Esper X Family – Chapter 402 – Does Father Have the Potential to Be the Strongest of the Current Era?

“There’s something really important I need to confess to you both.”

Ye Yao felt that it was time to live up to her “good girl” persona.

Xiao Jing sat properly beside her, ready to fully support Ye Yao.

What harmful intention could her well-behaved daughter possibly have?

She just wanted to have a pleasant interaction with her robotic father.

Xiao Jing had always felt that Lou Wei wasn’t a qualified father.

If he acted even a little bit like a real dad, he wouldn’t be targeted so much by Ye Yao.

Take Xiao Jing herself, for example.

Although Ye Yao knew the whole truth, she didn’t feel that her affection was false, nor did she abandon this bond.

Only Lou Wei, the robotic human, deserved to endure so much pressure.

Xiao Jing gave Ye Yao a gentle smile.

“What does Little Yao want to say? We’ll listen carefully. Don’t you agree, Lou Wei?”

“Mm.”

Lou Wei put down his newspaper and cast a calm glance their way.

【Lou Wei is speculating about your thoughts. He believes that you are going to confess that you awakened your ability early but didn’t inform your parents in time. He has anticipated this moment ever since he saw you communicating with Fu Qi at the Countermeasures Bureau.】

He had guessed correctly.

That was exactly what Ye Yao wanted to talk about.

The more obedient and harmless she acted, the more the Countermeasures Bureau would let their guard down.

Only then would they never suspect that Ye Yao and Ye Tong were the same person.

It was enough to only let “converted” family members like Xiao Jing know.

“If I said I’ve been hiding something very important, would you be angry?”

“Of course not.”

Xiao Jing spoke first, then shot a glare at Lou Wei.

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Even if she knew that Ye Yao had kept secrets, she still didn’t think it was worse than what Lou Wei had done.

After watching that livestream, Xiao Jing finally understood how deep a shadow Lou Wei had cast over Ye Yao ¹ It’s been implied that Xiao Jing figured out Ye Tong’s true identity at the end of chapter 360. .

It was probably the kind that would never be forgotten.

Lou Wei shook his head too.

“I won’t be angry either.”

“That’s good.”

Ye Yao blinked.

“You already know what abilities are, right?”

“Of course. The country’s been making huge moves lately. Only a few people don’t know.”

“Actually, I awakened my ability on the very night you adopted me. I just never told you.

You gave me a home, and yet I hid something so important from you. I’m really sorry…”

Ye Yao looked like she had done something wrong, and it was genuinely heartbreaking to see.

“It’s no big deal. We’re not angry, right, Lou Wei?”

“Mm.”

“Also, I’ve found out that I have a big sister, but she can’t come out to meet you right now.

If she wanted to join this family, would you accept her?”

Ye Yao watched them with cautious eyes, mainly focusing on Lou Wei’s reaction.

Xiao Jing quickly responded: “If she’s Little Yao’s sister, of course we can accept her. Don’t you agree, Lou Wei?”

“…Mm.”

Lou Wei felt somewhat complicated.

What good was his acceptance?

In the end, it all depended on Ye Tong’s thoughts.

Ye Yao blinked.

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The old man is pretty self-aware.

“That’s great… you’re not angry. I can relax now.”

Ye Yao looked relieved and smiled easily again.

Xiao Jing stood up, patted her on the head, and gently pinched her cheek.

“You must be tired after flying back. Don’t think about all that messy stuff. Sit down and rest. I’ll make dinner for you both.”

Ye Yao was getting a bit hungry.

She had no choice but to sit on the sofa and look at Lou Wei, who had picked up his newspaper again.

“Father, it’s been a month since we last played games. Can you play with me for a bit?”

“What do you want to play?”

“Fighting!”

As soon as she said those two words, Lou Wei’s mind flashed back to the scene a week ago.

At that time, Ye Tong had used Ye Yao’s appearance to play games with Fu Qi and suddenly unleashed a massive wave of mental power to crush him.

The game had also been a fighting game back then.

【Lou Wei is considering a possibility. He is wondering if you might suddenly burst out with strong mental power while playing, replicating the scene from last week.

But then he remembers that it was Ye Tong, and you are Ye Yao. Since you couldn’t possibly switch places right under his nose, he decides that it won’t happen.

Also, Lou Wei doesn’t think Ye Tong would call him “Father”.】

Ye Yao’s expression didn’t change at all.

Truth be told, she actually wanted to do exactly that.

But Lou Wei seemed to think that the switch between Ye Yao and Ye Tong was just a physical swap of positions.

Not something like a soul exchange.

That kind of thinking wasn’t bad.

While a soul swap would be entertaining, it would also make him more vigilant.

What she needed was that relaxed certainty that the person in front of him was Ye Yao, not the tense alertness that Ye Tong might show up at any moment.

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The price of Ye Yao changing her mind was that she would inevitably be utterly destroyed by that despicable Lou Wei in the game.

“I don’t wanna play anymore!”

Ye Yao angrily tossed the controller aside.

“I practiced so much in the capital. How come I still can’t beat you?”

Lou Wei hesitated.

He had forgotten to go easy on her.

The main issue was that the scene from a week ago, when Ye Tong played with Fu Qi, was still fresh in his mind.

Ye Tong had said not to hold back, so Lou Wei unconsciously slipped into that mindset, even bracing himself for “Ye Yao” to unleash her mental power.

But as it turned out, Ye Yao was indeed not Ye Tong. She was so bad that it was actually reassuring.

Still, he couldn’t stay silent for too long.

Lou Wei had to say something in response to Ye Yao.

“You’ve improved.”

【Lou Wei feels that your gaming skill puts him at ease.】

That’s because I haven’t started up yet!

Ye Yao’s face started flushing visibly.

Old man, you really need some pressure!

“My sister is a gaming expert! Once she’s done with her business, I’ll have her win back for me!”

“Good.”

Ye Yao’s punch felt like it landed on soft cotton.

Lately, it seemed like Lou Wei’s pressure resistance had grown even stronger.

Simple words probably couldn’t stir his emotions anymore.

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After all, when you eat pressure for a living, it’s hard to get too full.

Ye Yao had to calm herself down first, planning to get back at him later. There would be plenty of chances.

“Come to think of it, you must’ve awakened an ability too, right? What does it do?”

Ye Yao asked, feigning curiosity.

Lou Wei didn’t hide it. He symbolically raised one hand, and soon the girl’s silver hair began to sway in a gentle breeze.

“Wind.”

He wasn’t lying, but he was hiding his true stats.

One had to admit that Lou Wei really did have the skill.

His ability was just the unassuming control of wind and weather, yet he could wield such absurd stats to become the Strongest of the Current Era.

It was a bit like a child with no technique, just overwhelming brute strength.

“Oh, wind. Father, your wind is so weak. It feels like it could only be used as an electric fan, and it wouldn’t even save much electricity.”

Ye Yao grumbled.

“Ah! I suddenly remembered something. I heard online that the Strongest of the Current Era is also an expert at using ‘wind’.

I didn’t expect both your ability and the Strongest’s ability to be related to ‘wind.’ Could it be that you have the potential to be the Strongest of the Current Era, Father?”

Lou Wei: “……”

He had to admit that had shown his hand too early.

He should’ve never demonstrated any signs of his “Wind” power.

What kind of reaction was he supposed to give?

Author Note

Kids, my family called me back home today to sweep the tombs early. Do you think I’ll be able to start up successfully?

Text: It’s urgent

Marry ² The word used here is 结芬jiéfēn, which basically a pun of “marry” (结婚jiéhūn). Notice how the tones are similar. me