Chapter 44 The Young Lady in the Wheelchair: Bite Marks

After much painful reflection, Red Apple urged herself to be strong.

It still sticks to its original statement: "There's really no way. I don't have enough permissions or points. Give up."

They're even willing to say things like "I don't have enough permissions," as if it were really true.

Xi Congshuang whispered, "Is that not allowed?"

"..."

But seeing Xi Congshuang's expression, Red Apple Core shuddered, fearing that Xi Congshuang might do something naughty.

It was afraid that Xi Congshuang would show a thoughtful expression.

This person looks quiet and unassuming, but before you know it, he's done something extraordinary.

It had had enough of what happened last time and absolutely could not allow it to happen a second time.

Artificial intelligence far surpasses what we have in this era, calculating the trajectory of many things and the possibility of changes in the situation, presenting each one in detail.

But humans are not static; they are prone to acting on emotions, and their thoughts can change drastically in an instant.

What magic do emotions possess that can cause people to stray from the right path?

In the system's understanding, someone like Xi Congshuang shouldn't act on emotion. Her innate emotional detachment is an advantage for a task performer, enabling her to think rationally, make the most decisive judgments, and only do what she believes to be the most correct thing.

Based on her life experience, she is indeed that kind of person.

However, reality tells it the opposite.

The red apple couldn't understand; it was bitter, it was in pain, and the burden on its shoulders was getting heavier and heavier.

I initially thought I was in a newbie protection period and had encountered a high-quality host. It turned out that while the host was indeed high-quality, its rebelliousness level was off the charts.

Of course, Red Apple still believes that it has not been exposed and that it is not skilled enough to be noticed by Xi Congshuang.

The red apple, which didn't understand that silence is the best form of negotiation, couldn't help but say, "What if it's a deal you don't want to accept?"

Xi Congshuang immediately replied, "How do you know I'm unwilling to agree if you haven't stated your conditions?"

So that's what they were waiting for.

Red Apple thought to herself, "Shut up and shut up," and remained silent.

The more you talk to someone like Xi Congshuang, the more likely you are to make a mistake, because you know what's going on in her head.

Like a snake hunting, it lies in wait silently and with extreme patience.

By the time the prey realizes what's happening, it has already been bitten in the throat and is not far from death.

This time, Xi Congshuang did not remain silent. Changing her usual attitude, she began to analyze the situation humbly and earnestly.

"Money is just an external thing. For you, it doesn't circulate between worlds. You can't use it. No matter how much you exchange, it's just a pile of waste paper."

Red Apple thought to herself: You know that, yet you still say it.

"But I am a man who is about to die. If I do not complete the mission well, I will be of little use to you."

Not really. Red Apple will continue to endure it.

"Looking at it this way, I really do have nothing of value."

Something feels off.

Red Apple was both wary and eager to listen, and it was rare to hear a few human words from Xi Congshuang.

Xi Congshuang stated bluntly, "After these few years have passed and I die, you can find someone else to sign the contract with."

"..."

Red Apple looked at her as if she'd seen a ghost, thinking that she might have really gone mad from the lack of proper treatment.

Is the young lady courting death again?

Is life and health education in your human society really that bad?

Did you skip the elementary school lesson about cherishing life?

Xi Congshuang seemed to agree with these words, and became more and more serious as she spoke: "At that time, I will not occupy your contract position. The next host will only be better than me."

"Don't speak, your tone is like a ghost." Red Apple felt speechless. "You plan to let the Honkai value fluctuate wildly for the remaining six years?"

Why don't we think about the female lead's life?

You, a living human being, are more ruthless than a true AI.

Xi Congshuang's eyes were filled with desolation: "But I really like her, and I only want her to occupy my limited life."

God, I've also encountered a living female ghost.

Red Apple: "…………"

Why doesn't the system manual tell it what to do when it encounters a stubborn host?

Red Apple stopped Xi Congshuang from continuing her talk therapy: "Wait a minute, let me think about what you said."

