Chapter 97: Better Late Than Never

After all, for cultivators, sleeping is most of the time merely a form of rest. It is like how ordinary people in the modern world can solve the problem of bathing by standing in the rain, yet still sometimes feel like soaking in a tub. It is something one may have, but it is by no means necessary.

After Yan Shu and Xiao Jihan arrived at the Valley of the God of Medicine, they spent every day studying with relentless intensity. They had no mind at all for bathing... or for sleep.

At present, Yan Shu was already drunk, and the God of Medicine had no choice but to prepare lodging for the two of them.

The God of Medicine had long since ascended ten thousand years ago. Even with only a fragment of soul and spirit left behind, he was still an existence far beyond the people of the cultivation world. He entered the room where the medicinal materials were stored, and in an instant the herbs that should have been dried there each day were thrown out of the room and carelessly scattered on the ground.

Two dull thuds sounded from inside. Not long after, the God of Medicine came back out and said to Xiao Jihan, “All right. You two will sleep in there tonight.”

After saying that, he yawned and walked toward his own room, muttering as he went, “Old age comes with drowsiness after a little wine. Tonight this old man will shut off all his senses and sleep well.”

He bit down heavily on the words shut off all his senses. Once inside, he even set up a sealing restriction around his room, as if afraid others might not realize he had cut himself off from sight, sound, and feeling, unable to hear or sense anything at all.

Xiao Jihan looked at the restriction, then at Yan Shu, who was sleeping soundly while clutching the wine jar, and frowned. After a moment, he rose and lifted her into his arms.

He looked down at the person in his embrace. Watching her nuzzle affectionately against his chest before falling into deep sleep again, he suddenly murmured, “Clearly, Senior Sister, you are the one who has set your sights on me.”

Still dreaming, Yan Shu seemed to hear something. She pursed her lips and made a soft sound of agreement.

Xiao Jihan’s eyes darkened, and he carried her into the room.

The room that had once stored medicinal herbs had been completely transformed. It was not only clean and neat, but also held a dressing table on one side. A large bed had been placed within, hung with red gauze curtains, and the quilts and sheets were all brilliant red.

Beneath the windowsill, where two meditation cushions had once been placed, there was now a table. On it stood two burning festal candles, and the entire room looked like... a bridal chamber?!

Xiao Jihan paused, hesitated slightly, then still stepped inside.

He came to the bedside and gently placed Yan Shu down, letting her sit with her back against the bedpost.

After a moment’s hesitation, he reached out to remove her shoes and stockings, then took off her outer robe as well. Yan Shu, fast asleep, was extremely obedient and almost instinctively cooperated with his movements.

Xiao Jihan performed these actions with great ease, because his mother had lived a life of endless sorrow and often drank. Whenever she became drunk, it was Xiao Jihan who looked after her.

Looking after Yan Shu now, Xiao Jihan not only felt no unwillingness, but instead experienced a strange sense of returning to those years when he had depended on his mother and she on him.

When all was done, Xiao Jihan cast a Dust-Removal Spell on Yan Shu, then laid her flat on the bed.

As soon as Yan Shu touched the blanket, she rubbed against the soft fabric, hugged the quilt happily, rolled once, and fell deeply asleep again.

Xiao Jihan stood by the bed, studying her in the dim candlelight. Drunken Yan Shu had a faint flush on her face, and her small lips were slightly pouted, like a ripe cherry, especially enticing.

He looked for a long while, until the red candle suddenly crackled, and only then did he come back to himself.

Xiao Jihan turned to glance at the candle flame. After a moment of hesitation, he suddenly swept his sleeve. The red candle went out at once, and the door was quietly closed.

He removed his outer robe, shoes, and stockings, then got onto the couch. Lying on his side, he silently regarded the sleeping Yan Shu in the moonlight. After a very long time, his cool voice sounded softly in the room: “Since you have your eye on me, and have already promised me a future, then you are not allowed to go back on your word!”

Silver-white moonlight spilled into the room, and Yan Shu on the bed was still sleeping sweetly.

Sizzle...

Your system is now online. Host, System 999 is at your service.

Host? Host?

Very well, Host, see you tomorrow.

The next day, the first light of morning spilled into the room, and Yan Shu slowly opened her eyes.

Everything in sight was red, and she froze slightly, unable to react at once to where she was.

Yesterday, had she gotten drunk?

Yes, Host. Yesterday you drank the God of Medicine’s ten-thousand-year immortal wine and passed out!

Yan Shu: ...

The voice that suddenly appeared in her head made her fall silent. As a seasoned lover of novels, she did not need to think twice to know what a voice suddenly appearing in one’s mind meant.

After all, transmigration and systems were the standard pairing.

Yan Shu probed, “Are you my system?”

Yes. System 999 is at your service; you may call me Little Nine.

Yan Shu exploded in anger. “Why are you only arriving now?! Other people get a system as soon as they transmigrate, with a beginner’s guide. If this is a novel with a million words, and the plot has already gone a fifth of the way by now, and you show up only now?!”

I am sorry. This is indeed Little Nine’s fault. Little Nine got lost.

Yan Shu: ...

As a system, do you think getting lost is acceptable?!

The host need not be angry. Though delayed, Little Nine has arrived!

“Fine.” Yan Shu did not bother arguing further, since arguing would be useless anyway.

She lay lazily on the bed and said, “Then tell me, what task do I need to do? Is there a beginner’s gift pack? Do I get points for completing tasks? Do you have a shop? Can I exchange things?”

Um...

The things the host mentioned, Little Nine has none of them. Little Nine is only a guidance system, responsible for directing the host upon first arrival in the small world and helping the host struggle to survive.

Yan Shu: ...

She suddenly felt that this system was rather useless, but... better than nothing, I suppose.

Gathering herself, Yan Shu said, “Then tell me what kind of guidance you can give.”

First of all, we must eliminate the male lead’s killing intent toward you. Our goal is to raise the male lead’s affection for the host into positive numbers, and preferably to reach true fondness.

Yan Shu frowned, looking confused. “But the affection is already positive.”

Um... Host, please wait. Since Little Nine got lost, I am not aware of the current progress. Please allow Little Nine to check the progress again.

Yan Shu: ...

Ding! Congratulations, Host. You have successfully completed the objective and raised the male lead’s affection to fondness. Little Nine’s mission is complete. From now on, you will have to rely on yourself, oh! The host must work hard to raise the male lead’s affection, cling tightly to the male lead’s sturdy thigh, and strive to ascend as soon as possible!

Yan Shu: ...

I have a phrase I do not know whether I should say.

Other people’s systems come with all kinds of tasks, points, shops, and gift packs. Her system had none of that, and not only had it arrived late, it had gotten lost!

Fine if it was late, but as soon as it went online, it was already trying to go offline!

What on earth was that supposed to mean?!

What use is this system to me?!

Yan Shu drew in a deep breath and asked very seriously, “Little Nine, are you certain you did not come here specially to anger me?!”

I am sorry, Host. Little Nine did not want this either. As compensation, Little Nine can answer one question for you, any question at all!