Chapter 30

【Physiological function check complete】

【Host body unloading complete】

【Brainwave disconnection in progress】

【Host identity recorded successfully】

……

The broadcast sound from the nutrition chamber had already become familiar. Immersed in chaotic consciousness, Xiyu began to feel calm.

But this time, he was not immediately freed. Instead, he entered a thorough void again and met the virtual administrator who had previously checked his mental state.

The short-haired young girl smiled brightly at him, but her features could not simulate genuine human warmth.

She clearly said: “Host No. 00777 Xiyu, I am Virtual Administrator No. 003. Congratulations on passing the assessment copy and becoming a junior host under Haishi Entertainment.”

Xiyu expressionless: “Thank you.”

The administrator floated close to him: “Now, I will provide you with your key information. Afterwards, you can check it in the electronic reading room. The points earned in the game are your host experience. You have currently gained 20 experience points, 80 points away from upgrading to intermediate host.”

Xiyu asked: “Are the scores this low for every game?”

The administrator patiently answered: “The higher the difficulty of the game, the higher the score. But correspondingly, more experience is required to upgrade to higher levels of host.”

Xiyu nodded.

The administrator smiled again: “Hosts receive tips for each game. The company shares 30% with you. Along with your startup funds won in the game, your current account has 31,366 Yuntai coins. You can shop in the electronic reading room and the internal mall.”

Xiyu puzzled: “Internal mall?”

“Yes, the mall is located in the center of Yuntai Living Park and is open for limited time every weekend.” The administrator nodded: “Next, please continue to work hard. From now on, as a junior host, you must livestream twice a month. If you fail to complete within the time limit, you will be handed over to the security department.”

This information had been mentioned once before by the Yuntai electronic housekeeper. Twice a month in January did not sound much, but each livestream lasts five days, meaning nearly half the time is spent in hardship, which is not easy.

“Okay, got it.” Xiyu pressed his lips, trying to keep his expression calm.

The administrator bowed with a smile: “Well, wish you a pleasant game.”

Almost instantly, Xiyu opened his eyes in the nutrition chamber. He suddenly sat up, breathing heavily.

The game room was as chaotic as ever, with mobile beds and surviving hosts crowded shoulder to shoulder.

Xiyu looked at the tired expressions of the security staff and took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to beat them all up and escape.

“Brother Xiyu!” Wu Zhi’s voice came from nearby.

Xiyu snapped back to reality, climbed out of the safety pod, grabbed the equally messy Wu Zhi, and walked toward the door while saying: “I borrowed your money, I’ll find a way to pay you back.”

Wu Zhi wiped the nutrition fluid from his face: “Hey, that’s not what I meant. Financial relationships between hosts are taboo. Forget it.”

Xiyu returned the wristband to him, stood in the corridor, and said: “Then you rest well.”

Wu Zhi nodded and grabbed his arm: “I just wanted to tell you, thank you.”“Thank me for what?” Xiyu blinked: “Teaming up with you? You didn’t cause me any trouble this time, and even helped me in the end. We’re equal teammates; there’s no need to thank each other.”

Wu Zhi stared blankly at Xiyu, then lowered his head: “I know, I was annoying when I insisted you take me along before, but…”

Xiyu patted his head: “Stop babbling, the past is the past.”

“I’ll rely on myself from now on. I promised you before this round.” Wu Zhi grinned brightly, masking some fear, probably just trying to encourage himself.

Xiyu said directly: “Hmm, I’m not trying to lecture, but don’t trust anyone or show kindness in the game from now on, or you’ll be eaten up without even a bone left.”

Wu Zhi scratched his head: “But you’re kind too, you stopped us from messing with Alan.”

“Because I received gifts from the audience, and I want to receive more. Not touching natural human ethics is a way to please them.” Xiyu finally showed a cold smile: “Those natural humans who want to see our bloody fights but also want us to be pure and righteous… they are the real hypocrites.”

Wu Zhi had no idea how to respond. He didn’t even dare express his pain or disgust.

Xiyu patted his shoulder: “That’s it, good night.”

