Chuzheng never thought this body she obtained this time would be such a letdown.

The time available to stay alive is arranged clearly.

No desire to live.

Might as well die.

[Why die? Get up and have fun.] King’s Account sounded quite arrogant.

Oh wow, you think you’re something, giving me such a lousy start, how do I have fun?

[Miss, be brave to discover the beauty of life.]

Chuzheng: "???"

What the heck?

Where did you get this toxic nonsense?

Are you poisoned?

[...] Politely keeping a smile, can’t stoop to the lady’s level of nonsense.

Chuzheng bickered with King’s Account in the dark for who knows how long before she felt the body might just allow her to wake up.

Chuzheng glanced at the very prominent countdown in the upper left corner.

53:27:48

Time feels a bit tight.

Chuzheng tried to open her eyes, above was an old, cracked, web-covered ceiling.

She was lying on a narrow bed, right beside the window, which was half open at the moment.

Outside, the drizzle was endless, forming a layer of mist that shrouded the distant buildings.

Chuzheng surveyed the room she was in now, a very small room, no more than ten square meters.

Not much stuff in the room, a bed, a table, and a simple makeshift cloth wardrobe, a corner was converted into a kitchen, with pots and pans stacked.

This scene wasn’t in the original plot.

The original owner pitifully crawled in the rain for a long time, didn’t die then, can be considered a miracle.

Probably because she altered the escape route when she came over, someone picked her up.

Chuzheng wanted to get up, but the body was stiff, couldn’t move at all.

So she could only lie there.

Half an hour later, the shabby wooden door was pushed open, a thin silhouette came in from outside.

The other party probably didn’t expect Chuzheng to be awake, once inside he met her gaze, stunned right there.

After a while, the other party nervously spoke: "You... you’re awake?"

It was a boy.

To be honest, when Chuzheng first saw him, she really couldn’t tell if he was male or female.

The person at the door was wearing a loose T-shirt, not dirty but very old, edges frayed, shorts, white canvas shoes on feet, probably wet from the rain outside.

His hair was slightly long, covering his forehead and eyes, under dim light, easily life can misjudge.

Chuzheng stared at him for a few seconds.

Good Person Card?

"Hmm." Chuzheng quickly retracted her gaze, replied: "Where is this?"

"It’s... my place." The boy closed the door, answered softly: "Are you uncomfortable somewhere? I didn’t know you... so..."

He was a little incoherent, very cautious and apprehensive.

Chuzheng didn’t feel injured, just couldn’t move.

Probably due to something about the original owner’s role as a Time-Space Merchant.

"I’m fine."

The boy carefully walked over, once near, Chuzheng had a clear look at his features.

The boy’s facial features were unbelievably pretty, just obscured by hair, hard to notice without closer look.

He slightly pursed his lips, eyes holding some timidity, an aura of caution pervaded him entirely.

Clearly, he’s the owner here, yet now seemed like the guest.

Chuzheng noticed injuries on his neck and arms, there were some bruises on his knees too.

"You brought me back?"

The boy nodded.

"Was I alone then?"

The boy continued to nod.

"Thank you."

"No... no need to thank." The boy seemed shy, lower his head and turn to close the window, outside sounds immediately vanished.

The boy circled back: "Can you get up?"

Chuzheng frankly said: "No, I need to lie down for a while."

"...Oh... okay..." The boy turned around and went to the other side of the room, started fiddling with the pots and pans.

Chuzheng just watched him fiddle.

The boy was quick and skilled, soon prepared a bowl of porridge and a small plate of vegetables.

He carried the porridge and dish to Chuzheng, picked up a folding table from the side, set it up, glanced at Chuzheng, then at the porridge: "Um... can you eat by yourself?"

Chuzheng: "..."

Though I really want to say I can!

But I can’t!

Chuzheng turned her head: "I’m not hungry, you eat."

"Not hungry?"

"Not hungry." Didn’t you feed me before? What’s there to be hungry for, I just lay there not moving, no need to consume.

The boy hesitated, didn’t touch the porridge, covered it up directly.

"You’re not eating?"

"I... I’m not hungry either."

As soon as the boy finished speaking, Chuzheng heard his stomach rumble like a city under siege.

The boy’s face flushed crimson, covered his stomach and backed up a few steps.

Chuzheng noticed earlier there was only this bowl of porridge cooked, considering the environment... Chuzheng guessed he might be very poor.

No extra bowl of porridge, isn’t this way too poor?

"You go ahead and eat." Chuzheng said: "Don’t mind me."

The boy shook his head: "I..."

"Just eat quickly." Chuzheng’s eyes coldly narrowed.

Perhaps Chuzheng was too fierce, the boy flinched, face all pale, pursed his lips holding the hem of his shirt, carefully sat back by the table.

-

Chuzheng soon realized just how poor this boy who picked her up really was.

How can someone be this poor... too tragic.

A human tragedy.

Outside dusk slowly approached, the boy turned on the light, its dim glow enveloped the small room, all felt impoverished.

Chuzheng felt like she could move now, albeit still a bit stiff.

She supported herself to get up from the bed, felt like the bed could collapse with any movement, dared not use much strength.

The boy was busy at the side washing clothes, heard the rustle, turned his head.

"Wh-what do you need?" The boy asked her: "I can help you..."

"Restroom."

The boy’s face suddenly reddened, awkwardly stood up, pointing at a curtain in the room: "Inside... I’ll go outside, call me when you’re done."

Before Chuzheng could speak, the boy had opened the door and exited.

After getting down from the bed, Chuzheng found she walked awkwardly, thankful that little kid left.

Once Chuzheng finished in the restroom, she called out to outside.

The boy pushed the door open to come back in.

Chuzheng leaned aside, didn’t return to bed to lie down.

"What’s your name?"

The boy mumbled his reply: "Xi Jing."

"Nice name."

The boy shyly smiled but quickly lowered his head again: "Thanks."

"I’m Chuzheng."

"Chuzheng?" The boy queried, his bright eyes blinked.

"Chu as in first meeting, Zheng as in kite."

"Oh..." Xi Jing habitually pinched the hem of his shirt, his glance swept the room: "Tonight you sleep on the bed."

"Where will you sleep?" There’s only one bed in the room this size.

"I’ll sleep on the floor." Xi Jing said: "I’ll lay something out later. I’ll get you some water to wash, have a rest..."

Xi Jing went into action immediately, got hot water for Chuzheng.

Searched that wardrobe for quite a while, found a clean towel.