Finally, Gu Jiu spent nearly all her points on items like magic grass, witch’s rice dumplings, a magic array, and a magic clock before leaving the Gray Mist Space.
When she returned to Boundless City, Gu Jiu appeared in the house at the Moonview Bay residential area.
Just as she stood still, a pair of arms tightly wrapped her into a slightly cool embrace.
“Ah Ji,” she said with a smile, returning his hug.
The two of them ended up on the sofa. Because of their embrace, she had him pressed against the sofa cushions.
Gu Jiu leaned in, kissed his face, and just as he was about to respond with a kiss of his own, she raised her hand to block him. Then, in a sweet and gentle voice, dripping with allure, she said, “Ah Ji, let’s take a bath together.”
“…”
Lu Ji let himself be pulled into the bathroom. The door slammed shut behind them, hiding the scene inside. Only the sound of running water, accompanied by faintly suggestive noises, could be heard from outside.
That bath lasted for two hours.
Gu Jiu’s skin was flushed from the steam, resembling a flawless piece of jade. She lounged lazily as the man, casually wrapped in a bathrobe that exposed his firm chest, carried her out.
When he placed her on the bed, she grabbed his bathrobe and pulled him down with her—though he was more than willing to comply.
Once they were both on the bed, Gu Jiu snuggled into his arms.
“My waist hurts,” she murmured hoarsely, her tone carrying a hint of coquettishness.
Lu Ji reached out to massage her waist, suddenly recalling the few times she had subtly mentioned that a woman’s waist was very important. Now he finally understood—it truly needed careful care.
“Ah Ji, what are you thinking about?” she asked.
“Your waist…” he replied, pausing slightly. He looked down to find her gazing back at him with a playful smile. The faint blush on her face and the lingering charm in her eyes spoke of the passion they had just shared, exuding a captivating allure.
A possessive streak surged within him.
This woman, this stunning lady, was for his eyes only. He wouldn’t allow anyone else to see her like this.
Gu Jiu’s eyes sparkled mischievously, and a wicked smile appeared on her face.
She leaned closer, kissed his Adam’s apple that moved nervously, and then bit down playfully. With a muffled laugh, she said, “My waist is still strong. It’s just that I got injured in the past…”
Lu Ji didn’t know whether to laugh or cry but understood her personality well.
She was a naturally arrogant woman, rarely admitting defeat in anything—this situation was no exception.
With a gentle voice, he said, “Yes, you’re very strong. You can even stay on top…” By the end, he couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed.
Back when she didn’t know he was a man, she had confidently claimed she would take the lead. Even now, knowing his identity, the young lady still preferred to stay on top, and Lu Ji, of course, let her have her way—as long as she didn’t tire herself out.
Most of the time, however, his own excitement would get the better of him, and he would unintentionally go too far, leaving her to bear the brunt of it.
But the young lady wouldn’t admit that. She believed she was strong enough to drain him completely.
As the soreness in her waist began to fade, the restless young lady started to stir again.
Having just returned from the game world, Gu Jiu’s mind was both fatigued and overly stimulated. She needed a way to release her emotions and recover quickly. In the past, she would go back to the real world, sleep it off, and spend time with her family to calm herself down. But now that she had a boyfriend, she naturally turned to him for some exercise to help vent her emotions.
She finally understood why so many players liked using this method to unwind—it was genuinely effective and immensely satisfying.
The next day, Gu Jiu woke up on the large bed in the master bedroom, feeling refreshed.
The door was left ajar, and the enticing aroma of food wafted through the air, stirring her appetite. Despite her body still being a little sore, she insisted on getting out of bed.
Lu Ji, having calculated the timing, walked in and saw her sitting up with the blanket around her. When she turned to smile at him, his gaze darkened slightly. He strode over, scooped her up into his arms, and held her tightly against him.
Gu Jiu wrapped her arms around his neck, nestling in his embrace. This rare moment of dependence didn’t make her seem any less formidable; she was more like a queen, confidently basking in her lover’s care and devotion.
And as her lover, Lu Ji was more than willing to pamper his queen.
After washing up, Lu Ji carried her downstairs to the dining area.
