Is this cheat code from Bika? Just do it!

"Uh..." Henrietta's body stiffened slightly, as if she had been under a spell, and she suddenly opened her eyes. She struggled slightly, trying to separate herself from Link, her shyness mixed with panic. Her delicate body shrank into the blankets, hiding herself completely under the covers, like a little snail trying to hide itself.

What's going on? Link was stunned for a moment, then saw Luca walk in and immediately knew what Henrietta was doing. He found it amusing; this little girl was really shy.

Luca entered the room and saw Link sitting on the bed, the blankets bulging as if someone were hiding there. He asked疑惑地问道, "Lord Link, what's going on?"

Link smiled and said, "It's nothing. Henrietta is a little cold, so she came up to lie down for a while."

Luca suddenly realized what was going on and said with a smile, "Oh, I see. Then I won't bother you any longer." With that, he turned and left the room.

After Luca left, Link gently patted the blanket and said, "Alright, Luca's gone, come out now."

Henrietta then peeked out from under the covers, her hair slightly disheveled, her cheeks still flushed. She glanced shyly at Link and whispered, "Lord Link, I..."

Link smiled gently and said, "Alright, don't be shy. Remember to wear more clothes in the future, so you don't get sick again."

Henrietta nodded obediently, her heart filled with warmth. She knew that Lord Link cared about her. On this cold morning, this warmth was like the winter sun, illuminating her heart.

229. Interesting

"Boom bang bang..."

A rapid knocking echoed in the quiet room, like a pebble thrown into a still lake, breaking the tranquility. Link and Henrietta were still lost in their tenderness, their kiss still lingering in the sweet atmosphere. The knocking grew more urgent, as if carrying an irresistible force, and before they could fully recover from this sudden disturbance, the door creaked open.

Inessa entered with light yet slightly flustered steps. Her usually bright green eyes widened instantly when she saw Link and Henrietta kissing in front of her. She stared blankly at the two of them, as if frozen in place, her eyes filled with astonishment and bewilderment.

“This…” Inessa’s lips trembled slightly, her green eyes fixed on the two of them, as if time had frozen at that moment. Her voice was soft, yet it sounded exceptionally clear in the quiet room, carrying an undisguised confusion.

Henrietta froze instantly, as if petrified. Her body was tense, her eyes staring blankly at Link's face. The blush on her cheeks from the kiss had become even more vibrant, like a burning sunset. She wanted to say something, but found herself seemingly speechless, only able to let the shyness and embarrassment spread through her.

“Uh…” Link rolled his eyes helplessly, inwardly cursing his bad luck. How could he continue with Inessa staring at him like that? Moreover, he could clearly feel Henrietta’s body trembling slightly, her shyness almost overwhelming her, and she seemed about to cry from embarrassment.

"Oh my god," Henrietta cried out in her heart. "What's going on today? First Luca suddenly appeared, and now Inessa is here too." With her back to the outside of the bed, she had no idea who was standing behind her. She only felt her heart pounding like a drum, as if it were about to burst out of her chest.

"You, how did you get here?" Link asked helplessly, his voice tinged with annoyance. The girl was still staring at him, her green eyes gazing at him with an invisible pressure that made him feel as if he had done something to wrong her, a deep sense of guilt welling up inside him.

“I’m going to sleep,” Inessa said calmly, her voice utterly placid. However, only she knew the turmoil within her. She had a nightmare, a terrifying dream haunting her like a ghost, preventing her from sleeping. Just three days without sleeping with Link, and she had that recurring nightmare, in which she felt utterly alone and helpless, as if abandoned by the entire world. That was why she had come here against all odds.

"You're awake now, aren't you?" Link sighed, feeling utterly helpless. Why would she wake up and still sleep here? What was she thinking? He really couldn't understand this girl's thoughts.

"I'm sleepy." Inessa grinned, raised her hand and patted her mouth twice to indicate that she was sleepy. She was imitating Link's yawn, and the gesture was somewhat playful, yet also a little cute. However, the yawning motion was too formulaic, as if it were deliberately imitated.

"..." Link stared at her speechlessly. What kind of excuse was that? And her movements were so unnatural. He was about to say something more when he saw that Henrietta was already blushing deeply, the blush spreading from her cheeks all the way to the base of her neck.

