Chapter 55: Tech Upgrades and Hidden Depths

A whole semester had passed since that fever incident.

Now, after months of creating game videos, Han Wenwen finally had some spare cash. After covering her food and other expenses, she had over eight thousand yuan left.

Every time she saw that balance in her account, she felt a wave of amazement.

She marveled that she should have asked Lin Zheng Ran to teach her sooner—he was incredibly talented.

On the streets of the small town’s electronics district, Lin Zheng Ran and Han Wenwen stepped into a shop specializing in electronic products. Today, they were here to buy a computer.

As they browsed, the system’s voice chimed in as usual.

[After forming a pact with the Demonic Cult Enchantress, you’ve taught her inner strength techniques, greatly boosting her cultivation. In return, she often shares methods and tonics from the Demonic Cult, helping advance your own cultivation further.]

[Today, since she’s lacking a suitable weapon, you’re accompanying her to the weapon shop to pick one out. Once she selects it, she might find a way to reward you again. But there’s something else on your mind—you’ve noticed lately that the Demonic Cult Enchantress has been holding back some words, and it seems related to you.]

Lin Zheng Ran glanced at Han Wenwen beside him but said nothing, instead pulling up his panel to check.

[Your current spiritual energy level is forty-two.]

[Your current attributes are:]

[Strength: Forty-seven. Reach fifty to gain the special ability of maintaining muscles without exercise.]

[Energy: Forty-two. Reach sixty to gain the special ability of seven encounters in one night without fatigue.]

[Stamina: Fifty-one. Reach seventy to gain double stamina and triple endurance for tasks.]

[Charm: Forty-five. You’ve unlocked the double affection ability.]

Over the past six months, his levels hadn’t jumped much because neither Heqing nor Lily had any major events. Still, Lin Zheng Ran had his plans set.

In a few more months, both Heqing and Lily would have key competitions and events, which should spike his spiritual cultivation by several levels—maybe even brush up against fifty.

“Welcome! What can I help you with?”

As they entered the computer store, Lin Zheng Ran mentioned they wanted a computer and listed some hardware specs to the owner.

The owner pulled out various items, and Lin Zheng Ran selected a few parts, setting them aside.

The owner watched him, and Lin Zheng Ran looked back.

Suddenly, both burst out laughing.

“Hey, boss, how about swapping out these parts?”

The owner exclaimed, “Oh, these are all new!” But he quickly took the used hardware away. “Alright, alright, I’ll get you some fresh ones.”

He handed over the genuinely new components to Lin Zheng Ran.

Not many people know their way around computer parts, but even if someone like Lin Zheng Ran did, it was no big deal—just meant earning a bit less.

Han Wenwen caught on to the situation. The clever little fox whispered to Lin Zheng Ran, “You know computers too?”

“I know a bit.”

She clapped her hands in admiration. “That’s amazing! You can do everything, Lin Zheng Ran.” Then, in a voice only they could hear, she added, “Good thing, or we’d have gotten ripped off again.”

Lin Zheng Ran was used to her flattery and didn’t respond much.

“The computer I’m picking for you should run around four thousand yuan. It’ll handle video recording just fine, and even live streaming for a while. If it feels slow later, we can upgrade to something pricier.”

The store owner eyed the new parts with a pang but casually remarked, “Kid, your friend here is sharp. He’s picked the best components for the price—I won’t make a dime on this.”

Lin Zheng Ran thought to himself, Yeah, right, you’d still turn a profit. He only came to a physical store to pick in person because online stuff might not be brand new, even if it cost more.

Han Wenwen smiled at the comment. “He’s pretty impressive, alright.”

Seeing Lin Zheng Ran already watching the owner assemble the case, Han Wenwen’s face flushed a little. She thought how shopping like this felt just like being a couple.

Lin Zheng Ran noticed her staring and asked, “What’s up? Do you need anything else?”

Han Wenwen smiled. “No.”

They took a taxi back and set up the desktop computer with the peripherals they’d bought earlier in the rental house.

