Ji Mian walked over and silently picked out a pineapple-flavored ice pop from Xie Heng’s shopping bag.
After taking a few bites, the cold pineapple ice numbed his throat before he spoke, “Heng Ge, how did you know I was rejected?”
Xie Heng glanced at him. “Now I know.”
Ji Mian: …
He incredulously said, “Heng Ge, you… can’t do this! How could you buy ice pops in advance? Were you that certain I would be rejected?”
“I wasn’t.” Xie Heng met Ji Mian’s resentful gaze and replied helplessly, “Really, I wasn’t.”
Ji Mian didn’t believe him at all, but since the other party was treating him to ice pops, he decided not to hold it against Xie Heng.
The two descended the steps outside the supermarket. Ji Mian quietly ate his ice pop, unusually refraining from initiating conversation.
“He’s that great?” Xie Heng suddenly asked as they walked.
“Hmm?”
“He’s not even as good-looking as you and has no taste.”
Ji Mian thought Xie Heng was trying to comfort him and smiled. “Heng Ge, don’t talk badly about him.”
Love isn’t really about taste, after all. Moreover, objectively speaking, as the main character, Song Yu was still better looking and more refined than the original.
Xie Heng was silent for a few seconds before suddenly grabbing his wrist.
Ji Mian stopped walking and turned his head in confusion to look at him.
“Stop liking him.”
“…”
Xie Heng’s eyes were downcast, making it hard to discern his emotions.
The hand that Ji Mian had grabbed suddenly felt a chill.
He looked down and said, “Heng Ge, my ice pop has melted.”
Only then did Xie Heng slowly release his grip.
Ji Mian quickly finished off the melted ice pop, leaving just the stick, which he tossed into the trash can.
“Are you hungry?” Xie Heng asked.
“A little.” Ji Mian hadn’t eaten dinner, worried that he’d smell like food during his confession. “I’ll just grab a snack when I get back.”
“Not going back, let’s eat out. I’ll treat you.”
Ji Mian glanced at the time. “Are you sure? It’s almost eight o’clock, and aren’t you not supposed to eat late-night snacks?”
“Just this once, it’s fine.”
Ji Mian smiled and replied, “Okay.”
Xie Heng shook the bag in his hand. “Then let’s head outside first and put these in the fridge.”
“Sure.” After Ji Mian finished speaking, he licked his lips and leaned in closer. “Do you have any lychee flavor? I want another lychee one.”
Xie Heng dug through the bag and pulled out a lychee-flavored ice pop, handing it to him.
Ji Mian felt satisfied. “By the way, Heng Ge, why did you buy so many?”
“...I didn’t realize I took so many.”
“Oh, it’s fine. I still have a few days before going back, so I’ll help you finish them.”
Xie Heng chuckled. “Alright.”
—
During the summer vacation, Ji Mian began his aimless holiday life.
At the beginning of July, when he had just returned, he was still in the mood to go out, catching up with high school classmates or arranging to play ball with friends.
But by August, as the temperature in S City rose and it hadn’t rained for a long time, he immediately lost all energy and had to stay in the air-conditioned room, afraid to go out, lounging on the sofa, playing on his phone to pass the time.
【Xie Heng】: What fun places are there in S City?
When Ji Mian saw Xie Heng's message, he pondered for a moment. Just as he was about to type out a list of local attractions, he suddenly realized something was off.
【Lu Zhou】: Heng Ge, are you planning to come here for a vacation?
【Xie Heng】: Yes.
【Lu Zhou】: Wait a moment.
If Xie Heng was coming for a vacation, it wasn’t enough to just name a few spots.
Ji Mian opened an app on his phone to gather and organize travel information for S City.
After a few minutes of browsing, a message suddenly popped up at the top.
【Xie Heng】: You’re not actually helping me find travel guides, are you?
【Lu Zhou】: How did you know?
【Xie Heng】: …
【Xie Heng】: No need, just tell me your favorite places.
Fine.