"I, I..." Henrietta blushed, too embarrassed to say anything. She quickly broke free from Link's embrace, her movements flustered, like a startled fawn. She grabbed the military coat at the corner of the bed, as if grasping at a last straw, and quickly wrapped it around herself, leaving only her brown eyes showing. Like a frightened rabbit, she glanced at Link and hurriedly ran out. Her retreating figure, carrying a hint of panic and shyness, disappeared through the doorway like a gust of wind.

"Phew..." Link sighed, looking helplessly at Inessa who had already climbed onto the bed, and thought to himself, "This girl is really not polite."

"Go to sleep," Link said softly, then picked up the blanket and gently covered Inessa with it, his movements tender and careful. He then lay down as well, thinking that it would be a good opportunity to take a nap and relieve the fatigue from last night.

"Hug." Inessa snuggled into Link's arms, looking up at him intently, a hint of dependence in the depths of her green eyes, as if Link was her warmest harbor in the world.

"Okay." Link gently hugged Inessa. This wasn't the first time he'd held the girl while sleeping. Or rather, it wasn't the first or second time the girl had sneaked over to him in the middle of the night. Every time he saw her lonely and helpless look, his heart would involuntarily soften.

“Me too,” Inessa suddenly said, her green eyes fixed on Link, her cheeks flushed slightly, like a flower blooming in spring, delicate and beautiful.

"You want some too? What do you want?" Link was stunned, blinking his dark eyes, looking completely bewildered. Her words seemed to come out of nowhere; he really didn't understand what Inessa was trying to say.

Inessa remained silent, staring directly into Link's eyes, her green eyes meeting his black, both silent. Her gaze held a mixture of expectation and shyness, as if waiting for Link to decipher the secret in her heart.

“Could it be…” Link’s eyes twitched slightly. Because of the close proximity, he could still see that Inessa’s cheeks were slightly flushed and her eyes were also moving slightly, as if she was hiding some unspeakable thoughts.

"Mmm!" Inessa nodded vigorously, leaning her cheek forward so close to Link's face. Her green eyes stared intently at Link, as if she wanted to kiss him too. Her appearance was both adorable and somewhat amusing.

"..." Link's lips twitched slightly, and he rolled his eyes, feeling a bit amused and exasperated. He raised his hand and stroked Inessa's cheek; her skin was delicate and smooth, like a baby's. He tilted his head slightly and gently touched the girl's forehead with his lips, a tender and indulgent gesture.

“Alright.” Link lowered his eyelids, looking at the confused expression on Inessa’s face, and said softly, “Go to sleep.”

Inessa raised a hand to her forehead, her brow furrowing. This unfamiliar feeling left her somewhat bewildered; it was a sensation she had never experienced before. It was like a gentle breeze, lightly brushing against her heart, yet elusive and intangible. She didn't dwell on why it wasn't a kiss, but nestled obediently in Link's arms, slowly closing her eyes. A slight upturn at the corners of her lips indicated that the feeling wasn't bad, as if she were having a sweet dream.

"Phew..." Link breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't want to take the girl's kiss so carelessly. He hadn't known Inessa for very long and didn't know why the girl was so dependent on him. But life is made up of beautiful memories and painful ones, and a first kiss is such an unforgettable and beautiful memory. He didn't want to ruin this beautiful memory because of his recklessness.

"Ah..." Link grinned. He had woken up too early and had stayed up late the night before. Holding the girl, he slowly closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep again. The even breathing sounded like a soothing lullaby, echoing in the quiet room.

Two hours later, it was nine o'clock, an hour before the shadow puppet show was scheduled to start at ten. Sunlight streamed through the cracks in the windows, casting patches of golden light into the room.

“Lord Link, wake up…” Luca called softly, her voice as gentle as a spring breeze. She bent down, gazing at the two sleeping soundly, her eyes filled with tenderness and concern. She hadn't expected Inessa to be here. The military coat she'd seen this morning was clearly Henrietta's, yet Inessa was here. Had Henrietta come and left, and then Inessa arrived? That was the only thought Luca could come up with. She hadn't expected Henrietta to be so bold now, and a sense of curiosity welled up within her.

