Su Fan knew he had been misunderstood. Su Yutong hadn't explained things clearly, leading Su Dongsheng to misinterpret the situation.
"Uncle, you've misunderstood. It's just that something happened at home, and we're renovating, so I don't have a place to stay. I'm here to borrow a place for a few days. Perhaps Yutong didn't explain it to you clearly," Su Fan quickly clarified, lest the misunderstanding spiral further.
"Ah?"
This time, it was Su Dongsheng's turn to be bewildered.
"Is... is that how it is?"
Su Dongsheng thought back confidently. His daughter really hadn't mentioned that Su Fan was coming to live with her. It seemed he had indeed made a mistake.
"Ahem."
Su Dongsheng coughed twice to cover his embarrassment.
"Actually, what I said earlier isn't entirely unreasonable. If you intend to marry Yutong, it's time for us to meet your parents," Su Dongsheng said, changing the subject.
Su Fan nodded helplessly. But on second thought, he realized he hadn't formally expressed his feelings to Yutong. They had simply progressed to this point silently.
"I'll get a guest room ready for you later. Let's go eat first."
The misunderstanding ultimately ended with a meal.
In the evening, Su Fan entered the game world as usual.
As soon as Su Fan stepped out of his room, he encountered patrolling soldiers. For the past few days, the soldiers searching for Qi Ling had been relentless, patrolling daily and causing unease among the nearby residents. Su Fan exchanged a glance with Long Die, then stepped forward to greet the soldiers himself.
"Esteemed officers, what is the situation that brings you here today?" Su Fan asked with a smile, feigning eagerness.
"Hmph! Someone reported you for harboring a wanted criminal. Is this true?" the leading officer snorted at Su Fan.
Su Fan's expression remained calm. "Officer, you must be mistaken. How could I possibly harbor a wanted criminal? I just bought this residence recently. If you don't believe me, you can ask the Grand Commandant."
Su Fan was not tricked by their ploy. He knew they were merely trying to elicit a confession. Some people with weak wills would reveal their guilt under such pressure. To resolve the immediate trouble quickly, Su Fan directly invoked the authority of the Grand Commandant's mansion.
"The Grand Commandant? You are?"
Upon hearing the title "Grand Commandant," the officer immediately became serious. Soldiers of their rank feared offending powerful figures the most, as a single word from above could cost them their lives.
"I am Su Fan, the Grand Commandant's adopted son," Su Fan stated calmly.
The soldiers were taken aback. They knew the Grand Commandant had recently taken an adopted son, but his biological son had just passed away, and the news hadn't been officially announced yet.
"So it is Young Master Su. We were blind and did not recognize your eminence. We beg your forgiveness, Young Master Su!" The soldiers immediately knelt and apologized to Su Fan. They were tasked with investigating the murderer of Xu Fengnian and were well aware of the affairs of the Grand Commandant's mansion, including the existence of Su Fan.
"It's alright. We are all on the same side. I understand. Why don't you come in and search?" Su Fan moved aside, gesturing for them to proceed with their search.
"No, no need. How could Young Master Su possibly harbor a murderer? We shall not disturb you further." The leading officer quickly waved his hand. If Su Fan, being petty, were to report them to the Grand Commandant, their lives would be forfeit.
"Then I won't see you out," Su Fan said to them. His intention was clear: he was asking them to leave. They understood perfectly.
"We will depart now. We shall not trouble Young Master Su any further." The soldiers wisely retreated.
Su Fan's expression instantly turned cold.
"This is the second group. I fear we won't have peace until Qi Ling is found," Long Die said from behind Su Fan.
"I know. Try to keep Qi Ling from going out, or find an opportunity to send her out of Tianlong City," Su Fan said, realizing this situation was unsustainable. He could deter the soldiers once or twice, but over time, it would inevitably arouse suspicion. The best solution was to get Qi Ling out of the city.
"The entire city is on alert now. Everyone leaving the city is searched. Sending her out seems difficult, doesn't it?" Long Die, though not involved in these matters, knew that Tianlong City was under strict surveillance, and leaving was no easy feat.
"I will find a way," Su Fan sighed.
"What has Xiao Yan been up to lately?" Su Fan asked Long Die. He hadn't seen Xiao Yan for a long time and was curious about his whereabouts.
"How would I know? Perhaps he's gone to a pleasure house again," Long Die replied with a roll of her eyes.
Su Fan was helpless. In this world, without mobile phones, contacting Xiao Yan was difficult.
"By the way, can you teach me 'Soft Fingers'? There are some parts I don't quite understand," Su Fan had been thinking for a while if he could get a top-tier skill in the game for free. Although he had used the skill book in reality, he still had Long Die, a master, at his disposal.
"What parts don't you understand?" Long Die didn't refuse and asked Su Fan what he found unclear so she could explain.
"Uh, none of it," Su Fan replied.
Long Die: ...
Long Die was speechless. All her hard work in transcribing the cultivation method seemed to have been in vain.
"Follow me. I'll teach you hand-in-hand," Long Die, looking exasperated, led Su Fan to the backyard and began teaching him how to use 'Soft Fingers' personally.
After a day's effort, Su Fan finally received the system notification.
[Ding! You have learned the skill Soft Fingers.]
Soft Fingers (Passive)
Type: Assault
Adds 50% cutting damage, adds multiple attacks (2).
This meant that Su Fan's attacks would now deal double damage and an additional 50% cutting damage. Su Fan's strength increased significantly, and he still had many Martial Essence Stones to use for upgrading his skills.
Currently, Su Fan's attributes are as follows:
Su Fan
Level: 36
Health: 3222/3222
Mana: 418/418
Attack Speed: 261.5%
Strength: 252+910
Agility: 77+460
Constitution: 77+460
Intelligence: 77+760+82
Defense: 1365
Base Damage: 3565
Attribute Damage: 11051
Cutting Damage: 1782
Skills: Force Break Thousand Armies max (deals 180% damage), Thunderstorm + (deals 300% attribute damage), Flowing River + (passive, increases damage by 80%, gains 8% damage per consecutive hit), Golden Bell Shield + (provides a shield with 150% defense), Last Minute Effort max (increases weapon damage by 500% after use), Soft Fingers (adds 50% cutting damage, double attack).
Equipment: Two-edged Azure Frost Sword +8, Eight Treasures Exquisite Helmet +8, Two Energies Exquisite Robe +8, Cloud Treading Boots +8, Moon Luo Token +8, Smoke Luo Stone +8.
Total Equipment Enhancement Attributes: Strength +900, Agility +450, Constitution +450, Intelligence +750, Ice Damage, Attribute Damage increased by 310%, Defense increased by 75%, Ice Resistance 35%, Intelligence increased by 10%, Max Movement Speed increased by 200%, Dark Arrow.
Titles: Elite Disciple (All attributes +10), Brothers in Arms (Team damage +50%).
(The above is a simplified compilation of the protagonist's attributes. Please be gentle with your feedback.)