At the moment, Tao Yi's expression seemed tense, but in reality—he was genuinely nervous.
He was worried he wouldn't find the remote control!
Tao Yi reasoned that his TV didn't have an automatic on/off function, so if the TV was on, it must have been turned on by someone. Since Ziyue had previously said she hadn't left, Tao Yi could be sure that Ziyue must have accidentally pressed the remote control.
This wasn't exactly exciting, but perhaps because Tao Yi had read too many novels, he was devising a plan. He wanted to use the TV to trick Ziyue, hoping to get this "goddess" to leave without force.
Meanwhile, Tao Yi kept repeating in his mind: This is the best solution for both of us. I really don't want to call my mom, because, well, my mom can be too ruthless… for the sake of protecting endangered species, um, for protecting rare species.
As he walked slowly, he glanced at the TV. Fantasy channel? Oh, I see...
Then, he shifted his gaze toward the sofa...
Sure enough! A glimmer of hope shone upon Tao Yi. At this moment, he felt as if the handsome old face of God with a white beard was smiling at him. Yes, he was about to succeed!
Underneath the glass coffee table, right where his toe could reach, was a black remote control!
Breathing a sigh of relief, Tao Yi took a big step toward the coffee table.
Ziyue's eyebrows knitted slightly as she watched Tao Yi's movements. Due to her unfamiliarity with this world, she could only follow Tao Yi half-believing, glancing occasionally toward the TV.
"Don't move! They can't find us right now, but if you cause too much energy fluctuation, it won't be good! Be quiet, I'll take care of it," Tao Yi's eyes became more serious as he stood behind the coffee table, his toe subtly resting on the power button.
Ziyue glanced lightly at Tao Yi but said nothing, simply crossing her arms over her chest and quietly observing his actions.
Tao Yi felt uneasy and began to regret his impulsive decision to deceive Ziyue. However, since he had come this far, he had no choice but to see it through.
"#!$&*...%...#!$%" Tao Yi shouted some nonsensical "incantation," occasionally sneaking a peek at Ziyue nearby.
Ziyue's expression became serious as well, and Tao Yi felt a slight sense of relief. He couldn't help but marvel at how the human potential under pressure seemed limitless, even in acting!
"Maybe after graduation, I should quit my job and try my luck as an extra in movies. Who knows, I might end up winning an Oscar someday!"
Of course, that thought only existed in Tao Yi's imagination, along with the impossible dream of winning an Oscar.
Feeling the time was right, Tao Yi's toe moved slightly...
And then...
Click!
The TV turned off, and as the screen went black, Ziyue's pupils widened. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly, and her mouth parted slightly in surprise.
Seeing Ziyue's expression, Tao Yi felt a sense of relief and sank onto the sofa.
He tried to maintain a serious demeanor and said to Ziyue, "If you have any questions, just ask."
Looking at Ziyue's gaze, Tao Yi was convinced that his Oscar-worthy performance had already made Ziyue submit to his acting. He was ecstatic inside, but in the next moment...
"You want me to ask questions? Alright, what's that thing under your foot?"
Sweat! Cold sweat! Waterfall of sweat!...
As Ziyue's charming but deadly voice reached his ears, Tao Yi's face turned from red to green, from green to blue, and finally from blue to black.
In short, he no longer had a normal complexion. Sitting stiffly on the sofa, he stammered, "That… that's… actually, it's really called a TV."
Ziyue's lips curved into a slight smile as she calmly said, "I understand that the black object is the mechanism that opens the space of that black box. Earlier, I suspected I might have triggered some device in your house, and now I am certain. Although I don't understand why you were shouting like an idiot just now."
Hearing Ziyue's words, Tao Yi was both embarrassed and scared. He had underestimated Ziyue's intelligence. Though she wasn't from this world, she was clearly not dumb or clueless. How could he have been so foolish…
It seemed he was the one who was dumb.
"Why are you so quiet now? Explain to me what that black box really is. And why did you try to deceive me!"
