The Double City must also produce cotton. Though this place lacks distinct seasons, the midnight hours still felt chilly. A thin layer of cotton could not block the cold from the hard bed beneath. We had no mats but one set given to Wahani and Linglong, while I shared a wooden floor with Laiski and Daling. Fortunately, Laiski had gathered some dry grass for padding - otherwise it would have been even colder.

Restless, sleep eluded me. In these two days of contact, I wanted to help the Double City develop its economy but now lacked both resolve and capability. Repairing our spaceship's main drive shaft seemed impossible; this planet's technology barely surpassed primitive iron smelting. Without steel production, how could we fix such a vital component?

Yet judging from the blades carried by the guards, the Golden Kingdom must have mastered decarbonizing steel. With slight improvements in technique, forging a sturdy drive shaft shouldn't be difficult. But how to reach there? Relations between our nations were strained - would they kill me for espionage?

Even getting back into the county office tomorrow was uncertain. If we couldn't repair the spaceship, we'd have to use the escape pod as transport. But without access to the county office, how could I sneak in enough wiring and tools for repairs?

What about Qi Nv? Were they in danger? If Cheng Susu needed time to accept me now, perhaps I should find the others first? Maybe with evidence from them, Cheng Susu would believe my story. Even if not, taking her back to Earth by force wouldn't be impossible.

Laiski turned over sleepily and asked: "ZHAO QIAN! Still awake? Too cold? We were too rushed today - tomorrow let Wahani buy more bedding."

I said: "No problem. The chill is good for strengthening our willpower. I'm just worried about repairing the spaceship. Without it, finding my friends won't help me return home."

Laiski chuckled: "Worrying solves nothing! Learn from my brother's example - relax and sleep well so you can roof tomorrow!"

"By the way, Laiski," I asked suddenly remembering the portrait request, "can you draw?"

He smiled at his quiet demeanor but admitted bluntly: "Though I look refined, I'm actually a rough villager. But Linglong does know how to paint."

"Who?" I hurriedly asked.

Laiski laughed: "Xiao Linglong! Her portraits are so lifelike. You can ask her for anything. Everyone in our gourd village knows she's the talented one... Hehe, whoever marries her must be very fortunate indeed."

I brightened immediately: "Wonderful! I thought finding a painter here would be hard. With Linglong, things will go smoothly. I need portraits of my seven friends sent to Double City for faster search."

In darkness, Laiski seemed to nod and added: "ZHAO QIAN, your roof idea - are you sure it works? I want to test our house first. Rain season approaches soon, maybe we can make some money if successful!"

I laughed: "As experiments go... we'll build one first. I know little about this planet's climate. Our ancestors favored flat roofs for good reason; only trials will show pros and cons."

Laiski became excited, forgetting sleep entirely as he leaned close: "If we really become rich, will Wazu still oppose my marriage to Wahani? Let's open a store! You'll name it with your many knowledge. Then I and Wahani can work for you - earning money gives face and allows village wedding!"

Another company? I mumbled: "Leap Forward Construction."

"Leap Forward?" Laiski frowned.

I smiled: "No special meaning, just like the name. But I don't have time to manage it. You and Wahani should run it however you want... Maybe 'La-Wa Construction'?"

Laiski shook his head: "No! Let's keep 'Leap Forward'! We can't build without your divine guidance - else we might collapse houses!"

Who managed didn't matter, since I'd leave soon enough. The next morning Laiski announced the founding of 'Leap Forward Roofing' to Wahani and Linglong. Their first task: renovating our eight huts. Wahani contributed twenty iron coins as sole investor while Daling bought beams and water-resistant grasses with her superhuman strength.

As they worked, my main task became finding Linglong for portraits. Linglong's room smelled pleasant compared to ours' sweaty foot odor - a real comfort.

"Portraits?" she demanded suspiciously. "Better explain clearly or I won't do it!"

I explained: "Met someone yesterday who promised to help find my friends in Double City. Without portraits, how could he assist?"

Linglong pouted: "Never seen these women! Can't draw from your verbal description - that needs my father's skills."

Finding Qingfeng uncle was impossible. But I had photos in my phone: "I have their photos here just copy them!"

Linglong eyed the device with suspicion: "You already have portraits? My drawings won't look good... Are you trying to humiliate me?"

