Yama Reborn

Chen Nuo's questioning left Zhang Linsheng utterly speechless.

The feeling of having the answer right there in his heart, yet being unable to utter a single word, filled him with immense frustration and a sense of suffocation!

Chen Nuo sighed as he looked at his Senior Brother.

Still can't get over it, huh?

Well, matters of the heart are difficult for anyone to resolve, not just an eighteen-year-old youth. Even a mature adult in their thirties or forties, faced with the same situation, would likely struggle to understand.

But the advantage young people have is their inherent youthful spirit. When they encounter problems, they might fall into despair quickly, but once they figure things out, they bounce back just as fast.

In that case... what he needed was strong medicine! If he wanted to run away, then it was up to me to make him confront it!

Sometimes, if a matter isn't pressing, people tend to habitually avoid it.

After a moment's thought, Chen Nuo picked up his phone and called Brother Lei.

Brother Lei's shop was nearby, and he arrived within a few minutes of the call.

Bald Lei looked curiously at Zhang Linsheng, who was sitting opposite Chen Nuo.

"This is my Senior Brother, Zhang Linsheng."

"Whoa!"

Brother Lei was suddenly filled with awe and respect!

He had personally experienced and witnessed the capabilities of this young master, Chen Nuo!

The Senior Brother of this young master? No doubt about it, he must be a man of great abilities too!

At this thought, Brother Lei's smile became three degrees warmer.

"This is Brother Lei. Um, he's one of us," Chen Nuo's words immediately made Brother Lei feel a surge of excitement.

Zhang Linsheng looked curiously at the bald-headed boss before him. Though a bit confused, he still greeted him politely, "Hello, Brother Lei."

"Oh, you're too kind, too kind! Hello, Senior Zhang!"

Zhang Linsheng felt a little embarrassed. "Um, please don't call me Senior Brother, I..."

Chen Nuo, chuckling inwardly at Brother Lei's misunderstanding but not pointing it out, smiled and said, "Brother Lei, just call him Lin Sheng."

"Alrighty then! Brother Lin Sheng! HAHAHA, now that we've met today, we're all friends here," Brother Lei quickly pulled out a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes, offering one and lighting it for him.

Zhang Linsheng was somewhat overwhelmed by the unexpected gesture, accepting it cautiously.

"Brother Lei, there's something I need your help with," Chen Nuo began.

"Speak!" Brother Lei slapped his chest. "I'll make sure it's done properly."

Chen Nuo nodded. "Of course. Nothing ever goes wrong when you're in charge."

After thinking for a moment, Chen Nuo pulled Bald Lei closer and whispered a few words in his ear.

"...Huh??"

Brother Lei was stunned! His expression instantly became quite a sight, his eyes flickering with confusion as he glanced from Zhang Linsheng to Chen Nuo and back, scratching his bald head. "Um, Young Master Nuo, this task you've given me is certainly simple... but... is it appropriate?"

"It's appropriate! Very appropriate!" Chen Nuo said seriously. "Just do as I say. Let him experience it thoroughly."

"That settles it then!" Brother Lei laughed heartily, slapping his chest resoundingly. "Don't worry! I'll make sure today's job is done beautifully!"

Zhang Linsheng looked blankly from Chen Nuo to Brother Lei.

"Senior Brother," Chen Nuo instructed Zhang Linsheng, "you'll go with Brother Lei in a bit. Tonight, do whatever he tells you to do! Don't ask any questions. If you have any problems, tell me tomorrow. For now, just keep them to yourself! Tonight, stick with Brother Lei and follow all his arrangements."

Although Zhang Linsheng was full of questions...

He had just received 88,800 yuan from Chen Nuo today—well then, you're the boss, your word is law.

With that settled, Zhang Linsheng prepared to leave with Brother Lei.

But as Zhang Linsheng stood up, he couldn't help but glance back at the shop, his eyes drawn to the back of the very attractive woman who had been sitting at Chen Nuo's table.

"Chen Nuo, is that... Uh..." Zhang Linsheng was a bit curious.

Chen Nuo smiled, patted Brother Haonan on the shoulder, and walked him and Brother Lei across the street. Seeing the bewildered look on Brother Haonan's face, Chen Nuo chuckled.

