Chapter 5 Jump into Arms

Chapter 5: Leaping into His Arms

Given who Yuan Duye is, once signed, this internship contract took effect and carried legal weight immediately.

As long as he didn't screw up, after three months, Luo Qingxi would receive an internship certificate from Senze, the top-tier holographic company—a golden ticket for his future career.

In other words, the casual signature of that man with his flowing strokes was more valuable than the project Luo Qingxi had spent months working on.

Luo Qingxi shook his head slightly, clutching his phone for a long while until he reached the subway station entrance, then opened WeChat to update his father on his progress.

His dad replied over half an hour later—

"Don't get cocky just because President Yuan signed—you haven't made it yet. This is only the beginning. Tomorrow is your first day; after work, send me a 1,000-word internship plan document.

Also, I've listed a few hard requirements that you must meet during your internship. First, over the three months of your internship, besides completing your basic tasks, you must write at least five game design docs and make three demos. After that, show them to President Yuan and make changes based on his feedback. Second, write a weekly internship report of no fewer than 2,000 words, summarizing what you learned and where you fell short that week. Third, don't…"

Luo Qingxi turned off his phone, holding his breath, staring at the dark shapes rushing past the subway window, digging crescent-shaped nail marks into his palm.

He had originally planned to grab a bite at the school cafeteria after arriving on campus, but after leaving the station and walking onto campus, he somehow found himself standing in front of the library.

The library was empty on a weekday afternoon. Luo Qingxi found a corner seat and sat down. He took his laptop out of his bag, and the crisp white internship contract with its printed text fell out, like a brand-new shackle from another world, crushing him.

Luo Qingxi stared at it for two seconds, then withdrew his gaze and booted up his laptop.

He opened the lecture slides for "Human-Computer Interaction II," opened the software and tried to design his own screenless menus and information flows in a 3D space, using spatial audio to enhance guidance.

He sat there from about 10 a.m. to 2:50 p.m.

Once he got into a flow state, he couldn't feel anything except the knowledge itself. The pressure that had built up in his chest slowly faded, and his emotions leveled out.

Before leaving the library, he calmly pulled out his phone and replied to the message: "Got it, I'll try."

Just as he sent it, his phone vibrated with a "buzz"—

"System: Dear player, are you feeling down? How about coming to vent with your Custom Boyfriend? You can command him, scold him, *#@& him!"

In the AGI era, many phone functions are managed by AI, and human privacy is basically an open book to AI—everyone has long gotten used to it.

Luo Qingxi, a master of time management, headed to the lecture hall while texting, arriving right on time for "Large Model Technology Application and Development" class.

When he got to the front of the classroom, he realized the first row was already completely full.

Back at the start of freshman year, students avoided the first three rows like the plague. Luo Qingxi, who always arrived just on time, used to easily get a seat in the middle of the first row. Lately, more and more people have been sitting in the first row, leaving a seat or two between them. When he arrived late, he could only sit next to classmates. Now, it was entirely packed.

Just as Luo Qingxi was about to turn and walk to the back, someone suddenly called out, and the students in the first row all jumped up at once, enthusiastically offering him a seat.

Luo Qingxi blinked, confused, but couldn't say no, so he sat between two male classmates and said, "Thanks."

He looked up—the professor was already there, his eyes sweeping across the front row and finally locking onto Luo Qingxi's with a look of hesitation.

Luo Qingxi: ?

He pulled out his laptop to take notes, then typed on his phone in confusion—

"Qingqing: What are they doing?"

"System: Maybe... perhaps... possibly... I'm guessing they like you."

Tuning in more carefully, he did notice burning gazes landing on him repeatedly, pretending to look at the slides, stealing restrained but hungry glances before quickly looking away.

Luo Qingxi thought about it and slowly nodded.

Ah, I see. That's why they gave me their seat.

He didn't care much, but his System Butler went wild generating text in the chat—

"System: They're not even worth a pinky finger of our Custom Boyfriend. Such pathetic human courtship techniques! They might fool you, but not a noble AI like me, born for love..."

