Chapter 43

Chapter 43

The chaotic crowd screaming, Xi Yu losing control and becoming aggressive, and the blood that splattered, not even knowing from whom...

These intense images formed strange light spots in Luo Xi’s dazed eyes.

No matter how he viewed this matter, his heart was filled with concern, otherwise, he wouldn’t have still been waiting outside the Yun Tai laboratory in the early hours of the morning, ready to swallow his pride and ask for help.

This laboratory was hidden in the garden of a circular building, responsible for human science research and external technical exchanges. Some humanoids with mental issues were sent here for treatment, and normally, no broadcaster would be allowed to enter.

If it weren’t for the fact that Luo Xi had previously helped them set up several mathematical models and databases, he probably wouldn’t even have the qualification to get close.

Not sure how long he had been waiting, the moon was completely covered by clouds when a female researcher finally came out and said, “Dr. Wang just finished, you can come in.”

Luo Xi immediately stood up. “Thanks.”

The female researcher furrowed her brows and asked, “I heard the broadcasters upstairs caused quite a commotion, even injuring someone. I suggest you stay out of it; the upcoming e-sports competition is a great opportunity for you.”

“Oh, so concerned about me?” Luo Xi said half-jokingly, then casually added, “It’s my friend who got into trouble, I can’t just ignore it.”

The female researcher let him swipe his wristband at the door and, as she led him inside, she said, “Actually, we also bought a humanoid butler at home. After spending time with it, I’ve found that, apart from being simpler and cuter than humans, it’s really not much different. I truly hope the best for you, and I hope you can soon escape the abyss you're facing. Luo Xi, you're a great young man.”

Receiving such a compliment from a natural human made Luo Xi’s mood complex. He quietly replied, “I have a good sense of things.”

The female researcher smiled and helped him push open Dr. Wang’s door. “You two talk. I’m off work now.”

Luo Xi nodded and, after watching her disappear, he stepped inside.

The old man, busy in front of the holographic giant screen, turned his head. “Luo Xi, take a seat.”

This doctor was unremarkable in appearance, but he was a top scientist in humanoid breeding technology. He had won numerous awards abroad and, in recent years, had been recruited by the company to this remote place. He was focused on developing a cheaper way to remove and create false memories. Though his methods were terrifying and detestable, he had once helped Luo Xi become a strong player in the holographic world, so they had some bond between them.

Luo Xi sat down on the sofa, straightened his back, and said, “Doctor, I’m here to ask for your help.”

“About the riot tonight?” Dr. Wang got straight to the point. “I’ve heard about it... but I can’t get involved with the security department’s matters.”

Luo Xi frowned. “My friend hurt Mu Yuan. If they deal with it fairly, what do you think the outcome will be?”

Dr. Wang was slightly surprised. “Mu Yuan? His physical abilities are very strong. There aren’t many broadcasters who can hurt him. Did you get involved?”

Luo Xi shook his head.Dr. Wang was confused: "Who was it then?"

Luo Xi answered, "A newly reset rookie broadcaster, his name was Xi Yu. I don't know if you remember him?"

The mention of the name caused Dr. Wang’s expression to become subtle.

Luo Xi couldn’t help but ask, “It seems like you remember him. Why was he reset...?”

Dr. Wang chuckled, “The company’s rules are clear, he must have violated one of the broadcaster’s regulations. But the ethics of humanoids are complicated, and the company doesn’t allow discussions about it. Don’t make things difficult for yourself.”

“Alright, I understand not to ask,” Luo Xi frowned, “But is there any way to ensure his safety?”

Dr. Wang raised his index finger and helplessly pointed at him: “You really are like a naive human.”

Luo Xi: "..."

Dr. Wang continued: "Here’s a piece of advice—never test human nature, and don’t trust it. Speaking of loyalty will only harm yourself."

Luo Xi said seriously, “I understand what you mean. I’m helping him without expecting anything in return, so I won’t be disappointed.”

Dr. Wang gazed at the DNA chain model slowly rotating on the screen and sighed.

Luo Xi, seeing a glimmer of hope, stood up and said, “I just hope Xi Yu won’t be reset. I don’t ask for anything else. If you’re unwilling to help me, I’ll have to go to Qin Yunshen. I know your words carry weight, so I’m asking you. For the next half a month, I’ll come to work overtime for you and help with software, alright?”

“You’re even negotiating terms with me, huh,” Dr. Wang thought for a moment, then said, “Actually, physical conflicts between broadcasters are rare. As long as there’s no murder or permanent injury, the company can suppress it. Also, President Lin has always had a good opinion of you. I’ll help you and write an email to President Lin.”

