175: Chapter 175 It's better for the three of you to live well than anything else.

Du Chedi's heartbroken question struck like a thunderclap.

Everyone's breath hitched.

The onlookers widened their eyes, terrified of missing a single detail.

The amount of information... was too much!

Meng De Meng De, who was connected by the red thread, shuddered violently.

His eyes, previously crimson with lust and regret, were now replaced by sudden bewilderment.

He stared intently at the filthy, emaciated face on the ground, frantically searching deep within his memories.

"Who... are you?" Meng De Meng De's voice was hoarse, laced with the pain of confusion.

This question completely pulverized Du Chedi's already shattered heart into dust.

He laughed, a smile uglier than crying. Turbid tears washed away the mud and grime on his face, carving out two clear gullies.

"Who am I? Hahaha... You ask who I am?"

"Three years ago, as winter approached, you, dressed in fine silks, lay like a stray dog in the snow."

"It was Juaner and I who dragged you home, offering you hot soup and meat, pulling you back from the gates of hell!"

"You ask who I am?!" Du Chedi's voice suddenly soared, every word seeming to take all the strength from his body.

Boom!

A memory flashed through Meng De Meng De's mind.

That snowy evening, that dilapidated yet warm little hut, that honest and simple man.

And... the woman with the gentle smile who brought him hot soup.

"It's you!" Meng De Meng De's eyes widened like copper bells, his face filled with disbelief.

"Che Di! How... how did you become this way?"

"What way have I become?" Du Chedi laughed mournfully. He struggled to push himself up but collapsed weakly to the ground.

"I should be asking you, Meng De Meng De! I treated you as a brother, but you stole my fiancée!"

"I just wanted an explanation, but what awaited me was an out-of-control carriage!"

"My legs were broken at that time!"

"I lay down for two and a half years, and then crawled for half a year just to find this place!"

"I just want to know, why?!"

The truth was revealed before everyone in the cruelest, most naked manner.

It wasn't the domineering Meng De falling in love with a talented commoner girl.

It was an act of usurpation!

Cai Wenjuan, standing nearby, was already streaming with tears, her body swaying precariously.

"Che Di... I'm sorry... It was my fault..." she choked out.

"Brother Meng... He said he could put me on the biggest stage, said he could give me endless glory and wealth... I was bewitched... I thought he truly loved me..."

Meng De Meng De's face cycled between green and white.

Under the state of 'Candid Exchange,' he couldn't hide his inner thoughts, and they spilled out involuntarily.

"I... I was sincere! I was just blinded by that fox spirit, which is why I shut you out..."

"Scumbag!"

"Beast!"

The players below instantly exploded in outrage, burning with righteous indignation, wishing they could rush up and slap Meng De Meng De twice.

Chen You leaned against a pillar, watching with great interest.

It was as if the person who had scorned such melodramatic plots moments before wasn't him at all.

However, just as he prepared to enjoy the next scene of 'Three-Way Mutual Tearing,' a cold system prompt popped up unceremoniously before his eyes.

[Ding!]

[Quest 'He Must Love You Very Much' Hidden Side Quest Updated!]

[Quest Name: Love and Family]

[Quest Description: A wrong beginning has led to the suffering of three people. As the witness and catalyst for all this, you possess the power to decide their future.]

[Please make your choice.]

[Option One: [Uphold Justice]. Help Du Chedi, punish Meng De Meng De and Cai Wenjuan. Reward: Title [Warm-Hearted Friend].]

[Option Two: [Fulfill Their Wishes]. Help Meng De Meng De and Cai Wenjuan, drive out Du Chedi. Reward: Meng De Meng De of Thousand Light City Favorability +1000.]

[Option Three: [Let Nature Take Its Course]. Perhaps you have grown accustomed to great storms; just let it drift away with the wind. Reward: None.]

Chen You: "..."

The smile on his face instantly froze.

Wait, System, are you sick? I was just here to watch the drama, and now you want me to step in as the judge? And you even gave me a multiple-choice question?

For a moment, Chen You found himself in a dilemma.

Different choices meant different endings and rewards.

None of them seemed particularly appealing!

The three people on stage were still exposing each other's wounds, the atmosphere growing heavier, as if someone might die in the next second.

The surrounding players also held their breath, anticipating the final turn of events.

"Damn it, what a hassle!"

Chen You muttered under his breath.

It's just a choice, isn't it? Only children make choices; I want them all... No, I want to create a choice!