Wu Zhi made a sound of agreement, stood still watching Xiyu’s back as he walked toward the dormitory, and couldn’t help but sniffle.

Though they had survived two disasters, in fact… everything was just beginning.

That night, Xiyu slept especially deeply in the closed, cramped dormitory.

Maybe it was the exhausting fight against the man-eating ants and the card game with Lily, or maybe the brain had been sending hunger signals for days, causing his real body’s condition to be chaotic.

He almost fell asleep the moment he touched the bed.

At the same time, many floors above in the expert hosts’ dormitory, the lights were bright.

After finishing the livestream, Luo Xi, annoyed by the noise, hurried Xu Tu out.

This assessment’s end also meant his mentor status disappeared. The projection screen lost signal, only continuously scrolling red text: No permission to view, please verify account information.

Luo Xi reached out to turn off the projection, grabbed his drink, and stood by the floor-to-ceiling window.

The view outside wasn’t exactly beautiful. The Yuntai Park was a giant ring-shaped building. Even the expert host dorm with the best view only faced the inner ring, freely surveying the cruel building’s all-night brilliance.

He noticed his reflection. Despite having seen the deep scars on his face and neck countless times, it still felt strange.

Maybe Xiyu was right: if you can’t see your own face clearly, how can you truly recognize yourself?

Luo Xi had thought about spending money to get a delicate, handsome appearance, but he didn’t dare. Many times these scars kept him sober and curious about what had really happened before.

He feared that if he got used to Yuntai, he might truly put all his struggles aside.

Days filled with huge mysteries were hard to endure.

This discomfort suddenly made Luo Xi punch the glass window, then he thought of Xiyu’s outstanding performance in the assessment and smiled faintly: “So childish, doesn’t matter if you can’t make it.”

At that moment, a sharp alarm suddenly sounded outside the door.

“Living area entering alert status, all hosts return to dormitories immediately, no going out under any circumstances! Living area entering alert status…”Luo Xi raised an eyebrow and turned around. Although he didn’t know what had happened, he felt even more troubled.

Because in this damn place, no matter what accidents occur, the unlucky ones are usually the androids with no rights.

The company replenishes a batch of new hosts every two to three months, and the rest of the time is just internal consumption. So after the assessment livestream, the junior hosts’ living area suddenly became dead silent.

After getting up, Xiyu ate a little simply in the cafeteria, then got up and greeted Wu Zhi, who was gobbling his food: “Today is the weekend. Aren’t you going to check out the internal mall?”

“Hmm, I’ll go after I’m full.” Wu Zhi swallowed a bun with difficulty and said mysteriously, “Bro, why did the alarm ring for so long last night?”

Xiyu shook his head: “Don’t know.”

“...I heard, it’s just a rumor… something happened in the security department of the junior living area.” Tang Yanyan appeared quietly by the table, whispering mysteriously, “Because some host saw the police, the natural human police! They pulled a corpse bag, the kind for natural humans!”

Xiyu was very surprised: “Someone in the security department died?”

Tang Yanyan shrugged: “They definitely won’t tell us the specifics.”

“You really have the inside scoop.” Wu Zhi handed her a small steamed bun: “Congrats on passing the assessment, nice to meet you!”

Unfortunately, Tang Yanyan didn’t smile: “Fang Hao didn’t make it out, and He Yingqi didn’t qualify either.”

Wu Zhi was stunned for a moment and lowered his hand.

Xiyu tried not to let these things affect his mood and lowered his eyes: “Passing isn’t necessarily good. The road ahead will be even harder for us.”

Tang Yanyan played with her hair ends, her eyes a bit red, then smiled faintly.

At this moment, Sun Xiuya passed by coldly carrying a tray, not paying attention to this group of “acquaintances.”

Tang Yanyan glanced at her: “What are you so proud of?”

“I’m going to the mall, see you later.” Xiyu didn’t want to get involved in their quarrel and immediately took his leave.

Sun Xiuya sat alone at a distant table, heavily dropping her tray and eating with her head down.

The inner ring of the Yuntai Park’s ring-shaped building was covered with beautiful greenery. Hosts lucky enough to see this scene would think it was a beautiful big park. The legendary internal mall was located right below this park, connected to each host living area by elevators. Bright lights and dazzling product displays made it feel nothing like an underground space.

