Extra: Ruirui's Adventure in the Parallel Universe
On a lazy afternoon when I didn’t have to go to work, I was like a cat lying flat on its back, sinking deep into the soft embrace of the living room sofa.
His right hand mechanically repeated the cycle of "reaching into the bag of potato chips - grabbing a handful - stuffing it into his mouth", while his left hand manipulated the handle, jumping up and down in the bizarre game world on the TV screen.
The sunlight outside the window was so warm that it made my eyelids heavy, and the crunching sound of potato chips and the game sound effects gradually became a lullaby.
I don’t know how long it took, but I seemed to... fall asleep.
The beginning of the dream was chaotic, as if covered by a layer of frosted glass.
Then, my vision gradually became clear, and I found that I was not lying on the sofa, but standing in a boundless and strange space flashing with countless streams of code and data, and under my feet was a galaxy that was rippling like the surface of water.
"Did you sleep well?"
A voice suddenly sounded.
I turned around suddenly and saw the black curly-haired man sitting in the air with his legs crossed.
He still had his signature messy curly hair, but instead of the ordinary T-shirt and jeans he wore, he wore a strange robe covered in ever-changing pixel blocks and star patterns.
He was not holding a mobile phone in his hand, but a translucent cube that was constantly rotating and emitting a soft glow, like some kind of mysterious core.
I froze and tried to pinch myself, but found my fingers went through my thigh - you can't feel pain in a dream.
"You...how come you came into my dream?" I asked in surprise, my voice carrying a strange echo in this space.
He smiled, revealing his white teeth, looking particularly mysterious.
The cube in his hand flickered. "Dream? Kind of, but not entirely. This is a shallow reflection of consciousness. So what? Are the special effects better than your game engine rendering?"
He shook the glowing cube in his hand. "Let's get down to business. I got a super cool temporary permission slip, and I'm in need of a brave and careful tester. Seeing you were online, I followed your network cable... no, I was following your sleep brainwaves to ask you. So, wanna give it a try? It's absolutely safe and harmless, just like a dream!"
Even in my dream, I could feel my heart beating faster.
Parallel universe? Experiencing myself and Lin Yan in another world line?
The temptation is too great!
"Consciousness wandering? How does it work?" I remained cautious.
"Easy!" He snapped his fingers, and the surrounding data streams instantly converged into countless tiny, soap-bubble-like miniature planets. Within each bubble, a vague human figure seemed to be moving. "Your consciousness will be like a small meteor, randomly crashing into a few of these 'bubbles'. Briefly becoming 'you' in that world, you can experience firsthand the life and... the interpersonal relationships there. The experience won't last long, and it will automatically bounce back after you're done."
This sounds like my dream adventure!
I immediately threw caution to the wind. "Fuck! We're already here! How do we even begin?"
The smile on the man's face widened and became a little mysterious.
He stretched out his finger and lightly touched my forehead.
Where his fingertips touched, a circle of golden ripples spread out.
"Permissions activated~ I wish you a pleasant journey and collect interesting memories~"
His voice began to grow ethereal, and his figure gradually faded, just like the stream of data around him. "Oh, by the way, if you find the experience too exciting, silently chanting 'The author is awesome' three times might... Uh, never mind, it probably won't do anything. Best of luck, Chen Rui!"
Before he and the entire strange space completely disappeared, I seemed to hear his last murmur with a smirk:
"The first world seems to be ABO, hehe..."
I:"……"
Wait! What is ABO? Hey! Explain clearly before you leave!
But it was too late. A strong feeling of weightlessness suddenly came over me, as if I had jumped from a thousand-foot-high building. The code galaxy in front of me spun, stretched, and deformed rapidly, and was finally swallowed by darkness.
When it came back to light, I found myself lying on a bed that was ridiculously huge and soft, as if it could swallow everything.
There was an indescribable smell in the air, sweet with a hint of milky aroma, and a faint irresistible temptation that seemed to come from instinct, making me a little dizzy.
Before I could process this unfamiliar sensory information, the door was pushed open with a click.
The person who walked in was Lin Yan.
I know that face so well, but the temperament is completely different.
He was wearing elegantly tailored house clothes, and his eyes were deeper than I knew, filled with an intense possessiveness and sense of control that was almost tangible.
He held an exquisite white porcelain cup in his hand, which was slightly steaming.
"Ruirui, are you awake?"
