The next morning, Chen Gu returned to class after ending his leave and noticed something odd—why were all the girls in class stealing glances at him? Whenever he caught them in the act, they quickly blushed and turned away, like flustered little rabbits.
It wasn’t until lunchtime that Chen Zili, with a tray in hand, plopped down beside him and exclaimed in surprise, "How did you get so handsome!"
Chen Gu smacked him on the head. "Don’t talk nonsense. I was always handsome. You should be saying, ’How did you get even more handsome!’"
Chen Zili, rubbing his head, didn’t dare to retort; after all, there was a very real problem... Grandpa was too formidable to fight.
"My sister got her second song," Chen Zili said with a hint of grievance. "Dad wants me to invite you to dinner tonight."
Chen Gu figured it couldn’t be that simple. His older son was probably seeking him out again because of something to do with the Yinglong Star matter.
"Alright, wait for me after school."
Chen Zili stopped talking and sulkily ate his meal by himself. After a while, he noticed that Chen Gu showed absolutely no reaction, which made him feel even more wronged. He stabbed at his plate with a fork, clattering loudly.
Chen Gu gave him a strange look. "What are you doing?"
Chen Zili held back his words, looking down and taking his frustration out on his food. Chen Gu scoffed. If you don’t want to talk, then forget it. I’m not coddling your antics!
Chen Zili was waiting for him to ask further, but instead, Chen Gu finished his portion, got up, and went to grab another!
When Chen Gu returned, Chen Zili finally couldn’t hold back any longer and burst out, "You guys! All of you, you only ever think about my sister! I’m still part of the family too!"
"You have two children, two children! Not just a daughter!"
"Who has ever cared about me!"
"What’s wrong with being a boy? Does a boy deserve to be bullied, neglected, and looked down upon?"
"It was with Dad before, and now you’re doing the same!"
"Me, me, me, why am I so unlucky? Why did I have to have a sister!"
Chen Gu looked at him in astonishment... but didn’t forget to continue eating.
Chen Zili watched this scene. The old man, his head cocked to the side, had his eyes fixed on him as though he were frozen in place, yet his cheeks were still happily puffing with food!
He swore that if it weren’t for the fact that he couldn’t beat him, he would have revolted long ago!
Holding back his tears, he turned and walked away.
This grandson is acting a bit strange today.
Hmm, the food in the school cafeteria today is quite tasty. It’s far better than usual.
Behind the flower beds to the west of the school, there was a small grove where Chen Zili was venting his frustration, kicking a landscaping rock fiercely. "So it’s a grand dream if she wants to sing? The whole family supports her to make it come true; everyone revolves around her!"
"Has anyone ever asked if I have dreams? I too have my own ambitions. I’m not actually a fool who just wants to be a second-generation official..."
"What dreams do you have, huh?" A voice suddenly sounded, startling Chen Zili so much he shuddered and spun around, only to see nothing!
At that moment, the voice eerily rang out again. "Tell me your dreams. As long as you have desires, I can help you achieve them!"
Chen Zili kept spinning around, but there was no one to be seen. The voice seemed to drift ethereally as if it were echoing in his mind.
"Me?" The voice laughed wickedly. "HEH HEH HEH, you don’t need to know who I am. All you need to know is that everyone abandons you and ignores you. Only I can help you fulfill your desires!"
Chen Zili was, after all, the son of Chen Jixian, and he had a vague knowledge of certain matters. He jolted in shock. "You are a demon shape from the Endless Realm!"
He shrieked hysterically, "Go away! Stay away from me! Scram..."
"HEH HEH HEH..." That voice laughed again. "Why do you think I appeared? Have you ever thought about it?"
"It’s you! It’s the desires and darkness within your own heart that drew me here. Without you, I couldn’t possibly enter this reality..."
"AH!" Chen Zili collapsed onto the ground. Then, suddenly feeling as if the voice was closing in on him, he scrambled backward in fright until he hit the landscaping rock with a heavy thud.
He was terrified and panicking. Even though he kept cursing angrily, deep down, Chen Zili was still uneasy. He was unwilling to agree with the voice’s words, yet worried they might be the truth.
Just then, a timid plea for mercy came from the side, "Boss Chen Gu, please, please spare our Brother Chen!"
Chen Zili was stunned for a moment. Chen Gu? As he looked back, sure enough, that old fellow was standing behind him, a sly smile flashing across his face!
"It was you?!" Chen Zili exploded. "You’re playing ghost tricks to scare me?"
Chen Gu glared fiercely at Chen Zili’s few followers. "Scram!"
When it came to playing the role of a bully, Great Actor Chen was simply in his element.
The followers’ legs trembled. They were terrified of Chen Gu, yet they didn’t dare to actually abandon their boss.
Chen Gu made a move as if to strike, and Chen Zili said through gritted teeth, "You guys go first. I need to have a good... talk with this gentleman!"
The followers hurried away. Chen Zili could no longer contain his anger. Leaping to his feet, he was about to roar, but Chen Gu gently raised a hand and pressed him down, asking, "What is your dream?"
Chen Zili panted heavily, trying to struggle. But the hand Chen Gu placed on his shoulder felt like a heavy mountain. Not only could he not budge the mountain, but he was also pressed down so hard he almost resembled a monkey trapped beneath one.
Both of his feet sank into the mud.
"What is your dream?" Chen Gu asked again.
Chen Zili felt even more aggrieved. Grandfather is bullying me!
Under these circumstances, what should I do? A typical grandson would have cried and gone to complain to Grandma, letting her deal with that awful old man!
But who do I complain to?
Maybe... the Valkyrie Aviloya?
"What’s it to you?" Chen Zili snappily retorted. "After all, none of you truly care about me."
Chen Gu released his hand. Chen Zili, feeling resigned, didn’t resist and plopped down onto the muddy ground.
Chen Gu spoke leisurely. "You’re aware of the Endless Realm, so you obviously know about those things too. I didn’t mean to scare you on purpose. I simply wanted you to understand through this experience that your identity is no trivial matter. You are Chen Jixian’s son. You will become a prime target for those entities!"
"If you can’t adjust your mentality, you’ll give those entities the opportunity they’re looking for!"
Chen Zili was taken aback and couldn’t help but glance at Chen Gu. Although he had some of the bad habits of a rich brat, he wasn’t inherently bad. Moreover, his intelligence was up to par, so he understood that everything Chen Gu had said was true.
He secretly felt that this old guy was somewhat profound and unfathomable.
But Chen Zili’s pride wouldn’t allow him to admit defeat. After looking at Chen Gu, he lowered his head again.
Chen Gu sensed the timing was right and, for the third time, asked, "What is your dream?"
This time, Chen Zili was silent for a while before he spoke softly, "I... I want to join the Tiangong Military Division." He paused. Upon seeing that the old man didn’t mock him, he continued, "I want to be like my dad, to become a general, supreme on the battlefield, commanding with ease, and determining victory from miles away!"
Chen Gu silently nodded, understanding. It was because he felt neglected by his father and was desperately trying to achieve what his father had not, to garner his father’s attention and recognition.