Mature Fantasy Power Invasion

Chapter 5

The table was covered with a dazzling array of delicacies prepared by Aunt Chen. Just catching a whiff of the drifting aroma was enough to make one's mouth water instinctively.

Yan Huan scanned the table full of food, then turned his head and finally noticed Ye Lan seated at the head of the table. She had changed into a casual cotton short-sleeved top, let down her long hair, and was resting her chin in her hands, a smile sparkling in her eyes as she looked at him.

"Hungry, little greedy cat? Once Aunt Chen brings out the bowls and chopsticks, and Shiyu arrives, we’ll start eating."

That warm gaze, paired with the affectionate nickname, made Yan Huan feel unusually shy. He averted his eyes and stood up, preparing to help Aunt Chen with the dishes.

"Then I’ll go help Aunt Chen bring them over."

"No need, Xiaohuan. Just sit down. I’ve already brought everything."

Even before she finished speaking, Aunt Chen emerged from the kitchen carrying bowls and chopsticks. She placed them one by one in front of Ye Lan, Yan Huan, and the seat beside him.

Only three bowls and three pairs of chopsticks?

Just as Yan Huan was wondering whether Aunt Chen wasn’t dining with them, she turned and headed back into the kitchen. A moment later, she returned carrying a pure black ceramic bowl and a pair of stainless steel chopsticks, placing them across from Yan Huan.

Yan Huan stared blankly for a moment. Then he noticed that unlike the others, the black ceramic bowl had delicate white lettering engraved on it.

“Ye Shiyu.”

The same name was also inscribed at the end of each stainless steel chopstick.

Yan Huan looked at Ye Lan in confusion, but she simply gave him a helpless smile. It was Aunt Chen, seated beside him, who cheerfully explained,

“That’s a set of porcelain Shiyu had custom-made in the porcelain capital while she was in Longguo. She made some for us too, but only she likes the black ones. Her mom and I think black doesn’t look that great, so we stick with regular bowls.”

(*) Note: Longguo likely refers to a fictional or stylized version of China, known as the "dragon kingdom."

Were the stainless steel chopsticks custom-made too?

“Oh, those weren’t. They’re just store-bought. Shiyu just has this habit—she loves writing her name on all her things. Honestly, she writes it on everything! Every time she comes back from shopping, she spends ages labeling everything.”

While serving rice and pouring drinks for everyone, Aunt Chen added,

“And if something belongs to her, she absolutely refuses to throw it away. She won’t let it go unless it’s completely unusable. If she loses something by accident, she’ll keep searching until she finds it.”

'What kind of strange habit is that?'

Yan Huan blinked, thinking to himself.

Ye Lan’s expression turned more helpless, but she didn’t criticize her daughter’s stubborn tendencies. Instead, she said optimistically,

“She’s gotten much better since starting high school. If it’s not something really precious, she’ll stop looking if she can’t find it. It just shows how much Shiyu values her belongings. I think that’s a good quality.”

“If I had a habit like Sis, maybe my middle school teacher wouldn’t have called me scatterbrained.”

Yan Huan chimed in, prompting Ye Lan to cover her mouth with a soft giggle.

Just then, faint footsteps sounded from the nearby staircase. Ye Lan turned her head and saw Ye Shiyu coming down. She waved and smiled.

“Shiyu, come eat.”

“Mm.”

Ye Shiyu gave a small nod, her expression neutral—neither warm nor cold. She sat down across from Yan Huan and gently held her glass.

As if on cue, Ye Lan raised her glass with a smile and said to Yan Huan,

“Let’s start dinner. Come, let’s welcome Xiaohuan to our home. Cheers!”

“Thank you, Aunt.”

“Good boy. No need to thank Aunt.”

Ye Shiyu also raised her glass, clinking it gently with Ye Lan, Aunt Chen, and finally with Yan Huan.

But she only took a small sip before sticking out her tongue slightly to lick her lips.

That marked the beginning of dinner.

