Chapter 2: You're Not Mute?!

What Shen Xing said was not insincere.

For in the ten years spent with the Tang family, not all memories were pleasant.

The first seven years were tolerable, as Grandfather Tang remained at home and no one dared to criticize him. But as the old man’s end drew near, he was forced to leave in search of a breakthrough, passing the family headship to Tang Tianming.

From that moment, without Grandfather Tang’s restraint, the attitude of the Tang family toward Shen Xing changed utterly.

An outsider, yet enjoying the very best the family had to offer.

Worse still, his aptitude was abysmal; he contributed nothing to the family. Most crucial of all, this debt of gratitude was a bottomless pit, with no end in sight—a truly despairing prospect.

If not for the fact that breaking the engagement would affect Tang Xinya’s future, Tang Tianming would never have kept Shen Xing this long.

Now, seeing Shen Xing inclined to leave of his own accord, Tang Tianming could not help but feel inward delight.

However, the matter of the engagement had been decreed by his father as an absolute order. Hearing no news of the old man’s death, Tang Tianming dared not defy him.

At this moment, Zhao Sujuan took up the conversation:

“Xiao Xing, you’re being too formal. After ten years together, we are already a family. As for the engagement, you mustn’t refuse it. Since the old master agreed to it, it is the children’s duty to obey. Don’t let me become an unfilial daughter-in-law.”

“If you truly believe the Tang family owes you nothing, then marry Xue’er well and take care of her as her mother asks. Let us become even closer as a family!”

Zhao Sujuan’s words were full of sincerity, leaving no room for reproach.

Yet those with more experience heard her true intent beneath the surface.

By marrying off the adopted daughter, Tang Xue’er, to the “useless” Shen Xing and destroying her happiness and prospects, she removed the greatest threat to her own daughter. Tang family resources would then be even more concentrated on Tang Xinya.

If Tang Xue’er were not married to Shen Xing, given her beauty, she would likely marry into a prominent family or become the favored concubine of a powerful figure. With such backing, Tang Xinya would face a real threat.

Thus, forcing Tang Xue’er to marry Shen Xing was a stroke of cunning—killing two birds with one stone.

Shen Xing, naturally, saw all of this clearly.

He thought to himself: Even if I don’t marry her today, Zhao Sujuan’s venomous nature means she’ll surely devise some other cruel scheme against her. Forget it—on account of the kindness Xue’er has shown me, I will save her this once.

He remembered that after Grandfather Tang left, his former playmates quickly changed their attitudes. This led to a time when, gravely ill, Shen Xing was left entirely unattended. Unable to get out of bed, the entire Tang family treated him as if he didn’t exist, content to let him die.

Only Tang Xue’er, finding him near unconsciousness, sought help, found a doctor, and cared for him for days.

In Shen Xing’s heart, this was a life-saving debt he was determined to repay.

Thus, without further hesitation, Shen Xing picked up the brush and wrote a single word: “Agreed,” showing it to all present.

Zhao Sujuan let out a sigh of relief, her face blossoming with enthusiasm as she said, “Now I am truly at ease. Wonderful! Xue’er, you and Shen Xing have known each other for years—no need for shyness. You two should discuss your wedding plans at once. In one week, we’ll hold the ceremony!”

She was in such a hurry that she would have married them off immediately if she could; seven days was the limit of her patience.

Tang Xue’er nodded like a puppet, her eyes red as she approached Shen Xing. “Come to my room. There are things I need to say to you.”

Shen Xing nodded in response.

Leaving everyone behind, the two ascended the winding staircase and entered Tang Xue’er’s room.

To be honest, upon entering, Shen Xing’s understanding of the word “boudoir” was completely upended. If he hadn’t known better, he’d have thought he’d stepped into the room of an iron-blooded bachelor.

It was the epitome of minimalism—bare grids, no cute decorations, scarcely any furnishings, and what little there was could only be called spare. Everywhere he looked, Shen Xing found nothing superfluous.

Tang Xue’er locked the door behind them and immediately began rummaging through the room. Shen Xing watched, amused, as she pulled out one wallet after another, then extracted a stack of hundred-yuan bills from each of over a dozen books.

After a while, Tang Xue’er placed all the money on the bed and beckoned for Shen Xing to sit.

“Shen Xing, you shouldn’t have agreed to marry me. They’re only going through with the engagement because Tang Xinya hasn’t started school yet—they’re worried about failing a background check.”

“But once Tang Xinya starts, even if you marry me, they’ll still find ways to make things difficult and drive you out,” she said, her voice full of concern.

Shen Xing smiled faintly, thinking the girl was quite sharp.

“This is fifty thousand yuan, all my savings over the years. It isn’t much—you know what my situation’s like. Aunt Zhao keeps a close eye on me. Take the money and leave the Tang family, wherever you wish. Go live your own life, and have nothing more to do with this family!”

Shen Xing picked up pen and paper from the desk and wrote: If I take the money, what about you?

Tang Xue’er smiled wistfully. “I started saving in hopes of leaving the Tang family one day, but later realized Zhao Sujuan would never let me go. So it’s useless for me to keep it. I’m giving it to you today—let me live vicariously through your freedom.”

Shen Xing wrote again: What if we escape together?

Tang Xue’er was briefly moved, but shook her head. “You could make it out on your own. But if you take me, you won’t get far. The Tang family has not yet gotten their full return on raising me. If they discovered my escape, they’d never let it rest.”

She looked up, eyes red and glittering with unshed tears.

“Shen Xing, the world outside is dangerous, and you can’t speak. You must be very careful and avoid talking to strangers. Some people are cruel and love to bully those weaker than themselves.”

“There isn’t much money, but keep it well hidden. Don’t show it off—if it gets stolen, that’s one thing, but if you run into someone truly vicious, you may lose your life.”

Tang Xue’er’s words tumbled out without pause, her worry for him evident.

Her concern moved Shen Xing deeply. As he listened, his gaze fell upon the countdown panel in his mind.

The timer ticked down, second by second—only ten seconds remained before it reached zero.

No one knew he’d been watching this countdown for ten years.

During that time, he’d had to supply it with energy, and it had even forced him into silence. His frail body was inseparable from the energy the panel consumed.

Now, as zero approached, Shen Xing’s heart surged with excitement.

“I truly want to see what kind of system takes ten years to activate. If it isn’t powerful enough, who would I even complain to?”

3…2…1!

[Ten years complete. Startup conditions met!]

[Congratulations, Host! You have activated the Ten-Thousandfold Return System (Women’s Expenditure Version).]

[Any resource you spend on women shall be returned to you ten thousandfold.]

[Note: The system is equipped with intelligent detection. Attempts to game the system will not trigger any return.]

Upon reading the final line, Shen Xing asked, “So, if I take the first returned resources and immediately spend them on women again, I won’t get a second return? Is that right?”

[Absolutely correct. The host is truly clever.]

With the system finally activated, Shen Xing breathed a genuine sigh of relief.

Though his wits had always served him well, in this era of martial prowess, who didn’t long to become a hero admired by all?

“With this system, I will surely stand at the summit of the world!”

Shen Xing’s heart swelled with grand ambition.

“Hurry and go!” Tang Xue’er urged. “Now that they’re pleased and off their guard, it’s the best chance. The Tang family is rife with undercurrents these days—who knows what may happen if you stay. Farewell, Shen Xing!”

She wiped away her tears, packed the money into a backpack, and tried to hand it to him.

But Shen Xing took the bag, tossed it back onto the bed, and instead grasped her hand.

“It’s time you started calling me husband.”

Tang Xue’er blushed, but her eyes widened in shock. “You can speak? You’re not mute?!”