Chapter 97: Feature Unlocked, The Heavens-Defying AFK Function! - Ah? The Wives I Abandoned Turned Out to Be Real

Chapter 97: Feature Unlocked, The Heavens-Defying AFK Function! (600 Monthly Vote Bonus) Su Mo felt invigorated after winning a virtual reality opportunity. This wasn't merely observing avatars in action; he would actually enter the simulated world himself! The thought alone, especially knowing the simulation featured stunning beauties, stirred excitement in him. This would be a firsthand experience! All sensations would truly belong to him. He wiped his drool involuntarily. Seeing himself behaving like this, Su Mo quickly chided himself. Pathetic! It's just virtual reality. However, knowing how precious this opportunity was, Su Mo decided it would be unwise to use it frivolously. It should be reserved for particularly opportune simulations. Just as Su Mo thought all was done, another prompt appeared. [Simulations reached 30 times; AFK function unlocked.] [AFK Function: During simulations, you can choose to let your simulated self develop autonomously. Key decisions are made randomly. Once AFK is engaged, you cannot view or interfere with the simulation until life summary rewards are shown.] [Current rewards calculated; have a nice day…] … Upon seeing the unlock notification for the AFK function, Su Mo was taken aback. Unexpectedly, a new feature was unlocked! AFK. Efficiency skyrockets! Su Mo was greatly looking forward to this. In ‘Fate’s Life,’ getting a good identity or talent by chance was rare. Now, with the AFK function, if he stumbled onto a poor start, he could just go AFK. Then he could simply check the final outcome. This function was immensely beneficial, as Su Mo really had no desire to endure miserable lifetimes. He couldn't wait to test it out. After all, with so few good identities or talents popping up, trying it out would do no harm. If it eventually led to great rewards, it would truly be a case of earning something for nothing. So, he dove in. Su Mo opened ‘Fate’s Life.’ [Would you like to start the simulation now?] “Start!” [Randomly selecting birthplace.] [Your simulated birthplace this time is Yangzhou Prefecture during the Qing Dynasty.] Qing Dynasty, huh? This was Su Mo’s first time being assigned a Qing Dynasty character. [Randomly selecting companion character.] [Your randomly bound companion character is the daughter of Yangzhou’s textile manufacturer, "Cao Chunmei."] [Randomly selecting identity.] [Your randomly assigned identity is the son of a landscape craftsman in Yangzhou.] Looking at his role and birth identity, Su Mo was at a loss for words. The status gap seemed vast. Not sure if automated decisions would hit the mark. [Randomly selecting talent.] [Would you like to use a Talent Card?] “Do not use!” With a flash of green light. [This time, your randomly assigned talent is ‘Yin-Yang Eye.’] [Yin-Yang Eye: Allows you to see spirits and ghosts invisible to ordinary people.] … Seeing the last randomly assigned talent was the Yin-Yang Eye, Su Mo was curious about the unique situations this might create for the gardener’s child. … [Would you like to activate AFK function?] [Note: Activating AFK means you cannot watch or intervene in this simulation; all will evolve automatically.] “Activate!” As the screen faded, ‘Fate’s Life’ vanished, but a simulation progress bar appeared in the top right corner. [Current age: One month.] … It showed the current age of his simulated self. Seeing this, Su Mo felt reassured. With this, he could seamlessly run continuous simulations post one’s conclusion. Simulate endlessly—more simulations, more joy! Even without direct intervention, rewards might arise. Accumulating countless talents could render him invincible! Increasingly excited, Su Mo could hardly contain himself. This was a no-investment lottery. He stretched lazily, then headed to fetch water from the well to wash his face. The moon hadn’t fully set yet. Xu Miaoyin and Chun Zhu were still asleep. But midway through washing, Xu Miaoyin emerged, fully dressed, entering the yard. Today she wore loose, moon-white Taoist robes, which failed to conceal her impressive figure. “Miaoyin, up so early?” “I’ll wash up after you.” Watching Su Mo wash up, a smile lingered on Xu Miaoyin’s lips, her eyes unblinking. For her, nothing surpassed the happiness of seeing her beloved every day. Except maybe waking up in his arms each morning. “Su… Su, my dear sir, I’m good. My Snow Maiden Art can cleanse me internally. A simple wash will suffice.” Su Mo was intrigued. After a quick towel wipe on the neck, he jested. “So, you’re fragrant without bathing?” Xu Miaoyin nodded gently. “Hmm… you could say that, but I’ll still wash when needed.” “By the way, I broke through a small level in the Snow Maiden Art last night.” “I'm full of energy now. Anything you need help with in the kitchen, I'm available.” Noticing Xu Miaoyin’s immaculate robes, Su Mo shook his head. “No, the kitchen’s not the cleanest place.” “Avoid dirtying that outfit.” “You