Chapter 46: This is Reputation

Chapter 46: The Power of Reputation

"Weren't you the curious one?" Qi He retorted.

System: "What are you planning?!"

Qi He scanned the script, giving it a preview: "I was deeply moved by his confession and called him 'you sly devil'."

"—!"

Yan Chuanbai, seeing him still, called out again, "Qi He?"

Under the system's horrified gaze, Qi He looked at Yan Chuanbai and said, "You still remember my name—I'm touched."

System: "...?"

Yan Chuanbai: "?"

He lowered his eyes, studying Qi He for a moment, then calmly asked, "What kind of prejudice do you hold against me?"

Qi He replied evenly, "Archnemesis."

Yan Chuanbai raised an eyebrow.

System: "..."

It finally let out a breath, then suddenly realized, "Wait, were you just deliberately tricking me!?"

Qi He smirked.

Suddenly, the person in front spoke, "Can I interpret this as you placing me in a position of equal standing?"

Qi He snapped out of his thoughts and looked up.

Yan Chuanbai stood before him, his gaze lightly tracing the corner of Qi He's lips before meeting his eyes. His posture was relaxed, yet a spark danced in his gaze.

A challenge? No...

Qi He reconsidered, pondering, "Is this also part of 'flirting'?"

"No."

Yan Chuanbai finished speaking, then suddenly leaned in. His fingertips lightly grazed Qi He's palm as he whispered in his ear, "Whether you want to fight, or do something else to me... I'm always ready."

A tingle shot straight from his ear into his heart.

Such tempting words made Qi He's breath catch.

Then Yan Chuanbai straightened up and smiled at him: "This is part of showing affection."

"..." Qi He.

"!" System.

Yan Chuanbai turned and said, "Let's go."

...

Qi He took a shallow breath and followed.

The two made their way through City F, one after the other. The system watched Qi He cautiously for a moment, then tentatively asked:

"How do you feel?"

Qi He said grudgingly, "I was at a disadvantage just now. If I'd known, I should have gone through with the scene I previewed for you."

"..." System.

After a moment, it said numbly, "When you test romance games, you probably aren't trying to win over the characters—you're attacking them, aren't you?"

Qi He looked astonished, wondering if he'd coded a virus into the system's language module.

He didn't respond, and the topic ended there.

The gear in the guardroom had already been tidied up by the adjutant. They exited the city gate, where a helicopter was waiting.

The faint light of dawn broke through the clouds.

The rotor blades churned up fierce gusts.

Yan Chuanbai grabbed the boarding rail with one hand. Under his uniform, his shoulders were broad and squared, his shoulder blades taut as if coiled with potential energy. With a swift leap, he boarded the helicopter.

Qi He watched his back.

How did he feel?

Given the relationship between the two of them—

Whether it was the "protagonist" and "side character" arranged by the plot, or the "love interest" and "player" built upon the plot. Or even as worthy opponents, teammates fighting alongside each other...

Yan Chuanbai had developed feelings for him beyond all that.

It gave him an unprecedented, thrilling new experience.

Qi He withdrew his gaze and, in two steps, hopped aboard the helicopter.

-

Two hours later, the helicopter landed back at Base Ⅰ.

Standard procedure dictated that S-rank agents attend a brief meeting.

As soon as they disembarked, Qi He and Yan Chuanbai headed straight for the conference room at the research facility. You Tianxing and Yu Jiang were already inside, watching as the two entered one after the other.

Yu Jiang's gaze instantly locked on and followed...

Yan Chuanbai paused, stopping at the seat across from her. "About the serum—thanks."

Yu Jiang was slightly startled, tilting her ear: What spilled?

She said blankly, "Oh."

Qi He also took a seat nearby and asked You Tianxing, "Where's Xia Jiu?"

You Tianxing said cheerfully: "She's busy at the lab. She's on her way..."

Before he could finish, the door opened.

Xia Jiu rushed in, her short hair flying, in a flurry. She pulled out a chair and sat down. "I'm here, I'm here. Let's begin."

They had much to discuss for this meeting.

Yan Chuanbai first summarized the battle situation and the subsequent deployment of Base III: "Base III has been taken over by Yang Cheng, with a total of two S-class personnel. Currently, headquarters still has two combat personnel, plus three support combat personnel, so our combat strength is still sufficient."

You Tianxing mused: "Yeah, especially since Kamiue has gone to the front lines, he's basically equivalent to half a Combat Department member."

Yan Chuanbai narrowed his eyes: "That concludes the summary. Next topic."

"..."

Everything within the base is proceeding smoothly.

After the first batch of antibodies for S-class personnel was completed, production immediately began on the next batch.

"The serum development is more complicated and time-consuming," Xia Jiu said, crossing her arms and leaning back in her chair. "For now, we're still focusing on antibodies."