Producing my phone: "Portraits are stored inside. Can't send this phone to Double City, obviously."

Snatching it from me, Linglong exclaimed: "What's this 'phone'? You have so many strange things! Another new word!"

After fumbling for hours she scowled: "You tricked me - where are the people?"

Unlocking the screen I showed her photos and ordered charcoal. She sat properly at a table with blank silk, muttering about not blaming her if it failed.

The first photo revealed Cai Jingjing's childish smile, making my chest ache. Linglong turned to scold: "Are you drawing or not? If not, I'll go play with Wahani!"

"Drawing! Drawing!" I put down the phone as she worked behind me.

Linglong gasped at seeing real people on screen: "Who made this incredible detail? Such beauty... Who is she?"

Previously declaring Cheng Susu my girlfriend had led to a beating from A3 and A4 in front of Linglong. Now afraid of similar embarrassment, I said: "Just friends! Hurry up - need six more before noon. Big Brother Ma leaves at midday."

"Truly just friends?" she eyed me suspiciously.

I affirmed: "Ask them themselves if you doubt!"

Linglong warned: "If you betray Susu Sister..."

I lowered my head: "She doesn't even recognize me anymore."

Seeing my mood, Linglong stopped teasing and began sketching Cai Jingjing. I watched her charcoal strokes create facial contours on silk...

The phone's backlight dimmed from inactivity, but I didn't notice while fixated on the drawing. When Linglong looked at the screen again she gasped as images blurred: "Why... why are you standing so close!"

I stood stiffly behind her - now she stumbled into my chest! My reflexive push accidentally touched her breasts.

A pre-teen's budding form felt like a small mooncake compared to my experienced hands. But for Linglong, the touch was shocking enough to paralyze her on the stool.

Quickly retreating I said: "You turned too fast and startled me!"

Linglong didn't respond but cried into pillows after dropping charcoal. This conservative girl was now in crisis! Carefully approaching:

"Linglong, truly not intentional! Please forgive me..."

After much pleading she finally stopped crying.

She wiped tears and glared: "ZHAO QIAN you're a pervert! Knew it when I saw your hands on Er Dapo's belly!"

If only the portraits were done... Accept any insult as long as they finished:

"Apologies to Linglong Madam, truly a bad person. But even bad people do good sometimes? Please hurry portraits - any punishment you choose is fine."

Red-faced and shy, she sat again while I kept backlight on.

Staring at Cai Jingjing's large breasts, then comparing her own, Linglong suddenly threw the charcoal:

"Stop! You're bullying me!"

"Beg you help!" I pleaded.

She pointed at Cai: "Hate her - change photo!"

Cui Yáo next looked equally problematic. Then Ou Yang Qian was labeled fox spirit and rejected too!

He Yuqing made her even angrier: "Don't like it! Hate this!"

Finally Xu Chen brought relief as she resembled Linglong.

I realized the issue immediately - these girls' curves made Linglong self-conscious. Xu Chen's similar proportions restored her confidence.

After much coaxing I obtained seven portraits. But charcoal wouldn't last long, so needed to deliver them quickly to Big Ma for Double City processing.

Linglong warned: "If they look bad don't laugh! My father paints better."

Probably only the daughter knew painting here - but she modestly admitted skill in capturing expressions. I praised her talent as a future master painter.

She pouted: "You flatter me! Never wanted to be artist anyway, preferred archery!"

Demonstrating with bow and arrow from her bedhead, she looked magnificent - especially with such deadly accuracy despite small frame.

Examining the bow made of unknown wood (decorated for girls), tendons string needing animal fat maintenance, and hardwood arrows sharp enough to pierce abdomens at 100 paces...

"Stop staring!" she snatched back her bow. "I know you think girls shouldn't do this!"

"No," I insisted, "women should have their own dreams! Don't live others' expectations - life is short."

Her eyes became mysterious: "Remember that?"

With portraits finished, I rushed to county office for delivery...

Cost was my phone - which Linglong obsessed over all afternoon. She begged to borrow it for a week but I had no time.

The next morning construction began with rope binding since nails were nonexistent. Daling handled heavy lifting while building started when two straw-hatted visitors arrived.

Wahani and Linglong greeted them at door, then I jumped down seeing Cheng Susu - my heart pounded as she stepped in.

Linglong's eyes narrowed comparing chests before retreating subtly, glancing back with envy.