Chapter 34: The Adorable Angel – 4

After a night of pleasant dreams, Gu Xizhou woke the next morning to 0820 urging in her ear: “Su Zhiyi fainted yesterday, probably from skipping breakfast.”

“When you go to the cafeteria today, remember to grab an extra bean bun for her.”

Early in the morning, a row of little radish-heads stood before the sinks, brushing their teeth and washing their faces. Gu Xizhou gargled with cold water, swishing it loudly before spitting it all out.

She twisted the faucet, splashed cold water on her face, expressionlessly wiping it clean. She didn’t answer 0820’s words.

0820 grew anxious: “Did you hear me or not?”

In her anxious tone, Gu Xizhou detected something unusual: “You seem very concerned about Su Zhiyi’s matters.”

“What exactly are you—human or ghost?”

A day without Su Nanfeng’s grating presence was a refreshingly clear day.

Having resolved the greatest immediate threat to her life, Gu Xizhou could finally seriously examine the voice that had appeared in her head.

After a temporary contract, the other party could take over her body. Even though she had relied on that ability once last night, the more Gu Xizhou turned it over in her mind, the more unnerved she felt.

Especially in the morning—people tend to regret decisions made at night.

For instance, right now, younger Gu Xizhou was somewhat regretting why she had impulsively agreed to form a contract with the other party. She hadn’t even figured out 0820’s true origins, and now the situation felt even thornier.

After all, she wasn’t some naive, dumb kid. Anyone who had an extra voice in their head would suspect they were ill.

Given that the other party could possess her and temporarily seize her body, Gu Xizhou had two theories.

The unscientific one: 0820 was a ghost or monster, attached to her because Gu Xizhou could do something for her. And, 0820 also knew partial future events.

The scientific guess: Under Su Nanfeng’s years of torment, she had finally developed a mental illness—schizophrenia.

0820 was another consciousness of hers, with a strong learning ability and fighting skills.

Something like Savant syndrome.

But this couldn’t explain the dreams she’d been having or her intimate knowledge of Su Zhiyi’s and Su Nanfeng’s affairs.

She was a vigilant and clever child—0820 knew this very well.

But 0820 could hardly expose the truth and say, “You are my virtual entity, and the world you live in is a brain-in-a-vat simulation.”

That said, in the face of Gu Xizhou’s latest round of skepticism, 0820 still found a plausible excuse: “I told you, I’m here to help you.”

“Making you achieve a happy and fulfilling life is what us systems are supposed to do. Only when you are happy can this world operate positively.”

Gu Xizhou washed her face, got dressed, and walked downstairs, countering as she went: “I’ve read about these system novels. You need to do missions, don’t you? Why are you different?”

“Because I’m a support type, equivalent to a mother taking care of a child. Got it?”

Gu Xizhou didn’t buy her explanation, simply asking: “Then when will you leave?”

“When your Happiness Value reaches one hundred percent,” 0820 replied offhandedly, inwardly thinking that this virtual entity was alarmingly intelligent—hardly like a mere cluster of data.

Gu Xizhou furrowed her brow: “Then how do I check my Happiness Value?”

“That’s not something you can check. It’s something only I can see.” 0820 fabricated smoothly, then placated her: “What’s there to be afraid of? Haven’t I been helping you all along?”

“After getting along for half a month, can’t we build some trust?”

No, she’d have to have Lin Ling tinker with the data later and just add some random reward mechanic to fool 1022.

Gu Xizhou thought about the other party’s behavior. Although she didn’t see any real problems, she still harbored suspicion everywhere. As she followed the flow of people into the cafeteria, she remained wary: “Are you really not a ghost trying to possess my body?”

0820 laughed: “If I could actually possess you, why would I need to help you do so many things?”

“Who knows? Maybe possession requires steps.”

Unable to get any answers and unable to expel the other party, Gu Xizhou couldn’t just burn bridges right now. She steeled her resolve: from now on, no matter what happened, she must not agree to any of the other’s demands.

It was just like in the ghost stories—first one thing, then another, and finally, seduced by enormous gains, you lose yourself and your soul is forfeit.

There are no saviors; one shouldn’t rely on gods or emperors. To create your own happiness, you must rely on yourself!

0820 perceived young Gu Xizhou’s thoughts, both annoyed and amused: “Alright, alright, rely on yourself, then. Rely on yourself.”

“Don’t ask me for help in a fight next time.”

This younger version of her was so infuriating—it was precisely because she was this suspicious and guarded that she later thought the whole world was out to harm her and couldn’t accept Su Zhiyi.

