Echoes of July

5

After washing the dishes, Chi XiaoChi didn't leave the kitchen. He summoned the System, "System, System."

The System said, "No rat poison."

Chi XiaoChi: "…"

The System added, "No sleeping pills or paraquat either."

Chi XiaoChi reassured it, "Don't worry, I'm just asking about hypnosis cards."

The System: "…How long, and what effect?"

Chi XiaoChi: "How long, and what effect?"

The System explained, "Like other cards, hypnosis cards come in low, medium, and high tiers. The difference lies in their duration. Low-tier lasts 60 minutes, medium-tier lasts 90 minutes, and high-tier allows custom duration, but cannot exceed 6 hours."

"Enough," Chi XiaoChi said, "Two cards, one high-tier, one low-tier."

"14 points."

Chi XiaoChi without hesitation, "Exchange."

However, the System didn't immediately comply, "Why do you need hypnosis cards?"

Chi XiaoChi bluntly stated, "I'm worried about Yang's libido."

The System understood.

Chi XiaoChi was the eleventh host it had guided. In the first world, almost everyone expressed similar concerns to the 061 System.

After all, in various storylines, the original character often had relationships with the mission targets, and certain obligations had to be fulfilled.

The previous ten executors revolved around their mission targets, rarely deviating from the script, only avoiding bad scenarios while pleasing the target until their affection reached 100, then faking death to exit the world, leaving the target with peak regret.

Among these executors, Chi XiaoChi was the only one daring enough to deviate from the script in the first world.

Yet, his stance on fulfilling such obligations was surprisingly firm.

The System said, "We offer free extraction service," meaning during intimate moments, the host's consciousness would be removed from the body, minimizing discomfort for the executor.

Leaning against the fridge, Chi XiaoChi gently pinched the bridge of his nose, "Not that issue."

The System thought of another possibility, "…Do you have specific role-playing requirements?"

Chi XiaoChi laughed, "I have standards for people."

The System: "Yang BaiHua…"

Chi XiaoChi tilted his head, "Don't push me to insult him."

The System understood, "Alright. So, using the low-tier hypnosis card on Yang BaiHua today?"

"No, use both," Chi XiaoChi said, "Use the low-tier to make him sleep. It's nighttime, so he should stay asleep."

The System asked, "What about the other one?"

"I'll use it," Chi XiaoChi replied, closing his eyes, showing a light-hearted, indifferent, and somewhat self-mocking smile on Cheng Yuan's face, "…Or do you have sleeping pills?"

Following Chi XiaoChi's request, the System exchanged for two hypnosis cards and successfully used them.

After putting Yang BaiHua to sleep, Chi XiaoChi set a six-hour limit for himself and fell asleep.

As he slept, the System sent a signal to the main system, "Code 61-101 requesting access."

Seconds later, a mechanical voice responded, "Code 61-101 has access rights, request approved."

Immediately, stable data began to flow wildly, like a waterfall or starlight.

The starlight-like waterfall gradually filtered, forming a solid entity.

Under the flowing light, a man in white top and black pants appeared, barefoot in a hall with a high dome, surrounded by others similarly dressed moving about.

Some recognized him and greeted warmly, "061, here already? Still guiding a new host?"

061 replied, "Yes."

"You just finished the last one. Only two universe days apart, shouldn't you take a ten-day break?"

"No time," 061 answered.

The new 666, puzzled, asked, "‘No time’? Why the rush?"

061 didn't respond, staring at the ground, seemingly trying to recall something.

Another young man nearby seemed to understand, frowned slightly, and gave 666 a look, then asked 061, "What brings you here?"

061 said, "I'm looking for 023."

"He recently moved offices, go southwest to Room 1008."

061 smiled, a gentle and scholarly young man with straight posture, twinkling eyes, and a warm smile like dawn sun on snow, "Thanks."

After bidding farewell, he walked far enough to hear 666 complaining, "…Don't mention my host. What’s good about that man except for his physique? Clinging on, using up all the condoms!"

Finding Room 1008 in the southwest, he knocked. After a while, a chilly "Come in" sounded.

He entered, and as he did, the indoor data loaded.

Surrounding light dispersed and reassembled into a giant brain-shaped light brain, with flowing neurons and synapses, representing vast data streams.

This was the main system's "light brain," connected to databases across worlds.

A pale-skinned youth sat before the giant light brain, two long silver data cables on the table. He was playing Tetris on an old handheld game console, his pale nails skillfully tapping the buttons.

Suffering from albinism, his hair and skin were uniformly pale.

061 said, "023, I'm here."

023, without looking up, acknowledged, "You again."

He cleared several lines, the console beeping.

061, barefoot on matte tiles, waited quietly for him to finish.

023, playing, asked, "What's up?"

