Lu Yizhou's head throbbed in pain. Not because he had just had a heart attack — alright, he admitted that it indeed sucks — but because as soon as he came to, two crying voices bombarded his ears in an instant.
[666: I'm sowwwyyy 666 is a bad system! 666 is incompetent! Huaaa Host, you can't die from a heart attack for real!!!]
"Uncle Lu….Uncle Lu…" Ren Zexi sat by his bedside, clasping his hand tightly whilst sniffling. "Uncle Lu, I know I'm wrong. It's my fault. Please wake up, okay…?"
Lu Yizhou's headache intensified, he wanted to sleep again for a bit longer. However, 666 had detected the activity from his brainwaves and exclaimed in excitement.
[666: Host, you're awake!!! How are you feeling?! You scared 666 so much QAQ did you have any idea how panic 666 was when you suddenly fainted? Did Ren Zexi's words shock you that much?"
Ren Zexi's words…
"From the start, I have never considered you as my uncle, let alone my family!"
Right, that's what he said. Lu Yizhou sighed, perplexed. So, the person Ren Zexi had feelings for all along was...him? Ren Zexi liked him? How?
[What the hell is up with this development?]
[666: What is?]
[Don't pretend to know nothing, bastard.] Lu Yizhou gritted his teeth. [Where were you last time? You ignored my calls on purpose, didn't you?]
[666: *gasp* How could that be?! It—It's because 666's signal suddenly turned bad and yes! Admin God blocked my vision because there's inappropriate content unsuitable to be seen by systems! That's why 666 couldn't come to Host's rescue!]
[...Really?] Lu Yizhou sounded like he didn't believe the system even a bit.
[666: Yes, how could Host doubt 666?! We have been together for more than a decade! 666 is the one who stays by Host's side the longest!]
[Quit the yapping.]
[666: Ehem, so 666 has sent an SOS message to Admin God but still hasn't received any reply yet. However, based on 666's observation as the most sophisticated AI, everything is possible in this world. Afterall, this is a universe created by the simulator so every action in particular will receive different responses. The possibility of human's behavior is something that even Admin God can't predict.]
Simulator. Reality sunk into Lu Yizhou in an instant. Yes, everything was a simulator. This was just an image that was conjured up by a system that messed with his brain. The Lu Group's CEO didn't exist — he wasn't this world's Lu Yizhou and similarly, Ren Zexi wasn't real either.
Everything was just a simulation.
So why was he so worried about Ren Zexi running out on him? Did he forget the fact that he had already died long ago?
[666: Host? Are you okay? Your heartbeat…]
The rhythmic heart rate monitor suddenly spiked, blaring out an alarm that jolted Ren Zexi. He snapped his head up, eyes swollen and bloodshot. "Uncle Lu!" Standing up, he raked his eyes all over his face. "Uncle Lu, are you awake? What's wrong? Do you feel uncomfortable?!"
[Purchase a Body Nourishing Pill for me.]
[666: Aye, Sir!]
[System notification: You have purchased a Body Nourishing Pill! The remaining points you have is 435. Thank you for your patronage!]
In the next moment, a small pill appeared inside of Lu Yizhou's mouth and he swallowed it down. The effect was spontaneous. Lu Yizhou's body warmed up and the chill on his fingertips dispersed, just like soaking into a tub full of warm spring water.
"Uncle Lu…?" Ren Zexi called out tentatively and reached out to touch Lu Yizhou's cheek, his movement was exceedingly careful and gentle, fearing that he could break the man just with the slightest force.
It's warm, Lu Yizhou thought. Could this vivid sensation also be created from the simulator? He hadn't perceived it perfectly yet when Ren Zexi suddenly retracted his arm in surprise. Meeting Lu Yizhou's silver eyes that held many complicated feelings, he mustered a smile even with his haggard face. "I'm sorry if I surprised you. Wait here. I will call Butler An."
"Wait—" He called out in an inaudible and dry voice, however Ren Zexi had dashed out like his life depended on it.
Lu Yizhou sighed and took the oxygen mask off his face. Butler An entered soon after and conducted a few mandatory tests, sighing in relief after he got the results. "It's okay, this is just an ordinary relapse. There's nothing life threatening and Master Lu will get better with a lot of rest. So you don't have to worry anymore, Young Master Ren."
Ren Zexi hung his head low and nodded.
"How long have I been unconscious for?"
"It's almost five hours, Master."
Lu Yizhou nodded. The hour hand of the clock had almost pointed to one so he told Ren Zexi. "It's late. You may go back to your room and sleep."
"No!" He said, eyes trembling in panic. "I—I will stay here. At least, let me stay here for tonight, okay, Uncle Lu?" If he had to leave Lu Yizhou's side right now, he thought that he wouldn't be able to take it. Mustering all of his courage, he stared into Lu Yizhou's eyes with a determined look.
The words of refusal stuck in Lu Yizhou's throat. In the end, he sighed and relented. So be it, then. Just for tonight. He was sure that he had scared the teenager by suddenly fainting out of nowhere. Never had he expected that he would get a heart attack right in front of Ren Zexi either.
Butler An nodded and left the room, leaving Lu Yizhou and Ren Zexi together wrapped in thick awkwardness. Lu Yizhou was the one who broke the silence after seeing Ren Zexi just standing there with a dumb look on his face. "Just sit wherever you want. This time… I have really scared you, haven't I?"
His words instantly brought back the fear and despair Ren Zexi felt earlier as well as the self loathing that nearly consumed him whole as he sat by Lu Yizhou's side, waiting for the man to open his eyes. With the rims of his eyes reddened, he bit his lips, choking out. "H—How could you just hide this kind of thing from me? But everything is my fault anyway… I shouldn't have provoked you like that. And my words earlier, I really didn't mean it. Uncle Lu," He held the man's hand, it felt cold to the touch. He could even vividly feel his jutting bones. How could Ren Zexi fail to realize how thin Lu Yizhou had become? His throat constricted painfully as he murmured, "You have been and will always be my family…"
Lu Yizhou stared at him in shock. "You—"
"About my earlier confession," Ren Zexi put on a wide smile, cheerful and teasing. "Just pretend that it didn't happen okay? My head is just muddled for a moment. I was just angry at Jing Xuehao and vented it on you. I regret it a lot now." He swung Lu Yizhou's palm just like how he always did when he tried to douse the man's anger. "I'm sorry, okay?"
Lu Yizhou stared at him for a while before sighing. "Fine. Don't repeat it again."
Relief flooded Ren Zexi's heart and he showed a wider smile. That's right. Just like this, everything was good. He didn't have to make Lu Yizhou angry again nor did they have to fight. Returning to how they used to be — as ordinary uncle and nephew, that was the perfect solution. Ren Zexi ought to be satisfied just like that...even if he had to bury these feelings until the day he died.
Ren Zexi convinced himself again and again, not realizing that he caused a certain system to get flustered by the unexpected development that came out of nowhere.
[666: H—Host?! Do you really believe what he said?!]
[Who knows what's in his mind?] Lu Yizhou let out a barely imperceptible sigh. [Whether he was forcing himself or tell the truth, I can only stay by his side to find out.]
[666: Host…]
666 was getting teary eyed. Why was this so sad?! Was this how their operation was supposed to be?! Entering the system forum, 666 created a new post.
[What should I do? I want to root for my Host's happiness. Do you think it's possible for him and the villain to be together?]