Song Zang was still dazed when he was thrown out.
When he refused to move, Yin Chen actually picked him up and carried him directly to the front door before putting him down.
Holding the doorframe, Yin Chen paused, then snatched the shell bracelet from Song Zang’s hand and immediately prepared to close the door.
Song Zang speechlessly let him do as he pleased, but still could not resist emphasizing once more, “No fighting whenever you feel like it.”
The instant he finished speaking, “Song Zang” stuck his head through the crack in the door and smiled brightly. “Okay. Baby, I’ll listen to everything you say.”
Yin Chen’s expression darkened. Without a word, he slammed the door shut with a bang.
Song Zang was left standing outside alone, lost in confusion.
He glanced toward the floor-to-ceiling windows and discovered Yin Chen had deliberately closed the curtains too.
“What even is my life these days…” Song Zang did not know whether to laugh or cry. He stopped lingering and worrying and turned onto the boardwalk toward the sea.
Yin Chen would not hurt him. There was no need to cling to him obsessively.
Near the little harbor by the shore, Song Zang saw Chi Yan standing on deck with an ugly expression. His instincts immediately told him something had happened, and he quickened his steps.
“Xiao Song? Why are you here alone?”
“The two of them… have something to discuss.” Song Zang lowered his eyes and answered vaguely. Honestly, he had no idea how to explain.
Chi Yan froze. Her gaze abruptly became meaningful. “Those two can coexist peacefully now? You’re impressive.”
“Cough. No… I didn’t really do anything.” Song Zang blinked and gave an obviously guilty smile.
Seeing that, Chi Yan smiled knowingly and stopped teasing him.
She explained what had just happened and then pointed toward the lounge chair beneath the umbrella. “Sit there. The sun is too strong right now. With skin as delicate as yours, be careful you don’t burn.”
“Okay, Sister Chi.” Song Zang obediently sat down and even waved at the camera on Xiao Xiao’s side.
That was right. The livestream was still running. After Chang Mei Jiang learned they had fished up a corpse, she sent several logistics workers over to help Wang Ming Yue retrieve it from the water.
But abruptly stopping the broadcast would only have made things worse.
So Xia Zhi Zhi had taken over the fishing. Chang Mei Jiang had even kicked the one-handed Lu Ren Jia out of his room and ordered him to work for his money instead of continuing to hide in the infirmary like a frightened quail. After all, when Xiao Xiao had been badly burned by that strange power, she had only spent one day in the infirmary receiving treatment. By the second day, she was back in front of the cameras, taking part in the shoot as though nothing had happened.
In that case, Lu Ren Jia could be dragged out too and made useful for generating discussion.
Before Song Zang arrived, the livestream had already been buzzing, with discussion ranging from Wang Ming Yue’s fake father to Lin Wen Jing’s ruthlessness. Oddly enough, there had never been much discussion about Song Zang himself.
Song Zang secretly glanced at the comments scrolling past, then heard Chi Yan quietly tell him, “This livestream platform belongs to your husband’s company. You didn’t know? He’s had the administrators watching the whole time. Anyone attacking or spreading rumors about you gets banned.”
Song Zang nearly failed to understand who she meant. He froze, the tips of his ears turning faintly red.
So Yin Chen had done it.
“Of course, netizens have a rebellious streak. The more he tries to suppress things, the more determined they become to dig into your history together. At this point, the rumor that you cuckolded him is basically cemented,” Chi Yan said with a faint smile. “Xiao Song, President Yin treats you very well. Don’t bully him.”
“I don’t. He’s always the one bullying me.”
Song Zang softly objected, but his expression looked especially shy. He even deliberately glanced toward the camera, looking exactly as though he were saying the opposite for show and flaunting affection in front of the audience.
Sure enough, before long, the entire cast got attacked by the comments. The viewers’ central complaint could be summarized as: Wang Ming Yue’s father just died. Instead of comforting her, you’re fishing, drinking, and flirting? Are you even human? Do you have hearts?
Honestly, their criticism had logic behind it.
Xiao Xiao disagreed. She voluntarily turned off the beauty filter and leaned close to the camera, showing everyone the large area of wounds hidden beneath her foundation.
