Echoes of July

2

In front of Chi XiaoChi's eyes floated a data panel visible only to him. The panel displayed real-time data such as the host's body temperature, heartbeat, blood pressure, and external temperature. The most prominent feature was a dual-colored bar.

The blue bar represented Regret Points, and the red bar represented Affection Points, both with a maximum value of 100.

The blue number was fixed at "9," while the red number was currently dropping due to Chi XiaoChi's remark, "What's it to you?"

Chi XiaoChi sighed, "Why don’t people like hearing the truth?"

The system wanted to retort but held back.

Disappointed, Yang BaiHua said, "XiaoCheng, why do you speak like that?"

Chi XiaoChi didn't rush, speaking gently, "Lao Yang, don't misunderstand. My brother is thinking of us. With a car, our lives will be much easier. I can refrain from using it, but you can drive to work. It'll be impressive to your colleagues."

He seemed sincere, as if his previous provocative statement was merely stating facts.

Watching the Affection Points rise by two, the system thought, "One slap followed by a sweetener. Not bad tactics."

Yang BaiHua sighed.

This kid had been spoiled since childhood and didn't know the weight of his words. The hurtfulness of what he said might not even dawn on him.

With the patience of a father towards a child, Yang BaiHua coaxed, "XiaoCheng, cars are consumables. Have you considered the monthly costs of gasoline and parking fees? Can we afford it now?"

"I'll earn money to support us!" Cheng Yuan said, smiling genuinely and warmly, "My demo is almost done, and then we’ll have money."

Yang BaiHua responded helplessly, "I’ve told you many times, that’s not a proper job."

"I love music," Cheng Yuan countered.

"Love can’t put food on the table... Let's not argue about this," Yang BaiHua conceded.

"Alright, let's not," Cheng Yuan stepped closer, softening his tone, "I also thought about using the car to pick up your parents. They and your third sister are coming next week, right? When they arrive, you can drive them to XiaoYan’s school to have dinner with her. She did ask you about buying a car last time."

These points struck a chord with Yang BaiHua, who fell silent.

As he spoke, Cheng Yuan looked up at Yang BaiHua.

Meeting his intense gaze, Yang BaiHua felt a sudden jolt in his heart.

It was winter. Under the streetlights, Cheng Yuan exhaled a breath, creating a white mist. The mist enveloped his fair face, giving it a soft, radiant glow. The fur trim on his white down jacket moved gently in the night breeze, brushing against his porcelain-like neck, causing Yang BaiHua’s heart to tighten.

On the operation panel in front of Chi XiaoChi, a translucent card appeared with the following details:

Name: Beauty Halo (Trial Version)

Duration: 10 minutes

Quantity: 1

Quality: Excellent

Type: Single-use item

Exchange Points: 0 (Free)

Description: Golden fried rice, flavorful bone soup, succulent crab legs, and rich duck yolks are nothing compared to your gentle smile under a soft glow.

"Interesting metaphor," Chi XiaoChi commented curiously.

The system paused, "09 is one of the original AIs, a pre-existing data entity, just fond of studying recipes."

Chi XiaoChi found this odd, "Pre-existing data? Is there also post-existing data?"

Before he could ask further, the system interjected, "Mr. Chi, focus on the task."

Chi XiaoChi nodded, "Right, right."

Seeing him refocus, the system felt relieved.

When he first took over Chi XiaoChi, he realized this new host was quite challenging.

After receiving and processing the world line information, Chi XiaoChi pondered for a while and asked, "Can I hit Yang BaiHua with the car when we meet?"

The system was speechless.

Chi XiaoChi clarified, "Just discussing options."

He paused, then added, "Cheng Yuan's family is wealthy. If an accident happens, they can handle it, right?"

The system responded, "You really want to hit him, don't you?"

Chi XiaoChi replied, "No, just discussing."

The system emphasized, "Mr. Chi, you’re dealing with a real person."

Chi XiaoChi seriously said, "Accidents happen, nobody wants them."

The system tried reasoning, "The laws here are similar to your original world. Intentional harm leads to jail. Besides, how would you leave the world if you incapacitate your target?"

To leave the task world, the main reference is Regret Points. Only with 100 Regret Points can the host exit the current world and enter the next.

Mentioning Regret Points, the system hoped to dissuade Chi XiaoChi. Instead, he logically argued, "Supposedly, regret peaks at the moment of death."

The system was speechless.

Chi XiaoChi continued, "Even if not fatal, just crippling, he'd have a long life to regret."

The system was silent, "Please stop talking."

Chi XiaoChi sighed, "You lack a sense of humor."

...Yet the system detected disappointment in his voice.

Concerned, the system rechecked Chi XiaoChi's records.

Chi XiaoChi was indeed an actor, not a criminal. Although scandals swirled around him—arrogance, public smoking influencing youth, lack of education, poor family relations, and questionable relationships—most were rumors, hard to verify.

After filtering out the irrelevant, the system concluded, "Fortunately, this host is just a bit eccentric. With proper guidance, he should be fine."

So far, Chi XiaoChi's performance was commendable, using the free skill cards effectively. The system noted Yang BaiHua's Affection Points, which had been declining, showed signs of recovery.

Each new host receives twelve free single-use skill cards. These items vary in function but can only be used once. Hosts can exchange Affection Points for additional cards in the system warehouse.

For example, now.

Looking at Cheng Yuan, Yang BaiHua's throat bobbed.

He knew Cheng Yuan was attractive, but familiarity could dull appreciation. Now, he felt the same flutter he experienced at the start of their relationship.

The pampered, snow-white rabbit gazed at him with round, black eyes, devoted and focused.

Such an excellent person, relying solely on him...

This is how it should be.

Yang BaiHua enjoyed this "return to normalcy."

