Ch 49: After My Mother Returned to the Rich Family

Ruan Cha had no idea that her hearty laughter had caused her parents to misunderstand her. Watching the video of Ren Qingqing endlessly running laps because of her inability to recite Latin, Ruan Cha felt her impulsive decision as a child to take two months of Latin lessons after watching Dora the Explorer had proven incredibly useful.

However funny it was, her laughter eventually subsided. After all, with the system calculating each lap as 1000 meters, Ren Qingqing had a long way to run. Judging by the onlookers in the video, it wouldn’t be surprising if Ren Qingqing, after being struck by lightning, became a hot topic again under the hashtag #NightRunningMadness.

Not needing to become an actress to trend on social media—Ren Qingqing might actually enjoy this.

“Human nature.” Ruan Cha softly murmured, thinking about Ren Qingqing’s actions, and then recalled the A and B tasks she saw on the white system panel.

The panel stated that the system originally didn’t have B tasks. However, some high-IQ individual had whimsically added them to test human nature.

Ren Qingqing had thoroughly embodied the greed and selfishness of humanity, relentlessly pursuing B tasks in ways that baffled comprehension.

“The system originates from a higher plane, perhaps even the future. But how did Yu Zhiyan know that Ren Qingqing had a learning system?”

Ruan Cha picked up a pen and began mapping out the relationships between individuals on her open notebook. From her family, to the Liang family, the Song family, and Yu Zhiyan—every arrow she drew ultimately pointed to Yu Zheng.

“Does Yu Zheng have a connection with the system?” Ruan Cha rested her chin on one hand, her usually straightforward thought process now forced into more complex reasoning. “The system’s developer? The designer of the B tasks? Or… a former host?”

Ruan Cha scratched her head in frustration. She didn’t have enough evidence to make her family wary of Yu Zheng. And no matter which of the three roles he played, it was clear at a glance—he wasn’t someone easy to deal with, especially since she had no deep understanding of the system.

Wait.

Ruan Cha suddenly sat upright, turning her attention to the “3 points” displayed on the panel and the “Library” button. She lacked the knowledge to research the system herself, but could the futuristic “Library” yield answers?

Looking at her measly 3 points, Ruan Cha didn’t hesitate. She tapped the “Library” button.

[Would you like to open the library? Opening it will reset your points to zero. Yes/No.]

The System Mall was tempting—there might be something in there to counter the system or Yu Zheng. But with Ren Qingqing down to only 2 points, Ruan Cha doubted she’d even have the chance to save up the 10 points needed to temporarily unlock the mall.

Besides, if unlocking the mall was so expensive, how affordable could its items be?

Ruan Cha didn’t overthink it. She reached out again and selected “Yes.” In the next moment, a burst of white light flashed before her eyes, accompanied by the familiar electronic tone of the system.

[Ding! The Library is now open. Current time: Star Era 1748.]

Ruan Cha: …

Star Era 1748? Are you cursing me or what?

After mentally complaining, she looked up and was immediately stunned by the sight around her. She was still in her room, but now, surrounding her, appeared rows upon rows of circular bookshelves displayed as projections. On the shelves hovered tennis-ball-sized orbs—some glowed softly, while others were dim and gray.

Floating above each orb were lines of small text.

Ruan Cha stared in awe at the holographic library around her, the floating orbs and glowing texts adding an air of mystery to the once-familiar room. Each orb seemed to contain condensed knowledge, its brightness perhaps indicating its accessibility or significance.

She reached out hesitantly to the closest glowing orb. As her fingertips brushed it, the text above the orb illuminated.

[System Architecture: Fundamental Principles and Historical Evolution, Star Era 1734–1748.]

Her heart skipped a beat. Could this be the key to understanding the system’s origin—and by extension, Yu Zheng’s connection to it? Without hesitation, she focused on the text, and the orb began to expand, transforming into a virtual screen that projected detailed diagrams and paragraphs in an unfamiliar language.

“Translate,” she commanded instinctively.

The text shifted, morphing into readable Chinese characters.

“The conceptual foundation of systems capable of interdimensional tasks began in Star Era 1734, spearheaded by…”

Ruan Cha skimmed through, picking out critical pieces of information. It seemed the system had been designed not just for learning or experimentation but also for assessing human decision-making under unique and controlled conditions. The A and B task dichotomy, in particular, had been an experimental feature added by an anonymous designer—a rogue element within the system’s team who believed that humanity’s true nature could only be revealed through calculated temptation.

The text provided no direct names but hinted at individuals deeply involved in psychology, cognitive science, and behavioral programming.

“Yu Zheng,” Ruan Cha muttered, her mind racing. Could he be one of these contributors—or someone who had taken control of the system after its creation?

She glanced at the other orbs. Most of the glowing ones were labeled with similar topics: [Behavioral Experiments in System Frameworks], [The Ethics of Interdimensional Systems], and [Case Studies of Host-Driven System Failures].

Ruan Cha reached for another orb but paused. The 3 points she had spent were likely not enough to unlock everything. She needed to prioritize what would provide the most actionable knowledge.

