Chapter 12: Fetal Movement

After delivering that slap, Tao Xiu felt a bit less angry. He turned off the bedside lamp and walked towards the door.

Countless dark blue tentacles, controlled by the man’s subconscious on the bed, surged menacingly from the surrounding darkness towards Tao Xiu.

Tao Xiu reached the door, twitched his lips, and fiercely stomped on a cold tentacle that was about to wrap around his ankle: “No sneaking into my room tonight.”

With that, he slammed the door shut and left.

Returning to the living room, Coconut was already obediently curled up on the rug, asleep.

Tao Xiu tiptoed to take a shower.

After showering, during his pre-sleep time, he used his phone to order some things he would need later, then lay down to sleep.

Gentle moonlight shone on the bed.

Tao Xiu gently placed his hand on his abdomen and closed his eyes.

It was still flat, covered with light abdominal muscles, and he couldn’t feel any movement, but he knew that a child, connected by blood, was being nurtured inside him.

He swore that this child would receive so much love…

In the room at night, the young man’s breathing gradually became softer.

The door quietly opened, and countless dark blue tentacles surged in at once, carefully wrapping around the young man’s limbs and obediently sleeping with him.

…

The next morning at six o’clock, Tao Xiu briskly pulled off the tentacles wrapped around him, one by one, tossing them off the bed.

After kicking them twice, he went to wash up without looking back.

Once the young man entered the bathroom, the tentacles, which had been playing dead when kicked, scurried back to the utility room.

Tao Xiu paid no attention.

After walking Coconut, he went to brave rush hour for work as usual.

On Sunday, the second-floor strawberry section at the botanical garden had almost become an internet-famous check-in spot, even livelier than before, attracting young university students who wanted to be trendy.

Tao Xiu, dressed in his work uniform as usual, half-crouched on the ground, collecting soil and plant growth data to more scientifically match the nutrients and water the plants needed.

A cluster of roses swayed gently beside him.

The nameplate in the cluster read “Black Baccara Rose,” and the beautiful, velvety petals unfolded in layers, exuding an elegant black hue.

This was correct. He truly cultivated this variety of rose, not white roses.

Just then, a voice sounded behind him: “Boss, your flowers are really well-grown. It must be very happy to work in such a beautiful place.”

Tao Xiu’s pupils contracted. He stood up and slowly turned to look at Lin Mei. He glanced at the black bracelet on Lin Mei’s hand.

Lin Mei just smiled, fine lines spreading at the corners of his eyes: “I’ve come to say goodbye. I have to go today.”

Tao Xiu pursed his lips and said, “The Game you mentioned—” Is there really no way to leave?

Lin Mei, however, just put his index finger to his lips. He looked at the young man, his eyes gentle: “Boss, don’t ask for more. I won’t say.”

It seemed someone was protecting Tao Xiu, so aside from this recent incident, almost no players could harm him.

Therefore, Tao Xiu shouldn’t know more information; after all, the more someone knew about this Game, the more unfortunate they would be.

This core, so similar to humans, should live happily and carefree, like the lucky part of humanity in this world.

Fortunately, the ability he gained after clearing the C-grade dungeon was [Safety Time].

Although it could only be used once, it allowed him to freely enter any dungeon for two days, ignoring the rules, and he could safely exit after the two days.

He used this ability to return to the real world. He had only wanted to glimpse this world again, but happened to encounter a [Virtual Recapitulation] player attacking Tao Xiu.

Tao Xiu was the core, and his memory was part of a dungeon, which was why Lin Mei could enter and warn him.

However, after all, it was entering the core’s memory. He could only stay for ten minutes each time and had to exit to rest for a period.

Fortunately, on his second entry, he successfully warned Tao Xiu.

After a long silence, Tao Xiu helplessly curved his eyes, no longer pressing for answers. He said sincerely, “Good luck. I wish you all the best.”

For some reason, he felt that he would see this young man again soon and could help him then.

Perhaps it was because of this inexplicable yet certain premonition that he no longer worried about the young man.

Lin Mei mustered his courage and leaned in to hug the young man like a close friend, saying, “You too. All the best, and be happy every day.”

With that, he turned and left the botanical garden.

Tao Xiu resumed his work only after Lin Mei’s figure disappeared from view.

During his lunch break, Tao Xiu frowned and typed the words “The Game” into a Word document: What exactly was this mysterious Game?

And what did the Game recognize him as?

Lin Mei had said that at least over 30 batches of so-called players had tried to clear him.

Aside from the stalking incident before he met Huo Si, he hadn’t encountered any similar malicious events after meeting Huo Si.

So, was Huo Si protecting him?

At this thought, Tao Xiu quietly smiled, lowering his gaze. He placed his hand on his abdomen, and a more complex emotion once again emerged in his gentle, moss-green eyes: Huo Si was in slumber now.

Therefore, it was his turn to protect him and their child…

He looked at the words “The Game” on the screen and blinked.

His abilities were almost entirely used within the community, so he could, at the very least, use them to upgrade the security of the community and his home.

With renovation plans forming in his mind, work hours passed quickly.

After work, Tao Xiu went to the hamburger steak bento shop as usual, this time packing a nutritious meal to go.

It was still Zhao Cancan who helped him pack his food.

Thinking of yesterday’s incident, Tao Xiu asked with concern, “He hasn’t bothered you since, has he?”

The girl smiled sweetly: “No, he hasn’t. Don’t worry, Brother Xiao Tao, if I see him again, I’ll definitely tell my parents.”

She added, “And I’m going back to school tomorrow. We have mock exams soon, and I’ll be boarding next week, so I won’t run into him anymore.”

Tao Xiu was relieved entirely: “That’s good.”

He said, his eyes curving into a smile, “Good luck with your exams.”

The girl’s eyes sparkled: “Mhm!”

…

After saying goodbye to Zhao Cancan, Tao Xiu quickly returned home.

As soon as he opened the door, he strode into the bathroom.

After a perfectly normal bout of morning sickness, Tao Xiu rinsed his mouth and washed his face.

He looked at himself in the mirror: water droplets ran down his cheeks, but his eyes were still bright, and his complexion was healthy.

He lowered his gaze, couldn’t help but gently place a hand on his abdomen, and a soft, gentle smile appeared on his face: This child was really well-behaved.

Aside from being a bit sleepy, his body felt almost no discomfort; he rarely even threw up.

This child was already present in his body, yet it seemed as if even its growth was careful, as if afraid of hurting him even a little.

Tao Xiu clearly felt love overflowing in his heart. He couldn’t help but chuckle, muttering to himself, “How can you be so well-behaved?”

Just then, a thick, dark blue tentacle quietly descended from the ceiling, wrapping around the young man’s waist.

It gently caressed his slender waist and abdomen, about to slip under the young man’s shirt hem.

In the rich, cool scent, Tao Xiu seemed accustomed to such touches, simply letting the other act intimately, without dodging.

He just turned on the faucet again, about to wash his hands one last time, when suddenly, his movements froze.

He held his breath and widened his eyes: He clearly felt that this child, only two months old and unlikely to have fetal movement, had moved very, very slightly…