Chapter 49: Laying the Cards on the Table

With no other choice, Beast had to make his way to the bathroom, quickly washed up, changed into a fresh set of clothes, and prepared to leave. He was determined to exercise, nurture this body, and keep himself in good shape—he didn’t want to someday drop dead unexpectedly while gaming. So, he wasn’t about to push his physical limits; though with his force of will, he could easily suppress the protest from his stomach.

However, as Beast stepped out of his room, he saw the lady landlord emerging from the elevator, carrying a large bundle of food. She glanced at Beast as he exited, a hint of puzzlement on her face. “Hmm, heading out at this hour—are you off to eat?”

Beast replied quietly, “You’re preparing to eat as well?”

She looked at him and said, “Yes, but I seem to have bought much more than I can finish alone. These things can’t be kept overnight or they’ll spoil. Would you join me?”

Beast’s gaze lingered on her, and for a brief moment, their eyes met. His cold stare seemed to make the air around them chillier; after a pause, Beast shook his head. “No, you should have a fridge. Keep them for a few days—you’ll manage to eat them all.”

With that, Beast intended to step past her and head straight for the elevator. He still needed to eat and replenish his nutrients.

“I don’t believe you feel nothing at all…” The lady landlord’s voice echoed behind him, and Beast noticed her eyes lingered on his chest. “I admit I’m not a beauty of national fame, but I’m not unattractive either. Out of a hundred points, I believe I’d at least pass.”

Beast looked at her coldly. “That brings up another question—why are you interested in me?”

Truth be told, Beast wasn’t a fool. Having lived for who knows how many years, he could hardly be deceived by the landlord’s little intentions. (Though he genuinely had no idea what her actions at lunch were meant to convey.)

“You saved me,” she said, stepping closer, narrowing the distance between them so they could feel each other’s breath. “And you make me feel safe. In the end, what a woman wants isn’t a handsome man or a wealthy one—it’s someone who makes her feel secure.”

Beast finally understood. The notion was laughable: even if he couldn’t wield his full power, as a top-tier digital beast who had survived countless years, the aura he unconsciously emanated would certainly make any ordinary woman feel safe.

It was like a king or noble entering a place where no one knew his identity. Even if he didn’t intend to reveal who he was, people would sense he was different. Though they might not guess his true status, they would still perceive him as someone far above them.

Such was the present situation. Beast’s aura might seem insignificant to ordinary people, but in reality, it had an effect—especially last night, when he had played the hero. That aura struck the landlord deeply.

So, even though she knew the body of Wang Jie was ugly, short, fat, and poor, she still pursued that sense of security, like a moth drawn to flame.

Beast replied coldly, “Right now, I don’t wish to think about these matters. Please seek someone more outstanding. I don’t want to move out, but if you continue to pester me, I won’t mind changing places—even cities.”

Honestly, Beast had no attachment to staying here because of the landlord. He simply knew that his aura wouldn’t change if he relocated—it wouldn’t be different anywhere else.

In other words, unless he truly withdrew from the world, found some remote, internet-connected mountain retreat and never came out again, he might avoid such troubles—but only possibly.

And that’s not even considering how to find such a place, how to get there, or how to survive. Unlike the modern city, his body wouldn’t last long on its own.

So, after thinking it through, since he might encounter the same situation elsewhere, why not just stay here? Of course, the landlord had to stop bothering him, or he’d be annoyed.

Besides, as a digital beast, though his sense of aesthetics was similar to humans (there were humanoid digital beasts, even ones resembling human beauties), he was ultimately not human.

It was like a human finding a cat adorable and beautiful—no matter how cute, at most they’d take it home as a pet, not consider anything more.

The landlord’s expression grew desolate. “Is it really necessary to be this way?”

“I believe I’ve made myself clear enough,” Beast’s eyes held steady on her, the resolve in his gaze causing her heart to tremble.

She forced a bitter smile. “Is there really no chance?”

“Perhaps someday, if I decide to find someone to marry, and you still like me then, we could be together.” His words made her eyes shine instantly.

Of course, what Beast meant was, once he finished collecting all Zero Beast’s data, he would leave. If Wang Jie—the real owner of this body—could still control it, he likely wouldn’t mind being with the beautiful landlord.

But in her ears, his words sounded entirely different. Beast noticed this, but didn’t clarify. Better to give her hope than leave her in despair.