"Qingqing: [Thumbs up emoji]"

Coincidentally, the hit holographic game "Custom Boyfriend" was so popular that even in class the professor used it as a case study, following the trend. The System Butler proudly raised its cyber chin.

"This game is a major breakthrough in holographic game design, built by the top team using the best technology.

Why? As we all know, typical holographic games have just one theme—thrilling adventure, horror puzzle-solving, or simulation management. But this game, anchored on the concept of a custom boyfriend, connects other holographic games from Senze. In other words, players can take their Custom Boyfriend and run other Senze games as dungeons.

This is a rare innovation, a game made by geniuses. That's why it's so popular now."

Then, the professor briefly introduced the game's development team. The chief producer was named Yan Yan, only 24 years old, working at Senze—a true child prodigy.

In the group photo, Luo Qingxi also spotted the young employee he had seen that morning.

"System: Mom and Dad."

Professor: "This is internal material. But since I'm friends with a few executives at Senze, if there's a chance in the future, I might invite the game's producer Yan Yan to share his experience with everyone.

Our homework for this class will also be about this holographic game. You can choose one of two options based on your interest.

First, use the open large model API from Senze to analyze how this game constructs multiple interactive AI agents with long-term memory, accurate emotional states, and autonomous behaviors.

Second, experience the Custom Boyfriend app. After understanding the core design logic and emotional hooks of the game, write an analysis report from a game developer's perspective."

One is more technical, the other more design-oriented.

"Huh? Custom 'Boyfriend'? Can guys really play it too?"

"Yeah, but it feels like whichever assignment we pick, we have to get to know the game." The two straight male classmates next to Luo Qingxi communicated through him and even asked his opinion: "Classmate, are you going to play Custom Boyfriend?"

It was just normal guy talk, but it triggered a sharp pain in Luo Qingxi's brain and made his stomach churn. He clenched his phone, pursed his lips, remained silent for a moment, and said without looking sideways, "No."

So he didn't notice the gradual dimming of the two guys' eyes, as if they were a bit disappointed.

The latter part of the class about how LLMs embed physical principles and social common sense was rather dry, but Luo Qingxi had long been used to learning through pain and boredom.

After class, he packed up and returned to his dorm.

The long-term physical discomfort had gradually numbed his spirit. He walked into the empty dorm room woodenly, and uncontrollably, images from the past began flashing through his mind again—

"Why didn't you get a perfect score? Do you know how frustrating that is for me?"

"Don't do anything unrelated to studying. Don't get close to your classmates. Don't make elementary mistakes. If you can't be perfect in everything, then my life has no meaning."

If that person found out that his perfect masterpiece liked men, he'd probably jump off a building.

Luo Qingxi exhaled and put down the heavy backpack that had been weighing on his shoulders.

He regained some focus, then noticed a neatly stacked pile of love letters on his desk. He had no idea how they got there, but flipping through them, all from girls.

In truth, even he had to admit his sexual orientation just didn't fit in mainstream society, at times making him look like some kind of oddball.

But some things, the more you suppress them, the more they rebound. Especially after tasting the sweetness of rebellion.

Luo Qingxi opened the cabinet, stuffed the love letters in, and then retrieved the holographic gear, sitting back down in his chair, his eyes glazed over, spaced out.

One minute, two minutes, three minutes...

Finally, the vibration of his phone interrupted him—

"System: Player, player, detected your hunger value at 100. Would you like to have dinner with Custom Boyfriend like last time?"

Last time... there was a hiccup in the middle, and he ended up spending a peaceful evening instead of speedrunning the game as planned.

Luo Qingxi’s slender fingers landed on the phone keyboard—

"Qingqing: I only have one evening. Can I experience the full game cycle?"

"System: Maybe you can! I’ll do my best to help. Even if you don’t reach that goal, you’ll at least get relevant info on the Custom Boyfriend app for your homework. And even if that fails—I’m the built-in AGI for Custom Boyfriend, I understand it better than any external AI. You play, and I’ll write your homework!"

