NOVEL WEB Chapter 193: Chapter 193
Xia Zhi entered the dream world and immediately noticed Shenhe's dream.
It was green.
It seemed like tonight's plan for extraordinary material gathering would have to be canceled.
Xia Zhi shook his head.
Last night, he had spent the entire dream playing with little Shenhe.
Since time in the dream world moved at 12 times the speed of real time, it meant that in reality, he had accompanied her for roughly six days.
Moreover, there was no need to sleep in the dream world, so this "six days" was a full and uninterrupted six days—equivalent to twelve full days in reality, nearly half a month.
To keep Shenhe company, Xia Zhi had even skipped his mushroom-gathering expedition last night. Thinking about it, the loss of points was actually quite significant.
But points could always be accumulated later. Shenhe was so adorable that he couldn't bear to see her tormented by nightmares.
Xia Zhi walked toward Shenhe's dream bubble and reached out to touch it.
His vision blurred.
This time, Xia Zhi found himself directly inside a cave.
In front of him was Shenhe, quietly watching him.
Xia Zhi paused, puzzled.
What was going on?
Where was that big monster from before?
"Big brother," Shenhe greeted him softly.
"Uh? You remember me?"
"Yes, I want to go to big brother's house to play games."
"Oh, okay..."
Xia Zhi looked at Shenhe and felt that something was different about her today. She seemed less lively and more composed and quiet than yesterday.
Could she be a monster in disguise?
Xia Zhi thought for a moment and then said calmly, "Close your eyes first. Big brother will take you there."
"Okay."
Shenhe obediently closed her eyes.
[Advanced Dispelling Technique].
A white light spread silently from Xia Zhi, radiating outward.
Shenhe remained unchanged.
It really was her.
Xia Zhi could only attribute her change in demeanor to her own internal growth.
Perhaps the psychological counseling session he had given her last night had resolved some of her inner conflicts.
That was a good thing.
Xia Zhi took Shenhe's hand and activated [Visualization], bringing her into his meditation space.
The small room from the previous night still existed.
As long as Xia Zhi didn't deliberately erase it, anything he created in this space would persist without needing him to spend extra mental energy recreating it each time.
"Alright, we're here."
Shenhe slowly opened her eyes to see the familiar room.
Xia Zhi walked over to the desk, turned on the computer, took out a game controller, and handed one to her.
"Come on, let's play a game."
"Okay."
Shenhe took the controller, walked over to Xia Zhi, and naturally sat on his lap.
This was how they had played games the night before.
Because Shenhe was too short to see the screen properly while sitting on a chair, sitting on Xia Zhi's lap was just right.
Xia Zhi had even created a taller chair for her last night, but she refused to leave his lap.
There was nothing he could do but let her sit there.
Now, seeing her once again settling on his lap, Xia Zhi smiled and shook his head, letting her do as she pleased.
But for Shenhe, things felt different this time.
Last night, she had been dreaming subconsciously, without much awareness, simply enjoying the fun of playing games.
Tonight, however, she had entered the dream willingly and was fully conscious. Sitting on Xia Zhi's lap like this felt no different from doing so in reality.
And without the emotional suppression of the "Red Rope Soul Binding," she felt a strange, unfamiliar sensation arise within her.
She had never felt this way before.
Even as a child, sitting on her master's long legs never evoked such a heart-racing, body-softening feeling.
"Don't move around—focus on the game," Xia Zhi said.
"Mm..."
Shenhe's body slowly leaned back, resting against Xia Zhi's chest.
She could smell his scent—an inviting, comforting fragrance that made her feel warm and safe.
She found herself drawn to it but dared not show it in front of Xia Zhi. Instead, she played the game quietly, taking gentle breaths.
Thus, Xia Zhi spent another night in the dream world with Shenhe.
---
The next morning, Xia Zhi woke from the dream, rubbing his forehead with a hint of helplessness.
Taking care of a child was no small task.
Last night, the girl refused to leave his lap.
Playing games was one thing, but even when watching cartoons, she insisted on sitting on him. She wouldn't let him go, especially during scary scenes, when she would burrow into his arms.
It felt like being a father taking care of a little daughter.
Xia Zhi opened the system panel and looked at the available points, which had dropped to less than 100. With a sigh, he realized he hadn't worked for two days.
While raising a "daughter" had its moments of joy, reality was unforgiving—he needed to work harder to save money.
Tonight, Shenhe shouldn't have any more nightmares, right?
---
In the neighboring room, Shenhe also woke from her dream.
She looked at the wall adjacent to Xia Zhi's room and recalled the events of the previous night, a small smile forming on her lips.
If not for the "Red Rope Soul Binding" suppressing her emotions, she would have been smiling even more happily.
Sitting up, she retrieved her jade comb and carefully groomed her long hair.
She changed out of her nightwear, donned her uniform, and meticulously checked for any wrinkles. After ensuring everything was in order, she put away the seven-star lamp on the table and stood quietly by the door to wait.
Before long, she heard the sound of a door opening from the neighboring room.
Only then did Shenhe open her door and step out.
It felt like a chance encounter.
Looking at her just-awakened boss, Shenhe softly greeted, "Good morning, Boss."
Xia Zhi smiled warmly as usual and nodded. "Good morning, Shenhe."
The two walked downstairs together, neither mentioning the events of the previous night's dream, as if by some unspoken agreement.
Descending the stairs, Shenhe trailed slightly behind, quietly watching Xia Zhi's back.
---
After breakfast, Xia Zhi asked Shenhe to fetch some paper and ink. He wrote a new notice:
"Tomorrow, the shop will be closed for a friend's birthday celebration."
Once the ink dried, Xia Zhi handed it to Zhu Zi to post at the door.
"Tomorrow, we'll celebrate Granny Ping's birthday at her place. I trust everyone has prepared their gifts?"
"Yes!"
"The gifts don't need to be extravagant. Granny Ping is an adeptus—she doesn't care for material things. As long as the thought is there, it will be enough."
"Got it!"
"Alright, it's about time. Let's get ready to open the shop."
---
The shop's business was as brisk as ever that morning.
The customers were all discussing the same thing.
"Yesterday afternoon, Master Yun from the Yun-Han Opera Troupe performed a new opera at Heyu Tea House, titled The Divine Damsel of Devastation. It was stunning!"
Listening to the praise and regret of the customers, Xia Zhi chuckled quietly to himself.
That opera, after all, had a bit of his handiwork in it.
Meanwhile, Shenhe, busy with her work in the shop, overheard the customers discussing the story of The Divine Damsel of Devastation.
She froze briefly, a faint hint of self-mockery flashing across her face before she resumed her tasks.
There was no divine maiden.
Just a mere waitress.
----
You can join my P@treon to read 40+ chapters early and support me and my work.
[email protected]/rivyura