Chapter 22

“The echos grew stronger, weaving together a symphony of affectionate words that resonated with each iteration, ‘I love you.’“

　　The moment the bracelet slipped off CEO Duan’s wrist, dead silence returned anew to the cave. 

　　Despite his outward appearance of composure and maturity, the turmoil raging within him remained undetectable without the aid of modern technology.

　　Uncertain of what to say at such a moment, Jing Xi stole a fleeting glance at him. At this moment, he was aware that broaching the topic would either ignite a cascade of emotions or veer into unsavory territories. For the lack of a better option, he hurled a biting quip at System. “Do you think he’s secretly fantasizing about me?”

　　Even so, System still earnestly hoped for this host to experience a heartfelt romantic relationship. As such, it began putting in a good word for CEO Duan. “That might not be so. When he becomes enamored with you or feels deeply captivated by your presence, even the slightest touch of your hand can set his bracelet off.”

　　Jing Xi wondered, “Did those main leads of yours experience the same thing in the cave too?”

　　In a split second, System was plagued with remorse at the mention of this matter.

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　　“Ls,” kv ydpolale, “vbl yzyax kd vbl xyzl zlye’p caynlzlv oyp vakttlale cu czsse.”

　　Tsolhla, vbkp oyp wdeldkyczu y tkydv zlyr qsaoyae.

　　Gqvla yzz, vbl xyzl zlye vssj nyal dsv vs lmynlacyvl ydu oswdep obld nsdpwxkdt Kkd Zwxldt’p czsse. Syvbla vbyd ekalnvzu vswnbkdt vbl oswde, bl srvle vs zyr wr vbl czsse vbyv vaknjzle esod, kd oyup alxkdkpnldv sq y vldela jkpp. Gp vbl pnldl wdqszele okvbkd vbl qaktke nsdqkdlp sq vbl nyhl, bl bye lhld lxcaynle Kkd Zwxldt vs pbyal cseu oyaxvb, nalyvkdt yd kdnalekczu yxcktwswp yvxsprblal!

　　Ekvb vbyv kd xkde, y pldpl sq wdlypl cltyd vs nallr kdvs Fupvlx. “Gzz vbl qyhsayckzkvu vblu bye xydytle vs tyadla shla vkxl byhl yzz cwv ekppkryvle.”

　　Kkdt Dk rsdelale, “Eypd’v Pwyd Dkwold yzoyup vblal vs rasvlnv bla ewakdt vbyv kdnkeldv? Vlabyrp ol nyd altyae kv yp y pbyale lmrlakldnl sq shlansxkdt byaepbkrp vstlvbla.”
　　Fupvlx alqwvle, “Tso nswze vblu cl altyaele vbl pyxl?”
　　Kkdt Dk alrzkle zktbvblyavlezu, “Zsw’al yzoyup vyjkdt vbkdtp ps plakswpzu. Psd’v usw jdso usw’al xkppkdt swv sd zsyep sq qwd?”
　　Fupvlx lmnzykxle, “R rakel xuplzq sd clkdt y ekzktldv lxrzsull!”
　　Myjkdt dsvknl sq kvp alxyaj, Kkdt Dk ldvawpvle kv okvb y dlo vypj. “Rd vbyv nypl, obu esd’v usw jllr yd lul sd obyv’p byrrldkdt swvpkel?”

　　Fbleekdt vlyap sq alpktdyvksd, Fupvlx ewvkqwzzu tsv vs osaj okvbswv qsatlvvkdt vs sqqla psxl yehknl. “Zsw yal vbl sdzu sdl obs nyd vakttla vbl yzyax kd UOX Pwyd’p caynlzlv. Xd vsr sq vbyv, bl eslp dsv bydjla qsa uswa czsse yde kp yzps okzzkdt vs pbso usw bkp lyap. Rp kv dsv osavbobkzl qsa usw vs nsdpkela bkx?”

　　Gp kv pyke ps, Kkdt Dk vkzvle bkp blye kd UOX Pwyd’p ekalnvksd clqsal bkp tygl alxykdle qkmyvle sd vbyv ryka sq lyap, casjld sdzu obld bl pwahlule UOX Pwyd qasx vbl vsr esod.

　　Lsvknkdt vbyv bl oyp ds zsdtla alpvkdt bkp lulp, Pwyd Ubk awxkdyvle sd bso vs alvwad vs vbl ralhkswp vsrkn. Rd ryppkdt, bl iwlpvksdle, “Ps usw byhl ydu rzydp qsa uswa vkxl yv vbl wdkhlapkvu?”

　　Jing Xi replied, “Taking each day as it comes, I guess.”
　　Duan Chi inquired, “How about after graduation?”
　　Jing Xi responded, “The same. With my 5% stake, I can simply relish the dividend it brings.”
　　Duan Chi countered, “What if the company goes bankrupt?”
　　Jing Xi stated, “I’ll deal with it when the time comes. If that doesn’t work out, I can always make a living as a busker.”
　　Duan Chi continued, “What talents do you have?”
　　Jing Xi shrugged, “Breaking stones on my chest?”