Holding the black bowl in her left hand, Ye Shiyu slowly rubbed the engraved name with her pale, pink-tinted fingertips. She watched as her mother eagerly piled food onto both Yan Huan’s and her own plate.

In Ye Lan’s home, there were no rules about staying quiet during meals. Family dinners were usually accompanied by light conversation, with Aunt Chen often chiming in about everyday things—like how the vegetables at the supermarket weren’t fresh.

Only after Ye Lan reminded her did she realize Linmen was an offshore city with almost no farmland—vegetables had to be imported.

(*) Note: Linmen appears to be a fictional coastal city.

Ye Shiyu continued eating slowly and elegantly without saying a word.

Ye Lan, on the other hand, focused on showing concern for Yan Huan. She asked him questions she hadn’t had time for in the car—mostly about school—gently steering the conversation to topics relevant to teenagers.

“Do you take the school bus to and from school?”

“Yes, Aunt. Each district has its own route. Jinghe District does too, but it seems pretty far from here. Students in neighborhoods like this probably... don’t need to take the school bus.”

“That makes sense. If we’re picking up Shiyu, it’s faster and saves time commuting. I’m usually very busy, though, so I have to arrange a private car for her.”

Yan Huan wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination, but he had a vague feeling that Ye Lan was building up to something.

Mid-conversation, Ye Lan suddenly seemed to remember something. She set down her chopsticks, her eyes lighting up as she made a suggestion.

“Right, Xiaohuan—why don’t you come stay at Aunt’s house?”

“Huh?”

“You and Shiyu go to the same school and are about the same age. This way, you can go to school and come home together. There’ll be a car to take you, so no more rushing to catch the bus. Aunt Chen can take care of your meals and even pack some sweets for school. What do you think, Xiaohuan?”

Yan Huan paused mid-bite, blinking at Ye Lan’s hopeful expression. Suddenly, he understood why she had told the principal she was his “mom” at school.

Ye Lan hadn’t just come to reminisce about his late mother—she came to adopt him.

Did Ye Lan have some ulterior motive?

No, absolutely not.

If anything, it was just as she said—she hoped he could look after her eccentric older daughter, Ye Shiyu. That was all.

Besides, she was the head of Ye International’s Linmen branch, and Yan Huan was just a high school student. No matter how talented he was or what student council position he held, there was no reason for her to have a hidden agenda.

The truth was simpler—she saw Yan Huan, the son of her late best friend, as family and wanted to care for him.

And realistically speaking, from everything he’d seen so far, it was obvious Ye Lan was very wealthy. Honestly, anyone would want to kneel and call her “Mom,” becoming the “Gao Qiqiang of Linmen” or something.

(*) Note: Gao Qiqiang is a reference to a character known for rising to power—often used metaphorically in Chinese pop culture.

But Gul'dan, what’s the price?

(*) Note: Gul'dan is a character from World of Warcraft, often symbolizing dark power or hidden costs.

That nagging sense of unease made Yan Huan’s heart beat faster. He swallowed nervously and glanced at Ye Shiyu, who remained calm as she ate across from him.

His smile wavered slightly as he asked,

“Aunt, isn’t this a bit sudden?”

“Is it not okay, Xiaohuan? Or... do you find Aunt hard to get along with?”

Sensing the hesitation in his voice, the gleam in Ye Lan’s eyes began to dim, replaced by the same look she had given him when they first met earlier that day.

Her lips, once smiling, pouted. The corners of her mouth drooped like they were weighed down.

'Don’t make that face, Aunt Ye!'

Yan Huan avoided looking at her, afraid he’d be swayed by her expression. Instead, he tried to reason with her sincerely.

“Aunt, you’re so kind—how could I think that? I just feel it might not be appropriate... You see, Aunt, after all, I’m a boy, and—”

Before he could finish, Ye Lan cut him off.