The dining table, covered in a white tablecloth, was laden with a variety of dishes—Chinese-style breakfast items, both meat and vegetable, all meticulously prepared and well-balanced.
Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, filling the room with warmth. Sitting at the table, enjoying a delicious breakfast with a handsome man who perfectly suited her aesthetic, Gu Jiu thought to herself, This is what life should be. (TL: I think so too 🙂 I feel Chai Yingying now)
The two of them savored this rare moment of tranquility.
After breakfast, Gu Jiu lounged on the sofa while Lu Ji tended to the potted plants on the balcony. Occasionally, their eyes met, and their gazes seemed to linger and intertwine.
The air was filled with a cozy warmth, like the comforting scent of sun-dried linens.
Gu Jiu opened her player interface and noticed several messages from friends.
The first was from Chai Yingying and Jiang Ze, who had invited her out for drinks and late-night snacks at Gold and Glitter last night. When she hadn’t responded, they figured she must have been spending some private time with Lu Ji. True to her teasing nature, Chai Yingying had pestered her with messages for quite a while.
Eventually, realizing Gu Jiu wouldn’t reply, she gave up and stopped bothering her.
Next were messages from Ruan Yuan, Wan Xingzhou, and others. They were aware she had planned to enter the game world yesterday and, concerned about her safety, wanted to confirm she’d made it out smoothly.
Gu Jiu sent a quick message to let them know she was fine.
In addition to these, there were several friend requests from other players she had encountered in Aila Town. Among them were names like Huo Ting, Mina, Alva, and Allens.
She accepted them all.
No sooner had she done so than she received a message from Huo Ting.
[Huo Ting]: Gu Jiu, let’s talk.
It was clear that Huo Ting had been waiting for her to approve his friend request, as he sent the message immediately.
Gu Jiu replied casually: [Where do you want to talk?]
[Huo Ting]: Haishi. I’m already in Haishi now.
Gu Jiu raised her eyebrows slightly. Could it be that after leaving the game world last night, Huo Ting had immediately traveled from Jingshi to Haishi?
“Ah Jiu, what’s going on?”
Lu Ji had finished pruning and watering the plants on the balcony. Returning to the living room, he noticed Gu Jiu staring at her player interface and couldn’t help but ask. His intuition was always sharp—especially when it came to Gu Jiu. It was almost a reflex.
Gu Jiu smiled at him and said, “Ah Ji, I need to go back to the real world for a bit.”
“Is it Huo Ting looking for you?” Lu Ji asked knowingly.
Gu Jiu hummed in agreement. “He’s already in Haishi, waiting for me there.”
“Why not meet in Boundless City?” Lu Ji asked casually, though he was well aware that Huo Ting had chosen Haishi to avoid crossing paths with him.
Gu Jiu understood this too.
She stood on tiptoe, wrapping her arms around his neck and planting a soft kiss on his lips. In a gentle voice, she said, “I’m just going to meet him briefly, ask him some questions, and I’ll be back soon.”
Her smile was sweet and tender, and her eyes, veiled with a faint gray haze, seemed to shimmer as if cloaked in mist. The sight was breathtaking.
Every perceived flaw on her became an accentuating feature, amplifying her beauty to an awe-inspiring level. Anyone who saw her couldn’t help but be captivated by the charm and warmth she exuded.
Lu Ji found it nearly impossible to refuse her.
As long as she smiled at him, he couldn’t help but lose himself in her. Whatever she said was fine.
In the end, he gave in, gripping her slender waist and pulling her close for a deep, fervent kiss. His voice was husky as he said, “We’ll have dinner together tonight. I’ll cook for you.”
“Sounds great~”
Gu Jiu quickly left Boundless City.
After she vanished, Lu Ji stood motionless for a moment, his expression unreadable, before turning and leaving Boundless City himself.
—
He returned to the Dark Hall.
The hall, no longer engulfed in shadows, was illuminated by flickering candles. Despite its grand and magnificent structure, the cold and desolate atmosphere made it an unsuitable dwelling for sociable humans.
A paper frog suddenly leapt out of the void.
The paper frog opened its mouth and spat out a gray shard.
