Chapter Thirty: I Have a Sister
Du Fang gazed at the hand resting on his shoulder. The palm was as fair as snow, the skin smooth and delicate, appearing almost as if it had been carved from jade—utterly flawless and beautiful. Never before had Du Fang seen such a perfect hand, not even those legendary professional hand models could compare.
Beside him, Luoluo was brimming with happiness, hugging her pink piglet plushie and humming an unfamiliar tune, faint and distant, otherworldly in its melody.
A daughter, a wife—his family, finally taking form.
Happiness seemed to be settling into his life.
With a thought, Du Fang’s vision blurred for a moment.
A panel popped up before him.
...
A Loving Family
Head of Household: Du Fang
Age: 20
Dream Essences: 500
Items: Aunt’s Cards, Aunt’s Tea Leaves
Members: Luoluo (Daughter), Yaya (Wife, Completion 10%), (Missing)...
Objective: For the sake of family reunion and happiness, please find the missing family members.
...
There had been some changes on the panel.
To his surprise, the capacity for Dream Essences had risen from 100 to 500—fifty units of energy.
“As expected, immersing in more Dream Disasters is the best way to grow stronger.”
“If I want to become a powerful Dream Navigator and earn higher pay and benefits, I must venture into more Dream Disasters.”
Du Fang was delighted.
Moreover, under Family Members, a new entry had appeared.
His wife—she was there!
“Yaya... What a simple and beautiful name...”
At last, Du Fang knew his wife’s name.
“Completion at 10%. It seems, aside from fulfilling Luoluo’s wish, I’ll have to piece together my wife as well…”
He took a deep breath. As for where to find his wife, that was obvious—he had to keep searching in the Dream Disasters.
From now on, he would need to take on more missions and strive tirelessly to complete his wife.
A wife, after all, must be found by one’s own effort.
With a thought, Du Fang focused on his wife’s name.
Ripples spread across the panel.
A new window appeared.
...
Wife: Yaya
Age: ?
Dream Essences: ???
Affection: 60/100 (↑)
Items: None
[Yaya’s Small Wishes:
1. Hopes one day her husband will see a complete and unblemished Yaya.
2. (Unavailable)
3. (Unavailable)]
...
Du Fang looked at his wife’s panel with a touch of regret.
Unlike Luoluo’s complete panel, his wife’s data was incomplete. Only one of her three wishes was visible; the other two remained locked. Clearly, only by fully assembling his wife would her wishes be revealed.
The burden on his shoulders grew heavier.
To achieve a happy and complete family would be a long and arduous journey.
...
They returned to the Dream Navigation Tower in Wen Ji’s car.
Wen Ji left with Su Xiaoyu, while Du Fang followed Zhang Changlin and the others back to the sixteenth floor, the base of Team Wildfire.
The entire floor belonged to the team, vast and filled with a variety of rooms.
There were even private quarters for members to live in long-term.
Holding Luoluo’s hand, with his wife’s palm resting on his shoulder, Du Fang walked through, dazzled by the sights.
Within him, his blood began to boil with excitement.
From now on, he would be working in the city’s most luxurious and tallest building!
Even though Zhang Changlin’s face was bruised and swollen, his spirits were high—he even walked with a spring in his step.
He had just seized a handful of intensely reactive black Dream Essence, and was eager to study it.
“Jiuming, show Du Fang around and introduce him to the basic facilities and the duties of a Dream Navigator... Also, the Dream Essence Springs you obtained from the last mission can be refined when you have time. Unfortunately, our participation was low, so there shouldn’t be much.”
“Du Fang, although you have Infinite Dream Essence, from your usual state, it seems your ability needs to be activated—similar to a special talent. So, you’d best learn how to master this technique.”
“As for the Dream Essence Spring, I had thought to share mine with you, but since you have Infinite Dream Essence, you won’t need it.”
Zhang Changlin, wearing sunglasses to hide his bruised face, explained.
Dream Essence Spring...
Du Fang thought about his increased Dream Essence capacity—it seemed the Loving Family panel had already helped him refine it.
This advantage would save him considerable time.
As for Infinite Dream Essence...
Du Fang felt a bit helpless. In truth, he himself didn’t possess it. The one with Infinite Dream Essence was actually Luoluo.
Back on the office floor, Su Jiuming shed his black trench coat, revealing a pink suit beneath, paired with matching pink shoes—blindingly flamboyant.
