“Actually, I’m not full yet.” The man held Bai Lixin in his arms, his eyes scanning every feature on his face. “But let’s take a nap.”
The man effortlessly lifted Bai Lixin, walked him to the bed and gently lay him down on the soft, large bed before joining him and cuddling him.
Trapped in a grip as heavy as iron tongs, Bai Lixin’s eyes were covered by a pair of large hands, plunging him into instant darkness.
The man’s voice mixed with heavy breathing sounded near his ear, “Close your eyes.”
The heavy breathing lingered in his ears, making Bai Lixin uncomfortable. He shifted slightly, but his arm was restrained by a strong and forceful one. “Don’t move. I don’t want to hurt you.”
Sensing a threat in Dijia’s words, Bai Lixin instantly stopped moving.
The room fell silent, leaving only two even breaths.
Bai Lixin: “…”
‘How should I put it, actually it doesn’t matter if I get hurt.’
Time passed in the quiet room, and after an unknown duration, a faint voice with curiosity rang out, “Are you asleep?”
The voice that answered this question had a heavy nasal tone, “Not yet, take it slow.”
Bai Lixin: “…”
‘Yes, with the way your heart is thumping, it’s hard to fall asleep, huh?’
“Since you haven’t slept, let’s chat for a while.” Bai Lixin turned over and faced Dijia. The hand over his eyes moved down, and Bai Lixin looked at the man close by, asking, “You gave me gifts a bit too fast today. It should take a lot of effort and time to prepare my substitute to that extent. When did you start preparing?”
Dijia opened his eyes, silver eyes reflecting Bai Lixin’s features. “Last night.”
Bai Lixin: “Did you know the queen would come? If you hadn’t prepared my substitute in advance, I would be the one taken away now.”
Dijia: “I didn’t know, it was just a coincidence. Why, are you worried about being taken away? Don’t worry, with me here, no one will take you away. He is not you, so he can be taken away.”
“Now that Mr. X has been taken away, you’re completely safe.”
Perhaps due to lying on the bed or having Bai Lixin in his arms, the man’s features relaxed, and his expression looked quite gentle.
“Since I promised you, I won’t leave you.” Bai Lixin tried to use words that wouldn’t provoke the man’s anger. “But I have a small matter to deal with, and I need to leave for a few days. I’ll return after it’s settled.”
The relaxed features suddenly tensed, and the man’s eyes, which had a hint of drowsiness, instantly cleared. He frowned, and stared at the young man in his arms. “I won’t let you leave, stop dreaming.”
Bai Lixin: “…” Looking at this unyielding Dijia, Bai Lixin licked his somewhat dry lips. “Or, if you don’t want me to leave your side, why don’t you come with me?”
Dijia’s eyes grew darker, and his voice became cold, “I won’t leave here, and neither will you. Bai Lixin, be smarter, don’t say things that upset me.”
Bai Lixin remained silent for a moment, and made a final effort, “What if I die if I don’t do it?”
Dijia was stunned. “What?”
Bai Lixin: “I have to leave here and do something that must be completed. If I can’t complete it within the specified time, I will die. If I don’t go, how many days will I stay alive by your side?”
Dijia frowned, his cold silver eyes examining the young man in his arms, seemingly judging the truthfulness of the statement.
After a long time, he spoke in a low voice, “Then die by my side.”
Bai Lixin: “…” ‘Damn it, do you mean you don’t love me anymore?’
“And you won’t.” Dijia quickly added.
Bai Lixin: “Won’t what?”
Dijia pinched a strand of Bai Lixin’s hair, gently twirling it. “You won’t come back. No one will want to come back after leaving this place. Once a bird flies out of the cage, do you think it would want to return? I said from the beginning, I will get what I want and destroy what I can’t get.”
“I really want you, but you won’t be an exception.”
The large palm held the back of Bai Lixin’s neck and suddenly exerted force. Dijia fiercely sealed his lips, ruthlessly biting as if declaring ownership rather than kissing.
Bai Lixin felt a burning sensation on his lips, and a hint of a bloody taste spread in his mouth.
The savage biting kiss ended, and Dijia unilaterally terminated the conversation. “Alright, sleep.”
Bai Lixin turned over: “…”
‘This crazy man, you just bit my lips!’
——————————–
In the live broadcast room
[Tsk tsk, big boss, how can you treat God Xin like this? Look, God Xin is angry.]
[I’m starting to worry about how God Xin will complete this tasks.]
