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墨書 Inktalez
I woke up early today, and there was no porridge on the table. Jiang Lu was missing from home.
There were no footsteps to be heard in the morning, and her suitcase from yesterday was still in the living room. Where could Xiao Lu have gone alone? I almost pressed the alarm button in panic.
Driven by a strange intuition, I searched the living room thoroughly and finally found a single clue in the decorative trash can: “LOVE. Ultimate Virus XX Sky Harbor 20X5.”
It seemed too fake; the trash can was empty except for this crumpled piece of paper, as if it had been intentionally left for me to find. In this day and age, who still uses paper as a medium?
Calling it a clue felt odd; I wasn’t playing a game. If this note were a key to completing a game, the information on it was incomplete, requiring players to use their wits to deduce further.
The more I thought about it, the more it resembled a game. If Xiao Lu wanted to play, then I would play along. I hoped the game would end soon so we could go home together for dinner.
I checked some information using my Light Brain. Sky Harbor was a transit station linking Eternal City and Data Sea. It wasn’t far from Data Sea, so I could head to Sky Harbor first to look for Xiao Lu and then meet with Unique Program before six o'clock at Data Sea.
With my plan set, I headed out to catch the sky train.
Beep, beep, beep—
Three notification sounds accompanied the flashing screen of my Light Brain. A message from my friend Unique Program appeared: “I’m really sorry, but something came up tonight. How about we meet at noon instead, or we can reschedule for another day?”
What a coincidence.
Rescheduling meant longer nights filled with dreams; but do chip people even dream? Perhaps they count electronic sheep instead.
“No problem, let’s meet at noon. I’m heading out now.”
After receiving an OK confirmation from him, I exited the station early, planning to find him at Data Sea first to gather information before heading back to look for Jiang Lu. It struck me as strange that Xiao Lu had disappeared just as Unique Program wanted to change our meeting time—was there a connection between these events?
The meeting place wasn’t far; I still had time and could take it slow.
Wait for me, Xiao Lu.
---
“Without a Creative Chip, you’re A Jiang’s lover?” Upon hearing my intentions, the person across from me showed no signs of impatience; instead, they seemed intrigued as if examining something fascinating.
"That's right, 'things.' It's not that I don't respect you; it's just that I feel like the 'Unique Program' doesn't see me as the same kind of person as him, almost as if I'm a different kind of being altogether."
We were sitting across from each other on the soft sofa in the café. He ordered a cup of Blue Mountain coffee while I sipped on hot milk, though they didn't have large cups available at the moment.
"If you have a Creative Chip, I can buy it back at a high price—definitely an offer no player can refuse!"
"As for A Jiang, she hasn't been online much lately, and I can't reach her. If you manage to contact her, let me know. I have an exclusive Master Chef Chip waiting for her!"
The wording of the 'Unique Program' hinted at some unknown truths, as if Jiang Lu was desperately hiding secrets from me.
"Player? Master Chef Chip?"
Suddenly, it struck me that there was something fleeting; they seemed to come from the same place.
"Did Xiao Lu ever buy any chips from you?" I tried to sound casual, hoping to pry some information out of him—more about Jiang Lu.
But unexpectedly, the 'Unique Program' was quite sensitive to such probing questions.
"You’re not… Haha, never mind. Just a Beginner Cooking Chip. I have things to do, so I’ll be leaving now."
So, my Jiang Lu really is clever, keeping this from me so well. She didn’t suddenly learn how to cook; instead, she bought a second-hand Beginner Cooking Chip.
Why wouldn’t she tell me about this? We could just take nutritional supplements; chips can be harmful to the body!
Thinking about her recent strange behavior—how she would sometimes stand still for no reason or repeat a phrase multiple times as if stuck—I wondered if this was a virus caused by the chip. No, I need to take her to Tianyuan Central Hospital.
By the way, what was that clue earlier about LOVE: Ultimate Virus?
After changing into a suitable outfit for a date, I hurriedly made my way to Sky Harbor. Xiao Lu, I have so many questions for you right now.
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