“Chapter 105: Love Game (6)”

"Chapter 105: Love Game (6)"

"◎ Night Swim ◎"

"When the noise outside ceased, Shi Youqing returned to the living room and started playing with his phone."

"The phone, configured for his identity in this episode, contained contacts unrelated to the mission, most of whom were not local and of little interest."

"Of the four conquest targets, he only had Bai Mingliang’s account on his phone."

"After scrolling through Bai Mingliang’s moments three times, besides the group photo posted two months ago, there was no other information related to Wang Fan."

"After about fifteen minutes, Shi Youqing’s eyes grew tired. He turned off his phone, went to the bathroom to wash his face, and then stepped onto the balcony, gazing into the distance."

"The night was dense, and he leaned against the railing, closing his eyes in contemplation."

"A cool breeze brushed his cheeks, blowing his silver hair all back over his shoulders, revealing his forehead completely. Above his closed eyes cast a fan-like shadow."

"He was mentally arranging the information gathered today when suddenly footsteps approached from the side, followed by a pause."

"Shi Youqing immediately opened his eyes."

"The glass door to the neighboring balcony had just been hastily shut, and the figure was already gone."

"...Was it Lu Yuze from next door?"

"Shi Youqing opened the character page on his phone."

Yan Chuan's fluctuating favorability score was like playing on a trampoline. Bai Mingliang and Huo Xu's scores were 15 and 20, respectively, while Lu Yuzhe’s pitiful single point had now increased to two.

Shi Youqing thought to himself, "Don't be too stingy now."

Soon after, the doorbell rang, and Shi Youqing went to answer it.

Bo Lan was back.

Shi Youqing watched him enter with a basket of fruit, curiously blinking and asking where it came from.

Bo Lan closed the door, “There’s a fruit shop next to the apartment. I bought them this evening.”

Shi Youqing was surprised, “You went upstairs with fruit?”

Bo Lan, with a hint of amusement, replied, “It’s not heavy, after all.”

Shi Youqing pursed his lips, "Alright then."

Imagining Huo Xu opening his door to such a scene, likely assuming it to be a disturbance from the property management accompanied by a fruit offering, and considering Bo Lan's unyielding nature, the encounter must have been awkward, regardless of whether Huo Xu accepted or declined.

After washing his hands, Bo Lan started to prepare the fruit, first arranging a fruit platter and then freshly squeezing a glass of orange juice for Shi Youqing.

Sitting down, Shi Youqing sipped the orange juice, “You went into Huo Xu’s apartment, didn’t you?”

Bo Lan nodded, "Huo Xu's homes are located both above your apartment and above Bai Mingliang’s. The one above you, he uses occasionally. The one above Bai Mingliang's, he uses to store various collections."

Shi Youqing raised an eyebrow, "Collections?"

Bo Lan elaborated, "Both valuable antiques and paintings as well as worthless trinkets. It's quite a disorderly mix, likely reflecting his personal tastes. The foul smell in Bai Mingliang's bathroom was due to a burst pipe in Huo Xu’s bathroom. Workers will come to fix it tomorrow."

Shi Youqing swirled his cup, pondering, “And where does he actually live?”

“It's quite spacious, hardly looks like it's frequently lived in…” Bo Lan paused before adding, “His bedroom bed is somewhat large.”

Shi Youqing joked, “Not one of those hundred square meter beds from over-the-top novels, right?”

Bo Lan’s eyelids twitched, restraining a smile, “Not that exaggerated, about twice the size of a standard double bed.”

Shi Youqing made a sound of acknowledgment.

“So, those beds don’t exist even in the game, huh? I was curious to see one.”

Tonight, Hao Tianshuo planned to rest in the security room, and Feng Bin was assigned a nearby staff dormitory. Although Bo Lan also had a place to stay, he didn't plan to leave, not feeling comfortable leaving Shi Youqing alone. Before coming, he had made sure there was no rule mandating they must return to their assigned lodgings.

