Chapter 5: Cohabiting With a Girl?
"Brother An Zhen, shouldn't you explain this?"
Two slender hands smoothed her rumpled skirt. The petite girl crossed her arms, expression cool.
Huoyu Tong wasn't foolish. Her sudden appearance in strange attire, silk-clad feet lifted to his chin—he knew her secret. When did he learn? Was all his kindness false?
"An explanation is necessary."
An Zhen nodded solemnly.
"Does Xiao Tong wish to know why you appeared here? Or whether my care was genuine?"
Pale lips pressed tight. Emotions churned within her—she didn't protest the nickname. Frozen, she felt utterly adrift.
Could this rare warmth be... fake?
She had little, yet cherished every shred of kindness.
—Reach.—
The girl vanished, reappearing in An Zhen's arms. As she struggled, he spoke: "Treat this as a dreamscape—my Martial Soul's ability."
Snap!
A doll-like figure materialized before them, dress fluttering. Huoyu Tong's struggles ceased. Eyes widened. "That's... me?"
A flawless replica—save the attire.
"Care to inspect? Every detail mirrors reality~"
At his mental command, the puppet lifted its skirt hem.
"Don't!"
Cheeks scarlet, Huoyu Tong covered An Zhen's eyes.
Why cover my eyes? Stop the puppet!
Fine. You win.
He dismissed it.
"As for why Xiao Tong appeared here... likely my soul power advanced, unlocking new abilities."
Similar incidents occurred before. After his first soul ring, he'd copied Meng Hongchen's template without a second ring. Soul rings were merely keys—never truly necessary.
"I see..."
Seated on his lap, she swayed white-socked feet thoughtfully. Her mother once spoke of lucid dreams—worlds where anything was possible.
But one question remained: "Was your kindness... genuine?"
"Not entirely."
...A villain after all.
Sapphire eyes dimmed. She slid away. "Thank you for past help, Classmate An Zhen. I'll return everything. State your price."
An Zhen watched her retreat, chin propped on hand.
A glowing door materialized beside him. Distracted, she walked into his chest.
"Still haven't grasped it?"
Sighing, he tapped her forehead. In my world, where can you flee?
Before bewildered eyes, his arms encircled her. Boyish scent enveloped her senses. "When a boy treats a girl this well... what motive exists?"
"?"
Confusion.
"Σ(°△°|||)︴"
Shock.
"(//▽//)"
Blush.
C-could it be...?
Peeking up timidly, she met his amused gaze and ducked away.
"Never experienced this? A boy inviting meals without reason... is interest."
At this age? In his past life, parents would scold him. But on this love-obsessed continent? Ordinary as school romance.
"N-no..."
"Then I claim first move~" He grinned. "I want to protect this adorable girl."
W-what nonsense!
Small hands pushed his chest. Flustered, her mind whirled. She yearned for the love Tang Ya described—yet this sudden intimacy panicked her.
"Sorry, Brother An Zhen... I need time. But I won't accept kindness freely. I'll repay you." Resolve hardened her tone.
Self-respecting. Strong-willed. He admired that.
Refusal wouldn't stop his care.
"Accepted." An Zhen agreed. "But I've questions too." Boyish curiosity lit his features. "Why disguise as a boy to enter Shrek?"
"I..."
She faltered.
"No matter." He shook his head gently. "Secrets belong to all. I won't pry."
"But you enrolled to grow stronger, yes? A future male roommate... inconvenient."
"Mm."
She nodded. "I planned to sleep clothed."
"Troublesome." He leaned closer. "Move into my dorm. I meant to suggest earlier... but lacked proper reason. Feared misunderstanding."
Wang Dong arrives tomorrow in the original tale. With my interference? Unknown.
"Share Brother An Zhen's room...?"
Memories surged—the puppet, his embrace, her feet at his chin, this attire... If my dream-body mirrored that replica, did he learn my gender this way?
"You... won't do strange things?" She tacitly accepted the nickname.
"Never. The puppet was a doll. With the real Xiao Tong?" His gaze softened. "I'll honor your boundaries."
"...Then Yu Tong agrees."
Despite everything, she trusted him. Brother An Zhen is good.
"Perfect!"
He beamed. "Now—cultivate. My Martial Soul accelerates meditation."
(End of Chapter)