Chapter 263

"No."

Mudrock glanced up at its master; it hadn't drunk any alcohol yet, but it already seemed a little tipsy.

Receiving a negative answer only deepened Shi Lei's confusion. He simply couldn't understand where the problem lay.

Is there something you want to say to me?

Genshin Impact Limited-Time Screenshots. jpg

329 The Calm Before the Storm (4K)

"Ah, this..."

Shi Lei's sudden question caught Mudrock off guard. None of the online dating guides offered any advice on how to handle this situation.

Don't panic, don't panic...

Mudrock quickly calmed down and thought carefully.

A highly-rated dating guide post contains similar descriptions.

The poster categorized their level of liking for the target into three levels: having a good impression, liking somewhat, and liking very much.

If you have feelings for this person, then confessing directly is the best approach. Even if you get rejected, it's okay; you can always find someone else.

When you treat the other person as a fish in a pond, you also become a fish in their pond.

The second type is having a slight liking for the target, which usually follows the 'three-three-three principle'.

In other words, if you send messages to a chat app or SMS and the target doesn't reply without reason multiple times, you can consider giving up.

If you send a date invitation and the target consistently refuses to meet or makes excuses to delay, you can give up after more than three times.

If after three months there is still no established romantic relationship or ambiguous relationship, you can give up.

Mudrock asked himself honestly and realized that his feelings for his master were the last kind—he liked him very much.

If you absolutely must have a target, a direct confession might actually be a bad approach. Because as long as you don't break the ice, you won't be rejected. This allows the two people to maintain a relatively stable relationship.

At this point, what you need to do isn't confess your feelings, but rather show more care and build closer relationships. When the time is right, do something inappropriate for children. Even without a confession, you can still become a couple.

In other words, confessing one's feelings is optional in the third situation; it's not a necessary option.

If two people are mutually attracted, they can become a couple without a confession. A failed confession, however, will put both the person confessing and the person they are attracted to in an awkward situation.

If it's unrequited love, you should cultivate a more ambiguous atmosphere. Showcase your charm to increase your attractiveness to your target. Observe whether the other person changes afterward.

Seeing that she remained silent for a while, tilting her head slightly, Shi Lei felt a little curious:

"Um?"

Mudrock saw no hint of ambiguity in his eyes and immediately felt intimidated. She felt that confessing directly now would be too abrupt. To win her master's heart, she should take a more prudent and measured approach.

"No... it's nothing."

As she was speaking, her peripheral vision caught sight of two familiar figures at the bar entrance, and she was slightly taken aback.

Seeing that Mudrock Shi Lei looking behind him, Shi Lei turned around and looked back. He was surprised to find Texas and Croissant standing at the edge of the dance floor, seemingly looking for a booth.

Shouldn't they be resting at home or playing mahjong at this time?

How did we end up here all of a sudden?

Shi Lei frowned, sensing that the two of them had been following him all the way here, and immediately looked away.

Texas and Croissant were dozens of meters away, so they couldn't hear what the two were saying.

"Mudrock, ignore them. Tell me what you want to say now."

When Mudrock saw that an acquaintance had entered the bar, he dared not say anything more.

Based on dating tips, men aren't won over by chasing them, but by attracting them through self-improvement. Once you've established that attraction, the rest will fall into place naturally.

Now, it seems the success rate is too low.

"I don't have anything else to say, it just feels like evening has arrived in the blink of an eye, time flies so fast."

Shi Lei was somewhat skeptical, and leaned back slightly:

"Is that really all?"

"Yes, this is the first time I've ever celebrated my birthday since I was born. On the one hand, I feel incredibly happy, but on the other hand, I feel like time has flown by too quickly."

Happy times are always fleeting.

Since Mudrock had already said so, he couldn't say anything more. He then reached for his wine glass and drank the Featherbeast Tail Wine in one gulp.

"After you finish drinking, let's go outside for some fresh air."

She nodded, her eyes smiling.

"OK."

After finishing their two glasses of Featherbeast Tail Wine, the two paid the bill, left their booth, and walked out of the bar.

Texas and Croissant's booths were very conspicuous, and she knew she had been exposed.

As Shi Lei and Mudrock passed by, Croissant feigned surprise and greeted them:

"Hey, what are you two doing here? We heard this place is pretty nice, so we thought we'd come and check it out today. We never expected to run into you two like this, what a coincidence!"

Shi Lei didn't believe this explanation, but he didn't intend to expose it either, and continued along with what Croissant had said:

"Alright, you guys enjoy your drinks. Mudrock and I have some things to take care of, so we'll be leaving now."

He doesn't usually use his Psychic Power to check how many people are around in Lungmen City. Now that he knows Texas are Croissant him, he can just change locations.

After leaving the bar, Shi Lei led Mudrock to a secluded spot. Using Rock platform, he ascended vertically and carried her to the rooftop of a nearby high-rise building.

After the Mudrock landed, she stood by the rooftop railing. Looking down at the pedestrians and streets below, she gained a completely new feeling from this novel perspective.

Under the cover of night, the lights of thousands of homes illuminated Lungmen.

Every pedestrian and every vehicle moves along the street according to its own predetermined life trajectory.

Shi Lei stood with his hands behind his back by the railing, looking down at the bustling traffic below:

"There are no outsiders here. If you have anything you want to tell me, you can say it now."

"No, I have nothing to say."

The price of a failed confession was far too heavy for Mudrock. Her mind was made up; she turned her gaze away from below and deliberately changed the subject:

"I didn't sleep well last night, and I'm a little sleepy now. Can I lean on you and take a nap?"

