3:00 AM
Lu Yuan hummed a tune as he stepped into the shower. Steam rose around him while he pulled up his system interface:
Name: Lu Yuan
Age: 24
Inventory: Empty
Wealth: ∞
Constitution: 60 ▲
Strength: 61
Mind: 73
Intellect: 59
"My constitution actually increased by one point?" His eyes widened. Just yesterday, it had been 59.
"That 3-star Secret Dual Cultivation Technique is insane!" He grinned at the showerhead. "If I keep this up, breaking 100—no, 1,000—will be a breeze."
His muscles hummed with newfound control, sharper than when he'd been with Cheng Xiao. Guess 'exercise' really is the best medicine, he mused, drying off before collapsing into bed.
Morning After
Sunlight flooded the suite. Lu Yuan awoke to find Li Ke'er, Feifei, and Dujuan staring at him like hungry wolves spotting prey.
"What's with the looks?" He raised an eyebrow.
"You're…unreal," Feifei breathed, thumbs-up quivering. "No man's ever lasted like that. Ever."
Dujuan, the icy "cool beauty," now gazed at him with dewy-eyed devotion. Even Li Ke'er's usual sarcasm had melted into awe.
Lu Yuan smirked inwardly but kept his tone casual. "Glad you enjoyed it. Let's do this again sometime." He grabbed his phone. "I'll toss you each another 5k."
Yet instead of cheers, the trio exchanged uneasy glances.
"Too little?" Lu Yuan's smile faded.
"N-no!" Li Ke'er stammered. "We just…feel guilty taking more."
"Guilty? You?" Lu Yuan blinked.
System Alert: Scanning Emotional Metrics…
Feifei
Affection Level: Intimate (3/10)
Status: Grateful, starstruck
Li Ke'er
Affection Level: Intimate (5/10)
Status: Reluctant to part
Dujuan
Affection Level: Intimate (7/10)
Status: Smoldering devotion
Lu Yuan nearly choked. Yesterday they were all "Neutral Strangers"! The cultivation technique's side effects were…potent.
"Keep the money," he said firmly. "My rules."
The women accepted reluctantly. After awkward small talk, they shuffled out—only to collide with Liu Feiyan at the elevator.
The manager's brows twitched imperceptibly at their radiant glow. "Good morning," she said coolly, stepping aside.
"Bye, Brother Lu~!" The trio blew kisses as the doors closed.
Business Mode
"You're here early," Lu Yuan remarked, noting Liu Feiyan's stiff posture. "Siheyuan news?"
"You seemed…energetic last night," she blurted, then flushed. "I—I mean, as your service manager, your well-being matters."
Lu Yuan chuckled. "Relax. It was transactional. Nothing more."
Liu Feiyan's jaw tightened but she forged ahead. "About the Siheyuan—I found one. But…"
"But?"
"It's…complicated."