Chapter 57

Chapter 57

System 996: "What are you doing! How could you tell him all of this!"

System 996 was losing its mind. Why did protagonists in worlds where agents from the Dark Transmigration Bureau intervened always act so strangely? In the last world, one was willing to be the submissive; in this one, another was willing to give away his own husband.

System 996: "By doing this, you're throwing away your shot at love!"

Shen Yanzhi didn't believe this was any kind of love. All he knew was that by ending his toxic relationship with Lu Mingye, he would protect his own backside! He was just a regular, traditional alpha—he wasn't about to be the submissive!

He tightly gripped Chen Zui's arm, placing all his hopes on him: "You got this!"

In the end, Chen Zui still didn’t admit to being from the Dark Transmigration Bureau. He only said, "No clue what you’re talking about, but Lu Mingye is mine."

With those words, Shen Yanzhi felt relieved. You two are a perfect match—a freak and a psycho: "He’s all yours, now and forever."

Just keep him far away from me.

Shen Yanzhi watched until Chen Zui’s ship flew far into the distance. Having received his assurance from Chen Zui, he could finally relax.

996: "You’ve really disappointed me. If you and Lu Mingye fell in love, you would live very happily. He would love you fiercely and pamper you."

Shen Yanzhi: "I’m worth nine figures. Even without his love, I’ll live happily."

Shen Yanzhi: Don’t try to mess with my head.

996 couldn’t get through to him. Now that Shen Yanzhi had blown his cover, there was no use binding with this traitor anymore. With a disdainful snort, 996 cut him loose. What an idiot! He was originally the protagonist of this novel, yet he willingly gave up his role to become a supporting character. Characters these days really don't understand sacrifice!

Times have changed...

——

On his way back, Chen Zui mulled over Shen Yanzhi’s words. The Transmigration Bureau—the man who had ambushed and assassinated him before was also controlled by the Transmigration Bureau. It seemed they were still at it. Now that they had targeted one of the protagonists, were they coming for Lu Mingye next?

He thought about the conflict between the Transmigration Bureau and the Dark Transmigration Bureau, his thoughts drifting. When that man had appeared, Ao Tian had said, "Could it be the Transmigration Bureau again?"

Again...

As he thought, he recalled what he had said when Ao Tian was singing.

That sentence had been utterly baffling.

He must have had some past experience that made him say it subconsciously, without meaning to.

But he couldn’t remember. This could only mean one thing—his memories were incomplete, with parts missing.

Ao Tian’s reaction at the time had been to question whether he had collaborated with another system. In other words, it had nothing to do with his lost memories. Chen Zui pulled out a cigarette and took a slow drag, the sweet rose scent filling the air.

He suddenly spoke: "How did we deal with the Transmigration Bureau’s last scheme?"

Ao Tian: "Because we bent the protagonist gong, the Transmigration Bureau’s system gave up on its own."

Ao Tian: "Hehehe, as they say, for every move, there's a countermove. In the last world, we..."

Ao Tian’s endless chatter cut off. Chen Zui had gotten the answer he wanted with a little test. In this world, there was no one 100% worthy of complete trust—that was a lesson he had learned during his years as a mercenary. On the contrary, when something happened, the first suspicion should always fall on whether there was a traitor within the team.

Ao Tian: Ah!!! I’ve been tricked! This mouth of mine—I should slap myself!

Ao Tian: "You’re such a jerk."

This is just picking on an honest system!

Chen Zui didn’t even flinch. He flicked his cigarette: "Just confess."

Ao Tian stammered and stuttered, hesitated and wavered, but eventually had no choice: "Fine, but you have to promise not to get mad at me, and not to let it affect our solid partnership."

Chen Zui: "I’ll decide after I hear what you did."

He didn’t choose to sugarcoat it for Ao Tian.

Ao Tian: "Alright then... Actually, this is the third world we’ve come to together. Before this, we successfully completed two missions. But after each mission, I took away your memories."

"Why?"

"Because having memories would affect you. This way, you can fully devote yourself to the mission in each new world. I’m sorry, please forgive me for acting on my own."

