Chapter 144: I Think I’ve Fallen for You

First of all, one thing was certain: his junior apprentice sister, Zhang Beibei, had run into trouble. It had happened approximately an hour ago.

The culprit was the silver figure Yu Shujun had accidentally encountered at the scene of the accident.

Regardless of who the other party was, Yu Shujun’s guess was that they definitely did not belong to this beginner map.

After clashing with Yu Shujun, that person had lost an arm, yet had not ceased their actions. Their target had been fixed on Zhang Beibei.

Clearly, they were sufficiently familiar with the items in this map to find a way to control one of its攻略 characters: collecting the character’s soul threads.

A攻略 character could use the soul threads attached to a soul puppet to control all five of a player’s limbs, reducing the player completely to their own puppet and manipulating them at will. This behavior was known as “Heaven Reversal.” Since the identities of the individuals connected to the two ends of the soul threads could, in theory, be switched, a player could become the character’s puppet—and, likewise, the character could become the player’s puppet.

That uninvited guest had taken advantage of precisely this point.

They had severed the soul threads wrapped around the new member and taken control of them. Then, using those threads, they had turned the tables and controlled Zhang Beibei, making her submit to their will just like a player trapped in a state of Heaven Reversal.

That was why, when Wen Nan scanned Zhang Beibei with the system, he could still retrieve her original character profile, while using the mind-reading skill revealed that she was in a special state.

The weaving sound he had heard—“chik-chik, chik-chik”—had actually been the sound of the soul threads controlling Zhang Beibei’s five limbs.

It was only at this point that Wen Nan realized that the fifth limb in question seemed... perhaps not to be the one between the legs after all? Girls had a fifth limb too, and the head seemed like a more reasonable answer.

Of course, that was no longer important.

The real question was: why would someone who knew this dungeon so thoroughly, and whose attributes were so high, infiltrate this place?

From the conversation between the two women during the meal, Wen Nan could more or less guess that it had something to do with the classified laboratory—and very likely with some crucial item inside.

But which item?

And why would it be worth the risk of breaking into this map?

Thinking of Yu Shujun’s actions in the trial map, Wen Nan could not help but wonder—

Surely there wasn’t another fragment of the divine staff hidden here?

Would his “luck” not be a little too absurd if that were the case? Wherever he went, fragments seemed to drop into his lap. Could this be what they called the protagonist’s halo?

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside the door.

Wen Nan looked up and saw Qiqi running in. The instant she spotted him crouching beside Zhang Beibei, she let out a long sigh of relief. Her small face was flushed from running, and a smile of utter relief bloomed across it.

“Thank goodness, Brother, you’re all right. You scared me half to death...”

Wen Nan smiled. “What could possibly happen to me?” After thinking for a moment, he asked, “How did you know I was here?”

Qiqi walked over to him, looked around the room, and replied, “Jun told me. She said you were here and that there might be hidden dangers, so I had to hurry over and make sure you stayed safe.”

Wen Nan froze. He brought up the chat window from the system and, sure enough, saw a message from Yu Shujun:

[Slave Tamer—Jun: Beware of a diversion. Be sure to keep Qiqi by your side, Master.]

Wen Nan smiled, shook his head, and closed the chat window.

Qiqi crouched down and glanced at Zhang Beibei lying on the floor, as well as the green liquid surrounding her. Her delicate brows drew together.

“Brother, this place is too dangerous. Don’t stay here. Let’s go back.”

As she spoke, she rose directly to her feet, seized Wen Nan by the arm, and dragged him outside without giving him any chance to object.

Wen Nan turned his head and glanced at Zhang Beibei lying on the floor.

Qiqi said coldly, “Don’t worry about her. She’ll be fine.”

The two of them entered the elevator lobby. The moment the doors closed, Qiqi puffed out her cheeks and grumbled angrily, “Sun Yi on the first, third, and fifth days, Wang Jialing on the second, fourth, and sixth, and that still isn’t enough? Now she has to come running to this filthy place in the afternoon to sneak another meal.”

Wen Nan raised an eyebrow. “How does that count as sneaking another meal?”

