Paranoid Alpha Chapter 66: Video

Chapter 66: Video

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: CaiCai

The situation arose suddenly and mysteriously. Lyss didn’t even have time to consider the possibilities. Their immediate reaction was to try contacting Lu Xingye through various channels, disregarding the potential consequences for the moment. All the messages sent seemed to vanish into thin air. For a whole three days, there was no reply. Conversely, the Empire kept sending messages claiming smooth progress.

They proclaimed that the Chudai restart plan had successfully begun, naming the replicated new program ‘Dawn.’ Despite just having set up the framework, it would take a considerable time before Dawn could be fully operational. Nonetheless, the Empire was determined to overcome all obstacles and advance the plan.

Lyss, with a cold expression, stared at the terminal in front of them, gradually calming their emotions. The worst-case scenario now was that Lu Xingye’s intentions had been fully discovered, and the Empire had taken measures to prevent anyone from contacting him.

But that possibility was slim. After calming down, Lyss carefully recollected the situation with Lu Xingye and noticed several inconsistencies. He must have discovered something but chose to keep it until the very last moment, almost as if deliberately showcasing something to certain individuals.

Considering the abruptly severed video and Lu Xingye’s cryptic final words, Lyss tapped their fingers on the table, suddenly looking up at the terminal, their eyes growing colder.

All the clues pointed to one possibility—Lu Xingye deliberately baited that thing out.

To cut off the video under Lyss’s nose, that thing couldn’t be merely a simple framework.

Either the Empire was lying, they had long begun the restart plan with significant progress without public announcement, or their researchers were also misled, unaware of the replica’s unexpectedly strong learning capabilities.

If this was all part of Lu Xingye’s plan, Lyss pondered as he tapped the table, he would surely find a way to communicate.

As they say, when you care, you worry. After gradually calming down from that bone-chilling fear, Lyss chose to believe in Lu Xingye. His little trick couldn’t have been easily discovered.

And indeed, his belief proved right. Three days later, a line of text suddenly appeared on Lyss’s terminal, “I’m fine, big brother, don’t worry about me. It’s just that this replica is tricky; it has been monitoring me and the others from the Empire. Those fools haven’t noticed anything and think they have the upper hand. I wanted to lure it out, but it’s quite cunning. Only that one time during our video call did it take the bait. I’ve tried everything else; nothing worked. Could you please cooperate a little more next time we video call?”

That message appeared abruptly, and just as quickly as Lyss finished reading it, it vanished, leaving no trace behind.

The content was peculiar; Lyss didn’t know what Lu Xingye meant by asking for cooperation or how he intended to lure that thing out. But at least he knew Lu Xingye was safe.

Lyss wasn’t worried that this message came from the replica to confuse him. No matter how advanced its learning capabilities were, it couldn’t reach that far.

And indeed, Lyss’s speculation was correct.

That same night, Lu Xingye sent another video invitation. it was quite late, Lin Lang was already asleep, and just when Lyss was about to rest, he received the video invitation. After a moment’s pause, he calmly accepted the call.

“Chief, good evening,” Lu Xingye looked visibly thinner, but his eyes were incredibly bright, “How have you been?”

Lyss didn’t know what his plan was, but he followed along, “Why have you lost so much weight?”

Lu Xingye shamelessly replied, “I missed you too much.”

Both understood but didn’t mention the interruption from their last video call. Lyss looked directly at him and said, “If you missed me so much, why didn’t you video call?”

“I missed you too much before, afraid of startling you,” Lu Xingye’s eyes darkened mysteriously, “Is Lin Lang asleep?”

Lyss paused and replied, “Yes, she’s asleep.”

Lu Xingye didn’t say anything for a moment; he just glanced at Lyss’s abdomen. His gaze felt tangible, causing Lyss to instinctively shrink, pulling the covers over the abdomen, leaving no gap. Seeing this, Lu Xingye burst into laughter. He had lost weight, but his eyes were too bright, and his laughter was reminiscent of a starving wolf. Even through the video, it felt like an invasion.

“Chief…” Lu Xingye playfully lowered his voice, “Let me see you.”

Lyss felt a tingling sensation on his back, instinctively gripping the bedding tightly. The long and powerful fingers trembled slightly on the fabric, and he was acutely aware that something was watching their video call.

This feeling of being observed made Lyss extremely uncomfortable, an indescribable sense of shame creeping over him. Lu Xingye was naturally gifted, savoring Lyss’s rare embarrassment, his smile becoming even brighter. “Big brother, is it okay?”

Lyss pursed his lips, meeting his gaze for a moment. Unable to resist the puppy-like plea, he lowered his head and lifted a small part of the covers. A thin layer of a robe covered his abdomen, outlining the shape of his abs.

Lu Xingye’s gaze suddenly darkened, intentionally steering the conversation to serious matters. “Shaya has been deposed.”

Lyss paused. “So soon?”

Lu Xingye nodded. “Yes. Any rumors outside?”

