"Lin Ye! Are you deaf? Get out here!"
The door rattled under a heavy kick.
Lin Ye sat on the edge of the narrow wooden bed, breathing slowly until the pounding of his heart calmed. The cheap quilt, the wobbly stool, the cracked teapot on the table—everything was exactly as he remembered.
Ten years ago.
The night the Chen Family came to return the engagement tokens.
Back then, he'd stumbled out half‑asleep, humiliated himself in front of half the clan, then spent months drowning in shame.
This time…
[Ding.]
[Destiny Stealer System online.]
[Binding complete.]
[Beginner gift pack available.]
[Would you like to open it now?]
The cold mechanical voice echoed in his mind, clear and emotionless.
Lin Ye's fingers tightened around the bedframe. A faint, invisible current seemed to hum in his chest.
System.
This wasn't an illusion. It wasn't a dying hallucination.
He had really come back.
He had a system.
The knocking grew more violent. "Brat, if you don't open this door in three breaths, I'll break your dog legs myself!"
That voice—harsh, impatient—belonged to Lin Shan, one of the outer‑hall stewards. A man who had always enjoyed stepping on those below him.
Lin Ye ignored him.
"Open it," he said silently in his heart.
[Ding.]
[Beginner gift pack opened.]
[Reward 1: Basic Fate Vision (Level 1).]
[Reward 2: Minor Spirit Root Enhancement.]
[Reward 3: Low‑grade cultivation technique – Phantom Shadow Steps.]
[Reward 4: 10 Luck Points.]
Lines of blue text appeared in his vision, floating as if written in midair.
At the same time, a cool, refreshing sensation spread through his dantian. Something hardened there, like a seed that had been shriveled for years suddenly soaking up water.
His "trash" spirit root… stirred.
In his past life, it had taken him three years, countless pills, and life‑threatening risks to barely step into Body Tempering.
Now, just from a beginner reward—
Lin Ye exhaled, long and slow, forcing his excitement down.
"Status," he thought.
A simple panel unfolded in front of him, visible only to his eyes.
[Name: Lin Ye]
[Age: 16]
[Realm: Mortal (unawakened)]
[Spirit Root: Dull (awakening: 12% → upgraded to 25%)]
[Fate Value: 0]
[Luck Points: 10]
[Skills: Basic Fate Vision (Lv.1), Phantom Shadow Steps (Lv.1)]
Crude, but more than enough for a start.
"Lin Ye!" Lin Shan roared from outside. "The Chen Family's young miss is here to annul the engagement! If you embarrass the clan today, you won't need that crippled body of yours anymore!"
Annul the engagement.
In his previous life, he had run out in panic, begged and stuttered, grabbed the girl's sleeve like an idiot while the entire clan laughed.
The memory burned.
Not this time.
Lin Ye stood, smoothed his worn robe, and walked to the door.
As his hand closed over the wooden latch, another cold notification rang.
[Ding.]
[Minor event detected: "Public humiliation – Trash Fiancé."]
[Original outcome: Host's reputation collapses, self‑confidence breaks. Awakens low‑grade determination, but loses 3 years to heart demons.]
[Target involved: Chen Yu (Luck: Blue, minor protagonist).]
[Would you like to interfere with this fate event?]
[Yes / No]
So this was how it worked.
Events.
Targets.
Outcomes.
Lin Ye's lips curved faintly.
"Yes."
[Ding.]
[Interference confirmed.]
[Temporary quest generated: "Reversal of Trash."]
[Objective: Turn the annulment into an advantage. Prevent loss of reputation. Inflict psychological damage on target party.]
[Reward: 5–20 Luck Points (depending on performance), +5 Fate Value, activation of hidden option.]
Performance, huh?
Lin Ye lifted the latch.
The door swung open with a dull creak.
Outside, the small courtyard was crowded. Two rows of Lin clan servants and juniors stood on either side, craning their necks to watch the show.
At the front stood Lin Shan, thick‑necked and pot‑bellied, his face twisted in annoyance.
Opposite him, by the gate, waited three figures dressed in blue: a middle‑aged man with a hooked nose, a young girl in fine silk, and an elderly retainer.
The girl was about Lin Ye's age, with delicate brows and carefully pinned hair. Her face would be called pretty, if not for the thin line of disgust already etched between her brows.
