Meanwhile, the cozy video store had an entirely different, relaxed atmosphere.
Thanks to the unlimited black card the mayor had specially sent over, the electricity bill problem that had troubled Belle and Wise for so long was resolved. The two of them no longer had to run around worrying about making ends meet.
But Wise had always been upright and was unwilling to let Lu Yingheng bear the favor of paying the electricity bills alone. Even with the black card to fall back on, he still kept accounts out of habit and carefully wrote out IOUs.
Whenever he did, Lu Yingheng merely smiled.
It was nice to have such an upright protagonist...
At the moment, Wise was out taking care of errands, leaving the spacious video store quiet.
Warm sunlight streamed through the glass windows, spreading across the tidy shelves and floor. The air carried the faint, homey scent unique to old videotapes, lazy and comforting.
Lu Yingheng sprawled unceremoniously in a comfortable chair, his features relaxed and his expression lazy and content.
He had just put the messy video shelves in order himself. Looking at the neat shop, he felt at ease and content.
Mm, tidy things really did make him happier after all.
Life now held no strife or power struggles, no shackles of authority, and no awe or schemes from the world. There was only an ordinary, easygoing daily life.
He and Belle were the only two left in the store, like two lazy salted fish giving up on effort, leaving each other alone to enjoy themselves.
A girl's clear, lively voice suddenly rang out from upstairs, instantly breaking the silence.
"Brother Heng!"
Lu Yingheng helplessly lifted his black eyes at the sound and sighed inwardly.
It seemed the lazy retirement he had waited so long for was going to be disturbed by another, more energetic little salted fish after all.
Light footsteps sounded at the stairway, and Belle darted downstairs, planting both hands heavily on the counter.
She leaned forward, her large, bright eyes sparkling as she stared at Lu Yingheng in his chair, full of curiosity and anticipation.
She blinked and launched into her unfailing daily question:
"Daily question, right on schedule! Brother Heng, how's your memory recovering today? Have you remembered anything from before?"
Lu Yingheng lounged against the back of his chair, a hint of casual helplessness on his face, and sighed softly.
"Who on earth taught you to call me that?" He frowned slightly, his tone faintly disdainful. "Brother Heng this, Brother Heng that. It doesn't sound good at all."
After a pause, he answered truthfully and slowly:
"My memory's still a complete blank. I can't remember even the smallest scrap of my past.
"But my body's recovering quickly. All that's left in my head is a little basic combat instinct, nothing more."
"I don't care, I don't care! I like calling you that!"
Belle immediately raised her face and retorted with perfect confidence, her lively nature on full display.
After spending so much time together, she had long since shed her initial awe and reserve toward the Dragon Emperor. She no longer saw him as an exalted, unreachable powerhouse.
In her eyes, Lu Yingheng was a gentle, easygoing big brother staying at the video store, a good brother she could fool around and banter with freely.
As for how pure those brotherly feelings were, only Belle herself knew.
Her eyes shifted, a glint of mischief flashing through them as she deliberately leaned closer and probed:
"Other than fighting, aren't there any other scraps of memory? Like... a little girlfriend you used to have or something?"
Lu Yingheng's eyes flickered. He saw through the girl's little scheme at a glance; she was clearly trying to trick him into revealing his memories.
He chuckled, his tone calm and unhurried.
"Did you forget? You showed me those news reports before.
"Even if I really did have ties to someone, someone I cared about, with my memory gone, I'd definitely have forgotten everything by now. Maybe I've already put them out of my mind."
Belle immediately pursed her lips and muttered, refusing to let it go:
"Not necessarily! Maybe you forgot them, but they haven't forgotten you one bit!"
She deliberately drew out her words and said with an air of gravity:
"Come to think of it, Brother Heng, you might turn out to be a total scumbag!
"If your old flames ever come after you as a group to settle scores, you have to protect Wise and me!"