An absurd, yet logically seemingly flawless idea flashed through his mind.

He slowly walked out, stepping onto the center of the stage.

As soon as he appeared, everyone's gaze focused on him.

What was this big shot planning now?

Chen You ignored everyone's stares. First, he glanced at the seemingly insane Meng De Meng De, then at Du Chedi on the ground, who looked like a vengeful ghost.

Finally, he looked at Cai Wenjuan, who was weeping like a rain-soaked pear blossom.

He cleared his throat and spoke in an incomparably calm tone, tinged with a hint of pity.

"I understand."

"Let me summarize."

He held up one finger and pointed at Meng De Meng De: "You have money and power, but you lack a truly loving partner, which is why you were previously tricked around by a bunch of vixens."

He then pointed at Du Chedi: "You are deeply devoted, but now you are penniless and disabled. You can't even support yourself, let alone give her happiness."

Finally, his finger landed on Cai Wenjuan: "And you desire the former's glory and wealth, yet you are overwhelmed with guilt toward the latter, causing you unbearable pain."

In just a few words, every sentence pierced the heart.

All three involved parties froze.

Chen You spread his hands, a look of 'this matter is very simple' on his face.

"Since that's the case, why make things so complicated?"

"Why don't you consider finding a different solution?"

Under everyone's confused gazes, Chen You uttered something astonishing.

"Meng De Meng, aren't you filled with guilt? Why not just invite Du Chedi to the Meng De's Mansion and give him a position to help you?"

"This way, you repay the kindness from back then and also demonstrate your magnanimity."

Meng De Meng De: "Huh?"

"Du Chedi, aren't you unwilling to accept this? Live in the Meng De's Mansion, eat his food, use his resources, and even get paid—isn't that wonderful?"

"Moreover, you can see Juaner every day and protect her."

Du Chedi: "Huh?"

Finally, Chen You looked at Cai Wenjuan, who was completely stunned, and showed a gentle smile.

"Miss Cai, this way, you can enjoy the honor of the Meng De's wife while having your childhood sweetheart nearby. You no longer have to make a painful choice."

"See? This way, all the problems are solved, aren't they?"

...

The entire Wangting Tower fell silent enough to hear a pin drop.

All the players, including the NPCs, seemed frozen by a spell, their minds blank.

They stood with their mouths open and eyes wide, looking at Chen You as if they were witnessing the descent of a deity.

What... what kind of outrageous words were these?!

What the hell was this modern solution to family ethics?!

"No... Absolutely not!" Cai Wenjuan was the first to react. "How could this be! It's too absurd!"

Meng De Meng De was also bewildered: "I... I only want Juaner..."

Du Chedi trembled with rage: "I... I cannot coexist under the same sky with them!"

However, Chen You completely ignored their protests.

He looked down at Meng De Meng De.

"You, Meng De, have money and power. Is supporting two people really that hard?"

He then looked towards Du Chedi.

"You, your leg is broken and you need care. Now someone will provide for you until the end of your days—isn't that good?"

Lastly, he looked at Cai Wenjuan.

"You gain wealth and glory while also atoning for your debt. Now you have the best of both worlds; what are you unsatisfied with?"

Chen You wore an expression that suggested, 'I am doing this all for your own good.'

"A life is lived, not chosen."

"The three of you living well together is better than anything else."

His earth-shattering 'crooked logic' silenced the three NPCs.

Thinking carefully... it seemed... perhaps... there was a tiny bit of sense to it?

Meng De Meng De felt guilty towards Du Chedi; supporting him would be a form of compensation.

Du Chedi was crippled; having someone support him was better than starving to death.

Cai Wenjuan... could simultaneously enjoy the glory of the Meng De's wife and have the chance to redeem her guilt.

Holy crap!

The logic loop was closed!

The players below had completely gone wild.

"A divine person! I'm kneeling down right now! What kind of mental circuit is this?"

"Help! Why is his brain different from ours?"

"Big shot is awesome! Even in the realm of emotion, the big shot is this invincible!"

Just then, the system prompt reappeared before Chen You's eyes.

[Ding! You proposed a solution that transcends conventional logic and successfully caused the involved NPCs to enter a state of logical confusion...]

[Ending Determination in Progress...]

[Determination Successful!]

[You have perfectly completed the 'Love and Family' quest!]

[You have obtained rewards: Experience +10000, Thousand Light City Reputation +1000.]

[You have obtained the unique title: [Guiding Light on the Path of Love]]!