Chu Qianze saw that the person wasn’t speaking, so he simply picked up the cup of hot cocoa from the other person’s hand, turned his head, and opened it. “How about it, do you want to?”
“If you find it troublesome, then forget I mentioned it. I can arrange for a taxi for you when we leave.”
Hearing that Chu Qianze was about to take back his words, Zong Xinjue immediately said, “No problem!”
The day before yesterday, he suffered from insomnia, and yesterday, he had a hangover and stayed up all night. His brain went directly into a slow processing mode, and thoughts were running at half speed. After receiving Chu Qianze’s invitation, his brain had just translated it into a meaning he could understand when he heard the other person say they would send him back.
How could that be!
He rubbed his temples to make his brain more active. The timing of that invitation just now was not right; it was indeed controversial.
Zong Xinjue: “I mean, will it be inconvenient for you?”
“Not at all. I live alone anyway.”
Chu Qianze handed over the prepared drink.
“Living alone? That’s great.”
“Then I’ll trouble you.” Zong Xinjue took the hot cocoa, took a sip, and felt its sweetness warming his heart.
“It’s nothing, why be so polite.”
Chu Qianze gulped down his own drink, let out a satisfied sigh, “There’s nothing else for us here. Let’s go now. You can catch some sleep when we get back.”
Zong Xinjue had no objections; he was looking forward to it.
The two walked out of the police station and followed the sidewalk. A truck turned at the intersection and approached them.
Zong Xinjue’s steps hesitated. Perhaps it was because he witnessed a tire blowout and a vehicle crashing towards him yesterday, or maybe the events from that previous incident resurfaced in his memory. Now, whenever he saw a car, he felt a bit uneasy, as if it might lose control the next second.
Chu Qianze, hands in his pockets, moved to the side closer to the road and gently nudged Zong Xinjue to walk a bit further inside.
“Don’t just stand there, move towards the wall a bit and make way.”
Zong Xinjue followed and walked a bit closer to the wall before speaking. “No need for that, I’m fine on the outside.”
“What are you thinking? Do you think it’s like that? I just like walking on this side.” Chu Qianze gave his shoulder a playful squeeze, stretched his limbs, and then slowed down his pace. He caught a whiff of a delicious aroma.
Because there were schools and offices nearby, the small shops selling breakfast had already opened. Looking around, there was an array of tempting food options.
Stir-fried noodles, wonton beef soup, soy milk with deep-fried dough sticks, tea eggs, dumplings, meat buns, and tofu pudding—basically, any breakfast option one could think of was now visible up ahead.
Originally not feeling particularly hungry, the sudden aroma made them both immediately famished, as if they had just opened up their appetites. Chu Qianze tugged at the person next to him and asked, “Want to grab breakfast on the way?”
Zong Xinjue was feeling a bit hungry too at this point. Usually sleeping late, he rarely had breakfast. His usual mealtime was around noon, or sometimes he’d have a late-night snack. Without saying much, he took the initiative and walked toward the breakfast stalls, letting his actions speak for themselves.
Chu Qianze wasn’t sure what to choose, so he decided to leave it to the other person. “Are you planning to eat inside or take it with you?”
Normally, Zong Xinjue would choose to eat inside, but that would take some time, and they certainly wouldn’t be able to eat while walking.
“Let’s take it with us, just grab something quick for now,” Zong Xinjue suggested.
As they emerged from the alley, each of them held a bag of breakfast items, accompanied by a hot drink in hand.
Stopped at the intersection, Chu Qianze raised his chin and gestured towards the passage ahead. “Cross the road, walk a bit straight ahead, and you’ll get there.”
Zong Xinjue nodded, took a sip of soy milk, masking the subtle emotions in his heart.
As the traffic light turned green, Chu Qianze grabbed his arm and led him across the road.
Straight ahead was an artificial river, and the two walked together on a bridge. In the distance, a man was jogging towards them, gradually approaching.
Seeing the approaching man, Chu Qianze nodded and smiled at him. The man waved back, and the two of them passed each other.
“Do you know him?” Zong Xinjue turned to look at the man, who had now turned a corner and was slowly moving away along the road.
“We meet during my usual morning run, so you could say we know each other.”
Seeing Zong Xinjue’s puzzled expression, Chu Qianze chuckled. “Surprised?”
“Do you usually go for a run at this time of day?”
It was indeed quite early, just a little past five.
Chu Qianze replied, “More or less. I run later when I can’t get up.”
They walked over the bridge and onto a wide, spacious pathway.
On either side of the concrete path were neatly landscaped plants. The surroundings were filled with the melodious chirping of birds. A black-feathered bird lifted its feet, took a few steps left and right, picked up a twig, and flew away to another place before the two of them reached it.
Zong Xinjue said, “We agreed to meet at a later time. When you said not in the morning, I thought you were catching up on sleep.”
