Warhammer 40K in a box

Chapter 383 The Sun is Shining
Thanks to Dr. Li, Chen Xi had a fairly good night.

The beach bar had a unique decor, with a wooden structure and seashell decorations, and the sea breeze gently blew in through the open windows.

The resident band was indeed quite good; the lead singer's husky voice sang laid-back blues tunes, and the bassist interacted with the audience from time to time.

When the band began playing a classic folk song, Chen Xi felt a long-lost sense of relaxation.

He knew this song very well; he had played it countless times in college, so he unconsciously started humming along.

The lead singer seemed to notice him humming along and smiled as he handed him the microphone.

Amid the cheers of those around him, Chen Xi took the guitar, his fingers naturally finding the familiar chords.

His voice was already quite good, deep and magnetic, and he won a standing ovation when he finished singing.

Some people whistled, while others shouted, "One more song!"

Chen Xi then remembered that he did have some singing talent, and that he had even won over the most beautiful girl in his department by playing the guitar in college.

Back then, he could always be seen playing and singing downstairs in the dormitory. His roommates often joked that he should participate in a talent show.

But after he started working, the pressure from all aspects of life and work came like a tidal wave, making it hard for him to breathe.

The guitar was left unused, its strings gradually rusting, and the most beautiful girl in the department had long since become a stranger to him.

Last night's impromptu performance was a long-awaited "old man letting his youthful exuberance run wild".

As Chen Xi left the bar, the sea breeze caressed her face, and she was still humming a little tune. She also unexpectedly slept well when she returned to the hotel.

He had to admit that after venting his frustrations, he felt much better today.

At least now Chen Xi no longer subconsciously estimates the thickness of a passerby's neck and plots how to behead them with a single blow.

Although dangerous thoughts like "This head is nice, I want to cut it off" would occasionally flash through his mind, he was at least able to suppress the impulse and not actually take action.

In fact, the influence of Khorne on him had been completely eradicated by the old emperor.

What's troubling him now is nothing more than the mental impact of the lingering smell of blood in his nostrils after the smoke of battle has cleared.

Symptoms of this severity would be negligible in the Warhammer universe.

Whether it's the steely will forged by the judges through years of battling the corruption of chaos, or the resilient minds of the Astartes who have undergone genetic modification and mental training, they can easily resist this level of residual influence.

However, for an ordinary person on Earth, this impact should not be underestimated.

Just like the trace amounts of toxin left in the body after being bitten by a venomous snake, although not fatal, it can cause persistent irritability and restlessness.

Chen Xi could clearly feel that he had become more irritable than before, and sometimes he would even have murderous intent over a cup of spilled coffee.

If this situation were in the Warhammer universe, Space Marines could seek spiritual purification from Chapter Priests, Astrail Force soldiers could seek guidance from Commissars, and ordinary citizens could find solace from State Priests.

However, Chen Xi knew very well that those so-called "treatments" were essentially just another form of mind control.

Fill every brain cell with fanatical faith in the Emperor, occupy all thinking space with endless prayers and rituals, and turn believers into war machines that only shout "For the Emperor!"

This treatment method is less of a cure and more of a form of spiritual castration.

In contrast, Chen Xi preferred the gentler approach of walking and chatting with Dr. Li on the beach. Compared to the blood-soaked "treatments" of the Warhammer world, this kind of conversation under the shade of coconut trees, listening to the sound of the waves, was more in line with his imagination of psychotherapy.

When Chen Xi saw Dr. Li in the hotel lobby, she couldn't help but show an expression of amazement.

Today she changed into a mint green tracksuit, the fitted cut perfectly outlining her well-proportioned figure.

If Dr. Li, whom we saw yesterday, was the kind of youthful and vibrant girl next door by the sea, then today, dressed in sportswear, she exudes boundless energy.

She tied her long hair into a high ponytail, which swayed gracefully as she walked, radiating a healthy and sunny aura.

"Dr. Li's outfit today is truly stunning!" Chen Xi couldn't help but praise, her gaze lingering on her for a few more seconds.

"Mr. Chen, you flatter me." Dr. Li smiled gracefully, casually tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I wonder if you slept well last night?"

Her voice was clear and melodious, like morning dew dripping onto leaves.

Chen Xi nodded and replied with a smile, "Thanks to you, Dr. Li, I had a great time at that bar last night and slept well when I got back."

He paused, then added, "It's been a long time since I've felt this relaxed."

"Sounds good." Dr. Li nodded in satisfaction, his eyes curving into crescents. "Then I'll take you to an even more fun place today."

She winked playfully, showing no intention of discussing treatment, acting as if it were a casual invitation from a friend to hang out.

"I wonder if Mr. Chen is good at sports?" she said, while stretching, demonstrating her good flexibility.

"Sports?" Chen Xi considered for a moment: "That depends on what kind of sport it is. If it's mountain climbing, I should be able to manage."

He deliberately phrased it conservatively. Although using psychic energy to enhance his physical body would make climbing Mount Everest a breeze, that was clearly not the answer to the question.

He didn't want to appear too unusual.

"That's good!" Dr. Li clapped his hands lightly, a joyful smile spreading across his eyes and brows, like ripples on a lake in spring: "I'll take you to see the real tropical rainforest of Hainan, but..."

She deliberately dragged out her words, tilting her head with a sly expression: "If you complain of being tired halfway through, I won't carry you back."

When she smiled, her eyes curved into two beautiful crescent moons, and her thick eyelashes were edged with gold in the sunlight, casting dappled shadows on her cheeks.

That smile seemed to carry warmth, making the surrounding air feel warmer, and the whole person exuded an irresistible affinity, like a ray of sunshine shining straight into the heart.

This smile stunned Chen Xi, and her heart seemed to skip a beat.

He subconsciously lingered for a few more seconds before looking away somewhat flusteredly, clearing his throat and saying, "Speaking of which... we're friends now, so let's not stand on ceremony, sir and madam."

He paused, then his tone became relaxed and natural again: "Just call me Chen Xi."

“Okay!” Dr. Li—no, she should be called Li Jingyi now—nodded slightly.

Sunlight streamed through the glass dome of the lobby, bathing her in a soft glow.

“Then don’t call me Dr. Li anymore.” She looked directly into Chen Xi’s eyes, her gaze clear and bright, a smile on her lips that was even more radiant than the sunlight outside the window: “My name is Li Jingyi, Jing as in quiet and Yi as in contentment.”

(End of this chapter)