Her eyes fell on a dim orb with faint lettering: [System Anomalies and Unregulated Activities]. Unlike the glowing orbs, this one seemed restricted.

A system prompt appeared as she reached for it:

[Insufficient permissions. Required points: 15.]

She sighed, withdrawing her hand. The locked orb was tantalizing but beyond her reach for now.

“Step by step,” she murmured to herself. Gathering the critical knowledge available to her would have to suffice for now.

Closing the library interface, she leaned back, her mind buzzing with the implications of what she had learned. It was no longer a question of whether Yu Zheng was involved—there was a pattern too deliberate to ignore.

Her gaze shifted to the night sky outside her window. “If the system is designed to test human nature, then let’s see who’s better at playing this game, Yu Zheng.”

With newfound determination, Ruan Cha flipped open her notebook, jotting down her thoughts and plans for the next steps. Her usual straightforward approach had to take a backseat to strategy now—because against Yu Zheng, she couldn’t afford to make a single mistake.

Above each orb, lines of tiny text floated, all written in simplified Chinese. The subjects ranged widely, from agriculture and water conservancy to computer science, materials, and medicine—much like the offerings of a modern library.

Ruan Cha chuckled with a mix of pride and amusement as she muttered, “It’s already Star Era 1700-something, and our Chinese characters are still thriving?”

Her gaze locked onto the glowing orb labeled “Computer Science”. Almost instinctively, as her thoughts focused, a book titled “Introduction to Artificial Intelligence Applications” emerged from the orb and landed in her hands.

She weighed the book lightly—it had no weight, almost as if it wasn’t physical. Carefully opening the cover, she saw familiar simplified Chinese characters written inside.

As she skimmed the chapter titles in the table of contents, her fingers tapped lightly on the desk. Judging by the content, if she reached a certain level of understanding, she might actually be able to dismantle the system from the inside.

Whether or not Yu Zheng was connected to the system, destroying it would at least temporarily eliminate the threat it posed to her and Xu Nan.

A renewed sense of purpose sparked in Ruan Cha. Holding the newly acquired book, she dove into its pages with intense focus. The sooner she dismantled the system, the sooner she could expose Yu Zheng—and the sooner she could return to her dream of becoming a carefree “salted fish.” There was no room for delay!

Under the glow of her desk lamp, one determined salted fish was laboring to flip itself over once again.

---

Though Ruan Cha had a reputation for being lazy, once she set a goal, she tended to immerse herself fully. On Friday evening and throughout the day on Saturday, except for breaks for breakfast and lunch, she remained holed up in her room, engrossed in study.

It wasn’t until evening when the housekeeper knocked on her door, reminding her to change into her formal dress, that Ruan Cha realized she had unknowingly spent nearly 24 hours buried in a book—without even a hint of boredom.

Ruan Cha: “…”

Her past self would never have believed it.

Leaving her room, Ruan Cha allowed the housekeeper to help her into the new custom dress. Sitting before the vanity, she let the makeup artist, whom Liang Cunjin had hired, start on her makeup.

“Auntie, have my parents returned yet?” Ruan Cha asked as she adjusted her posture.

She had been told during breakfast that her parents had gone out to “work hard” but had yet to make an appearance.

“Not yet,” the housekeeper replied warmly. “The old master has been urging them too. I heard they’re on their way back now.” She glanced at Ruan Cha and beamed with affection. “Cha Cha, you look just like a little princess in this dress.”

Realizing her slip, she quickly corrected herself, “No, no, you are our family’s little princess.”

Ruan Cha, used to wearing dresses, didn’t feel out of place. Smiling softly, she replied, “Thank you, Auntie.”

Her gentle smile was like an arrow to the hearts of both the housekeeper and the makeup artist. Raising such an adorable child is truly rewarding, they silently agreed.

Originally, the Liang family had planned to hold the banquet for Ruan Cha’s birthday in two weeks. However, Ruan Cha, feeling that the banquet should really celebrate her mother, suggested moving the date up. After some discussion, the family agreed on Saturday evening.

To the right of the main Liang family residence stood a banquet hall, specifically constructed years ago for hosting guests. This allowed the family to hold events at home, ensuring both a relaxed schedule and a comfortable atmosphere.

As Ruan Cha descended the stairs, she encountered Old Master Liang and Liang Zongqi escorting an elderly man in a Zhongshan suit. The man had a head of snow-white hair and a composed gaze, though a 1cm scar at the corner of his right eye lent him a stern appearance. Upon closer inspection, however, his gentle features softened that impression.

“Grandpa, Uncle,” Ruan Cha greeted.

Old Master Liang looked up, his face lighting up with joy at the sight of Ruan Cha. “Cha Cha looks so beautiful—she’s grown up! Your father and I are going to have our hands full.”

Liang Zongqi nodded in agreement. “And the dress your mother commissioned matches you perfectly.”

The pure white dress, with a hem draped in a shimmering layer of sequined tulle, swayed with graceful fluidity as Ruan Cha descended. The movement of the skirt seemed to mimic flowing starlight, exuding an air of understated elegance that captivated onlookers.

Ruan Cha paused mid-step. “Busy with what?”

