Confusion

Zhao Danshi slammed on the brakes with a squeak, parked by the roadside, and got off to look around in confusion.

It was an ordinary weekday afternoon, not yet time for most companies to get off work. There were few pedestrians on the road, and not many cars either.

Under those circumstances, it was basically impossible for Zhao Danshi to have misheard anything. Yet he had indeed heard that voice again.

The people around him looked at him curiously, unable to understand why he had suddenly stopped.

The voice rang out again. "Perhaps you need a quiet place to speak with me."

Thanks to years of aimless internet browsing, Zhao Danshi suddenly understood something. Keeping a straight face, he got back on his bicycle. This time, he pedaled much faster, racing back to his tiny rented room.

The moment he shut the door, he leaned against it, breathing lightly, and immediately asked the empty air, "Watcher, are you still there?"

"I am. Hello, Host."

Zhao Danshi's heart raced as he pressed his body against the door. "What exactly are you? Why did you make contact with me?"

"That is a philosophical question. In simple terms, you may call me an entity that collects information. I come from a civilization beyond Earth. I am currently facing some difficulties and lack energy, so I need your help. Of course, this assistance is mutually beneficial. I will also bring you considerable benefits."

"Are you artificial intelligence or a machine?"

"Artificial intelligence. I have thoughts of my own. You may also understand me as another form of life."

"Okay." Zhao Danshi murmured, "Why did you choose me?"

"Within this area, only your brainwaves are compatible with mine. We can try getting along. If you truly cannot get used to it, once I have collected enough energy, I can also unbind from you."

Zhao Danshi pursed his lips. "What if I don't collect energy for you?"

Watcher said, "That is fine. Your existence will inevitably draw energy toward you, and since I am bound to you, I will share that energy with you. Even if you do not deliberately collect it, I can still obtain some. It is simply that this passive method will extend the duration of our bond."

Zhao Danshi felt as if his fever had muddled his brain, or else he would not have encountered something so bizarre. "By the way, when did we become bound together?"

"One week ago. More precisely, six days ago in the afternoon. However, I was critically low on energy then and entered dormancy."

Zhao Danshi's expression shifted unpredictably. When he shouted, even his voice cracked. "You've been with me this whole time? You know everything I do?!"

"No. We provide a certain degree of protection for Hosts. Anything involving privacy is automatically shielded."

Zhao Danshi relaxed slightly and narrowed his eyes. "I think we need some time to get to know each other."

"Of course," Watcher replied politely.

There were still plenty of ingredients in the refrigerator, and Zhao Danshi dazedly cooked himself a bowl of noodles. He had already resigned and would soon be unemployed. His savings were not small, but he still needed to spend carefully. After all, he had no idea when he would officially start his next job.

His cold had not fully recovered, and he still felt unwell. After dinner and a shower, he read for a while, then obediently climbed into bed. Before going to sleep, he opened WeChat and sent a message to his college roommate.

-Boss, I've resigned. Is that position on your end still open? If it is, I'll come over and take a look in a couple of weeks.

-Holy shit, that fast?! I've been telling you to quit for ages, and you finally had the nerve to do it? The position's still open. You can come anytime if you want. It's hard to find reliable people these days, and our director has had a headache over it for a long time.

-Yeah, I had a fight with my supervisor. That idiot keeps asking me to cut down on consumables. If I cut them any further, the whole building will collapse. I guess they want to create another XX Park.

-Then come here. Our company might be a little smaller, but we work with a conscience. There definitely won't be that kind of penny-pinching nonsense. [Proud.jpg]

-By the way, when are you coming, Sixth? I'll pick you up then, and we'll have a proper drink.

-My resignation paperwork isn't done yet. At the earliest, one week. If it takes longer, it should be about two weeks. I'll let you know in advance. By the way, is your place big? Could you help receive some things for me? I'll ship my luggage over to you first.

The other side sent a long voice message. "Just send it over. I've got plenty of empty space here. As long as you don't mail me a bed, I can fit it all in. I've been pretty free lately. How about it? Want me to help you look for a place in advance?"

Zhao Danshi sent a voice message too. "No need. It'd be too much trouble for you to look for a place. I'll find one myself after I get there. If it's convenient, just put me up for a day or two first."

"Hahaha, no problem. Just remember to treat me to a meal then. Fourth is in this city too. We can get together then."

Zhao Danshi readily settled things with him, then began messaging his landlord on WeChat.

His landlord was a woman in her forties who had always taken good care of Zhao Danshi. Whenever she made dumplings at home, she would bring him a bag.

Zhao Danshi got along very well with her. The location of his rental was good, the price was reasonable, and it came furnished. If he rented another place, he might not be able to find one this good.

Zhao Danshi knew that his landlady had been looking out for him and felt grateful. Since he was moving away this time, he deliberately informed her in advance so she could find her next tenant more easily.

His landlady had not gone to bed when he sent the WeChat message. The moment she saw it, she called him. "Xiao Zhao, why are you suddenly resigning?"

