27 [END]

 Song Yu thought he had misheard.

Clearly, he was the one bothering others—so why did it sound like, in Song Xu’s mouth, those people had bullied him instead?

Realizing this was just his family’s overprotectiveness, Song Yu’s tone softened, becoming a little awkward.

“They didn’t bully me. I’m the one who messed with them first.”

The boy didn’t know that the “messed with” he mentioned took on a completely different meaning once it reached the man’s ears.

Song Xu’s expression darkened even more.

Sensing danger, and afraid that he might get smacked by those big, strong-looking hands of his brother, Song Yu immediately reached for the car door.

Click.

The door opened.

Song Yu quickly slipped off Song Xu’s solid thigh and jumped out of the car.

He didn’t dare look at the man’s expression. Hugging his backpack, he jogged ahead—only to suddenly stop a few seconds later.

009: [Host?]

Song Yu scrunched up his small face. Though unwilling, he still turned back toward the car.

His brother couldn’t see right now.

Without him, he might not even be able to get out of the garage.

Let him get beaten up... He'll just yell if it hurts, and cry if it doesn't, attracting the neighbors.

When Song Yu was little, he was playful and almost got kidnapped. His grandma gave him a good beating that time, and he cried like that to attract everyone's attention, thus avoiding further physical pain.

However, Song Yu overlooked one thing—this was a villa area; no one would notice if he beat a child behind closed doors.

He slung his backpack over his shoulder and walked heavily to the car door.

Song Xu was still sitting in his seat, his face downcast, lost in thought. After a moment, the man slowly turned to the side, the garage light casting a dim glow on his cold face.

A few seconds of silence followed.

Finally, Song Xu spoke first: "Why are you back again? Didn't you say you didn't want me anymore?"

Song Yu choked.

For some reason, he felt the other was being petulant.

Like that time when he had a fever and refused to take his medicine.

His eyes curved into a smile, and suddenly he wasn't so scared anymore.

"I didn't abandon you..." The boy leaned closer, taking Song Xu's arm.

There was a private elevator from the underground garage to the villa; the distance wasn't far, and there were no steps. However, supporting a tall, long-legged adult male was still a bit strenuous for Song Yu.

"Wait a minute… Brother." Song Yu pulled his aching arm and instead used his hand to hold Song Xu's hand.

Song Xu's palm was dry and warm, thin yet large. When Song Yu held his hand, he couldn't touch the back of his hand at all, only hooking his fingertips around the sides.

He could feel that the other's hands were slightly stiff, probably unaccustomed to this gesture.

Song Yu reminded him as he slowly led him into the elevator. After doing all this, a thin layer of sweat had formed on his nose, and the small space was filled with a warm, fragrant aroma.

Song Xu didn't let go.

When they reached the villa's living room, he felt his palm go empty, and the world seemed to plunge into darkness again.

Anxiety welled up, and Song Xu called out to him, "Are you still going back to school?"

Only 2% of the story remained; whether Song Yu was expelled or not, whether he went to school or not wouldn't affect the plot anymore.

He shook his head, then remembered that Song Xu was blind, and said, "I probably won't go this semester."

"What about next semester?"

Song Yu was taken aback, surprised, "You're not even letting me go to school?"

Song Xu's voice softened, but carried an unyielding, cold aura: "Go abroad to study."

Song Yu's mood soured again, and he refused, "I don't know anyone there—"

"I'll go with you." Song Xu interrupted him, repeating, "Xiao Yu, I'll go with you."

It's too dangerous outside.

He wished he could keep Song Yu by his side.

Song Yu was always stubborn, even if he didn't need to wait until then, he was defiant in the face of such power: "I'm not going!"

After saying that, he went upstairs in his slippers.

The next day, Song Yu found himself restricted again.

He wanted to run to Song Xu and confront him, but he ignored him as if he were sulking. The two fell into a cold war, and Song Yu didn't even leave his room anymore, having the housekeeper bring him food directly.

Fortunately, the internet wasn't cut off, so he could still reply to messages.

Zhou Yanming sent WeChat messages very frequently, often sending more than a dozen per minute.

Lu Xing didn't send many messages, but they kept in touch every day.