After finishing his orange juice and some fruit, Shi Youqing lounged on the sofa for a while before Bo Lan brought over a bucket, reminding him to soak his feet.

“It’s not even cold…” he muttered, still dipping his feet in, “Are you soaking too?”

"Bo Huai seemed not to hear clearly and looked up at Shi Youqing."

"Shi Youqing suggested, 'How about you join me for a foot soak?'"

"Bo Huai’s face quickly reddened, nearly dropping the towel he was holding. He hurriedly bent down to secure it."

"Shi Youqing swayed his feet in the water, observing Bo Huai's silence and choosing not to press further."

"Afterward, Bo Huai remained quiet. Once Shi Youqing finished soaking his feet, Bo Huai was the first to lift them out, wrapping them tightly in the towel and gently wiping them."

"Shi Youqing’s toes curled a few times."

"He gripped tighter suddenly, asking, 'Did you have dinner at Bai Mingliang’s today?'"

"Shi Youqing nodded, 'Yes, but it wasn’t as good as your cooking.'"

"Bo Huai paused, surprised."

"Caught off guard, his brewing jealousy vanished instantly. Moments later, he looked up at Shi Youqing and playfully scratched the sole of his foot through the towel."

"Shi Youqing jerked his foot back, 'That tickles!' He laughed."

"Bo Huai’s heart felt tickled too. Keeping his composure, he sat beside him, 'Qingqing.'"

"Shi Youqing asked, 'What’s up?'"

"Bo Huai remained silent, leaning forward, his breath unsteady but hidden, and kissed him lightly on the lips."

"Shi Youqing immediately looked up."

"Bo Huai couldn’t resist and kissed him again, capturing even the sweet taste from his mouth."

“……”

"Shi Youqing, feeling dazed, looked at him. It didn’t seem so surprising anymore, recalling their kiss at the exit of Butterfly Park. Though the sensation was still strange, his reaction wasn’t as intense as Bo Huai’s current one."

"Bo Huai tensed up, his ears flushing red, his chest pounding."

"Shi Youqing could almost hear his racing heartbeat."

"'Oh, right!' Shi Youqing suddenly remembered something important, 'Wang Fan, who used to live here, told people the place was haunted.'"

"..." Bo Huai stared at him, then turned away, taking a deep breath."

"'He said he heard voices at night and felt someone touching his feet... But this apartment was cleaned up by the agency before I moved in, so if someone was causing trouble, there might not be any evidence left.' Shi Youqing continued, watching him, 'And you guys checked today too...'"

"Naturally, there couldn’t be real ghosts in the White World; only people could create such disturbances."

"Thinking of Shi Youqing staying here till the end of the episode, Bo Huai’s expression darkened: 'I’ll check it again.'"

"Then, glancing at the time, he added, 'You should take your medicine and rest first.'"

"After about half an hour of searching, Bo Huai found a book in the gap beneath the bathroom cabinet."

"Shi Youqing, upon receiving it, raised an eyebrow: 'Ghost stories?'"

"Bo Huai simply replied, 'Yeah.'"

"The book’s cover was quite eerie, featuring a house covered in bloody handprints, with the title 'Someone in the House.'"

"Learning that it was found in the bathroom, Shi Youqing pondered."

"The book might have been accidentally dropped into the gap by someone who read it, possibly Wang Fan or someone who stayed at Wang Fan’s place."

"It was merely conjecture for now."

"The title of the book eerily matched the rumors of Wang Fan’s haunted house."

"Shi Youqing began to read it."

"The story revolved around the protagonist moving into a new house and experiencing various terrifying incidents, ultimately realizing these were the consequences of past deeds. The scenes of hearing voices at night and feeling someone touching feet were almost identical to Wang Fan’s ghostly experiences... This raised questions."

"The book, having been published over a decade ago, couldn’t possibly be based on his own experiences."

