[1: Cruelly reject Huan Rusha: tell her you only wanted to freeload off her master’s inheritance and spatial ring, obtain 100 Disappointment Points from Huan Rusha, and one Scumbag Secret Manual.]
[2: Accept Huan Rusha and bring her to the city, obtain +20 Heartbeat Points from Huan Rusha and one Mercedes-Benz.]
[3: Accept Huan Rusha, respect her wish to remain on the mountain, and visit her regularly, obtain +40 Heartbeat Points from Huan Rusha, two Star Spirit Grass plants, and the permanent skill Know Her Heart.]
(Note: The Know Her Heart skill allows the host to perceive the inner thoughts of the opposite sex within a close range and explore them freely according to their will.)
Shen Juan smiled.
A Mercedes-Benz was indeed appealing; however, he was certain that in the future he would be worth something far better.
So he chose option three without hesitation.
“Alright, I accept you. Do you want to come down the mountain with me and live in the city, or would you rather maintain your current lifestyle for now? I’ll come visit you whenever I have time.”
Huan Rusha’s eyes instantly lit up. She looked at him in disbelief and joy, “You… you’re really willing to take me? Then I’ll stay on the mountain and wait for you. I still need to continue studying the medical texts Master left me. Also, there are a few herbs I haven’t gathered yet for some formulas, so for now I don’t want to leave this place.”
Shen Juan nodded calmly, “Alright. I’ll come see you when I’m free. You can focus on your medical studies.”
“Mhm!”
She nodded repeatedly. The dull, lifeless look in her eyes from earlier had vanished, replaced by a lively radiance that made her seem like a completely different person.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for making a choice. You have obtained +40 Heartbeat Points from Huan Rusha, two Star Spirit Grass plants, and the permanent skill Know Her Heart!]
The system’s pleasant notification sounded right on time, and Shen Juan felt thoroughly satisfied listening to it.
With the Star Spirit Grass in hand, his first spiritual companion, the Dream Beast, would soon finally meet him.
“Eat some meat first. After you’re done, I’ll take you back to where you live.”
After receiving so many benefits from Huan Rusha and her master, Shen Juan decided to return the favor. He took out the Beauty Preservation Pill he had obtained earlier from the system inventory and handed it to her.
“This is for you.”
Huan Rusha accepted it and placed it gently on her palm, examining it carefully. Then something seemed off. She raised her head in surprise to look at Shen Juan before bringing it closer to her nose and sniffing it again.
Her beautiful eyes were filled with shock and delight. When she looked at Shen Juan again, there was even a trace of reverence.
“This is a Beauty Preservation Pill! You actually possess such a precious pill!”
Shen Juan was a little surprised. He hadn’t expected her to recognize something produced by the system.
“You know about the Beauty Preservation Pill?”
Huan Rusha nodded earnestly, “Yes. The Beauty Preservation Pill is second only to the Longevity Pill in rarity. It’s the lifelong pursuit of us physicians. My master traveled far and wide in search of the secret to longevity. I never imagined I’d be fortunate enough to see a real Beauty Preservation Pill.” The source of this chapter is NovelPing.
She looked at the pill again with shining eyes, “This one has an even color, a fine texture, and a fresh scent. It’s definitely a top-grade product. How did you obtain it?”
Shen Juan put on an air of mystery, “Fate, I suppose. Through a twist of circumstances, it ended up in my hands.”
However, Huan Rusha tried to return the pill to him, “This is too valuable. I can’t accept it. You should take it back.”
“If I’m giving it to you, then take it. Eat it.”
Huan Rusha knew exactly what this pill could do. Once consumed, it would preserve youth forever… something countless women could only dream of.
Yet he was giving it to her so casually.
She hesitated for a moment before asking carefully, “Can I study its composition first? If I understand it, maybe I can produce more Beauty Preservation Pills.”
She looked at Shen Juan with anticipation.
Even in her innocence, she knew that such a pill could be exchanged for an enormous amount of money. Since Shen Juan was the only man in her life, she wanted to make herself more useful, so he could live a prosperous life.
“I have to create more Beauty Preservation Pills so he can sell them for money!”
Shen Juan activated the Know Her Heart skill. Hearing her inner thoughts, he couldn’t help but smile.
This girl was truly too naive. If she ever met a real scumbag, she’d probably be deceived to the point of ruin.
The system commented, [Host, it seems you’re not exactly different from a scumbag.]
Shen Juan retorted without shame, “I’m handsome, capable, attentive in service. I helped her detoxify the Aphrodisiac Powder, and now I’m simply returning the favor. How am I a scumbag? Didn’t you see she’s even thanking me?”
The system paused, […That actually sounds somewhat reasonable.]
“Thank you for giving me such a precious pill!”
As expected, Huan Rusha sincerely thanked him.
The system added, [6.]
“My name is Shen Juan. Remember it. After we eat, I’ll take you back.”
Huan Rusha nodded softly, “Mm, I’ll remember.”
She didn’t eat much. After only a few bites of rabbit meat, she was already full.
Worried that it wouldn’t be safe for Shen Juan to go down the mountain alone, she suggested he head back early while there was still daylight.
Seeing her condition, Shen Juan said, “You probably can’t walk properly right now. Come on, I’ll carry you.”
Huan Rusha immediately recalled the intimate and reckless moment they had shared on the grass earlier. Her cheeks flushed red, and she bit her lip, “I can walk by myself.”
“What’s wrong?” Shen Juan asked, a teasing smile tugging at his lips.
Huan Rusha turned back, her eyes carrying a trace of reproach as she said softly, “It hurts…”
“Come here. I’ll carry you. Just guide me.”
This time, she didn’t insist. She obediently leaned onto his back, allowing him to carry her as they made their way toward her residence.
Since childhood, the person who had treated her best had been her master.
Now, there was also Shen Juan.
He had saved her and even given her such a precious pill. Her master was like a father, while Shen Juan… was the only husband she would ever have.
Warmth filled her heart. She quietly pressed her cheek against his back.
His back was broad and warm, his muscles firm, giving her a deep sense of security.
Shen Juan carried her all the way without even a hint of fatigue, as if the long distance meant nothing to him.
The location of Huan Rusha’s wooden cabin surprised him.
Three towering trees stood there, and her cabin was built right at the fork where their branches intertwined.
It was more than 10 meters above the ground, roughly the height of a four-story building.
A circular set of sturdy wooden steps spiraled around the thick trunks, leading all the way down to the ground.
“Do you want to come up and take a look?” Huan Rusha asked, turning her head slightly toward him.
“Of course.”
Shen Juan was already amazed by the ingenious design of the cabin. Without hesitation, he followed her up the steps.
Once they reached the top, he realized the place was like a hidden world of its own.
The cabin was quite spacious. The joints between the wooden structures were crafted using mortise-and-tenon techniques, making them both delicate and incredibly sturdy.
There were several rooms inside, including a small kitchen where she could cook. There was even a small balcony made of wooden planks, where Huan Rusha had planted various flowers and herbs.
“It’s very simple here. I hope you don’t mind,” she said shyly, smiling as she pulled him into the room.
Although there were no modern appliances like air conditioners, refrigerators, or televisions, a gentle breeze flowed through, making the place cool and comfortable. The vine-woven chairs and tables were both elegant and cozy. Near the window hung a birdcage, inside which perched a snow-white parrot.
Shen Juan felt as though he had stepped into a secluded paradise.
“This place is beautiful.”