Chapter

The next day, Ding Shuang leaned against the cave wall, a sharp sword pressed against his throat. Looking at Yun Yun’s frosty face, Ding Shuang didn’t even dare to swallow. He was still slightly panicked. Although he had soul control, he couldn’t guarantee Yun Yun wouldn’t tremble, nor could he guarantee his own legs wouldn’t shake. The sharp sword could easily kill him with a single blow.

Neither Ding Shuang nor Yun Yun spoke; they simply stared at each other for a long time. So long that Ding Shuang almost wanted to be cheeky and recite something like, “Once upon a time, a sincere love was placed before me…”

In the end, Yun Yun spoke first, “Let’s pretend that what happened last night never happened. Otherwise, it won’t do you any good if word gets out.” After saying that, Yun Yun sheathed her sword, turned around and left. She walked to the other end of the cave, sat down with her legs drawn up, and buried her head between her legs.

Ding Shuang gazed at that alluring, curvaceous back, her heart burning with desire. Recalling yesterday’s tenderness, she murmured to herself, “A fleeting dream, gone without a trace.”

At this inopportune moment, the old apothecary whispered in Ding Shuang’s ear, “You missed a great opportunity yesterday.”

Ding Shuang ignored Yao Lao and just rolled her eyes. What the hell do you know?

Ding Shuang didn’t know how to comfort Yun Yun at this moment. Xiao Mei and Xun’er had always liked him, and after he took their virginity, they naturally became his women. Ya Fei hadn’t seen him for six months after being raped and had taken matters into her own hands. Xiao Yu had been comforted by Xun’er and Xiao Mei. Ruo Lin had been forcibly controlled by him. The other women had no idea they had been drugged and raped.

He was to remain in the cave with Yun Yun until she broke the seal. The awkward atmosphere lasted all morning until noon when Ding Shuang brought grilled fish to Yun Yun’s side, saying, “Have something to eat.”

Yun Yun quickly looked up at Ding Shuang and said, “I’m not hungry.” Then she lowered her head again.

Ding Shuang noticed that Yun Yun’s face seemed to have tear tracks. Although she concealed it well, her red eyes betrayed her. Ding Shuang sighed, sat down cross-legged, and said, “Sigh~ Yunzhi, you should eat something. I’ve already thrown away that medicine and promised you I’ll never practice such drugs again!”

Yun Yun lowered her head, and upon hearing Ding Shuang’s words, her body trembled slightly. She then reached out and took the grilled fish, still looking down. Knowing that Yun Yun didn’t want him to see her crying, Ding Shuang got up and left.

Ding Shuang found a protruding rock, sat down with her back to Yun Yun, and began eating the grilled fish in her hand. Suddenly, she heard a voice behind her, “Ding Shuang, I, I actually… I should be able to break the seal tomorrow.”

When Ding Shuang heard Yun Yun say “actually,” she thought she was going to tell him her real name, but what she said next disappointed her. Slightly dejected, she replied, “Then congratulations.”

Yun Yun could also hear Ding Shuang’s disappointment. She gritted her teeth and continued, “Once I recover my strength, I will continue to search for that Amethyst Winged Lion King.”

“Let me help you.” Ding Shuang turned around and looked at Yun Yun with a big smile.

“No! It’s too dangerous!” Yun Yun immediately refused.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. I can’t bear to…” Ding Shuang didn’t say the last word.

Yun Yun was stunned upon hearing Ding Shuang’s words, her face flushing slightly. She then nodded gently and said, “With me here, nothing will happen to you.”

Yun Yun then discussed with Ding Shuang how to steal the Purple Spirit Crystal. This Purple Spirit Crystal was originally intended for Nalan Yanran, but now it was Yun Yun’s turn to need it. Ding Shuang certainly wouldn’t let Yun Yun down and would do everything in his power to help her obtain it.

That night, Ding Shuang watched Yun Yun sleep, then closed his eyes to check the mission rewards. Currently, the fastest way to improve his strength was through rewards. Tomorrow’s operation would still be extremely dangerous, and he needed to be fully prepared.

First, let’s confirm what the acquired trait is. Seeing the extra trait, Ding Shuang wanted to curse! Unlimited semen, you son of a bitch! Why the hell didn’t you give it to me sooner? Last time I almost killed myself! Looks like this reward is wasted.

There are still two more super draws left, and the lowest prize is S-rank. I’ll draw them directly. The system notification sounded in my mind.

“Congratulations, host, on winning the S-rank grand prize: the divine artifact, the Love Cottage x1!”

“Congratulations, host, you have won an S-level grand prize: an S-level limited-time return card (7 days) x1!”

A magical artifact, a function card. What’s it for? Ding Shuang wondered as she opened the introduction to the Love Cottage and the Limited-Time Return Card.

The Love Cottage, a magical artifact, has been integrated into the host’s body. The host carries with them a 200-square-meter, three-bedroom, two-living-room, one-kitchen, two-bathroom house, which can invite living beings to enter. If the other party refuses, they will not enter the Love Cottage. If the host is disturbed, the Love Cottage cannot be opened.

