Chapter 229
Shen Shuyu took a step back from his embrace, creating some distance between them. He said: “Thanks, I’m fine.”
Chi Yanxun looked at the step he had taken back but said nothing, only replying: “It’s good that you’re okay.”
Shen Shuyu gave a hum of affirmation, and the two continued walking along the roadside until they reached the entrance of a restaurant. Chi Yanxun stopped and turned his head to ask: “Want to grab a meal?”
Shen Shuyu glanced at it: “Sure.”
It wasn’t quite peak lunch time yet, so the restaurant was empty. The two went inside and chose a corner seat. Chi Yanxun handed the menu to Shen Shuyu, saying: “My treat. Order whatever you like.”
Shen Shuyu didn’t say much and naturally accepted the menu. After rattling off a few dish names to the waiter, he handed the menu back.
The atmosphere at the table remained awkward and uncomfortable.
Chi Yanxun suddenly let out a light chuckle. Shen Shuyu looked up at him: “What are you laughing at?”
“I just realized that the last time we ate at the same table was back during the Survival War,” Chi Yanxun said, picking up the teapot nearby and pouring a cup of steaming tea. “Afterward, there weren’t many opportunities. Even when we were in the same place, we were far apart.”
The “far apart” part referred to the school anniversary celebration. Shen Shuyu naturally remembered it too and echoed: “Yes.”
Chi Yanxun placed the tea by Shen Shuyu’s hand: “Speaking of which, it seems we’ve never sat down to eat just the two of us before.”
Back when Shen Shuyu (Fish) was chasing Chi Yanxun, he often asked him out for meals. Due to some internal reasons, even if Chi Yanxun was unwilling, he would agree, but he would always bring one or two friends from the Reserve Department. With a crowd, there was never a chance to be alone.
This was the first time it was truly just the two of them.
Chi Yanxun poured himself a cup of tea as well, his fingers tracing the rim of the cup, his thoughts unknown.
Shen Shuyu said: “True, the feeling is quite strange.”
Shen Shuyu took a sip of the hot tea. He looked at Chi Yanxun and set the cup down: “The New Year is almost here. Do you plan to just stay home the whole time?”
“Mn. My parents have already gone on a trip, so I’m the only one home right now.” He looked at Shen Shuyu: “What about you? Any plans?”
Shen Shuyu said: “Spending the New Year at home.”
He was silent for a moment before adding: “We can hang out if we’re free.”
A hint of a smile appeared on Chi Yanxun’s face: “Okay.”
The food was served quickly. Although the atmosphere was a bit awkward, it was still better than the previous tension.
After finishing the meal, Chi Yanxun received a call from home. He looked at Shen Shuyu: “Sorry, something came up at home. I have to head back first.”
Shen Shuyu waved his hand: “Go ahead. I should head back too; my house should be finished being cleaned by now.”
Chi Yanxun nodded: “See you next time.”
“See you.”
Their homes were in opposite directions. The two bid each other farewell, and as soon as Chi Yanxun turned his back, his gentle expression sank instantly. He didn’t cast a single glance back at Shen Shuyu.
He admitted that the current Shen Shuyu was more attractive than when he only knew how to chase behind him, but dislike was dislike. Those few hours spent with him had required the performance of his life.
He had to settle this quickly—make him fall in love fast. Otherwise, if this tug-of-war dragged on, he was afraid he might snap one day.
On the other side, Shen Shuyu’s face also changed the moment he turned around.
He asked the Luck System impatiently: [Does it have to be like this? It’s annoying as hell.]
Luck said: [Luck System: There’s no choice. This is the direction of the story.]
[Shen Shuyu: Then how long is this going to last?] Shen Shuyu said: [I can act for a short while, but if you want me to keep this up, I’d rather the world ‘wipe me out.’]
The Luck System was also exhausted. It said: [Luck System: I know you’re anxious, but it won’t be long. Soon.]
[Shen Shuyu: Give me a specific time,] Shen Shuyu said with feigned nonchalance. [Shen Shuyu: By the way, in the time we were separated, where did you go? Why did it take you so long to find me?]
Luck said: [Luck System: Bringing you here requires energy. At that time, I was attacked and my energy was very low. I attempted to contact you, but I couldn’t reach you.]
[Shen Shuyu: Oh. Speaking of which, do you need to be charged?] Shen Shuyu asked.
