Mr. Zhou Doesn’t Want to Work Hard Anymore!

Chapter 63

“The virtual world’s gate opened unexpectedly, and two people broke in, but it’s already closed now.”

“Are there any more people coming in?”

“No, there aren’t.”

“What caused the malfunction?”

“Because of the intrusion of these two individuals, the world consciousness got activated.”

“Who is the world consciousness?”

“Let me check; it seems to be named… Zhou Chenxi.”

After a peculiar dream, Zhou Chenxi woke up instantly. The faint morning light shone through the window. He glanced at his own hands; they were there. He touched his body, warm. He looked over to the side, where Lu Ji was sleeping soundly.

The previous night, he had wrapped himself around Lu Ji, almost suffocating him. When he couldn’t handle it any longer, he finally embraced Zhou Chenxi. Zhou Chenxi had just sat up and moved one of Lu Ji’s hands outside the blanket.

The current average temperature in Country A was around ten to twenty degrees. Mornings were even colder, and the hotel provided only a thin blanket. Without proper coverage, it could get quite chilly.

Zhou Chenxi carefully lifted the blanket and quietly tucked Lu Ji’s hand back inside. He then made sure the blanket was properly placed. He tiptoed off the bed, intending to return to his room without attracting attention.

However, as soon as he opened the door, he heard Zhao Yi outside saying, “Young Master, your return flight has already been booked. The Eldest Young Master knows that your shoot has concluded. If you don’t return soon, he might get worried.”

Zhou Chenxi was startled by Zhao Yi’s sudden appearance. He placed a finger to his lips, signaling him not to wake up Lu Ji. Zhou Chenxi gently closed the door, put on his coat, and walked toward his own room, not very pleased.

Zhao Yi followed and asked, “You originally booked a separate room for yourself. Why did you go to Mr. Lu’s room in the middle of the night?”

Zhou Chenxi blushed and replied, “I didn’t want you guys to report me to my brother. Since I was already discovered, I have nothing to hide. Besides, I overheard my brother talking about Mr. Lu, and it seemed like he didn’t like him very much.”

Zhao Yi nodded and said, “That’s natural. Mr. Lu’s family background is quite complex, and he didn’t grow up like you, under the protection of our Chairman Zhou. He’s probably concerned that you might be deceived.”

Zhou Chenxi added, “But I like Lu Ji, and I don’t think he’s a bad person. If Lu Ji is a bad person, then the world would be full of bad people.”

This statement was somewhat challenging, and Zhao Yi, who had been with Zhou Mingxuan for a long time, knew his personality to some extent, so he decided not to push too hard. He suggested, “If you don’t mind, please allow me to have a brief conversation with Chairman Zhou on your behalf.”

Zhou Chenxi swiped his room key to enter and gestured for him to come inside. Zhao Yi quickly said, “I dare not.”

He followed Zhou Chenxi into the room but remained standing and continued, “Even if Chairman Zhou were to find another prospective partner for you, his primary hope would be that he knows the person well.”

Zhou Chenxi asked, “And then?”

“I don’t believe he hasn’t thoroughly investigated Lu Ji,” Zhou Chenxi said. This was indeed true. Zhou Mingxuan had checked almost everything that could be found about Lu Ji.

Zhao Yi felt a bit awkward and stammered, “No one is born perfect.”

Zhou Chenxi sighed and said, “Maybe if I set my sights on another girl who meets his approval, he’d be more at ease?”

Zhao Yi couldn’t provide a definitive answer to that.

“Besides, I can’t live my life according to his wishes,” Zhou Chenxi said. “You know what? On my birthday, I made a wish that my brother would find a partner soon. If he finds someone, he should be able to understand my perspective.”

Zhao Yi: “???” He had heard that many people in love often share the common trait of wanting those around them to find their significant other as well, and it seemed that this rumor was indeed true.

Zhao Yi couldn’t help but feel somewhat touched.

While Zhao Yi was lost in thought, Zhou Chenxi made a cup of coffee for him, hoping to soften his stance, but Zhao Yi declined sternly. After a short conversation, Zhao Yi left Zhou Chenxi’s room.

In the morning, Lu Ji woke up for his morning training, and upon returning, he had breakfast with Zhou Chenxi. Zhou Chenxi noticed Zhao Yi on the phone, likely reporting the situation to his brother. He hoped that Zhao Yi could convey his feelings to his brother.

