"It's okay, I'm fine."
Just like in the original plot, Ren Tingting was kind-hearted at her core.
Although she was generous by nature, some men were still extremely petty.
"What are you good for? You can't even lift a sedan chair properly! Useless!"
It wasn't Master Ren who reprimanded the bearer, but a well-fed man with a slicked-back hairstyle and sharp eyes—he looked every bit the classic sycophant.
His name was Weiha, the captain of the town's security team, and Ren Tingting's cousin. He had long harbored feelings for her and wanted to marry her.
Although he was scolding the sedan chair bearer, Weiha's eyes remained fixed warily on Fenric.
Fenric's appearance and demeanor were exceptional. This immediately made Weiha feel threatened.
"Weiha, that's enough!"
Master Ren finally spoke up, clearly dissatisfied with Weiha's conduct.
Publicly berating someone in the street only reflected poorly on the Ren family's upbringing.
Master Ren then approached Fenric with a warm smile. "Thank you for saving my daughter, Tingting. You must come to our home so she can personally thank you."
Master Ren's courteous tone made it clear he had noticed Fenric's unusual aura. Coupled with Fenric's neat and modern clothing—actually casual modern wear—Master Ren easily mistook him for the scion of a prestigious family.
Upon hearing her father's words, Ren Tingting shyly stepped forward, her cheeks flushed.
"Thank you… Thank you for helping me," she said, bowing.
"It was nothing, really. Don't worry about it," Fenric replied with a smile.
Master Ren then extended an invitation. "This isn't the place to talk. Why don't we head back to my house and continue the conversation there?"
"Alright! I'd be honored." Fenric responded with a gracious nod.
Of course, this was all part of Fenric's act—a staged hero-saves-damsel routine to get his foot into the Ren household.
"Please, young friend, after you."
"You're the elder, sir—please go first."
"Haha, then let's walk together."
Watching his uncle prepare to bring this unfamiliar man into their home, Weiha grew visibly agitated.
But this was Master Ren's town, and he wielded real power here. No matter how upset Weiha felt, he didn't dare speak out. He could only glare at Fenric with obvious hostility.
Fenric returned his threatening gaze with a calm smile, completely unfazed.
If he truly wanted to, Fenric could crush someone like Weiha as easily as stepping on an ant.
—
Once they arrived at the Ren residence, Fenric and Master Ren sat down in the parlor, sipping tea and chatting.
Ren Tingting, for some reason, also joined them. Since he had feelings for his cousin, Weiha of course wouldn't miss this scene.
So, what began as a conversation between two people soon became one between four.
Weiha, of course, tagged along uninvited.
"By the way, young friend," Master Ren asked with a smile, "may I ask your name?"
"My surname's Fen, given name Ric," he answered casually.
Since this was a solo instance and no other Samsara had joined, Fenric had the freedom to say whatever he liked—even using his real name didn't matter.
"Ric isn't a local, is he?" Master Ren probed further.
Fenric smiled and nodded. "That's right. I've been living overseas. I came back this time to admire the motherland's scenery and—hopefully—contribute to her future."
Thanks to his [Disguise] skill, Fenric could lie through his teeth without the slightest change in expression.
Ren Tingting's eyes immediately lit up. She leaned forward eagerly and asked, "Then… Can you speak a foreign language?"
"If it's English, sure," Fenric replied.
That wasn't a bluff—his English skill had already reached "Proficient." Daily communication was no problem at all.
"Amazing!"
With a sparkle in her large, expressive eyes, Ren Tingting glanced at Fenric admiringly. Then she turned to her father and said, "Father, I've always wanted to study abroad, but I couldn't find anyone who could teach me a foreign language."
As soon as she said it, her cheeks turned pink again.
Her implication was obvious.
Fenric smiled knowingly.
He was well aware of the original plot—Ren Tingting was infatuated with the idea of foreigners. That was why she deliberately fashioned the persona of an overseas native.
It was hard to blame her. In this era, foreign nations were strong and represented progress, while their country still struggled to rise above poverty.
Master Ren gave his daughter a quick, subtle glance.
Still, for the sake of her happiness, he was willing to give in.
"Ric," he said with a smile, "my daughter is eager to learn a foreign language. Would you be willing to teach her? As for your salary, rest assured—I won't treat you unfairly."
He spoke so readily because he could tell Fenric was refined, well-mannered, and clearly not ordinary.
If he were just some no-name vagabond, Master Ren wouldn't have even considered it.
Master Ren's proposal was exactly what Fenric had hoped for.
Fenric nodded. "Since Master Ren has extended the offer personally, I'll gladly accept. I only hope Miss Tingting won't find my teaching inadequate."
Just as Ren Tingting was about to respond, Weiha—unable to contain himself—burst out, "Uncle! This guy's background is unclear. How can you let him teach Tingting!?"
He spoke without a shred of courtesy.
Fenric remained silent, but Ren Tingting jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
"Cousin, how can you be so rude to my teacher? Apologize to him, right now!"
"T-teacher…?"
Weiha felt a sharp pain in his chest.
He hadn't even managed to become her teacher, and now his cousin was calling that pretty boy teacher—and demanding he apologize?
"Enough, Weiha. Don't make trouble," Master Ren said coldly.
Weiha was thoroughly humiliated, but he didn't dare defy Master Ren.
After all, it was Master Ren's money that had secured his position as the town's security captain. He couldn't afford to offend him.
Just then, Master Ren glanced up at the sky and said, "It's almost lunchtime. Mr. Fen, let me host you today. I know of a Western-style restaurant with very authentic dishes—I believe you'll enjoy it."
Now that Fenric had become his daughter's teacher, Master Ren respectfully referred to him as Mr. Fen.
Upon hearing this, Fenric's eyes narrowed slightly.
He understood immediately—this lunch was a test.
It seemed that Master Ren was far more calculating than he let on.
Then again, someone who could maintain a household of this size had to be cunning.
Compared to Weiha's impulsiveness, Master Ren was truly shrewd.
"In that case, I'll graciously accept Master Ren's hospitality," Fenric said with a calm smile.
______
[Translation Note: New Arc Starts
Rank 1st = The Whole Mr. Vampire Arc Chapters Updated
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Ps: Cover Updated]