“After my morning workout, I usually take a short nap. Do you think I’m cultivating at night and catching up on sleep during the day? Maybe I’m getting old, can’t stay up late anymore, so I pay more attention to health.” Chu Qianze took a sip of his porridge and casually remarked.
“You? Getting old? What a joke!”
Zong Xinjue almost sprayed out the soy milk he was drinking, not expecting Chu Qianze to say that about himself.
“Just taking it literally, but I’m still young at heart. If you round up, I’m still young.”
Chu Qianze took a small soup dumpling and, after finishing it, said, “Your physique looks good. You must exercise regularly.”
“I go to the gym on weekends. If I want to practice something specific, I just tell the trainer.”
Chu Qianze glanced at him. “Seems like it’s working well.”
Sensing the other’s gaze, Zong Xinjue straightened his back a bit. “I think so too.”
Seeing the satisfied expression on his face, Chu Qianze chuckled.
Zong Xinjue asked, “How do you usually run?”
“Just go straight at the intersection ahead. You’ll come across a basketball court and a badminton court. Then just follow the route of the plastic running track for a lap and take a round along the smaller path.”
Zong Xinjue inquired, “There are basketball and badminton courts here too?”
The facilities here seemed quite comprehensive.
Chu Qianze nodded, “Yes, there should be people there by now.”
Basketball and badminton courts always attracted early risers.
“How about I show you around the area?”
Zong Xinjue was quite interested in the idea.
“Sure, where do you want to go first?”
Chu Qianze pointed ahead, “Straight ahead is the badminton court.”
Pointing to the left, “Here, there’s a suspension bridge.”
Pointing to the right, “Continuing forward, you’ll see a pond with lotus leaves and flowers; it’s quite beautiful.”
“Something closer, then.” After a moment of consideration, Zong Xinjue responded.
“Alright, we’ll take a smaller path.” Chu Qianze led the way, making a turn.
The path wasn’t very wide, just enough for two people to pass side by side. Along the roadside were small, unidentified purple flowers. At a glance, they resembled lavender, but upon closer inspection, differences became apparent. Behind them, various light-colored flowers—yellow, pink, and blue—conveyed a sense of subtle elegance rather than vividness.
The lush green grass bent under the weight of dewdrops, and the flower buds held tiny droplets, exuding a youthful and enticing fragrance. Due to the cool weather, a misty atmosphere enveloped the surroundings. The mist descended to the earth, creating a picturesque scene resembling a fairyland.
Taking a sip of his porridge, Chu Qianze, as the host, wanted to provide some information. After a moment of contemplation, he admitted, “I don’t know what kind of flowers these are. Just enjoy the view. The landscaping here is well done, with a variety of plants. The vegetation is tailored to the surroundings, and the distribution is quite well-planned.”
This place seemed like a small ecosystem, maintaining a delicate balance.
Passing by a trash bin, Chu Qianze was about to toss his cup into it.
With a fluttering sound, a bird took flight, feathers lifting as it glided down from a nearby branch.
The bird flew over Chu Qianze’s head, landing directly on the small rod above the trash bag. It raised its little head, tilted it, and looked at Chu Qianze with its round, shiny black eyes.
“Come here.”
Chu Qianze raised his hand, and the bird opened its wings, landing directly on the joint of his index finger. It chirped crisply, sounding quite cheerful, showing no signs of shyness.
He tossed the empty cup into the trash bin, and the cup collided with the bottom of the bin, making a clattering sound.
Chu Qianze turned his body and extended his hand toward Zong Xinjue.
The bird and Zong Xinjue made eye contact.
Chu Qianze’s voice carried a hint of amusement. “Look, there’s a little cutie here.”
Zong Xinjue locked eyes with the tiny bird. With Chu Qianze’s voice in his ears, he couldn’t tell if the words were directed at the bird or himself.
Beneath their feet was the resilient sensation of the plastic running track. The scent of grass mixed with the earth tickled their noses, and before them lay…
Raising his eyes to look at Chu Qianze, Zong Xinjue met his smiling gaze.
Chu Qianze’s finger twitched slightly, and the bird flew away on its own.
“Haven’t finished eating yet?” This remark was directed at Zong Xinjue.
“Almost done.” Zong Xinjue lowered his head, took a bite of his breakfast, quickly finished it in a few bites, and then tossed the trash bag into the bin.
“That building ahead is my home.” Chu Qianze raised his chin, gesturing for Zong Xinjue to look.
The two walked side by side, crossed the grassy area, and reached the asphalt road. After a few steps, they entered the front gate.
Arriving at the entrance, the smart system recognized the occupants and automatically unlocked and opened the door.
Chu Qianze stepped aside, allowing Zong Xinjue to enter.