Ziyue's tone remained calm, even carrying a hint of allure as she casually sat on the sofa, slightly turned to face Tao Yi. The pink lingerie she wore revealed a glimpse of her ample chest…
It was an enticing sight, but Tao Yi had no mood for admiration.
"You… how did you know I was trying to deceive you? Weren't you afraid of the world inside that thing?"
Even in defeat, Tao Yi wanted to get to the bottom of it, perhaps still not fully awake from his Oscar-winning dream.
"Afraid? Who said I was afraid of that black thing? Did I ever tell you I was afraid of it?" Ziyue asked, puzzled, with a hint of disdain in her voice.
Tao Yi was even more confused. "Not afraid? If you're not afraid, why were you hiding in the bathroom?"
"Hiding? Hiding from what? Have you ever seen someone changing clothes in the living room?!"
(Well, I've never seen anyone change in the bathroom either—!)
"What? So you were in the bathroom not because you were scared of the things in that other world, but because… you were changing clothes?!" Tao Yi was utterly shattered.
"Yes, what else did you think?" Ziyue looked at Tao Yi with disdain again, grabbed his collar, and her pretty face became serious. "Stop with the nonsense! I want to know why you lied to me! Trying to scare me? Hmph, come back in a few hundred years. Now, tell me, what kind of world is inside that thing called a TV!"
"Alright, alright, I'll tell you… I give up…" Tao Yi's face fell, and he no longer put on a fake smile, instead wearing a look of despair. "That thing is called a television; it's for entertainment. What you just saw wasn't another world; it was something filmed by people. To put it simply…"
"Stop!" Ziyue said coldly.
"What now, Sister Yue…"
"Don't explain to me with a long face! Based on your recent behavior, I can tell that your intelligence makes it hard for you to explain things clearly, so your explanation—make it lively!" Zi Yue said with a flirtatious smile, her jade hand propping up her fragrant cheek.
"More lively?! Fine, I'll make it lively," Tao Yi began to retort but was immediately silenced by Zi Yue's murderous glare.
So, Tao Yi transformed from an Oscar-winning actor into an excellent employee at a television production workshop, and began a lively, vivid, and entertaining explanation about the basic principles and development of televisions.
Half an hour later, Tao Yi finally returned from the battlefield; the excellent employee at the television production workshop clocked out and sighed in relief, plopping down onto the sofa.
"Finished? Quite amazing, haha," Zi Yue's smile became even more amiable and enchanting after hearing Tao Yi's lively narration.
However, Tao Yi couldn't shake the unsettling feeling he had around her. There was something so strange about it.
Indeed, Zi Yue's smile didn't last more than three seconds before her face turned cold, and she spoke with rapid intensity: "Alright, since we're done with that, let's talk about another issue between us—what happens if you deceive me!"
Tao Yi's eyes widened in terror: "Didn't you just say..."
"This time, I didn't say anything," Zi Yue said with a flirtatious smile, slightly raising her head. "But I seem to remember someone saying that televisions aren't fun!? Right?"
"Yes... yes, so what?"
"Hmph!" Zi Yue snorted coldly, a cold light flashing in her eyes. She said with a chilling tone, "Then I'll let you know—deceiving me is not fun either!"
"What do you want? Ah!!! Sister Yue, please no!! Help!!"
The cries were not from pain because Tao Yi was no longer feeling pain, so what was going on?
Zi Yue opened the window, one hand outside, but what about Tao Yi?
Well, he was outside with Zi Yue's jade hand, enjoying the breeze. By the way, Tao Yi's home was on the fourth floor, not too high...
"Beep... beep... beep..."
Tao Yi continued to scream, but Zi Yue heard some other noises, covering Tao Yi's mouth, her sly grin still present, and asked, "What's that sound?"
When she removed her hand from Tao Yi's mouth, he wanted to scream again but was unsure what to ask. He felt somewhat relieved, sensing that Zi Yue might not actually kill him and that the whole thing seemed like a mischievous joke from a playful girl.
