CHAPTER 27: CHAPTER 27: LIN LI, BE MY SON! (WHITEBEARD VOICE)

The reward for this task is undoubtedly generous, the most generous I’ve seen so far.

This title of "Light of Xiling," no matter how you look at it, is better than my current downgraded version of the Six Gods Aura.

——Summer is almost over.

But, does the system really want me to be the pioneer in suppressing vice?

Speaking of which, what exactly is Xiling Town? Why are there so many chicken farms hidden here?

No, I might be understanding this too narrowly—this involves a basic human need. Regardless of the size of the town, there are actually countless chicken farms and free-range chickens hidden away. They just don’t make it to the mainstream and each has its own way of survival, so outsiders don’t know about them.

After all, if outsiders know, it’s all over.

Unlike the niche second dimension, this is truly stepping out and asking for a funeral.

Just like the classic line from Ghost Academy: Go and tell the world, you’re skyrocketing into a funeral!

However, Lin Li quickly realized the hardest part of completing this task—he’s an outsider.

The Light Noble Health Club only came to his attention because this abstract system notified him of its existence through the task.

Lin Li told Yangliang that his information source was a friend, but he knew very well he just made it up. Without any leads, where would he go to find the other three chicken farms in Xiling Town?

Perhaps when passing by a chicken farm again, the system would notify him in a similar way?

He’s only got a month, Lin Li looked towards the finally unlocked marketplace, and then he saw lock after lock.

[Marketplace has been unlocked.]

[Unlocking will refresh item slot 1, requires a cumulative total of 600 system currency. (300/600)]

[Unlocking will refresh item slot 2, requires a cumulative total of 1000 system currency. (300/1000)]

[After unlocking the previous refreshable item slot, you can view the requirements to unlock refreshable item slot 3.]

Haha.

Lin Li laughed, genuinely amused by his anger—this backwards system.

Did I unlock the marketplace? More like a tease.

Unlocked the right to enter the market, but have not unlocked any products.

Someone please tell Lin Li, what’s the point of browsing an empty supermarket, is it to exercise?

Crap.

My marketplace is still virtual; even strolling is not an option.

If the system had a physical form, Lin Li would probably lift it high above his head, and then pathetically hug it back, muttering—a choice between being frustrated and being angry in frustration.

Did you update so early in the morning just to add this?

Honestly though, seeing this backward maneuver in his system, after a brief angry laugh, Lin Li calmly accepted it.

Thinking deeply about it is terrifying, the system isn’t possibly trying to gaslight me, is it?

The only good news is that unlocking doesn’t consume system currency. I’m still at 300, and slot unlock requirements are cumulative gains, not what you currently hold, so saving up will eventually pay off.

Originally hoping for a chicken farm detector, Lin Li completely gave up this idea, knowing the system is unreliable; he can only rely on himself.

But if you’re unreliable again next time, I really, really will get mad.

"Alright, our task here is pretty much complete. Thanks again, Lin Tongxue, for your help in this case. We won’t disturb you any longer. See you next time during the campus safety knowledge campaign." Sun Ying said to the group.

"Sure, sure, thank you for coming. I’ll see you out." The principal naturally was very cordial.

"No need, no need..."

"It’s alright, it’s alright..."

The adults started their back-and-forth politeness again. The adult world is truly troublesome.

"Xiaolin, why do you seem not particularly happy?" Yangliang asked Lin Li warmly at this moment.

Lin Li was stunned.

Brother Yang, isn’t your target that colleague of yours? Why aren’t you helping her out, instead of staring at me?

And it’s like you’re just making conversation for the sake of it.

Warming me for a whole day doesn’t beat warming her for a whole day.

"No, I’m really happy." Lin Li looked back at the red envelope and supply card in his hands, and his smile became instantly genuine.

"What do you plan to do with the money?" Yangliang asked again.

Spend on games, snacks, buy a Spring Breeze Elf (with the face model), go for a massage again (couldn’t forget last time’s experience), save some for system-enabled task expenses...

That’s what I think, but I can’t say that, Xue Jian is still here: "I’ll supplement household expenses."

"Good kid, good kid." Yangliang nodded with satisfaction, took a deep breath as if making an important decision, then looked over to Xue Jian standing aside: "Teacher Xue, can I speak with Lin Li alone?"

"Ah? Of course, go ahead." Xue Jian had no objection and went to exchange courtesies with the principal.

"Uncle Yang, is there something you want to say?" Lin Li really was puzzled now, feeling he couldn’t quite understand Yangliang’s intentions.

With words seemingly difficult to utter, Yangliang’s lips moved several times without saying anything. Finally, after resolving himself once more, he exhaled, looked earnestly into Lin Li’s eyes, then spoke:

"Lin Li, can I be your dad?"

Lin Li: "?"

This past weekend was really uneasy for Yangliang, after checking the information, discovering all Lin Li said was true, he dreamed constantly of Lin Li’s atypical expression and response upon being asked that question by him.

Hurting a kid like him is truly an unforgivable sin.

Yangliang naturally wanted to compensate this brave-facade wearing teenager.

To get a bonus of three thousand three hundred, Yangliang’s efforts played a particularly important role, and the accompanying supply card was something given out usually as gifts for special occasions among Demon Suppression Envoys, sourced from Yangliang’s share which he forcefully passed to Lin Li.

Even so, Yangliang felt it was insufficient.

Thinking of using it to augment household expenses, truly a thoroughly good child.

So, Yangliang decided —

To the boy I wronged, let it be I who compensates for the fatherly love you missed!

Lin Li, be my son!

The white-bearded Yangliang looked at Lin Li expectantly, waiting for his response.

Lin Li looked at Yangliang, his pupils shaking.

Your mom.

So all this time the target was not Sun Ying, but me!

Yangliang couldn’t possibly be one of those priests who likes boys, right?

Jesus come save me!

Oh, wait, Jesus couldn’t protect a boy even if he covered his behind, there’s a hole in his hand, no wonder the priests were unruly back in the Middle Ages.

Worshipping the west is indeed dangerous.

Apologies, got distracted.

Tathagata come save me!

Tathagata’s hand could suppress Sun Wukong, surely able to protect me, covering me completely.

Unless he suppressed me, but left my backside exposed.

However, facing Yangliang’s gentle gaze, Lin Li quickly calmed down.

No, Yangliang isn’t that sort of person.

Though the time spent with him wasn’t much, it’s still possible to tell if someone’s bad, and Yangliang is a true Demon Suppression Envoy, honorable and righteous, not having such filthy thoughts.

Then what’s meant by these words? Why suddenly want to be my father?

Hold on.

Lin Li’s face turned completely serious, he looked at Yangliang, and said, word for word:

"Uncle Yang, when did you start with my mom?"

Yangliang: "?"