On the stone arch bridge.
After witnessing Chen Lusi's resurrection.
The atmosphere was somewhat heavy.
Wu You and Xia Panqiu were full of questions.
But obviously.
With Chen Lusi not yet awake, no one could answer their questions.
The two could only digest their shock alone.
Of course.
There was also joy.
No matter what.
As long as she is not dead, it's a good thing… As long as the person is still here, the problems can be explored slowly.
The two looked at Chen Lusi, processing their many complex emotions.
Until.
The phone rang.
Only then did Xia Panqiu snap back to reality, rubbed her face hard, took out her phone, looked at it, then suddenly looked up: "Xiaoxiao was attacked."
Wu You's face turned serious: "Is it serious?"
"It's just a probe for now."
Xia Panqiu replied: "So it's not a big deal… but I'm worried if she continues forward, she will encounter bigger troubles, I've already asked her to come back."
"That's good."
Wu You sighed in relief after hearing this, then smiled bitterly: "As expected, we are just bait… Do those old geezers think eternal life is so great? Such idiots."
Xia Panqiu did not respond. She put away her phone, kneeled slowly on the ground again, looked at Chen Lusi, and whispered: "Thank you."
Truly, thank you.
Avoided the worst scene.
On the other side.
Wu You finished complaining, thought for a moment, and said: "Let's go back quietly for now."
"Okay." Xia Panqiu nodded.
"But we have to contact the security department first, such a hassle… Li Tian, stop sitting there idly."
Wu You sighed, turned his head to look at Li Tian still sitting on the ground, and waved to him: "If you want to go back, come and lend a hand."
Thus.
This marks the official end of Chen Lusi's not-so-great first mission journey.
...
Black fog.
The sky churned with black fog.
All around was also shrouded in black fog.
Visibility was extremely low.
And the ground was dry and black, stepping on it felt like stepping on a corpse, with a slight rebound underfoot.
Everything was silent.
This unknown, indeterminate dark world was lonely like outer space… in all directions was only infinitely extending black fog.
"..."
Chen Lusi stood in the center of the black fog, his expression dull, he woodenly raised his hand, gently clenched his fist, and then began to move forward.
But after only a few steps.
Tap tap tap.
Suddenly, a light tapping sound came from all around.
Then, one by one, blurry figures appeared on either side.
They lined up in two rows, staring indifferently at Chen Lusi walking forward in the middle, raising their hands, pointing at him.
A bell-like sound echoed.
"Evil spirit."
"Heathen worship."
"Heretic."
"..."
Bell-like sounds echoed continuously.
The stiffness and dullness on Chen Lusi's face gradually disappeared, and his expression became vivid.
He woke up.
He stopped, looked around, and showed a puzzled expression.
Is he… dead?
But why are these people cursing him?
Everyone should be dead, right?
He opened his mouth, wanting to say something.
But suddenly, he realized that these 'people' didn't seem to be cursing him.
Chen Lusi slowly lowered his head, looked toward the little girl in a white long dress leading him forward.
Noticing his gaze.
The little girl walking in front of him stopped.
She turned around, raised her head slightly, revealing a cute face and… a pair of moist golden eyes.
Very soon.
Chen Lusi's eyes were filled only with those golden eyes.
Until he lost consciousness, he was still wondering, why are her eyes… golden?
...
The flood of memories in the dream vanished.
Chen Lusi's eyelids twitched, slowly opening his eyes.
He looked at the unfamiliar ceiling above, smelled the scent of disinfectant in the air.
It took about three seconds to respond.
He's not dead, nor blind.
"What is this supposed to be…"
Chen Lusi looked at the ceiling with mixed feelings.
This is the second time, right?
Wait…
Hands.
Thinking of something, Chen Lusi raised his hands.
Once he confirmed his arms were intact, he immediately sighed in relief.
It's okay.
Although he didn't know what happened, why he came back to life.
But things he couldn't understand… no use thinking about them.
His biggest worry was that even if he survived, he might become disabled.
If that really happened, things would be troublesome... If he couldn't even hold a handle, what would be the point of living?
"But really, what is this all about..."
Chen Lusi sighed again and turned his head.
Then, he saw a pair of straight, shapely, snow-white legs without an ounce of excess fat.
Chen Lusi was stunned, his gaze slowly moving upward, past the alabaster thighs, the form-fitting black pencil skirt, the white blouse outlining her curvaceous figure, finally stopping at Lin Ying's elegant and stunning face.
Lin Ying sat quietly beside him, her beautiful eyes like spirited autumn waters, looking at Chen Lusi, and asked, "What are you thinking about now?"
