Chapter 19: Holographic Game (VI)

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Chapter 19: Holographic Game (VI)

The night breeze carried a trace of coolness. Miao Lichen lowered his eyes slightly, a chilling smile appearing on his lips. Had he been too idle recently? He felt as though he was becoming too immersed in this role, caring about the emotions left behind by a body that now belonged to him.

However, this feeling was surprisingly not unpleasant, perhaps because the original owner of this body shared certain similarities with him. With a slight change in his expression, the chill he radiated instantly vanished. His gentle smile could easily captivate anyone, and there was not the slightest trace of falseness within it. This wasn’t just the mask of this world’s Miao Lichen, but also that of Dr. Miao, the renowned psychologist.

Miao Lichen’s finger tapped lightly on the steering wheel, lost in thought and oblivious to his surroundings. When he finally snapped back to reality, he realized the luxury car was only a meter away from a man. Even if he hit the brakes, the car wouldn’t stop in time. Miao Lichen’s eyes flickered as he caught sight of the man’s face and paused his attempt to swerve. He slammed on the brakes, watching as the car struck the man exactly as he had calculated.

He opened the door and stepped out without the panic one would expect from someone who had just caused a collision. Instead, he carried the natural elegance of a nobleman, his eyes brimming with just the right amount of concern as he asked, “Are you okay? Can you move?”

The man remained silent, his face pale and his eyes covered by a mask, making it harder to discern his expression. Miao Lichen could already imagine the coldness and pride hidden within those eyes, perhaps accompanied by a trace of displeasure. After all, getting into a car accident while simply going out to get food wouldn’t be a joyous experience for anyone. But accidents had always seemed to follow the protagonist.

Miao Lichen could tell he was fine, just a scratch at most. He bent down, grabbed his arm, ignored the stiffness he felt, and easily lifted him up. The man wasn’t as thin as he had expected; he could clearly feel the defined muscle where he held him. The man’s body was surprisingly similar to his own—strong, yet carrying an underlying sense of fragility. Having accepted the power of Qixiu internal energy, he would likely never possess the imposing physique of a muscled man.

“Are you okay?” Miao Lichen glanced at his watch. He had originally intended to take the opportunity to pick up his parents and accomplish some goals, but he hadn’t expected this accident to happen. It was an unexpected gain, a pleasant surprise.

“I’m fine,” he replied as he pushed Miao Lichen away. The scorching heat gradually faded, leaving him feeling a bit disappointed. He looked up and met Miao Lichen’s gentle eyes. The familiar face, red clothing and red luxury car nearby confirmed his identity. A faint sense of joy welled up in him, causing him to frown. He had always kept his game and real life separated.

∇ Capture Target Qi Yingfeng Favorability: 50.

Qi Yingfeng flexed his wrist, revealing hands that were fairer and more flexible than a woman’s. Hands were crucial for both an artist and a gamer. Even with the advent of holographic games nearing, his body would still instinctively protect his hands in times of danger.

No matter how successful he was online, he remained a homebody in real life. Meeting CangChen was a surprise, but the joy he felt made him realize he truly considered him a friend. But CangChen didn’t necessarily reciprocate that feeling. His family background meant he wouldn’t see him as an equal. With that thought, the slight joy he felt vanished without a trace.

“What happened? Do you need help?” A smaller yet even more luxurious car stopped beside Miao Lichen’s car and rolled down the window. A voice as melodious as an oriole’s carried the youthful energy of a young girl.

“If it’s possible, could I bother you to take him to the hospital? I will cover the bill. I am in a bit of a hurry and can’t take him myself, but he doesn’t look fine…” Miao Lichen’s smile always left a good impression on people, but it also carried the aloofness of the wealthy.

“No need, I’m completely fine.” Qi Yingfeng refused. He knew his own condition well enough, and he did not want to go through the hassle of a hospital visit.

“Being in a car accident is not a small thing. But it seems like this sir doesn’t want my help, so you will have to figure it out on your own. I have something else to do, so I will be leaving now.” The girl waved at them through the window, started the car and drove off, showing no attachment to the protagonist. She was the original cause of this accident in the novel—the most popular heroine—and yet she had become nothing more than a passerby?

“How about this? You can come with me first since I am on my way to pick up my parents. After I pick them up, we’ll go to the hospital. Of course, if you don’t want to go, I can have our family doctor check you,” Miao Lichen said. He glanced at the watch on his wrist again and frowned. Regardless of Qi Yingfeng’s approval, he simply picked him up again and placed him in the car and then got into the driver’s seat. From Miao Lichen’s perspective, such an action was undoubtedly a form of disrespect against the protagonist.

