I really don't want to date a girl addicted to the internet!

"Success again?" Du Xinhua asked in surprise.

Under the terrified gazes of the two, Shadow walked to the player's corpse beside him, picked up the fifth-tier energy weapon called the Pre-Child Energy Accumulator, and enveloped the Pre-Child Energy Accumulator with a blinding light emanating from his palm.

"Big brother, no! That's..." Chen Hao showed a pained expression as if a piece of his flesh had been cut off.

“It’s already good enough that he didn’t kill us. You’d better have some sense of boundaries,” Du Xinhua reminded her in a low voice.

When the light faded, the futuristic-looking energy weapon was corroded and broken, and even if it was brought back to the first floor, the game system would judge it as completely damaged.

Then, the Shadow raised its hand, and fine light wove into a solid form in the air, revealing a brand-new pre-electron accumulator. After a brief inspection, the weapon vanished from the Shadow's hand.

Chen Hao grabbed his hair, suddenly realizing something, "Big brother...so you're a cheat code?!"

Meanwhile, on the other side...

The Corridor Research Department is exploring the depths of the Underworld together with the Winterhold Guild, to which the Foundation players belong.

"President Kali, so I want to ask, why exactly did you turn the corridor into a game?" Cheng Fei rubbed his chin.

"Well, there are all sorts of complicated reasons. One of them is to make it easier for players to help you, as I just mentioned. You haven't been with the Foundation for very long, so you'll understand later." The player, a girl with pure blonde hair wearing a crown, said seriously.

"I see." The boy nodded to indicate that he understood.

Shen Xi stared ahead expressionlessly, silently listening to the conversation between the two.

Tang Yu, who was standing next to him, lowered her voice as if nothing had happened, "He's lying to you. Actually, it's common knowledge in the Foundation that all the researchers at Avalanche are tech geeks who are addicted to games. They do two things every day: first, maintain the servers, and second, play Corridor. It is said that their motto is to turn Corridor into an ultra-exciting stealth game where you can hunt mechanical monsters with guns and staves."

"Rumors, those are just rumors!" Kalilo suddenly raised his voice, sounding exasperated. "While we do enjoy appreciating video games in our spare time, the effort we've put into maintaining the Corridor is real. You have no idea what a technological marvel it is to allow people all over the world to connect to the Corridor anytime from the comfort of their homes."

"I see, I understand you, President." Cheng Fei nodded vigorously and gave a thumbs up. "You guys not only opened up the corridor, but also turned it into such an exciting game. You're really amazing."

"Well, you're pretty savvy. You're a prospective researcher right now, right? How about I get you transferred to Avalanche after you're officially hired? By the way, you can get free meals at the KFC downstairs in our office building with your employee card." Cario patted his shoulder, lowering his voice at the end and standing on tiptoe because of his height.

"Really? That's wonderful!" The boy's face showed genuine surprise.

Upon hearing this, Shen Xi frowned, her face showing obvious disgust. She silently took a step to distance herself from him, as if she didn't want to associate with him.

This is roughly the situation of the two who gradually integrated into the group after multiple actions as new members and Foundation players.

After some time, the team arrived at an area that no player had ever set foot in before.

In the underground space ahead, a stable purplish-red light curtain rises from the ground. If you look closely, you will find that the light curtain is slightly curved, like a huge sphere covering the inner area, and you can vaguely see dense buildings standing inside.

“This is…” Shen Xi tilted her head back and widened her eyes slightly.

"The core area of ​​the third layer is a giant shield used by the Protoss to protect the core of the Great Portal. It is speculated that it was activated after the Lost Corridor. Even if an out-of-control machine touches it, it will melt instantly. It is truly unimaginable technology that it has not run out of energy and gone out yet."

As Kali said this, she raised her staff and fired a surging golden beam of light at the shield. The beam of light disintegrated and vanished upon contact with the shield, without even causing the shield to tremble.

Cheng Fei asked curiously, "If I remember correctly, the core of the second layer doesn't have this shield, right?"

"The second layer didn't have a shield because we obtained access beforehand and removed it," Kali said, a look of surprise on her face. "You actually participated in the second layer's portal raid?"

"Actually, I've been playing Corridor for quite a while, and I really think it's a really fun game." The boy smiled as he looked at the shield. "So how do we get in now?"

Shen Xi felt a chill again, and this time she covered her arms and shivered.

"Don't rush, we need time to study this. We'll issue an announcement to gather players after the shield is removed." As Kalio spoke, the Foundation players who were traveling with him had already dispersed to conduct their own reconnaissance.

"Since we can open it ourselves, why do we need to summon players?" Shen Xi frowned slightly.

