Chapter 309: Let's Talk When You're Level 15
Hearing Shanaila bring up the side effects of the amber pendant, Wu Heng was momentarily surprised.
At the same time, he pondered what she wanted to express.
He knew about the side effects; the interface displayed it as a feeling of dependency.
And the affection Shanaila mentioned was essentially the same thing.
"Did you buy the house next to mine because of the pendant's influence?" Wu Heng asked.
"I needed a new place, but it does have something to do with you," Shanaila glanced back and continued, "I planned to approach you. Actually, the side effects aren't without solutions. After learning about this artifact's side effects, I devised a plan. If you didn't meet my expectations, I would have had my memory of this period erased."
Wu Heng raised an eyebrow, surprised by this outcome.
She had already planned how to handle the situation when she wore the artifact.
But that was just a plan.
The primary consciousness generating a sense of dependency might not change even with erased memories.
"That feels like choosing a maid at a tavern."
"What's wrong with that? Don't people check their partner's character and habits when choosing someone?" Shanaila responded.
"So, what do you think now?"
Shanaila took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling, "After spending these few days with you, I don't dislike you. Although you're a necromancer and have relationships with maids, those aren't things I can't accept."
Wu Heng looked at her back, "I don't dislike you either."
"You're picking on me now," Shanaila glared at him before continuing, "I don't dislike you, but I am still the president of the Starflower Merchant Guild and hold a certain status."
After a moment of thought, she added, "If you can reach level 15 as a professional by the age of 30, I can be your lover."
After saying the word 'lover,'
Shanaila's face flushed red, and even her pale neck and ears quickly turned crimson.
"Lover?"
Shanaila turned abruptly and said, "Of course, I'm over 400 years old. Isn't it normal to have a husband by now?
Don't worry, we're just married by arrangement to solidify our positions. You'll still be my first man."
After saying this, she felt she might have been too forward by explaining so much.
Tilting her head, she said, "There are plenty of people who have pursued me and expressed their love. You're the one being picky here."
Wu Heng smiled, "I thought you had just come of age."
"Smooth talker."
Shanaila's gaze softened considerably.
For Shanaila, her feelings towards Wu Heng were a mix of gratitude and affection—not just the amber's influence but also his act of saving her and his personality's charm.
Perhaps this could be a good match.
If Wu Heng could reach level 15 before 30, he'd be considered a rare genius among humans.
Becoming the lover of such a young genius wouldn't be a bad deal.
In fact, it would be like she was getting a younger man, something of a benefit.
In gatherings with noblewomen, many bold ladies often boasted about such conquests.
"We have an agreement, then—you can't go back on it," Wu Heng said firmly.
Hearing that reaching level 15 was all that was required made Wu Heng feel relieved.
Researching new magic or achieving great accomplishments might have been difficult,
but leveling up was less of a burden.
He was currently level 12, with his experience bar more than halfway full, soon reaching level 13.
If he worked hard, he could reach level 15 quickly.
Seeing Wu Heng's worry that she might back out, Shanaila smiled and said, "I won't go back on my word."
"Then I'm set on you."
Shanaila's face reddened again, "Don't say that outside."
......
A light breeze stirred, lifting the hem of her dress slightly.
Having voiced her thoughts, Shanaila felt like she had completed a difficult task, and her heart was much more at ease.
In a soft voice, she said, "Actually, I've had a rough time recently, but being around you has made me happy. Those troubles don't seem as important anymore."
Wu Heng waved her over, "Come, let me read your palm."
Shanaila was curious, "Palm reading? What's that?"
"It's where you can tell someone's fortune based on their palm lines," Wu Heng explained.
"You have fortune-telling abilities too?"
"Not as advanced as theirs."
Intrigued, Shanaila sat down beside him, "How do you do it?"
Wu Heng held out his hand, "Give me your hand."
Shanaila hesitated but extended her hand toward him. Wu Heng grabbed it before she could pull away and opened her soft palm.
It was obvious Shanaila had never done any hard labor; her palm was as smooth as tofu, without any calluses from holding weapons.
Wu Heng held her hand and said, "This line represents your life—it's long and deep, indicating you'll live longer than others and be free from illness."
Shanaila blinked in surprise and leaned in to examine her palm.
"This line is your career line—it's long but has many forks, indicating struggles. And this one represents marriage—hmm... it shows you'll have an affair."
Thud!
Shanaila punched him on the shoulder, "You're doing this on purpose."
"Just kidding, don't be mad. Your palm lines are great. Things will only get better from here—your career and life will improve," Wu Heng said, holding her hand without continuing the reading.
Shanaila tried to pull her hand back, but after a few attempts, she let him hold it, sitting beside him with flushed cheeks.
