Chen Zhi walked along the main street of Disneyland, sporting a fuzzy Mickey Mouse headband on his head.
The area was bustling with tourists. From time to time, young girls walking by would cover their mouths, giggling, and take out their phones to secretly snap pictures.
He raised his hand, wanting to pull the thing off his head.
"Don't you dare take it off!" Pei Ningxue turned her head, holding a StellaLou cotton candy bigger than her face, and glared at him with puffed-up cheeks.
"Boss Pei," Chen Zhi reached up and touched the two round, black ears on his head, his face full of resistance. "I'm a billionaire CEO, after all. Wearing this thing on my head really damages the prestige of my Deep Space Technology. Can't I really take it off?"
Pei Ningxue ignored him completely, taking a bite of her cotton candy.
Pink spun sugar clung to the edge of her lips. She stuck out her tongue to lick it off, her eyes curving into a sweet smile.
Today, she looked just like a regular college freshman skipping class to have fun—pure, vibrant, and adorable.
Looking at her side profile glowing in the sunlight, Chen Zhi's heart suddenly softened.
In truth, Pei Ningxue bore an immense amount of pressure on a daily basis. Many of Deep Space Technology's heaviest burdens rested solely on her shoulders. She had rushed back to Beijing on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year to meet with investors, staying up until midnight every day reading all-English financial reports.
When it came down to it, she was only eighteen or nineteen years old.
Chen Zhi stopped resisting the childish headband. He took the initiative to walk over and hold Pei Ningxue's empty hand.
Pei Ningxue's hand was small and a bit cold. The moment it was enveloped by Chen Zhi's warm palm, she shrank back slightly, but quickly gripped his hand tightly in return.
"Alright, you're the boss today," Chen Zhi said, leading her forward. "Which project's foot traffic do you want to inspect? The TRON Lightcycle Power Run ahead seems to have a lot of people in line. Want to go?"
Pei Ningxue looked at their intertwined hands and nodded vigorously. "Let's go!"
The two followed the crowd toward Tomorrowland.
There were a lot of people in line, the queue winding around like a game of Snake.
Watching the semi-transparent track roaring past overhead and hearing the screams coming from above, the excitement on Pei Ningxue's face began to undergo a subtle change.
But she clearly didn't want to show any weakness in front of Chen Zhi.
Holding her cotton candy, Pei Ningxue started analyzing while nibbling on it.
"For this type of launched roller coaster, the acceleration should be between zero and one hundred kilometers per hour, completing in about three seconds. From a physics perspective, the G-force the human body endures is roughly—"
"Boss Pei," Chen Zhi interrupted her.
"Hmm?"
"Are you nervous?"
"Who's nervous?" Pei Ningxue tore off a piece of cotton candy and stuffed it into her mouth. "I'm doing academic analysis."
Chen Zhi held back his laughter and stayed quiet.
The line inched forward slowly. The closer they got to the entrance, the clearer the screams from ahead became.
Pei Ningxue's speed at eating the cotton candy noticeably increased.
"Actually, in terms of safety factors, Disney's facilities are absolutely top-tier globally," Pei Ningxue continued to spout with a straight face. "They host tens of millions of tourists every year, and the accident rate is practically zero. It's much safer than taking a plane."
"Yeah."
"Plus, this is an indoor ride. There's visual impact, but the actual drop isn't that big."
"Yeah."
"I looked it up. The top speed is only about a hundred kilometers per hour. That's not even as fast as my Phantom driving on the highway."
"Yeah."
"So there's absolutely no need to be afraid."
"Yeah, your palms are sweaty."
Pei Ningxue pulled her hand away from Chen Zhi's palm and wiped it on her jeans.
"It's hot out."
It was March in Shanghai, and the temperature was fifteen degrees Celsius.
When they finally got on the futuristic two-wheeled motorcycles and the safety restraints lowered, Pei Ningxue's body noticeably stiffened.
"Nervous?" Chen Zhi tilted his head to look at her, a wicked smile on his lips.
"Who's nervous?" Pei Ningxue gripped the handles tightly. "This is called... being on high alert. It's the most basic respect for an amusement ride."
The countdown sounded over the PA system.
"3, 2, 1!"
The blue light strips began to flash wildly, and the motorcycle launched forward like an arrow released from a bow, plunging straight into the dark tunnel.
An intense push against their backs hit them, and a sense of weightlessness enveloped their bodies.
"Ahhh—!"
Two minutes later, the ride was over.
The motorcycles slowly pulled back into the station.
The safety restraints popped open. Chen Zhi smoothly stepped off the ride. Turning his head, he saw Pei Ningxue still sprawled over the motorcycle, her legs so weak she couldn't stand up at all.
"How did the physics model analysis go?" Chen Zhi walked over, looking at her with a mix of amusement and heartache. "Did you overcome the vestibular system's sense of weightlessness?"
