Luo Ran shuddered slightly.
He looked at the phone as if he was looking at a cold and ferocious monster.
He knew very well that if he didn't answer the phone, Wen Er would come to his house in person.
Wen Er knew where he lived and would visit him with gifts.
Wen Er would even mention the fact that he went home without permission. Wen Er would greet his parents politely, ask about his health, and even apologize.
Wen Er is very good at apologizing. He would say sorry to his father, saying that it was he who failed to take good care of Xiao Luo and let Xiao Luo run away alone for three months, ruining his health.
Wen Er would tactfully tell his parents that Xiao Luo's mood was affected when he learned that you were coming to the main institute for exchanges and observation. He was accidentally injured while detecting the electron storm, which caused abnormal mood fluctuations and he needed to be hospitalized for treatment.
People will believe Wen Er.
Luo Ran knew clearly where these thoughts came from, and he remembered many things in the past. He had a severe headache and could not speak, nor did he have the strength to defend himself or refute.
He knew that if he didn't answer the call, Wen Er would know many ways to trick his parents into taking him back.
He should answer Wen Er's call.
… He didn’t want to answer Wen Er’s call.
"Okay." Yu Tang said.
The system just realized that the host was actually in the sea of consciousness, and was shocked: "Host! How did you—"
Yu Tang pressed the system back on, made a "hush" gesture to it, and took back the card that had become dim and unrecognizable.
Yu Tang switched back to control of the body.
He lowered his eyes, still maintaining Luo Ran's state, with a pale face and silently shaking his head slightly.
Seeing his son's reaction, Father Luo frowned slightly and didn't ask anything.
Father Luo put his cell phone aside and let it vibrate for a while without paying any more attention to it.
"Can you stand up?" Luo's father asked, "Do you need dad's help?"
Luo Ran's ears felt hot, and he buried himself in the water without making a sound.
For the first time today, Luo's father saw his son was a little lively. Looking at Luo Ran's red ears, he finally smiled a little and whispered to Luo Ran: "Mom cooked a table of dishes, including braised prawns."
"Get dressed and come out to eat."
Father Luo stood up with a smile: "Mom and Dad won't ask, don't think about anything, just eat well and have a good sleep."
Luo Ran's throat moved and he closed his eyes.
Father Luo couldn't say anything else.
He didn't want to worry his son, so he took a deep breath and wiped his face vigorously with the steam in the bathroom.
He turned around hastily and walked out of the bathroom quickly.
…
"Host."
The system whispered: "According to logical deduction, if Wen Er answers this call, he will come directly to Luo Ran's house."
System: "Wen Er is too leaky. Even if Luo's father and mother have some suspicions, Wen Er will turn the tables on them and blame them for Luo Ran's abnormality."
This has happened in previous plots as well.
How could parents not feel anything when their son gradually became distant and unfamiliar? Luo's father and mother had tried to contact Wen Er, wanting to take Luo Ran out for a meal and find a chance to talk with their son.
That time, Luo Ran almost got into trouble in the electronic storm.
Wen Er sent Luo Ran to the hospital and apologized to Luo's father and mother who came in a daze.
Wen Er told Luo's father and mother that it was his fault and that he had not thought it through and should not have quarreled with Xiao Luo before the detection.
Luo's mother turned pale at the sight of the red light in the emergency room. She clutched her husband's arm tightly and asked Wen Er, "Fighting? What are you fighting about... What are you fighting about?"
Wen Er remained silent and bowed apologetically to Luo's father and mother.
Luo's mother asked, and her head felt like it was being cut back and forth by a knife. She regretted standing still.
... What else could it be because of
Wen Er and Luo Ran were just superiors and subordinates in the research institute. The only additional interaction they had was that Luo's father and mother asked Wen Er to tell Luo Ran that they wanted to go and see the child.
"Xiao Luo is young and a little rebellious, and he is not very willing to be disciplined."
Wen Er advised them: "This time, only his consciousness was affected by the electronic pulse, and his body is not seriously damaged. He will be in trouble when he wakes up."
Wen Er promised: "I will accompany him and enlighten him well."
Luo's father and mother regretted it to death.
They were completely filled with guilt and lingering fear, and dared not cause trouble for their son without permission. They apologized to Wen Er again and again and thanked Wen Er.
Wen Er personally sent them out of the hospital and called a taxi to take them home.
…
"In this matter, Luo's father and mother are no match for Wen Er."
The system reminded Yu Tang: "We can't be too OOC for now. If Wen Er comes, we may have to go back with him..."
