Once you get into a game, time always flies by. When he sat down, it was clearly bright and sunny, but in the blink of an eye, a glance out the window revealed only a streak of sunset.
The computer desk was covered with all kinds of snacks: chocolate malt balls, beef jerky, and barbecue-flavored chips. There was also an iced cola in a glass. If needed, a snap of his fingers would prompt the maids to respectfully bring Gao Sijin freshly fried fries or popcorn chicken. The taste was miles better than any fast-food chain.
Once upon a time, this was the life Gao Sijin dreamed of. Yet now, having easily achieved it, he felt nothing but an indescribable emptiness.
“Master, I think you need a different approach.”
After their game ended in failure, Yu Qingxue suddenly spoke.
“Although I’m a China citizen, Russian-style counter-terrorism is carved into my DNA. As long as the hostage is dead, nothing can stand in our way.”
Gao Sijin looked at Yu Qingxue smugly. Trapped under house arrest as he was, he could at least make her—a self-proclaimed gaming expert—choke by hindering her in co-op games.
“What a coincidence.”
“How so?”
“Although I’m a China citizen, Russian-style service is also carved into my DNA. So, Master…” Before Gao Sijin could react, Yu Qingxue had put him in a joint lock, shoving his face hard against the keyboard, smearing it side to side. “You bastard! Griefing me all damn afternoon, costing me so many points! Watch me beat you to death!”
“Ranked-sweat rage quit.”
“Say that again?”
His joints were twisted to the point of genuine discomfort. While held in Yu Qingxue’s joint lock, Gao Sijin was acutely aware of the soft, spongy pressure against his back. It seemed she didn’t mind intimate contact between men and women at all.
“I’m sorry, alright? Don’t lower yourself to my level.”
“My dear Master, did no one ever teach you the proper way to apologize?”
“Sorry-masen.”
Hearing the apology, Yu Qingxue released Gao Sijin’s arm and settled back into her gaming chair.
“Forget it. You’re the Master, after all. I’ll let you off this time.”
She removed her hairband, letting her black, high-ponytailed hair cascade loose. With her hair down, she exuded a more sensual, decadent vibe. Her beautiful, long legs were raised high, wrapped in smooth black stockings, exuding an irresistible allure.
“Actually, Master, when I said get a new approach, I wasn’t talking about the game.”
“Then what?” Gao Sijin rubbed his sore arm. “Don’t tell me it’s about writing?”
“I meant your approach to escaping,” Yu Qingxue said, chin in her hand, a devilishly charming smile on her face. “If you just do the same old things, you will never escape Young Lady Tsukiyuki. You’ll just remain her plaything.”
“So? What are you saying this for?” Gao Sijin gave a dismissive laugh. “You, after deceiving me back then, why are you suddenly telling me to change my escape plan?”
“It’s just that you’re too stupid, duh. Think about it: if an audience watches a show where the good guys always steamroll the villains, how boring would that be? I’m just a troll watching the fun. I honestly hope that someday you can break free from Young Lady Tsukiyuki. That way, I could watch her frantic, agitated state up close. I bet that would be very interesting.”
Yu Qingxue idly tossed a few fries into her mouth. Her moist, full lips looked somewhat bewitching in the glow of the setting sun.
“What a surprise to hear you say that. If Young Lady Tsukiyuki knew you’d said all this to me—she wouldn’t be angry, would she?”
“Why would she be angry? The Young Lady is very merciful. She’d probably just stuff my body into a cement drum and drop it in Tokyo Bay.”
“Too bad I didn’t record what you just said.”
“You’re awful, Master. Do you really want me dead that badly?”
“Trolls should just hurry up and die far away.”
Despite their taboo topic, their tones were both playful, devoid of any real clash.
Yu Qingxue rested her chin on her hand and said casually, “Let me give you a piece of advice, my dear Master. If you want to escape smoothly later, you have to learn to cater to Young Lady Tsukiyuki. Try to get on her good side, hide your resistance. Once you’ve earned our trust, you’ll have a chance to run. Understand? As for you yourself, don’t trust anyone—including me. Young Lady Tsukiyuki has more money than she could ever spend. For money and selfish desire, anyone could betray you, just like when Feng Xiaohe chose a million and left you behind.”
“So, you asked me to play games today just to tell me this?”
“After all, I am your ex-girlfriend, right? Offering some advice to a confused ex-boyfriend is only natural, isn’t it?”
“When did you become my ex-girlfriend?”
“Back in Bincheng. Although I approached you with the mentality of completing a mission, as time went on… I actually started to have feelings for you.”
A lustrous gleam flickered in Yu Qingxue’s eyes, like sparkling water ripples. Being looked at this way, Gao Sijin instinctively wanted to avert his gaze, but Yu Qingxue suddenly reached out her slender, delicate hand. She cupped Gao Sijin’s face and said, with doting authority:
“Master, the eyes are the window to the soul. When talking to someone, remember to never look away. It’s a sign of guilt. This is especially important when dealing with a monster like Young Lady Tsukiyuki. Otherwise, she will completely dominate you, and you will never rise again.”
“Qingxue, if you hadn’t deceived me back then… I might have truly fallen for you.” Gao Sijin met her gaze.
“But your eyes right now show no intention of love whatsoever.”
“Tch.”
“If you manage to win me over one day, there’s even a chance I might switch sides and lead Young Lady Tsukiyuki on a wild chase to help you escape. But for now, your favorability rating with me, Master, isn’t high enough to qualify.”
“How much approval do I need to grind?”
“Probably around ten thousand points before I become yours completely. I’m actually quite fond of my life, after all. I don’t want to throw it away.”
“A drunk driver is fond of her life?”
“Drunk driving and suicide are two totally different concepts, Master.”
Just then, the six o’clock bell chimed. Yu Qingxue glanced at the grandfather clock, took Gao Sijin’s hand, and said:
“Alright, time’s up. Let’s go have dinner. After dinner, Master needs to write. Don’t get lazy just because Young Lady Tsukiyuki isn’t around. Or else, I’ll tattle and let Young Lady Tsukiyuki write a few more tally marks on your legs when she gets back.”
“Hmph. I don’t need your reminder. I’ll write peacefully on my own.”
“If you finish your writing on time, maybe I’ll reward you with a maid’s sweet kiss?” Yu Qingxue flicked her raven-black hair, her voice dripping with allure.
“Say that again?”
“Just kidding. I don’t want to die, you know.”