Pei Ningxue's eyes were red, and her hair was a bit messed up from the wind. She glared fiercely at Chen Zhi and tried to stand up, but her legs gave out and she fell back down.
Chen Zhi sighed. He simply bent down, slipped one arm under her knees and the other around her back, and scooped her up into a bridal carry.
The tourists still waiting in line let out gasps and good-natured laughter.
"Wow, that guy is so handsome!"
"Mommy, they're being shameless!"
Pei Ningxue quickly buried her face in Chen Zhi's chest, her pale neck turning completely red.
"What are you doing! Put me down, this is so embarrassing!" she protested in a low voice, lightly pounding her small fists against Chen Zhi's shoulder twice.
"Aren't you unable to walk?" Chen Zhi carried her and took large strides toward the exit. "As your exclusive bodyguard, how could I let my boss suffer?"
He carried her all the way to a bench in the rest area and settled her down, then reached out to fix her messy bangs.
"Sit here like a good girl and don't move. I'll go buy you something to drink to calm your nerves."
Pei Ningxue leaned against the backrest, watching Chen Zhi's retreating figure, her heart beating rapidly.
Actually, she had mild acrophobia and normally would never touch such thrilling rides. But she just wanted to ride it once with Chen Zhi; she wanted to experience all the things normal couples did.
Not long after, Chen Zhi walked back holding a bottle of warm water and a strawberry ice cream.
Just as he approached the rest area, his footsteps paused.
Next to the bench stood a young, self-proclaimed handsome rich kid dressed head-to-toe in designer brands, wearing a Richard Mille watch on his wrist. He was holding up his phone in front of Pei Ningxue.
"Hey beautiful, are you alone? How about adding my WeChat? We can watch the parade together later. I booked a VIP viewing spot so we don't have to squeeze in with the crowd here," the rich kid said, flicking his hair and flashing a sleazy smile.
Pei Ningxue sat there without even batting an eyelid. Her tone was ice-cold: "Get lost."
The rich kid was rebuffed, but looking at Pei Ningxue's extraordinarily beautiful face, he still didn't want to give up. "Don't be so cold. Just making a friend. In Shanghai, an extra friend means an extra path..."
Before he could finish his sentence, a large hand abruptly thrust between them, shoving a pink strawberry ice cream into Pei Ningxue's hand.
Immediately after, Chen Zhi took a seat next to Pei Ningxue. Stretching out his long arm, he wrapped it directly around her slender, delicate waist, pulling her closer into his embrace.
Chen Zhi looked up, casting a cold glance at the rich kid.
"Do you want to add my wife's WeChat?"
The rich kid was taken aback by the aura radiating from Chen Zhi. Even though Chen Zhi was dressed in ordinary casual clothes and wearing a childish Mickey Mouse headband, his naturally intimidating gaze was definitely not something an average college student could possess.
None of the rich kids mingling in Shanghai were fools; they knew perfectly well when someone was not to be trifled with.
"My bad, man, it's a misunderstanding. I mistook you for someone else," the rich kid let out a dry laugh, awkwardly put his phone away, and turned to slip away.
Only when the guy was far away did Chen Zhi retract his gaze. He turned to look at Pei Ningxue. "President Pei's charm is as potent as ever, attracting unwanted attention just by sitting here. It seems I'm a rather incompetent bodyguard."
Pei Ningxue bit down on her wooden ice cream spoon. Looking up at Chen Zhi's obviously jealous expression, her eyes curved into a beautiful smile.
"What's wrong? Is President Chen jealous?"
"Why would I be jealous?" Chen Zhi stubbornly refused to admit it. "I'm just worried that a competitor might use a honey trap to steal our company's core secrets. After all, you are the woman holding the key to Deep Space Technology right now."
Pei Ningxue gave a soft, playful hmph.
She suddenly turned to him, rested her hands on his shoulders, stood on her tiptoes, and planted a kiss on his lips.
The warm, soft touch was fleeting, leaving behind the rich, sweet taste of strawberry and a hint of icy coolness on his lips.
Chen Zhi froze in surprise.
Pei Ningxue pulled back a little and licked her lips. Her voice was light and coquettish. "A reward for you, my exclusive bodyguard."
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, dappling over the two of them, while the air was filled with the sweet, rich scent of popcorn and caramel.
Looking at the girl before him—who had shed all her defenses and disguises, leaving nothing but pure happiness—a soft corner of Chen Zhi's heart was deeply moved.
He had actually always known that in this game of romance, Pei Ningxue was the one who gave the most and bore the greatest pressure.
He was just about to reach out, pull her closer, and say something to playfully ruin the mood.
Just then, the cheerful music of a parade float suddenly rang out not far away.
"Mickey! It's Mickey's parade float!"
