2. Not knowing the meaning of the painting in youth, now seeing it, I am already a part of the painting

While I was surprised to finally meet this “Madam,” I also fully understood the meaning of being henpecked. After all, even if I wanted to mock the old man’s henpecked nature, to avenge his earlier “kidney” remarks, the moment I saw the old man’s reaction, all I felt was sympathy for him as a fellow man.

He didn’t even bother teasing me and Ke Fei Er anymore, immediately leaning against the wall to take off his shoes, then pulled out a stack of checks for the Great Ying Empire’s exchange coins from the soles of his shoes, insisting on shoving this smelly stack into my hands.

“Take it, buy as much as you want of that thing with Ke Fei Er.”

I’ll buy you a hammer! And don’t shove your secret stash of money onto me, not only does it reek of an old man, but now you want to shift the blame too? But then again, is it that the old man is too caught up in his fantasies of a harem, or is it that “madam” is really dangerous? Because not only does the old man look tense, but Ke Fei Er also tugged at my arm, hinting that I should quickly follow her and leave.

But now, it’s already too late.

【Madam Appears!】

With the script’s emergence, a young figure wafted in with a fragrant breeze, striding in decisively and sharply. The old man, who had just been desperately digging through his shoes to scatter his secret stash, instantly transformed like a Sichuan opera face-changing act , revealing a smile that was one part sincerity and seven parts ingratiation.

“Hey, hey hey~ Wife, you’re back! You must be tired, right?”

This scene gave me a strong sense of déjà vu, as if I had seen it somewhere before…

The old man’s voice pointed to the one who could turn this half-saint, super dragon with an inflated ego into a sycophant in an instant—his wife.

As I followed his gaze, I saw her: white hair, red eyes, with a hint of a cold and aloof demeanor that made me feel as if I were looking at a mature version of Ke Fei Er. The only difference was that madam wore a light, flowing gown and a hat atop her head, along with a long staff and various magical trinkets adorning her, clearly indicating that she was a sorceress, quite different from the sword-wielding Ke Fei Er.

But one thing was certain: she could easily “take me out.”

【Madam Sets Her Eyes on Ou Ji Li De.】

As a “stranger” present, madam’s scrutinizing gaze naturally fell on me first. Clearly, compared to a certain old man who was eager to peddle his own cabbage, Ke Fei Er’s mother was a normal parent.

So… Madam, I really haven’t done anything to your daughter! If you don’t believe me, ask Ke Fei Er. Several times, the atmosphere between us was just a bed away from getting to the point, and I’ve held back thanks to my excellent character, golden upbringing, and the care I have for your precious daughter. So please, don’t unleash any devastating moves on me; I doubt I could dodge them.

In the next moment, it seemed Ke Fei Er sensed something too.

“Welcome back, Mother.”

Though she said “welcome,” she actually stepped in front of me, partially blocking my body, and then quietly used our bond to whisper to me.

【Unlike Father, who is all laughs and giggles, Mother has always been very strict, so don’t say anything reckless…】

Even if you lend me some courage, I wouldn’t dare, after all, my identity as a BOSS is at stake, and one misstep could cost me my life. Not to mention, this is Ke Fei Er’s mother; I certainly have to find a way to get on her good side.

Fortunately, this madam didn’t do anything like “throw me a million and make me roll,” but instead… turned her attention to the poor old man.

“I heard everything you said outside, including about the kidneys…”

After a suspicious flush crossed her face, madam’s voice turned sharp, “Are you pressing the kids?”

“Pressuring!?”

The old man’s voice shot up in pitch, “W-What? How could that be, hahaha! Isn’t this just a discussion? As the saying goes, when the melon is ripe, it falls from the vine; some things are better said plainly, especially to the young ones. That way, we can take the necessary safety measures… Ouch, ouch…”

Halfway through his sentence, the old man started to whine.

“Wife, stop, stop, it hurts…”

There was no helping it; after all, madam had already walked over and grabbed his ear, putting on a show in front of me and Ke Fei Er titled “Shocking! The Eight-Star Strongman of the Great Ying Empire Pleads for Mercy in Public .”

“Do whatever you want, but with the engagement approaching, you’re encouraging them to indulge? Don’t treat everyone like they’re as brainless as you! Relationships need to be nurtured!”

After saying something that seemed a bit off, madam finally let go. The poor old man stood to the side, rubbing his ear, serving as a backdrop.

“Before this, I was teaching court mages for the queen in the territory. That said, I’ve also heard some things about you two and the recent events on my way back.”

As she spoke, madam looked at me and Ke Fei Er, “Ke Fei Er, go find all the secret stash your father has hidden; otherwise, you’ll have a new mother soon.”

“Wife, hey, wife, I didn’t agree to this! It’s those women who are past the marrying age who come looking for trouble.”

“Ke Fei’er, go quickly.” The lady urged, then shot her husband a glare. “As for you, go sweep the bedroom. I don’t want to walk in and be hit by the stench of you.”

After sending both Ke Fei’er and the uncle away, the lady turned to me in silence. My first instinct was to follow Ke Fei’er to check for hidden money, but at this moment, the script was already laid out clearly.

【Ou Ji Li De must stay.】

“It seems the power of ‘prophecy’ is indeed real. In that case, what Ze Luo La has been shouting about—that you’re the one who helped Ke Fei’er level up—should also be true.”

The lady’s attitude towards me was reminiscent of how Ke Fei’er had regarded me when we first met. There was no hostility, but there was certainly some suspicion. Coupled with her status and her formidable eighth-tier magic prowess, I felt the weight of my role as the BOSS in a death script.

【If Ou Ji Li De responds incorrectly, he will be seen as having ill intentions towards Ke Fei’er.】

The death script has arrived! I had nothing to feel guilty about regarding Ke Fei’er, but in this situation, I couldn’t help but feel nervous.

“I’ve always known about the engagement. Although I initially agreed, your continuous delays have raised my suspicions. Ou Ji Li De, what is it about my daughter Ke Fei’er that makes you reluctant to go through with the engagement?”

“Could it be that you’ve already been involved with other women from various imperial kingdoms, and that’s why you refuse to agree to the engagement with Ke Fei’er?”

Cough, cough, cough…

I… I might really be sent to the afterlife by the lady’s magic!

—