"Niece."
"Uncle."
"I'm not good at dealing with women, especially those who seem troublesome. I prefer dealing with men, you know that, right?"
"I know, that's why you're still single in your thirties."
"I didn't call to have you expose my wounds. After all, I'm your uncle, give me some face."
"...Then just say what you need to say!"
Xia Panqiu anxiously swept her stylish short hair behind her ear and then whispered, "If you want to scold, then scold."
"Don't get too hung up on the past; it doesn't mean anything."
Ah Yue chuckled and finally got to the point, "The human heart is complex; you can't precisely predict other people's actions, and it's the same for Lu Hao and Chen Lusi."
"I have no problem with you messing around with those things; consider it insurance. I get why you don't like Chen Lusi, it's your freedom, everyone has different preferences."
"But I hope you can have a clear set of criteria and use them to evaluate each newcomer. Chen Lusi fired a shot, you think he's not competent, that's fine, you can think that way."
"But you shouldn't see him as another Lu Hao, nor should you project someone else's shadow onto Chen Lusi. Your judgment shouldn't be based on some degree of bias but on your own fair judgment, at least don't let the bias be too much."
"That's also why I like Wu You, because no matter how much he likes a newcomer, he can still evaluate relatively fairly, and vice versa."
"Whatever test you're planning, even if it's a bit silly, I'll see it as you helping Wu You."
"But ask yourself, have you made Chen Lusi a nightmare that's bothering you? Did you have preconceived notions?"
"And installing cameras, that's really a bit much."
"..."
Xia Panqiu sat in the chair, slightly lowered her head, letting her bangs cover her face, saying nothing.
"That's all I wanted to say. What you do next is up to you."
Ah Yue paused, then smiled, "Think it over... Speaking of which, Chen Lusi is also at fault, bringing you up like that wasn't right, that's poking at people's wounds."
"Xia Yue." Xia Panqiu finally looked up.
Ah Yue said with some disdain, "Alright, alright, make your own judgment. I can't figure out what you girls are thinking. If you're thinking about revenge, it's easier, I could help... Tsk, not as good as 2D."
"What's Wu You's evaluation?"
Xia Panqiu calmed down, pursed her red lips, and asked softly.
"The conclusions from Heart Sound Reflection are all average. One is a nihilist with self-destructive tendencies, hard to control; the other is overly chūnibyō with significant ambition, both are the kind who should be sent to Kunlun for re-evaluation as per the rules."
"Nihilist? Significant ambition? Who are they referring to?"
Xia Panqiu was stunned because it didn't match her impressions at all.
Ah Yue smiled, "That's why they say you can't know people's hearts. Try getting along with the two troublesome newcomers... don't get caught up in things."
With that said.
He directly hung up the phone.
"..."
Listening to the beeping hang-up tone, Xia Panqiu slowly took the phone away from her ear, her fingers absent-mindedly sliding across the screen, looking at the photo of her with her parents.
She recalled Ah Yue's words just now, and her mood over the past few days.
After hesitating for a long time.
She found Chen Lusi's number and started composing a message.
But after half an hour of typing and deleting.
In the end, she still didn't send the message.
...
In the next three days.
Chen Lusi stayed in his rental apartment.
He was either working on his new book 'Tomb Sweeping and the Future' or playing games.
Besides that, he didn't do much else.
In fact, there wasn't much else he could do.
After all, he lived alone and didn't have many hobbies. When the little loli was around for the past two days, he could at least share his gaming experiences.
Now that she's gone, all he can do is play.
During this time, neither Xia Panqiu nor Ah Yue contacted him.
Chen Lusi almost guessed that he was brushed off and felt more relaxed without the psychological burden.
Until.
The fourth day.
Chen Lusi, as usual, slept until noon, got up, washed up, ordered takeout, and started a game.
Just as he was about to play as the Mire People, even before the delivery arrived, there was a knock at the door.
"The delivery's so fast?"
Chen Lusi put down the controller and got up to open the door.
But as soon as he opened the door, he was stunned.
Because it wasn't the Yellow Knight at the door.
But Xia Panqiu, and today she wasn't wearing that inappropriate OL outfit, instead, she changed into a simple white short T-shirt paired with high-waisted wide-leg jeans, looking simple and light, finally having a youthful girl vibe.
Though her face was quite pretty, keeping it stern was a bit of a waste.
Chen Lusi moved his gaze from her to the other two people.