"Because a failed masterpiece lies dormant inside, it would be too risky for us to deal with it with our small group. It's perfect to let the players conquer it as a boss." Kalio gazed into the depths of the shield, his expression meaningful.

"If I can't open it, won't my game progress get stuck? What should I do then?" Cheng Fei thought for a moment.

"There's no other way, so let's just not issue an announcement and pretend it's the players' own problem, that they just couldn't find a way in." Kali said with a relaxed shrug.

"Okay." The boy hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded.

……

As evening fell, Cheng Fei took off his helmet, breathed a sigh of relief, and sent a message to his friend Xiao A on WeChat.

"Ms. Shen, may I go to the regular meeting now?"

"allow"

The reply came in the same indifferent tone as always.

So the boy left the rented room and went to the upscale apartment across the street, pushing open the familiar door on the 36th floor.

Asuna Nagasaki was cooking at the stove, while Shen Xi assisted her. Both of them were wearing aprons and seemed quite skilled.

The boy stepped forward using his [Aura Concealment] ability, hands in his pockets, and watched the two busy at work.

Asuna Nagasaki turned around as if she sensed something, blinked, and said, "Cheng Fei's stealth abilities are this good now?"

"It still can't compare to your phased array radar, Nana," the boy sighed, shaking his head.

Shen Xi belatedly turned around, her brows furrowing slightly. "When did they arrive? They really are sewer rats; they don't even make a sound when they walk."

"So, the two of you have such a high level of mutual favorability now?" Cheng Fei asked curiously.

“That’s right, it’s almost done.” Nagasaki Asuna nodded with certainty.

"Stop talking nonsense. I just don't want this vixen to make herself look pitiful by cooking alone." Shen Xi became unhappy.

"Anyway, it seems I won't be needed to help." The boy said noncommittally, glancing at the food in Nagasaki Asuna's pot.

"Okay~ Cheng Fei, just wait a moment." The sweet girl replied sweetly.

Shen Xi said coldly, "Cheng Feiyu just takes this and heats it up in the microwave when she has nothing better to do."

She pushed a large, open bowl aside.

"Okay, leftovers from before? As expected of the thrifty Teacher Shen." The boy smiled and nodded, picked up the food, looked at it, and hesitated, "Excuse me, what is this?"

"Seaweed and egg drop soup, can't you even tell?" The aloof girl glared at him, her voice cold and displeased. "It seems Cheng Feiyu's boasted cooking skills aren't all that great after all."

The boy paused for a second, then nodded. "I understand."

After that, I simply followed the instructions and put the food in the microwave without asking any further questions.

After a short while, all the dishes were served, and the three of them sat down in their usual seating arrangement.

Shen Xi silently began scooping the seaweed and egg drop soup without any egg drop soup, her expression solemn.

Cheng Fei observed that delicate and pretty face from the side.

"What are you looking at? If Cheng Feiyu wants to eat, then eat quickly." The aloof girl stared at him, narrowing her eyes.

The boy's expression sharpened, and he quickly picked up a soup spoon to scoop some out, then looked at Nagasaki Asuna, "Nana-san, would you like some?"

"I'll pass, I've already eaten this all day." The sweet girl pursed her lips and shook her head.

“I’ve said before that you don’t have to eat if you don’t want to,” Shen Xi said with a cold laugh.

After thinking about it, Cheng Fei decided not to inquire about what had happened in between.

A brief silence fell over the dining table.

Shen Xi took a sip of soup, her eyebrows twitched, and she seemed to be having some difficulty. She then spoke expressionlessly, "Alright, let's begin today's meeting. Just in case the vixen doesn't know, let me explain first."

"What is it?" Nagasaki Asuna looked at her obediently.

"Based on the previous discussion with Cheng Feiyu, you will be required to attend all future meetings unless something unexpected happens. This decision was made considering the current situation, and I hope you will take it into consideration." Shen Xi stared at the bowl of seaweed and egg drop soup on the table, her voice cold and unwavering.

"Huh?" The sweet girl dropped her chopsticks, her expression turning blank.

"What's the problem?" Shen Xi turned her head, seemingly displeased.

"From now on, I'll have to be watched by Shen Xi doing 'that' every week?" Nagasaki Asuna's eyes widened as she covered her face, a sense of despair washing over her. "No!"

941. A formal meeting of three people

"What's wrong with you, you vixen? Get this straight, these meetings are for discussing serious matters. You're only being asked to attend because of the current situation. Nobody here wants to see you doing those dirty things." Shen Xi glared at Nagasaki Asuna.

"Oh, so it was just a serious discussion?" The sweet girl was taken aback for a moment, then gave an embarrassed smile. "I thought we were in big trouble."

“But in order to complete the project, continued observation is also necessary, so you still have to do it.” Shen Xi said coldly without any change in expression.