His voice was deeper than usual, with an unmistakable intimacy.
He walked to the bedside and leaned over very naturally. The scent of jasmine hit me, and he placed a gentle but declarative kiss on my lips. "Hurry, drink the nutrient solution. Your pheromone levels have been unstable lately, and I'm worried."
Pheromones? What the hell?
My head buzzed, and some incredible guess came to my mind.
I've also only heard of pheromones in animals.
Damn it, what kind of world view is this!
I dazedly took his hand and drank the strange liquid that tasted a bit like almonds and a bit like rust.
After I finished drinking it, I suddenly realized that something was wrong with my body!
An indescribable feeling of weakness and powerlessness, and also a kind of... some kind of indescribable inner feeling of fullness?
The scariest thing is, I seem to be able to vaguely sense that there is another tiny and fragile existence growing in my body, which is dependent on me and has some kind of mysterious connection with me?!
I subconsciously and horrifiedly touched my stomach.
When Lin Yan saw my movements, his possessive eyes instantly became so gentle that tears could drip from his eyes. His warm big hand covered the back of my hand on my lower abdomen, and his voice was incredibly gentle: "Baby, were you good today? Did you make trouble?"
I:"!!!"
Baby?! Whose baby?! Me?!
The huge shock overwhelmed me like a tsunami, and I almost fainted from being able to breathe!
*(A plant)! ABO world?!
I'm still an Omega?! And I'm pregnant?!
Lin Yan! Why are you so... so in this world?!
Ah! I don’t want to have children!
Before I could recover from the shock of "I can actually give birth to a child" that overturned my worldview, my eyes blurred again, accompanied by a slight feeling of weightlessness.
My ears were instantly filled with the whirring sound of bellows and the crisp and dense sound of metal clashing.
The heat wave hit me in the face, bringing with it the smell of coal smoke and molten iron.
I found myself shirtless (hey, that muscular body was in pretty good shape! Beads of sweat were running down my back), standing in front of a flaming furnace, holding a heavy hammer in my hand, repeatedly hammering on the red-hot iron bar.
The people around were all wearing coarse cloth shorts, which looked antique.
"Master Chen," a man dressed respectfully like a butler trotted over and spoke respectfully, "The young master said that the daggers you forged are excellent, incredibly sharp, and uniquely shaped. I'd like to invite you to the front of the hall to discuss this."
I put down the hammer in a daze, wiped the sweat off my forehead, and followed him out of the blacksmith shop filled with clanging sounds and into an ancient hall of extraordinary grandeur.
Above the hall, a young man dressed in gorgeous clothes, with handsome features but a temperament as cold as ice, sat upright - it was Lin Yan again!
He dismissed his attendants, slowly walked down from the main seat, and came to me.
He picked up the dagger I had just sharpened and placed on the tray, and his fingertips gracefully brushed across the cold blade. The fingertips brushed against the back of my hand, bringing a subtle shudder.
He raised his eyes, his gaze calm yet filled with an undeniable sense of oppression. "Master Chen's craftsmanship is exceptional, and his mind is ingenious. It would be a waste of his talent to remain in a small blacksmith shop. Why not join me and forge a powerful weapon just for me... Hmm?"
The last part of his voice rose slightly, and even the dumbest person could understand the meaning in his eyes.
I:"……"
So in this world, I am a blacksmith with extraordinary skills?
And then, thanks to his skills (and this good-looking appearance?), he was noticed by the son of the headmaster?!
What is this? Are there hidden rules associated with the introduction of technical talent in ancient times?
The scene switched again without warning.
The red buildings and beautiful windows, the melodious sounds of stringed instruments and pipes.
I was wearing a flashy silk dress, holding a piece of fine grass in my hand, squatting in the pavilion in my garden, concentrating on... fighting crickets? A few servants were standing nearby, cheering me on.
"Master! Master!" A servant suddenly ran over in a hurry. "Young Master Lin from the Prime Minister's family has sent you another gift! This time it's a unique calligraphy and painting by a master of the previous dynasty, said to be the most precious of treasures!"
I subconsciously looked up and saw a nobleman wearing a moon-white gown, a jade belt around his waist, and holding a folding fan in his hand leaning against the moon gate - Lin Yan, why did you change your skin again!
He waved his folding fan and smiled at me like a fox, his eyes bright and startling. "Brother Ruirui, this is just a small toy, not a token of respect. I wonder if you would be so kind as to join us at the Zuixianlou poetry gathering tonight? I hear there are many famous poets here."
