Chapter 101: System 002

Chapter 101: System 002

"You woke up a bit later than expected, but I've checked, and there are no other issues with your body. You can be at ease."

In the hospital room, Mu Zixuan held the medical assistant and verified the results. He also retested Xu Qingran's mental data to confirm that there were no signs of a life-threatening condition.

Seeing Xu Qingran sitting by the bed, ready to leave, he reminded him: "Colonel Xu, feel free to go back and rest. If it's convenient, remember to come back to the medical department for a check-up within the next week."

Xu Qingran received the notification of task completion and was well aware that his vital signs were most likely no longer a concern. However, to cooperate with the unaware Mu Zixuan, he nodded and agreed: "I will, thanks, Sixth Prince."

Mu Zixuan smiled: "Colonel, just call me Zixuan."

"My second brother and I have been away from Kai'an for so long that we no longer belong to the royal family. There's no need to follow those etiquette rules."

Xu Qingran nodded again.

Mu Zixuan glanced at him and the silent Shen Tingyu, made an excuse to leave, and gave them plenty of space to talk.

During this time, Shen Tingyu had been leaning against the wall without speaking.

Xu Qingran, with his back to him, leaned down to pet his white dog, gently squeezing its cheeks and saying: "Go on, I'm fine now."

The white dog sniffed him, making sure he was okay, and then left.

Xu Qingran still had a slight fever.

However, whether it was the inhibitor successfully taking effect or his mind being swamped with too many sudden revelations, the legendary aphrodisiac wasn't stirring up much desire in him right now.

He turned back to Shen Tingyu.

Shen Tingyu's gaze remained heavy, silently meeting his eyes.

Xu Qingran looked at him for a second, then chuckled.

He asked, "What? I haven't even cried yet, are you planning to cry before me?"

"Trying to mess with my head, are you?"

Clearly, both of them vividly remembered what had happened in the dream.

Xu Qingran's reaction was quite calm, appearing no different from usual. Leaning on the bed for support, his body felt slightly weak as he moved to the foot of the bed before saying to Shen Tingyu, "Take me back to the resting room first."

Thanks to the inhibitor Mu Zixuan specially prepared, Xu Qingran wasn't in too bad shape, and he was able to walk back to his room with Shen Tingyu's company as if nothing was wrong.

Along the way, neither of them spoke.

Their thoughts were elsewhere.

They only exchanged greetings with others they bumped into on the starship.

Mu Zisheng and Mu Zixuan had not disclosed his true condition to others. That day, everyone only saw Shen Tingyu hurriedly carrying him out, assuming that Xu Qingran had fainted from lack of rest.

They kindly reminded him, "Young Master Xu, you really need to get some rest."

"Yes, the Empire can't afford to lose someone as valuable as you!"

Xu Qingran was momentarily unsure whether the others were being sincere or just teasing.

Until he and Shen Tingyu returned to their shared resting room.

The small rooms here were well soundproofed. The outside air and sounds were completely cut off, plunging the surroundings into silence.

Shen Tingyu poured him a glass of water.

He sat down on the sofa, took it naturally, and sipped it slowly.

His throat finally felt better.

After a while, he finally spoke: "So, you saw the dream space just now too?"

Shen Tingyu responded: "Yes, I saw it."

Good. So it wasn't a dream after all.

Xu Qingran had already spoken a few words with Shen Tingyu when he woke up.

Shen Tingyu's rebirth was the result of Xu Qingyao's own doing.

"Xu Qingyao didn't succeed in her rebirth, and I do feel a bit resentful," Xu Qingran admitted frankly. "But the main issue isn't with you, it's with her."

The matter of rebirth was something Shen Tingyu experienced inexplicably, as Xu Qingyao didn't consult him before threatening her system. He felt worried and angry upon learning the truth, but he rationally knew he couldn't just lose his temper.

After all, as Xu Qingyao said to him when she threw them out, "The right to rebirth is in my hands, brother, you can't be angry!"

Xu Qingran felt a headache coming on.

He could only close his eyes and rub his forehead to ease the tension.

What happened today was a bit overwhelming for Xu Qingran.

He never thought he would have the chance to see Xu Qingyao again in this lifetime. Even if it was just a wisp of her soul, it was indeed real. He never expected that all the inexplicable tasks he had been doing were related to her!

The more Xu Qingran thought about it, the more his anger flared up.

He didn't know whether to be angry or to laugh.

