Chapter 120

Chapter 120

[Physiological Function Check Complete]

[Anchor Human Unload Complete]

[Brainwave Disconnection in Progress]

...

Xiyu suddenly opened his eyes with the prompt sound from the nutrition chamber, calmly sitting up.

Strictly speaking, this was just a single-digit game stream in his memory, but the excitement and chaos of returning to reality, which once felt overwhelming, had dissipated like smoke in the wind.

After two months of experience, it's no wonder that Luo Xi always seemed so calm; he probably felt exhausted inside, right?

While lost in thought in the nutrient chamber, staff had already helped him to his feet.

Xiyu quickly regained his focus.

At this moment, Luo Xi also woke up, wiping off the nutrient liquid with a towel while smiling at Xiyu: "Tired? Your face looks bad."

Xiyu softly replied, "This dungeon was disgusting. It's not that the rules were complicated, but the malice was unapologetic."

"Forget it, just move on, I guessed all along that the NCs weren’t good," Luo Xi said while wiping Xiyu’s face, then curiously asked the safety officer, "This time the anchors didn't redeem their abilities. Will they really be stripped away in the third dimension?"

The safety officer answered, "Of course, they will be modified through genetic drugs and surgery, approval was already granted. But redemption should be easy, right? You all fight so well."

Xiyu lowered his gaze: "..."

Luo Xi, without showing any change in expression, smiled instead, "I see, thanks."

"It's already two in the morning, get some rest," the safety officer said warmly to Luo Xi, busy recording various information while whispering gossip, "Your group’s situation is relatively calm, but later groups were one-sided, many anchors randomly pawned their abilities, and a lot of top seeds got eliminated by underdogs."

Hearing this, Xiyu immediately became curious about Mu Yuan and the others.

Luo Xi naturally knew what he was thinking and didn’t ask directly, simply saying, "Can we see the list of people who advanced?"

The safety officer refused, "Of course not. The fewer people there are, the easier it is to form alliances and cheat. Otherwise, why do you think the company divides so many living areas for the contestants? Don't ask pointless questions. You’ll know after the next round. I can only say you have a good chance of winning now."

Luo Xi smiled even more, turned around, and pulled Xiyu, walking briskly out of the room.

Xiyu lowered his head in the corridor and said, "It seems like many anchors appear nearby after advancing. We could wait and see."

"No need, just focus on yourself," Luo Xi squinted his eyes. "It seems the company wants the anchors to fend for themselves. I don’t think we’ll encounter Rabbit and the others in the next round."

This request is easy to understand, as both "Haunted People" and "Crazy Pawnshop" would be unbeatable if Xu Tu and Bai Qi showed up and teamed up with the other two. The rest wouldn’t stand a chance.

Xiyu’s emotions were complicated, but he said nothing, only holding Luo Xi's hand tighter.

The Yuntai building's corridor was bright, tidy, and smelled nice, but it was actually no different from the blood-soaked Peach Blossom Town, perhaps even more dangerous.

Consuming others was one thing, but doing so with a benevolent façade was the most terrifying thing.

Shower, lights off, control monitoring with computer programs—this kind of freedom, which no other anchor could have, was truly the most luxurious time after the grueling competition.

Xiyu waited for Luo Xi to cough as a signal, immediately sitting up from the blanket. He hugged him: "Now I understand why you have so much difficulty integrating into the game, always mocking it and making sarcastic comments."Luo Xi lay beside him, blinking in surprise.

Xiyu frowned. "I never felt it before, but this time it’s especially obvious—we’re like animals in a zoo, being watched by humans with laughter. It’s not just the company, even those gift-giving viewers... I can’t really understand it from the bottom of my heart."

Luo Xi, looking at Xiyu who was clearly more excited and talkative than in the game, gently chuckled and held his hand. "So now you understand why, even though I know there’s a cliff ahead, I still foolishly want to leave?"

Xiyu replied seriously with an ambiguous answer: "I understand your thoughts, of course."

Luo Xi’s gaze became focused. "It’s just that I’m a little worried. If this thinking gets you killed, I..."

Xiyu fell silent for a moment, gently brushing over the scars on Luo Xi's arm. "Maybe I have a lot of past, maybe I once had ambitions, but right now, after these two months of joy and sorrow, I have nothing left. I can’t be certain of anything except that I believe in you from the bottom of my heart. This belief doesn’t mean I’m sure you can lead me to freedom, but rather that I’m willing to do anything with you, face any consequence, and I won’t regret it."

Luo Xi, who usually seemed carefree, couldn't help but feel touched at this moment.

Xiyu smiled. "Maybe it sounds depressing, but I think it’s better to die with dignity than to live as a fool."

As his words fell, he moved little Seven aside, leaned down, and kissed Luo Xi’s lips.

In the ambiguous darkness, the close proximity, and the unspoken bonds and trust between them, they were fully immersed in each other’s genuine feelings.

