Chapter 1143
Dream World
Choi Myung released his hold on Miri's hand and casually picked up a piece of her favorite dish with his chopsticks. But Miri's displeasure remained undiminished, her eyes filled with a competitive spirit towards Ritsuko. Her anger hadn't subsided, and she gritted her teeth inwardly: What do you mean? Huh? What do you mean? Choi Myung is my man, okay?! You forget all boundaries when you start talking to him, practically glued to his side discussing professional matters, ugh! That's really going too far!
Ritsuko looked at Misato's cold face, and then remembered that she had been so engrossed in chatting with Choi Myung and Zeppelin that she had completely ignored Misato's feelings. She felt a little embarrassed. She scratched a stray hair at her temple, her eyes darting around, and she secretly regretted it: Oh dear, I got so engrossed in the conversation that I forgot about Misato's feelings. Now look what happened, I've upset her.
Misato grabbed a beer can from the table, pulled the tab hard, and gulped down a large mouthful. The icy liquid slid down her throat, but it couldn't suppress the unease in her heart. She glanced at Ritsuko beside her, who was trying to remain calm, and muttered in a low voice, "Damn Ritsuko," her tone full of resentment and a hint of helplessness.
Ritsuko, hearing her complaint, quickly put on a smiling face to smooth things over, her tone apologetic: "Ahaha, I'm so sorry, I got so engrossed in our conversation that I neglected you. But seriously, you're really easygoing." She meant to ease the tension, but also subtly expressed her curiosity about Misato's attitude—anyone else would probably have snapped long ago.
"Of course, this guy's a womanizer, what can I do?" Misato rolled her eyes, her tone tinged with self-deprecation, and then she let out a long sigh, her fingers tightening slightly around the beer can. She complained about Choi Myung's womanizing ways, but there was no real resentment in her eyes.
“This is fine.” Misato said, giving Choi Myung a playful glare. Her eyes held more reproach than dissatisfaction, revealing a tacit understanding that others couldn’t comprehend.
Choi Myung met her gaze, his tone still gentle, with a hint of understanding and certainty: "Indeed, that's good." The simple six words seemed to be a response to Misato's words, or a way of comforting each other, adding a touch of intimacy to the atmosphere that no one else could intrude upon.
"This is strange," Ritsuko thought, her brow furrowing slightly as she looked at the two people before her, her doubts deepening. Misato verbally accused Choi Myung of being a womanizer, yet her attitude was full of tolerance; Choi Myung appeared indifferent, but his eyes betrayed his indulgence towards Misato. Their relationship was far more complex than it seemed. The more she observed, the more she felt there was something more to it than a simple "womanizer" and "tolerant girlfriend."
Zeppelin sat quietly to the side, eating his meal silently, observing the interaction between the two and Ritsuko's puzzled expression without saying a word. Only a faint hint of understanding flashed in his eyes—some things are only truly understood by those directly involved. Choi Myung, seemingly oblivious to Ritsuko's probing, reached out and added some more food to Misato's plate, saying casually, "Drink less beer, eat something first." His words immediately drew Misato's attention back, and her earlier annoyance lessened.
After dinner, the group cleared the table, and night had fallen. Ritsuko wanted to suggest taking a taxi home, but Misato immediately objected—Misato said, "It's too late, it's not safe for a girl to go alone," but secretly she was calculating. Good heavens! Who knows what might happen if Choi Myung takes Ritsuko home! With Choi Myung's charm and Ritsuko's adoring look today, something might go wrong on the way—that's entirely possible!
To eliminate any risks, Misato made the decision to let Ritsuko stay overnight, and even announced, "Tonight, Ritsuko and I will share a room, and Choi-myung will sleep in the guest room by himself!" She was determined to keep an eye on Ritsuko and never give the two of them a chance to be alone, not even for the short journey of seeing each other off late at night.
Seeing Misato's alarmed expression, Ritsuko felt both helpless and amused, secretly rolling her eyes: Is it really that serious? It's just one night, why is she acting like she's going to steal her man? Although, deep down, she had to admit that Choi Myung was indeed very attractive. His face looked young and handsome, but his brows and eyes revealed a unique sense of vicissitude beyond his years, as if he had weathered countless storms; that settled composure carried a reassuring power.
This contradictory yet captivating quality is truly peculiar. Ritsuko's heart skipped a beat, and she suddenly realized: Oh no! Misato was right! If they continue to get this close, she might really lose control and make a move! This man is damnably charming; even this unintentional contrast is so captivating.
Choi Myung had no objection to Miri's arrangements, simply nodding slightly: "Okay, the guest rooms are ready, you should get some rest." His tone was natural, as if he was completely unaware of Miri's wariness, but a barely perceptible smile flashed in his eyes—he probably guessed Miri's little scheme.
After everyone had settled in, Misato pulled Ritsuko into the bedroom, closing the door as if to shut out all "threats." Meanwhile, neither the two secretly vying for dominance in the bedroom, nor Choi Myung and Zeppelin preparing to rest in the guest room, were aware that an unseen force was lurking in the shadows.
The world consciousness fixed its gaze on Ritsuko, who was gradually relaxing in the bedroom, and a playful chuckle rose in its consciousness: Hehehe, changing people's hearts is so low-level, it has no technical content at all. Watch me do something more sophisticated! It did not directly interfere with Ritsuko's thoughts, but quietly plucked the strings of the dream, preparing to amplify the feelings in her heart in the most subtle way.
In the dead of night, all was quiet. The two in the bedroom were fast asleep. Misato slept soundly, her posture still somewhat guarded, her brows slightly furrowed. Beside her, Ritsuko's breathing gradually became even, but her consciousness had fallen into a dream world completely different from reality—the "advanced operation" of world consciousness had quietly taken effect.
In the dead of night, all was quiet. The two in the bedroom were fast asleep. Misato slept soundly, her posture still somewhat guarded, her brows slightly furrowed. Beside her, Ritsuko's breathing gradually became even, but her consciousness had fallen into a dream world completely different from reality—the "advanced operation" of world consciousness had quietly taken effect.
Her vision shifted abruptly, a biting wind whipping up dust and hitting her in the face. Ritsuko instinctively raised her hand to shield her eyes, and when she looked up, her heart was instantly gripped by a powerful shock. She stood amidst a scene of utter devastation, broken walls and rubble piled haphazardly, the gray sky hanging low, the air thick with the stench of gunpowder and blood, every inch of land exuding a desolate despair. (End of Chapter)