Chang Mei Jiang had used the best medication and most expensive growth factors. The ulcerated skin had already formed thin scabs, covering her face densely, with delicate pink new flesh growing around the edges.
In the high-definition camera, every detail was visible and looked grotesque.
“What good does comforting her do? The Northern Hemisphere is almost gone. In a situation like this, does comforting someone accomplish anything? Anyone who watched our last episode should understand that staying alive matters more.”
“Look at me. I nearly died too. But I don’t need people saying pretty things to me, and I don’t cry. Tears are the most useless thing in the world.”
“How did I get these injuries? Can’t spoil it early. Next week, Strawberry TV, prime time. The answer will be revealed in episode two.”
With only a few casual sentences, the focus of the livestream completely shifted. Xiao Xiao really was impressive: mentally tough, a genuinely formidable person.
Song Zang did not deliberately move closer to the camera. He reduced his presence and sat obediently in the lounge chair drinking.
The cocktail had a cacao liqueur base. It was the same drink Chi Yan had mixed for him at Helin Manor: Angel’s Kiss.
A red cherry wrapped in thick whipped cream rested across the glass like Cupid’s bow and arrow. The symbolism was extremely obvious.
Song Zang liked sweets. He narrowed his eyes in pleasure when he bit into the cherry, leaned back in the chair, and sighed. He had intended to relax, yet his gaze remained fixed on the floating cream foam, and an uncontrollable restlessness churned inside him.
He was worried about Yin Chen. He knew perfectly well Yin Chen was terrifyingly powerful, yet he still worried something unexpected might happen.
After all, the two people left in the cottage did not exactly look like the restrained type.
What if they really fought? What if Yin Chen’s secret about not being human was exposed? Would the game system control him? Would he be forcibly expelled from the Infinite Game? What did “clinging to a human body” mean? Could he be… erased?
So annoying. So annoying.
Song Zang lifted his glass and drank the entire cocktail in one gulp. Then he rummaged through the yacht’s refrigerator and took out every remaining fresh cherry.
Cold mist clung to them as he spread them across the little table, eating them one after another. Soon, more than half were gone.
This was the first time Song Zang had truly understood what it meant to worry yourself sick. The faint anxiety seemed to burn inside his stomach, even producing a subtle cramping pain.
Meanwhile.
The Yin Chen Song Zang was so worried about had already reached a degree of peaceful negotiation with “Song Zang.”
He was now sitting leisurely on the sofa, showing off the handmade gift he had received.
“Song Zang” looked unbearably envious and really wanted to touch it, but Yin Chen refused to let him.
Knowing he could not take it from Yin Chen by force, the youth complained, “You’re so mean. Baby treats you way too well. I want one too…”
“He won’t give you one.” Yin Chen curved his lips.
“Why not?!”
“You aren’t a guest on the dating show.”
The youth froze, then realized. “Damn. So that’s why. If I’d known earlier, I wouldn’t have copied Baby’s face. But… Baby is so pretty. If I’d chosen someone else, he definitely wouldn’t have liked me.”
Yin Chen sneered. “He doesn’t like you now either. He never will.”
“That’s not necessarily true.” The youth lifted his chin. “One of humanity’s deepest, most sincere, purest forms of love is narcissism!” “I don’t care about your ridiculous theories. Back to the point.” Yin Chen folded his arms. “Did you awaken true self-awareness, or are you simply part of the instance’s setting?”
“Mm… I don’t know.”
Good. Did not look like complete awakening. Yin Chen relaxed slightly.
In that case, there was no need to take him too seriously. He could always kill him later.
Without showing anything, Yin Chen continued asking, “Then how did you know I’m not human?”
“It’s obvious. Your brain doesn’t seem to be in active use at all.”
The youth looked innocent. It almost sounded like deliberate mockery, yet technically he had said nothing wrong.
The veins in Yin Chen’s arm tightened. He found that face increasingly unbearable to look at.
He turned his gaze away. “Why do you love Song Zang?”
“Don’t know. I suddenly loved him very, very much.” The youth blinked and answered crisply.