Qiqi shot him a sidelong glance. “Her cooking tastes better than mine, does it?”

“Of course not.” Wen Nan began spouting nonsense with a perfectly solemn expression. “No one cooks better than you. Once someone has tasted your food, they’ll never forget it for the rest of their life. They’ll dream about it every night.”

Although she knew he was only saying this to placate her, Qiqi was still delighted. She smiled again, rose onto her toes, and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

“I cooked a whole table of dishes and have been waiting for you to come back. Shall we eat together?”

Remembering the overwhelming smell, Wen Nan swallowed hard and nodded emphatically.

“Absolutely!”

On the way back, Wen Nan stopped by a pharmacy. Soon afterward, he and Qiqi returned to their rented apartment.

As expected, the instant he stepped through the door, that familiar smell assaulted his nose.

Qiqi eagerly pressed him into a seat by the table. Wen Nan picked up his bowl and was just about to eat when Yu Shujun climbed in through the window.

Wen Nan turned to look at her, silently asking with his eyes, Didn’t catch her?

Yu Shujun shook her head and was about to step forward to report the situation to him.

At that moment, Qiqi carried out a basin of steaming, brownish-yellow soup and picked up a ladle, preparing to skim off the foam floating on top.

When she looked up and saw Yu Shujun, she immediately waved cheerfully.

“Jun, come and eat with us! I added extra ingredients—there’s enough for three or four people.”

Yu Shujun glanced at the tableful of “delicacies,” raised an eyebrow, and shook her head.

“No, thank you. I’ve already eaten. Enjoy yourselves.”

She did not move closer. Instead, she took two steps back and leaned against the wall, watching Wen Nan with a pleased expression. She nodded toward his bowl, signaling him to eat more.

Wen Nan snorted coldly, lifted his bowl, and was just about to enjoy his meal when a character message appeared in the system.

[Demoness: Tomorrow’s the weekend. Do you have any plans?]

Was she asking him out?

He had not seen Guan Ailin at all that day and had been fretting over how to find an opportunity to win her over. Yet she had taken the initiative to contact him.

This time, he absolutely had to seize the opportunity.

After what had happened that night at the Rich Lady’s Pleasure House, Wen Nan now understood that Guan Ailin was different from the other characters. If he wanted to achieve a favorability rating of over ninety percent with her, relying on his little brother alone would never be enough.

What Guan Ailin wanted might be a genuine date, a romance that reached the heart.

If he wanted to win her over perfectly, he could not merely enter her body. He had to find a way into her heart.

This time, he needed to formulate a comprehensive plan and make absolutely certain that he could capture her heart completely.

The first step in a comprehensive plan was to rehearse.

“Brother, why aren’t you eating? Is something on your mind?” Qiqi leaned her round little face toward him and asked with concern.

Wen Nan came back to himself. He turned to her, set down his bowl and chopsticks, and said very seriously, “Qiqi, there’s something I need your help with.”

Qiqi smiled. “Just tell me what you need, Brother.”

“From this moment on, your identity is that of an extremely difficult female CEO. I want to take our relationship a step further, so we’ll begin dating now. Once you feel that I’ve truly moved you, you can respond to me. How does that sound?”

Qiqi became interested. “Role-playing? Sure~”

As she spoke, she leaned back into her chair, crossed her legs, lifted her round little face, and looked at Wen Nan through her nostrils.

“Begin, Little Ye.”

Wen Nan could not help laughing.

This child learned quickly.

“Ahem.” Wen Nan cleared his throat, took a velvet box from the equipment reserve slot, and placed it in front of Qiqi.

The moment Qiqi saw the velvet box, she covered her mouth with both hands, her eyes widening.

Wen Nan began, “Qiqi, you—”

“I accept!” Qiqi blurted out.

Wen Nan: “...”

“That’s not what I was going to say. You’re supposed to be a difficult female CEO. Could you at least try not to be so easy?”

Qiqi looked aggrieved. “But this is already the difficult version.”

“I haven’t even finished my opening line...”

“If I were being myself, the moment you brought out that gift, I would already have thrown myself into your arms and hugged you. Hmph.”

Wen Nan felt a headache coming on. He was just about to say something when a soft scoff sounded beside him.