Xiyu, visiting here for the first time, brushed past hosts wearing different styles of uniforms. His clear eyes were full of curiosity.

Because the mall sold not only ordinary food, clothing, and daily necessities but also gene modification zones, surgical zones, and brain chip zones, which could help hosts freely alter their appearance, physique, brain knowledge storage, and even change their gender or replace body parts with machinery…

Of course, these new technologies were very expensive, beyond the reach of junior hosts.

Xiyu thought about his remaining balance and the two Garrie coins he owed Wu Zhi, then went first to the food area to ask a robot clerk: “Can I buy gifts for other hosts?”

The robot looked like a cute big bear, bowed and said: “Economic transactions between hosts are not allowed in the park, and gifting is not supported either. All Yuntai coins from your account correspond to products you buy, with clear accounts.”

Xiyu frowned.

Unexpectedly, someone pressed his neck from behind and laughed: “Are you that stubborn? Why not just buy it yourself and give it directly to the other person?”

Xiyu turned to see Luo Xi, blinking hesitantly: “But…”

“In essence, the company is preventing Yuntai coins from being used for hiring and bribery, especially large amounts flowing into certain hosts’ pockets, giving them excessive gene and chip resources.” Luo Xi shrugged and looked around at the dazzling snacks: “These consumables you can take away aren’t much use. Even if you give them to others to consume, the security department won’t bother to investigate.”Xiyu finally relaxed, took out his wristband, and said to the robot, “Then help me pick out 3000 coins worth of food.”

“Okay, I will deliver the goods directly to your dormitory.” The robot bear bowed again, scanned the wristband at the checkout, then respectfully returned it.

Only then did Xiyu start walking, raising his eyebrows to glance at Luo Xi: “Didn't you say it would be hard to see each other from now on? Why come to me again?”

Luo Xi followed him with a relaxed pace: “I’m here to do a good deed, you’d better change your attitude.”

Xiyu was puzzled.

Luo Xi grabbed his shoulder, pulling him very close to his neck, and lowered his head to say, “I saw how you dealt with the man-eating ants. Reset hosts don’t have brainwave transmission speeds as fast as yours. In other words, your combat power in the game is extremely abnormal. Most likely, they will re-examine you. If they find any problems, they will reset you again immediately, no mercy.”

Xiyu wanted to struggle, but hearing this, he instantly fell into an ice pit, then sincerely looked up into Luo Xi’s eyes: “I... what should I do?”

Luo Xi loosened his grip and smiled, deliberately walking ahead alone.

Xiyu hurried to stop him: “I don’t want to be reset. Come and tell me to prove you have a way. If you help me, I’m willing to repay you.”

Luo Xi appraised him: “How will you repay me?”

“…You name the terms.” Xiyu was very straightforward.

Luo Xi took a small silver bottle from his pocket and whispered, “This is a mental enhancement potion. After drinking it, it can boost your brain activity and physical function for a certain period. After entering the game, your intelligence and physical strength will also be higher than before. Many expert hosts take it. Because it’s expensive, it’s not listed in the security department’s health check scope. Now no one can guarantee whether you drank this when you were reset and frozen last time. This is your only excuse.”

Xiyu suddenly understood his meaning and tightly grasped the bottle.

Luo Xi said, “Based on the metabolism rate of the potion, drink one-fifth, then try to do some high-intensity exercise during the remaining time. When they take you for the physical exam, maybe you can slip through.”

Xiyu looked at the small bottle in his hand and couldn’t help but say, “Thank you…”

“No need, what use is politeness.” Luo Xi interrupted him.

Xiyu: “If it works, I’ll pay you back ten times the amount later!”

“Save it, I don’t do drugs.” Luo Xi looked around and saw a few senior hosts nearby pointing at Xiyu. When they noticed his gaze, they quickly dispersed, and Luo Xi’s face turned cold.

Xiyu was still immersed in concern for his own safety, carefully putting the bottle into his pocket, no longer feeling as relaxed as when he arrived.