The cigarette burned quietly in Chen Zui’s hand. He thought about Ao Tian’s words. Two worlds—that meant he had already romanced two people before Lu Mingye.

This feeling was pretty weird.

The long ash of the cigarette broke off, dusting his fingers as it fell, leaving behind a faint warmth.

Chen Zui: "Give me back my memories."

Ao Tian: "Then prepare yourself."

After counting to three, under Ao Tian’s control, Chen Zui’s memories began to unlock at a relatively gentle pace, not causing any sharp pain to his brain.

Scenes flashed through Chen Zui’s mind—he saw Jiang Mo following Chen Xiu under the night sky, saw Jiang Mo stealing shy, timid glances at him, saw Li Jingtang riding away on a child’s bicycle, saw him groping in the darkness, searching for a way out.

The flood of returning memories still made Chen Zui dizzy for a moment. He leaned back in his seat, took a moment to recover, then suddenly opened his eyes. His dark pupils were filled with shock.

"They—"

This time, Ao Tian held back from immediately responding, waiting to hear what Chen Zui would say.

"They’re the same person!"

Not only did Jiang Mo, Li Jingtang, and Lu Mingye all look exactly alike, they even had the same small mole on their areola. This was something Chen Zui had never expected.

"What’s going on?"

Chen Zui’s tone was urgent. He rarely showed such surprise and bewilderment, but this discovery filled him with immense delight. After all, in each world, he had fallen for the other person. Now he was being told that the person he liked was actually the same individual.

Chen Zui didn’t know how to describe this feeling. His logic told him that the targets of his missions were all arranged by the Dark Transmigration Bureau—it was nothing special. But his heart said they were fated, meant to be together.

Ao Tian: So he found out after all. I thought maybe he wouldn’t.

Ao Tian: "I’m not too sure about the specifics. You know, I’m just a small support system. But those three are indeed the same person."

Ao Tian: "The little deviant is the dark insecure side, the little firecracker is the volatile confident side, and the black-hearted little cake—you’ll have to keep exploring that yourself."

Chen Zui: "Then in the worlds after this, will the person I romance still be him? Who is he, really?"

Ao Tian: "I don’t know that."

After the initial shock and delight, Chen Zui was now filled with great curiosity. Why this person? Who was he, really? What connection did he have with Chen Zui?

But clearly, just thinking about it wouldn’t yield any answers.

——

Hearing the door open, Lu Mingye felt he might have made things more complicated than necessary. He had been sitting in that spot all day, wondering how they’d jumped so suddenly to the step of moving in together.

But he did think of one advantage of cohabitation: he could imprison Chen Zui without anyone noticing and torment him slowly.

If he couldn’t keep up the act any longer, this would be his backup plan.

Chen Zui looked at the person on the sofa. Even though the three were the same person, there were differences. Xiao Momo’s sitting posture was slightly more relaxed, Jingtang sat however he pleased, while Lu Mingye’s sitting posture was the most elegant.

Ao Tian had said that once the mission was fully completed, they would also gain memories from other worlds.

He was looking forward to that day.

Chen Zui walked over: "I’m home."

Lu Mingye looked up. Chen Zui’s words were so gentle it threw him off, and why was Chen Zui smiling? It felt like there was something sneaky behind that smile.

Lu Mingye: "You can stay in the guest room on the first floor."

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Zui suddenly reached out and held his face. Lu Mingye was momentarily stunned, mainly because Chen Zui’s eyes were so tender—meeting his gaze felt like drowning, with no escape.

Chen Zui gently stroked Lu Mingye’s face with his thumb. No matter how many worlds there are, you are mine.

"Alright, I’ll follow your arrangement."

Chen Zui picked up his bag and went to the guest room on the first floor.

In the living room, Lu Mingye was baffled. What was that just now?

Was Chen Zui getting too hands-on? He kissed me when he left, and now he touched my face when he returned.

Since when was that allowed?!

Ao Tian: "Just a heads-up, it seems he doesn’t like the gentle and obedient type."

Ao Tian: "Don’t let love cloud your judgment. We still have a mission."

