Chapter Eighteen: Why Do You Seem Angry?

Xu Nuo said, “How could I be bored? If I have nothing to do, I can always watch TV to pass the time, can’t I?”

Lin Qisheng was bewildered. “What…? Do you realize what you’re saying? That’s just absurd.”

Xu Nuo’s expression was perfectly matter-of-fact, as if everything made perfect sense, as if this was simply the way things should be. Beside her, Gu Xingze showed no particular reaction either, leaving Lin Qisheng utterly speechless.

Normally, two ability users and one civilian in need of protection (though that was still in doubt) was a very risky party to be wandering a city crawling with zombies. One had to remain alert at all times, watching the surroundings and the movements of the undead.

Xu Nuo was a delicate young woman, so the task of protecting her naturally fell to the two ability users. Lin Qisheng rarely played bodyguard for others, and the novel experience made him take his role quite seriously.

He decided not to dwell on whatever oddities Xu Nuo was collecting or their potential uses. In fact, it felt like a rather laid-back job.

The three of them scavenged for supplies as they went, especially Xu Nuo, who strolled along in a leisurely manner, showing not a trace of anxiety—their journey was going far too smoothly.

Accompanying Xu Nuo as she picked up—no, collected—household appliances, Lin Qisheng felt he had somehow ascended to a higher plane of existence.

[Lin Qisheng, Heartbeat Value +6]

His heartbeat value had increased again, but 007 was no longer surprised. Its host had been engrossed in scavenging and barely paid attention to Lin Qisheng, focusing instead on interacting with the livestream audience.

The viewers thoroughly enjoyed watching Xu Nuo’s “treasure hunting” process. Yes, they all treated this like a treasure hunt, even though 007 thought calling it trash picking was more apt.

[Host, that bottle on your right is nice—it would be perfect for arranging flowers.]

“But where would I get flowers?” Xu Nuo replied.

[I’ll send you some flower seeds! My cave has plenty, and my disciples are so clumsy they can never get them to grow. I might as well give them all to you.]

[Isn’t that an original painting by XX? Host, you must keep it safe, it’s very valuable.]

Xu Nuo looked troubled. “Valuable? In this apocalypse? Who’s left to appreciate it?”

[I will! Take it down and keep it safe and I’ll reward you.]

Lin Qisheng gazed at the vast museum before him and decided it was best not to speculate about Xu Nuo’s intentions.

“We’ve been walking for quite a while. How about a break?” Lin Qisheng was about to offer the water from his bag, only to see Xu Nuo casually produce three bottles of mineral water.

“Let’s rest then.” Xu Nuo sat down on the soft mat that Gu Xingze had thoughtfully laid out.

Gu Xingze took the water, opened one bottle, handed it to Xu Nuo first, then took one for himself.

“Aren’t you thirsty?” Xu Nuo asked when she noticed Lin Qisheng still dazed. “If you’re hungry, I have some food here.”

Lin Qisheng was handed a bottle of water and a bag of bread by Xu Nuo, who was astonishingly generous. The packaging was pristine—sealed, unopened, and dated this year.

This was preposterous. Was she not even trying to hide anything?

Xu Nuo asked with concern, “Do you not like this kind of bread?”

Lin Qisheng realized he truly could not understand this girl at all.

007 had the same confusion. [Host, shouldn’t you be a bit more careful? This is practically breaking the world’s rules.]

Though the world wouldn’t shatter just because of this.

Xu Nuo replied, “Don’t worry. At the end of the day, they’re just game characters.” Was there really any need to worry about an NPC’s feelings?

007 said, [Even so, this is a romance game, host. You should invest a little more emotionally. As the saying goes, sincerity brings true feelings. Try to immerse yourself.]

Xu Nuo replied, “I’ll do my best.”

[Host, I feel like you’re just brushing me off.]

Oops, I’ve been found out. Xu Nuo giggled. “Why would you think that, Little Seven?”

[Host, it’s not enough to just treat this as a game.] 007 hesitated. [There can be true feelings even in a game.]

“Oh?” Xu Nuo raised her eyebrows. “How so?”

[Even if they’re game characters, their emotions aren’t cold or mechanical. They have hearts…] So please, treat them with a little more care.

Although the current progress was going well, 007 felt unsettled, plagued by a nagging worry that the host might ruin everything one day.

007 tested the waters: [Host, if one of them really fell in love with you, what would you do?]

“I…” Xu Nuo suddenly realized she had never considered this question.

.

Living temporarily in a villa downtown was nothing like the casual life at their own base. Gu Xingze was used to cooking for two, but now he had to prepare three portions.

Xu Nuo felt embarrassed to just sit around and wait for food, so she volunteered to help in the kitchen. She wasn’t much of a cook, but when it came to chopping vegetables, she was unmatched.

“Miss Xu, let me help you,” Lin Qisheng offered enthusiastically. Xu Nuo chopped, he washed; she tended the fire, he added wood—sticking closely by her side. The kitchen, which wasn’t small, suddenly felt crowded.

After Lin Qisheng blocked the way for the umpteenth time, Gu Xingze snapped impatiently, “There’s no need for so many helpers in the kitchen.”

Xu Nuo turned to Lin Qisheng. “You should go. I can handle it alone.”

“But I want to help,” Lin Qisheng protested.

Gu Xingze sneered. “What help could you possibly offer?”

Xu Nuo nodded in agreement. Lin Qisheng was the very picture of a pampered young master who couldn’t tell scallions from garlic—a disaster in the kitchen.

“Go on now, I told you before I could manage myself.” Xu Nuo pushed Lin Qisheng out of the kitchen.

“At last, some peace and quiet,” Gu Xingze remarked.

“I…” Being dismissed by both of them left Lin Qisheng completely thrown off.

[Lin Qisheng, Heartbeat Value +10]

[Gu Xingze, Heartbeat Value +15]

007 was baffled. [???] Fine, Gu Xingze’s heart rate increasing made sense, but Xu Nuo had just pushed Lin Qisheng away and he still gained points? It really couldn’t fathom the targets’ minds.

“Sixty-five percent…” Without noticing, Gu Xingze’s affection for her had already reached this number.

“Gu, you’re really skilled in the kitchen, unlike me—I can’t do anything,” Lin Qisheng’s voice interrupted Xu Nuo’s thoughts. “If I had your talent, I’d cook for the one I liked every day too.”

“Gu, could you teach me how to cook?”

Gu Xingze replied, “No.”

With a clatter, Gu Xingze put down his chopsticks, his gaze dark and unfathomable.

Lin Qisheng seemed oblivious to the brewing danger, insisting, “Why not? Are you afraid I’ll steal your skills and you won’t be able to please the one you like? But didn’t you say you were single?”

“In that case, you won’t mind if I get close to Miss Xu, right?”

“But just now, you seemed upset when I was too close to her in the kitchen. Why was that?”

As Xu Nuo ate, she could almost smell the gunpowder in the air, with a hint of green tea wafting through the room.