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In the vastness of the stars, there exists a group born from the central world. From the moment of their birth, they have shouldered the responsibility of delving into high-risk worlds to complete various missions.
After receiving news from the Bureau of Craftsmen, the group dispatched two senior operatives to infiltrate the perilous dimension.
According to the messages sent by the AI steward, Qi Chao's daily life consists of a monotonous routine, and he has now taken to resting at home, playing the role of a stay-at-home husband.
“It’s hard to imagine that this ordinary person, Qi Chao, is surrounded by such high-risk individuals,” the senior operative An Qi remarked, looking perplexed at the dimensional screen.
No matter how he observed, he couldn’t find anything special about Qi Chao that would attract these unusual characters.
What astonished him even more was that whether in the previous dimension or this one, this craftsman lived quite comfortably, to the point where An Qi began to doubt whether this truly was a high-risk dimension.
“Stop thinking about that. According to the timeline, this dimension is on a path to self-destruction. We should just stay put and wait for our opportunity, find Craftsman 346, and return quickly. It gives me the creeps to be here all the time.”
The danger level of the Blue Star dimension was too high. For safety reasons, the two senior operatives sent to capture Craftsman 346 did not directly settle within the dimension but instead conducted surveillance from behind the dimensional barrier.
Hearing his senior's words, An Qi recalled the fate of Blue Star and shivered, nodding in agreement. He then focused intently on the screen, which displayed a villa exuding an inexplicable eerie aura, nervously swallowing.
Indeed, it was the lair of a villain.
Only such a sinister villa would be worthy of the occupant’s identity. Of course, the villa's ominous atmosphere was mainly a product of An Qi’s own imagination.
In Qi Chao’s eyes, however, Brother Shen's villa was simply adorned with more flowers and plants, which made it seem particularly desolate as night fell.
“What’s wrong?”
Shen Yuxi slightly lifted his head to glance at the pensive Qi Chao. He reached out to brush his hand against Qi Chao’s cheek, his voice soft and his lips pale, reminiscent of fragile crystal, exuding an air of delicate beauty.
It was the middle of the night, and the villa felt somewhat quiet. Qi Chao placed his hand over Shen Yuxi’s cool hand and shook his head, “It’s nothing.”
He was just thinking about whether the notes he had given to those online people were of any use.
However, there was no point in dwelling on those thoughts now. Qi Chao lowered his gaze to Shen Yuxi's cheek, paused for a moment, and chuckled softly, “Tomorrow I’ll have more time to stay at home with you and the kids.”
“Aren’t you planning to go to the shop?” Shen Yuxi asked, somewhat surprised.
“Hmm.” Qi Chao wrapped his arms around Shen Yuxi from behind, resting his forehead against his shoulder and nuzzling slightly, lazily saying, “Not going. I'm taking a break for now.”
The room fell silent, the two men embraced intimately, and the atmosphere felt particularly warm at that moment.
Shen Yuxi leaned against Qi Chao’s chest, his eyelashes fluttering. Qi Chao's decision not to go to the shop was not exactly good news for him.
After all, in his plans, he was about to execute something at the association, and if Qi Chao frequently stayed in the villa, it would interfere with his arrangements.
However, looking at it from another perspective, Qi Chao's ability to make such a decision indicated that he considered Shen Yuxi and the children far more important than anyone outside.
This was genuinely something to be pleased about for Shen Yuxi. He looked at Qi Chao with softened eyes.
“If you don’t want to go, then don’t. The kids at home really miss you.”
From the beginning, Shen Yuxi had wanted Qi Chao to work at the shop to shape his own image and make Qi Chao like him more. Now that the goal had been achieved, there was no need for Qi Chao to keep going to the shop.
As Shen Yuxi thought this, his gaze grew even gentler.
Qi Chao nodded and mused, “I know. Tomorrow, I’ll take them out to play.”
He had indeed neglected the kids at home lately. Although the several children were having a lively time together each day, that didn’t mean he could just ignore them.
He lowered his head, gently stroking Shen Yuxi’s face and feeling his cool skin, softly asking, “Brother Shen, how are you feeling now?”
“Much better,” Shen Yuxi replied, but his lips remained pale, and his frail appearance was even more heart-wrenching.
“Brother Shen’s head hurts, doesn’t it?”
Noticing that Shen Yuxi often rubbed his forehead unconsciously, Qi Chao paused for a moment and placed his fingers on Shen Yuxi’s temples, gently massaging.
“Hmm.”