Chen Zui took the clothes out of his bag and hung them in the closet: "Don’t worry, my judgment won’t be clouded."

After putting away his clothes, Chen Zui went out. Now that he knew the targets across all three worlds were the same person, he had one more reason to complete the mission: he wanted to find out who this person really was.

After all, in the real world, he was sure he’d never seen anyone like this.

Chen Zui came out of the room after hanging his clothes: "What should we have for dinner? I’ll make it."

Lu Mingye couldn’t handle being near him all day. Although the other was wearing a scent blocker, hints of his pheromones still came through, making Lu Mingye want to close the distance.

"I’m going to a banquet tonight."

"Alright."

Lu Mingye had thought he’d ask more questions. Was he really that indifferent?

He felt unexplainably irritated.

He stood up: "I’m going to change. No need to wait up for me tonight."

After saying this, he felt it was too couple-y, like a husband leaving a message for his wife so she wouldn’t wait up for him.

Lu Mingye all but fled. He had no banquet to attend and went to the bar he usually went to instead.

Was it safe to leave Chen Zui alone at home?

Glass in hand, Lu Mingye couldn’t relax even after leaving. Would Chen Zui plant cameras while he was away?

That sounded like something he would do.

Lu Mingye couldn’t stay put anymore. He put down his glass and was about to leave when an Omega cut him off.

The Omega steeled himself before speaking: "Hello, do you remember me?"

Lu Mingye: "No, what is it?"

The Omega looked disappointed but worked up the nerve: "I always see you at this bar. Last time, I accidentally fell, and you lifted me up. I never got the chance to thank you."

He spoke shyly, lowering his head as he brought out a hand from behind his back, holding a bouquet of vibrant roses.

"These are for you."

Since that day, he had been coming to the bar every day with flowers, waiting for Lu Mingye. Although he often saw him, he never had the courage to approach. This time, his bartender friend encouraged him and pushed him forward.

Lu Mingye looked at the lush roses and frowned: "I can’t stand roses."

As he said this, he looked up and saw Chen Zui standing at the entrance behind the Omega.

Chen Zui had clearly heard him and looked hurt.

Seeing this, Lu Mingye panicked a little.

What surprised him even more was that Chen Zui turned on his heel and left the next second.

Lu Mingye: "..."

Omega: "I’m sorry, I—"

Before he could finish, Lu Mingye had already dashed past him, nearly knocking him over.

The Omega steadied himself and looked confusedly at the closed door. Did he really hate roses that much?

Lu Mingye ran out of the bar, turning to look around, and saw Chen Zui running toward the aircraft landing pad on the left. He took off after him—not because he was afraid Chen Zui would misunderstand, but because he wanted to act like he cared, to make Chen Zui think he liked him.

"Chen Zui!"

Chen Zui’s steps hitched slightly, but he didn’t look back, only ran faster.

"Chen Zui!"

Lu Mingye was fuming at this guy.

Ao Tian: "He runs, he chases, they’re stuck in each other’s orbits, heehee~"

As Chen Zui opened the aircraft door and slowed down, Lu Mingye finally caught up, grabbing him and yanking him back.

Chen Zui turned his head away, his face stern, clearly angry and not in a forgiving mood.

Lu Mingye: "What are you running for?"

Chen Zui remained silent, fully in character.

Lu Mingye: "Why aren't you saying anything?"

The viewer commented: "Only when you speak will I know if you're jealous or angry that I said I hate roses, so I can figure out how to make it up to you."

Chen Zui smirked to himself. "You weren't going to a banquet, were you?"

Lu Mingye: ...

Shit! He'd forgotten there was another mistake waiting for him.

"Me being at your place makes you so uncomfortable that you even had to lie to get away. If that's the case, I should just move out. I'll go pack my things now."

Chen Zui turned to leave, but Lu Mingye grabbed him. "You can't leave! If you leave, how am I supposed to lock you up in the basement and play with you!"

"No, I... I..." Lu Mingye panicked. "I was just nervous being in the same room with you, embarrassed, so I—"

Only then did Chen Zui turn back, his expression softening a lot: "Really? You don't hate me?"

