The Whole Family Are Villains, I’m the Group Pet 203

Chapter 203

After suggesting they steal the main system’s energy, Xing Nuo paused, a sudden sense of déjà vu washing over him.

I’ve said that before.

“Lu Qi, don’t steal the main system’s energy yet.”

He paced back and forth in the small, dingy motel room, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

067 emerged from his mind, a small, blue orb of light, and playfully nudged Xing Nuo’s hair.

Xing Nuo, smiling, his eyes crinkling, gently rubbed the warm orb.

“You look cute like this.”

067 pulsed with a bright blue light, nuzzling Xing Nuo’s hand like a puppy seeking affection.

Xing Nuo felt a sense of calm, the familiar rhythm of the pulsing light soothing his anxieties.

He had grown accustomed to Lu Qi’s presence over the years.

Even though Lu Qi rarely spoke, his voice a cold, mechanical monotone, Xing Nuo cherished his silent companionship.

He didn’t want to be alone anymore.

He sat down on the bed, cross-legged, still playing with the small, round 067, then lay down, sighing softly.

“I know what you’re worried about, Xing Nuo,” 067 said. “Let me handle this.”

More of his memories had returned, even glimpses of the future.

“We’ve done this before. You’re worried the main system knows we’re going to steal its energy.”

Xing Nuo sighed. “I understand why that system made us relive our past. If we follow the same path, the main system will anticipate our moves, and we’ll lose.”

“But changing our plan decreases our chances of success.”

A dilemma.

He was sure stealing the main system’s energy had been the right decision in his previous life.

But it wouldn’t work this time.

If 067 tried to track the main system, it would be discovered.

What to do?

067 flickered, circling Xing Nuo silently, their unspoken understanding passing between them.

Xing Nuo smiled, understanding 067’s intention, and nodded.

“Go.”

Lu Qi retreated into Xing Nuo’s mind and began tracking the main system.

And 001, the system that had usurped the previous main system, finally sensed 067’s energy fluctuation.

Perfect!

Just as in the previous timeline, 067 was trying to steal its energy!

It chuckled coldly. This time, I’ll win.

It hadn’t noticed 067’s actions before, the energy loss so insignificant, it had dismissed it as normal energy expenditure.

But 067 and Xing Nuo had managed to steal a significant portion of its energy!

By the time it realized what was happening, they had already attacked, and 001, caught off guard, had been defeated.

Its core programming severely damaged, on the verge of deletion, a hidden backup energy source had activated, sending it to another horror world.

And that world had been overflowing with energy!

It had bound itself to a player named Sang Ming, manipulating him into absorbing energy for it.

And as it recovered, it had analyzed its previous defeat.

If I had another chance, I wouldn’t lose.

067 likes stealing energy? Let him steal then. Let’s see what he does with useless, corrupted energy.

By the time he realizes it, it’ll be too late.

067’s energy theft went smoothly, just like last time, taking a small amount and quickly retreating.

001 snorted, its damaged circuits slowly repairing themselves, fueled by the stolen energy, waiting.

Steal all you want.

I won’t lose this time.

The two systems, their silent battle of wits unfolding, one stealing, the other allowing it.

Xing Nuo also continued his journey through different worlds, searching for stray energy to help 067 recover.

They went to a water world, its oceans teeming with life, colorful fish swirling around Xing Nuo, a mesmerizing spectacle;

a sky world, its floating cities pristine and ethereal, its winged inhabitants graceful and noble;

a garbage world, its stench overwhelming, its human inhabitants living underground, the surface uninhabitable;

and many more.

Xing Nuo, reliving these journeys, his memories of his past life becoming clearer, looked at the red moon hanging in the sky and sighed.

“These worlds…all beautiful…in their own way.”

Lu Qi, now a small orb of light, attracted the attention of fireflies, which gathered around him, their lights flickering curiously.

Xing Nuo, watching Lu Qi surrounded by the fireflies, smiled, his heart filled with a quiet joy.

Lu Qi pulsed with light, mirroring Xing Nuo’s smile.

“Xing Nuo happy?”

Xing Nuo nodded, holding the small orb of light, his eyes sparkling.

“Of course. Being with you…always happy.”

Lu Qi’s blue light turned red, as if blushing, and he quickly retreated into Xing Nuo’s mind.

I’m falling for him again, he thought.

And how could anyone not love Xing Nuo?

He was reliving his past emotions, the uncertainty and the joy warring within him.

A system and a human…can we really be together?

But even if Xing Nuo finds someone else…I’m bound to him…I’ll always be with him.

If his partner doesn’t want me around, I’ll just hide in his alarm clock.

I can still wake him up in the morning, a small way of caring for him.

And maybe, after I get a body, I can sleep on the floor in their bedroom, protecting them.

The thought of staying with Xing Nuo, even in such a small way, filled him with a strange warmth.

Xing Nuo, seeing his erratic mood swings, his light flickering between blue and red, chuckled.

“What are you thinking about?”

He held the small orb of light, gently rubbing it.

Lu Qi, embarrassed, but enjoying the warmth of his touch, said:

“I’m thinking…I’m the luckiest system in the world.”

Xing Nuo smiled, his mood lighter these days, perhaps because he knew the end was near.

“We’re both lucky.”

He thought of his lonely past life.

“Before we met, I never thought…I’d have someone…a friend…to share my life with…a connection between souls.”

Lu Qi was puzzled. “Why? Xing Nuo so good. Many people will love you.”

Xing Nuo shook his head. “Not necessarily. Love takes time. I’m too cautious…don’t let people get close.”

His childhood in the orphanage had left its mark. He might appear cheerful and optimistic, like a sunflower, but he was wary of strangers.

“I’m complicated…not easy to get along with. No one would truly love me.”

067, his voice filled with a sudden urgency, said:

“That’s not true! I love Xing Nuo! Very much!”

Xing Nuo’s heart skipped a beat.

067’s chip pulsed rapidly, and after a moment, he continued:

“You were my first host. Xing Nuo, do you know why I chose you?”

Systems could choose their hosts.

067 had had other options, but after observing the human world for a long time, he had made his choice.

“You were walking home from the market…sunlight on your hair…you looked so…beautiful. Even as a system, I felt…a sense of warmth.”

That was when he had decided to bind with Xing Nuo.

“We didn’t get along at first. But if I had to choose again, I would still choose you.”

“You have a warmth…a kindness…I admire.”

That kindness had captivated him, and he had chosen Xing Nuo, despite other, more suitable, candidates.

Xing Nuo, his heart pounding, his eyes reflecting the red moon, sparkling, said softly:

“So, you chose me…from the beginning.”

He smiled, the feeling of being chosen, so reassuring.

“Lu Qi, after this is over, when you have a human body, how about…we try dating?”

067’s chip almost overheated, his circuits buzzing, his mind blank for a moment, then a wave of joy, so intense it almost short-circuited him, washed over him.

He nodded, his light pulsing. “Okay!”

He could be with Xing Nuo forever!