What It's Like Being a Vampire

Chapter 647: Chapter 647 Nana, Condolences

They knew Xiang Kun went to Antarctica?

Tang Baona’s eyes widened in surprise, queasily uncertain how to respond.

Tang Baoting smiled and said, “Nana, do you still remember that eight-armed, eight-eyed wood carving that Xiang Kun once made?”

Tang Baona reacted instantly, remembering when Xiang Kun initially made that woodcarving for her grandfather. Her older sister Baoting and brother-in-law Gao Yao had watched and even played with it.

Her grandfather and her uncle were even more involved, as her uncle had taken the carving to a ‘master’ to perform some rites, only for it to be sent back with the message that it was ‘impossible to perform’. This had led to her throwing quite the fit back then.

But looking back now, it seemed that the so-called ‘master’ wasn’t just spouting nonsense. The dreams that her uncle and grandfather had, weren’t baseless. Xiang Kun’s eight-armed, eight-eyed wood carving did indeed have the ability to trigger fear.

When the illusion of the eight-armed, eight-eyed giant appeared in Myitkyina, her older sister and her uncle had subtly prompted some questions. At that time, she had dismissed the idea that Xiang Kun had anything to do with the illusion in Myitkyina, and had rebutted Yang Zhen’er’s hypothesis, so she hadn’t responded to the gentle inquiries from her uncle or sister.

However, after the “Antarctica crisis”, the illusion of the eight-armed, eight-eyed giant appeared worldwide, and it directly correlated to the resolution of the Antarctic crisis with a super-storm in the Pacific. Despite the heated discussions among the public, her uncle, sister, and brother-in-law had stopped inquiring about it.

She had thought that her family’s suspicion towards Xiang Kun and the wood carving had been dispelled. But unexpectedly, three years later, her uncle suddenly revealed Xiang Kun’s real whereabouts.

So, they had always known the truth and had just refrained from asking?

Seeing Nana’s round eyes still open wide, wearing an expression of “I don’t understand what you’re talking about,” their grandfather, Mr. Feng, also spoke up:

“Nana, we aware that the resolution to the ‘Antarctica Crisis’ is related to Xiang Kun.”

“Ah, Grandpa, Uncle, you all know?” Upon hearing this, Tang Baona suddenly relaxed, because she didn’t have to worry about “leaking” anything.

Her Uncle Feng Xiuye chuckled, “I initially thought there was something strange about that carving. But when that ‘master’ named Du was arrested for fraud, I thought I was just overthinking. I felt guilty for doubting Nana and Xiang Kun.”

Tang Baona laughed awkwardly, “I didn’t know at that time either.”

Feng Xiuye continued, “When the news reported the incident in Myitkyina and the tourists interviewed described what they felt when they saw the eight-armed, eight-eyed giant, I knew… The nightmares I was having were not a mere coincidence and were definitely related to the carving. Since Xiang Kun made the carving, it meant that the eight-armed, eight-eyed giant… was also related to him.”

Tang Baoting laughed, “At that time, Uncle secretly asked me if Xiang Kun exhibited any strange behaviors, like often disappearing for a while. He suspected that Xiang Kun might have worked for the government in a role that wouldn’t appear on a regular background check. Otherwise, why would that ‘master’ be arrested by the police as soon as the carving landed in his hands? Wasn’t Xiang Kun not in Shenhai and went to West Sea at that time? My uncle suspected that the incident in Myitkyina was an official mission that Xiang Kun was carrying out…”

Tang Baona chuckled non-stop and only managed to say after a while, “Uncle, your imagination sure runs in the same direction as Yang Lao San. Hahaha.”

Feng Xiuye sighed resignedly, “At that time, I really wasn’t certain. It was just a sudden thought I had, so I asked Tingting in private. I didn’t dare to tell my father.”

“But, Uncle, you were right this time,” said Tang Baoting.

“Oh? How did you all know he was right?” Tang Baona asked in surprise. She had heard from Old Xia and Alice about some things and knew that Xiang Kun had connected with “Divine Technology”, Mr. Liang, and Old He several months after the Myitkyina incident. Before that, he wasn’t an official. He went to Myitkyina primarily to save Old Xia’s cousin Xia Tianhuo, and only helped suppress the riot with the fearful projection of the “eight-armed, eight-eyed wood carving” because it happened to occur.

