Gu Jiu was taking a bath.
Earlier, she had invited Lu Ji to bathe together, but he had declined.
Although she was turned down, she wasn’t upset. As long as she could see Lu Ji blushing, the pink flush spreading across his pale skin despite his efforts to hide it, she was delighted.
Having a shy and innocent boyfriend made her constantly want to tease him, just to see his face flush with embarrassment.
The bathroom was spacious. Gu Jiu sat in the large bathtub, soaking herself until she felt soft and fragrant.
She climbed out of the bathtub and reached for her bathrobe, only to find it already draped over her shoulders, wrapping her up snugly.
Gu Jiu put on her glasses and saw a waist-high paper doll standing on the rack. The doll tied her bathrobe carefully before tidying up the bathroom, working diligently.
With her damp hair still dripping, Gu Jiu walked out of the bathroom.
She scanned the room but didn’t see Lu Ji. Wearing her indoor slippers, she opened the door and stepped out.
Just as she reached the staircase, she saw Lu Ji ascending.
By now, he had returned to his male form. His long, raven-black hair flowed down his back. His features were exquisitely handsome but unmistakably masculine. The pale tone of his skin gave him the aura of a vampire aristocrat residing in a grand, luxurious castle, exuding a dark and mysterious allure.
If his lips were a bit redder, he would indeed resemble a wicked vampire.
Gu Jiu looked down at him from above.
He was wearing a bathrobe with its collar slightly open, revealing a firm, pale chest. The belt of the robe cinched tightly around his waist, accentuating its slenderness. The hem of the robe only reached his knees, exposing his long legs. As he walked, one could faintly glimpse the resting form of a certain “beast,” arousing an unending cascade of thoughts.
Leaning against the staircase, Gu Jiu stared at him with eyes full of aggression.
When Lu Ji noticed her at the top of the stairs, he hurried up to her side.
He held a clean towel in his hand and carefully wrapped it around her head, gently drying her damp hair.
“Were you using the guest bathroom to shower just now?” Gu Jiu asked with a smile.
Lu Ji gave a soft “mm” in response, his voice so low that, if not for her excellent hearing, she might not have caught it.
Her gaze remained fixed on him, her head tilted slightly upward to take in his face. Her eyes traced from his damp hair downward to his exquisitely carved features. His face was equally stunning in both male and female forms—delicate and doll-like as a woman, and strikingly handsome and energetic as a man, though both carried a sickly, pale beauty.
As a man, Lu Ji was very tall, nearly a head taller than her, standing close to 1.9 meters.
No wonder her grandmother thought Lu Ji’s male and female forms were two different people. The height difference was too drastic. Thankfully, the photos Gu Jiu had shown her grandmother were all half-body shots, so the discrepancy hadn’t been noticed.
Under her gaze, a faint blush once again appeared on his pale skin.
But he still seemed composed. His expression remained cold and distant, his demeanor both cool and aloof—a persona that might intimidate others. Unfortunately, it had no effect on the young lady before him. She wasn’t the least bit scared or deceived.
After drying her hair, Lu Ji used his fingers to gently comb through her strands. In a soft voice, he said, “Ah Jiu, your hair is dry.”
Gu Jiu reached out and touched his hair. “Your hair isn’t dry yet.”
“It will dry soon,” he said softly, avoiding her gaze and shifting his eyes slightly to the side, as if he were admiring the city’s nightscape through the window.
Gu Jiu didn’t mind his reaction. She reached out to tug at him. “It’s late, Ah Ji. Let’s go to bed.”
Lu Ji glanced at the clock on the wall. According to the time in the Star Zone 98, it was only 9 p.m.—still quite early. However, he didn’t want to dampen Gu Jiu’s enthusiasm. Docile and compliant, he followed her back to the room.
When they entered, the lighting in the room had somehow changed to a warm, golden hue.
It was as though a soft, dreamy veil had been draped over everything, casting the space in a romantic, enchanting glow. This subtle shift in atmosphere seemed to seep into their surroundings, igniting an inexplicable sense of excitement and impulsiveness.
Gu Jiu pounced on him, pushing him onto the large bed. She nuzzled her face against his chest, which felt as cool and smooth as jade, mussing up the collar of his robe in the process.
“Ah Jiu…” he murmured her name with restraint. His pale hands pressed lightly against the bedding for support. His face, faintly tinged with red, contrasted sharply with his usual pallor. His deep, pitch-black eyes seemed to harbor a brewing storm, suppressed and locked away in the depths of their darkness, leaving only a facade of calm.
