The Starting Point

Having spent the last couple of days thoroughly captivated by Xia Yanchun's charms and lingering in her cozy bed, Shen Nian decided he couldn't let himself degenerate any further!

On the first day of winter break, he got up bright and early to work out in the park for two hours.

That was an hour longer than his usual routine—a self-imposed punishment for slacking off over the past two days, even if the extra hour of exercise barely made him break a sweat.

He hadn't slept with Haji-Chun last night. Instead, he had enjoyed a rare solo gaming session cooped up in his room until past four in the morning. Consequently, he headed out a bit late today; by the time he finished his workout, it was already nine-thirty.

Even though it was morning, thick layers of clouds pressed down, casting a gloomy darkness over the sky.

"Boss, three bowls of century egg porridge, please."

"Whoa, feels like you haven't been here for breakfast in ages." The breakfast stall owner recognized Shen Nian instantly. He had left quite an impression, as it wasn't every day you saw a young man working out in the park so early in the morning.

Shen Nian scratched his head. "I've been into making my own breakfast lately. Just taking a lazy day today."

"Aren't you a high schooler? You come out to exercise this early and still have time to cook your own breakfast?"

"Time is like water in a sponge. Give it a squeeze, and you'll always find some."

The boss looked skeptical. It felt a bit counterintuitive.

He would have believed it if Shen Nian's family had cooked for him, but waking up to exercise and making breakfast? What was the difference between him and Superman?

"Did your school break start today?" the boss asked curiously, seeing Shen Nian still at the park at this hour.

"Yeah, both First and Second High Schools should be on break now."

"Getting up this early on the first day of winter break? You're the man." The boss gave him a thumbs-up and laughed. "The moment my kid goes on break, he sleeps until the afternoon and eats dinner for breakfast. Total mess."

"We're all pretty much the same. I used to be like that, too."

That was the path Shen Nian had once walked. The solution to that kind of lifestyle was actually quite simple: pull an all-nighter doing homework and then bind to a System.

Shen Nian quickly scanned the QR code to pay the boss, grabbed his breakfast, and strolled home at a leisurely pace.

He ate his portion on the way. By the time he got home, Shen Yue had already left for work. Judging by the quietness, Xia Yanchun wasn't up yet either, which gave him the perfect window to take a shower.

Just as he grabbed a change of clothes and stepped into the bathroom, a long-absent System quest popped up.

[Side Quest Triggered: The Starting Point

The great battle with the Demon Prince is imminent. Adjusting one's condition is an aspect no adventurer can afford to ignore. Return to a familiar place and take a stroll with your childhood friend.

Reward: 10,000 Gold Coins, Survival Skill: Breeding Mastery]

Huh?

Holy crap, a survival skill!

Shen Nian let out a relieved laugh. Triggering a plotline just by taking a shower? How absurd was that?

Since the System was being so generous, he'd gladly treat it to his bathwater later.

The hot water was already prepared. Shen Nian reviewed the quest requirements while he showered.

This quest seemed fairly simple on the surface—just go home for a visit...

Since it was winter break, Shen Nian's first thought was whether the quest wanted him to take a trip back to his hometown.

But knowing the System's usual bullshit, going home definitely didn't mean literally going home, and taking a stroll definitely meant more than just walking around.

There had been a Return to the Old Grounds quest before, and the destination had turned out to be Haji-Chun's bedroom.

However, one thing was certain: this quest had to be completed with Xia Yanchun. In the System's script, she played the role of his childhood friend.

His older sister was a Saintess, his mom was the Goddess of Fate, even the little loli was a Blood Demon, and Chen Qiuyu was a frustrated adventurer. Compared to all of them, Xia Yanchun's identity seemed incredibly ordinary, almost lacking any real presence.

Hmmm. In a standard RPG, after the protagonist defeats the Demon King, they usually end up with the Empire's Princess, or the beautiful Cleric in the party. At the very least, they discover the Demon King is actually a dragon girl and end up with her...

Going back to the starter village to settle down with a childhood friend who barely had any screen time wasn't completely unheard of, but it was definitely a rarity.

I mean, I'm out here defeating the Demon King, and you're just chilling in the starter village doing absolutely nothing? What a freeloader.

That damn Haji-Chun, she should be secretly thrilled to be with me.

As for the survival skill Breeding Mastery, it was probably exactly what it sounded like.

It wasn't like he was going to breed a Xenomorph, right?

Or raise a little lizard, only to find it standing on two legs ten years later, shooting blue lasers from its mouth?

His family ran a breeding farm anyway. He could just ask his dad for some small fish and shrimp later and set up a tank to test it out.

Even after finishing his shower, Shen Nian still hadn't figured out how to complete the quest. The title itself was completely cryptic.

He tossed the thought to the back of his mind.

After getting dressed, Shen Nian noticed a light drizzle had started outside.

Pitter-patter. The world seemed to be draped in a thin veil, blurring the buildings in the distance.

The rain was growing heavier.

Not knowing if Xia Yanchun was awake yet, Shen Nian threw on a jacket and let himself into her apartment.

The balcony curtains were open. The strong wind howled, and the raindrops hitting the balcony windows were quite loud. The clothes hanging outside swayed wildly in the wind.

Worried that Xia Yanchun's clothes would get soaked, Shen Nian brought them inside and draped them over the back of a chair.

Click.

Xia Yanchun's bedroom door opened. The sleepy girl poked half her face out and glanced at Shen Nian in the living room.

"You're up? I was just about to go wake you."

"Mhm, just woke up. I'm so sleepy."

"You won't be sleepy once you brush your teeth and wash your face." Shen Nian pointed at the clothes. "It's super windy outside, and the rain was blowing in, so I brought your laundry inside."

"Oh."

Xia Yanchun nodded. She sluggishly went to use the bathroom, didn't bother brushing her teeth, and crawled right back into her room. Without even closing the door, she collapsed onto her bed, pulling the blanket up to her chin, as lazy as a ball of cotton.

"Still not getting up?" Shen Nian leaned against her doorframe, looking at her. "I brought you some porridge, though it's gotten cold by now."

"It's fine, I want to sleep a little longer~"

"What were you doing last night?"

"Watching videos. Shi Yan recommended this super good web series to me... Mmm~" Xia Yanchun wasn't about to let Shen Nian stay out in the living room all by himself. She shimmied up a bit, extended an arm, and curled her hand like a beckoning cat. "Shen Nian, come here."

"Need a nap buddy?"

"Just come here. Hurry."

Shen Nian closed the door behind him and sat on the edge of the bed. Before he could say a word, Xia Yanchun's arms wrapped around him, pulling him down until she was hugging him tightly against her chest.

Acting like a big sister, Xia Yanchun stroked Shen Nian's hair and smiled sweetly. "Shen Nian is such a good boy..."

"..."

Was he being coaxed like a little kid?

In reality, Shen Nian wasn't much younger than Xia Yanchun at all; they were the exact same age.

Yielding to her pull, Shen Nian buried his face in her collarbone. Breathing softly, he inhaled the girl's lazy, warm scent, feeling a faint stir of restlessness in his heart.

"Nap with me for a bit," Xia Yanchun murmured in his ear.

"Exactly what I had in mind."

Shen Nian took off his jacket, rolled over to lie on the side nearest the wall, and pulled the blanket over himself, wrapping Xia Yanchun entirely in his arms.

Still drowsy and lacking energy, Xia Yanchun simply shifted in his embrace, curling up to face him, her lips softly nibbling at his collarbone.

Shen Nian felt things were taking a dangerous turn, but fortunately, the movements in his arms grew fainter and fainter.

Xia Yanchun had fallen back asleep.