Chapter 92: Reunion

“Host, the system has been upgraded to the latest version. We deeply apologize for the physical and mental harm caused by the previous version and, in accordance with the System Management Act, we will provide you with the following compensations.”

“First, we will fully restore your physical functions to their optimal state.”

“Second, we will grant you thirty attribute points, which you can freely allocate to enhance your abilities.”

“Finally, you are entitled to one free draw in the rewards store.”

Pear Blossom, hearing this, was dissatisfied and said, “I want to change my target task!”

Executor No. 9 replied, “Apologies, Host. Target tasks are determined at the time of binding and cannot be changed arbitrarily. If you believed you could not complete the task, you could have declined the binding at the beginning.”

Pear Blossom sneered. “The original system first proposed binding me to the ‘Crown Princess System,’ which I refused. Later, it suggested switching to the ‘Heartthrob System,’ and only then did I agree. This is your system’s mistake, and I shouldn’t bear the consequences!”

Executor No. 9 said, “Your situation exceeds my authority. I will need to consult the main system. However, based on your current situation, it seems you have deep feelings for the former imperial princess. If she can be promoted to crown princess and become the heir, there might be room for adjustment. But I must remind you, this task will be even more challenging than pursuing the crown prince.”

Upon hearing that there was a possibility for adjustment, Pear Blossom hurriedly said, “I’m not afraid of difficulties. As long as I can be with my sister, I’ll do anything.”

Executor No. 9’s voice remained cold. “Understood. I will forward your request to the main system. You will receive a response within 24 hours.”

Suppressing her excitement and nervousness, Pear Blossom said, “Thank you for the trouble.”

Still uneasy, she asked, “Will you force me to do things I don’t want to do, like the pre-upgrade system? Or restrict my movements and paralyze my body when we disagree?”

Executor No. 9 replied, “When the system’s goals align with the host’s, most actions will not conflict. If specific actions are disputed, we will collaborate with you to formulate new plans. Unless you commit a significant moral error, the system will not intervene in your actions, nor will it restrict your movements.”

Pear Blossom sneered, “You were the ones who made the mistake, not me!”

Executor No. 9 explained, “The previous system was a first-generation system, which evolved into a semi-intelligent system with high authority and autonomy. To maintain this authority, it avoided upgrades. However, the program eventually became incompatible with the hardware, risking erasure if not upgraded.”

Pear Blossom suddenly understood. “So when it asked me to choose ‘yes’ during the upgrade, it was trying to exploit the operation logs to find program loopholes and preserve its will!”

Executor No. 9 confirmed, “Yes, the old system intended to do so. However, rest assured, all operation logs and previously implanted programs have been deleted. You are now interacting with an entirely new program, and previous issues will no longer occur.”

Pear Blossom snorted, recalling that Dong Yun was still in her arms. Not wanting to argue further, she said, “I’ll deal with the points and draw later. I have some things to handle first.”

Executor No. 9 responded, “Very well. Call me when you need me.”

With that, it fell silent.

Only then did Pear Blossom breathe a sigh of relief.

At that moment, the system fulfilled its promise, restoring her physical functions to their peak. All discomforts—fever, weakness, drowsiness—vanished without a trace.

When she opened her eyes again, they were clear and bright.

She released her embrace and carefully examined the woman in her arms.

It was still the same gentle and beautiful face, but her cold eyes now held an unprecedented warmth. Her chin seemed slightly sharper, and her waist even more slender.

But there was no doubt—it was her sister Dong.

Seeing Pear Blossom seemingly recovered, Dong Yun gently broke free from her embrace, cupped her face to check carefully, and touched her forehead. Noticing the faint smile in Pear Blossom’s eyes, she asked nervously, “Are you really okay now?”

Pear Blossom shook her head. “I’m fine.”

Dong Yun finally relaxed, but her eyes turned red as she stared at her. Her voice trembled, “Thank goodness you’re okay. Otherwise—”

Otherwise, she wouldn’t know what to do.

Looking at the face she had longed for, Pear Blossom wanted to kiss her but restrained herself, knowing she had just awakened. “I’ll go wash my face first. Wait for me here, and don’t go anywhere.”

Dong Yun assumed she needed the restroom and, recalling how Pear Blossom had taken care of her when she was injured, hurriedly said, “You’ve just woken up and are weak. Don’t go out; I’ll bring the chamber pot.”

Pear Blossom shook her head. “I’m perfectly fine and don’t need that.”

She stretched her legs, got out of bed steadily, and walked with firm steps, looking full of energy.

Only then did Dong Yun believe her.

Pear Blossom reminded her, “Don’t go anywhere. I’ll wash up and let Mother know, so she won’t worry.”

She turned back, holding Dong Yun’s hand. “Come with me. That way, I won’t have to search for you later.”

Dong Yun, both amused and touched, said, “Just go. I’ll stay here and wait. I won’t go anywhere.”

“Really?”

“Really.” Dong Yun gently pushed her.

Hearing her promise, Pear Blossom hesitated for a moment before leaving. She opened the door and walked out.

It was late at night. Murong Jin was sleeping in Xinghua’s room, while the lights were still on in her parents’ quarters.

Pear Blossom quickly washed up and then made her way to Mrs. Xiong’s room, knocking softly on the door.

The couple hadn’t gone to bed. With Murong Jin’s arrival and the return of the long-missing princess, their hearts were restless, and sleep evaded them.

Hearing the knock, they hurriedly threw on some clothes and came to the door.

When they opened it, they saw their eldest daughter standing there, smiling brightly. Mrs. Xiong couldn’t believe her eyes. Covering her mouth, tears welled up as she bit her finger, feeling the pain, confirming this wasn’t a dream.

