“Chapter 104: Love Game (5)”

"Chapter 104: Love Game (5)"

"◎ Rumors of Hauntings ◎"

"With several hours until dinner, Shi Youqing couldn’t just sit idly."

"Making the most of his resources, he grabbed the last pack of candies and briskly headed upstairs."

"As soon as the door opened, Shi Youqing delivered his prepared lines: 'You... actually live here.'"

"Huo Xu frowned, looking at him."

"'Don't misunderstand, I just wanted to thank you for your help this afternoon. You left so quickly, I had to ask a neighbor... and to my surprise, you really live above me! We’re neighbors, after all. I’ve just moved in and don’t have much at home... This candy is a specialty from my hometown, brought for you to try.'"

"After all, Zong Tu Yuan's hometown in the real world was indeed his own."

"Huo Xu replied coolly, 'This place is close to my company. I only stay here occasionally, so I can't really be considered a neighbor.'"

"'I see,' Shi Youqing smiled faintly, 'then could you pass this to the secretary who helped me today?'"

“？”

"'If you’re unwilling, you can just give me his contact information. I can deliver it myself,' Shi Youqing explained carefully, as if afraid Huo Xu might refuse, 'I was too nervous today and forgot to thank him. I assure you, I won’t cause any trouble.'"

"The man’s face grew tense, his initial favorability of 5 dropping to 0."

"Shi Youqing pondered: Had he misjudged the situation?"

"But in the next second, the favorability above Huo Xu’s head suddenly doubled, soaring to 10!"

"Shi Youqing glanced at him meaningfully."

"'Forgive my bluntness, but you better not send it,' Huo Xu said coldly."

"'Why?' Shi Youqing asked."

"Huo Xu paused, then scoffed, 'Giving such things to a diabetic, what an idea.'"

"'What? Diabetic?!' Seems like you’re the one with a problem."

"The man’s eyes and eyebrows lifted slightly, then he stared at Shi Youqing, 'If I’m not mistaken... you just had a breakup today, right? Moving on to someone else so quickly?'"

"...Really nosy, aren’t you."

"'What breakup...' Shi Youqing feigned a guilty look, 'Don’t get me wrong, I’m just feeling down, and my gratitude towards that secretary is purely platonic. Don’t overthink it.'"

"Huo Xu scrutinized him for a moment longer, then reached out and took the candy, 'Alright, you can go back now.'"

"At that moment, a pink option appeared."

"[Bai Mingliang really liked this candy, but Huo Xu seems uninterested. Do you want to take it back?]"

"1# Take it back 2# Leave it"

"Without hesitation, Shi Youqing chose to take it back."

"He stopped Huo Xu, who was about to turn away: 'Isn’t that secretary unable to eat sugar? You don’t need to deliver it for me.'"

"'Deliver it for you?' Huo Xu glanced at him sideways, 'Weren’t you here to thank me? I was the one who initially helped you, right?'"

"Hiding his impatience, Shi Youqing forced a smile, 'That's not what I meant. I’m grateful to you. I just thought you didn’t seem to like it and might throw it away later... My parents always taught me to cherish food, no matter the circumstances.'"

"The man’s expression turned somewhat sour."

"'Once given, don’t think about taking it back,' Huo Xu said before turning and closing the door."

"Shi Youqing watched as Huo Xu's favorability score on his page rose to 20, shaking his head."

"Turning around, he unexpectedly saw a familiar face."

"Yan Chuan, having been standing at the corridor’s edge for who knows how long, clearly saw him giving away the candy he had gifted, and claiming it as a specialty from his own hometown. Yan Chuan's emotions churned in his eyes, seemingly suffocating with suppressed feelings. As Shi Youqing approached, he asked sarcastically, 'Enjoying yourself?'"

"'Not as much fun as you,' Shi Youqing remarked, watching his fluctuating favorability score, feeling exasperated on behalf of the system."

“……”

"With much to do, Shi Youqing ignored Yan Chuan. As he walked past, however, another choice was triggered."

"[Yan Chuan seems to have something to say to you. Will you turn back?]"

"1# Yes 2# No"

"Shi Youqing chose yes, curious about the erratic favorability score."

"Turning back, their gazes met."

"Yan Chuan hadn’t expected him to turn around and was momentarily startled."

"Shi Youqing asked, 'Do you have something to say to me?'"

"'...Do I look that brainless to you?' he said, each word deliberate, his jaw tense."

"Shi Youqing, having no expectations to begin with, felt calm and ready to leave."

