Chapter 79
She arrived an hour before the museum closed.
The two days spent in the hotel room felt both short and long. When Zhuang Chi finally went out, she felt a little dazed. Her susceptible period had well and truly faded, leaving no other abnormalities besides a slight fatigue. Her glands were also behaving themselves. She had re-wrapped them in bandages, but the hotel doctor said that her glands actually seemed to be in good condition after the susceptible period. He suggested she see a doctor for a thorough check-up when she returned. She didn't know whether to call it a blessing in disguise or something else...
The thought still made her heart pound with lingering fear. She felt that an Alpha's glands were both willful and delicate; any problem was a major event. It was likely that in the future, she would feel more uneasy not wearing something on her neck.
Gu Ximian had originally wanted to come with her. Although she didn't press Zhuang Chi on why she needed to go to the museum again, she still seemed worried about her going out alone. However, Zhuang Chi refused. After all, while time in the outside world seemed to flow very slowly during her conversation with the Notebook, with no other strange phenomena, it was still a supernatural event. She was equally uneasy about having Gu Ximian with her at such a time and planned to go alone to get to the bottom of it.
...At least, that was the plan. Zhuang Chi looked at the completely transformed exhibition hall before her and blinked melancholically. The Greek cultural art exhibition... seemed to have ended during the two days of her susceptible period.
This seemed a bit troublesome... Although she didn't know if the Notebook could only appear in that specific oil painting, it was the only method she currently knew of. Zhuang Chi stood in the exhibition hall at a loss. The spot where the Pygmalion oil painting had originally hung was now empty, leaving her unsure of what to do next.
Fortunately, just as Zhuang Chi was pessimistically thinking that this trip might be for nothing, the surrounding voices suddenly vanished. A familiar silence enveloped her. She turned her head and saw the Notebook in the frame of another painting, whose original content she hadn't noticed. It was quietly turning to a new page on its own, the words appearing silently.
【Good afternoon.】
【If I have misunderstood, I will apologize. But judging from your actions, I surmise that you might be looking for me?】
Still as polite as ever. Zhuang Chi let out a sigh of relief. Experiencing this strange phenomenon for the second time, she was already familiar with it and felt a natural sense of closeness to the Notebook. As she approached, she spoke to it, "I thought you could only appear in that Pygmalion oil painting."
【That is not the case.】 The Notebook silently displayed its words. 【It is just that I am a notebook that does not belong to this world, so I cannot appear before you as a physical object. I can only meet you like this, through a medium.】
Surprisingly particular. Zhuang Chi nodded blankly. "...So could you use something like a computer screen?"
【Answer: Negative. I am a notebook that requires handwriting. Not an electronic document.】
The words appeared quickly, and the tone was very firm, making Zhuang Chi feel as if she had said something offensive. She whispered, "I'm sorry," and went back to read the Notebook's previous sentence, feeling it had an underlying meaning. She thought for a long while, then frowned. "You can't become a physical object because you don't belong to this world... but shouldn't I also not belong to this world? Or what, are we assessed differently?"
The Notebook was silent for a moment, then slowly wrote: 【Regarding your first question: Affirmative. You indeed do not belong to this world. Regarding your second question: Negative. You, like me, were originally unable to appear in this world as a physical object.】
“...”
This was getting more and more mysterious. Zhuang Chi's brows furrowed tightly. The Notebook probably guessed what she wanted to ask and quickly continued on its own: 【As for the reason you are able to stand here like this, I can only tell you: I made some effort.】
It stopped abruptly there, clearly maintaining its previous attitude of not intending to further explain why it brought Zhuang Chi to this world. Zhuang Chi was completely bewildered. The only piece of information she gained was that this Notebook seemed to be even more powerful than she had imagined. She thought back and pressed from another angle that concerned her, "...What exactly are you capable of? Were all those things I experienced before your doing?"
【That question is too broad. I have done many things. If I were to tell you about them one by one here, I'm afraid I would run out of pages.】
That's way too many things! Zhuang Chi was flabbergasted. She had no choice but to pick a recent event and ask specifically, "Then... for example, my sudden entry into a susceptible period two days ago, did that have anything to do with you?"
【Answer: Negative.】 The Notebook's writing suddenly appeared at a rapid pace, filling a long passage in a flash. 【There are many factors for your entry into a susceptible period. In my view, the two most important are, one, your original physiological condition determined that you would enter a susceptible period soon. Two, you saw me here that day, and the extreme emotional fluctuation caused the susceptible period to trigger prematurely.】
【Furthermore, regarding the series of events that occurred during your susceptible period, I did not interfere at all. If I had chosen to intervene, then when the female protagonist went to knock on your door, I would have made the door collapse or break, and no one would have been able to open it or enter your room until your susceptible period was over.】
“...”
Then she and the four Alphas in the room would have suffered greatly. There wasn't even a bite to eat in the room.
Struck speechless in a completely different sense than before, Zhuang Chi stared in astonishment at the Notebook, which seemed to have suddenly become agitated. She silently thought, As expected of the notebook I wrote so many illogical plots in when I was young. Now it can only come up with this kind of development that defies all logic and reason. She tried hard to understand the Notebook's words and said hesitantly, "You mean... you didn't want Gu Ximian to see me...?"