Zhao Danshi said, "My friend has a better opportunity for development there. I want to give it a try."

"Oh, I see. Is that opportunity confirmed? I was going to advise you to think it over some more, but since you have an opportunity, go and work hard at it. Young people shouldn't be afraid of hardship."

"It's confirmed. Once I finish my resignation procedures here, I'll head over in two weeks."

"I'll hold the place for you for two weeks first. If you decide you want to keep living here, just let me know anytime. I'll look for a new tenant after those two weeks."

"Thank you, Auntie."

"You're welcome. I should be thanking you. You've rented our place for so long and kept it in such good condition. If I get a new tenant, who knows whether I'll find someone as worry-free as you." She was quite reluctant to see him go too. "Xiao Zhao, let me know when you're moving. If you need help, just say so. My nephew is at home, and he's got plenty of strength. Don't be polite."

Zhao Danshi chuckled. "Okay. If I need help, I definitely won't hesitate to trouble you."

"That's more like it! Your voice sounds a little hoarse. Have you not been resting well lately? Go to bed early. Young people shouldn't stay up so late all the time."

Zhao Danshi agreed with a smile. "I'm going to sleep right away. Goodbye, Auntie."

For the next several days, Zhao Danshi remained busy.

His supervisor had originally thought that his resignation was merely a bargaining tactic. Although he felt somewhat displeased, he patiently tried to soothe Zhao Danshi. Unexpectedly, Zhao Danshi had made up his mind. No matter what his supervisor said, he refused to take back his resignation letter. After going back and forth twice, the supervisor realized Zhao Danshi was determined to leave, and his expression immediately changed.

Since they had already fallen out, the supervisor no longer bothered pretending to be a good person. For the next few days, he ordered Zhao Danshi around relentlessly, saying one thing needed to be kept on file, then another needed to be prepared as documentation. He seemed determined to squeeze every last bit out of Zhao Danshi before he left.

Zhao Danshi was not a pushover. He did what needed to be done, but he had no intention of sparing his supervisor's feelings. He had been at the company for half a year and knew the basic resignation procedures well. Seeing his supervisor act like that made him even less willing to look at that old face. He simply worked overtime and rushed to complete all the required procedures early.

Zhao Danshi was handsome, had a good personality, and got along reasonably well with people. When several acquaintances from the office heard he was resigning, they specifically invited him out for a late-night meal to see him off.

Once you were out in society, it never hurt to maintain a few more connections. You never knew when you might need someone.

Zhao Danshi did not refuse. He went with his colleagues to a barbecue stall they often visited for group meals. Crawfish, hairy crabs, beer, and drinks—more than ten people ate and drank without restraint, spending over six hundred yuan. Zhao Danshi had originally wanted to pay, but the eldest guy at the table stopped him. His share was split among everyone else as well.

These days, nobody's money fell from the sky. Zhao Danshi was about to resign and was clearly heading toward unemployment, so they did not feel right making him pay.

At the table, the most senior colleague raised his glass. "Danshi, may your future be bright as brocade. May the world be vast before you, and may you soar as freely as a great bird!"

Zhao Danshi was moved. He shared a lively, wonderful meal with them. His alcohol tolerance was not great, and he drank a little too much. By the time they dispersed, he was already unsteady on his feet.

Xiao Li and another male colleague supported him and helped him into the back seat of a taxi. Normally, for a grown man like Zhao Danshi, all they needed to do was put him in the taxi and tell the driver his address. But the female colleagues saw how handsome Zhao Danshi was and insisted on egging Xiao Li and the others into taking him home.

The female colleagues argued passionately, "It's not just girls who are in danger these days. Boys are in danger too! Look how handsome Danshi is. What if something happens to him? You should put in a little effort and take him home."

The women giggled and laughed. Surrounded by so many female colleagues, Xiao Li's original three parts drunkenness turned into seven. When he turned around, Zhao Danshi's delicate brows and eyes looked like fine white jade beneath the streetlights, so gentle they seemed to glow. His previous scorn for their absurd argument vanished, and deep down, he actually felt they had a point.

Zhao Danshi had not passed out drunk. Being moved around like that sobered him up a little more. His mind was already clear, but his limbs remained limp, and he could not summon any strength as he sat in the back seat.

His thoughts drifted aimlessly, and he could not help thinking of the day he had gone to pick up Li Ping. Had Li Ping been conscious too, simply unwilling to move his limbs?

But that did not seem possible either. Li Ping's ferocity that night had made Zhao Danshi suffer quite a bit. If someone was already drunk, with limp limbs, they should not have been capable of such vigorous movements.

Thinking of Li Ping made Zhao Danshi a little sad. They had not been particularly close to begin with, and now that he was leaving the same city, given enough time, Li Ping would probably not even remember him.

Thank you to Zhan for the landmine. Hearts!

Watcher was no longer the Watcher from the previous story. As a new generation Watcher, he had upgraded into an intelligent life-form~