Willows droop gently, sprouting new green leaves; the river, like a mirror, reflects the red flowers.

The hustle and bustle of the mortal world gradually faded away, leaving only two figures, one in red and one in white, standing silently facing each other on the riverbank.

"I'm sorry, it's all my fault for not acknowledging you sooner. I was too selfish before..."

“I know you may find it hard to accept right now, and you might even think I’m just trying to make you laugh, but I hope you can give me some time to explain it to you slowly.”

Ling Yue pointed to the stone bench next to him, indicating that Yin Ming should sit down, and then sat down opposite Yin Ming himself.

"As you know, the VR version of Gods and Demons is still in the closed beta stage. Because the freedom in the VR world is too high, there are often many situations that the AI ​​cannot handle. At this time, we need to adjust the behavior and thoughts of the NPCs in time so that the plot can continue to develop reasonably."

Yin Ming frowned, implying that Ling Yao wasn't entirely an NPC, but rather being manipulated by a real person? And that the person manipulating this character was Ling Yue himself?

Ling Yue's cheeks flushed pink as she nodded. "Yes, those instructions to like you were all given by me... You might think it's fake to say this, that I only found out about you and Ling Yao by reading your experimental records, and then used that information to impersonate him."

Ling Yue took out a black-and-white experimental record book from his pocket and handed it to Yin Ming. "These are the experimental records I printed out. You can take a look."

Upon hearing this, Yin Ming was taken aback at first, then picked up the booklet titled "Experiment Group Six" and quickly flipped through it.

"As you can see, this experiment is divided into ten groups, and you are in the sixth group. You are not the only one in this record; there are other participants, each playing a different role."

Yin Ming pursed his lips. That made sense. Since it was an experiment, there was nothing wrong with making several control groups.

But when he saw the other participants mentioned in the booklet, he couldn't help but widen his eyes.

What?! Long Cheng is actually a real player too?!

Good heavens, even fireflies?!

No wonder one character's design doesn't quite match the original work, and the other is a character created entirely from another source.

I never expected it could be done like this. Yin Ming can only say it's awesome!

Wait a minute, if that's the case, then Yin Ming seems to know why his number is 603.

"With ten sets of experiments conducted simultaneously and the behavior of NPCs needing to be corrected in a timely manner, the recording work became much more difficult, and the experimental records were not detailed."

Just as Ling Yue finished speaking, Yin Ming happened to flip to the record related to the Lantern Festival, which indeed only stated, 'On the fourteenth day of the first lunar month, the Lantern Festival, Ling Yao and Yin Ming visited the lantern exhibition together.'

The text contains only a few words, recording the time, people, and location, without mentioning anything else.

In other words, apart from the parties involved, no one else has any way of knowing what happened at the Lantern Festival.

But Ling Yue knew the details... Was this another hint that he was the manipulator of Lingyao?

But this is too much of a coincidence! Why can't Yin Ming believe it?

"If you are worried that this lab logbook is a forgery, I can take you to the lab to see the original document. The lab's computers record all deletions and modifications in the file. This is automatically generated by the system and cannot be faked."

As if afraid Yin Ming wouldn't believe him, Ling Yue added.

Yin Ming pursed his lips. "Then... why did you pretend you didn't know me before?"

Ling Yue's reasoning was indeed flawless, so Yin Ming decided to believe him for the time being.

However, he just said that he was too selfish, which is why he didn't acknowledge Yin Ming. What's going on here?

“This…” Ling Yue’s hands, resting on the stone table, unconsciously clenched together. “I just feel…”

"What do you think?" Yin Ming raised an eyebrow, his eyes asking.

Ling Yue tentatively reached out to Yin Ming, and when he was not rejected, the worry between his brows eased a little.

With a soft sigh, Ling Yue seized the opportunity to grasp Yin Ming's hand before speaking:

"I just feel that our experience on the continent of gods and demons wasn't very pleasant, so I want you to forget those unhappy things and start over."

"I will do my best to make you like me again."

“I’m not as perfect as Ling Yao, but I selfishly hope that what attracts you is the real me, not a virtual male protagonist like Ling Yao.”

“I thought we would have plenty of time to get to know each other, but your roommate’s words made me feel a sense of crisis.”