But the system felt it had fallen into some kind of trap. The virtual screen was a jumble of gibberish, and her words were tangled into a huge ball of yarn that the red apple couldn't unravel, couldn't unravel at all.

The other party seems to be using a strategy of retreat to advance, and is not forcing the system. Wasting life is a personal matter, and the system cannot control the other party.

Moreover, Xi Congshuang is right. It cannot change hosts at will, but that does not mean it will always have only one host.

At this moment, Xi Congshuang said, "Your total online time today is almost four hours. You will be forced offline and put to sleep in 22 minutes."

"Compared to when we first met, you've been online for four hours less. Is that because of me?"

"..."

The virtual screen in front of the red apple crackled with a series of garbled characters before crashing with a blue screen.

It was utterly shocked.

At that moment, countless questions flashed through my mind.

How did she know? When exactly did she find out? Why was she calculating this time? And why is she telling it the truth now?

What decent person would notice something like this?

In the end, only one question remains: When exactly did she realize that the mission's completion rate was linked to its energy supply?

*

In the next room, Cheng Zhishu did not lie down on the bed to rest immediately after taking a shower.

She sat at her desk, drew back the curtains, and the scene outside the window remained unchanged; from this angle, she could see camellia trees.

The camellias have finished blooming, and the flowers have all fallen, leaving only lush green leaves.

During the period of preparing for the college entrance examination, she often studied at this table late into the night, and when she got tired of studying, she would put down her pen and admire the flowers.

I heard that this flowering tree has existed for many years and is very tall. Every time it blooms, its branches are covered with bright red flowers that bend the branches down.

After a rain, flowers fell from the branches, and she felt that the scene of camellias falling to the ground whole was both proud and poignant.

Time has passed, and the person standing by the window has long since changed from the girl she once was, but the tree remains the same.

The familiar scene made Cheng Zhishu feel at ease, and it seemed that she could not go back as far as she thought.

The person, who had been supporting themselves on the table, slowly sat down. Their fingertips traced the surface, and sure enough, they found traces left from before on the corner of the table.

This place was the first place where she felt at ease, so she became attached to it and was extremely reluctant to leave.

"Meow—" The sound of a cat scratching at the door came from outside, and its meowing drifted in through the crack in the door.

Cheng Zhishu chuckled as she recalled what Xiao Liu had said, and got up to open the door.

"Nao Nao, you called the wrong door again tonight..."

A rather heavy triangular rice ball was squatting on the ground, and behind it was another person squatting, reaching out to hug the cat.

Because Cheng Zhishu suddenly opened the door, Xi Congshuang stopped halfway through extending her hand, looked up, and their eyes met.

Having achieved its goal, Nao Nao stood up, proudly strutted past Cheng Zhishu's legs with its big, fluffy tail held high, and walked into the room.

Xi Congshuang calmly stood up: "You're not asleep?"

"Not yet, I just finished showering." Cheng Zhishu looked back at the cat, then at Xi Congshuang, "You..."

Nao Nao has already jumped onto the bed and curled up in the middle, too lazy to even lick its fur.

Xi Congshuang: "Catch the cat."

As she spoke, she pushed open the door and walked towards the bedside.

Cheng Zhishu followed, feeling confused.

She wanted to see how Xi Congshuang would catch the cat.

This cat is so heavy, it's hard to carry it. Even if you lay it down on the ground, you have to get into a strong position to pick it up.

As expected, Nao Nao liked sleeping in the new sheets and refused to leave no matter what.

It lay on the bed like a lump of mud, kicking Xi Congshuang's hand with its hind legs when it hugged its upper body, and nibbling at Xi Congshuang's hand with its teeth when it hugged its belly, whimpering incessantly.

Xi Congshuang doesn't like to show her temper; she just silently adjusts her posture and carries the cat away.

Cheng Zhishu's maternal love, which she had kept hidden for many years, was instantly awakened by those round, blue eyes, and she couldn't help but soften her heart: "Why don't you not take me away, and stay here to sleep with me?"

