Upstairs, the radiators banged, calling me up; it turned out Xiaoyudii needed me. She was wearing a striking pair of athletic sneakers and wanted to show them off. “Brother, what do you think of these shoes? I designed the style myself.”

I replied, “They look fine. For shoes, I think comfort is what matters most. Style isn’t that important.”

Xiaoyudii disagreed instantly. “You can’t say that! Let me show you the real magic of these shoes.”

With that, Xiaoyudii stomped her feet twice, and then a miracle occurred: her body floated upward, light as air, right to the ceiling, before gently descending. She said to me, “These are anti-gravity shoes, fitted with a miniature jet propulsion system. The controller is worn like a wristwatch, and when you operate it, a control orb pops out into your palm. It’s incredibly simple—you learn it in minutes.”

“We tested them at the base. The top speed can reach Mach 1. That standard is no lower than the flight gear we captured. Of course, if we boost the propulsion system, the cruising speed could be much faster, but considering the size of a pair of shoes, this speed is practically the limit.”

Pleased, I reached down to take off Xiaoyudii’s shoes. “Freestyle aerial flight capability at that speed is excellent. If we need faster cruising, we can externally mount an energy cell or strap on a larger propulsion unit.”

Xiaoyudii hopped into my arms. “Don’t take mine off! You can’t wear them anyway; I had a pair made specifically for you. I’ll get them for you in a moment.”

Still curious, I managed to slip Xiaoyudii’s shoes off for a closer look. Externally, they looked no different from ordinary footwear, but they were significantly heavier. However, I realized I could engage the anti-gravity system slightly, reducing the gravitational effect on the shoes by a few percentage points, which made their own weight completely unnoticeable.

The crucial components were all housed in the heel, and the sole functioned as the energy core. Tiny vents lined the perimeter of the shoe—that must be where the jet propulsion emanated. Such intricate craftsmanship probably required advanced production robots; manufacturing a single pair by hand might take half a year.

I said, “ Bring my pair over. I want to take them out for a spin.”

Xiaoyudii went back to her room to fetch them. “Don’t let anyone see you in broad daylight!”

“I’ll go far away, out into the mountains. I won’t feel settled unless I test them out myself. I estimate that Zhuda and Cai Bao’er could really use this kind of gear. If they handle well, I’ll send them a pair each.”

I found a quiet stretch of mountainous terrain and experimented with the controls a few times. It felt incredible. Previously, relying solely on my physical stamina, covering hundreds or thousands of kilometers drained me considerably. With these, traversing thousands of kilometers would only require swapping out the battery once—a permanent solution.

The most critical aspect was that this equipment was easy to carry and conceal, allowing for rapid, discreet takeoff and landing. It’s perfect for clandestine operations, escapes, or hiding. If Zhuda and Cai Bao’er wore these shoes, they could turn the entire city of Wenlai upside down and still not be found. I called Zhuda to inform him; tonight, under the cover of darkness, I would deliver a few pairs to them. Only if Wenlai descends into sufficient chaos, leaving their government helpless, might they consider involving the Red Dragon—and only then could our plan move forward.

Regarding where to eat that evening, the three girls, returning from shopping, launched into a fierce debate. Xu Chen was the first to advocate prioritizing ambiance and quality of experience. She looked at her two roommates with slight surprise. “This isn’t about being extravagant just because I have money. Brother Zhao has helped me so much, and this is the first time I’m formally treating him to a meal. I can’t keep it too casual; it needs to show my sincerity.”

Ouyang Qian countered, “Your Brother Zhao isn’t someone who craves luxury. Why don’t we just buy some wine and groceries at the supermarket and have a feast here in the dorm, like last time? That’s always more straightforward.”

Su Xue spoke bluntly, “Please, let’s not mention last time. I was so drunk I nearly exposed my ‘three points.’ I lost big time.”

Xu Chen, who had been the first to pass out, was stunned. “What? Exposed your three points?”

Ouyang Qian’s face turned even redder than Su Xue’s as she recalled the state of the youngest girl that day. She still felt a lingering, dull ache and tingling sensation down there.

Regarding that night of drinking and disrobing, Su Xue and Ouyang Qian had agreed afterward to keep the details from Xu Chen. When Su Xue accidentally let something slip, she quickly covered it up: “Yeah, it’s true, drinking too much makes you wild. You know how rambunctious I get when I’ve had a few drinks, and I was wearing such light clothes; I almost gave Brother Zhao a show.”

