The handsome young man lay on the cold metal cabinet, his face pale and a bit unhealthy.
The person in the white protective suit checked Bai Lixin’s body, injected an unknown liquid into him, and then pushed him back into the honeycomb.
Bai Lixin looked to the left and right, and in front of each honeycomb, there was a person in a white protective suit.
At the end of his line of sight, there were countless honeycombs.
These dense honeycombs in front of him were just the tip of the iceberg.
In places he couldn’t see, there were probably even more honeycombs.
“Hey! You, yes you, come down from the rooftop, don’t lose hope!” A roar pierced the air, rushing up from below, startling Bai Lixin.
Bai Lixin looked down following the sound, only to see a long neck with a round head protruding from the seventh-floor window, shouting at him with its mouth wide open.
The creature was from some civilization he didn’t know, and had a long neck comparable to that of a giraffe.
Seeing Bai Lixin looking at him, the round head yelled again, “Wake up, kid, the world is beautiful, don’t give up!”
While shouting, it stretched its head again, its already long neck was almost level with Bai Lixin.
The round head had only one eye, one mouth, and no hair.
The huge eye occupied half of its face. As its head came closer to Bai Lixin, it advised earnestly, “Come down, there are no obstacles in this world that can’t be overcome. What seems painful today may be trivial tomorrow. Time heals all wounds, my child.”
“This is not worth it! Listen to Auntie, come down quickly!”
“You can tell Auntie anything, Auntie will help you.”
The huge head almost reached Bai Lixin’s eyes, its black eye blinking.
Bai Lixin: “…”
‘Auntie, you scared me.’
People had begun to gather downstairs, so Bai Lixin could only shrink back and return to the rooftop.
Seeing this, the round head breathed a sigh of relief. “Child, stand still, Auntie is coming up to get you.”
Without waiting for Bai Lixin to say anything, the head quickly retracted with a “swoosh,” and Bai Lixin even heard a sound similar to the snapping of a rubber band.
Bai Lixin wanted to leave quickly, but as soon as he reached the entrance to the rooftop, the iron gate made a loud “bang” sound. A huge handprint appeared on the previously smooth iron gate, and with this loud noise, a familiar voice followed, “Child, I’m coming!”
Bai Lixin took two steps back: “…”
‘No, don’t come over.’
——————————
In the live broadcast room:
[Hahaha, he escapes, she chases, he can’t fly.]
[Those who don’t know would think it’s a couple’s quarrel, but it’s actually a big sister saving a troubled young man.]
[Bai Lixin: Troubled young man?]
—————————–
“Good child, tell Auntie, why did you want to jump off the building? Is there something you can’t get over?”
The alien woman in a floral dress curled up in the corner, her hands hugging her legs, her huge eye “tenderly” looking at the young man sitting next to her by the wall.
The young man occasionally glanced at the rooftop where he had wanted to jump earlier, looking absent-minded and somewhat discouraged.
The alien woman was a little nervous. “Child, where are your family members?”
Bai Lixin: “My family is not here. I want to go find my family.”
The alien woman looked at Bai Lixin doubtfully, then at the rooftop, and was suddenly startled.
“Child, be more optimistic. Once someone dies, they cannot be brought back to life. If your family is still alive, they must not want to see you giving up and trying to find them.”
Bai Lixin: “???”
‘My family isn’t dead yet.’
The alien woman extended her arm and pointed to the stars overhead. “Look at the twinkling stars above, your family is in there, they are all watching you from the sky. You must be strong.”
Bai Lixin: “From a cosmological perspective, stars are just celestial bodies and do not have theological significance.”
The alien woman pouted slightly. “Child, are you allergic to romance?”
Bai Lixin: “…”
‘I have the spirit of seeking truth and practicality in science!’
“Judging from your attire, you must be from the Order District. You are so young, are you here to register today?” The alien woman looked Bai Lixin up and down with her giant eye and got the answer from Bai Lixin’s nodding chin.
The alien woman pondered for two seconds. “When you mentioned family just now, were you referring to your lover?”
Bai Lixin nodded again.
The alien woman asked, “Do you not want to register here and accept the partner arranged for you by the Brain?”
Bai Lixin nodded again.
After a pause, the alien woman hesitating for a moment and continued, “If I say I can help you, will you stop thinking about suicide? Life is precious. Every life that comes into this world has its own meaning, and you cannot give up so easily.”
Bai Lixin: “How can you help me?”
The alien woman lowered her voice and said mysteriously, “There is a secret organization in the Dark Steel City, and the people there have a common trait. That is, they cannot accept the partner arranged for them by the Brain.”
