The Green Tea is Always Targeting The Wrong Person (GREENTEA)
Yue Chu opened his eyes and abruptly sat up, only to see Lan Yao sitting beside him.
His heart tightened as he felt surprised that he had been caught so quickly, but his expression relaxed slightly to perfectly portray the relief of seeing a familiar face.
This struck a chord with Lan Yao.
Did Yue Chu actually consider him someone trustworthy?
Lan Yao picked up the steaming bowl of soup from the table, stirred it with a white porcelain spoon, blew on it to cool it down, and then brought it to Yue Chu's lips.
His eyes were cold and devoid of any warmth, yet his movements were incredibly gentle.
"You haven't eaten well these past few days. You need to replenish yourself."
Yue Chu lowered his gaze as his long eyelashes fluttered uneasily, as if unable to bear such tenderness.
Lan Yao, too, seemed affected by this.
During this time, Yue Chu had been sorting through information, but the conclusions he reached after repeated deductions made him frown.
In this world, there was no such thing as love without reason, especially since the original main characters already had their own affections.
Yue Chu was confident in his charm, but the protagonists of this world were equally exceptional. Without deliberate manipulation, it was impossible for them to develop feelings for him.
Yet, upon careful observation, he noticed that these people indeed harbored deep and intense emotions for him, which only made the situation more perplexing.
It wasn't until Yue Chu found inspiration in Yuan that he finally understood what was going on.
The protagonists and antagonists of this world had clearly been infected by Yuan's virus.
Perhaps this virus was different from the one on Earth as it allows the infected to be influenced by Yuan, which explains the current situation.
Yue Chu had finally touched upon the root cause of the world's destruction—the protagonists were no longer human.
Everything they did was to spread the virus across the entire world.
However, in that world, he didn't exist, so the conflict between the protagonists and antagonists might have been real, but it was ultimately just a play, with the goal of destroying the world.
Yet, the question of how to prevent the world's destruction became a thorny issue.
Yuan's power was too immense for a single human to withstand.
To survive, he would inevitably drive the protagonists to spread the virus.
Yue Chu had thought about stopping him, but if he couldn't find a way to parasitize, Yuan would die, and with his death, the infected protagonists would also perish and lead to the world's doom.
He took a sip of the hot soup.
It was delicious, but it certainly wasn't a flavor that an alien virus could produce.
This meant that Lan Yao still retained his human memories and consciousness.
What a hassle...
Yue Chu obediently finished the soup and his previously tense expression softened, like a watercolor painting that gently blurred the edges of the world.
Lan Yao, satisfied, placed the bowl back on the table.
The stern lines of his mouth seemed to relax slightly, and his eyes, similar to Lan Yi's, carried a mature and steady weight, making him appear even more reliable.
"Why did you run away? Wasn't what I gave you enough?"
Lan Yao's question wasn't sharp; instead, it was calm, as if it were just an ordinary conversation between the two.
Yet, his grip on Yue Chu's hand was so tight that it caused a slight pain, though Lan Yao skillfully controlled it within a bearable range. His hawk-like eyes scrutinized Yue Chu's expression and ready to release his grip at the slightest sign of discomfort.
Yue Chu moved his hand slightly, but it went limp again as he did not forcefully break free from Lan Yao's control.
His face that was always filled with a gentle smile, was now clouded with gloom.
"Sorry, Director Lan has given me so much, but I’m simply not..."
Before Yue Chu could finish, a cold finger pressed against his lips.
He looked up in surprise at Lan Yao, only to see a hint of amusement flicker across that usually indifferent face.
Lan Yao whispered, "I know everything, but so what? Whether you are or not, as long as you want to be, then you are."
Yue Chu stared at him in shock as a trace of emotion surfacing at his words. Yet, the sense of crisis in his heart grew more severe.
He had underestimated Lan Yao's capabilities by thinking that he had deceived everyone, but in reality, he had been seen through all along.