"Senior Brother."

"What?"

"That payment included hush money, you know."

"...Ah?" Zhang Linsheng paused for a moment, then understood instantly, nodding eagerly. "Oh! Got it, got it. Don't worry! I won't blab."

Chen Nuo, still smiling, watched Brother Lei lead Brother Haonan away, then sighed.

Ahh, still so many troubles at home.

Returning to the shop, he sat back down across from Lu Xixi.

Lu Xixi was currently engrossed in a battle with a basket of pan-fried buns, her mouth glistening with oil.

Seeing Chen Nuo return, Lu Xixi merely glanced at him curiously.

Chen Nuo smiled. "Ah, a friend needed me for something."

"Oh." Lu Xixi wasn't overly curious and didn't press further. She picked up the last pan-fried bun with her chopsticks, bit a small opening into it, and with her eyes narrowed in pleasure, savored the soup inside. She let out a contented sigh. "Honey~"

"Hmm?"

"This is so delicious."

"Like it? Want another basket?"

"...Yeah, make it two."

"...Alright."

After finishing the pan-fried buns, they left the shop and headed to Tangzi Street's second-hand market.

Chen Nuo led Lu Xixi around for a while, spending a few hundred yuan on a used bed frame. He also bought a Kirin Simmonds mattress—incidentally, the Kirin brand would become less prominent over the years.

After they provided the delivery address, the shopkeeper immediately hailed an unlicensed cab from the roadside to deliver the items.

Chen Nuo and Lu Xixi decided against taking a cab themselves and instead hopped into the delivery vehicle, following it home.

By the time the delivery reached Chen Nuo's doorstep, it was already around seven or eight in the evening.

The sky had darkened.

The delivery driver helped unload the items and left them downstairs at Chen Nuo's apartment building.

Then he started to jack up the price on the spot—the driver, noticing Chen Nuo's youthful appearance and the shy, quiet woman accompanying him, said,

"It'll be an extra hundred to carry it upstairs. You live on the fifth floor, and it's hard work helping you move it up."

Chen Nuo glanced at the driver and smiled.

The agreed price for delivery to the door was 150 yuan—and that included carrying it upstairs. It was clear he was trying to squeeze out more money.

However, not wanting to cause trouble right at his doorstep, Chen Nuo waved his hand. "You can go. I'll take it up myself."

The driver looked at Chen Nuo, still somewhat reluctant. "This bed isn't light, and there's the mattress too. Don't make things hard for yourself just to save a bit of money, young man..."

"No need for your concern. Just go about your business."

Chen Nuo paid the driver and sent him off. Once the driver was gone, he looked around and saw that there weren't many people about.

The bed had been disassembled at the shop, and the owner had packed the parts into cardboard boxes tied with rope.

Chen Nuo reached out, stacked the boxes, and lifted them with one hand.

Beside him, Lu Xixi also picked up the mattress with one hand. The two of them, under the cover of the dim light, entered the stairwell.

For a Controller level master and a near-Controller level master, this load was hardly more challenging than carrying a bottle of mineral water.

It was only after they got back to the apartment and into the room, when Chen Nuo unpacked the boxes, took out his tools, and began assembling the bed himself, that Lu Xixi, standing nearby, blushed. Watching the bed gradually take shape, she felt shy and avoided Chen Nuo's gaze.

Once the bed was assembled and the mattress was in place, Chen Nuo retrieved some spare quilts and bedsheets from the wardrobe.

"Don't just stand there, come and help."

Chen Nuo pulled Lu Xixi over to help stuff the quilt into the duvet cover.

Empress Lu's face was flushed. She kept her head down, too embarrassed to speak, clutching the bedsheet the entire time, standing as still as a wooden doll, not daring to move.

Looking at the newly made bed, Chen Nuo sighed, glanced at Lu Xixi with amusement in his eyes, and said, "You go take a bath."

"...Ah? Okay!" Hearing his words, Lu Xixi bolted from the room and into the bathroom, quickly shutting the door behind her.

Her heart POUNDED chaotically! Tonight... would they officially share a bed? With... this unfamiliar husband...