relax while I get breakfast ready.” “Alright.” Hearing Su Mo's refusal—since it was for her good—she didn’t insist. Su Mo cracked some wood for fuel, fetched water, and started kneading dough for breakfast's handmade noodles. His vitality was boundless, making the work effortless. Xu Miaoyin stood at the kitchen doorway, watching him bustling energetically. The occasional flash of toned muscles sent her imagination aflutter. His build was powerful. If he pursued martial arts, especially some external practices, he’d likely achieve great success. It reminded her of the Shaolin Temple’s Vajra Sutra. It's said the Shaolin’s Vajra Sutra is the pinnacle of external martial arts; if she could secure a copy, Su Mo would gain formidable self-defense skills. But penetrating Shaolin’s strict defenses to steal it? No small feat. Lost in thought, Xu Miaoyin stood mesmerized. Su Mo was lowering the noodles into the boiling water. Seeing Xu Miaoyin daydreaming at the kitchen entrance, Su Mo waved a hand before her. “Miaoyin, what’s up?” Her heart raced as Su Mo’s proximity pulled her back to reality. “Nothing, really.” “What are we having this morning?” She stepped forward, subtly letting her hips brush Su Mo’s arm. The elasticity surprised him, leaving him tongue-tied, nearly stuttering. Oh my! Martial artists sure have great physiques... Noticing Xu Miaoyin seemed unguarded... Could he possibly have a chance…? This thought heated his face. Marrying such an extraordinary heroine—worth more than gold. “Um, nothing much, just some handmade noodles.” With that, Su Mo poured a splash of cold water into the boiling noodle pot. Xu Miaoyin was puzzled by this. “Do noodles need cold water to cook?” “Yeah, it keeps the broth from boiling over and makes the noodles firmer and chewier.” Accompanied by a finished noodle dish, adding a few drops of sesame oil, soy sauce, and some parsley... Breakfast was ready. To up the nutritional content, he cracked three eggs into the boiling pot. While waiting for the eggs to cook, Su Mo knocked on Chun Zhu’s door. “Chun Zhu, it's time for breakfast.” Chun Zhu, just dressed, her wide-open eyes still a bit dazed, yawned. “Su sir, you’re up so early.” "I'm used to waking up early," Su Mo replied. "After breakfast, you can always go back for a nap." Chun Zhu chuckled. "Su Butler, no can do. The mistress entrusted me to take good care of you." "Just hand over any dirty laundry to me." After a quick wash-up, Chun Zhu made her way to the kitchen for breakfast. Seeing Xu Miaoyin already seated at the table, she couldn't help but feel a tinge of envy. Oh, to grow up like that someday… --- With rumors of monsters prowling outside the city, hardly anyone ventured out these days. By noon, Su Mo had entertained just a single table of guests. It was a wealthy merchant who had dined the previous day. Smitten by Su Mo's culinary delights, he returned today with his family in tow. Su Mo seated them in the same private room used by yesterday's officials and prepared a sumptuous spread for them. Another room was reserved exclusively for the General's household. This particular private room was impeccably decorated, boasting excellent soundproofing. Apart from Madam Huang and Guo Lin, no one else was allowed to use it. After bidding farewell to the guests in the afternoon, Su Mo and Chun Zhu had just finished tidying up when Madam Huang and Guo Lin arrived in a sedan chair. Today, Madam Huang was dressed quite simply. Her hair was adorned with just a single pearl hairpin, and she wore a pale yellow satin gown topped with a pure white fox fur cloak. On her feet were white embroidered shoes, giving her an elegantly gentle appearance. Guo Lin wore a light green dress complemented by a pinkish-white jacket. Her hair was tied in a ponytail, her features reminiscent of a watercolor painting — lively and charming. Besides Shaoyao and Chunlan, two other lovely maidservants accompanied them, whom Su Mo did not recognize. Su Mo and Chun Zhu stood at the entrance to greet them. "Madam Huang, Miss Guo," Su Mo welcomed, "You're here." Madam Huang, her eyes brimming with gentle affection, looked at Su Mo. "Yes, we came to see how business is going and to taste your cooking again." Guo Lin, both shy and excited, nodded vigorously beside her. "Yes, yes, Brother Su, your food is simply unforgettable for those who taste it." Su Mo chuckled. "With so few people out on the streets lately, I suspect it’s due to those monster rumors." "But since you're here to eat, I'll prepare a feast fit for you both!" Soon, with the maidservants accompanying them, Madam Huang and Guo Lin ascended to their exclusive private room on the second floor. Meanwhile, Su Mo swiftly pondered what dishes would best satisfy them. As Su Mo began prepping ingredients, an unexpected prompt appeared before him. [AFK simulation concluded.] [You have died.] [You and Miss Cao were drowned together in a pig cage, leading an unremarkable and brief life.] [Proceed to review life summary results?] (End of Chapter)