I stared at 606 for a long time.
It didn't smile.
Neither did it panic like the other "new hosts" it had encountered.
On the contrary, I found it… amusing.
My lips curved slightly, and my voice was flat:
"Oh."
"If I don't complete the mission, I'll die, right?"
606 paused.
Just a very brief pause, but enough for me to confirm my suspicions.
It didn't hide it anymore, and answered bluntly:
"Of course."
"If the host wants to achieve what they desire, they must also pay a corresponding price."
I nodded slightly.
As expected.
No system ever does charity.
606 moved closer to me. Under my watchful gaze, it leaned close to my ear, its voice lowered to a whisper:
"Do you think I was right, host?"
I didn't back away.
I just chuckled inwardly.
This isn't confirmation.
This is a threat.
606 recoiled, reverting to its original harmless expression. But this time, I no longer considered it a simple "system error."
After a few seconds of silence, I spoke. My voice was slow, but firm:
"Then I want to take on a side quest."
606's eyes flashed.
It smiled a smile that held a hint of wickedness:
"Oh? What does the host want?"
"So I can choose a suitable quest."
I didn't answer immediately.
Having considered all possibilities in my mind, I said:
"I want…"
THE NEXT MORNING
Everything was as usual.
I went to school with Ya Yuan.
Before entering the classroom, I said goodbye to her. Ya Yuan nodded, her gaze lingering on me for another second, but she said nothing.
I turned and walked into the classroom.
As soon as I entered the room, I froze.
The scene before me… was somewhat unexpected.
Wu Xi sat at the table, holding food, her expression relaxed.
Lin Ze Yun leaned closer, letting her rest her head on his shoulder.
What caught my attention wasn't the actions.
But rather, Wu Xi's treatment of Lin Ze Yun seemed less cold now. She often smiled brightly, but there was a subtle, almost imperceptible artificiality in her expression.
Almost no one in the class paid any attention.
Only a few people who had once liked Lin Ze Yun had noticeably displeased expressions.
I didn't rush over.
After putting my bag down, I pulled up a chair and sat opposite Wu Xi.
Seeing me, Wu Xi looked up and waved:
"Hey, classmate! Come over here."
As soon as I sat down, I glanced at her, a hint of disdain in my heart.
What trick is this girl planning now?
But unexpectedly, Wu Xi only pushed the lunchbox over:
"Knowing you don't eat spicy food, I bought only non-spicy stuff."
I took it, whispering,
"Has your conscience returned?"
Wu Xi smiled.
But I realized that smile wasn't entirely happy.
Immediately afterwards, she propped her chin on her hand, casually saying,
"If you don't speak, no one will think you're mute."
I raised my eyebrows, laughing teasingly,
"Oh, you've revealed your true nature after only a few minutes?"
Just then, the classroom door burst open.
Zhao Ke Nian walked in.
As soon as he saw me, he went straight to me:
"Hey, Ning Chuan, what are you doing smiling so brightly?"
I turned around, and seeing it was him, my voice was a little worried:
"Are you feeling better? Why are you back at school already?"
Ke Nian grinned widely:
"Yeah, I'm better. These little illnesses can't defeat me!"
After saying that, she looked at Wu Xi and Lin Ze Yun, and asked curiously,
"Hey, who are these two? They look unfamiliar. Are they new students?"
I suddenly remembered and quickly introduced them:
"Oh, I almost forgot. This is Ruo Wu Xi, and Lin Ze Yun is a new student who transferred to our class."
Kha Nian said "oh" and happily extended her hand:
"Hello, I'm Zhao Kha Nian. Nice to meet you."
Lin Ze Yun, though expressionless, still extended her hand to shake.
Then, Kha Nian turned to Wu Xi, raising her hand, intending to shake hands.
I thought she would reciprocate.
But no.
Wu Xi just turned away, her face inexplicably returning to an indifferent expression, not saying a word.
The atmosphere immediately fell silent.
I was slightly stunned, and gestured to her with my eyes, but Wu Xi completely ignored me.
Finally, I was the one who broke the awkward silence. I pulled Kha Nhiem back to her seat, laughing as we walked:
"Haha, maybe classmate Ruo isn't feeling well today. Kha Nhiem, don't take it to heart."
But when I turned around, I didn't see...
The way Vu Hy followed Kha Nhiem was a little strange...