Chapter 1910: You Write a Will Too
The atmosphere at the Xin family dinner was less than pleasant. On the surface, it seemed to celebrate the family head's recovery from illness, but in reality, everyone knew this was a crucial moment to decide the family's power, because the old man wanted to see them—this was when he would determine how to distribute his authority and assets.
There certainly weren't many candidates capable of leading the family. Most people had a rough idea of who was in the running; the only question was who would ultimately prevail. The most important matter, however, was the old man's personal property.
For a third-generation member like Xin Rong, as a legitimate grandson, he was entitled to more than others. Xin Rong's grandmother also came from a decent background, but there were many others with no formal standing—neither recognized by the Xin family nor by their maternal families. What they could inherit depended entirely on how much the elder favored them. With so many people, it wasn't uncommon for someone to be overlooked and end up with nothing, not even a single coin.
This was perhaps the absurdity of large families.
"Mr. Xu, do you find tonight's dinner to your taste?" In the middle of the meal, the old man at the head of the table suddenly stopped eating to ask.
There weren't many outsiders present. Xu Huo, seated with Xin Rong's family not far from the old man, looked up at the attention directed his way. "It's quite good. What do you think, Old Sir?"
Old Xin laughed heartily. "One's own family's cooking is naturally to one's own taste."
Xu Huo smiled but said nothing. This brief interlude passed quickly. Old Xin hadn't spoken to him for the sake of conversation—it was merely a greeting, since Xu Huo wasn't just an ordinary friend of Xin Rong's but a guest bearing a Platinum Eye badge.
Xin Rong had already briefed his grandfather beforehand, so he winked at Xu Huo, signaling that everything was fine.
The meal soon ended. The old man and his wife left the main hall. After they went upstairs, the rest of the Xin family waited downstairs. The butler would call whoever was to go up next.
Because the old man had proactively addressed Xu Huo during the meal, some members of the Xin family became noticeably warmer toward him. Those close to Xin Rong's family even felt that they had revealed a "secret" trump card, certain to win in this inheritance distribution.
"What a bore." Taking the excuse to step out for a smoke, Xin Rong said to Xu Huo, "See? Having too many relatives is a hassle. When I was a kid, just memorizing all these people took a lot of time."
"Isn't that a good thing?" Xu Huo replied. "Don't you often go to Old Lady Lu's place to mooch items?"
"Of course there are benefits, otherwise I wouldn't be racking my brains to compete." Xin Rong leaned against the railing and exhaled a puff of smoke. "I'm not short on money, but to get certain things done, money alone isn't enough—you need connections. The most important legacy of a family is its network. I used to think that if I became a Super Player, I wouldn't need to rely on anyone or any means to survive. But becoming a Super Player isn't that easy, so I'll just take it one step at a time."
Judging by the Xin family's situation, they could even rank within the Platinum Eye.
"Don't worry, I didn't say anything else—I just told the old man that you carry a Platinum Eye badge," Xin Rong said. "Consider it adding a bargaining chip for my family at the last moment... Who knows, he might think I can still pull strings through Miss Kou Kou at City Hall!"
"Depends on your luck," Xu Huo said. "In a few days, I'll have to return this badge."
Xin Rong reached out. "Let me see it."
"That's enough." Xu Huo ignored him, checked the time, and said, "I'm leaving."
Xin Rong wanted to keep him a little longer, but just then Yan Fang appeared in the garden. "Mr. Xu, Miss Kou Kou would like to invite you over."
Xin Rong no longer tried to detain him and quickly urged him to go.
After greeting Xin Rong's parents, Xu Huo followed Yan Fang away.
The aircraft soon arrived at the Mechanical Castle. After nightfall, the castle, unvisited by tourists, was very quiet—except for the constant clicking of mechanical gears in the Spiritual Realm.
Yan Fang led him to the study. As the door opened, Xu Huo saw Bai Kou, her face full of irritation, staring at the "Angel's Eyes." Books and notes were scattered all around her hands and feet, nearly burying her halfway.
Closing the door behind him, Xu Huo walked over and said, "I thought you wouldn't call for me until at least tomorrow."
Bai Kou's gaze was cold and sharp. "You can name your terms."
"The will," Xu Huo said, taking a seat on the sofa at one side of the room.
Back when Bai Kou taught him to perceive Space Rays, she had proposed a condition: that he write a will bequeathing the Rose Castle to her.
"Pick something else," Bai Kou said. "It's already my limit to wait until you die to reclaim the Rose Castle."
"The Rose Castle was an item that Mr. He Pu disposed of at his own discretion," Xu Huo reminded her. He Pu could give it to whomever he wished.
"So what?" Bai Kou didn't care. "By leaving the Rose Castle with you temporarily, I've already respected his last wishes. The castle can't stay in your hands forever."
"I understand your attachment to the Rose Castle." Xu Huo thought for a moment. "How about this: you write a will too. After you die, unconditionally give me the Mechanical Castle. What do you say?"
The value of the Mechanical Castle and the Rose Castle were not on the same level at all, but Bai Kou agreed without hesitation. She pulled out paper and began to write the will.
Xu Huo was momentarily taken aback, then asked, "Is the Mechanical Castle your property, or your stepfather's?"
"On paper, it's City Hall's property, but the mayor gave the castle to me long ago to please his wife," Bai Kou said, writing without any pressure. "The castle, and everything inside it—limited edition weapons, exhibits—can all be transferred to you along with the castle."
Xu Huo smiled wryly. "You think this will will never take effect, don't you?"
Bai Kou shot him a glance. "Weren't you thinking the same thing when you wrote yours?"
Six of one, half a dozen of the other—neither could point fingers at the other.
After they finished writing the wills, pressed their fingerprints, and each kept a copy, Xu Huo walked over to the desk, stood beside Bai Kou, activated the "Angel's Eyes," and asked her, "What do you think Time Rays look like?"
Bai Kou had already researched this material. "Time Rays are similar to Space Rays."
"I don't have a deep theoretical foundation, but I can share some of my experience." Xu Huo gestured for her to place her hand on the Primordial Stone and said slowly, "In my perception, Time Rays have a curvature. Perhaps they are broadly similar to Space Rays, but time flows and can only move forward. You've heard of 'Curved Time,' right? Since this concept of time exists in the game world, it's plausible to imagine Time Rays as undulating lines. However, their curvatures vary, and it's impossible to distinguish them by feel alone."
"Unlike Space Rays, Time Rays can connect to the Time Rays of other spaces. I believe this is the principle behind how Time Rays can cause instantaneous death."
(Chapter End)