And the team—after the vice-captain added him to the group chat last time, his WeChat was constantly buzzing.

Song Yu was leaving in less than a month and rarely replied to these messages. However, thinking that Zhou Yanming might play basketball with his friends during winter break, he still edited a message and sent it: 【Did you bring your amulet?】

Just after sending it, there was a knock at the door.

Song Yu glanced at the time; it was past eleven. It must be the housekeeper bringing him lunch.

009: 【Host, this sounds a lot like being in jail.】

Song Yu: [...]

He muttered to himself: 【A little better than jail.】

"Come in."

The door opened, and Song Yu felt footsteps behind him. His phone vibrated twice at that moment. Without looking up, he opened the chat window with Zhou Yanming.

【Zhou Yanming: I'm wearing it.】

【Zhou Yanming: Photo.jpg.】

After seeing the photo, Song Yu paused.

Zhou Yanming wasn't wearing anything on his upper body; a red string was used to thread an amulet around his neck. His muscular physique, honed through years of intensive training, was toned and defined, his V-line clearly defined and flowing beneath his clothes.

No wonder Zhou Yanming always boasted about his large breasts, asking if he wanted to touch them… Looking at him now, he certainly wasn't lying.

A familiar laugh reached his ears

—a laugh tinged with coldness and mockery.

Song Yu looked up to see a boy in a black suit staring at him with a detached expression.

“Xie Zhiyan…” the boy's eyes widened. “How… how could you…”

Xie Zhiyan had lost weight, his hair cut short, giving him a neat and mature look. It was as if in just a few dozen days, he had transformed from a young man into an adult.

Especially his black suit.

It was the same as the bodyguards at the door, yet it made him appear aloof and handsome.

“I pulled a lot of strings, camped out near your house for a week, and only then did I get this opportunity to see you.” Xie Zhiyan's gaze fell on Song Yu's phone. “And you were looking at another man.”

Song Yu's cheeks belatedly flushed, and he silently hid his phone behind his back. “I didn't…”

Xie Zhiyan didn't finish his sentence, his gaze fixed intently on the boy.

It didn't matter anymore.

After being separated for so many days, Song Yu is the only person he can see now.

He couldn't care less about anything else.

Suppressing the urge to pull Xie Zhiyan into his arms or even elope, Xie Zhiyan lowered his voice and said, "I've come over to finish explaining what I needed to say to you that day."

Reminded of this, Song Yu remembered his last meeting with Xie Zhiyan

—it wasn't pleasant.

He should be angry.

However, before he could even put on an indifferent expression, Xie Zhiyan handed him a phone.

Song Yu was stunned: "...What?"

"All the bad things I did to you, the harassing text messages, the photos you posted on Weibo, the photos you sent me—it's all in here."

Xie Zhiyan had hesitated, wondering whether to tear open his darkest side and lay it bare before Song Yu. But at this moment, he didn't care about anything else; he was afraid Song Yu would truly never speak to him again.

His fingers felt cold, and the next second, Song Yu stared at the phone.

After a moment of contemplation, he decided to turn on the screen.

First, he opened the text messages; sure enough, those harassing text messages he had received were all sent by Xie Zhiyan.

Some words quickly caught Song Yu's eye, his cheeks burning uncontrollably. He quickly exited the message interface.

Next was the photo album.

Song Yu didn't like using Weibo; he only changed his name and profile picture before having 009 post it, so he almost forgot about it.

Unexpectedly, Xie Zhiyan actually found this Weibo account.

As if remembering something, Song Yu quickly scrolled to the first saved picture and glanced at the date.

The time was...

009: [The first day the host accepted the mission.]

Song Yu's shoulders stiffened, and he looked at Xie Zhiyan incredulously: "You already knew it was me..."

"Yeah."

Song Yu was so embarrassed that he wanted to chase after him into the blankets: "Then the time I stole a kiss from you—"

"Yeah, I turned around so you could kiss me on the lips." Xie Zhiyan was exceptionally honest.

"..."

Song Yu's mind was in a mess. He didn't want to look anymore and reached out to hand the phone to the other person, but accidentally glanced at one of the videos.

The paused image showed him wearing a loose short-sleeved shirt, one foot on the sofa, facing the camera.

