Chapter 167

Chapter 167: Finding This Tree Demon a Fiancé? Fine, Fine, Fine—How Bold of You

“Exactly,” Lang Xin Ping said eagerly. “Sis is right. If we use Cheng Xiao Ting and his parents properly, it’ll be the same as us bringing Jiang Tea Tea home.”

“Dad and Mom didn’t come handle anything when we got in trouble at school,” Lang Xin Chong muttered. “They cut our allowance and ordered us to bring her home for break. Now she’s on the same ship as us, getting off at the same station. Nobody can deny we brought her back.”

“Hurry,” Lang Xin Rui said. “Call them. If they don’t come pick us up, that’s on them.”

“Wait,” Lang Xin Ping said. “We need to think through the lines. It has to be airtight. Dad and Mom can’t suspect we’re already at war with her.”

The three of them huddled and refined their script until it was smooth enough to pass for truth.

Then they made the call.

In the private room, Jiang Tea Tea’s team of eight sat comfortably, each wearing an invisibility earbud so tiny it couldn’t be seen.

Lang Xin Rui’s voice poured into their ears, every scheme clear as day.

Jiang Tea Tea leaned back, listening, and spoke first—bright with approval. “Cheng Xiao Ting, well done. You stuck three listening devices on all three of them.”

Cheng Xiao Ting lifted his chin. “I just tossed them on. The real credit is Octo’s new listener—tiny, stable, great coverage.”

Zhang Ting Zhou shook his head. “I only modified it. Yan Yu did the real work. He tracked their movements perfectly.”

Yan Yu, the intelligence specialist with fox blood in his canine line, waved modestly. “Their schedules weren’t hard to find. Honestly, the biggest reason they’re talking like this is Sister Tea. The moment they heard she was here, they lost all shame and started calculating.”

Sui Xuan Chu slapped his knee. “Right. Sister Tea is bait. You guys are the heroes. Huang Da Zhuang, Ju Que, Cheng Lin Yue, and I are just clapping extras. Come on—applause.”

Huang Da Zhuang and Cheng Lin Yue actually clapped, loud and enthusiastic, until Zhang Ting Zhou threw a hand up.

“Hold it,” he said. “Listen—Lang Xin Rui and her dad… it sounds like he wants to arrange a fiancé for Sister Tea.”

The room went very still.

Sui Xuan Chu’s eyes narrowed, suddenly sharp as blades. Commander-in-Chief Chong Ming hadn’t even officially dragged his roommate back, and these idiots were already trying to claim her?

The Lang family really was bold.

No wonder Chong Ming had chosen them as the first mission target.

In the earbuds, Lang Xin Rui’s voice went tight. “Dad… isn’t this too fast?”

Over the line, a man answered with the effortless authority of someone used to being obeyed.

It was Lang Yin Feng.

“Fast?” he said, impatient. “My Lang family doesn’t raise idle people. Jiang Tea Tea belongs to my Lang family. She’ll follow my Lang family’s rules.”

Lang Xin Rui tried to keep her tone respectful. “Yes, yes. Our family doesn’t raise idle people, but she was lost for eighteen years. We didn’t raise her for a single day. We didn’t spend a single cent on her.”

“If we bring her back and immediately push a fiancé at her, she won’t accept it. It’ll backfire, Dad. She’ll flip and cut us off completely.”

Lang Yin Feng’s patience thinned. “I’m not saying I’m going to shove a fiancé in her face the moment she steps off the ship.”

He spoke like he was talking to idiots. “I’m telling you so you understand the direction. She’s a 3S-rank mutant plant-type healer—one of a kind in the galaxy. Her value outweighs all of you siblings put together.”

“Mentioning a fiancé is a line. Bait. Something to use later. Use your eyes and your brain for once.”

Lang Xin Rui fell silent.

She understood now.

Her father wasn’t trying to marry Jiang Tea Tea off.

He was using her as bait—to hook a powerful male line into alliance, maybe even to swallow them whole.