Chen Lusi scrutinized her for a moment and said, "... A high ponytail suits you, it looks quite nice."
"Oh—"
Lin Ying lengthened the tone, tilted her head, and flicked her own high ponytail: "Has your preference changed?"
"It's not that my preference has changed."
Chen Lusi chuckled and replied, "With such a good foundation, you actually look good with any hairstyle... except for a bald head."
"I see... then how about this outfit?"
Lin Ying stood up from the chair and did a spin in front of Chen Lusi.
The black-and-white ensemble highlighted her perfect curves, her figure was curvaceous and everything was just right.
It was very pleasing to the eye.
"Hmm..."
Chen Lusi looked at her and replied, "Try rolling up the sleeves to see."
Lin Ying, hearing this, rolled up her shirt sleeves.
"It looks great."
Chen Lusi lay on the bed, looking at Lin Ying with rolled-up sleeves, and said with satisfaction, "I've seen a lot of illustrations of beautiful girls in professional attire... You're the closest one to that."
Lin Ying tilted her head and asked, "Anime style?"
"Yeah."
Chen Lusi nodded: "The look is quite similar."
"Oh."
Lin Ying responded softly, then reached up to release her ponytail, letting her soft, long hair fall around her, while rolling down the sleeves: "Then I'll never wear this outfit again."
Chen Lusi said helplessly, "... Do you have a problem with me or with anime?"
"Both."
Lin Ying leaned against the chair back, her long hair falling on her graceful shoulders, emanating an irresistible charm in an instant.
"When did you return?"
Chen Lusi, not knowing how to respond, could only change the subject: "And where is this place? How long have I been asleep? Who reattached my arm?"
"This is the hospital, you slept for a day, I came back last night."
Lin Ying tidied her long hair, lifted her head, and replied: "As for who reattached your arm, I haven't understood the specific situation yet."
"I see."
Chen Lusi raised his left hand, gently clenching his fist.
Whoever did it, their technique was amazing.
"Do you know what I'm thinking?"
At this moment.
Lin Ying suddenly asked.
"What are you thinking?"
Chen Lusi turned his head again, dutifully playing the straight man.
Lin Ying looked at him and said: "I'll tell you if you stand up."
"..."
Upon hearing this, Chen Lusi lifted the blanket, sat up, and carefully assessed his physical condition.
Then, he jumped off the bed, looked at Lin Ying, and asked: "So, what are you thinking?"
"..."
Lin Ying stood up from the chair once more, walked to Chen Lusi, circled around him, and closely examined him.
During this.
She even instructed Chen Lusi to do some actions like 'jump', 'punch', 'turn around'.
After repeatedly confirming that there were no issues.
She returned to stand in front of Chen Lusi.
"So, what exactly are you thinking?" Chen Lusi asked once more.
"I was thinking..."
Lin Ying paused, a gentle and charming smile appeared on her face, and she said softly, "I'll wear this outfit after all, considering it's quite expensive. Help me redo my hair."
After speaking.
She simply turned around, leaving her back to Chen Lusi.
Tall as she was, her back exuded a sense of full maturity, rather than any weakness, with soft and elegant lines.
"..."
Chen Lusi had a 'you made me stand up just for this trivial matter?' expression, but he still took a step forward to help her with the ponytail.
Quite skilled.
After all, a large part of why he kept his hair long was because of Lin Ying.
"Chen Lusi."
Lin Ying, still with her back to him, suddenly called out to him.
"Yeah."
"I thought about it. My sister will be going to college soon, and a small city is too limiting. We should buy a house in a big city."
"What!? Where's the money for that?"
"I'll pay half, and you'll pay the other half."
"..."
"Also, for the thirty-year mortgage, we'll each pay half."
"Why don't you just kill me."
Chen Lusi looked despairing: "There's a pillow over there, just cover my face with it and announce that I died from failed resuscitation."
Lin Ying shook her head: "No way..."
"Don't move." Chen Lusi held her head still.
"No way."
Lin Ying maintained her forward-looking posture and said softly: "You have to bear this responsibility, and besides... even if a Celestial Strategy member dies, the maximum compensation is only two million, which isn't enough to cover the mortgage, so don't do that kind of thing again."
Chen Lusi paused in his actions: "... You heard about it, huh."
"Yeah."
Lin Ying nodded slightly and continued: "So, for the thirty years of mortgage, within those thirty years, you can't die."
Chen Lusi chuckled: "I haven't promised you yet."
"Promise me."
Lin Ying took a step back, lifted her head.
Chen Lusi thought for a moment and replied: "... I'll try my best."