EFB Chapter 103 Interlocking Fingers
Chapter 103 Interlocking Fingers
Chapter 103 Intertwined Fingers (4k words)
While everyone was still on their way at the foot of Tianshan Mountain, Shen Yaoxing suddenly stopped in place, her pupils slightly contracting.
Shen Zhaozhao sensed something was wrong and quickly asked, "What's wrong, Yaoxing?"
"No, it's nothing."
Shen Yaoxing gritted her teeth, overcoming the feeling of being impersonated, and called out to Lu Ren, "Lu, Lu Ren, come here for a second."
Lu Ren was still playing with Jiang Yueying with Ji Liguang when he suddenly heard the boss calling him.
"Young Miss, you called me?"
Shen Zhaozhao felt a little jealous, but then suddenly felt a bit frustrated. Should she call him her boyfriend right away? These two really have a good relationship.
Thinking this, she glared at Lu Ren again, cursing inwardly, "You wretched cat who steals fish!"
Lu Ren was bewildered by the glare, but seeing that Shen Yaoxing's expression was a bit off, he didn't bother to pay attention and asked with concern, "What's wrong? Are you still feeling unwell? Do you want to rest for a bit?"
Shen Yaoxing rubbed her forehead, looking at him wearily. She asked hesitantly, in a pleading tone, "Um—could you…apologize to me first?"
Huh? What kind of approach is this?
Is the young lady still holding a grudge about what happened this morning? So she really was sulking the whole way?
Lu Ren found it somewhat amusing. How could the young lady have such a childish side? But after all, she was only sixteen or seventeen years old, and Shen Yaoxing's childishness was quite adorable.
He said sincerely, "I'm sorry, Miss. I shouldn't have said that to you this morning. Actually, you're right. It's important for everyone to be familiar with each other's abilities."
Then Shen Yaoxing glanced at him, then looked away again, once again appearing as if she didn't want to talk to him.
Lu Ren: "————" What's wrong? What do you want him to do?
At this moment, Shen Yaoxing was still in a meeting.
Hamster Haruka was still not satisfied, but she only grunted twice: "That wretched Lu Ren, he actually thought he could appease me like this, how naive! Just wait until tonight he'll wash my feet!"
Even the rational Yaoxing was getting a little annoyed and quite tired. She said irritably, "Did you hear that? He apologized, aren't you going back?"
The hamster, Yaoxing, was somewhat confused: "Go back? Go back where?"
Leng Jingyao's expression darkened: "What do you mean?"
Hamster Yaoxing stood with her hands on her hips, shaking her head smugly: "Who do you think you have to rely on to act all aloof? You're just venting all your emotions on me. I've already said it, I am you, and you are me."
Although she said she wouldn't leave, Haruka the hamster jumped off the chair, grabbed her Luren doll, and headed into the void.
She walked away with a swagger, as if she had won a battle, and because the art style was so cute, you could almost hear the adorable "pa pa pa" sound effects as she walked away, watching her little figure disappear.
Calm Yaoxing looked over there and saw Xiao Yaoxing still leisurely drinking tea.
As mentioned earlier, these images are just for easier understanding. In fact, these are just thoughts in Shen Yaoxing's mind. And this little Yaoxing, who represents intuition, has always been with him, whether it is day or night.
However, she usually doesn't affect herself. Only if something bad happens, or if she has a sudden urge, will this little star take the initiative to say something.
With a cold expression, she looked at Xiaoyaoxing and said, "Explain yourself clearly, why did you let her appear?"
"Actually, it's you, not Lu Ren, who should apologize to her."
"What do you mean I should apologize to her?"
"Do you think you and that little hamster should be distinguished as two different people?"
"What do you mean?"
"She's right. Although you each control reason and emotion, essentially she is you, and you are her. Together, you constitute the individual Shen Yaoxing. If, tonight, she suddenly loses her temper and decides to absorb a 'eating dirt' skill, simply to experience what it's like, what would you do?"
"It's definitely about stopping her."
She lacks rationality at night, but it's hard to accept that a skill that requires her to eat dirt occupies a skill slot. She will definitely force herself to overcome the cost and consume more energy to become rational again.
"So don't do anything she doesn't like, or she'll get angry with you."
Shen Yaoxing frowned and asked, "What exactly are you referring to?"
"For example, having other people kiss and hug Lu Ren? That's all for now."
"Huh? Just this? This is utterly absurd."