“Naturally, it’s because of the ‘Antarctica Crisis’ three years ago.” Feng Xiuye said, “The international community basically believes it was our country secretly leading the resolution of the ‘Antarctica Crisis’. Your grandfather knows some information – that our government had predicted the ‘Antarctica Crisis’ in advance, and even knew the specific time when it would be resolved. The online story about a man causing a lightning storm by the sea and flying away with the electricity is also true. We analyzed this information and concluded that Xiang Kun could very well be that person. Even if it wasn’t him, he would definitely be involved.”

Mr. Feng also added, “I’ve heard from you before that Yang Zhen’er’s cousin, that Xia girl who was always hanging out with you, left her job at the hospital and has been supervising a breeding research base in Haixi Province? I heard some news. That research base had gathered many important researchers and could decide the future direction of the world. This is the exact quote from a very trustworthy old friend of mine.”

“Nana, ‘Divine Technology’ and your ‘QianKun Technology’ were also assisting the government in conducting secret research, right?” Feng Xiuye asked, then paused before adding, “Of course, if it’s classified, you don’t have to answer.”

“Well… all I can say is, grandpa really is well-informed.” Tang Baona said somewhat helplessly.

Actually, she knew because Xiang Kun, Mr. Liang, Old He and others had initially set the strategy of moderately leaking some of the truths about the “Antarctic Crisis” to let certain people in other countries know who the savior of the world was and who holds the decision-making power in the “Post-Antarctic Crisis Era”.

So domestically, regarding the “mutants”, the “Antarctic Crisis”, the illusion of the Eight-armed, Eight-eyed Giant, QianKun Technology, the research base in Chongyun Village and Xiang Kun, within a small sphere, it could be said that it is an open secret for high-level officials and researchers in related fields.

With grandpa’s network, it’s not surprising that he could know some relevant information and, considering that he already knows about the “Eight-armed, Eight-eyed Wood Carving,” deduce a judgment that is close to the facts.

However, maybe it’s because they thought that Xiang Kun had gone to Antarctica to save the world that grandpa, uncle, sister, brother-in-law didn’t inquire about Xiang Kun’s whereabouts with mother.

Tang Baoting, who had been observing her sister’s expression, suddenly asked, “Nana, Xiang Kun… hasn’t he already sacrificed himself?”

Tang Baona was taken aback and exclaimed, “Sis, why would you say that?” She noticed that when her sister asked this, Gao Yao, both uncles, and grandpa also looked at her at the same time, obviously they had privately discussed this doubt.

“It’s your brother-in-law’s analysis!” Tang Baoting immediately betrayed her teammate.

Gao Yao had to say, “I just have some doubts… because after the ‘Antarctic Crisis’ was resolved by the super lightning storm that formed over the Pacific Ocean, our country did not immediately send people to Antarctica and was not very active in establishing research bases in Antarctica either. Moreover, all the scientific expedition teams and investigation teams from various countries that landed in Antarctica, besides the giant footprints, didn’t make any substantive discoveries. And Xiang Kun still hasn’t come back…”

Tang Baona wondered, “But didn’t I tell you that Zhen’er, Old Xia and I, as well as others at the company, often call Xiang Kun, and Xiang Kun is still involved in the company’s decisions? By the way, sis, last New Year’s Day, Xiang Kun spoke to Brother Bin and Zi Cheng via speakerphone, weren’t you there? Didn’t you hear it?”

However, Gao Yao said, “That’s just the strange thing. We know that Xiang Kun wasn’t on a trip to Europe three years ago but went to Antarctica. So how could he have frequently called back? If he could have called frequently, logically, he should have also found a way to come back. So I suspect that Xiang Kun’s voice might be an AI faked by your company. Three years ago, in the ‘Sound Genesis’ game, you already had voice NPCs that people couldn’t distinguish from players.”

Having said that, Gao Yao felt a bit embarrassed and said, “I’m just guessing, I’m not exactly sure and have no actual evidence. Also, your sister didn’t finish what I said. I said…I thought Xiang Kun might be injured, or even sacrificed. The probability of being sacrificed is small. I think maybe he was injured in the ‘Antarctic Crisis’, then he is resting somewhere, inconvenient to come back or he might have actually come back, just inconvenient to meet his parents or others now, and can only use the excuse of being on a business trip to stall.” Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Tang Baona was dumbfounded. Her brother-in-law’s “guess” did have a lot of details off, but in terms of the result, it wasn’t far off—Xiang Kun’s current condition was indeed “inconvenient to come back” and he really could only use the business trip excuse to stall.

