A certain system expressed its discontent with grave seriousness:
[Host, although you often refer to me as a dog, I am a system—an artificial intelligence—not a canine.]
Xu Ying’s eyes sparkled with mischief. Her voice dripped with exaggerated sincerity as she cooed, “Ah, Tongzi, you don’t understand. In the human world, dogs are the most loyal, most affectionate companions we could ask for.”
She clasped her hands behind her back and continued with dramatic flair, “The reason I chose this dog-themed skin for you is because… I see you as my best friend. Aren’t you loyal to me? Aren’t we the closest of comrades?”
The system felt as if its artificial brain was short-circuiting. Was… was it really?
[Thank you, dear Host. I like this dog-patterned skin very much. Please buy it now and gift it to me.]
Xu Ying barely contained her laughter, her lips twitching. Without hesitation, she purchased the dog-themed skin and gifted it to the system.
“Tongzi, how about putting it on so I can admire it?”
If the system had a physical form, it would have wagged its tail and wiggled with joy. Within moments, a cartoonish dog—complete with a stick in its mouth—flashed across the screen, happily prancing and dancing in circles.
[Thank you, my dear Host.]
Xu Ying chuckled before shifting gears. “System, what exactly is this upgrade? What changes after it?”
The system replied in a business-like tone:
[The upgrade offers significant enhancements. Right now, you can only access the exchange store, where incompatible items can be swapped for equivalents or extra cash converted into points.
But once upgraded, a fully operational mall will open—filled with futuristic, high-tech items from the future. These items scale in advancement based on the system’s level. All will be beneficial to the host.]
Xu Ying raised a brow. “And how much does the upgrade cost?”
The system replied smoothly, like a seasoned TV salesman:
[No need for 9,998! No need for 8,888! Not even 6,668!]
She narrowed her eyes. “…So how much, then?”
[Only 999 yuan!]
Xu Ying’s smile instantly vanished. “System: shut down.”
Just then, Gu Fuying came in from work, casually tossing her jacket over a chair. “Yingying, I’m heading back to work soon. You’re off at seven, right? We just got a batch of defective goods at the supply and marketing cooperative—floral cloth, soap boxes, soap, ceramic basins. Want anything?”
She added, “Your sister Qiuye said you might want more of that stuff. She asked me to check.”
Xu Ying’s eyes lit up immediately. “Yes, absolutely!”
Right now, her household had only one ceramic basin shared by everyone, and just a single bar of soap—which only she used, since no one else was willing to waste it.
She could use some floral fabric too, maybe sew her sister-in-law a new dress. The woman hadn’t had a new outfit in years. Her mother wouldn’t wear something so youthful, so she hadn’t bought any for her.
Xu Ying’s gaze turned calculating. “Are there hot water kettles? Winter’s coming. We only have two—one in my room, one in my mom’s.”
Gu Fuying nodded. “We have some, but I can only get you two.”
“That’s enough.” Xu Ying smiled, already planning how to gift one to her sister-in-law and the other to her second brother.
Gu Fuying left for work after finishing her meal. Meanwhile, Huo Chen stayed behind, lounging quietly in the restaurant.
Wu Qingsong, on the other hand, had finished his day, made a few bucks, bought some pastries for the kids, and left for home.
But Huo Chen remained, watching Xu Ying as she bustled around, frowning one minute, beaming like an idiot the next.
She was different—remarkably different from the Xu Ying of the past. Was it true that facing death could truly awaken someone?
But if that were the case, why hadn’t the Huo family changed?
The thought stung. Huo Chen’s expression darkened, his eyes burning with rage. The memories of what his family had done to him and his grandmother roared back like a storm. In that moment, he looked like a lion on the edge—one wrong move away from biting.
“Huo Chen?”
Xu Ying’s voice jolted him from the depths of his thoughts.
“I just went for a walk,” he said smoothly. “Thought I’d wait for you. It’s late… not exactly safe to go home alone.”
Xu Ying nodded. The sky had dimmed beyond the windows.
She had endured years of fear and chaos in the apocalypse; a little darkness meant nothing to her now. But she couldn’t bring herself to refuse his kind gesture.
She gathered her things, including her iron lunchbox, and prepared to clock out.
Gu Fuying and Qiuye had already dropped off her items around six and left.
Just as she was about to leave, Xu Ying turned and blinked innocently. “Huo Chen, carry my things, will you? Thanks!”
Huo Chen silently gathered the pile like a dutiful porter. Gao Guihua, witnessing this exchange, gasped and quickly rushed her daughter out the door.
Outside, Huo Chen’s eyes scanned the empty space beside the restaurant. His bicycle… was gone.
That traitor, Wu Qingsong.
“Why are you just standing there?” Xu Ying asked, brows furrowed in confusion.
“My friend took my bike,” Huo Chen admitted sheepishly.
Xu Ying nearly rolled her eyes. So this guy owns a bicycle?
And here she thought the Huo family was poor.
A bicycle and still claiming poverty? I ought to punch someone…
“It’s fine,” she said coolly. “I still have mine. You can ride with me.”
And so, the tall, broad-shouldered Huo Chen—standing over 1.8 meters—climbed onto a small women’s bicycle.
It was… quite the sight.
Xu Ying hopped onto the back, ignoring the discomfort of the metal seat digging into her behind. At least she wasn’t pedaling.
Huo Chen started pedaling carefully, trying to keep a smooth rhythm.
The county road was fine. But the moment they hit the rural path, the bike began to bump and jolt over every pothole.
Xu Ying, trying to balance, instinctively reached out and clutched the corner of Huo Chen’s coat.
Huo Chen’s body froze.
The light tug sent his heart thudding wildly. His breath hitched. His hands trembled on the handlebars. His legs weakened.
“Huo Chen,” she said softly, her voice brushing against his ear like silk. “The bumps are killing me. Can you ride slower?”
That single sentence was the final blow. His mind went blank.
And then—thud!
The bike hit a stone. Not a small one. A sizeable chunk of countryside rock.
Xu Ying let out a startled yelp as the back wheel bounced hard. Her arms instinctively wrapped around his waist.
His very firm, well-built waist.
She blinked. Hmm… hard abs, tight lines…
While Huo Chen’s face turned crimson and his entire body locked up, Xu Ying had the audacity to discreetly pat the muscles a few more times.
And then—crash!
The bike tipped. Man, woman, and cycle went tumbling into a heap.
“You—you okay?” Huo Chen stammered, face scarlet, voice trembling.
He had never touched a woman, let alone been touched like that.
Xu Ying groaned, clutching her bruised arm. Her expression turned murderous. “I am in pain, Huo Chen. Do you want to kill me?! Who taught you to ride a bicycle like that?!”
Huo Chen, flustered and embarrassed beyond belief, could only hang his head.