Chapter Eight: Not Very Lasting

Chen Xi felt the cards spinning relentlessly, as if a gentle swipe could sever her delicate head.
Her inner fear amplified to infinity.
To wield the power of a third-tier forbidden artifact so flawlessly—
And still claim to be an ordinary person?
He must be doing this on purpose!
Such a way of laying cards on the table…
It was obvious: he was a devil!
At this moment, in Chen Xi’s eyes, Du Fang was nothing short of a genuine demon.
She was the ordinary person, toyed with between applause.
Just a humble, low-ranking Dreamwalker.
Did he really need to torment her like this?
Despair overwhelmed Chen Xi.
She began to abandon all hope, awaiting the arrival of death.
…
…
Du Fang paid no mind to Chen Xi.
Nor did he know the drama playing out in her heart.
At this moment, he watched the cards floating around him with delight!
They were flying!
They were spinning!
Incredible!
Was this Luo Luo’s doing?
Du Fang looked at his daughter, her little head held high, the corners of her mouth turned up, as if waiting for praise—her eyes sparkling with joy.
My daughter… is truly amazing!
Fantastic, fantastic!
Du Fang felt as if he had discovered the proper way to unlock the nurturing system!
This was no ordinary system, after all!
Perhaps he, Du Fang, an average, unremarkable person, could cling to his daughter’s coattails and become a professional Dreamwalker!
And then—
Make a fortune!
Yes, make a fortune!
That was Du Fang’s first thought.
Not relentless efforts for world peace, nor lofty aspirations for a disaster-free world.
Du Fang just wanted to earn money!
Vulgar,
Yet so real!
It was the most honest wish of every working person.
Make enough to buy Luo Luo a big house.
Fulfill Luo Luo’s wishes.
Luo Luo had three wishes: the first, Du Fang could barely manage; the third could be sought worldwide, not impossible.
But the second wish, to give Luo Luo a bigger home—
Given current housing prices, Du Fang, as an ordinary man, felt… it was nearly impossible.
Suddenly.
Du Fang felt dizzy and faint.
As if his body had been hollowed out.
Swish, swish…
The rapidly spinning playing cards seemed to lose their source of power, drifting back into the card box in his palm, soft and powerless.
[Your Dream Essence is insufficient]
A line of small text flashed across his retina, then vanished.
Du Fang collapsed onto the sofa, utterly drained.
His eyes took on a deep, world-weary look.
“Daddy, is that all?”
Luo Luo pouted, as if her toy hadn’t satisfied her.
She sat unhappily on the floor, hugging her pink pig plush and shaking it vigorously.
The pig’s eyes bulged out, mouth agape, emitting “moo-oh moo-oh” pig squeals.
Dream Essence insufficient… Du Fang pursed his lips, feeling a little embarrassed by his lack of stamina.