"Hmm..." Link slowly opened his eyes, lazily looked at Luca, and said languidly, "Luca, what time is it now?" His voice still carried a hint of sleepiness, as if he had not fully woken up from his dream.

“Lord Link, it’s nine o’clock. There’s still an hour before the shadow puppet show starts,” Luca said softly, gently brushing the hair away from Link’s cheek. Her fingers lightly touched Link’s skin, as if she were touching a precious work of art.

"Ah..." Link yawned again, then saw that Inessa had also opened her eyes, pouting and rubbing them, clearly not having had enough sleep. She looked like an adorable little doll, making you want to cherish her.

But the next second, Inessa's face returned to its indifferent expression. She glanced at Link, slowly got up, put on her clothes, and left. Her movements were swift and decisive, as if the cute and languid girl from just moments before was merely an illusion.

“Really…” Link smiled wryly, got up and stretched, and asked, “Is everyone awake?” His voice carried a hint of laziness and ease.

"You're awake. I'm already waiting for you in the dining room," Luca said softly, quickly picking up his coat and draping it over Link's shoulders with practiced ease. The coat carried a touch of warmth, as if it were Luca's care for Link.

"Oh? It seems everyone is looking forward to it." Link raised an eyebrow, his eyes filled with curiosity and anticipation.

“Yes, Fiona woke up at seven o’clock,” Luca chuckled. When she got up, she saw Fiona busy in the kitchen. Her busy figure resembled a diligent little bee, putting in her efforts for the family.

"Isn't school on holiday today? Why is she up so early?" Link asked in surprise, somewhat puzzled. Holidays are supposed to be a time for rest, so Fiona getting up so early was quite unexpected.

“Fiorena said she was very nervous,” Luca said as she helped Link change his clothes. “She was afraid of messing up the shadow puppet show.” Her voice carried a hint of understanding and concern, as if she could feel Fiorena’s nervousness and anxiety.

"What's the big deal? We'll fix it if it's wrong. It's not a public performance anyway; only we'll be watching," Link said with a shake of his head and a smile. He knew why Fiona was nervous; after all, she was the main writer this time, and he had given her guidance on the revisions. There were still some issues, as it was being adapted to a style suitable for this era, and some details might feel out of place. He hoped that through this trial performance, he could discover and resolve these problems, making the shadow puppetry even more perfect.

After washing up with Luca's help, Link headed towards the dining room. Before he even reached it, he heard Dilva's loud, energetic cries of hunger, like a perpetually hungry little cat. But Henrietta's cries were absent, which filled Link with a sense of unease.

"Giggle." Link pushed open the door and saw that everyone was already there. Henrietta didn't dare to meet his eyes, sitting quietly in her seat with a slight blush on her cheeks, like a child who had done something wrong.

"Good morning," Link greeted softly, his voice gentle and friendly.

"Good morning, Lord Link," Fiora, Henrietta, and Dilva said in unison, their voices filled with respect and anticipation.

"Good morning, sir," Avery, Eliza, Fiorena, and Eluvie responded, each with their own unique voice.

"Good morning, Lord Link," Lydia and Sophia greeted with smiles as warm as the sun. They had stayed at the castle the previous night, and their faces showed a hint of weariness, yet were filled with anticipation.

Everyone greets each other differently. Lydia and Sophia stayed overnight at the castle last night. Link nodded and sat down. As for Inessa, he only gave her a cold glance. Everyone was waiting for him to start the meal. Their eyes held a hint of anticipation, as if they were waiting for a grand banquet to begin.

"Let's eat." Link picked up a piece of pastry and ate it, his movements elegant and natural. Everyone then began to eat, and for a moment, the dining room was filled with the sounds of chewing and soft conversation.

"..." Breakfast at Lydia and Sophia's was a mix of surprise and amusement; it was the first time they'd ever seen such a playful breakfast. Dilva's appetite was astounding; he devoured his food like a bottomless pit. Fiora's generosity was remarkable; she always gave the best parts to others, eating very little herself. Henrietta's possessiveness was palpable; she guarded her food tightly, as if afraid someone would steal it. Fiora's thoughtfulness was evident in her frequent servings, attending to everyone's needs. Luca's attentiveness was evident in her meticulous preparation of various dishes for Link, as if Link were the center of her life. Elvy's adorable innocence was evident in her wide-eyed curiosity as she observed everything around her, eating slowly as if savoring the beauty of life. Link's gentle smile was constant as he watched everyone happily enjoying their breakfast. Aviri's speed was remarkable; she ate quickly, finishing a bowl in no time.

