I'm in the Ark, a player.

After saying that, Qin Tianling used the gift-giving system again to give his Laterano gun to Exusiai.

Exusiai uses firearms, after all. If I give her a Laterano firearm, wouldn't she be ecstatic? Wouldn't her affection level skyrocket?

His method was remarkably effective; when the gun was handed to Exusiai, she certainly didn't look like she was about to cry.

To be more precise, she maintained her tearful expression while laughing in exasperation—

"This is my gun!!!"

People can actually laugh when they're speechless.

Even the embarrassment and shame from just now have faded considerably.

Exusiai slowly moved her body, finally sitting on the ground in a duck-like position.

After a moment of silence, she called out.

"Qintianling".

"Ok?"

"I'm a little thirsty, could you get me a bottle of wheat juice? ...If you can, get one for yourself too."

"Don't you have hands or feet?"

"I need to change my pants!"

Exusiai blushed and said,

Shouldn't a normal person show their gentle side in a situation like this?

"Then go get it yourself after you've changed it."

"Aaaaah! You bastard!"

Do I really have to say it out loud?

Exusiai scratched her hair in annoyance.

"What did you say?"

"Hmm...that makes sense, considering you are..."

Exusiai's eyes darted around, she bit her lower lip, hesitated for a moment, and then finally spoke her mind.

"I'd like you to get me some wheat juice while I'm changing my clothes."

And then... I want you to stay with me.

I hope you can stay with me, because I don't want to be alone.

If Qin Tianling had agreed to her request from the beginning, everything would have proceeded naturally according to Exusiai's plan.

But Qin Tianling, instead, refused right away!

You have absolutely no idea what a girl is thinking!

And who do you think it was because of my sleepless night?

"Oh, I see. Why didn't you say so earlier?"

Qin Tianling suddenly realized,

So this has become a personal special plot!

Exusiai opened her mouth as if to say something, but ultimately closed it in resignation.

As requested by Exusiai, Qin Tianling went out.

Meanwhile, Exusiai took the opportunity to change her clothes and clean up the traces.

To be honest, Exusiai was a little afraid that Qin Tianling would secretly come back to peek at her changing her pants.

The result did not occur.

Is it because my figure is not attractive to him at all?

Damn it... what's with this weird sense of resentment?!

Exia, don't overthink it!

A moment later, Qin Tianling, who had been waiting outside for a while, came in with a can of beer.

There is only one bottle.

He handed the beer to Exusiai.

"Pfft~"

Exusiai pulled the ring open, tilted her head back, and took a sip.

The cool bubbles slid down her throat, the taste of alcohol spreading on the back of her tongue, and Exusiai relaxed a little.

Are you feeling better?

Qin Tianling looked at Exusiai sitting on the floor against the bed and asked.

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

How could it heal so quickly... My girlish heart was shattered!

Under the influence of alcohol, Exusiai seems to have reverted to her usual carefree self, and her eyes have begun to look somewhat glazed over.

"So, drinking doesn't require someone to accompany you, right?"

"Because drinking alone can really make you feel very lonely."

"Holy crap, there's also the Sorrow of Blood."

"What is that...you rascal, why are you talking nonsense again?"

"And you just happened to show up in my room out of nowhere, and you even tried to steal my things."

You can drink with me, even if you don't drink, just keeping me company is enough.

—Consider it making up for what you just did.

She patted the floor beside her and said to Qin Tianling.

"Alright... don't stand there, come and sit here."

Following Exusiai's suggestion, Qin Tianling sat next to her, leaning against the bed like her.

The window is right across the street, and through the open curtains, you can clearly see the night sky from this angle.

The twinkling stars hung on the black curtain, and the moonlight shone through the window onto the ground.

"Hey, Qin Tianling."

"Ok?"

What do you think of the empty space?

"What do you mean, how about it?"

"It seems you've been alone for a long time too. Since coming to Lungmen, what do you think of Kong?"

"good."

What kind of answer is that?

It seems we need a more straightforward and direct approach.

Exusiai glanced at the floor, her fingers gripping the hem of her clothes, and spoke, her voice slightly unsteady.

What I mean is... do you like emptiness?

"I like it."

The answer came too quickly, as if it hadn't been considered at all.

Exusiai felt something being gently twisted in her chest.

Well!

Just as I expected...

Exusiai felt a bitter taste in her mouth.

After all, Sora is a popular idol, how could anyone not like her?

Compared to me, she seemed more feminine, cuter, and richer.

How can we possibly win this?

Just then, Qin Tianling continued speaking.

"Singing gives me a buff and also heals me."

This kind of treatment—being both pampered and pampered—is practically like being a pampered prince!

I love it so much!

Exusiai paused, blinked, and turned to look at Qin Tianling as if she couldn't believe her ears.

Those feelings that had just welled up in my heart, like a tidal wave, suddenly stopped.

She has only one thing on her mind right now.

So this is what liking someone is like!?

Very good!

This sudden joy instantly dispelled the bitterness from before.

But Exusiai hesitated for a moment before continuing to ask.

"So... what do you think about Kong being your girlfriend?"

"what?

Do you want to slow down my sword-drawing speed?

"Exusiai, I didn't expect you to actually try to weaken me. You want to use this to defeat me and steal my thunder, right?"

"No... I just noticed that you didn't seem to mind Sora's behavior this afternoon... I thought... I thought..."

Exusiai's voice trailed off, growing softer and softer until she could no longer utter a word.

However, Qin Tianling already knew what Exusiai was talking about.

"Oh, the special CG came on a bit too suddenly, I didn't have time to react."

Exusiai paused for a moment.

Was the special CG cut-in too sudden?

Does it mean that the action of empty space was too daring?

Yeah, I was startled too.

So... you were taken advantage of by accident...

Then I forgive you.

Exusiai smiled foolishly, looking out the window, looking at the starry sky, looking at him.

The two sat there against the edge of the bed, the night sky and a few scattered stars visible outside the window. Moonlight streamed in through the gaps in the curtains, casting a soft and slightly ambiguous glow over the space between them.

Exusiai would occasionally lift the jar and take a small sip, the bubbles making a soft, bubbling sound inside.

I don't know how much time has passed.

Then Qin Tianling felt a weight on his shoulder.

He turned his head and saw Exusiai's head resting on his shoulder, her breathing even and deep, and her unguarded sleeping face.

"Sigh, this Exusiai is such a wimp, she can't even handle one beer."

Qin Tianling shook his head, carefully picked up Exusiai, and placed her on the bed.

He pulled the corner of the blanket over her shoulders, then sat up and glanced down at her.

She was sleeping so soundly right in front of him, completely unguarded, and her manner was practically saying to Qin Tianling, "You can do whatever you want now."

But he simply looked away and did nothing.

He turned and walked towards the door, closing it behind him.