"'I advise you to move out as soon as possible!' The person behind suddenly spoke, his words laden with overwhelming annoyance."

"'What do you mean?' Shi Youqing looked at him."

"'...Two months ago, the previous tenant of that apartment said it was haunted and even stayed at Lu Yuze’s place for a few days because of it.'"

"Shi Youqing knew this must be part of the information Yan Chuan's character was privy to. However, he couldn't completely trust Zong Tu Yuan's word and decided to confirm with others later."

"'And then? Did that person leave because of the haunting?'"

"But Yan Chuan refused to speak further, sulking and fiddling with his lighter."

"Watching his favorability score rapidly rise to 70, Shi Youqing pursed his lips and went downstairs."

……

"As evening approached, Bai Mingliang from across the hall called out to Shi Youqing, 'Come over to my place, dinner’s almost ready.'"

"Shi Youqing was well-prepared, carrying not only the alarm but also a dagger and whip. However, upon entering Bai Mingliang’s home, his sense of danger lessened significantly – the living and dining room windows were wide open, curtains undrawn."

"'The plumbing seems to have some issues recently, so I’ve been airing the place out. Hope you don’t mind,' Bai Mingliang said while setting the table."

"Shi Youqing sat down: 'It’s nice with the windows open, the scent of flowers from outside is coming in.'"

"Bai Mingliang went cheerfully back to the kitchen."

"Shi Youqing looked around. Shortly, Bai Mingliang emerged from the kitchen with a dish, leaning on the table and asking, 'Looks good, doesn’t it?'"

Shi Youqing nodded again.

"'Why so absent-minded...' Bai Mingliang sat opposite him, 'Try it and see if it suits your taste.'"

"Shi Youqing sipped the soup and nodded again, 'Tasty.'"

"The TV in the living room was on, adding a lively atmosphere and easing any awkwardness."

"The two chatted casually while eating, creating a normal ambiance."

"After finishing the last spoonful of rice, Shi Youqing let out a deep sigh."

"'What’s wrong?' Bai Mingliang focused on him, 'Didn’t you like the food?'"

"'No, it’s not that. Just thinking about some things, feeling a bit troubled.'"

"'What’s bothering you?' Bai Mingliang sat up straight, 'Tell me about it.'"

"Shi Youqing feigned shyness. Only after Bai Mingliang’s repeated curious prodding did he slowly look up, 'The apartment I’m living in... is it really haunted?'"

"Bai Mingliang froze: '...Why would you suddenly say that?'"

"'I heard it from someone in the apartment today… It can’t be true, right?'"

"The air grew still before Bai Mingliang chuckled, 'You must have heard it from Lu Yuze, right?'"

"Not really, but now that you’ve mentioned it, it must be."

"Shi Youqing pursed his lips, remaining vague and seemingly distressed."

"'No need to cover for him. Saying such things to you right after you moved in… he’s not a good person! I suspect he was behind the so-called haunting.'"

"'Eh?'"

"Bai Mingliang was about to continue but suddenly stopped, as if realizing he had said too much. He then reassured, 'You don’t need to be scared. Anyway, I don’t believe in ghosts. Just make yourself at home.'"

"As evening arrived, Bai Mingliang from across the hall invited Shi Youqing over: 'Come to my place, dinner’s almost ready.'"

"Shi Youqing was thoroughly prepared, with not only an alarm but also a dagger and whip on him. However, upon entering Bai Mingliang’s apartment, his sense of danger significantly decreased – the windows of the living and dining room were wide open, with the curtains left undrawn."

"'There seems to be a problem with the plumbing lately, so I've been keeping the windows open for ventilation. You don’t mind, do you?' Bai Mingliang said while arranging the tableware."

"Shi Youqing sat down: 'It’s actually quite nice, the fragrance of the flowers outside is drifting in.'"

"Bai Mingliang cheerfully returned to the kitchen."

“……”

"Shi Youqing looked around. Soon, Bai Mingliang came out of the kitchen with a dish, leaning on the table and asking, 'Does it look alright to you?'"

It seemed the information from Zong Zhuanyuan was reliable.

"'You seem a bit distracted...' Bai Mingliang sat opposite him, 'Try it and see if it suits your palate.'"

"Shi Youqing tasted the soup and nodded again: 'It's delicious.'"

“……”

"The TV in the living room was on, adding a lively atmosphere and mitigating any awkwardness."

"The two chatted casually as they ate, the mood ordinary."