Luo Xi’s expression returned to normal: “What are you here to buy?”

Xiyu: “Want to update some chip slots, haven’t decided on the content yet.”

“Hmm, messy knowledge is indeed useful.” Luo Xi said, “But don’t forget you can also learn. You might as well buy an e-reader and read some books. As for Yuntai coins, don’t earn much or spend much.”

Xiyu was a bit curious: “At your level, do you already have a lot of money?”

Luo Xi shrugged: “At least I can buy whatever I want here. But I have no shopping desire, nor do I want to change myself.”

Xiyu looked at the various hosts around him, feeling a bit confused about his plan to update his chip slots.

Luo Xi suddenly smiled: “By the way, do you know what the most expensive item here is?”

Xiyu shook his head.Luo Xi laughed even harder in an instant: “Pets, genuine living little animals. So far, the only thing I’ve seen someone get is a hamster, which cost him ten million Yuntai coins. Later, that host was reset, and the hamster was slaughtered by the security department.”

Xiyu was completely stunned in surprise.

Luo Xi looked seriously into his eyes: “Understand? If you want to become less and less like a natural human, Yuntai can offer countless paths. But the freedom exclusive to humans is a luxury we are not allowed to afford.”

Xiyu felt a thousand emotions he couldn’t express; in a moment, he lost interest in the bustling electronic mall and lowered his head, saying: “Got it. I’m going to train my physical strength.”

Luo Xi was very satisfied: “Good boy. If you can survive the physical exam, I’ll give you a big gift.”

Xiyu refused: “No need, no reward without merit.”

“Then return the mental enhancement potion to me.” Luo Xi reached out his hand.

However, Xiyu didn’t even look at him and hurried toward the elevator entrance.

Luo Xi stood silently in place and slowly sighed.

Xu Tu, who was hiding in the shadows on watch, came over: “Boss, do you think this potion will work?”

“There’s no other way.” Luo Xi said. “If it doesn’t, then reset is his fate.”

Bai Qi, who always followed Xu Tu, also approached, fiddling with a deck of playing cards in his hand: “Why did he leave? I still wanted to teach him; I heard he’s really terrible at cards.”

Xu Tu rolled his eyes speechlessly: “Next time you get lost, I hope you’re as confident as this and don’t cry asking me to save you again.”

The mental enhancement potion tasted somewhat sweet; after drinking it, aside from feeling much clearer and refreshed, there was no special adverse reaction.

Xiyu knew this was no joke and then kept punching in the gym until he used up the last bit of strength in his body, finally collapsing to the ground drenched in sweat, resting against the wall.

While gasping rapidly, a group from the security department suddenly passed the doorway, led by the section chief Qin Yunshen whom Xiyu had seen before.

Xiyu immediately tensed up.

Fortunately, they had no intention of coming in. Qin Yunshen spoke hurriedly to a sharply dressed man beside him, and after a moment, they left in a grand procession.

Xiyu breathed a sigh of relief, shook his head with a faint smile, then collapsed back down in exhaustion.

In Yuntai, this great prison, what is meant to happen will happen sooner or later.

Around lights-out time, Xiyu’s door was suddenly opened from outside by security staff, and then a tall, stern-looking beautiful woman entered.

Xiyu had some impression of her, remembering that when he first came out of the nutrition pod, she was the person he saw.

The woman’s badge showed her name and position:

Xia Zi. Deputy Section Chief of Security.

...Such a big operation?

Xiyu sat up leaning on the bed: “May I ask, what is this about?”

Xia Zi’s expression was cold: “Routine physical exam. Please cooperate. We’re taking you.”

After she finished speaking, two well-built security guards entered from outside the door.Xiyu waved his hand: “No need, I’ll go with you—just, why do I have to have another physical exam so soon?”

Xia Zi’s attitude was terrible: “Why do I need to explain to you?”

Xiyu didn’t get angry, knowing it was useless to argue with such arrogance, so he simply kept quiet.

The so-called physical exam was really a physical exam—blood draw, scans, MRI, brain region tests—each step thorough without slack.

After wandering through every room in the lab, Xiyu was finally placed on a huge operating table.