Smiling, he asked, "You remember my cousin, XiaoYan?"

Proudly, Cheng Yuan replied, "Of course. I remember everything about you."

Yang BaiHua felt an urge to kiss him.

But catching sight of XiaoLiu, a colleague leaving work, he subtly blocked Cheng Yuan, lowering his hand meant to touch Cheng Yuan's face into his pocket, "Next time you want to add something to the house, discuss it with me. It's our home, right?"

Chi XiaoChi sneered inwardly.

"Our home"? Discuss?

This bed has slept a whole family. Did you ever consult me?

But "Cheng Yuan" wouldn't think that.

Happy that Yang BaiHua implicitly approved keeping the car, Cheng Yuan's eyes sparkled with love.

Yang BaiHua offered, "Shall I drive?"

Eagerly, Cheng Yuan said, "You’ve worked hard today. I’ll drive." He opened the back door, kneeling playfully, "Boss, please get in. I'll dispose of the trash."

Yang BaiHua smiled, getting in, admiring the car's interior, envious.

When could he casually gift a car like Cheng Jian?

Cheng Yuan carried an empty water bottle to the trash bin. Yang BaiHua, with poor eyesight from computer use, missed the cigarette butt inside.

Chi XiaoChi discarded the bottle, hearing the plastic crinkle.

Chi XiaoChi asked the system, "See it now?"

The system acknowledged, "Yes."

—Cheng Yuan majored in vocal music, avoiding smoking and drinking.

Chi XiaoChi smoked half a cigarette, covering it with gum, but still left traces. Yet his lover didn't notice, asking nothing.

Of course, this was a casual test, proving nothing.

To Chi XiaoChi, this was a minor sign before Cheng Yuan's tragic fate.

Back in the car, Cheng Yuan said, "When your parents come, let's pick them up from the station."

Yang BaiHua visibly stiffened.

Unaware, Cheng Yuan continued, "I drive smoothly. We can take your parents to meet XiaoYan, visit YunZhe Temple, and enjoy a hot spring..."

Yang BaiHua hesitated, "We'll see."

Energetically, Cheng Yuan offered, "Let me play my new demo for you. Be my first listener, okay?"

Relieved by the topic change, Yang BaiHua agreed, "Sure."

Cheng Yuan played the demo. The pure music was captivating, soothing Yang BaiHua's tired nerves.

He drifted off to sleep.

The system reminded, "Mr. Chi, you don't need to use skill cards frequently."

Chi XiaoChi had just used a Hypnosis Card on Yang BaiHua for an hour and a half.

Chi XiaoChi wasn't stingy, "Testing. Besides, Affection Points are not scarce."

—True, Affection Points fluctuate. Couples argue, points drop, reconcile, points rise.

Chi XiaoChi's actions brought Yang BaiHua's Affection Points back to 72, the initial level.

He summarized, "Lost 14 points for a car he didn't pay for."

The system retorted, "The last 10 dropped because of your comment."

Chi XiaoChi analyzed, "A 10-minute Beauty Halo Card plus some soft words brought it back. Another card costs 5 points. Thus, Affection Points are easy to earn."

The system was speechless.

Was Chi XiaoChi testing Affection Point fluctuations?

The word "earn" gave the system a bad feeling.

Chi XiaoChi said, "For now, Yang BaiHua's Affection Points need only be adequate. Excess points, check what we can exchange."

The system was shocked.

Previous hosts focused on quickly raising Affection Points to 100, fearing consequences otherwise.

This was the first host to deliberately maintain just enough points.

Checking the inventory, "10-point items include a 30-minute Beauty Halo, a 5-minute Karate Black Belt buff, a 1-hour No Pain buff, and a 5-minute Allure Halo..."

Chi XiaoChi decided, "The first one."

After exchanging, he asked, "Any longer-lasting Allure Halo?"

The system replied, "1-hour Allure Halo, 40 points."

Chi XiaoChi mused, "I'll save up."

The system felt Chi XiaoChi was treating Yang BaiHua like a pig at a slaughterhouse, cutting bits and letting them regrow.

Disturbed, the system said, "Remaining 2 points can buy small items or romantic aids."

Chi XiaoChi exclaimed, "Oh."

The system clarified, "We're a proper system."

Chi XiaoChi chuckled, understanding.

The system's data wavered, "Romantic aids are tangible items to enhance relationships, like flowers, lanterns, fireworks."

Chi XiaoChi requested, "Fireworks."

"One firework costs 3 points."

Chi XiaoChi promptly said, "Go ahead."

The system hesitated, "Mr. Chi, it’s your responsibility if it’s insufficient."

Chi XiaoChi retorted, "Of course, whose else?"

After exchanging, a chime indicated success.

Chi XiaoChi waited, "Where are the fireworks?"

The system answered, "Target is asleep..."

"Who said for him?" Chi XiaoChi said, "Now, let’s go."

Confused, the system complied.

A multi-layered firework bloomed, showering like snow, painting the sky with a moving tapestry of light.

As the light burst, Chi XiaoChi said, "This is for you."

The sound of the explosion followed.

The system watched the dispersing sparks.

The rearview mirror reflected Chi XiaoChi's smiling face. Despite using Cheng Yuan's features, his smile was different—slightly mischievous, blending laziness and allure, captivating.

Chi XiaoChi said, "Hope we work well together. Please guide me."

The system was stunned.

Though touching, the system sensed something off, akin to a last meal before execution.

Quickly, the system noticed, "This isn’t the way to Yang BaiHua’s home."

Chi XiaoChi matter-of-factly replied, "Of course not. Why hypnotize him otherwise?"

The system was speechless.

Chi XiaoChi checked the navigation, confirming the destination, "I want to go somewhere."