"What 20% off?"

Hearing Bai Ling's sudden shout, Duan Heng turned to her curiously.

Bai Ling had already opened her eyes, excitement sparkling in them. Like a child seeking praise, she clenched her tiny fists and exclaimed:

"The Premium Shop! For the next three days, all artifacts are 20% off! We can afford even the ten-thousand-coin ones!"

"Ten thousand?!"

Even Duan Heng couldn't hide his shock. "The Premium Shop has artifacts worth that much? What tier?"

"S Tier!"

Bai Ling repeated the details of the three artifacts excitedly. After listening, Duan Heng was utterly stunned by her luck.

"S Tier? Actual S Tier artifacts? And 20% off?!"

...

"Uh, is this thing really that powerful?"

"Dummy! Of course it is!"

Seeing Bai Ling's tilted, silly head, Duan Heng scolded her with a laugh. In his past life, S Tier Artifacts were extremely rare. A camp of ten thousand people might not yield ten... no, probably not even three!

The System Shop refreshed A Tier Artifacts only once a month. S Tier ones were even scarcer—and you needed coins to buy them.

Now Duan Heng understood why it was called the Premium Shop. Though few in number, every item was a treasure! No one could afford them normally, not even at 20% off. That’s why it offered this newbie benefit.

Plus, don’t be fooled by Bai Ling’s 135 System Coins. She earned every single one by sniping!

An average person could barely kill ten zombies a day. Besides the B Tier "Sleepy Red Tea," she couldn’t afford anything else. After three days, when prices reverted, even B Tier would be out of reach.

‘A godsend! Bai Ling’s luck is insane!’ Duan Heng sighed inwardly, speechless. Bai Ling blinked innocently beside him.

‘Newbie benefit plus my saved coins—it’s perfect timing! I might grab all three S Tiers! Impossible in the early Apocalypse!’

‘Losing the original shop function? Who cares! Ten thousand C Tier artifacts can’t match one S Tier!’

Overcome with excitement, Duan Heng stepped forward. Before Bai Ling could react, he pulled her into a tight hug!

Startled, Bai Ling flailed and struggled.

Duan Heng beamed, rubbing his chin against her head. "Bai Ling! You’re my best... best bro! Having you is amazing!"

‘Did you slip up again?! Hug too tight! Let... let me go!’

Bai Ling’s cheeks flushed red. She pushed weakly with her delicate hands, but Duan Heng, lost in joy, rubbed his face against hers like petting a kitten.

"From now on, I’ll protect you. Not a second apart—buy them now! Spend all your coins; I’ll earn more! Spend freely!"

"?????"

‘Talk later... just let me go first!’

‘Oh no...’

‘My face is burning...’

‘I’m... going to faint...’

His strong arms, warm chest, and petting left Bai Ling no resistance. Her mind went blank, body limp, consciousness fading. She nearly collapsed.

Duan Heng finally released her. Bai Ling snapped back, stumbling back a step. She steadied herself, hand on her pounding chest.

‘Phew... free!’

‘So dangerous! I almost lost control!’

‘Why does this guy have zero boundaries?!’

————

"Sorry, I won’t hug so tight next time..."

"It’s not about tightness! Don’t hug at all!"

The excitement faded fast. After Bai Ling scolded him through gritted teeth, Duan Heng scratched his cheek sheepishly—sort of realizing his mistake.

Bai Ling bought all three artifacts. Her System Coins dropped instantly to 3,071.

Whoosh—

A gentle breeze blew. A sphere of data symbols appeared, computing rapidly like a hacker’s virus. Artifact outlines formed within the digits. As the sphere vanished, the items materialized: a white hilt, a jelly-like white bodysuit, and a box of ordinary red tea powder.

Duan Heng picked up the hilt. It reshaped slightly to fit his grip. With a mental command, a gleaming white blade shot out! A sharp sword cry echoed through the villa.

Shing—

"What a cool sword!"

Duan Heng swung it lightly, feeling its power. "Not made from Earth materials. So long yet so light? And..." He slashed at stacked weight plates. With a whoosh, three iron plates—over ten centimeters thick—split cleanly in half!

"Bai Ling, now you have your signature weapon."

Satisfied, Duan Heng turned to her. But... Bai Ling was only half-dressed in the Nanotech Battle Suit. Her jeans and top lay discarded. The suit zipped automatically from crotch to neck after limbs were in. So... her upper body was bare! Pale skin glistened in sunlight, revealing full curves. Her hair covered her chest, barely hiding the peaks.

"Who! Who told you to look back, bastard! Turn around!"

Bai Ling’s face burned as she fumbled with the sleeves.

"Ah! Sorry!" Duan Heng spun away.

Bai Ling finished dressing quickly. The zipper sealed smoothly. The Nanotech Battle Suit hugged her skin tightly, metallic patterns guarding her thighs, waist, and elbows. Every inch was covered except head and hands—even her feet. The high-tech fabric breathed easily, no stuffiness.

But...

"It’s on. You can look now," Bai Ling said awkwardly, legs pressed together, hands over her chest.

Duan Heng turned—and froze. Her slender figure, cute hips—the suit highlighted every curve. Her blushing face, shy from wearing it... It was art, not clothing.

"Awesome!"

Duan Heng’s brain overheated. He felt he could die happy. He gave her a thumbs-up.

Bai Ling’s face darkened at the blunt praise. She grabbed her discarded clothes angrily. "What S Tier artifact? I can’t wear this! I need extra layers!"

"Huh?!"

Bai Ling dashed to her bedroom, ignoring Duan Heng’s regretful stare. After five minutes, she emerged: a white jacket covered down to her thighs, hiding the "inappropriate" parts. White low-heeled boots on her feet—she’d picked the most walkable pair from Duan Heng’s wardrobe. The rest remained the shiny nano-fabric, making her look bright and tender, like a sci-fi mecha pilot.

Duan Heng’s verdict:

"Hmm. Even more lewd."

‘Why?!’