Small Electric Bikes on the Road, Another Nightmare

Mao Ruirui instantly understood the hint and stepped to the front of the scooter:

"I'll drive. I ride every day. Xiao Yu, you take the back seat."

Lin Yu happily settled onto the rear seat.

A mere electric scooter was no challenge for him.

Though Mao Ruirui's scooter wasn't particularly compact, it was just the right size.

However, the back seat lacked a guardrail.

Sitting there, one inevitably needed something to hold onto to avoid falling off…

Besides,

he didn’t know the way to Chang Xiaoxiao’s place, so letting Mao Ruirui lead was more practical.

"Xiao Yu, ready? We’re about to—"

Before Mao Ruirui could finish,

she glanced down and saw

Lin Yu had already instinctively reached forward, his thumbs and index fingers pinching the edges of her jacket pockets with careful precision.

A gentlemanly and polite gesture—not even grazing her waist.

But this way…

he had almost no stabilizing grip!

A slight brake or bump would send Lin Yu off-balance.

Just keeping his arms suspended like that looked exhausting.

[Ding!]

[Masterful move! Such restrained courtesy earns your Dao Companion’s deep admiration!]

[Reward: 50 Spirit Stones]

Mao Ruirui stared down for a long moment before hesitantly suggesting:

"Xiao Yu, you can… hold on tighter. It’s fine."

"The back seat is small, so it might not be very comfortable for you."

"Just bear with it—it won’t be long."

Ah.

This was exactly the outcome Lin Yu had hoped for.

Grabbing her outright would’ve been shamelessly taking advantage.

But if Sister Ruirui invited him herself? Well, he’d gladly oblige.

Even so,

Lin Yu didn’t go overboard to cop a feel.

His arms were naturally long, and Sister Ruirui’s waist was slender.

A simple, natural embrace already made Mao Ruirui feel like she was "nestled in his arms."

"Alright, Sister Ruirui, let’s go."

Mao Ruirui steadied her breathing and set off with Lin Yu.

It was a little past nine on a weekday morning.

The roads weren’t too crowded.

Most commuters had already arrived at work by this hour.

Even the occasional minor traffic snarl didn’t hinder their progress.

Mao Ruirui knew the area well.

She weaved through shortcuts Lin Yu had never taken in his past life.

Without her guidance, he’d never have discovered these hidden alleyways.

Mao Ruirui was just trying to save time,

but Lin Yu found the sights fascinating.

Especially the old-school barbershops without even a single electric clipper.

Opening this early? Now that was dedication!

Barbers in this era really missed out.

Give it another decade,

and any of them could’ve livestreamed online, gilded by some generous "No. 1 Fan."

As they passed through these narrow lanes,

Mao Ruirui noticeably sped up.

She plowed over uneven bricks without slowing, sending the scooter jolting violently.

It wasn’t that Lin Yu was trying to be frisky—

twice, the bumps nearly launched him off the seat, giving him the surreal sensation of lifting Sister Ruirui into the sky with him.

"Sister Ruirui, no rush. Slow down a bit."

Lin Yu tightened his arms slightly, gently reminding her.

Mao Ruirui snapped back to attention.

In her hurry to escape this "den of iniquity,"

she’d forgotten about Lin Yu’s comfort.

She immediately eased off the throttle and explained:

"This route to Xiaoxiao’s place… saves time."

"Xiao Yu, don’t mind the surroundings…"

Lin Yu tilted his head, puzzled:

"Huh? The surroundings? What about them?"

Mao Ruirui’s heart skipped a beat: "!!!"

Right!

Maybe only she found the area unsettling.

Xiao Yu was still a college student—how would he know any better?

Those storefronts with their little nightlights? He probably had no clue what they implied.

"N-nothing, it’s just a bit messy here."

"Two more alleys, and we’ll hit the main road."

She quickly changed the subject, unwilling to elaborate.

Lin Yu, in the back seat,

really didn’t overthink it.

Between the nine golden flowers at home and the newer additions, he already had his hands full.

Who had energy to spare for wildflowers outside?

Meanwhile.

Inside the apartment.

In Shen Buyao’s room.

Shen Jiuyi, who’d been sleeping soundly beside her, suddenly jolted awake.

Her hand shot out in her panic, gripping Shen Buyao’s thigh hard enough to yank her from sleep too.

"Big Cow! Have you lost your mind?!"

Shen Buyao glared, her hair a disheveled mess, rubbing the sore spot as she studied Shen Jiuyi’s shaken expression.

One look was all it took.

Something was off.

The usually cool and collected "Big Cow" looked more flustered than ever.

Her eyes held a mix of distress and… guilt?

"Hah… hah…"

Shen Jiuyi panted, struggling to shake off the remnants of her dream.

Again!

She’d dreamed of Lin Yu again!

And this time, the dream was even more… intense. Beyond words.

How?

She’d barely interacted with him.

Once could be coincidence.

But twice?

Had he put some kind of spell on her?

This time, in the dream, Lin Yu’s demands went beyond just tying up her hair.

He’d outright… demanded payment?!

Even used fate as an excuse to make her his "secret lover!"

While subjecting her to physical torment,

he kept emphasizing how she differed from Yaoyao in that regard.

The overwhelming pressure jolted her awake in terror.

For a split second after waking,

half-conscious, she’d genuinely felt like she’d betrayed Shen Buyao.

Hence the "guilt" in her eyes.

Maybe…

it was because they’d talked so much about Lin Yu yesterday.

The nightmare was just an extension of their conversation.

That had to be it!

Right now,

seeing Yaoyo’s innocent, clueless face—and body—she could hardly forgive her dream-self.

Why hadn’t she resisted at all?

"Hey! Big Cow!"

"What did you do? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Must’ve been up to no good in that dream!"

Shen Buyao’s tone was accusatory.

Shen Jiuyi knew her too well—any lie would be instantly spotted.

And she knew Shen Buyao just as well.

No half-baked excuse would fly.

Which was why…

she couldn’t possibly tell the truth this time.

She scrambled for a plausible cover.

"Just a dream… scared me for a second."

"I was in your room, finishing off those twenty-some bottles you brought back."

"Then I dreamed you came home and caught me red-handed."

"Dream-you was terrifying!"

Shen Buyao tilted her head, scrutinizing Shen Jiuyi with razor-sharp suspicion.

Searching for even the tiniest crack in her story.

…

(First update today—a bit late, but the second and bonus updates are coming. Don’t worry, they’ll be delivered! Thanks for your support!)