"Yi Beixuan, Su Qiluo, at least one of you needs to return. The insectoid swarm is regrouping in the west. There's a high chance they'll strike again."
The doctor's message was glaring on the communicator. Yi Beixuan sighed lightly."I'll go back. You stay here and keep an eye on your successor."
"Alright." Su nodded. "Besides, you're more reliable than the doctor anyway. I'd rather count on you."
"Oh? Complaining about the doctor already?" Yi Beixuan chuckled. "He's only trying to get you to return faster, you know."
"Sure, let him know," Su said casually. "We're so far apart now—what's he going to do, fly here and smack me?"
Yi Beixuan frowned slightly. As much as he hated to admit it, Su Qiluo made a fair point.
"So, should I go get 'eliminated' now?" He tapped lightly on his livestream device. Honestly, he didn't want to linger here either—being watched constantly, every move scrutinized, not to mention those ridiculous comments.
He could tolerate insults and even boring chatter, but what he couldn't take were the fans who kept shipping him with Su Qiluo.
Seriously. They were both so straight.Sure, people saying Su was the 'bottom' was one thing—but there were even comments implying he was the bottom, all because Su sometimes acted weak?Unbelievable.
"Go on then. Pick a strong virtual beast—don't make it too obvious." Su raised a brow and added thoughtfully, "And once you're out, stay in touch. Help your big brother out a little, will you? You know how tough survival is in this hellhole."
Big brother?"Qiluo... aren't you younger than me?" Yi Beixuan narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"Don't sweat the details. Now go. And remember to stream the entire elimination process," Su waved him off.
Their "friendly chat" over, Su narrowed his eyes slightly and turned to head back inside.
As soon as he opened the door, he almost bumped straight into Mu Qingyun.
"You startled me!" Su exhaled in relief. "Where are you off to now?"
"I was looking for you," Mu Qingyun said, and handed him a bracelet woven from seagrass. "I made this just for you."
"Huh?"
He looked down at the simple little bracelet, no more than a few strands of seagrass. He took it, tilting his head curiously."Why give me this?"
"I thought you'd like it." Mu Qingyun's voice was sincere. "You didn't bring any weapons when you came here, just seasoning. That tells me you appreciate the little things."
They say the feeling of being moved and falling in love are alike—a warm current from the heart. One is more warmth than heartbeat, the other more heartbeat than warmth.
"Thanks."He stared at the bracelet, a subtle emotion flashing in his eyes.
Carefully slipping it onto his wrist, he turned his hand this way and that, admiring the design. "It's really beautiful."
Seeing the smile on his face, Mu Qingyun laughed softly. "I'm glad you like it."
To her, Su felt like the younger brother she once had in her past life—fragile, soft-spoken, and in need of care. And she was happy to spoil him like one.
[Bullet comments from viewers:]
Ahhh I want one too! You can't even buy these—no one sells handwoven seagrass accessories anymore!
Right? These are usually just decorative, and even then they're machine-made. No one actually hand-weaves them anymore.
Can Mu-ge please make more? I'll buy it, I swear. I want my own exclusive Mu-ge bracelet too!
Waaah, this is true love. Who said our ship never gets sweet moments? THIS is our big sugar moment!
Massive points for the team. That was the sweetest thing I've seen all day!
Behind them, Kazel leaned against the doorway, watching the scene unfold with keen interest. A playful smile touched his lips.
When two people are truly drawn to each other, their eyes shine from the first meeting. It might not be love at first sight, but the spark is unmistakable.
Though he hadn't spent much time with them, Kazel could feel their matching energy.
If Su really liked Mu Qingyun, it would actually be a good thing for him—because then, he might still have a chance himself.
"Don't just stand there," he called out as both Mu Qingyun and Su turned to look at him. A teasing grin tugged at his mouth. "There's not enough stuff to go around. Fan Xuanye and Xiong Ruoyou are about to start fighting over a basket."
"Seriously?" Mu Qingyun frowned and quickly rushed inside. Sure enough, the two were locked in a tug-of-war over a single basket.
She sighed and went over to settle them down, leaving just Kazel and Su outside.
"Su. That's a good surname. I remember our First Commander was named Su—Su Qiluo," Kazel said, eyeing him meaningfully, violet eyes gleaming with some unreadable emotion.
Hearing this, Su's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained impassive.
"I know. Su Qiluo—the Light of the Galaxy."
He paused, then looked up with a faint smile."But I'm not that Su. I just happen to share a character with him. I've always admired Commander Su, but that's where the similarity ends."
[More bullet comments:]
Why bring up the First Commander out of nowhere? Let's be real, anyone with eyes can see this skinny kid and Su Qiluo are worlds apart.
Still, Kazel's tone was... weird. Almost like he was testing him.
I think Kazel's just spouting nonsense. Just because of one similar character in their names? Give me a break.
Commander Su posted yesterday! Comparing this kid to him is just insulting.
"I didn't mean anything by it." Kazel shrugged, playing innocent. "Su Qiluo just popped into my mind."
"I know. And I didn't say anything wrong, did I?" Su tilted his head with a matching innocent look. "Just clarifying my name. But it sounds like you might be overthinking things."
A real piece of work.
Kazel's suspicions only deepened, but he didn't say another word. He turned and walked back inside.
Left alone, Su's face remained calm, but his eyes glinted coldly.
Inside, Mu Qingyun had just managed to calm down the two quarreling over the basket—only to be met with a mocking look from Bai Feifei as soon as she turned around.