The surface of the glove shimmered with a faint, cold light. An exquisite hexagonal ice crystal was embedded on its back, emanating an elegant and mysterious aura.
The surrounding air seemed frozen by it, wisps of white mist drifting out.
[Frostglove (Red)]
[Description: The perfect amplifier for Ice Affinity.]
[Function One: Contact Freeze. When the wearer’s hands touch an object, the freezing speed increases tenfold! Can instantly create floating ice, freeze the sea surface, or an enemy’s limbs.]
[Function Two: Ice Shield (Passive). When suffering fatal damage, automatically shatters one ice crystal to block one instance of damage (recharge time: 24 hours).]
"This..."
Su Qingyue’s eyes widened.
She stared fixedly at the glove, her breathing instantly becoming rapid.
A tremor originating from her very bloodline made every cell in her body sing with joy.
That was hers!
That thing belonged to her!
"Do you want it?"
Lin Ji reached out and picked up the Frostglove.
It felt cool to the touch, smooth as silk.
He turned his head to look at Su Qingyue, whose eyes were red.
Su Qingyue nodded vigorously, her eyes filled with longing.
"Is this... is this for me?"
Her voice trembled.
With this, she would no longer be a useless person who could only make chilled drinks!
She could create ice to cross the sea, freeze enemies, and even have a life-saving shield!
This was practically a divine artifact tailor-made for her!
"For you?"
Lin Ji laughed.
A very cold laugh.
"Su Qingyue, have you forgotten what I just said?"
"In this world, nothing is given for free."
"I found this thing. I fished it up."
"Why should I give it to you?"
Su Qingyue was stunned.
The ecstasy from moments ago instantly dissipated, replaced by endless grievance and unwillingness.
Right.
Why should he?
They were now unrelated survivors, even competitors.
Why would he give such a precious Red weapon to her?
"I..."
Su Qingyue bit her lip, tears welling up in her eyes.
She wanted to say she’d buy it, trade for it.
But looking at her impoverished raft, aside from that half-eaten box of hotpot, she had nothing.
Even her dignity had been mostly lost earlier, all for that half bottle of water.
"However..."
Lin Ji’s tone shifted.
He put on the glove and gently pressed it against the nearby sea surface.
Sizzle!
A sound of mist rising was heard.
Centered on his palm, a layer of frigid air instantly rippled out!
Although he didn’t possess Ice Affinity, after using this glove, he could still activate a certain effect.
It was just far less effective than if used by someone with Ice Affinity.
"While I can’t give it to you for free, that doesn’t mean I can’t lend it to you."
Lin Ji looked at Su Qingyue, his gaze profound, carrying a trace of undisguised aggression.
"Lend?"
Su Qingyue abruptly looked up, hope rekindling in her eyes.
"Yes, lend."
Lin Ji stood up and stepped closer to Su Qingyue, step by step, until he backed her into a corner of the raft.
He looked down at that exquisitely beautiful face, his voice low and hoarse.
"But, merely being teammates isn’t enough."
"If you want this divine artifact, if you want to survive in this world..."
"You must become my woman."
"Body and soul, you must belong to me."
Lin Ji reached out and gently lifted Su Qingyue’s chin.
"Well? School Belle Su, do we have a deal?"
At this moment.
In Su Qingyue’s eyes.
The man wearing the Frostglove with a teasing smile.
Was like a demon tempting her to fall.
And also like...
The only savior in this desperate abyss.
The air seemed to freeze.
Su Qingyue leaned against the wooden crate, her stunning face pale.
She looked at the man before her with his intensely aggressive gaze, her heart in turmoil.
The Frostglove was right there on Lin Ji’s hand, gleaming temptingly.
All she had to do was nod, and she would gain the means to survive in this world.
But...
The price was the purity she had guarded for nineteen years.
The upbringing she had received since childhood, along with the pride of being the eldest daughter of the Su family, fiercely resisted this demand.
If she refused, she might die tomorrow.
If she agreed, would she still be the proud Su Qingyue?
"It seems School Belle Su hasn’t made up her mind yet."
Lin Ji watched her conflicted expression, his patience wearing thin.
Slowly, he withdrew his hand, the warmth in his eyes gradually cooling.
"In that case, don’t blame me for not giving you a chance."
With that, he turned to leave.
Su Qingyue opened her mouth, wanting to stop him, but no sound came out.
Just then.
A slightly trembling yet resolute voice suddenly rang out.
"Wait!"
Lin Ji paused in his steps.
Su Qingyue also looked up abruptly.
On a raft not far away, Gu Yihan was staring intently at Lin Ji.
Or more precisely, at the Storm Hunter Bow on his back.
"Since she’s unwilling..."
Gu Yihan took a deep breath, as if steeling herself for something.
She maneuvered the raft, inching closer to Lin Ji.
"Then... I’ll do it!"
Su Qingyue’s eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at her best friend.
"Yihan, you..."
Ignoring Su Qingyue’s shock, Gu Yihan stood before Lin Ji, her long, slender legs trembling slightly.
But she stubbornly raised her head, meeting Lin Ji’s gaze directly.
"Lin Ji, does what you said just now apply to me too?"
"If I become yours, I can get a weapon?"
"I want that bow."
Lin Ji turned around, eyeing the school belle with her supermodel-like figure with interest.
Compared to Su Qingyue’s aloof reserve, Gu Yihan clearly understood the situation better.
Or perhaps, she craved power more.
"Of course it applies."
A playful smile curled at the corner of Lin Ji’s lips.
"But, School Belle Gu, are you sure about this?"
"Once you take this step, there’s no turning back."
Gu Yihan bit her lower lip, a blush of embarrassment flashing across her face.
Though she appeared bold and brash on the outside, like a proud queen.
In truth, she had never even had a boyfriend.
Offering herself like this now filled her with overwhelming shame.
But as she gazed at the bow she had longed for and thought of her own helplessness in this ruthless world...
She hardened her resolve.
"I’m sure!"
Gu Yihan strode onto Lin Ji’s raft.
In her nervousness, she nearly tripped over the gap between the rafts.
Lin Ji reached out to steady her.
His hand touched skin that was feverishly smooth.
"Good."
Lin Ji was pleased with her understanding.
He released her and pointed toward a spot behind a nearby reef.
Although the reef wasn’t very large, it could at least block their view somewhat.
"Let’s go over there."
Gu Yihan’s body stiffened for a moment.
She glanced at the stunned Su Qingyue not far away, her face burning with embarrassment.
But since she had already taken this step, there was no reason to retreat.
"Hah..."
She let out a long sigh, as if trying to exhale all the pride and restraint in her heart.
Then, with her head lowered, she paddled the raft toward the reef.
Lin Ji looked back at Su Qingyue.
"Miss Su, the campus belle, it seems your chance has been snatched away by someone else."
After saying this, he paid no further attention to Su Qingyue’s complicated expression and turned to follow Gu Yihan inside.