The Bai Family Manor was nestled at the foot of Qingshan, on the outskirts of Tianmu City, a place sparsely populated and peacefully serene.
The estate covered an extensive area, with almost the entire Bai family residing within its grounds.
Bai Nian stepped out of the car, and the driver, apologetic, refunded the fare from yesterday and even waived the charge for this trip.
Though she knew this was just an attempt to curry favor with the Bai family, who would turn down free money?
At the main gate, the butler seemed to have been waiting for some time.
Dressed in a suit, he stood upright, his gaze fixed on Bai Nian.
Though she didn’t recognize him, his white hair and heterochromatic eyes were enough to confirm his identity.
“Miss Bai, please come with me.”
He extended his arm in a polite gesture.
“Master is waiting for you in the study.”
Bai Nian said nothing and followed him straight into the manor.
They made their way to the grand hall, exquisitely decorated but completely empty.
“Miss Bai, please wait a moment. I’ll inform the Master.”
The butler spoke courteously before heading upstairs.
Bai Nian didn’t sit; she stood still, knowing she didn’t belong here, nor was she a guest.
But the butler did not return.
Half an hour passed, and just as she grew impatient and prepared to leave, slow, deliberate footsteps echoed from above.
What appeared was a middle-aged man radiating authority without even trying, his steps steady and posture upright, his gaze sharp.
He had short, sleek white hair that revealed the air of someone in power.
“I heard you awakened as a Yellow-Rank Hypnotist?”
His tone was accusatory, a trace of disdain flickering in his eyes.
Before Bai Nian could respond, he scoffed coldly, “A disgrace to the Bai family!”
Bai Tianyi slowly seated himself on the sofa, and the butler promptly served him tea.
“Do you know why I called you back this time?”
he asked coldly, never once looking at her.
“Speak if you have something to say.”
Bai Nian’s face flashed with impatience.
“I can allow you to move back in and restore your status. You’ll be well taken care of from now on.”
Bai Tianyi took a sip of tea, glancing sideways at her before continuing, “I’ve arranged a marriage for you—the young master Cai Lin of the Cai Family in Tianmu City.”
Bai Nian burst into laughter.
“This is the biggest joke in the history of the Shen Yuan calendar.”
She turned and headed toward the door, seemingly not expecting the usually submissive Bai Nian to respond like this.
“Bastard! I didn’t say you could leave!”
Bai Tianyi stood up, shouting furiously, releasing a terrifying aura.
Bai Nian felt the temperature around her drop sharply; it was the height of summer, but she felt as if she were trapped in an ice cave.
Even the door frame began to frost over.
“The Bai Family of the Tian clan has a legacy spanning over a thousand years, renowned and feared across the Seven Great Alliances!”
“As members of the Tian clan, Bai family descendants must awaken combat professions—no exceptions!”
“Only you! You awakened as a Hypnotist, without even a talent! You’re a disgrace to the Bai family, bringing shame on us all!”
“And I endured everything to take you back, but you show no gratitude! Without me, you would have been fed to the dogs long ago!”
“You ungrateful wretch! I gave birth to you and raised you—don’t you know how to repay that?”
His furious glare bore into Bai Nian with intense disgust.
But Bai Nian didn’t react to his outburst—her mission had arrived
[Refuse PUA, Become a Free Person]
[Today’s Random Task: Sever Ties with Bai Family in Tianmu City.]
[Reward: Physical Attributes Enhancement]
[Punishment: Bathing Must Be Peeped On]
Just as I thought.
Bai Nian turned around, meeting Bai Tianyi’s eyes without fear.
“You old fossil, stop spewing nonsense!”
“You say you gave birth to and raised me? What a joke—you’re only scared the Master will hold you accountable.”
“You say I don’t know how to be grateful—have you ever cared for me once? Fulfilled a single fatherly responsibility?”
“Now that there’s something to gain, you recognize me as family? Where were you before?”
“You want me to marry that idiot Cai Lin? Why don’t you go marry him yourself?”
“You just pay a little child support, huh?”
Saying this, Bai Nian pulled out the Core of Calamity from her pocket and threw it toward him.
“Here, take it back!”
Bai Tianyi’s face turned dark, a flicker of surprise flashing in his eyes upon seeing the Core of Calamity.
“I’m not informing you, this is an order!”
“Orders, my ass!”
“You’ve always considered me a disgrace, so today I’m severing ties with the Bai family!”
Saying this, Bai Nian strode toward the door.
At that moment, the butler suddenly blocked her path.
“Get out of the way, old dog!”
Bai Tianyi was furious beyond measure, but he forced himself to restrain his anger.
“Let her go.”
The butler reluctantly stepped aside, watching Bai Nian’s figure disappear beyond the manor’s gates.
“Master, this is a first-rank Core of Calamity.”
He picked it up and handed it to Bai Tianyi, who snorted coldly.
“Just luck.”
He then gave the butler a look filled with murderous intent.
Since she chose to leave the Bai family, don’t blame me for being ruthless!
“Make sure she doesn’t slip up.”
The butler nodded immediately.
“Don’t worry, Master. It’s only the Cai family…”
“Change the person then.”
Though Cai Lin had specifically demanded to marry Bai Nian, the Cai Family had already sacrificed huge interests for this opportunity to climb closer to the Bai family.
It didn’t matter if Cai Lin disagreed; as long as the Cai Family agreed, it was settled.
Meanwhile, Bai Nian walking down the street breathed a sigh of relief, genuinely fearing he might make a move.
“Almost had to reopen the fight.”
Thankfully, the Master was strict enough to keep Bai Tianyi from acting recklessly.
“This mess is all your fault.”
She pinched her face hard.
“Ouch, that hurts!”
She quickly let go and rubbed the spot gently.
“Alright, I forgive you.”
“System, reward!”
[Task completed. Reward granted.]
With the system’s voice echoing in her mind, Bai Nian immediately felt changes in her body.
The most obvious sensation was newfound strength—at least comparable to a normal man.
No longer was she weak and easily knocked over.
She hurriedly examined herself.
“Phew, still looks the same as before.”
She was afraid she might have suddenly grown bulky muscles and kirin arms, which would look awful.
“Well, that’s settled. Back to square one—no money earned, and I’m still ten thousand in debt.”
Bai Nian frowned, taking out her phone to browse forums while walking.
If she wanted to make money fast, she’d have to remove the Gate of Calamity.
But her life profession was forbidden from entering it.
Suddenly, an idea struck her.