"After a bath, Shi Youqing was still thinking about this matter. Hearing the water stop and noticing Bo Huai hadn’t come out, he got out of bed to peek."

"Bo Huai was washing clothes."

"‘Isn’t there a washing machine?’ As he spoke, the man intently scrubbing clothes inside froze, then remained motionless."

"Something was off. Shi Youqing stepped closer to look, and despite Bo Huai’s attempts to block the view, he saw it."

"'You…'"

"Even Shi Youqing blushed."

"Bo Huai’s lips were tight: 'I... I’ll be done soon!'"

"Shi Youqing nodded and left the bathroom."

"Back in bed, his mind began to wander. Since Bo Huai's arrival in reality, he had taken care of almost all aspects of his daily life. Previously, too absorbed in the episode, he hadn’t thought much about finding his underwear being washed and dried in secret."

"He could guess, but seeing it firsthand was different."

"It seemed like this had been going on for a long time, yet felt like it had just started... He and Bo Huai had become that close."

"Lying in bed, Shi Youqing noted the pillow was specially brought by Bo Huai from home, who said it would make any place feel like home."

"The pillow carried a familiar scent. Yawning, the bit of alertness he had just gained slowly faded away."

"The phone on the nightstand vibrated."

"Shi Youqing picked it up to check."

"It was a message from Bai Mingliang:"

"[Actually, the song I hummed today is a new one from our band. We have a gig at a pub near XX University in a couple of days. Do you want to come and watch?]"

"Shi Youqing replied:"

"[A band, huh… No wonder your singing is so good. Of course, I’ll be there!]"

"After sending the message, he saw Bai Mingliang’s favorability on his character page increase by 5 points."

"When Bo Huai returned to the bedroom after hanging the clothes, he found Shi Youqing already lying down. The young man lazily said, 'I need to learn how to flatter people. Bai Mingliang seems to like that.'"

"..." Clenching his fist and then releasing it, Bo Huai approached and knelt beside the bed. He couldn’t resist pressing down on Shi Youqing, wanting to hold him forever, but eventually loosened his grip, climbed into bed, and pulled Shi Youqing close, seizing the opportunity to belittle Hao Tianshuo, 'That task should be for Hao Tianshuo.'"

"Just then, the phone rang — it was Hao Tianshuo!"

"In just a second, Bo Huai regretted mentioning that name and resented the interruption."

"Shi Youqing answered, 'What’s up?'"

"'Lu Yuze has left the building!' Hao Tianshuo excitedly reported from the other end. 'I just saw him with my own eyes. He left alone this late at night without his car!'"

"Shi Youqing sat up, 'Which way did he go?'"

"Hao Tianshuo: 'North. There aren’t many shops that way, so he’s not shopping, and it’s far from the subway too...'"

"Shi Youqing knew Hao Tianshuo couldn't leave his post, 'We’ll follow and see.'"

"If it was the murderer checking on a body or something like that, they could make a significant breakthrough."

"Bo Huai quickly changed clothes: 'I’ll go, you continue...'"

"Shi Youqing began putting on socks, 'Let’s go together. I want to see too.'"

"Bo Huai frowned but didn’t argue further. He preferred keeping Shi Youqing within sight rather than leaving him alone. So, he helped Shi Youqing dress, adding a coat, and they left together."

"Stepping out of the apartment, Hao Tianshuo frantically pointed them in the right direction."

"It was cold at night. Shi Youqing’s hand was tightly held as they walked. Soon, Bo Huai found an unlocked bike in a pile on the roadside."

"The bike was dusty, indicating long disuse, but still functional. Bo Huai left a note saying they’d borrowed it, wiped the seat clean with his coat, discarded the coat, and helped Shi Youqing onto the bike."

"Shi Youqing sat sideways on the back, skeptical, 'Can this bike even be ridden?'"

"'It can,' Bo Huai said as he easily mounted the bike, and with a ding, they sped forward. Glancing back, he instructed, 'Qingqing, hold onto my waist.'"