“Some people simply like living alone. Some people already have a beloved one, but the Brain matched them with someone they don’t like. And some people cannot accept another person after their lover is gone and choose to escape. In short, there are many reasons.”
“As long as you can find the leader of this organization, he can provide you with shelter and let you live like other people in peace.”
Bai Lixin: “How do I find him?”
The alien woman, “It’s rumored that this organization has been active on Caesar Avenue in the Fair District recently. Here, take this.”
She rummaged in her pocket and pulled out a business card. The white card had simple colors and only one place name.
“Go to this place and say you were sent by Miss Phoenix. The people there will help you find the organization.”
Bai Lixin took the card. “Are you Miss Phoenix?”
The alien woman smiled, revealing her bright teeth. “I gave myself that pen name. How about it, doesn’t it match me perfectly?”
Bai Lixin: “…”
‘Sorry, no.’
“All right, now that there’s a second option, stop thinking about suicide.” The alien woman patted Bai Lixin’s shoulder gently, and Bai Lixin immediately felt the heavy affection. “Let’s go, I’ll take you away from here.”
Knowing that the alien woman wouldn’t let him go if he didn’t leave, Bai Lixin had no choice but to cooperate. He stood up and followed her away from the rooftop.
Before leaving, he glanced back at the firewall hidden in the sky above the rooftop, his eyes dark.
S419M sounded a bit anxious in his mind: [Lord Host, are we just going to leave it like this today?]
Bai Lixin: [As far as the firewall is concerned, I‘m no different from anyone else, just a string of information data. It blocks other data, but it also blocks me.]
S419M: [So we have no way to leave from here?]
Bai Lixin: [There’s definitely a way. No matter how sophisticated a firewall is, there are viruses and trojans it can’t stop, we just haven’t found them yet.]
S419M: [Then where can we find the clues?]
Bai Lixin: [Isn’t the flicker of light that appeared when that spacecraft flew into the clouds that day a reaction to data oscillation? We can go there to look for clues. To get to the clouds, we first need to get a spacecraft, and to get a spacecraft, we need to get money.]
S419M: [Where do we get the money?]
Bai Lixin: [Good question.]
[Miss Elsa looks very rich,] the escape system suddenly spoke up, [and she seems quite interested in Master Bai Lixin. Master Bai Lixin, if you ask her, she might be willing to lend you money.]
Bai Lixin: […]
S419M: […]
‘Say less, Sister System.
You are really a newborn calf who is not afraid of tigers. You dare to say this.’
Bai Lixin: [Good idea.]
S419M: [???]
After they arrived on the first floor, the alien woman persuaded Bai Lixin a few more times, making sure Bai Lixin had truly given up on suicide before leaving alone.
Bai Lixin stood in a corner of the lobby and searched around, soon finding Miss Elsa among the crowd.
At this moment, Miss Elsa was walking through the hall with a glass of champagne, her eyes were casual and sharp with the sharpness of a werewolf.
Bai Lixin took a plate of small cakes from the dining cart and walked over to Miss Elsa. He handed over the fruit plate naturally and said, “Miss Elsa, would you like some dessert to satisfy your hunger?”
Miss Elsa was frustrated because she couldn’t find the person she wanted. When she saw Bai Lixin return, her eyes lit up. “Why are you back again?”
Bai Lixin: “You seemed to have said earlier that if I encountered any difficulties, I could ask you for help.”
Miss Elsa’s eyes showed understanding. “Are you short of money?”
Bai Lixin: “I just want to borrow a spacecraft from you and return it after use.”
Miss Elsa’s eyes suddenly flashed disappointment, but she quickly regained her composure. “Of course, I’d be happy to help you out. When do you need it?”
Bai Lixin: “The sooner, the better.”
Miss Elsa: “Then come with me now.”
…
As they boarded Elsa’s luxurious car, S419M suddenly flashed red alarm lights in Bai Lixin’s mind.
[Lord Host, you are confused]
[Do you know what it means to get in her car?]
[How do you want me to explain this to Lord God? I’m scared.]
Bai Lixin: [It’s okay, I’m not afraid.]
S419M: [Lord God wouldn’t dare to truly harm you, so of course you’re not afraid, but he’ll chop me up.]
Bai Lixin: […]
The robot was silently driving at the front. Miss Elsa and Bai Lixin sat in the back seat, one on each side by the window, with a distance between them like the opposite banks of the Chu and Han Rivers.
Miss Elsa lazily rested her arm on the car door. She scrutinized Bai Lixin lazily, and said abruptly, “You resemble him.”