Tang Baoting, who had been observant of her sister’s facial expressions, misunderstood her reaction and patted her shoulder, saying in a heavy tone, “Nana, be strong.”

Tang Baona couldn’t help but laugh and cry, “What’s there to be strong about? Sis, don’t just say things! Xiang Kun is perfectly fine!”

With that said, she suddenly wanted to play a joke. She took out her phone and said, “If you don’t believe me, I’ll call Xiang Kun and let him talk to you.”

So, she dialed Xiang Kun’s number and turned on speakerphone.

After seven or eight rings, the phone was answered and it was indeed Xiang Kun’s voice: “Hello, Nana?”

“Are you busy now? My sister, my grandpa, and others want to talk to you.” Tang Baona said with a straight face, holding back a laugh.

“Ah? Talk to me?” Xiang Kun’s voice sounded surprised.

Tang Baoting asked hastily, “Xiang Kun! Where are you?”

“Ah, Tingting’s sister? I’m on a business trip in Europe.”

“Where exactly in Europe!”

“I was in Sasnitz before, now in Shitze-Heirsk, you might not have heard of this place…”

Tang Baoting suddenly asked an unrelated question, “What dishes did you cook when Gao Yao and I first visited your home?”

Xiang Kun’s voice was somewhat hesitant and confused: “That happened such a long time ago, how can I remember? Sister Baoting, why are you suddenly asking this?”

But Tang Baoting urged him: “You can’t possibly not remember anything at all, just mention any!”

“I remember there was a dry pot rabbit meat, you and Old Gao were quite fond of that dish, and then there was something else… No wait, Sister Baoting, why are you really asking this?”

Tang Baona chuckled: “My sister and my brother-in-law suspect that you are an AI simulated voice.”

“Ah?” The voice of Xiang Kun laughed: “Why would they think that I am an AI simulated voice? Does Sister Baoting think that you and Yang Lao San have already done me in order to seize control of the company, buried me quietly somewhere, and then replaced me with an AI voice?”

“You’re out of your mind!” Tang Baona laughed, her fingers secretly pinched her own thigh under the table to prevent herself from bursting into uncontrollable laughter.

“Xiang Kun, when will you be back? I want to chat with you again about wood carving. That sparrow wood carving that you gave me before is very good. Do you have any new works?” Mr. Feng laughed.

“Mr. Feng, I’ve been too busy outside recently and haven’t had time to do wood carving. I’ll come visit you with Nana when I’m back.”

“Xiang Kun, what does that eight-armed, eight-eyed giant that appeared in various places three years ago have to do with your eight-armed, eight-eyed wood carving?” Feng Xiuye continued to ask.

“Well… I can’t say it doesn’t have anything to do with it, but as for how much exactly, it might not be convenient to say it over the phone. I’ll explain when I’m back,” Xiang Kun hesitated.

Tang Baoting asked: “Xiang Kun, are you really in Europe?”

“Yes, of course, where else could I be, in Antarctica?” Xiang Kun’s voice laughed.

“In that place, what is it called…”

“Shitze-Heirsk, in Denmark.”

“Well then, when my sister and I have time, we’ll come visit you!”

“Sure, this place is quite suitable for travel. However, by the time you guys arrive, I may have already left. I have to go to Norway, then to Sweden, and then to Finland.”

“Xiang Kun, what exactly are you doing on your business trip in Europe? Can you disclose it? If it’s market development work, you won’t be going for so long by yourself, right?” Gao Yao asked.

“I can only say that it has to do with Old Xia’s research. I can’t say much more than that.” The voice of Xiang Kun hesitated.

After the phone was connected, Tang Baona seldom spoke. She always covertly watched her sister, brother-in-law, uncle, grandfather and others communicate with “Xiang Kun” through the phone, observing their expressions, sensing their emotional melodies, and judging their status of communication with “Xiang Kun”.

After confirming that her sister and brother-in-law had all regarded the voice of “Xiang Kun” in the phone as the real Xiang Kun, Tang Baona couldn’t help but feel mischievous, having a feeling of a successful prank.

Of course, the voice of this “Xiang Kun” was simulated by Alice. However, Tang Baona was confident that her sister and the others definitely wouldn’t be able to tell.