"Is this ridiculous? Seriously—you idiot."
As Xiao Yaoxing said this, she also left the white space.
In reality, Shen Yaoxing's pupils contracted; this was truly a headache.
She held her forehead, her face somewhat gloomy.
Could it be that by constantly isolating himself, he has actually developed a mental disorder?
No wonder, no wonder I've felt increasingly indifferent in the last month or two, and even though I've broken up with my boyfriend, I quickly stop caring about it.
Sometimes she can't even empathize with her past self, and doesn't understand why she once liked Longyou, or rather, doesn't understand why she would have romantic feelings for someone else.
Shen Yaoxing now realized that she had been dumping all her excess emotions into her nighttime self.
But it seems pretty good?
All those romantic feelings are unnecessary. Let that idiot be sad about heartbreak. It's better if you don't let them affect you during the day.
But somehow that idiot didn't seem too sad. He ate and drank well, and was happy like a fool all day long.
Forget it, how could I possibly understand what an idiot is thinking? Things are pretty good as they are now, as long as that idiot doesn't bother me in broad daylight.
Shen Yaoxing is a pragmatist. She considers whether things are useful or not, just like how she subconsciously thought about how to study and verify Lu Ren's new talent after learning about it.
At the same time, she adheres to the life philosophy that everything that happens is beneficial to her, and even things that seem harmful or unprofitable are just because she hasn't found the right perspective.
However, there was one thing that bothered her: why did Lu Ren provoke such a strong reaction from her other self?
That's hilarious! Did that idiot treat Lu Ren like a toy? But even so, is her possessiveness really that strong? Would she get so angry if someone else played with her toy?
She was skeptical, but then tentatively suggested that Ji Liguang come over and hug Lu Ren.
The moment this thought crossed my mind, I felt a series of hurried footsteps echoing deep within my brain.
Shen Yaoxing vaguely saw a chibi version of herself, with a round face, holding a doll, charging towards her with the momentum of a 100-meter sprint.
This startled her so much that she quickly dismissed the thought. As the thought disappeared, the Q-version little figure stood with its legs together, leaned back, and braked suddenly, leaving a scratch several meters away. After stopping, it immediately turned around and ran away, swinging the doll back and forth in its hand.
Shen Yaoxing: "————?"
What exactly do you want?
She took a deep breath, determined not to swear.
Lu Ren noticed her suddenly take a deep breath and asked, "Miss? Are you alright?"
"It's nothing. I was just thinking about something, but I've figured it out now."
"I see, then—"
Lu Ren then adopted his usual demeanor—clearly wicked but feigning obsequiousness—and asked, "Has Miss decided to forgive me?"
Shen Yaoxing was taken aback, then realized that this person might think that he was acting strangely today because he was angry with him.
We've known each other for quite a while now, doesn't he understand me at all? Am I the kind of spoiled, willful young lady from a wealthy family?
In fact, she should be the one apologizing, but she was feeling a bit tired right now, so she decided to save the apology for herself that evening.
Although she could roughly guess that, given her personality that night, Lu Ren would probably have to apologize again.
But who cares!
She made a mess, and she'll deal with it herself!
Shen Yaoxing looked at Lu Ren and brought up the matter from this morning again: "But you can't keep your new talent hidden forever, can you?"
But what the young lady said isn't wrong either.
Lu Ren scratched the side of his face: "Yeah, but it feels kind of weird. I'm a guy, so I'm not that resistant to this kind of thing, but girls definitely are—"
"If you don't mind, you can try it with me."
"Uh, huh?"
She seemed indifferent, saying, "I don't think I care that much about first kisses or anything like that."
Shen Yaoxing wasn't pretending; she genuinely didn't care.
She has now realized that she has switched to a three-core processing method for information: rationality during the day, emotions at night, and intuition brought by her talent.
It's daytime now, and I'm already devoid of emotion.
Just as a businessman can earn more money if he loses his conscience, once he loses the shackles of human emotions, he becomes incredibly powerful!
I have no emotions anymore, and I have become stronger!
Invincible!
It's just giving her first kiss to Lu Ren. If that makes the team stronger, so what? As long as she can accomplish her grand mission, she'll give him not only her first kiss, but also her first time—cough cough, cough cough cough!
Regarding her idea, in her mind, Hamster Star and Intuition Star, one blew the whistle and the other showed a yellow card, announcing her elimination.
