...
When Bai Xiaodu regained consciousness once more, the sunlight outside the window was already bright and clear.
Propping his upper body up with one arm, he looked around.
This was a bedroom. A large, freestanding oak wardrobe was packed with rows of black suit jackets that looked completely identical.
White undershirts hung in the air, and beneath them stood pairs of brand-new leather shoes, perfectly aligned.
The recessed circular ceiling light on the pristine white ceiling cast a gentle glow, its brightness seemingly dimmed by someone.
The decor was incredibly simple and clean.
If not for the faint, delicate fragrance lingering near the pillow, Bai Xiaodu would probably have thought this was the residence of some wealthy, old-school corporate employee.
The blanket covering him was extremely comfortable, feeling like some kind of silk—smooth and cool to the touch.
Was this Director-General Shen's bedroom?
He looked around but didn't find anything out of the ordinary.
Just then, Bai Xiaodu noticed a strong smell of alcohol on his lips.
Furthermore, both his top and pants were in complete disarray, as if they had been roughly tugged at.
He couldn't help but lick his lips.
The aroma of the alcohol was rich; it definitely wasn't cheap stuff.
Bai Xiaodu twitched his ears.
Was she afraid of him finding out she had controlled him, so she was using the excuse of a drunken stupor to cover it up?
It seemed he really was quite important to her now; she was even willing to fabricate an excuse to deceive him.
This was a good thing. The likelihood of him being treated as a disposable tool had decreased significantly.
It was just a pity that the scene was set up so poorly.
It was obvious she wasn't very skilled at this kind of deception.
Even spilling some milk or tossing a few pieces of underwear onto the floor would have been better.
A bit of messy clothing, some alcohol on his breath, but the entire blanket smelled sweet and the bedsheets were dead neat. Who was she trying to fool?
Huh?
Just as he was about to get up, his hand accidentally brushed against something.
After picking it up, Bai Xiaodu's expression turned peculiar.
It was a crumpled white dress shirt. He shook it out twice and unfolded it.
The white shirt was exceptionally clean and elegant, though the collar was stretched a bit wide, and a faint, subtle fragrance drifted from it.
It seemed he had underestimated Director-General Shen. She really had thrown a piece of clothing there.
He picked it up, and after a brief thought, Bai Xiaodu decided to inhale the scent deep into his lungs.
Since Director-General Shen wanted him to believe he had slept in her room in a state of drunken confusion, Bai Xiaodu was fully prepared to play along.
Whatever the leader decreed, Bai Xiaodu would resolutely obey.
Besides, he hadn't forgotten his persona from yesterday—a talented, pure-hearted young virgin who harbored a deep, secret crush on Director-General Shen.
And so, he brought his nose close to the collar.
He took a deep breath in, then slowly let it out.
This was how a true veteran artist behaved.
Even if there was no one else in the room, even if the audience had departed, one must still persist in finishing the performance.
This was the sacred tradition of the craft, and it could not be broken.
It was absolutely not because Bai Xiaodu wanted to take a sniff himself.
Absolutely not.
A fox's sense of smell was incredibly sharp. The sheer bliss made Bai Xiaodu close his eyes, his body trembling slightly.
Thud.
The door suddenly opened without warning. Director-General Shen walked in, carrying a transparent plastic bag.
Inside were mouth-watering, thin-skinned, juicy soup dumplings, along with a cup of warm boba milk tea, the liquid inside sloshing gently with her movements.
“Huh?”
Bai Xiaodu froze.
“Huh?”
Director-General Shen, who had kindly brought him breakfast only to catch him vigorously sniffing her clothes—looking as though he was about to lick them—also froze.
The two of them locked eyes, then quickly averted their gazes.
The air in the room seemed to solidify for a few seconds.
Bai Xiaodu silently set the shirt down. Feeling that wasn't quite right either, he quietly folded it and solemnly placed it on the side of the bed.
Director-General Shen completely ignored the scene that had just unfolded, her expression entirely calm.
She casually tossed the breakfast onto the table and pointed at it.
“Eat.”
“Last night, to apologize to me, you insisted on treating me to dinner and ended up drunk. I was worried it wouldn't be safe for you to stay alone, so I brought you here.”
Say what you will, but Bai Xiaodu deeply admired her ability to remain completely unfazed no matter what happened.
She was so emotionally stable; he really wanted to date her.
Bai Xiaodu shook his head, quickly got out of bed, grabbed the breakfast, and left the bedroom, finding a random spot to sit in the living room.
“I'm sorry for making you worry. Eating breakfast in the bedroom would leave a smell, so please allow me to eat out here.”
Bai Xiaodu obediently went along with her narrative, taking small, polite bites of the soup dumplings.
