Forced to Act out a Strange Script with a Rival - Chapter 24

“You, have you kissed anyone else?”…

Telepathic Resonance? What does that mean?

The omnipotent System began its explanation: [Before the script is completed, when the bound target’s heart rate reaches 120, you will empathize with them. When the heart rate reaches 150, you can hear their thoughts.]

Li Ting felt a jolt of panic. Why did this System suddenly pop up?

“You can monitor me at all times?”

She felt a strong displeasure at the invasion of her privacy.

[The System appears when the Host requires it. The System is not interested in human privacy.]

This thing truly showcased the arrogance of a higher-dimensional life form.

So, Li Ting asked the question she was most concerned about: “Exactly how many more tasks do you have, and when can the binding be lifted?”

[A total of nine tasks. The previous two worlds were beginner tasks. The difficulty of subsequent worlds will increase, and the System will also issue corresponding rewards.]

“I don’t want rewards, I want the binding lifted.”

[You humans are truly strange. Being bound in a virtual space to do tasks and receiving rewards—isn’t this a tremendous benefit?]

“Human emotions are something you will never understand,” Li Ting stated.

[But I understand human nature. Didn’t you have fun in the previous world?] The mechanical electronic voice carried a human-like sneer: [The ultimate reward is to help both of you become top-tier celebrities. You just need to endure a little right now, don’t you?]

[Don’t you want to be famous?] The System’s words echoed in Li Ting’s mind like a curse.

Everyone who enters this industry wants to be famous. The System was well aware of her obsession.

Li Ting lost the strength to argue.

[A friendly reminder: Si Xiaoxiao also needs to accept punishment. Are you curious about the content of her punishment?]

The mission was a joint failure, so according to the System’s principle of fairness and justice, Si Xiaoxiao should also have a punishment.

Is the content the same as hers?

[Of course not. She has her own punishment.]

Her own punishment? What is it?

[Such “s-e-n-s-u-a-l” fun requires you to explore it yourselves.]

After that, no further inquiry received a reply.

After the Bath

The steam in the bathroom gradually dissipated, leaving a blurred mist on the mirror.

Li Ting rose from the cool water, stirring up a splash.

The heaviness caused by the cold was not entirely chased away by the hot water; her head was still somewhat groggy.

She pulled the large bath towel around her, her movements carrying a trace of imperceptible stiffness, wrapping her damp body.

Her fingertips unconsciously brushed her lower lip, where a trace of minute warmth and soft touch, not her own, seemed to linger, like a feather lightly sweeping across, fleeting in an instant.

That kind of punishment gave her a sense of the sin of prying into others.

Li Ting frowned slightly, using the edge of the towel to vigorously wipe the corner of her mouth, as if to erase some non-existent trace, hoping that this act of self-deception could wipe away what had happened.

Entering the bedroom, she changed into clean cotton pajamas, then picked up another towel and casually rubbed her semi-wet hair. Water droplets from the ends of her hair fell onto the back of her neck, bringing a chill.

Her gaze fell on the phone resting quietly on the bedside table. She lit up the screen—the time had already reached 7:00 PM.

Li Ting casually ate something, and then applied medication to her wounds. Fortunately, she was always thoughtful, and the necessary common medicines were in her suitcase.

No bones were broken, and the bruises on her body should heal quickly.

It was already this time.

Time to keep the appointment.

Li Ting originally wanted to send a WeChat message or something to Si Xiaoxiao to confirm if she was free, but suddenly realized she didn’t seem to have Si Xiaoxiao’s contact information—they were, after all, rivals.

Forget it, I’ll go first. At worst, I’ll wait at the door.

She certainly wouldn’t be asleep this early.

The Knock

The corridor light was dim and quiet, and the thick carpet absorbed all footsteps. The air was filled with the hotel’s unique scent, a blend of cleaner and fragrance.

Li Ting’s steps were small. The corridor seemed longer than she remembered. The dizziness from her cold slightly intensified as she walked. She instinctively raised her hand and pressed the knuckles against her faintly aching forehead.

Halfway there, Li Ting turned back. She retrieved the medicated wine for bruises and sprains.

This medicated wine was very effective, much more potent than ordinary medicine. They still had filming to do, and Si Xiaoxiao recovering quickly would be beneficial to her as well.

Li Ting had good eyesight and a strong memory. When the director handed out the room cards downstairs, she had already memorized Si Xiaoxiao’s room number.

They were only separated by one floor. This hotel’s top-tier suites were laid out with only one per floor. Only Si Xiaoxiao and Li Ting from the entire cast and crew were staying here; everyone else, including their assistants, were at the cheaper hotel next door.

Therefore, Li Ting wasn’t worried about running into acquaintances, so she didn’t put on much of a disguise.

Finally, she stopped in front of Si Xiaoxiao’s room door. A line of warm yellow light peeked out from under the door seam, casting a thin, bright line on the carpet.

The hotel corridor was very quiet. She stood still for a moment. The air conditioning in the corridor seemed to have seeped into the collar of her pajamas, making her regret being dressed too lightly.

Her right hand lifted, paused in the air for an instant, knuckles slightly bent, her nails clean and neatly trimmed, shining faintly in the dim light.

Knock, knock, knock.

Three light taps.