He parted his red lips slightly and sighed softly, "Thank you, Director Lan, but I’m really not suited for the research institute. My original intention was to steal the Luster Virus, but later I realized that perhaps leaving it in the institute was the right choice."
"The Luster Virus is extremely dangerous. If it were to leak out of the lab, the consequences would be unimaginable. It’s better left in Director Lan’s hands, where it can be of great use."
"Director Lan’s actions are all for the greater good, while I was shortsighted, taking on this mission merely for money."
Yue Chu’s eyes softened and a flicker of guilt passed through them, as if he couldn’t face Lan Yao.
He turned his face slightly as his snow-white teeth gently biting his lip. His slender neck that was revealed by the open collar of his silk pajamas, was as pale as jade and elegant as a painting.
That hint of sorrow and self-reproach made it hard for anyone to say another harsh word.
"I never intended to take the Luster Virus away, but Jiang Quan... Since you’ve come, I’ll return it all as promised. I hope Director Lan can forgive me."
"Please also be merciful and let me go. I promise I won’t interfere with the institute’s affairs ever again."
Hearing this, Lan Yao’s expression turned cold.
"I can agree to everything else, but letting you go is absolutely impossible."
Yue Chu’s expression grew wary.
His fingers that were more delicate than jade, tightly gripped the pale blue bedsheet, and a look of disbelief and hurt flashed in his eyes.
Lan Yao’s sharp gaze softened slightly, like the thawing of the Yellow River and washing away the thick ice.
He pulled Yue Chu’s hand before drawing him into his embrace.
His voice was low and carried a magnetic quality like a cello that sent a slight tingle through the ears.
"I don’t want to hurt you. I just want you to stay by my side, in the lab."
Yue Chu looked up in confusion, "But you know very well..."
Lan Yao reached out, but because he was scared that the ring on his finger might scratch Yue Chu’s skin, he first removed the jade ring and set it aside. Only then did he use his cold fingers to gently trace Yue Chu’s brows and eyes.
He knew, but what did it matter? As Mu You had said, as long as Yue Chu was within his reach, within his perception, that was enough.
Whether Yue Chu understood viruses or could conduct experiments was irrelevant.
"I need you, and the Luster Virus needs you too. So, you’ll stay by our side, won’t you?"
Though phrased as a question, Lan Yao’s tone carried an undeniable certainty. His deep eyes fixed intently on Yue Chu while waiting for his answer.
Yue Chu looked closely and saw a hint of madness in those amber eyes, either unable to be hidden or deliberately left unconcealed.
He even felt that Lan Yao was waiting, waiting for his refusal.
Slightly lowering his gaze, Yue Chu knew he had to stabilize Lan Yao for now.
At the very least, the current research direction of the laboratory aligned with his own intentions.
He forced a bitter smile and curled the corner of his lips. "I don't know what you need from me, nor do I think I can be of much help. But... as long as you need me, I naturally have no intention of leaving."
Lan Yao's pupils contracted sharply and his voice was suppressed to the point that it almost sounded hoarse. "You really don't want to leave?"
Yue Chu smiled, as clear and transparent as a mountain spring carrying a gentle mist that softly wound its way through the forest, rocks, and slopes.
"Aside from the constant fear of being discovered, I've actually been living quite well."
"I always thought Director Lan was an unapproachable person, but later I realized you're actually quite gentle."
Gentle...?
Lan Yao slowly chewed on the word and felt the surging heat in his chest almost burst through his human skin and threatened to reveal his true form.
He pressed his tongue lightly against the roof of his mouth to control the overwhelming emotions.
"As long as you're willing to stay by my side, I'll always be this gentle."
Lan Yao helped him lie down before carefully tucking him in.
"Sleep. You've been too tired these past few days and need a good rest."
Yue Chu moved his lips and hesitated for a moment before finally asking his question. "The Luster Virus..."
Lan Yao replied calmly, "Don't worry, I'll return him to you soon."
Yue Chu was slightly stunned.