“No.” Lyss interlaced his fingers, tapping his hand lightly. “The Empire has cut off all communication with the outside world. Sheng Dan and other allied nations are considering enforcing a blockade… In my understanding, your country’s prime minister shouldn’t be disposed of so easily. What happened in between?”

Lu Xingye leaned on his hand, listening to him. He chuckled lightly at the mention, “Take off another layer.”

Initially, they were discussing serious matters, so when Lyss heard this abrupt request, he didn’t immediately react. His expression remained blank for three seconds before realizing Lu Xingye’s implication — to reveal more in exchange for more information about the situation.

Lyss was only wearing a robe; removing it would leave nothing. If it were just between the two of them, it might have been different. But their conversation might very well be monitored by that replica. Even though that entity might be nothing more than an AI without true self-awareness, it was strange to be watched by it. After all, Lyss, at the core, was an AI too.

“…You tell me first.” Lyss lowered his gaze. “I’ll determine the authenticity of the information based on what you say.”

Lu Xingye chuckled. “Big brother, don’t trust me? Then let me take one off for you.”

As he spoke, he raised his hand as if to lift his clothes. Lyss’s face flushed in embarrassment. “No, I don’t want to see.”

Lu Xingye paused for a moment, then appeared hurt. “Brother, do you dislike that I’ve become thinner?”

A hint of amusement glinted in Lyss’s eyes. “You noticed? If you become any thinner, I might not want you anymore.”

Lu Xingye was hurt and incredulous, widening his eyes. “No, I can still lift you up even though I’m thinner—”

Lyss suddenly interrupted, “Why would you want to lift me up?”

Lu Xingye was momentarily caught off guard. Despite his desire to cover it up, his gaze noticeably darkened, suggesting he recalled something unspeakable.

Seeing this, Lyss playfully remarked, “You little rascal.”

At this moment, the video suddenly showed a subtle flicker, but both ends of the call pretended not to notice.

“Big brother,” Lu Xingye playfully persisted, “It’s been so long; let me have a look.”

“No,” Lyss firmly declined, “You tell me first.”

Lu Xingye acted as if he were helpless. “Alright, I’ll tell you… The replica had some issues, it seemed to have coded wrong, and it cost quite a sum to rectify. The Prime Minister used this opportunity to try and halt the project. Her direction was correct, but she was too hasty. She proposed the opposition motion before my return and was immediately suppressed by the Count. By the time I returned, it was too late.”

As Lu Xingye mentioned the replica, the video suddenly glitched for a moment. Subsequently, it resumed as if nothing had happened, and both of them continued conversing normally.

Lyss keenly grasped the crucial point. “Coded wrong? What specifically?”

Lu Xingye was about to speak when sudden flickers of snowflakes appeared on the terminal. The video distorted, almost nearing distortion, and the words hung on Lu Xingye’s lips. Instead, he chuckled, “Big brother, why the lack of trust?”

The almost-terminated video abruptly froze, faintly showing signs of normalization.

Despite not knowing what Lu Xingye was up to, to maintain communication, Lyss reluctantly followed this topic. “…Okay.”

Lu Xingye’s eyes lit up, fixed on the screen without blinking. Lyss, feeling compelled, awkwardly fidgeted with the fabric at the edge of the robe, creating a small wrinkle.

Even amidst the tension, he had to allocate some focus to observe the terminal’s situation. Lu Xingye seemed wholly unconcerned, impatiently urging, “Faster.”

The slender, forceful fingers slowly lifted the pristine hem of the robe. Gradually, the slightly plump thighs due to pregnancy became visible. Just as Lyss was about to continue the action upward, Lu Xingye suddenly spoke, “Do you know what my favorite part of you is?”

Lyss paused in motion. “The neck?”

“No,” Lu Xingye shook his head, “It’s the back. I love your back the most.”

Lyss vaguely sensed another layer of meaning in Lu Xingye’s words. The other entity seemed confused, the video showing snowflakes, apparently contemplating the true meaning behind Lu Xingye’s words.

“My favorite is when I kiss you from behind…” Lu Xingye insinuated deeply, “Your gentle tremble.”

The snowflakes suddenly disappeared, and that entity seemed to relax completely. Lyss’s hand tightened, suddenly understanding the intent. What did ‘back’ refer to? And what did ‘tremble’ signify? The fabric slid past the base of the thighs, the strong and slender waist about to be exposed on camera.

“When do you like me to hold you?” Lu Xingye’s voice echoed again.

After a pause, Lyss replied casually, “At night.”

A double entendre, and the other entity sensed something wrong at this point. Before Lu Xingye could say anything, the video abruptly halted again, Lyss’s hand freezing midway across the abdomen. The next moment, the snowflakes vanished, and a line of text appeared on the terminal’s black background, “A-000, I found you.”

Author’s Note:

The chief’s cheap, tsundere younger sibling (??), perhaps a younger sister: I can’t understand, but I’m greatly amazed.