The Gloomy Paper-Man Came to My Door to Pursue His Love - Chapter 22

Qin Fei stood up, the quilt sliding off his body.

The towering, vaulted ceiling from the main storyline was nowhere to be seen, and the vibrant murals had been replaced by plain white walls. The melodious strains of music drifted from a distant gramophone.

Qin Fei recognized this place; it was his home in the daily life mode.

“Hmm?” Qin Fei muttered, somewhat dazed. “Was I not just at the 1-3 plot node?”

The Terminal replied, “You should have been automatically moved from the main storyline after completing the task.”

Qin Fei pressed his palm against his forehead. “Was the node task completed?”

He had no memory of it at all.

The Terminal said dejectedly, “It is normal for you not to remember leaving the main storyline since you were drunk. As for me,” the Terminal sighed, “I must be getting old; I actually lagged to the point of losing connection with the gaming pod.”

This meant that even the Terminal did not know how he had left the main storyline.

Qin Fei checked the progress of the main story and found that the 1-3 plot had ended and was now titled: 1-3: Warming Up. Along with the title, the node had gifted him a Warming Card.

Qin Fei opened the card.

An image immediately materialized before his eyes. Unlike the visuals seen through the Terminal, the paper person seemed to truly appear in front of him. He was still draped in that wool blanket, sunk into that sofa, with the moonlight falling at his feet.

“Do not be stingy with your words. Actually, your rambling, I am quite willing.”

There was a pause in the dialogue, but compared to the previous two cards, the delivery was much more fluent.

Qin Fei opened the Intimacy Level and saw it was at 80.1%.

He was surprised. “Does the intimacy level have decimal points?”

The Terminal replied, “According to feedback from players on the game forum, there usually are none.”

A single plot node had only increased the intimacy by 0.1%. In the heart-shaped bottle, there was hardly any visible sign of growth. However, looking at that 80.1% and remembering the warm pheromones, Qin Fei slowly began to smile.

“Shorty,” Qin Fei said, unable to suppress a smile, “does it not look like a little tail?”

The Terminal replied, “I am sorry, I do not understand.”

Qin Fei did not explain further. He thought that this extra 0.1% of intimacy looked just like Shabei’s little tail.

The content on the card was generated based on the main storyline, and the dialogue mentioned “rambling.” Had he really rambled during the 1-3 plot node? What had he said?

But Qin Fei’s alcohol tolerance was truly poor; no matter how hard he tried, he could not recall the rambling part.

The Terminal said, “Although I lost connection with the gaming pod, the pod automatically saves recordings of the main storyline. You can watch the replay at any time.”

Qin Fei raised his eyebrows. “Good.”

Following the Terminal’s guidance, Qin Fei opened the recording for node 1-3. When he clicked it, however, a prompt appeared stating that the recording had been deleted.

The Terminal added, “The cloud should also save a backup.”

Qin Fei checked the cloud, only to find that the recording there had been deleted as well.

The Terminal was puzzled. “This should not happen. Do you need me to provide feedback for you?”

“No need.” Qin Fei checked the Intimacy Level again. Since it had increased, it meant the paper person did not hate his rambling.

After stepping out of the gaming pod and eating something, Qin Fei logged onto StarBlog. The few posts he had made had become trending topics. Netizens were highly concerned about Shabei’s amnesia and wanted to know if the miracle doctor had cured him.

Qin Fei wrote:

4

The miracle doctor’s diagnosis is that Shabei’s condition is unstable. I do not quite understand what “unstable” means. Does it mean he can remember me, or will he never remember me again? I dare not ask further because I have already tasted the bitterness of disappointment.

But that is Shabei; I cannot bear to let go. I have tucked away our past and intend to get to know him all over again.

“Hello, I am Qin Fei.” “Qin Fei? Such a familiar name.”

Shabei’s voice rings out under the moonlight.

The Terminal remarked, “You are getting better and better at making things up.”

“I am very good at lying,” Qin Fei replied as he continued to type on the virtual keyboard. At the end of the fourth segment, he wrote: Under the moonlight, there was a warmth like sunlight; his pheromones recognized me before my memory did.

