Chapter 53 Online Romance with a Bad Beta: Someone I Like Even More

What were you doing in the capsule hotel just now?

"Do good deeds."

Red Apple: "?" It didn't quite understand that Xi Congshuang would one day be associated with this word.

In the context of "good deeds," what new relationship can she have besides being a person?

Xi Congshuang calmly sipped her tea: "She's being bothered by pheromones from outside. I'll take her to calm down so as not to delay things."

Her tone was businesslike, and even Gloria, who was prone to flights of fancy, couldn't find anything wrong with her tone and expression.

Given the circumstances at the time, there was no other way to solve the problem except by doing this.

Red Apple was shocked and puzzled: "Wouldn't it be the same if you just put her alone in the capsule hotel and let her recover on her own?"

Since the material used there is designed to block pheromones, there's no difference in effect if you put the female lead inside alone.

Besides, the host isn't an omega with soothing pheromones, so the effect of penetration is basically negligible.

"..."

Silence fell in the reception room.

That seems to make sense, so why would she do that?

Xi Congshuang suddenly asked, "You seem to be resisting my getting close to the female lead?"

Without a second thought, Red Apple retorted, "No, you've misunderstood."

Xi Congshuang looked over but couldn't see anything wrong with Red Apple.

It was completely red, with no face or expression. Except for the wings, you could hardly tell the difference between the front and back.

Red Apple added, "Actually, I strongly support the host taking the initiative to approach the female lead; otherwise, the mission cannot be completed."

Xi Congshuang did not refute, nor did she offer any opinion on the system's attempt to cover up the truth.

She nodded and calmly said, "Yes."

Given that Xi Congshuang's memories remain unchanged, trying to know what she's thinking is probably harder than climbing to heaven. However, maintaining this state with its host might be detrimental to the mission.

We need to think of a way to change things.

Having made up her mind, Red Apple started the conversation: "Speaking of which, it seems we don't really know each other. Shall we have a chat?"

Xi Congshuang is dispensable.

The true intentions are revealed: "So, do you have someone you like, or a type of person you like?"

Xi Congshuang became somewhat interested: "I don't have a favorite type, and I won't like anyone. What about you? What kind of system do you like?"

Red Apple asked in a strange tone, "Artificial intelligence has no emotions, so how can it like anyone?"

Xi Congshuang continued to explore further: "If feelings develop between systems, would that be considered an office romance?"

Red Apple: "..."

What's the problem?

Xi Congshuang also asked, "Would it be considered an office romance?"

"..." Red Apple thought quickly, and after some analysis, said with difficulty, "Let's say so."

Xi Congshuang was satisfied: "I think so too."

"..."

The first round of probing ended in a disastrous defeat for the system.

However, it wasn't too discouraged, and its mood wasn't too bad.

Because it reminded it of the previous female lead who turned into an innocent and lively sweetheart halfway through her transformation into a villain, so she is very likely to be an innocent and lively type of woman.

The current Tan Yicheng is someone filled with bitter hatred and determined to take revenge, completely unlike the innocent, lively, and sweet girl she once was.

The pseudonym doesn't count; the host hates pretentious people the most, and Xi Congshuang thinks that's deception.

Furthermore, calculations indicate that its host is the type who, due to their extremely limited romantic experience, is more likely to remain faithful to one partner.

Red Apple was completely relieved; this time, the same mistake shouldn't happen again.

Feeling rather bored in the reception room, Xi Congshuang got up and prepared to go out for a walk.

She was tired of the constantly fluctuating collapse value in her ears, sometimes +1, sometimes -2, like elementary school addition and subtraction, constantly doing addition and subtraction within five, with a notification every few seconds, which was annoying and irritating.

Xi Congshuang's expression didn't reveal her mood, but judging from the frequency of the system's wings flapping, it was very nervous, to the point that it was rambling on and on about its favorite type.

The female lead's "collapse value" has now accumulated to a very dangerous level, meaning that she could be judged as having failed the mission if she is not careful.

The woman undergoing the examination was unaware that there was another person in the world sharing her feelings, and her emotions fluctuated wildly, like riding a rollercoaster.

"Honkai value -1, current Honkai value 90."

"Hard work pays off! Look how much you've improved!"

After a series of additions and subtractions, the collapse value actually continued to decrease, eventually returning to its original state.

"..."

Xi Congshuang paused in her stroll and looked at the system to the side. After going around in circles, she had returned to the starting point. Wasn't this a mockery?

Red Apple also fell into an eerie silence, then quickly disappeared after saying, "I'll go delete the incentive program right now."

Gloria was sent on an errand, while Xi Congshuang wandered around alone.

The hospital was huge. After walking around most of it, Xi Congshuang completely lost the desire to explore further. She found a place to sit down casually and looked up at the sky with her chin raised.