Yu Tang knew what was going on: "He will come at some time."
The system was stunned: "What?"
Yu Tang: “Exchange.”
The system now wants to garble when hearing these two words: "… "
"Exchange." Yu Tang thought for a moment, "half of the data records related to the electronic storm detected by Luo Ran."
Yu Tang helped to come up with an idea: "We can create a temporary hacker who, out of personal interest, attacks the terminals of the research institute with an unknown virus."
system:"… "
"Let it go." Yu Tang said, "I have confirmed that the ownership of these scientific research data belongs to Luo Ran, and all related articles published by the research institute have him as the second author."
"... Host." The system struggled to keep up with his thoughts, "Data records are also available?"
"The essence of the transaction in the mall is to recycle physical items and restore them to data mode to replenish the data pool of high-level special data."
Yu Tang: "I am now trading data directly, without middlemen making a profit from the price difference, so why should I exchange it?"
The system understood what he heard, and with a screen full of snowflakes, it helped him open the mall page.
Yu Tang entered the content and clicked confirm.
The research related to the electronic storm is S-level top secret, and is backed up on the network, but no copying is allowed. Anyone who wants to use the data can only use a dedicated ID to view and call it at the terminal.
In other words, there is only one copy of these valuable top-secret data in the terminal of the main research institute.
Half of the data was suddenly lost. Wen Er, the director and person in charge of the general research institute, probably won't have any time to knock on Luo Ran's door for a while.
"Look." Yu Tang wiped the water off, stood up and put on his clothes, "Everything can be solved. There is always a way."
The cards lay quietly in the sea of consciousness.
It was no longer a particle mist, and could even wrap around the amber pendant. The luster of the lines condensed into the card was also much dimmer than before.
The system had just detected it and whispered to Yu Tang: "Host, it's too tired."
The particle mist was fluctuating consciously. When Yu Tang condensed it into a card, the system sensed that Yu Tang had shared a small amount of his mental power with it.
Guided by these spiritual powers, the disappeared "Luo Ran" briefly appeared for a few minutes when Luo's father came in.
No matter how much more you do, you can only last a few minutes.
Luo Ran's data was still incomplete, and forcing it to start running would consume too much energy. Even with Yu Tang's spiritual power, it would not be able to sustain it for a longer period of time.
Yu Tang asked: "I am responsible for maintaining vital signs and actions, and he is only responsible for sensing and reacting. Is the energy enough?"
The system had never encountered such a situation before. It floated in Yu Tang's sea of consciousness, flashing a small red light with some difficulty.
Yu Tang sighed: "That's the solution."
Yu Tang put on his clothes, took the towel, and rubbed his hair: "I'm going to eat braised prawns."
system:"?"
Yu Tang used the surveillance camera to peek into the kitchen, and accidentally saw the large screen shot: "Fried lotus root, crystal braised pork, braised lion's head..."
Yu Tang pointed the surveillance camera at the steaming stove: "Carrot, corn and pork ribs soup."
System: “…Host.”
Yu Tang took the system's small stereo speaker, opened the backstage, and selected an episode of "A Bite of China".
In the melodious BGM, the card's qi turned red, and it struggled to jump up and plunged into Yu Tang's sea of consciousness.
Mr. and Mrs. Luo did not ask a single question.
They kept picking up dishes for Luo Ran, and the small empty bowl in front of Luo Ran was soon filled up. Luo's mother kept urging Luo's father to get a new bowl.
Her skinny son, who would sway in the wind, burned her mother's chest.
Luo's mother was idle for a while, waiting for Luo's father to bring the bowl back, and then she helped Luo Ran peel shrimps.
The prawns were plump and large, with a light red and shiny shrimp oil that was rich and fragrant, and full of shrimp paste. Luo's father and mother had saved it for their son, and had kept it frozen in the refrigerator, but they never ate it.
The fried lotus root sandwiches were crispy, the crystal braised pork was crispy, fragrant and tender, and the braised lion head was covered with thick, bright red sauce. Luo's mother knew her son's taste, so she deliberately added an extra spoonful of the fragrant sauce and poured it hot on the freshly cooked rice.
Yu Tang gave all his physical feelings to Luo Ran and returned to his sea of consciousness, watching Luo Ran trying hard to eat under the urging of his parents.
The system quietly floated over: "Host..."
"Give me a bucket of instant noodles." Yu Tang ordered, "I want the Supreme Deluxe Assorted Flavors."
The system nuzzled his shoulder.
"I want seafood." Yu Tang said, "Luckily he's here to take over... The shrimp I ate was exchanged for me."