Truly his good sister.

This unpredictable and unconventional personality, along with her ever-present kindness and inexplicable compassion...

What had happened had happened, and no matter how chaotic Xu Qingran's heart was, he couldn't pursue it further.

After all, he had also become a part of the game.

Now, what he was more concerned about was Xu Qingyao's future.

Just as she wholeheartedly wished for her brother to have a peaceful and beautiful new life, he also wanted her to have a stable and good life.

"System," Xu Qingran called out in his heart.

"Ah!" The system popped up suddenly, "Host, what's up?"

"There's a lot going on," Xu Qingran said casually.

First, he asked it, "Why don’t you start by filling me in on what you know?"

"About the missions for me and Xu Qingyao."

"..."

Actually, it’s not that complicated.

Intern systems are usually paired with more senior systems by the management bureau.

For these paired mission systems, missions are usually assigned in pairs. In other words, they’re specifically assigned to pairs like Xu Qingran and Xu Qingyao—siblings, lovers, spouses, or friends with specific needs.

The little system is tied to a time-travel mission.

It randomly attached itself to Xu Qingran and had been lying dormant within him since he was young, set to trigger automatically upon his death as fate dictated. Xu Qingyao’s system, which is tasked with guiding it, carries a rebirth mission.

The little system remembers all of this.

However, the mission details were later altered. Its predecessor didn’t want it to know too much to avoid mission errors, so it locked away the memory data. It wasn’t until Xu Qingran completed his mission and Xu Qingyao and her system were reactivated that its memories were unlocked.

"...That’s pretty much it," the little system said, sounding pitiful.

It was kept in the dark and felt pretty upset.

Xu Qingran frowned after hearing this.

Then he asked the question he most wanted answered: "Now that Qingyao has chosen to give up her chance for rebirth, what happens to her next?"

"Will she just vanish?" Xu Qingran asked.

His tone was calm, but the tension in his voice betrayed the panic hidden deep inside.

The system hesitated, "Honestly, this is the first time I’ve come across something like this."

"I only know that taskers like you, who aren’t part of the management bureau, die if they fail their missions. But I’ve never seen someone like your sister who fails before even starting."

At this point, the system was even more puzzled.

It grumbled, "You two siblings are really something else."

It was the first time it had met a host as reckless as Xu Qingran.

It was the first time it had seen a tasker as driven, strategic, and independent as Xu Qingyao.

Xu Qingran was silent.

If Xu Qingyao were to vanish like this, the first person he’d blame would be himself.

He’d hate how, in the end, he still needed Xu Qingyao to protect him.

He’d hate how he didn’t discover all this earlier, so he could have chosen to give her the chance to time-travel, the chance to live.

The system, affected by his low mood, wasn’t very happy either.

But it still reassured him, "Host, don’t worry yet—we haven’t finished talking with them, right? Maybe things aren’t as bad as you think, and at worst... there’s still my master!"

"My mentor is a total badass!"

Xu Qingran's system is a bit unique too.

As Xu Qingran had suspected, this wasn't its first rodeo. It had been mentored by different seniors before, but the taskers it was paired with always messed up or did something reckless at crucial moments, leading to mission failures.

When they failed, it got the blame.

The Management Bureau decided it needed to reassess its abilities, so Xu Qingran is its final shot. If it fails, it'll be scrapped, proving it can't handle its duties for the Bureau.

Even though systems are just data, supposedly without feelings.

But as a smart entity, it made it clear it didn't want to face this outcome, so it's always extra nervous about Xu Qingran's mission success.

Since it's the last chance, the Bureau assigned a pretty special senior system this time.

Just how special?

"Our system department has ten top bosses, numbered 001 to 010."

The system explained: "Our system numbers go by birth order, except for these ten. They're the Bureau's top systems, with deep experience, high success rates, and tons of merit points."

"Maybe the Bureau still can't bring itself to scrap me, heh. Anyway, I got lucky—this time my mentor is 002."

"So you get it, he's got a lot of clout." The system said this, lowering its voice like a human to keep things mysterious, "Hey, tasks are rigid, but rules have loopholes. I think we can find a way to talk to him!"

"At the very least, we can get the rules straight from him."

"Wait until we know what happens to your sister—then it's not too late to worry."

Xu Qingran: "..."

That's true.

While the man and the system talked, General Shen waited quietly in the room.

He could tell from Xu Qingran's reaction that he was asking about the system, so he didn't interrupt.