Lang Yin Feng continued, decisive. “You said Jiang Tea Tea is traveling with seven classmates and Cheng Xiao Ting from the Black Wolf Clan. Fine. I’ll have your mother prepare.”

“We’ll pick you up. And we’ll invite Cheng Xiao Ting’s parents and Jiang Tea Tea’s teammates to our home as guests.”

“Pay attention,” he ordered. “Have some sense.”

Lang Xin Rui seized the chance. “Dad, my two brothers and I need mech parts—level one through level ten. We’re short—”

“Noted,” Lang Yin Feng cut in. “You three got demerits at school, but bringing your sister back is still something. I’ll transfer one million star credits to each of you.”

“Spend wisely. If your sister gains a sense of belonging with us, I’ll reward you again.”

Lang Xin Rui’s voice brightened instantly. “Thank you, Dad. Goodbye.”

The call ended.

In the ship cabin, Lang Xin Rui exhaled and turned to her brothers, face tight with seriousness. “Dad and Mom’s attention is fully on Jiang Tea Tea now. To him, she’s worth more than all our siblings combined.”

“We lied,” Lang Xin Ping said. “If they find out—”

“If they find out,” Lang Xin Rui said flatly, “they’ll drop us. Cut ties. No money. No resources.”

She looked between her brothers. “The one million we’re getting is our lifeline. When we get home, pack everything valuable into your storage button. Hide it. If they cut us off before we graduate, we’ll need something to sell.”

Lang Xin Chong frowned. “You’re being too pessimistic—”

“Shut up,” Lang Xin Rui snapped. “Listen.”

Then, in a lower voice, she added the real warning. “And from now on, stay away from Jiang Tea Tea. Don’t touch her if you can avoid it. Don’t talk to her if you can avoid it.”

“Our parents’ personalities are obvious. If we become useless, they’ll throw us away without blinking.”

Lang Xin Ping swallowed. “You’re saying this because you know them.”

“Yes,” Lang Xin Rui said. “And because I don’t want to leave with nothing.”

Cheng Xiao Ting clicked his tongue in their private room, impressed despite himself. “She’s already planning a backup and hoarding money.”

Yan Yu nodded, tone professional. “Based on our information, White Wolf Clan Chief Lang Yin Feng and his mate Lang Luo Feng are a power couple. Both are 3S-rank speed ability.”

“Even the older children who are already married with cubs are under their absolute control.”

Cheng Lin Yue blinked. “Control?”

Yan Yu explained calmly. “Everything. Food, clothing, education, jobs, who they marry—everything is arranged.”

Huang Da Zhuang whistled. “That sounds suffocating. They didn’t go crazy? That’s a miracle.”

“It’s not that they didn’t,” Yan Yu said. “They don’t dare. The moment they resist, the money and resources choke them until they learn how hard life is.”

Cheng Xiao Ting patted Huang Da Zhuang’s head like he was consoling a child. “Now you understand why I don’t want to play with them. Their house is a pressure cooker.”

He looked at Jiang Tea Tea. “And you, Sister Tea—they see you as a treasure. Be careful.”

Jiang Tea Tea snorted. “Careful about what? I’m not careful at all. And you don’t be careful either.”

She leaned forward, eyes gleaming. “When we get off the ship in six hours, if they come to pick us up, remember: act a little at first, then suggest going to the mall. Spend their money.”

“If they offer gifts, accept everything. No hesitation.”

Then she pointed at everyone. “We’re infiltrating. The fastest way to numb them is to make them think I’m easy to buy. Easy to coax. Easy to control.”

Huang Da Zhuang’s eyes lit up like a kid in a candy store. “Sister Tea, if you say that, I won’t hold back.”

Cheng Xiao Ting grinned. “Perfect. Time to make the wolves bleed.”

Sui Xuan Chu nodded, expression bright with wicked understanding. “Right. The smarter you seem, the more guarded they get. But if they think they can buy you with money and ‘love’…”

Jiang Tea Tea smiled sweetly. “Then they’ll lower their guard.”

She clapped once. “All right. Review the profiles again. Cross-check everything. No mistakes.”