“Xiaohuan, you’re not an outsider, and there’s no need to worry. Aunt Chen lives on the first floor, Sis and I live on the third floor, and you can stay on the second. Every room has its own bathroom, and the soundproofing is excellent. We always knock before entering. Your privacy won’t be disturbed at all.”

'Alright, alright, now she’s playing the money card...'

But she wasn’t wrong. Looking around the spacious garden villa, there wasn’t a trace of confinement. The living room alone could host a basketball game—not to mention the second and third floors and even the rooftop terrace.

Still, he had to get to the core issue. Yan Huan looked up at Ye Shiyu, who had slowed her eating, and said,

“And something like this also depends on Sis Shiyu’s opinion. Some things Aunt might not mind, but...”

Before he could finish, Ye Lan eagerly turned to her daughter.

“Shiyu, what do you think?”

Ye Shiyu held her bowl, a small clump of rice resting on her chopsticks.

Upon hearing the question, she slowly placed the rice into her mouth, didn’t chew, and turned to meet her mother’s gaze.

Just in time to catch her mother’s slightly pouting lips and that hopeful look, she gave a small nod and softly said,

“I don’t mind.”

Her voice was beautiful—soft yet crystal clear.

“That’s great! Don’t be fooled by how little Shiyu talks—she’s actually a very gentle and kind child. Don’t worry, Xiaohuan, Sis and I both welcome you.”

'Gentle and kind?'

Yan Huan glanced in surprise at Ye Shiyu, who had resumed eating. She looked up and met his eyes, never once avoiding his gaze.

That direct eye contact eased some of the unease in his heart. His thoughts stirred, but he still didn’t give an immediate answer.

After some consideration, Yan Huan decided to use the ability he had just gained today—to adjust his facial expression.

“I know Sis and Aunt are both really nice people. It’s just... Aunt, could you give me a little time to think it over?”

Ye Lan pressed her lips together. She noticed the emotion on his face—mostly hesitation.

That’s right. She had made this same mistake earlier that afternoon, and now again...

Maybe... she was just being a bit too eager.

With that thought, Ye Lan softened her tone and gently suggested,

“Then Xiaohuan, since it’s Friday and already dark, and your place in the southern district is far, why not just stay here for the weekend? Tomorrow and the day after, I’ll take you and Sis out to have some fun nearby. How about that?”

As long as nothing was being forced, and no permanent decision was made, he’d be okay with it.

At the very least, he needed to completely shake off that ominous feeling before making any big choices, right?

He looked at Ye Lan—still hesitant—but ultimately, her gentleness calmed his doubts. He smiled and nodded.

“Okay, Aunt.”

Ye Lan let out a relieved sigh and turned to Ye Shiyu to ask the same question.

“Shiyu?”

“Mm, I don’t mind.”

The same calm tone, the same response as before.

“Great! Then it’s settled. Aunt Chen, I’ll trouble you to tidy up the second-floor room later.”

Ye Lan clapped her hands—by now, the meal was nearly finished.

Aunt Chen, who had quietly listened the entire time without saying a word, finally stood up. As she diligently cleared the dishes, she said to Yan Huan,

"Alrighty, I'll take Xiaohuan there later."

Ye Lan, already immersed in the joy of "pre-adopting" Yan Huan, turned her head and said to Ye Shiyu,

"Shiyu, don't forget to exchange contact info, okay? If you're ever unsure about anything at your new school, just ask your younger brother. He grew up in Linmen and is the Student Council President. You're new here, so don't be shy about asking for help."

Ye Shiyu stood up, dabbed her lips with a tissue, glanced at Yan Huan, and said, "Okay. I didn’t bring my phone, but I’ll go get it and add him later."

"Mhm mhm. I’ll have Aunt Chen bring you some milk later."

"Okay."

A reply came from the staircase—Ye Shiyu had turned and gone upstairs, soon vanishing from sight.

Yan Huan also prepared to stand. "Then I’ll go see if I can help Aunt Chen, Aunt."

