novelraw Chapter 73 : Side Story 3. Holding Hands for Ten Seconds
Chapter 73 : Side Story 3. Holding Hands for Ten Seconds
Su Huan's expression paused, then she continued as if nothing had happened: "It won't take up too much of your time."
After a second of silence, there was still no movement from inside the room. Su Huan's face couldn't hide her disappointment.
[Target affection level: -15%]
"If it's not convenient, then forget it." Her voice was low, sounding somewhat dejected.
Su Huan turned to leave, but saw the door open. Shen Xiaoyu, wearing pajamas, stood in the doorway, looking at her with an indifferent gaze.
Shen Xiaoyu's eyes were slightly narrowed, deep and profound, rippling like lake water, very clear, but the sharpness in her gaze seemed to see right through her.
For that instant, Su Huan thought Shen Xiaoyu could hear what she was thinking.
[Target affection level -20%]
[Target affection level -25%]
[Target affection level -30%]
...
The system's announcements kept ringing in her mind. Su Huan listened to the changing numbers, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
Had Shen Xiaoyu been like this before too?
Understanding all her emotional changes through system data—her likes, her dislikes, all unable to be hidden.
Most importantly, the decreasing values meant her hopes of going home were fading.
[Target affection level -35%]
Su Huan felt a tightness in her chest and unconsciously clenched her fists.
"Whatever you want to say, just say it directly." Shen Xiaoyu said.
Su Huan held her breath, hesitating. Just as she finally made up her mind to speak, the system's voice rang in her mind again.
[Conquest mission issued: Hold hands for 10 seconds. Mission completion reward: Two additional days of survival in another world]
She stared in shock, instinctively asking: "Why?"
"Why what?" Shen Xiaoyu's tone carried confusion.
Su Huan quickly realized her mistake, composed her expression, and lowered her gaze without looking at her.
"Nothing." She said, "I can't sleep, so I wanted to come chat with you. I want to understand this world's... rules."
"This world has no rules. Since you're already here, don't think about the past anymore." Shen Xiaoyu's expression was cold, looking at her without any emotion.
Su Huan nodded, "I know. I just feel a little..."
She took a deep breath and smiled bitterly, "I finally understand how you felt back then. Appearing in a strange world, facing strange people, completely at a loss. I'm a bit better off than you were. At least the system arranged family for me, and I have identity information..."
Shen Xiaoyu paused while speaking, "I'll take you to handle the procedures tomorrow. No matter what, you can't remain an illegal resident in this world."
Su Huan nodded, "Alright."
"Anything else? If not, I'm going to sleep." With that, Shen Xiaoyu was about to close the door.
[Mission countdown: 10 minutes.]
[Mission failure will result in immediate transport back to original world.]
Hearing this, Su Huan's heart tightened. Without caring if it seemed abrupt, she stepped forward and grabbed Shen Xiaoyu's hand, her eyes immediately reddening.
"Xiaoyu, I'm sorry." As soon as the words left her mouth, tears began falling.
[Countdown: 10, 9...]
"If you have something to say, just say it directly, you..."
"I shouldn't have used your body for experiments."
Shen Xiaoyu's whole body shook as she looked at her in disbelief, "What did you say? What experiments?"
She suddenly remembered what she had seen when she returned to that world, understanding flashing in her eyes.
She quickly calmed down, looking indifferently at the tearful person before her, "I don't mind, so you don't need to cry either."
Hearing this, Su Huan looked up at the person in front of her, her head spinning in confusion.
She had imagined countless times what Shen Xiaoyu's reaction would be if she knew about the experiments.
Getting angry, scolding, taking their daughter and never letting her see them again.
She had thought of all kinds of reactions, except for this calm one.
As if she weren't the protagonist at all.
Su Huan's pupils trembled as tears fell, "You shouldn't react like this..."
Shen Xiaoyu tilted her head in confusion, "Then what reaction do you think I should have? Angry? Aggrieved? Should I kneel and beg?"
Not getting Su Huan's response, she continued, "Besides, even if you didn't use me for experiments, I wouldn't have survived. In that situation, using me for experiments was truly the right choice."
Shen Xiaoyu wasn't angry at all, even good-naturedly smiling at her, "I didn't have the chance before, but I actually wanted to tell you—thank you. If it weren't for you, I might not have been able to come back."
The system had already told her what happened in the book world.
During the time she was trapped in the loop, Su Huan single-handedly shouldered everything, talking with the system, taking away Shi Qiubai, kidnapping Tang Tang to force her to complete missions.
It could be said that Su Huan was actually her lifesaver.
Thinking of this, Shen Xiaoyu looked at her with even more gentle eyes, "So you don't need to worry. I'll arrange everything for you in this world until you can completely adapt to the rhythm of life here.
Though this world isn't much different from your original world, and you have acting skills and looks. Just standing at an agency's door would have agents fighting to sign you, or you could make short videos—you'd definitely become popular."
