Chapter 52: Because He’s Good-Looking

Yuan An chimed in to persuade him as well, “Yeah, Third Brother, let’s just head back for now. There’s no rush to make money right this minute. Besides, we brought out more than half the imperial treasury with us, and I even brought most of my dad’s private stash too. We’re not exactly hurting for cash right now. And as for the treasure chest not opening, maybe it’s because our hands are still dirty and unlucky. Once we’re all cleaned up, maybe our luck will turn around…”

Wu Xingyu glanced down at his hands, still streaked with a bit of mud, his gaze deep and thoughtful.

Hmm, he thought this kid actually made a lot of sense. His scowl eased a little, and he reluctantly agreed to head back first.

Yun Qimu, who had just started to feel a bit of sympathy for him, thought: …These rich people really don’t deserve any sympathy!!!

As soon as they got back, Wu Xingyu knocked Pei Yu—who was still in the bathroom, scrubbing himself and admiring his own reflection—out of the shower, then sauntered in himself.

Pei Yu, cowed by that icy, intimidating stare, could only sulkily put his clothes back on and retreat to a corner of the living room to draw circles on the floor in frustration.

After clearing out another wave of minor monsters outside, Mo Xie led Yun Qimu—who still hadn’t finished her trade—back inside, only to find two black pillars standing in the living room, and a guy squatting in the corner looking like he was growing mushrooms.

Mo Xie frowned. “Why are you still here?”

Pei Yu stiffened, turning to look at him with a face full of misery. “Cousin, how could you? I’ve already suffered so much, and you’re still trying to kick me out?”

Mo Xie looked at him in confusion, frowning in thought. “Suffered? When did you suffer?”

Pei Yu stared in disbelief. “I got beaten up by Xiao Yu, my face is all swollen, he shoved me into the mud, and before I could even finish my bath, he dragged me out. He even threatened that if I didn’t come out, he’d kick down the door and make me run around naked in the snow! Tell me, is that something a human would do?”

“Hmph, I bet he’s just jealous of my looks, jealous that I have a better figure than him.”

Pei Yu grumbled indignantly, righteously condemning his treatment.

Yun He and Yuan An: …With Third Brother’s devilish good looks, he’d be jealous of you?

Yun Qimu couldn’t help twitching her lips, then turned away to look at Mo Xie. “I’ll leave this basket here—how about you trade me five pumpkins for it?”

Mo Xie snapped out of it, coughing lightly. “Sure, go pick them yourself.”

“Great, and don’t forget to pick the rest of the pumpkins too. In this freezing weather, even pumpkins can catch cold, and cold pumpkins don’t taste good.”

“Mm.” Mo Xie smiled faintly, “Got it, thanks for the reminder.”

“Heh, I just want to make sure I can still trade for pumpkins next time. After all, veggies and fruit are going to be scarce this winter. If you can save one, you should.”

Mo Xie paused, frowning in thought. “Do you know how long winter will last here, Chief?”

“No idea. I only just became village chief myself, haven’t been here much longer than you—maybe a day or so.” Yun Qimu shrugged, looking innocent.

Pei Yu: …This little village chief doesn’t seem very reliable!

Creak—

Suddenly, the bathroom door opened. Boots thudded on the floor, and a tall, elegant figure stepped out through the lingering steam.

Everyone in the living room instinctively looked over, including Yun Qimu, who had just set one foot out the door. She turned her head to look.

As the steam dissipated in the cold air, a flash of amazement lit up her bright eyes.

So this was what the unlucky, mud-caked guy looked like after washing off all that grime—he was actually so good-looking.

Standing at the bathroom door was a frosty beauty: black hair, black eyes, a face so exquisitely handsome it was almost otherworldly, utterly expressionless. A single bright red tear-shaped mole beneath his right eye glimmered, adding a touch of allure to his otherwise emotionless, statuesque features.

Honestly, this was the most “beautiful” male face she’d ever seen.

Yun Qimu quietly retracted her poised foot, her eyes fixed in a daze on him.

“Third Brother!”

Yun He and Yuan An called out excitedly.

“Mm.” Wu Xingyu turned his head, his dark, lifeless cat-like eyes blinking twice as he looked at them. “I’m done washing. You guys go ahead.”

“Great, great, we’ll go right now!”

Yuan An and Yun He exchanged a glance. “Same rules as always—loser goes first.”

The two squared off, faces serious, and started a round of rock-paper-scissors.

After three intense rounds, Yun He lost two out of three and won the right to use the bathroom first.

He greeted everyone in the living room, then dashed off toward the bathroom.

Wu Xingyu stepped aside to make room for him at the door. Only after the door closed behind Yun He did he, with his beautiful, emotionless face, stride gracefully into the living room.

It was then that Yun Qimu finally got a good look at him from the front.

He wore a luxurious, crisp white silk shirt—the cut alone screamed top-tier nobility. A black leather belt at his waist accentuated his lean, well-proportioned figure. Compared to sturdier men, he was more slender and refined, but no one doubted the explosive power hidden beneath those slim arms and the thin layer of muscle.

But what was most striking was his long, glossy black hair, falling smoothly over his shoulders. Thanks to his striking, chiseled features, there was nothing feminine about him—instead, his beauty was uniquely masculine.

When their eyes met—his dark, enigmatic cat-like gaze locking onto hers—Yun Qimu blinked in admiration, her mind whirring.

Eyes that could shift between silver and black… In this interstellar era, before colored contacts even existed, that could only be that person…

She looked him over curiously, again and again. Those features really did match the future overlord who would one day unify the galaxy.

Only, right now he was much younger and more innocent, his refined brows not yet shadowed by the fearsome, intimidating aura he’d one day possess.

Wu Xingyu frowned slightly as he walked over, stopping at the long table five steps from her. Inwardly, he felt disdain—just another woman coveting his looks, hmph!

He pressed his pale lips together, shot her a reluctant glance, and asked, “If I want to buy a little wooden house like Uncle has, how much would it cost?”

Yun Qimu snapped back to attention, her eyes lighting up even brighter as she looked at him enthusiastically. “You really only want a little wooden house? Why not consider some other options? Like an elegant bamboo cottage, a sturdy stone house, or even a golden house to hide your beauties in. But honestly, for someone as distinguished and beautiful as you, I think a spiritual stone house would be the most comfortable and fitting.”"