The reward for this task could not be said to be anything but generous. It was, by far, the most rewarding task he had seen so far.
This "Light of Xiling" title was definitely better than his current, degraded version of the Six God Halo.
Summer was almost over.
But, was the system really making him the vanguard for anti-vice operations?
Speaking of which, what kind of town was Xiling Town anyway? Why were so many "chicken farms" hidden here?
Wait, no. Perhaps his understanding was too narrow. This involved basic human needs, so regardless of the size of a city, there were probably many exaggerated chicken farms and free-range chickens hidden everywhere. It was just that because they couldn't be exposed, each had its own way of surviving, which made them unknown to outsiders.
After all, if outsiders knew, it would be game over.
Unlike the niche second dimension, this was truly a "get exposed and it's over" situation.
It was like the classic line from Ghost Academy: "Go tell the world, you're already dead!"
But with that, Lin Li also realized the most difficult part of completing this task—he was an outsider.
He had only noticed the Qingjue Wellness Center because the system had reminded him of its existence through a task.
He had told Yang Liang that his source of information was a friend, but he knew perfectly well that this was a fabrication. With no connections, where would he find the other three chicken farms in Xiling Town?
Perhaps when he passed by a chicken farm again, the system would give him a similar notice?
But he only had one month. Lin Li's gaze then shifted to the finally unlocked shop in the system, only to find yet another series of locks.
[Shop Unlocked.]
[Unlock to refresh product slot 1, requires a total of 600 system currency. (300/600)]
[Unlock to refresh product slot 2, requires a total of 1000 system currency. (300/1000)]
[After unlocking the previous slot, you can view the unlock requirements for slot 3.]
Haha.
Lin Li laughed. He was genuinely laughing out of frustration. This damn system was insane.
Had he unlocked the shop? Technically, yes.
He had unlocked the eligibility to enter the mall, but hadn't actually unlocked any products.
Someone tell Lin Li, what's the point of wandering around an empty supermarket? Is it for exercise?
Damn.
His shop was still virtual, so there was no even walking around for exercise.
If the system had a physical form, Lin Li would probably lift it up, then sulkily cradle it again and mutter curses—between sulking and being angry, he'd choose the former.
Did the system really update just for this?
But truth be told, after briefly laughing out of frustration, Lin Li had calmed down and accepted it.
The more he thought about it, the more terrifying it seemed. The system couldn't possibly be training him in PUA, right?
The only good news was that unlocking didn't consume system currency. He still had 300 and the unlock requirements were cumulative, not based on holding, so eventually, he'd have a chance to spend it.
Lin Li, who had hoped for a chicken farm detector, had completely given up on that idea. The system clearly couldn't be relied on—he'd have to rely on himself.
But next time, if the system fails him again, he really, really will get angry.
"Well, our task is basically done. Thanks again, Lin, for your help in this case. We won't disturb you any longer. We should be on our way. See you next time at the campus safety knowledge promotion event," Sun Ying spoke up to the group.
"Alright, alright, thank you for taking the trouble to come here. Let me see you off," the principal said, maintaining his politeness.
"No need, no need..."
"Yes, yes, we need to..."
The adults started pulling at each other again. The world of adults was really troublesome.
"Lin, why do you look so unhappy?" Yang Liang asked kindly.
Lin Li paused.
Wasn't your target your colleague? Why are you still focusing on me?
It felt like he was just making conversation.
"Nothing, I'm really happy," Lin Li quickly returned his gaze to the red envelope and material card in his hands, his smile immediately sincere.
"So, what are you going to do with the money?" Yang Liang asked again.
Recharge games, buy snacks, purchase the Spring Breeze Elf (a figurine), go for a massage (the last experience lingered in his mind), use it for system task funds...
That's what he thought, but he couldn't say it out loud with Xue Jian still around: "I'll use it to help at home."
"Good boy, good boy," Yang Liang nodded approvingly. He took a deep breath as if making an important decision, then turned to Xue Jian who was standing nearby: "Mr. Xue, would you mind if Lin and I spoke privately for a moment?"
"Ah? Of course, go ahead," Xue Jian replied without objection, moving over to the principal's side for casual conversation.
"Uncle Yang, what's the matter?" Lin Li felt a bit confused now. He couldn't understand Yang Liang's intentions anymore.
It seemed that the next words were a bit hard to say, as Yang Liang's lips moved for a long time without speaking. Finally, after making up his mind, he let out a breath, stared seriously at Lin Li, and asked:
"Lin Li, can I be your father?"
Lin Li: "?"
This weekend, Yang Liang had been restless. After checking the information and realizing that everything Lin Li had said was true, he dreamt of the moment he had asked that question and Lin Li's change in expression and answer.
Hurting such a child was truly unforgivable.
Yang Liang naturally wanted to make amends for this seemingly tough child.
Getting the 3,300 yuan bonus was largely thanks to Yang Liang's effort, and the material card was something he had taken from his own allocation at the Sanqiao police station, meant to be given to the Demon Suppressors as holiday gifts, which he forcefully gave to Lin Li.
Even so, Yang Liang felt it wasn't enough.
After all, Lin Li wanted to use the money for household expenses. What a completely good child.
With that in mind, Yang Liang made a decision—
The fatherly love that was missing in this child's life, I will make up for it!
Lin Li, be my son!
Yang Liang, now transformed into an old man with a white beard, eagerly awaited Lin Li's response.
Lin Li, however, was left speechless.
"What the hell."
So, after all this time, Yang Liang's real target wasn't Sun Ying, but him?
Could Yang Liang be a priest who liked young boys?
Jesus, come save me!
No, wait, even if Jesus pressed his hand over a boy's rear, it wouldn't protect him. His hand had a hole in it. No wonder medieval priests were so rampant.
Being obsessed with foreign things really wasn't a good thing.
Sorry, I lost focus.
Guanyin, come save me!
Guanyin's hand could press down on Sun Wukong, so it could definitely protect me, pressing me down tightly.
Unless it presses down on me, but my rear is sticking out.
But faced with Yang Liang's kind gaze, Lin Li quickly calmed down.
No, Yang Liang wasn't that kind of person.
Although they hadn't spent much time together, it was easy to tell whether someone was a good or bad person. Yang Liang was a true Demon Suppressor—honorable and righteous, definitely not someone with such dirty thoughts.
But then, what was his intention? Why was he suddenly asking to be his father?
Wait.
Lin Li's expression turned completely cold as he looked at Yang Liang, speaking one word at a time:
"Uncle Yang, when did you and my mom start?"
Yang Liang: "?"