Yu Tang prepared for a rainy day: "Don't worry, I'll be swollen like a ball when I wake up tomorrow, and we'll have to spend more experience points to buy desensitization medicine."
Compared with the data records monitored by Luo Ran, the system has become accustomed to these trivial matters and opened the mall panel skillfully.
The card suddenly flashed in silence.
“… it’s useful.”
Yu Tang identified its consciousness fluctuations: "I also like to eat crystal braised pork and lion's head."
Yu Tang is picky about food: "Pork rib soup is okay... I just like carrots."
The card didn't move at all, but kept flashing stubbornly.
"It's useless." Yu Tang laughed, "If you ask me to take some back to my bedroom to eat, how am I going to explain this to your parents?"
Ka Pai searched the table for a long time, finally finding the dish he wanted to eat, and the red light dimmed listlessly.
Yu Tang made some instant noodles, ate them with a slurp, and stretched himself in his mind: "I'm helping you for nothing. I'm here to work and earn experience points."
"If you want to help me, cheer yourself up."
Yu Tang looked at the energy bar of the card, took control of his body, and rushed to help Luo's mother wash the dishes: "Teach me later how to ride that broken motorcycle of yours."
The card was stunned for a long time.
After having a meal with Mom and Dad, its energy was almost used up, its light dimmed a little, and it floated back shakily.
Before it completely went out, it imitated the system and rubbed Yu Tang clumsily.
…
Yu Tang successfully grabbed the job of washing dishes.
Luo's father and mother loved their son very much. They were very disappointed to see Luo Ran so they went against his wishes and just told their son to wash up quickly after washing the dishes and go back to his room to have a good sleep.
Mr. Luo wanted to say a few more words but was dragged away by Mrs. Luo and taken back to the study.
The couple returned to their study, closed the door carefully, lowered their voices, and discussed quietly about their son's obvious abnormal behavior.
Yu Tang was washing dishes in the kitchen. After washing the last one, the phone next to the sink started vibrating.
Yu Tang looked at the incoming call reminder and tapped the system: "There is a problem."
Wen Er didn't come to pick up Luo Ran. He used his most effective manipulation tactic of "I apologize, you reflect on it". However, after four consecutive calls were connected, he called for the fifth time in the middle of the night.
From now on, the game has entered Yu Tang's rules.
Yu Tang's system confirmed: "Is Luo Ran asleep?"
The system was stunned for a moment, then went over to confirm: " There are fluctuations in consciousness... He is exhausted today."
"It will take at least a week to make up for the consumption this time."
The system said: "At this stage, no matter what we do, he will wake up."
Yu Tang was relieved: "That's good."
system:"… "
system:"?"
"Do something out of the ordinary," Yu Tang said, "Don't lead the children astray."
Luo Ran's life shouldn't be interfered with by Wen Er.
Luo Ran, Luo Ran's parents, and this family should live a clean life.
The parents focus on research, the son shines in his own field, and they go home to stay together in the evening and have a good dinner.
Yu Tang is ready to move forward and speed up the plot line of the protagonist, so of course he has to use some means to deal with Wen Er first.
These methods... he was going to let Luo Ran know.
Yu Tang took the phone, walked to the balcony and answered the call.
Wen Er's voice still sounded steady at first.
He seemed to expect Luo Ran to answer the phone, and hesitated for a moment noticeably before speaking to Luo Ran tenderly as usual.
Yu Tang remained silent, occasionally responding once or twice and checking the backstage.
The data records in the background showed that the transaction was successful, and the General Research Institute was undoubtedly in chaos now.
Wen Er, the general manager, was the first to be affected. The reason he called now could not be because he had some free time to deal with his runaway substitute lover.
"System." Yu Tang asked in his sea of consciousness, "Can the words that Wen Er usually said to Luo Ran be compiled into a collection of quotations?"
The system flashed a light: "Yes, host, do you need to start sorting?"
Yu Tang nodded.
Wen Er always believed that he had never forced Luo Ran.
He just said certain things to Luo Ran at certain times. It was because Luo Ran himself was too concerned and too sensitive that he would think too much and take the initiative to do many things.
Just like the time when Luo's father and mother were scared, what Wen Er said to Luo Ran before he was in danger in the electronic storm.
That time, Luo Ran entered the electronic storm detection for three consecutive days, and his body was already stressed to the limit.
Yu Tang called up the context, marked Wen Er's words in red, and copied them out sentence by sentence.
Wen Er was a little disappointed with Luo Ran who wanted to take a day off, but still asked him gently, "Is it so difficult to detect electron storms?"
