Xu Wanyue was stunned for a moment. She hesitated a bit before asking softly, “Why?”
“There’s no particular reason. We were just two clueless kids huddling together for warmth. Once we grew up, we naturally went our separate ways. It wasn’t really me kicking her out—we just stopped living together. We’re still barely friends, I suppose. You’ll get a chance to meet her someday.”
“Was she your ex-girlfriend?”
“Not really. I never saw her as a girlfriend, and she didn’t see me as a boyfriend. We just lived together… and slept together at night.”
“How is that not dating?”
“I don’t know. Maybe neither of us really believed in that sort of thing. Back then, we both lacked a sense of security and couldn’t find it in each other.” Lin Cheng smiled indifferently. He actually didn’t want to dwell on the topic, but Xu Wanyue didn’t seem to notice and kept pressing. “That’s so weird… Do all young people do that?”
“You’re only a year older than me, at most.”
“I was working part-time jobs every summer and winter break since I was sixteen.” Xu Wanyue lifted her chin slightly, a hint of pride in her voice.
“When I was sixteen, I was saving the world. Believe it?”
“No way. What did you even do before?” Xu Wanyue suddenly tensed up.
“Me? Heh, superhero.”
“There were so many superheroes in the Alliance back then… Which one were you?”
“Si Ming,” Lin Cheng answered.
Xu Wanyue let out a “pfft” and burst into laughter.
“What are you laughing at?” Lin Cheng looked at her helplessly.
“Okay, okay, you’re Si Ming.” Xu Wanyue nodded vigorously. “I believe you.”
She laughed so hard she was shaking all over.
The corner of Lin Cheng’s eye twitched faintly.
Lin Cheng seriously wondered if this silly girl had even listened to a word he’d said.
…If she had, reporting it back would complete her mission.
At eleven thirty, they sat down at the dining table. Lin Cheng pulled two cans of cola he’d bought earlier from the fridge. Xu Wanyue eyed him. “Got any sugar-free?”
“Cola has to have the sugar.”
“I’m trying to lose weight.” Xu Wanyue rubbed her little belly. “Haven’t been exercising much lately. At this rate, I’ll end up with a tummy pooch.”
“A little pudge is cute, too.”
“No way.” Xu Wanyue huffed lightly. “Drink half for me.”
Lin Cheng picked up her can, tilted his head back, and chugged a big gulp. Xu Wanyue started to say something but noticed he hadn’t touched the rim to his lips, so she held her tongue. He handed the can back to her, and they dug into lunch.
Xu Wanyue’s cooking was genuinely excellent, though it still fell just a smidge short of his own.
The meal left him stuffed. Lin Cheng leaned back in his chair and let out a satisfied burp. Xu Wanyue cleared the dishes and headed to the kitchen to wash them. When Lin Cheng’s gaze drifted over, he saw the gentle curve of her lips and the sparkle in her eyes. Her fair wrists gleamed almost translucent in the sunlight.
She looked full of vitality.
Nothing like the previous owner of those pink slippers who used to haunt the place. That woman would chain-smoke and guzzle booze, turning the apartment into a disaster zone. She’d lounge around expecting clothes handed to her and meals served on a platter, streaking naked through the rooms, her eyes perpetually gloomy as if the whole world owed her millions. She’d strum godawful tunes on her guitar, her mind obsessed with nothing but sex—either topping him or getting topped herself.
When Xu Wanyue returned from doing the dishes, Lin Cheng had already fired up Apex in his room.
She perched on his bed and suddenly remembered something. “Oh, right—those high heels I found while cleaning your room last time? I stashed them in the cabinet over there for you.”
“Just toss them,” Lin Cheng said flatly.
“They look so nice, though. Where’d you get them? Drop me a link?”
“Custom job from an overseas designer. You’d need to book an appointment, and the waitlist runs years. If you like them, take them.”
Xu Wanyue paused, then opened the cabinet and pulled out a pair. The previous owner’s shoe size seemed to match hers pretty closely. Her eyes fixated on the gems embedded in the shoes… She didn’t know much about fashion, but a strange suspicion bubbled up. “These gems… they aren’t real, are they?”
“They are,” Lin Cheng replied without turning.
“How much did these three pairs cost?”
“Dozens of thousands. Can’t remember exactly.”
“How can they be that expensive?”
“No clue—I don’t know jack about this stuff. She picked them out herself; I just wired her the cash.”
Xu Wanyue’s eyes sparkled. “Can I try them on?”
“Go for it.”
And so Xu Wanyue sat on the edge of the bed and slipped them on, one by one. She lifted her leg to admire the pretty gems on the toes, twisting her ankle left and right. She stood and paced the room. Lin Cheng glanced back on impulse, and a torrent of old memories crashed over him.
He rubbed his brow and shook his head, banishing them.
Xu Wanyue looked up. “They fit perfectly…”
Lin Cheng’s match wrapped up right then. He approached a small locked box, fished a key from under the balcony rug, unlocked it, and carried it over to Xu Wanyue.
“All yours.”
Xu Wanyue blinked in surprise, her lips parting slightly as she peered down.
