Although it was the first time Xiao Xueyin encountered Lv Bai in the real world, he had had plenty of interactions with him in the Death Arena.

He was naturally very aware of Lv Bai’s personality and didn’t think Lv Bai was arrogant or anything: "Hahaha, Brother Bai, you’re still as humorous as ever."

The door to the private room opened, and a few young women with curvaceous figures, dressed in cheongsams, came in carrying trays of dishes.

"Try it, the taste of this restaurant is quite good, many City Council members are regulars here," Xiao Xueyin enthusiastically introduced.

In the blink of an eye, the table was covered with exquisite dishes.

And they were mostly made from organic ingredients, with no trace of synthetic food at all.

Involuntarily, it made one lament the decadence of this lifestyle.

"By the way, Brother Bai, it’s best if you keep your distance from the Can Society."

Xiao Xueyin chose his words carefully and continued: "They’re a bunch of clowns, their thoughts are too radical; they think they’re acting meticulously, but everything they do is under official surveillance.

If there weren’t concerns that wiping them out would lead to a new anti-government group emerging, the Field Department would have dealt with them long ago."

The young women swayed their hips while serving one delicate dish after another; the food currently on the table was certainly not something two people could finish.

Lv Bai felt a vague sense of disinterest.

He genuinely didn’t have a good impression of the Can Society; he couldn’t imagine what those people, who welcomed extraterrestrial invaders, had in their minds.

Yet he also found it hard to feel positive about the existing system.

If he had to find a way to describe it, it was like having two piles of dung placed before him, neither of which he wanted to choose.

Upon close examination, since coming to this world, he had been rather passive.

Initially, he thought being able to live again wasn’t bad.

Though his family was poor, and he had younger siblings to care for, thanks to his excellent performance in the Death Fighter matches, at least his quality of life could steadily improve.

He wouldn’t have to eat any trashy synthetic food anymore and could save money to upgrade to a high-end residence.

With the advantage of being superior in the Ability Pool, he wouldn’t face any life threats in the Death Arena, could live a life free of worry, and enjoy life.

If his ideals were a bit grander or more juvenile, it would be to eliminate more aliens, maybe even lead humanity out of the underground to live on the surface again...

And then what?

Lv Bai couldn’t find an answer; he just felt like he could still achieve more.

...

"That’s it for now; I should head back."

Lv Bai didn’t eat much during the meal, picked at his food a few times, then got up to leave.

"Did it not suit your taste?"

Xiao Xueyin was startled at first, then seemed to have guessed something: "Then let me give you a ride."

The black sedan they arrived in had been replaced by a sports car.

The car was quite cool, but unfortunately, the ride wasn’t as comfortable as a business car.

Xiao Xueyin didn’t speed up; he casually asked, "Does Brother Bai feel that our lifestyle is detached from most people?"

Lv Bai watched the scenery retreating through the window, speaking in an inexplicable tone: "Consider it a sudden fit of sentimentality."

"Actually, it’s just that your mindset hasn’t adjusted yet; it’s unnecessary to feel this way. I know your previous life was tough, but now you’re a Death Fighter and different from those who waste food."

Xiao Xueyin further reduced the speed and continued: "You just haven’t gotten used to it yet; I still admire your decisive demeanor in the Death Arena."

Lv Bai casted a sidelong glance at him: "Stop it, that sounds kind of cheesy."

Xiao Xueyin: "..."?

"I know people are unequal, no matter the era; some folks are just meant to be more equal."

Lv Bai chuckled meaninglessly: "I’m not anti-social; as long as a program is running, I won’t interfere, at least until I find a better solution."

He could already see the outline of the Habitable City ahead and said: "Stop here; if this car goes in, it won’t come out easily without losing a few parts."

Xiao Xueyin didn’t insist, parked the car at the roadside, and unlocked the door.

"Anyway, I still say this: if you encounter any problems you can’t solve, just call me."

...

When Lv Bai got home, Lv Qingyan had already gone to sleep.

Only Lü Ziyi was left, still with the light on, waiting for him on the sofa.

After all, tonight was rather tiring; from the police station to dinner, it was nearly midnight by the time he got home.

"Have you eaten?"

Lü Ziyi wore pajamas with little bear patterns, curled up on the sofa, and couldn’t help but yawn.

Awakening slightly, she pointed to the simple dining table: "If you haven’t eaten, I can heat something up for you. We didn’t have much for dinner; make do."

Lv Bai looked at her sleepy eyes and couldn’t help but smile.

"You go to sleep; I’ll handle it myself."

"Alright then, finish up and rest early."

Perhaps because she was too tired, Lü Ziyi didn’t seem as cold as usual, her tone slightly tender.

With that, she got up and walked back to her room in oversized men’s slippers.

Considering the noise from using the induction cooker would be significant, Lv Bai lazily decided not to reheat the food, choosing instead to eat it cold with chopsticks.

Indeed, he didn’t have high demands regarding food, especially given his status in the previous Death Arena where he had tasted all kinds of delicacies, it was nice to occasionally change it up.

After satisfying his hunger and washing up, it was already late.

Lv Bai went back to the sofa and lay down, gazing for a while at the holographic starry sky outside the window before closing his eyes and drifting into sleep.

...

In the following days, life felt very mundane.

The work content from the Assessment Department was indeed leisurely, Lv Bai would check in at school every day then turn to engage in combat practice.

During this time, the Can Society seemed to have vanished suddenly; they didn’t contact Lv Bai anymore, and he didn’t hear any news about them.

Xiao Xueyin still occasionally visited Zudian Campus to connect with Lv Bai, eager to treat him to meals every day.

Lv Bai’s rejections grew frequent, so Xiao Xueyin stopped insisting, but he continued coming every day without fail to spend time with him, hoping his persistence would win Lv Bai over.

It’s worth mentioning that as time passed, the New Harvest Festival approached closer, and the festival atmosphere indeed grew richer.

Especially in densely populated areas like Habitable City, many shops decorated their premises with New Harvest Festival themes.

Even Lü Ziyi started complaining that food prices had increased significantly, making grocery shopping a bit painful.

Beep Beep Beep~

Following a crisp ringing.

Lv Bai took his credentials from the smart screen, turned, and looked at Xiao Xueyin: "Now?"