Thinking in a more malicious direction, it could have been that it simply wanted to make Zhuang Chi suffer—an unheard-of notebook rebellion. But fortunately, the Notebook's reply was very upright: 【Answer: Affirmative. Based on my knowledge, an Alpha in their susceptible period is very dangerous. And the female protagonist is an S-class Omega. I believe that her going to see you was no different from a lamb entering a tiger's den.】
A completely correct assessment. Zhuang Chi couldn't help but nod. Although it was a bit strange to be on the receiving end of such precautions, she still smiled. "It seems you care a lot about Gu Ximian."
【Of course.】 The Notebook replied slowly. 【Because I am your notebook.】
Zhuang Chi was taken aback by this overly matter-of-fact statement. She felt its reply was a non sequitur, yet she also felt she could vaguely understand what it meant. She wanted to retort and tell it not to shift the responsibility to her, but then felt that arguing with her own notebook about such things was pointlessly foolish. In the end, she sighed. "...Then why didn't you do it in the end?"
The Notebook was silent for a long while. This time, the words appeared one by one, as if she could sense a certain reluctance: 【Because your female protagonist wished to see you.】
...I think I'm starting to understand a little. Zhuang Chi thought. This notebook is a "Gu Ximian-first" supremacist.
“So... you can know her thoughts? Even if she doesn't say them out loud?” Zhuang Chi asked. “Can you also interfere with people's thoughts?”
【Answer: Affirmative.】 The Notebook wrote honestly. 【For the residents of this world, I can do such things to a certain extent.】
So that means it can't see my thoughts, Zhuang Chi thought, then pressed on, "What about Gu Ximian?"
【Answer: Uncertain.】
The Notebook remained very frank: 【In principle, it might be possible, but I have not tried. Nor do I want to try.】
Such a loyal notebook. It had reached the point where one might suspect it was actually "Gu Ximian's notebook." The rightful owner, Zhuang Chi, didn't feel any displeasure about this; her first reaction was an unconscious sigh of relief. And the Notebook continued to write: 【Having said all this, I would first like to remind you that you have not yet answered the question I posed during our last meeting.】
...Seeing as it had chatted with her for so long, she thought it had forgotten. Turns out it's quite persistent. Zhuang Chi thought melancholically. Although she did have some inkling of the answer after her susceptible period, but...
“...I'm sorry,” Zhuang Chi lowered her head and said softly, “I can't answer you until I know which answer corresponds to me staying and which to me leaving.”
She had an answer, but she was worried it would run counter to her wish to stay in this world. Zhuang Chi didn't dare to be rash, and the Notebook also seemed not to have expected her to say this, falling into silence. In the end, it was Zhuang Chi who broke the stalemate. She sighed, "In the end, why do you suddenly want me to leave now? Even if you say I'm a threat to this world, why didn't you ever seek me out before? Did this threat just suddenly appear now? I don't quite understand."
【I understand your question.】 The Notebook replied quickly, but then its tone shifted. 【But I have determined that answering you honestly would exacerbate the threat. Therefore, I can only tell you: It is because you have now grown too close to the female protagonist.】
【She is your female protagonist, and also this world's female protagonist. I hope you will remember this point and take it seriously.】
It seemed like a simple statement of fact, yet it felt strangely solemn. Zhuang Chi was puzzled. Then she saw the Notebook continue to write: 【Then, since you are unwilling to answer my previous question, I would like to pose a second one: Regarding the fact that you are this world's creator, will you keep it a secret from the female protagonist forever?】
“...” Zhuang Chi pressed her lips together. She suddenly felt she could discern an emotional inclination from its emotionless text and asked hesitantly, “...Do you want me to keep it from her?”
The Notebook was quiet for a long while before answering: 【Answer: Affirmative.】
【Because, even if the female protagonist already knows this world is a novel, "merely having this awareness without real proof" and "learning that the creator is right beside her" are two different things. If you confess to her, it would be no different from opening Pandora's box. I cannot predict what will fly out of it, and for me, for you, and even for this world, the best result is simply to maintain the status quo. Therefore, I would hope that you do not tell her. The heart palpitations you feel every time you try to speak are my doing. I am very sorry for this, but I will not stop.】
【—However, this answer is merely from my standpoint of wishing for this world to operate smoothly.】
The turn of phrase was very abrupt. Zhuang Chi was taken aback. She saw the words that followed appear very slowly, as if the Notebook itself was deliberating on how to say it clearly.
【I also have the desire to answer your question with a "Negative."】
【Because I can understand. I do not need to see her thoughts; I can still understand.】 The black words slowly spread across the page. 【Your female protagonist—Gu Ximian—she definitely hopes that you will tell her everything, exactly as it is.】
Zhuang Chi watched until the words finished appearing, only then realizing she had been holding her breath at some point. She was somewhat speechless. This notebook was as frank as ever, and the things it said were things Zhuang Chi had already considered long before. Now, written so glaringly before her eyes, it threw her heart into turmoil.
【Moreover, perhaps I do not need to say it for you to be well aware that this matter is connected to my first question.】
She thought it had finished speaking, but it started writing again on its own. Zhuang Chi looked closely and saw the Notebook writing primly in a polite tone.
【I am your notebook. Even if I cannot see your thoughts, I have spent countless days with you. Over the past years, I have come to understand very well what kind of person you are—or rather, what I understand clearly is how much you cherish Gu Ximian.】
【Therefore, I know that no matter what feelings you harbor, as long as you continue to hide this matter from her,】
【You will be unable to honestly say you love her.】
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