Shen Yuxi relaxed his brow, allowing his upper body to sink against Qi Chao. He closed his eyes and lay on Qi Chao’s chest, letting out a soft, nasal sound of agreement, much like a cat being petted, exuding a sense of unintentional vulnerability as he completely entrusted himself to Qi Chao.
Upon hearing Shen Yuxi’s response, Qi Chao’s heart sank. However, seeing Shen Yuxi like this made him smile.
He didn’t show his worry and instead said, “I’ll massage you for a while. If you’re feeling uncomfortable, just go ahead and sleep.”
Shen Yuxi seemed a bit tired. As Qi Chao continued to massage him, he murmured faintly and soon fell into a deep sleep.
After about ten minutes, the person in his arms was sound asleep. Qi Chao retracted his hand and tucked Shen Yuxi into the blanket.
Shen Yuxi’s illness had not improved, and despite Qi Chao’s optimism, he couldn’t help but feel a bit anxious. If the hospital still couldn’t find anything wrong in a few days, he planned to consult the system.
The system’s dimensions were more advanced and should be able to treat Shen Yuxi.
With this thought in mind, Qi Chao left the room to check on the children, ensuring they were all sound asleep before returning to bed, holding his beloved and closing his eyes.
Perhaps it was due to his worry about Shen Yuxi’s condition, but for the first time, Qi Chao found himself unusually restless. He didn’t fall asleep until around four or five in the morning, drifting off in a haze.
The next morning, when Shen Yuxi opened his eyes and discovered that Qi Chao, who usually rose early, was still asleep in bed, he felt a bit surprised.
He thought for a moment but decided not to wake Qi Chao. Instead, he quietly observed his profile.
By now, Shen Yuxi had already guessed that his illness was due to uncontrollable factors. No amount of medication or Qi Chao’s massages could fully heal him.
However, perhaps it was psychological; whenever he was close to Qi Chao, he felt significantly better. Just like last night—if Qi Chao hadn’t been by his side, Shen Yuxi certainly wouldn’t have fallen asleep so quickly.
Shen Yuxi's gaze grew somewhat obscure.
His fingertips gently brushed against Qi Chao's cheek, but sensing that the man beside him was about to wake up, Shen Yuxi withdrew his hand, having no intention of waking him.
Once Qi Chao fell back into a deeper sleep, he slowly got up and walked out of the room.
Moss, Agu, and Lan Luo were waiting in the hallway, as if they had been there for quite some time.
“Father.”
The three puppets spoke simultaneously.
Shen Yuxi responded with a faint “hm,” then lifted his gaze to the spatial vortex on the wall and stepped inside, with the three puppets following closely behind.
The vortex led directly to the basement. As the four of them entered the basement, Agu immediately raised his hand.
“Is Father going to start the plan?”
Since receiving the message from Father yesterday, Agu had been in a state of excitement.
However, upon seeing Father’s pale face, the smile in his eyes diminished significantly.
Father’s condition had indeed deteriorated.
In this current weakened state, he seemed at least one-tenth weaker than before. Given this situation, ensuring the plan’s success wouldn’t be easy.
Shen Yuxi appeared oblivious to Agu's change in expression. He leaned back against the chair and softly murmured an “hm.”
“Father, why don’t you take a break with Dad for a while?”
Lan Luo rarely participated in meetings between Father and his brothers. His fingers nervously picked at the seams of his pants as he hesitantly said, “Father’s illness hasn’t healed, has it?”
This was exactly what Moss was worried about. He hugged the plush doll tightly and said in a hoarse voice, “Yes, Father. The Mother Tree can maintain a good condition for nearly a year. There’s no need to rush; we can wait until you’ve recovered before executing the plan.”
“Do you really think I can recover before the plan succeeds?”
Shen Yuxi turned his head to look at the puppets, his peach blossom eyes carrying a hint of coldness. “Have you all forgotten what happened in the Trial Grounds?”
Father’s illness is related to the Trial Grounds?
Lan Luo was momentarily stunned, while Agu squinted his greenish-blue eyes. “So Father’s illness isn’t a coincidence?”
Shen Yuxi did not deny it.
In an instant, the three puppets understood what Shen Yuxi meant, their expressions darkening. A terrifying killing intent surged in the quiet basement.
They trusted their father’s judgment.
Since Shen Yuxi said his illness was not a coincidence, it certainly was not. As he recalled the fortunate individuals from the Trial Grounds, Moss’s dark eyes became deep, as if he could rush into the Trial Grounds at any moment and shred those people to pieces.
