When a Cultivator Boss Gets Thrown Into a Fake and Real Daughter Script - Chapter 9

Zhou Luo sat comfortably on her balcony, watching the commotion downstairs with amusement. From this height, she could see everything clearly. Her little ladybug had done a fine job; efficient and precise. It truly lived up to the effort she’d put into raising it. It wasn’t quite as powerful as the spirit pets she’d had in her previous life, but for her current situation, it was more than enough.

Just as Zhou Man was being escorted away, the system’s familiar voice chimed in her head:

【Congratulations, Host Player, for completing one of the main missions—tearing off the mask of the first female supporting character, Zhou Man. You are awarded 1000 beginner points and have unlocked the Macro Mall.】

“Macro Mall?” Zhou Luo blinked in confusion. Following the system’s guidance, she opened the new interface, only to be utterly stunned by what she saw.

There, in the very last section of the mall, was something she had longed for, something she had once thought she would never see again.

“System, are you serious?”

【The ultimate reward—authentic and guaranteed.】

Tch. Zhou Luo clicked her tongue, a trace of regret flickering through her eyes. If she’d known there were such lucrative rewards waiting, she might’ve let Zhou Man stay in the game a little longer—just to rack up a few extra points.

Still, it seemed like it was time to pay Zhou Jun a visit.

So this is what having a god’s-eye view feels like, she thought with a soft sigh, never realizing that she herself was also standing right at the center of the storm.

*******

In the living room downstairs, Old Master Zhou Zhenye was still waiting for news about Zhou Luo. The entire family wore dark expressions.

Zhou Congwen’s mind was in chaos. He couldn’t understand why the old man was so intent on seeing Zhou Luo again.

Before he could sort out his thoughts, Zhou Luo appeared on her own.

The moment Zhou Jun saw her, he stormed forward, hand raised to slap her. Shen Jinling’s eyes burned with hatred, her face twisted in anger.

Zhou Man’s hysterical words still echoed in her mind. Deep down, Shen Jinling felt guilt gnawing at her. Yes, maybe she had been wrong. She shouldn’t have brought Zhou Luo, that ill-omened girl, back home. The family had been so peaceful before her return. It was because of Zhou Luo that everything had fallen apart.

“Enough!” Old Master Zhou’s sharp voice cut through the tension.

“What do you think you’re doing? I’m still alive, and you dare to raise a hand against her right in front of me? You claim to have treated her well, but if this is how you act when I’m here, what happens when I’m gone?!”

He struck his cane hard against the floor, the sound echoing like thunder. The room immediately fell silent.

When everyone finally quieted down, Old Master Zhou beckoned gently toward Zhou Luo, his voice softening.

“Luo Luo, come here. Come to Grandpa.”

Zhou Luo didn’t move right away. She looked at the man calling to her with unexpected warmth in his tone. For a moment, she just stared caught between curiosity and calculation.

Old Master Zhou thought she was frightened, but in reality, Zhou Luo was running through possibilities in her mind. Why did this ‘grandfather’ suddenly enter the plot? And why is he… on my side?

“System, what’s going on?” she asked silently.

【Hidden quest detected. This indicates the host’s storyline progression is on track.】

Ah, so that was it.

【Hidden Character Discovered: Zhou Zhenye. Reward: 200 beginner points.】

Zhou Luo’s lips curved slightly. So, any previously absent character that appeared in the story would trigger a reward.

Old Master Zhou, thinking she was still scared, rose from his seat and personally went to take her hand. Zhou Luo didn’t resist.

“Don’t be afraid, Luo Luo. Come back to the old residence with Grandpa. Grandpa will protect you, alright?”

Moments ago, he had been fierce and commanding but now, standing before Zhou Luo, his voice was full of tenderness. His eyes overflowed with genuine affection and guilt for the granddaughter who had suffered so much.

When Zhou Qian had told him what was happening, he had immediately rushed back.

He was old, his health failing, but no matter how frail his body was, this time he couldn’t stay away.

If he didn’t step in now, the Zhou family’s true bloodline would be destroyed by outsiders’ cruelty.

From across the room, Zhou Congwen’s eyes gleamed coldly.

He couldn’t just sit back and let this happen. The old man’s anger was dangerous and worse, his sympathy for that country girl might upend everything.

Old and senile, Zhou Congwen thought bitterly. He actually believes that wild brat is worthy of his favor.

Zhou Congwen and Zhou Jun exchanged a look that said they’d silently reached some agreement. Zhou Luo noticed it and could tell the two men were seething but what surprised her more was the genuine warmth in the old man’s eyes. In a family like the Zhous, people usually measured everything in profit and loss; she’d expected no softness. Yet Old Master Zhou showed real affection, and Zhou Luo felt a small, unfamiliar warmth in her chest.

“Grandpa…” she said, the word slipping out from somewhere deep inside; soft, tentative.

The old man’s face crumpled with pity. “All right, all right. Come home with Grandpa. Live in the old house with me, okay?”

At those words, Zhou Congwen bristled. If the old man kept her, what would happen to the deal he’d been counting on with the Lins? He exchanged a quick look with Shen Jinling, who immediately put on a show of grief, falling to her knees and wailing in public. The act worked and Old Master Zhou softened even more.

“Dad, we’ve wronged Luo Luo. Give us a chance to make it right,” Zhou Congwen began, piling on the regret.

Old Master Zhou snorted, unconvinced. Zhou Qian, watching the family theater, knew something didn’t add up. People like her aunt and uncle didn’t suddenly grow conscience. Still, Old Master Zhou turned back to Zhou Luo and, with a stern undertone meant to warn, said, “Think carefully, Luo Luo.”

Zhou Luo squeezed his hand. “Grandpa, I’ll come see you in a few days. I’ll bring good news.” She wasn’t lying. She meant to say she’d bring Qingbei’s acceptance letter.

That small promise relaxed Zhou Congwen if she went to the old residence, his headache would be easier to manage. Zhou Luo watched the microexpressions flit across his face; the bargaining had just begun.