That evening, when Tang Li woke up, Si Du was still by her side.
The man already possessed everything; aside from accompanying Tang Li, he needed to do nothing else.
“I want to take a bath,” the girl murmured softly, lowering her gaze.
“Alright,” Si Du gently brushed aside the hair on her forehead and suddenly smiled faintly. “So Tangtang’s hair is naturally curly, like a little lamb.”
“Do you remember watching Zootopia together? If your hair were a bit fluffier and thicker, it might feel just like the wool of the sheep villain in the movie.”
Even in such an inappropriate situation, Tang Li blushed with embarrassment and couldn’t help glaring at Si Du irritably, pushing his hand away.
“Brother Si Du, are you saying I’m going bald?”
“Of course not,” the man chuckled softly. “Alright, alright, I won’t say anymore. Go ahead quickly.”
“I’ve prepared something delicious for tonight, so don’t soak for too long.”
Tang Li hugged her towel and new pajamas, rushing headlong into the bathroom, which elicited another soft laugh from the man.
As the bathroom door slammed shut, Si Du’s gaze softened like water, the shadows between his brows dispersing with his smile.
While Tang Li was filling the bathtub with hot water, 78 emerged. 【Little Lychee, I’ve received a notification from headquarters.】
“What did headquarters say?” the girl asked, a bit nervous.
【Headquarters has detected that the merging trend in the other worlds is growing stronger and faster, likely due to the deepening corruption of the other four individuals.】
【In contrast, although Si Du’s Corruption Value has surged again, the merging trend in this world has actually stopped.】
78 explained, 【Headquarters said these five worlds are interconnected. Even if we manage to fix this one, it will still be affected by the other four, rendering our efforts useless.】
“So, do I need to go to the next world now?” Tang Li asked, leaning against the edge of the bathtub.
【Not right now. Headquarters wants you to distract Si Du, to keep his attention focused on you.】
【Then, the Repair System will quietly set up a Time Stop Program around this world. Once that’s done, time here can be completely halted, and we can leave.】
78’s tone grew more serious. 【After all the worlds have the Time Stop Program set up, we’ll begin synchronizing the repairs for the collapse.】
【Headquarters analyzed that even with time stopped, it probably won’t last very long. So, you’ll likely have to go through the process of coaxing these individuals again.】
【We’ll repeat this several times until the world collapse is fully repaired. Then, headquarters can deal with Si Du and the others without harming any innocent people.】
Tang Li processed this. “So, I have to meet them one by one, then after some time, meet them all over again?”
【Exactly. It might be very exhausting, but I’ve already applied for benefits for you. Even if you can’t continue traveling, your family’s medical expenses will be covered continuously. Don’t worry.】 78 brought good news.
【Our Little Lychee is both hardworking and capable. Initially, it was said that ten worlds would earn you enough Points, but now it seems that once this matter is resolved, you can return to reunite with your healthy family!】
Tang Li had chosen to take on the risks of traveling and completing tasks to earn medical expenses for her seriously ill parents and brother.
78 would always remember the scene when it first met the girl.
During the harsh winter, with heavy snow falling, the girl, dressed in thin clothes and clutching a medical report, wandered aimlessly on the empty streets late at night, crying as she walked.
She was like the little match girl.
Her soul was as gentle as moonlight and as warm as flames, making 78 choose her instantly.
As long as she completed missions, she could earn a lot of money. Tang Li agreed without a second thought, even though the price of failure was losing her life.
Hearing 78 say this, Tang Li heaved a deep sigh of relief, feeling genuine gratitude and joy. “That’s wonderful!”
“Go for it, baby! Headquarters says you can ignore all rules. From now on, be yourself, Little Lychee!”
“Tell those five bastards—yes, I am Tang Li! You’d better spoil me properly! Otherwise, I’ll go find someone else!”