“You go take a shower first. The bathroom is over there,” Chu Qianze instructed.
Zong Xinjue nodded and headed straight for the bathroom.
As he entered, he looked around, and his hand touched the control panel. He began adjusting the settings.
For some reason, thoughts surged within him. Chu Qianze would stand here as well, just like himself. What would he do?
A couple of knocks on the door drew his attention. Chu Qianze leaned in and asked, “Do you know how to adjust the water temperature?”
“I do,” Zong Xinjue replied. Subconsciously, he withdrew his hand from the control panel, feeling oddly guilty despite not having done anything.
“Your clothes are here. There aren’t any new ones at home, and I’ve only worn this once. I haven’t touched it since. We’re about the same height, so it should fit you.”
“Got it,” Zong Xinjue acknowledged.
The clothes were loose and casual, the style Chu Qianze typically wore—probably quite comfortable.
“Towels are over there. If you have any questions, just call me. I’ll be outside,” Chu Qianze said, leaving the bathroom and closing the door behind him.
After setting the basic parameters on the control panel, Zong Xinjue undressed, neatly folded his clothes and placed them on a small cabinet beside him, then turned on the water.
Chu Qianze didn’t go far after leaving; he sat cross-legged on the sofa, browsing game forums on his neural interface.
Upon entering, he immediately saw several familiar threads.
[Citywide Manhunt and Capture (Explosive)]
[Who Are Those Two Mysterious Players? (Explosive)]
[Is the Central Hall Being Demolished? (Explosive)]
[Hidden Occupation: Mechanic! (Explosive)]
…
Generally speaking, the Prosperous Age Forum is the most active official forum for players. It covers a wide range of content, including knowledge sharing, banter, and discussions on various topics.
High activity levels indicate a large amount of information and quick updates.
The events in question occurred the day before yesterday, and discussions were still ongoing.
Chu Qianze found it quite interesting and decided to open the first thread, ready to observe the situation.
[Did everyone see the citywide manhunt? Any updates?]
[Same here! Once those two players left the city, I lost sight of them. (Although I wasn’t clear about it when they were in the city either.)]
[So, why do player IDs automatically get hidden in special missions? I mean, if you’re far away and can’t see their faces, that’s one thing, but not knowing their IDs makes it impossible to find them later!]
[I remember this kind of thing is voluntary, meaning players choose to hide their IDs, which is different from the status of other game missions.]
[I was on duty on the city wall at the time, and let me tell you, it was absolutely stunning, as Foggrass said. Those two facing off with the army, it got my blood pumping! Especially when the shield warrior sacrificed himself to throw the guy out of the encirclement, that scene made me cry. A big guy like me cried (????) Foggrass is really moving; I want brothers like that too.]
[Stop just talking; share videos and pictures! I want to see too!!]
[We’re not allowed to slack off during duty, so no videos, no pictures (shrugs). Anyway, those two players won.]
[It’s a pity that the Central Hall and the surrounding areas were all sealed off at the time, or I would have gone to see what happened next.]
[Plus one.]
[Later, it seemed like an old man flew over, but I have no idea what happened after that. Damn sealing orders; I feel like I missed out on a few billion.]
[Speaking of which, I went to the Central Hall later, walked around, and didn’t see any changes. The statue and throne are still the same, and the rituals haven’t changed either. Just the ceiling is a bit newer than before.]
[I secretly recorded a video and posted it in another thread. Feel free to check it out. (Link)]
After flipping through a few pages, most of the discussions were casual chatter, some questioning if it was cheating, but overall, it seemed quite ordinary with no major issues.
Given Sheng Shi Group’s efficiency, if they detected any problems with the game’s thresholds, they should have addressed them immediately. The fact that there was no response yet suggested everything was normal.
It seems the neural processing is doing well.
Chu Qianze scrolled back to the first page of comments and clicked on the link to the video.
The screen switched, and the title appeared.
[One Man Against a Thousand Armies!]
After that, the barrage of comments covered the screen.
He increased the transparency so he could see the contents more clearly.
One has to admit, this person has some skills in filming. It’s evident that it went through editing, and coupled with the majestic instrumental music, it has an epic feel.
[Foggrass, you’re amazing. Are we really playing the same game?]
[Just one Mechanic is enough for me to look up to. Is there another hidden class? The river turned black directly; the damage is too much. It made my heart skip a beat!]
[The distance is too far; the image is a bit blurry, and I can’t see the face qwq]
[Who cares about the face? Look at the special effects!]
[To let a companion escape the encirclement, using oneself as a shield and bait… What an earth-shaking display of brotherhood! I’m moved again!!]
[These two definitely have chemistry, ahhhhh. Even the strands of hair are filled with emotion. I’m melting, I really am.]
Chu Qianze was engrossed in the comments when he suddenly heard the sound of the door opening.