"'Holding tight,' Shi Youqing estimated Lu Yuze's likely walking distance, 'He shouldn’t have gone too far by now. Don’t ride too fast.'"

"'Okay.'"

"Indeed, Lu Yuze continued walking straight ahead. They hadn’t gone far when they spotted the man’s figure across the street."

"After parking the bicycle, Bo Huai touched Shi Youqing's hand, which was a bit cold. He warmed it for a while, also waiting for Lu Yuze to get far enough away to ensure their footsteps wouldn’t be heard."

"Once his hand was warm, Bo Huai led Shi Youqing to follow."

"Shi Youqing had imagined numerous scenarios, but regardless of their suspicions, Lu Yuze couldn’t have gone too far."

"Unexpectedly, Lu Yuze just kept walking… Eventually, Bo Huai even carried Shi Youqing on his back, but Lu Yuze still didn’t stop."

"By eleven at night, they had walked far from the apartment."

"If it weren’t for Lu Yuze answering a phone call midway, Shi Youqing might have thought the man was sleepwalking."

"Later, they reached a small path surrounded by woods, without any streetlights, only discerning vague shadows ahead."

"Bo Huai held Shi Youqing's legs tightly, each step steady."

"As they were about to exit the woods, the shadow ahead stopped."

"Before Lu Yuze turned around, Bo Huai quickly hid behind a tree."

"Shi Youqing’s palms were sweaty. He slowed his breathing and listened attentively."

"Lu Yuze answered another call, leaning against a tree from tiredness."

"In the utter silence, Lu Yuze’s voice seemed especially distinct."

"'Stop pressuring me... I’ve already returned as you asked. What more do you want?' His voice was tinged with sadness and more so with anger."

"Was he being threatened?"

"Shi Youqing had never been this nosy in his life, straining to listen, his ear almost touching the tree bark."

"Bo Huai, worried the bark might scratch his ear, freed one hand to cushion it."

"'If you consider me your son, stop using your illness to threaten me! I cannot marry and have children!'"

"...Oh, so he was being pressured into marriage by his family."

"Shi Youqing nodded in agreement against a tree, silently urging Lu Yuze to stand his ground and not harm others."

"'Stop pushing me – if it weren't for you, I...' His voice, nearly despondent, trailed off, and Lu Yuze ended the call."

"Shi Youqing looked down, exchanging glances with Bo Huai, who was carrying him, communicating through their eyes."

"Shi Youqing: 'What exactly is he up to?'"

"Bo Huai: 'Let’s wait and see.'"

"Shi Youqing: '...Are you tired?'"

"Bo Huai: 'Not at all.'"

"Finally, they heard footsteps ahead and followed suit."

"They soon reached a riverbank. Shi Youqing, feeling sleepy and about to yawn, was suddenly blinded as his eyes were covered. Then he heard a splash. The man who had been standing at the river's edge had disappeared, leaving behind a pile of clothes."

"— He jumped into the river!"

"Shi Youqing quickly got off Bo Huai’s back, but before he could approach, there were sounds from the water."

"These were sounds of someone breathing freely."

"Bo Huai glanced over, his mouth twitching."

"Shi Youqing fell silent..."

"In the river, Lu Yuze was swimming frantically, repeatedly diving and surfacing, seemingly venting his frustrations... Waves rippled across the river."

"After a moment of silence, Shi Youqing and Bo Huai left first. Affected by Lu Yuze’s storyline, this was the first time Shi Youqing had ventured so far from the apartment. On the way back, he gradually calmed down and, lying on Bo Huai's back, said, 'His swimming skills are quite good; maybe he even has a habit of night swimming.'"

"[Author's Note]"

"Special thanks to the angels who nourished with nutrient solutions: Zhang San Li Si, 20 bottles; Hao Suan Oh, Lillian, 10 bottles; 21035394, 5 bottles;"

"Thank you very much for your support, and I will continue to work hard!"