I looked down at my nouveau riche outfit, then at his elegant and refined demeanor: "..."
So, in this world, I'm a wealthy young man with too much money to spend? And he's the son of a high-ranking and prestigious prime minister?
This setting...a dandy rich second generation X a romantic nobleman?
It seems quite exciting!
Is this Lin Yan's way of pursuing someone, giving calligraphy and paintings, and arranging poetry gatherings? It's too old-fashioned, too literary!
Before I could finish complaining about this classical and implicit way of pursuing love, the world suddenly twisted!
There were broken walls and ruins, smoke filled the air, and the air was filled with a mixed smell of burning and blood.
I was wearing a worn, oil-stained tactical vest, nervously carving... something on the barrel of a rifle?
A faint but steady white light emanated from my palm. As I moved, a layer of light blue energy lines slowly flowed across the cold metal of the gun, as if it were given life.
"Hurry up! Chen Rui! The vanguard of the zombie wave will arrive in three minutes!"
A cold, decisive voice without any emotion sounded behind me.
I turned around suddenly and saw Lin Yan wearing a neat black combat uniform, with an upright posture and eyes as sharp as a hawk. He was giving orders quickly into the communicator.
He is the captain of this team of survivors and a powerful S-class psychic.
He looked at me, his tone pure and commanding, leaving no room for doubt: "Chen Rui, your enchantment ability is crucial. It can greatly increase the lethality of weapons against mutants. Stay close to me, and your safety is my priority. This is an order!"
But the way he took a step forward, grabbed my wrist and pulled me behind him revealed a subtle, almost instinctive desire to protect me.
I:"……"
A post-apocalyptic wasteland setting? I'm a rare and important logistical support worker—an enchanter?
Then, after a long period of time, she fell in love with this cold and powerful psychic captain between life and death?
After traveling through several worlds in succession, the amount of information was too great and my head felt a little dizzy. My consciousness seemed to return briefly, and I could still feel the soft touch of the sofa and the taste of unmelted potato chips in my mouth.
I couldn't help but think, "Is there a more... normal or different setting? Why does it seem like Lin Yan is doing so well in every world, either a big shot or a benefactor? Is God his real father?"
A voice came from my head: "Yes! It must be there! To satisfy you!"
The next second, a stronger sense of detachment came over me.
I found myself waking up in a bedroom that was extremely luxuriously decorated, but as cold as a hotel model room, without a trace of life.
My body feels...some inexplicable soreness and discomfort.
The room was filled with the faint scent of cologne that belonged to another person.
The door opened and Lin Yan walked in.
He was wearing an expensive silk nightgown, his hair was slightly wet, but his expression was extremely indifferent, even with a hint of world-weariness and alienation.
He looked at me as if I were a piece of furniture, or a temporarily interesting ornament.
He casually threw a black card over and it landed on the quilt.
"There's a business reception tonight. Please accompany me. The clothes are in the closet on the left. Please choose your own. Dress nicely."
His tone was calm, even a little impatient, as if he was giving orders to an inanimate object.
I:"???"
What kind of crazy setup is this? A domineering CEO forcing love on me? I'm his kept mistress?
Why does this Lin Yan act like a jerk who says, "I'm rich and handsome, but I'm disappointed with this world, so I'm barely supporting you since you look okay"?!
And I vaguely felt that some plot was going on. In this world, we were even college roommates, but this guy only set his sights on me and started to support me after we had a dormitory reunion many years later.
And I actually agreed reluctantly! Obviously, Chen Rui in this worldview is quite down and out, and maybe even mentally unhealthy.
I secretly cursed the author for not wanting it to be this different!
And seeing the indifference of the familiar person in front of me, I felt bitter in my heart.
Damn, this bastard Lin Yan is so cruel!
But with my (probably) innate personal charm and sense of justice (mainly because I couldn't stand his dead look), I began to inadvertently reveal some subtle care and warmth in this weird relationship. After all, looking at this face, I really couldn't bear to be cruel to him.
For example, when he had a stomachache after a social event, she silently poured him a glass of warm water; when a client forced him to drink, she pretended to be clumsy and "accidentally" blocked the wine for him, spilling it all over herself.
After a few times, I keenly noticed that there was a subtle change in the way he looked at me.
From the initial cold scrutiny, to probing doubts, to a... complex, secret dependence like a drowning person grabbing the only piece of driftwood.