Mostly, he was feeling pretty mixed up.

Even though Xu Qingran said he wouldn't blame him, there was still a heavy weight in his chest, making him uneasy. He was also worried about Xu Qingyao's future—if anything happened to her, he'd feel even worse.

"Shen Tingyu."

Xu Qingran's voice interrupted his thoughts.

The guy on the sofa had gotten up, grabbed half a cup of water, took a few sips, set it down, and then walked over to him.

Habitually grabbing his collar, slightly tilting his head to look at him: "Stop putting on this dead look."

"If you want to be sad, wait until I confirm Xu Qingyao's outcome. If you think being beaten up by me will make you feel better, I'm happy to oblige."

The casual tone, with warm breath brushing against him.

The topic returned to before he fainted: "So, did you listen to what I said earlier?"

"Do you want to believe that damn data, or follow your heart?"

Xu Qingran's eyes narrowed dangerously: "At this point, you're not going to say no, are you?"

Shen Tingyu hesitated for a moment.

He lowered his gaze and replied, "I'll try."

Xu Qingran felt satisfied.

He tilted his head up and initiated a kiss first, his lingering movements revealing his deliberate seduction. Using the chaos in his mind and the medication's effects, he recklessly teased Shen Tingyu, until the room slowly filled with an intimate and ambiguous atmosphere, and he ignited the flames of desire.

Then, just as Shen Tingyu, who had been emotionally low all day, showed a bit of retaliation, Xu Qingran abruptly withdrew and pushed him away.

Xu Qingran glanced down and let out a satisfied sneer.

He raised his eyes to meet Shen Tingyu's and arrogantly said, "Good, now it's your turn to endure."

Shen Tingyu was stunned.

Xu Qingran turned around, drank the remaining water, and said, "The inhibitor from Mu Zixuan works well. I'm not in such a rush for relief anymore."

Shen Tingyu was silent.

Xu Qingran added, "You're good at enduring, right? Then endure for me, all the way."

Hmm, that's what you get for offending a vengeful boyfriend.

After saying his piece, Xu Qingran went to wash up and get ready for dinner.

Shen Tingyu, however, breathed a sigh of relief.

...Enduring was indeed uncomfortable.

But deep down, he felt a bit of relief.

Not because of the initial 0% worry.

Mainly, given the shock from Xu Qingyao's truth, it probably wasn't the right time for that kind of experience.

In the bathroom, Xu Qingran splashed cold water on his face several times.

It cleared his head and calmed his restlessness.

Just as Shen Tingyu had thought.

Even though it was something Xu Qingran had planned for a long time, it absolutely couldn't be now.

The dream space was controlled by Xu Qingyao—mainly by the 002 system bound to her.

Without Xu Qingyao's request, it probably wouldn't actively connect to his small system and pull them back in.

So, they could only wait for Xu Qingyao.

How to make her take the initiative? Make her anxious.

In the following days, Xu Qingran and Shen Tingyu lived on the starship much as they had before.

Mu Zisheng and Mu Zixuan thought that after they returned that day, they would carefully discuss and resolve the issue.

Until, on the third day of routine checks, Xu Qingran asked Mu Zixuan for the inhibitor again.

Mu Zixuan, the young boy, was instantly shocked.

He glanced at Xu Qingran, who was seated in a chair, gripping a mask to take the inhibitor, and with mixed emotions, he called Shen Tingyu aside.

Hesitantly, he whispered, "...Fifth Brother, do you need any help?"

"?" Shen Tingyu didn’t immediately understand what he was asking.

Until Mu Zixuan added, "I have a few prescriptions that can help men boost their vitality or cure that... impotence. Since you're still young, you might want to give them a try. It becomes more challenging to address as you age."

Shen Tingyu: "..."

"I have no issues," he emphasized expressionlessly.

Mu Zixuan glanced at him a few more times and tactfully added, "There are also medicines to... extend performance, if needed."

Shen Tingyu: "..."

The general was at a loss for words, silently enduring the awkwardness.

"Aha! Finally slipped back into Kayan's space territory!"

"Great, let’s quickly check the latest updates from Kayan! Their Golden Wing general and Silver Dragon colonel have been missing for so long; they must be deep in intense discussions."

"Did the defense station guards fail as well? I wonder how far the devil horde's attacks have progressed now..."

After drifting in space for half a month, the starship finally found a gap in Kayan's space screening and slipped into their territory.

