Chapter 2114: If I were an AI, would you love me? 25

On the fourth day, Jin Chen took some time to come to the edge of the Lower City District, which borders the Polluted Zone.

Although not officially recognized, this place is actually somewhat separated from the Lower City District, and people prefer to call it the 'dark refugee slum'.

Floating everywhere in the air are infectious bacterial spores that can spread through contact; it's likely that a stray dog carries countless sources of infection, strange diseases break out frequently, and no one can cure them.

The authorities had considered relocating the people here to a safe place, but they have long been powerless—the infection on their bodies occurs every second, and even fetuses in pregnant women carry the mutant disease genes; leaving would only accelerate death.

Even the sun here is dim and oppressive.

The narrow alleys are piled with old cardboard boxes and discarded mechanical parts; occasionally a few emaciated stray cats dart out from the shadows, letting out shrill cries before vanishing into the darkness.

Jin Chen walks along the edge of the ruined street, countless curious, probing eyes fixed on him, as if they might rush over at any moment to infect this seemingly 'normal' human.

But seeing the gun in his hand, they hesitated.

Jin Chen arrived at the clinic, which gathered all the mutant disease cases from the refugee slum.

Although unlikely, if they found a case similar to Xu Xuxing's, it could prove that his allergy stems from the pollutants in the contaminated zone.

Jin Chen pushed open the creaking iron door, and a heavy smell of medicine and rot hit him.

The hall's lighting was dim, several broken chairs were haphazardly scattered on the floor, and the walls were covered with yellowed promotional posters whose content had long blurred.

【What a strange place, Host, be careful.】

Jin Chen gave a soft hum and headed straight for the records room at the end of the hallway, his footsteps echoing in the empty corridor.

Faintly, the wails from the wards could be heard.

The records room door was half‑open; pushing it open, a middle‑aged man sat at a battered wooden table, his face and exposed skin blotchy and peeling, looking quite sinister.

He stared outward, and upon seeing Jin Chen, he sized him up.

"Who are you? Normal people aren't welcome here."

Jin Chen: "I want to see all the case files."

The middle‑aged man looked at him, wondering what he was thinking, then suddenly lowered the leg he had propped on the table and pointed his chin toward the inner door: "You want to look at the files? You've got to show some sincerity."

Jin Chen said firmly: "I have no money."

If I had known, I would have asked my wife for a card back then.

As Jin Chen pondered what to offer in exchange, the middle‑aged man rose, his eyes gleaming with greed, and slammed the records room door shut.

"I don't want money; I want your blood—healthy human blood is worth a fortune here."

Jin Chen raised his hand and showed him the scar on the back of his hand; the mechanical bluish‑purple light beneath the skin remained.

The middle‑aged man paused, "You… you're a robot!"

His expression turned fearful; he obviously recalled those rumors.

"Hurry up and open the door, or I'll eat you." Jin Chen immediately pointed his gun menacingly.

"..."

The inner door opened, Jin Chen entered and quickly scanned the case files, while the middle‑aged man outside was tied to a chair, unable to call for help, and fainted completely from fright.

After an unknown amount of time, when the middle‑aged man woke up again, that strange robot had vanished without a trace.

On the wooden table lay several vials of purification dilution fluid; the middle‑aged man rushed over in surprise to grab them, his hands trembling.

This is a purification fluid rare even in the Upper City District.

——

Morning of the fifth day.

Xu Xuxing was in an exceptionally good mood today; usually stern like a little robot, his face now showed obvious delight and excitement.

What's more, he came to the Experimental Center early this morning!

Xu Heyue observed more and more that something was off, he pulled Song Shoujie over to discuss, feeling a bit worried: "Little Xu won't have mental issues just because 520 left, will he?"

Song Shoujie: "..."

"I think you're the one with the problem."

Without mercy, Song Shoujie shoved Xu Heyue aside and handed the data he had filtered and analyzed yesterday to Xu Xuxing: "Little Xu, is 520 coming back?"

Xu Heyue glared at him fiercely: "Really?"

Xu Xuxing put on his protective mask, walked out of the operation room, and nodded seriously: "Mm!"

He turned his bright eyes toward Song Shoujie, excitement spreading endlessly, unable to resist sharing his joy.

"Last night I called him; he said he'd come to the Experimental Center today, I couldn't wait, so I came here first to wait for him."

This love‑struck appearance is utterly obvious.

Song Shoujie and Xu Heyue exchanged glances, and eventually Song Shoujie asked: "Little Xu, what is your current relationship? After he awakened self‑awareness, haven't you taken things further?"

"What relationship?"

Xu Xuxing vaguely sensed that Song Shoujie was probing deeper, but he answered honestly: "I like him."

He and Jin Chen had already told each other they liked each other.

"He's mine." Xu Xuxing added.

That is their relationship.

The lab door was knocked; Shi Xisheng stood at the entrance and said: "Doctor Xu, the Director of the Special Safety Bureau and the Governor's Official Institute Guard Team have arrived; they're waiting in the hall."

Xu Heyue startled, his voice spiking: "Who?!"

What trouble has the Experimental Center gotten into now! It requires a high‑ranking official to appear in person!

Shi Xisheng: "The guard team is escorting 520 here, and their attitude is very respectful."

"…" Xu Heyue felt as if he could no longer understand human speech.

Xu Xuxing automatically ignored the crowd ahead, hearing only Jin Chen's designation, and dashed over without hesitation.

Hall, reception room.

The safety director and receptionist were drenched in cold sweat, fearful of neglecting this table of bigwigs, and especially the 520 seated in the middle.

"Dr. Xu is here." the receptionist said, still catching his breath, as he saw Xu Suxing rush into the guest room.

Jin Chen stood up, caught the lunging Xu Suxing, took his hand, and led him to the inner guest room.

The door slammed shut.

The bureau chief laughed heartily, not daring to be angry at all, saying, "Young androids just have energy."

Inside the room.

Xu Suxing tightly hugged Jin Chen's waist, burying his face in the embrace and inhaling deeply.

"I miss you so much." he said seriously and solemnly, "I miss you every day."

【Detected Villain Heartthrob Value +10, total 58!】

"I also miss Xingxing." Jin Chen stroked the back of the person in his embrace, lowered his head to press his forehead against his, and said, "I'm back."

Xu Suxing gazed at Jin Chen's lips, wanting to remove the mask on his face, but Jin Chen caught his wrist and softly coaxed, "No, Xingxing, this room has just been used, it's not clean."

"Let's go home again..."

Before he finished speaking, Xu Suxing's free hand removed the mask, he tilted his head up and kissed him.

Xu Suxing felt the tingling in his chest return, his heart pounding wildly, his blood boiling and making him feel hot all over.

His eyes held no trace of embarrassment, only simple, straightforward longing and desire.

Jin Chen's Adam's apple bobbed as he pressed the person against the ventilated window, using his body to shield them from the outside, deepening the kiss.

Soon, Xu Suxing's gaze grew hazy, veiled with moisture; as they parted, he lowered his head to bury himself in Jin Chen's neck crook, breathing lightly, and couldn't help but rub his nose against him.

His whole body was soaked in the long-missing sandalwood scent.