Wen Er asked, "Are you the best at these things? Why can you do it today?"
Wen Er said, you are far inferior to Pu Ying in every aspect, but this one thing, even I have to admit that you are better than him, and others are better than you.
Wen Er said, you are the best, I have always believed in you, and this is the whole value that allows you to stay in the General Research Institute.
Wen Er asked Luo Ran, do you want to prove your value through your own abilities
…
Yu Tang regained his focus and listened to what Wen Erhao said to him on the phone.
"Something unexpected happened at the institute." Wen Er said, "Xiao Ran, come back. I need you."
Wen Er was able to be the youngest head of the research institute in the entire alliance, which showed that he had his own abilities. Even in the face of such a serious data loss incident, he was rational enough and was not overwhelmed by the sudden accident.
Wen Er has quickly figured out a way to deal with it.
"We have enough data, and now is the time when we need you most."
Wen Er patiently coaxed him: "Expedite the detection a few times and make up the data. The institute will allow you to apply for the Alliance A-level merit, okay?"
"When the awards are presented, your parents can come and they can watch you go up on stage to receive the award."
"Do you know the A-level scientific research merit? Only a few people in the entire science department have received it."
Wen Er said, "There is Pu Ying."
…
Yu Tang sighed in his sea of consciousness: "How cruel."
The system flashed a small red light vigorously.
Wen Er knows too well how to manipulate Luo Ran.
If it was the original Luo Ran, because of his words, if he wanted to restore the missing data, he would probably throw his life into the electronic storm.
"Everyone who does scientific research dreams of getting this honor, but some people are exceptions."
In reality, Wen Er still patiently persuaded: "Your parents are the same..."
Luo Ran retorted in a low voice: "My parents are the same."
On the other end of the phone, Wen Er paused, and his light grey pupils darkened slightly.
He knew that something good would happen when Luo Ran returned home.
"My parents are the same." Luo Ran said, "Because I lost weight, my mother got angry with me."
On the phone, Luo Ran's voice was a little hoarse and slightly nasal, as if he had been crying.
He spoke in a low voice, with the stubbornness of a young man: "I want to go. I want to accompany my mother."
When Luo Ran still remembered how to resist, he would often use this tone to quarrel with Wen Er in a completely disorganized and nearly collapsed manner.
Wen Er tapped the table lightly.
… He knew how to deal with Luo Ran at this time.
He took a deep breath, exhaled slowly without leaving any traces, and said slowly: "Xiao Ran, what if I need you too?"
"You are very important to me, more important than Pu Ying."
Wen Er said: "It's OK as long as you are here."
There was silence on the other end of the line.
"I'm in trouble." Wen Er said, "Come and help me. Only you can help me."
Luo Ran was stunned for a moment, then repeated softly: "Difficulties?"
Wen Er stopped talking.
He would not say such words easily. In his heart, Pu Ying was a completely special existence who should not be compared with anyone else, and should not be overwhelmed by Luo Ran, a reckless and foolish young man.
But today there is indeed a solution.
Even if he had to tell lies to trick children, he had to lower his head and coax Luo Ran back.
Wen Er could already sense the relaxation in Luo Ran's tone, and felt more confident. He said patiently and slowly, "Yes, it's a big problem. I have a way to solve it..."
Luo Ran: "Is it really that difficult?"
Wen Er was stunned.
The confident and calm expression remained on his face and didn't even have time to fade away.
A very subtle strange feeling arose.
…He once said this to Luo Ran.
When Luo Ran was already exhausted and wanted to ask him to take a day off to skip an electronic storm detection.
Wen Er held the phone in his hand. He suddenly felt inexplicably irritated. The next moment, that strange feeling came over him even more obviously.
On the other end of the phone came Luo Ran's voice.
He was very familiar with this kind of Luo Ran—never had any emotional fluctuations. Every day when he came back from the electronic storm, Luo Ran would be asked by him to memorize many of Pu Ying's words, one by one, and recite them to him.
Luo Ran was like this when he was reciting those words, as if all his personality had been completely wiped out and he had become an empty shell that could hold nothing.
Personality annihilation, Wen Er guessed that this was probably one of the side effects of being close to an electronic storm.
Part of their emotions and personality have been obliterated, and they can only imitate what others say and do what others ask them to do, turning into a cold machine.
However... this time, Luo Ran recited what he had said himself.
On the phone, Luo Ran's voice rang in his ears.
"But...are you the best at these things?"
"You are the best, I always believe in you."
"Why is it okay today?"