The moment Lin Yu touched Chen Qimeng, a translucent panel suddenly appeared before his eyes...
[Chen Qimeng]Age: 35Sect Role: Acting Sect Master of the Hehuan SectAffinity with Host: 50% (Fifth Realm – Deep Intimacy)Dao Partners (Soul/Body Cultivation): 0 / 0Skill Attributes: (Access denied—Host's status too low)Other Information: (Access denied—Host's status too low)Current Quests:
"Protect the Sect" (Urgent Mission): The Hehuan Sect is more than just a place to cultivate—it's a final sanctuary amidst worldly chaos. If its grounds are lost, cherished memories will fade like smoke. Please respond to the financial crisis and stabilize the sect's foundation.
"Tend the Sect's Spirit Plants" (Daily Quest): A thriving spirit field is essential to a powerful sect. Please water the twelve potted plants on the balcony.
This bizarre, role-swapped system… was it for real?
An Acting Sect Master? Seriously?
This felt more like an adult RPG than anything else.
And what's with the discrimination against new players? Just because he's a newbie, he can't even view full character details?
Of all the data on Chen Qimeng, what drew Lin Yu's attention most was: Dao Partners: 0/0.
"Soul cultivation" and "body cultivation," as he understood, were essentially emotional intimacy and, well… physical intimacy.
Chen Qimeng had been married and divorced. How was it possible her record showed zero partners?
Maybe the system only started counting after activation? That past experiences didn't count?
Curious, Lin Yu summoned his own data panel:
Sure enough—under Soul Cultivation Partners, it listed "1."
That must refer to the girl he used to online-date during his junior year of college… probably.
Back in reality—
"Maybe I accidentally got it on my face when I tasted it earlier," Chen Qimeng muttered.
"A'Yu, is there more?"
"A'Yu?"
Her voice pulled Lin Yu out of his thoughts.
"Oh… yeah, just a bit more. Aunt Qimeng, hold still, I'll help you wipe it off."
He grabbed a wet tissue from the dining table and gently wiped her cheek.
This petite woman, only 1.6 meters tall, had worked so hard to support him for years in his past life.
She never asked for anything in return—and in the end, she took her own life.
Now that fate had granted him another chance, he'd make sure she knew that her kindness hadn't been in vain.
And that "business partner" who tricked her? He'd pay the price this time.
"A'Yu… are you okay today?"
"If you're feeling down, you can talk to Auntie."
"About that part-time job—I think you should forget it. Just enjoy your summer break and go out with your friends."
"You don't need to worry about money. Look how big our house is, and I still have the flower shop! We're doing just fine financially!"
She was clearly puzzled by Lin Yu's behavior.
Normally, he'd grumble at breakfast, say he wasn't hungry, or complain that "only old people eat breakfast."
Sometimes, when he was in a mood, he'd snap: "You're not my mom—why are you always telling me what to do?"
But today… he was being gentle?
Was this what maturity looked like in boys?
"I'm fine. Really. You're overthinking it," Lin Yu replied calmly.
Of course, she had no idea what was really going through his head.
"Auntie's fine financially"?
Yeah right.
That lie had ruined her—and back then, he was dumb enough to believe it.
He'd been so wrapped up in grief over his parents' death that he'd ignored all the warning signs.
Youth is a fragile, chaotic time. Especially when you've lost your parents and are living under someone else's roof.
It's only after years in the adult world that Lin Yu finally understood—
It's exactly because they're not your parents, and still treat you like family… that such kindness is priceless.
No way would he let Chen Qimeng go down that same path again.
"…Is it really still on my face?"
"Still not clean? I should go wash up."
As she turned toward the sink, Lin Yu gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't move. Almost done."
She froze again—what was with this sudden confidence?
Was this what boys became once they passed adolescence?
[DING!]Daily interaction with Acting Sect Master detected. Building rapport is the fastest path to enlightenment in the Hehuan Sect!Reward: 10 Spirit Stones
Lin Yu's heart raced.
So just touching the acting sect master earned him spirit stones?
What if he kept touching for an hour—would he max out his rewards?
"All done. Let's eat," he said cheerfully.
"Thanks, A'Yu," she replied.
He gave her a look. "Why are you thanking me?"
She smiled softly. "You sit down first. I'll get your porridge. Then I'll water the plants on the balcony."
"Wait." Lin Yu immediately guided her to a chair. "Aunt Qimeng, sit down and eat with me. I'll handle the watering."
She hesitated. "You'll do it? That's a lot of work. We can eat first and then—"
Before she could finish, Lin Yu had already taken the ladle from her hands.
"Come on. If it's so troublesome, just teach me."
"A big guy like me can't just eat and not help around the house."
Qimeng sat, stunned—but a smile slowly spread across her face.
[DING!]Taking initiative shows dedication to sect responsibilities. A sign of a promising outer disciple!Reward: 10 Spirit Stones
So even watering flowers scored him brownie points?
Just how much of a slacker had he been in his past life?
As they ate breakfast together, Lin Yu started poking around the system.
No matter how he called out to it in his mind, the system wouldn't respond verbally.
Still, the mental control interface was intuitive and easy to navigate.
There were two quest types so far:
Urgent Missions
Daily Tasks
Possibly more to come—but those were the only two currently visible.
Three quests showed up:
The two linked to Chen Qimeng: "Protect the Sect" and "Tend the Spirit Plants"—both now visible in his system menu.
The third was:
"Get to Know Fellow Daoists" (Daily Task): As a newcomer to the sect, lower your guard and make connections. Speak with at least three fellow sect members and view their complete info.