Gu Jiu kissed the corner of his lips and chuckled. “You’re not going to ask me again if I regret it, are you?”
Lu Ji stared at her with controlled intensity.
“Of course, I don’t regret it!” Her laughter was clear and bright. “Besides, we’ve already done everything except the last step. There’s not much difference, right?”
She leaned closer, and her distinct scent enveloped him—a sweet, intoxicating aroma that pushed him closer to the edge. She was like a witch, tempting him toward indulgence. No matter how composed or rational one was, in front of her, all self-control would crumble in an instant.
He wrapped his arms around her.
Gu Jiu kissed the corner of his lips again, her voice brimming with delight. “Ah Ji, now that we’re living together, shouldn’t we do the things couples are supposed to do…? Let’s exercise together!”
—
When she felt herself being picked up, she let out a soft hum. The sound, light and sweet, carried a hint of coquettishness, as though it came straight from her nose.
“Ah Ji…” she mumbled, her tone carrying a pouty undertone. “What are you doing?”
“Bathing you.”
Upon hearing his response, she drifted back into sleep, using slumber as a way to ease her exhaustion.
It wasn’t until she was returned to the bed, her body sinking into the soft bedding, that she stirred awake. She sipped the water he handed her, feeling somewhat refreshed.
The man at her bedside was casually draped in a black bathrobe. The dark fabric made his pale skin appear even more luminous. His raven-black hair, both silky and tousled, cascaded loosely, with a few strands falling against his face. His eyes, as black as his hair, no longer held their usual calm restraint. Instead, they glimmered with satisfaction and desire.
Lu Ji lay down beside her and gently pulled her into his embrace.
He buried his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling her scent deeply. Her fragrance wasn’t hers alone; it also carried traces of him. It was as though she had been marked by him, inside and out, which filled him with an indescribable sense of joy.
He had thought he already liked her enough. But after what they’d shared, he realized he could like her even more, could be even more addicted to her.
Falling for a human brought him more happiness than inheriting the power of destruction ever had.
Gu Jiu slept soundly until noon the next day.
When she finally woke up, her back and waist ached—a clear sign of overexertion from their “exercise.”
Sitting on the small sofa on the balcony, Gu Jiu gazed quietly at the man approaching with a bowl of red bean porridge in his hands.
“Ah Jiu, are you hungry?” Lu Ji placed the bowl down and thoughtfully tucked a large pillow behind her, ensuring she could sit more comfortably. “This porridge is made with spirit-infused rice. It’s rich in spiritual energy and great for restoring the body.”
Even without his explanation, Gu Jiu could already smell the unique aroma of the spiritually enhanced ingredients.
It smelled heavenly.
Leaning lazily against the pillow, she opened her mouth to accept the spoonfuls of porridge he fed her. The rice had been cooked to perfection, releasing its oils, while the red beans were soft and carried a faint, refreshing spiritual scent. Every ingredient was a rare delicacy.
After finishing the bowl, Gu Jiu felt revitalized. The overexertion from her “exercise” had all but disappeared.
Re-energized, she nestled herself in her boyfriend’s lap. As she did, she noticed a certain “beast” stirring with excitement. She smirked and looked up at him with amusement.
Lu Ji held her by the waist, his eyes lowered, his expression slightly bashful.
He couldn’t hide his body’s involuntary reaction.
“Ah Jiu…” he rasped. “We can’t keep doing this. It’s bad for your health.”
Gu Jiu kissed him lightly. When he looked up, she caught the unmistakable desire swirling in his eyes. It reminded her of the previous night, when he’d said he was worried about overwhelming her but couldn’t help continuing. Of course, she had her share of the blame for persistently tempting him.
Having finally experienced the “beast,” how could she hold back? Naturally, she went all out.
Although the beginning had been challenging, the experience was undeniably sweet. Not only had she enjoyed herself, but his careful restraint had also made it easier for her first time. By the end, however, she had turned the tables, teasing him until he completely lost control.
Kissing him again, Gu Jiu gently nudged the stirring “beast” and asked playfully, “So… do you want it?”
“…”
The two remained holed up in the room, “exercising” for three full days.
Eventually, it was Gu Jiu who decided they couldn’t continue living such a decadent lifestyle. With newfound resolve, she resisted the temptation of his beauty and dragged Lu Ji out for a date.
“The last time we went on a date, we only visited a dozen or so star zones. There are so many more we haven’t seen.”
Lu Ji pulled up the city map of Boundless City and asked, “Ah Jiu, where would you like to go for our date?”
