The next day, Xue Yiran received another proposal from Roland academy. Looking at the long list of benefits promised to her, she couldn't help but smile.
"What to do? They are really trying hard to pull me to their side." She skimmed through the list. All of the offers written down on it could make one succumb to temptation. "Hmm, they're really thoughtful this time. However, such benefits in exchange for my life is truly not worth it." Xue Yiran rejected their offer immediately.
She was someone who treasure her life dearly, especially when she had already died once. There's no way she would forsake her life for such an unstinting offer. They should probably look for someone else to participate in such a deadly tournament.
Since she went back home earlier than usual, Xue Haoran wasn't back from school yet. Feeling a little bit famished, she heads into the kitchen to fix herself something to eat.
Almost immediately, Xue Yiran felt that there was something off about the atmosphere. No, it wasn't her environment but instead, her consciousness. Why is it so silent?
"Susu, are you there?"
[Yes host. Is there anything I can do for you?]
At his reply, Xue Yiran instantly knew that there was something wrong. When had Susu ever speak to her in such a formal way. Recollecting that he was also this quite yesterday, she couldn't help but worry.
"What's wrong? Are you sick?"
Damm. Recalling that Susu is an artificial intelligent, Xue Yiran felt like slapping herself in the head at her dumb question. How can a system get sick like human do.
She immediately added. "You've been so silent since yesterday. What's wrong? Did Sky piss you off again?"
Sky who was in Xue Yiran consciousness: "..."
'Of course I didn't. I would be courting death if I ever dare to piss off this great grandfather. Who knows what suddenly came over him. Thankfully, he didn't take his anger out on me.'
Sky suddenly felt like protesting for being suspected without any evidence.
However, thinking that a certain great grandfather might take his anger on him, he quietly finds a corner to hide and cover his eyes with his paw.
'You can't see me. You can't see me.'
Susu who saw his action: "..." Seriously, have some courage man. You're a beast king for goodness sake. Why are you acting so cowardly.
Ignoring the coward Sky, Susu answered Xue Yiran. [No host. I just thought I could have a time to myself to ponder about life. Just like you human do.]
"Oh, is that so. Then, I won't bother you."
Susu who was stunned by the end of the conversation: "..."
'Why isn't this going the usual way? Shouldn't your next question be you asking me of what I'm thinking about. Are you really going to ignore me?'
Xue Yiran had no idea about what was going through a certain system head. With how much trust she had for Susu, she would never believe the later would lie to her.
Xue Haoran soon arrived from school. The two siblings sat together, with Xue Haoran talking about how his day at school went.
At night, Xue Yiran went through the usual routine of tucking Xue Haoran into the bed before going to the room where the cabin pod was installed.
Just as she was about to log in to the virtual net, Susu voice sounded in her consciousness.
[Host.]
"Hmm, what is it? Are you already done with your pondering?"
[Mhmm. Host, what do you think of Ian?]
"What's about Ian? What's wrong with him?" Not receiving Susu reply, Xue Yiran thought about the question again before answering. "He's quite hardworking and diligent. Why? Why did you ask me about him all of a sudden?"
[What do you think of him as a man?]
"As a man?" Xue Yiran almost thought that she was hearing the wrong thing. "What's going through that head of yours, Susu? What the hell have you been thinking about?" Don't tell me this was what he was pondering about earlier. She suddenly felt like laughing.
[I read it on the net that introducing a man to someone closest to you means you probably have feelings for that person. Since you've taken Logan as your master, that means he's now one of the people closest to you. Then, introducing Ian to him definitely means you like Ian.]
Xue Yiran waited for Susu to continue on.
[I know that you will certainly reach a stage where you'll have to search for your love partner and I'm willing to support you with all my heart. However, I still think that it is too soon. You should know that he already has a fiancee and the two have been engaged since childhood. Even if you liked him so much, your relationship with him might faces many downturns. And besides, I don't like him.] The last sentence was what he wanted to convey so badly.
"I don't know where you might have read such words, but I'll be truthful to you. I don't like Ian. And I don't see myself liking him in the future either. Possibly if I do like someone in the future, you'll be the first person I'll notify."
[Really. You really don't like him?] Susu voice rouse a bit.
Xue Yiran shook her head.
[What about Louie? You don't like him either?]
"Hey, what the hell have you been thinking about. How can I like that guy. Like I said before, if I found someone I like, you'll be the first person I'll notify. Does that assure you?"
[Yes host!]
Xue Yiran could hear the bliss in his voice. She chuckled before logging into the virtual net.
Susu was indeed happy when he heard that Xue Yiran liked neither Louie nor Ian. To him, his host man must be someone powerful.
'Why don't I search for a suitable match for host.'
Susu delve into the chaotic network and began to look for a suitable match for his host.
[Huh, who's this? Hmm, he's quite goodlooking though. Oh, a general. Sounds imposing.] Susu was busy scrutinizing Ethan profile. [He's indeed handsome but he's way too old for my host. Let's look for another match.]
Xue Yiran who had no idea that a certain system was going on a man hunt for her arrived at the location she was supposed to meet with Ian. When she didn't sight him, she gave him a call.
...
"Wow, look at this hat. So cute." A blonde hair girl moves through the bustling market place and head towards a shop selling hats.
"Do you want to buy a hat pretty Lady. Why don't you try this one. It'll look good on you." The shop owner advertised.
"Ah, yes." The girl took the hat and put it on her head. After checking herself out in the mirror several times, she finally turned to her partner beside her and asked, "How do I look?"
"Pretty."
Receiving Ian compliment, Lavinia was very excited. She turned to the stall owner with excitement and said, "I'll take it. Here's my shipping address, you can deliver the hat there." After paying for the hat, she went forward and held Ian on the arm before pulling him to their next destination.
Yesterday, Ian didn't know how Lavina knew that he had been in the virtual net. But he sums it to either his mother or her right-hand maid Calixta, who must have told her of his visit. As a result, a certain person had called him early in the morning, clamoring for the two to go on a date.
As they move about, Ian was constantly checking on the time. He knew that Xue Yiran must have arrived at the location. However, he didn't know how to part ways with Lavinia.
He was still pondering on how he would part ways with Lavinia when Xue Yiran call suddenly came through. He took a glance in the distance at Lavinia who was still busy surveying different shops, before picking up the call.
"Hello."
Xue Yiran on the other end answered. "Where are you? I don't seem to see you anywhere."
"That, I'm so sorry. Can you give me some few minutes. I'm currently..." The moment Ian turned around to look at Lavinia's direction, he was suddenly met with a close-up face that was almost glued to his. "Gosh, that scared me." His heart pounded hard. "What are you doing?" How did she come so close to him.
Lavinia didn't answer his question but asked, "Who's that? A girl?" She looked at Ian with a suspicious expression.
"That..." Ian was at loss of what to say.