Luo Xi sighed in relief.

Dr. Wang added, “Have you heard about the rewards for the e-sports competition? Seize the opportunity.”

Luo Xi smiled lightly, “There’s only one way across a narrow bridge with an army of soldiers, I’ll do my best. Thank you. I still need to check on the security department.”

Dr. Wang bade him farewell and sighed silently as he looked at the electronically closed door. He then opened his email, selecting “Lin Yuze” in the recipient field.

The fight night turned into a brawl scene, and the security department's monitoring room deep underground was in chaos.

Fortunately, Qin Yunshen, with his military background, was experienced and capable of handling this kind of disorder.

He first gathered information from several “informant” broadcasters, then reviewed the surveillance footage to get an understanding of the situation, and only after that did he confidently begin the interrogation.After receiving simple treatment, Xi Yu sat silently in the interrogation room.

Qin Yunshen walked to the opposite side of the desk, lowering his eyes to observe, "Don't worry, our conversation will be fully recorded and uploaded to the relevant agencies in the National Humanoid Department. I assure you, my approach is very fair."

"I’m not worried," Xi Yu said calmly, "It was my fault."

Qin Yunshen feigned surprise, "Oh? Where did you go wrong?"

Xi Yu looked into his eyes, "I shouldn’t have participated in such an unclear activity without informing the Security Department, and I definitely shouldn’t have been provoked to get on stage and hurt a colleague, causing them to get injured."

Qin Yunshen played with the electronic pen in his hand, "I’ve seen the doctor’s report. Mu Yuan is the one who got hurt the most, but you're not in much better condition."

Xi Yu didn’t want to discuss that and directly asked, "What kind of punishment will there be? Is it serious?"

"This... I need to report and seek approval from the company," Qin Yunshen shrugged, "It depends on Mu Yuan’s recovery. The punishment could be light or heavy."

Xi Yu asked, "What about the conference?"

Qin Yunshen replied, "They’ll label you as dangerous and put you back into a frozen state."

Xi Yu’s heart sank, and he silently clenched his long fingers.

"Don’t be nervous, as long as you cooperate well, there’s still a chance," Qin Yunshen’s eyes finally grew cold, "Now, explain to me, why did you seriously injure Mu Yuan? And—where did you get that strength from?"

Xi Yu tried to maintain a calm expression, "Who started the provocation, I’m sure the Section Chief knows very well. At that time, I was very angry. Mu Yuan kept insulting Luo Xi, calling him a human lapdog and so on. Since Luo Xi has treated me well, I impulsively wanted to teach him a lesson. Mu Yuan was caught off guard and got hurt, but in reality, I wouldn’t have been able to beat him."

Qin Yunshen laughed, "Human lapdog?"

Xi Yu looked innocent, "I don’t know why he said that."

"I see," Qin Yunshen put his hand into his white coat and smiled faintly.

It wasn’t pleasant to have your fate in someone else’s hands. Xi Yu couldn’t help but feel nervous and worry about how to resist if the worst outcome came to pass.

Just then, there was a knock on the interrogation room door.

Qin Yunshen turned his head, and a long-haired beauty appeared, "Section Chief, the medical report has come through."

Xi Yu recognized her. She was the one who had forcibly taken him for a "medical check-up" last time. Her name was Xia Zi, and she was an assistant in the Security Department.Qin Yunshen reacted with displeasure, "Didn't I tell you to stay home and reflect? Why are you here again?"

"How could I not come when there's such a big mess?" Xia Zi said, feeling wronged. "Please step outside for a moment."

Qin Yunshen instructed Xi Yu, "You stay here and reflect. It's impossible for you to leave in the short term, so be mentally prepared."

Xi Yu stared at him expressionlessly as he closed the door.

Standing in the bustling Security Department corridor, Qin Yunshen was impatient. "What is it?"

Xia Zi hurriedly explained, "Mu Yuan is seriously injured, it's considered a level-two disfigurement. The Humanoid Department is furious. Xi Yu is a dangerous person! Section Chief, you should freeze him immediately to calm the situation."

Qin Yunshen widened his eyes and angrily shouted, "How would the Humanoid Department know?!"

Xia Zi shuddered from his scolding, "This kind of thing should have been reported immediately."

Qin Yunshen grabbed the report from her hands, "Childish! You just want chaos! Even if it needs reporting, it should go through higher-ups first. The company is in a critical period before the esports competition. If something goes wrong, can you handle the consequences?"