"In any case, everyone has worked hard during this period."

After the meeting concluded, You Tianxing clapped once up front. "Alright, how about everyone comes to my place for dinner tonight?"

As soon as he finished, Yan Chuanbai suddenly tapped his fingers. "You've all worked hard. Come to my place instead."

Everyone turned to look at him in unison: ?

You Tianxing was astonished: "Is this... actual human speech?!"

He stared at Yan Chuanbai, unable to believe it: "Were you scratched by a zombie? Have you mutated?"

Yan Chuanbai and Qi He both paused at the same time.

Across the table, Xia Jiu suddenly turned her gaze, narrowing her eyes.

After a brief pause, Yan Chuanbai calmly looked at Yu Jiang. "Will you come?"

Yu Jiang had been under Yu Jin's care for daily needs since entering the base. She hesitated, her gaze darting briefly, then answered, her face flushing: "...Yes."

Yan Chuanbai nodded. "Good."

…

The routine meeting ended, and everyone dispersed.

You Tianxing, as usual, accompanied Yu Jiang while waiting for Yu Jin.

Qi He left the conference room with Yan Chuanbai. They had only walked a short distance when footsteps followed from behind: "You—"

The two stopped and turned around.

Xia Jiu stood with one hand in her pocket, looking at Yan Chuanbai.

The hallway was empty. Her gaze focused, lingering on Yan Chuanbai for a few moments before she stepped closer with certainty: "You've been infected."

After two seconds, Yan Chuanbai said: "Yes."

Qi He looked at Xia Jiu: Her Identification Superpower was indeed more direct and specific than any instrument. But since Xia Jiu didn't show any intense reaction, that meant…

"However, it's already under control."

Xia Jiu glanced over. "There's a... parasitic specimen inside you? Luckily, it's just one. It's been suppressed by the serum, and your own immune system can break down and metabolize it over time. If there were more, even antibodies might not have suppressed it."

Yan Chuanbai stiffened, then abruptly looked at Qi He.

He recalled the moment the Sesame Mimic hybrid was opened, and he was shoved aside. Then, Qi He ground up all the pollen and seeds, likely only kept one.

The system said nervously: "...He, it's one thing after another. If even one step was missed, would Yan Chuanbai have become the ruler?"

Qi He remained calm: "I told you it was a combo skill."

Xia Jiu added: "Don't worry, I won't go around talking about it."

Yan Chuanbai grunted in response, "I'll report to headquarters later. This matter should be classified as 'top secret.'"

The control room was upstairs.

They walked a few steps to the staircase, and Yan Chuanbai added, "Come by for dinner tonight." After saying that, he turned and went upstairs.

Xia Jiu was taken aback by his hospitality!

She turned to Qi He and said, "Did he brush with death and realize it's better to be a 'human'?"

"..."

Qi He sighed, "Do you also have a bias against him?"

Xia Jiu took a breath, unsure how to phrase it: "Guess that's what they call reputation."

-

During the day, everyone had their own things to do.

Yan Chuanbai mentioned dinner would be around 6:30 p.m. Around six o'clock, Qi He suddenly received a message:

『Just retook the level test, back at the apartment.』

『Want to come up?』

Qi He stared at the message and raised an eyebrow: Yan Chuanbai said he did an assessment but didn't mention the level. From what he could sense, it was at least 4S-level, but he wasn't sure if it exceeded that...

He felt like he was being teased, but he didn't mind.

Qi He didn't reply and directly took the elevator upstairs.

After knocking twice, the door opened.

Yan Chuanbai stood in the doorway, saw it was him, and smiled, "You made it?" He then turned to let him in. Ingredients waiting to be prepared were already laid out on the kitchen counter.

Qi He closed the door and walked over: "What level are you now?"

Yan Chuanbai, with his sleeves rolled up to his forearms, was deftly prepping the ingredients, "Guess."

Qi He narrowed his eyes, "4S-level."

The other's tone lifted, as if affirming his guess, "Yep, right at 4S-level."

Just as Qi He was about to ask something, Yan Chuanbai added, "I've already reported the contamination incident to headquarters. Logically, a 4S-level who has been infected carries potential risks. However, headquarters indicated that there's still someone around me who can keep me in check—an above-4S-level—"

After saying this, he added very naturally, "Now, I genuinely can't do without you."

Qi He: "..."

The system, seeing this familiar scene, winced and looked away.

Qi He paused, then understood, "So your third evolution skill is being clingy."

Yan Chuanbai, thick-skinned, said, "Or maybe it's me making a confession."

The system sneered, "Hehe, I think it's a bunch of tricks."

"..." Qi He steered the conversation back on track, "So what exactly is it?"

After his last evolution, Yan Chuanbai's Ice Superpower had already reached the microscopic level. He couldn't imagine what the third evolution could possibly achieve.

