Had he just been confessed to by Xing Ye now?

 

After drawing the QR codes, it was time to reckon the rewards.

Cao Qian: Her item was the "Swan Crystal," and she held four QR codes: “Surgeon’s Scalpel,” “Lesson Plan Preparation,” “Wayward Projector,” and “Mass Panic” and “Infectious Rage,” which she obtained in the mental realm. Her initial score was 9,900 points. Including time spent in the graveyard, the game lasted two days. She used her initial skill, consuming 200 points, and completed a side quest and achieved a perfect game clear, gaining a total of 13,100 points for an end score of 22,800 points.

As a game reward, she could draw a QR code once more, receiving a “Character Item QR Code” to upgrade her starting skill, Lack of Ambition, which transformed into Idle Hands. This emotion-sensing skill could place an opponent in a state of “too much to do but no motivation to do anything” for one minute, costing her 100 points. This rather self-defeating ability suited Lin Lin Lin’s personality but currently required an intimacy level of 60 with Lin Lin Lin before it could be used.

Guan Ling: His item was “Alien creature Cells,” an item obtained in the Hospital World that allowed him to transform into a large octopus monster like the principal by consuming it. He didn’t get a chance to use it in the last game. Guan Ling had two QR codes and an initial score of 14,700 points. Using his skill cost him 100 points, and he earned 2,000 points in the game, totalling 16,600 points.

For his game reward, Guan Ling again chose an item and received the “Fish Tank,” which allowed him to turn into a loach and hide within it for 10 minutes. During this time, no one would recognize his true identity, although he was not protected from being attacked as a loach.

Xing Ye: His item was the “Mirror” with the QR code Test Chamber. His initial score was 48,900 points. This round, he used the Repainting Brush 31 times, costing him 1,550 points, but earned 4,000 points in the game, ending with 51,350 points, qualifying him to enter the Advanced World in the next round.

Xing Ye contacted Cao Qian and Guan Ling, learning that Cao Qian planed to tackle the next round in Hard Mode to earn triple points and quickly reach the Advanced World.

Guan Ling, meanwhile, assured Xing Ye he would give his best but did not want to rush into the Advanced World. life before he entered the advanced world.

After the liquidation was completed, Xing Ye left the system space and returned to the real world.

Before entering the game, Xing Ye had left a mirror phone case by his pillow, prepared by his secretary. As soon as he exited, he selected it as Lu Mingze’s new vessel.

In the elegant phone case, a young man’s figure appeared. He blinked and, seeing Xing Ye’s smiling face, said happily, “The view is much clearer now! No more being trapped in the lid every time.”

“Mm.” Xing Ye felt this setup was ideal, as he habitually kept his phone on the bedside table, ensuring he wouldn’t miss any calls and could always reach it. Now, every morning, the first thing he would see was the little mirror.

The recent game had taken a toll on Xing Ye’s mental state, and he had already said all that needed saying in the game. He was exhausted and quickly drifted to sleep after exchanging a few words with Lu Mingze, who stayed quietly by his side, listening to Xing Ye’s breathing.

Early the next morning, Xing Ye was woken by his phone alarm, as he’d planned to bring the little mirror to visit Lu Mingze’s mother and Lu Mingze’s physical body.

Xing Ye’s alarm was a combination of ringtone and vibration. Still groggy, he picked up the phone to see Lu Mingze bouncing around in the mirror in sync with the vibration.

Xing Ye: “...”

He quickly turned off the vibration, and Lu Mingze sighed in relief, sitting down with a thud. “That was making my whole body numb.”

“Did it really?” Xing Ye asked. “Does the mirror’s sensation transfer over to you?”

Lu Mingze said, “I used to feel it. Back then, even if I shattered the mirror, I wouldn’t die, but I’d definitely get hurt. However, after gaining the ability to transfer consciousness, I felt like the mirror breaking wouldn’t harm me anymore. But now that sensation has returned. The vibration feels like someone is grabbing my shoulder and shaking it, making me feel nauseous.”

“What about the ringtone? Does it affect you a lot?” Xing Ye enquired.

“It’s like someone is shouting loudly in my ear.” Lu Mingze touched his ear. “My eardrum hurts a bit.”

Xing Ye then turned off the vibration and minimized the ringtone.

“When we’re alone, I’ll take off the phone case. I’ll only put it on when you have to follow me; that’ll make it a little better,” Xing Ye proposed.

Lu Mingze replied, “Okay, it’ll have to be that way. I’ll have to endure these hardships for the sake of convenience.”

Xing Ye was slightly surprised by his reaction. Lu Mingze had been spoiled and hadn’t experienced much adversity, often having small tantrums. However, at that moment, he didn’t complain, showing a lot of understanding.

