Bran walked in from outside, wearing an expression that suggested he had swallowed something bitter. "I'm not in the mood today. You can go swimming by yourself."

Tang Wen looked at him as if discovering a new planet. "So, you actually get moody?"

To tell the truth, after years together, Tang Wen had never seen him shirk his duties or lose his composure. Every task, he handled with perfect demeanor and flawless execution, never brushing him off with a simple sentence like this.

Tang Wen blinked his eyes. "Are you constipated?"

Bran choked for a second, suddenly wanting to retort, Your mother is making me constipated. But he couldn't ruin his image as an assistant. He held back the words, merely saying, "Mr. Tang Wen, that remark lacks grace."

Only in front of outsiders would Bran use the formal address "Mr. Tang Wen"; usually, he just called him Tang Wen. The fact that he used the formal address today convinced Tang Wen that he truly was constipated. In high spirits, Tang Wen declared, "Don't give up on treatment. I'll give you a few days off; go see a doctor."

Bran: ...

He said nothing, turning on his heel and walking out.

Little Sprout, trailing and bobbing, followed him to the doorway. With a whoosh, it zipped back, expanding mid-air to return to its spherical shape, landing with remarkable elasticity on Tang Wen's shoulder. It bounced up, then down, wiggling its bottom until it found the most comfortable spot. Fluttering its wings, it chirped sweetly, "Poor little thing is constipated! Let's go swimming, oh yeah!"

Tang Wen caught it and brought it close to his face, examining it carefully. "Will you spray water if we go swimming?"

Little Sprout: ...

Why did it suddenly feel like staying with Bran was the wiser choice?

Unfortunately, it no longer had the chance to regret.

Tang Wen carried it up to the rooftop. A massive swimming pool dominated the space. Tang Wen tossed it toward the pool and turned to leave. Little Sprout felt the wind rush past its ears, its downy fuzz all blown backward. It closed its eyes, savoring the sensation of hurtling speed, but the tiny sprout on its head sensed the dampness of the water.

It decisively halted its momentum and opened its eyes.

It found itself suspended about 1 cm above the water's surface, just a hair's breadth from plunging in. It flapped its wings furiously and managed to avoid falling in. "That big demon Tang is too mean! How dare he tease this great master!"

"Am I really that savage?" A voice laced with amusement came from behind. Little Sprout whipped around to see Big Demon Tang standing before the pool, clad only in swim trunks. The soft light illuminated his beautiful face, his pale neck, his subtle musculature, and his long legs...

A gleam of programming light flashed in Little Sprout's eyes, and the sprout on its head shot straight up. "Big rotten egg Tang, your dimensions are way smaller than the alien's!"

Tang Wen's smile instantly faded.

Since meeting Ziye, Tang Wen felt he had been hijacked, constantly compared to An Junlie.

Although he deliberately ignored it, he still heard the endless chatter: what An Junlie did for Ziye, what Tang Wen did for Ziye—no matter what he did, if compared to An Junlie, he was trash.

The name An Junlie was like a thorn.

He thought Little Sprout wouldn't draw comparisons, but he hadn't expected Little Sprout to deliver the fatal blow: his dimensions didn't measure up to the alien's? Damn it, he wanted to slap Little Sprout out of existence right then and there!

Male dignity, what was that...?

Little Sprout completely disregarded his expression and opened its light screen. "Really, look at the data. The alien's physical data is exceptionally perfect; it can be referenced when building mecha. Your physique can only serve as a template for cosmetic slimming systems in medical applications."

Tang Wen blinked. Was that the size being referred to?

He realized he had thought of the wrong thing.

However, being compared to An Junlie was still intolerable!

Tang Wen executed a perfect dive into the pool, swimming with the grace of a fish, completely ignoring Little Sprout. Receiving no reaction, Little Sprout flew slightly annoyed above his head, trying to appease him: "I won't tell little fool Ziye, hehe..." Before it finished speaking, it felt a sharp sting, and Tang Wen splashed it into the water.

It sputtered and scrambled up, only for Tang Wen to kick it toward the bottom of the pool.

Little Sprout was terrified. "Waaah, if you ruin my body, I will hate you, absolutely hate you!"

Tang Wen ignored it and continued swimming toward the far end.

Little Sprout floated at the bottom for a moment, feeling completely comfortable. It only belatedly realized that being submerged in water didn't harm it at all.

It relaxed its body, relying on buoyancy, and floated automatically to the surface. It lay there languidly like a potentate, glancing sideways at Tang Wen. "Swim, swim! No matter how strong you are, you can't float up like this."

Saying that, it opened its light screen, started recording, and simultaneously began reporting Big Rotten Egg Tang's wicked deeds to Ziye.

Tang Wen swam up behind it, surfacing, and glanced at the rapidly flashing data on its screen. Suddenly, he asked, "You can write programs?"

Little Sprout scoffed. "This great master is a photonic brain; how could I not know how to write programs?"

Tang Wen considered this, then climbed out of the pool.

Little Sprout turned to face him. He saw crystalline droplets sliding off his body, each one catching the light like a tiny, shimmering diamond.