Song Yu's eyes reddened with embarrassment. She pressed the delete button with trembling fingers before handing the phone back to him.

"Okay, I understand! You can leave now that you've explained."

The boy's expression was like that of a fierce kitten.

Xie Zhiyan showed no intention of moving. He stared at Song Yu and suddenly said, "Hit me."

Song Yu was surprised.

"Slap me like last time, or kick me, or punch me, anything is fine." Xie Zhiyan's voice was resolute, "But Song Yu—"

"I won't let go."

After Xie Zhiyan finished speaking, the room fell silent.

Song Yu bit her lip, unsure what to say.

After a brief silence, Xie Zhiyan suddenly took a card from his coat and placed it on the table.

Song Yu: "What are you doing?"

"If you're having a cold war with your brother and don't want to spend his money, use my card." Xie Zhiyan thought for a moment, "I'll earn more money in the future, so—"

At this moment, there was a knock at the door.

"Xiao Yu."

It was her brother's voice!

Song Yu panicked, feeling like she'd been caught in a puppy love affair. He pushed Xie Zhiyan's shoulder, searching for a place to hide.

Xie Zhiyan looked at the boy's flustered profile and said calmly, "Hasn't your brother gone blind recently?"

Song Yu then realized.

He stood on tiptoe and whispered in Xie Zhiyan's ear, "I'll open the door in a bit, don't say anything. If your brother finds out, we're finished."

The familiar scent wafted over, and Xie Zhiyan's heart fluttered, a faint smile curving his lips: "Xiao Yu."

"Hmm?"

"We look like we're having an affair right now."

"..."

Song Yu ignored him, giving him a warning look. Xie Zhiyan made a zipping motion near his mouth.

He breathed a sigh of relief before opening the door.

Song Xu had been giving Song Yu the cold shoulder recently and didn't like anyone getting close, so he was confined to a wheelchair. Two assistants were behind him, and the angle from outside the door didn't allow them to see Xie Zhiyan.

Song Yu pushed the door a little closer and said coldly, "Is there something you need?"

Perhaps because of his poor eyesight, Song Xu's other senses had become particularly sharp. There weren't many scents in the room, but amidst the boy's familiar light fragrance, he smelled a scent he had never encountered in this room before.

The man pushed the wheelchair silently, and Song Yu nervously tried to back away.

"Xiao Yu,"

Song Xu stopped and reached out.

They had done this many times before, so Song Yu almost instinctively pressed his face against Song Xu's hand.

The man's hand slowly moved down, touching his neck, feeling the rapid pulse.

He leaned closer and sniffed Song Yu's lips.

Thank goodness. He

hadn't touched there yet.

After a few seconds, he slowly withdrew his hand.

"Xiao Yu is naughty."

"Why did you lie when there was someone else hiding in the room?"

Song Yu's heart tightened. He spoke in a stiff voice, telling the truth, "He came to see me about something. You can't make things difficult for him."

The man's face was cold and gloomy; he remained silent.

Xie Zhiyan, standing nearby, also noticed the other's possessiveness towards Song Yu. He stepped forward, blocking Song Yu's path, and said coldly, "Does his world only revolve around you?"

Hearing this, Song Xu's brow furrowed, and he told his two assistants behind him, "Send him out."

Song Yu said nervously, "Brother—"

"I won't do anything to him," Song Xu interrupted him.

Song Yu pursed his lips, watching Xie Zhiyan being led downstairs by the two assistants.

The atmosphere became extremely tense. This time, Song Yu didn't even want to acknowledge Song Xu, simply pushing him out and closing the door.

However, the next day, after Dr. Li Zhou rushed over, he couldn't help but worry and asked the doctor about the situation.

“It’s terrible.” Li Zhou’s expression was grim. “The optimal treatment period has passed.”

Song Yu’s heart sank. “How could this happen?”

“We told him to go abroad a long time ago, but he wouldn’t. If he went now, there might still be some hope. But I know this guy; he’s very stubborn. You can’t usually persuade him.” After Li Zhou finished speaking, he glanced at the pale-faced boy. “If you can’t persuade him, then let him fend for himself.”

