"Then answer me this: being two points higher than the average adult male—does that make me strong or weak?"
[The system has its own evaluation standards.]
"Still slandering."
[Not slander.]
Their argument didn't last long.
Because dinner was ready.
Rule One of The Su Ming Household Code:
Never miss a meal cooked by Mei.
Su Ming ended the childish dispute and steeled his gaze.
I'm here to finish this meal.
But when he helped Mei carry the dishes to the table, he instinctively covered his waist.
Garlic vermicelli baked oysters. Stir-fried kidneys. Chive-and-egg stir-fry.
What is this? Is she… is she trying to harvest me?
Su Ming picked up a piece of kidney, chewed—still tender and perfectly cooked, just like always. But Mei's gaze was terrifying: gentle as water, yet sharp enough to make him sit on needles.
"Uh…" Su Ming couldn't endure it. He raised his head and looked at Mei's smiling eyes. "Honey, you're not eating?"
"I'll eat after you finish."
Mei rested her cheek in one hand, smiling as she watched him.
Eat… what?
A bead of sweat formed on Su Ming's forehead.
That woman beat me to my knees… she must be planning to—
Mei looked at his guilty expression and laughed.
"Alright, alright. Stop being silly. Eat."
She picked up an oyster and lifted the plump meat.
"Ah—"
Under Mei's shimmering eyes, Su Ming couldn't refuse.
"Tastes great."
The garlic fragrance had fully soaked into the oyster. The springy vermicelli added texture and held in the briny juices. As always—perfectly Mei.
But he couldn't stay passive forever.
Su Ming picked up a piece of kidney and offered it to Mei.
"Why are you acting like a kid?"
Mei scolded him softly, but still opened her mouth and ate it.
And so the two of them gradually slipped into feeding each other—one bite for you, one bite for me—so sickeningly sweet that if Kiana saw it, she'd probably explode and curse the married couple for being unbearably cheesy.
Dinner ended quickly anyway. Both of them knew what the night would bring.
…
After a round of "clouds and rain" (yes, you missed ten thousand words)
Mei lay lazily in Su Ming's arms, her enticing curves pressed against his chest.
"How was it today, going out with Kiana?"
She breathed lightly into his ear.
Here it is. The classic lethal question: "Did you have fun with my best friend?"
Looks simple—just answer "no." But it's not that kind of trap. Kiana might want Su Ming, but she and Mei are genuinely close. If he outright trashed Kiana, it could create friction—and answering too absolutely could also sound suspicious.
"Kiana's still Kiana. She dressed up beautifully, but she's still as loud and reckless as ever. When is that kid going to grow up?"
Yes. Perfect.
Avoid the "fun" question entirely. Praise her looks but label it childish—implying zero desire.
Su Ming was a veteran at this.
Mei smiled.
"That's just how Kiana is. That's what's cute about her. You're not allowed to bully her, okay?"
"Me? Bully the little princess of Schicksal? I'm just a poor heir-in-waiting. I should be thankful if she doesn't bully me."
He answered smoothly, defusing the hidden blade—and making Mei laugh so hard she shook, her soft body pressing against him until he nearly lost control again.
Fortunately, Su Ming's self-control won out. The big head restrained the small head. He finally soothed Mei to sleep.
Today's romance defense: Su Ming… barely wins?
Next up: nightlife.
System—start.
"So. System. Translate this for me: what exactly is an 'instance'?"
[An instance is a virtual scenario where the player fights monsters, gains experience, acquires items, and trains skills. During play, the player's body remains still while the mind enters the instance world. If the player is injured inside the instance, Spirit decreases. When Spirit drops to half of its maximum, the system forcibly ejects the player.]
"And what did you call yourself again?"
[This system is the Classic/Degenerate Romance System.]
"So what exactly are you 'winning over' here?"
[The purpose of this system is to help the player win over heroines.]
"Forget it. Talking to you seriously just makes me feel like I'm losing."
Su Ming sighed at the system's robotic looping.
"This looks like an SAO-style setup. Wait—you're not going to trap me in there, are you?"
[This system strictly follows laws and regulations and will not endanger player life. Any dangerous operation requires player authorization.]
"Good. Connect me. Now. Connect me."
[Instance loading…]
[Load complete. Instance: Nagazora City in Collapse. Enjoy your playtime.]
What?
Where did you send me?
Su Ming's face changed. He was about to curse, but his consciousness was already swallowed by a whirlpool—piercing through endless cloud and dropping into a building.
Dizzy, he forced his eyes open, scanned his surroundings—and froze.
Where the hell am I?
The environment was painfully familiar. He came here every day for work, and he was even about to become CEO soon.
No way. Did you send me to work as an instance?
Complaints aside, Su Ming's vigilance shot to maximum. The moment he saw the instance name, he guessed this was Nagazora City after the Third Honkai eruption in the original timeline. There was no way the system had sent him here without purpose.
"Trash system. Explain."
[Please explore the instance on your own.]
Of course. It refused to say anything. Fine.
"Then tell me this: what's the clear condition?"
[Clear condition: Defeat the Third Herrscher, Raiden Mei.]
[Hint: If the player dies and revives inside the instance, instance progress resets.]
"So you want me to clear Nagazora in one life."
Su Ming's mind raced.
The system stayed silent.
He checked the environment and confirmed he was near the employee break room. He drew the Muramasa blade the system had given him, licked his dry lips, and glanced at his skill list:
Beichen Isshin-ryu Lv.1 (Apprentice)(Proficiency: 114/200)
I know a little swordsmanship.
Fighting. Great.
-------
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