"Yo, you sure do have a knack for naming things," Ren Yuanhao muttered, an air of supreme confidence in his eyes. After taking a couple of steps, he decided to ignore the system's voice. Just then, Ji Fu emerged from a side room.
Ji Fu was now dressed in a scarlet Hanfu. Her thin lips were gently bitten, and with every step she took, the golden hairpins on her head swayed, their golden beads clinking together with a pleasant sound.
"Little pervert, wait a moment, I'll open the door."
Ren Yuanhao was stunned by her makeup for a few seconds before suddenly putting on a stern face. "Hey, I saved you, right? You don't even call me your benefactor, at least call me by my full name! What the heck is 'little pervert'?"
"I'll call you little pervert, what of it?" Ji Fu huffed, then pointed at the door lock. "If you want to go out, you'd better answer me, or I'll lock you in here."
"Hey, alright, I'll answer. Can you open the door now?"
Ren Yuanhao answered with gusto. Little did he know, Ji Fu tilted her head, looked at Ren Yuanhao, and stamped her foot. "Hmph, you agreed so readily. Now I can confirm you really are a little pervert!"
—There's an ambiguity in this girl's words. Something's not right. With her white teeth, red lips, and alluring appearance, could she be thinking of making me—
—Pah, Ren Yuanhao, what the hell are you thinking about? Is this the time to consider such things?
Ren Yuanhao was contemplating something else when, upon snapping back to reality, he found Ji Fu right in front of him, her breath as fragrant as orchids, her virgin scent more intoxicating than the fine wine in the illusion!
"Little pervert, tell me, between me and those three little ladies of yours, who is more beautiful?"
Ji Fu grabbed Ren Yuanhao by the collar, her captivating eyes flowing with dazzling colors. Ren Yuanhao had never experienced such a situation. He staggered backward repeatedly, finding himself pinned against the wall!
—Damn it, this is the first time in my life I've been cornered!
"What, not speaking means I'm prettier and you accept no objections or appeals?"
Ji Fu's voice was as captivating as her eyes, like a cat clawing at his heart. Ren Yuanhao, being a spirited young man, and having drunk quite a bit in the illusion, couldn't resist such temptation. He immediately grabbed Ji Fu's wrist and, with a swift turn, pinned her against the wall in return.
He leaned forward, their breaths mingling. Ji Fu felt her heart pound like a drum, her eyelashes fluttered. A novel and wondrous sensation surged through her veins, her cheeks flushing instantly!
"You, what are you doing?"
"Didn't you keep calling me a little pervert? If I don't do something a little pervert would do, my title feels undeserved."
Ren Yuanhao's nose was almost touching Ji Fu's hot, flushed face. Ji Fu's entire body felt as if it contained a live volcano, her pupils fixed solely on him.
Just then, Ren Yuanhao suddenly pulled Ji Fu into his arms and said expansively, "Hey, we've faced life and death together. A hug to enhance our revolutionary friendship, that's not too much to ask, is it?"
The mention of 'life and death' instantly chilled Ji Fu's heart. Her Han Yan was still lying in the funeral parlor, perhaps already reduced to a pile of ashes. She couldn't imagine how she would feel holding Han Yan's urn.
She suddenly tightened her grip, just like Ren Yuanhao, clinging to him like a wounded cat, tears streaming down her face as she sobbed softly.
"What's wrong?"
Ren Yuanhao wasn't a fool. He had actually guessed that Ji Fu was crying for Han Yan, who had taken a sword thrust for her. He slowly stroked her slender shoulders and back. "Han Yan was a good girl. I understand how you feel, but if Han Yan's spirit is in heaven, she wouldn't want you to live in guilt and pain. She would always want to see you smile."
"Really?"
Ji Fu's utterance of "Really?" was not a question, but a way to transport herself back to the days she spent with Han Yan, to the day she saved her with her own life, to the ordinary days they grew up together.
"Little pervert, I feel so scared sometimes," Ji Fu trembled in Ren Yuanhao's embrace. "Do you know, after I ran off in anger that day, I was so afraid you'd be angry, so afraid I'd never see you again. Now I'm even more scared. Just yesterday, Han Yan was standing right in front of me, so alive, softly calling me 'Miss', but now..."
Ren Yuanhao had always been bad at comforting people. He could only continue patting her shoulder. "I understand. I've also experienced such separations by death. But don't worry, I won't kick the bucket that easily. Before I die, I'll definitely think of those who wouldn't want to see my corpse. At that time, I'll become invincible!"
"Cough, cough!"
The system's voice intruded into Ren Yuanhao's mind at an inopportune moment.
"A tender embrace, Ren Yuanhao. Indulging in romance makes a hero lose his spirit. Have you forgotten something very important?"
"What is it?"
"Good heavens, do you really not want that S-rank ability? The Bamboo Slip Testament!"
With the system's reminder, Ren Yuanhao slowly released Ji Fu and said seriously, "Right, Ji Fu, in your ancient tower, where are those somewhat tattered bamboo slip books usually kept? I want to find something."
"Hmm? Bamboo slips? Downstairs, but no one has tidied them up for a long time."
Ji Fu collected her thoughts and, rather shyly, hopped out of Ren Yuanhao's embrace, turned, and opened the door.
The two went downstairs one after another. This level was noticeably darker than the upper floor. Just as Ren Yuanhao was about to enter the room, Ji Fu pulled him back.
"Wait a moment." Ji Fu gently extended her hand. "May I borrow your lighter?"
Ren Yuanhao handed the lighter to Ji Fu. Ji Fu lit it and slowly probed into the large room. The flame instantly contracted and shrunk like a candle in the wind.
"This floor is basically made up of bamboo slips, so it's sealed and has very poor ventilation. You have to wait a moment before going in."
After a while, the two slowly stepped into the vast space.
When the lights were turned on, Ren Yuanhao felt as if he were in a boundless sea of books. Ancient texts, some quite old, were scattered on the bookshelves, exuding the weight of history. In the center were antique palace lanterns. Although the light was strong, it seemed meager in such a space.
"Little pervert, what kind of content are you looking for?" Ji Fu asked, tilting her head.
Ren Yuanhao scanned the surroundings, feeling overwhelmed. If he had to search for the 'Bamboo Slip Testament' among such a vast collection of bamboo slips, it would likely take him days. Fortunately, the system seemed to have established a connection with the Bamboo Slip Testament. Therefore, he simply shook his head and walked directly to the third shelf of the bookshelves on the left. He then found an unmarked bamboo slip among the stacks.
"Is it this one?" Ji Fu looked at Ren Yuanhao with suspicion. "You seem to have telepathic communication with this bamboo slip..."