His hands and feet were bound; fortunately, the surgical lights weren’t on, so he wasn’t completely despairing.

The security department lab technicians nearby acted as if he didn’t exist, laughing and chatting about recent weddings and honeymoons, sharply contrasting with Xiyu’s dark mood.

In the end, they even examined Xiyu’s facial features, discussing whether plastic surgery was necessary.

Just as Xiyu was about to lose all patience, the operating room door finally opened.

Qin Yunshen stood with his hands behind his back and said, “Working overtime so late at night?”

The technicians quickly reported properly, “Section Chief, Sister Xia said this host’s abilities are abnormal, as if the reset wasn’t complete, so we’re doing a recheck.”

Qin Yunshen glanced at Xiyu: “Results?”

“Preliminary guess is that he took mental drugs before the reset and didn’t metabolize them fully. The reset surgery records show no issues,” the technician said. “But Sister Xia isn’t reassured and says we need to do a craniotomy to replace the chip.”

This made Qin Yunshen hesitate and frown.

“Nonsense!” a calm but firm male voice interrupted.

Moments later, Xiyu saw who had appeared at the door: tall, elegant, with a jade-like face, exquisitely dressed in a deep blue Tang suit that contrasted beautifully with his fair skin—a very pleasing sight.

Qin Yunshen bowed his head: “General Manager Lin.”

The person called General Manager Lin looked around: “Wasn’t it told to you during company training that androids are state property, and we only have usage rights? All modifications and resets require approval documents. Where are the documents?”

The technicians were embarrassed: “We haven’t applied yet. Sister Xia said to wait until the end of the month…”

General Manager Lin angrily said coldly, “This is ridiculous! The accident two years ago has made us extremely cautious until now. The state just loosened the policy this year, and the company got financing to expand business, so we planned this large-scale investment in new hosts, aiming to prepare for global eSports competitions! If a scandal arises from surgery on one or two small hosts, not just you, even I can’t explain it to headquarters!”

He muttered under his breath, “Last night’s homicide, it’s already hard for me to explain upward.”

“Yes, sorry General Manager Lin, it was my poor management,” Qin Yunshen was also unhappy and cursed: “Quickly take him away, this matter ends here! Also, Xia Zi is suspended for half a month to reflect!”

The technicians panicked, hurriedly freeing Xiyu from the operating table.

Xiyu was changed into surgical clothes, barefoot standing on the floor, looking at General Manager Lin with a strange feeling.

General Manager Lin quietly stared at him, his eyes seeming to hold everything and yet emptiness.

Qin Yunshen gave a look.

A technician grabbed Xiyu: “Let’s go, you should sleep now.”General Manager Lin finally spoke: “You’re Xiyu, right?”

Xiyu involuntarily stopped.

General Manager Lin’s tone softened considerably: “You’ve created a lot of achievements for the company before. Although your popularity has mostly been filtered out by the harsh competition, taking you out of the freezer and keeping your name and identity means the company still trusts you. We hope you can return to the ranks of top hosts and contribute to the company again.”

Xiyu was filled with doubt but also a bit tempted to smash his dog head.

But this was not a place for chatting or causing trouble, so in the end, he just nodded and chose to leave.

The dorm was still the same—cold, quiet, and empty.

However, when Xiyu lay back on the bed again, he truly felt relieved: he had almost been operated on. Who knows what he would have become after the surgery?

Even if he chose to resist, other than killing those two lab technicians, he would gain nothing.

So escaping this ordeal was definitely a result worth celebrating.

Xiyu turned over, picked up the transparent screen on the bedside, and asked, “Help me check the price of the mental enhancement drug?”

“Host number 00777, this is Yuntai Butler, please wait.” The screen spun a few times and emotionlessly replied, “The current price is 100,000 per bottle. The price fluctuates based on supply and demand.”

One hundred thousand? Ten bottles would be a million…

Xiyu felt a little embarrassed about his exaggerated boast but, considering that audience tips have no fixed amount, he felt a bit more confident.

Maybe because of the drug, he had some insomnia and took the newly bought e-reader to start reading.

