CHAPTER 89: HE’S HAPPY HUH?

[Transaction confirmed! Two thousand taels deducted from host’s balance.]

Lin Xu’s eyes widened. "Wait—what?! I didn’t even press confirm!"

[You said ’show me the menu’, and the system recognized that as user consent.]

"Susu! That’s stealing!"

[No, it’s called auto-authorization. Read the fine print next time, Host.]

Lin Xu’s temples throbbed. "Ugh... how much do I even have left now?"

[Checking balance...]

Susu’s glow flickered for a moment before displaying glowing golden numbers in the air.

[Current balance: 46,370 taels remaining.]

Lin Xu frowned. "That’s after deduction?"

[Affirmative. You’ve earned quite a bit these past two months from your shop mainly from your food deliveries. You were at 48,370 before I, uh, helped you spend wisely.]

Lin Xu sighed and slumped back in her chair. "You just spent my hard-earned money like it’s air."

[Don’t be so dramatic. You’ll make it back in a week. Now sit tight, Host, I’m initializing the live-view projection.]

Before Lin Xu could argue again, a faint circle of light appeared in front of her, slowly expanding until it formed a floating, translucent screen.

[Observation mode activated.]

Lin Xu swallowed, her heart pounding despite her words. "Fine... let’s see what this ’upgrade’ is really worth."

[Hehehe, you’re about to find out.]

The glowing screen shimmered for a few seconds before a clear image came into focus. Lin Xu leaned forward instinctively, her hands tightening on the edge of the table.

[Connection stabilized. Location: General’s residence.]

The view settled on a grand courtyard bathed in golden sunlight. Servants moved about briskly, setting up trays of delicacies and soft silk curtains that fluttered gently in the breeze. The atmosphere was bright... almost festive.

Then, the screen shifted, focusing on a tall man in black robes seated on a huge brown polished chair and in front of him were other noble men though the screen didn’t properly show their faces.

Lin Xu’s breath caught. "Mo Ying..." she whispered unconsciously.

He looked the same, yet different, calmer, his once unruly hair now tied neatly with a golden clasp. But the sight of his faint smile as he turned toward a delicate woman dressed in pale pink struck Lin Xu like a blade.

The woman’s hand rested gently over her stomach as Mo Ying adjusted a shawl around her shoulders.

[Looks like he’s really playing the doting husband role, huh?]

"Quiet, Susu."

[What? I’m just pointing out what’s already obvious.]

Lin Xu’s nails dug into her palm, but she didn’t look away. Mo Ying spoke softly to the woman, his expression so gentle that it almost seemed foreign to her.

The princess laughed lightly, touching his arm.

Lin Xu’s heart twisted.

"Is that really the same man who once said he’d protect me no matter what..." she murmured.

[You tell me, Host.]

The screen zoomed closer on Mo Ying’s face as he brushed a loose strand of hair from the princess’s cheek.

Lin Xu exhaled shakily, forcing a bitter smile. "He looks... happy."

[Do you regret seeing it?]

"I don’t know," she said quietly. "Maybe I just needed proof."

[Proof that he’s gone, or proof that he lied?]

Lin Xu didn’t answer. She only stared at the screen until her vision blurred slightly, her emotions mixing between anger, disbelief, and something she couldn’t name.

"Why can’t I hear them?" Lin Xu frowned facing Susu.

[Umm... hahah, sweet host... I forgot to mention that it’s only for viewing not for hearing, if you want to hear then you would have to pay another extra 2000 taels.]

Lin Xu’s mouth fell open. "What?! You’ve got to be kidding me!"

[No kidding, Host. The system never jokes about money.]

"Susu! That’s four thousand taels just to see and hear at the same time!"

[Technically, yes. But think of it as... premium access.]

"Premium my foot!" Lin Xu snapped, glaring at the floating orb. "You’re a scam!"

[Correction: I’m a system with high operational costs. Quality isn’t cheap.]

She rubbed her forehead in frustration. "I should’ve known better than to trust you with anything involving money."

[Oh, come on. You’re already watching something interesting. Don’t you want the full experience?]

"No!" she said firmly, crossing her arms. "Two thousand taels is already painful enough. I’ll just imagine what they’re saying."

[Suit yourself. But from the looks of it, something serious is going on.]

"What do you mean?" Lin Xu turned back to the projection.

The men around Mo Ying had stiff expressions, and their gestures seemed tense, some of them even slamming their palms on the table. Mo Ying, however, stayed calm, leaning back with that same unbothered poise that once made her feel safe... and now just made her furious.

He finally stood up, his robe flowing as he said something to the group. The men bowed slightly, one by one.

Lin Xu narrowed her eyes. "They’re definitely discussing something important... probably military."

[Or maybe about the princess. You never know.]

"Don’t start," Lin Xu muttered.

[Just saying. The man is married now.]

Lin Xu’s jaw tightened. "If I pay another 2000, can I also punch you through the system?"

[Unfortunately, physical violence isn’t part of the upgrade package.]

She groaned. "You’re lucky you’re not tangible."

[Aw, you do care.]

"Susu..."

[Alright, alright! I’ll shut up. But still, for someone who said she didn’t want to see, you’re awfully focused right now.]

Lin Xu’s eyes stayed glued to the screen despite her words. Mo Ying was holding her by the hands as he talked to the other men before him.

’Guess Susu was right, but truly had something to do with her.’

Lin Xu’s heart sank. "So it’s true..." she whispered.

[Looks like it. Pregnant and glowing.]

Lin Xu looked away, her voice low. "End viewing."

The projection dimmed and vanished, leaving the room silent again.

[Observation ended. Would you like to save the location for quick access next time? Only 500 taels—]

"SUSU!"

[Okay, okay! I’m done, I’m done!]

Lin Xu slumped back in her chair, closing her eyes. "I need a refund policy..."

[Sorry, Host. System doesn’t do refunds. But maybe some tea will help.]

Lin Xu sighed, too drained to argue. "Just... disappear for now."

[Gladly. Call me when you’re ready to waste more money.]

"SUSU!"

[Hehehe... logging off.]

The orb flickered and vanished, leaving Lin Xu alone with her silence and the ache that no amount of taels could ever cover.