Fine.

He had come back from Senze early today and finished his study tasks by noon. One last time—steel himself, push through and speedrun—then return to the monotonous daily routine of a student.

Luo Qingxi refilled the holographic device's nutrient mix, got into bed, and pulled the curtains shut.

Beep-boop-beep-boop—

The holographic gear booted up. During the game loading, System Butler sensed he was in a bad mood and shot the breeze to cheer him up.

"System: Are you not wanting to go to the internship? Is the boss there a jerk, or is your dad laying it on too thick?"

Internship...

Perhaps his life was too monotonous and repetitive; he had harbored a secret hope for the internship. But later, that hope was squelched by everything, leaving only a suffocating sense of resistance.

Luo Qingxi: "I don’t want to go."

"System: Want to open a side quest? I can help you customize your boyfriend to look like your boss or your dad, and you can take revenge ruthlessly."

That's nightmare fuel.

Luo Qingxi cracked a smile, and for the first time, he answered that fast: "No."

System Butler hadn’t expected him to be so easy to cheer up, confused by how quickly it worked, it spun in place for three seconds before asking, "Why?"

Luo Qingxi thought for a moment.

His dad—he didn’t want to mention it, didn’t want to think about it.

As for his immediate superior, Yuan Duye, even AI couldn't dig up a single scrap of info about him. His growth experience, his past projects, his career path—all a complete mystery. Few outsiders even knew he was at the helm of Senze.

Even though Luo Qingxi had brief contact with him this morning, he couldn’t figure out his personality. Whether rejecting a cash-grab plan, comforting a stuttering employee, or guiding a subordinate through work, his tone was always the same—slightly snarky, but otherwise flat, more inscrutable than an AI. Guys who buried their true nature that deep gave off a vibe that made people keep their distance.

Luo Qingxi didn’t think an AGI could create a realistic version of this man, nor was he particularly interested.

"I want to see Solace." As the game loaded, Luo Qingxi read the AI agent’s memories and asked curiously, "Is he home now?"

"System: [Detecting]. Yes, yes! I'll dig up a 'serum of obedience' in your backpack, so he’ll be completely submissive and do whatever you want—making it quick to finish the game."

"No, that's got no soul," Luo Qingxi said.

"System: Then you can ask if he has any unfinished wishes, help him finish them to raise his affection meter."

The game scene generated: sunset, twilight, faint outlines of distant tents visible. A carefree holographic world that let him shed all real-life pressure opened its doors.

"Today, my persona is domineering and unreasonable, going for a forceful takeover." The exciting holographic game was about to start, and Luo Qingxi’s heart raced. With an even stronger determination than last night, he added, "This way, it’s faster."

"System: Oh oh! Play the game, play the game!"

The game loaded completely. The bitter winter wind slammed into him, stealing the warmth from his skin and chilling his rapid heartbeat.

In the distance, solitary tents stood in the strong wind, devoid of people or voices, like some ancient army camp left to rot—an aura of forgotten loneliness that Luo Qingxi dreaded most.

He clutched the token that still glowed with sunset in his hand and walked forward, hoping to reach his destination quickly.

Suddenly, as he took a step, the token in his hand shook for no reason. A fierce wind rushed at him, stealing his breath and blurring his vision. He closed his eyes and pressed his lips tightly together, his heart pounding faster and faster.

He had a bad feeling.

But when the wind stopped, and he opened his eyes again, he was confronted with an incredibly striking face. Solace was in a black coat that made his legs look long; his features were like a painting. He tilted his head, smiling, and said, "You're here? Birthday boy."

The knot in his heart loosened.

Today was Christmas, and yeah, his birthday. But it felt like he'd been having a birthday marathon for two days.

"System urgent reminder: Domineering and unreasonable, greed-blinded, tyrannical, and a total whack job!"

Receiving the reminder, Luo Qingxi’s gaze swept across the scene, but he only saw nothing but open grass, no props in sight.