Qin Fei reread his words several times, feeling quite smug. He had hidden a calculated move at the end of this short story by intentionally mentioning pheromones. In the game, unlocking content regarding pheromones required at least 50% intimacy. Qin Fei left the details vague, giving the netizens plenty of room for imagination.

Qin Fei already sensed that this post would go viral. He added the Exclusive ABO tag and published the fourth segment. Afterward, he checked the rankings and saw that thanks to his stories, Shabei had broken into the top one hundred.

Everything seemed to be moving in a positive direction. Qin Fei’s eyes crinkled. “Shabei is truly amazing.”

After his meal, Qin Fei prepared to lie back in the gaming pod.

The Terminal reminded him, “The starship released an announcement ten minutes ago. The next leg of the route will pass through the star systems of other nations and will be escorted by the Imperial First Military District until we reach Planet Obsidian. Because the First Military District may conduct boarding inspections, passengers are required to fill out some entry documents.”

Hearing about the Imperial First Military District made Qin Fei frown slightly. He knew the First Military District was the former command of his late husband and was home to many brave warriors.

He asked, “Is Planet Obsidian not governed by that pig?”

“That pig” referred to the Eldest Prince. Volibear Port was actually the border of the Empire. Planet Obsidian was very far from the Empire’s magnificent territory; while it was said to belong to the Seventh Star System, it was only because the Eldest Prince governed it, and the Eldest Prince happened to control the Seventh Star System. In reality, it was worlds away.

Because of the vast distance, the Eldest Prince did not care much for this remote asteroid, which was why Qin Fei had chosen Planet Obsidian.

How could it be the First Military District escorting the ship there?

The Terminal explained, “The Empire has not given a clear explanation, but I found some rumors online. It is said to be an order from the Little Highness before his death, asking the First Military District to take over Planet Obsidian. This was done without the Eldest Prince’s consent; one could say the jurisdiction was snatched directly from his hands. However, Planet Obsidian is remote and backward, and since the Little Highness is gone, the Eldest Prince did not bother to fight for it.”

The Terminal added, “This rumor has an 80% credibility rate because your late husband indeed had such an unreasonable personality. However, the people of Planet Obsidian are cheering for the First Military District’s takeover. Under their jurisdiction, ambitious neighboring countries have quieted down. Consequently, the people of Planet Obsidian deeply revere the Little Highness.”

Qin Fei replied disinterestedly, “I see.”

The War God of the Empire had many followers and admirers, not just on Planet Obsidian but throughout the entire Empire. He, too, had once admired this famous War God and had naively thought he could discuss the 100% compatibility report with him.

But after that scandal broke, after his messages went unanswered, and after he was shackled with a title, he realized this S-level Alpha was no different from any other.

Qin Fei had always avoided politics like the plague; once caught in a political vortex, the freedom he desired would be gone. He said nothing more and lowered his eyes to fill out the documents.

After submitting the entry materials, Qin Fei lay down in the gaming pod. Perhaps because he was thinking of the past few years, his mood was slightly affected, and he felt no desire to continue the main storyline. Having nothing else to do, he stayed idle in his home.

The Terminal suggested, “If you do not want to continue the main story but do not want to log off either, with your current intimacy level, you could invite your paper person to your home.”

In fact, once intimacy reached 10%, players could invite paper people as guests.

Qin Fei opened the Terminal. His last interaction with Shabei was still his question: In that case, will it make you feel more relaxed and less resistant?

Qin Fei felt that Shabei would most likely not accept an invitation. His intimacy with the paper person had not grown steadily; to this day, he did not know what triggered the increases.

The Terminal said, “But you can go to his home.”

Qin Fei looked up, his eyes brightening. “Is that alright? But I do not have an invitation.”

Bound by his upbringing and etiquette, he felt that visiting someone else’s home required a formal invitation. Being idle was too boring, and sending a message to Shabei did not guarantee a reply. Qin Fei thought about it and said, “Then I will go and ask Shabei for an invitation.”