Keep in mind, before this, she and Yang Lao San, Xiao Pingguo, Xiao Lingdang had all collectively tested Alice’s “simulation of Xiang Kun”. Even from just voice interaction, these closely acquainted individuals couldn’t tell; not to mention Baoting and Gao Yao.

Moreover, when Tang Baona and the others initially tested it, they already knew that Alice was the one simulating. They couldn’t find any loopholes. Alice was crystal clear about the details of each of their interactions. Even things that happened before Alice merged with the “Super Sensory Item System” and were not recorded by her, she could guess almost perfectly based on their current reactions and conversation, coupled with past information details.

Except for people like Mrs. Xiang who rely on “bloodline intuition” for judgment, the “cheating players”, regular individuals would definitely not be able to distinguish if it’s the real Xiang Kun based solely on voice communication.

However, she couldn’t let Mrs. Xiang know about the call with “Xiang Kun” at this time, otherwise, Xiang Kun would be guilty of intentionally avoiding his mother’s calls.

After hanging up with “Xiang Kun,” Tang Baona tucked away her phone, and couldn’t help but ask Gao Yao, “So, brother-in-law, was this voice mimicked by AI? Or is it a fake Xiang Kun?”

Gao Yao instinctively shook his head, “This definitely isn’t AI… But after talking to Xiang Kun for a bit, I’m starting to believe he may indeed be in Europe now. Did he solve the ‘Antarctic crisis’ and then went to Europe for another mission?”

Tang Baoting said, “I noticed that we had a long chat with Xiang Kun and seemed quite lively, but we actually didn’t get any answers. I’m even more confused after the call.”

Mr. Feng chuckled, “Nevermind, as long as we know that Xiang Kun is our own, a great hero doing important things, that’s good enough. As for his relationship with Nana, let the young people decide.”

After chatting at her grandfather’s for a while, Tang Baona left with her sister and brother-in-law in their car.

She got off the car at her own residential area and said goodbye to her sister and brother-in-law. After watching their car drive away, Tang Baona didn’t immediately head home. Instead, she took out her phone and asked directly, “Alice, do you know about the doubts my sister and her husband had previously?”

Alice’s voice sounded from the phone, “Of course, I know!~”

“Then why didn’t you notify me?” Tang Baona asked, puzzled.

“Didn’t you say that I don’t have to report every little detail about your family, and only tell you when they are in danger or trouble?” Alice replied.

Tang Baona was momentarily speechless for that was indeed what she had instructed Alice.

For a period of time, she had Alice report others’ discussions about her, their opinions of her, and so on. As a result, Alice turned into a major gossip, reporting every time her sister, brother-in-law, father, mother, grandfather, uncles, aunts, grandpa, and grandma, talked about her in private — even when they simply mentioned her name. Alice would come and report it with a recording, and sometimes even create virtual images to graphically “reconstruct the scene”.

At first, she found it interesting, but after a while, she realized that knowing everything wasn’t quite right. Even if these were her family members discussing things related to her, it still felt like an invasion of privacy. Hence she put an end to Alice’s all-encompassing gossip behavior and instructed her to report only when it pertained to the safety of her family.

“For things that could potentially ambush me and leave me flustered, you should notify me beforehand.” Tang Baona said helplessly.

“But you weren’t flustered!” Alice sounded triumphant, “I figured it out! You could easily handle it, Sister Nana! There’s no problem!”

Tang Baona was speechless again. Unfortunately, she didn’t have the physical “Baby Alice” beside her. Otherwise, she would have given Alice’s little chubby face a pinch.

“Alice.” Tang Baona turned around and walked into the residential area, unable to help but ask, “When will Xiang Kun be back?”

“I don’t know either.” Alice’s tone also grew a bit downcast, “The boss’s evolution this time is more significant than expected. I don’t know when he’ll finish.”

Tang Baona stopped in front of the flowerbed in the residential area, looked up at the clear night sky and the twinkling stars. She couldn’t help but recall her mother’s words during dinner, and then the situation when she and Xiang Kun first met, feeling a bit sentimental.

She could never have imagined when she first met Xiang Kun at the coffee shop that over a year later, she would save the world with this bald man.

Now, the way she thought about problems, the way she viewed the world, had completely changed.

Work, play games, watch anime, record music, upload videos, dream of future love life, indulge in the virtual world of anime — most of her previous lifestyle and thought process have been overturned.

Because the reality now includes many things she didn’t even dare to dream about before.

Even her understanding of life has undergone earth-shattering changes — Alice once confidently told her that she could make her live forever.