You deserve to be wifeless, Gu Xizhou!

Perhaps because her heat/rut cycle was approaching, 0820’s temper was exceptionally short.

Even though Gu Xizhou ultimately did bring a red bean bun for Su Zhiyi, 0820 was still dissatisfied and spent the entire morning grumbling at Gu Xizhou.

When the afternoon training session ended, the instructor announced: “Indoor training is suspended for now. Tonight, you will rest and reorganize. Tomorrow morning, all students will follow your instructors into the mountains for field training.”

The moment the words were out, the students erupted in cheers.

Amidst the excited students, Gu Xizhou turned her head to look at Su Zhiyi in the back row of the formation. Seeing the faint smile on her gentle face as she watched their classmates, a thought crossed Gu Xizhou’s mind: There will definitely be lots of mosquitoes up in the mountains. I wonder if she’ll be able to stand it.

0820 said irritably: “Worry less about her and more about yourself.”

“You gave all your mosquito repellent to her. Let’s see what you do then.”

Gu Xizhou pursed her lips and didn’t reply.

The most anticipated event of every military training session was, without fail, the field camping exercise.

Led by instructors, the students would trek into the mountains on foot, set up camp, and learn some outdoor survival skills.

As soon as Gu Xizhou returned to the dormitory, she overheard the alphas discussing excitedly: “Besides setting up camp, making fires, and cooking, we also get to go to the shooting range for target practice.”

“I thought shooting was trained on base? Why do it outdoors?”

“Sigh, the field and indoors are different.”

Gu Xizhou listened with half an ear but paid it little mind.

Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate. After nightfall, the sea wind suddenly made landfall, howling against the windows.

Soon after, a torrential downpour descended, the heavy rain reflecting fine silver threads in the darkness, blanketing the military base built on the peninsula.

After their showers, the students huddled at the windows, staring out at the dense rain and misty night, sighing: “Rain this heavy… probably no field training tomorrow.”

Others retorted: “Who knows? Maybe the instructors are bold enough to take us out anyway.”

The students lamented, but they couldn’t stop the rain. When they woke the next day, last night’s rain still saturated the training ground; everything was damp.

The instructors, seeing this, had no choice but to reschedule, pushing the field camping back by two days. Today’s training would continue on base as usual.

A wail of despair rose from the students.

A full night of rain, an entire evening of cold winds, and a whole day of training on the soggy ground took their toll. That night, a beta girl from Gu Xizhou’s class with a naturally weak constitution caught a cold and was sent to the infirmary.

During the instructors’ nighttime patrol, they reminded the students to cover themselves with their blankets to keep from catching cold.

Maybe it was the sea wind, howling so cold it made the windows creak and rattle, but Gu Xizhou didn’t sleep well all night.

She dreamed the entire night, filled with bizarre, fantastical things. At one moment, she dreamed she was lying in a glass tank, immersed in green liquid.

The next, she was climbing out of that glass tank, shivering, wrapped in a towel.

Even more were fragmented scenes: as if she was terribly afraid of the cold, she’d bundle herself in a quilt, curl into a ball, and hide inside a wardrobe, holding a pile of clothes and crying her eyes out.

The next morning when she woke, Gu Xizhou found that, at some unknown point during the night, she had cried until her face was streaked with tears.

Her head was fuzzy and heavy, her whole body weak and limp. It felt as if she had been placed inside an oven—burning and scalding. Standing at the sink brushing her teeth, she could barely stay upright, swaying unsteadily.

Beside her, Yan Qing looked at her flushed face with concern: “Xizhou, are you feeling unwell?”

Gu Xizhou’s body felt terribly heavy. She lifted her thick eyelids to look at Yan Qing, her eyes red-rimmed: “A little.”

“Your face is so red,” Yan Qing said, reaching out a hand to press against Gu Xizhou’s forehead. The touch was alarmingly scorching. “God, your forehead is really hot too.”

“You have a fever.”

Dazed and groggy, once she finished washing up, Yan Qing grabbed her hand and led her downstairs: “Come on, I’ll take you to the infirmary.”

Gu Xizhou was disoriented as Yan Qing pulled her down the stairs. When they reached the staircase landing, they ran right into Su Zhiyi, who was coming down with some classmates.

Seeing Yan Qing tugging Gu Xizhou along, urgently rushing, Su Zhiyi immediately asked: “Gu Xizhou, what’s wrong?”

Gu Xizhou turned her head blankly, and the moment she recognized Su Zhiyi’s face, her eyes suddenly turned red, an overwhelming urge to cry surging within her.