Zhou Chenxi and Lu Ji couldn’t stay in Country A for too long. Moreover, “The Tale of the Cat Demon” was going to end its screening in China. If they didn’t watch it soon, they might miss their chance. So, Zhou Chenxi and Lu Ji returned to China, chose a cinema with fewer viewers, and bought two movie tickets.

Spring break was already over, and it happened to be a workday. The cinema wasn’t crowded, and considering that “The Tale of the Cat Demon” had been in theaters for a while, most people who wanted to see it already had. Zhou Chenxi and Lu Ji sat in the last row, and there were hardly any people around.

Zhou Chenxi checked the movie review website, which showed a current rating of 8.5. This was relatively high for a movie, and last year, few Chinese films managed to achieve such ratings on review websites. Some even predicted that “The Tale of the Cat Demon” might be nominated for Best Picture at the Golden Flower Awards this year.

However, Zhou Chenxi wasn’t in a good mood. Ever since he had that dream in Country A, he had a sense of unease. Director Luo had skillfully edited the film, and the investment seemed to have been put to good use. The special effects were well-executed, and the visuals beautifully depicted the prosperity of the Da Geng Dynasty on the screen.

Despite feeling embarrassed seeing himself on the screen, Zhou Chenxi patiently watched the movie with Lu Ji. After leaving the cinema, Lu Ji noticed that Zhou Chenxi’s spirits were low and asked, “What’s wrong with you?”

Zhou Chenxi replied gloomily, “Lu Ji, how is Luo Xinghe doing now?”

Lu Ji hesitated for a moment and said, “He’s still in detention. Some lawyers are collecting evidence. Why do you ask?”

Zhou Chenxi said, “Can you take me to see him?”

Lu Ji contacted the lawyer and accompanied Zhou Chenxi to visit Luo Xinghe.

Luo Xinghe had become somewhat haggard recently. Since he was still in the legal process, his attempt to get bail had failed, and he remained in detention.

With Lu Ji’s help, Zhou Chenxi saw him.

During their conversation, a guard was present outside. Zhou Chenxi didn’t mind and sat down with Lu Ji across from Luo Xinghe.

It was a small meeting room with only a visitor’s table and a few chairs.

Luo Xinghe casually remarked, “What’s the matter? Missing me? Feeling guilty for taking my stuff?”

Zhou Chenxi asked, “Luo Xinghe, where are you from, exactly?”

Luo Xinghe didn’t respond.

“Did you enter this world in the book voluntarily, or did you stumble in accidentally?” Zhou Chenxi asked again.

Luo Xinghe hesitated but still didn’t respond.

Lu Ji interjected, “Based on the evidence we currently have, your sentence shouldn’t be as long as Luo Xingzhou’s in prison. However, sentencing standards in the justice system are flexible. My lawyer has dealt with many economic cases…”

Luo Xinghe asked, “What do you want?”

Lu Ji continued, “In the world inside the book, a year is equivalent to 365 days. Human lifespans are short. If you spend a significant amount of time locked up, by the time you get out, this lifetime would have been wasted.”

Luo Xinghe watched him warily, a hint of suspicion in his gaze.

Zhou Chenxi said, “Luo Xinghe, do you understand why we’ve come to find you? Do you want to return to your original world?”

Half an hour later, Zhou Chenxi and Lu Ji left the detention center. Zhou Chenxi said, “He’s still being cautious.”

Lu Ji asked, “What did you want to ask him?”

Zhou Chenxi had his hands in his pockets and replied, “I pretended to tell him that we know how to get him back to his original world, and he seemed to believe it to some extent. At least, we can confirm that he indeed came from another world.”

Lu Ji nodded and said, “I had a hunch about this. If what he’s saying is true, then transmigration through books must be random, not limited to specific individuals. It’s a matter of chance, and Luo Xinghe was randomly selected.”

Zhou Chenxi added, “If that’s true, then it matches the dream I had. Both you and Luo Xinghe came from another world.”

Lu Ji fell silent for a moment and then asked, “So what?”

“Will you ever leave this place and return to your own original world?” Lu Ji extended his hand towards him.

Zhou Chenxi placed his hand in Lu Ji’s palm.