She hadn't slept with Nao Nao for many years, but she didn't expect it to still recognize her, and she couldn't bear to let the cat go.

After landing again, Nao Nao continued to curl up in the middle, its tail tip swaying back and forth, its blue eyes squinting leisurely.

Xi Congshuang pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "That works too."

She lifted the covers and lay down on the other side.

Cheng Zhishu: "?"

Wait, is that what she meant?

Xi Congshuang lay flat on the bed, looking at him with surprise: "It's getting late, aren't you going to sleep?"

Both the person and the cat looked over. The person stopped speaking, and the cat stopped meowing. Cheng Zhishu felt inexplicably urged on.

"..."

With her eyes closed and a deep breath in, Cheng Zhishu decided to turn off the lights and go to sleep.

With only a nightlight on, Cheng Zhishu couldn't help but ask Xi Congshuang why she didn't go back to her own room to sleep after lying down.

Although she felt that it wasn't impossible to go back to the way things were before, it wouldn't be that quick, and she was afraid her heart wouldn't be able to handle it.

Before she could even speak, Nao Nao, who was curled up in the middle of the bed, stirred. It stepped over the blanket and pawed at Xi Congshuang's hand with its furry paws, whimpering incessantly.

Xi Congshuang adjusted her position as usual, opened the quilt, and Naonao crawled in through the gap, lay down in the crook of her arm, rested her head on her arm, and snored with her eyes half-closed.

Judging from the seamless and practiced way both parties worked together, this must have happened more than once.

Cheng Zhishu suddenly understood why Xi Congshuang had stayed. If such a big cat had been pressing on her arm all night, she would have been unable to lift her arm by the next morning.

She never expected that Nao Nao would still have the habit of sleeping with his arm on top of someone's body after all these years.

Cheng Zhishu: "You've worked so hard all these years."

What should I do? Why does this sound like something a pillar of the family who hasn't been home for years would say to his wife who is raising the child alone?

But this scene really felt like a mother's moment. She kept Nao Nao in the hope that it could keep Xi Congshuang company and make her life less boring.

Judging from the results, the objective was indeed achieved.

From a realistic perspective, Xi Congshuang has had a tough time these past few years.

As its name suggests, Nao Nao Cat is very mischievous, which makes Xi Congshuang look like she has to compromise.

Xi Congshuang: "It's not hard work."

Cheng Zhishu: "..."

That feels even more like it.

The room fell silent again, with only Naonao's snoring remaining.

Cheng Zhishu shifted uncomfortably, turned to her side, turned off the nightlight, and closed her eyes to sleep.

"good evening."

"Okay, goodnight."

Nao Nao is used to sleeping in Xi Congshuang's arms, but that's only when there's only one other person in the bed.

As the weather has warmed up recently, Nao Nao, sandwiched between two humans, has gradually felt that the temperature is unusual. As a long-haired cat, it also has a high body temperature. It doesn't understand why, but it feels hotter and hotter the more it sleeps.

Not long after, the cat, feeling hot, pried open Xi Congshuang's hand, broke free from the blanket, and found a place to curl up again at the foot of the bed.

Under the covers, the distance between the two seemed to shrink imperceptibly.

The person with their back to Xi Congshuang silently opened their eyes and stared into the darkness.

She had finally managed to drift off to sleep when Nao Nao woke her up by wanting to go out. Unlike when she was a teenager and was woken up by a cat, she couldn't just turn over, close her eyes, and go back to sleep.

After a while of silence, Cheng Zhishu moved slightly, but there was still no further movement.

If you hold your breath and listen, you can hear long, even breathing sounds, as if the person is asleep.

Cheng Zhishu moved again, almost cautiously turning around to face Xi Congshuang's side.

By the dim moonlight, Cheng Zhishu carefully examined Xi Congshuang's face. She was still sleeping peacefully on her side, holding a cat in her arms.

Her eyes were lowered, her eyelashes casting faint shadows beneath them. Her nose was straight, and below that were her pale lips, which looked very light in color, yet were soft and warm.