“…You really don’t know?”
“Does loving someone require a reason?”
“Song Zang” laughed. “Can’t answer, can you? I knew it. Yin Chen, the way you look at things is so hypocritical. You’ll never find true love like this.”
Yin Chen did not even look at him. “Stop talking nonsense.”
“I’m only telling you one thing. If I want to, I can make this instance collapse at any time and completely erase your character data. If you want eternal life, then whatever Song Zang tells you to do, you obey.”
“But I don’t care about eternal life. I only care about Baby.”
“Then stop causing trouble.”
“I’m not causing trouble.”
Like a bratty child. Yin Chen closed his eyes and poured himself tea.
A cooling herbal tea.
After drinking more than half, he raised his eyelids. “Xiao Xiao’s full-body burns. Was that your doing?”
“Yes, but I wasn’t causing trouble. She violated the rules of True Love’s Kiss.”
“Explain the rules.”
“She chose to accept True Love’s Kiss without genuinely falling in love with Wang Ming Yue, so she had to suffer the curse as punishment,” the youth explained righteously. “But Xia Zhi Zhi loved her. A genuine kiss can break the curse~ Isn’t that romantic? I really wasn’t causing trouble.”
“Fine. This time, you were following the rules. From now on…”
At that, “Song Zang” became dissatisfied. “From now on, whatever Baby says goes. Happy? Who are you to discipline me for him?”
Yin Chen froze faintly. “Song Zang and I…”
Before he could finish, “Song Zang” interrupted. “There is no love between you. I know best. Lying won’t work on me.”
“Who needs something as vague and meaningless as love?” Yin Chen quickly recovered and sneered. “My fate is entangled with his more deeply than several of your lifetimes.”
“Pfft. Don’t believe you.”
“Believe it or don’t. You don’t have a gift. I do.”
“I HATE YOU!!!”
…
Song Zang finished every cherry Lu Xing You had in storage and, unable to suppress his anxiety any longer, quietly slipped off the yacht.
Holding his breath and softening his footsteps, he returned to the cottage door.
He leaned toward the door and listened, only to hear what sounded like two elementary-school children arguing. Song Zang stood there silently for a moment, then kicked the unlocked door straight open.
Inside the living room, Yin Chen sat at one end of the sofa, while “Song Zang” sat on top of the television cabinet.
They were very far apart, as though an invisible boundary divided the air between them.
At the sound of the lock dropping to the floor, both immediately shut up and turned around. Their expressions stiffened at exactly the same time.
Song Zang was expressionless too. He leisurely crossed the living room toward the bedroom. “I’m going to take a nap. You two keep going.”
“Baby…”
Bang!
Song Zang said nothing. The bedroom door slammed shut.
“It’s all your fault. You made Baby unhappy.”
Yin Chen pressed his lips together, stood, and followed. Without looking back, he told “Song Zang,” “You are not allowed inside.”
Hearing that, “Song Zang” merely tilted his head and smiled. He did not argue anymore.
He jumped down from the television cabinet, stretched lazily, and flashed directly into the nearly destroyed television screen.
Like a drop of water merging into the sea, not the slightest trace remained.
“Are you angry?”
Yin Chen locked the bedroom door and asked softly.
Song Zang shook his head. He had changed into pajamas and wrapped himself inside the blankets.
“Of course not. I’m just… tired. And I was worried about you. Then it turns out both of you are so childish.”
“Why worry about me? Nothing will happen to me.”
“How would I know whether something can happen to you? You really have so many secrets, Yin Chen.”
Song Zang murmured quietly. It was not a complaint, just an observation. After all, he had plenty of secrets too. This bizarrely behaved “Song Zang,” for example, had been something Song Zang secretly caused himself. He would absolutely never tell anyone the truth behind “domineering boss falls in love with me.”
So it was perfectly normal for Yin Chen to have secrets he did not want to reveal. Their current situation was basically one liar facing another. Neither had any right to criticize.
Yin Chen was silent for a while, then wrapped Song Zang in his arms through the blanket.