"So I still have to do it?!" Nagasaki Asuna grabbed her hair, despairing once again.

Shen Xi gritted her teeth and glared at her, "I don't know what's there to be afraid of. A vixen with a wild nature doesn't need to pretend at a time like this."

“But.” Nagasaki Asuna pursed her lips, turned her eyes to the other side, nervously twirled the ends of her hair with her fingertips, and lowered her voice, “If Shen Xi wants to see it, that’s fine, but I want to have some time alone with Cheng Fei.”

The boy being looked at said seriously, "Nana, this new agreement will not affect your original weekly date."

"Really? That's great." Nagasaki Asuna patted her chest, letting out an exaggerated sigh of relief, then her gaze shifted back, becoming guilty. "Does that mean Shen Xi won't have any more..."

“Teacher Shen has also set aside a day for her date, so it’s okay,” Cheng Fei smiled.

Nagasaki Asuna punched her palm, as if suddenly realizing something, "So actually... from now on, the three of us will go on a date one day a week?!"

"Nana, a meeting is not a date."

"That hopeless vixen! This is a routine meeting, not a date!"

Cheng Fei's suggestive explanation and Shen Xi's displeased voice rang out at the same time.

After they finished speaking, they looked at each other, the boy smiled, and the girl subtly turned her face away.

"I understand, it's a regular meeting, not a date." Nagasaki Asuna understood perfectly, nodded with a serious expression, winked at the boy opposite her, and smiled.

"Disgusting vixen." Shen Xi said with disgust as she picked up the seaweed and egg drop soup and drank it, her face becoming even uglier.

"Shen Xi, let me help you." Nagasaki Asuna also ladled a spoonful of soup from the large bowl, took a bite, and then stirred it with her chopsticks, looking troubled. "Eating like this for several meals in a row is indeed a bit much."

Cheng Fei looked at the two of them and asked, "Teacher Shen, if I may be so bold as to ask, what's the deal with this seaweed and egg drop soup?"

"I made extra food for Ye Shuang yesterday, but she didn't like it, so there was some left over. Is there a problem?"

"No problem, I'll help you eat too."

The three of them managed to spend a relatively peaceful dinner time through this conversation.

On Sunday evening, Academy City was still bustling with activity, and everything seemed no different from any other autumn day.

into the night.

Cheng Fei knocked on Nagasaki Asuna's door. "Nana, Teacher Shen said we can go now."

"Okay." The sweet girl in her pajamas peeked out, her smooth, long, coffee-colored hair cascading over her shoulders, still exuding a delicate and gentle aura.

The boy turned and opened the other door, saying in a businesslike tone, "Teacher Shen, Nana is here."

A cool, aloof girl with long, dark hair sat against the headboard, dressed in shorts and a t-shirt, staring blankly at the two of them.

Cheng Fei beckoned to Nagasaki Asuna, stepped forward first, moved next to Shen Xi, pulled back the covers and sat down, sighed comfortably, and slowly slid down, "As expected, Teacher Shen's bed is the most comfortable."

The aloof girl turned her head, her icy gaze looking down at him.

The boy's expression hardened, and he silently straightened up and sat up straight.

"Then I'll come up too?" Nagasaki Asuna blinked at the two of them, obediently placed her pillow on Cheng Fei's other side, then pulled back the covers and sat down.

And so the three of them sat side by side on the edge of the bed once again.

"Um, Shen Xi, so now you want me to... start?" Nagasaki Asuna peeked out, her fingertips twirling her hair at an even faster pace, a hint of unease on her face.

"Your observation topic can wait. Let's talk about something else first." Shen Xi looked at the wall, her voice cold and unreadable.

"I understand." Nagasaki Asuna nodded, seemingly understanding.

"Teacher Shen, I have two questions first." Cheng Fei observed that familiar, cold little face.

"Speak," Shen Xi glanced at him.

"Can I hold your hand and hug you now, at least hold your hand?" the boy asked directly.

The aloof girl sneered, "Aren't you afraid that vixen will open the window and jump out if you touch me now?"

"Actually, my second question is whether I can do the same thing to Nana at the same time," the boy said calmly.

"Shameless trash, do you really have no moral bottom line?" Shen Xi suddenly became furious and struck him with her small, soft body under the covers.

"Not at all. It's precisely because I love you all that I need to ask clearly. I won't do anything if Teacher Shen refuses." The boy looked into her eyes.

"Here comes more nonsense. First of all, what does it have to do with who you love and your moral bottom line?" The aloof girl remained unmoved.

"What Cheng Fei means is that he asks because he loves Shen Xi, and because he loves me... so he asks. Does this mean that Cheng Fei is responsible to us at the same time, and therefore has a bottom line?" Nagasaki Asuna thought for a moment, then leaned forward and whispered.