They sat side by side, close enough to feel each other's warmth and a faint fragrance.
Wu Heng asked, "Should we build a side gate between our yards to make visiting easier?"
Shanaila's face turned beet red, and she shyly said, "We'll talk when you're level 15."
They sat together for a while longer.
Minnie's voice called from the front yard, "Master! Shanaila! Where did you two go? Lunch is ready!"
Shanaila quickly withdrew her hand, flustered, adjusted her dress, and gave Wu Heng a light smack.
"Behave yourself from now on."
"How is this my fault?" Wu Heng responded, baffled.
Tap, tap, tap—
Minnie came running over.
Seeing the two in the pavilion, she said, "Time to eat!"
"Oh, okay!" Shanaila quickly walked over and linked arms with Minnie, heading back inside.
Minnie, being dragged along, turned back and shouted, "Master, hurry up and come eat."
"Got it!"
The group returned to the house for lunch.
After lunch,
Shanaila and Minnie headed to the market to buy flower seeds.
Wu Heng went directly to the fourth floor.
......
He opened the portal, returning to the factory dormitory.
Stepping out, he saw survivors downstairs cleaning up.
Tap, tap, tap—
Footsteps echoed as Zhao Yanqiu came up the stairs.
Unlike the disheveled beggar from before,
today, after washing up, though still thin, she looked quite presentable.
"My lord," Zhao Yanqiu greeted, then glanced around.
Wu Heng summoned Xiaoxiao, and Zhao Yanqiu immediately smiled, "Xiaoxiao!"
"Mom, you called for me?" Xiaoxiao asked.
"I just wanted to see you," Zhao Yanqiu replied.
"Oh, I missed you too, Mom," Xiaoxiao said obediently.
In their current situation, Zhao Yanqiu and Xiaoxiao were actually quite lucky.
At least they could still see each other.
Many survivors had no family left—no goals, no hope, just surviving one day at a time.
After chatting for a while, Zhao Yanqiu turned to Wu Heng and asked, "My lord, what should we work on today?"
Yesterday, Wu Heng had made it clear that staying meant contributing.
"How many survivors do we have?" Wu Heng asked.
"Fifty-six, about half men and half women, but all are healthy and strong," Zhao Yanqiu replied.
"For today, just clean the dormitory. You'll be in charge of monitoring the radio and noting everyone's skills. Find out if anyone knows things like plumbing, welding, or cutting, and we'll assign tasks accordingly," Wu Heng said after thinking it over.
Now that they had taken over, many tasks required proper tools and coordination.
"Understood. Thank you," Zhao Yanqiu expressed her gratitude.
"Alright, just focus on that today. If anything comes up, I'll let you know."
"Got it!"
After Zhao Yanqiu said a few more words to Xiaoxiao,
she hurried downstairs.
As soon as she went down, the other survivors gathered around, cautiously asking about the situation.
Then they cooperated with the registration.
Wu Heng had skeletons guard the stairs on that floor and then went up to the roof.
He rode the skeletal dragon towards the county's bus station.
......
The wind whistled past his ears.
Soon, he arrived above the Auto Repair Shop and landed in the bus station courtyard.
The patrolling survivors nearby were startled.
"My lord!"
"My lord, is that your new mount?"
The gathering survivors greeted him warmly.
Wu Heng nodded and asked, "Where's Li Yanhong?"
"Sister Hong is outside. Are you looking for her?"
"Yes, tell her to meet me in the council hall. I have something to discuss," Wu Heng instructed.
"Understood." The man nodded, pressing his radio earpiece to call Li Yanhong.
Wu Heng headed straight to the council hall.
......
Shortly after,
Li Yanhong, Qi Hancai, Qiangzi, and Wang Chenggang hurried in.
"You didn't get hurt, did you?" Li Yanhong asked.
"I'm fine."
"How's Xiaoxiao's mother?" Li Yanhong continued.
"She's doing well. They've reunited, and everything went smoothly."
Wu Heng then explained the situation at the other location.
There were four people present:
Li Yanhong, Qi Hancai, Qiangzi, and Wang Chenggang.
Qi Hancai and Wang Chenggang had never met Xiaoxiao but had heard her name and knew she was an important figure in the camp.
The fact that this mission was carried out to rescue Xiaoxiao's mother surprised them.
What astonished them even more was that Wu Heng had killed 40 to 50 armed people on his own.
Such combat prowess shocked them.
In previous battles, Wu Heng had directed the skeletons, playing a commanding role.
This time, with just three skeletons, he had taken over their base.
His abilities were astounding.
"I plan to turn that factory into one of our outposts, which will allow us to connect with the military and trade for supplies we need," Wu Heng outlined his plan.