This Life, I Will Be the Protagonist

It was much more comfortable for Rick to chat with young people than with the elderly. At least, he didn't have to place himself in the role of a junior. After talking for a while, the three exchanged contact information.

Rick then learned that the Taylor siblings, Camila and Henry, were also looking for Eleanor. They had heard that Eleanor's skill could increase attribute points and wanted to propose a collaboration.

Camila asked curiously, "What about you? Why aren't you going inside to see your grandmother?"

Rick didn't bother lying. He and Rita were similar in that way. If there was a lie that could easily be exposed, there was no point in telling it. The siblings weren't people to lie to either, unless it was a harmless one or something they were sure couldn't be verified.

He responded truthfully, "My dad took me and my sister to Los Angeles not long after my grandfather passed away. I haven't seen my grandmother in many years. For her, I'm practically a stranger. It makes sense that she wouldn't want to see me. But what about you two? Why aren't you working with the Special Affairs Bureau to collaborate with my grandmother?"

Camila smiled without saying much, while Henry changed the subject by asking if Rick had any extra gear to trade. They might find a mutually beneficial swap, especially if some of Rick's equipment didn't match his current set but could be useful for someone else.

Rick didn't press the matter further and instead started talking with Henry about trading equipment.

At 7 PM, Eleanor returned to the courtyard with a group of Special Affairs Bureau members escorting her. By then, the elderly neighbors had all gone home, leaving only Rick and the Taylor siblings under the large tree by the alley entrance.

When the Taylor siblings spotted Eleanor, they immediately walked up to her, smiling as they exchanged pleasantries with the Special Affairs Bureau members before turning to greet Eleanor warmly, as if they were longtime acquaintances. They acted as if Eleanor had watched them grow up, speaking with an affectionate familiarity.

Rick couldn't help but feel outdone by their easy charm. He too approached Eleanor, respectfully greeting her.

Eleanor's thoughts: How annoying. It feels like there are three charcoal briquettes swaying in front of me.

Not only were they scheming, but they also seemed so insincere...

Eleanor had no interest in engaging with them. She simply said, "If you want to cooperate with me, talk to Harriet." With a nod, she dismissed them and walked into the alley.

The three of them tried to follow but were stopped by a stern-looking man with a buzz cut.

The man, Harriet, addressed them. "Are you representing yourselves or a family or organization?"

Rick answered, "I'm just here to see my parents."

Harriet replied, "Then be at the south wall of the courtyard at 11 tonight. I'll have your father hung there, and you can see him."

Rick: "What?"

Rick blinked in confusion. "Alive?"

Harriet, with utmost seriousness, responded, "Of course."

Rick: "..."

Camila and Henry were just as speechless.

Harriet turned to the Taylor siblings. "And you two?"

Camila replied, "We're representing the Taylor family's guild, *Wildfire*."

Harriet, emotionless like an under-programmed AI, responded, "Request denied."

Camila: "..."

Henry, still smiling, asked, "Could you at least tell us why? The Taylor family has had several proposals rejected by the Special Affairs Bureau lately. Did we do something wrong?"

Harriet: "Hard to say."

Henry's smile became sweeter. "Can't you give us a hint so we know what to fix?"

Harriet: "Hard to say."

Henry: "Who can we ask about this, then?"

Harriet: "Hard to say."

After Harriet's cold figure disappeared from sight, the three shared a helpless laugh, and the awkward encounter seemed to bring them closer. Camila offered to treat Rick to dinner, and he gladly accepted.

*Wildfire*... Rick had seen that name on the game forums before.

As for *Wildfire* offending someone, Rick wasn't too worried. After all, this wasn't his territory.

During dinner, Rick excused himself briefly to text Zoey, using the excuse that he needed to check in with his wife.

**Big Sister, I Was Wrong:** "I ran into people from *Wildfire*, Camila and Henry. Do you know them?"

**In Meditation, Do Not Disturb:** "They're the twin children of the Taylor family's head. Are you having dinner with them?"

**Big Sister, I Was Wrong:** "Yeah."

**In Meditation, Do Not Disturb:** "Finish dinner and then leave. They've offended the Wilson family."

**Big Sister, I Was Wrong:** "The Wilson family? How do you know? I just asked the Special Affairs Bureau members with my grandmother, and they all said they couldn't say."

**In Meditation, Do Not Disturb:** "Thanks to you, I just found out. Wilson family members saw you dining with them and called to ask if the Lopez family is getting involved."

**Big Sister, I Was Wrong:** "...My bad."

**In Meditation, Do Not Disturb:** "After dinner, pay the bill. It'll leave a good impression. The Taylor family has some assets in Los Angeles, and they might relocate there."

**Big Sister, I Was Wrong:** "Got it."

Rick turned off his phone. Zoey, meanwhile, continued drawing blood from her arm.

Some matters, once you've been threatened, open the door to future threats. This time it was the White family; next time, who would it be?

Zoey didn't want to live in constant fear. Rather than letting things spiral, she'd rather bring everyone down with her.

After drawing her blood, Zoey pulled out what appeared to be a tattered cloth that looked like it had been buried for a hundred years. She carefully squeezed the blood from the syringe onto the cloth.

**[Does This Family Tree Have to Be Filled?]** (Curio): When a user drips their blood onto this family tree, they mark it. Afterward, the user can transfer curses or injuries to their direct blood relatives. (Not yet marked)

This was something Rick had stumbled upon. He seemed to acquire Curiouser and stranger items almost weekly through various coincidences. He had found this family tree hidden inside a decorative vase while out shopping.

If not for their contract, Rick would never have willingly given up this item.

As Zoey's blood was absorbed by the tree, the name **Zoey** appeared at the center, quickly moving to the top of the family tree. At the same time, in the bottom right corner, the word **Wilson** appeared in blood.

Three branches spread from Zoey's name, each connecting to another: **Matthew, Sofia, Rick**. Stay tuned for updates on empire

Zoey first crossed out Sofia's name in her mind. Then she stared at Rick's name for a long time before ultimately deciding against including him.

It wasn't about sentiment. She simply didn't want to back Rick into a corner. His bizarre luck was terrifying, especially considering how frequently he inadvertently provided resources for the Lopez family. Rick was like a magnet for rare Curiouser and artifacts.

Forget the items and tools—after having his attribute points stolen, Rick always seemed to find something odd that replenished them.