Taking a deep breath, Chen Shang lay back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. Although the livestream had only lasted a few hours, those hours had been intense, filled with exploration, intricate problem-solving, and life-or-death battles. Despite not feeling fear, he was utterly exhausted. During the stream, he had maintained a heightened state of alertness, but now, even with his reinforced body, he felt mentally drained.
It was akin to someone who had spent all night dancing in a bar, their mind a muddled mess. That was precisely how Chen Shang felt.
As he reclined on the bed, he heard the door creak open. He shifted his gaze towards the sound.
Su Qilu entered the room, effortlessly pushing the door open and flipping the light switch. The dark room suddenly flooded with light, causing Chen Shang to squint as his eyes adjusted.
Noticing him sprawled out on the bed, Su Qilu shook her head, a hint of amusement on her face. She walked over to the table and set down the takeout she was carrying. Hanging her backpack on the chair's back, she began to unpack her meal.
Chen Shang watched her move with a certain casualness, unsure of how to respond. After pondering for a moment, he finally asked, "Where did you get the key card?"
This was the Black Hotel, after all, and it didn't just allow anyone to wander in freely. He was the only one who should have had access to the key card, and he hadn't given it to her.
"I got it from that sleazy guy at the front desk…" Su Qilu replied between bites.
"Since I came up here with you earlier, that guy likely remembered me. I just told him the room card was in your hands and asked for another."
Chen Shang thought about that sleazy front desk attendant and couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Oh, right. He even had the nerve to ask me how much it cost for a night. If you have the time, go give him a beating when you leave."
Su Qilu nodded, acknowledging the idea.
After sitting up from the bed, Chen Shang moved to the dining table and pulled out a chair. He sat down and looked at Su Qilu, who was thoroughly enjoying her meal. "What about mine?" he asked.
This caught Su Qilu off guard, and she looked up at him with disbelief. "Do bloodsuckers really eat takeout?"
Chen Shang was momentarily speechless. He hadn't considered whether he could eat normal food, as he typically just consumed blood packs when he was hungry.
"Well, you have to at least try it. What if I'm eating?" she countered, raising an eyebrow.
"Even if you are, it should be your treat. Come on, I'm the one supporting you, so why would I mooch off your food?" Chen Shang replied, feeling a slight annoyance.
Chen Shang noticed that since he revealed his bloodsucker identity, Su Qilu had become increasingly bold, shedding her previous innocent facade and instead adopting a "What are you gonna do about it?" attitude.
In the end, he pulled out his phone and ordered some takeout for himself.
"So, bloodsuckers can eat normal food? Then why do you still drink blood?" Su Qilu asked, curious as she continued eating.
"I ordered spicy hot pot. What's wrong with that?" he responded.
This time, it was Su Qilu who was dumbfounded. "Wait, you ordered spicy hot pot?"
"By the way, why are you back?" Chen Shang changed the subject.
"Your blood pack didn't go anywhere else," she replied as if it were obvious.
"You're an eighteen-year-old girl; your family won't worry if you don't come home? I'll find you when I need you; you don't have to stick around all the time," he explained.
Su Qilu's expression darkened at his words. "No one cares about me," she said quietly.
Chen Shang fell silent, realizing how the atmosphere had shifted.
"Why? Do you expect a food pack to have a happy family and a joyful reunion? Is that supposed to enhance the flavor?" Su Qilu's tone became urgent.
However, Chen Shang wasn't sighing because of Su Qilu's comment; he realized that he had been too tired to see something so obvious. Normally, he would have deduced that the young girl had nowhere to go and that her family situation was likely quite poor.
The family dynamic is one of the fundamental influences on an individual's character. Su Qilu's personality couldn't have been inherently this way. Her cleverness and tendency to play the obedient girl were likely shaped by her home environment.
As Chen Shang continued his thoughts, he recognized that he had kept Su Qilu with him for an entire night. During that time, no one had called to check on her, and even upon returning to school, she still chose to be here. These clues painted a picture of her family background.
Realizing this, Chen Shang felt a pang of guilt but didn't know how to address it. He glanced at Su Qilu, who was now focused on her food, an air of defiance in her demeanor.
"Maybe it's not just a food pack; it's more about a bond," he pondered silently, as he took a moment to reflect on their unusual partnership.
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