### Chapter 2: Three Hubby Candidates (5)
After the Monster King’s phantom completely vanished,
Lin Nan felt like she’d just plummeted from the clouds straight to the ground, the pain of parting with her beloved hitting her like a ton of bricks for the first time. She couldn’t help but replay the sweet memories of her time with the Monster King in her mind… What the heck!
What a j*rk!
It was bizarre that these memories popped up in her head out of nowhere, and for a moment, she felt as if something had taken control of her. The love she felt for the Monster King erupted from her heart, but looking back, it felt more like a nightmare.
Oh my gosh!
She actually developed feelings for a man; this… it would just be easier to crash her head against a wall!
While Lin Nan was sulking and tugging at her own heartstrings in distress, she totally forgot about the three Shiyuans nearby who were watching.
“Sis, what’s wrong with you?”
“Yeah, you’ve been talking to yourself since earlier. Not sure who you’re chatting with.”
“We didn’t want to interrupt, so we just stood aside and watched.”
“Seeing you cry, I don’t know why but my heart feels all twisted up.”
“Wah… it’s the first time I’ve seen you in tears, sis! So sad, I wanna cry too!”
The three Shiyuans were chiming in one after another, and Lin Nan could barely distinguish between them at this point.
She thought exposing another side of herself in front of them might hurt her image, but it turns out these three goofballs actually care about her!
They didn’t throw any mockery her way; instead, they showed genuine concern and comfort.
This made Lin Nan’s heart soften a bit, and she started to regret being too harsh on them just now, like a parent scolding their kid.
Clearly, that was unfair to them.
Remembering what the Monster King’s phantom said, it was only when these three doppelgängers worked together and their hearts were in sync that the Monster King’s original consciousness might gradually return, ultimately merging into one.
Moreover, a more effective and direct way to achieve this was to engage in some kind of “intimate” activities, which would unite them like never before—definitely the best route for restoring consciousness.
But from Lin Nan’s perspective, that was absolutely unacceptable.
Just thinking about how she nearly got caught in a compromising situation with these three goofs while under the effects of some aphrodisiac made her skin crawl.
Oh no, oh no! She’d better be careful about stuff like this in the future!
But then again, if she did that, the Monster King’s reconfiguration speed would be greatly delayed, and she’d have no clue when he could return to this world.
And with Judgment Day looming closer, she desperately needed a strong ally.
Once the Monster King merged back together, he would surely return to his peak state. Who could possibly disappoint after having once swept the entire continent single-handedly?
Right, that’s it! She was making this sacrifice for the sake of all living beings on the continent!
She’d long since risen above petty interests, and her actions were all for noble purposes.
To save all life, sacrificing a little charm was entirely reasonable!
Thinking this, her previously frosty demeanor melted away like ice in spring, and she became surprisingly warm.
“Alright, you guys, stop crying!”
Lin Nan walked up to the innocent Shiyuan and wiped his tears.
He stood there, stunned, almost unable to believe that on a day when their usually icy sister was actually being nice and wiping his tears.
“Thank you, sis! You’re so good to me!”
Shiyuan’s face turned red, stammering.
“Dummy, we’re family! No need for all this!”
Lin Nan then approached Evil Shiyuan, who hurriedly dropped his menacing facade the instant she came close, revealing nothing but youthful awkwardness and nervousness.
She glanced up and, in Evil Shiyuan’s astonished gaze, her rosy lips gently brushed against his forehead.
“Thank you! If not for you and Shiyuan in my dream, I wouldn’t have made it back safely. Thanks!”
Evil Shiyuan immediately felt his face heat up, that soft sensation on his forehead embedding itself deep in his memory, unforgettable.
He stuttered, “As long as sis is okay, I’ll do anything for you!”
Exactly, even if he had to endure a million trials and tribulations, all he needed was to hear a “thank you” from his beloved, and he desired nothing more.
Finally, Lin Nan stood before Good Shiyuan.
He chuckled softly, “So, sis, what kind of mind-control soup are you planning to brew for me?”
Lin Nan shook her head. “You’re a smart guy, and besides, this isn’t mind-control soup. Everything I just said to the other two was heartfelt.”
“I believe that.”
“Talking to a smart person is best done clearly. Don’t you think?”
Good Shiyuan replied, “In front of you, I’m like a monkey trying to learn kung fu; I might end up dropping the stone on my own foot.”
Lin Nan said lightly, “You don’t need to worry about that. Smart folks know how to read the room. Just now, when you all hugged me and jumped into bed, I didn’t see you behaving like a gentleman either—more like you were all raring to go!”
“Uh…” Good Shiyuan was momentarily speechless.
“Don’t fret! I’m not here to lecture you. I want to leave the two of them in your care.
I know the Small Thousand World is on the brink of chaos. Only when you three come together can you possibly prevent those otherworldly creatures from invading the continent.
Treat them like your own little brothers, and make sure you all stay safe, okay?”
Good Shiyuan turned his head away. “I’d do that even without you saying it. After all, I’m practically in the same boat as them, like triplet brothers.”
Lin Nan took his hand without hesitation.
He looked at her in shock, feeling like his forehead had just been pressed with a hot water bag, temperature skyrocketing.
“Do well, and I won’t hold back on rewarding you with something special!”
Once Lin Nan said this, she felt her cheeks get warm.
Good Shiyuan’s hand felt like a hot potato. She quickly pulled back a few steps.
Fortunately, he was still in a confused state and didn’t notice her embarrassment.
“Ahem… You two, go team up with Good Shiyuan. Remember, you must listen to his orders, and no more infighting, alright?
If everything goes smoothly, when we meet again, there will definitely be a reward!”
Shiyuan and Evil Shiyuan nodded vigorously.
After Lin Nan finished her piece, she practically bolted out the door.
She really had no idea how much longer she could stick around without her heart softening and making some mind-boggling promises.
Her so-called rewards would top out at a cheek kiss or a pat on the back, nothing more!
Any deeper interactions were completely out of the question.
As an otaku who had never even dated before entering this game world, suddenly having three hopelessly devoted boyfriends who’d do anything for her had her on the verge of a breakdown.
But… why was there still a tiny bit of hopeful anticipation in her heart for the four of them to reunite?!
Ahhhh… she must be going crazy!