A question mark appeared in Shen Shuyu’s head from Luck. Shen Shuyu said: [Aren’t robots all like that? You have to charge when the battery runs out. Where is your plug? Don’t go disappearing again in the middle of something.]
[Luck System: …I don’t need charging, and I’m not a robot,] the Luck System said speechlessly, yet it still answered Shen Shuyu’s questions patiently. [Luck System: I was created in a high-dimensional world.]
[Shen Shuyu: High-dimensional world? What kind of world is that?] Shen Shuyu asked while raising a hand to hail a car.
Luck suddenly went silent. Shen Shuyu got into the car and gave an address. When he didn’t hear Luck’s answer, he added: [We’re partners; I should at least get to know you, right? You told me you were looking for a suitable person for a mission. Have you done many missions before? Have you swapped souls like this before?]
[Luck System: Previously, I relied on assignments to take hosts,] the Luck System said. [Luck System: None of the systems in my batch were as powerful as me.]
[Shen Shuyu: Then why did you start choosing for yourself later?] Shen Shuyu asked. [Shen Shuyu: Isn’t that more troublesome?]
Luck’s indicator light flickered twice: [Luck System: Where is the thrill in assignments compared to picking your own host? In short, I chose you because I saw your potential. Just do as I instruct.]
Shen Shuyu closed his eyes: [Will you leave after this is over?]
[Luck System: Yes,] Luck said. [Luck System: Once the mission is completed, I will naturally leave, and you can stay in this world in peace.]
[Shen Shuyu: Fine. I’ll believe you just this once.]
The Luck System stopped talking and went offline.
Shen Shuyu opened his eyes. “Driver, I’m changing the route.”
He gave the address of Wen Jiafei’s house. Twenty minutes later, the car stopped steadily at the entrance of the residential complex.
With both hands full of New Year goods, Shen Shuyu went upstairs. He rang the doorbell, but no one opened the door.
Hmm?
Is Wen Yue not home?
Shen Shuyu set the things down and was about to take out his terminal to message Wen Yue when the door behind him opened.
He instinctively looked back; it was Wen Yue.
Wen Yue smiled: “Shuyu, you’re here.”
Shen Shuyu was stunned. He looked at the door in front of him and then turned back to ask: “Auntie, when did you move across the hall?”
The unit across was the one Shen Xili had rented.
Wen Yue let out a sigh: “Oh, I haven’t. It’s almost the New Year, and the new neighbor invited me over for a meal.”
She walked over to open her own door. Before entering, Shen Shuyu saw a middle-aged man walk out of the other unit.
He raised an eyebrow slightly: “Auntie, is this your new neighbor?”
Wen Yue smiled: “Yes. Coincidentally, he’s even a new teacher at your school.”
A new teacher?
The man looked upright, tall and thin, appearing quite refined.
As Wen Yue ushered Shen Shuyu inside, the man spoke up: “You must be Student Shen, right? Come over for dinner later; it’ll be ready soon.”
Shen Shuyu thanked him. The man left the door ajar and went back inside to continue cooking.
Shen Shuyu followed Wen Yue into the apartment. Wen Yue said: “You always bring things when you come.”
“The New Year is coming. I won’t be coming over for the next few days, so I came early to give you my greetings.” Shen Shuyu placed the goods on the floor. Meimei walked over and rubbed against his leg.
Wen Yue remarked: “Meimei suddenly became aloof yesterday afternoon. I thought she was sick, but as soon as you arrived, she started rubbing against you. It seems she’s fine.”
Shen Shuyu bent down and picked Meimei up. Man and cat gazed into each other’s eyes. Shen Shuyu saw a tiny flicker of light pass through the cat’s eyes.
Shen Shuyu stifled a laugh: “Maybe she just ate too much and got bloated.”
Wen Yue went to get some yogurt for Shen Shuyu. Hearing him, she said: “True, she’s eaten quite a bit yesterday and today. It even gave me a fright. She got upset when I tried to take it away.”
Wen Yue handed the yogurt to Shen Shuyu: “She even snuck a bite of the steamed buns I bought this morning and ate them with such gusto.”
Shen Shuyu bounced Meimei in his arms and locked eyes with her again.
The light in her eyes flickered even more joyfully.
Recommended Reads
![The Cannon Fodder Omega’s Mental Power is Off the Charts [Transmigration]](https://beereads.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/omega.png)