Lu Xixi stood before the mirror, her hands touching her face, which felt scorching hot.

Just then, Chen Nuo knocked on the bathroom door.

"Ah? What is it?" Lu Xixi's heart skipped a beat.

Uh? He... he... he couldn't be in such a hurry, could he?

"Open the door."

"You, what do you want?"

"Just open the door," Chen Nuo said with a laugh from outside.

Lu Xixi pursed her lips. With an expression like someone heading to the gallows, she cracked the door open a sliver, not daring to look Chen Nuo in the eye. "Um, Honey..."

"You forgot your clothes," Chen Nuo said with a beaming smile, handing her a change of clothes. "Otherwise, you'll have to ask me to bring them to you once you're done bathing."

Lu Xixi snatched the clothes and quickly shut the door again.

「Brother Haonan, on the other hand, felt he was enduring an ordeal unlike any he had ever faced—the first time in his life.」

After following Brother Lei that evening, Brother Lei first warmly invited him to sit in his shop for a while. Then, as dinnertime approached, Brother Lei made a couple of calls and pulled Zhang Linsheng out the door.

They first went to a restaurant where a private room was already prepared with fine food and liquor.

The spread included a variety of dishes and a soup, featuring chicken, duck, fish, meat, and fresh seafood. The liquor was a bottle of Wuliangye.

Brother Lei, a man seasoned in the ways of the world, who knew how to socialize and speak persuasively, offered a series of toasts at the dinner table that Brother Haonan found hard to refuse.

Besides, when it comes to drinking, few young men who can hold their liquor are willing to back down.

After two drinks, Zhang Linsheng felt an increasing camaraderie with the bald Brother Lei, their conversation growing more congenial by the minute.

The two of them finished the bottle of liquor. However, Brother Lei was very measured; when pouring the last rounds, he discreetly drank more himself, ensuring Zhang Linsheng retained some level of sobriety.

Full of food and drink, the melancholy in Zhang Linsheng's heart, intensified by the alcohol, surged to the forefront.

Then, Brother Lei pulled him out of the restaurant. A van was already waiting at the entrance, driven by one of Brother Lei's employees.

Zhang Linsheng initially wanted to politely decline, saying he could go home by himself.

But Brother Lei waved him off. "Go home? Chen Nuo said that tonight you're with me, and you'll follow all my arrangements!"

Zhang Linsheng, thoroughly confused and with a stomach full of questions, was pulled into the vehicle.

While in the van, Brother Lei made another phone call.

When they got out of the van again, fifteen minutes had passed.

The van stopped on a bustling street in the city center and then pulled up to a five-star hotel.

Zhang Linsheng was puzzled. Following Brother Lei out of the van, he looked up at the hotel's grand lobby and scratched his head. "Brother Lei, what is this place?"

"Just follow me, brother," Brother Lei laughed heartily, then strode confidently ahead.

Upon entering the hotel lobby, they turned to the side, bypassed the lobby bar, went up a step, and arrived at a particular area.

At the entrance stood two rows of greeters in qipaos, along with several staff members in smart suits, looking quite dapper with earpieces.

The lobby was splendidly decorated, with crystal chandeliers hanging overhead and rows of glass cabinets displaying various liquors.

Just as Bald Lei walked in, a manager in a suit approached him. "Boss, do you have a reservation?"

"Private Room 888." Brother Lei glanced at the man.

The manager immediately nodded and bowed, then turned to instruct, "Guests for Private Room 888 have arrived. Escort them!"

A woman in a qipao hurriedly came forward and respectfully led Brother Lei inside.

Brother Haonan watched the scene, somewhat bewildered, but before he could say anything, Brother Lei hooked an arm around his shoulder and casually pulled him in.

Private Room 888 was opulently decorated, with thick, soft sofas and a coffee table with brass-trimmed edges, laden with an assortment of glasses. A crystal glass ashtray sat on it. There were also two bottles of mineral water of a brand Brother Haonan didn't recognize, with labels entirely in English.

The room was spacious, with enough sofa seating for more than a dozen people with room to spare. But Brother Lei pulled Zhang Linsheng to sit in the center, casually crossed his legs, then took out a cigarette and offered one to Zhang Linsheng.