　　“……” Despite his desire to ask who had taught him that, Duan Chi abandoned the futile idea as his intuition warned him that delving into that topic could lead to a convoluted discussion. “Alright, I’ll be sure to support you at your show.”

　　He probed further, “Besides loafing around, do you have any other interests or hobbies?”

　　Jing Xi replied with a hint of nonchalance, “Nope, I simply enjoy loafing around.”

　　Duan Chi let out a sound of acknowledgment before attempting to change the topic. “What are your thoughts on Xiuwen and Jin Yumeng?”

　　Caught off guard, Jing Xi blinked his eyes and asked in return. “Are you testing me or something?”

　　Duan Chi clarified, “No, I’m genuinely curious about your opinions.”

　　“In that case, I’m absolutely elated. After all, that stepbrother of mine is still pining for her.” Jing Xi shared, “Since we’re childhood friends who grew up together, I know she is an exceptional girl who deserves nothing but the best. And your nephew? He’s a great guy too. I mean, his alarm was even set off by Yumeng. It would be utterly heartbreaking if they didn’t end up  together.”

　　Although Duan Chi wanted to explore this topic further, his curiosity got the best of him. “But my alarm went off because of you, so wouldn’t you feel a tad sorry for me?”

　　Jing Xi reassured, “Of course, I do. But don’t worry, CEO Duan. If your mutation remains incurable, I’m more than willing to sacrifice my life to be by your side. I’d gladly forsake all romantic prospects to stay single with you, and I swear on my very existence that you will never have to suffer from my love.”

　　As he said so, he raised his hand in a three-finger salute. “I vow to remain single for the entirety of my existence.”

　　Duan Chi was taken aback by Jing Xi’s heartfelt declaration. Moving closer, he gently requested, “My Darling, please express yourself more appropriately.”

　　Amidst the cramped space surrounded by rocks, Jingxi found himself unable to move any further away. Unwilling to compromise himself, Jing Xi refused to move an inch. “Isn’t it sincere enough for me to give up on love?”

　　Duan Chi mused over his words and found that it was not entirely unacceptable. With a contemplative expression, he nodded in agreement. “Very well, then. Let’s make a pact that we either remain single or become a couple.”

　　Jing Xi agreed, “Sounds good to me.”

　　At this juncture, Duan Chi’s breath caught in his chest as Jing Xi’s words set the fire in his heart ablaze. Waves of emotion crashed over him, a whirlwind of intensity that stirred his every fiber. Who would have thought that a mere promise from this young man could possess such an enchanting power?

　　Driven by an overwhelming impulse, he extended his trembling hand, reaching out to touch the other person’s taut frame. The air crackled with anticipation as he whispered, his voice barely audible, “Let me embrace you.” Without giving them a chance to respond, he boldly drew them into his embrace.

　　It was merely a fleeting hug because he broke away. 

　　Since a Lupinus Mutant’s body temperature was higher than that of an average human, Jing Xi could unmistakably sense lingering traces of his warmth upon his body. Without a moment’s delay, he summoned System. “What’s the current situation outside?”

　　System notified, “Freshets of a cloudburst have created several new caves. Tourists have all been evacuated, so the AI systems are currently engaged in the search and rescue mission.”

　　Jing Xi puzzled, “Couldn’t you share our location with the AI, so they can swiftly come to our aid?” 

　　In an instant, System pulled up a detailed map of the entire cave in his mind. “Presently, we are more than a kilometer away from the cave’s entrance. The external areas are submerged, and a landslide has occurred in the mid-area. I have already shared our location, but it will take some time for them to reach us due to the adverse conditions.”

　　After briefly examining the map, he estimated that it would require several hours for them to reach their location.

　　When he turned his gaze towards the dark billowing waters, a tantalizing idea took root in his mind. However, upon observing the vigorous currents and the labyrinth of forks in the dark river, he swiftly abandoned the “swimming their way out” idea being their ticket to a quicker escape.

　　Furthermore, simply staring at Duan Chi was not going to solve their predicament either. Hence, he instructed System to install some board games on his phone. Now armed with a pocketful of entertainment, he turned to Duan Chi and asked, “Why don’t we do something fun?”

　　Duan Chi’s face lit up with glee and questioned, “Sure, what do you have in mind?”

　　Jing Xi unlocked his phone and proposed to have a friendly game of chess.

　　Not one to miss out on great opportunities, Duan Chi could not help but suggest, “How about we spice things up by adding some stakes?”

　　Jing Xi wondered, “What kind of stakes are you thinking of?”
　　Duan Chi proposed, “Truth or Dare?”
　　Jing Xi entreated, “There are only two of us in this tiny space, so how will we even be able to come up with dares in such a place? Should I let you sniff my shoe?”
　　Duan Chi pondered, “You don’t think this suggestion compromises our integrity, My Darling?”
　　Jing Xi answered, “Yeah.”
　　Duan Chi stated, “I’ll just be choosing Truth later.”
　　A chuckle escaped his lips as he added, “You’ve actually given me the spark of an interesting idea.”

　　Was this a blatant attempt to force him to choose Truth as well?