"But if we don't report and someone else does, your position as Section Chief will be in jeopardy!" Xia Zi retorted, "I'm doing this for your own good."

"Shut up!" Qin Yunshen was very impatient with this girl, roughly flipping through the papers in his hands as he thought of a solution. A staff member hurriedly approached from a distance.

The person handed him the department’s mobile phone and said, "Section Chief, General Manager Lin couldn’t reach you on your phone. He’s trying to contact you."

Qin Yunshen slapped the papers back into Xia Zi’s hands, "You’re not allowed to interfere with this. I’ll handle it."

He then frowned and answered the phone, "Hello? General Manager Lin, yes, I was just understanding the situation."

Xia Zi stood there with tears in her eyes, finally biting her lip and walking away sadly.

At 4 a.m., Luo Xi was still sitting on the bench outside the Security Department, lost in thought. Occasionally, staff members would greet him, but he didn’t respond.

Just as he was about to doze off from exhaustion, a familiar feeling suddenly woke him up.

Luo Xi raised his eyelids and saw the injured Xi Yu walking toward him. He immediately stood up and asked, "How was it handled?"

Xi Yu touched the bandage on his face and softly said, "They said General Manager Lin didn’t want any issues before the competition. The company will take care of our treatment, and they want me to report to the Security Department every day. Also, no more fighting with others."

"Still fighting... look at you acting tough," Luo Xi said, feeling relieved. "Go rest now.""I'm sorry," Xi Yu said honestly. "Your warning was well-intentioned, it's my fault for being impulsive."

Luo Xi looked at him with a strange expression. "I don't understand why you would be impulsive. You've always been such a calm and composed person."

Xi Yu trembled slightly, and couldn't come up with a decent answer.

"Forget it, it's over now, let's go." Luo Xi supported his arm. "Your body is fine, right?"

In reality, Xi Yu had been hurt quite badly by Mu Yuan's two hits, but he tried to maintain his steady pace and softly said, "I'm fine."

Luo Xi still didn't let go of him, guiding him toward the elevator.

"I thought that after being in the company for a while, higher-ranked streamers would maintain a polite relationship. Why are they all so rude?" Xi Yu voiced his confusion. "Or did you do something to anger them? Does it have anything to do with you helping the company’s laboratory?"

"To some extent, but the relationships have always been bad," Luo Xi smiled faintly. "When they can't fight, they just speak worse."

Xi Yu tried his best to understand.

Luo Xi pressed the elevator button. "Actually, whether you're first or the tenth thousand, we all have to follow the company's management. There are no personal privileges. At most, people form groups to sabotage others, but essentially, we're all just live streaming tools. So don't take the streamer rankings seriously, and don't care about those who are ranked higher."

Xi Yu was silent for a moment. "Yeah, you're right, but I still don't like hearing them talk."

Luo Xi thought about Bai Qi's words and couldn't help but ask, "Is it because they insulted me? You wouldn't really go up and punch someone just because they insulted me, would you?"

A flicker of emotion passed through Xi Yu's clear eyes but quickly faded. He asked faintly, "Do you think it's possible?"

Luo Xi chuckled but didn't answer.

The elevator arrived, and the doors slowly opened.

Xi Yu stepped in first.

However, Luo Xi once again grabbed his wrist. "No matter the reason, don’t do this again. It’s meaningless."

"Has anyone ever told you that you like to give orders?" Xi Yu tried to pull his arm out but hurt himself with the force of the movement and took a sharp breath.

Luo Xi helplessly crossed his arms and smiled, shaking his head. He couldn’t help but feel that the little streamer beside him was becoming more of a mystery with each passing moment, and all the intricate threads seemed to be tied to him in some way.

Xi Yu lowered his head and remained silent for a while. Finally, he spoke, "I was able to get out because you helped, right? Anyway, I won’t trouble you like this again. I’ll take responsibility for my own problems."Luo Xi glanced sideways but didn't answer, though he didn't believe a word of it.

In the game, bloodshed was common, but he never imagined that the physical pain in real life would become a daily occurrence.

After a simple cleaning, Xi Yu curled up under the blanket on the couch, but whether it was due to the sting of his wounds or his intense mental agitation, he didn't fall into a light sleep until almost dawn.

And in this dream, a chaotic farce awaited him.

The bar was stylishly decorated, but there weren't many people. Only a group of young men and women gathered around the central booth.

Nervously, Xi Yu tried to mingle with the group, watching as they played dice and joked around, but he couldn't blend in at all.

