Since Jiang Fan wasn't of age yet, he couldn't check into large hotels. He found a decent guesthouse instead and booked a room for Anna.

Out of kindness, he'd repeatedly warned her on the way not to touch the hotel's food or water. Anna was stunningly beautiful—it wouldn't surprise him if someone acted on impulse.

To be safe, he even exchanged cash for her at a supermarket. After endless reminders, he finally left the room. The landlady gave him a strange look, likely assuming he was a scumbag scamming girls.

Jiang Fan didn't bother explaining. Strangers' opinions meant nothing to him.

On his way home, he texted Mu Yuli a detailed explanation of why and how he helped Anna. He did this to stop her from retaliating. Those bar patrons who'd tried groping him? He'd never seen them again.

It was past ten. The last bus had stopped, so he hailed a Didi. After chatting with the talkative driver, he finally reached his rental apartment.

Lying on his bed with the AC on, he checked the system. The total points had jumped from 1.25 million to 1.5 million—half his debt cleared instantly. Tonight, he'd really struck a small fortune.

Damn, it felt good.

But he was still far from the 2.08 million needed for a real thrill.

"Running away from home... She's bold. Coming alone to a foreign country. Are Russian girls always this fierce?"

Jiang Fan thought again of Anna. No wonder—she'd left a deep impression.

They say white-haired girls are kryptonite for Chinese guys. But at comic-cons, cosplayers with wigs looked fake and unnatural. Dyed white hair was the same.

He'd given up on real-life white-haired girls—until Anna's lustrous silver hair proved "breaking the dimensional wall" was real.

Russian girls have fair skin, but Anna's complexion with that hair was breathtaking. Truly like she stepped out of an anime.

Wait—she mentioned staying in Jingjiang City for an investigation, right? Something about bringing her stepmother's son home? Just imagining it was explosive.

Whatever. It had nothing to do with him. He might never see her again. Why overthink it?

Jiang Fan shook off the thoughts. Almost eleven. Time to shower, do laundry, scroll his phone, and sleep.

Today's game sessions hadn't...

Damn!

He just remembered Mu Yuli, that wicked woman, had deleted all his games.

Damn it, his waifus!

The Wi-Fi here was terrible. Speed slower than a grandma crossing the street—barely faster than Baidu Netdisk without membership. Downloading now might not finish by morning.

Great. Daily check-ins, quests, stamina—all unclaimed. Jiang Fan felt his life lose hope. He lay flat on the bed, eyes vacant, like a salted fish that lost its dreams.

Just end it all already.

—

Meanwhile, Mu Yuli—fresh off a flight and back at her hotel—was drying her hair post-shower. Casually checking her phone, she saw Jiang Fan had actually texted her first. A rare thing.

Intrigued, she opened it. The message was long—almost like half a national exam essay. She read carefully, taking ten minutes to finish.

"Tsk. Messaging me over this? Is he really that worried I'd go after that woman?"

Mu Yuli gave a cold smile. She started typing a reply but paused, then withdrew her fingers.

This time, she'd forgive his honesty. But next time, his fate depended on his behavior...

[Got it. No next time.]

After sending it, she turned off her phone and grabbed the waiting hairdryer.

"Yelan."

She called out. Yelan, still in her black suit, immediately entered.

"This time, An Jianye contacted me for business and a personal request, right? His daughter fought with his new wife and ran to Jingjiang City?"

Mu Yuli asked half-heartedly, eyes half-closed. Then she yawned cutely, sleepy.

"Yes. Miss Anna likely arrived around three PM. She's lived in China before and speaks fluent Chinese. She should be fine."

"An Jianye treasures his daughter. 'Should' won't reassure him. Find her early—but don't rush her back. Let that old man worry. A delivered bargaining chip needn't be returned fast."

Yelan bowed in acknowledgment but hesitated instead of leaving.

Mu Yuli noticed. "Anything else? Speak."

"...About the young master. Agent Eight reported he met a strange woman after the bar. He treated her to barbecue, took her to a guesthouse, and stayed half an hour before leaving..."

Yelan's tone was low. She liked Jiang Fan, but if he wronged Miss Mu, she'd drag him back—no matter where he fled.

She expected rage or silence. Instead, Mu Yuli smiled faintly.

"Mm. I know. You may leave if nothing else."

Huh?

Was Miss really this calm today?

Puzzled but relieved, Yelan left.

Mu Yuli dried her hair and flopped onto the bed. She grabbed her phone—another message, sent minutes ago.

[Mind your own business. It's late. Sleep or you'll drop dead from exhaustion!]

Heh. So this is concern from the wild cat?

So indirect...