Tang Han and Zhou Qiang had already returned to the capital with Li Qi for official business. Since my mood had been particularly low these past few days, I hadn't reached out to them. My melancholy certainly wasn't due to Long Nü being taken by those women (which was hardly a cause for sorrow), but rather because my rural assignment date loomed closer day by day. The thought of abandoning my home and wife to serve as some minor bureaucrat filled me with resentment.

Long Nü now radiated charm, universally beloved wherever she went. She eagerly led her circle of admirers through the lunar base's hidden chambers - a place I was also invited to see. To be honest, I could scarcely recognize this once-rickety six-thousand-year-old structure as the same one that had nearly collapsed under its own weight. The Luna Complex now rivaled our desert underground facilities in opulence and technological sophistication!

The docking system connecting ten spacecraft had been reinforced into an airtight network. A gravity generator operated deep within the moon's core, proving the M Country's speculation about polar ice was accurate - without those frozen reserves, how could six millennia of lunar life have survived water and oxygen shortages?

I no longer recognized anyone in the Luna Base besides Long Nü. My old companions had all perished centuries ago, including my brother-in-law who once loved his own sister. He'd even abdicated the dragon throne for me to rule briefly. A true king indeed - far more dedicated than some modern rulers. His courage in refusing immortality alongside Bai and Xue was admirable; I doubt I could resist such temptation, given how attached I've become to these women.

The robotics technology demonstrated by Long Nü's android doppelgänger showcased impressive expertise, though still lagging behind the liquid nanobots of ten million years hence. Through collaborative agreements with Xiaoyu and Xiao Hui, our five-person research team had gained a divine mastermind - now undoubtedly the most formidable scientific force in existence.

After the honeymoon period passed, Long Nü returned to her Room 13 as promised. She'd vowed six millennia ago not to compete with these "sisters" (who were really just children) for my attention. Still, each night I visited her - recognizing that enduring six thousand years of solitude was a miracle beyond human comprehension.

The day before departure, I returned to campus one last time. The energy surging through this place still made me feel youthful and alive. Thinking about the coming loneliness - collecting herbs in some dusty town like before - filled my chest with unbearable ache.

I had originally planned to take several wives on official business, but they'd already conspired together. Not one would accompany me "since it might affect your work," plus their own affairs kept them busy. They claimed this was my chance to experience independent life.

"White Dragon Boy, you look gloomy today - dumped again?" Xuhu asked.

Our dorm had no air conditioning. The stifling heat combined with the imminent holiday put everyone in a restless mood. Fortunately we'd pooled funds for an electric fan - though it only blew hot air around the room.

"Yeah, got dumped this time. I'm leaving on a long trip, might be gone so long you two won't have anyone to teach how to flirt," I sighed.

"Master, maybe now would be good to give me all your secrets? Lunch is on me today!" Chao suggested eagerly.

"Forget it - my time's too valuable now. When I'm gone, consult Big Water Buffalo more often. That guy has field experience; look at how energetic Xia Yu looks these days," I advised.

Chao scoffed, "Pfft! Who needs his one-girl strategy? I want to learn your techniques for collecting gold flowers and maintaining multiple relationships!"

"Gold flowers are all claimed by White Dragon now," Xuhu laughed. "Your dragon-slaying skills won't help - better practice on ordinary beauties. My methods will teach you everything: be bold, seize her three points before she resists too strongly..."

Xuhu's practical wisdom made me chuckle as I left the dorm for the library. With vacation approaching, few students remained inside. I planned to check out some books - not pornographic material this time (my reputation as an official required serious study).

A warm fragrant hand covered my eyes. "Mmm...you always know when it's me," I breathed.

"Ha! You guessed correctly. I thought you'd forgotten about me after so long." I clasped Li Qi's small hands, "How could I forget? You're special."

"Special because I like being abused by you?" she purred. "You haven't played with me in ages - I miss those days when we first met here in this library. Remember how coldly you ignored me as if flipping through random books?"

"Those weren't random pages! I was studying management techniques while S family business just started up," I corrected.

"Liar!" she giggled. "Because you ignored me? Everyone else ran away out of fear, but your indifference felt like a personal insult - that's why I had to seduce you!"

With few people around these management books, I pulled Li Qi close by the waist. "That wasn't seduction - it was bullying!"

She looked up at me with love in her eyes, "Husband, didn't you also bully me later? We're even now! Consider this rural assignment repayment for favors past. When you return home, I'll make it up to you..."

The summer heat had left Li Qi wearing only a professional blouse over sheer undergarments. As my hand roamed her curves and lips met hers in passion...

"Cough!" A startled voice shattered the moment. Li Qi instantly dove behind me like frightened prey.

"Don't be scared, that's just -" I began before she peeked out from my chest.

"Nini! You nearly gave me a heart attack," she squealed, "Did you come to catch us in flagrante delicto?"

Nini's face burned crimson. Compared to Li Qi's boldness, her experience paled by comparison.

"Qiqi, we were just looking for reference materials when we saw Brother Zhao..." Her voice trailed as Sui stepped forward behind her, eyes wide with shock at the sight.

Li Qi grabbed Nini's hand, "Perfect! I was just saying there's nobody to shop with. Let's go get clothes? We've been stuck up here since returning home. Sui - lend me some money first!"