Though, this joke was, cough, a bit extreme.
"Sister Yue, cough, it seems like my phone is ringing. Let me go inside first. I realize my mistake, and it won't happen again. My scream was probably over 140 decibels, the neighbors definitely heard it, and if nothing goes wrong, the police will be here soon. It's truly a troublesome matter, and it's real this time!"
"Phone? What's a phone?" Zi Yue tilted her head, confused.
"I'll explain later. Please let me in, Sister Yue, I beg you..." Tao Yi pleaded.
Putting aside her confusion, Zi Yue gave Tao Yi a cold glance but ultimately pulled him back inside.
"Thank you, thank you." Tao Yi thanked her as he headed towards the bathroom.
He had to hurry; the recent shock was overwhelming, far more intense than this morning. Although Tao Yi managed not to wet his pants, it was the limit.
Bang! He barely managed to avoid falling as he shut the bathroom door, and the sound of rushing water was heard...
After dealing with his physiological needs, Tao Yi suddenly remembered that his phone had vibrated earlier. Who called him?
Hastily fastening his belt, Tao Yi pulled out his phone.
"...Why is it her calling?" Tao Yi stared at the phone for a long time before squeezing out a few words.
The caller was Zheng Meixuan, who had just broken up with him last night.
After hesitating for a long time, Tao Yi decided not to call back. It wasn't surprising, but he didn't know how to start a conversation with her.
The sound of flushing came from the bathroom, and the door opened. Tao Yi walked out, his face looking somewhat grim.
Perhaps it was the shock from earlier or seeing Zheng Meixuan's call, but Tao Yi's mood was unexpectedly bad.
Anger can make people impulsive, and impulsiveness, as everyone knows, can sometimes be called a devil.
Indeed, Tao Yi, with newfound courage, faced the woman who might have just thrown him out from the fourth floor with a cold face.
"What are you staring at? Looking for trouble, huh?!" Zi Yue raised an eyebrow and responded coldly.
"...Nothing, misunderstanding, Sister Yue. It's just a needle's eye," Tao Yi quickly lowered his head in resignation, his expression changing as fast as ever.
After saying that, Tao Yi noticed that Zi Yue was momentarily inactive, so he instinctively walked towards the bedroom.
"Did I tell you to go in?" With a thud, Tao Yi nearly fell to the ground, realizing that this woman would not easily let him off...
Zi Yue's wonderful voice could have been intoxicating, but to Tao Yi's ears, it sounded like the voice of a hellish demon.
"Oh, I forgot. Sister Yue should of course sleep in the bedroom. I'll get some bedding now and make a makeshift bed in the living room."
"Mm, you don't need to say that. And don't worry, I won't pursue what you did earlier to scare me away," Zi Yue nodded, seemingly satisfied with Tao Yi's attitude.
Tao Yi nodded like a chick pecking at grains and added, "Thank you, thank you. I'll get the bedding right away and won't disturb you."
"Wait." Zi Yue stopped Tao Yi and said, "I won't pursue it, but I also need to make it clear that I can stay here as long as I want. Don't have any naive thoughts about it."
"Okay." Tao Yi didn't turn around, just responding, but his face fell.
"By the way, is there any women's clothing here? These clothes are too dirty!" Zi Yue called out again.
"Well... I just broke up, and these are clothes my ex didn't take. As for the others, she packed them all up..." Tao Yi responded helplessly and then said, "How about I find some men's clothes for you to make do with? I'll go shopping in the morning to get you some women's clothes."
Zi Yue casually walked to the balcony and replied, "Go ahead, find some clean ones. These two are too tacky!"
"Okay." With that, Tao Yi went into the bedroom.
Opening the closet, it turned out that all the women's clothes had been cleaned out, leaving only Tao Yi's own clothes.
After searching, Tao Yi found a pair of tight pants, a pair of underwear, and an orange short-sleeve shirt and laid them on the bed.
Just as he was about to call Zi Yue in, he noticed his phone vibrating again in his pocket.
"Beep... beep... beep..."