"One zero, two zeros, three zeros… So many zeros! I can barely count them with both hands! Fu Lin, I didn't know you were worth this much money?!"
"With that much money, we could buy so much delicious food!"
Kiana counted the digits on the bounty notice with her fingers, her blue eyes practically turning into the shape of gold coins.
"Hey, you guys… You're not seriously thinking of turning me in to Otto, right? You wouldn't… right?"
Fu Lin licked his dry lips, a deep chill creeping over his body. He felt like he was being stared down by a pack of starving wolves with glowing green eyes.
Mei sighed helplessly and cast him an apologetic glance.
-----------------------------------
"Hahaha... haha." Himeko and Theresa scratched their heads in sync, their laughter intermittent, clearly feeling a bit guilty.
Meanwhile, Kiana shook her head, dismissing the idea of selling Fu Lin for money, and put on a look of disbelief as she said, "Fu Lin, what do you take me for? No matter what, you and I are friends, and betraying a friend is something I would never... mmph!"
Himeko and Theresa's smiles froze upon hearing Kiana's words. They hurriedly stepped forward, covering Kiana's mouth and pulling her aside into a corner.
Fu Lin, "..." You guys are making me even more scared!
Himeko and Theresa crossed their arms, staring at the curled-up Kiana in the corner with a resentful look.
Kiana swallowed nervously, trembling as if she had done something wrong, and stammered,
"Miss Himeko, Aunt Theresa, what are you going to do..."
"Kiana, we still haven't settled the bill for you kicking down the door." Himeko was the first to break the silence.
Kiana looked up pitifully at Himeko and Theresa and whispered, "I... I didn't mean to."
"I know you didn't mean to!" Himeko said irritably. "As for what to do with Fu Lin..."
At that moment, Fu Lin felt someone lightly kick the back of his heel. He turned around, only to see nothing behind him, a trace of confusion flashing in his eyes.
"Where are you looking? I'm down here!" A voice came from below.
Fu Lin looked down and finally noticed that Fu Shi had somehow appeared by his leg, staring up at him intently.
The corners of Fu Lin's lips curled slightly as he slowly crouched down to meet Fu Shi's gaze. Fu Shi's eyes sparkled, as if she had something to say.
"Fu Shi, what's wrong?"
"I didn't expect you to be worth so much. How about I turn you in to Otto for a bounty? Then, after I get the money, you can escape, and I can turn you in again..."
Fu Shi's pupils shifted slightly, her eyes glinting with mischief, as if she were deliberately teasing him.
"Otto isn't stupid." Fu Lin's face darkened as he reached out to gently ruffle Fu Shi's hair, speaking softly.
Fu Shi didn't dodge; instead, she leaned forward slightly, as if enjoying the touch. Her gaze softened, and her body relaxed.
On the side, Fu Hua silently observed them. Watching the warm and harmonious interaction between the two, a trace of loneliness flashed in her eyes.
"Ahem."
Fu Hua cleared her throat, interrupting their moment. Though her voice wasn't loud, it was like a thunderclap that shattered the peaceful atmosphere between them.
Both turned their heads simultaneously to look at Fu Hua, whose gaze flickered slightly.
"Old antique?" Fu Shi wriggled out of Fu Lin's embrace and was the first to speak, her voice tinged with curiosity and concern.
Fu Hua smiled slightly and shook her head. "It's nothing. I just felt something seeing you two so happy."
Fu Shi's expression changed slightly as if she had realized something.
She looked at Fu Hua, a hint of heartache and helplessness flashing through her eyes. She had been so focused on being with Fu Lin that she had neglected the old antique.
Fu Shi walked over to Fu Hua and gently held her hand.
"Old antique, don't overthink things. The past is the past. With me and Fu Lin here, you won't be alone anymore."
Fu Hua looked at Fu Shi gratefully and nodded. But when she saw Fu Lin approaching, her gaze became much colder.
"Mm, Fu Shi, you don't need to worry about me."
"I wasn't worried..." Fu Shi lowered her head and shyly turned away.
"Yeah, old anti—"
Fu Lin had also walked over, looking at Fu Hua, about to say something, but her sharp glare made him swallow his words.
"Take care of yourself first. Don't make Fu Shi worry about you." Fu Hua hugged Fu Shi, her tone noticeably softer than before.
Fu Lin, "..." Why the double standard?
Not far away, Mei, who had been quietly observing Fu Lin, blinked before slowly raising her phone and snapping a picture of the three standing together.
Mei rubbed her eyes and looked at the photo she had just taken. For some reason, she felt a strong sense of déjà vu, as if she had just taken a family portrait. She couldn't help but chuckle.
Hearing the laughter, Fu Lin turned around and saw Mei looking at her phone with a bright smile. Curious, he asked,
"What are you looking at?"
Mei shook her phone slightly, showing the photo she had just taken.
In the picture, Fu Lin, Fu Hua, and Fu Shi stood together. Fu Hua was on the left, holding Fu Shi in her arms, while Fu Lin stood on the right. Each of them had a slight smile on their face.
Fu Hua, "..."
Fu Lin, "..."
"It's a nice picture. The scene is so warm, just like a family taking a portrait together..."
"But why do I feel like something's off?"
Fu Shi took the phone, looked at the group photo, and nodded in satisfaction—but something still felt wrong, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
"Hehehe... why does it feel like Fu Hua and I are the old married couple, and Fu Shi is our daughter..."
Fu Lin stroked his chin and bluntly voiced his thoughts, only to immediately feel Fu Hua's murderous gaze. He quickly shut his mouth.
Fu Shi (the clown), "..."