Nightfall cloaked the sky, and the room was bathed in warm, gentle light.
Jiang Chen lay in bed with Wen-xian after a passionate union. Their breaths mingled, and the warmth of their embrace lingered in the air.
Suddenly, a system prompt echoed in Jiang Chen's mind: [Congratulations, host. Your internal energy has slightly improved. Reason: increased absorption of Pure Yin energy during intercourse in a new environment. Further absorption is recommended to break through your current bottleneck.]
Jiang Chen's heart skipped. He glanced at the sleeping Wen-xian—her flushed cheeks and the tear still clinging to the corner of her eye tugged at his emotions.
He hesitated, then kissed her gently. "Wen-jie, wake up."
Wen-xian opened her eyes drowsily. "What's wrong?" she asked softly.
"I just… my power improved. The system says another time might help me break through."
Wen-xian was momentarily surprised, then smiled shyly. She reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Then use me again. My body is yours. Even ten times—I'll give it to you."
With that, she rolled over and pressed herself against him, eyes filled with longing and tenderness.
Their second union was even more intense. Jiang Chen felt the energy in his dantian surge, his meridians flushing with warmth and strength.
When it finally ended, Jiang Chen reached for the water cup on the bedside table. As he gripped it—"Crack!"
The porcelain shattered into powder in his hand.
Startled, he opened his palm, letting the dust trickle down.
"I've really broken through!"
Wen-xian, flushed and panting, teased, "Are you going to use me every time you want to level up?"
"You're my partner, not my furnace," he said, stroking her back. "But if you're willing, I wouldn't mind relying on you forever."
She bit her lip, smiling. "Want to go again tonight? My body is still yours."
"Not tonight—you're too tired. But tomorrow… you're not getting away."
Wen-xian covered her face with the blanket. "You perv."
...
The next morning.
The couple was still asleep when loud shouting woke them.
"Engineer Jiang! We have a problem!"
Outside the room, Project Manager Lao Wang was shouting. Jiang Chen quickly threw on his clothes and opened the door.
Lao Wang was breathless. "The local gang boss—Sanhu—he's here with twenty guys. They're demanding 4 million as a 'welcome fee'!"
"Welcome fee? Since when did we have that in China?"
"Doesn't matter. Sanhu says it's his turf. They already smashed the office and are heading for the site!"
"What do you want me to do?"
"I have 500,000 in liquid funds for wages. It's yours if you can solve this!"
Jiang Chen nodded. "Deal."
He dressed and strode to the site. Wen-xian, still in a robe, followed worriedly. "Be careful!" she called.
"Don't worry," he said, winking.
...
Dust billowed across the construction site as cranes rumbled overhead.
A black van was parked in the center. Dozens of tattooed thugs shoved workers around.
A bald, muscular man sat on the hood, twirling a steel baton and snarling, "Foreign scum working on my land without paying tolls?"
Jiang Chen stepped forward calmly. "I'm the representative. Talk to me."
The man sneered. "Representative? You're nothing. Want to live? Kneel."
"Are you sure about that?" Jiang Chen replied.
The thug rose, baton tapping menacingly in his hand. "I'm Sanhu. You don't want me angry."
"Try me."
"Get him!" Sanhu bellowed.
A dozen men charged, armed with pipes and axes.
Jiang Chen stood his ground, power building.
"Boom!"
One punch exploded through the air, blasting the first attacker meters away.
"Holy—what is he?!"
Jiang Chen grabbed a discarded steel rod and swept it around.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
One strike downed several thugs. Screams echoed as men hit the ground.
"Ghost! He's a ghost!"
In seconds, Jiang Chen floored them all.
Sanhu, stunned, found himself face-to-face with Jiang Chen.
"You hit me?!" he stammered.
"You're not worth it."
"Smack!"
A palm sent Sanhu spinning before he crashed to his knees, blood dribbling from his mouth.
"Leave now, and I'll pretend this never happened. Come again—you won't leave alive."
Sanhu fled, his men scattering behind him.
Lao Wang ran over, shocked. "Brother Jiang… are you a martial artist or a god?!"
Jiang Chen brushed off his sleeves. "Let's just say… I have good genes."
"I'll wire the 500,000 now!"
"No rush. Pay me after the project's done. Use the money for the workers first."
"You're too generous!"
"It's nothing."
As he walked back, he spotted Wen-xian at the edge of the site, eyes wide in admiration.
"See, Wen-jie? Your man's awesome now."
She bit her lip, her eyes glimmering. "Tonight… you better 'arrange' me properly."