Chapter Thirty-One: Instinct for Survival

Chen Xiaoxiao’s sobbing ceased abruptly. She stared at Xiao Mu in disbelief. "You... what do you mean by that?"

"It seems you aren't too slow-witted after all." Xiao Mu straightened up and patted her cheek. "Now, come with me quietly. Remember, when you're in front of Brother Guang, keep your tone sweet and your posture humble. Your miserable little life is entirely in his hands."

Chen Xiaoxiao bit her lower lip so hard her teeth sank deep into the flesh, a fierce battle raging within her. But in the end, the primal instinct for survival overcame everything else. Trembling, she gave a slow nod. "I... I will listen to you."

A few minutes later, Room 1203.

Xiao Mu pushed a wheelchair into the room with Chen Xiaoxiao seated in it, her head bowed.

As soon as Pan Guang saw Chen Xiaoxiao, his eyes flared with undisguised desire. "Tsk, tsk, what a delicate little thing. Untie her."

Xiao Mu immediately stepped forward and loosened the ropes binding Chen Xiaoxiao.

However, Chen Xiaoxiao dared not move; she remained hunched in the wheelchair, shrinking away in fear.

"Come here." Pan Guang patted the edge of the bed beside him.

Chen Xiaoxiao’s body stiffened, trembling uncontrollably. She stood up with a sluggish, dragging gait, inching her way toward the bed.

"Sit."

She obeyed, perching on the edge of the mattress, her hands tightly twisted together until her knuckles turned white.

Pan Guang reached out, his rough fingers tracing her cheek. "What are you shaking for? I'm not a tiger; am I going to eat you?"

Chen Xiaoxiao’s stomach churned. Forcing down the wave of nausea, she squeezed out a smile that looked worse than crying. "I... I'm not afraid."

"That's a good girl." Pan Guang looked satisfied. "I hear you and that girl named Chen Si are good friends?"

Upon hearing the name "Chen Si," Chen Xiaoxiao’s body gave a violent jolt. "Y-yes, we are."

"Then do you know which mouse hole she's hiding in now?"

Alarm bells rang wildly in Chen Xiaoxiao’s mind. Yet, as the shadow of death loomed over her, her remaining sliver of reason crumbled to dust. "I... I know! She went to Building 11!"

Pan Guang narrowed his eyes, a sharp glint appearing in them. "Building 11? Which floor exactly?"

"The 27th floor!" Chen Xiaoxiao practically shrieked. "She said she was going to find an online friend named 'Fishing on the River'!"

Xiao Mu, standing to the side, heard every word clearly. He calmly and firmly etched the address and the username into his memory.

"Excellent." Pan Guang patted the back of Chen Xiaoxiao’s hand, his tone approving. "You're very honest. I like honest women."

Chen Xiaoxiao’s taut nerves relaxed slightly, secretly feeling fortunate that she had escaped disaster for the moment.

Little did she know that her few words had just pushed her friend, Chen Si, into an abyss from which there was no return.

Meanwhile, on the 27th floor of Building 11.

Mu Chen’s eyelids flickered, and he slowly opened his eyes.

The morning sun filtered through the gaps in the curtains, casting mottled light and shadows upon the walls.

He instinctively turned his head to look beside him. Chen Si was sleeping peacefully, her breathing steady.

[Ding! Female target detected near the host. System binding in progress...]

[Binding successful! Congratulations to the host for acquiring the goddess Chen Si (Affection: 78)]

[Distributing goddess benefits...]

Mu Chen snapped into full alertness and sat up abruptly.

The system notifications in his mind left him both shocked and delighted, though slightly confused.

[Congratulations to the host for receiving the following rewards:]

[1. Advanced Supply Pack *3]

[2. Ability Fruit *1]

[3. Physical Enhancement Serum *1]

[Items have been stored in the system space. The host may retrieve them at any time.]

Mu Chen forced himself to suppress his inner ecstasy, climbed out of bed with light footsteps, and slipped into the bathroom.

"System, what's this 'goddess binding' all about?" he asked in a low voice, speaking internally.

[The Goddess System automatically detects and binds female targets in the host's vicinity with an affection rating of 70 or higher.]

[After binding, the host receives daily base rewards. The higher the affection, the more generous the rewards.]

[When affection reaches 100, the host can unlock special rewards.]

"Affection 78? Does Chen Si have... such strong feelings for me?" Mu Chen was surprised.

[According to system detection, the target has developed dependence and affection for the host. It is recommended that the host maintain a good relationship.]

Mu Chen felt a complex mix of emotions.

Was Chen Si’s affection because he had saved her, or had she truly fallen for him?

However, this was not the time to dwell on such things.

With a thought, he retrieved the Ability Fruit from the system space.

The fruit was only the size of a fist, deep purple in color, covered in mysterious patterns and faintly radiating energy fluctuations.

"Is this the Ability Fruit?"

[Yes. Consuming it will grant a random extraordinary ability. It is recommended that the host consume it immediately.]

Mu Chen didn't hesitate; he opened his mouth and took a bite.

The flesh melted the moment it touched his tongue, and a warm current instantly surged through every fiber of his being.

He felt his cells rejoicing, a dormant power awakening within him.

[Congratulations to the host for awakening the ability: Shadow Stealth]

[Ability Description: Can merge with shadows to achieve invisibility and rapid movement.]

[Current Level: LV1]

[Upgrade Condition: Proficiency reached 100%]

Mu Chen looked down at his own shadow on the floor and focused his intent.

The next second, his body actually sank into the shadow on the ground, and he vanished into thin air!

"Whoa! This is incredible!"

Moving within the shadows, he discovered he could traverse any corner of the room rapidly without obstruction.

The sensation was novel and thrilling, like a fish swimming in water, only the medium had changed to shadow.

A few minutes later, Mu Chen emerged from the shadows, his face unable to hide his excitement.

This ability was incredibly practical!

Whether for sneak attacks or making an escape, it provided a massive advantage.

He then took out the Physical Enhancement Serum and downed it in one gulp.

As the serum hit his stomach, a wave of heat erupted from within. His muscles began to glow with a faint warmth, and his strength, speed, and endurance were significantly enhanced.

He felt as though he could kill a bull with a single punch!

Returning to the bedroom, Chen Si had already woken up and was sitting on the edge of the bed, rubbing her sleepy eyes.

"Where did you go?" Her voice was still lazy from sleep, soft and sweet.

Mu Chen walked over and, without answering, suddenly leaned down and pecked her soft lips.

Chen Si snapped awake, her cheeks turning bright red in an instant. "Y-you... what are you doing?"

[Ding! Chen Si’s affection +5. Current affection: 83]

The system’s notification made the corners of Mu Chen’s mouth curl upward. Such intimate contact truly did increase affection.

"Morning kiss," he said, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. "How did you sleep last night?"

Chen Si covered her burning cheeks, her voice muffled. "I... I slept okay."

Her heart was racing. The kiss had been so sudden that it caught her off guard, but strangely, she didn't feel any aversion at all.

"I'll go make breakfast. You rest a little longer." Mu Chen stood up, ready to leave.

"I have some good news to tell you later."

"What good news?" Chen Si looked up, curious.

"I'll tell you in a bit." Mu Chen gave a mysterious smile and turned to walk out of the room.

Chen Si covered her face, her heart fluttering like a trapped bird.