The academy’s final competition event was scheduled for the afternoon, but after Song Wangzhuo’s injury, Shen Yuqing no longer felt like going to school.
He lay sprawled on the bed. Pei Yiyan had already left, leaving him alone in the bedroom.
The system quietly appeared: [Host.]
Shen Yuqing rolled over: [Speak.]
The system reported its progress: [The surveillance issue has been dealt with. I’ve erased all footage of you from that time period. Even if someone investigates, they’ll only find records of you sleeping somewhere.]
Shen Yuqing hummed in acknowledgment: [Got it.]
But the system didn’t leave yet. Shen Yuqing asked: [What else?]
[Are you going to see Song Wangzhuo later?] the system inquired.
[Yes. I want to check if he’s awake.]
Although the nurse had said he needed to be observed overnight and wouldn’t be available for visits until the next day, before Shen Yuqing left, she had mentioned there was a scheduled visiting period in the afternoon. If he wanted to see Song Wangzhuo, he could go then.
Visiting hours started at three. It took no more than half an hour to get from home to the hospital, and it wasn’t even two yet going now would be pointless. Too early.
The system acknowledged: [Then I’ll continue investigating Song Lejin.]
The original novel was lengthy, and Song Lejin’s role wasn’t prominent. She often appeared in other characters’ dialogues, making the search tedious. Even for an AI system, it took time to sift through.
Shen Yuqing pressed: [Have you found anything so far?]
The system replied: [Nothing concrete on Song Lejin yet, but I did uncover something about the Song family.]
[What?] Shen Yuqing asked.
The system explained: [In Song Wangzhuo’s storyline, after returning home, he had a conversation with Song Jue, the current eldest brother of the Song family. During their talk, Song Jue revealed that the Song Group had previously gone through a period of turmoil. Song Wangzhuo also mentioned the timeline during his sophomore year, this upheaval affected many people and nearly led to the Song Group’s downfall. It was also the first time Song Wangzhuo took notice of the Song Group’s upper management.]
Shen Yuqing frowned: [I’d nearly forgotten about that. Song Wangzhuo looks so much like the Song family why didn’t I think deeper about it when I first saw them?]
[From the protagonist’s perspective, he grew up on an unnamed planet, completely disconnected from the Song Group. Besides, in this world, plenty of people resemble each other. Naturally, he wouldn’t have suspected anything.]
That made sense.
Song Wangzhuo might think that way, but Song Lejin wouldn’t.
Shen Yuqing slumped, frustrated. This lead had turned into a dead end, and he had no idea how to untangle it.
The system encouraged him: [Don’t lose heart, Host. We still have time.]
Do we, though?
Shen Yuqing pulled up the status panel. Song Wangzhuo’s values hadn’t changed yet, but there was no guarantee they’d stay the same once he regained consciousness.
He exhaled. Whatever. I’ll just go to the hospital first.
Staying at home was only making him more agitated.
Shen Yuqing changed into fresh clothes and left. He didn’t ask Xiao Zhao to drive him, opting for a taxi instead. Half an hour later, he arrived at the hospital.
He headed toward the ICU, but halfway there, the system suddenly alerted him: [Host! The Song family is at the hospital right now!]
His steps faltered abruptly: [What? Who from the Song family?]
[“It’s Song Wangzhuo’s mother,”] the system said. [“She’s here for a routine checkup today and will probably stay at the hospital for about an hour.”]
About an hour.
Shen Yuqing pondered for a moment before asking, [“Does this aunt know me?”]
[“Of course, she does. She even held the original host when he was little,”] the system replied. [“Host, are you planning something?”]
[“Not yet,”] Shen Yuqing said. [“But I can meet her. Where is she now?”]
[“In the parking lot, just got out of the car.”] Though puzzled, the system answered honestly.
Shen Yuqing had been to this hospital a few times before the last time was when Pei Yiyan fell into the water.
He tried to recall the layout. From the parking lot to the outpatient department, it would take about five or six minutes to walk. If he headed over now, he could probably get there ahead of her if he walked a bit faster.
