"You're not going to kidnap me, are you?"

Ye Xi followed behind Yasuo, timidly attempting to negotiate.

"I'm the daughter of the Ye family's patriarch. Name your price, and I'll try my best to get my dad to meet it."

"But please, please don't kill me after getting the ransom."

Zhou Huai almost laughed at Ye Xi's cautious yet serious demeanor.

It seemed his actions today had truly frightened the Young Miss.

However, his face still maintained that cold, unapproachable look.

"Don't worry, I'm not after money."

Yasuo didn't turn his head, his voice flat.

Hearing this, Ye Xi didn't relax; instead, she instinctively clutched her chest, her pretty face turning even paler.

"Not after money?"

"Could it be you're after something else?"

She bit her lip suddenly, her tone resolute.

"No way! If you dare to touch me, I... I'd rather die!"

Yasuo paused, turning his head in exasperation to glance at her.

His gaze was as if he were looking at an idiot.

"I'm not after anything else either."

Ye Xi was completely bewildered.

Her big, watery eyes were full of question marks.

Not after money?

Not after anything else either?

Then what exactly was this guy trying to achieve by going to such lengths to get her out of Lu Qi's car?

Ye Xi was intelligent, not a naive damsel.

She quickly recalled that earlier in the car, Brother Zhou Huai seemed to have been messaging her, asking if she had left yet.

The messages reminded her to be careful, as if he had already anticipated something would happen.

Could it be...

This mysterious strong man named Yasuo was sent by Brother Zhou Huai?

Then she remembered when Lu Qi had pestered her outside the Trial Tower.

It was also this Yasuo who suddenly appeared and quickly helped her out with just a few punches and kicks.

Once could be a coincidence, but twice was unlikely.

This made her ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ even more certain that the weathered-looking man in front of her.

Likely had countless ties to Brother Zhou Huai!

Just as Ye Xi was lost in thought.

"Swish!"

The tall grass beside them rustled violently.

A petite figure, agile as a deer in the forest, darted out.

"Boss!"

A clear, pleasant voice rang out.

The figure made a few graceful leaps and landed steadily in front of Yasuo, bowing slightly and standing respectfully.

Only then did Ye Xi notice.

This figure that suddenly appeared was also a girl about her age.

Moreover, judging by her attire, she seemed to be a Professional.

It was Jasmine, who had been "subdued" by Yasuo earlier.

After Jasmine arrived in front of Yasuo, she first caught her breath, then blinked her big eyes curiously, sizing up Ye Xi from head to toe.

Finally, she asked the question that Ye Xi herself had been holding back for a long time, wanting to ask but not daring to.

"Boss, what are you planning to do with this Young Miss?"

Zhou Huai, controlling Yasuo, spoke three words expressionlessly and concisely.

"To level up."

As soon as these words left his mouth.

Jasmine was completely stunned.

Level up?

You robbed someone on the road, swiftly dealt with those annoying bodyguards, and even "taught a good lesson" to that obnoxious rich young master...

All just to invite this incredibly beautiful Young Miss over.

To level up together?

Countless scenarios of "domineering big shot forces love, beauty compelled to brave the world together" flashed through Jasmine's mind, and she looked at Ye Xi with a hint of sympathy and understanding.

Ye Xi, on the other hand, showed an "as expected" expression upon hearing the words "level up."

It must be that Brother Zhou Huai was worried about her and didn't want her to team up with that annoying Lu Qi to level up.

So he specifically arranged for this powerful man to come and take her away, then level up together!

Thinking of this, Ye Xi felt a warmth in her heart, quietly took out her phone, and quickly typed on the screen.

Soon, Zhou Huai, who was in the bedroom of his villa, his consciousness connected to Yasuo, received a message from Ye Xi.

"Brother Zhou Huai, this Yasuo... is he someone you sent? (/ω＼)"

Zhou Huai couldn't help but show a wry smile when he received this message with a cute emoji.

It seemed Yasuo's previous actions were still too deliberate, and the Young Miss had seen through them.

But there was no other way; he couldn't stand by and watch his future wife level up with a scumbag like Lu Qi.

He thought for a moment and replied: "Don't worry, he won't hurt you."