Chen Yu.
His "fiancée."
In his past life, she had tossed the engagement token at his feet like garbage.
The middle‑aged man—her father, Chen Guang—glanced at Lin Ye and frowned.
"So this is Lin Ye?" he said coldly. "The one still without a spirit root at sixteen?"
The gathered Lin juniors snickered.
"Still a mortal…"
"Chen Family really suffered a loss…"
Lin Shan gave Lin Ye a sharp look. "What are you standing there for? Come greet the Chen guests!"
Lin Ye's gaze swept over them all.
Above each person's head, faint strands of light had appeared, superimposed over reality like a second layer. Most were dim gray, flickering weakly.
Fate Vision.
When his eyes moved to Chen Yu, he froze.
Above her head hovered a small, pale‑blue halo, within which a thin purple thread glowed faintly.
[Target: Chen Yu]
[Luck: Blue (Minor Fate Holder)]
[Current Fate Route: "Annuls engagement with trash fiancé, avoids humiliation, later encounters low‑tier protagonist and marries into narrow safety."]
[Stealable: 5–15 Luck Points, minor opportunity – "Spirit Vein Leaf."]
A minor protagonist, then. Not a true "chosen one," but someone the world was willing to protect a little.
Lin Ye lowered his eyes.
"Uncle Chen, Miss Chen," he said calmly, voice steady. "You've traveled far. Please, come inside and sit."
Chen Guang snorted. "No need. We'll be brief."
In the past, his politeness would have been ignored, his words drowned out by laughter. Now, the courtyard went strangely quiet.
Maybe it was the way he stood—back straight, eyes clear, not hunched and nervous like before.
Maybe it was the faint chill in his tone.
Chen Guang exchanged a look with Lin Shan, then pulled a red silk pouch from his sleeve.
"In the past, your Lin Clan and my Chen Family agreed to an engagement between my daughter and you," he said. "But circumstances have changed. For the good of both parties, we have decided to withdraw."
He tossed the pouch.
Red silk flew through the air, arcing toward the ground in front of Lin Ye.
In his last life, he had instinctively lunged, trying to catch it. He'd missed. The pouch had burst open in the mud, scattering tokens in front of everyone.
The laughter still rang in his memories.
This time, he didn't move.
The pouch hit the ground with a dull, pathetic thud.
No scattered tokens. No scramble. Just a bit of dust.
Chen Guang's brows twitched.
Lin Shan glared. "Lin Ye! Pick it up and thank—"
"I refuse."
Two simple words cut through the air like a blade.
Silence crashed over the courtyard.
Everyone stared.
Even Chen Yu blinked, caught off guard.
Lin Shan's face turned purple. "You… what did you say?!"
Lin Ye stepped forward, ignoring him. His gaze swept from Chen Guang to Chen Yu, then lingered on the red pouch on the ground.
"In the past," he said softly, "this engagement was arranged by the elders. I was never asked for my opinion."
He looked up, eyes calm.
"Now, you come to my door at night, surrounded by my clan members, merely to throw this in my face and call it 'for the good of both parties'?"
He smiled. It didn't reach his eyes.
"Do you take me for a beggar clinging to your pity?"
Murmurs rose among the Lin juniors.
"Is that really Lin Ye…?"
"He's talking back?"
Chen Guang narrowed his eyes. "Young man, watch your tone. You should be grateful my daughter is willing to resolve this peacefully. A mortal like you—"
"A mortal like me?" Lin Ye interrupted quietly. "Uncle Chen, you're mistaken."
He took another step forward.
With Fate Vision, he watched the thin purple thread above Chen Yu's head tremble.
"In truth," he went on, "I should be the one returning this engagement."
He bent—not to pick up the pouch, but to brush the dust off it with two fingers. Then he straightened slowly, holding it between thumb and forefinger as if it were something slightly dirty.
Everyone watched, stunned.
"Miss Chen Yu." Lin Ye's voice was light. "I, Lin Ye, was engaged to you by the will of our elders. But I never agreed."
Chen Yu's face flushed. "You—"
"From today onward," he said, his tone smooth and clear enough for everyone to hear, "our engagement is canceled. You are free."
He paused, then added politely:
"I hope you find someone… worthy of your standards."
