Night Visit to the Pet Room, Armed with the Beast Command

Half an hour later.

[Ding!]

[Great Dao of Harmony! Successfully cultivated with your Dao Companion through physical union, achieving Yin-Yang balance—greatly benefiting your cultivation!]

[Reward: 100 Sect Contribution Points, 200 Spirit Stones.]

Lin Yu picked up the clothes scattered on the floor and put them back on.

For such impeccable service,

he was only given 200 Spirit Stones—barely 2,000 bucks!

At least the one he served was a wealthy young heiress.

If Shangying were paying, she’d definitely fork out more than this.

Behind him, Mo Shangying had long lost her earlier arrogance.

Now,

she lay under a blanket, its rise and fall uneven as she struggled to steady her breathing.

"Shangying, I’m heading back to wash up."

"Once you’ve caught your breath, clean yourself up too, alright?"

"Oh, and… you might want to wear higher necklines for a while."

"Got a bit carried away—left… quite a few marks."

As he spoke, Lin Yu dressed himself piece by piece, listening to Shangying’s soft, breathy "Mm" in response.

He grabbed his phone, planning to return to his room for a shower and fresh clothes.

Watching Lin Yu’s retreating figure,

Mo Shangying pulled the blanket tighter around herself.

Even before he’d fully left, that hollow ache—the fleeting joy already fading—crept into her heart, threatening to swallow her whole again.

Before Thursday,

she’d never imagined that after something like this, she’d feel an unfamiliar sense of dependency.

After waking up this afternoon,

she’d wallowed in misery alone for hours.

Yet the moment Lin Yu appeared,

it was as if the world lit up—her mood instantly brightened.

But such moments were always as fleeting as a morning glory’s bloom—

"Shangying!"

Just as she sank into her thoughts, Lin Yu’s voice snapped her back.

"Hmph? Want another round?"

"I’m not scared of you…"

No matter how she truly felt, Shangying forced a playful tone.

"Next time you’re afraid of waking up alone, just ask me to nap with you—strictly platonic, no problem."

"And when 860 has a free day, let’s go out somewhere, just the two of us?"

Mo Shangying’s heart skipped.

"Oh… I-I’m not always this fragile, you know."

"Don’t underestimate me!"

"Are you… asking me out right now?"

"Careful, or I might cling to you—make you take responsibility!"

Lin Yu shrugged, grinning.

"Wouldn’t have it any other way."

"This is a genuine invitation. Think it over. Bye for now!"

With that, he left without lingering.

Shangying rolled over, hugging the blanket to her chest, a giddy smile spreading across her face.

She murmured to herself,

"‘Wouldn’t have it any other way’… Always with the sweet talk, huh?"

Outside the door—

[Ding!]

[Masterful move! Perfectly tending to your Dao Companion’s emotions post-cultivation, leaving her utterly smitten!]

[Reward: 50 Spirit Stones.]

[Ding!]

[Congratulations on completing the limited-time quest "Lost in the Heart"!]

[The Array Hall Elder has reforged her Dao Heart, deepening her trust and reliance on her Dao Companion!]

[Reward: 200 Sect Contribution Points, 400 Spirit Stones, 1 free system shop draw.]

The quest completion chime echoed in Lin Yu’s mind.

Shangying was easy to please.

With their mutual banter, coaxing her into a good mood—and securing the system’s rewards—was a breeze.

Add tonight’s… extracurricular activities,

and the effort was more than worth it.

Back in his room,

Lin Yu showered and changed.

With battles raging all day, wearing the same clothes risked

an awkward "I smell her perfume on you" situation.

Especially around Mao Ruirui from the pet shop!

[Wild Instincts] wasn’t a skill to underestimate.

Beyond reflexes sharp as a beast’s,

who knew if it also heightened her sense of smell?

Hearing wasn’t a concern, though.

Without the Beast Command Token, he’d have to repeat everything twice.

Speaking of which,

tonight’s meetup marked the first real one-on-one with Mao Ruirui since his rebirth.

Previously, her shop assistant sister or other girls from the apartment were always around.

A private chat had been rare lately.

By the time he finished freshening up, it was past 8 p.m.

Lin Yu messaged Mao Ruirui and headed to her second-floor room.

Knock knock knock.

"Ruirui? Mind if I come in?"

He deliberately kept his voice low—barely audible over the knocking.

Yet,

Mao Ruirui’s cheerful reply came through clearly:

"Lin Yu! The door’s unlocked—come on in!"

Just as he’d guessed.

At close range,

even a whisper reached her ears.

This…

Well.

The Beast Command Token’s effects were… unexpectedly potent.

Turning the once hard-of-hearing Ruirui into someone who could practically hear his thoughts.

Whether that was good or bad remained to be seen.

Lin Yu entered, closing the door behind him to prevent any pet escapes.

Splash… splash…

The sound of running water came from the sink—likely washing something.

Soon,

Mao Ruirui appeared, balancing a plate of watermelon in one hand and freshly rinsed grapes in the other.

"Lin Yu, have a seat!"

"Wasn’t sure what fruit you’d like."

"Got caught in the rain on the way back—only had these at home."

Following her, Lin Yu reached her small table.

Her room was spacious—

a bedroom, private bath, a compact nook, and a wide balcony.

To accommodate her rotating menagerie,

cages of all sizes dotted the space.

The most striking one looked big enough to fit Lin Yu himself.

Their presence made the room feel cozier.

Lin Yu noticed the little stray, Little Yu’er, tethered outside the largest cage.

"He’s here! Looks much better now."

Instead of sitting, Lin Yu crouched beside the dog, greeting it first.

Mao Ruirui knelt too, her zebra-print nightgown brushing the floor.

"You’re right. Ever since you talked to Little Yu’er, he’s been so much brighter."

"Lin Yu, you’re amazing with dogs."

Patting Little Yu’er’s head, Lin Yu chuckled.

"Just luck, maybe he likes me."

"Hey buddy… give me your paw."

He held out his palm.

With the Beast Command Token’s influence, Little Yu’er wagged his tail and lifted a paw—

but before it could land…

A pale, slender, and strikingly delicate hand rested atop the surface first.

...

(Second update for today. The previous chapter had to be revised due to some , so apologies for that... Just 3 more "powered by love" interactions until the next bonus chapter—just 3! I’m going straight to writing the extra update now, trust me!! Hope you’ll all continue to show your support!)