Chapter 25: Underworld Taobao Mall

Zhang Xiaofan instinctively patted Lin Rou’s shoulder and said, “You, Hu Xiaotian, Jiang Jiewei—you’re all my friends. As long as it’s within my power, I’ll never let anything happen to you.”

After saying this, he thought to himself: Su Qianqian counts too; after all, that girl has always treated me quite well.

Lin Rou suddenly stopped and turned to look at Zhang Xiaofan. At that moment, she threw her arms around him.

A sweet fragrance filled his senses, leaving him dazed and lightheaded.

Zhang Xiaofan’s heart raced. Just as he was wondering what the male leads in novels usually say in moments like these, Lin Rou pressed her lips to his.

This kiss was different from the one with Su Qianqian. That time, it was forced by the rules of the game; now, it was entirely the initiative of a beautiful woman.

A rush of sweetness blossomed in his heart, but the feeling faded as Lin Rou pulled away, lowering her head.

“Xiaofan, you’re so brave. You’ve saved me so many times. I like you,” she said softly.

Zhang Xiaofan felt as if his soul was soaring. He took her small hand and said, “I like you too.”

Afterward, Zhang Xiaofan walked Lin Rou home. When he saw her house shrouded in darkness, he frowned and asked, “Aren’t your family home?”

Lin Rou replied sorrowfully, “My parents passed away a long time ago. They left me a large inheritance and some shares of the company.”

“Oh… I’m sorry,” Zhang Xiaofan said awkwardly, scratching his head. “Then, the person who used to pick you up…”

Lin Rou kept her head down. “That was my uncle, my father’s close friend.” For some reason, there was a faint sadness in her eyes as she said this.

But because she kept her head lowered, Zhang Xiaofan didn’t notice.

Once inside, Lin Rou brought Zhang Xiaofan some snacks. The two of them sat on the sofa. He had to admit, the scent lingering on Lin Rou was intoxicating, and he couldn’t help but take a few extra breaths.

From the corner of his eye, he glanced at Lin Rou’s chest. Though not quite as full as Su Qianqian’s, it was shapely and undoubtedly natural, untouched by anything artificial.

A wave of restlessness surged in him; he yearned to reach out and hold her, to savor the thrill of her softness.

But Zhang Xiaofan knew better than to rush—after all, he’d spent twenty years as an inconspicuous nobody and had no experience with girls.

At that moment, Lin Rou pouted playfully, “Xiaofan, why do you keep staring at me?”

Embarrassed, Zhang Xiaofan replied, “You’re just too beautiful, I…”

“But I heard you and Su Qianqian are quite close too,” Lin Rou said, her big eyes blinking at him.

Of course, this was the moment to deny everything.

“What? We’re just friends! You know, if she hadn’t kissed me that last time, I would’ve died,” Zhang Xiaofan protested.

“Then tell me, between her and me, who do you like more?”

In his heart, Zhang Xiaofan thought: You both have your charms, I like you both.

“Of course it’s you. You’re beautiful and adorable, exactly my type.” Those words were heartfelt, but the next came with a guilty conscience: “So you’re the one I like most.”

And inwardly, he muttered: But I like Su Qianqian too.

Lin Rou’s eyes lit up with happiness, but she deliberately pouted. “You’re lying, I can tell.”

Zhang Xiaofan smirked and suddenly pulled Lin Rou into his arms. “Why would I lie to you? If you don’t believe me, I’ll bare my heart for you.”

Their faces drew closer. Held tightly by Zhang Xiaofan, Lin Rou looked a little flustered, but soon their breathing grew rapid.

Just as passion was about to ignite, both their phones rang at the same time.

Ding!

Bao Lei: The rock-paper-scissors game is over.

An important announcement: Once your red envelope netherworld coins reach 800, you’ll unlock the Underworld Taobao Mall.

As soon as the message appeared, the group chat exploded as everyone speculated about the mall—some wondered if it was run by Jack Ma, but others quickly refuted that, saying Jack Ma wasn’t a ghost, so how could he be behind this?

No one could figure it out, but everyone was full of anticipation.

Lin Rou scrolled through her phone. “I only have a little over 400—who would have 800 at this point?”

Zhang Xiaofan’s heart skipped—he seemed to have more than 900 himself.

Lin Rou didn’t dwell on it. She suddenly clung to Zhang Xiaofan’s arm, speaking in a soft, coquettish voice. “It’s so late, and I’m scared to sleep alone.”

Zhang Xiaofan replied, “Lin Rou, you have to be strong. Don’t be afraid.”

Lin Rou exclaimed in shock, “But I am afraid—being alone scares me.”

“Well then, why weren’t you scared sleeping alone before?” Zhang Xiaofan asked.

“You… you… Zhang Xiaofan, you jerk! Get out!”

Suddenly, Lin Rou lost her temper and shoved Zhang Xiaofan out the door, shouting, “You did it on purpose, Zhang Xiaofan, hmph!”

Zhang Xiaofan stared dumbfounded at the door. Good grief, women are as unpredictable as the sea; their mood changes faster than the wind. What did I say wrong?

On his way home, Zhang Xiaofan grumbled to himself, then opened his phone. He had more than 800 netherworld coins now, so the Underworld Taobao Mall should be available to him.

Sure enough, beneath the red envelope app was a black skull icon. He tapped it.

Options appeared: Techniques, Equipment, Physiques.

Zhang Xiaofan was momentarily stunned. What was this?

For some reason, as he looked at the interface, a sense of familiarity washed over him. It felt as if he’d seen something like this before, but he couldn’t quite recall where.

He tapped Equipment. The list was dense: medicinal equipment, various offensive weapons, and defensive items.

Demon Scepter: 1.2 meters long, entirely black. Can be used as a cane in daily life. Physical attack +5%, spiritual attack +80%. Highly effective against ghosts.

Reaper’s Scythe: Crescent-shaped weapon favored by ghosts. Can be used for harvesting crops, a farmer’s best friend. Physical attack +80%, spiritual attack +50%. Downside: difficult to carry and classified as illegal in the human world.

Zhang Xiaofan was baffled, but soon he was overtaken by joy.

If he could get his hands on these, dealing with powerful ghosts would be a breeze!

He glanced over the equipment. The metal weapons were all expensive—cheap ones cost at least a thousand, good ones tens of thousands. With his pitiful savings, he couldn’t afford any.

The more affordable items were mostly medicines and talismans. For example, there was a Ghost-Catching Talisman. Zhang Xiaofan almost bought it on the spot, but after some thought, he decided it was better to save his hard-earned coins.

He looked at the medicines. Some were miraculous, like Scarless Ointment, which claimed to erase any scar—burns or cuts—after a single application.

He couldn’t afford the equipment, so he turned his attention to techniques, but these required cultivation and considerable time and effort, so he didn’t linger.

Finally, he checked the physiques.

Avian Physique: Integrates the qualities of a bird; wings will grow from your sides and, when spread, allow you to soar through the sky. Drawback: No attack bonus.

Magma Hands Physique: After integrating magma qualities, your hands will radiate intense heat, capable of melting iron with ease. Drawback: No spiritual attack bonus...