As Lin Wei stepped into the changing room, he found Yuxi standing in front of the mirror, her cheeks flushed a deep red. Her lips looked slightly wet, as if she had been nervously biting them. The zipper was still stuck, but the moment felt far more charged than mere clothing.
Without thinking, Lin Wei moved toward her, his hand sliding around her waist to pull her closer. His lips found hers before he even realized it, a deep, sudden kiss, one filled with hunger. "Sorry," he murmured against her lips as they broke apart, his voice low, "but you looked too tempting..."
Yuxi pulled back slightly, breathless, her hands coming up to rest on his chest as she blinked in a daze. For a moment, she seemed lost, trying to catch her breath.
"Are you alright?" Lin Wei asked softly, a hint of concern in his voice. He hadn't meant to be so aggressive, but the passion had taken over him. He had forgotten to consider how she might be feeling.
"No, it's not that," Yuxi said quickly, her voice trembling. "I—I don't know why I asked you to come in... but for some reason, I just... don't feel like myself right now." Her eyes were wide, a mix of confusion and desire flickering in her gaze. "Agh... I don't know what's happening, but I... I want to be with you, Lin."
Lin Wei paused, sensing something off, but as her words sank in, it suddenly clicked in his mind. He hadn't thought about it at first, caught up in the moment, but now that she was saying it, he realized something.
The skill.
He had completely forgotten about [Aphrodesync], the ability to influence emotions—to amplify desire and turn someone's feelings toward him, adjusting their emotional state. It wasn't just about attraction but about manipulating those feelings to his advantage. Combined with [Rebate Option], he could control her emotions to a certain extent, guiding them to align with his intentions.
He glanced at Yuxi, the realization hitting him as he noticed the shift in her behavior—her confusion, her inner turmoil. It's all connected to the ability. The emotions swirling inside her weren't entirely her own.
"I'm not like that, alright?" Yuxi's voice trembled slightly, her panic rising. The situation felt foreign to her, almost like she couldn't control her emotions the way she normally did. She wanted to explain herself, to push him away, but the feeling was so overwhelming.
Lin Wei saw her flustered state, and for a moment, he wondered how much of this was truly her. He stepped closer, his expression softening. "It's alright," he reassured her, his voice warm. "I know you're not. And besides, who could dislike a situation like this?" He pulled her gently toward him, his hand finding her waist as he kissed her deeply, feeling the warmth of her body against his.
As he held her, he couldn't help but think, "This girl... so beautiful, so tempting. Her figure, the way she feels in my arms—it drives any man crazy."
"Sir, is everything alright?"
Just as things were starting to heat up, the receptionist's voice interrupted from outside. The surprise of the sudden interruption caused a sharp drop in the emotional control Lin Wei had been exerting. He could feel it—the [Aphrodesync] skill faltering.
The report he'd read had warned him of this. The skill's effectiveness was directly tied to the stability of the emotional state it created. Any sudden external stimuli, like a surprise, could cause a drastic shift, throwing everything out of balance in an instant.
Lin Wei's thoughts scrambled as the emotions in the room seemed to evaporate, replaced by a sudden awkwardness. He glanced back at Yuxi, whose flushed expression had faded to confusion, and he could feel the shift in the air between them. What had once been charged with desire now felt uncertain, almost distant.
"Yes! It's all right. Just she asked me to turn the zip up, which was stuck at the back." Lin Wei laughed, walking out as Yuxi showed the zip, making the receptionist smile, as she knew that it could be hard for guys to do it, and helped Yuxi up.
After checking a few, the receptionist asked. "Oh, is that so... Then would you like to check them out, or will you only pack a few?"
"Yep, pack them all. I'll buy them."
Yuxi didn't seem to be against him anymore. Ever since their relationship had taken on a more special nature, she'd gradually started accepting Lin Wei's gifts without hesitation or question. It was a subtle shift, but noticeable—one that Lin Wei didn't miss.
Later in the evening, after their outing, they returned to campus. Yuxi, however, didn't invite him to her apartment. She explained it was a shared space with her friend circle, and her phone had already been buzzing with messages from them throughout the evening. Lin Wei understood. He didn't push.
Besides, he knew [Aphrodesync] only worked once a day, and its influence had already run its course. That limitation helped him let go of any lingering impulse to take things further. He could see she needed time to breathe, to process everything that had happened.
