My Corrupted System

Xiao Rui adjusted the bundle of bedsheets on his shoulder to find a more comfortable position before answering.

Keeping his tone calm and respectful, he said, "Yes, boss. I was told to change the bedsheets. After replacing them, I am taking this dirty one to be cleaned." 

He raised the bundle slightly so the manager could get a clear view of the bedsheet. "I'm just taking it to the cleaner now," he said.

The manager scrutinized the bedsheet while rubbing his chin. "Didn't we already have clean bedsheets in that room?" 

Xiao Rui tightened his grip on the package, maintaining a calm demeanor. Instead of displaying concern, he expressed a hint of disgust and stated, "She. . . um, made it dirty. " 

The manager's frown deepened. "Made it dirty? How so? " 

Xiao Rui paused, then leaned closer and lowered his voice, as if confiding an unpleasant secret. "She was on her period. " 

The manager's face contorted in disgust at Xiao Rui's disclosure. "Tsk. . . damn it," he muttered, shaking his head. ""At least she paid a gold coin, so I can't complain." The manager dismissively waved his hand."Just make sure it gets cleaned properly." 

Xiao Rui gave a polite nod. "Of course, boss." His heartbeat thumping, he made his entrance. He was just a few steps from the entrance when the manager's voice cut through the silence. 

"Stop." 

Xiao Rui stiffened, a shiver running down his spine as his grip tightened around the bedsheet. The weight on his shoulder, the heavy silence, and the dim light all felt suffocating at once. 

Xiao Rui turned toward the manager, his nerves on edge as he struggled to keep his composure under the man's piercing gaze. The manager's expression remained blank, giving nothing away. 

"Take it," he said, flicking a small pouch in Xiao Rui's direction. 

The bag landed in his palms with a faint jingle, the sound of coins clinking softly.

"Twenty copper coins," the manager said, his voice calm but firm.

The manager studied him for a moment longer before giving a brief nod. "Don't mess it up." 

Xiao Rui nodded and turned toward the inn's entrance, clutching the pouch of coins tightly.

Outside, the stone road lay quiet under the pale glow of the moon. Most stalls had already closed, their owners gone for the night, while a few lingered, their lanterns flickering as tired vendors packed up their wares.

Xiao Rui stepped out into the night. The cool breeze brushed his face as he shifted the bedsheet in his arms. 

Only when the inn was out of sight did he finally exhale softly. His grip on the pouch eased, but his thoughts stayed alert.

Moving swiftly through the quiet streets, he kept his pace steady. His home was not far from the inn, just a short distance away. The stone pathway beneath his feet was rough and uneven, worn down by years of footsteps. The soft glow of lanterns lit the road, their light flickering against the quiet wooden houses in the night. 

Before long, he arrived at a small, humble house with a slightly tilted roof. The walls, made of rock and clay, showed signs of age but stood firm. 

He knocked on the door, for three solid taps. 

A muffled voice came from inside. 

"Who's there?" 

"It's me, Lian. Open up." 

A moment later, the door creaked open, revealing Lian, his wife. 

She was a young woman in her early twenties, her dark brown hair tied neatly into a low bun. Her almond-shaped eyes, sharp yet warm, held a touch of curiosity. Her fair skin was smooth, and she wore a simple, slightly old robe. 

Her brows furrowed. "You're early today. What happened?"

Xiao Rui didn't answer immediately. Instead, he stepped inside and gently placed the bundled bedsheet on the wooden table.

Lian's frown deepened. "Why did you bring a bedsheet home?" 

She crossed her arms, clearly puzzled as he hurriedly began unwrapping the cloth. 

The moment the final layer was pulled back, a small, golden eyed baby was revealed. 

His tiny chest heaved up and down, his face flushed, and his golden eyes, still wet with unshed tears, were filled with anger and frustration. Around his neck hung a green jade pendant, which had intricate carvings.

Lian gasped, stepping closer in shock. "A baby?! Whose baby is this? And why in the world did you wrap him up like this?!" 

Zane, finally freed from his prison, breathing heavily, his small limbs trembling.

"Waaaah!!", He was trying to say something,

To Lian and Xiao Rui, it sounded like ordinary infant cries. But in reality, the baby's furious thoughts raged.

*You idiot! Who ties up a newborn?! Just wait, once I can move, I'll strangle you to death!*

He glared at Xiao Rui with pure rage. 

Lian went closer and immediately scooped him up, carefully removing the small cloth from his mouth. 

"There, there… you poor thing." She gently patted his back, trying to soothe him. 

Zane quieted slightly at her touch, the warmth of her arms far better than being trapped in a stuffy bedsheet. 

She turned back to her husband, her expression serious. 

"Explain. Now." 

Xiao Rui exhaled and sat down, rubbing the back of his neck. "Listen… this isn't just any baby. He's the child of a cultivator. A woman booked a room at the inn, and when I checked, she was gone and only the baby and a bag of gold were left behind." 

Lian's brows knitted together as she glanced between the child and her husband. "A cultivator's child? Are you sure?"

Xiao Rui nodded. "There were no signs of childbirth, and the way she carved letters into the wooden table was so perfect… only a cultivator could do that." 

Lian looked down at Zane, studying his delicate yet oddly refined features. 

Xiao Rui continued, his tone more serious. "He's also burning up. We need to take him to a physician before it gets worse." 

"Feed him first. Then take him to the physician."