Just as Zhang Linsheng was about to reach for his lighter, a female server in the room quickly came over, half-knelt before him, and lit his cigarette.

Brother Lei, smiling genially, glanced at the somewhat uneasy Brother Haonan, then gestured with his chin to one of the hostesses. "Get things started! Hurry up and bring the girls in!"

A few minutes later, the door to the private room opened, and a long line of girls, dressed in vibrant and colorful attire, entered one by one.

The thoughtful hostess turned all the lights in the room to their brightest setting and also lowered the volume of the background music from the television.

A row of girls, at least fifteen or twenty of them, stood before them. After steadying themselves, they bowed in unison.

A mama-san in a black suit, holding a clutch, came over and sat down beside Brother Lei, her body pressing against his. "Brother Lei, you haven't been here for several days."

"Cut the crap. I told you on the phone, have you arranged your best girls for me?"

"Relax! How could I dare to delay when it's you asking?" the mama-san said, casting coquettish glances, then turned to the row of girls. "Introduce yourselves."

"Nana, from Shan City."

"Susu, from Shencheng."

"Xiaoxiao, from Hucheng."

"Xiaofei, from Jinling."

...

One by one, the girls bowed, then, with faint smiles, stated their names and origins.

Zhang Linsheng was somewhat dazed. He swallowed hard and turned to look at Brother Lei.

Brother Lei laughed. "What are you looking at me for, bro? Look at the beauties! If you see someone you like, speak up."

Zhang Linsheng was flabbergasted!

After all the girls had introduced themselves, Brother Lei casually scanned them. "Brother, see anyone you like?"

"I, I, I don't want anyone," Zhang Linsheng mumbled, looking down.

Brother Lei laughed heartily and shook his head at the mama-san beside him. "Your elite lineup isn't good enough! My brother here doesn't fancy any of them."

With that, he waved his hand grandly. "Next batch!"

"Thank you, boss! Have a great time, Big Brother!~"

The girls bowed as a group and then filed out.

"Hurry up, bring more!" Brother Lei frowned and instructed the mama-san, "Don't disappoint my brother again! Don't bring any duds into my room!"

And so… one batch, two batches… three batches…

After three rounds, a lethal beauty was seated beside Brother Lei.

And Zhang Linsheng just sat there, his face tense.

"What's wrong, bro? Still haven't found one you like?" Brother Lei scratched his head, somewhat helplessly.

Zhang Linsheng shook his head and said softly, "Brother Lei, I, I'm not comfortable with this… I really don't want anyone."

"HAHAHA!" Brother Lei laughed loudly, pulling the girl beside him into his embrace. Then he said to the mama-san, "I don't care! If you don't find a fairy for my brother today, it's all on you!"

The mama-san's eyes held a hint of helplessness, but she still nodded with a smile and went out again.

The hostess in the private room opened the bottles of foreign liquor, mixing in several bottles of iced tea, as was popular at the time. She filled two large pitchers to the brim.

Brother Lei first clinked glasses with Zhang Linsheng a couple of times, and then the girl beside Brother Lei also raised her glass to toast Zhang Linsheng.

Brother Haonan was clearly very tense. He downed each glass as soon as it was filled, silently drinking and smoking.

The hostess had dimmed the lights in the private room, and Brother Lei had selected Ren Xianqi's "Too Soft Heart," which he began to sing at the top of his lungs, wailing like a banshee.

Before the song was finished, the mama-san pushed open the door again. This time, there wasn't a bevy of girls behind her, only a single young woman.

She wasn't tall, looking very petite, and was led over by the mama-san. Brother Lei immediately tossed aside the microphone, his gaze sweeping over her.

At first glance, the girl's appearance had, indeed, a startling allure!

With large, watery eyes, a high nose bridge, a delicately curved small mouth, and a soft, full facial contour, she had a classic oval face. Her black hair was glossy and smooth.

She wore a well-tailored women's white blazer, beneath which a black tube top was visible, its curve quite noticeable.

Her skirt ended mid-thigh, paired with flesh-colored stockings. Her calves were slender and straight, and she wore high heels.

