A Mastermind? No, I'm just the Live-In Son-in-Law - Chapter 7: Oath

“First, a hidden marriage.”“Second, the marriage period is one year.”“Third, you are not allowed to have any feelings for me!”These were his three stipulations to her at the entrance of the Civil Affairs Bureau.She readily agreed and adhered to them one by one.But a year later, is the man holding onto her tightly and refusing to let go still the same cold person from a year ago?“Could you let go, please? Our one-year term is up.”“Wife, the contract you signed is indefinite!”

Why, seems like I’ve become a haunted portrait.

Japan – National News BroadcastThe polished news anchor sat upright, her gaze sharp as she adjusted the stack of papers before her. The newsroom behind her hummed with quiet urgency, the weight of the moment settling over the broadcast.“Authorities are baffled by a sudden and unexplained surge in sleep-related deaths across Japan,” she began, her voice steady yet tense. “More and more citizens are passing away in their sleep without any prior health concerns. Experts are working tirelessly to determine the cause, but no clear explanation has emerged. Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and report any unusual symptoms before bedtime.”A graphic appeared, displaying the spike in fatalities over the past month. Behind her, unsettling photographs flickered across the screen—blurred images of individuals found in their beds, their faces frozen in expressions of terror.The anchor’s tone shifted. “Health officials recommend citizens avoid excessive fatigue and maintain healthy sleep habits. More updates will follow as investigations continue.”---United States – Paranormal PodcastIn a dimly lit podcast studio, the host leaned forward, his eyes wide with curiosity. Across from him, a rugged man in a worn flannel shirt, gripping a faded photograph in one hand and a beer can in the other, leaned back in his chair.“So, you're telling me you saw this creature firsthand?” the host asked, clearly intrigued.The man scoffed, shaking his head. “Damn right, I did. Ugly thing had wings bigger than my body—slow but sneaky. Thought it could steal my pigs again, but I was ready this time—camera in one hand, shotgun in the other.”He slammed the table for emphasis, then shoved the blurry image toward the host. The photograph depicted a small, red-skinned humanoid figure with large, bat-like wings, its eyes glowing faintly in the darkness.“Spit, the thing didn’t know what hit it when I fired!” the man chuckled, his voice full of excitement.The host held up the picture to the live chat. “Alright, what do you think? Mothman? Demon? Or is our friend here just seeing things?”The chat exploded with theories—some skeptical, others eager for the investigation to continue.---China – Liangyuan Street MarketSurveillance footage from a bustling night market in China captured a chilling scene. A woman in a red qipao walked gracefully through the crowd, her figure striking in the soft glow of lanterns.Suddenly, she paused. Her body flickered—like a glitch in a video—before vanishing completely, as though she had never existed.The footage zoomed in, replaying in slow motion. In the final frame before she disappeared, her face distorted unnaturally, her eyes hollow and empty.The screen cut abruptly to black.

The lost daughter of the Liu family, Liu Feng, has been found. The whole family looks down on her.

Liu Feng only had a small house in the countryside. She had a poor widow’s mother and a stingy brother. She usually lived by herself doing small business.

When Liu Feng was brought back, everyone was laughing at him.

“She’s far worse than her younger sister. Does she really think she’s the eldest daughter? She’s just a scapegoat.”

“She’s just a poor girl from the countryside. She should be laughing to death to be able to marry a young master from a Lower Nine Flows Family!”

However, Liu Feng’s series of actions stunned everyone.

Her so-called widowed mother was actually a famous lady in Paris, and millions of people would go crazy just to see her.

Her so-called stingy brother was actually the chairman of a corporation with hundreds of millions of contracts. He held the power of life and death.

The small house that she called home was actually the best villa in Washington. The property rights were all under her name.

What she meant by doing a small business was actually investing in stocks, and she was the new stock god with a net worth of 100 billion…

Everyone: “Where’s the girl from the countryside?!”

After Liu Feng broke off the engagement.

Everyone questioned, “She definitely won’t be able to get married!”

Liu Feng married the powerful Third Young Master Gu.

Everyone gritted their teeth. “She definitely won’t have a happy marriage!”

Liu Feng was someone that Third Young Master Gu treasured.

Everyone was in despair. “She will definitely not receive Third Young Master Gu’s care!”

Third Young Master Gu said, “Madam Gu, it’s getting cold. You should wear more clothes.”

She was a supreme prodigy, and he just so happened to be her match.

Persona:

Liu Feng: Omnipotent girl, beautiful valiant, with many alternate identities.

Gu Duo: Mysterious, powerful, handsome, rich, devoted.