Night Falls

Although Zhang Ruofeng knew his secret had been guessed, as long as he didn't admit it, it remained mere speculation. After all, he had spent his high school years mingling with social outcasts and engaging in violent activities. While he had simply felt that fighting others gave him a sense of presence, he knew it wasn't exactly a virtuous pursuit.

However, Zhang Ruofeng realized that being seen through wasn't the most awkward part; the most awkward thing was sharing a room with Xin Mu. Although the room contained two twin beds side-by-side, this was a situation Zhang Ruofeng had never experienced. He sat on the edge of his bed while Xin Mu sat on the edge of the one to his left, combing her hair.

Damn it, aren't Xin Mu and I using the same shampoo? Zhang Ruofeng inhaled the faint fragrance in the room, his heart fluttering. But as he felt that slight agitation, a sharp pain followed, immediately returning his mood to a calm state. Zhang Ruofeng had long since grown accustomed to this.

Zhang Ruofeng was actually quite puzzled himself. He never actively pursued any girls and considered himself a slovenly person. He felt his looks were barely passable; he was clean enough, but he rarely cut his hair, leaving it messy most of the time. He felt he had done his best to move toward the path of an inconspicuous person. Yet, even if not in high school, he had actually been confessed to in college. Furthermore, he had done some investigating into Xin Mu: her father was the boss of a publicly listed company, and she had grown up in an affluent environment. He truly couldn't understand why someone like the high-society Xin Mu would fall for someone like him, who came from such an ordinary background. Moreover, while he occasionally helped with small tasks, he rarely interacted with others. His roommates thought he was a taciturn shut-in, so beyond basic communication, they had no real friendship, clearly drawing a line. Zhang Ruofeng felt he had played his part well, yet he never expected Xin Mu to forcefully intrude into his world and even unearth his secrets. He truly couldn't fathom her thoughts.

"Goodnight." Too much had happened today; even Zhang Ruofeng was genuinely exhausted. Besides, he didn't know how to break this awkward atmosphere. Having rarely spoken to girls, Zhang Ruofeng simply shut his mouth and prepared to sleep.

"Mm, goodnight." Xin Mu's voice sounded softly. Zhang Ruofeng felt the light in the room dim; Xin Mu must have turned off the lamp and returned to her bed. He then silently began to reflect: today he earned 2,000 Faris. Excluding the Magic Stone and drops from those three unexpected elite-level monsters, he had killed seven first and second-floor monsters, averaging about 200 Faris each. Three portions of pork and rice cost about 500 Faris, roughly the value of one second-floor monster. Xin Mu and the Flower Goddess would also need quite a bit for their daily clothing changes and toiletries. Not to mention the Flower Goddess, but in this world, clothes, towels, and toiletries were all handmade; just the towels and toothbrushes alone cost nearly 1,000 Faris. He didn't know how to haggle, and as for Xin Mu, she didn't even ask for the price half the time. Purchasing clothes for Xin Mu wouldn't be a short-term fix, and the main issue was that she currently only had one set; if it were damaged, she would likely have trouble even going out on the street.

His own clothes had cost 500 Faris. Having learned Xin Mu's combat methods and habits, she had also purchased four new beginner daggers. The money they had earned on their first day was already gone...

Before he could finish his thoughts, Zhang Ruofeng's consciousness gradually blurred, and he sank into a deep sleep.

----Fura's Perspective----

What a lively day. Fura sat on the edge of her bed, tidying up her things. How long had it been since it was this lively? It had been nearly half a year. Usually, aside from customers and Evan, she was alone every day. As the Flower Goddess, she mostly lived on flowers and fruits, though she actually quite liked meat. She knew her cooking skills were poor; everyone who joined her Familia had solemnly complained about it. The violent girl had once said, "Eating your cooking feels like I accidentally swallowed a slime." But gods don't change; even if she wanted to improve, no matter how she tried, it always ended up tasting terrible.

"These two children are also very interesting." The Flower Goddess stared at the names on the wall. Talking to the names on the wall every day was her favorite thing to do. Perhaps it was the influence of the first monarch member, that eccentric chatterbox, whose philosophy was that happy things should be shared with everyone to make them even happier. Although later, the second member, the dwarf Qiong Bi, would say that some things were better kept to oneself—or at least shared over a drink—as these children left one by one, the surprises they brought her were what kept her happy.

"The growth of these two is truly terrifying." Fura thought about their growth today and was surprised herself. Aside from those few heaven-sent geniuses, Fura felt that no one could grow that fast. To possess the strength of an adult dwarf in just one day—this was the first time Fura had ever seen such a thing.

"They didn't say it, but they must be very anxious inside." As a goddess, it was easy for Fura to see through the children's feelings. "Xin Mu vented her fear, but Zhang Ruofeng is like a spring; as long as the pressure doesn't exceed the limit, he will keep compressing it. It's like his heart's wounds—no matter how deep the scars, they shouldn't leave such profound pain at his age. But by constantly suppressing these feelings, he has turned them into a ticking time bomb in his heart. If it detonates, it could be terrifying." Fura didn't know what kind of experiences had caused Zhang Ruofeng's heart wounds, but the scars were clearly visible.

"Ever since you all left, my reputation as the 'Goddess of Misfortune' has started to spread. Plus, since they are both from another world, it will be quite difficult for them to gain help and power from others in the future." The goddess began to feel melancholy again. After all, it had taken half a year for her Familia to recruit new members, and the growth speed of these two even made a god feel a bit afraid. Whether that strange skill would lead them to become powerful overlords or cause them to be constantly hindered by malicious adventurers—these were things even she, as a goddess, could not predict.

----Xin Mu's Perspective----

Zhang Ruofeng seemed to have changed since arriving in this world. Xin Mu watched the sleeping Zhang Ruofeng and thought silently. He, who had always tried his best to act like a passerby, was now charging at the very front. In the past, when people confessed to her or pestered her, Zhang Ruofeng never expressed any opinion. But today, Zhang Ruofeng was blocking her path at every moment. Even Xin Mu, who understood his fickle personality, was caught off guard. After all, Zhang Ruofeng wasn't like her; he hadn't lived a carefree life. He had many stories, yet he never told them to anyone. Among the people she knew, no one could truly open Zhang Ruofeng's story; every page was firmly glued shut by him. Yet now, he was actively standing in front of everyone, not even fearing that a god might see through his intentions and secrets. Xin Mu didn't know if this was a good thing or a bad thing.

"Regardless of whether it's good or bad, I will stand by his side." Xin Mu made a secret decision and closed her eyes.