Each of them truly had their own unique characteristics, a feeling that made the three of them want to join in, but something was always missing. They could feel the warmth and joy of this big family, yet they also felt like outsiders, unable to truly integrate.

230. Shadow puppetry

After finishing their meal, the group, led by Link, headed towards the commercial street. The shadow puppet show was being performed in a building on the other side of the street. Sunlight bathed them, as if draping them in a golden glow.

Walking down the street, the surrounding commoners were stunned. So many beautiful girls, and Link was leading the way. The commoners all bowed, their eyes filled with awe and worship. They knew that Link was the lord of this city, and it was he who had led them to a happy life.

Link, a slight smile on his face, led the women in a ostentatious procession, looking like a proud king displaying his glory to his subjects. They arrived at a shop on the commercial street with a sign that read "Shadow Puppetry." There were guards at the door; the shop wasn't open yet, so they couldn't let anyone in.

"Lord City Lord." The gatekeeper bowed respectfully, his voice filled with awe and pride. It was a great honor for him to guard the city lord's gate.

“Hmm.” Link nodded and led the women inside. His steps were steady and confident, as if each step was on a firm rhythm.

There was a counter just before the entrance, which would be where you bought tickets, but there was no one there yet. Today was just a trial performance, or rather, a rehearsal. They would only know what problems there were after they saw it. Link thought to himself that this trial performance was very important. He wanted to use this performance to discover the problems in the shadow puppetry and then make improvements.

This shadow puppet show is also part of Link's plan. If it develops well, it will spread to other cities, serving as one of his methods for promoting Winterfell. Shadow puppetry is a great way to subtly promote one's own agenda; he can use it to showcase Winterfell's culture, history, and unique features to people in other cities, attracting more visitors. Thinking of this, a hint of anticipation and confidence flashed in Link's eyes.

"Please take your seats, everyone." Link stood tall and straight in the center of the room. His loud and clear voice resonated steadily in the air like an invisible force. His voice carried an undeniable authority, yet it also had a touch of gentleness, like a spring breeze gently brushing past everyone's ears.

Link tilted his head slightly, his deep eyes slowly scanning the surroundings. He saw that everyone, who had been sitting or standing, rose from their seats upon hearing his voice. Their movements were synchronized yet carried a natural ease as they walked in an orderly fashion towards the front row. The sound of their footsteps created a unique rhythm in the quiet room, like the prelude to a well-ordered dance.

The group naturally formed a semicircle around Link. This semicircle was like a warm embrace, enveloping Link, or like the bright stars in the night sky surrounding the bright moon, a scene of stars surrounding the moon. Everyone wore an expectant expression, their eyes sparkling with curiosity and excitement, as if they were about to embark on a mysterious and wonderful journey.

Lydia moved with the lightness of a butterfly, gracefully approaching Link. Her steps were light and agile, each one seemingly treading on clouds, without stirring up a speck of dust. She bent slightly and gently sat down in the empty seat beside Link. Her elegant demeanor was like a meticulously crafted work of art, every movement revealing an innate nobility. A gentle smile graced her face, a smile as beautiful and captivating as a spring flower, standing out among the crowd.

Perhaps because Lydia was a guest, everyone treated her with extra care. Those who were originally sitting near Lydia stood up, their faces beaming with friendly smiles, gesturing for her to sit more comfortably. Their actions were sincere and natural, without the slightest affectation. Sofia sat down close to Lydia, her bright eyes shining like two twinkling stars, radiating friendliness and warmth. Her eyes curved into crescent shapes, and the corners of her mouth slightly upturned, revealing two adorable dimples, as if conveying endless goodwill to Lydia. Eliza followed suit, moving with light steps through the crowd, searching for her most comfortable spot. Everyone found their own little haven in this warm atmosphere.