The android’s brain was indeed sharp; speed reading was no problem at all.

In less than two hours, Xiyu had finished studying a psychology book.

Connecting the knowledge from the book with the behavior of various factions in the replica, he found it quite interesting.

Is this what learning feels like?

He couldn’t help but gently stroke the screen.

At that moment, the e-reader received a message: “Host 08921 Luo Xi recommends the book Blade to you.”

Xiyu was puzzled and searched; it was a novel.

How perverse was Luo Xi, to still be in life-or-death uncertainty yet have the mood to read novels every day?

Xiyu couldn’t help but spend 200 Yuntai dollars to buy it, opened the first page, and found a note from the author: “It is not easy to cross the edge of a blade, therefore the wise say the path to salvation is difficult.”

Xiyu was stunned, then leaned against the pillow with a bitter smile.

Yes, who can walk across the edge of a knife?

But even if it’s impossible, you still have to walk.

Even mice refuse to be trapped in cages; rather than remain someone else’s plaything forever, it’s better to risk life and death—even if the result is not ideal.

This night was destined to be a troubled one.Poor Xiyu struggled with the drug’s side effects for a long time and finally fell asleep in the middle of the night, only to be tormented awake by a suffocating feeling of oxygen deprivation!

He endured nausea and fell off the bed, scrambling to the door at once, but no matter what, the door wouldn’t open.

Xiyu had no idea what was happening, but the oxygen kept thinning, the pain was indescribable, so he propped himself up and pressed the emergency help button.

Fortunately, Haishi Entertainment was indeed doing their best to protect the safety of the hosts.

The bell quickly drew a security team member: “What’s going on?”

Xiyu desperately pounded on the door: “Help… I can’t breathe…”

“What the hell?” The security staff swiped the door and said in puzzlement, “Why won’t it open? Wait a moment.”

Xiyu was sweating profusely, but instead of fresh air, another security alarm sounded!

“Dormitory security system breached, all hosts must evacuate immediately! Follow the security team’s instructions for orderly evacuation…”

Xiyu, struggling, closed his eyes, then crawled to the bed and took out the remaining mental enhancement drug, gulping it all down at once.

It was okay if the android hosts were reset, but an accidental death in the park would be a huge problem. If handled poorly, the company might be shut down for rectification.

So the evacuation that night, though for all hosts, wasn’t considered a major mobilization.

The expert-level and senior androids living on the top floor were gathered in the comfortable cafeteria, but the scene was chaotic.

Xu Tu, wrapped in a blanket and feeling sleepy and dazed, whispered a complaint, “What’s going on these past two days? Is the weather changing?”

Luo Xi was thoughtful and silent.

Fortunately, Bai Qi, quick and efficient, had already found out and sat down mysteriously: “It’s another incident in the junior host area. A host got trapped in a room; it seems the oxygen machine malfunctioned, drained the oxygen, and they’re repairing it.”

Xu Tu immediately straightened up: “Could it be Xiyu?”

Luo Xi finally spoke: “If it’s him, things get complicated. A security staff member died yesterday, and today there was a breach again. This is a premeditated act by an insider.”

“Boss, don’t say that lightly,” Bai Qi adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses.

Xu Tu, anxious, shook off the blanket angrily: “No way, we have to go save him, just break the door down!”

“No going! If we can’t get through this, we’ll get played and killed eventually,” Luo Xi said irritably, stopping her.

Bai Qi quickly helped Xu Tu cover herself with the blanket, shielding her graceful figure in the silk pajamas: “Cover up, don’t let others see our stuff.”

“Get away from me!” Xu Tu impatiently pushed him away and questioned, “Boss, if you want to stand by, fine, but…”

She almost whispered her words: “That accident two years ago had a lot to do with the company’s security. The government sent a lot of people later, you know that. If… anyway, I think Xiyu, who was reset in that accident, is definitely the weak point.”

Luo Xi clenched his right hand with his left and frowned, not replying.