Shi Lei felt that this was not a good idea:

"It's easy to catch a cold sleeping on the rooftop at night. You might as well go home. Come on, I'll take you back. Just hang in there, it'll be there in about ten minutes."

"No, my lord!"

Mudrock quickly called for a halt and explained:

"I think the view from the rooftop is quite nice, so I'd like to lean against you for a nap, is that okay?"

"Today you're the birthday person, so you get to call the shots."

Shi Lei had no reason to refuse and used Rock Element to create a large rock bed on the rooftop.

"Sir, please sit down."

As his master sat on the edge of the bed, Mudrock curled up, resting his head on his lap in a side-lying position.

Shi Lei stared at the white-furred companion, who resembled a docile kitten, with a slightly strange look in his eyes. This was the first time a member of the opposite sex had rested on his lap.

I don't know how to put it, it's just very strange.

"Mudrock".

Hearing its master call its name, Mudrock turned its head. Its gaze fell directly on Shi Lei's chin.

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

"You... really have nothing to say?"

Mudrock's childhood in Kazdel instilled in her a reserved and resolute character. Knowing the low success rate of confessing her feelings now, she forcefully suppressed her impulse:

No, why do you ask that?

"No, just asking. Speaking of which, do you want a birthday present? I only bought you a birthday cake today, I haven't bought you a present yet."

Rather than sending a bunch of impractical gifts, Shi Lei felt it was better to ask the recipient what they wanted before sending anything.

If it were him choosing, he'd probably give away dumbbells. But I feel like Mudrock might not like that.

Whatever she wants, even if it's something like wanting a warehouse in Taiheng Road like Texas, Shi Lei will try his best to fulfill her wishes as long as it's within his capabilities.

"Hey, is there any birthday present? I'll have to think about it carefully, hehe."

Mudrock's cheek rested against its owner's thigh, feeling its fatigue lessen considerably. After a long pause, it slowly spoke:

"Sir, when you were in Trimon, did you make some rock bracelets for several members of the reconnaissance team that could be used for location tracking? Do you remember that?"

"Ah."

"Just give me that one, but I'd like a smaller ring, it'll look better on me."

Shi Lei felt that the gift was of very low value; he could make as many as he wanted.

"Rock rings don't have a metallic luster, how about I make you a Pure Gold ring?"

"No, I want the rock ring. Could you engrave my name on the inside of the ring?"

Seeing that Mudrock was adamant, he agreed. In no time, he had created a rock ring that met the requirements.

She wore it on her finger, turning it over and over, clearly enamored with it; her eyes almost curved into crescent moons.

"Thank you, I really like this gift. But I'm a little sleepy now and would like to lie down for a while longer. Could you wake me up around midnight?"

Shi Lei was quite helpless, but he still agreed.

At the same time.

In a certain wasteland, the This Ship.

Since leaving Trimon, Kal'tsit had been hiding in the laboratory. But today, she stood in the control center, facing a group of Operator at the table.

This time she read from the printed text, avoiding any obscure or difficult words. Finally, without a translator, everyone understood Kal'tsit's meaning:

"I don't need to elaborate on the Doctor's importance to Rhodes Island."

From the beginning of June this year until now, it has lasted for nearly four months. Through the PRTS system, Closure and I have formulated a rescue operation plan to Chernobyl the Core City area of Chernobog and rescue the Doctor.

The PRTS simulation included 167 projects and 3711 nodes. Ultimately, only two missions resulted in a complete and unscathed rescue of the Doctor. However, these two successes were not without significance; they guide us to adjust our strategies and develop contingency plans based on the situation. Even if a subsequent attack by the Ursus army were encountered, the Doctor could still be rescued. However, some casualties will inevitably occur throughout the process.

Upon hearing the cold word "sacrifice," the Operator on site all wore solemn expressions. No matter what, they did not want to see themselves or their friends give their lives.

Amiya knew that this rescue operation would put everyone in danger. Sensing the negative atmosphere, she asked Doctor Kal'tsit for the manuscript:

"I'll read the rest."

The latter did not refuse and handed her the manuscript.

"The plan to rescue the Doctor is expected to be carried out in two months. During this period, we will make full preparations and recall the Operator who are on missions in other locations."

The Rescue Operation involved a total of 78 Operator, including 65 active operational Operator and 13 reserve Operator providing support on the perimeter.

I will lead E1 Squad deep into the heart of Chernobyl to carry out a rescue mission.

The team consists of 14 Operator including myself, Wild Ember, Big Soft Hand, Indigo Jade, Spicy Jimmy, Raging Roar, etc.

E3 Squad is led by Mr. ACE. As Phidia, he possesses excellent stealth and ambush abilities. The team consists of 13 Operator, including Bad Tom, Seventeen, and Purple Flame.

The E4 squad leader is Miss Nearl, who possesses superb mobility, capable of running a kilometer in a few seconds, and can play a support role in the ever-changing battlefield.

E5 Squad is led by Scout, one of Rhodes Island's top stealth masters. The team consists of 13 Operator, including Thumbtack, Knot Sound, and Long Scorpion.

There's also the leader of E2 Squad, Instructor Dobermann, whose team consists of 12 members. While she's not particularly skilled in stealth, she's a former regular soldier. Instructor Dobermann knows how to deal with the military, and Rhodes Island desperately needs her military experience.

The two reserve teams responsible for providing support on the perimeter consist of 13 Operator, including Blackhorn, Jessica, Melantha, Ansel, Phoebe, and Meele.

Given that this mission is designed for stealth, Operator such as Blaze, Rosemary, Outcast, and Logos, who would cause a lot of noise, are not on the list.