Li Wei leaned back in his cushioned seat, a serene smile playing on his lips as the lively morning scene unfolded before him. His five wives bustled about the large room, each engaged in some task—whether tending to the babies or chatting softly with one another. The new additions, the Mu twins, Mu Lian and Mu Yan, had seamlessly integrated into the household, their youthful energy bringing a quiet efficiency to the already harmonious atmosphere.
Lan Fen, his first wife, sat with poise, gently rocking their youngest son, Li Tian, in her arms. The boy was the most restless of the three children, always grabbing for something just beyond his reach. "This one will be a warrior," Lan Fen said softly, her voice carrying both pride and tenderness. "He's far too energetic to be anything else."
"Indeed, Big Sister Lan," replied Zhao Mei, the second wife, from across the room. She was cradling their other son, Li Yu, whose calm demeanor contrasted sharply with Tian's antics. "Yu, however, might be a scholar in the making. He barely stirs unless it's time to eat or sleep."
Lan Fen smiled warmly. "We'll see. Each will find his own path."
Nearby, Mu Lian and Mu Yan tended to Li Yue, the family's sole daughter. The twins moved in perfect sync, carefully swaddling the baby while exchanging soft smiles. "Yue is watching everything so intently," Mu Lian observed. "She's curious already. Perhaps she'll take after Big Sister Zhao and be wise beyond her years."
"Or," Mu Yan added with a slight grin, "she may end up as efficient as us."
The two shared a laugh, and Zhao Mei, the second wife, gave them a gentle smile. "We shall see, Little Sisters. It is too early to predict their futures."
From his place on the cushioned chair, Li Wei observed the scene with satisfaction. Five wives, three children—it was a good start. But his ambitions were far grander. He imagined a future where his lineage stretched far and wide, his offspring making the Li clan the most powerful in the region.
*I will produce so many children that the Li clan will become unstoppable,* Li Wei thought, his smile widening. *A true patriarch.*
Lan Fen, ever perceptive, glanced at her husband and raised an eyebrow. "Husband, you seem deep in thought."
Li Wei, caught in his musings, chuckled. "Just considering our future, Fen. One day, we'll need more space… much more space."
Mu Yan giggled softly. "Husband, it sounds as if you're planning for many more children."
Li Wei grinned, unbothered by the teasing. "Is that not the plan?"
The wives shared amused glances, each one acknowledging the unspoken truth. The family was only just beginning to grow.
---
Later that day, Li Wei found himself at the local teahouse in Lijiang, enjoying a rare moment of leisure with his closest friends—Ren Shiming, Zhao Jun, Xu Zhan, and Master Tao. The familiar setting was as comfortable as ever, with the soft clink of teacups and the hum of quiet conversation surrounding them.
Ren Shiming, ever the one to stir up some fun, leaned back in his chair, a smirk playing at his lips. "So, Li Wei, five wives now, huh?" he teased, his voice light but full of amusement. "What's the next step? Will you collect beauties like martial artists collect techniques?"
Zhao Jun snorted with laughter, nearly spilling his tea. "He's already well on his way! Pretty soon, we'll be calling him the 'Patriarch of Lijiang,' not just Inspector Li Wei!"
Li Wei, ever calm, took a sip of his tea, his expression unbothered. "Efficiency, my friends. Why settle for one when two—or five—can fulfill the need?"
Ren Shiming shook his head, laughing. "You've got the efficiency part down, I'll give you that. You'll be producing heirs faster than we can keep track!"
As they all chuckled, Xu Zhan, sitting quietly beside them, sighed and shook his head. His once intense demeanor had softened in recent months, ever since his engagement had been broken. He had thrown himself into his training, reaching second-rate status in record time. The group used to joke that he was the protagonist of some grand martial saga—always the hardest worker, always striving to be the best. But now, Xu Zhan had mellowed.
Zhao Jun leaned over, nudging Xu Zhan with an elbow. "Look at you, Xu. All this time, we thought you'd be the protagonist of our little story. The man who never rests, always training, always pushing himself. But since you hit second-rate… well, you've gone soft."
Xu Zhan gave a half-hearted chuckle. "Soft? Hardly. I just don't see the point in living every day like I'm in the final act of some martial drama anymore. There's more to life than endless struggle."
Ren Shiming grinned. "See? He's lost his edge! This is what happens when the 'protagonist' hits second-rate. He becomes just like the rest of us—lazy."
Xu Zhan shook his head, though a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "You can make fun all you want, but I feel better now. Besides, I'm sitll just 23. I have a lot of time. Unlike you oldies!"
Master Tao, sipping his tea quietly, chuckled. "Balance is important. Xu Zhan has found his. Perhaps you all should learn from him."
Li Wei smirked, setting his cup down. "Master Tao is right. Balance is key. Though… I do admit, adding a few more wives seems like a step in the right direction for me."
They all burst into laughter, shaking their heads. "Of course you'd say that," Zhao Jun said, still grinning.
But Li Wei's attention soon wandered, drawn to a figure standing by the far end of the teahouse. A young man, staring intently at him, with a gaze so sharp it could cut through stone.
"Who's that?" Li Wei asked, nodding toward the stranger.
Ren Shiming glanced over, his expression tightening slightly. "That's Lin Zixuan. Talented young warrior. Came out of nowhere a couple of months ago. His progress in martial arts has been remarkable—frankly, it's been shocking."
Li Wei's gaze didn't waver. "He's staring at me."
Zhao Jun chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "What's new? You're his idol, no doubt. Second-rate warrior, five wives, and half a village's worth of children in the future—what's not to admire?"
Li Wei wasn't convinced and half joked. "It doesn't feel like admiration though."
Across the room, Lin Zixuan stood, his fists clenched at his sides, rage simmering beneath his composed exterior. He had followed Li Wei all the way to Lijiang, hoping to confront the man who had taken Mu Lian and Mu Yan. Seeing Li Wei, relaxed and joking with his friends, only fueled his fury.
"Li Wei…" he muttered, barely audible. "You took them from me."
But Lin Zixuan knew better than to act now. He needed more strength, more power. *Just a little more blood…* he thought, his mind already racing with dark plans. *Then, I'll take back what's mine.*
With a final glance at Li Wei, he turned and disappeared into the crowd.
Back at the table, Zhao Jun stretched, glancing toward the door where Lin Zixuan had disappeared. "See? Probably just admires you."
Li Wei hummed softly, though his eyes remained fixed on the spot where Lin Zixuan had stood. "Yeah probably."