Sitting on Link's other side was Fiona. She was a meticulous and earnest girl, her long, glossy black hair neatly tied back, revealing her smooth forehead. At this moment, she was slightly bending down, placing a notebook and pen neatly in front of her. Her long, slender, and fair fingers gently stroked the notebook's cover, as if handling an invaluable treasure. Her eyes were focused and resolute, shining with the light of wisdom like the brightest star in the night sky. She knew that Link's wisdom and experience were invaluable, and these suggestions might play a significant role in the future. She secretly resolved to record every important piece of advice Link gave, leaving no detail overlooked.

Once everyone was seated, the door to the room slowly closed with a soft creak. The sound, unusually abrupt in the quiet room, seemed like the prelude to this special gathering, drawing back the curtain on a mysterious and captivating event. Immediately afterward, the windows were completely covered by thick black cloths. These cloths acted like a mysterious veil, completely shutting out any outside light. Except for the necessary ventilation openings, the surroundings were instantly plunged into darkness. This sudden darkness, like an invisible black hole, swallowed up the previously relaxed atmosphere, leaving the room filled with mystery and tension.

"Huh? Why is it all dark?" Lydia exclaimed in surprise, her voice tinged with panic, like a fawn lost in a dark forest, filled with helplessness and fear. Her golden eyes darted around in the darkness, filled with confusion and unease. Her hands waved wildly in the air, as if trying to grasp something to hold onto and dispel the endless darkness. She had been terrified of the dark since childhood; since her mother's death, darkness had become her deepest fear. Every time she was in the dark, painful memories would flood back like a tide, enveloping her and making it hard for her to breathe.

Her flailing hand suddenly landed in a warm, large hand. Link's gentle voice reached her ear, like the warm sun in spring, dispelling the chill in her heart: "Don't worry, there will be light soon." His voice was steady and powerful, like a majestic mountain, giving her an unparalleled sense of security. It seemed to possess a magical power, instantly calming her heart, as if all fear and unease vanished in that moment.

"..." Lydia froze, her head mechanically turning towards Link's direction. In the darkness, she could only vaguely make out Link's silhouette, tall and imposing, like a solid fortress. But his warm, large hand clearly conveyed strength and comfort, as if a warm current flowed through her body from her palm. Holding Link's hand, a strange feeling welled up inside her, like a small flower quietly blooming within. For some reason, the darkness suddenly didn't seem so frightening anymore. Her attention was entirely focused on her hand; the warmth traveled from her fingertips throughout her body, gradually calming her down. A slight blush rose to her cheeks, like a brilliant sunset, and a touch of shyness filled her heart, as if she were hiding a little secret.

A thunderous boom shattered the silence in the darkness. The sound was like a horn, awakening the slumbering world. Immediately afterward, a deep, resonant male voice emerged from the darkness, a voice rich with the wisdom of time, like a fine wine that only grows more flavorful with each sip.

"Long, long, long ago, before the existence of humans and orcs, before even this world existed, it was the age of gods. They cultivated in the boundless darkness… until an ancestral god named Pangu created the world…" The male voice spoke slowly, each word like a meticulously crafted work of art, carrying a mysterious rhythm. It seemed to transport everyone to a mysterious and distant time and space, where there was no concept of time, no constraint of space. Each word was like a star, twinkling in the darkness, outlining a fantastical world. In that world, there were mysterious gods, a vast universe, and unknown wonders waiting to be explored.

Another drumbeat resounded, like the tolling of a destiny bell, heralding a new chapter. Suddenly, candlelight illuminated the white curtain, its soft glow like a mother's hand, gently illuminating it. It was like the first rays of dawn at the beginning of time, lighting up the entire world and the mysterious corners of everyone's hearts. That light carried a warmth, a hope, allowing everyone to feel the beauty of life.

"Alright, don't be afraid anymore," Link chuckled, his voice full of tenderness and care. A slight smile played on his lips, revealing two charming dimples; his smile was like the warm winter sun, bringing immense comfort. He slowly released Lydia's hand. Actually, he had only reached out to grab her hand instinctively, feeling her waving arm; he hadn't thought much of it. At that moment, he simply wanted to protect this girl who was afraid of the dark, to give her a sense of security.

