'Your System Coins: 8334. Please use them wisely.'

...

Trading with these survivors started with just food. But Duan Heng offered such a wide variety of supplies that it soon shifted to medicine and tools. Over a dozen people entered the store earlier. Another dozen waited outside. In total, they completed over thirty trades. Finally, Duan Heng even sold two compound bows.

Duan Heng thought, "Anyway, besides food, the rest were average items. Bows, crossbows, and pistols are all in the System Store. These will lose value soon. Getting a good price now isn’t bad."

A satisfied smile spread across his face. After all, pistols and bows cost only a few or a dozen System Coins in the store. Yet he’d just sold one bow for 200! With the 20% discount, those 200 coins were worth a thousand. During the trade, he’d even faked a pained expression—as if parting with a precious treasure. He was truly ruthless.

"Thank you so much today, Brother Duan!" Zhao Mu said, gripping Duan Heng’s hand tightly. His eyes shone with hope for the future. Duan Heng hadn’t just given them ample food. He’d shown them the System’s power. They finally had hope to survive.

Duan Heng forced a friendly smile. "Mm, welcome, welcome."

By the time Zhao Mu’s group left with their supplies, over three hours had passed. They hadn’t killed a single Zombie. But Bai Ling and Duan Heng had made nearly three thousand coins.

"So much money!" Bai Ling nudged Duan Heng’s elbow, whispering triumphantly in his ear as she stared at the bright '8334' on the System interface. "This should be enough now!"

To her surprise, Duan Heng showed not a trace of pride. He turned and scolded her seriously. "Satisfied with just eight thousand? It’s only four o’clock. We still have time to kill more Zombies."

"Huh? More Zombies?!" Bai Ling pouted instantly, full of reluctance. "Why can’t we rest? Eight thousand is plenty. I want to go back and take a bath..."

They’d been busy all day. They’d killed many Zombies, sweated heavily, and even eaten hot pot. Bai Ling longed to return to the villa, wash up, and sleep.

Duan Heng slightly frowned and tapped her head.

Thud—

"Ah~" Bai Ling let out a soft, girlish cry.

"Silly Bai Ling," Duan Heng lectured firmly. "How do you know tomorrow’s Premium Store won’t have three S Tier Artifacts? If eight thousand isn’t enough and we miss the 20% discount, we’ll regret it forever."

"Hmph! Who are you calling silly?!" Bai Ling rubbed her head, puffing her cheeks angrily. "Since you’re so confident, let’s bet on the third round! If tomorrow’s discounted Premium Store items total under eight thousand, I win. Otherwise, you win. The loser obeys the winner all day—no refusing any command! Dare to bet?"

She puffed her cheeks, stood on tiptoe, trying to meet his eyes. Her slightly pouted pink lips glistened. Her tear-filled eyes were clear yet defiant. She looked so adorable—like someone you’d want to scoop up and pamper. Her expression screamed, ‘I’m as tall as you! Don’t underestimate me!’ But even on tiptoe, she was half a head shorter than him.

Surprisingly, Duan Heng didn’t tease her. After a slight pause, he stroked his chin and nodded. "Mm... Alright, let’s bet."

'Huh?!'

Bai Ling froze, her fierce expression crumbling. This bet made no sense! Duan Heng mentioned three S Tier Artifacts, but that probability was extremely low. She’d only set a trap, hoping he’d agree so she could tease him. Yet he actually said yes!

'Heh... heh heh... hahaha!'

'Ahhahahahaha————'

A moment later!

Bai Ling’s lips curled up. Her bright eyes sparkled. She trembled with excitement, the scene blurring around her.

'Finally, finally!'

'Duan Heng, you little guy!'

'You’re finally going to lose to me!'

She roared with laughter on her inner mountain peak. Her upturned lips couldn’t be suppressed—like a poet shouting to the sky.

'I may be silly, but I’m not stupid!'

'I calculated it. The first two days’ Premium Store items didn’t reach eight thousand together. Even with two S Tier Artifacts tomorrow, you’re losing, Duan Heng!'

...

'But... what if there really are three S Tier Artifacts?'

'Hah, impossible! Theoretically and probabilistically, it can’t happen. My luck won’t be that bad. I’ll repay all my humiliation today!'

'Duan Heng! Just you wait!'

So excited, her inner monologue questioned itself. Duan Heng’s teasing had pressured her deeply—she saw herself as a ‘tough guy’.

What she didn’t know was Duan Heng agreed simply because he doted on her. He knew the odds of exceeding eight thousand were low.

'Bai Ling’s been bullied by me. She must feel wronged.'

'Let her win once. Losing won’t hurt. I’ll make her happy for a day.'

'But... if I win... heh heh.'

A sly smile curled Duan Heng’s lips. He seemed to have a strange idea.

'Well, we’ll see.'

"Then it’s settled!" Bai Ling confirmed eagerly, wanting him to accept defeat tomorrow. "When I win, you can’t resist any command—even if I make you wear women’s clothes!"

Duan Heng nodded happily, hugging her affectionately. "Alright, alright. If my wife wins, I’ll obey my wife completely."

"That’s more like it, hmph hmph."

'Wait? Something feels off...'

Mid-flirting, Bai Ling blinked dumbly. She sensed a problem in their conversation but couldn’t find it.

'Well, whatever.'

'None of that matters. Today, I’ll just follow my husband to kill more Zombies~'

...

'?'

'Wasn’t there something wrong just now?!'