Once he had thought it through, Shen Yuqing immediately set off toward the outpatient building.
As he had anticipated, he arrived slightly earlier. With the system’s guidance, he soon spotted Song Wangzhuo’s mother, flanked by two bodyguards.
Slowing his pace, the system couldn’t help but ask, [“Host, what exactly are you trying to do?”]
[“Drop some hints,”] Shen Yuqing replied. [“Hinting shouldn’t be illegal.”]
The system bubbled with confusion but ultimately stayed silent.
A few seconds later, someone called out to Shen Yuqing.
“Yuqing?”
He turned around, his expression perfectly calibrated between confusion and surprise. He watched as the woman, holding her bag, approached. As she drew nearer, her features became clearer.
She looked so much like Song Wangzhuo.
And time had left no trace on her face she could easily pass for a sister rather than an elder.
“Hello, you are?” From the original host’s perspective, it had been years since they last met, so it was natural for Shen Yuqing not to recognize her immediately.
Nie Xiu remained smiling, unbothered by his failure to place her. “I’m your Aunt Nie. Remember me?”
Shen Yuqing pretended to think for a moment before his expression brightened with recognition. “Aunt Nie! It’s been so long. I’m so sorry I didn’t recognize you right away.”
Nie Xiu stepped forward and patted his shoulder. “I almost didn’t recognize you either. You’ve grown up and taller.”
Shen Yuqing smiled bashfully. Nie Xiu then asked, “Le Jin transferred to Silino Academy. Have you two met?”
Shen Yuqing nodded. “Yes, we often end up eating together.”
Mostly because Lin Sui organized the gatherings, and both of them were present.
Nie Xiu smiled and nodded. Shen Yuqing then asked, “Aunt Nie, are you feeling unwell? Is that why you’re at the hospital?”
“No, just a routine checkup,” she replied. “What about you? Isn’t there a sports event today? Why are you here?”
“A classmate got injured. I came to check on him,” Shen Yuqing said, his gaze lingering on Nie Xiu’s face.
Nie Xiu frowned slightly. “Is there something on my face?”
Shen Yuqing seemed to snap out of his thoughts. “No, no. It’s just… you look so much like my classmate.”
Nie Xiu chuckled. “Really?”
Shen Yuqing hummed in agreement. “Yes. His eyes are exactly like yours.”
Nie Xiu tilted her head slightly, catching her reflection in the glass. Her eyes had always been striking so much so that it was rare to find another pair quite like them.
Hearing Shen Yuqing say this, she did feel a flicker of curiosity about this “classmate” who shared her eye color.
But just a flicker.
Nie Xiu snapped back to reality and said, “Well then, I’m quite curious to meet this classmate of yours.”
The system in his mind was blaring alarms frantically, but Shen Yuqing ignored it completely. He replied, “He’s injured. I just came to visit him.”
Nie Xiu made an understanding sound. “I see.”
One of the bodyguards behind Nie Xiu whispered a reminder to her, and she said, “In that case, you should hurry along to see your classmate. Auntie has matters to attend to as well.”
Shen Yuqing nodded. “Alright, goodbye, Auntie.”
Nie Xiu patted his head affectionately. “Come visit us at home sometime. I’ll have them prepare something delicious for you.”
Shen Yuqing flashed a bright smile. “Of course, Auntie.”
Nie Xiu then walked away with her bodyguards. Only after watching her figure disappear did Shen Yuqing turn and head back toward the inpatient ward.
The system wailed in his mind: Host! It’s not time for them to meet yet!
I know, Shen Yuqing replied. Just testing the waters.
Was this just testing the waters? He might as well have outright said, Your biological son is lying in the ICU right now—don’t you want to go see him?
The system couldn’t override Shen Yuqing’s decisions. It muttered weakly, Next time you’re not allowed to do this again.
Shen Yuqing, however, took it all in stride. Striding toward the inpatient ward, he said, We’ll deal with next time when it comes. No need to rush.
The system fell silent.
Fine, fine. It was useless, utterly incapable of standing its ground.
