533: 9.3 Voice Note

9.3 Voice Note

This one reunion was so touching that both of them needed a few moments to regain themselves. Even then, they were unwilling to be separated from each other. When Zeke boiled water, Lu Yizhou would stand behind him and hung his arm loosely around his waist. When Lu Yizhou went to the bathroom to wash his face, Zeke would drap himself over his back and acted like a boneless limpet. They chatted about whatever that came to mind. There had been too many things they went through together but it was not until Zeke regained his memory that they could discuss it further.0

They lay together in the bed, with Zeke leaning against his shoulder and Lu Yizhou's fingers twiddling with his long hair.

"What about Ellie?" Lu Yizhou asked tentatively. "Last time, she said she was going to sleep and only left a short message to Ella. Is she okay?"

Zeke snorted. "Yes, don't worry, she's just asleep. Ellen suspected that Ellie knew something about his corruption and because he feared she was going to tell you, he forced her to sleep. He just didn't expect that Ellie would leave a message for Ella before she did. That man held no precautions against Ella at all." Now that he thought back about it, Zeke could not help but curse Ellen's oversight, "Foolish. Who does he think you are? Even if he tried to hide it, you're still going to know one way or another!"

Lu Yizhou was amused at how he talked about himself like he was narrating another's experience. Or maybe… it was just his coping mechanisms. After all, his personalities were distinctly different in each world…

Still, Lu Yizhou could not resist commenting, "Perhaps he was just not certain what kind of reaction I would have. I understand that fear." 

Memories surfaced in Lu Yizhou's mind. In the third world, he had killed someone in front of Oliver and decided to hide himself for fear that Oliver would be afraid of him. When he put it that way, were they not one and the same? A wistful sigh escaped Lu Yizhou's lips at the thought. 

He tucked the strand of Zeke's hair behind his ear and told him seriously, "I love every side of you, no matter how silly, headstrong or insufferable you are. Do you hear me? I will love you no matter what."

Zeke pursed his lips but otherwise remained silent.

"Zeke…?" Lu Yizhou was confused. Had he said something wrong?

However, before Lu Yizhou could think it through, Zeke suddenly covered his face with both palms. Then he rolled off Lu Yizhou's body to plaster himself to the wall as though he wanted to be one as well. Lu Yizhou was flabbergasted by that reaction. "Zeke?" He held Zeke's shoulder, intending to see what was wrong, when his eyes landed on the man's bright red earlobes. 

Lu Yizhou was abruptly enlightened. With a brief chuckle, he scooted closer to Zeke and whispered deeply into his ear, "What's wrong? I have told you so many times but you haven't given me such a reaction before."

Zeke's voice came out muffled. "It… It's different before! I was young and naïve!"

"Oh…" Lu Yizhou drawled, amused. "So now you're not young and naïve anymore?"

"Lu Yizhou!" Embarrassed into anger, Zeke simply threw all caution out of the window and pounced on him, trying to dominate him into submission to no avail. They tossed and scuffled around the bed like a pair of schoolboys, disregarding all decorum and poise, even using a pillow as weapon (only Zeke). In the end, they became all tired and sweaty as they laid in each other's embrace, panting heavily (again, only Zeke).

The corner of Lu Yizhou's lips had not stopped curling ever since. He had forgotten the last time he had felt so carefree and at ease. It was like he could forget all of the problems in the world…

Lu Yizhou stared at the ceiling with his thought obscured.

"What's wrong?" Zeke asked softly, his fingers drawing circles on Lu Yizhou's chest. "I can sense there's something in your mind."

Lu Yizhou tilted his head to look at him. He then asked carefully. "I am wondering how much have you remembered… about your real identity? Last time, Dr. Feng told me that the ones I will retrieve from now on is your memory. It means… they have already returned to you, right?" He fixed his stare on Zeke's face, trying to find the slightest sign of discomfort to know that he should step back and give him space.

Before he entered the eight's simulation, Dr. Feng had already promised to tell him everything about Zeke. Yet the man himself was nowhere to be found now and Lu Yizhou hesitated whether to ask Zeke directly as he did not want to bring up bad memories.

However, Zeke merely frowned in contemplation. "Dr. Feng…"

"Do you remember him?"

Zeke hummed. "A bit. There are still a few unclear areas, but I have already regained my memory… more or less." Then he looked around. "Where is he? He doesn't show up this time?"

It was then that 666 found the opportunity to interject. Could anyone blame it? Once Host woke up, both of them had been all over each other, never giving anyone the slightest space to cut in! 666 was a sensible system and knowing how important this person was to Host, of course it could only wait!

[666: Ahem, good day to you both. 666 is here. 666 has a voice note from Admin God. Do you want to hear it now?]

Lu Yizhou frowned. "He sent a voice note?"

666 did not answer and merely played the recording. In this place where Admin God could monitor its activity, 666 became as meek as a quail, not daring to breathe too loudly for fear that its crime could be exposed.

[Hello, Feng's here. If you open this voice note, then you must be wondering where the hell I have gone. Rest assured, I will not go back on my words. As I have said, I needed to prepare a few things and unexpectedly, it is more complicated than I expected. I can't tell you the details but please know that I am working on it.] There was a buzz like some kind of signal interference before Doctor Feng's voice sounded again. [Oh, look at me. I forgot to say the most important thing.]

[Congratulations for making it out, Lu Yizhou. And thank you so much, because of you, we can have a breakthrough in wiping the residual bug that remains in the simulator. Actually I am not too worried because I know you definitely can do it and…] he paused, and his voice became considerably softer. [Zachary, welcome back. I know you, too, have a lot of things you'd like to ask me. Don't worry, I will come back soon.]

[As you wait, I suggest you go through one or two more simulations, Lu Yizhou. I have seen your data. Your willmeter has almost reached 80%. Just a little bit more and you will be able to wake up. Don't you want to meet him in reality?]

The voice note ended with a click.

There was no doubt as to whom the 'he' Dr. Feng was talking about. But the thing that caught Lu Yizhou off guard was… his willmeter had almost reached 80%? So high?

Apparently, 666 was the one who was the most agitated by the news.

[666: H–H–Host's willmeter?! Let 666 check it out—oh my Admin God, it's really almost 80%! No, Host, Admin God must have not counted the simulation you have just gone through. As of now, your willmeter is already 86%!! Oh my Admin God, 666 wants to cry! Is this still the Host who told 666 that he will not be able to pass?!]

Lu Yizhou became even more surprised. However, now that he thought about it, everything made sense. He vaguely recalled that he seemed to have thought along the lines of 'I don't want to die' when he was trapped in the engine room. No wonder that his willmeter had fluctuated greatly. 

Sensing an intense gaze coming from his side, Lu Yizhou snapped out of his reverie and turned to see Zeke staring at him with a dazed look. "What's wrong?" Lu Yizhou asked worriedly.

"Hmm… nothing. It's just that…" Zeke blinked, his long lashes shrouded his golden eyes and gave him a slightly melancholic air. "To meet you in reality… how good will it be?"

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