Little Sprout sighed and suddenly mused, "This master understands now. Your physique is the legendary type that looks good but is useless."

Tang Wen nearly stumbled. Who called him Big Demon Tang? Clearly, this creature was the greater demon!

He casually picked up a bathrobe, tossed it on, cinched the belt loosely, and sat down on a lounge chair beneath the parasol. A robot immediately presented a teacup containing perfectly brewed tea.

Tang Wen took one look and knew it was Bran’s handiwork.

It seemed even when constipated, Bran hadn't forgotten his preferences.

Tang Wen was quite satisfied. He picked up the cup and took a delicate sip, then beckoned Little Sprout with a finger. "Come here."

Little Sprout flew to the table beside him, about an arm's length away, watching him warily. "What do you want?"

Tang Wen crossed his legs and drawled, "Besides comparing me to An Junlie, what else can you do?"

Little Sprout cupped the light screen with its wings. "This great master can also draw conclusions."

Tang Wen tilted his head. "What conclusion did you draw?"

Little Sprout replied with a sly grin, "This great master concluded that little fool Ziye doesn't like you."

Tang Wen's complexion grayed slightly. "How did you reach that conclusion?"

Little Sprout turned the screen toward him. "Because An Junlie is smart, and you are a dummy."

Tang Wen glared at it discontentedly. "How am I a dummy?"

Little Sprout extended the sprout on its head, which whooshed and hooked onto a rib of the parasol, swinging happily like a pendulum. "An Junlie is open and honest, his actions transparent and upright. You, however, keep things hidden and tucked away. This great master doesn't even need data; you are Big Dummy Tang!"

Tang Wen snorted internally. Open and honest?

How could someone who led a group through brutal fighting to establish a legion that ranked among the top ten be truly open and honest? An Junlie was just better at concealing himself in front of Ziye.

Tang Wen despised that type of person most.

But why did Little Sprout say he was secretive?

Where was he being secretive?

He just hadn't expressed his feelings to Ziye!

Little Sprout swung lazily and added, "Ziye is a little fool, an especially little fool."

Tang Wen pinched its cheek. "Are you saying she doesn't understand?"

The sprout on Little Sprout's head cooperatively formed a question mark. "Understand what?"

Tang Wen stopped asking. He rose from the lounge chair, opened his ultra-comm screen, dialed Ziye's number, and declared, "Before I see you, you are not allowed to meet An Junlie!" Then he hung up.

Ziye was left utterly bewildered, while he, already in high spirits, changed clothes and instructed Bran to invite the three apprentices from Tangmen Neitang Mountain to prepare for a meeting.

Little Sprout made a face behind him. Hmph, little fool won't listen to you!

After taking a few steps, Tang Wen suddenly remembered it. He turned back, grabbed the sprout on its head, shook it back and forth, spinning it a full 360 degrees until Little Sprout, unable to help itself, got dizzy and passed out.

When Tang Wen emerged after showering, Bran was gone.

He remembered giving Bran time off for treatment, and the maid sent by his mother had also been dismissed. Faced with no other options, he had to fix his appearance himself.

He went into the dressing room, grabbed a pair of trousers at random, and then struggled with how to pair a top. He possessed a distinct aesthetic sense but lacked the hands-on experience of coordinating outfits, the standard case of having high standards but low practical skill. After half an hour, he couldn't find a suitable shirt.

Tang Wen angrily tossed the clothes aside, deciding not to wear anything.

Bran walked in from outside and couldn't help but smile seeing Tang Wen in that state. He quickly tidied the discarded clothes, put them away, and took a few items from the rack to dress Tang Wen.

Poor Tang Wen was finally restored to his fashionable male model aura, and his gratitude toward Bran rose another notch.

However, he wasn't the type to voice thanks. Arrogantly, he asked, "Is your constipation better?"

Bran choked again. "That's not the focus right now. The focus is that Madam Tang suggested an idea to Longyi Company: prepare for an intergalactic talent show."

Tang Wen was unconcerned. "As long as she likes it."

Bran rubbed his forehead. "Do you understand what that means?"

Tang Wen blinked. "I understand. She's in that business; it's only natural for Longyi to debut more artists."

Bran covered his face. This one was hopeless.

Longyi was the entertainment conglomerate personally managed by Madam Tang, one of the top few in the galaxy. Hosting a talent show was perfectly normal. But this time, Madam Tang's intention went beyond the show; she was looking for a daughter-in-law!!!

From their last conversation, Bran clearly sensed Madam Tang was somewhat curious about Ziye, but definitely not invested. Tang Wen was already in his twenties, and Ziye was the only person around him, which worried her greatly.

To Madam Tang, liking a girl who was plain-looking and inept at dressing was just as terrifying as liking men.

But Tang Wen not only liked girls who couldn't dress well, but he also liked Bran!!!

Therefore, she had to correct her son's flawed taste through some method.

Tang Wen ignored him and held out his hand. "Since you aren't taking your vacation, give me a breakdown of the sphere of influence of those few people within Tangmen, along with all their published works."