Suddenly, a short-haired woman pinched Xi Yu's face. "Where did this cute little thing come from? An android, right?"

Xi Yu frowned and pulled away.

The man next to her sneered, "A Yu's bad taste! Playing with a few humans isn't enough for him anymore!"

The short-haired woman was intrigued and leaned closer to examine Xi Yu’s face, while also releasing a heavy scent of perfume. "You're really handsome. Can I buy one too?"

"Ha, what are you thinking? Do you have the conditions like A Yu's family?" Another man chimed in. "But you could probably borrow him for a few days."

Xi Yu nearly gagged from the woman's wandering hands. Unable to hold back, he suddenly grabbed his waistband and forcefully shoved her away. "Don't touch me!"

The short-haired woman stumbled and fell, instantly breaking the previously harmonious scene.

A young man, looking like an aristocrat, threw a drink in his face and slapped him hard. "You've gone too far! Do you think you're a real person?"

Xi Yu was furious, instantly jumping onto the table and dragging the man to the floor, then grabbing his head to retaliate!

The bar descended into complete chaos, with many bartenders rushing over to forcibly pull Xi Yu up.

In the midst of the commotion, Xi Yu heard a voice that calmed him, calling out, "Xiao Qi!"

The person who spoke rushed over, pushing through the bartenders. "Let go! He's mine! Let go of him!"

Xi Yu, breathing heavily, reached out to the person who was helping him, trying to see their face.

This time, he finally saw their eyes."Hey, Xi Yu..."

Luo Xi's voice pulled Xi Yu from the dream back to reality.

Xi Yu, drenched in sweat, opened his eyes, not knowing when he had fallen off the couch.

Luo Xi exerted some effort to lift him back onto the couch and wiped the sweat from his forehead in the faint light of dawn. "What's wrong? First time fighting, and now you're having nightmares?"

Xi Yu's body was still trembling. He wasn't afraid of the chaos in the dream, but because it all felt too real—real enough to have some kind of magic, making the aching sensation spread through his veins to his whole body, controlling every fragile, helpless nerve.

"Why are you so pitiful?" Luo Xi locked eyes with him, noticing the confusion in Xi Yu's gaze. He was about to get up. "I'll ask Xu Tu if he has any sleeping pills."

But unexpectedly, Xi Yu grabbed Luo Xi's arm, propped himself up, and gently hugged him!

The warmth of the body brought subtle sensations and the sound of a rapid heartbeat.

Though they used the same shampoo, and the scent should have been similar, Xi Yu’s soft, short hair brushed against his neck, and it carried a strange scent, reminding Luo Xi that this scent belonged to another person. Yet, he didn’t dislike it.

Frozen, Luo Xi hesitated and finally reached out to support Xi Yu's thin back. "…What’s going on?"

Xi Yu trembled even more, his teeth chattering.

Luo Xi, who had been caught in the ambiguous situation, now felt even more uneasy. He pressed on the back of Xi Yu’s neck and asked, "Are you alright? You seem like you're about to turn into a zombie."

"..." Xi Yu, his nerves disordered by Luo Xi, finally blinked and slowly released his hold on him.

Luo Xi carefully observed him. "What exactly did you dream about?"

Xi Yu didn't answer. Instead, he lay back on the couch and slowly pulled the blanket up to cover half of his face.

He really didn’t know how to explain it—"I dreamed about a man who kept appearing. He had a pair of… eyes exactly like yours?"

Xi Yu didn’t know how Luo Xi had helped him, nor did he know if the company would truly downplay the fight incident. All in all, life in the residential area returned to its usual rhythm after that night.

But since he had already gotten into such trouble, staying low and avoiding it would do no good. It was better to just live normally.

That day, he reported to the security department as required and then prepared to go train his physical abilities.

He didn’t expect that as soon as he walked out of the top floor elevator, he saw two staff members putting up posters.Xi Yu read curiously, his eyes gradually widening—

The First Global Artificial Intelligence Streamer eSports Competition

Registration Dates: March 1st to March 15th

Audition Date: March 31st

Registration Requirements: No level, age, or gender restrictions, both duo teams or solo participants allowed.

Prize Preview:

Third Prize — 50th to 150th place in the competition, reward of 1,000,000 Cloud Platform currency

Second Prize — 5th to 49th place in the competition, reward of 3,000,000 Cloud Platform currency

First Prize — 2nd to 4th place in the competition, reward of 10,000,000 Cloud Platform currency

Special Prize — 1st place in the competition, join the Cloud Platform Game Planning Team as a game producer, no longer participate in streaming

Prize Internal Notes:

Except for the 1st place, other streamers who are eliminated will be reset, with the elimination rules based on the game rules.

