No One in This World Can Hurt Me

"Mother, your son is only a thousand years old. No need to rush."

"I'm only worried because your brother already has three kids! I—"

"Mother, ever since the Lin family's mistress had her baby, my ears have been worn out," Evan said. "I'll have children too, Mother, don't worry. I'll take my leave now!" (Note: In Chinese context, 'mistress' here refers to a concubine or secondary wife, not simply an affair partner.)

Before the Celestial Empress could say anything else, Evan strode off—fast.

The Celestial Empress could only shake her head in exasperation and amusement.

......

Evan Xiao walked out from the Celestial Empress's chambers, finding Vivian Xiao waiting for him outside.

"Vivian, why aren't you going in? What are you doing out here?" Evan asked.

"Brother, didn't you get hit by the Forget-Love Immortal Gu?" Vivian asked, puzzled. (An Immortal Gu is a mystical parasite or magical bug in Chinese fantasy, often used for curses or enchantments.) "Why are you tangled up with Grace Zhu again?"

Evan frowned at her.

"Don't look at me like that. I only heard it from the Empress of Eastern Luo," Vivian said.

"So what if I'm involved with her?" Evan asked.

"Did you forget who she is?" Vivian whispered. "There are so many women in the world—why her? If Mother finds out, she'll be upset!"

"I'll handle it. Just mind your own business," Evan replied coolly.

"Besides, she's not even faithful!" Vivian frowned. "We dragons are faithful for life once we choose a mate—can she do that?"

"Why would you say that?" Evan asked.

"I heard she's involved with several men!" Vivian said. "Like Emperor Jun Lionhead of the Vermilion Kingdom."

Evan remembered Jun Lionhead.

But for some reason, just hearing that name made him feel... strange.

Uncomfortable.

"Who told you all this?"

Vivian considered Shang Zhi her best friend, so she would never betray her.

So she said, "I heard it when I came looking for you before. You talked about it. Did you forget?"

"Vivian, with my cultivation, I can see right through human intentions. I know what I'm doing."

Vivian breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good. I just don't want you to get hurt by her."

Her weak little self—could she possibly hurt the Crown Prince?

Evan found this amusing for some reason. He smiled and ruffled Vivian's hair before leaving.

......

Grace returned to the Eastern Alliance, burying herself in books and cultivation.

Jun Lionhead sent word that he was busy and would only return to Apricot Mountain after the New Year. He told her to focus on her cultivation.

Rona Yin and Bobby were still by her side.

Rona was the same as always, but Bobby had lucked out.

The magical pill Lady Sophia gave him was practically a celestial elixir—it improved his constitution so much that he advanced a whole level after coming back...

She'd thought the Bai family would definitely cause trouble for her.

But surprisingly, they didn't.

She actually enjoyed a rare period of peace.

Still, whenever she finished her daily cultivation, Grace would sometimes stare out the window, lost in thought.

Today, she was daydreaming again.

Ray climbed onto the windowsill, gazed at the sky, then at his mother, and asked, "Mommy, are you thinking about Father?"

Grace shook her head.

How could she let a child know about things like this?

"I can tell Mommy is thinking about him," Ray said.

Grace looked at her tiny son, amused by his grown-up words. "Do you miss your father?" she asked.

"Of course I do!" Ray said. "Since we both miss him, why don't we call him over?"

"Your father is the Crown Prince of the Divine Clan, he's definitely busy... If there's nothing urgent, let's not bother him," Grace said.

"But I miss him..." Ray's eyes turned red.

In his previous life, Ray never shed a tear, even when other hostages beat him bloody.

But this time around, he was a little crybaby—ready to burst into tears at any moment.