“Thank you,” Lydia said softly, her hands clasped together like a shy little girl. Her voice was gentle and melodious, like a soft breeze caressing Link’s heart. He felt a pang of loss, a longing to have those warm hands hold him a little longer. After those warm hands left, he felt a void, as if he had lost something important. A hint of reluctance flashed in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by an expectant look.

“Hmm.” Link nodded softly, his gaze sweeping across the crowd in the darkness, observing each person’s reaction. His eyes were sharp and focused, like a hawk, not missing a single subtle change. He saw that some people still had a hint of tension on their faces, while others were completely immersed in that fantastical world.

The rhythmic thumping of the small drums, like a heartbeat, filled with vitality. The drumbeats seemed to be the pulse of life, pulsating in the darkness, telling the story of life. With the plucking of the moon lute, the crisp, melodious sound flowed like a mountain stream. The sound was clear and pure, like a spring, nourishing everyone's soul. The erhu played, its poignant and melodious strings like a lament in the night sky, expressing endless longing. The strings, plaintive and plaintive, seemed to carry people's emotions, drifting in the darkness. A magnetic voice came from behind the white curtain, perfectly blending with the accompaniment, like an auditory feast. Each note was like a dazzling star, twinkling in the darkness, weaving a magnificent musical tapestry.

The music made Lydia's eyes light up, and she sat bolt upright, as if a new world had opened up for her. Her eyes widened, like two bright gems, sparkling with excitement. She listened intently; the rhythmic thumping, the poignant strings, and the other sounds were like keys unlocking her deepest longing for beautiful things. Beautiful images floated into her mind: mountain streams, stars in the night sky, and a mysterious and fantastical world.

If she hadn't retained some reason, she would have rushed behind the white curtain to find out what kind of instrument could produce such a moving sound. She imagined what the instruments looked like and wondered how the performer created such beautiful music with their hands. Her fingers unconsciously plucked lightly in the air, as if she were the performer herself, completely immersed in the world of music.

"Legend has it that after an unknown period of time, a new era dawned. The world was filled with many continents, far larger than our current Youjin Mountains. The most prominent were these continents: Dongsheng Shenzhou, Xiniu Hezhou…" As he spoke, many strangely shaped plates appeared on the white screen, as if pieced together by an invisible hand to form a world map—this was the primordial world. Each continent on that map was filled with mystery, as if concealing countless secrets. The shapes of these plates varied greatly; some resembled winding dragons, others soaring eagles, and still others mysterious islands, filling one with a profound curiosity about that unknown world.

"And the story begins in Aolai Kingdom of Dongsheng Shenzhou. There is a mountain called Huaguo Mountain, and on it is a divine stone. One day, the divine stone exploded, and a stone monkey flew out..." Another triangular mountain appeared on the white screen, and its outline was particularly clear under the candlelight.

231. Journey to the West

The mountain's lines were strong and powerful, as if drawn by nature with a magical paintbrush. Then, the mountain suddenly split open, and a figure leaped out—a shadow puppet shaped like a monkey. It was lifelike and agile, as if it had truly sprung from the stone. Its eyes were bright and piercing, seemingly revealing a kind of cleverness and mischief. Its limbs moved nimbly, sometimes scratching its ears and cheeks, sometimes leaping and bounding, just like a naughty child.

These shadow puppets, drums, moon lutes, erhus, and other such items were all brought by Link from Earth. After arriving in this world, he constantly longed for Earth's culture; its rich and diverse elements shone like a dazzling pearl in his heart. So he brought these unique items and patiently taught them to his subordinates. He hoped to spread Earth's culture in this world, allowing more people to experience its charm. He envisioned a day when this world, like Earth, would be filled with cultural atmosphere, and people could swim freely in its ocean of culture.

As more figures appeared on the white screen, the dialogue captivated the women. They watched with rapt attention, barely daring to breathe. Every movement of the shadow puppets, every line of dialogue, seemed to possess an invisible magic, drawing them in completely. They felt as if they were in that fantastical world, experiencing adventures alongside the characters. Their eyes shone with excitement and curiosity, like a group of children eager to explore the unknown. They felt tense for the characters' perilous situations and cheered for their successes, completely immersed in the captivating story.