Song Yu was so frightened that his lips turned pale. He didn’t care about the cold war anymore and pushed open Song Xu’s door, getting straight to the point: “Why didn’t you go abroad for treatment? The doctor said your condition isn’t good. Did you know that?”

His tone was filled with worry and anger. He really couldn’t understand why Song Xu was ruining his body.

However, the man's next words made him fully understand the reason—

"Come abroad with me." Song Xu's voice was terrifyingly obsessive. "Don't stay here."

Song Yu stared at his back, tears welling up in his eyes with a sudden sense of grievance. He quickly suppressed them, lowering his eyes after a moment: "You can't do this."

"That's your own body."

"You can't use your own body to force me."

Song Xu didn't speak.

The man was obsessive, but Song Yu was also stubborn.

This prolonged stalemate made the atmosphere in the villa as cold as an icebox.

Two days later, 009 suddenly sounded: [Congratulations, host, Xie Zhiyan has left the Xie family and completed his career path. The progress bar has reached 100%. You can choose to leave this world, or you can choose to stay for a while.]

Song Yu hesitated for a few seconds, first feeling happy for a moment, then burying his face in the pillow, his voice muffled: [My brother's eyes haven't been cured yet, I'll stay here for now.]

009: [You have a maximum of ten days to stay. It has been determined that Song Xu's eye disease has passed its time limit and is irreversible.]

What?

Song Yu refused to believe it, stunned for half a minute before suddenly raising his face: [Does the shop have any medicine that can cure this?]

009: [The shop only has one panacea, but if you want to buy it, you'll need to spend all the points you've earned from completing tasks. We suggest you don't spend money on this item. If you choose to leave immediately, all the data in this world will be recycled.]

[Even Song Xu won't feel the pain of the disease.]

Song Yu looked down.

He knew it was just a string of data.

But thinking of the burns Song Xu got when making him desserts, the tiny cuts on his fingers when searching for him down the mountain… it seemed like it wasn't just a cold string of data.

Song Yu rallied, optimistically saying: [I still have 500.]

009: [Even those 500 need to be spent.]

Song Yu: "!"

He finally couldn't help but explode: [Is your shop a rip-off!?] After a few seconds of silence, Song

Yu lay back down on the pillow, as if talking to himself, "It's okay, I'll still get points after I leave this world, and 500 points are easy to earn. I'm so smart, I'll definitely earn them, right?"

009 chimed in.

Song Yu slowly got up, left the room, and went to the door of Song Xu's bedroom.

*

Airport.

In the endless stream of people, a dozen or so bodyguards stood out conspicuously. People assumed it was some celebrity being picked up and crowded around to see. The person protected in the middle was a handsome young man.

His face was unfamiliar, but it was definitely a celebrity look; he was probably a newly debuted pretty star.

Song Yu watched as people lingered on him for a few seconds, and said somewhat awkwardly, "I want to be alone for a while."

The bodyguards obediently dispersed.

Song Yu finally smelled fresh air. He carried his backpack and looked through the airport's souvenir shops one by one. He

had only a few hours left before he stayed in this world.

"Song Yu!"

The boy turned around. Zhou Yanming and Lu Xing stood behind him, the two tall boys seemingly having run all the way, their chests still heaving.

Zhou Yanming glanced around: "Where are your brother and those bodyguards? They're not going to suddenly show up, are they?"

Song Xu went abroad for surgery a week ago, and if all went well, he should be recovering.

Song Yu shook his head.

Zhou Yanming looked reluctant: "Why are you suddenly going to study abroad? Wait for me, I need to learn some English before I come find you."

Lu Xing chuckled dismissively: "Then you probably won't be able to wait."

Zhou Yanming rolled his eyes at him and pulled a small toy from his coat pocket.

Song Yu glanced at it; it was the toy he'd seen at a claw machine when he was shopping with the team, but unfortunately, neither of them had managed to win it back then.

“I caught it, I didn’t buy it.” Zhou Yanming automatically saved himself the time he spent on this. “Don’t get fooled by those blue-eyed monsters over there. If they try to do anything to you, just kick them.”

Song Yu took the plush toy and stroked its soft fur. “Thank you.”

