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Everything seemed normal.
Bai Jingchuan made no effort to increase Jiang Huan’s affection. During meetings, they sat at opposite ends of the long table, exchanging few words, each lost in their thoughts.
Even the die grew despondent: “Bai Jingchuan, are you just going to stagnate like this? Have you given up on Mowu City? How many emergencies has it been now? If your speculation is correct and Shan Di Meng is in the same situation as you, then why has he been here for six years while Jiang Huan’s projects haven’t lasted that long? I know you have doubts, but your failure to act at the exhibition hall was nothing like Li Junzhu—it smacked of the Executor’s coldness. A heartless Li Bode isn’t endearing at all.”
Bai Jingchuan disliked being trapped by puzzles and resented being pushed around by The Realm of Ten Thousand Gods. Jiang Huan’s subtle glare at the subway station made him realize that excessive attention could be repulsive. And when he’d stayed hidden, watching Shan Di Meng wait at the construction entrance—only to notice Bai Jingchuan hadn’t appeared—the flicker of surprise and irritation on his face...
Shan Di Meng wasn’t rejecting love as Jiang Huan had claimed. In fact, his ties to her might run deeper than Bai Jingchuan’s own. For now, Bai Jingchuan resolved not to actively pursue Jiang Huan’s affection. Even if she queued for the cable car, he wouldn’t vie for a seat beside her.
Moreover, he arrived half an hour late, missing every team-up opportunity and riding alone in a cable car separate from any colleague.
SSR Date Has Begun. Please Work Hard to Increase Affection During the Date.
The snow-covered countryside gleamed with serenity. Low forests and crystal-clear skies stretched endlessly, inviting everyone to shed stress and relax. Occasionally, chunks of snow would fall from the cable cars, plummeting into the ravine below, making dangling legs quiver. Bai Jingchuan, rarely at ease, suspended snow mid-air, shaping it into a ball in his palm. He silently monitored Jiang Huan’s cable car safety; relieved when it reached its destination ahead of his. The annual team-building event offered two choices: a five-day cruise to a neighboring country or a snowy mountain hot spring retreat. Employees voted, and Bai Jingchuan quietly awaited the results, taking note of Jiang Huan’s choice. Based on his premonition about the exhibition hall’s danger—falling into the sea aboard a ship or drowning in a hot spring—if The Realm of Ten Thousand Gods sought peril, neither option promised safety. Now, amidst rare tranquility, he watched water drip from melting snow in his hand, mirroring his controlled existence under The Realm of Ten Thousand Gods’ dominion.
He refused to passively await dissolution.
Just as he looked up, a returning cable car carried none other than Jiang Huan. No colleagues accompanied her—did she seek another view of the snowscape, deliberately retracing her steps to find him?
Snow made Jiang Huan squint; her red scarf brightened her complexion, yet her expression remained... vexed. Silent, she glanced at Bai Jingchuan’s face and then his snowball-forming hands, her demeanor aloof. Snow fell onto her scarf, causing her to fluster. Bai Jingchuan, ever self-controlled, remained unamused.
After all, he still had to ensure Jiang Huan’s cable car safety.
A tinge of sadness welled within him. Each tremor of the airborne cable car reminded him how precarious suspension truly felt. The coolness of snow brought both joy and discomfort, dampening his palms and body as melting snow seeped through. Pretending nothing happened was futile. Most heartbreaking was knowing they would soon travel in opposite directions, stubbornly refusing to glance back during their fleeting encounter.
Jiang Huan’s Affection for You -500.
Bai Jingchuan was puzzled, but losing affection clearly meant she still despised him.
He continued to hold his ground.
________________________________________
At the suburban hot spring hotel, three buses disgorged groggy employees expecting nothing more than sleep. Yet, seeing manga rooms, game lounges, buffets, and immersive theater, eyes sparkled. Especially hearing about private hot springs and floating fruit trays in each room, everyone cheered in the group chat: “Producer’s generosity!”
Unbeknownst to them, Bai Jingchuan personally funded the private baths. Money mattered little to him—mere numbers in bank accounts. To him, The Realm of Ten Thousand Gods’ coins held more value. Plus, he harbored a selfish motive: two unused SSR dates remained among the three he’d drawn earlier. The system forcibly reopened them, urging him to boost affection further.
He couldn’t let Jiang Huan detest him.
During check-in, Jiang Huan muttered to Bai Jingchuan: “No coincidental full booking today, right?”
The manager assured: “You’ve booked the entire place, leaving several rooms vacant. Feel free to take two.”
Bai Jingchuan raised an eyebrow as Jiang Huan swiftly snatched the keycard and retreated sullenly.
Jiang Huan’s Affection for You -500.