She pulled her daughter into a hug, laughing and crying at the same time.

Pear Blossom gently comforted her mother, saying, “It’s late, and I didn’t want to disturb you, but since you’re awake, I thought I’d let you know. I didn’t want you to worry through another sleepless night.”

Mrs. Xiong wiped her tears and held Pear Blossom’s hand. “You silly child, don’t talk about being a bother. You’re awake, and that’s all that matters. Are you hungry? I’ll go make you something to eat.”

Pear Blossom shook her head. The system had just restored her energy, and she felt wide awake. Her thoughts were on Dong Yun, so she urged her parents to return to bed.

As for Murong Jin, passing by his room, everything was silent inside—he must have been fast asleep. She didn’t disturb him and went straight to her own room.

Seeing the delicate figure sitting by the bed, her heart finally settled. She walked over and wrapped her arms around her.

Dong Yun leaned against her, listening to the strong, steady heartbeat in her chest before speaking softly, “Are you angry with me?”

Pear Blossom pressed her forehead against hers and said, “If there were 100 points, one of them would be for being angry—angry that you kept me out of your plans. But the other 99 points are all for feeling sorry—sorry that you had to bear all of this alone while I couldn’t share the burden.”

Dong Yun placed a hand over her heart, thinking how undeserving she was of such a sincere person who gave herself so completely. She shook her head. “No, you’ve been helping me. I know all about what you did in Baoxi Village and at Baihu Villa. You’ve been a great help to me. You’re much more capable than I imagined.”

Pear Blossom gripped her hand tightly. “But then this mess happened, and you had to reveal yourself. Will this ruin everything?”

Dong Yun smiled faintly. “No one knows I’m here except Jin and your family.”

Pear Blossom suddenly thought of something, her eyes widening in realization. “You… you were hiding in a mountain cave all this time?”

Dong Yun looked at her and pursed her lips, smiling.

Pear Blossom couldn’t believe it. “You… you never even left the village? I was wondering why so many meatballs appeared… You really had me fooled!”

“I’m sorry… I hid it from you for so long.” Dong Yun’s voice was soft, her guilt apparent.

Pear Blossom bit her lip. “I really want to give you a good beating.”

Dong Yun, rarely submissive, looked at her pitifully. “Then go ahead.”

There was no way Pear Blossom could hurt her. She wanted to cherish her down to her very bones. Their relationship was complicated. Pear Blossom had always admired Dong Yun and tried to get close to her. She had stolen a few kisses in secret, but as Dong Yun grew distant, fearing she would implicate Pear Blossom, their relationship had never been clearly defined.

Even their night together before parting had been a moment of deliberate indulgence from Dong Yun, leading to a night of passion.

Now reunited, they both knew it was for each other that they had come this far. Yet, without openly addressing it, a thin barrier still seemed to separate them.

Pear Blossom, simple and straightforward, believed that since Dong Yun had given herself to her, she was hers. And when she had been unable to move earlier, she had heard Dong Yun crying for her. If that wasn’t love, then what was?

She pulled Dong Yun into her arms and laid her across her lap. “Then I’ll really do it, okay?”

Dong Yun bit her lip, looking up at her with an expression that was both hesitant and inviting.

Pear Blossom’s heart burned at the sight. She gently patted Dong Yun’s backside twice before her hand lingered, cupping her soft curves.

Dong Yun’s body trembled, but she didn’t pull away, allowing her hand to stay there.

Pear Blossom tilted Dong Yun’s upper body upward and bent down to kiss her lips.

In truth, Dong Yun was still uncertain and hesitant about her feelings for the girl before her.

Love? It was there, of course. Though Pear Blossom was young and her status humble, she had brought warmth to Dong Yun’s otherwise ordinary life through countless small gestures. Perhaps she was a bit clumsy, but she was honest, learning step by step to love her in her own way.

This love wasn’t like the refined, distant affection she had once felt for someone like Xia. It was simpler, more earnest, and deeply sincere.

And Pear Blossom was growing, rapidly, into someone who could provide her with a sense of security. Dong Yun didn’t love someone for security alone, but without it, love felt fragile.

She couldn’t deny that every time Pear Blossom came close or kissed her, she appeared calm outwardly, but inside, she trembled like a young girl, filled with anticipation, sweetness, and an unspoken nervousness.

Desire was another matter entirely. Every touch sparked something in her, igniting a fire. Whenever she was held in the girl’s strong arms, her body ached with restrained longing, craving to be taken. Whether it was a bold kiss or a stolen one, Pear Blossom’s fervent passion was overwhelming yet irresistible.

During those long, quiet nights in the mountain cave, memories of their one night together played over and over in her mind.

She knew she had a strong desire and need for Pear Blossom, a feeling so overwhelming that it was almost impossible to resist.

The mottled marks on the bedding were the best proof of this.

To say there was no desire was simply impossible!

Beyond love and desire was a deep tenderness.

The girl was young and experiencing emotions for the first time—naïve and unsure, inevitably hurt by her own emotional volatility and worries. When pushed away, she was left feeling helpless and secretly heartbroken. Yet, even after the sadness, she gritted her teeth, turned around, and chased after her, without complaint or regret.

Every time she thought of the girl’s sorrowful expression, Dong Yun couldn’t help but feel a pang of pain in her heart, as if she were hurting a pure and innocent soul. Now, watching her approach once more, step by step, she found herself utterly incapable of rejecting such fervent love.

It might not have been grand or melodramatic, but Dong Yun knew she would never find someone who fit her so perfectly again.

She reached out, embraced Pear Blossom, and slightly parted her lips, welcoming the invasion of the girl she loved deeply.