Link, however, was dozing off. Shadow puppetry was incredibly novel to these girls, much like in the 1980s when owning a television was a village-wide attraction. Back then, television was a rarity, and everyone would gather around it, eyes glued to the screen, afraid to miss a single exciting moment. On that small screen, captivating stories unfolded—touching love stories, thrilling adventures, and hilarious comedies—transforming viewers into a whole new world.

But for Link, someone who had been exposed to the modern internet of Earth, shadow puppetry held little appeal, only offering initial novelty. He had witnessed countless high-tech forms of entertainment on Earth—various captivating movies, TV series, games, and so on—with realistic and stunning visuals, immersive and melodious sound effects, and rich and engaging storylines. In comparison, shadow puppetry seemed somewhat simple and monotonous. It lacked dazzling special effects and complex plots, telling stories solely through simple shadow puppets and background music.

Link could easily imagine how popular this shadow puppet theater would be; it would be packed every day, and ticket sales would be booming. In a world with relatively limited entertainment options, shadow puppetry was undoubtedly a novel and interesting form of entertainment, sure to attract a large audience. People would arrive early to queue for a single performance, just like fans on Earth eagerly anticipating a concert. They would cheer inside, applaud the characters in the puppets, and treat the performance as an unforgettable experience.

The steamed bun vendor said, "Hey! What do you want?"

"Stone Monkey, 'I'm hungry, I want a steamed bun to eat.'"

"The bun seller said, 'Where are the coins? One bun costs three steel coins.'"

"Stone Monkey, 'I have no coins.'"

"..."

"Boom boom boom!" The drums pounded, as if urging the plot forward, making hearts race. The drumbeats, like war drums, sounded the battle horn, making the whole story even more tense and exciting.

"To find out what happens next, please stay tuned for the next episode." A voice that made one want to curse came from behind the white curtain. The voice deliberately kept everyone in suspense, like a mischievous child teasing someone, making the audience's hearts itch with anticipation. The voice carried an air of mystery, as if telling everyone that even more exciting things awaited them.

Yes, the first shadow puppet show, "The Stone Monkey Emerges from the Mountain," has ended. This ending, like an unfinished riddle, fills the audience with anticipation and curiosity. A little cat seems to be scratching at their hearts, eager to know what happens next. They imagine what difficulties the stone monkey will encounter, what adventures he will have, and what friends he will make.

Then, the black cloth covering the window was pulled back, and light streamed in, as if drawing a temporary conclusion to the shadow puppet show. That light, like a ray of hope, illuminated the room and brought everyone back to reality from that fantastical world. Link saw that all the women were pouting, even Ivyley, looking like they hadn't had enough. Their eyes were filled with disappointment and dissatisfaction, as if their most beloved toy had been taken away. Their mouths were puffed out like little balloons, as if expressing their discontent.

This was just the beginning of the world-building, with the stone monkey crossing the ocean, inquiring about where to find a master, and then it ended there. This left them on tenterhooks. Their hearts felt like they were being squeezed by an invisible hand, extremely uncomfortable. The exciting scenes from just now were still replaying in their minds, imagining the stone monkey's next journey. How they wished this shadow puppet show could go on forever, never ending.

Some of them had read the novel 'Journey to the West,' but how could a novel compare to the enjoyment of shadow puppetry? While a novel allows one to construct images in their mind, shadow puppetry brings those images vividly to life before their eyes. The interactions between the puppets, the variations in their voices, captivated them. Every movement, every expression, was brimming with life, as if the characters were enacting a captivating story right before their eyes. They could almost see the stone monkey's resolute gaze, hear his resounding roar, and feel his courage and wisdom in his adventures.

"Lord Link, why is it over so quickly?" Lydia turned her head, gazing at Link with pleading eyes, as if she wanted to see more. Her eyes were filled with longing, like a child hoping for more candy. Tears welled in her eyes, as if telling of her grievances. How she wished Link could let the shadow play continue, so she could remain immersed in that fantastical world.