In Xi Congshuang's eyes, Tan Yicheng's existence was not as terrible as the system thought. The accumulation of her collapse value started because of gland damage. As long as her glands were healed, the other party might generously let her go.

If the Honkai value remains stubborn after being cured, you can try to befriend her. She can provide funding, and you can focus on fighting in your favorite field and become a rising star in the interstellar military.

After the deed is done, the two sides collude to achieve a win-win situation: she completes her mission and leaves, while the other party reaches the pinnacle of their life.

She never considered the possibility that it couldn't be cured. If the damaged gland couldn't be cured, she would go bankrupt to create a healthy gland for Tan Yicheng.

Nobody should stop her from completing the mission.

Furthermore, all of the above plans must be completed within three years.

The original owner died at the beginning of the story. Red Apple told her that her mission only lasted three years and that she should not be reckless.

Three years should be enough time.

It is now evening, and the artificial sun is slowly setting along its predetermined trajectory. The sky is gradually changing from orange to red, with layers of color, while the areas further away from the sun are a brilliant and deep inky blue, dotted with stars.

Since the time and trajectory of the sun's sunset are fixed, to increase the fun of life for the planetary inhabitants, the scenery and colors are different every day at sunset, and the moonlight begins to shine, soon overshadowing the sun's afterglow and replacing it.

Although Xi Congshuang considered the different sunsets to be ordinary, she had never seen the same sunset in the first twenty years of her life.

As expected, this world is completely different from the world she was in before, and the female protagonist, who is closely related to her life, has an unpredictable personality.

A figure passed by the window above her head, brushing past the nurses who were passing by, looking preoccupied.

To the nurses, her expression was ordinary; they had seen too many similar looks—despair, numbness, hope, or even tears of joy.

"Judging from the current situation, you have a chance to restore your glands. You will stay in the hospital for the time being, and I will take full responsibility for you."

The relaxed and confident voice still rang in her ears, and for a moment, Tan Yicheng thought she was hallucinating.

So she asked again urgently, and got the same answer. She never thought that she would hear such an answer after repeatedly failing to seek medical help.

In a daze, Tan Yicheng walked out of the office and wandered aimlessly.

She also stood in the hospital corridor and saw the sunset.

The setting sun cast a golden glow, and Tan Yicheng looked down and saw someone he hadn't expected.

That familiar whorl of hair, that familiar upright posture—it's definitely Xi Congshuang.

"Why is she still here?" Tan Yicheng thought she had left long ago, but she was still sunbathing downstairs at the hospital.

A few minutes later, a familiar figure appeared not far from Xi Congshuang. Tan Yicheng walked from her right, the setting sun casting a long shadow over her.

The hospital has a purification system, so she, who is abnormally sensitive to external pheromones, didn't feel too uncomfortable. However, after going in and coming out, she was covered in the smell of disinfectant.

Logically, she should have gone to the reserved ward, not come here to talk to Xi Congshuang.

If she hadn't recognized that it was Xi Congshuang, she would have almost thought that she was a patient who came to take a walk in the vicinity of the inpatient ward.

Strangely enough, even though Xi Congshuang was healthy and capable of fighting, she always tended to see her as a sickly and frail woman, with an unyielding illness and perhaps even the bitter smell of medicine lingering around her.

Recalling the capsule hotel where she was forced to be alone that afternoon, Tan Yicheng denied the idea. She didn't smell of bitter medicine, only of woody perfume.

"Xi Congshuang, what are you still doing here?" Tan Yicheng asked, standing at a distance that was neither too close nor too far.

The person, bathed in the glow of the setting sun, did not answer, nor did they even acknowledge the question; they remained staring into the distance, lost in thought.

Tan Yicheng also looked towards the horizon. The setting sun peeked out from behind the building, but it was either dazzling or just blinding. What was there to see?

But the other party's indifferent attitude made Tan Yicheng's suspicions rise up immediately. With the idea of ​​confirming something, she slowly approached the other party.

Step by step, their shadows drew closer to each other, and the long shadows on the ground began to move. She raised her hand, about to touch the seated figure's back.

However, she failed. Suddenly, the seated figure moved, dodging Tan Yicheng's outstretched hand.

Xi Congshuang looked up, and Tan Yicheng looked down. Their eyes met, and they were both taken aback.

"..."

Xi Congshuang's gaze just now... was unfamiliar; her smoky gray pupils contracted, and her body tensed.

Tan Yicheng believed that if he had acted any faster, the other party would have retaliated without any mercy.

Rather than a look of wariness or annoyance, it was more like...a look of being frightened.

Shocked?

Would Xi Congshuang be frightened?

That night, he sneaked into her house and even put a knife to her neck, but she didn't show the slightest fear. Tan Yicheng really couldn't imagine what in the world could frighten her, and found it quite novel.

Xi Congshuang: "You called me?"