Lu Ji used his broad palm to gently hold Zhou Chenxi’s hand and rubbed it. He said, “What else can we do? Do you believe in fate being predetermined?”

Zhou Chenxi shook his head and replied, “As you said, we should create our own destiny.”

Lu Ji said, “Then don’t think too much. Let’s make the most of each day we have now.”

Zhou Chenxi nodded.

Feeling somewhat gloomy, he opened his arms and hugged Lu Ji. “Do you still remember things from before?” he asked.

“I don’t remember,” Lu Ji replied. “I’m not like Luo Xinghe, who has memories of his life before transmigration. So I’ve always thought that I might not be someone who came through a book. It’s better not to dwell on uncertainties, okay?”

Zhou Chenxi nodded, but he still couldn’t shake the feeling that his dream had some basis in reality.

Lu Ji’s warmth conveyed a comforting strength and warmth.

But why?

Why did his dream tell him that Lu Ji, like Luo Xinghe, came from another world? The dream also mentioned that he was the world consciousness, but what is the world consciousness?

If only Lu Ji could always stay by his side and never leave.

Lu Ji accompanied Zhou Chenxi back home.

Zhou Chenxi’s luggage had already been returned by Zhao Yi and Qian Er. They had gone out for a while before returning. When his brother received the news and hurried back from work, ready to give Zhou Chenxi a thorough lesson on various life issues, he found Zhou Chenxi’s spirits were low, his face creased like a steamed bun.

Zhou Mingxuan was prepared to give a lecture, but instead, he asked, “What’s wrong with you?”

Zhou Chenxi replied sadly, “Brother, you don’t need to worry. I won’t propose to Lu Ji for now, and you don’t need to have Zhao Yi watching over me all the time. Maybe Lu Ji and I will break up one day, and then you might not have to worry anymore.”

Uncertain about the future, he didn’t want to make promises to Lu Ji.

After speaking, he hurriedly went upstairs and locked himself in his room.

Zhou Mingxuan was taken aback and, unable to follow him, knocked on the door, asking, “What’s wrong? Did Lu Ji mistreat you?”

Zhou Chenxi didn’t respond.

Zhou Mingxuan said, “If you don’t tell me, I’ll go talk to Lu Ji…”

Only then did Zhou Chenxi quickly come to the door and open it.

Zhou Mingxuan let out a sigh and said, “Throwing a tantrum at your age. I’m not trying to control you, I’m just worried about you. If you don’t want me to, I won’t do it in the future. If Lu Ji can really take care of you for me, it’s a good thing. If you ever feel that Lu Ji is mistreating you, just tell me, and your big brother will help you vent.”

Zhou Chenxi shook his head, took a step forward, and hugged Zhou Mingxuan. It didn’t take long for his tears to wet his brother’s shirt.

Zhou Mingxuan was startled. “What’s wrong with you?”

Zhou Chenxi wiped away his tears and said, “Nothing much. Lu Ji is really good to me. Big brother, you’re right. I’m not a child anymore. I’ll do my best to live each day to the fullest. I won’t let you down.”

In the end, “The Tale of the Cat Demon” became the box office champion for the Spring Festival season with over 5 billion yuan in revenue. Experts predicted that it would be challenging for any movie to surpass this box office performance for the rest of the year, given the large flow of viewers during the Spring Festival, and the film had excellent word-of-mouth.

Film critics were looking forward to Zhou Chenxi’s future works as a newcomer to the big screen, wondering if he could surpass himself and become a new box office sensation.

A few weeks later, Zhou Chenxi saw a weather report saying that the once-in-a-millennium “Duo Mu” comet would pass by Earth in a few days. During that time, people would be able to observe the spectacular comet with the naked eye.

In ancient times, comets were often considered a bad omen, associated with disasters and misfortune. Zhou Chenxi had encountered too much bad luck recently, making him anxious every day. He worried that the comet’s arrival might bring unpredictable misfortune.

Author’s Note: No one’s going to get stabbed.

I’m getting close to wrapping up the story. It won’t be over tomorrow, but it should be ending soon.

Special thanks to “Su Ke La Ke Li” for the landmine!

Thanks to the “Mysterious Bystander” and “Single Eyelid” for their support!

1TL: YSIAD “You can support me if you like my translations by leaving a comment below, or by sending me a Ko-fi. Thank you ️”