"After finishing the last bite of rice, Shi Youqing sighed deeply."

"'What’s the matter?' Bai Mingliang looked at him intently, 'Didn’t you like it?'"

"'What things?' Bai Mingliang sat up straight, 'Tell me about them.'"

"Shi Youqing hesitated, then looked up after Bai Mingliang's repeated curious inquiries, 'Is the apartment I’m living in... really haunted?'"

"Bai Mingliang was taken aback: '...Why would you say that suddenly?'"

"'I heard about it from someone in the apartment today... It can’t really be true, can it?'"

"The room fell silent for a moment before Bai Mingliang chuckled, 'You must have heard that from Lu Yuze, right?'"

"Not exactly, but since you mentioned it, it must be so."

"Shi Youqing pursed his lips, remaining vague and seemingly troubled."

"'No need to cover for him. To tell you that right after you moved in… he's not a good person! I suspect he was behind that so-called haunting.'"

Shi Youqing sighed, "Ah, I seem to have asked too many unnecessary questions."

"Bai Mingliang continued, then abruptly stopped as if realizing he had said too much. He reassured, 'You don’t need to worry. Anyway, I don’t believe in ghosts. Just stay put. Moving is a hassle... Mainly, I find you quite interesting. Let's be friends, shall we?'"

"Shi Youqing responded, 'You’re quite fun too.'"

"Bai Mingliang laughed heartily."

"...Shi Youqing felt melancholic, unsure if a confession or similar act was needed to boost favorability."

"Yet, seeing his laughter, Shi Youqing smiled as well."

"Such optimism, I hope you’re ready to juggle four relationships simultaneously."

"After the idle chat, Bai Mingliang hummed a tune while cleaning up the dishes."

"Shi Youqing was about to take his leave when the pink choice box appeared again."

"[As you’re about to part ways, decide to compliment the big boy who hosted you. Will you praise his cooking or his singing?]"

"1# Great cooking 2# Great singing"

"Shi Youqing wanted to choose both. As he deliberated, realizing that Bai Mingliang humming while doing the dishes triggered the option…"

"He chose 1."

"'Your cooking is really delicious,' Shi Youqing complimented earnestly, 'You could even open a restaurant!'"

"Upon saying this, Bai Mingliang’s favorability increased by 2 points."

"Bai Mingliang laughed: 'Is it really that exaggerated?'"

"Shi Youqing: 'Truly, by the way, what were you humming just now? Could you hum it again?'"

"Without hesitation, Bai Mingliang hummed the unfamiliar tune again."

"Sure enough, the option was triggered once more."

"Shi Youqing chose 2."

"'That sounds so good,' Shi Youqing said, 'like a professional singer.'"

"Bai Mingliang smiled without a word, and his favorability increased by 3 points."

"Satisfied, Shi Youqing stood up to bid him farewell."

……

"Across the apartment complex, Bo Huai was closely observing a certain open window on the third floor through binoculars."

"Inside, Shi Youqing and Bai Mingliang were laughing and talking as they walked to the door. After Shi Youqing left, Bai Mingliang returned to the kitchen."

"Bo Huai, with a dark expression and setting aside his jealousy, quickly packed up the binoculars and hurried down to the apartment building."

"After leaving Bai Mingliang’s place, Shi Youqing sent a message to Bo Huai, asking him to wait at home."

"In just a few minutes, noises came from outside, but it wasn’t just footsteps."

"The door across the hall also opened with a 'creak.'"

"Shi Youqing approached, listening intently."

"Bai Mingliang was speaking: 'Are you the one sent by the property management? Oh, I see. Recently, there’s been a strange smell in my bathroom. They checked downstairs and found no issues. The person upstairs was away until today, so it must be a problem with their plumbing...'"

"Plumbing?"

"'Yes, the person in 304 also reported this issue. I’ll go upstairs and check it out.' That was Bo Huai’s voice."

"Shi Youqing nodded repeatedly behind the door, thinking this was a good opportunity to also inspect Huo Xu’s apartment upstairs."

"[Author's Note]"

"Special thanks to the angel who sent a landmine: Expired Medicine, 1 landmine;"

"Thanks to the angels who nourished with nutrient solutions: Sharing the World's Beauty with You, 51 bottles; Slim Waist, 20 bottles; Rotten Cucumber♂Please Go to 1st Floor, 10 bottles; Zhong Yu's Sister, 9 bottles; Fang Ge, 1 bottle;"

"Thank you all for your support, I will continue to put in my best effort!"