“…Hmm.” Realizing something was amiss, Tan Yicheng patiently repeated what she had just said.

Xi Congshuang remained seated sideways and casually made up an excuse: "After finishing my business, I had nothing to do, so I sat here for some peace and quiet."

Remembering something, she added, "I'm the major shareholder of this hospital, so you can stay here without worry. Just tell me if you need anything."

To ensure the stability of the mission, Xi Congshuang plans to personally take over matters concerning the female lead.

After hearing the first half of the sentence, Tan Yicheng thought that this young lady was being inhumanly extravagant and speaking inhuman language again. However, after considering the context, it turned into a sentence that was actually human.

That's actually a pretty nice-sounding statement.

Tan Yicheng: "Well then, since you're a major shareholder of the hospital, you can access the test results anytime, so I won't go into details. It's getting late, shall I take you?"

Xi Congshuang stood up: "No need, I can go out by myself."

Tan Yicheng, seeing that Xi Congshuang didn't look like Xi Congshuang, followed without thinking: "Do you still remember the way? The hospital is very big."

Xi Congshuang reminded him: "You've forgotten who harmed you, the one who needs treatment now."

Tan Yicheng said nonchalantly, "I'm magnanimous, I forgive you, and now I'll see you out."

lie.

The unchanging Collapse value says it all.

Xi Congshuang glanced at her, turned around and continued walking, with the people behind her following.

As luck would have it, he was walking to Xi Congshuang's right, half a step behind.

Now, the tables have turned. This afternoon, the person following behind Tan Yicheng was Xi Congshuang, who was even staring at the back of Tan Yicheng's neck.

Tan Yicheng followed suit, staring intently at Xi Congshuang's right ear with an ambiguous gaze.

Xi Congshuang couldn't possibly be unaware of her gaze, yet she remained unmoved, her ears not even turning red, and raised her hand to use the pre-arranged flying device.

As if on cue, just as Xi Congshuang arrived at the hospital gate, an oval-shaped aircraft stopped in front of her, and the door opened with a click.

The aircraft arrived, and Xi Congshuang prepared to leave.

“I’m leaving now. Message me if you need anything,” Xi Congshuang said.

In her mind, the protagonist's fate is always full of ups and downs. Temporary setbacks and obstacles are the ladders for her to get out of the trough. Of course, there are bound to be stumbling blocks along the way. However, she is the stumbling block now. She has to guard against more small stumbling blocks causing her trouble and disobeying her behind her back.

But if the female lead refuses to speak up, then it's none of her business. At this point, she's not cut out to be a nanny.

Suddenly, Tan Yicheng whispered something, and Xi Congshuang subconsciously replied, "It's alright. Did you want me to come see you?"

Hurried footsteps came from behind, and Xi Congshuang's shoulder was pushed. The aircraft shook and the door closed.

"Such a temper! You get angry just because I don't stay in the hospital?"

Xi Congshuang lay on her back in the large seat of the aircraft, her eyes reflecting another person's image. Her knees were bent and inserted between Tan Yicheng's legs, her leg muscles tense, ready to overturn the person on top of her at any moment.

Contrary to her relaxed tone and words, Tan Yicheng simply translated her words into four words: "Are you looking for death?"

Tan Yicheng leaned on the chair, his body slowly sinking down. His hot breath fell on Xi Congshuang's right ear, and Xi Congshuang subconsciously frowned and looked away.

The fact that she can't hear in this ear makes her more aware of the sensation in that ear, and she doesn't like it to be touched.

The person whose neck was being held by Xi Congshuang chuckled softly. She raised her head, turned to the other side, and leaned down.

"Xi Congshuang, can't you hear with your right ear?"

These words pierced Xi Congshuang's ears, and she instantly realized that Tan Yicheng had also said the same thing to her right ear.

As the sun completely disappeared behind the tall buildings and the city lights began to come on, two people were lying on top of each other in the car. One person was leaning over while the other raised his hand to press down on the back of the neck of the person on top of him.

An unsuspecting person might think they were trying to kiss each other.

"..."

Xi Congshuang stared at her calmly.

Tan Yicheng knew he had guessed correctly: "Your left ear twitched just now, were you trying to catch what I said?"

Xi Congshuang finally spoke: "I advise you not to touch my right ear."

"No." Tan Yicheng had finally found Xi Congshuang's weakness, so he ignored her advice. He touched her earlobe with his fingertip, and his first reaction was that it was soft.

The earlobes of this seemingly indifferent person were surprisingly soft and cool to the touch, almost like jelly.

Tan Yicheng wanted to pinch her again, but her gaze suddenly changed. She was thrown over, and the person who suddenly lost her balance subconsciously adjusted her center of gravity and stood firm on the ground.

A gust of night wind blew her away, and she realized that she had been pushed out of the aircraft.

The person sitting inside the aircraft glanced at it coldly, closed the car door, and drove away.