Yan Chuanbai frowned, trying to get a feel for it, "It feels a bit different, but I haven't had the chance to..."

Qi He's gaze shifted: Different?

Suddenly, ding! ding! Two sounds interrupted the conversation.

Yan Chuanbai wiped his hands and picked up the communicator. His brow twitched, and he took a deep breath:

"You Tianxing is downstairs."

Qi He paused for a moment, remarking matter-of-factly, "Although it's a bit early, it shouldn't give you such a headache."

Yan Chuanbai continued, "He's got Gong Lianyu with him."

"..." Qi He didn't catch it clearly, "Who?"

Did some unfamiliar name just sneak into their Base I???

Yan Chuanbai put away the communicator and said, "Base II has lifted its full protection. He came to our base to pick up antibodies. He ran into You Tianxing and casually suggested he wanted to come up for dinner."

As he spoke, the door was already knocked.

The topic of evolution was temporarily interrupted. Yan Chuanbai went to open the door, "We'll test the Superpower later."

-

The door opened, and Gong Lianyu rushed in like a golden retriever: "Surprise~"

He snapped his fingers—pop!

Qi He narrowed his eyes, "What did you steal this time?"

Gong Lianyu drifted comfortably around the living room like a lively spirit: "Still your power, so useful, Qi He."

Yan Chuanbai didn't spare him a glance and went back to prepping the food.

Gong Lianyu, rarely able to run wild on someone else's turf, didn't pause for a moment, "By the way, Yan Chuanbai, I heard you're treating today? Since when did you become so generous and sociable?"

You Tianxing said cheerfully, "He said it's his way of thanking everyone."

Gong Lianyu was shocked, "He actually has that kind of heart!"

A sharp ice spike shot through the air with a whoosh!

Gong Lianyu dodged and thumped back to the ground, wisely shutting his mouth.

It was nearly 6:30, and others began arriving one after another.

Meng Yan and Xia Jiu entered together.

Meng Yan's eyes instantly landed on Yan Chuanbai as if she'd found a treasure: "Brother Yan has been injected with serum. Do you think his blood can now be used to..."

Xia Jiu shushed her, "Wait until I say it's okay to collect before you talk to him."

Yu Jiang was pushed into the room by Yu Jin, curiously looking around before quietly settling in a corner near the kitchen and perking up her ears.

Zhou Ziqian walked in and was startled by the large crowd: "Brother Yan, since when do you have so many friends?"

Yan Chuanbai looked up and smiled coolly.

Mo Jiayan followed closely, saying to Ye Yi, "Captain! See, I'm not the only one saying it!"

The system: "..."

Qi He: "..."

The living room was already boiling with noisy chatter.

Yan Chuanbai continued prepping the food, unfazed.

Once everyone had arrived, he made a few appetizers and set them aside. Qi He, recalling his past help, walked over and said, "I'll take these to the living room."

Yan Chuanbai looked at him for two seconds, looking pleased, "Okay."

Qi He carried the plates over.

Yan Chuanbai also turned to fetch bowls from the other side. As he walked past the aisle behind the kitchen counter, amidst the excited fluctuations of S-level mental energy filling the room, his own mental energy seemed to stir slightly.

A few thin vines silently crept out from the cracks behind the kitchen counter, just the tips showing.

…

In the living room, everyone was in an uproar.

Everyone had their own acquaintances, so it wasn't awkward at all. Several appetizers were placed on the table, and everyone chatted while eating.

Behind the sofa, a figure sneakily popped up.

Gong Lianyu stared at Yan Chuanbai behind the kitchen counter, activated his Superpower for the second time, and quietly stole something.

Pop! An ice pop appeared in his hand.

He happily licked his sneaky snack, thinking a little something before the meal was just right...

The next moment, a numbing sensation spread from the tip of his tongue.

Thump—a dull sound.

Everyone in the living room jumped, looking up to see Gong Lianyu stiffly collapse to the ground.

Everyone immediately stood up, crowding around him:

"What happened!"

"Are you okay, Gong Lianyu?"

Qi He also rushed over.

They saw Gong Lianyu lying with his mouth open, seemingly paralyzed all over, drooling uncontrollably... When he saw Yan Chuanbai approaching, his eyes suddenly gleamed with a faint, eerie light!

His tongue felt thick, and two clear tears streamed down:

"Yan... Yan Chuanbai, is there poison in your ice?!"

The crowd: "......"

"?"

Yan Chuanbai and Qi He were momentarily stunned.

Author's Note:

Xia Jiu: "Yan Chuanbai, since returning this time, it's like you've become a different person!"

You Tianxing: "Yan Chuanbai, since returning this time, it's like you've become human after all!"

Gong Lianyu: "Yan Chuanbai, since returning this time, it's like you've become a different race!" [sobbing uncontrollably]