[Don’t worry, I just went to the another live broadcast room. Even though those few people used some dirty tricks to find clues first, they still have no leads so far. So God Xin’s starting point will be the same as theirs.]
[Damn, eight people have been searching for clues together for more than a day and there’s no progress? Not even a suspect? It must be one of those twenty people, right? Exclude the ten players, and you have only ten suspects. Investigating them one by one should yield some clues, right? They are all experienced in clearing copies, do they lack this simple logic?]
[What you thought of, they also tried. It’s just like you said. They investigated those ten people, and then there was nothing. Either the suspect is someone else, or the one among those ten suspects is too cunning, achieved the perfect crime, and they overlooked some important clues.]
[So they still have to rely on our God Xin? Huh, embarrassing, right?]
[It’s only been a day and a half, wait a bit longer. Even if the big boss is stubborn, he won’t really want God Xin to die, right? If something happens to God Xin, the big boss will be the first to explode.]
[That’s true, but it’s really worrying. God Xin, stop enjoying love, quickly clear the copy, I’m anxious.]
[A true emperor is never anxious, only the eunuchs are.]
——————————–
Dijia didn’t close his eyes; he silently watched the young man’s back, a strange emotion flashing through his heart.
Die?
Is it possible?
Will he die if he doesn’t leave this place?
There are so many people locked up here. They have lost their freedom but don’t die unless he executes them himself.
But he won’t kill the young man, so he won’t die.
He shouldn’t die.
But the young man’s eyes were sincere and earnest, without any evasion as he spoke.
A voice deep inside told him.
The young man didn’t lie to him.
If he doesn’t let him leave, he might really die.
Even so, he won’t give up and let the young man leave.
A bird that disappears after flying to freedom, and a bird specimen dead in the cage, he would rather choose the latter.
At least that thing is still by his side, and he can see and touch it anytime.
In his mind, an image of a cold, pale body surfaced unintentionally. The man’s chest inexplicably tightened and twitched, as if an invisible hand was squeezing his heart.
He looked at his chest in confusion.
There was no injury, so why was there this dull pain like being stabbed?
Is it because he thought the young man would die?
Dijia suppressed the confusion in his eyes, raised his chin, and stared at the young man’s back thoughtfully.
He wants freedom, so if he grants him freedom within a limited range, will he stop wanting to leave? Will he avoid death?
…
Bai Lixin slept for an hour and woke up.
Rubbing his eyes, he sat up from the bed and found that Dijia had already left the bed and was now sitting on the sofa and examining him as if appreciating a piece of art.
Bai Lixin rubbed his eyes, stretched, and greeted him, “Good afternoon.”
Dijia pursed his lips, his expression somewhat conflicted for a moment. He then spoke in a deep voice, “If you’re bored, you can walk around the prison. You don’t have to stay in this office all the time or follow me. However, your freedom is limited to this prison. You must return to the office during lunch and dinner time. Otherwise, I will revoke this privilege.”
Bai Lixin’s arm that was raised in the air froze. He looked at Dijia with some confusion, “What are you up to?”
Just an hour ago, he was insisting on not leaving his side, saying he would rather die with him. Now, in just over an hour, he says he can move freely?
Did something happen during this hour that he didn’t know about?
Dijia frowned slightly. He couldn’t understand why the young man would misinterpret his rare concession and goodwill. Anyone else would have knelt down in gratitude by now, yet the young man questioned him in return?
It was like a tiger generously sharing its prey with a kitten, and the kitten used its claws to scratch the tiger in return, making it difficult for him to understand.
How could there be someone like this in the world? He looked so fragile that he could break at a moment’s notice, but he was not afraid of him at all.
His mouth was sharp and direct, making his teeth itch with hatred and wanting to block his mouth all the time.
Dijia, “It’s not some trick. I can’t let you leave, but I can give you maximum freedom. Now, you can move freely within this area. But don’t think about leaving.”
A metal object was accurately thrown in front of Bai Lixin. “Put on this ring; it symbolizes my identity. Whether it’s a prisoner, a guard, or anyone else in the prison, as long as they see this ring, they won’t pose a threat to you.”
“Don’t think about escaping, I know everything that happens in this prison.”
Bai Lixin picked up the metal ring and examined it in his hand.
It was a black gunmetal ring, substantial and atmospheric. Instead of precious gemstones like diamonds, the ring was adorned with the same black metal, engraved with the head of a beast. On careful inspection, the beast’s head seemed somewhat familiar.