Yan Qing explained: “Xizhou has a fever. I’m taking her to the infirmary to get checked.”

Yan Qing pulled Gu Xizhou forward. Su Zhiyi wanted to say something else, but by the time she opened her mouth again, the two were already a tangled blur disappearing into the distance.

Soon, Gu Xizhou was taken to the infirmary by Yan Qing. The Omega doctor on duty took her temperature.

While her temperature was being taken, Gu Xizhou was completely dazed, her eyes red-rimmed, looking like she might burst into tears at any second.

When the thermometer was pulled out, it read 39.5 degrees Celsius. Even the doctor was startled: “She’s burning up badly.”

“Get her to lie down quickly. Let’s cool her fever first.”

In a haze, Gu Xizhou was settled onto a bed. A cooling fever patch, icy cold, was swiftly placed on her forehead.

Amidst the burning agony consuming her entire body, the patch on her forehead was the only source of coolness. Lying on the bed, Gu Xizhou clutched the fever patch, curling up in pain, emitting small, animal-like whimpers.

The doctor came out with a cup of water and fever medication. Seeing the child curled up on the bed, she couldn’t help but sigh: “This fever is really too high.”

Beside her, Yan Qing was also very worried: “Yeah, how did it suddenly get this bad?”

“Forget it. Help her sit up first and take the fever medicine.”

Yan Qing followed the doctor’s instructions, helping Gu Xizhou take the medicine. Only then did she leave the infirmary to return to the training ground for military training.

The medicine had a strong sedative and soporific effect. Gu Xizhou, who had been suffering immensely, stopped struggling under the drug’s influence and soon fell into a deep sleep.

She seemed to have a dream. In the dream, she walked barefoot across a parched desert. Under the blazing sun, she followed a divine decree, walking toward an oasis.

She knew where the water source was—it was an instinct carved deep into her bones.

Like migratory birds inherently knowing they must fly toward their destined lands.

But she couldn’t find it.

“Water… water…”

On the narrow single bed, Gu Xizhou clutched the blanket, burying her face in it, mumbling the vague, indistinct words.

Hearing her stir, the doctor at the computer desk got up, poured a cup of water, and walked over, sighing: “Ah, kids today really suffer…”

She reached out and patted Gu Xizhou’s shoulder, calling: “Little one, come drink some water.”

Gu Xizhou raised her head groggily. The moment the doctor saw her face, she froze: “Why are you crying so much?”

The delicate-featured girl was huddled on the bed, hugging the blanket. Lifting her face, she revealed a pair of completely red-rimmed eyes, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Instinctively, the doctor reached out to wipe away her tears. But the instant her fingers touched the girl, that rabbit-like, fragile girl suddenly pushed her away, crying out in grievance: “Not this.”

No, this wasn’t her water source.

She had to find it, she had to go look for it—find the destined place she was meant to go.

Tears blurred Gu Xizhou’s vision. She pushed past the doctor and stumbled toward the door.

The doctor recoiled in shock, then turned and chased after her: “Hey! Little one, why are you running? You’re still sick!”

But Gu Xizhou, as if bereft of reason, charged forward barefoot, heedless of anything.

The doctor followed, staring at her rabbit-swift back, wondering where on earth she found the strength.

Sick as she was, how could she still run like this?

Like a moth in the darkness, Gu Xizhou was drawn to a source of light, flying straight as an arrow toward the training ground.

At that moment, the students were assembled in squads of dozens, doing marching drills on the wet field in neat formations.

Seeing someone dash onto the field, they all turned in surprise, exclamations rippling through the ranks.

Soon, the students of Class 17 saw the familiar figure and were collectively stunned.

Yan Qing was astonished: “Gu Xizhou? How did she get here?”

Ahead of Yan Qing, Su Zhiyi also recognized the newcomer, her expression one of shock.

Under the gaze of countless eyes, she watched Gu Xizhou plunge into the crowd. Amidst startled cries and the instructor’s shouts, Gu Xizhou barreled straight toward her with unerring accuracy.

Su Zhiyi caught her full force, staggering a step back. In that searing instant, Su Zhiyi instinctively looked down and met a pair of red-rimmed eyes: “Uwaaaaaah…”

She saw the petite girl go down on her knees, wrapping her arms around Su Zhiyi’s legs, her eyes wet and glistening, crying out in utter grievance: “Uwaaaaah… Zhiyi… want hug…”

Su Zhiyi was completely frozen. Bewildered, she spread her hands, looking down at the girl clinging to her legs, her mind dissolving into a complete mess.

What on earth is happening here?