While he was concerned about Yuan's whereabouts, he hadn't expected Lan Yao to directly hand him over.
He nodded lightly and slowly closed his eyes.
No matter what, he would wait until he saw Yuan before making any decisions.
Lan Yao walked out of the room and gently locked the door.
If Yue Chu had come out to take a look, he would have immediately discovered a terrifying truth.
He had always believed that the relationship between Lan Yao and Yuan was one of obedience and command, and that all emotions arose from Yuan's influence.
But now, Yuan, no longer in the form of the adorable Little Ball, lay quietly on the chair.
Dozens of meters long, red gauze-like tentacles floated slowly in the room with their golden-red sand reflecting a beautiful light that made it hard to decide whether to describe the creature before him as beautiful or grotesque.
Seeing Lan Yao enter, the red gauze seemed to move with consciousness as it drifted towards him.
It appeared thinner than smoke, yet the power condensed within could instantly cut a person into pieces.
The red gauze clearly disliked Lan Yao as it kept floating around him with a threatening air that was ready to shred him at the slightest misstep.
Yuan, who had lost the simple irritability he showed in front of Yue Chu, was somewhat dissatisfied with Lan Yao's actions.
To him, Yue Chu's will was above all else.
If Yue Chu wanted to stay outside and play, then so be it.
With Lan Yao and the others in the research institute, there would be no chaos.
Lan Yao had long seen through Yuan's intentions, which was why he couldn't let him succeed.
Why should Yue Chu belong to him alone? The idea of monopolizing him was a pipe dream.
However, a deep light flashed in Lan Yao's eyes.
He, too, had his own selfish desires, and cooperation wasn't entirely out of the question.
Lan Yao spoke, "First of all, while the outside world is bustling, it's not safe. Yue Chu is just an ordinary person—he can get hurt, age, fall ill, and die. Keeping him outside is exposing him to danger."
"Secondly, during this outing, you must have witnessed Yue Chu's charm. You can imagine that in this outside world, he will have countless suitors and each of them were exceptionally outstanding."
Seeing Yuan about to retort coldly, Lan Yao played his trump card as he cut straight to the point: "Don't think too highly of yourself. Imagine if Yue Chu were to see your true form—believe me, he wouldn't like it. Compared to monsters like us, it's naturally easier for him to accept someone who is human like him."
Yuan fell silent as he was forced to admit that Lan Yao was right.
Moreover, compared to the first point, he cared more about the second.
He could protect Yue Chu's body, but he couldn't control his heart.
The thought of Yue Chu being drawn to someone else stirred a thick, malicious jealousy in Yuan's chest.
Yuan conceded: "Fine, but when we return to the research institute, all of you stay away from him."
Yuan didn't like any creature being near Yue Chu, naturally including his replicas.
So every time they had contact, Yuan would immediately infiltrate their bodies to forcibly share their senses.
But that was because he couldn't touch Yue Chu and couldn't communicate with him like others could.
Now, however, it was different. Yue Chu could actually understand him when he spoke, so what use were these replicas?
Instead, they only made him feel jealous.
Yuan didn't know what was wrong with him.
After all, these replicas were him, and yet...
Yet it was still unbearable.
This was so stupid!
If word got out, it would probably make other Bora Star People laugh themselves to death.
Lan Yao's expression was cold, but he lifted his gaze indifferently and walked up to Yuan.
"That probably won't be possible, but I can guarantee that Yue Chu will only have you and me."
His voice was low, like a demon's whisper in the ear.
"Don't you want to get close to Yue Chu using this body? You can hug, kiss, and make love."
Lan Yao spread his arms with his pupils glowing red.
"Humans can't accept your true form, but they can accept you using this body to do anything intimate."
"And I am you. We can possess Yue Chu together, and never need anyone else."
The floating red gauze in the air seemed to freeze.
The sheer volume of information overwhelmed Yuan's mind and leaving him momentarily unable to process it.
Possess...
What a tempting word.
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