Round One (19)

Whether it was twisting concepts or arguing for the sake of argument, Shen Huai’s stance was unyielding and resolute.

Bit by bit, Si Jiu’s anger faded. After all, as soon as she reestablished contact with the system, she could leave. Yet that very thought brought with it a peculiar, uneasy anxiety.

Last time she left this world, Shen Huai had turned himself into this state, watching over an empty shell for a hundred years. If she left again, what would become of him? Would he spend another century gazing at a broken mirror?

Now that she thought of it, what exactly was Shen Huai’s current condition? Was he still, by any measure, a normal human being?

She wanted to ask what had truly happened, how he had come to be this way. But Shen Huai’s demeanor was evasive, making it clear he didn’t wish to discuss it.

So Si Jiu didn’t press him.

Shen Huai still delighted in indulging her, bringing all sorts of delicious food, beautiful things, and entertaining trinkets into the room as if money were no object.

There were even various gaming consoles.

Unfortunately, Si Jiu had little interest in such games. She mused that if 023 were here, he would probably be beside himself with joy.

With nothing to do, sleep became her only refuge.

Her periods of “sleep” grew longer and longer, yet she failed to notice that, with each prolonged slumber, Shen Huai’s expression darkened further.

In truth, he was deeply unsettled by the sight of her lying there, eyes closed, silent and unmoving. Moreover, he had the persistent feeling that his Tangtang had grown increasingly despondent (though she hadn’t).

“Is there anything you’d like to do today?” he asked.

“I want to go outside.”

Shen Huai replied, “…Anything but that.”

Si Jiu truly wanted to punch him. But then, her eyes flashed, and her anger evaporated. “I want a drink.”

At the mention of alcohol, Shen Huai seemed to freeze, as if some unexpected thought had crossed his mind.

Si Jiu was surprised. “Why are you blushing?”

“Ahem… I’m not. It’s just a bit warm…”

She felt the chill lingering in the room and found his excuse utterly baffling.

“Ahem, well, what would you like to drink? I’ll get it for you.”

“Anything’s fine.” Si Jiu blinked. “But it’s boring to drink alone. Drink with me.”

“…Alright.”

Shen Huai wasn’t incapable of drinking. It was just that, due to his health in the past, he rarely did, and he never particularly cared for it. But if Tangtang enjoyed it, he was willing to accompany her.

Since he didn’t know her specific preferences, Shen Huai simply fetched an assortment of different types of liquor.

On the way, he ran into Shen Yu.

Since witnessing the entire interaction between Shen Huai and Si Jiu that day, Shen Huai had harbored complex feelings toward the boy he’d raised himself.

“Uncle?”

Shen Yu was surprised to encounter Shen Huai outside at this hour, but a glance at the bottles in his hands made everything clear.

Uncle was truly indulgent toward the pretty ghostly lady—so much food, books, even toys, and then all those gaming consoles. Shen Yu had nearly gawked his eyes out when he saw them being moved in.

But wasn’t Uncle in love with Miss Tang? What was going on between him and the beautiful ghostly lady? And his legs… how had he suddenly regained the ability to stand?

Unfortunately, no one paid any mind to the child’s swirling confusion.

Shen Huai merely nodded at Shen Yu in acknowledgment and continued on his way.

Shen Yu hesitated, struggling with himself, but in the end couldn’t hold back and called out behind him, “Is she… is she alright?”

Shen Huai abruptly stopped and turned a cold gaze on Shen Yu.

That look startled Shen Yu, yet from somewhere he found the courage to continue, “She saved my life. If it weren’t for her, I would’ve been eaten by the ghost.

Uncle, please… don’t be too harsh with her, alright?”

Shen Huai was nearly beside himself with anger.

“My affairs need no intervention from you,” he snapped. “And don’t get any ideas about her. She is mine.”

With that, he strode off, leaving Shen Yu standing there, dumbstruck, as if enacting the very definition of “petrified.”

It was a long moment before Shen Yu, as if struck by lightning, finally came back to himself. “Who… who likes her… I told you, she just saved my life…” His voice was so faint even he could barely hear it.

Shen Yu told himself firmly: it’s only because she’s my savior. That’s all.