Although the answer was as expected, Jing Minghe couldn't help but feel a surge of joy. Of course, no matter how happy he was, he didn't forget the main purpose.
"Since Brother Hao remembers, I don't need to explain in detail, do I?"
"Mm."
Chi Hao didn't need to know the details; he just needed to know who had bullied his Minghe.
Jing Minghe raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Then, can I ask?"
"I don't know." Before Jing Minghe could ask, Chi Hao had already given him the answer.
Jing Minghe was puzzled, "Don't know?"
"Yes," Chi Hao nodded slightly, "I have something on me that shouldn't belong to me, but I don't know why it's there."
He paused, then continued, "Not only that, but I also have strange memories. Occasionally, they are related to you, and I don't know the reason for that either."
"What?" Jing Minghe exclaimed, "Related to me? But we shouldn't have known each other before."
"Not shouldn't have, we absolutely did not know each other."
"Brother Hao," Jing Minghe hesitated, then asked, "Do you know Lu Fanfei?"
Chi Hao frowned. He realized that when Jing Minghe said the name Lu Fanfei, a hint of displeasure flashed in his heart, yet he had no memory of this person.
Unless that stranger who appeared in his memory and mentioned the name Minghe to him was Lu Fanfei.
But he didn't know that person at all, so why would he have memories related to him?
Chi Hao thought of a possibility.
However, proud as he was, he was unwilling to admit the existence of such a possibility.
Seeing Chi Hao frown and remain silent for a long time, Jing Minghe had a guess. Just as he was about to speak, Chi Hao spoke at the same time.
"No."
"Is that so," Jing Minghe turned and sat beside Chi Hao. "Brother Hao, Lu Fanfei is my brother. Although not my biological brother, I was raised by him. Shortly after I was born, both my parents were selected by the system and entered the City of Death. None of my relatives wanted me, a burden. It was Lu Fanfei, who was only eight years old then, who took me to his home."
Chi Hao slowly turned his head to look at Jing Minghe. Jing Minghe smiled and said, "Brother Fanfei is very smart. He's the smartest person I've ever met, and as powerful as you, Brother Hao."
"Is that so?"
"Mm," Jing Minghe showed a rare excited expression. "My brother is a genius. His brain is simply superhuman. He..."
Mid-sentence, Jing Minghe suddenly stopped.
Chi Hao pressed, "Why don't you finish?"
The excitement on Jing Minghe's face instantly vanished. He gave a wry smile, "He was chosen to enter the City of Death a year ago, but I believe, since he's so smart, he must still be alive."
"You want to find him?"
"Yes," Jing Minghe said with a firm tone, "I must find him. He is my only family."
Chi Hao was curious, "Your only family? What about his family?"
Jing Minghe shook his head and said, "He has no family. As far as I can remember, he was alone in his family. That's why I said I was raised by him and didn't mention his family."
"I see."
Chi Hao hesitated for a moment, then placed his palm on Jing Minghe's head. "Don't worry, I will help you find him."
"Thank you, Brother Hao."
Chi Hao leaned closer to Jing Minghe and asked in a low voice, "Do we need to say thank you for our relationship?"
Chi Hao did not tell Jing Minghe that he suspected his memories might be related to Lu Fanfei, because he didn't know whether Lu Fanfei's intentions towards him were good or bad.
After all, how much goodwill could there be in arbitrarily altering someone's memories?
Moreover, he found that whenever he wanted to tell Jing Minghe more details, he felt an inability to speak, as if some force was preventing him from saying it.
Jing Minghe wanted to find his brother in this City of Death. Chi Hao decided that while helping Jing Minghe find Lu Fanfei, he must also figure out what had happened to himself, and whether the memories in his mind had indeed been tampered with, and by whom.
If it was related to Lu Fanfei, then what position did Minghe hold in the other's scheme?
Even, were his feelings for Jing Minghe influenced by Lu Fanfei?
If it was as he suspected, then there were some things he couldn't do to Jing Minghe, otherwise, it might bring greater harm to Jing Minghe.
"Brother Hao," Jing Minghe spoke again, his tone firmer than before, "Once we find my brother, we will have more confidence to leave this City of Death, and even..."
Jing Minghe didn't finish his sentence, but Chi Hao understood. He nodded slightly, stood up, and said to Jing Minghe, "You've been tired for so many days, get some rest early."
With that, he prepared to leave.
Just as Jing Minghe was about to say something to keep Chi Hao, he heard Chi Hao add, "By the way, if you want anything, just ask me. I can give you anything."
"I want you."
Jing Minghe blurted it out almost involuntarily. He had never been in a relationship before and didn't know when lovers should do what.
But he was very clear about his desire for Chi Hao.
Who wouldn't want someone like his Brother Hao? He wished Chi Hao could completely become his immediately, from top to bottom, inside and out, belonging only to him.
"No." Chi Hao replied.
This answer was both unexpected and within reason.
Jing Minghe shrugged and smiled, "I was too hasty. Um... Brother Hao, you..."
"I want you too, Minghe," Chi Hao interrupted Jing Minghe and explained, "But now is not the time. As for the reason, you will know soon."
"Alright," Jing Minghe sighed softly. He was willing to believe anything Chi Hao said unconditionally. "Then we... can rest together, just rest."
Chi Hao was stunned for a moment, then laughed, "Silly boy, your Brother Hao's self-control isn't as good as you think."
"..."
Chi Hao turned and left while Jing Minghe was still stunned. After Chi Hao left, Jing Minghe couldn't help but laugh.
His Brother Hao was truly incredibly adorable.
Jing Minghe yawned. He hadn't slept well during the days on the dilapidated cruise ship.
The uncertainty of the game instance and the bad dampness of the dilapidated cruise ship's cabins were one aspect. More importantly, the change in his relationship with Chi Hao made him too excited to sleep.
Now that Chi Hao had left, Jing Minghe was alone in the room. Furthermore, the rest area rooms had excellent soundproofing, so almost no sound from outside could penetrate. The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
The temperature and humidity were just right, which was one of the system's rewards for the victors.
Such a comfortable and quiet environment easily made one sleepy, especially for players who had been on edge throughout the instance and had finally cleared it.
Although Jing Minghe was an exception, he had a special situation this time.
Thus, Jing Minghe threw himself onto the bed, completely emptying his mind, hoping to have a good sleep.