Ji Mian sent the list of places he had prepared earlier, and after sending it, he added another message:
【Lu Zhou】: If you come over, remember to call me. I’ll take you around.
【Lu Zhou】: Make sure to find me.
【Xie Heng】: Really?
【Lu Zhou】: Would I lie?
【Xie Heng】: I’m already here.
Ji Mian sat up straight.
【Lu Zhou】: ???
【Xie Heng】: At the airport.
【Lu Zhou】: Just you? I’m heading out now; you better not be tricking me!
【Xie Heng】: Yes, just me.
Ji Mian quickly rushed out to get a taxi.
Once he arrived at the airport, he sprinted to the exit where Xie Heng was supposed to be. He spotted Xie Heng almost instantly.
It was simple: Xie Heng stood out too much.
Most of the people waiting were in the shaded area near the exit, but Xie Heng stood under the scorching sun in an open space with a black backpack, like a pillar. It was hard not to see him.
“Heng Ge!” Ji Mian waved at him.
Xie Heng had seen him from afar and smiled slightly as his lips curled.
【Hmm…】 The system suddenly made a sound.
【What’s wrong?】
【Nothing, just reminded me of when you were in a long-distance relationship with Duan Zhuang…】
That guy also did something like this, quietly traveling to the city where Ji Mian worked, and then suddenly texting him, “I’ve arrived” when Ji Mian got off work.
Ji Mian was taken aback for a moment and then fell silent.
The system knew it had brought up a name it shouldn’t have, but this was not entirely unintentional.
The continuous anomaly in the emotional data across three worlds led it to develop a perfect hypothesis to explain those questions and find relevant cases in the headquarters.
The case showed that a very small number of taskers would encounter other taskers in their task worlds. If Duan Zhuang were also a tasker from a certain branch, then everything made sense.
The reason for his unusually high emotional data was that he wasn’t merely a virtual projection in the world but a real existing soul.
As for why he had visited Ji Mian’s task world across three different worlds, the system found it perplexing.
It was hesitating about whether to inform Ji Mian that there was some connection between Xie Heng and Duan Zhuang or even that they might be the same person.
However, the system worried about the possibility of its hypothesis being incorrect: what if they weren’t the same?
Losing Duan Zhuang once more would be too cruel for its host.
The system decided to keep quiet for now.
It already had a logically sound hypothesis, and it just needed a tiny piece of evidence to support it…
“Why are you standing here, Heng Ge? Aren’t you hot?”
Xie Heng replied, “I was afraid you wouldn’t find me.”
Ji Mian raised his hand and gestured above Xie Heng’s head, “With your height and presence, it would be hard for anyone to miss you!”
Xie Heng just smiled without responding.
He glanced at Ji Mian’s attire; he was dressed casually in loose-fitting home clothes and wore flip-flops, clearly having rushed out in a hurry after receiving the message.
"Let’s go to my place to rest for a bit. It’s so hot out; we won’t be able to move around outside."
"Your place? I can just stay at a hotel."
"Don’t! Some hotels are really dirty." Ji Mian had stayed in hotels a few times while traveling; although they weren’t cheap, the hygiene wasn’t great. Afterward, to avoid staying in hotels, he went on fewer trips.
"My parents are on a business trip and won’t be around, so I’m quite bored at home. There’s a guest room, so you can stay without worry."
Xie Heng had more to say, but Ji Mian quickly cut him off: "How about this? Next time there’s a holiday, I’ll come visit you, and you can let me stay at your place."
Xie Heng choked on his words. "…Really?"
Ji Mian nodded, seeming to sense a hint of anticipation in Xie Heng’s voice.
"Of course it’s true. How long are you planning to stay here?"
"Four or five days," Xie Heng replied.
Ji Mian walked ahead of him. "Oh, that’s just about enough time to explore the surrounding areas. Where do you want to go first?"
Xie Heng looked down at his hair. "Anywhere is fine…"
After all, he wasn’t here to see the sights.
