Run the Plot Ch.39

Chapter 39: A Moment of Clarity

A long silence stretched out.

Xia Jiu turned her head. “He’s the one who’s mentally unstable, right?”

Yu Tianxing: “?”

Yan Chuanbai replied mildly, “It’s plain for all to see. No need to elaborate.”

“……”

Xia Jiu turned back toward Yu Tianxing. “I’m Xia Jiu, S-rank psychic-type ability user. Just transferred to Headquarters—now assigned to your base.”

Yu Tianxing’s lagging brain took a few seconds to reboot. “…What about Guan Shang?”

Yan Chuanbai’s expression didn’t waver as he stated, “He made significant contributions during battle. Headquarters recognized his indispensable combat ability and decided to keep him there.”

Qi He glanced sideways. “System, did he just praise Guan Shang?”

The system replied cryptically: [Every gift of fate has already been priced in secret.]

Qi He ignored the irrelevant nonsense.

Yu Tianxing also looked over in surprise—Yan Chuanbai’s dog mouth actually spit out ivory!

And toward his rival in love, no less.

His muddled brain suddenly snapped into clarity!

His gaze shifted toward Qi He. After a pause, he swallowed whatever he’d been about to say and turned around with practiced casualness.

“Alright, everyone, to the meeting room~”

…

A new S-rank had joined the base.

Yu Tianxing first notified Yu Jiang to come to the meeting room, then used the spare moment to change into a fresh uniform.

By the time Yu Jiang arrived, she too had returned, looking renewed.

Qi He sat in his usual old seat, back facing the door.

Yan Chuanbai sat to his left, while Yu Tianxing stood at the head. Xia Jiu was just pulling out the seat opposite when the door opened, and Yu Jiang was ushered in.

Yu Jiang paused briefly, then gave a small nod. “Hello.”

Xia Jiu’s appraising gaze landed on her. “…Hello.”

Taking the initiative to greet him—perhaps she wasn’t that hard to talk to after all?

The group quickly took their seats.

Yu Tianxing, smiling with narrowed eyes, began the introductions: “This time, both of our combat-type members have returned safely from Headquarters—cause for celebration. Guan Shang staying behind at Headquarters will also give him a better platform to realize his ambitions.”

Yu Jiang sat upright below, eyes wide, listening intently: Two combat-types… good news. Guan Shang… not good news. He’s getting back at us.

Yu Tianxing continued, “At the same time, we’ve also gained a new teammate—Xia Jiu, an S-rank psychic-type with the ability ‘Identification.’ I hope everyone gets along well from now on.”

Yu Jiang: New member Xia Jiu… Identification… easy to get along with.

After the standard introductions, they moved on to business.

Yu Tianxing raised his voice slightly, turned toward the whiteboard, and brought out the report synced from Headquarters. “In this large-scale attack, no signs of physical evolution were observed among the enemies. However, the fact that they attacked in three waves clearly shows coordinated strategy.”

“But there’s no need to worry too much,” he added, turning back to them with an encouraging tone. “With two combat-types among us, we’ll definitely be able to protect the base.”

Xia Jiu raised a hand. “Then what task are you assigning me?”

Yu Tianxing replied, “Xiao Jiu, starting tomorrow, you’ll be joining the cultivation base to assist with research.”

“Oh, sure.”

Once tasks were distributed, the topic shifted back to the meeting summary.

As the strategist, Qi He was free to tune out a bit. His thoughts drifted to Meng Yan’s project—she’d mentioned last time that obtaining clinical data to verify results had been extremely difficult.

Now that they had someone with the “Identification” ability, progress should move much faster.

He mentally estimated the timeline: ideally, before the next “warning trigger” event in the plot.

[What are you thinking about?] the system asked, unwilling to stay quiet.

“Nothing.”

Qi He switched topics. “I was just thinking—Guan Shang was originally supposed to be assigned to Headquarters. Now that we’ve gone in such a roundabout way, does that mean the story’s back on track? The process may have changed, but some endings seem destined not to.”

[He, as long as you want to, you can change things.]

“……” Qi He was momentarily stunned. “Since when are you this positive?”

The system sounded listless, too lazy to explain: Yeah, as long as you want it— even a no-CP route can sprout a romance line.