Typically, the starship under Mu Zisheng's command rarely entered Kayan's territory. Mostly because many aboard were barred from entering Kayan, and discovery would lead to clashes with the military guards.

Unless Shen Tingyu had specific mission orders, they typically patrolled the borders of other nations.

Or landed to restock supplies.

"Are you saying the attack on the Golden Wing's new camp in Lyra was orchestrated by Shen Tingyu and your team?"

While others on the starship were paying attention to the latest news from the Kayan Empire, Xu Qingran was in the canteen chatting with Mu Zisheng and others.

From their chat, he gathered that they had been collaborating with Shen Tingyu for years.

Their most common tactic was to undermine Mu Ziyue.

When resources ran low, they targeted personnel under Mu Ziyue's command or his allies, essentially helping themselves to supplies.

Or when he had plans in motion, they would discreetly disrupt them.

Regarding the Lyra system incident, Mu Zisheng and his team didn’t do much.

They just stirred up a devil horde in a stronghold and led them to Mu Ziyue's personal base.

Mu Zisheng also praised Shen Tingyu: "He’s truly impressive."

"Even while stationed domestically, he often knows more about extraterrestrial matters than we do. Is this what they mean by the strategic vision of a seasoned military officer? His understanding of devil horde movements is exceptional, and we’ve dodged many dangerous paths because of him."

Shen Tingyu simply smiled, remaining silent.

Xu Qingran gave him a knowing half-smile.

Both of them understood without speaking.

After covering these topics, they shifted to discussing the starship’s facilities. Including highly advanced medical tools and unique weapons rarely seen in the empire, which they used during asteroid rescue missions. Only then did they realize that during their years of wandering, Mu Zisheng and his team had also made contact with other empires and alliances.

They had visited several countries larger than the Kayan Empire.

It is said that the largest empire governs over fifty star systems.

Xu Qingran thought it was simply amazing.

He marveled at humanity's progress and survival skills, which allowed them to wield such power across the universe.

"By the way, what are your plans next?" Mu Zisheng asked.

After all, as key military figures in their faction, and with the empire now facing such a huge crisis, he expected that Shen Tingyu and Xu Qingran would eventually have to return to shoulder their responsibilities, rather than truly wander outside with them.

Xu Qingran was still thinking.

Just then, Mu Zixuan, who was approaching their table, chimed in: "Fifth brother is fine, but Colonel Xu... it might not be convenient for him to return anytime soon."

His expression was somewhat troubled.

Immediately after, he handed them the light tablet.

The light tablet's interface displayed some of the more significant recent news from the Kayan Empire.

First, there was news about the consecutive breaches of defense stations.

The loss of the station at 60, where they tried to capture Shen Tingyu but he escaped, further enraged the devil horde and intensified their attack. After completely destroying the defenses at 60, they broke through the stations at 50 and 40.

Then, there was major domestic news.

The chaos at the Tower of Evil.

Logically, this had happened more than half a month ago, but the news was only released two days ago.

The content stated that the Tower of Evil might have been severely affected by the thunderstorms during that time, causing a massive power outage across the entire tower. With all security systems down, it was a carnival for all the criminals inside.

The guards and staff were overwhelmed.

They urgently contacted a base near the Queen's Star and, after a long time, finally managed to lock up all the criminals who tried to escape. After the chaos, there was still a lot of mess to reorganize and arrange, leaving them severely weakened and likely needing some time to recover.

As for the videos released by the Tower of Evil's official account.

All videos on the internet were eventually deleted, and now not a single one can be found; even related discussion posts, comments, and blogs were thoroughly erased. Even if the public wants to mention it, they can only do so subtly or use related terms and codes to replace the keywords.

Clearly, the palace stepped in and exerted pressure.

After that, the official only briefly released an explanation, stating that the Tower of Evil's system had malfunctioned due to a power failure, leading to the release of synthetically produced false and misleading videos. This explanation seemed very weak, but given the palace's powerful authority, which forcibly silenced dissent, the common people had no choice.

However, it ultimately planted seeds of doubt about the empire and the Tower of Evil in the hearts of the people.

Xu Qingran didn't care about the videos being deleted, as long as the purpose was achieved.

Finally, there was the key message that Mu Zixuan really wanted them to know.

— The imperial government issued a notice last week, officially putting out a warrant for Xu Qingran.

In short, Xu Qingran is now a wanted criminal in the Kayan Empire.

