Wang Yifan jolted awake, his eyes snapping open to a room that felt both unfamiliar and eerily familiar. The dim glow of an old-fashioned desk lamp cast weak light across the space, while the wind outside mingled with the sound of raindrops tapping against the window—like a somber nocturne echoing in the quiet.
He sat up, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, his mind still tangled in the chilling fragments of his dream. The monsters, the Fallen Spirits, the Enforcers, and the radiant brilliance of the Soul Mirror—it all felt unnervingly real. Yet, deep down, he knew it was only a dream.
"What does it all mean?" he murmured to himself, his voice barely audible in the stillness.
Just then, a soft knock on the door shattered the silence of the room.
Yifan opened the door, only to find no one there.
However, just as he was about to close the door, a voice called his name from behind. He turned around and saw Li Yin floating in midair.
"It wasn't a dream after all," Yifan exclaimed in shock.
"It was a dream," Li Yin replied calmly.
"In the dream, you overcame a series of challenges and helped free my soul. That's the only reason I can truly appear in this world now."
"I see," Yifan said, nodding in realization.
"You don't remember how to walk?"
Yifan pondered for a moment and then said, "Maybe it's because you're floating too much."
Li Yin tilted her head, feeling like there was something strange about that statement but unable to pinpoint what.
"Why don't you land first and take a couple of steps?" Yifan suggested.
"Oh." Li Yin descended awkwardly and took a stiff step forward.
Yifan observed her movements closely. "Take a few more steps."
As she continued to walk, he began to pinpoint the problem.
Having grown used to floating, Li Yin lacked the constraints of gravity.
It was like how astronauts in space were more accustomed to swimming-like movements for locomotion. Asking her to walk was akin to asking her to mimic a normal walking posture in zero gravity, which naturally looked awkward.
"Watch me," Yifan said, demonstrating. "Step your right foot forward while swinging your arm back, shift your weight forward, and lift the ball of your left foot."
Li Yin imitated his movements stiffly. Yifan wasn't impatient and took his time teaching her. Li Yin, for her part, was very earnest in her efforts.
Yet, it proved to be a challenging task for her, and before they realized it, the entire morning had passed.
Before ordering lunch, Yifan wiped the sweat from his brow. "Let's combine everything I just taught you and try walking a few steps again."
"Okay!" Li Yin's expression turned determined.
She just needed to walk from the door to the room, a distance spanning the living room.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward—moving the same arm and leg at the same time!
Yifan couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Li Yin paused and turned to look at him. "What's so funny?"
Quickly suppressing his amusement, Yifan said, "Nothing. Let's take a break for now and check out that jade I bought this morning."
"Alright." Li Yin sat cross-legged mid-air, looking a bit disheartened.
Yifan rummaged through the shopping bag and pulled out a piece of dyed jade. "Here, try this one."
Li Yin took the jade and frowned. "This isn't right."
Yifan sighed—artificially dyed jade didn't work. The shortcut had failed.
He dug through the bag again and took out the genuine jade Buddha he had purchased for 5,000 yuan earlier, handing it to Li Yin.
Her eyes lit up as she swiftly absorbed its energy, leaving behind a dull stone. Closing her eyes, she restrained the cold aura emanating from her, her abilities significantly improving.
"I feel like… I'm still about ten pieces of jade like this away from breaking through," she said, her brows furrowed.
"And what happens when you break through? Do you evolve or something?" Yifan asked curiously.
"I don't know," she admitted.
Ten pieces of jade—that was 50,000 yuan.
Yifan checked his phone. His account balance was only 2,188 yuan, not even enough to cover next month's rent.
Short-term solutions weren't an option.
"Thank you for buying me the jade and other essentials," Li Yin said, standing up and bowing slightly.
Though the purchases were recorded on a tab, Li Yin understood that no one was obligated to lend her money. Yifan had thought of everything for her, even preordering a new bed so she wouldn't be uncomfortable sleeping on the sofa.
Not only was he kind, but also incredibly thoughtful.
The more she thought about it, the more pressure she felt. She wanted to earn money quickly and repay him; otherwise, she'd feel terrible.
Without waiting for Yifan to respond, Li Yin resumed her walking practice, her determination evident as she stepped forward—again moving the same arm and leg.
This time, Yifan managed to stifle his laughter, but an inexplicable emotion stirred within him.