This was a tacit admission.

For Ye Xi, Zhou Huai could be honest about some aspects of his situation.

He would tell her eventually anyway.

Ye Xi received the message, and seeing this reassuring reply, the last trace of doubt in her heart vanished, and she completely relaxed.

Immediately after, Zhou Huai sent another message.

"This is a little secret between the two of us; you absolutely mustn't tell anyone."

Ye Xi looked at the message, her eyes curving into two cute little crescents, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"Mhm mhm! Don't worry, Brother Zhou Huai, I absolutely, absolutely won't tell anyone! This is our little secret! (〃'▽'〃)"

As expected, this Yasuo was Brother Zhou Huai's person!

It's just, where did Brother Zhou Huai find such a powerful subordinate?

Jasmine, beside them, watched Ye Xi frown one moment, giggle the next, and then happily clutch her phone, lost in a silly grin, her expressions constantly changing, making her a bit confused.

This Young Miss truly had a big heart!

She was taken away by a strange man who looked very formidable, yet she was still so happy?

Boss's charm was indeed extraordinary!

... ...

Ten minutes later.

The Clear Water Lake Dungeon entrance.

The lake water sparkled under the sun, but the shore was a scene of bustling activity.

Various temporary stalls were haphazardly set up, selling potions, equipment, and all sorts of strange Materials.

More numerous were the crowds holding up signs, loudly shouting for teams.

"Clear Water Lake Normal difficulty team, need a strong damage dealer, three out of two!"

"Nightmare raid team! Need a healer! Requires healing output of over one thousand, experienced preferred!"

"Sexy Ranger leading a team online, new players hop on, guaranteed pass for Normal!"

Yasuo, leading Ye Xi and Jasmine, this handsome trio of one man and two women, attracted many gazes as soon as they appeared.

"Holy crap! That guy's good, with two such stunning beauties on his arms!"

"Hiss... I'm so jealous! That long-haired, dark-haired mature woman, and that petite, cute loli, both are top-tier!"

"I wonder which guild's young master he is, going out to level up with such an entourage."

Discussions rose and fell.

Zhou Huai ignored these gazes, controlling Yasuo to walk directly towards the teleportation portal at the Dungeon entrance.

Beside the portal, a large crystal screen displayed Dungeon information.

【Clear Water Lake】

【Recommended Rank: LV10 - LV20】

【Selectable Difficulty: Normal, Nightmare】

【Calamity, Hell Difficulty not yet open】

Zhou Huai's gaze swept over it.

Normal difficulty, the strength of the Strange Beast was 30% higher than wild monsters of the same Rank.

Nightmare difficulty, on the other hand, directly doubled, comparable to Elite monsters.

Moreover, the Dungeons here were not like the beginner Trial Tower, which was child's play.

A slight mistake could lead to death in the Dungeon.

Of course, risk and reward coexisted.

The experience and drops from high-difficulty Dungeons were also far superior to Normal difficulty.

"This is it."

Zhou Huai didn't hesitate at all, directly choosing the 【Nightmare】 difficulty.

"Bo... Boss!"

Jasmine's face paled slightly at the sight, and she spoke with some hesitation.

"Nightmare difficulty... isn't that a bit too dangerous?"

In the team, her Rank was the highest, a Rank 12 【Eagle Eye Summoner】.

But this was a pure reconnaissance support, with almost zero frontal combat power.

Ye Xi, a Rank 6 【Holy Light Chanter】, was a healer, but her Rank was too low, and her healing output was limited.

The only main force was Boss Yasuo, who had just reached Rank 10.

Using a Rank 10 main damage dealer, with two low-Rank supports, to clear a Rank 10 Dungeon on Nightmare difficulty...

No matter how she looked at it, it seemed like a death wish!

"It's fine."

Zhou Huai's tone was calm, exuding an undeniable confidence.

"You two just follow behind me and be careful."

Ye Xi naturally had no objections.

She was still immersed in the happiness of Brother Zhou Huai finding someone to help her level up.

Unable to extricate herself.

【Ding! You have selected Nightmare difficulty. Do you confirm entry into the Dungeon?】

"Confirm!"

The next second, the three figures were swallowed by the teleportation portal.