“Are we starting the plan tonight, Father?”
Agu smiled cheerfully. “If your guess is correct, once the plan succeeds, your health will be restored, right?”
“Hmm.” Shen Yuxi’s cheeks were pale, marked by his illness, and his voice was gentle as he replied, “If nothing happens unexpectedly, we’ll be heading to the association tonight.”
He paused for a moment, as if recalling something. His gaze met Agu’s, and his tone softened significantly. “If, after the plan is over, something unexpected happens, you know what to do right?”
Moss and Lan Luo did not understand the riddle that the two were playing.
Agu's expression darkened for a moment, but he quickly replaced it with a cheerful mask, raising his hand excitedly. “Of course! Agu has done this kind of thing many times; leave it to me!”
Shen Yuxi smiled faintly and turned his gaze back. He slightly tilted his head to look at the two diamonds on the table, chuckling softly as he gently suggested, “Last night, Qi Chao mentioned wanting to take you out today. For tonight’s plan, Moss and Agu will go to the Trial Grounds to find the Mother Tree, while Lan Luo will stay with Qi Chao. Is that okay?”
Though it was a question, the three puppets knew that once their father made a decision, it wouldn’t change.
“Sure!”
Agu beamed, eager to follow his father out to play, but he thought that as long as tonight’s plan succeeded, he could go with his father whenever he wanted.
Lan Luo and Moss nodded in agreement.
After arranging the plan, Shen Yuxi stood up and re-entered the vortex. From the way he carried himself, one could not tell that he was enduring intense pain in his head.
Lan Luo and Agu walked at the back. Just as they were about to leave the basement, Lan Luo suddenly called out to Agu.
Moss glanced back at the two puppets but said nothing, merely leaving the vortex open for them before following their father out.
“After the plan is complete, will Father really get better?” Lan Luo looked up at Agu, his blue eyes fixed intently on him, making Agu’s smile fade completely.
“I don’t know.”
Agu squatted down, his expression complex.
He understood that even their father couldn’t say with certainty that everything would be fine. No one knew if, after the plan succeeded, the so-called "plot" would impose any further consequences on their father.
Hearing Agu’s words, Lan Luo's heart sank. “So, if we complete the plan, Father might also run into more trouble?”
Agu’s smile grew wider. “Do you still not understand what Father meant just now?”
Lan Luo’s expression was somewhat dazed. “What?”
It seemed he had been spoiled by their dad to the point of being foolish.
Agu rested his chin on his hand, his green eyes narrowing playfully, but his words sent a chill down the spine. “Father won’t run into trouble. Even if there are unexpected events, things won’t unfold the way the plot suggests.”
Fate had always tried to guide their father in a predetermined direction, but their father was not someone who would be easily controlled. Even if something did happen, he wouldn’t let it go as planned.
Agu’s task was to eliminate certain individuals in the Trial Grounds who could be exploited by the world, like Qiao Sheng and Lu Chen.
Lan Luo understood Agu’s meaning. He lowered his head and tightened his grip on his pants, feeling a sudden ache in his eyes. He just wanted to keep their father and Qi Chao with him forever; why did such things always interfere with their family’s life?
Years of comfortable living had dulled Lan Luo's edge, but the thought of his current life being disrupted unleashed a surge of anger he couldn't contain. Black mist flowed continuously from his fingertips.
“I will protect Dad. The plan tonight must succeed; failure is not an option.”
Lan Luo looked up at Agu, his azure eyes seemingly tainted by a dark haze.
“Yeah!”
Agu, who was unusually quiet, responded with a smile.
As the two puppets were discussing, they suddenly noticed faint noises coming from the basement. They exchanged knowing glances and fell silent. The next moment, Qi Chao walked through the door.
“Dad, why are you in the basement?”
Lan Luo asked, puzzled.
“I came to get you for breakfast.” Qi Chao, still wearing an apron, patted his two children on the shoulders. “It’s eight o'clock. No matter how much you want to play, you need to remember to eat breakfast.”
He draped his arms over their shoulders, his deep voice filled with warmth. “Let’s go upstairs. After we finish eating, we can go out and have some fun.”
Only Qi Chao could come up with the idea of specifically calling the puppets upstairs for breakfast.
Lan Luo and Agu felt the weight on their shoulders and offered no resistance. If one looked closely, they would notice that both puppets were in an unusually relaxed state at that moment.
