Chapter 25: Mr. Luo Ye, who gave you the illusion

Of course, the breakthrough had been found.

But the key problem was, how could he return to the Simulated World?

【Do not… let it spread…】

【Death… is enough…】

In his mind, that emotionless mechanical voice rang out once again.

Death?

Luo Ye thought to himself—if he had to die every time just to travel through the Simulated World, and then rewind to the moment before he was killed, wasn’t that a bit too costly in terms of lives?

Even if Resurrection would happen, Pain was still very real, okay?

So, the question was…

Was there a way to die that wasn’t so painful?

Luo Ye shook his head, putting the matter of suicide aside for now, and decided to comfort the silver-haired girl before him first.

“Hey, um…”

Looking at the girl quietly sobbing before him, Luo Ye felt troubled.

The silver-haired girl stretched out her slender little hands, rubbing her tear-stained eyes over and over, her icy blue pupils gradually turning red from crying, her heartbroken and haggard appearance invoking pity.

If anyone else were present, they’d surely shoot a reproachful look at the man opposite her, blaming him for making such a beautiful girl cry.

Very soon, Hisina stopped her tears, stubbornly holding back her urge to cry as she lifted her reddened eyes, pouting and glaring at him, her puffed-up cheeks full of grievance.

She was just short of having the words “comfort her” written across her face.

Seeing this, Luo Ye finished the last sip of coffee in his cup, set it down, and, as if apologetic, lowered his gaze slightly and spoke softly:

“If you haven’t cried enough, I can go to the kitchen and grab a couple of onions for you—they’re guaranteed to work.”

“But, our meeting time is limited.”

“Crying counts toward the time, you know.”

Hisina: ???

Listen to this—is this even something a person would say?

Hisina was stunned!

Whenever she showed even the slightest sign of grievance in the past, the servants would swarm around her, treating her like a delicate treasure, afraid she might melt in their hands.

How did Luo Ye dare to make her angry?

But now, seeing Luo Ye still wearing that utterly serious expression, Hisina felt even more infuriated.

Go to hell, you dog of a man!

No wonder Princess Alicia doesn’t like you, but likes me instead!

Hmph!!

“You came here just to piss me off, didn’t you?” Hisina lowered her voice, her tone icy. “If that’s the case, then please leave.”

“Don’t be so distant, Miss Hisina. Neither of us has been fully honest. Why don’t we just lay our cards on the table?” Luo Ye reached out his hand.

“Go to hell, you dog of a man, I would never cooperate with a man like you.”

Hisina pouted, turning her gaze away and muttering.

Seeing her tsundere appearance—her words contradicting her actions—Luo Ye couldn’t help but smile.

He took out one of Alicia’s heirlooms from his pocket—a Letter that Alicia had once written by hand to Hisina, but had never gotten the chance to reply to.

“This is?!”

The moment she saw the Letter, Hisina was momentarily dazed.

But clever as she was, she immediately realized something, her beautiful eyes widening, her voice trembling a bit, both expectant and afraid to expect too much, as she asked, “Is this a Letter that Alicia wrote to me?”

“Who knows?”

Luo Ye flipped the Letter over in his hands, then, under Hisina’s reluctant and eager gaze, put the Letter back in his pocket.

“Let’s make a deal—Alicia’s handwritten final Letter, in exchange for a piece of information from you.”

Luo Ye said seriously, his tone grave.

Hisina stared at him for a long moment, and in the end, she chose the latter over her pride.

“Ahem, it’s not for Her Highness’s final Letter, I’m just making an exception for the sake of solving the case, got it?” Hisina said solemnly.

“Yes, yes.” Luo Ye nodded perfunctorily.

Saving face—everyone understands.

Seeing Luo Ye’s indifferent, perfunctory look, Hisina thought he was just brushing her off, sighed, then immediately put on an angry expression.

“I’m not joking with you. Since you promised to keep it secret, you have to take full responsibility. We’ll talk in a private room, and not a single word of what we discuss can leave this room. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being ruthless, understand?”

With a breathtakingly beautiful face, Hisina used the gentlest tone to say the most threatening words.

After warning Luo Ye, Hisina no longer wanted to argue with him.

Luo Ye felt the same, so he stood up, planning to head toward the private room.

“Wait a moment.”

Hisina reached out to stop Luo Ye from opening the door. Then, after taking two deep breaths, the sharp look she had while confronting Luo Ye vanished completely. Now, she looked just as radiant as she had when they first met.

“Alright then, Mr. Luo Ye, let’s go in.”

Looking at her obedient, elegant young lady demeanor, Luo Ye couldn’t help but rest his chin on his hand and ponder.

Her acting still needs some work.

Not even a tenth as good as Lilith.

“I still prefer your rebellious attitude from earlier. Try to get back into that.”

Luo Ye said this.

“Oh my, Mr. Luo Ye, what are you saying?”

“To tell a girl what you like about her, that’s really out of line… Ah, I mean, it’s just so embarrassing, really.”

Hisina broke into a smile, her expression like warm sunlight shining through the night, dazzling and bright, just like her beautiful silver hair.

Though her words were a bit sharp.

“I’m not complimenting you,” Luo Ye said.

Shoot, bantering with this girl is pointless.

“I’m not complimenting me… Then, Mr. Luo Ye, were you trying to confess to me just now? Sorry, I didn’t realize, but still, I’m sorry—I can’t accept such a confession.” Hisina took a step back. “I only like Alicia, boys keep your distance.”

“I never said that!” Luo Ye couldn’t help but laugh in exasperation.

Hisina, stop channeling Yise!

It’s my fault—I shouldn’t have tried to banter with you.

Turns out you’re even more abstract than I am.

Sure, you’re really pretty, but I still have to say: typical girl, what a shrimp-head.

Hisina smiled sweetly, her laughter as melodious as wind chimes in a breeze.

“Alright, just kidding, I know everything.”

Luo Ye rolled his eyes and pushed open the door to the private room.

He just didn’t notice that, at the moment he opened the door, Hisina, following behind, let a barely noticeable smile curl up at the corner of her lips.

In the next second, she held her breath.

At the same time, Luo Ye’s vision went dark—a child’s prank played out before him: a bag of powder had been placed on the door, and as he opened it, the powder fell onto whoever entered.

“Hisina, watch out!”

Luo Ye reacted instantly, covering his nose and mouth, but the powder spread so quickly that he inhaled a small amount before he could react.

Yet even that small amount made Luo Ye’s head spin, his whole body feeling exhausted and sleepy.

With all his strength, Luo Ye turned back, trying to warn Hisina.

“Someone’s poisoned us, Hisina, go back to the School and find help in my Dormitory…”

His words were cut off.

Luo Ye stared wide-eyed in shock.

He saw Hisina smiling at him with hazy eyes, her smile full of meaning, as if mocking him.

“Mr. Luo Ye, who gave you the illusion that I would actually have a proper meeting with you today?”