He led the way for Du Fang, swaying his hips; a man, yet exuding a charm even women couldn’t rival.
“Little Du, keep up. I’ll give you the grand tour.”
“This whole floor is territory conquered by our captain.”
Su Jiuming twirled a white rose and smiled.
“This is the training room. We usually hone our combat skills here.”
“Besides living quarters and training rooms, there’s also a meditation room, gym, armory, tactical planning room, archive...”
Du Fang nodded as he followed.
One door after another opened. Su Jiuming revealed a dazzling array of rooms.
The meditation room, training room, and gym were impressive enough, but when Su Jiuming opened the armory, Du Fang was stunned.
The armory was stocked with an array of firearms.
Su Jiuming, seeing Du Fang’s expression, chuckled. “Don’t underestimate firearms. Dream Navigators may be favored in this era, but in the face of overwhelming firepower, they’re still as fragile as paper.”
“Of course, some monsters are an exception. Ordinary firearms can’t even target them, so they pose no threat.”
“Most of the time, firearms are used against dream demons who possess bodies in the real world. In Dream Disasters, though, they’re nearly useless.”
Su Jiuming explained.
Du Fang nodded seriously. After all, Dream Disasters were spiritual calamities—conventional weapons had little effect.
They finished the tour, and Du Fang now had a general understanding of his work environment.
He had to admit, the working conditions for Dream Navigators were truly excellent.
No wonder it was one of the most esteemed professions in society.
Feeling a bit tired, Su Jiuming led Du Fang to the bar, personally mixing him a colorful fruit cocktail and pouring himself a strong vodka over ice.
His bartending was deft and practiced; clearly, he had done this often.
“I was a bartender before awakening as a Dream Navigator...” Su Jiuming pushed the cocktail toward Du Fang with two fingers.
“Drink up. The alcohol content is low—don’t worry, I won’t take advantage while you’re drunk.”
Du Fang, about to pick up the glass, hesitated.
Had he not said that, Du Fang wouldn’t have worried. Now, he was a bit wary.
“Chen Xi, Si Nan, Old Zhao, and Captain Zhang are all busy absorbing the rewards from the Dream Disaster mission.”
Su Jiuming leaned on the bar, stretching lazily, his figure curving provocatively.
It had to be said, while Su Jiuming’s looks couldn’t match Du Fang’s, in terms of flamboyance, Du Fang was no match.
“Aren’t you going to absorb your gains?” Du Fang asked.
Su Jiuming’s narrow eyes swept over him. “Me? I’m similar to you. I don’t have Infinite Dream Essence, but there’s a bottomless pit inside me that absorbs all my Dream Essence after every mission, then gives a little back.”
Du Fang took a deep breath in awe.
Remarkable!
This team truly was full of hidden talents.
“Of course, your Infinite Dream Essence is even more impressive. It’s a pity you haven’t awakened any abilities—or perhaps Infinite Dream Essence is your ability, so it’s more like a ‘Dream Essence Amplification’ type. A bit of a shame…”
“But with Infinite Dream Essence, just by wielding forbidden artifacts, you might become a formidable Dream Navigator.”
Su Jiuming offered comfort.
Du Fang glanced at Luoluo perched on the bar and the hand on his shoulder.
A contented smile crossed his face. “If I can be a Dream Navigator, earn a high salary, and buy Luoluo a new home, that’s enough for me.”
Hearing this, a gentle light flickered in Su Jiuming’s eyes. “You’re really good to your daughter.”
“I heard from little Xixi your daughter is only five?”
Du Fang nodded.
Su Jiuming smiled, sipped his vodka, and exhaled. “I have a younger sister, though she’s a bit older—she’s six.”
Du Fang’s eyes lit up.
“Oh, that’s perfect. My daughter gets lonely sometimes. Introduce your sister to Luoluo someday—they can be friends.”
Du Fang smiled.
Luoluo, sitting on the bar, glanced at her father.
As expected, dad always thought of her.
...
[Affection +5]
[Affection (Luoluo): 75/100 (↑)]
...
Du Fang didn’t realize that his casual concern had raised the affection between him and Luoluo.
Su Jiuming, however, fell silent at Du Fang’s words.
He downed his vodka in one gulp and gently set the glass on the bar.
The ice clinked against the glass, echoing softly.
With a quiet laugh, Su Jiuming spoke.
“Too late now.”
“My sister... I killed her myself.”