Chapter 118: with translation of chapter title

Past World Paradise·Corridor

Kevin walked ahead, while A Xing closely followed.

Neither of them was talkative, so only the regular sound of footsteps remained in the corridor, the atmosphere cold as the low-temperature field that Kevin naturally carried around him.

Everything should have continued calmly like this, until they passed by a……

Trash can.

It was a cylindrical metal trash can with a lid that could be lifted.

It stood quietly at one side of the corridor, out of place with its surroundings, yet because of its excessive 'ordinariness' it carried a strange sense of presence.

(Why would there be a trash can in the Data Space?)

That thought flashed through A Xing's mind, and it should have been immediately categorized as 'irrelevant information' and filtered out.

However, as her gaze swept over the trash can's clean surface and tightly sealed lid, a certain instinct deep-rooted in her behavioral logic—one that even the Black Curtain Lady had never fully noticed—was triggered.

That was the accumulated, ineffable 'desire' from repeatedly thrusting her hand into similar containers while bearing the identity of 'Star' in Beloberg's Xiacheng District.

An anticipation of unknown rewards, an impulse to explore hidden areas, and…… a pure enjoyment.

Her steps came to a halt.

This slight pause immediately alerted Kevin.

He stopped instantly, his icy-blue eyes sharply scanning the surroundings, a faint chill emanating from his whole body.

(Any abnormality?)

He sensed no enemies or abnormal energy fluctuations.

Following the fixed gaze of 'Cherry', his eyes eventually landed on that…… trash can.

Kevin: "……"

(Is the enemy hiding in the trash can? No, there's no aura.)

He furrowed his brows slightly, looking at the somewhat stiff 'Cherry', and asked in a low voice: "What's wrong?"

His voice sounded especially clear in the empty corridor.

Alarm bells rang loudly in A Xing's mind!

(Oh no! The instinct has caused a mistake!)

Her mind raced, trying to find a reasonable explanation to cover up her momentary lapse just now.

The best choice was undoubtedly to immediately avert her gaze, calmly tell Kevin "It's nothing, let's continue," and then forget that damned trash can.

But…… it's too hard!

That urge, stemming from the 'Star's' near-obsessive desire to rummage through trash cans, spread like a virus deep in her code, frantically urging her to step forward, open the lid, and see what lay inside!

Is it empty? Or does it hide some treasure?

Even if it were just a scrap of waste paper, it seemed to carry a mysterious allure.

(Can't go over! Would expose! Mission priority! The Black Curtain Lady's plan cannot fail!) Rational alarms blared.

(Just a glance! Just one look! Maybe there really is something inside!) The instinct's temptation whispered.

Her body tensed slightly, caught in an internal conflict.

Kevin furrowed his brows slightly, looking at 'Cherry' seeming somewhat off, and spoke again, his doubt heavier: "Cherry, are you alright?"

(Ignore! Must ignore! I am 'Cherry', I am calm, not that Pioneer who can't walk past a trash can!)

A Xing frantically issued commands to herself internally.

She took a deep breath, forced herself to avert her gaze, turned toward Kevin, and strove to keep her voice as calm and cool as Cherry's:

"It's fine."

However, Kevin's gaze still carried scrutiny: "Really? But you……"

He didn't finish his words, because he saw that although 'Cherry' said she was fine, her feet had taken a small step toward the trash can.

A Xing's heart also gave a slight start.

(Damn! This instinct's power…… actually affecting the motor nerves on a subconscious level?!)

Now, Kevin's doubt must be resolved immediately, otherwise his sharpness will eventually spot the flaw.

"Kevin,"

"I think this,"

"Cherry" raised her hand to point at the trash can, her face still that of an icy beauty's indifferent expression: "Perhaps there is a problem."

Kevin's gaze fell again on that ordinary trash can: "Trash can? What problem?"

He really couldn't see what threat this everyday object simulated in the Data Space could pose.

"Don't you think,"

"Cherry's" voice was flat, as if stating an objective fact: "It might…… be too clean?"

Clean?

Kevin examined the trash can.

Indeed, in the Data Space, it lacked the stains, rust, or wear that would be expected in the real world, spotless as new.

But isn't that quite normal in Letu?

Most items simulated in data are like that.

"Perhaps the data was cleaned quickly?"

Kevin proposed a reasonable hypothesis.

Without even realizing it himself, a disturbance emanating from the Black Curtain's presets was subtly influencing his judgment, so that he did not immediately develop strong wariness toward Cherry's rather far-fetched explanation.

(Great! He believed it! Long live the power of the Black Curtain Lady!)

A Xing silently gave a thumbs-up in her heart.

"Perhaps we should check it."

Ying said smoothly, and then, as if finally finding a "reasonable" excuse, she no longer suppressed the surging instinct; her steps, which had been hesitant, instantly became firm, and she crossed a few steps to the trash can.

Kevin stood with his arms crossed, watching Ying's movements, and the confusion in his ice‑blue eyes deepened.

In his Cognition, this was still just an ordinary trash can, with no need for inspection.

But out of trust in his companion, he did not speak to stop her, merely watching quietly, wanting to see what Ying might discover in the trash can. (interference)

At this moment, A Xing's hand was already pressing against the cold trash can lid.

That familiar touch arrived, and a wave of anticipation surged through her body like electricity, making her almost unable to control a slight tremor.

(It's coming! This is the feeling!)

She inhaled deeply, as if performing some solemn ceremony, and then, she ripped the lid open!

Clack.

The lid opened with a sound.

In that instant, A Xing felt her soul itself ascend!

An indescribable, ultimate sense of bliss exploded in her heart!

She even had to restrain herself greatly to keep her mouth from curving upward, maintaining Ying's ice‑queen poker face.

But her body still produced a subtle tremor from the immense satisfaction.

(This is the feeling!)

And in Kevin's eyes beside her, what he saw was Ying, after opening the trash can, her body seemed to stiffen for a moment, then… she began a silent "inspection" of the interior of the trash can.

(If this were a game, a yellow question mark would probably appear above Kevin's head, and as Ying's obviously off‑kilter, treasure‑appreciating focus continued, the question mark might gradually enlarge, even begin flashing red.)

A Xing knew time was short and a swift, decisive strike was needed.

She forced herself to suppress the urge to immediately reach in and rummage, using all her acting, maintaining Ying's cold expression, she nodded toward the empty can's interior, as if confirming something remarkable.

And the most precious thing was Kevin's thoughts, subtly interfered by Heimu's power— even though he saw Ying, renowned for her composure and swiftness, at this moment showing an extraordinary focus on this trash can, even…

(When A Xing finally couldn't hold back, reached into the trash can, and made a probing motion)

He merely furrowed his brow slightly, his inner doubt outweighing his alertness.

(Just… checking. Perhaps there really is some detail I haven't noticed?)

Kevin thought so, perfectly exemplifying what "forced rationality" means.