Reaching out and poking the sulking panda cub on the screen, Song Qi felt a pang of regret for the first time. If she could actually come out, life would be much more fun every day.
To console her wounded little heart, Song Qi took off his mask and took a few selfies. "Eat up, don't say I mistreated you."
"A slap and then a sweet date, hmph!" Shen Jianxi mumbled softly.
"Hmm? What did you say?"
A sweet smile quickly bloomed on her face, and her voice turned soft and charming, "I said, Brother Song Qi is so nice!"
Song Qi nodded with satisfaction. Did this little cub forget he was wearing headphones? Even the softest mumble could be heard.
The man and the panda walked back to the base. Along the way, Shen Jianxi kept chatting about nothing in particular. Song Qi occasionally replied with a sentence or two, and their interaction somehow achieved a bizarre harmony.
Upon returning to the base, everyone had gone to the restaurant to eat. The vast base was so quiet that the sound of a needle dropping could be heard.
Stretching his neck and arching his back, Song Qi went to his training room.
"I'm going to train. Play by yourself," he said, then put away the cigarette he had taken out of his pocket. The weariness in his eyes was evident.
Seeing his tired expression, Shen Jianxi understood.
Others only knew how invincible he was on the field, but no one saw his day-and-night training, often forgetting to eat, which now caused him frequent stomach pain.
Song Qi truly loved e-sports. He was about to retire soon, and this year and next year's competitions were his last. All eyes were on him.
The pressure was immense.
"Song Qi, I believe you can do it."
"And, get some rest."
Her concern was palpable.
Song Qi propped his head on his left hand, looking at her sideways, and playfully asked, "You care about me?"
"Yes, I care about you, so don't tire yourself out too much."
77: "Beep! Favorability +4, current Song Qi favorability is 25."
Song Qi was a little stunned. He had intended to see the little cub get embarrassed, not to receive this answer.
"Ahem... I know, you don't need to worry about me." He turned his head away, his tone harsh, appearing extremely impatient.
If one were to ignore his slightly flushed face and the rising favorability score.
*
Song Qi trained until nightfall. The sky outside had completely darkened, and only the light from the computer illuminated the training room.
He was accustomed to this intensity. Whenever he trained, he would immerse himself in his own world, ignoring any disturbances.
He took a cigarette from the pack. "Click—" He opened the lighter and lit the cigarette.
Taking a deep drag and exhaling the smoke, Song Qi leaned back in his chair, looking up at the ceiling.
Only at this moment did he feel relaxed, and also lonely.
From childhood, his parents paid more attention to his elder brother, Song Duanli, treating him, the younger son, with a "as long as he doesn't starve, it's fine" attitude. Moreover, after he decided to pursue e-sports, his father, in anger, severed ties with him and paid no attention.
He let out a barely audible scoff. When it got dark, people tended to think about trivial matters. So what if they ignored him? He had lived well up to this point, and he didn't need those things.
A steady breath came from beside him. On the dimly lit phone screen, a panda cub was sleeping soundly, four paws up in the air.
He reached out a finger and gently poked her little head. Watching her little paws wave in response to his disturbance, Song Qi's eyes gradually softened.
Although he didn't know who this little cub was or why she had come to him, he didn't care. This short week had brought him a sense of companionship.
Let those unimportant people go their own way.
She would always be with him... right?
77: "Favorability +5, current Song Qi favorability is 30."
"Congratulations, Host! You can now use the Transformation Pill! Please choose your transformation time."
Shen Jianxi, fast asleep, was unaware of all this. Instead, she stirred restlessly at the sound of 77's voice.
*
Shen Jianxi woke up feeling a bit dazed. She had only slept for a while, and now she was out?
"77, what happened after I fell asleep last night?"
"Let me check the surveillance."
"Found it! Host, after you fell asleep last night, the target of your affection smoked a cigarette, then poked you, and his favorability increased!"
"This is the road to riches, Host! Once you're out, let him poke you every day, and you'll succeed quickly!"
Listening to 77's excited fantasies, Shen Jianxi put her forehead in her hands. Why was her system so silly and cute?
She didn't believe Song Qi's favorability had increased simply because he poked her. If that were the case, Song Qi had poked her quite a bit this past week.
"Host, when are you planning to take the Transformation Pill and come out?"
Shen Jianxi glanced at the sleeping Song Qi. He was very conscientious now; even when sleeping, his phone remained on.
The sleeping Song Qi looked incredibly docile, with none of the usual underlying coldness and detachment.
Thinking of something fun, Shen Jianxi's lips curled into a smile. "Tonight."
Looking at her smile, 77 felt a little uneasy. "Host, don't smile like that, you look quite like a villain."
"Also a bit silly."
Shen Jianxi: "Get lost, thank you."