Luo Xi firmly held Xiyu’s neck, suddenly unable to hold back, rolling over to pin him down and began tearing at his thin nightshirt.

Xiyu’s silver hair was slightly cold, but his skin was burning hot.

At that crucial moment, however, an untimely knock sounded at the door!

Luo Xi immediately snapped to attention, quickly whispering, "Lie down."

Although Xiyu’s heart was racing, his movements were swift. He pulled little Seven into his arms and covered themselves with the blanket, trying to return to the position they were in before the surveillance was cut off.

Luo Xi followed suit, and after three to five seconds, once the surveillance signal was reconnected, he pretended to be impatient, getting up, rubbing his short hair, and heading to the door. He opened the door just a crack and said, "What is it? I’ve been streaming for four days, and now you won’t let me sleep? Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

"You’re in a bad mood. Mr. Lin sent me to deliver a gift." The female safety officer smiled, suddenly peering inside the room.

Luo Xi’s tall frame blocked the door, and when she opened the envelope, it turned out to be the invitation for the celebration banquet that Lin Yuze had promised before the game started.

His expression improved slightly, but when he saw the female officer looking a bit suspicious, he couldn’t help but ask, "What are you looking at?"

"Has Xiyu fallen asleep?" The female officer’s eyes squinted. "My little niece really likes him. Could you help me get his autograph?"

Luo Xi refused. "He went to bed early. We'll talk about it tomorrow."

At this moment, Xiyu’s voice came from behind. "It’s fine... Where should I sign?"

The female officer took out a postcard, showing Xiyu's ancient costume look from "Nightmare Island."

Luo Xi took the card with little enthusiasm, walked back to the bed, and handed it to Xiyu, then silently mouthed, "Change the font."

Xiyu understood what he meant. There were people in the company secretly targeting them, and randomly signing something might unknowingly expose personal information.

It’s better to be cautious.

With that thought, Xiyu deliberately wrote in an exaggerated cursive style and politely said, "Please thank your niece for me, I’ll keep working hard.""Good night." The female safety officer happily waved goodbye after receiving the postcard.

Xiyu got out of bed and looked at the invitation letter with Luo Xi.

Two days later at 16:00, the location was at the Yuntai Building's event hall, and nothing seemed unusual.

He smiled lightly. "It’s a good opportunity. We just need to show up on time."

"Before, Mr. Lin asked whether we wanted to attend, which means not every promoted streamer will be there." Luo Xi hinted, "Since he seems to like you, why not take the opportunity to ask for more invitations? — Ahem, we could all enjoy it together."

Xiyu thought: There should be many regular people at this banquet, and some might even be senior management from the company. If we invite Su Ziyan, with his keen ears, we might gather some information...

He thought about it for a moment and nodded. "Alright, I’ll do my best."

Luo Xi stacked the invitation letter and helplessly looked at Xiyu.

At that moment, Xiyu remembered that their good moment was interrupted by the knock on the door. He curled his lips into a smile and leaned up to kiss Luo Xi. "Forget it, let’s not sleep yet. Didn’t we agree to watch the sunrise?"

Luo Xi rubbed Xiyu's short hair, walked over to the window, and pulled back the curtain to look at the opposite side of the Yuntai Circular Building. "It’s a pity the sunrise here isn’t very beautiful. I’ve been to so many places in the game, but when I’m back in reality, I can only face this building."

Xiyu softly said, "It’s okay. Being able to watch it with you is enough."

He then sat down on the carpet by the floor-to-ceiling window.

As a nocturnal creature, little Seven immediately joined in, happily lying down next to Xiyu and licking its soft white fur.

Luo Xi had no choice but to put away the invitation letter. He first took out two cans of beer from the fridge and then sat beside Xiyu.

The cold bitterness of the beer dispelled the sleepiness.

The two drank in silence, not saying anything, as if there was no need to say more.

In fact, Xiyu had already anticipated that he might not always be able to stay with Luo Xi. Wanting to quietly watch a sunrise with him was also about creating a beautiful memory. After all, the competition was intense, and time passed quicker than expected. With only two rounds left before the finals, the game planners at Yuntai would certainly not go easy, and there was a high chance that this would be his last match.

But unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned.

Perhaps it was because he was too tired, or perhaps he couldn’t handle the alcohol.

By the time the sun was about to rise around 5 or 6 a.m., Xiyu had fallen asleep on Luo Xi’s shoulder.

At the same time, the heartless cat, little Seven, was also asleep.

Luo Xi sat with his back slightly bent, relaxed but still a little weary, quietly staying still, careful not to wake anyone.

Until the sunlight gradually cast a golden veil over the building, gently illuminating Xiyu’s face, Luo Xi finally came back to his senses. In an uncontrollable moment, he gently kissed Xiyu’s forehead.

Did Luo Xi understand Xiyu's feelings, or not?

The answer, apart from Xiyu himself, was probably something no one could say.

And Luo Xi, who was used to burying his feelings, remained silent as always.