“‘My Yin Ming is so good. If I’m not by his side, he will be snatched away by someone else very soon.’ — That’s the voice that kept echoing in my mind. That’s why I made up my mind to be honest with you.”

"Will you forgive me? I made you sad for so long, I'm really... sorry."

Yin Ming narrowed his eyes. What on earth is all this?

With such an awesome face, you're afraid of being rejected?

Also, what did Shi Yun say that made Ling Yue feel threatened?

Did Ling Yue think he and Shi Yun had a homosexual relationship? Ah, you can't just make wild guesses. He and Shi Yun are just a good father and son.

"What did Shi Yun say?" Yin Ming finally couldn't help but ask.

When did Shi Yun speak with Ling Yue? How come Yin Ming doesn't know about this?

Could it be that the two of them are still in contact privately?

“When I spoke with Yin Ming on the phone yesterday, he mentioned two people.” Ling Yue lowered his eyes, looking somewhat aggrieved.

You know what, you really have to admit, that move has a bit of Lingyao's feel to it.

Oh, it was last night.

Yin Ming remembered that Shi Yun did mutter something in a low voice, but his voice was too soft for Yin Ming to hear clearly.

"Which two?" Yin Ming asked, humbly seeking clarification.

"Zhou Ning from the Literature Department and Lin Yangyang from the Dance Department... they both like Yin Ming, right? No wonder Shi Yun thought they were talking to Yin Ming on the phone."

Yin Ming: ...

No, who taught you this weird, sarcastic tone?

"Uh, but I don't know them." Yin Ming blinked, pretending to be clueless.

He secretly thought to himself, "Wow, this guy Shi Yun remembers a girl he confessed to eight hundred years ago, and she even confessed to Yin Ming, better than Yin Ming himself."

When we get back, we must teach him properly what he should and shouldn't say!

"That's good. I have no further questions. Does Yin Ming have any questions?" Ling Yue tightened his grip on Yin Ming's hand, his eyes sparkling.

Yin Ming saw that he didn't seem to be planning to let go tonight, but when he thought that he was Ling Yao, he let him be.

"Hmm, you said before that there would be a public beta version..."

"Does Yin Ming still prefer Ling Yao? The manipulator is right here, why are you still thinking about that virtual NPC..." Ling Yue immediately lowered his head again, looking aggrieved.

"The public beta version can't recover data. I said that before just to get Yin Ming's contact information. I hope Yin Ming won't blame me?"

Yin Ming couldn't help but chuckle. Since Ling Yue was Ling Yao, why would he fixate on a virtual NPC?

"What I want to ask is, in the public beta version, is Lingyao's image still... you?" This time, it was Yin Ming's turn to lower his head.

Ling Yue looked up at Yin Ming with great surprise and noticed that the other man's ears were tinged with a thin layer of red. Suddenly, he realized what was going on.

"I understand. I'll have them change Lingyao's appearance in the public beta... I'll only ever belong to you."

The last sentence is sincere and passionate.

"……Um."

Yin Ming felt as if his ears were on fire, burning all the way down to his neck, and he dared not look up at Ling Yue.

"Then are you willing to continue being with me?" Ling Yue's voice seemed to possess a magical power, constantly tempting him to fall into despair.

"I...I do." Yin Ming blushed and nodded slightly, as if to reaffirm his decision.

He has always been willing.

With Lingyao.

But something seems off?

Yin Ming suddenly realized what was happening. He had just so easily forgiven Ling Yue for his concealment and deception.

What about all that sadness he felt before? Doesn't that make him seem easy to bully?

No, I can't let Ling Yue think I'm spineless. I have to say something to get back at him, otherwise what if he lies to me again?

We need to teach him a lesson!

"I'll forgive you this time, but if you dare to lie to me again next time, I'll... I'll part ways with you and we'll never see each other again!"

...Fine, looking at that face, Yin Ming still couldn't bring himself to say anything harsh.

"Never again." Ling Yue gazed affectionately into Yin Ming's eyes.

"Actually, I regretted it a long time ago. I don't have the patience to wait for you to fall in love with me again... I want to be with you forever and ever."

"Don't miss a single minute or second."