Bai Jingchuan approached the manager: “Then... I’ll leave it to you.”
“Certainly, sir. Everything’s arranged.”
Entering the room, Jiang Huan’s heart melted—soft tatami mats adorned with beautifully folded Japanese handkerchiefs shaped like maple leaves greeted her. A private hot spring nestled in a traditional Japanese garden, fresh air rejuvenating her spirit. Nature indeed restored one’s soul far better than virtual wilderness adventures. However, the black panels surrounding the hot spring left small gaps at the bottom—fireproofing perhaps—but privacy seemed compromised.
Most colleagues opted for skiing, while a few returned directly to the inn. Just as Jiang Huan prepared to soak, the group chat buzzed, calling everyone to gather in thirty minutes for a murder mystery role-play. Darkness veiled her vision—not surprising for capitalists masquerading vacations as packed schedules. Was Bai Jingchuan addicted to role-playing since the last session?
The hot spring murder mystery involved thirty actors dispersed across a mansion. The previous night, the patriarch died unexpectedly, and each branch of children harbored secrets. Jiang Huan and Bai Jingchuan had played numerous times before, but this time, enthusiasm waned. Too many young girls adored the producer; it wouldn’t just be their interaction.
In the first round, both were eliminated early. Amidst the crowd, their eyes met briefly. Girls lamented as the producer smiled and exited gracefully, coquettishly pleading for resurrection. Bai Jingchuan waved dismissively: “Respect the rules. I’ll cheer you on.”
Jiang Huan sighed in relief, retreating to her room to unwind fully. Phone in hand, she immersed herself in the warm waters, thoughts drifting lazily. Taut nerves finally relaxed, nearly lulling her to sleep. Just as her eyes closed, memories surfaced: soaking in hot springs with Li Junzhu, clad in yukata, discussing moonlit dreams chastely. Li Junzhu shyly restrained himself for a long time before finally kissing her shoulder—early dates required subtlety, mere hints allowed.
But... it stirred something.
Now submerged, even slight leg movements rippled the water. Fingers teased droplets onto her skin, leaning against the pool edge akin to resting on a lover’s broad shoulders. Such tactile sensations conjured vivid imaginings. Previously, writing such scenes required soft cushions and body warmth, but now, everything felt tangible—especially recalling moments leaning against Bai Jingchuan.
She shook her head vigorously, attempting to dislodge him, but Bai Jingchuan stubbornly clung to her thoughts.
Bai Jingchuan was merely material—a prop, part of her writing!
Compelled, Jiang Huan opened the renowned site ao3. Soon, lurid plots ensnared her completely.
“Her fingers grazed the domineering CEO’s shoulder, familiar touch igniting her body. Whether due to rising water temperature or bodily heat, her cheeks flushed. Lips brushed against his shoulder, primal desires roaring within, craving to be tightly embraced…”
Adjacent private baths housed someone else, but undeterred, she nibbled on a kashiwa mochi, devouring the scene voraciously. Embarrassed yet engrossed, particularly at emotionally charged moments… Indeed, private bath descriptions invariably brimmed with ambiguity. Previously unclear on the true sensation of an embrace, she now understood—it was addictive; once experienced, twice craved.
Writing flowed smoothly, steam enveloping her reddened cheeks. Her pruned fingers hadn’t finished reading, nearly forgetting her lack of experience.
Suddenly, a cough echoed from next door. Guilt-stricken, her slippery hand sent her phone flying—right into the neighboring room’s floor.
The screen remained lit, tantalizingly close to finishing. Flustered crimson, she sank into the water: “Um, sorry... Could you help retrieve my phone...?”
Bai Jingchuan bent down: “Of course.”
What? The adjacent room belonged to Bai Jingchuan? Jiang Huan sobered instantly: “Wait, close your eyes—don’t look at the screen!”
“But how can I pick it up blindfolded?”
“Squat and feel around—you’ll manage!”
“I don’t even know where it is. What if I step on it? Why so afraid of me seeing?”
Jiang Huan wore a mask of anguish. She’d always maintained a proper image—ambitious, independent, guileless, wholly devoted to Love Continent, never betraying lingering feelings for Li Junzhu. Worst of all, she rarely logged into ao3, having forgotten her password, yet here she was, caught on the most provocative page.
Social death loomed—either endure or face a thousand arrows.
Submerged, she pleaded: “Teacher Bai, this is the one request of my life. Retrieve the phone, but don’t look at the screen—it’s personal privacy.”
“Alright, guide me.”
Clutching her towel tightly, barefoot Bai Jingchuan remained motionless, trousers revealing slender ankles. He hadn’t taken a step, eyes dutifully closed. She instructed: “Right in front of you—bend down and feel.”