"No need. Stay here a little longer and keep Aunt company, okay, Xiaohuan?"

But Ye Lan shook her head, cupped her chin in her hands, and gazed intently at Yan Huan’s face.

She loved looking at him—especially into his eyes—as if trying to see everything about him... or maybe hoping to find traces of someone from the past.

Feeling her gaze, soft as water, Yan Huan had no choice but to slowly sit back down.

"Alrighty."

Ye Lan kept looking at him. After a moment of silence, she smiled warmly.

"Xiaohuan, you've really been through a lot these past years."

Her voice was soft and lingering, making Yan Huan instinctively blink.

The steady rhythm of his heartbeat faltered, unable to push out the words he wanted to say. His mouth opened, but no sound came.

Just as he was finally about to speak, Ye Lan stretched, stood up, and said,

"Alright, Aunt is a little tired. I’ll go upstairs to rest now. Aunt Chen will take you to your room later—get some early rest, okay~"

"You too, Aunt Ye."

Watching her departing figure, Yan Huan responded a second too late.

Ye Lan went to rest in her bedroom on the third floor. Aunt Chen had mentioned she’d been busy since early morning, and meeting Yan Huan at Yuanyue Academy was her final stop.

Once Aunt Chen finished cleaning the kitchen, Yan Huan followed her to tidy up the room. But really, it was just laying out the sheets, picking up the quilt, pillows, and pillowcases—not too troublesome.

The room on the second floor was incredibly spacious. Hard to believe it was even larger than the one-bedroom apartment he rented in the southern district.

Not only did it have a private bathroom, but also a separate area with a sofa, desk, and bookshelf. At the end of the space was the bedroom, connected to a private balcony.

After closing the door, Yan Huan stood alone in the cleaned-up room. He raised an eyebrow, set his backpack down, and took off his school uniform jacket.

"This is... way too extravagant, right?"

He pinched the genuine leather sofa, then walked to the bedroom door and glanced at the balcony through the uncovered curtains, taking in the night view.

And he, a reincarnated youth from Tianchao (*), would soon be asking his boss for time off while staying in this luxurious house.

(*) Tianchao is a poetic or patriotic reference to China, often used in fiction to evoke a sense of cultural identity.

Yup, he decided—he’d leave off one period when requesting leave, to sound tougher.

After gazing into the night for a while, Yan Huan finally pulled the curtains closed, turned on the bright bedside lamp, and lay down on the soft bed.

*Meow~*

Just then, a pleasant cat’s meow rang out again in the bedroom.

Lying on the bed, Yan Huan propped himself up and looked toward the edge, discovering a chubby black cat crawling out from underneath.

If the lamp hadn’t been on, it would’ve almost perfectly blended into the dark red wooden floor.

The black cat turned its head, revealing a pair of emerald green eyes—it was Meow-chan.

"Meow-chan, you’re here, huh."

"Meow!"

Yan Huan lay back down, and Meow-chan jumped up, rubbed against his side, then stood directly on his stomach and sent a voice into his mind,

"I thought you'd be so scared by the modifier thing that you wouldn't dare approach any women for a while. But surprisingly, not even a day has passed, and not only did you not run—you actually took the initiative to get closer?"

"Isn’t that something you can figure out just by thinking a little?"

Looking at the black cat on his stomach, Yan Huan couldn’t help but reach out to pinch her warm ears, then stroked her fluffy back.

"You didn’t even tell me who besides Bai Yi has a modifier, or what the other modifiers do... which means you don’t know either, right?"

"...Correct. My understanding of these invading forces is limited to their existence and shared traits. As for specifics—"

"Then that settles it."

Yan Huan spread his hands, his gaze calm.

"The current goal is to resolve the modifiers. The first step is identifying them and their hosts. Then we understand their nature. Only then can we figure out how to deal with them."

Assuming Ye Lan and Ye Shiyu might both carry modifiers—even if he hadn’t come to eat today, and had outright rejected Ye Lan’s adoption offer, or gone to extremes and cut off contact—Ye Shiyu would still be attending Yuanyue Academy.

