Chapter 84: The Proclamation of Attainment

Xuanxuan was still debating whether she should go over in the evening or slip away when Muci Lianhao wasn’t home. She sneaked a glance at her father, wondering if he would be going out that afternoon. If he did, she could seize the opportunity to leave.

Little did Muci Lianhao know that his daughter was eagerly hoping he’d hurry up and go out.

After breakfast, Tong Wan hugged Xuanxuan and turned to Muci Lianhao. “The New Year is almost here, but it feels less and less festive these days. Your second brother isn’t around, and your eldest brother is busy. Why don’t you take the three of them out for a stroll? Let Xuanxuan experience the atmosphere of the New Year here in the Imperial Capital.”

The Muci brothers, Weihao and Weihan, immediately brightened at her words. Xuanxuan glanced at Tong Wan, puzzled—New Year?

Holding Xuanxuan affectionately, Tong Wan couldn’t help but feel sorry for her, thinking that living with Muci Lianhao on that tiny planet must have been hard on her. “This year, we must celebrate properly. Take Xuanxuan to buy some clothes and treats. What’s the point in everything simply being delivered to the house?”

Muci Lianhao looked helpless. Tong Wan always thought he was neglecting Xuanxuan, but she was his own daughter—how could he possibly mistreat her?

“Mother—” he began.

But Tong Wan shot him a glare. “All your fault, dragging Xuanxuan so far away for no reason, making my little Xuanxuan suffer. What’s wrong with the Muci family’s security?”

Suddenly reminded of the attack on Xuanxuan, Tong Wan added, “It was just that one time, wasn’t it?”

Muci Lianhao realized there was no point in reasoning with his mother—he never won those arguments anyway.

Nestled in Tong Wan’s arms, Xuanxuan giggled quietly. Serves her father right for being so stingy with her food.

Weihao and Weihan shrank back, thinking, “Grandma is so fierce.”

“My poor Xuanxuan, bullied in that shabby little place. And you say you care for your daughter?” Tong Wan scolded, all the while handing Xuanxuan some meat from her plate, completely forgetting her earlier insistence that Xuanxuan needed to diet.

Xuanxuan accepted everything with delight, storing the treats away for later. Such rare opportunities must be seized, so she tucked everything into her personal space, only stealing a quick glance at her father’s expression afterwards.

Muci Lianhao’s face darkened as he saw Tong Wan giving Xuanxuan even more to eat. He quickly picked Xuanxuan up in his arms, calling to Weihao and Weihan, “Mother, we’ll head out now.”

He left with Xuanxuan in his arms, knowing there was no chance of retrieving the snacks from her.

“Uncle, where are we going?” Weihan asked.

Muci Lianhao told Yi Qiong to bring the car around. Once inside, he asked, “Where would you like to go?”

“Anywhere?” Weihan was excited. Weihao’s delight was equally obvious.

Muci Lianhao felt a pang of sadness. His eldest brother had always been reserved, and the boys were sensible, never asking for much. But he could tell they longed to go out. He looked at Xuanxuan, who had barely seen any of the world herself, and told Weihan, “Anywhere you like.”

“Then let’s go to the amusement park first,” Weihan suggested, glancing at Muci Lianhao to confirm he meant it. “I’ve never been.”

Weihao looked at their uncle with anticipation as well.

Xuanxuan, however, looked at them in confusion. What was an amusement park?

In her previous life, she’d never had family to play with, let alone time to have fun outside the clan. Early years were about survival, and after meeting her teacher, all her focus went into alchemy. There was no time for play.

“What do you do at an amusement park?” Xuanxuan asked.

“We play!” Weihan replied. “Grandfather is having one built for you, but it’s not finished yet.”

There was a hint of envy in Weihan’s tone. Ever since their sister returned, anything she wanted appeared at once—even things she didn’t want.

Xuanxuan had no idea what an amusement park was. She looked at Muci Lianhao, who didn’t object, so she assumed it was true. Seeing Weihan’s less-than-happy expression, she asked, “Do you want it?”

“What?” Weihan’s neck flushed red. He didn’t want it for himself—he just wished his grandfather and father would care as much about him.

Since Weihan didn’t refuse, Xuanxuan thought he was just a stubborn child. “I’ll give it to you, then.”

Weihan froze. What did that mean?

Xuanxuan turned to Muci Lianhao. “Is that alright?”

“Of course,” he said, gratified. The relationship between Xuanxuan and the brothers was so good. Since Xuanxuan was alone, it was best if Weihao and Weihan looked after her. As for the amusement park, what harm was there in giving it to Weihan? They could always build another.

With his confirmation, Xuanxuan told Weihan, “It’s yours now.”

