Chapter 6: You Better Not Hurt Tang Yu’an
As it turned out, the protagonist’s recovery ability far surpassed that of ordinary people. Zuo Tinghan, who had been covered in cuts just days ago, was now wandering around the building as if nothing had happened.
That’s right, for confidentiality and convenience, the three of them had been given a fully equipped, independent building.
Tang Yu’an truly appreciated the “room and board included” perk. The spacious room was so large he felt he could open a hotel.
He had asked Pang Jin, “Are we that rich?”
It was starting to feel like a scam.
Pang Jin was baffled: “You’re not happy about good conditions? Anyway, don’t worry about it. It’s sponsored.”
Hearing this, Tang Yu’an felt much more at ease and began to raid the refrigerator without restraint.
Although nutrient paste provided sufficient energy, its taste left much to be desired, so people still preferred cooked meals.
Tang Yu’an grabbed a bag of apricots for dessert. As he closed the refrigerator door, he noticed Zuo Tinghan standing silently nearby.
He hadn’t made a sound; it startled him.
Their eyes met. Zuo Tinghan turned and left without a word.
Since regaining his senses, they had tacitly avoided mentioning the “Master” incident. Tang Yu’an wasn’t sure if he retained any memory of it, but since he wasn’t bringing it up, there was no need to dwell on it.
Back to normal, Zuo Tinghan seemed to have reverted to his usual personality. He stood silently like a pole, as if he would kill anyone who dared to approach him with a single glance.
He only appeared for mandatory training sessions; otherwise, he was nowhere to be seen, only glimpsed occasionally in a corner.
Like a fleeting ghost.
He didn’t train with others either, always alone.
Tang Yu’an didn’t want to interfere with his lifestyle, but the system reminded him—
[Detected excessive emotional fluctuations in Protagonist Number Two, Zuo Tinghan. Please pay attention to the protagonist’s physical and mental health, Host, and address any potential issues.]
Emotional fluctuations? He lived in the building; what could have upset him?
Without even putting down the fruit, Tang Yu’an hurried after him.
Zuo Tinghan’s expression was blank, giving no indication of any problems. This made it difficult for Tang Yu’an to approach him, so he started a conversation: “Are you going to the training room? I’ll go with you.”
The man in front suddenly stopped. Tang Yu’an, caught off guard, bumped into his back, scattering apricots across the floor.
The impact nearly knocked him over, but Zuo Tinghan quickly steadied him, then just as quickly released his hand.
Tang Yu’an suspected he remembered the embarrassing incident, which was why he was so distant.
It was understandable. If he had gotten drunk and said nonsense, he would also feel awkward seeing that person again.
Zuo Tinghan was terse: “Why?”
It took Tang Yu’an a couple of seconds to realize he was asking why he wanted to go with him.
With anyone else, there would be no need for an explanation. They were teammates; what was wrong with going together? But Zuo Tinghan’s thinking was different, and Tang Yu’an wanted to get closer to the protagonist, so he smiled and leaned in slightly: “We can train together. It’s definitely more efficient than training alone… Wei Langxing and I have tried it several times. He even taught me a few moves.”
Wei Langxing was undoubtedly a perfect training partner. He always knew when to stop, never injuring him, and never complaining about his lack of foundation.
Training exhausted him, but Wei Langxing patiently explained that although his main ability was mental energy, he still needed to learn close combat for his safety.
Tang Yu’an considered himself an obedient student, never slacking off. Although he was still far from proficient, he was much better than when he had just started, simply standing there dumbfounded.
However, his enthusiasm was met with an icy wall, instantly melting away.
Zuo Tinghan was unmoved: “Then go find Wei Langxing. Don’t follow me.”
Was he really that disliked?
Although a little disheartened, Tang Yu’an refused to give up. The protagonist’s psychological issues were a serious matter. He had to create more opportunities for interaction to be of help.
What if something happened to the protagonist, and he couldn’t even find him?
“But you’re my teammate too. We can familiarize ourselves with each other’s moves and habits, so…”
Zuo Tinghan cut him off with four words: “Do you want to die?”
The rest of the sentence was swallowed. Tang Yu’an blinked slowly.
Now he could see that Zuo Tinghan was indeed experiencing emotional fluctuations. Otherwise, why would he be so irritable?
That blink caused an eyelash to fall into his eye, irritating him.
He wasn’t bothered by the harsh words, attributing them to a bad mood. But the third person who happened to pass by didn’t think so.
“Zuo Tinghan, what are you doing?”
Tang Yu’an rarely saw Wei Langxing so serious, his face dark, his tone icy.
Ever since Zuo Tinghan moved into the building, Wei Langxing had disliked him – his eccentric personality, extreme isolation, high risk factor, and constant hostility. He really didn’t understand why Pang Jin had recruited such a troublesome person.
If he just kept to himself, it would be fine. Not training with them was his own business. But daring to threaten a teammate was a different matter entirely!
Moreover, it was Tang Yu’an, the one who listened attentively to everything he said, always with a smile that was hard to dislike.
He stood between them, separating them protectively.
“Whatever your problem is, please handle it yourself. I will report your behavior.”
He had to have a serious talk with Pang Jin and get him to kick this guy out and find a reliable teammate.
However, his words had no effect. Zuo Tinghan didn’t even spare him a glance, turning and leaving as if he didn’t exist.
With his excellent academic and professional record, Wei Langxing had never experienced such utter disregard. He suppressed his anger and turned to look at Tang Yu’an, only to find him squatting on the floor, picking up the fallen apricots.
He had been too angry to notice earlier. The apricots had rolled so far; had Zuo Tinghan actually laid hands on him?
Wei Langxing squatted down to help, checking Tang Yu’an’s face: “Are you alright?”