The broth inside was incredibly savory and sweet. He had no idea where she bought them, but he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow in appreciation.
“Also, there's one more thing... Yesterday, after I got drunk... I didn't say anything weird, did I?”
Acting as if he had a guilty conscience, Bai Xiaodu's voice was brief and rushed, laced with a hint of confusion and fear.
Seeing him like this, Director-General Shen sat down right next to him.
That cold, indifferent face of hers—which usually looked like she was attending a funeral—actually softened with a faint smile.
“It's only natural to talk nonsense when you're drunk.”
Bai Xiaodu's voice instantly grew tense.
“What? Did I say something...?”
Director-General Shen said casually, “Oh, just some rather strange things.”
“For instance, you said you liked me very much, crying and begging to be my most obedient little dog.”
“You also said that if anyone else tried to take that spot, you would rush forward without hesitation, bark furiously, and tear them to shreds.”
Bai Xiaodu choked mid-bite on his dumpling.
This was getting a bit too much for him to handle.
He had been all prepared to execute a combo of blushing, acting shy, and stealing secret glances.
Instead, Director-General Shen had completely blown his mind.
When the hell had he ever said he wanted to be her dog?!
And barking furiously and tearing people to shreds?
Honestly, he had always thought Director-General Shen was a relatively serious and proper person. He never expected her to play so dirty in private.
But of course, Bai Xiaodu couldn't say it aloud, nor could he even let himself think it too loudly.
He could only bite the bullet and swallow this bitter pill.
Whatever, if he had to be a dog, so be it.
At least it sounded better than being a gigolo!
Sensing Bai Xiaodu's worry, fear, and unease—as if everything was going exactly as she had anticipated—Director-General Shen smiled faintly once more.
“It was just drunken nonsense. Why would I look at you any differently because of it?”
“...Yes, Director-General Shen. My mind wasn't very clear at the time.”
“But as the old saying goes in the Eastern Continent: truth in wine.”
“I'm so sorry, Director-General Shen. I really didn't mean to. Could you please forgive my insolence?”
“Insolence? I don't think so. Xiaobai is very cute, isn't he?”
After saying this, Director-General Shen stared at his visibly tense and slightly embarrassed expression.
The corners of her lips curled upward.
“Your talent is excellent, and your cultivation speed is top-tier.”
“As it happens, I truly am lacking a loyal subordinate... like a dog.”
She extended a slender, pale finger, resting it under Bai Xiaodu's chin and gently stroking it.
“If the dog behaves well, the master will naturally provide a corresponding reward.”
“For instance, transcendent potions, blueprints and materials for various ascension ceremonies, and the intoxicating allure of power and status.”
“In short, I can give you everything you desire.”
“I don't mind handing these things out like dog food, feeding you on a regular schedule every day and month as your reward.”
Director-General Shen's deep, pool-like azure eyes reflected Bai Xiaodu's face.
“So, is Xiaobai willing to be my most obedient little dog?”
Did this woman really want someone to be her dog that badly?
Or was this just a little hobby shared by all transcendents of the Autocracy Pathway?
Bai Xiaodu really couldn't wrap his head around such a bizarre kink.
But she offered so much.
Way too much.
Bai Xiaodu had to admit that he was indeed a little tempted.
Besides, there was another thing...
Why on earth was this stupid system gatekeeping his Affection level again?!
Was its previous incarnation some red shopping app?
Staring at the progress bar firmly stuck at 29, Bai Xiaodu was on the verge of losing his mind.
Among the few candidates he could bind and romance, Director-General Shen was clearly the most unfathomable and possessed the highest cultivation.
She was absolutely guaranteed to drop incredible rewards. Although the system was a bit of a scam, it had never been stingy in this department.
Staring at the little gray gift icon that refused to light up, Bai Xiaodu was practically bouncing off the walls with anxiety.
So, Bai Xiaodu's final choice was...
“Woof, woof, woof!”
His bark was crisp and clear, as if he had already accepted this reality from the bottom of his heart.
It was indeed a bit embarrassing.
But...
Had he not faced enough humiliating situations during his past working days?
Bai Xiaodu was long used to it.
If anything, not being maliciously made a fool of would have felt unnatural to him.
As long as they were willing to give him stuff, let alone barking a few times, he would gladly crawl on the ground wearing a dog collar.
Was there any monster in this world more terrifying than being dirt poor?
Was there anything more heartbreaking than listening to Grandma cough while being unable to afford her medicine?
Bai Xiaodu didn't think so.
Director-General Shen's request was absolutely nothing.
Sister, your imagination is still too weak.
You still need to practice!
