of grasping the knowledge that someone now has a child, but hopefully it manages to hit a landing to some extent.