Anyone with eyes could tell that Xi Congshuang was in a bad mood, and if she was in a bad mood, then Tan Yicheng was in a good mood.

The aircraft disappeared completely from sight. Tan Yicheng raised his hand and pressed the back of his neck: "It's starting to get hot again. What a nuisance."

Xi Congshuang's hand on the back of her neck was anything but polite, giving the impression that she was about to dig out her glands with her bare hands.

After that hand left, my burning neck longed for that cool, refreshing temperature.

"Go back and get an ice pack to continue applying ice."

*

Xi Congshuang didn't make it home smoothly. She was called to an appointment by a sudden phone call. She didn't want to go, but the other party kept calling her "cousin" and sounded quite familiar with her.

"Everyone's here, we've been waiting for you. How could you bear to stay home today?"

Upon hearing this, Xi Congshuang decided to maintain her persona for the time being and go take a look.

The destination turned out to be the port, where a small spaceship, which had been parked to the side, was about to set sail.

The person in charge was an alpha. She organized a party and invited many friends over, including Xi Congshuang.

In the crowd, a girl who kept calling her "cousin" hurriedly stepped forward to greet her; she was also an alpha.

The girl winked at Xi Congshuang, beckoned her to board the boat, and whispered to her, "Don't worry, cousin, there are plenty of alphas tonight for you to choose from. Have a seat first."

As they were talking, they arrived at their destination. She pushed Xi Congshuang onto the sofa and hurried away.

It seemed that the other party was indeed very familiar with her and knew all about Xi Congshuang's hobbies.

She talks about taking a spaceship to see the stars, but that's like how the rich kids in her world always like to rent cruise ships to go fishing at sea. It's mainly about eating, drinking, and having fun in seclusion, as if that's more exciting.

The place wasn't really getting lively yet, so it was still relatively quiet. Xi Congshuang wasn't in a hurry to leave. Her smart device on her wrist vibrated; someone had sent her a message.

She initially thought it was Gloria looking for her, but when she looked up at her wrist, she found it was someone she hadn't expected.

【orange】: I found a song and wanted to share it with you. Remember to wear headphones for a better listening experience.

[orange]: (Cat holding its face with its paws.jpg)

This message was immediately followed by a music link.

[Snowflake]: Okay.

She knew without a doubt that Tan Yicheng had just discovered her weakness and was eager to use this method to anger her.

Once Xi Congshuang understood this, she wasn't angry at all. She just felt like she had been breathed on by a stray cat. The cat thought it was a big threat, but actually it just looked fluffy and was easier to pet.

Tan Yicheng, having changed his clothes at the hospital, leaned against the bed and took in Xi Congshuang's reply.

"Aren't you angry?"

Not quite understanding, Tan Yicheng scrolled up the chat history and saw many links she had shared in the past to get closer to others.

I made a mistake. It's not like it's the first time I've shared music or videos with her. She could tolerate it before, but now that I'm trying to hide it, what special reaction can she have?

It's a bit of a pity that I didn't get to see Xi Congshuang's expression when she saw this link. I bet her expression was as cold as snow, staring at people with her eyes wide open.

A young lady is a young lady; even when she throws a tantrum, she remains quiet and refined, with zero aggression.

Just thinking about it made Tan Yicheng feel relieved.

The assistant, who was recording the data, asked curiously, "What's wrong? Is Miss Tan feeling unwell anywhere?"

Tan Yicheng snapped out of her reverie and shook her head: "No."

"That's good. Treatment hasn't started yet, so it's important to keep Miss Tan informed of everything she feels." After giving instructions, the assistant took the notepad and left, closing the door behind him.

But that wasn't enough for Tan Yicheng, so she sent another message: "Are you listening?"

While typing, Tan Yicheng said, "You think you can just leave already? You'll drive me crazy."

[orange]: Have you been very busy lately? Your tone seems much more subdued, and your reply is quite brief.

【orange】: You weren't like this before.

[orange]: Do you have someone else you like more?

Upon seeing the message, Xi Congshuang also fell silent.

If you want to get rid of a clingy online romantic partner, continuing to be sarcastic and cold is a good opportunity.

But Tan Yicheng is no ordinary person. She increases the Collapse Value. Her cold words will only hurt the enemy a thousand while hurting herself eight hundred, which is not worth it.

Finally, she replied, "Sorry, I recently bumped my head and forgot a lot of things. The change in my tone might be related to that."

This is a sincere yet irrational and overly perfunctory answer; anyone would back down if faced with such a challenge.

"..."

Tan Yicheng fell into deep silence as an unbelievable thought surfaced in his mind.

—Could it be that she really damaged her brain by hitting her head?

————————

I've been having a lot of minor health issues lately, so instead of a short skit, I'll just use cute emojis instead [pat on the head][pat on the head]