The unfamiliar elderly man smiled faintly. “Perhaps busy chasing off the young lads eager to curry your favor.”

Ruan Cha’s fair cheeks turned a soft pink at the comment, and she offered a shy smile, her lips curving slightly.

Seeing her descend, Old Master Liang quickly introduced the guest. “Cha Cha, this is Grandpa Shen. He’s… an old friend of mine.”

Hearing this, Ruan Cha obediently greeted him. “Good evening, Grandpa Shen.”

Old Master Shen nodded, his expression softening, making the scar at his eye seem less severe. “Good evening, Cha Cha. You know—” He paused, then chuckled lightly. “An old friend of mine has a granddaughter about your age. You two are equally charming.”

After a few polite exchanges, Old Master Liang and Liang Zongqi escorted Shen upstairs. As Ruan Cha watched them go, she noted how her grandfather’s demeanor reflected a clear respect for Grandpa Shen—far more than one might show an ordinary friend. The air between them suggested that Shen was an exceptionally significant guest.

As Ruan Cha’s gaze lingered upward, Shen glanced back at her. His eyes paused briefly on her features, a flicker of emotion passing through his expression before quickly fading.

---

In the reception room upstairs, Old Master Liang set aside his earlier casual demeanor. With a heavy expression, he spoke earnestly. “Master Shen, later this evening, I’ll bring my second daughter in for a conversation. Could you take a look?”

Despite their extensive investigation, they had failed to uncover any clear ties between the Song family, his second daughter, and any prominent psychologist. Besides her excessive attention to the Song family, she exhibited no other overtly suspicious behavior.

Out of options, they had invited Shen. Known as an anomaly in his field, Shen was reputed for his dual expertise—dabbling in both feng shui and psychology.

If one were to describe him succinctly, Shen Old Master could be considered a “freelancer” of modern psychology and mysticism.

Upon hearing Old Master Liang’s request, Shen nodded lightly in agreement.

Seeing this, Old Master Liang and Liang Zongqi exchanged a glance. While they felt a sense of relief, a trace of nervousness also crept in. They couldn’t decide whether they hoped the second daughter had truly been manipulated or not.

---

8:00 PM.

The guests invited by the Liang family had started to arrive one after another. As the evening’s central figure, Wei Jiao was accompanied by Old Master Liang, being introduced to various attendees. Meanwhile, Ruan Cha and Ruan Zhengfei were lounging in a corner, enjoying a rare moment of relaxation before the banquet officially began.

Ruan Zhengfei leaned back in his chair, sipping juice lazily. “Cha Cha, where are your classmates?”

“My invitations said 8:30,” Ruan Cha replied before taking a bite of her pudding. “What about the uncles and elders you invited?”

Ruan Zhengfei froze for a moment, a hint of embarrassment crossing his face. “Your mom and I realized on the way back that we forgot to send the invitations, so I texted them one by one. Not sure how many will actually show up.”

Ruan Cha: …

A truly next-level laid-back dad.

Just as the two were enjoying their blissful, carefree moment, someone came along to stir the pot.

“Brother-in-law, what are you and Cha Cha doing hiding in the corner? Shouldn’t you be greeting the guests?” Liang Qianling immediately sought out Ruan Zhengfei and Ruan Cha upon arriving.

Initially, she thought Old Master Liang had invited her back out of regret for his previous actions. But upon surveying the scene, it was clear that he intended to use her to create a facade of family harmony!

Why should she contribute to Ruan’s family’s success?

“Then again,” Liang Qianling added, feigning a realization as she covered her mouth with a laugh, “most of the guests here are our Liang family’s friends. It’s no wonder you feel too awkward to mingle—after all, you probably don’t know anyone here. How about I introduce you around? Considering your lack of connections, you’d have to rely on our Liang family’s network anyway.”

Though her tone was neither loud nor quiet, it was enough for nearby guests to catch the gist of her words. She was clearly insinuating that Ruan Zhengfei was a freeloader with no social network of his own, merely benefiting from the Liang family’s status.

Ruan Cha glanced at the mocking expression on Liang Qianling’s face and concluded that, hypnotized or not, she simply couldn’t warm up to this second aunt.

Just as she was about to retort, she noticed someone entering the venue, her eyes lighting up. Quickly, she nudged Ruan Zhengfei. “Dad, Uncle Ye is here—he’s waving at you!”

“I see him,” Ruan Zhengfei grumbled, scratching his head in mild annoyance as he stood up. “Waving? More like reminding me I still owe him 500 from a card game!”

Their home was filled with jade ornaments, yet the man himself was stingy to a fault, always coming over for free meals and never cutting any slack in card games.

After muttering his complaint, Ruan Zhengfei went over to greet Ye.

Meanwhile, the guests who had overheard Liang Qianling’s earlier remarks now watched, dumbfounded, as the supposedly connection-less Ruan Zhengfei greeted South City’s jade tycoon, Mr. Ye, with a hearty, brotherly hug.

The guests: …

So, Liang’s second daughter thinks she’s too good for even the Ye family now? Ambitions reaching Mount Everest, perhaps?