It was a feeling he'd never experienced before, not even in past relationships.
A bit tingly, like the oil that lubricates machinery, awakening something that had never existed in his heart.
But with it came a trace of fear, and Yifan didn't dare delve deeper into its source.
In his mind, he repeated to himself: We're just business partners. Don't overthink it. Don't cross the line.
After several repetitions, he felt more composed.
"Li Yin, your steps are still off. Watch me again," he said, standing up.
The entire afternoon was spent on walking practice.
By the time the moon rose, Yifan and Li Yin sat in the living room, facing each other in silence.
Despite their efforts, Li Yin hadn't overcome the same-arm-same-leg issue.
If they continued this way, Yifan feared she'd only solidify her bad habits.
Li Yin lowered her head, picking at her fingers without a word.
"Don't be discouraged," Yifan said, trying to cheer her up. "Life is like a heartbeat. If it's a smooth line, it means you're dead."
"…"
Li Yin stayed silent.
Not knowing what else to say, Yifan stood up decisively. "Alright, if we can't fix this tonight, I'll treat you to a late-night snack when we do!"
"I just get nervous and mess up," Li Yin murmured, her voice tinged with helplessness.
"It's okay. Come on, stand up. I'll hold your ankles to guide your steps. Don't tense up, and let your arms swing naturally."
"Okay." Li Yin obediently stood up.
Crouching down, Yifan gently held her ankle.
A faint chill and a soft, smooth texture greeted his hands.
At that moment, Yifan froze.
He suddenly realized this was the first time he had ever touched a girl's ankle.
It was slim, delicate, and smooth…
For a second, he almost wished she had sweated a little during the day's practice.
Wait—what am I even thinking? Yifan nearly broke down internally.
Still, he couldn't resist taking a small sniff of the air, catching a faint fragrance.
Why did I just sniff? I'm not a creep, I swear!
Yifan's brain went into overdrive, leaving him frozen in place.
Li Yin instinctively pulled her foot back slightly.
Yifan sprang up as if electrocuted. "Ah, what's wrong?"
"You weren't moving. It tickled," she said in her usual calm tone, seemingly unbothered by his behavior.
She even apologized. "Sorry. I'll try harder to hold still. Can we continue?"
"Ah, yes. Of course!" Yifan stammered, crouching back down to hold her ankle again.
This time, he forced himself to focus, banishing all strange thoughts from his mind.
"Alright, let's take it slow, step by step."
"Okay!" Li Yin said, her gaze resolute.
One step…
Two steps…
Three steps…
With Yifan acting as her stabilizer, Li Yin began to grasp the sensation of shifting her weight naturally. Her arms swung more fluidly, and her movements became much smoother.
Gradually, Yifan released her ankle without her noticing.
Li Yin had learned to walk.
After a few more rounds, she spun joyfully in the air, celebrating her success.
Yifan, meanwhile, looked down at his hands, a conflicted expression on his face.
He didn't want to wash them.
"Let's go get some late-night snacks at the east gate. They've got great food there," he said.
"Sure!" Li Yin's dimples appeared as she beamed with happiness.
Landing gracefully, she took a few steps on the ground before suddenly pausing. Her expression grew bashful as she looked at Yifan.
It was the first time he'd seen her like this. "What's wrong?"
"Um…"
Li Yin lowered her head, her voice barely audible. "If we're going out, I think I need to buy… a bra."
"…"
"…"
Yifan stared at the floor, his toes metaphorically digging a hole as he forced himself to ask, "I can arrange for a delivery. What size?"
"…"
"…"
Li Yin's breath hitched slightly, her face showing a rare hint of shyness. "What's… delivery?"
"It's when someone buys the item for you and delivers it," Yifan explained.
She thought for a long moment, her voice growing smaller. "No delivery. Someone might see."
Yifan's head dipped lower. "Then… I'll buy it for you?"
"Sorry to trouble you…"
"It's no trouble at all."
"Okay…"
"And your size is…?" Yifan braced himself.
Li Yin whispered something inaudible, and Yifan nodded. "Got it. I'll head out now."
"Thank you." Li Yin turned to look out the window, her demeanor surprisingly pensive.
Bursting out of the apartment, Yifan scratched his head furiously. What is happening? Why am I so nervous?
Business partners. Just business partners. Don't overthink it!