The surrounding crowd instantly erupted, pushing forward frantically as everyone tried to grab the best viewing spot.
The crowd surged and shoved, and someone was just about to bump into Pei Ningxue, who was sitting on the edge of the bench.
Chen Zhi reacted in a flash, pulling Pei Ningxue into his arms and using his broad back to shield her from the crushing crowd.
He wrapped his arms tightly around her, keeping her safe within a small, protected space.
Encircled in his embrace, Pei Ningxue didn't try to pull away.
The parade procession slowly made its way out from under the castle archway. Mickey and Minnie stood on the lead float, waving to the crowds on either side. Bubbles sprayed from machines along the route, catching the sunlight and refracting it into a dazzling array of colorful spots.
With her face pressed against Chen Zhi's chest, Pei Ningxue listened to his strong, steady heartbeat. She tilted her head, leaning in close to his ear to bypass the blaring music.
Her voice was incredibly soft, so quiet it was almost drowned out by the cheering crowd.
"Chen Zhi, how wonderful it would be if you could keep protecting me like this forever... and only me."
e bizarre and supernatural had descended. The previous emperor was a thoroughgoing tyrant; no longer satisfied with human women, he had set his sights on a stunningly beautiful supernatural entity. He met his end in his bedchamber, drained of all his vital essence. As the legitimate eldest son and crown prince, Wang Hao was thus hastily enthroned, becoming the young emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty. No sooner had he awakened the "Imperial Sign-In Intelligence System" than he was assassinated by a Son of Destiny—a classic villain's opening. The Great Zhou, ravaged by the former emperor's excesses, was in national decline. The great families within its borders harbored their own treacherous schemes, martial sects began to defy the imperial court's decrees, and border armies, their pay and provisions in arrears, grumbled incessantly against the central government. Fortunately, the central capital was still held secure by the half-million Imperial Guards and fifty thousand Imperial Forest Army who obeyed the court's orders, along with the royal family's hidden reserves of power, barely managing to suppress the realm. As the Great Zhou's finances worsened and supernatural activities grew ever more frequent, the court sat atop a volcano. Ambitious plotters everywhere dreamed of overthrowing the dynasty, and even some reclusive ancient powers emerged, attempting to sway the tides of the world. At the first grand court assembly, the civil and military officials nearly came to blows, fighting tooth and nail over the allocation of fifty million taels of silver from the summer tax revenues. The spectacle opened Wang Hao's eyes—the Great Zhou's bureaucracy was not only corrupt but also martially proficient, a cabinet of all-rounders. Some officials even had the audacity to suggest the emperor release funds from the imperial privy purse to address the emergency. Wang Hao suddenly felt weary. Let it all burn.
m back to his original world. In the end, he realized he had overthought things. [Hey, why is Shen Manni, the female lead, acting strange? Shouldn't she be fawning over the male lead at this point?] [Zhou Qiaoqiao, are you sick? Weren't you supposed to break off your engagement today?] [Damn it! An Youyi, please do your job as an undercover agent and sell my information to the protagonist, you idiot!] ... At this moment, Xu Mo himself didn't know that these female leads had already heard his inner thoughts. Then they decided not to play by the rules. Xu Mo: Please respect my profession as the big villain!
ions, keeping it grounded and realistic】 After quitting his job, office worker Su Yang accidentally binds with the "Enjoy Life System." As the name suggests, simply by indulging in life's pleasures, he can earn random rewards from the system—no need to spend money on beautiful women or grovel before anyone. Just enjoy, and the money follows, making it all about effortless fun. The system comes with a scanning feature, allowing him to establish a favorability bond with women rated 85 points or above. Every 20-point increase in favorability unlocks additional rewards. After suffering through over twenty years of hardship, Su Yang trembles with excitement, his dull eyes suddenly gleaming with newfound hope. "Enjoy life? How hard could that be?"
he colors of other people’s emotions. Light red meant anxiety. Gray meant exhaustion. Orange meant excitement. Yellow... meant repression. At the same time, he could gain unlimited control over one of those colors. Pale cyan: relaxation. Using this ability, he started offering “two-yuan hugs,” spending an afternoon exchanging emotional-color experiences with others. Then came his final female customer of the day— a girl whose emotional color was pure black... —— A week later, Xu Chuan had become skilled at using pale cyan—Relaxation—treating it like a bottle of menthol balm whenever he needed it. That was when he discovered he had unlocked another unlimited emotional color: Purple, the color of fear. So these emotional colors refresh every week? Fine, I take it back—I’ll never call you useless again... —— Much later, after Xu Chuan had accumulated countless emotional abilities, one night, he suddenly found himself inside someone else’s dream. There, he could use the emotional colors he possessed to paint. And in her dream, he painted her a shower of pink shooting stars, spreading across the depths of the night sky...