Shen Yaoxing was so angry that her teeth itched. "You were the ones who criticized me just now, and now you're the two of you stopping me."
What exactly do you want from her?
Watch out or I'll blow you both up!
However, does this also mean that if it's just kissing, it seems like it passed with three votes?
Is it okay to kiss a guy you don't like as long as you can achieve your goal?
Haha, so this is what I've become. I don't care about shame or morality anymore.
Invincible!
Lu Ren, of course, was unaware of the young lady's brainstorming session. Upon hearing Shen Yaoxing's words, he also began to ponder.
Although the trigger condition for this talent is just like something a third-rate online novelist came up with on a whim, at least it's called the sin of lust. The trigger condition is simply kissing a girl, and it's already a blessing that it's not about having sex with a girl.
Moreover, if attribute points could really be reset, that would definitely be a trump card for survival.
However, Lu Ren always felt his face getting hot when kissing. He was a little embarrassed, but he didn't show it.
Look at how this young lady is so dedicated to scientific research, acting like everyone is innocent and upright. If you were to act coy and hesitant, wouldn't that prove you have something to hide?
He coughed twice and said, "Then—after completing this task, shall we go back and give it a try?"
"Yeah, don't feel pressured or think I'm being wronged. I really don't care."
"But the price I'll pay is being tormented by lust—"
Lu Ren was a little worried: "What if I get carried away by lust and turn into a lecherous monster?"
"That's true, how about we cut that thing off for now? Anyway, with your grandma here, it'll grow back even if we cut it off."
"Just kidding, right?"
Shen Yaoxing rolled her eyes at him. "Why is this mountain road so bad? Help me up."
Lu Ren gave an "oh" and grabbed her arm, like a policeman escorting a prisoner to the execution ground.
My cousin suspects there's something going on between us, so she's trying to make it seem like we're getting along better.
Upon hearing the young lady's voice transmission, Lu Ren said "oh" again, then put his hand on her shoulder, like brothers who had shared a few beers at a late-night snack stall, their relationship as close as if they were inseparable.
Shen Yaoxing stepped on his foot, her beautiful eyes filled with a hint of annoyance. In that instant, Lu Ren's mind went to rank the best female characters, and the young lady rose several places again.
You've never been in a relationship?
"Has the young lady been in a relationship with her?"
That's not what I'm asking you. I just want you to act a little more intimate, like we're dating. What's with you putting your arm around my shoulder like that?!
"Oh, let me think—"
As he said this, Lu Ren lowered his arm, then grabbed Shen Yaoxing's small hand, and the next second, their fingers were intertwined again.
"Is this okay?"
Shen Yaoxing was also taken aback, feeling uneasy all over.
"You, you, me, never mind—"
"Miss, what kind of hand cream are you using? I'll buy some for Youhe too."
"No need, I'll give her two bottles when I get back."
"Young Miss, you're walking with the wrong footing."
"Why do you talk so much!"
Lu Ren felt that holding hands with the young girl like this, without saying something, would make the atmosphere feel even stranger.
This wasn't the first time he'd held a girl's hand. When he held Jiang Yueying's hand, it felt more like taking a child out, driven by a sense of responsibility. He always felt that if he didn't hold her hand, little Yueying would suddenly run onto the road and scare the truck driver.
Shen Yaoxing's hands were also small, but unlike Jiang Yueying's, they were delicate and soft, as if they could be crushed with a little force. Holding them gave him the real feeling of "Wow, I'm holding a girl's hand."
Behind me, several people were chattering.
"Look at your brother, he's so awkward, like it's the first time he's holding a girl's hand."
"My brother used to hold Xiaokui's hand."
"Who exactly is Xiao Kui?"
"Lu Ren told me not to tell you, otherwise he would beat me up."
"Tell me quickly, I'll take the beating for you, I can take it anyway."
"Really? My brother will tie me up and whip me. Since you're going to take the beating for me, Ah Li, then I'll tell you—"
"Ugh! Never mind, please don't say it!"
"Your brother is such a pervert!"
"Xiaoying, why do you seem so excited!"
Lu Ren has been living in Bengbu. Lu Youhe has been corrupted ever since he became friends with Jiang Yueying.
He turned around and glared at the three brats, especially Lu Youhe: "If you keep talking nonsense, I'll really spank you tonight. And Xiaoying, I'm confiscating your game console for now. Play fewer weird games."
PS: One chapter today, but 4,000 words.