Tang Li didn’t dare provoke Si Du—her resistance meant nothing to him.
The man even relished it.
Even as he saw the fear, confusion, and rejection in the girl’s eyes, as long as he could touch her, as long as he could make her stay, he didn’t care anymore.
Love or hatred, fulfillment or regret—none of it mattered.
He didn’t care; he only wanted her.
Si Du knew his current state and mindset were dangerously obsessive, but he had no intention of restraining himself.
It was precisely because he had been too rational, too calm, and too reserved before that he had lost his family and all warmth.
This time, even if it meant resorting to any means necessary, he wouldn’t let tragedy repeat itself.
The man’s embrace replaced the Silver Chain.
After Tang Li silently finished washing up, he carried her downstairs for lunch.
The girl had little appetite. She held a mouthful of rice, listless, lowering her lashes as she mechanically chewed.
Si Du watched her. “Don’t like it?”
It had been many years since he’d last cooked for her himself.
“I’m not feeling well—dizzy.” Tang Li’s small face was slightly pale, clearly unwell.
Si Du coaxed her into finishing a bowl of seafood congee, then wiped her mouth and carried her upstairs to rest.
“Sleep. I’ll watch over you.” The man leaned against the headboard, holding her in his arms.
Tang Li didn’t resist, quietly closing her eyes, veiling the glistening tears within.
Her discomfort wasn’t just from dizziness—she couldn’t believe Si Du had become like this.
Feeling the girl’s body tremble from suppressed sobs, pain surged in the man’s heart like raging waves, nearly suffocating him.
But his entire life was already bleak—why struggle?
Let it be. Let them sink together into this abyss of despair and suffering.
At least she would forever be in his embrace.
Even if they tormented each other.
Connected to Tang Li’s consciousness, 78 naturally sensed the girl’s emotions and couldn’t help comforting her.
[It’s alright. Since he’s found out, just admit it.]
[Even though he’s darkened, he definitely won’t harm you. I’ll protect you too.]
Tang Li bit her soft lower lip tightly. “That’s not why I’m upset.”
“I’m upset because I might not be able to save Brother Si Du.”
78 paused, then asked in surprise, [Little Lychee, you’re not… actually falling for him, are you?]
“No, it’s not that. Seventy-seven, you told me before I started missions that I mustn’t develop romantic feelings for people in the Mission World.”
“So I’ve always remembered. I know I’m just a passerby in this world—I can’t stay forever. I need to focus on my missions to return home.”
The girl raised a hand to cover her face, forcefully suppressing the sob in her throat. “But I still feel sympathy, sorrow, and worry.”
“We lived together for many years. When we parted, he was still that brother with a gentle smile. When we met again, he’d become a terrifying person.”
“And I’m powerless to change it.”
[It’s not your fault.] 78 could only repeat.
[Really, we all know it’s not your fault.]
Sigh. They’d warned headquarters long ago—even if they wanted newbies to immerse themselves, they shouldn’t have them live in the Mission World from the start.
Little Lychee lived here for eight or nine years before encountering the world’s male lead. All that other time was spent moment by moment, genuinely building deep bonds with others.
Now complications arose. Even if Little Lychee didn’t initiate anything, they couldn’t stop Si Du from developing feelings for her.
The headquarters kept dragging their feet and refusing to make changes, and now look what happened! A major incident occurred, even implicating their Little Lychee.
Tang Li felt the man gently cradle the back of her head, comforting her silently and tenderly just like when she was a child.
What should she do? What exactly should she do?
The exhausted girl fell into a deep sleep once again.
While gritting his teeth at Si Du, No. 78 opened the latest message from headquarters.
Huh? There’s a way now!