“You’ve suffered,” Xing Ye noted, feeling a bit pained.

After getting up, the two went to the rehabilitation center. With Mr. Lu’s card, Xing Ye could visit Lu Mingze frequently.

This would raise some suspicions for Uncle Lu and Aunt Lu; even the best of friends wouldn’t visit so often.

However, this was exactly what Xing Ye wanted. He planned to give Uncle and Aunt Lu a heads-up, so they would be psychologically prepared.

Now that Lu Mingze was in a coma, even if Uncle and Aunt Lu had suspicions, they wouldn’t stop Xing Ye from visiting. After all, their son had become a vegetative state, and having someone there to talk to might help wake him.

After giving them a heads-up, when Lu Mingze eventually woke up, Xing Ye would express his feelings to Uncle and Aunt Lu, and he expected to face less resistance than under normal circumstances.

However, the most important thing now wasn’t what Uncle and Aunt Lu thought, but whether Lu Mingze was willing to accept Xing Ye.

Looking at the intimacy level of 92 on his phone, Xing Ye felt optimistic.

Upon arriving at the rehabilitation center, they found that Lu Mingze had been moved to the intensive care unit for observation, where Mr. Lu and Mrs. Lu were waiting outside.

“Is there any change in his condition?” After greeting the elders, Xing Ye asked with concern.

Mr. Lu replied, “Xiao Ze vomited this morning, and the doctor is checking on him.”

His worry was mixed with a hint of hope. Lu Mingze had been surviving on energy supplements these past few days, and to prevent his gastrointestinal functions from deteriorating, the caregiver had been trying to feed him some liquids, which he had been digesting well. But this morning, for some inexplicable reason, Lu Mingze vomited and even covered his ears, leading the caregiver to think he was showing signs of awakening, prompting her to call the doctor and Lu’s parents. The doctor was currently conducting a full examination of Lu Mingze.

Vomiting and covering his ears? Xing Ye exchanged a glance with Lu Mingze in the phone case.

Previously, no matter what happened in the game world, the real Lu Mingze would have no reaction. The last time he returned to reality, Lu Mingze was perfectly fine, and his body showed no responses. This time, however, there seemed to be a connection.

Having a connection was a good thing; it indicated that there was hope for Lu Mingze to return to his body.

Xing Ye silently mouthed to Lu Mingze: Should we give it a try?

Words appeared on the mirror that only Xing Ye could see: Of course, we should try! But how?

Through the glass, Xing Ye saw the instruments next to Lu Mingze in the ICU, which displayed his heartbeat and blood pressure data. His heartbeat was currently at 69, which was within the normal range.

He picked up his phone, gazing at the little figure on the mirror-like phone case, and gently placed a kiss on it.

Just then, Lu's mother turned to look at Xing Ye: "..."

Lu's mother, who believed she had guessed Xing Ye's feelings for Lu Mingze, had complex emotions this week. On one hand, she felt that Xing Ye was deeply devoted; he was the only one who persistently visited Xiao Ze during this time. On the other hand, as a mother, even if she could overlook her son's sexual orientation, she still cared about whether her son liked Xing Ye and if Xing Ye was a suitable match.

Now, seeing Xing Ye affectionately staring at the dazzling reflection of himself on the phone case (Lu's mother couldn’t see Lu Mingze; she could only see Xing Ye’s reflection), and gently placing a kiss on it, made her doubt her judgment.

These two young people must have become friends because of their self-love; they both liked themselves and encouraged each other upon meeting someone with the same interests…

As Lu's mother was trying to analyse Xing Ye's psychology, Lu Mingze’s heart rate in the ICU suddenly jumped from 69 to 121, and his face turned red.

Mr. Lu didn’t know whether to be happy or worried and tightened his grip on Mrs. Lu’s hand.

Their son had been in a coma for so long, and this was the first change in his body. Did this mean he still had a chance to awaken?

“You, you, you!” Lu Mingze in the mirror pointed at Xing Ye, unsure of what to say. He had been kissed again!

Xing Ye raised his index finger and shushed him, signaling Lu Mingze to calm down; otherwise, it might affect his body.

Pouting in frustration, Lu Mingze suppressed his racing heartbeat, and his bodily data in the ICU returned to normal.

After observing for the entire morning, there were no further changes in Lu Mingze’s vital signs. The doctors couldn’t explain the situation, so after consulting his parents, they sent Lu Mingze’s medical records to a foreign expert for further study.

No matter what, having changes was good news.

Lu Mingze would need to stay in the ICU for observation for a while, and Xing Ye couldn’t visit him for the time being.

He helped Mr. and Mrs. Lu back to the lounge and sat down. The two elders had calmed down, and Mr. Lu said to Xing Ye, “Thank you for being here for Xiao Ze during this time.”