The reason is that he escaped from the Tower of Evil without permission before completing his sentence, killed Tower of Evil staff, and severely injured a royal family member.

Clearly, they have discovered the crime scene inside Tower 1.

After searching the entire tower and not finding him, questioning the few survivors would pretty much pinpoint his location.

This outcome was exactly what Xu Qingran had expected.

After reading it, he returned the light panel to Mu Zixuan and said, "I'm going back to the empire."

"My house and assets are all there; why wouldn't I go back?"

His tone was still as cocky as ever.

Mu Zisheng was very worried: "But there’s a nationwide manhunt right now, and with the advanced monitoring systems in place, you could be caught the moment you land."

Xu Qingran said meaningfully: "So, I’ll wait until things get worse before heading back."

If Shen Tingyu’s memories from his past life are accurate, the devil horde’s attack is inevitable, so all he needs to do is wait.

Wait for the empire to come crawling back to him.

Shen Tingyu, aware of his special ability, stayed silent.

Then Xu Qingran added: "Besides, not every corner of the Kayan Empire is under the palace’s watch."

The Tianlong sector.

A place they’d long since exiled.

Technically, if he wanted, there was still somewhere he could go back to.

Mu Zisheng nodded when he mentioned Tianlong: "That place, though... it’s still developing and not entirely under the royal family’s thumb."

He even laughed a few times and said: "We used to sneak into the empire through Tianlong’s channels all the time."

Xu Qingran smiled slightly: "Don’t worry, Your Highness, I’ve got it all figured out."

After eating and chatting with Mu Zisheng and the others, Xu Qingran began to feel drowsy again.

Maybe it was the meds and inhibitors, but he’d been feeling extra sleepy lately. He spent over half his day asleep.

When Xu Qingran rested, Shen Tingyu would either read in the room, staying close to keep an eye on him.

Or he’d just lie down and sleep beside him.

The days passed quietly and peacefully.

So peaceful that, eventually, Xu Qingran and Shen Tingyu were dragged back into the dream space where they could see Xu Qingyao.

Xu Qingyao was hopping mad, literally jumping up and down: "Brother, General Shen, what's going on with you two?"

"I sent you back to get some exercise and flush the meds out of my brother’s system, so why haven’t you done anything yet?!"

"I’m freaking out here!!"

Xu Qingyao yelled, sounding like a die-hard fan desperate for her favorite ship to sail, equal parts anxious and frustrated.

Xu Qingran gave her a light tap on the head.

He raised an eyebrow and asked: "How does a kid like you know so much?"

Xu Qingyao disagreed: "Brother, my mental age is the same as yours, I'm already an adult!"

"It's just that I'm in a state of spiritual consciousness now, so I can't grow up."

Xu Qingran chuckled lightly: "So you know it all."

"If I didn't make you anxious, how would you have let us in?"

Xu Qingran: "..."

Her brother really has changed; he used to be such a sweet and innocent boy.

"Tell me, where have you been all this time?" Xu Qingran slowly withdrew his smile, his eyes gradually sharpening, "What are the consequences of you impulsively giving up your chance to be reborn?"

"If you don't explain these things clearly, I'll kill myself in front of you."

"Do you want to test me, sister?"

Xu Qingran: "..."

The threat of death is always the most extreme and effective.

Xu Qingran could only confess honestly.

During this time, her spiritual consciousness has been preserved by her system.

And naturally, the system is deep within Shen Tingyu's spiritual sea, who has activated the rebirth privilege. However, to avoid disrupting the progress of both tasks and to prevent Xu Qingran from accidentally influencing Shen Tingyu, System 002 has kept their consciousness separate from Shen Tingyu's during this period.

Unlike Xu Qingran and his intern system, who can communicate freely.

Shen Tingyu knows that there is a high probability of a system existing within him.

Because when he was reborn and was puzzled about his situation, he heard the system's voice in his head.

It was a cold, slightly buzzing mechanical voice.

Without any extra words, it just said: "I am the system, you have been reborn."

After answering his question, it never spoke again.

Nor did it say anything else to him, only occasionally, in the dead of night or in quiet moments, could he vaguely sense the system's presence.

Hearing the faint buzz it made as it existed.

"Zzz—"

So when Shen Tingyu realized Xu Qingran's true nature and suspected he was a transmigrator, he could face it so calmly.