Jiang Huan’s Affection for You -100.
Obediently, he squatted, locating the phone. The screen had dimmed; closing eyes unnecessary. Yet faithfully, he asked: “How should I return it?”
“I’ve extended my hand—you’ll surely reach…”
True to form, Bai Jingchuan handed it back politely, retreating three steps. Unfortunately, his third step tripped over the pool edge, sending him tumbling in.
“Splash!”
Enormous waves soaked Jiang Huan’s hands, though she secured her phone first. Never did she expect Bai Jingchuan’s purity to this extent—fully clothed in trousers and shirt, he plunged awkwardly, choking and coughing violently. Kneeling unseen in the gap, she called out: “Good grief, so clumsy... You’ve already returned the phone—why keep your eyes closed?”
“You forbade me. Cough—”
Choking fits ensued, pitiable yet amusing. Pressed against the floor, she glimpsed puddles: “Are you alright?”
“No harm done.” Drenched, he retreated to his room: “Don’t catch a chill.”
Suppressing laughter, Jiang Huan thought: Though he’d deliberately ignored her, his current disarray softened her anger considerably.
Fortunately, Bai Jingchuan’s hot spring lacked floating trays; overturned snacks would worsen the scene. Sounds suggested he changed into a robe, sighing as he settled back into the water. Through the wall, silence reigned—no noisy videos, just eventual water sounds, possibly shifting position or concealing discomfort after the fall, blending seamlessly with nature.
...Clean like the trees outside, devoid of sunlight yet windswept, exuding a refreshing green essence.
Jiang Huan’s Affection for You +50.
She tapped lightly: “Bai Jingchuan, are you okay... Did you hurt yourself falling?”
“There’s no need to worry about such trivial matters—it doesn’t hurt much. On the other hand, you’re playing with your phone in the bathtub, and the text is so dense... Don’t overexert yourself during the holiday.”
“You looked!”
“I didn’t. When something flies into your room from next door, anyone would check if it’s dangerous.”
Jiang Huan was speechless. Staring at her phone screen filled with passionate embraces and kisses, she murmured: “Though the hot spring is relaxing, I still want to play the murder mystery game. In this serene environment, I could play the role of a coy young lady from a Japanese family—seemingly delicate and naive but secretly carrying a black leather notebook recording all the dirty secrets of the household, plotting against family members throughout the night…”
“Save your imagination for Love Continent —there’s no need to gift the innkeepers with such brilliance. Their scripts are nowhere near as captivating.”
The water was scalding. She finished the tea in her cup, took several deep breaths, and then heard a knock on the partition: “Do you really like private baths that much?”
“In fact… I’ve never been to one.”
“Huh?”
“But I’ve written about watching meteors with Li Junzhu atop a hot spring inn, arguing and getting lost near the bath only to be found by him after freezing stiff, and even… Teacher Bai, why are you so interested in others’ love lives?”
“Sorry, I’m just curious how you manage to date someone from another world.”
“Love transcends dimensions. I don’t mind him not being in my world. When I rest, I think of him; before sleep and upon waking, I indulge in brief fantasies. For places I haven’t visited, I research. That’s enough for me. I don’t give him complete time either… It’s more like he loves me unreservedly in the fragments where I need him.”
“Is that so?”
“You’re the author of Emotional Tide ! How could you not understand? You’re… my god.”
“But I don’t. Perhaps the true author of Emotional Tide isn’t me but someone separated by space who cannot meet, experiencing profound pain and joy firsthand.”
Jiang Huan, dazed, couldn’t grasp his meaning. After a moment of reflection, the man behind the partition spoke: “So, being close to you feels like exchanging these emotions.”
“You didn’t intentionally pick the room next to mine, did you?”
“Do you want me to answer ‘intentionally’ or ‘not intentionally’?”
“...”
Jiang Huan’s Affection for You +1000.
“If I say ‘intentionally,’ it means I truly wanted to be alone with you. If I say ‘not intentionally,’ it proves our connection runs deep—we end up close even at times like this.”
“...”
“If you don’t answer, I’ll take it as tacit consent that you want to spend time with me.”
Jiang Huan couldn’t reply. Steam enveloped her, oxygen grew thin, and breathing became difficult—a familiar sensation. She quickly saved herself, gripping the edge of the bath and climbing out. Wrapping herself in a towel, she stepped onto the mat, feeling stable. All she needed now was to lie on the cool tiles, and she’d regain consciousness soon—this was her usual method...
Before losing consciousness, she thought sadly: Such a wonderful hot spring, and I haven’t even finished the fruits, mochi, and tricolor skewers. My blessings are truly too few...