Lu Mingye nodded vigorously.

Chen Zui: "Then what was that omega about earlier?"

"I don't know him."

"But you said you hate roses the most..."

"I lied. I love roses the most." Lu Mingye jumped in to answer. Under his response, Chen Zui's expression softened more and more, until he finally laughed.

He stared at Lu Mingye: "Then how do you want me to believe you?"

Lu Mingye wanted to curse.

Really testing his patience.

But he'd already come this far; it'd feel like a huge loss to fail now.

Yet Lu Mingye couldn't think of how to make Chen Zui believe him.

Chen Zui provided the answer.

He leaned in, tilting his head to the side: "If you kiss me, I'll believe you."

People were streaming past on the street, and the two of them, both handsome, were already drawing attention.

Lu Mingye doubted his ears.

But Chen Zui's face was already close. Actually, considering what they'd done before, a kiss on the cheek was nothing.

Lu Mingye went for it, gritted his teeth, closed his eyes, and pursed his lips to lean in. But the sensation was unexpectedly soft and warm.

He opened his eyes in confusion. Chen Zui, who was supposed to have his head turned, had somehow turned it back.

So it wasn't a kiss on the cheek—it was a proper kiss.

Chen Zui's eyes reflected the light, making Lu Mingye's head spin, his heart, even more so with his teasing grin.

His heart skipped a beat.

Some passersby were covering their mouths and gasping, while others were secretly taking photos.

Chen Zui lifted his head: "I believe you now."

He took Lu Mingye's hand: "Let's go home."

Lu Mingye, who'd been outmaneuvered, could only fume quietly, repeating to himself that those who achieve great things don't sweat the small stuff. Yet his thoughts gradually drifted to the hand holding his—firm and warm.

On an early autumn evening, it made him feel completely at ease. The scent of roses drifted from Chen Zui, and he couldn't help but take a subtle whiff, feeling utterly relaxed.

Damn it.

He'd never heard of pheromones being addictive.

So why was he so obsessed with Chen Zui's pheromones?

——

Chen Zui stayed at Lu Mingye's place, and in the blink of an eye, a month had passed. During this time, the affection meter had risen to 20%, which was indeed much slower compared to the progress in the previous two worlds.

Lu Mingye was still carrying out his plan, and it was almost time to close the trap.

He thought about heading to the dining room and saw the three dishes and one soup on the table. Chen Zui loved cooking, and for most of the past month, he'd been at home perfecting his cooking. Because of this, Lu Mingye had been eating well lately and felt like he'd gained some weight.

Looking at the busy figure in the kitchen, he walked over and stood slightly behind Chen Zui. He raised his hand and tugged lightly on the apron string tied behind Chen Zui's waist: "Having you in this home is really nice."

Lately, he'd been saying a lot of these ambiguous, suggestive things. Each time, Chen Zui would be made to look at him with expectant eyes.

Tonight, he'd string him along further, wait for him to confess once more, and then he'd expose the truth, ridicule him mercilessly, and hurt him.

Since he had Chen Zui wrapped around his finger, he might cry, or maybe he'd run away heartbroken.

It didn't matter; he had a follow-up plan.

He'd let Chen Zui stew overnight, make him experience the pain of heartbreak, then give him a little hope to lure him back. He'd offer him a drugged glass of water, and from then on, Chen Zui would become his prisoner in the basement.

Lu Mingye schemed happily, pressing his fingertip against the small of Chen Zui's back before quickly pulling it away, as if it were just an accident.

Chen Zui had been having a great time over the past month. Watching Lu Mingye bend over backwards to seduce him was truly entertaining.

The food was served. Lu Mingye picked up a piece of fish and put it in his mouth before he could even chew.

"Gack—"

He suddenly gagged. Lu Mingye put down his chopsticks and hurried to the bathroom.

Chen Zui followed closely behind. Lu Mingye crouched by the toilet, heaving repeatedly. Chen Zui went over and rubbed his back.

The fish was absolutely fresh, and Lu Mingye loved fish. Was he feeling unwell?

