Chapter Seventy-Five: The Aberration Emerges

“What the hell…?” Chen Hao, seeing what Shaotian was holding, was so angry he nearly started cursing. “This is what Dad told you to bring me?”

Shaotian looked awkward as well, nodding stiffly. “Yes, and the master gave it to me personally, instructing me to hand it over to you myself.”

“My father…” Chen Hao trailed off, glancing at the three women in the room who were watching him with sly, mischievous expressions. He lowered his voice, “What does my father mean by this?”

Shaotian shook his head. “He didn’t tell me the specific reason, only asked me to relay a message: he said you should take it easy, don’t be too rough.”

“Goddammit!” Chen Hao swore loudly. “Is that something a real father would say?!”

The three women, who had been a bit embarrassed, couldn’t help but burst out laughing when they heard Shaotian’s words—even Dong Xin, who still harbored resentment toward Chen Hao, laughed. None of them had expected Chen Hao’s father to be such an old rascal… to personally buy his son *that* and have someone deliver it.

However, did Shaotian come all this way just to bring gifts for the two women or for Chen Hao? Was it really necessary for a personal delivery? Wouldn’t it have been easier to use a courier service?

Dong Xin, growing suspicious, intended to listen in on the two men’s conversation. But before she could act, Chen Hao grabbed Shaotian by the sleeve. “Let’s go outside and chat, have a smoke. I haven’t had a single puff since getting off the plane—I’m dying here!”

He greeted the three women and, half dragging, half pulling, hauled Shaotian out of the room.

Dong Xin wanted badly to follow and eavesdrop, knowing that as Chen Hao’s father’s assistant, Shaotian wouldn’t have come all this way just to deliver a few items. He must have another reason for seeking Chen Hao out. She even suspected that Chen Hao’s ability to enter the game before it officially launched was directly tied to his father’s influence. Gu Mengyan might not know what Chen Hao’s father had been up to lately, but Dong Xin had some idea. She had every reason to believe that Chen Hao’s early entry into the game was probably orchestrated and facilitated by his father.

Still, it was bold of Chen Hao’s father to let his son take such a risk. The virtual reality created by Illusion Corporation was no ordinary online computer game.

Even so, no matter how much Dong Xin wanted to uncover the truth, she couldn’t shamelessly follow Chen Hao outside and listen in, not with her current status.

She regretted not having installed a listening device in the corridor earlier. Now, she could only stay in the room with Gu Mengyan and Fan Yirou, chatting idly. Of course, most of the conversation revolved around the item Shaotian had brought.

“Hey! Why would Uncle Chen send Chen Hao that?” Gu Mengyan blushed and asked Fan Yirou, “Does he think Chen Hao came here with us to…”

Fan Yirou, chin in hand and clearly entertained, picked up the little box Chen Hao had left on the table and teased Gu Mengyan. “What’s wrong? Is our adorable little Mengyan tempted? Do you want to try it out with Chen Hao? Are you going to help him put it on, or will he do it himself?”

“Ugh, no way!” Gu Mengyan spat, flustered. “You’re the one who’s tempted! I’m Chen Hao’s sister! Don’t talk nonsense!”

She shot Fan Yirou a pointed look, reminding her that there was an outsider present—don’t say anything you shouldn’t.

Fan Yirou was just joking and didn’t pursue the matter. She knew Gu Mengyan didn’t want others to know about her feelings for Chen Hao.

But Gu Mengyan’s expression didn’t escape Dong Xin’s notice. Dong Xin, though surprised, kept her face neutral, thinking to herself, “So the young lady adopted by the Chen family actually likes their eldest son! How unexpected.”

On second thought, it made sense. According to the information she had, the two had grown up together without any blood ties—childhood companions often end up together.

Judging by their conversation, it seemed to be a one-sided crush on Gu Mengyan’s part—was Chen Hao oblivious? Hmph! Men really are fools.

Still, none of this related to Dong Xin’s purpose in getting close to them. It was merely additional intelligence, of little value.

Her real goal was to grow closer to Gu Mengyan and Fan Yirou. No matter how Chen Hao felt about Gu Mengyan, it was clear their relationship was special, and Fan Yirou too. Both girls seemed fond of Chen Hao, and he liked them as well.