What was remarkable was that this girl didn't have the worldly air common to those working in such establishments; she actually possessed a rather innocent appearance.

At one glance, not only did Brother Lei seem moved, but even Zhang Linsheng subconsciously froze for a few seconds. This girl was genuinely beautiful.

"Brother Lei, you've really given me a tough one! This is the prettiest girl I have! She was actually off today, not supposed to work, but I made an urgent call and had her rush over from home! If you're still not satisfied with this one, then you won't find anyone to your liking in any club in all of Jinling City!" the mama-san said, half-complaining and half-boasting as she leaned towards Brother Lei.

Brother Lei laughed out loud, glanced at Zhang Linsheng, and saw him still in a daze, so he waved his hand. "Alright! She's the one! I'll decide for my brother!"

Gesturing towards the beauty, he said, "Girl, my brother is a bit shy! Tonight, you're responsible for making sure he has fun!"

The stunningly beautiful girl pursed her lips and smiled sweetly, her voice crisp and seductive. "Don't worry, Big Brother~"

The mama-san breathed a sigh of relief.

This Bald Lei was not only quite wealthy, with significant spending power, but was also rumored to be involved in the underworld. Lately, his reputation had been soaring. He was the type of client the mama-san both wanted to curry favor with and dared not offend.

Seeing that Zhang Linsheng offered no objection, Brother Lei laughed. "Right! The atmosphere isn't lively enough! Go get a few more girls in here! This isn't enough people to create a good vibe!"

"Alright!" The mama-san agreed cheerfully and left with a smile.

Zhang Linsheng sat there, a bit stiff.

The beautiful girl had already sat down beside him, so close they were touching.

Zhang Linsheng felt the girl's soft arm brushing against his. She then picked up a glass, poured herself a small half-glass of liquor, took a kumquat from the fruit platter on the table, and dropped it into her drink.

"Hey handsome, what do they call you?"

The girl turned around and looked at Zhang Linsheng with a smile.

With her outstanding beauty in this setting, her smile curved her eyes into crescents, adding even more loveliness.

Zhang Linsheng's face turned red, and he stuttered, unable to speak.

Brother Lei chuckled beside him. "Girl, just call him Brother Lin Sheng!"

The young beauty smiled slightly and naturally placed her hand on Zhang Linsheng's shoulder, half-pouting and half-flattering, "No! If I call him Brother Lin Sheng like everyone else, that's no fun at all."

Then she leaned in closer, her luscious red lips nearly touching Zhang Linsheng's ear as she lowered her voice and coaxed, "I'll just call you 'little brother,' okay~"

The girl was so close, her soft body almost nestled against his, and as she spoke, her warm breath tickled Zhang Linsheng's ear, sending a shiver down his spine... Brother Haonan felt his heart flutter in that instant!

Immediately, he tried to shuffle backwards, performing a tactical lean-back, and then swallowed hard.

The young beauty closely observed Zhang Linsheng's youthful face, a hint of amusement in her eyes, and then she signaled to the hostess to pour a drink.

The hostess had just poured half a glass for Zhang Linsheng when the girl playfully protested, "Hey, hey! Why are you pouring so much? Are you trying to get my little brother drunk?~"

As she spoke, the girl took Zhang Linsheng's glass, poured a bit of the liquor into her own, then handed the glass back to Zhang Linsheng. "Little brother, drink a bit less, okay? This foreign liquor is strong; you'll feel awful later if you drink too much."

Zhang Linsheng clumsily held the glass. The beauty then picked up her own glass, clinked it against his, and downed her drink in one gulp.

"..." Zhang Linsheng hesitated for a moment, then he too, drank his fill.

"My name is Xia Xia, Xia as in summer," Xia Xia said, taking the empty glass from Zhang Linsheng's hand and placing it on the coffee table. Then she wrapped her arm around Zhang Linsheng's, snuggling up beside him on the sofa.

Zhang Linsheng sat rigidly, his heart POUNDING wildly.

Because Xia Xia was hugging his arm... his arm could clearly feel the softness of the girl's chest... Ripples continuously stirred in his heart...

And this Xia Xia was indeed a Red Card Fairy. She proactively took one of Zhang Linsheng's hands, holding it between her own small hands, and gently caressed his palm...