He was highly accepting of Xu Qingran's more unique abilities and methods. Because he figured at the time that Xu Qingran must also have something called a system, which could achieve certain things under specific circumstances, such as hacking the military academy's surveillance system and possessing video evidence against Feng Wei, etc.

However, he didn't realize that this system actually belonged to another soul.

And that soul was simply dormant within the system space inside him, and it was Xu Qingran's sister, Xu Qingyao.

"...That's pretty much how it is." Xu Qingyao lightly scratched her cheek with her index finger, "The system can show me what's happening outside in real time, like a camera, and I can also see you from General Shen's perspective."

So she could keep up with what was happening outside, especially things involving Xu Qingran.

After a pause, she added: "As for my future."

"Ahem, I'm not very sure either." Her voice grew weaker, "I've asked the system this question, but it's too cold-hearted; it never gives me an answer."

"If you refuse to answer, it might be hinting at my death."

"...Wait, no, I’m already dead. Or should I say, I’ll just vanish?"

Xu Qingyao’s expression betrayed a hint of disappointment.

But more than that, she seemed to have accepted the situation, as if she had seriously pondered this question countless nights and then consoled herself—this was what she was best at.

Xu Qingran was reluctant to accept this outcome.

Rather than accepting her calm demeanor, he scanned the endless space and coldly called out, "002, perhaps we need to have a talk?"

The space went silent.

Only Xu Qingyao looked up, confused, and asked, "What’s 002?"

"Brother, who are you talking to—?"

Before Xu Qingyao could finish her sentence, her soul consciousness turned into a shadow and then disappeared.

From her tone, it seemed she’d been pulled into another space.

Clearly, whoever did this didn’t want her to hear what came next.

It might be a serious and tense discussion.

"Ugh—"

The system in Xu Qingran's head suddenly wailed.

Pitifully, it said, "Fine, Master must’ve figured out I told you about his business."

Then, a cold mechanical voice rang out through the empty space.

"I know exactly what you want to talk about."

After a few seconds of pause, the voice continued, "Xu Qingran, since when does something like this come easy?"

"You and Xu Qingyao, as siblings, both got help from the system."

"Back then, she chose to relinquish her chance at rebirth. By the rules, since she can’t be reborn, she must follow her original path and fade away."

"Now, after helping others, you still expect another shot at life?"

Xu Qingran remained quite calm.

He responded, "If you dare to dream, nothing’s impossible, right?"

"After all, this world was a mess because of your mismanagement."

Xu Qingran chuckled, unafraid of any authority, whether it was the bureau or the system: "Since you messed up, it’s only fair you provide compensation."

System 002 remained silent.

Xu Qingran continued, "After all, you were worried the world would go off the rails, which is why you passed my crossing mission, wanting to make changes and adjustments."

"Since I can fix it, I can also undo it."

"Why don’t you take that bet with me?"

The voice of 002 was rigid, devoid of any trace of anger: "Do not forget, your current abilities and mental powers were granted by the system as part of its tasks."

"I can give them to you, and I can take them back."

Xu Qingran remained silent.

Instead, Shen Tingyu, who was beside him, spoke up, coldly reminding, "But my power isn't."

His cold remark drew the attention of both parties.

He then chuckled lightly, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes: "I can disrupt the order once, and I can do it again."

The room fell into a heavy silence.

After a while, the voice in the space spoke again, calmly: "Xu Qingyao won't disappear."

"However, as I said, there are no such beautiful things in the world."

"If she wants another chance at life, she will have to complete missions with me until she earns enough points for reincarnation."

Missions.

It refers to being like a staff member of the Management Bureau, having to travel through several worlds, cooperating with the system to perform various tasks. This kind of thing is quite common in stories, and Xu Qingran understands the general process.

But hearing it now, it still feels surreal.

He thought for a moment and asked, "Will she be in danger of losing her life?"

Who knows what kind of world the damn Management Bureau will assign Xu Qingyao to.

"Every existence carries the risk of death," the 002 system said heartlessly.

"But she's being guided by the master!"

This sentence was spoken by the small system on Xu Qingran.

It started leaking information to Xu Qingran again: "As I mentioned earlier, among the top ten systems, the most impressive thing about my master is that none of the agents he guided ever died, no matter how dangerous the mission was! Many agents hope to be assigned to his system, but except for being invited to guide me, he doesn't take on anyone else anymore."

After speaking, the small system let out another wail.

Clearly, it had been scolded by its master again.