Bai Lixin stared at the beast’s head for a while, then remembered it resembled the monster he saw underground.
Bai Lixin was not polite and directly put the ring on his finger.
Dijia’s hands were larger than his own; the ring was probably meant for Dijia’s index finger but on his hand, only the thumb could support it.
After putting the ring on his thumb, Bai Lixin raised it and examined it for a moment, then extended his hand to Dijia, “How does it look? Is it good?”
Dijia hesitated for a moment, “Not bad.”
“Hmph,” Bai Lixin stroked the beast head on the ring’s surface, “You seem cold and serious, but unexpectedly, you’re quite enthusiastic. You gave me a ring right away – are you planning to propose to me?”
Dijia’s pupils contracted, and his fingers holding the book trembled slightly.
Bai Lixin continued, “But if you really want to propose, this ring won’t do. There’s no logic in wearing an engagement ring on the thumb. It should be on the ring finger. This ring is too big.”
Dijia’s hand trembled again. He looked away from Bai Lixin, his cheeks slightly flushed.
This person, what’s going on with him?
One moment he says things that make people irritated, and the next moment, he says something that makes people misunderstanding.
Too strange.
He had never seen someone so peculiar.
Initially, it was just because he wanted him that he tied him to his side. However, after spending time with him, he discovered so many peculiarities about him.
One moment, he laughed amidst bloodshed.
The next moment, he chatted and laughed with him normally.
Sometimes he seems angry.
Sometimes he’s like this again.
What goes on in his pretty head?
A peculiar young man.
Dijia silently made a definition in his heart.
A shadow gathered in front him, and when Dijia cane back to his senses and looked up, he found that the neatly dressed Bai Lixin had already stood in front of him at some point.
The young man looked at him with a smiling expression. Holding a metal mask in one hand, he leaned down and lightly pecked Dijia’s lips, “Since you said so, it would be unfair to you if I don’t go out for a stroll now. So, I’m going out; see you later.”
After saying that, Bai Lixin put on the mask, and left the still dazed Dijia in the office. He casually closed the door and left gracefully.
It wasn’t until Bai Lixin’s footsteps gradually faded that Dijia came to his senses, touching the place where Bai Lixin had just kissed with a somewhat trance-like feeling, “…”
Again, he did something confusing.
…
S419M geared up: [Lord Host, are you planning to escape? This is my first time to participate in such an exciting project, so I’m looking forward to it.]
Bai Lixin’s eyes hidden behind the mask rolled: [Escape? That’s all you think about.]
The Escape System exclaimed: [You’re not escaping, Master Bai Lixin? But, Lord God has forbidden you to leave here. If you don’t leave, how will you complete the tasks? Time has already been wasted for more than a day.]
Bai Lixin: [If you want me to be caught by Dijia, locked up in a dark room and fail the task, then I’ll show you an escape.]
S419M: [What do you mean?]
Bai Lixin: [Didn’t you hear what Dijia said just now? He knows everything that happens in this prison. I suspect that although he looks like a normal person, he’s probably not normal at all. He can probably hear or see everything that happens in this prison.]
[When that perverted death row prisoner mocked me in the cell and the prison yard, Dijia wasn’t present. But judging from his reaction, it seemed like he knew everything.]
[If there are signs of me escaping, he’ll be the first to notice and catch me.]
S419M: [What should we do? How did the Lord God of this copy become like this?]
Bai Lixin was not anxious at all: [Don’t worry, it’s only been a little over a day. Haven’t I already gone from a helpless prisoner to a presence second only to Dijia here?]
[Compared to that museum where the Kiss of the Sun was lost, I’m more interested in this place now.]
[Aren’t you curious why the Queen comes to this place of death every year like clockwork?]
S419M and the Escape System said almost simultaneously: [We’re curious!]
Escape System: [Master Bai Lixin, I’m also super curious. After the Queen and Lord God entered the underground, I couldn’t track them anymore and didn’t know what they were doing. Honestly, the Queen is so good to Lord God, I also suspected whether Lord God might be the Queen’s illegitimate child.]
Bai Lixin reached the elevator. It was a half open old-fashioned one, and it moved up and down very slowly.
Two guards were escorting a prisoner, waiting for the elevator. Bai Lixin naturally stood behind the guards.
The guard turned his head with some caution, frowned, and was about to reprimand Bai Lixin when he lowered his head and saw the ring on Bai Lixin’s thumb.