Zong Xinjue walked out, steam wafting out in tandem with him.
Wrapped in a towel around his waist, Zong Xinjue had one hand pressed against his side, and the other hand was holding a towel on top of his head. Water droplets dripped from the ends of his hair, following the curve of his neck down, skirting around the swollen area, and disappearing into the towel.
This pose was something he had decided on after simulating it in front of the mirror.
Having spent a considerable amount of time training in the gym, Zong Xinjue was well aware of his own charms and the areas that held more appeal. This posture effectively showcased his physique, emphasizing the contours of his body.
“I’m done showering.”
Zong Xinjue took off the towel on his head and draped it around his neck, covering a large part of his chest.
He walked up to Chu Qianze, and with the movement, the towel swayed slightly, making the front part more elusive.
“What are you looking at?” Zong Xinjue sat down next to Chu Qianze, sounding casual but subtly adjusting his posture.
Indeed, he was executing the seduction plan with a straight face.
Chu Qianze’s gaze shifted around, successfully noticing that Zong Xinjue was slightly tensing his body, highlighting the contours of his muscles even more.
“Was just browsing the forum.”
Suppressing the teasing in his eyes, Chu Qianze remained composed.
“Why aren’t you wearing clothes? Size too small?”
“Oh, I forgot to put them on.”
Seemingly just realizing, Zong Xinjue said, “I’m used to changing outside, thinking things are out there. It took me a moment to realize.”
“Is that so?” Chu Qianze casually replied, tilting his body slightly. He extended his fingers, reaching the area above Zong Xinjue’s heart.
At the moment, the other person controlled his breathing, which, due to its stability, appeared deliberate.
Internally amused, Chu Qianze, under the slightly heated gaze, picked up the towel draped around Zong Xinjue’s neck and wiped the back of his head.
“Your hair is still dripping.”
In the midst of the conversation, Chu Qianze also helped wipe away the water stains on the neck. His touch was gentle, causing the person to shiver slightly when the hand made contact with the skin.
“Be careful not to catch a cold. I’ll go take a shower first. Remember to blow-dry your hair.” Chu Qianze handed the towel to Zong Xinjue and stood up.
As he watched the man enter the bathroom, Zong Xinjue furrowed his brows slightly.
Why was there no response? Could it be that he wasn’t explicit enough, or perhaps… his charm wasn’t sufficient?
He lowered his head to take a look at himself—his chest muscles were solid, and although he didn’t have an eight-pack, the six-pack was not far off. The muscle lines were present but not exaggerated, flowing smoothly. His buttocks were high and firm, with an overall appearance that could be described as “front protrusion and back lift.” The warm-toned skin glowed under the light.
During the previous training sessions, his coach even commented on how his physique was perfect, suggesting that he could serve as a model for training programs.
Even with all these attributes, did Chu Qianze not notice anything?
He opened the smart mirror to check himself, and everything seemed fine, no malfunctions.
The two points that were fondled earlier were still swollen and looked a bit pitiful. He touched one of them, contemplating what to do next.
Chu Qianze opened the bathroom door and happened to see Zong Xinjue sitting upright on the sofa, looking at the mirror generated by the smart mirror. His hand was placed on a particular spot…
Chu Qianze walked out, closed the door, and handed over the clothes, saying, “Here are your clothes. Remember to put them on.”
Zong Xinjue maintained his expression, scratching the area as if pretending to be itchy. Then he smoothly raised his hand to take the clothes, saying, “I almost forgot, thank you.”
During this time, he carefully observed Chu Qianze’s expression.
Did this person just see it? He wasn’t entirely sure.
Chu Qianze smiled and glanced at the spot where the other had just scratched. There was a faint red mark there now.
“It’s nothing. Hurry up and wipe your hair.”
Zong Xinjue closed the mirror function, grabbing the towel to wipe his hair a few times, trying to ease the awkwardness through this action.
Taking in every nuance of the man’s expression, Chu Qianze didn’t reveal anything. “If you feel tired, just go to sleep. The guest room is over there.”
Zong Xinjue nodded, “Got it.”
Closing the door, adjusting the parameters, Chu Qianze turned on the showerhead.
The rhythmic sound of water splashed on the floor, scattering onto the adjacent glass partition. Mist filled the air, turning the once clear environment into a blurry scene.
Chu Qianze raised both hands, wiping his face and combing back the wet short hair. He closed his eyes, letting the warm water cascade down.
Thinking about Zong Xinjue’s expression when he arrived, Chu Qianze couldn’t help but let out a light chuckle. The muffled laughter mixed with the sound of water, creating a resonating effect in the small space.
It seemed that Zong Xinjue was somewhat dissatisfied with his own reaction. After going out later, this person would probably do something else.
Chu Qianze couldn’t help but feel a bit anticipatory.
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