Chapter 16: A Reassuring Experiment
Hung up the video, Wang Heng immediately asked: “That… Time-Space Regulator, can you hear me now!”
A text window not belonging to any software process gradually appeared on the screen.
【What’s the problem?】
“What do you think?” Wang Heng gritted his teeth, “This Lu Qi… I ran into her while taking on outsourcing, that’s fine, but she actually wants to go to Rongdu too. This is all part of your arranged plot, right?”
【Last reminder: I’m just the Time-Space Regulator, not a god. I can’t directly interfere with worldline development, only observe from the side and intervene to a limited extent. And my interventions, like talking to you now, will inevitably expose my existence. Unnoticeably changing the direction of people’s fates can only be done by the worldline’s self-correction mechanism. And that correction mechanism doesn’t have self-consciousness, so you can’t talk to it or ask it to dispel your romantic luck.】
After a moment of contemplation, Wang Heng said in a low voice: “If we continue like this, will I die by cleaver again?”
【Hard to say. But in the first playthrough, those girls’ minds were influenced by certain factors, making them so extreme. This time, excluding those influences, the risk you face is much smaller. Moreover, now that you’ve developed vigilance ahead of time, you should be able to avoid the outcome where feelings spiral out of control.】
Wang Heng nodded, his emotions already calming down.
At that moment, his Q account received a new message from Lu Qi: 【Send your bank card number, I’ll transfer the deposit.】
“No ‘please’, no question, straight to the imperative…” Wang Heng muttered, “But she’s generous with money, just her style.”
He remembered that when working under Lu Qi, the salary level was higher than the industry average. And later, as time passed, he found his workload decreasing while his salary and bonuses increased—sounded good, but it was actually the beginning of a nightmare.
Wang Heng shook his head, casting those terrifying memories aside. Then, he sent the bank card number his father had given him to Lu Qi.
Anyway, it’s still safe for now, so let’s make some money first.
————
Another Sunday, Wang Heng arrived at the milk tea shop early in the morning and saw Han Yixuan sitting on a chair with a troubled look.
The young girl stood up, hands still propped on the table: “You’re here…”
Wang Heng nodded: “Yeah, has the shop manager arrived?”
“He came earlier than usual today, and he told me…” Han Yixuan tugged at the bangs by her ear, looking quite annoyed, “Today should be our last part-time shift. He said he’s already arranged it, and starting tomorrow, this shop will be transferred.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“You already knew?” The young girl widened her eyes, “Then why didn’t you tell me!”
“I meant to tell you, but I forgot, sorry.”
“So what are you going to do? Find part-time work somewhere else?”
Wang Heng shook his head: “No need, I’ll just stay home from now on. The new job is contacted online.”
“Network contact, working from home?” The young girl tilted her head, “Rich lady coming to your door?”
“How could that be… It’s just writing code.”
“You know how to write code!”
“I’m self-teaching. By the way, since it’s the last day, do you want to tell your friends and invite them for milk tea? The last batch of raw materials will go to waste if not used.”
Han Yixuan thought for a moment and nodded: “Sure, I’ll ask them.”
Having finally diverted the young girl’s attention, Wang Heng immediately went to the back kitchen to help the shop manager. Even if no help was needed, he had to act busy.
After today, at least during this summer vacation, he shouldn’t be entangled by this girl anymore… he thought silently.
————
Han Yixuan’s best friend couldn’t come today, but Wang Heng’s friend was easily summoned—though it was only Xiao Renjian coming to mooch free milk tea.
“So hot… Hey, can you turn up the air conditioning in your shop?”
As soon as he entered the shop, Xiao Renjian started complaining.
Wang Heng ignored him, glanced over, and asked: “What do you want to drink?”
“What’s the most expensive thing here?”
“Original milk green for you.”
Xiao Renjian looked at the menu and slapped his thigh: “Isn’t this the cheapest one!”
“Matches you best. Anything more expensive would be a waste on you.”
Just as he finished speaking, Han Yixuan nearby couldn’t help laughing: “You guys chat so interestingly…”
Wang Heng shrugged, waited for her to make the milk tea, took it, and handed it to Xiao Renjian.
This guy had come running after a phone call, hearing he could drink free milk tea to his heart’s content, so naturally no money was needed.
Xiao Renjian took two sips, then leaned forward, patted Wang Heng’s shoulder, and whispered: “You’ve been with that girl for so long, and you haven’t felt a thing?”
“Nope.”
“Seriously, are you sure you’re not psychologically messed up?”
Wang Heng scoffed: “How could that be…”
“How couldn’t it be?” Xiao Renjian sneaked a glance at the young girl not far away, lowering his voice even more.
Wang Heng’s smile froze instantly: “Why are you asking this?”
“Just asking, have you been casting spells lately? Spell materials? Do you still have physiological needs for girls?”
“Of course I do!”
Xiao Renjian’s thick eyebrows, almost joined together, twitched again: “Really? I doubt it…”
At that moment, Han Yixuan came over too, making the two boys shut their mouths immediately.
“What are you guys talking about?” the young girl asked curiously.
Wang Heng and Xiao Renjian said in unison: “Nothing!”
Han Yixuan narrowed her eyes: “Really? I feel like you two were talking behind my back.”
Wang Heng was shaking his head, about to say something, but Xiao Renjian cut in: “He said you’re especially cute, how could that be badmouthing?”
Han Yixuan was stunned for a moment, pursed her lips: “Hmph, I don’t believe it!”
————
When Wang Heng got home, his father hadn’t gotten off work yet.
He recalled Xiao Renjian’s teasing that afternoon and suddenly felt a bit uneasy. Thinking back, since his rebirth, he really hadn’t done any exercise… Maybe because he’s been busy earning money? Or is it the psychological trauma from the cleaver?
After a few seconds of contemplation, he quickly thought of a way. To find out the truth, just do an experiment.