His straight, elegant nose pressed lightly beside Song Zang’s ear and rubbed against him gently. “I listened to you. I won’t recklessly use that blade. As long as I don’t encounter a false god, no one can kill me. I swear.”
“Really swear?”
“I really swear. If I’m lying, let heaven strike me with lightning,” Yin Chen replied softly.
“Good.”
Song Zang did not reveal whether he believed him. He rolled over and continued sleeping.
Within the silence, the pale curtain lifted in the breeze. A beautiful face slowly appeared on the window glass, smiling faintly.
Yin Chen immediately looked over. His gaze met “Song Zang’s.”
“Song Zang” gave him a provocative look, curling his lips proudly. He mouthed, You can’t catch me.
Yin Chen: …
No wonder Song Zang had called them childish. He was absolutely right.
＊
Nothing major happened over the next several days.
At least, nothing like netizens had predicted. There were no zombie hordes attacking humanity, no second eye-cloud invasion, no moon crashing into Earth, no hellish Judgment Day descending… Everything was calm. Extremely calm. Nobody died on the beach. The Northern Hemisphere remained silent. At the borders, aside from occasional “illegal immigrants,” there were no large-scale attempts to break through checkpoints.
Chang Mei Jiang even successfully contacted the government and had Yin Chen reach a verbal agreement to share certain categories of information.
Government intelligence really was much more intense. The so-called volunteer rescue team under Wang Corporation had already been annihilated by special forces, completely uprooted, not a single one left alive. The troops were now stationed near the equator monument, firmly blocking all “believers” from crossing.
As for Mayor Wang, he was no longer even the original Mayor Wang who had hosted the livestream.
Within only a few days, he had been killed once each by Lu Xing You and Yin Chen’s people, while government agents had also assassinated him countless times. It did not matter.
The next morning, an entirely new Mayor Wang would appear in front of the City A media with a healthy complexion, inside the city council chamber, before livestream cameras, promoting his latest achievements in rescuing crash victims.
There was no doubt. The Aberrants were using City A as their central base and slowly expanding their rule outward. Even being publicly exposed did not matter. They could endlessly copy the same leader character.
This frightened the government. Its strategy had always leaned conservative. After several useless attempts, officials naturally no longer dared act aggressively, fearing even more brutal retaliation. Seeing how cowardly they were, Chang Mei Jiang and Chi Yan discussed it and simply took responsibility for completely eliminating Mayor Wang themselves. Naturally, there were conditions.
They would help the government kill every Aberrant in City A willing to “show its face.” In exchange, designated members of the production team, meaning the players, would receive authorization to use several categories of military equipment.
At minimum, firearms, artillery, and missiles. Not one could be missing.
The government agreed, but legal use required a specially assigned government supervisor to be present.
Beyond that, the television station would allow the production team to conduct an entire special livestream episode. It would air simultaneously on Strawberry TV and Central Television.
That was right. The third episode of the dating show would be broadcast live while exploring the streets of City A. Drinking wine, eating brunch, taking a romantic city walk with one’s lover…
Chang Mei Jiang was already enthusiastically buying trending topics and building hype for the next livestream.
As for the guests, their days were extremely comfortable.
They obediently followed the show’s schedule: charades, jet-ski races, making all kinds of coconut-themed desserts together, and a team-based creative sandcastle-building competition.
Song Zang liked the last activity the most because he had two helpers. Together, they directly constructed an enormous castle taller than a person. Outside it, they even made a clearly divided moat, manor farmland, and slum district… The two elementary-school children competed enthusiastically.
That was right. Ever since Yin Chen and “Song Zang” held that childish secret conversation, “Song Zang” had really attached himself to them. He insisted on becoming part of the relationship play.
No matter where they went on dates, “Song Zang” followed. Sometimes, he even deliberately dressed exactly like Song Zang and challenged Yin Chen to distinguish him from the original.
“Song Zang” had a willful, spoiled personality, always innocent, always doing whatever he wanted. He refused to listen to anyone except Song Zang.