Tang Yu’an was puzzled. They had just had an unpleasant conversation, hardly a conflict. What could have happened to him?
So he looked up, smiling faintly: “I’m fine.”
His eyes were slightly red from rubbing them earlier to get the eyelash out.
[Detected Protagonist Number One, Wei Langxing, favorability towards Protagonist Number Two, Zuo Tinghan, -10. Current favorability: -20. Please mend the relationship between the protagonists, Host, and strive for team unity. Go for it, you’re the best!]
Tang Yu’an: “…”
Why the sudden deduction? Did his answer displease him? Should he have said he wasn’t fine?
When lost in thought, Tang Yu’an tended to zone out, which gave his gentle features an air of detachment. Seeing this, Wei Langxing assumed he was deeply hurt and hadn’t recovered.
Before he arrived, who knew what other harsh words Zuo Tinghan might have said!
Only Tang Yu’an, with his gentle nature, wouldn’t hold it against him, swallowing his grievances for the sake of team harmony…
[Detected Protagonist Number One, Wei Langxing, favorability towards Protagonist Number Two, Zuo Tinghan, -10. Current favorability: -30.]
Tang Yu’an: “!!!”
Why was it still decreasing? Had he done something wrong?
No, he couldn’t let their relationship deteriorate further. The protagonists should be close comrades! If they disliked each other, how could they trust each other on the battlefield?
“He’s just in a bad mood today. He didn’t mean it.” Remembering Zuo Tinghan’s experiences, Tang Yu’an hoped to evoke Wei Langxing’s empathy. “He was brainwashed; there might be many things troubling him. Let’s not hold it against him.”
[Beep—Plot rejection factor detected. Automatically triggering skill – “Pitiful Appearance”.]
This time, Tang Yu’an didn’t stop it. The last time he used this skill, Wei Langxing’s attitude towards him had softened. Perhaps it would work this time too.
[Detected Protagonist Number One, Wei Langxing, favorability towards Protagonist Number Two, Zuo Tinghan, -10. Current favorability: -40.]
Tang Yu’an: “…”
The harder he tried, the worse it got.
He didn’t understand why his actions were turning two future comrades into enemies.
Since he couldn’t salvage the situation, he decided to cut his losses. He washed the apricots and shared them with Wei Langxing, hoping to distract him and stop the favorability from dropping further.
Finally, the deductions stopped.
Wei Langxing rarely ate fruit; he was one of the few who preferred nutrient paste.
In his view, eating was simply to maintain bodily functions. Since there was a faster and more convenient method, why not use it?
But watching Tang Yu’an sitting opposite him, nibbling on the fruit like a little hamster, he suddenly felt a flicker of interest in food.
“You like apricots?”
He could have them stock up later.
Tang Yu’an’s hands were still wet. He pushed the pit into his palm with his tongue.
Those hands were truly beautiful, Wei Langxing thought, like lotuses, holding the pit as if it were a jewel.
“I like sweet things,” Tang Yu’an replied. “They make me feel calm.”
He really was like a child.
Well, Tang Yu’an was only twenty, nineteen excluding the year in a coma. But his calm demeanor, as if nothing could faze him, made him seem far more mature than his age.
Sometimes, he felt that although Tang Yu’an was smiling at him, he couldn’t truly get close to him, never able to guess his thoughts.
Perhaps it was because they weren’t familiar enough, or perhaps Tang Yu’an didn’t trust him enough.
He’d buy more fruit then, and chocolate, all sorts of flavors, catering to his preferences. He understood that much.
Night fell. Tang Yu’an had gone to bed, but Wei Langxing couldn’t sleep, his mind occupied with training and the day’s events.
Having a troublemaker in the building made him uneasy. He tried to contact Pang Jin, but his phone was off. Who knew what confidential mission he was on again.
Unable to sleep, he went to the training room to vent his frustration.
As he entered, he saw a figure in the brightly lit room, furiously punching a sandbag, the force of the blows causing it to burst open.
Wei Langxing’s anger flared up again. Why did he have to run into him everywhere?
“You have to compensate for damaged equipment.”
He said this purely to provoke him. Such damage could be claimed; it wouldn’t come out of their pockets. But he suspected Zuo Tinghan hadn’t read the employee handbook and didn’t know this, since he never attended meetings.
Zuo Tinghan didn’t reply, as if he hadn’t heard, wiping the sweat from his neck with a towel, picking up a water bottle from a nearby chair, and heading towards another exit.
He clearly didn’t want any interaction with him.
Wei Langxing wouldn’t let him off so easily, following relentlessly: “No one cares if you go crazy, but you better not hurt Tang Yu’an.”
These words seemed to strike a nerve. Zuo Tinghan stopped, uttering the longest sentence he had spoken in days: “I know I’m sick. I’ll stay away from him. I’ve hurt enough people. I can’t add Tang Yu’an to the list.”
At the same time, Tang Yu’an, half-asleep, suddenly heard the system notification.
[Detected Protagonist Number One, Wei Langxing, favorability towards Protagonist Number Two, Zuo Tinghan, +20. Current favorability: -20.]
He was drowsy, his mind foggy.
A small night light was on by his bed. He opened his eyes a crack, seeing the time on the clock – 2:30 AM.
In the middle of the night, why would Wei Langxing suddenly increase his favorability? Had he finally come to his senses?
Wonderful, simply wonderful.
Half-dreaming, Tang Yu’an vaguely felt that the protagonist had made progress. As a tool-man, he needed to offer encouragement.
So he raised his arm and clapped twice in the air, as if completing a task, then quickly pulled it back under the covers, curling up and hugging his teddy bear, turning to face the dim light and drifting back to sleep.
In his dream, he lived in a candy house, a place without night or sorrow, only a warm little home and an eternal sun.
Tang Yu’an nuzzled his pillow, a smile on his face.