—

By the time the meeting ended, it was already near dusk.

Yu Tianxing handed Xia Jiu a keycard. “You can tidy up your room later—stay on the 30th floor.”

From the meeting room’s glass window, one could see the tall building on that side. He sighed softly, “This place really does see people come and go…”

Xia Jiu blinked. “? You mean I’m moving onto a conveyor belt?”

Everyone: “……”

Qi He shook his head. “Let’s just say the psychic department has a high turnover rate.”

Yu Tianxing’s gaze fell on the “storm’s eye” that had caused all that turnover.

Out of kindness—or cowardice—he didn’t comment further.

He still had experiments to run, so Qi He and the others returned to the tower first. Yu Jin pushed Yu Jiang’s wheelchair, and the five of them entered the elevator together. As the doors closed—

Buttons for floors 28, 29, 30, and 32 lit up in sequence.

The elevator rose slowly, the air calm and quiet.

Just as Qi He was waiting for his floor, a voice beside him broke the silence.

“The cafeteria’s closed. Want to come up for dinner later?”

The phrasing—come up—meant the speaker lived below.

Qi He turned his head and met Yan Chuanbai’s eyes.

The latter was indeed looking down at him. Qi He thought for a moment; he still had a few nutrient packs at home, so there was no need to cook.

“I’m too tired today. Skipping dinner.”

Yan Chuanbai gave a soft “Mm,” then turned his head back. “Alright.”

Behind them, Yu Jiang’s pupils trembled slightly. Slowly, her gaze shifted toward the newcomer, Xia Jiu.

The elevator chimed—ding!—and Qi He stepped out.

A few floors higher, the elevator stopped again; Yan Chuanbai exited as well.

When the doors slid shut once more—

In the quiet space, Xia Jiu was waiting when a soft voice suddenly spoke beside him.

“You might be shocked, but… that’s just how their relationship is.”

Xia Jiu turned his head. “?” Shocked about what?

Yu Jiang tilted her head back, looking up at her. Her voice was gentle. “Actually, they’re both really good people. You’ll come to understand that in time.”

The elevator door clanked open.

Yu Jiang gave a small nod. Still confused, Xia Jiu stepped out. As the doors slowly closed again, she remained standing where she was.

For someone who never lets a conversation fall flat—she hadn’t managed to follow up at all.

So she was the one who was hard to talk to!

—

Back at his quarters, the door shut behind him.

Reports still lay scattered across the coffee table—left unfinished before he went out. Qi He took a shower, came back, and opened two tubes of nutrient solution. Sipping one, he continued to read and analyze.

Yan Chuanbai’s innate potential was being suppressed by his own nature.

Last time, Guan Shang’s provocation had caused some fluctuation, but not enough to push him past the critical threshold.

Qi He set down the report, thinking back.

Yan Chuanbai’s first breakthrough had been triggered during their battle. Which meant—he needed a stronger, more extreme stimulus to unleash his true instincts.

What could serve as that trigger?

After a moment’s thought, Qi He sent him a message: [Have you had any big, bold ideas lately?]

Yan Chuanbai: [?]

The system closed its eyes, unable to bear watching.

Thinking about how its “main character” was being bent further and further off-course, it made one last attempt to intervene:

[Do you ever realize how… suggestive your wording tends to be?]

“What?”

Qi He paused for two seconds before realizing. “Why do you people always twist my words?”

He could be flirty sometimes, sure—but most of the time, he was perfectly normal.

[…Shouldn’t you reflect on yourself instead?]

“It’s because you’re all filthy-minded.”

Come to think of it, this wasn’t the first time such a thing had happened. Back when he used to do game reviews, it was the same. Especially in MMO games—many players had social or even romantic motives.

But because of his professional mindset and habitual focus on strategy, his first instinct was always combat tactics, not flirting.

He told the system, “Sometimes when I post in public chat, the topic suddenly veers into something suggestive or ambiguous. Then people start privately messaging me.”

[And how do you feel about that?] the system asked, mock-interview style.

“I think,” Qi He said decisively, “they were probably trying to provoke or offend me.”

[And what did you do?]

“I killed them. In-game.”