The other guests were forced to interact with this bizarre “Song Zang.” Their feelings became exceptionally complicated. No matter how unhappy they were, they could not beat him anyway…
Their gazes toward Song Zang became increasingly strange. Song Zang no longer cared. He could not drive the Aberrant away and could not insult him into leaving, so he could only helplessly accept the reality of their threesome. Unexpectedly, once he gave up resisting, life became increasingly entertaining.
If Aberrants did not exist, this truly would have been an excellent vacation.
Song Zang silently thought this and privately thanked “Song Zang” for appearing, while also secretly thinking about how to kill him.
He absolutely did not believe this Aberrant would commit suicide for love, nor could Song Zang possibly be charmed by him.
Even if “Song Zang” genuinely would die for him, Song Zang still needed a backup plan.
During their time on the beach, Song Zang had never found a reliable idea. He had even considered stuffing the Aberrant into his iron pot and stewing him, but he worried “Song Zang” was too powerful and might punch a hole through his permanent item.
The main problem remained lack of information. Song Zang did not know what his weakness was.
The first genuinely workable idea took shape aboard the bus to City A.
While driving through winding mountains on the expressway, the bus entered a long tunnel.
The depths of the tunnel were deathly black. The darkness swallowed the bus whole. Everyone was nearly plunged into a state where they could not see their own hands.
“The interior lights broke. Teachers, please watch yourselves. It’ll take another five minutes before we leave the tunnel. Don’t stand or move around yet,” the driver called from the front.
The next instant, “Song Zang,” who had been sitting beside the window swinging his legs, jumped down and complained unhappily, “So dark. I don’t like it.”
Then he immediately squeezed beside Song Zang and insisted Song Zang turn on his phone.
Under Yin Chen’s faintly gloomy gaze, Song Zang reluctantly lent him the phone and sent him to the back seat. “Go sit quietly by yourself. Watch the cartoons I downloaded.”
“Song Zang” immediately brightened and happily left with the phone. But he did not turn on the flashlight.
As Song Zang secretly observed him, he noticed the Aberrant did not actually require the flashlight. As long as some source of light surrounded him, that was enough.
The detail made Song Zang thoughtful.
He suddenly realized that the weakness of an Aberrant like “Song Zang” was not complicated at all. Yin Chen had even mentioned it before.
Why did some Aberrants require a reflective surface as a medium for appearing?
Because the most important thing was not the reflective surface itself. It was 【light】. And the path light traveled. If all light sources were completely cut off, or if only one reflective medium remained, perhaps Song Zang could control “Song Zang’s” ability to flash and teleport.
Song Zang immediately opened the system panel and secretly messaged Yin Chen.
【You have a branch office in City A, right? Can you make me a completely dark room? Not even a trace of light can get in.】
Yin Chen lowered his eyes to read the message, then smiled meaningfully. “Tired of him? Don’t like him anymore?”
Song Zang paused, then answered with the standard line. “I never liked him. You’re the only one in my heart.”
Recently, he practically had to say this standard answer two or three times a day.
Because Yin Chen’s mood kept swinging back and forth between tranquil lake water and wanting to punch the planet apart.
At night, Song Zang often felt as though a silent man-eating python had wrapped around his entire body. He could not even move a finger. Actually, he really liked being held that tightly.
Yin Chen did not know. Yin Chen was quietly threatening him. “If you dare like him, I’ll cut both of you apart.”
Song Zang exhaled. His expression disappeared into the darkness. His voice was soft. “Yin Chen. You’re jealous. You just won’t admit it.”
This time, Yin Chen said nothing. He wrapped an arm around Song Zang’s waist and slowly tightened it through the thin fabric. It felt as though he intended to squeeze Song Zang to death.
“Intimate relationships aren’t limited to lovers. Maybe you don’t understand. Friends can get jealous too.
“My dog used to be too likable, and I hated it. I really wanted to throw everyone who touched its head into the sewer and let them stink to death. But I had to endure it, because my thoughts were unreasonable.”
Yin Chen seemed to laugh. He did not loosen his grip. “Are you accusing me of being unreasonable?”
“Bullshit. I’m saying I’ve always understood how you feel.” Song Zang quietly curved his lips. No one saw it. “But what can I do? I like seeing you secretly get so jealous that you lose your mind.”