Li Ting’s knuckles hitting the door panel made a clear, restrained sound, rippling slightly in the silent corridor, just like the impression she gave others.

After knocking, her hand dropped back to her side, her fingertips slightly curled, gently rubbing against the seam of her trousers.

The waiting time seemed to stretch. Li Ting’s gaze was fixed on the doorknob; the metal’s luster, reflected by the warm light seeping from the door seam, appeared somewhat dazzling.

Li Ting stood still, her figure straight, yet the fingertips of the hand hanging by her side unconsciously curled again, gently gripping the soft fabric of her pajama pants. A slightly damp strand of hair clung to her fair neck; a water droplet silently slid along her hairline and disappeared into her collar.

First, talk about the mission, and then discuss the punishment.

Just as she was spacing out, the door opened.

Si Xiaoxiao seemed to have just taken a shower too. Of course, after soaking in the sea for so long, the first thing anyone would do upon returning to the hotel would probably be to shower.

She only had a bath towel wrapped around her. All her makeup was removed, making her look particularly youthful.

The pair of eyes that were usually bright and flamboyant were now veiled in a thin mist, the lashes lowered, the long, thick eyelashes casting a small fan-shaped shadow beneath her eyes, making her expression indecipherable.

The warm yellow light softly enveloped her, but couldn’t completely melt the invisible, prickly sense of aloofness around her. Her entire being was like a fully drawn bow; although she leaned against the door frame in a relaxed posture, every line exuded a restrained vigilance.

After opening the door for Li Ting, she limped into the room.

Li Ting immediately scrapped the sequence of topics she had planned in her mind. The first thing to do now was to apply medicine to Si Xiaoxiao.

She suggested, “Let’s put some medicine on first.”

Si Xiaoxiao looked down at her ankle, not overly concerned: “It’s fine, it just looks serious.”

It was originally just a slight sprain, and a little rest would have fixed it.

Unfortunately, they encountered the rising tide. During their escape, forcefully exerting herself made the sprain worse. Coupled with the fact that Si Xiaoxiao didn’t exercise frequently and often had to diet for a good figure, her body seemed even more fragile.

Li Ting didn’t insist, just silently placed the medicated wine she was holding onto the table.

She brought up the topic she had prepared: “What was your mission?”

Si Xiaoxiao organized her words and said, “My persona was the sadistic warden. There were three tasks: first, to make the prisoner obedient through correctional means; second, to conduct a physical examination of the prisoner; and third, to acquire the prisoner’s personal treasure.”

“Correction, examination, treasure…” Li Ting mused. In fact, she had already guessed most of it during the previous script.

But given the System’s increasingly humanized and difficulty-escalating nature, it was highly likely that the mission in the next instance would change.

“What about yours?”

Si Xiaoxiao’s eyes were full of scrutiny. Her voice was slightly deeper than usual, with a hint of post-shower hoarseness that sounded particularly seductive.

Li Ting was a little embarrassed and chose to summarize simply: “Well, it was… resistance against you, kissing you, and the treasure aspect.”

“Do both of our missions have to be completed for it to count as a success?” Si Xiaoxiao frowned.

Li Ting thought for a moment and said, “It’s best to be prepared for both to be completed.”

“I understand.” Si Xiaoxiao nodded, not showing excessive aversion.

She doesn’t seem to be too repulsed.

Li Ting thought.

“You, have you kissed anyone else?”

Si Xiaoxiao glanced at Li Ting and sneered, “Does asking that reduce your guilt?”

“What guilt do I have?” Li Ting heard her own voice say, the tone cold: “It’s just a kiss.”

Si Xiaoxiao stood in the halo of light. The warm yellow light fell on her lowered eyelashes, casting deep shadows that concealed all possible emotions: “Yes, it’s just a kiss. As an adult, isn’t that normal?”

The only sounds in the room were the low hum of the air conditioner and the nearly inaudible breaths of the two people.

The smooth, glossy surface of the round table reflected the soft glow of the ceiling light, and also vaguely mirrored the outlines of the two figures sitting opposite each other, yet separate and distant.

Li Ting’s hand on her lap unconsciously lightly twisted the soft fabric of her pajama pants with her fingertips: “Later…”

“I will cooperate with you.”

Si Xiaoxiao’s fingertips lightly tapped the cold tabletop.

Li Ting’s heart suddenly tightened. She didn’t know whether the emotion welling up inside her was happiness or sadness.

“I don’t like to evade anything I do.” Si Xiaoxiao smiled faintly, her expression instantly becoming incredibly vivid, as if issuing a challenge.

“Bring it on, Li Ting. Whether it’s the mission or the variety show, I will handle it as ‘maturely’ as you do.”

“…” Li Ting frowned, not wanting to continue this topic, and moved on to the second agenda: “What about the System’s punishment for you? What exactly is it?”

“The punishment is…” Si Xiaoxiao’s face suddenly changed, as if she had recalled something important, and she urgently began to speak.

“Li Ting, close your eyes.”

“Why…”

Li Ting wanted to ask why, but immediately felt a sharp pain in her ankle.

She keenly realized that this pain came from Si Xiaoxiao.

In other words, at this moment, Si Xiaoxiao’s heart rate had accelerated, exceeding 120.

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