Today, I Have Yet to Become a Doll

“Recharge?” Shen Mo chuckled in disbelief.

The ability to drag them into the game clearly stemmed from an extremely advanced technological force, even an alien civilization wouldn’t be far-fetched. Yet, such a technologically advanced civilization produced rewards that needed recharging?

How very grounded.

“Mine is a one-time use item.” Shen Mo spoke as he drove, exchanging information with her. “A starting pistol. After firing, everyone within a 10-meter radius of the shooter will start running at full speed. The effect is affected by distance, environmental factors, and the strength of one's will. The shooter is not affected by the gunshot.”

He picked up the toy gun and tossed it lightly into the back seat. “This thing is of no use to me. You take it, it might save your life at a critical moment.”

Bai Youwei caught the gun and pondered, “Could it be because the player's level is too low to receive that level of reward, so the effect has been forcibly weakened?”

She speculated, “Maybe it's for game balance, otherwise, it would be too tasteless…”

Under normal circumstances, who would need such a thing? Fire a shot to make the opponent run involuntarily, and when they get close, fire a bolt of lightning to shock them? These props were obviously designed for the game.

“Do you think there are many such games in other places?” Shen Mo asked.

Bai Youwei: “Isn’t it obvious?”

Shen Mo gripped the steering wheel, saying nothing.

Bai Youwei, however, recalled his unusual behavior in the game, her brows furrowing as she asked, “Do you know something?”

Shen Mo raised an eyebrow, glancing at her through the rearview mirror.

Bai Youwei said, “Just now in the game, there was no need to save that yellow-haired guy, but you risked your life to save him from the rabbits. After that, you kept observing his physical changes. You care about him a lot? …No, you don't know him. You are a high-ranking military officer in the National Security Agency, you can't possibly know that kind of street punk.”

Remembering Shen Mo's profession, it dawned on Bai Youwei, “Are you here to investigate?”

Her face suddenly fell, her tone turning cold. “You didn't come to pick me up, you just happened to be investigating nearby.”

The speed of the girl's change in attitude amused Shen Mo somewhat.

They had just gone through a life-or-death situation, yet she was being so particular about such a small matter. He didn't know whether to call her childish, neurotic, or both.

“I came to pick you up.” He replied, “I was on a mission nearby and received a call from your mother, so I came to pick you up specifically.”

Bai Youwei's expression didn't soften, her tone indifferent. “We’re not related, why bother to pick me up specifically? It’s just that you happened to be nearby, a small favor at best. I know my place, you don't have to say nice things to coax me, you’re not my nanny.”

She was smart, Shen Mo had nothing to say.

They both fell silent.

The SUV traveled a distance before Bai Youwei was the first to break the silence.

“You came here on a mission, did you succeed?”

Shen Mo kept his eyes on the road ahead, shaking his head lightly. “No.”

“What kind of mission?” Bai Youwei asked.

Shen Mo: “To find someone.”

Bai Youwei thought for a moment, tentatively asking, “A scientist?”

Shen Mo smiled. “Something like that, an old professor.”

Bai Youwei: “Then you…”

“Didn't find him. The lab was empty, no people, no dolls.” Shen Mo added, “We searched the vicinity, all the team members turned into dolls, I don't know why I was the only one unharmed, and then I got your mother's call.”

Shen Mo curved his lips into a smile and asked, “Satisfied?”

Bai Youwei pursed her lips and scoffed, “You almost lost your life, yet you still have the leisure to pick up someone else's daughter.”

“It was on the way.” Shen Mo smiled faintly.

Bai Youwei: “Hmph.”

After the snort, she felt deflated. Shen Mo picked her up because of the promise he made to her mother, she shouldn’t have expected more in the first place, and had no right to blame him.

She was a despised person, if someone treated her even a little better, she should be grateful, shouldn't she?

Thinking of this, her face returned to indifference, no anger, no expression.

ʕ•́ᴥ•̀ʔっ

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