Chapter 117: Chapter 112 Rumors

The Flying Leopard sports car silently stopped in the underground garage, and Gao Xuan helped the slightly tipsy Bai Yutang up to the elevator.

Bai Yutang’s luxury apartment was located within the third ring, occupying three floors, with the top floor being an open-air balcony. It was extremely grand.

There was surprisingly no one else in the room, only a few high-intelligence household robots.

Gao Xuan escorted Bai Yutang to sit on the sofa in the living room and was about to turn and leave.

Bai Yutang lay lazily on the sofa and said, “Don’t go yet, keep me company for a chat. Oh, and go get me a glass of warm water.”

“Okay.”

Gao Xuan wasn’t familiar with the room, but the household robots were very sensible and had already prepared warm water and brought it over to him.

Gao Xuan placed the hot water in Bai Yutang’s hand; if he could open his eyes, from this angle he could see down through the V-neck.

Bai Yutang didn’t mind either and nudged the sofa with her foot: “Sit here.”

Gao Xuan obediently sat down at Bai Yutang’s feet, and she unceremoniously placed both feet on his lap.

She mumbled, “The heels are a bit tight, standing is so tiring.”

Gao Xuan was insightful: “Let me give Sister Tang a massage.”

Without waiting for Bai Yutang’s permission, Gao Xuan directly grabbed her small foot.

Bai Yutang’s feet were shapely and beautiful, warm and smooth to the touch.

Bai Yutang suddenly laughed and withdrew her foot: “It tickles so much, do you even know how to massage, or are you just taking advantage of your sister?”

Gao Xuan took Bai Yutang’s foot again and pressed it twice: “What advantage? We have such a pure sibling-like relationship. I’m even afraid Sister Tang’s feet might stink.”

“Hehehe… You’re the one with stinky feet!”

Bai Yutang giggled, but Gao Xuan’s technique wasn’t bad, and she gradually relaxed.

“I must say, you really do know how to massage. Is this blind massage?”

Bai Yutang joked casually, but she quickly realized it was inappropriate, hurrying to apologize: “I’m just talking nonsense, Ah Xuan, don’t be angry. I talk nonsense when I’m drunk…”

“Blind as I am, there’s nothing wrong in saying it. But I’m blind yet clear at heart. Hahaha…”

Gao Xuan suddenly laughed, leaving Bai Yutang a bit puzzled, “What’s wrong?”

“I just thought of a massage joke.”

“What joke? Tell me,” Bai Yutang asked casually.

“Someone asked a masseur what’s the difference between massaging men and women, and the masseur said, ‘the more you massage a man, the harder he gets; the more you massage a woman, the softer she gets.’

“This joke is so boring and vulgar.”

Bai Yutang retracted her feet and sat up a bit straighter, “Men, regardless of age, are all lecherous.”

Gao Xuan looked innocent: “The desire between men and women is human nature. As long as it’s genuine affection and doesn’t break the law, there’s nothing wrong.”

Bai Yutang gently cupped Gao Xuan’s cheeks: “Ah Xuan, what makes humans human is that beautiful emotions grow from instinct. Emotions are always more important than instincts.”

She said softly, “You’re still young and so handsome, don’t be too casual. When you get older, you’ll realize the emotions of youth are the most genuine. It’s something you’ll never get back.”

Gao Xuan was a bit surprised, how come Bai Yutang wasn’t trying to seduce him, but instead acting like a life coach, pouring her heart out.

Bai Yutang seemed to think of something, became somewhat disinterested, and fell silent without saying more.

Gao Xuan felt that the atmosphere wasn’t quite right, maybe Bai Yutang was employing the “playing hard to get” tactic, preparing for the long game.

After all, jumping into bed on the first go was a bit not in line with Bai Yutang’s identity.

Before Gao Xuan could speak, Bai Yutang suddenly said, “Xiaohong, bring me my guitar.”

The household robot, dressed like a woman, quickly brought over a wooden guitar, which looked very high-end in craftsmanship.

Bai Yutang said to Gao Xuan, “How about I play a piece for you?”

Though she said that, Bai Yutang obviously did not intend to seek Gao Xuan’s opinion. She cradled the guitar and started playing on her own.

Gao Xuan was also fairly proficient in music, but he had not heard this piece before. The style seemed somewhat like that of the Central Star Realm.

