Transformed into a heartthrob's simp, every day is a battleground.

Chapter 254 Sunny and Cheerful

"There's no other way," Yan Xun said, pushing Lou Yanchuan along. "I have to take care of my uncle."

Xiao He quickly led them into the living room, had Yan Xun sit on the sofa, and then brought over chilled drinks. "You look very young," he said after putting down the drinks. "Are you still in school?"

Seemingly feeling that asking questions repeatedly was impolite, Xiaohe quickly introduced herself again.

"I'm Xiao He," he said quickly. "I usually work in the city, but I'm on vacation this week."

This relaxed attitude quickly eased Yan Xun's tension, even though he still looked somewhat awkward.

Xiao He looked at Yan Xun's clasped hands and said nervously, "Yes."

"I'm a junior in college this year."

“It’s summer vacation, and Dad bought a new house and moved us here.” He looked at Lou Yanchuan, who became quiet and no longer noisy after entering the house. “The house here is bigger.”

"My uncle will feel more comfortable here."

"You don't need to live with me."

"I don't need to live with you?" Xiaohe repeated the question. "Did you live together before?"

“Yes,” Yan Xun said. “I also have a younger sister. Our house wasn’t big enough at the time, so my uncle and I shared a room.”

“It’s a bunk bed,” Yan Xun said, gesturing as he spoke. “I sleep on the top bunk.”

Of course, these are fake.

The story only mentions that Lou Yanchuan is Yan Xun's uncle; it doesn't mention anything else.

Yan Xun said this simply to make Xiao He feel that he was a very kind person who respected the elderly and cared for the young, and that he had no choice but to bring Lou Yan Chuan into his courtyard. This was to increase Xiao He's good impression of him and achieve the goal of being able to temporarily take shelter at Xiao He's house on a foggy day.

"You have a younger sister?" Xiaohe asked curiously. "Is she very young?"

“She’s in elementary school,” Yan Xun said.

“She was playing games at home, waiting for the lunch gathering,” Yan Xun said. He seemed to have no concept of keeping secrets at all; he would answer whatever Xiao He asked, and even reveal more.

After Lou Yanchuan entered the house, it became very quiet, so quiet that Xiao He couldn't help but take a few more glances.

“He’s usually very quiet at home. He probably feels more comfortable talking when he’s home,” Yan Xun said, tucking the blanket around Lou Yanchuan’s knees.

Yan Xun looked at the projector in Xiao He's home and asked her with interest if she was interested in movies.

Xiao He nodded.

Yan Xun immediately started talking and began discussing movies with Xiao He.

Xiaohe felt that Yan Xun was probably the kind of young man who would become enthusiastic when talking about topics that interested him. The two chatted casually for a while, and during these conversations, Xiaohe learned a lot about Yan Xun's past.

The other person even inadvertently revealed the reason why their uncle became like this.

“...When I was little, I really admired my uncle.” Yan Xun said, holding a glass of iced drink. “He went on adventures everywhere, and I wanted to be like him.”

Xiao He looked at the man sitting in the wheelchair.

The other person seemed to be in a daze and wasn't listening to their conversation.

"Did something unexpected happen later?" Xiao He asked.

“Yes.” Yan Xun nodded honestly. “After that, Uncle became like this.” As he spoke, he reached out and patted Yan Chuan’s thigh, which was covered by a blanket. “My father heard that people who live in this neighborhood will have extraordinary encounters, so he moved our family here.”

Yan Xun seemed to have completely trusted Xiao He at this moment.

“They say that people who live here will have a miraculous encounter within three years, such as becoming rich or being cured of their illness.” Yan Xun looked at Lou Yanchuan’s thigh. “We all hope to go back in time and help Uncle stand up again.”

He lowered his head as he spoke, "...but..."

But then he looked at Xiaohe, his eyes filled with hope, "I heard that magical things happen if you live in a house in this neighborhood?"

"is that true?"

He stared at Xiao He, "Can my uncle stand up too?"

Xiao He avoided eye contact, "I don't know."

“If you say someone suddenly becomes rich…” he sat there, looking at a certain spot, “I heard that the owner of the house that used to live in yours seems to have made a fortune.”

"Perhaps your wishes will come true too."

Upon hearing this, Yan Xun's eyes immediately lit up.

He quickly brought up the community rules and the fog mentioned in the letter, saying, "The housekeeper told us to be sure to follow these rules." He added, "Luckily, we didn't see any other neighbors along the way."

He forced a smile, "Otherwise, I'm worried that my smile will stay up all day and I won't be able to let it go."

As he spoke, he lifted the corners of his mouth, revealing a smiling expression.

Xiao He nodded upon hearing this. "Don't worry." He told Yan Xun, "Once the probation period is over, these rules will no longer apply."

Yan Xun looked puzzled. "Do these rules only apply to us new residents who have moved in?"

“Yes, the environment and safety of the community depend on everyone to maintain it,” Xiaohe said. “This is the community’s assessment of new residents. If you can go a month without making any mistakes, then the community administrators in the white house will believe that you are residents who will abide by the community rules, and naturally you will no longer need to abide by these rules.”

Yan Xun listened in a daze, seemingly not understanding Xiao He's meaning at all, and just nodded haphazardly.

The two chatted casually for a while longer before Yan Xun got up to leave.

Before pushing Lou Yanchuan away from Xiao He's house, he turned back somewhat awkwardly, "...Can I come to see you again in the future?"

Seemingly worried that Xiaohe might misunderstand, he quickly said, "I think we get along very well, and..."

Before he could finish speaking, Xiao He interrupted him, "Okay."

Xiao He nodded, "You can come to see me anytime."

"I was a bit bored during my vacation." He smiled at Yan Xun as well. "It would be best if you could come and keep me company."

Upon hearing this, Yan Xun's face immediately broke into a big smile. He waved goodbye to Xiao He, then looked down at Lou Yanchuan and said, "Uncle, let's go home."

"Be a good girl, okay?"

Lou Yanchuan seemed a little sleepy at the moment and didn't react much.

Then Xiaohe watched as Yan Xun, just like when he came, helped Lou Yanchuan, wheelchair and all, down the steps, then waved to her before leaving.

……

"Either way, we're going to die." Yan Xun sighed as he pushed Lou Yanchuan. "If you don't follow the rules, you'll die. But if you follow the rules obediently for a month, you'll probably become a permanent resident of this neighborhood."

Xiaohe said that after becoming a formal resident, one no longer needs to follow the rules, which means—

Players have all been assimilated, so what rules still need to be followed?

Lou Yanchuan remained silent.

Yan Xun looked down at him. "You're really asleep?"

"No," Lou Yanchuan looked up, "I just find it funny how you pretend to be sunny and cheerful."

"Do you know how hard I tried to avoid bursting out laughing?"