　　Instead of acquiescing, he dove into negotiations with Duan Chi. Once they came to a couple of agreements, the first round commenced.

　　As the round concluded, Jing Xi emerged triumphant and immediately posed a question. “Tell me, just how suspicious are you of me?”

　　“If you were not a pawn sent by them and harbored no ill intentions toward Xiuwen,” Duan Chi began, “my suspicions would be reduced by 80%. As for the rest, I can wait until you’re ready to tell me.”

　　Jing Xi’s face beamed with satisfaction as the second round began. Little did he know that he would ultimately lose the chess game.

　　Considering CEO Duan’s astuteness, there was no doubt that Jing Xi was bound to choose Dare for this round. Yet, he was rather curious about what sort of creative ideas CEO Duan would conjure up to challenge him within these constraints. After all, it was precisely due to this sense of exhilaration that compelled him to partake in this willingly.

　　Gesturing towards the lake, Duan instructed, “Shout ‘I love you’ three times to the lake.”

　　Upon hearing that utterance, Jing Xi’s eyebrow arched in surprise.

　　While they had agreed not to use dares like this, they did not specify anything about using them on Jing Xi. With that in mind, he spun on his heel and faced the waters. Inhaling deeply, he gathered his courage and let out a resounding shout, pouring all his energy into each syllable.

　　Enclosed by majestic mountains from all directions, the cave amplified Jing Xi’s exclamation as it reverberated against the solid stone walls. The echoes grew stronger, weaving together a symphony of affectionate words that resonated with each iteration, “I love you.”

　　Subconsciously, Jing Xi turned his head, only to meet Duan Chi’s eyes in midair.

　　As the phone screen cast a gentle glow, his eyes emanated a mesmerizing depth that radiated a soft light mingled with amusement. It was as if an enchanting aura gradually enveloped his entire being.

　　All of a sudden, he came to an abrupt halt.

　　System let out a surprised shriek as powerful torrents of energy pounded through his veins. The sheer force of it left him reeling, his mind struggling to comprehend the sudden onslaught of power.

　　As his thoughts raced, fragments of memories flickered in his mind like fleeting snapshots. However, they were elusive, slipping through his grasp before he could fully comprehend their meaning.

　　System fretted, “What happened to you? Has something gone awry in the Rebirth Department?”

　　Jing Xi dismissed nonchalantly, “Oh, it’s nothing. This is normal.”

　　The first time it occurred was when the main leads locked eyes, and now it happened again upon hearing the words, “I love you.”

　　Curiosity gnawed at Jing Xi’s mind, as he contemplated whether he had unwittingly stumbled upon a Rebirth Department mission that was intricately linked to emotions. But that couldn’t possibly be true, could it? 

　　Nonetheless, his data had undergone some form of retrogression, and his autonomous recovery seemed beyond his control. Perhaps it was all mere happenstance, or it could be something profoundly tragic that had transpired on those two occasions and left an indelible mark on his being.

　　Be that as it may, he took a brief moment to compose himself before diving into the third round.

　　As the game progressed, it dawned on him that there was only so much he could inquire from Duan Chi, and there were also limits to the audacious dares Duan Chi could conjure up.

　　After shouting “I love you” to the lake for the fourth time, he found himself having suffered yet another defeat. Begrudgingly, he grasped the CEO’s hand and proposed, “How about we switch?”

　　Duan Chi questioned playfully, “You’re willing to choose Truth?”
　　“No,” Jing Xi responded, “let’s switch things up a bit.”
　　Duan Chi offered, “How about I let you touch my ears? Now, are you willing?”
　　Jing Xi declared, “Of course, let’s do it!”

　　As System observed their interactions thus far, it became increasingly astounded by a fascinating realization. Despite their encounters, Duan Chi was unable to gain the upper hand over Jing Xi, yet still managed to avoid incurring losses at his hands. This rare occurrence spoke volumes about their exceptional dynamic — a unique synergy where they complemented each other remarkably well.

　　In the whirlwind of events, it obediently pretended to be invisible until an unforeseen incident occurred. “CEO Duan’s sudden disappearance became a trending topic of discussion on social media.”

　　Yet, Jing Xi merely offered a pensive sound of acknowledgment.

　　Given the circumstances, the authorities in the scenic area would undoubtedly need to verify the list of missing individuals. With Duan Chi’s prominent fame, the media would certainly seize upon news like this fervently. As such, there was no doubt they would be hounded relentlessly as soon as they stepped a foot outside.

　　After observing the situation momentarily, System reported, “They are aware that the alarm in Duan Chi’s bracelet has been triggered, and your identity is on the verge of being exposed.”

　　Jing Xi’s hand froze just as he was about to make a move on the chessboard. “Hmm?” he muttered, unable to conceal his curiosity.

　　System wasted no time in delivering a clear explanation.

　　As the pieces fell into place, Jing Xi fell into a contemplative silence. He was just about to inquire about the identity of the third trapped person and their whereabouts when System informed him that the AI had already located the individual and was preparing to rescue them.

　　The individual turned out to be a lone traveler.

　　With his successful rescue, it had cemented Jing Xi’s identity as the “lucky one.”