The shard seemed to possess awareness, and the moment it sensed the oppressive and omnipresent aura surrounding it, it attempted to flee into the void, desperate to escape this terrifying place.
The man stretched out his hand, and the shard, which had been trying to escape, was drawn back to him, landing obediently on his fingertips.
He lowered his gaze to examine it.
Inside the gray shard, a mass of black energy writhed and screamed soundlessly. Occasionally, a vague humanoid outline would appear. If the witch Aila had been present, she would have immediately recognized it as the devil that had once wreaked havoc and war on the continent of Aurede.
The devil, which had hidden itself again after the players left the game world, had been brought out with them.
The man studied it for a long moment before deciding it was no longer of interest. With a flick of his fingers, he threw the shard into the Sea of Rules within the void.
The Sea of Rules stirred as ripples spread from the gray shard.
The demigods guarding the edge of the Sea of Rules remained unfazed, thinking calmly to themselves, I wonder which game world’s boss has fallen into bad luck this time, tossed into the Sea of Rules for reincarnation.
Seated atop a towering throne, the man’s expression grew even darker.
He folded a few small animals out of pink paper. As soon as they touched the ground, they came to life. Sensing their master’s foul mood, they began to dance playfully before the throne, hoping to cheer him up.
He watched them for a while before suddenly rising to his feet.
Cheerfulness was out of the question—right now, all he felt was frustration and suffocation.
Why could Huo Ting meet her in the real world while he was stuck here, brooding in frustration?
—
After the Lunar New Year, for easier access to Boundless City, Gu Jiu moved back to her apartment near the university district.
The Gu family was uneasy about her living alone but didn’t want to object too strongly, fearing she might misunderstand their intentions and think they treated her like a disabled person. In the end, they assigned a housekeeper to stay with her, responsible for cleaning and preparing her meals.
Gu Jiu didn’t mind, only asking the housekeeper to handle the three daily meals. She made it clear the housekeeper didn’t need to stay in the apartment the rest of the time.
After leaving Boundless City, Gu Jiu changed into a casual outfit suitable for going out.
Just as she stepped out the door, her phone chimed with a message. Picking it up, she saw it was from Huo Ting, asking her to meet him at Qingzhu House.
She smiled faintly and replied with a simple, “Okay.”
It was still early spring, and the weather remained chilly. Occasionally, there were bouts of rain and snow, making it especially cold.
Gu Jiu arrived at Qingzhu House wearing a long coat and a blue checkered scarf. Her attire was simple yet elegant. Her beautiful and refined features, paired with her tall and graceful figure, instantly caught the attention of the other patrons.
“Ah Jiu!” Zhang Jingyi greeted her warmly, her voice full of surprise. “What brings you here today?”
Gu Jiu smiled as she unwound her scarf. “I’m meeting someone. His name is…”
“Ah Jiu!”
A deep voice interrupted her. Zhang Jingyi looked toward the source and saw a man standing quietly at the staircase leading to the second floor of Qingzhu House. His mixed-heritage features were strikingly handsome, his demeanor exuding a bold yet refined charisma. Every movement and gesture displayed a natural elegance, like that of a nobleman, radiating an irresistibly alluring presence.
It took just one glance to captivate anyone who looked at him.
Zhang Jingyi was momentarily stunned.
She had noticed this mixed-heritage man when he entered the restaurant earlier, assuming he was just another guest. She had secretly marveled at his extraordinary looks and air. She never expected him to be the person Gu Jiu was meeting.
When did Gu Jiu start associating with such an exceptional man?
Gu Jiu turned to her friend and said, “The person I’m meeting is here. I’m heading upstairs to talk with him. Don’t let anyone disturb us.”
The second floor of Qingzhu House was more tranquil and secluded than the first, making it an ideal spot for conversation.
Zhang Jingyi nodded but instinctively moved to assist Gu Jiu, only to stop when she noticed Gu Jiu walking confidently toward the stairs on her own, her stride steady and natural, as if she were no different from anyone else.
Reaching the staircase, Gu Jiu looked at Huo Ting and said, “Let’s go upstairs and talk.”
Huo Ting nodded, his gaze lingering on her face.