And that was fine.
There was always tomorrow.
"Haah…" Lin Wei let out a long breath as he stepped back into the hotel room he'd booked before leaving for the social work assignment. It had served its purpose, but now it was time to move on. Without hesitation, he began the checkout process. He wasn't planning to stay in temporary accommodations any longer—his next step was to find a proper place to settle.
With a generous budget of 5 to 10 million credits, he already had a specific area in mind: Jincheng Garden Residences—a mid-high-tier residential complex located near the university district. Known for its clean, modern architecture and excellent privacy, it catered to young professionals and mid-level elites. Apartments there offered secure access, smart home integration, spacious layouts, and top-tier amenities like a gym, heated pool, rooftop lounge, and even concierge services.
Lin Wei had scouted the listings earlier and noticed that resale units in the higher towers often went for around 7 to 9 million credits, offering both city and river views. With his system reimbursements and growing income, the purchase would be a solid investment—not just for comfort, but for image.
Now that his priorities had shifted, this move wasn't just about convenience. It was about control, independence... and preparation for the life he was building.
Located in a sleek glass building just off Chengyuan Avenue, StarEdge specialized in high-value real estate around the university and business districts. Unlike the flashy chains that catered to upper-class families, this agency had a low-key, client-first approach, favored by investors, professionals, and the occasional underground spender.
As he entered, a polished receptionist greeted him with a professional smile. "Welcome to StarEdge Realty. Do you have an appointment?"
"No," Lin Wei replied calmly, "but I'm looking for a premium apartment. Around the university district. Budget—five to ten million credits. Preferably ready-to-move-in."
That got their attention. Within minutes, he was seated across from a sharp-looking agent named Zhao Mei, whose demeanor shifted the moment she confirmed the range he'd mentioned wasn't a bluff.
"We've got a few that meet your specs," she said, swiping through a sleek tablet. "Jincheng Garden Residences has two prime listings. One is a 170-square-meter corner unit, high floor, full smart-home upgrade. The other's slightly smaller but comes furnished, with river-facing glass panels and full privacy tint."
"Show me both," Lin Wei said.
By afternoon, after viewing both properties in person, he made his decision. The larger corner unit—pristine, minimalistic, with a clean open-plan kitchen and a panoramic balcony—felt perfect. Zhao Mei handled the paperwork quickly, impressed by how prepared he was.
With just a biometric signature and an instant fund transfer, the deal was closed. No loan. No negotiation. Straight purchase.
"Congratulations," Zhao Mei said, handing him the smart-key bracelet.
Lin Wei nodded with quiet satisfaction. "Thanks. This'll do."
The apartment had cost him 7.2 million credits—a solid deal, considering the location, build quality, and smart-home features. From the agency's tablet presentation, it looked modern yet cozy, with a warm-toned interior, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a spacious open-plan living area that gave it an inviting feel.
But no matter how good the pictures were, Lin Wei knew better than to trust appearances alone.
Now, all that was left was to see it for himself.
Later that evening, he arrived at Jincheng Garden Residences, standing before the sleek black tower labeled Tower 3. A uniformed security guard confirmed his identity via biometric scan and waved him through the private access gate without issue. The building exuded quiet luxury—subdued lighting, clean marble interiors, and the soft hum of an efficient air circulation system.
He took the lift up to the 26th floor. As the doors slid open, he was greeted by a quiet hallway lined with matte stone panels and soft ambient lighting. He walked down to Unit 2602 and held his wrist out. The smart-key bracelet blinked green, and the door slid open with a soft hiss.
The moment he stepped in, a calm female voice echoed from the hallway ceiling: "Welcome home, Mr. Lin. Initial environmental calibration complete."
The interior was just as the agency had shown—perhaps even better. Natural light poured in through the glass wall overlooking the cityscape, and the furniture was minimalist, yet luxurious. A deep gray sofa set sat in the center of the living space, facing a discreetly embedded holo-display. The kitchen gleamed with induction surfaces and gold-trimmed black cabinetry.
He walked over to the balcony, hands in his pockets, and stared out at the glittering skyline. The view stretched beyond the riverbanks, catching the last of the sunset's orange hue fading into city lights.
Lin Wei let out a slow breath. Now this... this is more like it.