When she woke, her head throbbed slightly, but her body felt soft and warm—she was in bed. Under dim yellow light, Bai Jingchuan sat on a stool beside her, his hair and yukata wrapped around him just as they had been before she fainted, as if her collapse had been perfectly “orderly.”
“You’re awake. I heard you fall and carried you to the bed—forgive the intrusion.”
“How did you get into my room…?”
“...I jumped over.”
The die laughed silently: “He teleported. Too bad Jiang Huan can’t hear me—I’d tell her that when he came over, his face was paler than hers. He didn’t even glance when her towel slipped, almost giving her CPR after laying her on the bed. He even used a prop to dress her properly, ensuring no boundaries were crossed. Truly, the epitome of male virtue...”
Under the light, Bai Jingchuan’s expression was grim. Outside, colleagues chattered loudly as they passed through the corridor. He peeled a piece of chocolate and handed it to her. Jiang Huan curled deeper into the blanket: “I’m sorry...”
“It’s not your fault—don’t apologize for physical weakness. On the contrary, it’s my fault for constantly pushing you to work overtime, leaving no time for proper meals, leading to situations like this.”
Though weak, Jiang Huan shook her head slightly, dizzy: “Low blood sugar often strikes—it’s not something that needs special attention. Without you, I would have drowned here, becoming the first person to die in a hot spring.”
“No.” Bai Jingchuan’s tone was serious: “This won’t happen again.”
Jiang Huan’s Affection for You +500.
“I’m sorry.”
“What are you apologizing for?”
“For ruining your vacation.” Jiang Huan muttered: “I always prided myself on not being clumsy or overly meddlesome, yet I keep inexplicably finding myself in danger.”
“I exist to help you realize your dreams—or rather, everything about me is for the sake of reuniting with you.”
Did she mishear…?
The room was silent. She lacked the strength to confirm.
Her limbs were warm against the pillow, and hot water bottles surrounded her—no doubt placed there by Bai Jingchuan. She knew he hadn’t crossed any boundaries. Upon waking, she found herself dressed in a yukata, wrapped in blankets, and he hadn’t said a single word to make her uncomfortable or touched her unnecessarily, merely gently brushing her hair aside... This genuine care was eroding her defenses.
“You didn’t see anything, right?”
“What do you think I saw?”
“...”
Jiang Huan’s Affection for You +1000.
In the past, she didn’t pay much attention to these things. As long as she could find a ventilated spot and eat something sweet when dizziness struck, she was fine. Now, weakened, she thought bitterly: Being rescued feels terrible. If the system wants to claim her, it should hurry up. Enough with the endless Mary Sue antics. If her body isn’t the issue, maybe she should see a psychologist.
She glanced at Bai Jingchuan, who stood by the door with his back to her: “Rest well. I’ll leave now. Call me if you need anything.”
Jiang Huan didn’t speak, only nodded quietly.
Bai Jingchuan closed the door and walked down the corridor, where the distant laughter of colleagues echoed. He began to understand the purpose of team-building events—stagnation and lack of progress were the norm. Even fleeting moments of joy should be fully savored.
“Li Bode, remember that SSR card you drew—the one with bare shoulders? Who would’ve thought it’d turn into an encounter like this. Both the cable car and hot spring were options Jiang Huan chose for the retreat. Do you think she’s unaware of her dangerous disposition?”
Bai Jingchuan didn’t respond. Regardless of the danger, as long as he was by her side, the system wouldn’t get the chance to sacrifice her.
“Seriously, what did you feel when you rushed over and saw her disheveled yukata?”
“Worried.”
“Oh my god, Li Bode. Do you know what real-world men are like? Even without anything happening, sharing a room gives them opportunities to take advantage. And you? If you’re not charming enough, she faints from heat just to spend more time with you. But when her clothes slip off and she’s nearly naked in front of you, you act like you’ve got a hundred layers of pure-hearted shields protecting you.”
“I know—you’re Eros, trying to make me arrogant with crude words. But this is simply what I should do. She keeps getting into danger because of me, and I feel deeply responsible.”
“Hurry up! I just want you to increase her affection level, using any means necessary. Li Bode, no one wants you to reach Level 100 more than I do. Whether changing your character or becoming fully human, you’ll gain greater freedom. But now that you’ve been warned, I’m worried about your future autonomy. Yet, you dare to gamble that she’ll care for you, and luckily, she does. You’ve won this bet. From now on, show some urgency...”
Jiang Huan’s Affection for You +500. Level increased to Lv60. 100,000 gold coins dropped, Prop Box x20 unlocked. Permission granted to explore Mowu City for 3 hours per visit. Use wisely.
No more waiting—he departed immediately.
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