Luo Tian had barely finished counting the crumpled bills from yesterday's "grab-and-go" mission when the system's annoying ding echoed in his head again.
> [New Task: Escort the girl in the white dress from East Avenue Plaza to the Crystal Garden Hotel without letting go of her hand.]
[Reward: $1,200 + ???]
He squinted at the text floating in his vision. "...This sounds like the start of a trashy romance novel."
> [Host has 2 hours to complete this task.]
Luo Tian groaned. "Two hours? Fine… but if she calls the cops, I'm suing you."
---
East Avenue Plaza
The plaza was packed, as always on a weekend. Kids screaming, old aunties haggling with street vendors, and the smell of fried squid wafting in the air. Luo Tian scanned the crowd… and there she was.
A flash of white among the noise and chaos.
Her hair was long and black, the kind that made you wonder if shampoo commercials were based on real people. The white dress she wore swayed lightly with the breeze, catching the afternoon light in a way that made her stand out like a swan in a pond full of ducks. Her face was… well, beautiful. Not the kind of beauty that punched you in the face, but the kind that made you look twice… and then a third time without realizing.
He approached slowly, trying not to look like a creep. "Uh… excuse me. Are you heading to the Crystal Garden Hotel?"
She turned her head, and their eyes met. Her gaze was calm — too calm, like she'd been through a hundred storms and didn't care about the wind anymore. "I am. Why?"
Luo Tian scratched his neck. "This is going to sound insane, but… I need to take you there. While holding your hand."
Most girls would've slapped him by now. Instead, she just looked at him for a few seconds… and then smiled, faintly. "Alright."
She reached out her hand, and Luo Tian, stunned, took it. Her skin was warm, smooth — almost too warm. The heat ran from his palm up his arm, lingering in his chest.
Probably just my nerves… yeah, nerves.
---
The Walk
They started moving. People glanced at them here and there, but Luo Tian tried not to care.
"What's your name?" he asked.
"Su Qingyue," she said, voice soft but clear. "And yours?"
"Luo Tian."
Her eyes flickered, like she'd just heard something interesting. "Mm… different."
"Different good or different serial killer?"
Her lips curved into a tiny smile. "Good. I think."
---
They passed a fountain, the breeze catching her dress again. Luo Tian's eyes flicked down for a second — and his brain short-circuited.
Don't look. Don't look. For the love of—
She caught his glance and smirked, not bothering to fix the dress immediately. "Eyes up, Mr. Escort."
He coughed. "Right… sorry."
---
Unwanted Attention
They were halfway to the hotel when trouble walked up in the form of three men. Cheap leather jackets, bad haircuts, the usual scum-of-the-street starter pack.
"Well, well," the tallest one said, eyeing Su Qingyue like she was a prize. "Why don't you ditch the kid and come with us?"
Luo Tian stepped in front of her, gripping her hand tighter. "Not gonna happen."
The man put a hand on Luo Tian's shoulder. And then…
A surge of heat shot from Su Qingyue's hand into his body. Before he knew what he was doing, Luo Tian grabbed the man's wrist, twisted, and shoved him back. The thug stumbled like he'd been hit by a truck.
Luo Tian blinked. What the hell was that?
The other two backed off, muttering curses. The tall one glared but didn't step forward again. Maybe it was Luo Tian's sudden confidence, or maybe… something else.
---
Crystal Garden Hotel
They made it to the hotel without further incident.
Luo Tian reluctantly let go of her hand, and instantly the strange warmth faded. It was like stepping out of a hot shower into the cold.
Su Qingyue tilted her head slightly. "You felt it, didn't you?"
His pulse jumped. "Felt… what?"
She just smiled, the kind of smile that hides more than it reveals. "Nothing. Thank you for walking me here, Luo Tian."
And with that, she stepped into the lobby and disappeared into the crowd.
> [Task complete. +$1,200 credited. Hidden reward unlocked: Spiritual Sensitivity +1.]
Luo Tian stared at the floating text, rubbing his palm where her warmth still seemed to linger. "Spiritual… what now?"
The system's voice was as smug as ever.
> [Host has taken his first step toward a greater path.]
Luo Tian had a feeling that "greater path" was going to be anything but peaceful.