Cui Ziqi gently patted Xia Wan's head.

"Now that you're awake, get up and eat."

With that, Cui Ziqi released Xia Wan and turned to leave the bedroom.

Xia Wan sat on the bed in disbelief.

The system was still screaming in her ear.

[Host, how did you do that? Just a few days ago, the male supporting character's favorability rating was only in the thirties, and now it's jumped to ninety! Your mission will be completed soon!]

"I don't know! I only met him yesterday, and I even got angry with him. It's a miracle he didn't lower my favorability rating, how could it have increased so much?"

Xia Wan couldn't believe it.

'Could it be the unknown energy source you mentioned? Otherwise, it's too far-fetched!'

But Cui Ziqi's unusual behavior is real. When did he become so gentle?

The system fell silent.

[That's true. Cui Ziqi's popularity was strange recently, and this time it might also be due to the influence of unknown energy.]

To prevent us from getting our hopes up for nothing, I need to go and investigate!

The system is full of confidence.

Xia Wan, however, coldly poured cold water on his enthusiasm.

'How long have you and your main system been investigating this unknown energy source?'

Her tone was full of sarcasm.

The system dared not retaliate.

After all, what Xia Wan said was true.

So it faked its death.

Xia Wan finished washing up and left the bedroom.

Cui Ziqi was just putting two bowls of porridge on the table when he saw Xia Wan come out and invited her to come and eat.

Besides two bowls of white porridge, there were several light side dishes on the table, including stir-fried seasonal vegetables, braised beef, and several dishes that Xia Wan had never seen before.

Xia Wan ate without any hesitation.

She had no assignments during this period and had to find things to do on her own.

"I need to go out for a bit later."

Cui Ziqi paused, her hand still holding the food she was picking up, and looked at Xia Wan, "Where are we going?"

"Meeting a friend, Su Meng, you know her."

Cui Ziqi placed the braised beef on Xia Wan's plate and gave a faint "hmm".

They didn't stop her.

However, when Xia Wan went out, he changed her phone again.

"What kind of crappy phone did you buy?"

Xia Wan's phone went missing at the underground boxing gym.

She bought this phone on a whim when Cui Ziqi wasn't around because she was sick.

She picked out brand-name, expensive phones.

In Cui Ziqi's eyes, it had become a cheap, low-quality phone brand.

She watched speechlessly as Cui Ziqi changed her phone, then took the phone and waved it in her hand.

"Don't worry, Young Master Cui, I won't embarrass you! I'm leaving."

Xia Wan went out.

Cui Ziqi calmly went into the study and called a cleaning lady to do the cleaning.

A mechanical voice popped into my head at an inopportune moment.

[There are only ten days left until Xia Wan leaves this world, aren't you panicking?]

'Didn't you tell me how to keep her?'

Cui Ziqi's voice was very calm.

He silently turned on his computer and put the Bluetooth headset into his ears.

【But you haven't found the thing yet, have you? Your frequent contact with Xia Wan shows you can't control your desire to get closer to her. The more you love her, the faster she'll leave.】

Cui Ziqi silently opened a software on her computer.

Then Xia Wan's voice came through the earphones.

"Master, to Gansu-Qinghai Bar."

Her voice was clear and lively, as if a simple syllable could make his long-dormant heart tremble.

Cui Ziqi didn't have time to chat with the system.

He only replied faintly in his mind.

"We're just business partners; you have no right to interfere with how I do things."

As long as he gets what he wants in the end, that's all that matters.

His deliberate avoidance of Xia Wan not only failed to prolong her stay, but also strengthened her resolve to leave.

That won't do.

He had to keep Xia Wan by his side at all times, treat her well, make her dependent on him, and make her unable to leave him forever!

Or perhaps Xia Wan is determined to leave.

He trapped her in a place where even the system couldn't find her, leaving her there forever.

Stay with him.

The system stopped arguing with Cui Ziqi.

For me, this isn't a partnership; my mission is to help you.

After saying that, the system went offline.

Cui Ziqi didn't understand its meaning, nor did she care what it meant.

His attention is now entirely on Xia Wan.

Listening to Xia Wan chatting with the taxi driver, a cold smile appeared on his lips.

It's truly a little sun that shines wherever it goes!

What's there to talk about with a driver?

Xia Wan encountered a talkative driver who was quick to respond and full of witty remarks.

The two chatted happily the whole way.

The Gansu-Qinghai Bar wasn't bustling yet in the afternoon; there weren't many people inside.

Xia Wan went in and glanced around casually before spotting Bai Miao sitting in the booth next to her.

She ignored Su Meng waving at her from behind the bar and walked straight toward Bai Miao.

"Sister Bai, we meet again."

Bai Miao ordered a drink and was drinking it.

When Xia Wan sat down in front of him, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but then disappeared.

"What a coincidence, Miss Xia."

Xia Wan smiled and said, "Unfortunately, I came here to see you."

Su Meng walked over and was somewhat incredulous when she heard those words.

"Xia Wan, I invited you here."

"So, I came directly to see Sister Bai, isn't that perfect?"

Su Meng frowned slightly, seemingly unable to believe that Xia Wan had seen through her relationship with Bai Miao.

Bai Miao's eyes were sharp.

"Miss Xia, you are much smarter than I thought."

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!