A warm, loving system panel danced across his retina.
…
A Loving Family
Family Head: Du Fang
Age: 20
Dream Essence: 0
Item: Aunt’s Cards
Members: Luo Luo (Daughter), (Missing), (Missing)…
Task: Strive for family harmony and happiness, please find all missing family members
…
Nothing left.
Indeed, not a drop left!
Du Fang sighed. With Luo Luo’s help, he could use the forbidden artifact.
But that didn’t change the fact that he was still an ordinary person.
“However, Dream Essence capacity seems expandable…”
“By experiencing more Dream Catastrophes and receiving Dream Essence feedback, I can increase my capacity!”
Du Fang’s eyes brightened; he’d found a way to grow stronger—and richer!
“So, I must become a professional Dreamwalker… Once I do, high salaries and the chance to ride along with Dream Catastrophes—it’s perfect!”
Yes, ride along.
Just a little.
Dream Catastrophes are dangerous, and to activate the forbidden artifact, Du Fang needed Luo Luo by his side, meaning he’d have to enter Dream Catastrophes with her…
Though, in his two previous experiences, the disasters were nothing but warmth, with loving aunties everywhere.
Still—
Better safe than sorry.
What if the next Dream Catastrophes were terrifying?
His Dream Essence was too little, not very lasting.
Bringing his daughter along, accidents could easily happen.
So, for Luo Luo’s safety, father and daughter should best hide behind other Dreamwalkers…
Just a little ride along.
…
“Miss Chen, could you do me a favor?”
Out of Dream Essence, Du Fang felt weak.
He looked at Chen Xi, eyes closed, neck stretched as if prepared for heroic execution, and coughed lightly, calling out.
Chen Xi’s long lashes trembled, then she opened her eyes in confusion.
Huh?
She wasn’t dead?
Du Fang… hadn’t killed her?
“What favor… please tell me!”
Chen Xi exhaled,
Who wants to die if they can live—
She looked at Du Fang, hurried to reply.
Apparently, she still had some value left, so she wouldn’t die just yet!
“I truly wish to become a Dreamwalker, so I can encounter more Dream Catastrophes.”
“You said earlier, if one can proficiently use a forbidden artifact and has a sponsor, one can be certified as a Dreamwalker…”
Du Fang looked at Chen Xi, his gaze burning.
Chen Xi was stunned.
“So, I’d like you to be my sponsor!”
Du Fang tried to stand, to bow in gratitude, sincere and earnest.
But drained, his legs were too weak to rise, so he could only lift his chin, signaling his sincerity.
Chen Xi took a deep breath.
That posture.
That kingly tilt of the chin.
He claimed it was a request?
In reality, it was an order!
Chen Xi pressed her lips together. As a professional Dreamwalker, she had her pride.
An order?

Heh…
How could I possibly
not accept your order!
“Of course!”
Chen Xi quickly smiled and agreed.
Being alive—
How wonderful.
Du Fang was moved; Miss Chen was truly kind-hearted and warm.
He wanted to stand and bow in thanks, but drained of Dream Essence, his whole body was limp, so he merely tilted his chin again.
…
…
Chen Xi leaned against the wall as she left Du Fang’s apartment.
She gazed at the starlit night sky, a bit dazed.
She was alive.
Feeling the lights of humanity all around, she felt a surge of emotion.
At last, she wouldn’t become a gray portrait posted on a bulletin board…
Yet, the image of the little demon girl with the terrifyingly long tongue and overwhelming Dream Essence pressure flashed through her mind… and the tears wouldn’t come.
“A domain-type Dreamwalker…”
“Or… a Dream Fiend?”
Chen Xi stared at the stars, murmuring.
A Dream Fiend…
Probably not.
If he were a Dream Fiend, once exposed, she’d never have walked out alive.
Besides, Du Fang lacked the traits of a Dream Fiend.
So, he must be a powerful domain-type Dreamwalker…
“To survive a ninth-tier nightmare disaster, he’s clearly no ordinary man!”
“But, with his strength, becoming a professional Dreamwalker and earning certification shouldn’t be hard. Why use forbidden artifacts to qualify?”
“Though proficiency with forbidden artifacts allows one to become a Dreamwalker, it’s not the official route…”
“Joining the system requires passing examinations. Maybe the expert is hiding some great secret, so… he doesn’t want to be exposed?”
“The expert wants to explore more Dream Catastrophes without revealing his secret?”
That seemed the only explanation.
Chen Xi tried to rationalize why Du Fang spared her life.
Just then, her phone rang.
The caller ID showed Captain Zhang Changlin.
That guy who always lets the team down!
Chen Xi’s eyes were full of grievance.
But after her moment of resentment, she pressed her lips together.
She hesitated—should she tell the captain about Du Fang’s secret?
But she was a little afraid.
Answer, or not?
The ringing persisted, and after a brief hesitation, she answered the call.
But.
At the moment of connection.
All around, it seemed as though “cluck, cluck, cluck” laughter echoed through the world.
Her heart suddenly trembled.
Chen Xi jerked her head up, looking toward the thirteenth floor of the apartment complex ahead.
The moonlight was misty.
By the railing.
A little girl, holding a pink pig plush swaying in the night breeze, grinned wide, her tongue long and barbed like a dragon’s, her eyes crescent-shaped.
Smiling,
Squatting atop the railing,
Peering down at her.

ps: The contract status has changed! Now we’re on the contract list—please send some monthly tickets and rewards~