Fortunately, the broadcast sounded then: “Security system has been restored. All hosts, please return to your dorms in an orderly manner to rest. Live streams will proceed as usual tomorrow…”

Xu Tu quickly got up and chased after a nearby security staff member, asking, “Hey, hey, hey, did a host die?”The security staff member said seriously, “How is that possible?! Hurry back. Xu Tu, stop running your mouth all day!”

Xu Tu grinned as she slipped back to Luo Xi’s side, “At least he’s alive. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be so calm.”

Luo Xi replied calmly, “Oh.”

Xu Tu was dissatisfied, “So indifferent? Then I won’t help you find out anything anymore. Anyone who mentions Xiyu again is a dog!”

Luo Xi stopped, looked her over carefully, then seriously asked, “Why are you talking so much? Menopause?”

Xiyu really had survived a great ordeal. Although it took a long time to get up after being pulled out, fortunately, his life was safe.

After this difficulty, the next morning he still had a headache and sat by the bed in the cafeteria eating plain congee with little appetite. Soon, his attention was completely drawn by the birdsong and flowers outside.

At that moment, a black figure suddenly appeared across from him and threw something onto the table.

An unfamiliar takeout box, and the familiar Luo Xi.

Xiyu blinked, tiredly said, “Still, thanks. My health check went well, and I survived.”

Luo Xi frowned.

Xiyu also understood clearly, “This has happened several times, I’m being targeted, right? Someone doesn’t want me here?”

As he spoke, he stared again at the beautiful lawn outside.

“Don’t look. That’s a hologram,” Luo Xi finally spoke.

Xiyu froze, suddenly feeling cheated and annoyed. He glanced at him and said, “Since you said it would be hard to meet, I see you every day now. What’s up?”

Luo Xi saw he was really fine and finally relaxed completely, grinning mischievously: “Just checking if my medicine is wasted on a paramecium.”

“I’ll pay you back,” Xiyu said, lowering his head to continue eating the congee.

Luo Xi looked at the takeout box he had carried down from the top floor, then glanced at him.

Xiyu: “Honestly, the more eager you are, the more scared I get. What exactly do you want?”

Only then did Luo Xi say, “Tomorrow is Christmas. Come with me somewhere.”

Xiyu was puzzled.

Luo Xi handed him an electronic card.

The card was printed with colorful Christmas patterns and the word: Yuntai Christmas Market, a large number of special tokens for sale.

Xiyu was confused and took out a small beautiful bronze medal from the final rewards of the instance: “Special tokens, is this it?”

Luo Xi: “Yeah, the tokens are buffs. Using them before entering an instance has various benefits. Tomorrow the electronic mall will specially sell tokens. It’s a way to reclaim our Yuntai coins at year-end.”

Xiyu: “...I don’t want to buy.”

Luo Xi: “The higher-level game tokens are more useful, so most senior-level hosts will go, including those who have lived in Yuntai for more than two years.”

This surprised Xiyu deeply. He anxiously looked at him.“Yes, those people are hard to approach, but I can take you to try,” Luo Xi said. “Since you’re really that famous, they must recognize you.”

Xiyu’s heart started racing.

Luo Xi then folded his arms: “See, every time I come to you it’s for something good. Can you try to change your attitude next time?”

Xiyu curled his lips, showing a handsome smile: “Much appreciated.”

Then he nervously went back to drinking his congee.

“You really don’t eat, not interested in anything. Are you a monk or something?” Luo Xi opened the takeout box: “The mushrooms in here help balance the effects of the mental medicine.”

Xiyu immediately grabbed the box back and tried a spoonful, realizing the living standards of senior hosts were indeed something else—everyday meals could be so delicious.

Luo Xi finally smiled mischievously in satisfaction: “But you can’t be a monk—I saw you livestream having a wet dream.”

Xiyu was shocked, suddenly choking on the food and coughing awkwardly while covering his face.

“Don’t be nervous, dreams can’t be projected in reality, the government won’t allow that,” Luo Xi said with interest. “But you called out a name, sounded like some kind of fish? Yu? Yu? Rain? … Who was it?”

Xiyu quieted down, staring blankly into Luo Xi’s eyes: “Don’t know.”

Luo Xi curved his lips: “That’s a good thing—it means your memories… are still waiting somewhere in your brain.”