Yan Yu began running through the Lang family files again, methodical and precise.

Elsewhere, in the Military Department, Chong Ming was working when a message came in from the Da Xi Nation Chief Executive, Zhong Li He.

Chong Ming glanced at it and ignored it.

Three minutes later, three more pings arrived in rapid succession.

Chong Ming finally set down his work, opened the thread, and sighed.

Then he pulled out Jiang Tea Tea’s medical scan photo from his storage button, snapped a picture of the line stating she was pregnant for under seven months, and sent it to Zhong Li He.

Zhong Li He replied instantly.

“You really have a mate and cubs?”

Chong Ming answered: “Obviously.”

Zhong Li He: “I thought you were getting old and worried about your authority, so you were spreading rumors to intimidate the insect clan and reassure citizens.”

Chong Ming: “My ability rank rose again.”

Zhong Li He: “…”

Then: “This conversation is impossible. Goodbye.”

Chong Ming: “Goodbye.”

Zhong Li He: “Right—ten days from now, your space weapons exhibition. I’m leading my team there.”

Chong Ming: “I’ll arrange private housing.”

Zhong Li He: “Arrange your 3S-rank mutant plant-type healer to stabilize me and smooth my mental power?”

Chong Ming: “Goodbye.”

Zhong Li He: “Also arrange for me to meet your mate and cubs?”

Chong Ming: “Goodbye.”

Zhong Li He: “Don’t hide them. Let me see what kind of female can tame you. I won’t steal her.”

More messages came.

Then the thread went silent.

Zhong Li He realized the last one wouldn’t send.

Chong Ming had blocked him.

Back on the ship, after eight hours, they arrived at Barley Star station right on schedule.

Jiang Tea Tea’s team of eight exited their cabin wearing sunglasses, travel bags on their backs, moving with the easy confidence of cadets on a mission.

Lang Xin Rui and her brothers timed it perfectly, walking ahead of them to create the illusion that they were leading and the others were following.

Jiang Tea Tea’s group exchanged subtle looks, said nothing, and let the triplets keep their little performance.

They disembarked in order.

Barley Star station was huge, busy, and spectacular—ships landing and launching in steady rhythm, one after another, like a living machine.

The triplets slowed just before the exit, waiting until they spotted their parents.

Then they hurried forward, all smiles, acting like loyal, beloved children.

Lang Yin Feng and Lang Luo Feng barely spared them a glance.

Their eyes locked instead on the person in the middle of the other seven—Jiang Tea Tea.

She was smaller than the photos suggested, slim, hair blown messy by station wind. She wore loose clothes and sunglasses, but her presence still grabbed attention like a hook.

And then another family surged in.

“Son!” a woman cried, voice bright as fireworks. “My good boy—come here! Mom wants a hug and a kiss!”

Mo Jing Chun appeared in a red dress, makeup immaculate, lips a fierce glossy crimson. She threw her arms wide and charged at Cheng Xiao Ting like a storm.

Cheng Xiao Ting ducked into a crouch with practiced terror. “Mom! My classmates are watching. Don’t hug and kiss.”

Jiang Tea Tea’s team pulled off their sunglasses almost in unison, staring.

Mo Jing Chun missed the hug, planted a hand on her hip, and pointed at her son. “Little dog cub, I’ll count to three. If you don’t let me hug and kiss you, I’m shaving your dog fur when we get home.”

Cheng Xiao Ting wilted instantly. He stepped in and gave her a quick, reluctant hug, then tilted his cheek out so she could kiss him.

Mo Jing Chun kissed him once, then turned on his classmates like a predator who’d spotted fresh prey.

She introduced herself, then—without hesitation—called every single one of them by name, as if she’d memorized a roster.

Then she hugged them.

And kissed them.

One by one.

When her lipstick started to fade, she reapplied it mid-stream so every face got a perfect red stamp.

Cheng Xiao Ting’s mouth twitched. “Sorry, classmates. My mom is like this. Please bear with it.”

Sui Xuan Chu waved a hand graciously. “No problem. Aunt likes us. We like Aunt.”