Bai Lixin adjusted his posture slightly, “Who?”
Miss Elsa: “Pris Xingchen.”
“Not in appearance, but in temperament. When you appeared in the hall for the first time, many people noticed you. I dare say they looked at you because of your outstanding appearance, but I was the only one who noticed your unique temperament.”
“He’s a man full of magic,” Miss Elsa sighed, “He’s very special.”
Bai Lixin: “So you regard me as his substitute?”
“No,” Miss Elsa shook her head, “No one can be his substitute. He is a unique existence.”
“But when I saw you for the first time, I was indeed influenced by him. By the time I realized it, my body had already taken the initiative to strike up a conversation with you.”
Bai Lixin: “I’ve seen Pris Xingchen. He held a concert in the Order District a few days ago, and I was lucky enough to grab a ticket. When I went to the bathroom, I happened to meet him. He was very friendly and even recommended me to listen to his ‘Sky Trilogy.’ From what you’re saying, it seems like you’re quite familiar with Pris Xingchen?”
In the pitch-black night sky, colorful buildings were quickly left behind.
The transparent car window reflected Miss Elsa’s light blue facial features.
Miss Elsa: “Not only am I very familiar with him, even the stage name ‘Pris Xingchen’ was my idea. Five years ago, my entertainment company was on the verge of bankruptcy, and many artists left one after another. Just when I thought my career was over, he suddenly appeared in front of me, saying he wanted me to help him with publicity. He said he could revive my entertainment company.”
“The moment I saw him, I knew he would be famous.”
“I don’t know why he chose my agency, but I signed him with gratitude and gave him the greatest authority. But he didn’t want money, his only request when signing with me was absolute freedom.”
“Sure enough, his first song came out and quickly rose to the top of the charts. That song, ‘Mist,’ was bought by many companies. That year, just with that one song, my agency revived, and he really fulfilled his promise to me.”
“After that, he disappeared for six months, and even I couldn’t contact him.”
“It’s been five years since I met him, and in these five years, I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen him.”
“Now my company has become one of the top entertainment companies in Love District, and I have many outstanding artists under me, but I still can’t forget that on that cold night, there was someone who came to my rescue, pulling me out of the abyss. He is my benefactor.”
Miss Elsa: “You should be grateful that you resemble him to some extent. I helped you only because you resemble him, nothing more. The jokes I made with you earlier were just a hasty cover-up. After all, I’m also a quasi-public figure. If I show too much haste, I’ll be laughed at.”
S419M: [Lord Host, had you already realized that she was not interested in you?]
Bai Lixin: [Yes. The way she looks at me is like looking at a piece of art, not the possessive gaze. And when I was researching information about Pris Xingchen online, I saw that his management company is called ‘Love District Entertainment Agency,’ although the name is very common, but I think it should be the same one.]
Escape System: [So you took the initiative to approach Miss Elsa because you wanted to learn more about Pris Xingchen, not to seduce her.]
S419M: […]
‘Say a few less words, Sister System, I’m really begging you.’
Miss Elsa bent her body into an elegant arc, turning her head to look at Bai Lixin with a threatening gaze, “You must not spread the words I told you today to the outside world. Although there’s nothing confidential in what I said, I don’t like people spreading rumors.”
Bai Lixin: “Of course, after all, I’m also a fan of Pris Xingchen, and am a well-mannered fan at that.”
When Miss Elsa heard that Bai Lixin was a fan of Pris Xingchen, she immediately adjusted her posture and her voice became enthusiastic, “By the way, you just told me you attended Pris Xingchen’s concert. It turns out you’re also his fan. You have good taste. How was he? He’s great, right?”
At this point, Bai Lixin had practiced his speaking skills to perfection, and the rainbow farts came out smoothly, “Of course, otherwise I wouldn’t be a fan of him. Pris Xingchen is very special. His singing voice contains the mysteries of the universe, just like the starry sky above our heads, mysterious and ethereal. And he is also very handsome, he could clearly rely on his looks, but he chooses to rely on his talent. And in this entertainment industry full of materialism, he still sticks to his principles.”
“He’s talented, single-mindedly devoted to music, and every song of his is a classic among classics.”
“How can there be such a perfect person in the world?”
A smile gradually appeared on Miss Elsa’s beautiful and aloof face, “Right? He’s amazing, isn’t he? No wonder I noticed you as soon as you entered the hall. Not only do you have a similar temperament to Pris Xingchen, but you also understand him. Besides the spacecraft, is there anything else you want my help with?”
Bai Lixin: “Nothing else, I just need the spacecraft. You said you helped him come up with the name ‘Pris Xingchen’? Then what is his real name?”