"The Management Bureau has its own rules," 002 said. "If you're so afraid of death, there's no point in striving for another chance at life."

"After all, everything dies eventually."

For some reason, at that moment, Xu Qingran suddenly understood why the other could be called a veteran system.

The words spoken were on a completely different level from his silly system.

The silly system itself: ???

Xu Qingran thought of Xu Qingyao's earlier reaction and asked, "You haven't told her about this yet?"

"Not yet," 002 replied.

No further explanation was provided.

Xu Qingran wasn't interested either and only continued to ask, "When will she leave?"

"When she's ready, she can go."

Their conversation ended there.

Xu Qingyao, who had been temporarily locked away, returned to the space.

She anxiously asked Xu Qingran, "What did you talk about? Why is it about me, but I can't listen?"

She looked quite indignant.

Before Xu Qingran could answer, the cold, mechanical voice came from the space, "We didn't talk about anything important."

"Just told your brother and them that you would die."

Xu Qingran stayed silent.

It was obvious that Xu Qingyao's system also held a lot of resentment towards her cunning ways.

Xu Qingyao was shocked upon hearing this.

After a moment, she suddenly burst into tears, tears streaming down her face.

She wailed loudly, crying out, "You're bullying me—"

Her crying was unrestrained, echoing eerily throughout the space.

Even the dream space's owner couldn't take it anymore and had to send Xu Qingran and Shen Tingyu away, ending the dream.

Xu Qingran gradually opened his eyes.

Lying in bed, he stayed dazed for a while, motionless.

The heavy burden in his heart had slightly eased.

Even if he and Xu Qingyao were destined to part, knowing she still had a chance to survive gave him some relief.

After all, how could he not be concerned?

Xu Qingran thought of the 002 system again.

He thought it seemed much more reliable than the silly system. If it had real achievements to show, it could at least offer some peace of mind. After all, he had managed to complete tasks with the silly system, and Xu Qingyao was so smart; with a proper system, she would surely do well.

"..."

"Host, I can sense everything."

Xu Qingran replied, "I know."

The system fell silent.

Xu Qingran turned over and locked eyes with Shen Tingyu, who had also woken up.

He reached out, hugged him, buried his head in his chest, and whispered, "Don't move. Let me lean on you for a bit."

"Just for a little while."

Shen Tingyu remained silent.

He grabbed his hand, letting him hold onto him more securely.

The two nestled quietly on the bed, finding peace in each other's presence.

·

"Yes, his vitals are back to normal. He’s completely out of danger."

It was the seventh day of routine checkups.

Xu Qingran got the confirmation he expected from Mu Zixuan.

"Oh, and the inhibitor’s wearing off tonight. Want me to get you another dose?"

Lately, Mu Zixuan had been carefully timing the aphrodisiac’s effects, making sure to top it up before the inhibitor wore off.

But Xu Qingran stood up, smiling, and said, "Thanks, but I don’t need it today."

Mu Zixuan paused, didn’t press further, and just smiled back. "Alright," he said.

Tonight.

Shen Tingyu stepped out of the shower, his skin tingling all over.

The whole room was saturated with the mental presence of someone else.

It was overpowering, intensely strong, and even sending out a bold signal.

A signal of desire from his contractual partner.

Shen Tingyu’s gaze hardened as he approached the bed, finding Xu Qingran curled up in pain, his skin flushed and his breath scorching.

He blurted out, "Why—"

Before he could finish, Xu Qingran opened his eyes slightly and asked in a soft, raspy voice, "Didn’t we agree you’d follow your heart this time?"

Xu Qingran’s voice came in broken gasps.

Between painful moans, the soulful energy he radiated toward Shen Tingyu grew even stronger.

His misty eyes still held their usual resolve: "Shen Tingyu, I’m losing my mind here."

"Are you seriously not gonna fuck me already?"

Shen Tingyu was silent for a moment.

He stepped closer, reaching out to Xu Qingran, feeling his warm breaths against his skin.

Xu Qingran instinctively nuzzled into his palm, his eyes clouding with desire, making him unbearably alluring.

His fingers brushed against Xu Qingran’s lips, slipping inside.

Xu Qingran’s lips closed around his fingers, nibbling gently, an unspoken invitation.

Shen Tingyu leaned in, his other hand cradling Xu Qingran’s head, tilting it back to expose his pale, delicate neck—utterly defenseless.

His blue eyes grew darker. His voice came out low and rough: "Alright."