At this moment, suddenly, a thought struck Zhang Linsheng's mind like lightning!!

...Qu Xiaoling normally "worked" just like this!

In that instant, Zhang Linsheng fully understood why Chen Nuo had Brother Lei arrange this whole charade tonight!!

You're trying to escape it in your heart, aren't you? You've been conflicted all this time, haven't you? Well, I'll drag you into this kind of place and let you experience it firsthand! I'll shove these facts right in your face, leaving you nowhere to hide, no way to avoid! I'll make you see it clearly, understand it completely! See exactly what kind of work this is, what exactly goes on when working in a place like this! After this, no more excuses! After this, no more pretending you don't know! After this, no more running away! Face the facts, and then... To hell with your conflict! Can you accept it? Can you bear it? Make your own damn decision, clearly and unequivocally!

Zhang Linsheng was stunned for a full half minute. Then, he suddenly turned to look at the little fairy named Xia Xia beside him...

In terms of appearance, she was even a notch above Qu Xiaoling; both her face and figure were much better. Especially that pure face, highly deceptive. And that innocent face, combined with the faintly enchanting aura in her every move, mixed to create a peculiar charm. And now, this fairy, prettier than Qu Xiaoling, with a better figure and a greater charm, even looking a bit younger, was sitting so obediently and gently by his side, leaning on him, with his arm still tightly against the girl's chest... and it was the girl who had taken the initiative! As if the girl before him was at his disposal tonight...

Zhang Linsheng turned his head again to look at Brother Lei.

The girl beside Brother Lei was already leaning into his embrace. Brother Lei's hand was draped over the girl's shoulder, his palm resting lightly on half of her breast...

And the girl, as if completely unaware, just leaned against Brother Lei, the two of them quietly chatting and laughing about something.

This... this must be what Qu Xiaoling does every day, every night, at work...

Suddenly, Zhang Linsheng felt a bitter taste in his mouth. That bitterness made him immediately grab the glass on the table, pour himself a drink of liquor mixed with iced tea, and gulp it down in one go!

Then, another glass! He drank it all in one go!

Then, yet another glass!

After downing three glasses in quick succession, Zhang Linsheng put down his glass and turned to look at Xia Xia.

His youthful eyes seemed to carry a strange flame.

Xia Xia, with a coquettish smile on her face, leaned closer and said softly, "Little brother, it's no fun drinking alone, let me drink with you..."

Zhang Linsheng suddenly pressed down on the hand she was extending towards a glass, then looked straight into her eyes without flinching.

This originally shy and awkward young man suddenly looking at her so boldly made Xia Xia, the Red Card Fairy, a bit uncomfortable for a moment.

Then, suddenly...

"Do you do paid dates?"

"Ah?"

"I'm asking you, do you do paid dates?" Zhang Linsheng asked coldly.

Xia Xia's expression turned a bit flustered, but it quickly changed. She smiled and gently pushed Zhang Linsheng. "Little brother... Why are you being like this... Oh my... Your words are so blunt."

"No games. Just tell me, yes or no."

"That's not possible..." Xia Xia giggled, leaning in to whisper in Zhang Linsheng's ear, "I actually have something on today. My roommate is sick, and I need to go home and take care of her after work."

"Are you trying to tell me, next time? Next time I come looking for you, we can talk then?" Zhang Linsheng suddenly asked.

Xia Xia was a bit stunned again, but then she smiled and shifted her body, her tone half-coquettish and half-persuasive. "Don't be so impatient... I usually only accompany for drinks; I don't do paid dates... Besides, we've just met, it's been less than half an hour... Who asks things like that so soon~~"

Zhang Linsheng suddenly laughed.

Without wasting any more words, he turned and picked up his coat, which was tossed on the sofa.

In the pocket of the coat was the remaining 8,800 yuan in cash from earlier that day; he had spent 1,000 yuan on purchases. There was still just under 8,000 yuan left.

Zhang Linsheng grabbed it all at once—a thick stack!

SMACK!

Zhang Linsheng threw all 8,000 yuan in cash onto the table.

