Chapter 18

[August 18, 20XX]

Today, I tentatively initiated a conversation beyond our usual greetings. Dan Ning didn’t refuse, so we discussed several possible types of contact between extraterrestrial life and humans.

At the end of our discussion, I asked him: “If an alien confessed their love to you, would you accept it?”

“An alien confessing to me? Aliens wouldn’t even look at someone like me. Scholar King, stop teasing me.” He laughed and shook his head in front of the screen.

I really wanted to tell him this wasn’t a joke, but an existing fact.

[August 19, 20XX]

Dan Ning seemed to have encountered something unpleasant outside today. After dinner, he kept staring blankly at his computer without logging into the forum.

After much hesitation, I activated Telepathy:

He ran into Zhao Lin at his workplace after work.

The other didn’t notice him, but was clearly waiting for him.

“Chocolate.” Dan Ning hugged me to his chest, his chin resting on my head so I couldn’t look up to see his expression. “Tell me, should I change jobs again?”

I didn’t respond. He sighed: “Forget it, no more trouble. I’ve only been at this job for three months, and I quite like it.”

After saying this, he released me. I jumped aside, instinctively using Mimetic Camouflage to tidy my ruffled fur.

“You’re so good, you never have any worries.” He sighed while reaching out to mess up my camouflaged fur even more.

I protested unhappily: “Mew!”

Dan Ning burst into laughter, his legs crossed on the chair as he laughed until he nearly toppled over—adorably so.

—How terrible. Now, no matter what he does, I find it utterly endearing.

[August 20, 20XX]

After nearly two weeks of continuous high temperatures, it finally rained today.

This was the heaviest rainfall I’d witnessed since coming to Earth. The changes in temperature and humidity didn’t affect me noticeably, but the intermittent thunder was extremely irritating.

—The Biocomputer disagreed, believing I was just displacing my anger.

Yes, displacing my anger.

I have no intention of refuting or explaining.

After all, the fact that the intruder currently in Dan Ning’s and my home has indeed filled me with rage that I can’t vent.

The intruder named Zhao Lin had been sitting on the sofa for several minutes. He didn’t speak, and neither did Dan Ning.

Zhao Lin’s left forearm was in a cast, looking rather ridiculous.

After another clap of thunder faded, he finally said quietly: “I didn’t expect… you really never came to see me, not even once.”

Dan Ning glanced at his arm and smiled: “I did everything I was supposed to. Your family took care of you too, so there wasn’t any need for me to visit, right?”

“Ah-Ning, are you still angry with me? If you are, I can—”

“Zhao Lin.” Dan Ning interrupted him. “You still don’t understand where the problem lies, do you?”

“You said you liked me…” The intruder’s tone was uncertain.

“Yeah, I said that.” Dan Ning sounded calm.

“Then now…”

Feeling uneasy, I gently rubbed against his leg twice. Dan Ning soothingly pinched my ear.

“I don’t like you anymore.”

Another clap of thunder sounded outside.

When it quieted, Dan Ning continued: “Don’t take it too hard. You were never on the same path as me to begin with. I misunderstood your intentions and thought something could come of it. Those four years after graduation made things clear enough for me. Now… let’s leave it at that.”

“But… but you didn’t have to move out and even change jobs, right?” The intruder seemed dissatisfied with his explanation. “Even if we were just friends, wasn’t it nice living together? I know Xiao Yuan was wrong to argue with you that time, but we broke up afterward…”

“Zhao Lin!” Dan Ning raised his voice. “Can you stop this?”

“Wha—”

“If you never meant it that way, why keep stringing me along?” Dan Ning stood up, visibly at his limit. “Please leave, and don’t come back again!”

“Dan Ning, don’t be like this…” The intruder kept trying to speak.

Dan Ning suddenly sighed: “Zhao Lin, I have my pride too. I don’t want to go back.”

[August 21, 20XX]

Dan Ning said true love shouldn’t be about one person looking down from above while the other grovels in the dust.

I wholeheartedly agree with this view.

Online, “Qikeliyah” expressed support for his perspective on love.

Seeing someone agree seemed to please Dan Ning: “Scholar King, you think so too?”

I replied: “True love should be about mutual understanding and respect.”

Dan Ning asked further: “Does Scholar King have a lover?”

I answered: “There’s someone I love but haven’t confessed to yet.”

“Wow, Scholar King is actually in love? That’s unscientific!” “AI emotion modules are this advanced now?” “Burn it! Burn it with fire!” “I’ll build the pyre!”…

—Discussing this topic in a derailed thread wasn’t very wise.

Still, if it could offer Dan Ning some support, that was enough.