After everyone was reborn, I was strictly disciplined.

The back mountain of the Fire Marrow Pill Holy Land seems to be a corner forgotten by the Fire Marrow Pill disciples.

The bluish-gray flagstone path meanders through the deep shade, where old tree branches intertwine and block out the sun, allowing only a few scattered rays of sunlight to fall on the moss-covered stone steps, giving them a dim, gloomy glow.

The surroundings were unusually quiet, with only the chirping of unknown insects in the grass and the occasional bird's cry breaking the silence, only to be swallowed up by the deeper stillness in an instant. Even the sound of the wind passing through the branches and leaves had a somewhat melancholic tone.

Looking around, there wasn't a single person in sight; only the pungent smell of grass and the dampness of the earth filled the air.

On the stone-paved road, two figures walked one after the other.

Xie Xingran wore a moon-white jacket embroidered with silver thread, with tiny pearls adorning the collar and cuffs. Her jet-black hair was tied up with a red-gold hairpin inlaid with kingfisher feathers, which made her delicate and beautiful face even more charming and lovely.

The three-year-old child was small and delicate. He hopped and skipped on the stone path on tiptoe. His clothes swept over the wild grass by the steps. Occasionally, he kicked a small stone, making a soft sound. He looked excited and expectant, as if he had simply come to the back mountain to keep a pleasant invitation.

Jiang Huaijin followed a few steps behind him. His black brocade robe made his figure appear even more upright and tall, and he exuded an innate noble air. The black jade pendant hanging at his waist swayed slightly with his steps, but made no sound.

His gaze fell on the small, bouncy figure in front of him. His face was as calm as a frozen lake, his brows slightly furrowed, showing no emotion whatsoever. Only a trace of unfathomable composure was hidden deep in his eyes, forming an extreme contrast with Xie Xingran's vivacity.

Upon reaching a stone platform, Xie Xingran suddenly stopped.

The terrain here is slightly elevated, and it is surrounded by dense ancient trees, forming a secluded corner.

He turned around, his little face beaming with a bright smile, and waved his chubby little hand at Jiang Huaijin, his voice so soft and sweet it could melt your heart: "Brother Huaijin, come here! Ranran has prepared a gift for you!"

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, falling on his face and outlining a soft contour. His long eyelashes resembled two small fans, and his eyes were filled with an innocent and pure charm that would make anyone who saw him feel affection.

Jiang Huaijin stared at Xie Xingran in this state, his eyes momentarily glazed over, and a few blurry images flashed through his mind, as if a long time ago, there was also such a small figure waving at him so joyfully.

But this daze only lasted for a moment before he quickly regained his composure and walked toward the platform.

The platform was made of three stone steps. Jiang Huaijin stood on the bottom step. He was tall and upright. Even though there were two steps between them, his aura completely enveloped the small Xie Xingran, creating an invisible sense of oppression.

Xie Xingran, however, seemed oblivious, maintaining her innocent demeanor, hands behind her back, head slightly lowered, shoulders gently swaying, her tone tinged with guilt and coquettishness:

"I'm sorry, Brother Huaijin. Ranran was wrong before. I said a lot of hurtful things. Please don't be angry, okay?"

His face showed a docile expression of remorse, and even his voice was choked with emotion, as if he truly regretted his previous behavior.

Jiang Huaijin's gaze was fixed intently on him, his deep eyes seemingly able to see through people's hearts, yet he did not reveal anything.

He parted his thin lips slightly, his voice warm and deep, carrying a strange soothing quality: "I'm not angry."

He paused, then added, his tone serious and solemn, "I never get angry with Ranran."

Xie Xingran was taken aback, somewhat surprised by his answer.

He had said such offensive things before. He thought that even if Jiang Huaijin wasn't angry, he would at least be somewhat distant. This gentle attitude only made his carefully prepared pretense seem more stiff.

But he quickly suppressed his doubts, looked up at Jiang Huaijin, a barely perceptible ruthlessness flashing in his eyes, which was then replaced by aggrieved expression: "Brother Huaijin is so kind! Ranran is giving you a gift, you have to accept it."

The chirping of insects around us had stopped sometime ago, and the back mountain became even more silent.

After Xie Xingran finished speaking, she reached into the small jade bracelet on her wrist and took out a gold-painted lacquer box.

The moment the lacquer box was opened, a sweet fragrance of osmanthus wafted out. Inside the box were four exquisite osmanthus cakes, their off-white bodies adorned with tiny golden osmanthus blossoms and delicate lotus patterns imprinted on the edges, making them incredibly tempting to look at.

Unbeknownst to anyone, the fragrant pastries had already been mixed with the Soul-Devouring Powder he had redeemed from the system shop.

This poison is colorless and odorless, making it even harder to detect when mixed into sweets. It takes effect half an hour after ingestion, sealing away spiritual energy, breaking bones and tendons, and resulting in a gruesome death.

Xie Xingran's mind was racing with calculations: once Jiang Huaijin ate the pastries and was poisoned, he would immediately take out the prepared bone-dissolving water and dissolve his bones without a trace, leaving not even the slightest mark.

The back mountain is secluded and deserted. At that time, all we need to do is lie and say that Jiang Huaijin left on his own. No one will suspect a three-year-old child.

The plan was meticulously planned and flawless. He couldn't hide the smugness in his eyes, but he disguised it all as anticipation. He held the lacquer box close to Jiang Huaijin and tilted his small body slightly upward.

"Brother Huaijin," his voice still choked with emotion, yet full of pleading, "this is osmanthus cake that Ranran made herself, especially for you, to properly apologize. You must try it."

He deliberately emphasized "made by hand," his wet eyes gazing longingly at Jiang Huaijin, his innocent appearance irresistible.

A sweet aroma lingered around his nose. Jiang Huaijin lowered his eyes and looked at the exquisite pastries in the box, his gaze slightly deepening.

The aroma was rich and lingering, with just the right amount of sweetness. Judging from its appearance and smell alone, it was indeed a carefully made pastry, so delicious that it could make people let their guard down—so delicious that it could kill you.

Jiang Huaijin paused slightly, not immediately taking it, but instead looked up at Xie Xingran, a faint smile suddenly spreading across his face. The smile was in his eyes, but it didn't go deep, as gentle as a spring breeze: "Thank you, Ranran, brother will eat it."

Before he could finish speaking, he changed the subject, his tone becoming somewhat mysterious: "However, now your brother also has a gift for you."

Before Xie Xingran could react, he had already reached into his robes and taken out the exquisite wooden box that he had prepared the night before.

The wooden box felt warm to the touch, with intricate carvings. With a light flick of his finger, the box slowly opened before Xie Xingran's eyes. In an instant, a dazzling red light burst forth, intense yet not blinding, dyeing the surrounding dim vegetation a crimson hue.

Xie Xingran squinted subconsciously at the sudden red light. Just as a bit of impatience rose in her heart and she was about to speak up in anger, her gaze was instantly captivated when it fell on the inside of the wooden box, and all her anger vanished.

It was an extremely exquisite earring. The main body was a bright red gemstone about the size of a thumbnail, clear and transparent, radiating a dazzling red light. The stone was inlaid with fine gold wire, outlining intricate cloud patterns. Several delicate gold and red tassels were attached below, which shimmered and dazzled when they swayed gently.

Xie Xingran had been powerless against these glittering treasures since her previous life.

Upon seeing this earring, the calculation and ruthlessness in his eyes were instantly replaced by amazement. Even his breathing became lighter, and the hand holding the pastry box unconsciously loosened. His gaze was fixed on the earring, unable to look away for even a moment.