In just two minutes, Shen Xiaoyu had already planned Su Huan's future career direction.
Being an actress would be best, since that was her profession.
Being an internet celebrity made quick money, but it didn't sound prestigious, and Su Huan might not accept doing that kind of work.
Listening to her arrangements, Su Huan's heart suddenly turned ice cold, looking at her with emptiness and despair.
[1]
[First mission of holding hands for ten seconds completed. Congratulations host on gaining two days of survival time.]
The system's voice sounded very happy, [Host must work hard! As long as you complete all missions, you can stay in this world forever!]
[What about the other world?]
[There's the data person! She'll complete the missions properly! Even world inspectors definitely won't find any flaws.] The system said smugly, [Though it sounds difficult, I understand Xiaoyu—she's very soft-hearted. As long as you don't violate her principles, she won't be hard-hearted toward you.]
[Otherwise, you can throw tantrums, hug Shen Nian'an and act pitiful. For the little girl's sake, Xiaoyu won't drive you out of the house.]
Listening to the system's voice, Su Huan closed her eyes and swallowed the bitterness in her heart.
"I understand." Her voice was hoarse and trembling, "I'll seriously consider your suggestions."
Shen Xiaoyu smiled and forcefully pulled her hand free from Su Huan's grasp, "It's late, you should go rest too."
Su Huan slowly nodded, "Alright, you should rest early too."
After speaking, she turned and mechanically walked away.
Hearing the door close behind her, her eyes heated up, and crystal tears rolled down her cheeks in strings like scattered pearls.
It wasn't until she returned to her room that Su Huan collapsed to the floor, covering her mouth in silent anguish.
Hitting or scolding would have been fine, but not this coldness.
"What do I have to do to make you love me again?" She suppressed her voice, whispering softly.
What should she do?
Su Huan had completely forgotten about the mission and the words she had once said.
People are greedy—when they can't see someone, they only want to see them, but when they actually see them, they want much more.
The blue screen in her mind flashed as the system comforted: [Don't be too sad. Xiaoyu is only cold on the surface—deep down she still has feelings for you.]
It encouraged her: [As long as you work hard to complete missions and stay by her side, are you worried about not completing the conquest? So the primary goal now is completing missions! If you leave, then all previous efforts will be wasted.]
[Host! You must pull yourself together! For Xiaoyu! For Nian'an! You absolutely cannot give up!]
The system's passionate speech was a bit strange, as if they were some kind of odd organization.
Su Huan's eyes filled with tears as her nails dug into her palms, suppressing all emotions.
[You're right. The most important thing now is staying here. Everything else comes second.]
As long as she could stay—
As long as there was no one else beside Shen Xiaoyu, she still had a chance. Even if it didn't work—
She hoped to stay by Shen Xiaoyu's side, even if just to look at her, just to look at her would be enough.
After sitting on the floor for a long time, Su Huan's emotions finally completely calmed down.
[Now let's talk about your issues.]
[Me?] The system was completely confused, [What issues do I have?]
[Why are there still missions? Why didn't you mention this before?]
The system looked innocent, [Conquest missions naturally have tasks!]
[Isn't gaining conquest points the only mission? What are these? Auxiliary missions?] Su Huan felt displeased and couldn't help but sarcastically say, [Are the so-called future missions going to arrange for us to hug, hold hands, sleep together?]
The system looked embarrassed and speechless, its blue eyes blinking cutely.
Not getting an answer, Su Huan suddenly realized she had guessed correctly about the upcoming conquest missions.
Her heart trembled violently. She couldn't describe the feeling, only thinking: Damn it!
The system was like a kidnapper, taking people away and then using missions to lure them into charging into another world, without even giving them a chance to sign a contract, while the execution content could be changed by the system at any time.
She gripped her hands tightly, once again having the thought of capturing the system.
As long as she could control the system, she wouldn't need to do any damn missions!
She could even freely travel between these two worlds and bring all the innocent people from the other world out.
But as soon as her thought arose, it was captured by the system.
Its electronic voice rang out eerily: [Host, did you forget that I'm already bound to you? I can hear everything you're thinking.]
Su Huan immediately snapped back to attention and laughed coldly, [So what if you know? These words were meant for you to hear!]
[You!] The system was furious, [I'm kindly helping you, and you still want to experiment on me? Your heart is truly black!]
[How else could I become a villain?] Su Huan's voice was cold and hard as she supported herself against the wall to stand up, dragging her numb legs toward the bed.
The system was extremely angry, raging for a long time but ultimately saying nothing more.
[Fine, considering you worked hard to complete the mission today, I'll let you off this time. But if there's a next time, I'll activate the punishment system. You won't want to know what the punishment entails!]
While speaking, Su Huan had already lain down on the bed and closed her eyes, as if she hadn't heard its words.
But even if she had heard, she wouldn't have cared.
Punishment, nothing more. It couldn't be more painful than losing Shen Xiaoyu.