He raised his head and saw Yu Shujun leaning against the wall, a faint smile upon her face.

Their gazes met unexpectedly, and both of them paused.

Wen Nan’s brows lifted slightly. Whatever he was thinking, his gaze resting on Yu Shujun grew deep and unreadable.

Under his stare, Yu Shujun felt uncomfortable all over. She looked away, turned, and walked toward the balcony, leaving Wen Nan and Qiqi to their private world.

With her arms folded before her, Yu Shujun leaned against the wall beside the railing and gazed at the tranquil night. Without realizing it, she recalled the look Wen Nan had given her just moments before.

For some inexplicable reason, her heart felt itchy, as though a feather were brushing against it.

Her brows drew together slightly, and her expression became complicated.

“Why did you suddenly come out here alone?”

The person behind her approached.

Yu Shujun turned around abruptly. A trace of astonishment surfaced in her eyes, but it quickly vanished. She shook her head.

“It’s nothing...”

Wen Nan smiled. “What are you thinking about so intently? Don’t tell me you were thinking about me.”

Yu Shujun’s expression turned cold at once. Her lips tightened.

“No.”

Wen Nan froze.

It was only a joke. Why had she suddenly changed her expression? He had not even said anything particularly offensive. How had he managed to upset her?

“Stop looking so stern all the time,” Wen Nan said softly. “You look beautiful when you smile.”

Yu Shujun stared at him in a daze. Her lips parted and closed again, as though she did not know what to say. Before she could respond, Wen Nan had already changed the subject.

“Did you fail to catch that person?”

Returning to the matter at hand, Yu Shujun quickly gathered her thoughts.

“The other party’s Agility attribute was too high. They possessed powerful concealment skills, along with a disguise item. Under cover of night, I couldn’t catch up in a short time. I was afraid they might circle back and attack, so I didn’t dare extend the pursuit too far. I could only let her go for now, Master.”

After listening to her methodical explanation, Wen Nan asked, “You sent Qiqi to guard me?”

Yu Shujun nodded. “Yes.”

Wen Nan smiled. “You’re very concerned about me, aren’t you?”

Yu Shujun’s expression darkened again.

“No...”

In a very soft voice, Wen Nan said, “If you don’t want to admit it, then forget it.”

Yu Shujun turned her head and glanced at the handsome profile beside her. She felt that he was behaving strangely tonight and could not figure out what he was trying to do. In the end, she said nothing, merely turned back and resumed gazing at the night sky.

The two of them stood shoulder to shoulder, looking together at the stars hanging low beneath the veil of night. For a time, silence settled between them.

After a long while, Wen Nan slowly spoke.

“No matter how realistic the starry sky here is, it’s still fake.

“If we remain in this game world, we’ll never see the real night sky. But if we leave, perhaps we’ll never have the chance to meet again.”

Yu Shujun turned to look at the person beside her.

“So what if we never meet again?”

“Wouldn’t you regret it?”

“Would you?”

“Of course.” Wen Nan’s voice was quiet, but his tone was sincere. “I’d be reluctant to let you go.”

Yu Shujun was suddenly rendered speechless.

“You...”

She managed to utter a single word, then had no idea how to continue. Once again, silence fell between them.

Wen Nan smiled and continued speaking on his own.

“I think I may have started to like you.”

At that moment, Yu Shujun’s heart skipped a beat. Her entire body stiffened, her tongue tied itself in knots, and she had no idea how to respond.

While Yu Shujun stood there in a daze, Wen Nan had already moved close to her. He stopped only when their chests were almost touching.

Yu Shujun instinctively retreated until her back struck the wall, leaving her nowhere else to go. She raised a hand without thinking and pressed lightly against Wen Nan’s chest.

But Wen Nan did not retreat. Instead, he lifted a hand, took hold of her chin, and brought that flawless, beautiful face before him.

Then he leaned down.

The kiss was about to land.

She should dodge.

Or block him with her sword.

Or flee the scene.

Countless thoughts flashed through her mind in an instant.

Yet in the end, Yu Shujun did nothing.

She merely closed her eyes.

(End of Chapter)