The moment it booted up, Han Wenwen lit up with joy. “It’s on! I’ve finally got my first computer in life!” The little fox was so grateful to Lin Zheng Ran. “This is all thanks to you.”

Lin Zheng Ran suggested she test recording some videos, and Han Wenwen jumped right in—it ran smoothly.

Caught up in the excitement of her new computer, Han Wenwen played a few games and recorded the audio for videos.

Lin Zheng Ran slipped off his jacket and lay on her bed, scrolling through her video account.

In just a few months, Han Wenwen’s followers had grown to over forty thousand, with fans increasing rapidly.

Her earnings from videos were inconsistent, fluctuating, but even so, she’d made over ten thousand yuan in the last few months—far better than her previous dead-end part-time jobs.

“With this fan base, you could do a few live streams over the winter break. Your followers might even double.”

As he spoke, he saw Han Wenwen approach.

The little fox crouched down, leaning her upper body on her legs.

Lin Zheng Ran said flatly, “Why are you leaning on my legs?”

Han Wenwen’s fox-like eyes fixed on him. “Without you, I don’t know how much more I’d have spent on that computer today. How can I thank you, Lin Zheng Ran?”

Lin Zheng Ran bent one leg, making it impossible for her to stay put. “Let me think.”

Han Wenwen kicked off her shoes and climbed onto the bed, settling in beside him at an angle.

Since they spent a lot of time in the rental house during the summer break, being alone together felt natural.

Lin Zheng Ran figured a meal was the simplest reward, but it didn’t mean much anymore—Han Wenwen had treated him to hot pot so many times that it had lost its edge.

Even the best things build up resistance, and the system had long warned that hot pot’s cultivation boosts were now negligible.

Han Wenwen suddenly suggested gently, “How about I give you a massage? I’ve been learning online and even asked Heqing for tips.”

[The Demonic Cult’s secret technique, Gold Snake Entwining Bone Hand, doesn’t raise cultivation levels but boosts multiple attributes at once. It’s a favorite for underdogs looking to punch above their weight, though few even in the Demonic Cult master it since it only works on others.]

Calling a massage something so grand.

But when Heqing massaged him before, the system stayed quiet. Was Han Wenwen’s different?

Lin Zheng Ran asked, “A massage? Why’d you learn that?”

Han Wenwen blinked her fox-like eyes innocently. “So I could give you one, of course. What else?”

Lin Zheng Ran thought that explanation was as vague as it got.

Han Wenwen tilted her head with a smile. “Mainly, massages don’t cost anything. I’d hate spending on meals for you every time. This way, you get relaxed, and I save money.”

He lay back on the bed, not caring about the reason. “Sure, I’m a bit tired anyway. Go ahead while I nap.”

Han Wenwen asked, “Want to pillow your head on my legs? It’d make it easier for me.”

“No, this is fine.”

A little disappointed, she took his hand and began massaging it finger by finger, gently working his palm.

Then she knelt by his head and rubbed his forehead and temples.

Lin Zheng Ran opened his eyes in surprise—her touch was way more comfortable than Heqing’s.

Heqing’s pressure was always too light, like she was hesitant, but Han Wenwen’s was just right.

Han Wenwen asked, “Everything okay? Too light or too heavy?”

“It’s good.”

Han Wenwen explained, “I read online that massaging the temples helps with sleep. You can try it, Lin Zheng Ran.”

He closed his eyes and soon drifted off in that soothing state.

Sometime later, the sound of cars passing on the residential area’s streets filtered in.

Han Wenwen looked down at his sleeping face, her hands slowing as a blush spread across hers. She murmured to herself, as if speaking to someone, “The massage is just an excuse.”

Slowly, she leaned down, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear with one hand, and gently kissed his forehead.

After a moment, she pulled back, gazing at him from inches away, and whispered, “If I had doubts before, now I’m sure—I really like you completely, Lin Zheng Ran.”

New author, new book—daily plea for follows and votes.

This is a small extra update for the generous voters.