The guard’s expression changed, the disdainful look quickly turned into a respectful one, “Good day, Sir.”
Bai Lixin nodded, not responding verbally.
The guard wasn’t annoyed at Bai Lixin’s arrogance. He just stood rigidly, looking very nervous.
Bai Lixin: “…”
This ring was indeed useful.
This time, he was really using his power.
[Do you really think the Queen takes care of Dijia a lot?] The elevator came down, and Bai Lixin followed the few people inside. After seeing they were heading to the fifth floor, Bai Lixin glanced at the number briefly and continued chatting with the two systems in his mind.
S419M: [What else is it if not care? Her attitude toward Lord God is too good.]
Bai Lixin: [Maybe it’s not care, but rather, apprehension. I poured her tea, but she didn’t touch it at all. Dijia also mentioned that she never eats or drinks here. This visit was sudden, and the departure was hasty, only staying here for an hour. However, Dijia and the surrounding guards seem accustomed to it. It seems that whenever comes, it’s the same thing, she stays only for a short while before leaving.]
[The feeling is like…] Bai Lixin’s gaze swept over the gradually shrinking ground. He rubbed his chin and pondered, [It’s like she came just to confirm something, and once confirmed, she leaves at ease.]
Escape System: [Listening to what Master Bai Lixin said, it really seems like that. The Queen goes underground every time, so is the thing she wants to confirm underground? Not the monster?]
Bai Lixin reviewed some details in his mind, [I feel it’s unlikely. Liang Xi is a veterinarian. I talked to him before about pet psychology. If an owner really likes a pet, they would willingly spend a lot of time with it.]
[If the Queen really cared about that monster, she shouldn’t just take a glance and leave in a hurry.]
[What the Queen is concerned about should be something else.]
[That monster might just be a diversion. It’s more likely that the monster is the guardian of whatever she’s protecting. Don’t forget, when we walked in front of the monster underground, we stopped, but the monster walked out from the darkness. We haven’t carefully examined what’s beyond.]
Curiosity flashed in Bai Lixin’s eyes, and after connecting the dots, his voice became cheerful, [When we have time, let’s go inside and take a look. I’m really curious about what treasure the Queen is so fond of hiding. I’m really looking forward to it.]
The Escape System and s419M remembered the huge monster that could chew through iron chains: […]
Suddenly, they weren’t curious or looking forward anymore.
The elevator slowly stopped on the fifth floor. The elevator doors opened, but the two guards didn’t move.
After two seconds, Bai Lixin realized they were waiting for him to go out first. He was about to step out when he saw a flash of white pass by his line of sight.
Bai Lixin paused, then confidently walked out of the elevator, striding forward with his head held high.
Someone was backing him up.
What arrogance? What was there to be afraid of? There is someone behind him anyway.
——————————-
In the live broadcast room.
[ God Xin perfectly embodies the words “the villain succeeds.”]
[Tsk tsk, some people are about to be angered to death again.]
[Doctor: Although you didn’t mention me by name, I suspect you’re implying something.]
[I’ve seen the doctor’s white coat. Be confident, remove the “suspect.”]
[I suspect God Xin is fishing.]
[Be more confident, remove the “suspect” again.]
[Some people are in for trouble; we have a good show to watch.]
————————
The doctor had just treated the death row inmates on the fifth floor. The death row inmates on the fifth floor were all extremely vicious people. In this world, not everyone’s hearts are filled with goodness. Some people’s hearts are filled with darkness, violence, and cruelty.
Not all death row inmates were on the fifth floor, but the ones on the fifth floor were undoubtedly inhuman and dangerous criminals.
Even in confinement, these death row inmates were worrying. Apart from frequent private fights, self-inflicted harm, and harm to others, there were also punishments mentioned in the judgments. His presence was to hang their lives, not letting them die so easily.
Before the execution time, they had to endure the punishments they deserved.
It was their just deserts; it wouldn’t let these people feel remorse, but least it could make them feel fear.
As he was about to leave, he looked up and saw someone who made him widen his eyes in anger.
That Mr. X who seduced the Lord Warden dared to come to a place like this!
Something shiny swayed in front of him, and Dr. Garner’s gaze was drawn to what was on Bai Lixin’s thumb. When he saw what it was, his pupils suddenly contracted.
A ring?
The ring symbolizing the Lord Warden’s power was actually on his hand?
How did the Lord Warden get fooled by such a little white face?
