Hush Money (Part 2)

Jia Youcai's eyes widened, his face full of shock and a touch of absurdity. He stammered, "H-Hush money? Why?"

Shui Bing'er blinked playfully, the corners of her lips curving upward. "Hmph, you saw so many things you shouldn't have tonight, and you took such a huge advantage of me. If you go around talking about it, how will I ever face anyone again?"

As she spoke, she deliberately thrust out her chest, her delicate body, having just gone through some "turmoil," appearing even more alluring beneath the moonlight.

Jia Youcai scratched his head and said with a bitter smile, "How would I dare talk nonsense? I don't even have enough time to cherish you. Why would I tell anyone about you?"

But Shui Bing'er would not let it go. She lightly punched Jia Youcai and said coquettishly, "Oh, stop it. A man's mouth is nothing but a liar's ghost—I don't believe you. Just tell me, are you paying or not?"

Jia Youcai sighed helplessly. "Fine, fine. How much do you want?"

Tilting her head, Shui Bing'er pretended to think. After a while, she softly said, "Frost Horn Spirit Pivot Grass."

The moment she spoke, time froze once more, and Jia Youcai arrived in that familiar independent space again.

A pop-up window suddenly appeared in the void. It was the purchase interface for Frost Horn Spirit Pivot Grass, with a price of 500 RMB listed below.

"Damn it, a worthless patch of grass costs five hundred bucks? There's plenty of this stuff at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well." Jia Youcai could not help swearing.

However, in response to Jia Youcai's complaint, the system informed him that the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was now one of Tang San's private gardens, guarded day and night by several Titled Douluo.

"No way. It's just a lousy medicinal field, and the security is this tight?" Jia Youcai exclaimed.

Then the system provided another message: Shui Bing'er desperately needed this Frost Horn Spirit Pivot Grass, and she would pay any price for it.

As for the exact reason, it did not say.

"Of course she needs it!" Jia Youcai replied. "Who doesn't want to quickly raise their Soul Power level?"

According to the system's prompt, if he did not give Shui Bing'er the Frost Horn Spirit Pivot Grass, she would definitely accuse him of doing many unspeakable things to her. Her face, mouth, arms, chest, stomach, back, and legs were all evidence.

"Fuck, I really have no choice but to spend this money!" Jia Youcai said unhappily.

Afterward, the system offered other solutions to avert disaster.

It was simple: just kill Shui Bing'er.

Naturally, Jia Youcai would never choose that option. Whether in the Virtual World or the real world, could someone who did such a thing still be called human?

"Fine, fine. You two have joined forces to scam the money out of my pocket." Jia Youcai cursed at the empty air.

After that, the system gave no further response.

Looking at the purchase screen before him, Jia Youcai finally clicked purchase helplessly.

Next came the even more familiar top-up and payment interface.

Once Jia Youcai completed the purchase, time began to flow again.

At that moment, an immortal herb appeared in Jia Youcai's left hand.

Shui Bing'er's gaze locked tightly onto the Frost Horn Spirit Pivot Grass in Jia Youcai's hand. Her eyes shone with urgency and longing, and her playful expression had long since been replaced by deep pleading.

She gently bit her lower lip, her voice trembling with supplication. "Jia Youcai, this Frost Horn Spirit Pivot Grass... is very important to me. Can you give it to me?"

Seeing her like this, Jia Youcai felt a little reluctant to refuse, but he still deliberately put on a stern face and frowned. "When I gathered this immortal herb, I nearly lost my life."

Of course, Jia Youcai could not say that he had bought the herb for 500 RMB, so he made up that excuse to emphasize how rare it was and how difficult it had been for him to obtain.

Upon hearing that, Shui Bing'er's eyes immediately reddened, and glistening tears welled within them. She threw her arms around Jia Youcai, her voice choked with tears. "I know I'm putting you in a difficult position, but I really have no other choice."

From their subsequent conversation, it became clear that Shui Bing'er's desperate desire for this immortal herb had a simple reason. First, she wanted to save someone—a person very important to her. After saving that person, the remaining medicinal power could also help her further break through the limits of her martial soul.

Seeing how pitiful she looked, Jia Youcai's defenses gradually softened. He sighed and said helplessly, "Sigh, guess I'm just unlucky. Who told me to get caught up in your mess? But you can't keep cheating me like this in the future."

At once, delight flashed through Shui Bing'er's eyes, and she nodded repeatedly. "I promise. I absolutely won't do this again. You've been so good to me—I'll definitely repay you properly in the future."

Jia Youcai curled his lips and said with feigned disdain, "Forget it. I don't need any repayment from you. Just don't cause me any more trouble." As he spoke, he handed the Frost Horn Spirit Pivot Grass to Shui Bing'er.

Shui Bing'er carefully accepted the immortal herb as though she were holding the most precious treasure in the world. Her eyes were full of gratitude. "Jia Youcai, thank you. Thank you so much." She tightly gripped the Frost Horn Spirit Pivot Grass, afraid it would vanish the moment she loosened her hand.

Seeing how excited she was, Jia Youcai could not help kissing her little face again.

In the instant Shui Bing'er looked puzzled, Jia Youcai swept her up from the ground and walked toward the stream.

"What are you doing?" Shui Bing'er asked softly.

"Let's wash up together," Jia Youcai said.

Shui Bing'er's cheeks flushed scarlet. She lightly thumped Jia Youcai's chest and said coquettishly, "You... why are you suddenly like this..." Yet there was little real reproach in her tone, and her body obediently rested against his chest as he carried her to the stream.

Moonlight spilled over the shimmering stream, laying a thin veil of silver across its surface. The sight was breathtakingly beautiful.

Jia Youcai gently set Shui Bing'er down, crouched, scooped up a handful of stream water, and said to her with a smile, "The water's nice and cool. It'll feel great to wash in."

Blushing, Shui Bing'er slowly crouched down and copied Jia Youcai, scooping up a handful of water and gently sprinkling it over herself. The cool sensation instantly dispelled the heat from earlier, drawing a soft sigh from her.

Seeing Shui Bing'er looking like a lotus freshly risen from the water, Jia Youcai's heart stirred. He reached out and gently smoothed the strands of hair dampened by the stream, then asked tenderly, "You said the Frost Horn Spirit Pivot Grass is to save someone very important. Can you tell me more?"

Shui Bing'er paused slightly before slowly speaking. "She's a younger sister I grew up with. She was badly injured in an accident while protecting me, and her Soul Power was severely damaged as well. I heard that Frost Horn Spirit Pivot Grass has extraordinary effects in restoring Soul Power and healing injuries, so I've been searching desperately for it ever since."