Bai Yutang’s playing technique wasn’t particularly advanced, but she was clearly very skilled. This piece must have been played many times.

The melodious guitar piece was very ethereal, yet carried a bit of deep loneliness.

Bai Yutang’s technique was mediocre, but she made up for it with emotion, fully immersing herself in the performance.

Gao Xuan guessed that perhaps Bai Yutang was longing for her hometown, or missing family and friends.

Not all bad people are monsters. Most bad people are just people.

The sincere emotion was conveyed very well through the music.

Gao Xuan couldn’t help but be affected, reflecting on various experiences from his past life, those moments of heartbreak and sorrowful separations. His emotions inevitably drifted a bit.

Once Bai Yutang finished playing, there was a sense of loss and longing in her bright eyes.

Gao Xuan didn’t want to speculate whether Bai Yutang was pretending, there was no need for her to do so. Nor did he need to be so pragmatic.

“I happen to know a piece too, let me share it with Sister Tang.”

Gao Xuan took the guitar from Bai Yutang’s hands and played “The Original Scenery of Hometown.”

It’s a very old piece from Earth’s ancient times, taught to Gao Xuan by an old friend.

This piece performed with a guitar gained some brightness, while losing some of its solemnity.

Even so, the classic piece still conveyed that kind of soul-stirring charm.

Bai Yutang seemed to see rolling green mountains, serene jade waters, the clouds in the sky, the little dog wagging its tail always following her, and the simple yet warm smile of her mother.

She was already somewhat tipsy, her emotions stirred after playing her piece.

This “Original Scenery of Hometown” truly moved her.

Once Gao Xuan finished playing, Bai Yushang remained silent for a while before softly asking, “What is this piece?”

“‘The Original Scenery of Hometown.’ It’s a very, very old piece.”

Gao Xuan sighed softly and said, “This piece is better suited to be played with a xun. Deep, profound, ancient, and simple, it has a charm that purifies the soul.”

“Ah Xuan, are you missing home too, missing your family?”

Bai Yutang gently stroked Gao Xuan’s face with some sympathy, and sighed together with him: “I miss my mom too.”

She regretfully said, “Ah Xuan, if only you were my real brother.”

“I consider you like my real sister.”

Gao Xuan said seriously, “I never randomly acknowledge kinship with anyone. But I feel like we are naturally destined.”

Bai Yutang chuckled, “I believe in you, like I believe in ghosts.”

After a couple of jokes, the previously somber atmosphere completely disappeared.

Bai Yutang regained her composure, “It’s so late now, you don’t need to go back. Just stay in the guest room.”

Gao Xuan thought for a moment and didn’t refuse. Yun Qingshang was in a very good state now and didn’t need his care.

He stayed there, hoping to give Bai Yutang a chance to seduce him. Even if nothing happened, it was always good to cultivate some emotions.

Bai Yutang genuinely didn’t do anything more to him. She went back to her bedroom and never reappeared.

Gao Xuan lay in the room feeling a bit lonely, actually hoping Bai Yutang would sneak over to talk in the middle of the night.

Unfortunately, the “villain” did not make a move.

Early the next morning, Bai Yutang indeed personally came over to call Gao Xuan for breakfast.

The breakfast was simple and unpretentious, yet all consisted of various advanced custom-made foods.

The milk was cultivated in a space base, the bread a specialty from some Star Realm…

Everything consumed was top-notch on this planet. Gao Xuan had to admit in his heart: It’s great to be rich.

These foods were rich in Source Power. Even if not cultivated, eating these daily would build a strong Source Power foundation.

Over time, one’s physical fitness would naturally see a massive improvement.

People of lower and middle classes, on the other hand, eat all sorts of ordinary foods. Their bodily organs constantly wear down with daily consumption.

The disparity in resource distribution leads to the ever-growing gap between the upper and lower-middle classes.

This enormous gap also blocks the upward pathways.

The vast Human Alliance spanning across star systems, while at its peak in power, has already lost much of its vitality from a societal structure perspective.

Such social issues are beyond Gao Xuan’s capacity to solve, even with all his might.

However, external stimulation may break down solidified social structures.

Therefore, future wars are also opportunities for humanity to rise again. Sadly, humanity can’t withstand the combined assaults of other races and faces ultimate destruction.

That’s why Gao Xuan shows no mercy to his enemies, as the majority of the elites are utterly corrupt.

Regarding humanity overall, they aren’t a force of assistance, but a massive tumor.