He even began to inadvertently reveal extreme fatigue and rare vulnerability in front of me.
"You...seem very different lately."
One time he was very drunk. After returning home, he did not fall asleep as usual. Instead, he hugged me from behind, rested his hot forehead on my neck, and whispered softly. There was a kind of confusion and grievance in his voice, like a child who couldn't find his home.
I:"……"
Okay, it's a bit melodramatic, but personally pulling Lin Yan back from the wrong path seems... quite fulfilling?
The camera then shifted, the view in front of me becoming lower. Before I could react, the man walking towards me picked me up.
It's Lin Yan! This isn't surprising, but I just feel like my body is acting so strangely.
Quickly, I realized that I was not even a human being now, but a cat!
After realizing the reality, I began to struggle desperately. Lin Yan frowned, stroked my hair, and kissed me on the forehead.
"What's wrong, Ruirui, are you hungry?"
Then he put me down, took out a freeze-dried food for pets, and stuffed it into my mouth.
Damn it, I don't want to eat what the cat eats!
Finally, I felt a "whoosh" and my consciousness was suddenly pulled back by a force.
Like a drowning person emerging from the water, I took a deep breath and opened my eyes.
In front of me is the familiar home ceiling, and beneath me is the soft sofa.
The TV screen was still on, the bag of potato chips in his hand was tilted to one side, and a few chips were scattered on his stomach.
The angle of the sunlight outside the window was slightly shifted, indicating that I had indeed gotten some sleep.
Was everything that just now...really a dream?
A serial dream that is incredibly real, full of twists and turns, and contains a huge amount of information?
My heart was still pounding, and the touch, smell, and especially the various versions of Lin Yan's face and eyes of those worlds were terrifyingly clear.
Just then, Lin Yan came back. Probably because he heard my gasp, he walked over and touched my forehead naturally: "What's wrong? Did you have a nightmare? You're sweating."
His fingers were warm and dry, with a reassuring sense of reality.
I looked at his face, compared it with the versions in my dreams who were either strong, aloof, romantic, cruel, or scumbag, and then thought of my own "experiences" in those worlds. An extremely complicated emotion surged in my heart - mainly envy, jealousy, hatred, and a little bit of grievance!
I raised my foot and gently kicked his calf, saying sourly, "Humph! Why?! In my dreams, you're so awesome! Either the Young Master or the Prime Minister's son! At worst, you're an awesome captain with superpowers! And you can even sponsor me! In some dreams, I'm the pet and you're the master. Doesn't God give you a backdoor in my dreams?"
Lin Yan was completely baffled by my nonsensical kick and accusation. He reacted extremely quickly and grabbed my ankle. With a gentle pull, he dragged me off the sofa and into his arms. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "Wife, what kind of nonsense did you dream about? Did you drift off during your nap? What about the young master, prime minister, and sponsor of the supernatural team? I'm still Sun Wukong!"
He smiled and rubbed the top of my head with his chin, "Are you hallucinating about the game plot?"
I was held tightly in his arms, and my nose was filled with the familiar, reassuring scent.
I carefully recalled the experiences in that short "dream": ABO childbirth, martial arts blacksmithing, ancient pursuit, apocalyptic possession, and melodramatic sugar-coated literature...
This plot is indeed too unrestrained and bizarre. How could it be possible in the real world?
And a certain hateful black-haired man.
I must have been testing too many games lately and my brain is going crazy.
I held my forehead, finding it funny myself. "Maybe... I really was confused during my nap and had this incredibly outrageous dream."
Forget it, if you can’t figure it out, just stop thinking about it.
Now that things have come to this, let’s go to sleep.
Anyway, no matter which universe it is, it seems that this guy will eventually find me, pester me, and fall in love with me.
This is quite consistent with the dream.
Before my consciousness completely sank into darkness, one last thought flashed through my mind like lightning: That black-haired man... How on earth did he end up in my dream? And that last blurry fragment...
In that extremely vague, fleeting fragment of memory, I seemed to be the arrogant rich second-generation kid, while Lin Yan was the cold and aloof poor student? I even seemed to have boasted that I would support him?
And then… what happened next? Then the memory faltered, leaving only a subtle premonition that I had failed again…
…Shit! Why?! Even if the roles were reversed in the dream, why does it seem like I'm the one who suffers in the end?! This dream is so unprofitable!
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