Chapter Twenty-Eight: I’m Not Leaving Anymore

Ever since Lin Qisheng received Xu Nuo’s promise—“I won’t love anyone”—he seemed to let go of his grudge toward Gu Xingze. He devoted himself to honing his culinary skills, determined to persuade Xu Nuo to leave with him.

[Ah, our Queen Xu is really caught in a dilemma. Who should she pick in the end?]

[I still think Gu Xingze is the most obedient and well-behaved—perfect boyfriend material.]

[I think Lin Qisheng is cuter, though. He’s great at acting spoiled, has real talent, and he’s such a handsome and adorable little wolfdog—how could anyone bear to let him down?]

[By the way, didn’t all of you lose that bet a few days ago? Gu Xingze’s affection level has been stuck at over ninety for days and still hasn’t changed.]

[Could there be a hidden storyline we haven’t uncovered yet?]

[We must’ve seen it all by now—meeting, building the camp, revisiting the past—those were the main story arcs. By rights, it should be at one hundred percent…]

007: [Please mind chat etiquette and no spoilers.]

Gu Xingze’s affection level was stuck at this critical point—so close to completion that even 007 was getting anxious. [Host, do you know why Gu Xingze’s affection hasn’t maxed out yet?]

Xu Nuo replied carelessly, “No idea.”

007: [Haven’t you thought of any ways to change that?]

“Let things take their course.”

A week slipped by in the blink of an eye.

Lin Qisheng, who’d started off easygoing, now grew impatient. Time waited for no one; in less than half a month, the army would herd all the zombies into the area, and leaving after that would be nearly impossible.

“Miss Xu, have you still not made up your mind?” Lin Qisheng asked helplessly, presenting his latest dish. “I’ve already learned how to make scrambled eggs with tomatoes.”

“It looks good, but I’ll stick with beef noodle soup with tomatoes.” Xu Nuo finished off her bowl of steaming, appetizing noodles. After waiting a while, Gu Xingze still hadn’t returned.

“So, where’s your boss, Gu?”

“Boss Gu seems to be at the back of the mountain.”

“I’ll go find him,” Xu Nuo said, rising from the dining hall.

“Do you really care about him that much?” Lin Qisheng sounded genuinely exasperated. “Do you know how many chefs at the Southern Base are waiting for you? If you come with me, you’ll have the best food and drink, and your status and treatment will be completely different.”

Xu Nuo didn’t respond to Lin Qisheng. She found Gu Xingze lying on a tree branch in the mountains.

“Gu, why are you here all alone?”

“I’ve been thinking,” Gu Xingze admitted frankly. “There’s something I haven’t figured out lately.”

“Oh? What is it? You can tell me.”

“It’s about you leaving.”

Xu Nuo was bound to leave sooner or later, and Gu Xingze had prepared himself for it. But knowing was one thing; facing it was another.

“After you go, I’ll keep this place running,” Gu Xingze explained honestly. If anyone else in the camp wanted to leave with Xu Nuo, they could; if they wished to stay, he’d take care of them. He would take over the camp and fulfill his duty as its leader.

Xu Nuo sensed something off. “You don’t want to leave?”

A subtle change flickered across Gu Xingze’s face, but he smiled lightly. “No need. I’m fine here.”

Gu Xingze’s decision wasn’t simply to stay. This city was designated as a zone for eradicating the zombies—he faced the greatest danger. Protecting the camp from both the zombie horde and the military’s might, with only his own strength.

[Gu Xingze, affection level 100%]

[Congratulations, Host, you have successfully conquered your first target…]

It was as if he’d finally made up his mind. “I’ll always be here.”

The system’s notification and Gu Xingze’s words blended together, making Xu Nuo feel as if reality was slipping away.

“You can leave without worry. I’ll take good care of things here,” he said.

“No, Gu, have you really never thought of leaving?” Xu Nuo asked in earnest confusion.

Gu Xingze was silent for a moment, then shook his head. “No.”

Xu Nuo was never meant to stay by his side for long—she was not a scenery that belonged to him alone. Gu Xingze’s intuition was sharp; he sensed that Xu Nuo was about to leave for good. Rather than chase after a fleeting companionship, he’d rather remain in this camp, full of her traces, guarding a dreamlike memory.

[Wonderful, Host! You’ve finally completed the main quest! Your generous rewards have been sent to your inventory, and 007 has selected the next game world for you. If you choose to end this world now, you’ll receive all your rewards and move to the next world!] 007 urged with all its enthusiasm for the host to end the current world and move on.

Two options appeared before Xu Nuo: Yes or No.

She didn’t hesitate—she chose No.

007 immediately deflated. [Host, must you be so rebellious…?]

[Hahaha… How could our Queen Xu just leave so easily? There are still two more targets left to conquer.]

[Little system, have some faith in our Queen Xu! Conquering two more men is nothing for her.]

007 felt thoroughly exasperated. This wasn’t about confidence—it was about whether it could handle the stress. It was just a dating game livestream system. Why did it have to be on edge every day, constantly amazed by the host’s unpredictable moves?

Xu Nuo said, “Well, since you’re not leaving, I won’t leave either.”

007: As expected, here we go again.

There was clearly an optimal choice, but its dear host loved taking the most unconventional path. What was the point of staying now? Gu Xingze’s affection was already maxed out.

“Hm?” Gu Xingze looked surprised.

“I didn’t really plan on leaving, either.” Xu Nuo stretched out comfortably on the soft grass, “It’s pretty nice here.”

007 complained, aggrieved: [Host, please, think clearly—how does this help complete the mission?]

Xu Nuo replied, “Because I want to. My happiness is worth more than anything.”

The audience eagerly joined in: [Got played by Gu Xingze’s sad-boy routine, huh?]

[Gu Xingze’s move was much smoother than Lin Qisheng’s—subtle without being obvious.]

007: [Sad-boy routine?] Gu Xingze’s words did sound a bit like that, but instinct told it the host wouldn’t stay for such a reason.

Xu Nuo replied lazily to the comments, “Enough guessing. I have my reasons for staying.”

[Then, Queen Xu, can you share your strategy with us? I’ll gift you a satellite—with free launch and maintenance.]

“No way, I haven’t thought it through yet.” Bathed in the splendid sunlight, Xu Nuo yawned. “I don’t even know what to do next…”

007: [You haven’t even planned your next move and you’ve already decided to stay? Host, please be more reliable. When the zombies gather in the city, how are you going to escape? Don’t let your feelings cloud your judgment…]

“What do you mean, acting on feelings?” Xu Nuo frowned. “Isn’t this a dating game? Why do you seem so cold and heartless? Conquer a target and then just toss them aside—treating them even more like tools than tools themselves.”