This includes Bai Yutang. Although she is filled with charm, she remains an enemy.

Gao Xuan doesn’t want to label her as good or evil, but his experience through two lifetimes allows him to view Bai Yutang more rationally.

However, Bai Yutang seemed to have no ill intentions and sent Gao Xuan away after breakfast.

Returning home, Gao Xuan found Wei Zhenzhen standing angrily at the door, clearly waiting for him.

“Where have you been?” Wei Zhenzhen asked indignantly.

“This has nothing to do with you.”

Gao Xuan didn’t want to explain and didn’t feel the need to.

He’d gone over the issue with Wei Zhenzhen, but this girl just stubbornly treated him like her private property.

This time, Wei Zhenzhen was indeed a bit angry; she’d been trying to contact Gao Xuan for over ten days without any response.

As soon as Gao Xuan emerged, he went to see the old woman Bai Yutang. If it were another beauty, she’d let it slide. But Bai Yutang was nearly the same age as her mother.

“Brother, if you need money, just tell me. How could you go to someone like Bai Yutang, such an old woman!”

Wei Zhenzhen assumed Gao Xuan was financially supported by Bai Yutang, puzzled as to why he wouldn’t just ask her for money.

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

Gao Xuan gave no explanation and went into his room on his own.

Wei Zhenzhen pouted and stayed angry for a while before stomping her foot, “Hmph, I will melt your heart with love!”

She entered the room, obediently apologizing to Gao Xuan. Her attitude was somewhat humble.

Gao Xuan was indifferent. Wei Zhenzhen wasn’t his girlfriend, just his playmate. Unfortunately, Wei Zhenzhen always mixed up this positioning.

Although Wei Zhenzhen didn’t pursue this matter, rumors about Gao Xuan and Bai Yutang spread.

Jiang Xuejun wasn’t angry upon hearing the news; instead, she sent Gao Xuan an emoji with a thumbs-up: Nice job!

Jiang Xuejun didn’t mean it sarcastically. She had figured it out too; if Bai Yutang were dating Gao Xuan, she couldn’t possibly become her stepmother.

Although Jiang Xuejun felt a bit uncomfortable, losing a stepmother was still a good thing.

Jiang Haoran, of course, heard about it too, but he didn’t care. Who was Bai Yutang, and how could she get involved with a kid?

Bai Yutang also didn’t care about these rumors and often invited Gao Xuan to go out and wine and dine, have fun.

They would attend upscale wine tastings at high-end parties, play cards at private clubs, go boating and fishing on the Celestial Water River, watch meteorites in space, etc. All these activities were luxurious and in need of ample financial backing.

Similarly, enjoying these activities was an extravagantly lavish experience.

Bai Yutang believed this indulgent lifestyle would be quite impactful to a young man from the wilderness. Throughout this process, it could gradually and subtly corrode Gao Xuan.

After that night, Bai Yutang genuinely started to like Gao Xuan somewhat.

In her eyes, Gao Xuan was no longer a naive boy, but a friend with whom she could have intellectual conversations.

Of course, this realization didn’t stop Bai Yutang from carrying out her plan.

By bringing a good friend into the organization, they could exchange more deeply and also have mutual interests. Moreover, the organization is incredibly powerful, offering Gao Xuan a better future. This was by no means a bad thing.

As Bai Yutang and Gao Xuan became closer and closer, the rumors also increased.

Even Wei Ming heard the buzz and went to Wei Yue, “Gao Xuan is mixed up with Bai Yutang, aren’t you going to do something about it?”

Wei Yue was a bit confused, “Why should I intervene?

“Gao Xuan has nothing to do with me, and I can’t control Bai Yutang. Even if they actually have something going on, it’s reasonable and legal.”

Wei Yue looked at Wei Ming, “I always feel like you have some opinion about Gao Xuan?”

Wei Ming laughed dryly, “How could I, I’ve never met him. I’m just worried about Zhenzhen.”

Wei Yue pondered for a moment and said, “Gao Xuan saved me and also saved Zhenzhen. He’s a really good person. It’s just that Bai Yutang is no saint, so I should have a talk with him… whatever difficulties he has, I can help.”

Wei Ming was astonished that Wei Yue treated Gao Xuan so well. People might think Gao Xuan was her real son and Wei Zhenzhen was adopted…

(Fourth update serving at full throttle, seeking support)