Interstellar Farming: I Make Potions and Climb to the Top

Chen Jingyu saw the miserable look on Chen Nan’s face. She frowned, then leaned over and pressed down on Wang Mu’s head, her nails sinking into his scalp. Gripping his hair, Chen Jingyu forced Wang Mu’s head up. She stared into his eyes and asked, "If it weren’t for the stupid things your father did, would you have a chance?"

Although Wang Mu’s Spiritual Power Level was quite high, his Companion Spirit was only Advanced Level, whereas Chen Jingyu’s was Elite Level. The reason they had formed a Contract in the first place was that Chen Jingyu came from a commoner family, and the Wang family could offer her some support.

Later, as Chen Jingyu’s power grew, she remained generous and lenient toward Wang Mu, despite her domineering personality. This time, however, Wang Mu’s actions had enraged her, and she had punished him severely. Now, as she gripped his hair and forced his head back, Wang Mu couldn’t muster a single thought of resistance.

"Mother, I’m just too weak. The one beside Ning Xuan now is the direct heir of the Lin Family from Five Maples City. His Spiritual Power Level is SS-level, and his Companion Spirit is also very high-level. My only advantage was arriving at her side early; in every other respect, I have none." Although Chen Nan internally resented his father for what he had done, he was, after all, his own flesh and blood. Seeing Wang Mu’s wretched state pained him, and he didn’t dare say anything to add fuel to the fire, choosing instead to take all the blame on himself.

"The Lin Family of Five Maples City is indeed a major power, so it’s only natural you can’t compete. However, her power won’t stop growing here. Every advancement above B-Class grants the right to hold another Contract ceremony, so it’s not as if you have no chance at all. You need to work hard and prove your worth. Mu, while he’s home for the next few days, you teach him well," Chen Jingyu said, releasing Wang Mu and patting his cheek.

"Yes, Contractor. Don’t worry, I will do my utmost to teach him," Wang Mu replied submissively.

Chen Jingyu rose and left. The moment she was gone, Wang Mu’s tense body went slack. With that release, the pain he had been forcefully suppressing washed over him in a wave. A pained expression twisted his face. He pressed his palms against the cold floor tiles, trying to push himself up, his knuckles turning white from the strain.

Chen Nan rushed over to help him, but he accidentally brushed against a wound on his arm. A muffled groan of pain escaped through Wang Mu’s clenched teeth.

"Clumsy. Get out of the way," Wang Mu hissed, sucking in a sharp breath.

He gripped the chair Chen Jingyu had just been sitting in and straightened up, his spine moving vertebrae by vertebrae like a rusty machine.

Seeing Chen Nan standing helplessly to the side, he suddenly let out a soft chuckle. "Judging by the look on your face, Ning Xuan must treat you well. Has she never beaten you?"

"She has," Chen Nan answered.

"What for?" Wang Mu asked.

"You kept hounding me to come back, so I wanted to find a place to hide where you couldn’t find me. I took her there with me," Chen Nan said, shooting his father a resentful glance. His decision to do something so drastic back then had been directly because of Wang Mu.

"You mean you took her away by force, without her knowledge or consent?" Wang Mu stared at Chen Nan in shock.

"Yeah." Even Chen Nan himself couldn’t understand where he’d gotten the nerve to do something like that back then.

"I’m surprised she didn’t kill you. Oh, right, she was weaker back then. But now that she’s gotten more powerful, has she not settled that score with you?" Wang Mu wasn’t particularly surprised that Chen Nan was capable of something so audacious. The boy had always had a rebellious streak.

Chen Nan fell silent at his father’s question. In truth, he was panicking inside. ’Last time, when Ning Xuan went to the Seven Star Divine Mountain, she didn’t take me. This time, she’s sent me packing back home. She said she’d call for me before entering the Lingxiao Secret Realm, but... now that she’s intimate with Lin Mo, will she decide I’m an eyesore and change her mind? Or will she just cast me aside and forget about me completely?’

Chen Nan was on pins and needles. Seeing his son’s anxiety, Wang Mu offered some comfort. "Don’t be so scared. The fact that she kept you by her side after you did something like that proves she’s still very fond of you. It also shows Ning Xuan isn’t a cruel person. You heard what your mother wants. Since your own power is average, you should stop thinking about fighting for your life on some battlefield. Just stay by Ning Xuan’s side and serve her well. As long as you keep your Contractor happy, you’ll have a comfortable life ahead of you."

As Wang Mu said this, he felt a wave of emotion. ’The whole reason I arranged for him to be with the Bai Family’s second daughter was to keep him off the battlefield. It’s too dangerous. Every one of the military honors Chen Nan earned came at the cost of nearly losing his life.’

Chen Nan had never been properly disciplined as a child. Though he appeared calm and steady, he was actually rebellious and defiant. The Bai Family’s second daughter may have had a bad reputation, but her power was mediocre and she was dependent on her family. The Bai Family had even promised they wouldn’t let Bai Xiuying bully Chen Nan.

"The Lin Family’s heir can’t possibly stay by Ning Xuan’s side every day. Once this first year of their Contract is up, he’ll surely have to return to his legion. You, on the other hand, can be with her every day. So, what your mother wants you to fight for... it’s not hopeless." Thinking of Lin Mo’s position in the Second Legion, Wang Mu figured he would definitely have to go back to the army.

’Honestly,’ Wang Mu thought, ’if I had a son with Lin Mo’s qualifications, I would do everything in my power to keep him home and have a bride marry into our family for him. I can’t imagine why the Lin Family would let Lin Mo become Ning Xuan’s Contractor.’

When Chen Jingyu told Wang Mu to teach Chen Nan, she meant for him to teach not only how to curry favor, but also the art of pleasing a woman, which included physical training, etiquette and rules, poise and psychology, and various other aspects.

In truth, Wang Mu had tried to teach him all this before, but Chen Nan had never taken the lessons seriously. This time, however, he was studying diligently. Learning at home was, after all, far better than being sent to the Controller Protection Association for training.

Chen Nan already knew that Ning Xuan had successfully passed the preliminary selection and would be entering the Lingxiao Secret Realm for the ranking matches in three days. Yet, Ning Xuan still hadn’t sent for him. Just as he was growing frantic with anxiety and about to head back on his own, a servant from the Chen Mansion arrived to report that the Family Head had invited Miss Ning to their home. The Family Head was holding a banquet in Miss Ning’s honor and requested that her husband and son see to the arrangements.

In the Chen Family’s main reception hall, Chen Jingyu watched Lin Mo stand behind Ning Xuan as straight as a spear, and she couldn’t help but sigh internally. ’He has power, backing, talent, and looks. Even his physique is superb. Most importantly, he’s utterly respectful and subservient in Ning Xuan’s presence. For my son to compete with him... it’s going to be far too difficult.’

"Miss Ning, to have such a high level of spiritual power at your age, your future is truly limitless. My son is fortunate to be paired with you; it is his great blessing, and as his mother, I am overjoyed for him. If he ever does anything wrong, please feel free to discipline him. There’s no need to hold back on our account." Chen Jingyu’s gaze was filled with genuine admiration as she looked at Ning Xuan.