"I don't like beating around the bush, nor do I like listening to nonsense. Just tell me, yes or no!"

Eight thousand yuan! In 2001, in the best clubs in Jinling City, the fee for a hostess to accompany for drinks was only about 600 yuan. A paid date would typically cost 1,000 yuan; 2,000 yuan was considered high! Zhang Linsheng had just thrown down nearly 8,000 yuan!

The girl named Xia Xia suddenly looked a bit nervous, her breathing quickening.

She glanced at Zhang Linsheng, then turned her head to look at the hostess in the room, and then at Brother Lei.

Brother Lei didn't speak, a smile on his face as if he were merely watching a show.

Xia Xia bit her lip, then took a deep breath to compose herself, masking the embarrassment and shock on her face. She put on her professional, coquettish smile again, hooked her hand around Zhang Linsheng's fingers, and, leaning close to his ear, whispered,

"Little brother, then wait for me, I'm going to change clothes now~"

...

Brother Lei laughed heartily.

And Zhang Linsheng, it was as if something had shaken within him. He raised his eyes and looked deeply at this girl named Xia Xia.

Then, as if the tension he had been holding since he started asking questions and then slammed down the money... Suddenly, it all dissipated!

Zhang Linsheng gently brushed Xia Xia's hand away, then stood up and walked over to Brother Lei.

He nodded at Brother Lei. "Brother Lei, I get it now. I finally understand the point of this whole setup tonight."

With that, a strange smile appeared on the youth's face. "Brother Lei, you've spent quite a bit tonight. I'll treat you to a meal another day. I'm leaving now."

"Ah?" Brother Lei was taken aback.

"It's fine. Chen Nuo will understand. You tell him; he gets it," Zhang Linsheng shook his head.

"Little brother, I'm going to change now. You wait for me, huh," Xia Xia spoke up.

"No need." Zhang Linsheng looked at the girl and shook his head. "The money on the table is for you. No need for your company. Just consider it payment for the question I asked you earlier..."

As he said this, Zhang Linsheng seemed to murmur to himself,

"That answer... It's worth this much money!"

After that, the young man left the room with his head held high!

Alone!

「The lights in the living room were already off. The sounds of Chen Nuo working could be heard from the kitchen, as if he were organizing something.」

When Lu Xixi came out after her shower, almost an hour had passed.

With a flushed face, Lu Xixi tiptoed straight into the bedroom, then lifted the quilt and crawled in.

Then she turned over, her back facing outward, curling up into a ball.

Lu Xixi was afraid.

She didn't know how much time had passed when she heard Chen Nuo enter the bathroom, followed by the sound of running water for a shower.

Then the water stopped... The sound of a hairdryer... Then it stopped too, and Chen Nuo's footsteps entered the bedroom.

The door was closed.

Then the bed shifted slightly as Chen Nuo sat down, and then he crawled under the quilt...

Lu Xixi's body was completely stiff! She dared not move, just lying there with her back to Chen Nuo...

"Lu Yiyi?"

"Auntie?"

"...Honey?"

Chen Nuo called out three times; Lu Xixi kept her mouth shut and didn't reply.

It's best... um, if I don't move... he might think I'm asleep... That would be for the best...

Suddenly, a hand reached over...

Lu Xixi shut her eyes tight and screamed, "You can't!!"

With a flick of her hand...

BANG!!

Overwhelmed with agitation, Empress Lu's strength suddenly burst forth!

Chen Nuo was sent flying and fell to the floor!

And beneath Lu Xixi, the new mattress and bed frame couldn't withstand the power surge of a Controller.

CRASH! It broke into pieces!!

"..."

"..."

Lu Xixi looked at Chen Nuo, and Chen Nuo, sitting on the ground, looked back at Lu Xixi.

"That... I was just reaching to turn off the light! The switch is on your side of the bed," Chen Nuo said helplessly.

"..." Lu Xixi's face turned crimson.

Chen Nuo looked helplessly at the shattered bed frame and mattress, then got up from the floor.

He sighed.

Well... time to go bed shopping again tomorrow...

"Get up. We'll sleep on the sofa tonight. Come on."

"...Okay." Knowing she had caused trouble, Empress Lu obediently agreed and got up.