Lu Yingheng laughed at how cute she was, a faint smile appearing in his eyes.
For some reason, the three names the system had once mentioned flashed through his mind, and a subtly indescribable feeling passed through his heart.
He pretended to brush her off and teased mildly:
"If that really happened, I'd barely have time to run away myself. How could I possibly look after you?"
Seeing how relaxed and well he looked, Belle knew he had recovered very well both physically and mentally today, and she was completely reassured.
She stopped pestering him, turned around with a bounce, and ran lightly back upstairs to her room, leaving the person downstairs in peace once more.
The store fell completely silent again.
The smile faded from Lu Yingheng's face. He used his fingers to remove the black colored contacts he had just bought, revealing his golden eyes.
He relaxed his features and sighed softly. "It's been so long since I showed them. Either I didn't dare open my eyes, or I was wearing colored contacts. It's felt a little stifling."
His golden eyes moved slightly as he thought to himself:
Nekomata's storyline should be about ready to start, judging by the time. I wonder whether the players (readers) want to see it, so I can act accordingly.
Before the thought had faded, a soft, sweet child's voice suddenly rang out from his arms.
A tiny figure of light slowly took shape. The system was much bigger than before now, having grown to the size of a four- or five-year-old child.
Soft and small, with fair skin, delicate features, and a fluffy, adorable head of white hair, she lay lazily in his arms, her little head drooping as though she had yet to wake up.
Only her eyes were watery and bright, lively and endearing.
"Host, phone!"
Lu Yingheng looked down at the soft little thing in his arms, his eyes full of helplessness.
"You've been playing with the phone for ages today. Can't you be good and rest for a while?"
He often thought to himself how very different his system was from other people's.
Other systems were aloof and mechanical, decisive and ruthless, with heaven-defying support abilities. His system, on the other hand, could not only freely change her size and be touched in physical form, but also had real warmth and a tangible texture.
Her mind was that of an underage child, greedy for food and play, fond of acting spoiled and being difficult, childish and cute.
Fortunately, only he could see her soft, adorable appearance. If the major factions of New Eridu saw the long-dead Dragon Emperor holding a spoiled, willful little girl in his arms all day, it would probably overturn everyone's understanding.
The system pouted her pink lips in dissatisfaction and reached out with two chubby little hands to grab Lu Yingheng's handsome cheeks. Her soft palms pressed against his skin as she pulled them from side to side, her strength soft and harmless.
"Give it to me, give it to me!"
She wheedled in a soft voice, her tone full of mischief. "At worst, I'll secretly unlock a super-good perk for you! An equivalent exchange, so you won't lose out!"
At that, Lu Yingheng grew somewhat interested and raised an eyebrow at the little one in his arms. "Something good? What perk?"
The system immediately released his cheeks, propped her round face in her two chubby hands, and knitted her little brows as she thought seriously. In a childish voice, she said:
"Hmm... the Animal Affinity Buff? How about it?"
Lu Yingheng burst out laughing, his eyes full of helplessness.
"How is that some rare treasure? An exclusive cat-petting buff? With looks like mine, I can put on any ordinary colored contacts and go outside, and everyone already loves me. I don't need that thing's help at all."
"Host, you're way too narcissistic!"
The system puffed out her cheeks, reached out to pinch his face again, and shook it. Her big, watery eyes were full of pleading as she continued to beg in a soft voice:
"I don't care, I don't care! Give me the phone! You're the best and gentlest host!"
Unable to resist the little one's soft assault, Lu Yingheng shook his head helplessly and chuckled.
"All right, all right. Here. Come to think of it, you've been getting livelier and clingier lately."
As soon as he finished speaking, a soft, delicate layer of white light suddenly lit up the system's little palm, its glow gentle and pure.
She raised her little hand and lightly placed the halo of light squarely against Lu Yingheng's chest.
Her clear, soft child's voice came down along with the glow:
"Equivalent exchange! It's a deal!"