Chapter 58: Don’t Be Afraid
Tang Yu’an, unaware of Wei Langxing’s inner turmoil, still assumed his rejection stemmed from his memory loss.
So, he told him everything he knew about him, every detail, every story.
Wei Langxing listened, seemingly uninterested, then commented after he finished: “What a shame, such a capable person, making such a stupid mistake.”
Tang Yu’an: “…”
Why is he insulting himself?
He still didn’t know what had happened to Wei Langxing, but calling him stupid seemed excessive, given his abilities.
However, Wei Langxing seemed adamant, so Tang Yu’an didn’t argue, continuing his search for an exit.
Although Wei Langxing wanted to stay, he didn’t stop him, following him leisurely.
Tang Yu’an felt the key was within the corporation building itself, so he explored every floor, but it was an exact replica of the real building.
Frustrated, he asked a nearby employee: “Do you know how to leave this place?”
He received no response, of course.
These people were like machines, incapable of communication.
A sense of unease washed over him, his frustration growing. He started smashing the monitors.
Everyone around him stopped working, staring at him blankly, like puppets.
The unsettling feeling of being watched made him flee.
He ran outside, finding Wei Langxing waiting for him, holding a cup of milk tea.
Wei Langxing approached, a familiar face, but his smile made Tang Yu’an’s hair stand on end.
“You’ve worked hard, take a break.”
He offered him the milk tea, knowing his favorite flavor even without his memories.
The scene was too realistic, too perfect. Afraid of being assimilated, Tang Yu’an slapped the milk tea away, the spilled liquid like a squashed insect on the ground.
Wei Langxing, unfazed by his rudeness, said gently: “My fault, I didn’t choose the right flavor. Shall we go make another one together?”
Tang Yu’an felt like he didn’t know him anymore, wondering if this was truly Wei Langxing’s consciousness, or a program based on his appearance.
He shook his head, backing away, then turned and ran.
He didn’t dare go too far, afraid of that ghostly building reappearing before him.
He ran into a nearby park, sitting by a fountain, the sound of water calming him slightly.
He covered his face, the moist air refreshing, but he knew it was just a sensory input.
He heard footsteps approaching; Wei Langxing had followed him.
Even without his memories, his gait was the same.
Tang Yu’an didn’t turn around. Wei Langxing stood behind him, his voice low: “I know this might be difficult to accept, but don’t worry, I’ll always be with you.”
For me, “always” doesn’t exist, Tang Yu’an thought.
His ID card would only last for two hours; they would soon discover he was an imposter.
What would they do when they found him?
Erase his memory, or simply delete him from this virtual world?
Of course, time flowed differently here. Two hours outside could be months inside.
But he wouldn’t surrender. He couldn’t afford to be complacent; it would be fatal. His mission wasn’t complete. If he died here, who would help the protagonists?
Xie Cun and Zuo Tinghan were waiting for him. He couldn’t give up here.
He was about to reiterate his need to leave when he felt warm liquid trickling from his nose.
Wei Langxing, seeing him with his head lowered, assumed he was upset, saying comfortingly: “It might be difficult to adjust at first, but you’ll soon realize this place is much better than the real world.”
He was certain that soon, Tang Yu’an would even forget he was in a virtual world.
Tang Yu’an didn’t reply. Wei Langxing looked down—
He saw Tang Yu’an raise his head, his face and hands covered in blood, his eyes filled with confusion.
Tang Yu’an knew this was the virtual world rejecting him, his consciousness being erased. The bleeding was just a manifestation of his subconscious, not painful.
He was about to ask Wei Langxing for a tissue when he noticed him freeze, staring at him with terror.
Was a little blood that scary?
Then Wei Langxing reached out, his hand trembling.
He choked out: “What… what’s happening?”
Tang Yu’an told him that if he couldn’t find a way out, he might disappear completely.
Faced with imminent danger, he felt a surge of courage.
He casually wiped the blood away, thinking, Let’s see if this damn corporation gets me first, or if I escape.
But before he could act, Wei Langxing hugged him tightly, as if wanting to crush him, to absorb him.
What is this, a farewell hug?
He coughed, patting Wei Langxing’s back: “I still have some time, I’m not dying immediately…”
But Wei Langxing didn’t release him. His voice, seemingly calm, now held a hidden edge.
He said, It’ll be alright.
Tang Yu’an assumed he was telling him to accept his fate, and he felt a surge of anger.
I haven’t given up yet, why are you acting like I’m already dead?
This Wei Langxing wasn’t endearing at all!
But before he could retort, he heard Wei Langxing whisper in his ear: “It’ll be alright, I’ll take you with me.”
Then, the world around them crumbled, the solid ground and the fountain disappearing, everything merging into a stream of data.
Like a collapsing universe, millennia of history flashing by in an instant.
Tang Yu’an looked at his hand—
His body was also a translucent image now, a low-dimensional being within the program.
He opened his eyes in the pod, gasping for air, coughing violently, his throat constricted.
His vision was blurry, the colors swirling like spilled paint.
He felt someone rush over, open the pod, and help him sit up.
He took a few deep breaths, his racing heart slowing down.
He looked up, meeting tear-filled eyes.
Tang Yu’an: “?”
Was this still Wei Langxing? When did the protagonist become a crybaby?
He asked uncertainly: “Do you… remember now?”
Wei Langxing nodded repeatedly, making Tang Yu’an wonder if he was seeing double.
They were both safe, why was he crying?
Before he could ask, Wei Langxing spoke first, apologizing.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I know you might not forgive me, but this place is too dangerous, let’s leave, okay? When we get back, you can punish me however you want…”
His heartfelt apology sounded like madness to Tang Yu’an.
Had he done something wrong? Had he perhaps sold his organs? Tang Yu’an couldn’t imagine any other reason for such a desperate apology.
Perhaps he was still disoriented from the virtual world, after all, anyone trapped for ten years would be affected.
But Wei Langxing was right about one thing, they had to leave this place.
He checked the time; he had only been inside for a few minutes.
Still within the two-hour limit.
He stood up with Wei Langxing’s help, still weak, almost falling, but Wei Langxing caught him.
“Careful.”
Wei Langxing’s arm supported him, guiding him forward. He barely had to exert himself.
But as they approached the exit, they heard footsteps outside.
Wei Langxing pushed him against the wall, then rushed to the door, locking it and pushing a cabinet against it for good measure.
Bullets hit the door; they didn’t have much time.
Wei Langxing checked the window; there were mercenaries below as well.
He ripped a metal logo off a nearby pod and smashed the security camera.
Fortunately, the virtual building was an exact replica of the real one, so he knew the layout.
“We’re going through the ceiling.”
He pried open a panel, revealing a crawl space above.
Tang Yu’an, remembering a similar scene, didn’t hesitate, climbing up with Wei Langxing’s help.
Still weak, he almost slipped, but Wei Langxing caught his leg, holding him steady.
He was embarrassed about stepping on him, but Wei Langxing’s voice reassured him.
“Don’t be afraid, I’m here, I won’t let you fall.”