She wasn’t blind to how well Weihan treated her. Anything she could do to make Weihao and Weihan happy, she would.

Weihan was still stunned. He turned to his brother. “The amusement park is mine?”

“I guess so,” Weihao replied, not entirely sure.

“Can I let my classmates in for free?” In the Federation, amusement parks emphasized safety, making them expensive, and few children had the chance to go.

Muci Lianhao chuckled and patted his head. “Of course.”

“Hehe, when it’s finished, I’ll let all my classmates visit for free. Brother and sister can go anytime for free, too.” Weihan grinned so wide it seemed his mouth stretched to his ears, as if the amusement park were already built.

But when they arrived, they were all a little stunned. Despite the high prices, it was the winter holidays—students and parents were both off. The park was packed, probably only rivaled by the crowds during the New Year.

The entire park was bursting with people. Muci Lianhao realized that everything required queuing, and at this rate, they might spend the whole day here without getting on a single ride.

Weihan and Weihao were a bit dazed. Their classmates had always said the amusement park was fun, but none had warned them about the crowds.

Clenching his little fists, Weihan said to Xuanxuan, “When mine is built, you’ll have the whole park to yourself for a day.”

Although Xuanxuan wasn’t sure what was so fun about it, she nodded to show her appreciation.

Just a few minutes ago, hadn’t the amusement park still been hers?

Weihao looked at his brother—what about him?

“You too, big brother,” Weihan assured, nodding vigorously. “You get a whole day, too.”

Muci Lianhao laughed, “Still want to go in?”

Xuanxuan, unconcerned, nestled in her father’s arms and daintily yawned—it made no difference to her whether they went or not.

Weihan hesitated, glanced at Weihao, who said, “Uncle, let’s not go. Too many people.”

With crowds like this, what if something happened to their little sister?

Muci Lianhao stroked their heads, touched by their thoughtfulness.

“Let’s go to the mall instead.”

Both boys nodded with smiles. Weihan asked, “Uncle, can I buy a simulation mecha?”

“Of course,” Muci Lianhao said, opening the car door for the brothers. “You can buy whatever you want.”

“Really?” Weihan was thrilled—he rarely got to shop with adults, even with his uncle. “Then I’ll buy one for little sister too! And a doll!”

Xuanxuan turned away in disdain—she had no interest in such childish things.

As they chatted, Muci Lianhao listened to Yi Qiong’s report.

“Master, I think I just saw someone from the Xuan family nearby,” Yi Qiong whispered.

Muci Lianhao frowned. “Who?”

“Xuan Guo and her father.”

“Don’t worry about them. We didn’t announce we were coming; it must be a coincidence.”

“Yes, sir.”

Once again, Xuanxuan heard the name Xuan Guo. Every time it came up, she felt a twinge of displeasure. She glanced out the car window, curious about the girl her grandfather had raised as a plaything.

She spotted a girl of about ten, standing there in a white dress, staring intently at their car, fists clenched tightly.

Xuanxuan cast “Eagle Eye” on herself.

It was indeed her. Xuanxuan remembered being pushed by her in kindergarten, hitting her head. She would have to properly “thank” her for that.

As their car drove away, Xuanxuan turned back to watch Weihan clown around.

But Xuan Guo, left behind, was far from calm. She’d finally managed to move to the Imperial Capital, and after much effort, got to visit the amusement park.

Even from a distance, she recognized the girl in front—Muci Xuanxuan.

Her fists clenched so tightly her nails dug into her palms, without her even noticing. Muci Xuanxuan wore a custom-made dress and bespoke jewelry, rode in a limited-edition hover car, could visit an amusement park anytime—could even have one built just for her.

Why? Their names shared a single character, but their fates were utterly different. She glanced at her father beside her—if only he were Muci Lianhao.

Then all of it would be hers—the pretty dresses, the expensive jewelry, the limited-edition car, the doting brothers.

But she had nothing. Only a father who saw her as a piggy bank, a mother who only cared about her own status.

Because of Muci Xuanxuan, she was able to go to that planet. She had thought that if Muci Xuanxuan disappeared, she would become the Muci family's daughter.

But Xuanxuan hadn’t disappeared. She was still laughing, living a life far above hers, in a world she could never reach.

But now she had a chance. The Muci family had agreed to let her attend the Imperial Federation’s First Military Academy’s Primary School. She would show everyone that she was the true favored child of the heavens, and Xuanxuan would always be a worthless nobody.

Everything Xuanxuan had—she would take it all.

Her mother was a commoner, but became the matriarch of a great family on a small planet. She thought that was impressive, but outside that planet, they were nothing.

Her mother taught her that if you wanted something, you had to fight for it yourself.

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