“This is for you.” Lu Xing handed over a photo of a motorcycle. “My friend knows this shop abroad. I ordered one. It’s smaller than the regular one, so you should be able to ride it.”

Seeing the boy’s surprised expression, Lu Xing looked away awkwardly. “Didn’t you say you liked my motorcycle last time? Now you have one yourself. Take your time riding it. There’s a phone number on it. Contact him when you need it.”

Song Yu didn’t expect Lu Xing to give him this. He took the photo and put it in his pocket along with the plush toy.

Just as he was about to look up, his lips were lightly touched.

Lu Xing quickly pulled away, as if savoring the fleeting kiss. He chuckled softly. “So this is what it feels like.”

This feeling of being devoted to this person for the rest of his life without regret.

Zhou Yanming didn't have time to stop it before it all happened. His face darkened. "What are you doing? Trying to ambush me? No way, I want to kiss Xiao Yu too."

"You dare to kiss a broken doll?" Lu Xing said mercilessly.

"Do you know how long it took me to get him on? Besides, riding a motorcycle is so dangerous. How can you let Xiao Yu do something like this? What if he runs off with the guy who teaches him to ride?"

Lu Xing's face stiffened. "Otherwise, you'd better not—"

The two stopped, staring blankly at the boy opposite them.

Song Yu had never laughed so heartily.

After a moment, hearing the announcement, Song Yu waved to them. "I'm leaving!"

Behind him, the two kept watching that slender figure.

*

Song Yu's seat was by the window. He closed his eyes, intending to escape this world in his sleep.

But the air conditioning was a bit too strong. He touched his arm, and the next moment, a blanket was wrapped around him.

Song Yu opened his eyes, and after seeing the person next to him, his drowsiness vanished instantly.

"I told you, I won't let go." Xie Zhiyan's voice was a little hoarse.

Song Yu paused for a long time before hearing his own voice: "Are you going to study abroad there too?"

"Yeah, I'll go wherever you go. Don't worry about me not making it." Xie Zhiyan smiled, his brows and eyes regaining their former pride. "I'm not that spineless; I wouldn't be good enough for you."

Song Yu pursed his lips, ultimately saying nothing, but every few seconds, he would glance at the boy's profile.

After a while, Xie Zhiyan pushed a box over from the small table.

It looked like a jewelry box.

Song Yu: "Is this for me?"

Xie Zhiyan: "Yes, I wanted to give it to you after the camping trip."

Song Yu opened it; inside was a very thin necklace with a star-shaped pendant.

He seemed to realize something, and his eyes suddenly widened.

—He missed the meteor shower, so Xie Zhiyan gave him an entire star.

A complex mix of emotions welled up in Song Yu's heart.

He couldn't tell the other that this world was just a string of data, and they were about to be recycled.

Yet, he couldn't do nothing.

"Xie Zhiyan."

Xie Zhiyan turned to the side and saw the boy weaving the necklace between his fingers, the pendant dangling in the air, swaying back and forth.

"Do you want to make a wish upon the star?"

*

On the other side of the world.

Song Xu slowly opened his eyes in the dimly lit hospital room. The doctor beside him reached out, asking if he could see.

"Yes."

The doctor was relieved; the chances of the surgery succeeding here were slim, but a miracle had occurred. He instructed his assistant to take good care of the patient and not to leave until his eyes had adjusted to the light.

Song Xu stayed in the room for several hours, and only after his eyes had fully adjusted did he slowly lift the first layer of curtains.

The long-awaited sunlight streamed in, and he felt his heart pounding.

Seeing him get up, the assistant grabbed his coat: "Would you like to go for a walk?"

Song Xu nodded, took the coat, and suddenly something fell out of his pocket.

He bent down and picked it up.

It was a talisman.

There seemed to be something written in the upper right corner.

Song Xu squinted, slowly moved closer, and finally saw it clearly.

It was a very small, neatly written character, "郁" (Yu).

[Congratulations on completing the Campus World. All data from the Campus World will be immediately recycled.]

[World Level: B. Your overall rating: A.]

[Congratulations on gaining 15,000 points.]

[You can pause briefly to enter the next world: the ABO world.]

[You will play the role of—]

[A gigolo Alpha.]

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