Xu Chen said, “Fang Yanmeng will be with us this time too, so everyone should drink a little less, so we don't become a laughingstock.”

Ouyang Qian and Su Xue exclaimed in unison, “Her too? Why invite her? Aren’t the four of us fine?”

Xu Chen explained, “I already asked Brother Zhao to invite her. Besides, she helped me hand out admissions brochures outside No. 1 High School before the college entrance exams; I really need to express my gratitude.”

With Fang Yanmeng included, the other two knew they couldn’t be too casual. After all, she was the daughter of a wealthy family; a small restaurant might not even impress her. The three researched together, checking electronic maps online, and found the Hai Tian Hotel about a kilometer from the school. Judging by the listed menu prices and in-house photos, it seemed to be a hotel that offered both good value and a refined atmosphere.

After calling to reserve a table, the three finally turned their attention to evening attire. Xu Chen asked, “Aren’t we dressed nicely enough now? Why change anything?”

Ouyang Qian scoffed, “Silly Chen, don’t you like Brother Zhao? You absolutely cannot let Fang Yanmeng outshine you tonight. We must wear evening gowns! I have a black, off-the-shoulder, deep V-neck dress—I’m wearing that tonight!”

Su Xue called out, “That dress exposes half your chest! Are you daring enough to wear that? I’ve never even seen you wear it since you bought it.”

Ouyang Qian retorted, “You’re the silly one. Can’t I just add a bandeau underneath? Besides, my chest isn’t like yours, always threatening to pop out for no reason.”

Su Xue declared, “I’ll wear that elegant socialite one-piece dress. I’ll definitely look cuter than Fang Yanmeng. We’ll see if our junior brother reacts. Tonight, our goal is to make him look awkward in front of Fang Yanmeng and clear the path for our Chen Chen’s love life.”

Xu Chen quickly waved her hands. “Don’t use me as an excuse! I’m not changing clothes; I’m wearing this.”

Ouyang Qian sighed. “Chen, I know Brother Zhao’s temperament. He won't actively pursue you because he’s under pressure—he has too many girlfriends, after all. If you truly like him, you have to take the initiative and let him know your feelings, or you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.”

Xu Chen felt a wave of confusion wash over her. She murmured to herself, “Qianqian, you don’t understand. Don’t bring this up again after what happened that night. I’d rather be Brother Zhao’s friend for life than ruin the relationship we have now.”

Ouyang Qian stretched languidly. “Chen, happiness requires pursuit; you can’t just wait for it. I know that much from personal experience.”

Su Xue, listening from the side, caught a hint of something. “You little minx, you still haven’t told us who you’ve hooked up with! Hurry up and confess, or I’ll inspect your hymen right now!”

Ouyang Qian hugged her pillow, looking smug. “I’ll tell you the truth. This lady has officially withdrawn from the ‘threesome trio.’ I’m happy now! Oh, by the way, if any of you have friends from the previous graduating class who need a job, send them my way. There’s no limit on spots—however many you send, I’ll take them, provided they pass my vetting, I can get them appointed to official positions with decent pay. I’ll show you the recruitment plan later.”

Su Xue ignored the job talk and eagerly jumped onto the bed to try and pull off Ouyang Qian’s skirt. “You little tease! You really slept with him? That’s so unfair! You promised we’d all keep our virginity until after graduation. You’re terrible for secretly sleeping with a man!”

Ouyang Qian ignored Su Xue’s hands and let her pull the skirt down. “Xue’er, I couldn't help it. Love arrives, and you can’t stop it. Besides, do I need to notify you beforehand if I sleep with my husband? That makes no logical sense.”

Su Xue was on the verge of tears. “You’re already calling each other husband and wife! Chen, the little tease betrayed us! What are Qianqian and I supposed to do now?”

Xu Chen comforted Su Xue gently. “Xue’er, there’s nothing sad about that. Every one of us will get married eventually; one day you will too. But no matter who we marry, we’ll always be good friends, right?”

Ouyang Qian chimed in, “That’s right, Chen is correct. Don’t you all think that now that I have a husband to take care of me, I’ve been even better to everyone lately? When you have husbands someday, don't forget your big sister.”

Su Xue wiped her eyes. “I know. You’ve spent a lot of money on me and Chen recently, but suddenly I feel like you’ve been stolen away from us. Without you, I don’t know how Qianqian and I will have fun anymore.”