Sparkle's Temptation and Intimacy

Faced with Lin Hai's question, Sparkle smiled and said:

"Of course I dare. Just don't let me scare you away."

She took two steps forward, closing in on Lin Hai, then suddenly reached out and pushed him against the wall behind him, pinning him there with a rather imposing wall slam.

Sparkle's movements were fluid and a little teasing, as though it were all just a game she played on a whim.

But after a moment's surprise, Lin Hai showed no sign of backing down.

He turned sideways with the motion, gave his wrist a slight twist, and seized the initiative.

The next second, their positions abruptly switched.

Sparkle was trapped between his arm and the wall, now the one pinned in a reverse wall slam.

This time, Sparkle was genuinely surprised.

She was no ordinary person. She wielded the power of a Path, and her strength and speed far surpassed those of ordinary humans.

By rights, a seemingly ordinary man should never have been able to restrain her so easily.

Sparkle instinctively tried to summon the energy within her, only for her heart to tighten.

That familiar power seemed to have sunk into a deep pool, impossible to stir in the slightest.

In this world, some kind of rule had completely suppressed her power.

Though surprised inwardly, Sparkle still wore an effortless smile, as if everything remained under control.

She tilted her chin up slightly, her expression saying, "Let's see what you can do."

Lin Hai leaned closer, close enough for them to feel each other's breath.

His gaze fell on Sparkle's face, and he slowly lowered his head.

Sparkle thought he would kiss her lips, but instead felt a soft, warm touch on her forehead.

He kissed her forehead.

In that instant, Sparkle's forced composure crumbled.

A flush spread rapidly from her cheeks to her ears. She instinctively bit her lower lip, her heart racing wildly.

Lin didn't miss this rare display of shyness and chuckled:

"So you're all offense and no defense? You put on quite a show, but you can't handle an actual kiss?"

Sparkle refused to admit it. "Wh-who can't handle it?"

"Want to keep going, then?"

"Of course!" she blurted out, refusing to admit defeat.

Lin Hai stepped back half a pace and gestured for her to go ahead, amusement in his eyes. "Then I'll give you a chance to show me what you've got. You make the first move this time."

Sparkle visibly froze.

But meeting his expectant gaze, she took a deep breath and rose onto her toes as if she had made up her mind. Quickly and awkwardly, she kissed him on the cheek.

It was like a dragonfly skimming the water, over as soon as it began.

Lin Hai's gaze deepened slightly. Giving her no time to dodge, he lowered his head and found her lips with his.

It was only a brief touch, gentle but unmistakable.

Sparkle's head buzzed, and even her neck turned crimson.

"Going to keep showing me what you've got?" Lin Hai asked.

As if bewitched, Sparkle leaned in again and, copying him, pressed her lips to his, as though trying to prove she was no worse than him.

Still unwilling to lose, she kissed him again, harder this time, though her movements were obviously, adorably clumsy.

Lin Hai wrapped an arm around Sparkle's waist, pulled her into his embrace, and kissed her deeply.

This time, it was no longer a cautious test or a playful contest, but a true, long and tender kiss.

Sparkle was stiff at first, but slowly closed her eyes, her fingers unconsciously clutching the hem of his shirt.

Lin Hai slowly stepped back, bringing the long kiss to an end.

Sparkle breathed lightly, her cheeks crimson. Even her neck and ears were tinged a faint pink, making her look especially captivating in the light.

Lin Hai opened his palm, revealing the faintly glowing Lucky Star lying quietly on it.

"The reason you came here is this," he explained.

Sparkle's gaze was drawn to it, her eyes full of curiosity and inquiry. She couldn't help reaching out to touch it.

But Lin Hai gently closed his hand. "You can look at it, but you can't use it recklessly."

"How... do you use it?" Sparkle pressed.

Her voice carried an eager excitement.

"The first time you close your hand around it, you'll return to your own world. Close your hand around it again, and you can bring me over." Lin Hai watched her reaction.

Sparkle's eyes lit up as she listened. "That's... so interesting!" she murmured.

She solemnly promised, "Don't worry, I won't do anything reckless~"

But Lin Hai didn't believe her so easily.

He knew full well that Sparkle's nature drove her to pursue "Elation." She was like an unpredictable brat, sometimes crazed and sometimes sweet, often acting in unexpected ways.

Seeing his hesitation, Sparkle thought about snatching it, but in this world, her power was completely suppressed, and she couldn't use it.

If she really tried to snatch it, she probably wouldn't succeed.

Sparkle didn't press the matter. Instead, she casually sat down on the sofa, picked up the remote, and turned on the television.

A martial arts movie was playing on the screen, with blades flashing and moves flying.

She was soon engrossed, swinging her legs as she commented, "That person's movement technique is pretty good! Just a little worse than mine. To be precise, there's a certain gap between us!"

Lin Hai breathed a slight sigh of relief and only then noticed that the bathroom faucet had been running the whole time.

He went over and tightened the tap, and the sound of running water stopped abruptly.

Returning to the living room, he looked again at the box of Lucky Stars.

The power contained in these stars was far too astonishing. They had to be kept safe.

Just then, Sparkle suddenly rubbed her stomach and muttered:

"I'm hungry..."

She felt an inexplicable weakness spreading through her, as though the strength in her body were being drawn away bit by bit.

Lin Hai took out his phone, opened a food delivery app, and handed it to her.

"Take a look and pick a few things you want to eat."

Sparkle didn't stand on ceremony. She quickly selected the three dishes that looked most tempting and said earnestly, "I'll pay! But... can I use Credits here?"

"Credits aren't used here," Lin Hai said, shaking his head. "People generally use... gold."

He had originally intended to name the common currency, but Sparkle certainly wouldn't have any of the local currency.

Gold could be exchanged for currency, and the exchange rate seemed to have been rising recently.

"I have gold too!" Sparkle's eyes lit up, but then she looked helpless. "I just didn't bring it with me..."

The two sat side by side on the sofa, continuing to watch the martial arts movie while they waited for the food.

Lin Hai's heart was still in turmoil over the kiss, and his gaze drifted toward Sparkle beside him from time to time.

Before long, the doorbell rang. The delivery had arrived.

When the containers were opened, a delicious aroma filled the air.

Sparkle ate with relish. Although the food made her feel full, she could clearly sense that her weakness was still growing worse.

"This world seems to be rejecting me." She put down her chopsticks, her expression growing a little grave. "If I stay any longer, all my strength might be drained away!"

Lin was silent for a moment. Though reluctant to part with her, he still placed the Lucky Star in her hand.

Sparkle took a deep breath and gently closed her hand around it. Her figure gradually faded in the faint light, until she vanished completely from the sofa, leaving only a trace of barely perceptible sweetness in the air.

Lin Hai remained where he was, gazing at the spot where Sparkle had disappeared, feeling a sense of loss.

He reached up and touched his lips. Sparkle's warmth seemed to linger there.

Just as he was lost in thought, a pulling force came from the space around him, and the scenery shifted. By the time he came to his senses, he was in a dilapidated theater.

Sparkle stood in the center of the stage. Looking at Lin Hai, who had suddenly appeared beside her, she smiled and said:

"This thing really is amazing. Could you give me the Lucky Star? I can pay you for it."

"What kind of payment?" Lin Hai asked.

Sparkle gently pulled down the clothing at her shoulder, exposing her smooth, delicate skin. "I'll let you kiss my shoulder. Is that a deal?"