Therefore, as long as she became friends with the two girls and spent more time around them, she’d have more opportunities to interact with Chen Hao. Whether she wanted revenge or was gathering information for her company, it would be advantageous.

With that, Dong Xin proactively joined the conversation. “Haha! Who would have thought Chen Hao’s father would be so interesting, providing his son with… safety precautions.”

She smiled slyly. “But I am curious—who did his father think Chen Hao would be using this with? Mengyan or Yirou?”

“Please excuse me for calling you by your names, it just feels more natural. I hope you don’t mind.”

Gu Mengyan waved her hand. “It’s fine, just call us that. As for your question, hmph! I bet Uncle Chen thinks Chen Hao came to Coster to find some pretty girl and have a good time—he definitely didn’t intend it for either of us!”

Fan Yirou nodded in agreement. “I think so too! Uncle Chen is sharp in business, but when it comes to his son or matters of the heart, he’s so clueless.”

“Exactly!” Gu Mengyan chimed in, her tone full of dissatisfaction.

“Oh?” Dong Xin grinned. “Why do I sense a hint of jealousy in your voices? Are you envious, jealous, or just lonely?”

The two girls were stunned, then simultaneously blushed with indignation. “Dong Xin! We’ve only just met and you’re already teasing us? Yirou, let’s get her!”

“You got it!”

The two girls, in perfect sync, pounced on Dong Xin, playfully pinning her to the sofa and tickling her mercilessly.

Normally, with Dong Xin’s tough skills, the two girls wouldn’t stand a chance. But for the sake of appearances, she let them have their fun, occasionally fighting back and laughing, “The way you two are acting only confirms my suspicions—not only are you close as sisters, you’re rivals in love!”

That only made the scene livelier. Fan Yirou and Gu Mengyan, now with their own thoughts, started targeting each other as well as Dong Xin, so the two-against-one tussle became a three-way skirmish, filling the room with the laughter of three girls.

With all the roughhousing, their clothes inevitably became a bit disheveled, revealing more than intended. At that very moment, Chen Hao happened to walk in.

He was dumbfounded by the scene before him, not knowing quite where to look. Gu Mengyan was his sister, so there was no harm in seeing her. Fan Yirou, however, was the woman he hoped would become his wife someday—why not take the opportunity to feast his eyes? As for Dong Xin, he suspected she was getting close to the two girls because of him. Since he’d already chosen to turn a blind eye, he figured it was only fair to get some benefit now.

Though his previous encounters with this woman had been unpleasant, he had to admit that, setting aside her tomboyish demeanor, she was quite attractive in both looks and figure.

Just then, three sharp screams rang out, followed by flying pillows.

Chen Hao caught one in each hand, then kicked another aside, clearing his throat. “All right, all right! Play around if you must, but watch yourselves. Shaotian and I are going for a walk to get to know Coster a bit. Don’t run off. Wait for us to come back for dinner!”

Without waiting for a response from the three furious girls, he made a hasty escape.

Outside, Chen Shaotian was standing stiffly, waiting for him. As soon as Chen Hao left the hotel room and the door closed behind him, the lecherous look vanished from his face, replaced by a stern expression.

He spoke gravely, “Let’s go, Shaotian. Find a quiet place where we can sit and talk.”

Shaotian seemed unsurprised by Chen Hao’s shift in demeanor and nodded respectfully, leading the way.

At the same time, in the depths of the Grand Forest of Coster, at the site of that strange building, the ground was littered with corpses and blood pooled everywhere, forming a crimson pond. Human weapons and equipment were strewn about, some still clutched by severed hands—a sight so horrific few could bear to look.

Around this hellish scene, more people had gathered—the backup teams sent by various security companies. Some of the younger members vomited at the sight, while even battle-hardened veterans had to cover their noses and furrow their brows.

Then, from the back of the crowd, a man stepped forward, fanning himself casually with a folding fan as if nothing around him mattered, completely unfazed. What chilled the onlookers even more was that, after reaching the front, he crouched by the pool of blood, dipped his finger into it, then licked it thoughtfully.

“Mmm. No mistake—it’s those ones.”