Ding Shuang curled her lip. This “love nest” basically turned her into a snail, carrying her own suite. It wasn’t much of a help in combat.

The S-Rank Limited-Time Return Card (7 days) allows the host to temporarily leave the secondary world and return to the real world, staying for no more than 7 days. After 7 days, the host will be forcibly returned to the secondary world. The host can also return to the secondary world at any time during the return period. This card will disappear after use.

At this moment, Ding Shuang just wanted to use it as soon as possible! Glancing at the already sleeping Yun Yun, Ding Shuang felt a pang of reluctance, but to Yun Yun, his departure was as if he hadn’t left at all. Thinking this, Ding Shuang didn’t want to linger for a moment and immediately used the limited-time return card!

A flash of white light appeared before her eyes, and she was finally back in that living room that felt both strange and familiar. Although she was still completely naked, Ding Shuang stood up and walked around the various rooms.

Ding Shuang picked up her phone and glanced at the time: 11:53. According to the system, there would be a one-minute error in her time travel, meaning she had traveled away at 11:52. She must have been gone for four or five years. Hmm, there was a missed call; it was from Brother Yu.

Ding Shuang saw the missed call from Brother Yu; he had called while she was showering. She sighed, thinking that without the system, Brother Yu would probably be the one collecting her corpse. Ding Shuang called back; it rang twice before being answered. Ding Shuang asked, “Hello, Brother Yu. I was just showering, what’s up?”

“Oh, Xiao Ding, how’s the thing I asked you to do? I knew you were sleeping this morning, so I didn’t call you.”

“What’s up?” Ding Shuang asked instinctively. Who could remember something from four years ago?

“Bro, really? You’ve already forgotten what I told you yesterday?”

“Uh, sorry, Brother Yu, I almost died from carbon monoxide poisoning while showering, and my head’s a little foggy right now. Could you remind me what’s wrong?”

“Oh? Is it serious? Wait for me, I’m coming right away!”

“Brother Yu, everything’s alright now, no need to trouble yourself to come over, hello?” Ding Shuang looked at her phone; Brother Yu had already hung up. That Brother Yu, still so energetic and efficient.

Ding Shuang quickly went back to her room and found some shorts and a tank top to put on; she couldn’t very well be completely naked in front of Brother Yu. Brother Yu’s real name was Yu Xingwen, and he was the older brother of Ding Fei’s roommate, Yu Shuilan. They had known each other since Yu Xingwen treated everyone to a meal when they sent Ding Fei off to school. Yu Xingwen worked in the insurance industry and was a very kind and helpful person. It was Brother Yu who had helped her find this room.

Yu Xingwen’s company was just across the street from his residence, only a 10-minute walk away. Soon, Ding Shuang heard a knock at the door, and Yu Xingwen called out from outside, “Brother, open the door quickly! Come with me to the hospital!”

Ding Shuang quickly opened the door, and Yu Xingwen pulled her outside. Ding Shuang quickly said, “Brother Yu, it’s okay! We found it early, but I’m a little dizzy right now. I’ve already turned off all the gas valves and opened the windows for ventilation.”

Yu Xingwen looked at Ding Shuang, feeling somewhat puzzled as to why he didn’t seem to have suffered carbon monoxide poisoning. He knew Ding Shuang well; the young man was honest and wouldn’t lie. Entering the house, he smelled a faint odor of gas. Frowning, he said, “Brother, you’re really careless! Carbon monoxide poisoning is no small matter. Come with me to the hospital.”

Ding Shuang quickly closed the door and said, “It’s really alright, Brother Yu. What are you talking about?”

“Brother, forget about everything, let’s go to the hospital together.”

Ding Shuang was deeply moved. Brother Yu was a manager at the company, overseeing a team of over a hundred people, yet he had abandoned his team to take her to the hospital. Wait a minute? Team? Right, it was team building! Ding Shuang slapped his forehead, remembering that Brother Yu had asked him to talk to the bar owner yesterday, wanting to book the bar for a team building activity for one night. He had already spoken to the owner yesterday, and it seemed the owner had agreed. He quickly said, “Brother Yu, the owner agreed. It’ll be booked for your team tomorrow night, minimum charge 100,000.” Of course, this minimum charge was just something Ding Shuang had assumed; he couldn’t remember exactly how much the minimum charge was, so he just gave a rough estimate. He’d confirm with the owner again tonight.

“That’s nothing, come to the hospital with me! Listen to me! I know you don’t like hospitals, but this is a big deal! You have to listen to me! What if there are any aftereffects? Who will take care of Feifei in the future?” Yu Xingwen said to Ding Shuang with extreme seriousness.

Ding Shuang finally couldn’t resist Yu Xingwen’s insistence and went to the hospital with him. After accompanying Ding Shuang through the examination and learning that there was no problem, Yu Xingwen finally relaxed and said, “Brother, I’m so sorry. Finding this house for you almost killed you.”