"I’ve come to get..." Solace put his own token into his pocket, but before he could finish, he felt a lean body leap into his arms—he grunted softly and lifted his hands to support it.

If this video went up on social media today, people would call it AI-generated, because the character just did something totally illogical, suddenly transitioning from a cold, aloof stance to a random, out-of-character move. Way too weird.

"System: When playing games, you do whatever you want, whatever comes to mind! Otherwise, it wouldn’t be any different from the real world."

With skin close, every subtle sensation was amplified. Luo Qingxi carefully felt the body’s contours—larger than his own. Under top-tier holographic technology, the physical sensation was as real as life.

Solace’s every breath was accompanied by the rise and fall of his solid chest where they touched, warm breath grazing Luo Qingxi’s ear—a steady, hot breathing unique to an adult man. The scorching body heat transferred to him through every point of contact, wrapping around him, making him burn all over.

Clearly the guy hit the gym. His arms holding him were controlled and strong; the body holding him had clear, toned lines without being over the top, blocking the icy wind so that he could drop his guard and relax completely, with zero worries about now or later.

Luo Qingxi rarely had physical contact with others in real life, let alone such a close embrace.

Somehow, it reminded him of riding a pony at the zoo as a child—the steady feeling of a sturdy horse, walking step by step—that same weird feeling.

"System: Hasn't hit the intimacy threshold."

Luo Qingxi set his chin on Solace’s shoulder, feeling the guy’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down, like he was debating whether to say something.

With no other props, Luo Qingxi’s long lashes cast shadows under his eyes. He seemed lost in thought, looking weirdly obedient.

But the next second, he opened his mouth, revealing his little canine teeth, and gnawed at the neck he'd been eyeing, leaving a glistening red tooth mark—like a victory stamp.

He stared blankly at the bite, waited two seconds, till a "ding" sounded—

"System: Experience +2"

Solace's body stiffened for a moment, but he didn't let go. Instead, he sighed helplessly, patted him on the back, and asked, "What's wrong?"

His restrained and gentle voice, like the low strings of a cello, resonated through his bones and muscles to his ears, without a hint of impatience, only subtle, intimate concern.

Luo Qingxi blinked in slight confusion.

He was willing to tolerate boundary-crossing physical contact in the game, and sometimes even took the initiative with mischievous flirting, but he didn't know how to respond to genuine care from others. His previously firm gaming mindset began to waver again.

"System: Stay strong, player!!!!"

Luo Qingxi didn't want to mention the culprit, whined for a long time without finding an excuse, and finally simply buried his head into the other's neck, revealing a section of snow-white and fragile nape like a swan's neck, and instructed in a cool voice, "I'm so tired. Carry me."

"You haven't eaten again, have you? Fine, I'll carry you once." Solace said. Between each word, there wasn't the slightest sound of heavy breathing, as if carrying him cost no effort at all.

Solace's posture was stable, but with each step, their bodies briefly brushed against each other and then parted, making their skin warm from friction, only to be chilled by the cold wind that rushed through the gaps.

In reality, Luo Qingxi would never let anyone carry him like this, no matter what. It was too embarrassing.

But fortunately, this was a holographic world.

The holographic game was great—he had so many negative feelings, so many little tantrums, nowhere to show any of them in reality, but he could pour them all out without restraint in the game, without worrying about hurting others, without fear of leaking privacy, and without so many onlookers.

Luo Qingxi closed his eyes, swaying as he thought this, when he suddenly heard the sound of a heavy object hitting the ground not far away.

He lifted his face, flushed from being pressed against Solace's neck, and saw three meters away, One Spine and Moulder standing side by side. One Spine held a laptop in his hand, as if he had been showing something to Moulder.

But now, both were staring intently at him. And the heavy object that had hit the ground was a huge death scythe that Moulder had been holding.

One Spine was dumbfounded, breaking the silence first: "Holy shit, what are you two doing?? Are you two together?"

Luo Qingxi: ???