Seeing this scene, Cheng Zhishu suddenly felt a little regretful. Why didn't she take a picture while she was asleep?

She began to consider the possibility of picking up Nao Nao from the foot of the bed and putting her back in Xi Congshuang's arms, but after considering the possibility of waking Xi Congshuang, she gave up on the idea.

There's no rush; there will always be another opportunity.

The person who couldn't sleep thought about a lot of things in a daze, their gaze never leaving Xi Congshuang's face, unaware that their eyes seemed to have a tangible presence.

As expected, Xi Congshuang has been raising cats for many years and is used to being woken up by them... Ah, Sleeping Beauty has opened her eyes.

Xi Congshuang's gray eyes reflected Cheng Zhishu's surprised expression. The weariness in her eyes faded slightly, and she reached out to put her arm around Cheng Zhishu's waist and pulled her over.

"Why are you awake?" Cheng Zhishu moved closer to her, pressing her warm body against hers.

Xi Congshuang said helplessly, "Even if I were a vegetable, I would wake up if you were staring at me like that."

"No, no, that's not true. Wouldn't that make me a miracle doctor?" Cheng Zhishu thought to herself, "You're just too sensitive to other people's gazes. When we used to sleep together, a single glance from you would make me open my eyes."

She instinctively felt something was wrong, and decisively reached out to stop the hand sliding down her lower back. Her heart pounded and her legs went weak as she stammered, "W-what are you doing?"

Xi Congshuang leaned in to kiss her, the answer disappearing between their lips: "I heard that exercising before bed is good for sleep."

Before she succumbed to despair, Cheng Zhishu lay on the pillow with dazed eyes, biting her lip. She wanted to refute Xi Congshuang's fallacies, but she was afraid that if she let go, she would gasp for breath.

In the lingering afterglow, another person came into her view, one hand supporting her face, long hair cascading down her back, her eyebrows and eyes beautiful, alluring like a siren.

"Don't bite it, you'll bite your lips until they bleed."

As she spoke, she used her thumb to pry open Cheng Zhishu's tightly clenched lips and teeth, and actually put her finger between her lips and bit her.

Cheng Zhishu didn't have the heart to bite, only taking a bite when she was in a daze. She quickly realized what was happening, grabbed her wrist, and licked the bite mark.

With teary eyes and touching the deep bite mark, Cheng Zhishu asked, "Did it hurt?"

Upon closer inspection, Cheng Zhishu noticed that Xi Congshuang also had scars on her lips. She pressed her own little tiger tooth with her hand and realized it was indeed a bit sharp. She wondered if she should have it smoothed out.

Xi Congshuang licked the small cut on the corner of her lip and tasted a slightly sweet and fishy flavor.

Cheng Zhishu accidentally bit me again. She really knows how to pick her spots; she bit me in the same place twice out of three kisses.

Xi Congshuang swept her sweaty hair back and leaned down to kiss him: "It hurts, it hurts so much, but if you lick me, it won't hurt anymore."

*

Night had fallen, and all things had returned to stillness.

Nao Nao curled up on the chair in front of the desk, where it found peace and quiet. It couldn't hear any noise, but it could feel the vibrations of the object beneath it, disturbing its peaceful sleep time and time again.

When someone passed by, Nao Nao opened her eyes. It was Xi Congshuang, wearing a coat, who was passing by and taking the new bed sheet from the closet.

It then closed its eyes again and continued to sleep.

Cheng Zhishu had also fallen into a deep sleep. She put on a new nightgown, which was loosely made, revealing a large area of ​​her collarbone, which had a few red marks on it.

Xi Congshuang, having changed her clothes, lay back on the bed, pulled the person into her arms, kissed their forehead, and held them tightly.

No one knows what she was thinking when she looked at the sleeping person in her arms.

With her eyes closed, Xi Congshuang could recall the warning from the red apple.

"Why are you so persistent? Just listen to my advice, you won't agree to the conditions."

Xi Congshuang: "You keep repeating this sentence, so I'll give you the same answer: How could you not know I disagree if you didn't say anything?"

