This unbearable discomfort—it was worse than when his soul had first returned to his body. His mind was hazy, thoughts slipping through his fingers like smoke.
Not a shred of strength remained in his limbs. Pain surged from every direction. Even opening his eyes felt like lifting a mountain.
"Doctor! Doctor!" A sweet, urgent voice cut through the fog. Beneath trembling eyelashes, a sliver of light finally pierced his vision.
*Where am I?*
*Ah… I completed the mission. But why does it hurt so much?*
As clarity seeped back into his mind, the pain sharpened—but so did his thoughts.
[System Update Complete]
Familiar virtual text flickered across his vision, overlaid on that distinctive interface panel. Chen Mo’s spirit lifted instantly.
*Right. Mission done. System updated. Body restored to 70%. So why am I still like this?*
Too weak to move, he took in his surroundings. A hospital room—familiar yet strange. The ceiling felt utterly foreign.
Three hurried footsteps snapped him further awake. A weary middle-aged man came into view.
"You’re awake! The surgery was a success," Ge Yihai said, relief brightening his eyes. "Your mind might feel foggy right now. If you understand me, blink twice quickly."
Chen Mo blinked twice. He tried to speak, but his throat refused to obey.
Ge Yihai’s smile widened. "Thirsty? Blink twice for water. Three times if not."
Three slow blinks.
Ge Yihai nodded to a short-haired girl with a side ponytail beside him. "His mind’s clear. No major issues. He needs rest now. Stay with him while I fetch equipment."
"Thank you, Doctor," Chen Ying murmured obediently. She texted their parents on WeChat before turning to the bed.
She stared at Chen Mo’s face for a long moment before looking away, her voice stiff. "Glad you’re okay."
A faint smile tugged at Chen Mo’s lips. *My little sister.* He knew her well—that sassy, dark-streaked personality. Raised mostly by him, she’d matured faster than her peers. Only with family did her guard drop. Normally, she’d scold him. This blunt concern? It was her awkward love language.
Chen Mo held her gaze, as if about to speak. Chen Ying leaned in eagerly—
Only to meet a mischievous glint in his eyes. Her cheeks flushed with irritation.
She rolled her eyes. "Fine. Since you’re sick, I’ll *grudgingly* take care of you."
Exhaustion crashed over Chen Mo. His body felt hollowed out. Speaking was impossible. Keeping his eyes open hurt. After the doctor checked his vitals and adjusted equipment, Chen Mo finally closed his eyes, sinking into the system interface.
In the quiet room, Chen Ying held her breath. She watched the brother who’d lain here half a month—his frame now thinner, sharper—and wondered silently.
*System,* Chen Mo thought sharply, *you already gave my body recovery reward! 70% restored! Why do I still feel half-dead?*
[Reward distributed. To avoid non-scientific anomalies, host’s body will gradually restore to 70% over fifteen days.]
"...I can’t even argue with that logic," Chen Mo muttered inwardly. At least it was more believable than those "miracle recoveries" where coma patients leap up to lift dumbbells. He had no desire to be sliced open for research.
He scanned the updated panel:
[Life Simulation System]
[Host: Chen Mo]
[Status: Conscious. Body recovering.]
[Rewards Claimed: 70% Body Restoration, Accelerated Recovery]
[Remaining Random Life Countdown: 29 days]
[Selectable Lives: Luo Xianxue (81), Little Ash (60)]
The core interface looked unchanged. He tapped Luo Xianxue’s profile:
[Luo Xianxue Affinity: 80. Advanced Data Unlocked.]
[Current Life: Luo Xianxue]
[Likes: Matcha treats, daydreaming, drawing, Phantom Sir]
[Dislikes: A caged life]
[Recent Thought: *Is Phantom Sir even from this world?*]
[Skilled In: All arts (just a little)]
[Unskilled In: Conversation]
[Current Affinity: 81 (She relies on you. Your requests are rarely refused. You’re her first thought in trouble. Your presence lifts her; your absence dims her.)]
[Current Status: Anxious (*Mmm… want cookies. But eating too many makes me fat. What if Phantom Sir stops liking my body?*)]
[Role Guidance: She’s fond of you. Gentle teasing may raise affinity.]
[Active Task: Convince Luo Xianxue’s father to free her from the Mansion. (Reward: Transfer one of her talents to your real body.)]
[Daily Simulation Time Remaining: 8 hours]
[Control of Luo Xianxue’s body can be exchanged at will.]
*Control exchange at will?* Chen Mo’s heart leapt. *This* was the real game-changer. He skimmed past the "role guidance" with a mental scoff. *Why give tips on "romancing" her when I’m just simulating her life?!*
But eight hours of simulation time? Bliss. Trapped in this bed for weeks, those extra two hours meant everything.
Little Ash’s profile showed minor changes: affinity dipped slightly, simulation time also extended to eight hours. No other updates—Luo Xianxue’s 80% affinity didn’t affect him. Yet Chen Mo noticed Little Ash’s status now read: *Confused*. His body must be nearly healed.
After a pause, Chen Mo made his choice. Time to simulate Little Ash’s life—and see what troubled him.
