Seeking Refuge

Su Wanqing reached out and gently took Lin Mo's hand on the table.

Her fingers were ice-cold, trembling slightly, soft and boneless.

"I know this is sudden, but we might be the same kind of person."

Su Wanqing's voice was pleading, her eyes pitiful, "I need allies, people I can trust.

And you... I feel like you're very strong. You must be doing well in the game, right?"

Lin Mo looked at her.

Su Wanqing's hand was soft, with a fine sweat on her palm.

Her expression was weak and helpless, tears welling in her eyes, her lips trembling slightly, looking like she was begging for pity.

Her low-cut top gaped even wider as she leaned forward, her deep cleavage and black lace completely exposed to Lin Mo's sight.

She was using her beauty and vulnerability to gain sympathy and seek protection.

Very smart, and very realistic.

Lin Mo had to admit, the scene was impactful.

A campus belle, usually so proud, now showing her most vulnerable side before you.

Holding your hand with her soft fingers, looking at you with teary eyes, with a heart-stopping view beneath her collar...

But Lin Mo wasn't buying it.

Or rather, he could be tempted, but he wouldn't lose his head over it.

"Let go first." Lin Mo pulled his hand back.

Su Wanqing froze for a moment, a flicker of surprise in her eyes, but quickly regained her fragile demeanor: "I'm sorry, I got too excited..."

"Classmate Su, I understand your fear," Lin Mo said calmly. "However, why should I help you?"

Su Wanqing froze again, a flicker of surprise in her eyes, but quickly resumed her fragile act:

"We can cooperate! I have some connections and resources in reality that can help you!

And you protect me in the game, help me complete quests, help me change my class! It's a win-win!"

She spoke quickly, clearly having thought this whole speech through beforehand.

Lin Mo smiled, a hint of amusement in his smile:

"Real-world resources? Classmate Su, do you think I... still need those now?"

He paused, looking at Su Wanqing's slightly widened eyes, and continued, "As for helping you in the game... I'm sorry, bringing new players is too troublesome and would severely slow me down. I have more important things to do myself."

"But..." Su Wanqing grew anxious, "I can pay the price! Any price!"

She bit her lip, her gaze becoming determined, even with a hint of desperate resolve:

"Lin Mo, as long as you're willing to cover me in the game, help me survive, help me change my class... in reality, I'll agree to anything."

As she spoke, she reached out again, this time not to grasp, but to lightly trace the back of Lin Mo's hand with her fingertips.

The movement was slow, and intimate.

Her gaze met Lin Mo's directly, her eyes shimmering with moisture, her cheeks flushed, her lips parting slightly:

"Including... myself.

I know what you guys like.

I haven't had a boyfriend before, I can... give myself to you. And, I'm a fast learner, I can make you very comfortable."

She had said it very directly now.

Lin Mo looked at her.

Su Wanqing's face was bright red, whether from shame or excitement.

Her breathing was slightly rapid, her chest rising and falling with each breath, the deep cleavage appearing and disappearing.

She was gambling her most precious asset.

Lin Mo had to admit, the temptation was great.

Su Wanqing's looks and figure ranked among the top in the entire school.

Getting her was the dream of countless boys.

And, she was still "original."

Now, she was proactively offering her body in exchange for protection in the game.

Lin Mo leaned back against his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the tabletop, his gaze drifting between Su Wanqing's face and body, as if appraising a commodity.

"Any price?" he repeated.

"Mm," Su Wanqing nodded vigorously, her face even redder.

"Sounds tempting," Lin Mo smiled, his smile somewhat lazy. "But Classmate Su, anyone can make empty promises."

How would I know if you'll go back on your word later after agreeing so readily now?

Or, once I've helped you, you'll think I'm useless and just kick me aside?"

"I won't!" Su Wanqing said urgently, "I can swear! Or... we can sign an agreement!"

"An agreement?" Lin Mo chuckled, "Sign an agreement for something like this?"

"Then what will it take for you to believe me?" Su Wanqing's eyes began to glisten with tears again, her voice choked with sobs, "Lin Mo, I'm truly desperate... I only have one life left. The next death will be my real death..."

As she spoke, tears truly streamed down her face.

Like a pear blossom in the rain, she stirred pity.

Lin Mo quietly watched her cry.

After about half a minute, he slowly spoke, "It's not that I don't want to help you.

Classmate Su, have you considered this: the game world is so vast.

We don't know each other's spawn points, and there's no friend function in the game.

How can I find you? And how can you find me?"

Su Wanqing looked up, her eyes blurry with tears, and suddenly seemed to grasp onto a sliver of hope, saying eagerly, "I... I have a special Talent! I awakened it in the game!"

"Oh?" Lin Mo raised an eyebrow.

"It's called 'Soul Bond'," Su Wanqing wiped her tears and quickly explained, "Its effect is... if I've had 'intimate contact' with someone and established a deep enough connection.

I can then sense their general direction and distance within the game world!"