The game comes true, starting with the wandering spirits and gods.

The father before her, so familiar to her, was now enveloped in a black and red light.

The thickest layer of dark red light accumulated on his father's shoulders, allowing it to flow down his arms.

Everything seemed to be oozing a strange, viscous red liquid from his heart, enveloping him...

Zhang Wenhao's hands began to tremble.

His gaze slowly moved upwards to look at Zhang Mingyuan's face.

It was a face with a ferocious, maniacal laugh!

From the gaping maw, a vertical pupil emerged, swaying from side to side as if it were warily scrutinizing him!

"A mouse?"

Even his mother, who was in the kitchen, came out with a wok when she saw him standing there in a daze.

"What are you standing there for! Wash your hands and eat!"

Zhang Wenhao suddenly remembered the explanation of the vertical pupils that had puzzled him before.

What I see and hear is unlike anything I've ever witnessed: spirits, evil energy, cause and effect, the truth—all fall into my vertical pupils.

In reality, it had never reacted in any way before.

He thought it was dead in reality, at most a strangely shaped colored contact lens.

Now, he has to swallow all his previous guesses.

It turned out not to be.

It just hasn't encountered anyone "abnormal".

And now, it has encountered...

A moment later, the distorted vertical pupil seemed to have burned through a lot of spiritual energy.

After a moment of dizziness, it closed again.

The person in front of me has transformed back into my kind and gentle old father.

Business as usual.

It was as if what had just happened had never occurred, but was merely a fleeting illusion.

However, the indifferent narration, like the hammer of judgment, fell as scheduled.

It shattered his last glimmer of hope.

[Ding! You have activated "Twisted Eyes"]

[Judgment: Zhang Mingyuan]

[Assessment Result: The target has been deeply contaminated by "Red Fragrance"]

[The demons and monsters are fed with blood and gore, and the evil influence they release leaves the victim unaware. The closer the evil spirits are, the deeper they are tainted, and the more their form resembles that of a sacrificial offering.]

It's that 'monster' again!

Zhang Wenhao's pupils contracted sharply, and his clenched fist trembled from the force.

"fine."

He forced a smile and said, "It's just...it's been too long since I've seen you."

Zhang Mingyuan smiled and solemnly patted his shoulder, the force just as strong as before.

"Silly boy, he's only a few months old."

"Let's eat first."

Zhang Wanning muttered "I'm hungry, I'm hungry" behind him, and pushed the absent-minded Zhang Wenhao to sit at the dining table.

Zhang Mingyuan picked up the chopsticks on the table, took a piece of braised pork rib, and put it into the bowl in front of Zhang Wenhao.

"Dinner's ready. Your mom's been cooking all afternoon, just waiting for you."

At the dinner table, Zhang Mingyuan started talking non-stop.

"This trip to Beijing has truly broadened my horizons." He picked up a peanut and chewed it with a loud crunch.

"Guess what? Next to our project, they unearthed an ancient tomb while digging the foundation. Good heavens, in the middle of the night, several police cars arrived at the construction site, along with a few people dressed in full protective gear, claiming to be from the cultural relics bureau, and they completely surrounded the site."

Zhang Wenhao poked at the braised pork in his bowl, the tips of his chopsticks probing the meat, but he didn't take a bite.

Did Dad go to Beijing?

Could the problem originate in Beijing?

What is Chixiang?

Everything was like a giant maze, and he was still lingering at the entrance.

Previously, I had never cared about the treasures in the maze, and had always observed them from the sidelines.

But now, the treasure has become a matter of life and death for his family, so he has no choice but to explore it on his own initiative.

Zhang Wenhao even felt remorse.

I should have been more proactive earlier...

Right now, the more crucial thing is my father's condition.

He looked up and glanced at Zhang Mingyuan, who was sitting in the main seat, spitting as he spoke.

It looks no different from anything else.

If it weren't for my distorted vision, I wouldn't have been able to see the problem at all.

But how can we know what his current situation is?

What if he suddenly attacks and hurts Mom and Sister?

The thought, like a cold needle, suddenly pierced Zhang Wenhao's mind.

He instinctively tightened his grip on the chopsticks.

Should we resort to force now?

He looked at Zhang Mingyuan's dark, wrinkled face and his bright eyes that sparkled as he talked about funny things.

His vertical pupils had closed, so he couldn't see the evil spirit's appearance.

Before him stood only an ordinary old father, who had toiled for half his life, excitedly recounting the extraordinary story of an ancient tomb being unearthed at the construction site.

Zhang Wenhao forced himself to calm down.

Do not move.

Not now!

My mom was still serving soup in the kitchen, while my sister was gnawing on ribs and complaining about her colleague's annoying behavior.

The father listened attentively and offered his insights based on his own experience.

But her old-fashioned way of speaking quickly earned her a glare from her daughter...

"Dad," he suddenly said.

Zhang Mingyuan was talking about how no one could read the inscription on the stone tablet when he was interrupted by this voice, and he paused for a moment, then asked, "Huh?"

How long are you going to stay home this time?

Zhang Mingyuan thought for a moment, then extended his index finger:

"All day long."

"My flight is early the day after tomorrow. There's a wrap-up meeting in Beijing."

All day long...

Zhang Wenhao quickly calculated it in his mind, then raised his eyebrows in feigned surprise:

"I happen to have no classes tomorrow, so I can stay home with you!"

Zhang Wanning lifted her head from the bowl, stared at him, and said:

"I just don't believe it! Didn't you go to class at 8 AM every day during your freshman year? How could you not have classes?"

She swallowed the meat in her mouth, pointed her chopsticks at Zhang Wenhao, and asked suspiciously, "You're not just using this as an excuse to skip school, are you?"

"No way." Zhang Wenhao picked up a piece of green vegetable, stuffed it into his mouth, and chewed expressionlessly. "The classes were rescheduled, you wouldn't understand."

Zhang Wanning scoffed and rolled her eyes, but didn't press the matter further.

My mother came out of the kitchen carrying a bowl of soup, her apron still stained with oil. Hearing this, she smiled and interjected:

"The mouse knows to keep its father company now; it's grown up."

Zhang Wenhao twitched the corner of his mouth but didn't reply.

The meal lasted almost an hour. Zhang Mingyuan drank about two ounces of baijiu (Chinese liquor), and his face was slightly flushed.

The whole family enjoyed a happy family meal together.

After dinner, everyone had their own plans. Zhang Wanning returned to her room, worrying about her work plan and chat history with her colleagues.

Mom was tidying up the kitchen, grumbling about the rising price of pork at the market.

Zhang Wenhao stood in the shadows of the living room, looking at his father through a half-sliding door.

"dad."

Zhang Mingyuan turned his head and flicked his cigarette ash: "What's wrong?"

"Tonight, I was playing games in the study. I fell asleep there when I got tired." Zhang Wenhao paused. "Do you want to come with me?"

When he was a child, Zhang Mingyuan was an open-minded father who often played arcade games with his son.

Zhang Mingyuan paused for a moment, looked at his son's face, which looked particularly serious under the light, and suddenly smiled.

"What's wrong? Want to spar with your old man again?"

Zhang Wenhao scratched his head: "My skills are pretty good now, don't beat me so badly you won't want to go on your business trip!"

"Okay!" Zhang Mingyuan readily agreed.

Zhang Wenhao stared into his eyes.

As long as I'm still by his side, I can't hurt my mom and sister for the time being...

Dad, are you really still you...?