One was his peer, Li Tian, and the other was a middle-aged man he'd met once.
And while Chen Lusi was sizing up the three, the middle-aged man had already walked into the room quite familiarly.
"Hey there, hope we're not bothering you?"
He warmly put his arm around Chen Lusi's neck and introduced himself, "I'm Wu You, you can call me Brother Wu if you wanna give face, or just Wu You if not."
"Is there something you need?" Chen Lusi asked with some confusion.
Wu You led Chen Lusi into the room while explaining, "There's an anomaly nearby that needs dealing with, you need to come along."
Chen Lusi didn't mind being dragged along but was a bit curious, "Why? Wasn't I already eliminated?"
Wu You chuckled, "After some consideration, we've decided to give you another chance. Little Panqiu agreed too. How about it? Happy?"
"Oh..."
Chen Lusi turned his head to glance at Xia Panqiu who followed him into the room, and asked, "Can I say no to this opportunity?"
"Come on, the work is dangerous, but the pay is quite good."
Wu You coaxed, "Even for a newbie, you can earn twenty thousand a month, plus the highest-tier insurances and housing fund."
Chen Lusi: "..."
"And seasoned staff like me can earn this much..." Wu You extended his hand, making an eight gesture.
Chen Lusi gradually came to a halt, turning back, "… Can the housing fund buy a house in Jiangchang City?"
"Of course, though I don't know how much you can use. I haven't bought a house myself."
After hesitating for quite a while, Chen Lusi finally replied, "… Then I'll join."
Wu You was satisfied with Chen Lusi's answer and released his grip on his neck, "That's settled then. Got something to drink?"
"Cola, green tea, mineral water."
Chen Lusi warmed up a bit and went to the fridge, asking what the three who entered would like to drink.
"Cola."
"Cola."
"… Mineral water."
Chen Lusi nodded, then pulled out two bottles of cola and one bottle of mineral water, saying, "Feel free to sit anywhere."
"… Where to sit?"
Wu You took a cola, surveying the room that only had a bed, a table, and a gaming chair, shrugged.
"On the bed then."
Chen Lusi handed the other cola to Li Tian, casually suggesting.
Wu You didn't hesitate, plopping down on the bed, Li Tian wavered a bit, also settled on the bed.
But Xia Panqiu didn't move, instead leaned against the wall, silently watching.
"If you're uncomfortable, you can sit on the chair."
Chen Lusi passed her the mineral water, then pointed to the gaming chair in front of the computer.
"No need."
Xia Panqiu shook her head, took the mineral water, and directly refused.
Chen Lusi didn't insist, pulled out the chair to sit down, meanwhile asked, "When are we leaving?"
"Soon."
Wu You took a sip of cola, replied, "Mainly to help you guys get familiar with the work process. Little Panqiu and I will be with you, shouldn't be much danger, no need to be nervous."
"Not nervous, I mostly want to ask if we can wait a bit?" Chen Lusi thought for a moment, inquired.
"Something on your mind?"
Chen Lusi frankly said, "Haven't eaten, just ordered some rather pricey takeout, I'd like to finish it before we go."
Wu You cheerfully agreed, "Sure, we'll wait for you."
"Feel free, the takeout should arrive soon."
Chen Lusi replied while picking up the controller.
Frankly, he foresaw the upcoming awkwardness, so might as well play games, letting them do their thing.
And his foresight proved correct.
The following half hour was indeed awkward...
Four people squeezed in a small room.
Yet as the host, Chen Lusi started gaming, the only cheerful one being a middle-aged man, clueless about games.
Xia Panqiu and Li Tian, one unwilling to speak, the other too timid to speak in front of Wu You.
Eventually, they just watched Chen Lusi play.
With four people present, not a single one spoke, only the sound of the game filled the room.
Half an hour later.
Wu You was struggling to endure...
Fortunately.
The takeout finally arrived.
But an even more awkward moment ensued.
Chen Lusi ate alone, the other three just watched.
The small room filled with the enticing aroma of takeout.
Li Tian and Wu You sat on the bed, sipping cola.
Chen Lusi sat on the chair, chewing and swallowing.
No one spoke.
It was really… awfully awkward.
"..."
Xia Panqiu leaned against the wall, unscrewed the cap, and took a sip of mineral water, averting her gaze from Chen Lusi.
She's used to it.
Even under surveillance, he's been like this, same in recent days.