Chapter Twenty-Four: Holding Back for Something Big

The "we" she spoke of didn't refer to just the two of them, but to "everyone." Xu Nuo pulled Gu Xingze into the midst of the people working in the fields. "Show your brother Gu how to weed," she said.

"Gu—Gu Boss," someone stammered. Gu Xingze had always maintained a distant, aloof persona, and they rarely had dealings with him. Now, faced with him, they felt a bit apprehensive.

"No need to be afraid," Xu Nuo said lightly, her tone laced with teasing. "Your Boss Gu is actually quite gentle."

Still, the few who had been called out didn't dare approach.

"Teach me," Gu Xingze said to Xu Nuo.

Patient as ever, Xu Nuo smiled, "Alright, I'll go first."

When she was little, the orphanage that had taken her in struggled with limited funds. It was located in a remote county town, and the staff had converted some open space into a vegetable garden. Xu Nuo had learned a bit about farming from them.

"I used to dream of finding a quiet, secluded place where I could live by the rhythm of sunrise and sunset, working the land," Xu Nuo said, lost in reminiscence.

Gu Xingze paused at her words. Xu Nuo had almost never spoken to him about her past.

"It actually sounds nice," she continued. "It would be perfect if there was internet, though."

She had already prepared her laptop and phone, but unfortunately, the audience had become contrary at this moment and refused to give her any tools for internet access.

What Xu Nuo didn't know was that 007 had intervened behind the scenes, warning the audience and quietly placing restrictions on the items they could send as gifts.

007 seethed in secret: Anything that exceeds the technology level of this world absolutely cannot be given as a reward anymore, or things will spiral out of control. This host of mine has no concept of world balance or keeping a low profile.

"Little Seven," Xu Nuo asked, gazing at the flourishing plot of land she had led the boys to reclaim, a trace of attachment rising in her heart, "Once I complete the mission, the plot will reset, right? Can I copy my game progress data?"

Just the thought that everything before her would soon be wiped away felt like such a waste—nothing left at all.

[Hmm...] 007 had never heard such a request from its host before. [I’m not sure. I’ll have to check with headquarters.]

Suddenly, a few fresh green blades of grass waved before Xu Nuo’s eyes.

"What were you just spacing out about?" Gu Xingze asked, shaking the grass in his hand.

"Ha ha, nothing," Xu Nuo replied with a laugh, trying to brush it off. But Gu Xingze wasn’t so easily fooled.

He knew nothing of Xu Nuo’s origins, nor did he care—his only concern was whether she would leave and when. With that in mind, he paid her more attention than ever.

Xu Nuo often drifted off, but from his observations, it wasn’t simply daydreaming; she seemed to be communicating with someone.

Such a thought sent a chill down his spine.

Most of the time, Xu Nuo was with him; the rest of the time, she was surrounded by a noisy group of ordinary people. Gu Xingze trusted his own abilities—given his control over the wind, he would have sensed any hidden presence nearby.

Xu Nuo clearly harbored many secrets—enough to stir Gu Xingze’s own curiosity.

"Come on, don’t stare off into space. Pull the weeds so we can go home for lunch," Xu Nuo urged, genuinely hungry after all their work.

As for weeding, Gu Xingze hardly needed any guidance, a fact Xu Nuo only now realized. After all, a top chef who could handle anything in the kitchen would hardly fail to distinguish between vegetables and weeds.

Whatever Gu Xingze did, he never approached it carelessly; he always completed every task with near-perfect proficiency. This, Xu Nuo had noticed, was one of his greatest virtues.

It was the first time the boys working in the field had ever seen Gu Xingze so down-to-earth—cooking in the kitchen didn’t count. Even then, wielding his knife over blazing flames, he was an intimidating figure. What’s more, he only ever cooked for Miss Xu; for them to taste the boss’s culinary skills was a rare treat.

Gu Xingze did have a gentle side, but never towards them. The boys edged even further away from their aloof boss.

Though she had expected their attitude, Xu Nuo still felt a twinge of disappointment. Why couldn’t Gu Xingze become a little more approachable? After she left, who would look after the camp? Would Gu Xingze always remain solitary, never interacting with anyone?

Hearing her inner complaints, 007 dutifully explained: [Dear host, each target’s personality is preset. Unless the program allows for a change, you can’t alter their nature. These are fixed traits, beyond your control.]

"Is that so..." Xu Nuo felt a vague, indescribable regret. Would Gu Xingze always remain an iceberg that couldn’t be thawed?

Her mood didn’t shift much on the surface, but Gu Xingze noticed the subtle change nonetheless, though he couldn’t pinpoint exactly what mood she was in. In any case, it wasn’t the same lively excitement she had shown earlier.

At this moment, Xu Nuo was like a little sunflower, wilted by frost, her energy flagging.

"What do you want for lunch?" Gu Xingze ventured.

Xu Nuo replied with practiced ease, "I’d like grilled kebabs, spicy hotpot, iced black tea..." As she rattled off dish after dish, her expression grew more vibrant and captivating.

Although he knew nothing of her past, Gu Xingze had gradually learned how to coax her out of a bad mood—she was easy to cheer up. Good food, or something novel and interesting, could quickly lift her spirits.

Xu Nuo and Gu Xingze led a peaceful, carefree life, as if it might continue on like this forever.

Once, 007 had looked forward to this outcome, but now it felt a sense of unease. [Host, what exactly are you planning?] As a considerate, sensible system, 007 seldom interfered with its host’s choices (unless her behavior became utterly outrageous), but this time it couldn’t help but ask.

[It’s been nearly a month since you left Lin Qisheng. Are you really planning to complete Gu Xingze’s mission like this?]

Impossible! Knowing its host, 007 was certain she could never be so obedient and unadventurous. The more normal she acted, the more unsettled 007 became.

Xu Nuo replied, "No hurry—the timing has to be right to finish the task."

At present, Gu Xingze’s affection level for her had already reached ninety-five percent. Given her efficiency, in just three more days it would hit its peak, and she could complete the mission—ending this world if she wished.

Things were going too smoothly for 007’s comfort. This host would never leave quietly; her current calm only made 007 more nervous. Based on its experience, she was definitely plotting something big.

Xu Nuo said, "There’s only one thing to do now: wait."

007 began to worry. [Wait for what?]

Xu Nuo smiled. "Wait for Lin Qisheng to walk into the trap himself."

When had the host ever set a trap?