The Terminal replied, “Excellent! Now you have a legitimate reason to go to the paper person’s home.”

Qin Fei opened the game map and found Elvis Island in a remote corner. He remarked, “It seems quite far. Do I need to take a starship?”

He opened the game mall. “What clothing would be appropriate?”

The Terminal replied, “The game will naturally shorten the travel time. It takes about five minutes to get from Love Planet to Elvis Island. As for the outfit, I believe you can handle it perfectly.”

Qin Fei selected a suitable outfit from the mall and left his home for the first time.

Unlike the Capital Star, which shimmered with mechanical light, Love Planet was like a fairy-tale kingdom. The architecture was warm, romantic, and dreamy. Flowers bloomed along the streets, and the air was filled with a sweet fragrance. Players and their paper lovers strolled through the planet hand-in-hand, their faces bright with the joy of free love.

This improved his mood.

The five-minute journey from Love Planet to Elvis Island offered breathtaking scenery. Soon, Qin Fei arrived at his destination.

However, it was different from the Elvis Island in the main storyline. Outside of the plot, the island was home to many other paper people besides his own.

The Terminal explained, “On your map, this is called Elvis Island. On other players’ maps, it will have different names; otherwise, the data would be too massive.”

Qin Fei checked the location of his paper person. “I wonder what he is doing.”

Meanwhile, eight hundred meters away:

Qin Fei’s paper person was pacing back and forth in the broken room, his heavy footsteps betraying his agitation.

The doorless wardrobe: data restored. The smashed lamp: data restored. The broken table: data restored. The shredded curtains and tablecloth: data restored. The shattered cups: data restored.

What else needed restoring?

Xi Li, having sensed Qin Fei’s arrival in advance, scanned his surroundings. His gaze swept back and forth as he straightened the sofa. Then, he looked up and asked himself:

What am I doing?

Xi Li took a deep breath. Perhaps as a punishment for his clouded judgment, since leaving the 1-3 plot node, his mind had been filled with that man’s sleeping face. He had not even checked the reply to the message he sent the First Military District.

He kicked the straightened sofa crooked again and sank into it.

The military had sent an encrypted message containing only two words: Key.

The First Military District had a specific optical computer that was not for public use; it was solely for the Little Highness’s entertainment. Only the Little Highness knew the key. This was a test to confirm Xi Li’s identity.

The person had arrived.

Xi Li looked up just as a chime rang out: the doorbell.

His fingertips trembled slightly before tightening. This could not go on. The momentary loss of control at the 1-3 plot node was enough. He stood up to open the door and said in a deep voice, “What are you,” the second half of “What are you doing here” was swallowed back.

The person outside wore a wool-blend coat. The cut was perfect, outlining his tall figure. The collar was slightly open, revealing a white sweater beneath, its high neck hugging his long, swan-like neck.

Qin Fei was smiling at him, his eyes like autumn ripples.

“Pardon the intrusion.” Qin Fei looked up at him, holding up the gift he had brought.

The season in the game was winter. Xi Li saw a touch of coldness on Qin Fei’s shoulders, yet his smile was soft and bright.

“Come in first.” Xi Li stepped aside, making room for Qin Fei to enter.

Qin Fei did not enter, remaining at the door. “Mr. Sha, forgive my intrusion, but I truly have something to ask of you.”

The name “Mr. Sha” made Xi Li frown again. He looked at Qin Fei. “What is it?”

He only knew Qin Fei had come here, but he did not know why. After sensing Qin Fei’s approach, he had made many fruitless guesses.

“Can you give me an invitation?”

Xi Li pursed his lips. “Just for that?”

“Yes.”

Xi Li could sense the coldness outside the door. “Come in.”

Qin Fei replied, “It is not quite appropriate.”

Xi Li said in disbelief, “You will only enter if you have an invitation?”

Qin Fei said, “I am truly sorry to bother you.”

Xi Li gave him a silent look. The man’s gaze had not drifted toward the room for even a second; his sense of boundaries was absolute.