What must come will come. Unless he avoids all women entirely—or takes it further: drops out of school, cuts all ties from the past ten years, ruins his own face, and hides away in isolation.

Shouting 'I don’t want to be human anymore'—maybe some kind of mutually destructive solution would work, but...

"I want to resolve the modifiers. And the purpose is to restore the worldlines to normal, to let my life continue peacefully. I can’t put the cart before the horse or throw out the baby with the bathwater. Even if Ye Shiyu seems odd, she might not actually be the modifier’s host."

As he spoke, Yan Huan’s eyes gradually lost focus. He placed his left arm over his forehead and, not sure what he was thinking, softly said,

"Besides, Aunt Ye is a very gentle person."

Meow-chan simply looked at him, feeling his hand continuously stroking her. She didn’t say anything. Instead, she straightened up and began gently kneading Yan Huan’s chest with her soft pink paws.

One forward, one back. One forward, one back...

*Purr~*

Yan Huan paused and looked down at Meow-chan, who was purring from her throat.

"What are you doing?"

Meow-chan continued kneading, giving him a look like he was an idiot, as if to say,

"I’m a cat. What else can I do besides kneading?"

Yan Huan inhaled deeply and was about to grab the fat cat by the scruff of her neck when suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

*Knock knock knock~*

Yan Huan and Meow-chan exchanged a glance. He quickly sat up and asked,

"Who is it?"

.

No response.

But Yan Huan seemed to already know the answer. He gently set Meow-chan down and whispered,

"Hide. Don’t let anyone see you."

*Meow~*

She nodded, wriggled under the bed, and disappeared as if she'd never been there.

Yan Huan straightened his white shirt, slipped on his slippers, and walked toward the door.

"Coming."

*Click.*

He opened the door slightly. The hallway was lit by a lamp, but with Ye Lan already resting, the main light in the living room was off, making the second floor rather dim.

And in that dimness stood a tall, black-haired girl at the doorway.

It was Ye Shiyu.

Dressed in all black from head to toe, her skin was as pale as snow.

Her face was so exquisite, it looked like a masterpiece formed by perfect genetics.

Staring at the silent girl outside the door, Yan Huan was briefly stunned. Then he smiled and opened the door a bit wider.

The bright room light spilled outward, stopping right at the edge of her slippers, forming a stark boundary between light and dark.

"Shiyu-sis, what’s up?"

Prompted by his voice, Ye Shiyu lifted her phone and softly said,

"Mom told us to exchange contact info."

So she had come to add him as a friend.

Sure enough, she might not be a modifier host—maybe she was just a bit quiet.

Yan Huan let out a small breath of relief and pulled out his phone from his pocket.

"Ah, right, I almost forgot. Hold on, Shiyu-sis—should I scan you, or you scan me?"

"You scan me."

"Okay."

Ye Shiyu pulled out her phone. Under the room's lighting, Yan Huan clearly saw that her name was written on the back of her phone case.

Without thinking much, Yan Huan opened the scan feature on his phone, while she unlocked hers and handed it to him.

.

The camera aligned with the screen, but instead of a friend request QR code, a vortex with an ominous purple hue appeared—spinning rapidly like some app interface.

The vortex spun faster and faster, accelerating...

'Huh? What’s this?'

Yan Huan froze for a second, then realized something—his pupils suddenly contracted.

'Crap, this is—'

In the next instant, the vortex spun violently. Ye Shiyu's eyes darkened a thousandfold in the hallway's shadows—like an abyss pulling Yan Huan’s consciousness into it.

*Beep!*

A notification sound came from the app in her hand, signaling some kind of activation. At the same time, Yan Huan heard a faint, illusory voice emanating from within her.

[APP Activated]

[Effect: Individual Hypnosis]

[Duration: 15 minutes]

[Countdown started.]

(End of this chapter)