Tang San Witnesses Xiao Wu Going to Massage Lin Jiang!

Tang San, sporting a ridiculous bald-on-top hairstyle, wore an almost fawning, cautious smile as he steadily held a steaming wooden bucket in both hands.

Xiao Wu's pupils shrank slightly. Her heart skipped a beat, and she nearly slammed the door shut.

Tang San?! Why is it him?!

An indescribable sense of disgust and disappointment surged through her instantly.

She forcibly suppressed her emotions and muttered softly, as if relieved,

"Thank goodness... you were the first person I ran into..."

The relief in her tone sounded less like happiness and more like the perfunctory relief of having escaped disaster.

Yet Tang San seemed to have heard heavenly music. His eyes lit up, and his caution was instantly replaced by wild joy.

"Hm? Xiao Wu, what did you say? The first? You... have you forgiven me for those... those strange things I did before?"

He hurriedly stepped forward, his voice full of excitement.

"It's nothing, it's nothing..."

Xiao Wu hastily waved her hands, her gaze shifting away as she did not want to dwell on the matter.

Her eyes fell on the steaming bucket in his hands, and she frowned slightly. "What is this...?"

Only then did Tang San remember the important matter. He quickly offered the wooden bucket forward, forcing what he thought was his gentlest, most considerate smile onto his face. Yet with that bald-on-top hairstyle, he looked especially comical.

"Xiao Wu, I specially brought you some water to soak your feet. Today's spirit battle must have been exhausting, so soak your feet and relax."

His tone was full of anticipation, as though waiting to be praised.

"Foot-soaking water..."

Xiao Wu looked at the bucket, then lowered her gaze to the massage basket in her hand. A flash of inspiration struck her—wouldn't this ready-made hot water save her the trouble of fetching some herself?

"...Fine, give it to me." She held out her hand.

Tang San happily handed over the wooden bucket. Before he could say anything else to show his concern—

[Ding! Novice mission complete! Reward: Gold Soul Coins ×100 issued!]

A cold notification sounded in his mind.

Meanwhile, in a distant room, a notification sounded in Lin Jiang's mind as well.

[Ding! Detected that the subordinate system's bound user, Tang San, has successfully completed a mission!]

[Mission reward feedback being calculated...]

[Congratulations, main controller Lin Jiang, you have received the feedback reward: Gold Soul Coins ×10000!]

Just as Tang San froze slightly at the sudden notification and reward, instinctively checking the newly acquired Gold Soul Coins in his mind,

Xiao Wu had already steadied the bucket of hot water and turned around without hesitation, continuing down the corridor.

The vague anticipation in her heart became clearer and more urgent because of Tang San's appearance.

Tang San came back to his senses and found that Xiao Wu had already walked several steps away. He hurriedly called after her, "Xiao Wu, where are you taking that water?"

Without looking back, Xiao Wu answered with obvious impatience, "Tang San, stop following me!"

Right now, she only wanted to find the second "target" as quickly as possible and complete that enticing yet embarrassing mission.

Holding the wooden bucket, she unconsciously quickened her pace, her heartbeat growing louder with every step.

The turn in the corridor lay just ahead. She took a deep breath and stepped around it—

A tall, straight figure happened to be walking slowly from the other side, and she nearly crashed into him.

Xiao Wu abruptly raised her head.

The dim yellow light from the corridor lamps outlined the man's sharply defined jaw. Although a mask covered the upper half of his face,

that unique air of lazy amusement was something Xiao Wu could never mistake!

Lin Jiang!

Xiao Wu's breathing stopped abruptly. Her cheeks flared up as if set ablaze, and a captivating crimson quickly spread all the way to her ears.

The wooden bucket in her hands wobbled slightly, splashing a few drops of hot water onto the back of her hand. Yet they were not even a tenth as hot as her face.

It... it really is him...

The thought exploded through her blank mind, bringing a powerful rush of excitement and embarrassment that nearly made her legs go weak.

She stood frozen in place, holding the foot-soaking bucket and carrying the massage basket, staring foolishly at Lin Jiang, who had suddenly appeared before her. Her mind had completely shut down.

Lin Jiang raised an eyebrow, looking appropriately puzzled.

"Xiao Wu? What are you...?"

His voice was steady, without much emotion, yet it made Xiao Wu's already frantic heartbeat skip another beat.

Xiao Wu took a deep breath and gathered nearly all her courage before daring to look up and meet his gaze.

Her cheeks were burning, and her voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz, trembling with obvious shyness.

"Lin Jiang... you... c-could I... give you a massage?"

The last word barely left her lips.

Lin Jiang seemed to pause for a moment. Then, a knowing smile curved across his lips as he readily agreed.

"Sure." His answer was crisp and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.

Those two simple words were like a key, instantly releasing the tightly wound strings in Xiao Wu's heart.

She had only just breathed a sigh of relief when Tang San's disbelieving, nearly distorted shriek erupted behind her.

"Xiao Wu?! Why... why are you giving him a massage?!"

Tang San rushed forward in a single stride, his eyes wide as he stared fixedly at Xiao Wu. Then he suddenly turned toward Lin Jiang, his gaze seeming ready to spew fire.

He could not understand it, much less accept it! His Xiao Wu was actually going to massage this guy of her own accord?!

Xiao Wu acted as though she had not heard his questioning at all—or rather, she deliberately ignored him.

All her attention was fixed on the upcoming mission and the person before her.

Seeing that she ignored him, Tang San became even more frantic. He grabbed Xiao Wu by the arm and pointed at the bucket.

"That's the foot-soaking water I fetched for you! I specially prepared it for you!"

He emphasized the words, trying to awaken Xiao Wu's "conscience."

Xiao Wu staggered from his pull, and several drops of hot water splashed from the bucket.

At last, she impatiently shook off his hand, her tone hurried and perfunctory.

"Thank you, Tang San! Is that enough?"

Then, as if seeking confirmation, she looked shyly at Lin Jiang with a flushed face, her voice softening again.

"Lin Jiang, you... you don't mind using this foot-soaking water, do you?"

At that, Lin Jiang let out a low laugh, his chest trembling slightly. "Hahaha, of course I don't mind."

His gaze swept over Tang San's instantly pale face, carrying a casual hint of amusement.

With that, he naturally turned around and led Xiao Wu toward his room.

Xiao Wu immediately followed behind him, carrying the bucket and basket like an obedient little wife. From beginning to end, she did not give Tang San another glance.

"No! Xiao Wu! Don't go! Why?! My Xiao Wu!"

Tang San watched helplessly as their backs disappeared around the corner by the doorway. As though struck by lightning, he suddenly collapsed to the floor, his knees smashing heavily against the cold ground.

He desperately reached out toward the room door that was about to close, letting out the mournful cry of a trapped beast from his throat, his voice shrill and twisted.

In his daze, it was as though a mournful, desolate tune began playing through his shattered heart—

Snowflakes drift~ the north wind howls~ heaven and earth~ a vast~ expanse of bleakness~~

"Bang."

With a soft sound, Lin Jiang's door gently closed, completely cutting off the despairing gaze and silent wailing outside—and separating two worlds.