“I’ll go to the hospital myself. You just need to pay the bill,” Qi Yingfeng said, hiding his discomfort. Being princess-carried by another man was definitely not a pleasant experience for a man in his twenties.

“Okay, here is my business card. I am very sorry, I really am in a hurry today.” Miao Lichen handed him his card and received his phone number. As a stranger, he did not want to push him too hard. He called a taxi for him and then drove on to the company owned by the Miao Family.

As the first holographic game, it had caused a global sensation, but only among young people. Successful people like his parents wouldn’t even consider playing the game. No one stopped him when he reached for the door of this nationally renowned company. As the chairman and general manager’s son, no one was a stranger to this gifted young man.

Miao Lichen started interning at the company when he was eighteen, working on small projects. As a perfectionist, he consistently completed each one beautifully, garnering praise from all his colleagues. Perhaps because he had entered the workforce at such an early age, the youthful aura that once surrounded Miao Lichen had long since faded.

But growing up too fast wasn’t a good thing sometimes, at least for his parents. They wanted a perfect successor, but they also did not want their child to become a man who prioritized the company and profits above all else. They thought they had everything planned out for their son, but they forgot the most important thing. Second World had been his parents’ attempt to repair his childhood, yet it ultimately became the death warrant of their entire family.

“Father, it’s late. It’s time to go home.” Miao Lichen said as he pushed open the office door instead of standing quietly as he usually did. His behavior was appropriate for a company employee, but unbecoming of a son and family member.

“Oh, it’s you. Didn’t I tell you not to come to the company these days? Relax properly. When my old bones can’t work anymore, you can’t shed the burden of this company even if you wanted to.” Father Miao glanced at Miao Lichen, a hint of disapproval in his eyes.

“Dad, it’s time to go home. You can never make enough money.” Miao Lichen said as he placed a hand on his father’s shoulder and closed the documents with his other hand. “Mom won’t go home until you do.” He didn’t use the more respectful term “father,” but called him “dad,” a term he hadn’t used in many years.

“Okay, let’s go back now.” Father Miao replied. He stared at Miao Lichen for a long moment with a genuine smile. The smile on his face was perfectly natural; not the usual polite smile or the practiced expression used in business, but one that came genuinely from the heart. He was clearly pleased that Miao Lichen had called him “Dad” again.

The three of them drove back in two cars: his parents in their own car and Miao Lichen in his. When they returned to the villa, Miao Lichen glanced over with indifference.

“Why is Mengyao sleeping in the living room?” Mother Miao asked as soon as she opened the door and saw Miao Mengyao sleeping. Her smile faded slightly when she noticed the white jacket Mengyao was holding, but she did not show any displeasure and maintained her bright smile. Father Miao’s expression visibly fell.

Miao Lichen’s wardrobe mainly consisted of striking red clothing, with a few exceptions. When he wore a jacket, he typically avoided pairing it with a red shirt, as his jackets were also predominantly red. His shirts were consistently red and white, while his jackets were always red and black, never incorporating any other colors.

They did not think that Miao Mengyao had fallen in love with another man. They believed they knew the girl they had raised as Miao Lichen’s fiancée and assistant. With her gentle nature, they assumed she would never betray him. However, the fact that she didn’t know what her fiancé typically wore left them feeling uneasy.

Miao Lichen seemed oblivious to their mood change as he walked towards the sofa. As her fiancé, he naturally had to behave in a gentlemanly manner. Just as his hand touched her hair, she woke up, her eyes blinking bewilderedly from just having woken up.

As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw the enlarged face of Miao Lichen in front of her. The man’s face was so delicate that even pores were hard to see, and he was wearing his usual smile. She hurriedly stood up, saying, “Dad, mom, you’re back. I’m very sorry.”

“That’s alright, but next time you get a jacket for A’chen, remember to get a red or black one. This white one in his closet was meant for your father in a few days.” Despite Mother Miao’s fondness for Miao Mengyao, there was a condition: she had to become her daughter-in-law. So if Miao Mengyao failed to meet her expectations, Mother Miao wouldn’t hesitate to express her disapproval. “You are A’chen’s fiancée, and you will spend your whole life with him. I hope you can understand our efforts.”

“Yes, mom. I understand.” Miao Mengyao said, lowering her head, her fingers tightly gripping the hem of her skirt. How could she not understand their efforts? The purpose of her existence was to be Miao Lichen’s fiancée and future assistant. In order to prevent him from becoming too tired in the future, so he wouldn’t have to come back to an inharmonious family after fighting in the business world. She had to care for Miao Lichen. She had to remain gentle. She was nothing more than a tool of the Miao Family…

“Be good and go to bed.” Mother Miao said, patting Miao Mengyao’s head. She was clearly pleased with Miao Mengyao’s attitude. However, some things remained buried deep in the heart.

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