After resetting, the rewards will still be credited to the individual account, so all streamers should take note.

...Become a game producer?

Does that mean no more living this hellish life here?!

Xi Yu slowly transitioned from shock to delight, unable to resist reaching out to touch the poster right in front of him.

No wonder Luo Xi said that the light of hope was coming.

No wonder the crime of injuring a fellow streamer was suppressed.

It turns out the company’s secretly circulated eSports competition had such an enticing reward?

Xi Yu's smile began to show.But just as he was about to turn around to ask Luo Xi for details, his wrist, pale and delicate, was harshly grabbed by a large, wheat-colored hand.

Xi Yu instinctively tried to struggle and fight back, but was unexpectedly shocked by the forceful grip.

He immediately regained his focus and looked up: "You—"

The man holding him down was only wearing a pair of expert streamer sleep pants, with his muscular upper body exposed, covered in tattoos that sprawled across his arms. His buzzed haircut and cold expression made his eyes sharp as a wolf’s.

Xi Yu didn't hesitate to throw a punch toward his stomach: "Let go!"

The male streamer only stepped back slightly, but still kept a tight grip on him.

Xi Yu, exhausted and without the strength to compromise, twisted his caught wrist desperately to break free while his other hand ruthlessly attacked toward the man’s eyes!

The man finally released his grip in pain, but the next moment, he pinned Xi Yu’s shoulder and shoved him directly against the wall, speaking softly: "Xi Yu."

Xi Yu: "?"

The man stared at him silently, and after a few seconds, he said: "Long time no see."

Xi Yu finally reacted: "You knew… the version of me before the reset?"

"Yes..." the man muttered, as if still in disbelief. "You really don't recognize me anymore."

Xi Yu tried to move his hand away from the man’s, and, with his complex expression, began to speculate: What’s going on with this guy? He looks so resentful, could he have some extraordinary feelings for me, or rather, the old Xi Yu? But I have no memory of him at all... Should I follow along and ask for some information, or should I cautiously keep my distance... Either way, this guy doesn't seem like someone who would be easy to handle...

Luckily, he didn’t have to make a decision, as the man was suddenly shoved away by a forceful push.

The person who was so impolite was none other than Luo Xi, who claimed to have been training.

Xi Yu couldn’t help but feel relieved.

Luo Xi didn’t exchange any words with the man, only grabbing Xi Yu and saying: "It’s just a check-in, right? After all this time, I thought the security department had kept you."

Xi Yu hesitated slightly but still followed Luo Xi as they left.

Unexpectedly, the man shouted loudly from behind: "Xi Yu, what are you doing with him?"

"He’s my friend," Xi Yu immediately answered. "Who are you, I’ve never seen you before."This sentence made the tattooed man tremble all over, and then he became even more sorrowful, standing in place like an abandoned dog.

Luo Xi pulled Xi Yu along, walking briskly, and said in a strange tone, "Why explain anything to him? Stay away from that guy."

Xi Yu mentioned, "He recognized me. Is he an old streamer?"

"So what if he is?" Luo Xi retorted, "Do you want to rekindle the past?"

... Wasn't it you who helped me find the old streamers to inquire about things earlier?

Xi Yu blinked in speechless confusion.

"His name is Mo Yi, and he’s indeed an old streamer. He only participates in ranking games right before the deadline, and when he gets into the game, he completely disregards the rules, just kills the opponents without mercy. He’s usually nowhere to be seen," Luo Xi explained, furrowing his brows. "Even if you knew him before, don’t provoke him. He’s pretty much gone mad."

Xi Yu thought for a moment, "Okay."

Luo Xi grew suspicious inside: ... This obedient?

Xi Yu sincerely said, "I’ve decided not to dwell on the past and its illusions. I want to participate in the eSports competition."

Luo Xi snorted, "I knew it."

"So, I have something to ask of you. It might be a bit bold," Xi Yu said seriously.

Luo Xi secretly smirked: Join a team if you want, no need for the roundabout.

Xi Yu looked into his eyes, "Can you find some time to train me? I already know the gap between me and others, so I want to improve my physical fitness before the competition. Is that okay?"

Luo Xi was silent for a moment before reluctantly agreeing, "… Fine… Is that all?"

Xi Yu shook his head, giving a small smile, "Let's go, let’s train now!"