Mrs. Lu, seeing that her husband was unaware of anything, hesitated and looked at Xing Ye for a moment before asking, “Mr. Xing, our families have been friends for generations, so I’ll be bold and call you Xiao Ye. Xiao Ye, I have a question; I’m not sure if it’s appropriate to ask.”

Xing Ye had a good idea of what Mrs. Lu wanted to ask. He sat up straight, squared his shoulders, and replied earnestly, “Auntie, feel free to ask. Just treat me like your own child; there’s no need to be polite.”

Like your own child…

Mrs. Lu’s emotions were quite complicated. After thinking for a moment, she asked, “Xiao Ze is a wonderful child in our eyes as parents, but I also know he has many flaws, the biggest being that he is too self-absorbed. He’s so self-involved that I sometimes wonder if he will spend his life with a mirror. You’re his friend; how do you view this flaw?”

Mr. Lu frowned slightly; he didn’t see anything wrong with this trait in their son and turned to look at Xing Ye, curious about his response.

Xing Ye remained calm under the gaze of the two elders, maintaining a polite smile as he said, “I find it very endearing, and the mirror is… Xiao Ze is exceptionally good-looking. It’s normal for people to have a pursuit of beauty.”

Mr. Lu’s frown relaxed, thinking Xing Ye was truly a good kid.

Mrs. Lu’s expression didn’t change as she continued, “Xiao Ye, you’re also a very handsome young man. Would you, like Xiao Ze, also love the reflection of yourself in the mirror?”

As she spoke, her gaze fell on Xing Ye's shiny phone case.

Xing Ye was quite perceptive; in just a few sentences, he had guessed Lu's mother's thoughts.

He felt a bit awkward, and as he contemplated how to respond, Lu Mingze in the mirror covered his stomach and laughed heartily, “Hahaha! You tried to steal a kiss from me, and now my mom saw you kissing the mirror, thinking you were kissing yourself. You’re so narcissistic, haha!”

Xing Ye, who had intended to find an excuse to deflect the situation, couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at Lu Mingze’s wild laughter.

Looking at Mr. and Mrs. Lu, he  turned his heart sideways. So what if he kissed the mirror? He had already embarrassed himself plenty in the game world. He had worn women’s clothing twice, had large breasts, and had flirted with straight men. Since starting the game, he had completely lost track of his morals.

Xing Ye put on a polite smile and said to Lu's mother, “The reason I did this is that I want to understand Xiao Ze better.”

Mrs. Lu raised an eyebrow slightly, waiting for Xing Ye to continue.

Xing Ye caught a glimpse of Lu Mingze in the mirror and said earnestly, “There are some things I actually wanted to wait until Xiao Ze wakes up to say. I didn’t want anyone else to know my feelings before he did. But now that you’ve discovered it, I don’t want to hide it anymore. I like Xiao Ze, and I like him as a romantic partner. In fact, I haven’t pursued him yet; it’s just my own feelings, and I lack confidence in myself.”

“Auntie, you know that Xiao Ze’s favourite person is definitely himself. I don’t expect to surpass his self-love; I only hope he can share a little bit of his feelings with me. By using this phone case and acting in strange ways, I also want to understand him and appeal to his preferences. If one day he wakes up, I hope to establish some common ground with him through this.”

Lu Mingze’s laughter in the mirror abruptly stopped, and he stared at Xing Ye, dumbfounded.

Had he just been confessed to by Xing Ye? And it wasn’t even directly to him, but to his parents?

Mr. and Mrs. Lu were both shocked, but Mr. Lu was someone who could control his expressions well. After Xing Ye’s confession, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes, and he immediately looked at his wife. He remembered that it was Mrs. Lu who had brought this up first, indicating that she was already aware.

Mrs. Lu had her suspicions long ago and had processed her feelings over the past few days. After receiving Xing Ye’s affirmation, she was only briefly surprised before letting go of her worries.

She sighed lightly and said softly, “If Xiao Ze were awake, I think I would be very angry and would oppose this. I would try to stop you two from dating before Xiao Ze fell for you. If Xiao Ze likes you, I would probably go through a long process of disagreement before eventually accepting it. But as it stands now, there’s no point in saying anything.”

She looked toward the ICU, her eyes filled with sorrow.

Xing Ye pressed the phone case against his heart and solemnly said to the two elders, “Lu Mingze will definitely wake up. I believe he will.”

He couldn’t promise anything to the two elders; this statement was not just for them but also meant for Lu Mingze in the mirror.

Mrs. Lu watched as Xing Ye held the mirror-like phone case tightly, her feelings were quite complex. Nevertheless, she graciously said, “If Xiao Ze really wakes up, at least I won’t stop you from visiting him.”

 

Translator : DarNan