061 said, "I want to download some movies."

023, holding the console, scoffed, "Oh."

061: "…"

023 manipulated the console with one hand, picking up the cables with the other.

The cable's plug transformed near his temple, extending spiderweb-like silver threads into his brain, connecting directly.

Soon, dense digital screens flashed in 023's eyes.

023 briskly asked, "Serial numbers."

061: "…Serial numbers?"

He replied, "Movies featuring Chi XiaoChi."

Hearing this, the youth looked up, startled.

His finger slipped, hitting the down button, and when he tried to correct it, "Game Over" appeared.

023 cursed, flipped the console, and crossed arms, looking at 061, "Your new host? Why download his movies?"

061 said, "And all his data."

"For what?"

061 said, "To better understand him, aiding mission completion."

023's pale eyebrows furrowed, "061, I warn you, don’t get too close to hosts. Human hearts can be filthy. Don’t want another format? Follow the rules."

061 knew 023 meant well.

With the eighth host, 061 was reported once, punished with formatting.

Forced formatting made 061 forget many things, including the reason for the report, with only basic data retained.

This didn't affect 061 much; he remained an exemplary employee, unmatched in diligence and efficiency.

But he couldn't remember why he was so diligent.

It was as if he was rushing to meet someone, but who and where were lost data fragments.

061 said, "This is your fifteenth reminder."

"Don’t want deletion, focus on missions," 023 said, "Sixteenth reminder, for luck. No thanks necessary."

061 good-naturedly rubbed his nose, "Movies downloaded?"

023: "…Done. Check your email."

"So fast?"

023 tapped his forehead, pausing, "Downloaded before, saved in database."

061 curious, "Hmm?"

"It's from the same worldline, a hardcore fan," 023's tone hinted at frustration, "Downloaded every movie Chi XiaoChi starred in, lived for him, pitiful."

061, without suspicion, took out a cassette tape, tossing it to 023.

"Pac-Man, released in 1983," 061 said, "Thanks for helping."

023, as if receiving treasure, wiped the tape with his sleeve, suppressing a grin, "You're welcome."

061 said, "Another favor?"

With the gift, 023 was happier, "What?"

Hearing the request, 023's veins bulged, "Do you know how troublesome this is?!"

061 bowed slightly, asking.

For the tape's sake, 023 waved dismissively, "Got it. Receiving isn't a problem, but locating it is tough. Can't give it today."

"In a couple of days is fine."

023 removed the cable, picked up the console, "Done. Time to go."

061 smiled warmly, "Understood."

At the door, 061 paused, turning back, "By the way, 023, does the main system have rat poison?"

023's eyebrow twitched, "Huh?"

061 coughed, "…Just asking."

Chi XiaoChi slept through the night, and the System watched movies all night.

Upon the hypnosis card's expiration, Chi XiaoChi woke on time.

The System checked the time, "Only 5 AM, still dark. Sleep more."

Chi XiaoChi rose from bed, leaving Yang BaiHua behind, walked to the living room, and sat on the piano bench, "Can't sleep once awake."

The piano made the living room feel cramped.

Chi XiaoChi touched the piano lid, lost in thought.

The System initiated conversation, "The main system doesn't have rat poison."

Chi XiaoChi lifted the lid, "…You remember, I was joking."

Silently, he caressed the black and white keys, feeling the creative impulse and endless inspiration, treasures unique to Cheng Yuan, stripped away by Yang BaiHua, who deemed them burdensome.

"One dose of rat poison, problem solved. Too easy for him," Chi XiaoChi said, "Unfair if he doesn't experience what Cheng Yuan did."

Yang BaiHua woke, wanting to cuddle Cheng Yuan, but running late, only hugged briefly, then left with his laptop.

Before leaving, he took the car keys, "I have a meeting at noon, no need to bring lunch. I'll bring dinner, your favorite braised chicken liver. Oh, don't forget breakfast."

Yang BaiHua was genuinely gentle, never angry with Cheng Yuan.

During Cheng Yuan's depression, he patiently indulged him, seemingly immune to anger.

—Simply put, as long as Cheng Yuan's interests didn't conflict with his family's, he could remain gentle forever.

As Yang BaiHua left, Chi XiaoChi followed out.

He had researched the route and boarded a bus to Cheng Jian's company.

Cheng Yuan indeed suffered motion sickness, making the journey uncomfortable, clutching the rail, speechless.

Upon arrival, he rushed off, leaning on the nearest trash bin, retching violently, turning pale.

The System wanted to adjust but remembered something, only lowering his heart rate to ease internal discomfort.

Chi XiaoChi managed to straighten, wiping away tears, taking out his phone, facing the Cheng building, dialed a number, red-eyed, pale-faced, smiling, "…Brother, can you come down?"