—
After school started, Ji Mian officially entered his sophomore year during the first weekend, coinciding with the enrollment of this year’s freshmen.
The school arranged a welcome volunteer event, and Ji Mian naturally signed up first, with Song Yu also participating.
Unexpectedly, Xie Heng was willing to spend his weekend volunteering alongside him.
They spent the entire morning helping the freshmen from the School of Economics and Management move their luggage, leaving Ji Mian’s arms and legs sore.
During a lull when no one was around, he immediately collapsed onto a chair in the welcome area.
"Aren’t you tired, Heng Ge?"
Xie Heng stood to the side, looking unfazed. "I’m okay."
Ji Mian gave him a thumbs-up. "Impressive."
By nearly eleven o’clock, the volunteers from the School of Economics and Management began to take turns resting and eating.
The two who had worked the hardest, Ji Mian and Xie Heng, were pushed to the front of the line to eat first.
Ji Mian wasn’t polite, smiling as he said "thank you" and then walked off with Xie Heng.
On their way to the cafeteria, they passed groups of freshmen and their parents dragging suitcases, all wearing expressions of excitement as they navigated their new surroundings.
A boy walking toward them caught Ji Mian’s eye.
He was pulling a suitcase, had a heavy-looking backpack slung over his shoulders, and was dressed simply but neatly. His buzz cut and tanned skin gave him a tough appearance.
While most freshmen had their parents with them, this boy was alone.
He walked slowly, his expression not one of joy at arriving at a new school but rather showing signs of anxiety.
As he was about to pass by Ji Mian, He Chang stopped to look at the message on his phone, then turned right onto a path leading to the library’s welcome area.
He’s going the wrong way, Ji Mian thought.
If he delayed any longer, Song Yu would soon be taking his turn for lunch.
"Hey, classmate!" he called out.
He Chang turned back.
Ji Mian pointed behind him. "The welcome area for the School of Economics and Management is back that way."
He Chang paused for a moment and then said, "Thank you."
As he watched He Chang walk away, Ji Mian let out a slight sigh of relief. He looked up and met Xie Heng’s complex gaze.
"You…"
"?"
"Your ability to meddle in others’ business has evolved to the point where you can predict problems without them saying a word?"
"…" Ji Mian cleared his throat. "Well, I just thought he had that vibe typical of someone from the School of Economics and Management."
【But He Chang is from the School of Architecture,】 the system corrected.
【……】
"Is that so?" Xie Heng raised an eyebrow.
Going by looks, he actually thought that boy looked more like an athlete.
Ji Mian awkwardly chuckled and nudged Xie Heng. "Let’s not worry about that; let’s go eat!"
……
He Chang walked along the path Ji Mian indicated and soon saw the welcome signs in front of the management building.
Under the blue welcome tent, a striking figure sat up straight, holding a pen and diligently recording the freshmen's information.
He Chang's heart raced as he gazed at the familiar profile of the boy, momentarily frozen.
His feet felt suddenly heavy, as if weighed down by a thousand pounds, preventing him from moving forward. The scene was one he had imagined for an entire year, sustaining him through countless nights, yet now that the day had come, he felt a surge of trepidation.
"Classmate, are you from the School of Management? Economics or International Trade?" a welcoming girl approached and asked softly.
"I’m…" He Chang snapped back to reality. "The School of Architecture…"
"Uh, the welcome for the School of Architecture isn’t here," the girl said, puzzled as she watched the tall boy pull his suitcase and walk straight ahead.
Under the welcome tent, a small fan was blowing, ruffling Song Yu’s bangs.
But he still felt hot, so he let go of the pen and adjusted the fan to its maximum setting.
At that moment, a new figure appeared on the opposite side of the table; the person’s waist was so high that it was clear they were tall.
"…Hello, senior," the newcomer said softly.
Song Yu looked up, and upon seeing the person’s face, he tightened his grip on the pen.
The fan’s noise abruptly ceased.