[…]

After a moment, the system couldn’t help but speak again: [Some of them might’ve been offensive, sure—but what about the ones being flirty? Maybe they were trying to hit on you?]

Qi He frowned. “Why would strangers online develop feelings for me? It’s not like a dating sim—the affection routes aren’t programmed.”

The system froze—completely unable to argue with that logic.

Just then, his communicator beeped twice.

Qi He picked it up—Yan Chuanbai. Probably hadn’t received a reply yet, so he’d sent another message:

[What did you mean?]

Qi He finally remembered he’d left that conversation hanging.

Since he hadn’t figured out how to steer it yet, he simply dropped the subject.

[Nothing.]

The message was sent. The other side didn’t reply again.

—

Outside, the sky was gradually darkening.

Qi He tossed the two empty nutrient tubes into the trash, then gathered up the reports he’d just finished reading.

He had barely tidied the table when someone knocked on the door—two short knocks.

He walked over and opened it—

—and saw Yan Chuanbai standing outside.

The other man had changed into a casual T-shirt that fit him just right, outlining his frame without being tight. Seeing Qi He, Yan Chuanbai lifted his brows slightly and raised what he was holding.

“I made too much for a late-night snack. Want some?”

Qi He stepped aside to let him in. “Since you’re inviting me so sincerely.”

A soft chuckle came from behind him as Yan Chuanbai followed him in.

The food containers were set on the coffee table, and the two sat down across from each other.

To save energy, only a small lamp by the table was on.

Warm yellow light spread over them, enough to clearly see the food inside the boxes—half stewed dishes, half fried potatoes.

Qi He praised, “It looks absolutely delicious.”

Realizing the double meaning, he paused and added, “I mean the food you made.”

Yan Chuanbai stopped, looked up at him—

—and said with a faint, amused smile, “What else would you mean?”

Qi He poked a piece of potato with his chopsticks and shook his head. “Just making sure you didn’t misunderstand.”

A low chuckle. “You’re overthinking it.”

They fell into silence after that, quietly sharing the meal.

Yan Chuanbai didn’t eat much—just a few bites. Qi He was bowing his head, scraping the last of the stew into his own bowl, when a slow, deliberate voice drifted across the table:

“Does it suit your taste?”

“I already said it looks—and tastes—amazing.”

Yan Chuanbai seemed to laugh softly. “Not as much as you do.”

Qi He’s chopsticks froze mid-air. He looked up at him.

Yan Chuanbai sat across from him, his broad shoulders casting a faint shadow on the floor.

Under the warm light, his usually cold, sharp features softened slightly as he looked down—eyes fixed on Qi He without blinking.

Qi He waited for a while, but no further words came.

“…You mean the food, right?” he finally asked.

Yan Chuanbai’s lips curved faintly. He didn’t reply.

Qi He: “?”

He blinked, withdrew his gaze, and quietly finished the rest of the meal. Then, reaching out, he gathered up the empty containers. It seemed Yan Chuanbai really had only come to share a bit of food—after eating, he got ready to leave.

Qi He stood as well and walked him to the entrance.

When the door opened, a strip of corridor light spilled in.

At the threshold, Yan Chuanbai paused. Then he turned back, smiling at him.

“Whatever you think I meant… is exactly what I meant.”

With that, the door clicked shut behind him.

The entryway fell silent again.

Qi He stood there for a few seconds.

Yan Chuanbai’s words had followed the same suggestive undertone born from his earlier phrasing—ambiguous, teasing. But somehow, this time, it felt different.

He didn’t feel offended.

Why was that?

Qi He thought about it. Maybe because they actually knew each other in real life—had built some understanding already. And last time, Yan Chuanbai had even shown kindness toward him, complimented him once.

So, it wasn’t the same as before.

Since it wasn’t provocation or mockery, then according to what the system had said earlier…

“System.”

[What—what is it now?] the system asked, nervous.

Qi He thought for a bit, his line of reasoning expanding. “Would you say Yan Chuanbai… was flirting with me just now?”

[…]

The system squeezed its eyes shut in despair. That damned mouth of mine!!!

————————————————————

Author’s Note:

System: Woke up in the middle of the night, slapped itself across the face. [Terrified][Crumbling][Melting][Clown emoji]

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