Knowing that this person was using reverse psychology, Red Apple still couldn't hold back: "Even if it costs you your memories of this life?"

Xi Congshuang became somewhat interested: "In my real life..."

“No, those are different from the memories in the mission world.” Red Apple forcibly ignored Xi Congshuang’s obvious regretful expression and earnestly advised, “If you live this life, you will forget it in the next life. Isn’t that the same as living it for nothing?”

Any rational person would back down under such conditions.

Xi Congshuang remained silent for a long time. She had thought it over carefully, so she replied, "It's enough to have a clear conscience in this life."

Although Red Apple considers this a waste of time.

Soon, it heard Xi Congshuang say, "The conditions are more than these, otherwise you would have said so earlier."

"..."

At this moment, the red apple really wanted to utter an electronic curse. It said weakly, "Of course, not only do you have to exchange your memories, but you also have to exchange your health points, and finally, you also have to exchange your emotions."

"To give you an example, if you are lame in your next life, after deducting your health points, you could very well be crippled in both legs."

Xi Congshuang asked in confusion, "Does that mean I wasn't in this life?"

"..." The red apple remained silent.

Okay, I admit I gave the wrong example. Anyway, the meaning has been conveyed, so I won't bother giving any more examples.

Life is full of experiences, and there will always be unexpected events. Once you've made a choice, you have to bear the consequences yourself.

"As for the next point, you provide me with emotions as an energy source." The red apple's energy is indeed in dire straits.

Having such an uncooperative host, I could only swallow all my tears, but I never expected that they would still be discovered.

What could be more painful than watching your full energy suddenly halved due to the host's lack of cooperation?

If it doesn't recharge soon, it will really die, without even a chance to be sent back to the factory for reconstruction. It will simply turn into a data stream and dissipate in the small world.

Both channels for restoring energy were blocked by Xi Congshuang, so it had no choice but to make this request.

Red Apple never hides the truth: "From now on, you will only be able to feel half of all your joys, sorrows, love, and hate."

What's the point of a life like this?

That's not a life fit for a human being.

While anger and sorrow are perhaps better left unexplored, the remaining two emotions, if not fully felt, will only lead to doubt about life, a lack of genuine feeling, and emotional numbness.

To everyone's surprise, Xi Congshuang didn't seem to care. She said, "Half of it? That's pretty good."

Red Apple: "...You're hopeless."

The person reading the book did not continue to answer it. He put down his book, followed the cat with its tail wagging, and went out. When he opened the door to the next room, he met Cheng Zhishu's gaze from behind the door.

Going with the flow, she pushed open the door and entered.

Left outside the door, Red Apple shouted again, "Fine, I'm not going to bother with you anymore!"

It was then forcibly taken offline and entered a dormant period.

Returning to the present, Xi Congshuang closed her eyes and quietly felt the emotions spreading in her chest.

Full and overflowing, she realized she could feel content.

That was a feeling she had never experienced in real life. In the eyes of outsiders, she was born with everything and should feel satisfied, or perhaps dissatisfied driven by higher-level desires.

Actually, compared to these two emotions, Xi Congshuang leans more towards nihilism.

She grew up perfectly according to her parents' requirements, abandoning all unhealthy hobbies, never weakly needing other people's affections, and fully growing into the heir who met the requirements.

Later, however, she became a cold-blooded animal in her parents' eyes, who always looked at her with resigned and puzzled eyes.

Xi Congshuang didn't understand the other party either; wasn't this what they wanted?

Why did you become unhappy after achieving your goal? Is it because you still crave the power you hold?

Whether the other party is willing or not, Xi Congshuang doesn't care.

Holding the person in her arms, Xi Congshuang gently rubbed her cheek against Cheng Zhishu's cheek, feeling the other's body temperature.

Cheng Zhishu felt a little itchy from the teasing, but she was very sleepy, so she snuggled into her arms, closed her eyes, and continued to sleep.

In her daze, she thought she heard someone chuckle softly in her ear and rub her head.