“Forty minutes have passed now,” Link said helplessly. Watching the shadow puppet show, it was as if time itself didn't register. To him, those forty minutes felt like a fleeting moment, but for the women, it felt like a wondrous adventure, far from over. In those forty minutes, they seemed to have traveled through time and space, entering a completely new world, laughing and crying alongside the characters.

"Could we do it again?" Sophia leaned forward and asked softly, her voice tinged with a hint of coquetry, like a cute little sister pleading with her brother. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation, as if telling Link how much she loved the shadow puppet show. "Even a repeat is fine." She loved the show so much that even watching the same thing again was a pleasure. She felt that each time she watched it, she discovered new details and felt different emotions.

“Lord Link, shall we do it again?” Fiona asked shyly. Her notebook was blank; she had been so engrossed in the shadow play that she hadn’t jotted down any shortcomings. She had originally intended to jot down some suggestions, but she had been so captivated by the enchanting shadow play that she had forgotten her original purpose. Her cheeks flushed slightly, like a shy flower. She felt a little embarrassed that she hadn’t completed her task well, but she really didn’t want to miss this wonderful shadow play.

"Lord Link, please show it again!" Henrietta pouted, her adorable expression like that of an angry little child. She wanted to see it again, as if another viewing would resolve all her doubts. Her eyes gleamed with dissatisfaction, as if blaming the shadow play for ending too soon. She felt she hadn't seen enough, hadn't fully experienced the charm of that fantastical world.

Link glanced around, seeing the longing in the women's eyes, and nodded helplessly, "Then let's do another one." He really couldn't bear to refuse their request; after all, seeing them so happy was a rare experience. A slight smile played on his lips, revealing two charming dimples, his smile like the warm winter sun, making everyone feel incredibly comforted. He felt that making these girls happy was a very meaningful thing.

"Yay!" the girls cheered, immediately sitting up straight, their faces beaming with excitement and anticipation, as if a new adventure was about to begin. Their eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky. They straightened their clothes and sat up straight, like a group of obedient schoolchildren. They looked forward to entering that fantastical world again and continuing their journey with the characters.

The windows were covered with black cloth again, and candlelight was lit behind the white curtain. The sounds of drums, erhu, and yueqin rose again, and the familiar melodies echoed in the air once more, as if it were a reunion with an old friend. The drumbeats were like heartbeats, the erhu sounds were like whispers, and the yueqin sounds were like laughter, all intertwining to form a beautiful melody.

The second act, the Stone Monkey's apprenticeship ceremony, begins. Link sits quietly, watching the otherworldly shadow puppet show with the women, his thoughts drifting far away.

He wondered if winning a laptop to play Journey to the West would terrify the girls. After all, there were special effects like flying through the clouds. The realistic visuals and stunning sound effects would undoubtedly be a huge shock to the people of this world. The visuals were so lifelike, it was as if people were actually there, experiencing that magical atmosphere. The sound effects seemed to be ringing in their ears, making them feel as if they were in that fantastical world.

Well, this is just something Link is thinking about. He hasn't figured out how to handle the consequences of actually moving here; after all, scaring people wouldn't be good. He worries that excessive stimulation might be too much for the girls to handle, and could even cause unnecessary trouble. He hopes that while spreading Earth culture, he can also consider the realities of this world, ensuring everything proceeds smoothly. He imagines how the girls would react if that happened—would they scream in terror, or explore with curiosity? He thinks it's best to take it slow, allowing them to gradually accept these new things.

On the crisp yet gentle winter streets of Winterfell, a light breeze gently caresses the air, like nature's most delicate brushstrokes, sketching the essence of winter in every inch of the air. The atmosphere here is as lively as the leaping flames in a hearth, warm and full of vitality, dispelling the winter chill without a trace. In the streets and alleys, people gather in small groups or pairs, their faces beaming with excitement and curiosity, chatting animatedly. The center of their conversation is undoubtedly the newly opened, mysterious shop on the commercial street.

"Hey everyone, have you heard? A new store opened on the commercial street, and the scene is absolutely amazing! The queue at the entrance is like a winding, coiling dragon, stretching as far as the eye can see!" A young man, his face beaming with excitement, waved his arms as if trying to share his excitement with everyone. His eyes sparkled with curiosity and anticipation as he shouted to his friend beside him, his voice filled with undisguised excitement.