Huang Da Zhuang nodded hard. “Yes! We like Aunt! Hug us, kiss us—no problem!”

Mo Jing Chun flipped her hair and gave Cheng Xiao Ting a smug side-eye. “Little dog cub, you don’t appreciate me, but other people do.”

Then she grabbed Cheng Lin Yue’s hand with one hand and Jiang Tea Tea’s hand with the other, eyes sparkling. “Come on, girls. Aunt is taking you shopping. Aunt is taking you spending.”

Lang Yin Feng and Lang Luo Feng hurried forward with bright smiles like they’d practiced them in a mirror.

“Sister Jing Chun,” Lang Yin Feng said warmly, “you’re going to the mall? We’ll go with you. We’ll buy Tea Tea some things too.”

Mo Jing Chun stopped mid-step and frowned. “Buy Tea Tea some things? Why? What does Tea Tea have to do with your family?”

Jiang Tea Tea instantly put on her most timid, hesitant expression. She peeked at the couple like she wanted them, then looked away like she was afraid—an aching mix of longing and rejection.

Lang Xin Ping and Lang Xin Chong looked at her with open contempt.

Lang Xin Rui’s eyes narrowed, uneasy. Something about Jiang Tea Tea’s expression felt… off. Too soft. Too eager.

Lang Yin Feng sighed dramatically and rubbed at his eyes like he was fighting tears. “Sister Jing Chun, you don’t know. Tea Tea is our daughter.”

“When Luo Feng gave birth, the Jiang family stole her. They altered her genetic profile so we couldn’t find her.”

“Recently, the Jiang family committed treason and other crimes. The altered genetic profile was corrected, and that’s how we finally found her. We sent her siblings to bring her home for break.”

Mo Jing Chun turned to Jiang Tea Tea. “Is that true, Tea Tea?”

Jiang Tea Tea replied in a small, obedient voice. “Aunt, after I cut ties with my foster parents, no Dad and Mom ever came looking for me.”

She blinked slowly, lashes lowered. “I don’t have a dad or mom.”

Lang Yin Feng and Lang Luo Feng’s expressions tightened for an instant.

They mistook it for blame.

“Tea Tea,” Lang Luo Feng said softly, voice tender, “Dad and Mom wanted to find you, but we were afraid of scaring you. That’s why we didn’t come.”

“If you blame us, if you don’t acknowledge us, we understand. But now you’re on Barley Star—you’re home. Come with us. We’ll make everything up to you.”

Jiang Tea Tea leaned closer to Mo Jing Chun, almost hiding behind her. “I’m not going home with you. I’m going shopping with Aunt Mo.”

Mo Jing Chun’s eyes flicked to Cheng Xiao Ting.

Her son had described Sister Tea as the kind of person who could beat hundreds—the kind of person who was fierce and explosive.

The Jiang Tea Tea in front of her looked like a different person entirely.

Mo Jing Chun and Cheng Xiao Ting exchanged a glance, and Mo Jing Chun immediately turned back to Lang Yin Feng and Lang Luo Feng.

Her voice sharpened, bright and scolding. “Yin Feng. Luo Feng. You lost her.”

“You weren’t proactive about finding her. You weren’t proactive about acknowledging her.”

“Now she’s at your doorstep and you suddenly want to claim her. That looks fake. It looks insincere. Do you understand?”

Lang Yin Feng and Lang Luo Feng’s smiles tightened.

But they bowed their heads in perfect obedience. “Yes, yes. Sister Jing Chun is right. We shouldn’t rush.”

Lang Yin Feng gestured graciously. “You take the children shopping. We’ll go with you.”

“And afterward…” He smiled like honey. “Sister Jing Chun, Brother Cheng Mian—would you come to our home as guests? You and the children.”

Mo Jing Chun lifted her chin. “We’ll talk after shopping.”

Then she turned back to the kids, grin returning instantly. “Come on. Tea Tea, Lin Yue, all of you—follow Aunt. Aunt is taking you to spend money.”