How wonderful, Lan Luo thought. If possible, he wished for such days to last longer, until the end of his life, until he falls into eternal slumber.
After finishing breakfast, Qi Chao prepared to take the children out for some fun.
Before leaving, Qi Chao made sure to fully equip Shen Yuxi: mask, glasses, and water cup—nothing was overlooked.
He carefully adjusted Shen Yuxi’s hat and said with concern, “If you feel unwell, you must tell me. Although it’s good for your health to go out and see the sunlight, you can’t overexert yourself, okay?”
Qiu Qiu and Li Bai also gathered around Shen Yuxi, looking up at their father. They pulled at his fingers softly and said, “Father is sick, so you must listen to Dad’s words.”
Xuan Jian, Shuang Jian, and Xiang Yue rarely spoke, but their eyes showed just as much concern.
Shen Yuxi chuckled lightly. What had initially started as a way to pass the time suddenly sparked his interest. He replied gently, “I know; you don’t have to worry too much.”
Qi Chao relaxed a bit and turned to Agu and Moss. “Are you really not going?”
“Nope! Agu hasn’t finished catching up on his anime. I want to stay in my room and watch it,” Agu replied cheerfully.
Moss, listening to Agu, pursed his lips slightly beneath the bandages. He raised his doll a bit higher to his chest. “There’s a live stream for a hair braiding tutorial today. I want to watch that.”
Both children had their own plans and didn’t want to go out. Qi Chao didn’t press them, instead reminding them to stay at home, not to open the door for strangers, and to be careful while they were playing.
After issuing a series of reminders, he took the other children and left the villa.
Xiang Yue was the last to leave the house. As he stepped out the door, his tail swished behind him. With his crimson eyes, he thoughtfully glanced back at Agu's smiling face before retracting his gaze and stepping away from the villa.
Agu must be hiding something.
Xiang Yue had a vague sense of this, but as long as Agu wouldn’t harm their father, what he chose to do was of little concern.
Once the villa fell completely silent, a vortex slowly appeared on the wall of the living room. Agu reflected on the look Xiang Yue had given him before leaving, feeling a chill run down his spine.
He quickly tugged at Moss beside him.
“Let’s go, hurry up! If Xiang Yue comes back, it might be difficult for us to leave,” he urged.
Though Agu understood that the chance of Xiang Yue returning was slim, it was better to be safe than sorry. If Xiang Yue did come back, escaping would undoubtedly be a challenge.
Meanwhile, far away at the trial grounds, the novel's protagonists were unaware that the clock of fate was about to strike, and the villain was about to start his grandest scheme.
They huddled quietly in the cave, their breaths barely audible.
“Can we really get out of here?”
The leader of the book travelers, Li Ge, was somewhat skeptical.
“If you don’t believe it, you don’t have to try.”
Qiao Sheng adjusted his glasses, which only had one lens left. One of his arms had somehow already broken, and his white coat had long since become a ragged short sleeve.
“What about the puppet that’s monitoring us? She really won’t discover that we’re here?”
Old Liu, one of the book travelers, was a bit panicked. Everything had happened too quickly; just a few days ago, they were being chased by those evil dolls, barely able to catch their breath.
How did the main characters suddenly seem to have everything under control today, telling them how to escape this broken trial arena?
Qiao Sheng and Lu Chen exchanged glances.
They really seemed to have everything under control.
Qiao Sheng was curious about what Shen Yuxi had done to make that "being" actively reveal the exit to them; otherwise, they wouldn’t have been able to find this place so smoothly.
He fell silent for a moment, then glanced at the forest outside the cave. “In one minute, the barrier will weaken. That’s our best chance to leave. Make sure to seize it.”
The book travelers swallowed hard upon hearing this, their eyes fixed on a well in the dark cave as they nervously nodded.
Even if Qiao Sheng hadn’t said anything, they would have cherished this opportunity; they were already fed up with this maddening place.
A faint sound came from the forest, like a reptile crawling through the grass, and the humans present knew that the deformed puppets would soon find them.
Time passed slowly, and beads of sweat formed on each person’s forehead. Their throats felt dry, and even swallowing saliva was difficult.
“Three, two, one, jump—”
At the same moment, Moss and Agu had just arrived in front of the Mother Tree after coming through the vortex when they saw Ayu jumping down from the tree.
For the first time, a semblance of panic appeared on her cold, beautiful face.
“My surveillance orb suddenly shattered. Hurry! We must immediately go to support Chi Yao!”
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