The box brimmed with jewelry and accessories, glittering so brightly it nearly blinded her. She lifted pieces one by one to inspect them: over a dozen necklaces, seven or eight bracelets, rings, anklets. A surge of curiosity welled up inside her. She glanced at Lin Cheng. “These are all the ones she didn’t want anymore?”
“Yeah.”
“They’re gorgeous… Why leave them behind?”
“She didn’t bother taking them when she moved out. I offered to ship them over; she told me to chuck them. Been too lazy to deal with it. Now they’re yours. If you don’t want them, toss them when you head out tonight.”
They might’ve been worn by another woman, but Xu Wanyue’s eyes shone as she clutched the box. “I couldn’t bear to.”
Lin Cheng returned to his computer and dove back into gaming. Xu Wanyue pored over the jewelry for ages before carefully putting it away. At some point, she slipped behind him and poked his back. He turned around to find her eyes timid. “Maybe… leave them here? What if she comes back for them someday?”
“Won’t happen. She’s proud as hell—never takes back a word she says.”
“Then… I can really take them later?”
“Yep. Doing me a solid.”
“You’re the best.”
“…” Lin Cheng was speechless. “How about a kiss for it?”
Xu Wanyue’s head snapped back, arms crossing defensively over her chest, her face full of suspicion. “Nope.”
Outside the window, white clouds drifted lazily. Lin Cheng gamed on while Xu Wanyue sprawled on the bed scrolling short videos. She’d brought her own charger this time, dodging the dead-battery issue. His place was a touch messy but clean enough, with the AC humming. Her legs hugged his body pillow tight.
She’d made herself right at home.
Lin Cheng switched to a chill idle mobile game and swiveled his chair to face her. She caught his gaze and pulled off her earbuds. “New movie dropping soon. Alliance Adjudicator theme. Wanna catch it together?”
“The one with Jiang Lingxue?” Lin Cheng asked abruptly.
“Yeah! You know her? One of her fans?”
“Her vocals are a dumpster fire—total carry job by ghostwriters’ lyrics and tunes. Voice is decent, I guess.”
“Come on, her recent songs have killer vocals now. And those lyrics? Super romantic and lonely. Plus, she’s drop-dead gorgeous. Word is she’s bi—tons of female fans dying to get cozy with her.”
“…” Lin Cheng had nothing.
“So, wanna go?”
“Nah.” Lin Cheng shook his head.
Xu Wanyue didn’t seem too bummed, her eyes still bright. “Heard it features her screen debut kiss.”
Lin Cheng’s expression froze for an instant. Xu Wanyue hummed happily. “Can’t wait.”
“Her… screen debut kiss?”
“It’s a yuri flick about an Adjudicator hero. Not sure if they’ll use body doubles or go for real… But even girl-on-girl would be hype. Leaks say it’s happening. Her co-star—that legit female Adjudicator idol—already has over ten thousand hate comments under her socials.”
“…”
Lin Cheng stayed quiet. “Not for me anyway. Just another idol manufactured with cash and connections.”
Xu Wanyue’s eyes dimmed slightly, but Lin Cheng pivoted topics, steering clear of Jiang Lingxue. “Clear some time in the next few days. Find a quiet gym or something—I’ll teach you how to harness your energy.”
“Mm-hm!” Xu Wanyue nodded like her life depended on it.
“But first… a little prep.”
“What?”
“Your hand.”
Xu Wanyue sat up on the bed and extended her hand. Lin Cheng took her fair palm gently, his fingertips pressing lightly to manipulate her fingers.
“Huh?” Xu Wanyue cocked her head.
“Gonna demo your massage skills on me?” Her eyes narrowed warily once more.
“It’s to channel the energy flow in your body. Follow this circuit to unlock ability boosts for your physique. No talking. Close your eyes… and feel it.”
“Oh.” Xu Wanyue obediently shut her eyes, her thick lashes quivering.
Lin Cheng worked from her palm up her arm. Xu Wanyue felt a fizzy tingle, and beyond that, she could clearly sense the chaotic energy inside her beginning to follow the path he traced.
It was an utterly magical sensation. Aside from the pleasant numbness, it felt inexplicably soothing—like soaking in a steaming hot bath. Xu Wanyue pressed her thighs together. Lin Cheng’s fingers shifted to her other hand. He explained evenly, “Every Ability User has energy in their body. Most just tap it to trigger their powers. Your Luck works the same, and it’s high Tier, so you’ve got a ton of it—just disorganized. You can’t control it yet. Memorize this flow… then replicate it solo. Once it clicks, it’ll cycle on its own.”
“Sounds straight out of a cultivation novel.”
“…That’s exactly how the Ancient Martial Families pass down their arts.”
With that, Lin Cheng’s hand suddenly pinched her toes. Xu Wanyue’s eyes snapped open. On pure instinct, she drew back her leg and gave his chest a light kick.
In the next instant, she hugged her knees to her chest, cheeks burning red as she stared at Lin Cheng. “You’re not just copping a feel, are you?”
Lin Cheng drew a deep breath, his gaze locking straight onto hers. “What do you think?”
