Chapter 2: Feeding the Tiger with One’s Body

Chapter 2: Feeding the Tiger with One's Body

Tan Xing felt an invisible force lifting his body, and miraculously, the pain in his chest vanished. He slowly opened his eyes.

Is this the eighteenth level of hell described in ancient texts? Tan Xing thought, trying to find humor in his predicament.

Sensing that the host had regained consciousness, the system used its mental power to gently place Tan Xing on the ground.

"Hello, hello, welcome to Little Eight's Purification Chamber. As the name suggests, I am Little Eight~"

What strange language is this from which tribe? What is a purification chamber? And didn't I die? A barrage of questions instantly filled Tan Xing's mind.

As a mental perception system, Little Eight naturally understood the host's confusion.

It injected a segment of common knowledge into Tan Xing's mind as if casting a spell, which would help the host integrate into the novel world and complete his tasks.

Tan Xing felt a headache as a series of unfamiliar knowledge entered his memory.

From the succession of dynasties to the daily utensils like pots and pans, everything was a novel and different experience from what he had known.

"What exactly are you?"

Although Little Eight wasn't entirely pleased with Tan Xing's formal question, it decided not to argue with the host for the sake of building a relationship that would aid in completing the task.

"It detected that your original self in another world has died. Now, you've returned to the novel system. Your job is to purify the novel space, and Little Eight's Purification Chamber will assist you."

With the new memories, Tan Xing gained some understanding of what Little Eight was saying.

Was the space where he originally lived also fake? Were all those vivid memories part of a so-called fictional novel world?

But whether real or fake, it could be considered a nightmare. Now, everything had vanished like smoke.

Little Eight heard Tan Xing's thoughts again. "Host, don't be sad. This time, we're not just NPCs; we're significant characters. If the mission is completed successfully, you can apply for some small benefits~"

Although Tan Xing accepted the existence of the novel system, the sudden collapse of his worldview left him feeling lost.

"Is this task... mandatory?"

"Failing the task means total disappearance. I suggest the host take the task seriously. Life is such a beautiful thing~"

Tan Xing ignored Little Eight's unserious tone but understood the gravity of not undertaking the task.

Despite having just experienced a painful suicide, he still held hope for the future.

Perhaps, this time, things would be different.

"Alright, I agree to do the task."

Little Eight was pleased with the host's adaptability, saving it the trouble of typing out lengthy explanations.

"Great! Then I'll immediately issue the task to the host."

Tan Xing felt dizzy again, and when he opened his eyes, he found himself in a strange room, lying on a soft bed.

The task from Little Eight appeared in his mind, starting with a basic introduction to the novel and followed by what needed to be done.

A double male lead tragic romance? He was the golden canary kept by the original protagonist in the early stages, only to be cruelly cast aside when the white moonlight returned.

Was this what the unscrupulous system called a significant role?

His task was to prevent the book's major villain from turning his love into hatred, killing the white moonlight and dying for love, thus altering the novel's excessively tragic ending.

The first term Tan Xing quickly grasped in this world was 'speechless.' No other word better described his feelings at that moment.

He was merely a tiny ant in this novel. How could he accomplish such a difficult task?

A double male lead novel, similar to the pamphlets circulating in Qing Kingdom's male pleasure houses.

He hadn't expected this world to be so accepting of matters of love, to the point where keeping male courtesans became commonplace.

The door to the room opened. "Mr. Tan, Chief Lin is waiting for you in the study."

Tan Xing snapped back to reality, now having a general understanding of his identity.

As a newly appointed actor, he should have some professional conviction.

"Okay, I'll go there right away."

He walked to the dressing room according to his memory and looked at his face in the mirror.

This face was familiar yet strange, lacking the ruggedness of battle-hardened skin and instead exuding the elegance of a refined young master.

"What a handsome lad," Tan Xing thought silently.

He casually picked out an outfit from the wardrobe, finding the hoodie style quite novel. It seemed people in this world dressed for convenience.

Paired with a pair of washed jeans, he looked like a naive student in the mirror.

"Knock, knock—"

"Come in."

Tan Xing pushed the door open. The study was different from what he had imagined, decorated in a modern style dominated by marble.

"Chief Lin, what did you need me for?"

Lin Yu was flipping through documents on the table, not even raising his head.

Tan Xing wasn't awkward or flustered. His fingers tapped rhythmically against his leg as he silently observed the room.

The room was spotless, with documents neatly arranged, and Chief Lin appeared in good spirits, suggesting he led an orderly life.

"This is a termination agreement; sign your name, the compensation is generous, I'm sure you'll find it satisfactory."

After a moment, Lin Yu looked up, pushing a document towards the standing man.

Tan Xing contemplated the unfolding narrative, recognizing this as the cue for the idealized love interest to make their grand entrance, while he was about to be dismissed.

Thus, without much deliberation, he casually flipped through the document before signing his name.

Lin Yu found it odd as he looked at the neat and fluid signature on the contract; when did Tan Xing learn to write so well.

"Move out today. The money will be in your account soon." Little Song was coming back, and there was no more room in his heart for anyone else.

After nodding his thanks, Tan Xing left the study, letting out a sigh of relief once he was outside. He supposed this counted as adjusting well.

Thinking about accommodation, Tan Xing returned to his original bedroom to pack his belongings.

He packed everything usable into his suitcase. To survive in this world, he needed to be fully prepared.

Little Eight provided him with a hotel address, which he noted down before picking up an iron-like stone from the bed—this was the unique communication device of this world, surprisingly compact and exquisite in appearance.

Drawing on his common sense, he fiddled around until he accessed a ride-hailing app. He then tried inputting the hotel's name by writing it out, set the pickup and drop-off points, and confirmed the ride.

This complicated series of operations left Tan Xing sweating slightly at the tip of his nose, truly a cumbersome process.

Once he had hauled all his luggage into the car, he went to the study to bid farewell to Lin Yu.

Though Lin Yu didn't often visit him here, this place ultimately provided a sense of belonging for his body. Regardless of the circumstances, things should always have a proper beginning and end.

Lin Yu accepted Tan Xing's parting words with indifference; their relationship was purely contractual, devoid of any additional sentiment.

In the car, Tan Xing attempted to communicate with the system, "Little Eight, how did you know about this hotel's name?"

"Of course I did, it's the very hotel where the villainous dad will be staying tonight~"

"Huh?!" Tan Xing's eyes widened abruptly, his hands trembling on his lap.

What was the system's intention? Did it want him to throw himself to the wolves?