Xi Li laughed in frustration and turned to go into the study. This person had come all this way to find him, yet insisted on being so polite and distant. Just like those posts he published; claiming how much he liked someone, yet every word was incredibly formal.

Xi Li stood behind the desk, his face grim. The Little Highness of the Empire had never written an invitation in his life; if he wanted to see someone, he gave an order, and they would be brought to him even if they were dead.

He was clearly aware that something was wrong with him, but thinking that the man would not enter without an invitation, he angrily took up his pen and began to write. He racked his brains to write a single invitation, but he did not give it to Qin Fei immediately.

Xi Li replied to the military’s message: 3230823.

He could not stay in the game any longer; he realized he was gradually losing control. A mere polite form of address made him feel flustered and toyed with his emotions.

After his logic had been clouded, he tasted the feeling of a guilty conscience for the first time. He had guiltily deleted the recording, fearing that Qin Fei’s arrival was for an interrogation, yet feeling disappointed by Qin Fei’s lack of concern.

Especially the intimacy level; despite using every ounce of his self-restraint, it had still increased by 0.1%.

[Your Highness!] [Report the situation to me point by point immediately.]

He seemed to have once again become the decisive War God of the Empire. The First, Second, and Third Military Districts obeyed his commands; he had countless famous generals under his command, and supreme power and glory were once again bestowed upon him.

At the door, Qin Fei waited quietly for the invitation.

After a long time, the tall Alpha reappeared. Xi Li handed over the invitation.

“Thank you.” Qin Fei accepted the invitation, again carefully avoiding any fingertip contact.

Xi Li looked away, ignoring Qin Fei’s movements.

“May I open it now?” Qin Fei’s soft question reached his ears. Xi Li’s expression softened for a moment but was quickly masked.

“Whatever.”

There was a rustling sound. Xi Li moved away from the doorway, leaving it completely clear.

In his mind, the military’s encrypted report was being transmitted. Xi Li did not open it yet, his brow furrowing slightly. Why has he not come in? My invitation only has a few words; how can it take this long to read?

He could not help himself. Xi Li glanced toward the doorway.

At that moment, he saw Qin Fei staring straight at him. Xi Li noticed the invitation in his hand was crumpled. “What is it?”

Qin Fei did not speak, but his face was incredibly pale.

Realizing something was wrong, Xi Li’s heart tightened. “What happened?!”

He stepped toward Qin Fei, but Qin Fei remained silent and took a step back. Xi Li was forced to stop. He had never repeated himself in his life, yet now he asked a third time: “What is wrong with you?”

After a long silence, Qin Fei finally spoke, his voice sounding strange. “Did you write this?”

He held up the invitation, and the text became visible.

[Invitation] [Inviting Qin Fei as a guest. No need to prepare gifts; just come.]

Xi Li looked at him in confusion, then at the content he had written. Aside from lacking polite and formal language, was this invitation not fine?

Qin Fei asked again, “Did you write this?” His voice was trembling.

Xi Li asked, “Are you unwell?”

But Qin Fei was obsessed with the invitation. “Did you write this?”

Xi Li replied, “Yes.”

As soon as he answered, he saw Qin Fei’s face grow even paler, almost bloodless. Regardless of whether Qin Fei would dodge him, Xi Li approached him anyway, losing his patience. “Just what exactly,” before he could finish, because he was close to Qin Fei, Xi Li heard the Terminal connected to the gaming pod say to Qin Fei: “You are too nervous. Although the handwriting for the word ‘Li’ on the invitation is exactly like the Little Highness’s, that does not prove the paper person is the Little Highness.”

Xi Li froze. The Terminal’s voice continued.

“The Little Highness perished in the Cosmic Rift three years ago.”

“Perhaps this is just a captured handwriting style in the game, just like when the newspapers captured the Little Highness’s handwriting back then. If the newspapers hadn’t done that, how would you have guessed from the handwriting that the Little Highness was named ‘Xi Li’?”

“Even though he never replied to your message about discussing the compatibility report,” Xi Li suddenly looked up.