Sitting on his lap, Gu Jiu swung her long legs back and forth. Faint bite marks could be seen on her calves—marks left when someone had been unable to control himself and had gently nibbled on her.
She had many such marks on her body, especially in more hidden areas. They didn’t hurt but felt like little symbols of possession.
Gu Jiu had never realized her boyfriend liked leaving his mark on her.
It was… kind of cute.
“Let’s go see Western dragons!” Gu Jiu rested her chin in her hands. “I heard the Star Zone 25 has Western dragons brought over from some S-grade fantasy world.”
Boundless City housed many mythical creatures from human imagination—and even beings beyond human comprehension. They were kept in the city’s zoological park, where visitors could view and even photograph them at any time.
Gu Jiu was fascinated by these magical creatures. Whenever she and Lu Ji went on dates, she often chose locations with such attractions. It was a perfect blend of romance and curiosity.
Lu Ji had no objections. As long as they were together, he didn’t care where they went.
While changing clothes, Gu Jiu checked the climate in the Star Zone 25.
Each star zone had its own distinct weather. Most zones were kept at a pleasant, spring-like temperature year-round, but a few zones had climates tailored to specific environmental needs.
Since Western dragons preferred hot environments, the Star Zone 25 was notably warm.
Gu Jiu chose a thin-strapped long dress. Her jade-like skin was adorned with many ambiguous marks, blooming like flowers against the snowy white canvas. It was a stunning sight.
Lu Ji was momentarily struck dumb, his eyes fixed on her.
“Ah Jiu, are you really going out dressed like this?” he asked hoarsely.
Gu Jiu tilted her head and glanced at her shoulder, where a particularly deep kiss mark was visible. She casually picked up a gauzy sun shawl and draped it over herself, tying the hem into a bow at her waist. The result was a youthful and vibrant look.
“How about this?” she asked with a smile.
Lu Ji nodded, though the faint marks visible through the semi-transparent shawl only made her even more alluring.
Gu Jiu looked utterly captivating, so much so that Lu Ji almost didn’t want to leave the house and let others see her like this. But compared to his possessiveness, her happiness mattered far more.
—
The 25th Star Zone’s heat was as intense as expected.
The moment they stepped out of the car, a wave of scorching air rushed toward them. The temperature must have been over 50 degrees Celsius. If not for the enhanced physical abilities of the players, they might have been reduced to shriveled husks by the heat.
Before the heat could overwhelm them, they quickly boarded a sightseeing car.
The temperature inside the vehicle was perfectly regulated, shielding the passengers from the extreme conditions outside.
Lu Ji, in his usual extravagant manner, had rented out an entire sightseeing car. With no one else around, they could do whatever they pleased without bothering others—or being disturbed by any “third wheels.”
Gu Jiu lounged lazily in her boyfriend’s arms, her fingers idly twirling his long hair. Suddenly, she asked, “Ah Ji, did you grow your hair this long just to make it easier to cross-dress?”
Lu Ji gave a soft “mm.” “I’m used to it now.” After a pause, he asked cautiously, “Does it look bad?”
Boundless City players came from various worlds, and many men sported long hair, just as some women had shaved heads. Still, most men preferred short, clean hairstyles. Having visited Gu Jiu’s reality, Lu Ji knew that short hair was the norm for men in her world, so he worried she might not like his appearance.
“Not at all! It looks great.” Gu Jiu grinned. “Your hair is so black, without the slightest shine. It matches your aura perfectly.”
Her words sounded a bit odd.
But Lu Ji didn’t think much of it and instead smiled happily.
His smile was reserved—no loud laughter even when he was delighted. It was the smile of someone restrained and composed.
Gu Jiu couldn’t help staring at him. Her gaze made him blush slightly. He kissed her forehead gently and asked in a soft voice, “Ah Jiu, why are you looking at me like that?”
“Just looking at you.” She chuckled to herself, noting how shy he often seemed. Yet in bed… he could somehow be both bashful and wildly passionate at the same time—a remarkable talent.
Lu Ji liked the way her eyes lingered on him. However, his nature made it impossible for him to openly express his feelings, even if he enjoyed the attention. The only emotion he ever made clear was how much he liked her. Everything else remained veiled, hidden in the depths of his dark, mysterious demeanor.
—
The two visited the Western dragons, soaked in the unique Flame Hot Springs of the Star Zone 25, and enjoyed the local specialties. That evening, they stayed at a hotel and shared a fiery, passionate night worthy of lovers.