Lu Mingye took the cup of water Chen Zui handed him to rinse his mouth. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he looked pitiful.

Chen Zui asked, "Stomach upset?"

Lu Mingye didn't know either. Just a second before eating that piece of fish, he'd been fine.

Chen Zui helped him up from the floor.

"I'm fine." Lu Mingye washed his face again. Now he felt better, but when he returned to the dining table, he had no appetite for the lavish dinner.

Chen Zui asked, "Don't want to eat?"

Lu Mingye: "I want to eat the numbingly spicy braised pig trotters you made last time."

He was craving it so much his mouth was watering. Lu Mingye swallowed, his mind completely filled with thoughts of pig trotters—numbingly spicy, with skin that melts in your mouth and springy tendons. It was absolutely delicious.

Chen Zui: "Tomorrow. I'll make them for you tomorrow."

Lu Mingye was unable to hide his disappointment, but it was indeed quite late, and dinner was already prepared.

He picked up his bowl and only ate a little, with little appetite.

He turned in early that night. Chen Zui placed a cup of hot water on his nightstand: "Still not comfortable?"

Lu Mingye looked at him, really wanted to ask if he could make the numbingly spicy pig trotters for him right now.

But he was too embarrassed to ask. He pulled the blanket up: "I’m fine."

Chen Zui could read Lu Mingye's true desires, but he wasn't one for unconditional indulgence.

He had made dinner, and Lu Mingye hadn’t mentioned wanting pig trotters beforehand. Besides, since he had thrown up, his digestive system was clearly upset, and spicy food wasn’t suitable.

"Call me if you need anything."

"Mm."

Chen Zui went back downstairs.

Ao Tian: "Today’s special is delicate black-hearted little cake."

—

Lu Mingye tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. The moment he closed his eyes, visions of numbingly spicy pig trotters filled his mind. He couldn’t take it anymore and checked the time—it was almost 1 a.m.

He gave in and ordered delivery.

He was determined to have numbingly spicy pig trotters today. The delivery arrived quickly.

The delivery person, as requested, didn’t ring the doorbell and instead called him.

Lu Mingye answered furtively, sneaked downstairs, glanced at Chen Zui’s room, then crept outside to get the takeout. Happily, he carried the numbingly spicy pig trotters back to his bedroom, feeling pleased with himself.

But after the first bite, all the delight vanished from his face. At that moment, Lu Mingye even felt like crying.

It was awful.

It couldn’t compare at all to what Chen Zui made.

The alpha stared sadly at the bowl of watery numbingly spicy pig trotters.

"So you secretly ordered takeout." Chen Zui appeared at the doorway, arms crossed as he leaned against the doorframe, looking like a parent who'd caught a child sneaking food.

But the wronged expression on Lu Mingye’s face when he turned around made Chen Zui freeze.

"I never said you couldn’t eat."

"But it’s so bad…"

Lu Mingye felt as though he had been terribly wronged.

Chen Zui walked over and saw it was numbingly spicy pig trotters. Just looking at it made it seem unappetizing, but he couldn’t help wanting to laugh. How badly did Lu Mingye want to eat this?

He looked at the pitiful alpha, the little voice in his head crying: Hurry up and make it for me, I’m dying of craving.

"You want to eat it?"

Since he’d already been caught, Lu Mingye decided to come clean: "Yes."

Chen Zui leaned in closer, tilting his head: "You know what to do, right?"

Lu Mingye: …

Always looking for an angle to get something. Over the past month, he had gotten away with at least fifty kisses from him.

But he had gotten used to it.

He moved in with his eyes open, knowing Chen Zui would turn his head, turning it into a kiss on the lips.

Just as he expected, Chen Zui did turn, but this time it wasn’t like before—just a brief touch of lips. Chen Zui deepened the kiss, his slender fingers threading through Lu Mingye’s dark hair, asserting control, plundering Lu Mingye’s lips and tongue, stealing his breath, making him let out soft, helpless whimpers from suffocation under his kiss.

When the kiss ended, Lu Mingye was breathing heavily, his heart pounding.

He was in trouble.

He actually felt like it wasn’t enough.