CHAPTER 45: CHAPTER 41: CAN’T FORGET, CAN’T ESCAPE, CAN’T LEAVE

[DING. You have not won a prize this time.]

[DING. You have not won a prize this time.]

...

[DING. You have obtained the prize White Jade Plaster*1.]

[DING. You have obtained the prize song "So Proud".]

Not bad, two prizes: one song and an ointment with an unknown effect.

Speaking of which, Xu Qingqiu’s arrival last night meant I didn’t even get a chance to take a close look at my haul.

When he opened the item bar again, a dazzling array of items popped up.

Calmness Potion... it can make people calm and composed. Is that all? What’s it for? To douse the flames when I’m angry?

Wisdom Fruit... it can increase a small amount of wisdom? Is this thing for real? Do I need it? With my IQ, do I still need this? I should eat a few more later.

Immunity Potion? It can temporarily boost immunity? This is a good item. Don’t they always say the war between humanity and disease is actually a battle between immunity and bacteria and viruses? Boosting immunity enhances vitality. This is good.

Fitness Pill... it strengthens the body, improves physical fitness, and combats sub-health.

Wow, even something to combat sub-health has appeared. Who is this meant for? If I had this in my last life, would I have keeled over in front of the camera late at night? What’s the use of this showing up now that I’ve already decided to slack off in this life? Is it for playing games late at night?

Refreshing Skin Water... freshens the skin and keeps it moisturized.

This thing has appeared several times now, but its description isn’t even as appealing as those for knock-off cosmetics online. I can’t help but feel I’ve been ripped off, getting this for five hundred thousand Reputation Points.

And what’s this pearl powder about? Concealing flaws and whitening skin? System, which bankrupt cosmetics purchasing agent did you scavenge these from? Are you sure these aren’t just some shady, uncertified products?

They all say system products are supposed to be top-notch, but why do I, Chu Tian, feel so skeptical?

Knowing this crappy system of mine, I suspect it’s shady. There’s probably a catch somewhere.

As he was checking the items, Xu Qingqiu’s phone suddenly rang.

"Hello, Sister Hua? What’s up?"

"Qingqiu, are you okay? Did you get scared?"

"I’m fine, I’m fine, I’m good. Did you see it?"

"How could I not have seen it? The internet’s in an uproar! Why didn’t you call and tell me?"

"I was gone for just one day, and something like this happened! What’s wrong with the organizers? Can’t they handle such a small matter? Are the dozens of security guards just for show? How could they let him just stroll up like that?"

Li Chunhua was getting worked up about this. If they weren’t talking over the phone, Chu Tian suspected she would have spat right in the organizer’s face.

"Alright, alright, Sister Hua. I’m fine, it’s all in the past now," Xu Qingqiu said with a light laugh.

"You, you’re just too soft-hearted. If you were just a bit tougher, you wouldn’t be in this mess. And remember to thank Chu Tian, that kid. If it weren’t for him today, I’m telling you, you would have been in serious trouble."

"Oh? Sister Hua, when did you start thinking of him?"

Xu Qingqiu was taken aback to hear Sister Hua thank Chu Tian.

For some reason, she’d disliked Chu Tian from the very beginning. It had been several years now. Had she ever looked at him with anything but disdain?

Whenever Chu Tian was mentioned, Sister Hua would practically snort. She looked down on him from head to toe. So how had it turned into gratitude now?

"Just enjoy it on the sly. You think I don’t know your little schemes? If it weren’t for you, I would have kicked him out years ago. I’ve only treated him this way for your sake."

"Oh dear, Sister Hua, please stop..."

Because she was driving, Xu Qingqiu, chatting without earphones, had subconsciously answered the call on the car’s display screen. Who knew Li Chunhua would suddenly go off like this? By the time she thought to warn her, it was already too late.

Not only was it too late, but Sister Hua seemed to be on a roll.

"What’s so attractive about that Chu Tian anyway? I admit, he’s a bit handsome, a bit tall, and a bit well-built..."

Reaching this point, Li Chunhua sensed something wasn’t quite right and quickly corrected herself.

"But he’s so laid-back, listless every day, uncommitted to his work, and acts so lukewarm towards you—utterly unappreciative!

"Besides, he’s supposed to be an outstanding graduate from the composition department. It’s been over a year; have you ever seen him compose a single piece? Have you ever seen him even touch an instrument?

"I genuinely feel sorry for his past, and it’s a pity, but people have to move on, don’t they? If he keeps this up, are you going to support him for the rest of his life? He’s a man; he has to make his own way. You’re not his parents. There’s no need for you to get entangled like this!

"And besides, even if someone gets knocked down, if they have any backbone, they should get back up! He’s not dead, is he? What’s this, acting like a corpse every day? It’s like trying to prop up a wall of mud!"

Li Chunhua must have been bottling this up for a long time; she unleashed it all in one breath, clearly feeling relieved.

The other end of the line went so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Xu Qingqiu was completely numb by now, utterly unsure how to react.

This was a little secret between just a few of them; how could it have been blurted out like this?

What was even more mortifying was that it was said right in front of the person involved. If she weren’t driving, she would have wished for the earth to swallow her whole; it was utterly and deeply embarrassing.

However, beyond the embarrassment, Xu Qingqiu felt, for some reason, an inexplicable hint of anticipation.

After all, five years had passed since the incident. In these five years, she had met her share of outstanding men, but none had treated her like Chu Tian once did, and she had never again felt that initial flutter of excitement.

Gradually, she had come to understand her own heart. Chu Tian had long ago seared an indelible mark upon it.

Unforgettable.

Inescapable.

When she first brought Chu Tian to live with her, she had hesitated. Yet, over the past year, even though they lived under the same roof and his many flaws were constantly apparent, she still couldn’t bear the thought of him leaving.

The mere thought of a day when she could no longer see Chu Tian filled her with an inexplicable panic.

So, by now, she understood she was already in too deep, unable to pull herself out.

And perhaps, having it all out in the open now wasn’t such a bad thing. She desperately wanted to know Chu Tian’s reaction, yet she was terrified of hearing an answer she couldn’t face.

What was Chu Tian doing? Playing dead, of course!

What else could I do?

The moment Li Chunhua mentioned my name, I figured nothing good would come of it, so I immediately turned my head away.

Unexpectedly, she actually said she wanted to thank me. Well, that was a first—like an old lady riding a bridal sedan for the very first time.

I was about to turn back and hear how she was going to praise me, but oh boy, Sister Hua showed no mercy. She switched gears and unleashed a tirade that nearly sent me into a spiral.

The more I listened, the colder my heart grew.

These were all things my predecessor did. What did they have to do with me, Chu Tian, now?

And what was with all this heavy subtext?

So, this superstar boss of mine really *does* like me after all?

But could I accept it? Impossible. Those were my predecessor’s feelings, not mine. How could I possibly accept them?

We were practically strangers. I only stayed for the paycheck. Of course, the main goal was to use Diva Xu as a tool to farm Reputation Points, but that’s not something I can elaborate on.

But what now? Follow my heart? My heart was empty!

Succumb to her beauty and just go along with it? No, no way. My conscience wouldn’t allow it.

But I couldn’t just reject her either, could I? This situation was more awkward than any Shura Field, wasn’t it?

Finally, with no other option, Chu Tian simply rolled his eyes and feigned unconsciousness.