Sure enough, after he barked a few times with perfect diction and deep emotion, a slight look of satisfaction appeared on Director-General Shen's face.
“Very good. I am pleased with your performance.”
“However, the quantity and quality of your dog food will also depend on your performance.”
“A useful and obedient dog is a good dog. Those who are useless but obedient, or useful but disobedient, are bad dogs. I will discard them without mercy.”
“Do you understand?”
Bai Xiaodu nodded vigorously.
“Perfectly clear!”
Watching his incredibly smooth performance, Director-General Shen felt something was slightly off, but she ultimately brushed it off as overthinking.
After all, Bai Xiaodu's words from yesterday had been far too shocking.
Because of that, no matter what kind of bizarre actions he took now, the moment she recalled his speech from yesterday, she immediately came to terms with it.
What was there to be surprised about? That was just the kind of person he was.
Director-General Shen stood up, her right palm curling upward slightly toward Bai Xiaodu.
“Come with me.”
Bai Xiaodu felt a bit nervous.
“Um, excuse me, Director-General Shen.”
“What is it?”
Bai Xiaodu looked a bit embarrassed.
“If you want to train your puppy to stand, sit, and point at carrots or tissues... Could you please keep those activities indoors?”
“After all, this is only my first day being your dog. I'm not mentally prepared yet.”
After speaking, Bai Xiaodu clasped his hands together and shook them up and down in a begging gesture, his silver-white tail slowly wagging from side to side with the movement.
He seemed to have slipped into his role incredibly quickly.
Since pets couldn't speak, this was how they expressed what they wanted.
Director-General Shen: “...”
She looked like she was amused to the point of anger, before helplessly shaking her head.
“We'll talk about that later.”
“Having only seen your spell demonstration, I still don't know exactly what you're capable of.”
“Therefore, actual combat is the best way, and it will make it easier for me to guide you in the future.”
“Do you understand?”
Bai Xiaodu nodded vigorously once again.
“Perfectly clear.”
Director-General Shen pinched the bridge of her nose and let out a soft sigh.
Bai Xiaodu silently followed her and got into the Explorers Association's private vehicle.
The scenery flashed past the window. Bai Xiaodu had no interest in admiring it, focusing entirely on Director-General Shen's upcoming arrangements.
She spoke clearly.
“Just recently, through the observations and testing of the Explorers Association members and the Federal Government dispatchers, it has been confirmed that a new small Secret Realm of the Fearless Pathway has appeared on the northern edge of Pingshan District.”
“Interestingly, this Secret Realm does not follow the wild and tyrannical style typical of its main god, the Five-Headed Scourge.”
“Instead, it strangely resembles the Knowledge Pathway, setting up three trials for the participants, with a corresponding reward for each success.”
“Currently, the ones who have progressed the furthest are also members of our Explorers Association, having passed the first trial—a race against a rabbit.”
“Next is a high-flying competition against an eagle. This trial is extremely difficult. The eagle is incredibly fast and possesses powerful offensive capabilities. The association members currently have no leads on how to beat it.”
“As for the third trial... no one has ever seen it.”
Having finished speaking, Director-General Shen turned her body and quietly gazed at Bai Xiaodu's face.
“Discovering and exploring Secret Realms to contribute to the Federation is a highly important task of the Explorers Association.”
“Your spells are all quite good. One is geared toward speed, another toward offense, and Mage Hand even has a crowd control effect.”
“So, prove your value to me.”
“I order you to completely clear the Fearless Secret Realm!”
Bai Xiaodu scratched his head.
“I'd love to take on this Secret Realm challenge, but since it rewards you upon completion, wouldn't that mean we can infinitely farm resources?”
Director-General Shen did not seem surprised by his lack of experience. She shook her head.
“Of course not. Every time it opens, there are time limits and player caps. Naturally, it cannot satisfy everyone's needs.”
Bai Xiaodu nodded, indicating he understood.
But his expression was a little awkward.
“But if that's the case, wouldn't I be taking someone else's spot...?”
Director-General Shen said calmly.
“The Secret Realm is not yet fully developed. Moreover, since it is in Pingshan District, I have full authority over it, and I am the one who decides who goes in.”
“So rest assured, you won't offend anyone because of this.”
“On the contrary, your spellcasting is exceptionally well-trained. Those who enter with you will actually be riding on your coattails.”
Bai Xiaodu was left speechless.
Was this the power of authority and status?
It was indeed intoxicating.
Seeing that he remained silent, Director-General Shen added a final touch.
Stroking his silver fox ears with one hand, her cold voice fell just as Bai Xiaodu let out a comfortable sigh.
“Show me your worth, Bai Xiaodu.”
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