After some calculation, the designer quoted a price of 50 Survival Points per set. Wang Zhi didn't hesitate and placed the order immediately; the design and production time was set for three days.
With that settled, Wang Zhi and the other four ate a meal on the second floor before returning to the residential area.
Entering the dwelling, the group was exhausted from a day of training. They didn't linger in the living room; everyone washed up and went to their respective rooms.
A short while later, Wang Zhi's door was pushed open. Su Muying stood at the threshold wearing a dressing gown. Wang Zhi glanced at Ying—did she mistake this place for a massage parlor?
Su Muying walked in and flopped onto the bed. Wang Zhi, without complaint, began giving her a massage service.
"Oh right, Liuli said she's scared to sleep alone, so I told her to come stay in your room with you."
Wang Zhi recalled his previous conversation with Liuli.
"Is that so? But what if I'm scared too?"
"That's perfect then! You two can huddle together for warmth!" Wang Zhi said cheerfully.
"But I can only fall asleep peacefully when I'm right by your side."
Wang Zhi looked at Su Muying with confusion, not quite understanding what game she was playing.
"Then I can't possibly sleep with you and Liuli, can I?"
Wang Zhi originally thought Su Muying would say he was dreaming, but he realized he was wrong.
"It's settled then. I knew you'd feel sorry for your older sister," Su Muying said with a wicked, slight smile.
Something is wrong! She must be teasing me, thinking I'll chicken out or get scared, wanting to make me look foolish? No way!
"Of course! As long as Sister Ying doesn't mind!" Wang Zhi replied with a smile in return.
Hmph, you little thing. Even if you dare to come, surely Liuli wouldn't be so shameless, right?
"Alright, let's stop here for today. Rest early," saying this, Ying also stood up and walked out.
"Phew!"
Wang Zhi let out a sigh of relief after seeing this great Buddha off, then climbed onto his own bed to prepare for sleep. Wang Zhi had a bad feeling in his heart. How could Su Muying smile so strangely just now? She didn't say anything? Even as Ying stood up to leave, she still had a smile on her face. Something was wrong! How is she usually that easy to deal with? Could it be...
Just as Wang Zhi was tossing and turning, thinking about what had just happened, the door to Wang Zhi's room was gently pushed open, startling him into immediately turning on his bedside lamp.
Wang Zhi froze when he clearly saw who was outside the door!
At that moment, Su Muying was holding Jia Liuli's hand, leading her into the room.
"What is that expression on your face? Are you not feeling well?" Su Muying asked innocently, looking at the stunned Wang Zhi on the bed.
What expression? I'm not feeling well? Could your innocent and terribly acted concern be any faker? Wang Zhi thought, wanting to rant madly internally. He never expected Su Muying to be serious, nor did he expect Jia Liuli to agree to such an absurd request? By what method did she manage to get Jia Liuli to join the 'keeping warm' squad?
"N-Nothing, it's just that the light was too dim, I was afraid you two might trip." Wang Zhi tried his best to sound natural.
"It's good that it's dim, otherwise Sister Ying and I, Liuli, would be too shy. Liuli, let's hurry up and rest," Su Muying said, leading Jia Liuli to the bed.
Wang Zhi sat on the bed, watching the two of them slip under the covers, one on each side. Wang Zhi's mind was still reeling. What kind of situation was this? If you two are on either side of me, how am I supposed to sleep?
"By the way, Liuli, why did you come here with Sister Ying?" Wang Zhi managed to keep his voice steady.
"Sister Ying said that you often have nightmares too. If Sister Ying stays with me, she won't be able to stay with you. So, Sister Ying simply asked me to come keep Captain company together, so Captain won't be scared!"
What!? I often have nightmares? That damned Ying, could you be any more shameless? To dare slander me! And Liuli actually believed Ying's nonsense. Even if I were scared, I could just go find Old He or Fatty! Why did it have to be your Sister Ying?
"Hey, Wang Zhi, I know you're just putting on a brave face, not wanting others to see your vulnerability, wanting to maintain that Captain image. Don't worry! Liuli and I absolutely won't tell anyone! Right, Liuli?"
"Mmm, mm-hmm," Jia Liuli nodded in agreement.
Wang Zhi initially wanted to clearly explain things to Liuli, but when he saw her innocent and serious gaze, he realized he was wrong again. This girl had already been brainwashed by Ying; he suspected any explanation would only make her think he was covering something up.
In the end, Wang Zhi had no choice but to admit defeat. "Forget it, let's hurry up and rest; we've been tired all day."
Wang Zhi turned off the light. To his relief, both of them were relatively well-behaved. They slept separately on opposite sides, and no physical contact occurred.
After sleeping for a long time, Wang Zhi woke up. He felt like it was a little difficult to breathe. Once he was fully awake, he realized an arm was pressing down on his neck—no wonder breathing was labored.
The room was pitch black. Wang Zhi turned on the desk lamp and saw clearly that it was Ying's arm. Liuli was curled up on the other side inside, sleeping soundly with her back to him. Wang Zhi moved Ying's arm away, got out of bed, changed his clothes, and left the room alone, leaving the two of them to continue sleeping soundly.
Downstairs, Old He was already awake, sitting on the sofa in the living room reading the news broadcasted by Ling Lingyao.
"Ugh-ha! Morning, Old He," Wang Zhi said, yawning.
"Morning. Did you not rest well? You look listless," Old He said, looking at Wang Zhi.
"Tsk, don't even mention it. That crazy woman Ying actually brought Liuli to my room to sleep, even saying she was afraid I'd have nightmares."
Old He listened and expressed admiration: "You're really something, kid."
"Hey! Old He, what's with that look? I'm telling the truth; we just slept, there was someone next to me, so I didn't sleep well. What are you thinking?" Wang Zhi corrected him, noticing Old He's knowing expression.
"I know. Being able to just sleep like that is even more impressive."
"What's impressive? Who's impressive?" Fatty emerged from the room around this time, speaking as if he wouldn't defer to anyone.
"Nothing. What do you want to eat this morning?" Wang Zhi didn't want to bring up that topic again, especially in front of Fatty.
"Hmm... Braised pork, grilled lamb chops, pan-fried beef, spare rib soup."
"Stop right there. Go back to sleep quickly; maybe you can finish that dream," Wang Zhi interrupted the drooling Fatty.
Actually, the Dawn Tower meals Fatty mentioned did exist, but they were much more expensive, offering very poor value for money.
"What are you talking about, Captain Wang? After all this overloaded training, can't we get better food?" Fatty started complaining as soon as he heard there was no chance.
"You call this overloaded? Wait until our Weight-bearing Suits arrive, then you'll know what overloaded means. We can improve the meals then, it won't be too late."