Ding Shuang shook her head and said, “Brother Yu, what nonsense are you talking about! I was too careless. The agent warned me before, but I didn’t take it seriously. I won’t use the gas for the next few days; I’ll replace the equipment with a new one.”

“Sigh, thank goodness you’re alright, otherwise how would I explain to Feifei! Don’t go to work these next few days, just rest at home.” Yu Xingwen took Ding Shuang back to her residence and then hurriedly left.

Yu Xingwen is five years older than Ding Shuang. Born in a mountain village, he dropped out of high school and came to G City to work. Yu Xingwen was a good student, but his family couldn’t afford to send both children to school, so he gave up his opportunity to continue his education for his younger sister. He felt that as a man, it would be easy for him to leave the mountains, but if his sister couldn’t continue her studies, she would be stuck in the mountain village for the rest of her life.

Yu Xingwen is also quite lucky; through his own hard work, he now earns over a million yuan a year. When he learned of Ding Shuang and her brother’s plight, he took great care of them. Last Chinese New Year, he invited them to his home, treating them like family. Ding Shuang has known Yu Xingwen for almost a year and feels that he treats them like an older brother.

Ding Shuang checked the time; it was 4:30 PM. She figured she still had time to get to the bar. So she went downstairs, hopped on her motorcycle, and headed to the bar. Once there, Ding Shuang changed into her work clothes and went to see the boss.

The bar owner was a beautiful woman in her thirties named Qiu Xueliu, whose family business was extremely large. She was the youngest of five children—four boys and one girl—and was spoiled by her entire family, able to do whatever she wanted. Qiu Xueliu loved drinking, so she opened a bar, not to make money, but simply to satisfy her passion.

The Ba Liu Feng Xue Bar has a rule that all employees are prohibited from having any intimate relationship with customers; anyone found doing so will be immediately dismissed. Ding Shuang’s predecessor was brought to the bar because he had slept with a drunk customer. Qiu Xue Liu immediately sent the bartender to the police station.

Ding Shuang’s arrival at this bar was purely coincidental. While job hunting, he noticed many bars were hiring bartenders, given the area’s status as a bar street. The name “Ba Liu Feng Xue” (Ba Willow Wind and Snow Bar) struck him as somewhat poetic, prompting him to apply. Qiu Xueliu asked Ding Shuang to mix three of his best drinks, and after tasting them, she immediately signed a contract with him. It was Qiu Xueliu’s discerning taste in the drinks that led to Ba Liu Feng Xue Bar’s growing reputation and booming business.

Ding Shuang steeled himself and went to the boss’s office door. He knocked and asked, “Sister Liu, are you there?” At noon, he had quoted Yu Xingwen a minimum charge of 100,000 yuan, but he felt he might have underestimated it. However, to avoid being exposed, he decided to talk to the boss’s wife again.

“Okay, come in.” Qiu Xueliu’s voice came from inside the room.

Ding Shuang pushed open the door and entered, grinning sheepishly at Qiu Xueliu, “Sister Liu, about what I told you yesterday. Could the minimum spending requirement be lowered a bit?”

Qiu Xueliu was taken aback and said, “Xiao Ding, this minimum charge of 150,000 is already very low. You know my turnover for tonight.”

Ding Shuang breathed a sigh of relief; thankfully it was only 150,000. She then had an idea and said, “Sister Liu, that’s my best friend. How about I quote him 100,000? If it’s less than 150,000, I’ll cover the rest. Is that okay?”

Qiu Xueliu covered her mouth and chuckled, “Why are you doing this again? Yesterday you said you’d report 150,000, and if it didn’t reach 200,000, you’d make up the difference.”

Ding Shuang was so embarrassed! What happened five days ago to you guys feels like five years to me! Who the hell can remember so many details about something that happened five years ago?!

Ding Shuang scratched his head and said, “Sorry, Sister Liu, I had carbon monoxide poisoning while showering at noon, and I haven’t recovered yet. 150,000 will do. Thank you, Sister Liu!”

Qiu Xueliu chuckled, “100,000 it is then. Anyway, I didn’t open this bar to make money. But did you really get carbon monoxide poisoning at noon?”

Ding Shuang nodded seriously and said, “Yes, it’s true. It was Brother Yu who took me to the hospital; he was going to book everyone from our bar. Luckily, I found out early, or I wouldn’t be able to come today.”

Qiu Xueliu also became serious and said, “Are you really alright? Why don’t you rest for a while?”

“It’s really nothing, Sister Liu. If something had really happened, I wouldn’t have been so polite; I would have taken leave long ago.”

“You know your own body. If there are any problems, tell me immediately.” Qiu Xueliu was extremely strict when hiring employees, but she was also extremely approachable to them. She had no airs of a rich young lady and was very generous.

“Thank you, Sister Liu. I’ll head back to the bar now. I’ll get you a drink from my new creation later. I guarantee it’ll be delicious.”

Qiu Xueliu waved for Ding Shuang to leave.