The words were courteous. The meaning was a slap.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
"You— you're just a mortal!" a Lin cousin burst out. "You dare reject the Chen Family's young miss?!"
"Has he gone mad?"
"Does he think he's some young master?"
Chen Guang's expression darkened. His hand twitched, as if resisting the urge to strike the boy.
"Young man," he said coldly. "It was our kindness that—"
"Kindness?" Lin Ye tilted his head, eyes still calm. "Then I will always remember the Chen Family's kindness… for coming here tonight to free me."
He turned, walked to the stone table at the center of the courtyard, and gently set the pouch there.
"Steward Lin," he said without looking at Lin Shan. "Please record this properly in the clan registry: the engagement between Lin Ye and Chen Yu has been dissolved at mutual agreement."
"Mutual…?" Lin Shan repeated stupidly.
A crisp chime rang in Lin Ye's mind.
[Ding.]
[Event "Public humiliation – Trash Fiancé" has been altered.]
[New outcome: Host maintains dignity, shifts humiliation to opposing party. Minor psychological damage inflicted.]
[Evaluating performance…]
[Reward: 15 Luck Points, +5 Fate Value.]
[Hidden option activated: "Opportunity Snatch – Chen Yu."]
At the same time, he saw the purple thread above Chen Yu's head dim, shrinking by half. A few strands detached, flowing toward him like shimmering mist before vanishing into his chest.
Chen Yu staggered, face turning pale.
"What… what did you say?" she stammered. "You're rejecting me?"
Her voice rose, shrill with disbelief.
"I came here to annul the engagement so you wouldn't embarrass my family in the future! Do you know how many people laugh at me for being tied to a mortal from a declining clan?!"
Lin Ye finally looked at her.
In another life, her words would have been a blade, carving inferiority into his bones.
Now, they were just noise.
"You're right," he said quietly. "We are not suitable."
He glanced at the faint halo above her head—already thinner than before.
"Your path lies elsewhere. Mine…" His gaze shifted toward the distant, unseen academy. "Is higher than you can see."
"You—!"
Chen Guang grabbed his daughter's arm, face stiff. "Enough. We are leaving."
He cupped his fists stiffly toward the Lin elders watching from the corridor. "The engagement is dissolved. We will not pursue this matter further. Whether this boy lives or dies in the future… it has nothing to do with the Chen Family."
He spun on his heel, dragging the still‑fuming Chen Yu away.
The courtyard remained silent until their figures disappeared through the outer gate.
Only then did the whispers explode.
"What the hell was that…"
"Lin Ye actually rejected her first…"
"Did you see Chen Yu's face? She almost exploded!"
Lin Shan glared at Lin Ye, but for once, even he seemed unsure what to say.
"You… you dare throw away the Chen Family's branch like that?" he spluttered. "If in the future—"
"In the future," Lin Ye said mildly, "if the Chen Family regrets anything, it won't be because of me."
He turned, closing the door behind him with a soft click.
The noise outside dulled.
Inside the quiet room, Lin Ye leaned against the door for a moment, feeling the warmth still swirling in his dantian. The sense of suffocating helplessness that had shackled him for years had loosened, just a little.
He had changed one event.
Just one.
Yet the expression on Chen Yu's face, the shock on his clan members' faces… tasted sweeter than any pill.
[Ding.]
[Host has accumulated 25 Luck Points.]
[Detected: minor opportunity originally meant for Chen Yu.]
["Spirit Vein Leaf" – a one‑time treasure that slightly enhances spirit root when consumed. Original acquisition: three days from now, in the old city well.]
[New option: Do you wish to steal this opportunity?]
[Yes / No]
Lin Ye's lips curled.
A treasure that could enhance spirit roots… and he knew exactly where and when it would appear?
"Yes."
[Ding.]
[Opportunity Snatch confirmed.]
[Guide marker set.]
A faint, translucent arrow appeared at the edge of his vision, pointing toward the back of the compound.
Lin Ye pushed off the door, straightened his robe, and walked toward the window.
The courtyard outside was still buzzing.
He ignored it.
"Since fate chose someone like her for this chance last time," he murmured, a quiet laugh in his voice, "it won't mind if I borrow it now."
He slid the window open and stepped into the night.
"The first stolen fate," he said softly, eyes glinting in the moonlight. "Let's start with something small."