Miss Elsa looked somewhat embarrassed, “It’s not that I won’t tell you, I also don’t know what his real name is.”
The car gradually entered a luxurious villa.
Miss Elsa led Bai Lixin to a huge airstrip and pointed to a row of spacecrafts, “These are my family’s spacecrafts. You can choose one at will and return it to me after you’re done.”
Seeing Bai Lixin walking forward, she spoke again, “You should know how to operate the spacecraft, right?”
S419M patted its chest and assured, [Lord Host, I’m here! I’ve stored hundreds of millions of spacecraft operation manuals in my mind. Tell her we’re seasoned pros!]
Escape System: [Wow, Brother M, you’re amazing. I’ve only stored a few thousand models. Compared to you, I’m just an apprentice.]
S419M’s lifted lips could almost hold a thermos bottle, [Hmph!]
…
Bai Lixin chose the smallest spacecraft. He sat in the driver’s seat, waiting for S419M’s instructions, only for S419M to remain silent for a long time before saying with guilt, [Lord Host, out of millions of models, this one isn’t included. How about switching to another one?]
Bai Lixin: […]
‘Where’s the seasoned pro you promised?
You rookie.’
Escape System: [Oh, so you don’t you have it, Brother M.]
S419M: [My reserves have covered almost all models. It’s just that the models in this copy are too eccentric. You really can’t blame me, no matter how good a hunter is, he will occasionally miss.]
Escape system: [But I have it, Brother M, Master Bai Lixin.]
A spacecraft manual unfolded in Bai Lixin’s mind, identical to the model in front of him.
Bai Lixin: [Oh, the apprentice beats the master.]
S419M: […]
Having benefitted from Pris Xingchen’s light, Bai Lixin effortlessly piloted the spacecraft and flew away.
The spacecraft was extremely fast, and in just a blink of an eye, it flew from Love District to the central area of the Order District, near Sky City.
Bai Lixin first identified the direction.
Because they were in the sky and the cloud formations were constantly changing, only Sky City served as a reference point.
But when he saw the flicker in the sky, he was inside Sky City, the feeling of the reference object was different inside and outside the object.
Bai Lixin took a long time to determine the rough location of the flicker.
The spacecraft traversed through the clouds, leaving behind a beautiful trail. The dense clouds were scattered by the spacecraft, becoming somewhat fragmented.
The fragmented clouds drifted back and forth in the dark night sky, some dispersing, while more drifted over.
As he went deeper in the cloud mass, the scene before Bai Lixin’s eyes became a pitch-black and white expanse.
The radar that could have been used for positioning emitted a “buzzing and crackling” sound in the cloud mass, followed by a sudden flash of white light on the dial, and then it went completely black.
The radar was unusable, and the surroundings were still the same, Bai Lixin instantly lost his direction.
[S419M, do you have a real-time map?] Bai Lixin shouted in his mind.
However, there was an unusual silence in his mind. S419M did not respond to him, nor did the suddenly smart escape system.
Bai Lixin pursed his lips slightly, clenching the steering wheel of the spacecraft slightly tighter.
There must be something here interfering with the signals of the systems and the spacecraft.
This might be what he was looking for.
Bai Lixin quickly calmed down, continuing to drive the spacecraft smoothly towards the original destination according to his body’s mechanical memory.
The cloud mass didn’t seem large from the outside. According to theory, the fast spacecraft should have been able to fly out of the cloud mass in one or two minutes, but Bai Lixin had been flying in the cloud mass for almost five minutes, and still hadn’t seen the edge of the cloud mass.
The surroundings were still a vast expanse of white.
—’Mist thickens, obscuring my sight, causing me to miss the path I’ve been chasing.’
Almost instinctively, a song lyric appeared in Bai Lixin’s mind.
The next moment, the complete “Mist” began to play in Bai Lixin’s mind.
‘In the mist, what one sees may not be true.
.
.
.
Full speed ahead!
Click, click, click.
Left, right, right, left, up, down.
Seeking, probing, searching for the truth beyond the mist.
Finally, the dense fog dissipates.
I see… the truth.’
Bai Lixin gripped the steering wheel tightly, and suddenly maneuvered the spacecraft into a 90-degree turn to the left and flew in that direction.
The next second, he quickly turned the steering wheel again, and the spacecraft, as if malfunctioning, made another 90-degree turn to the right and flew in that direction.
Then another turn to the right.
Left.
Up.
Down.
The spacecraft plunged downward, its front continuously smashing through the dense clouds, scattering them on both sides.
