"The Forty-Seventh Floor, Floria."
As the light from the teleportation gate faded, Argo's breathing hitched for a moment.
Her vision was submerged in an endless sea of flowers.
Multicolor blossoms formed a surging river, stretching from beneath her feet to the end of the world. The cloying fragrance in the air was almost enough to drown someone.
She instinctively ran a few steps forward, like a butterfly that had stumbled into a garden, sniffing here and looking there, her skirt swishing a joyful arc through the flowers.
Chen Mo didn't rush her, he just stood still, watching her joyful figure in the sea of flowers, a smile in his eyes that he himself hadn't even noticed.
Until Argo's gaze landed on a couple embracing tightly not far away.
Her footsteps abruptly halted.
This… was SAO's most famous dating spot.
A flush exploded on her cheeks, quickly spreading to her ears.
Argo whipped her head around, secretly glancing at Chen Mo, then quickly averted her gaze as if she'd been shocked.
This man, the man who treated a hundred lives as nothing in the snowy plains, who slaughtered Orange Players like dogs… he brought her here?
"Let's go."
Chen Mo's voice broke through her jumbled thoughts.
"Wh-where are we going?" Argo's heart pounded fiercely. She followed his steps, even walking with a bit of a clumsy gait.
"Somewhere quiet."
The two walked along a path paved with petals.
Argo's heart was like a nest of rabbits, thumping wildly.
Could it be… he really had a breakthrough?
No, this wasn't his style.
As she was lost in thought, an ethereal song drifted over on the wind.
In a flower bed not far away, a girl in a white dress was softly strumming a harp, her voice as pure as if it had been washed by spring water.
"Good timing." Chen Mo paused.
The two sat down on a patch of grass where they could hear the song.
Argo deliberately kept a little distance from him, her hands nervously clutching the hem of her clothes. The melodious song drifted into her ears, singing of lovers' longing and promises.
As she listened, her mood grew even more complicated.
In this world where death could strike at any moment, talking about the future was such a luxury.
"Argo."
Chen Mo suddenly spoke.
"Hm?" She turned her head and saw Chen Mo open his menu interface, his expression seeming a little… uncomfortable.
"Your hand."
"Eh?"
Argo was stunned for a moment, but still extended her right hand as requested.
Chen Mo took out a small velvet box from his ITEM.
His motion of opening the box carried a hint of imperceptible stiffness.
A pair of exquisite rings lay quietly inside.
They weren't ordinary equipment; the bands were engraved with intricate, miniature garden vines, perfectly echoing the scenery of the place.
Argo's pupils widened slightly, and she forgot to breathe.
"The Fifty-First Floor, a hidden quest." Chen Mo's voice was a bit lower than usual, his gaze fixed on the rings, not looking at her. "The materials were hard to find."
He picked up one of them and took Argo's hand.
The calluses on his fingertips brushed against her skin, carrying a burning warmth.
Chen Mo's movements were gentle, even a little clumsy, as he carefully slipped the cool ring onto her ring finger.
The size was a perfect fit.
"What… what's the effect?" Argo felt her voice trembling.
"Once a day, unlimited range, summons the person wearing the paired ring to your side."
Chen Mo said, picking up the other ring and decisively putting it on his own hand.
"Cooldown, twenty-four hours."
Argo's mind went blank.
This… wasn't this a wedding ring in a game?!
"Wh-why…" Her voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz.
Chen Mo finally looked up at her, the tips of his ears a suspicious red, yet he still maintained a straight face, explaining earnestly.
"It's practical."
"Just in case."
Argo was stunned at first, then burst out laughing, growing louder and louder, until she was doubled over, tears welling in her eyes.
This idiot!
The biggest idiot in the world!
He was doing the most romantic thing in this world, yet he insisted on finding the most hardcore, most unromantic reason!
"Then…" She blinked her watery eyes, deliberately drawing out her voice to tease him, "If I summon you while I'm taking a shower, will you come?"
Chen Mo's face visibly reddened.
"You…"
"Hahahaha! Your expression is too funny!"
Chen Mo's face darkened further, but his ears were so red they looked like they might drip blood.
"Don't misuse it."
"I know, I know." Argo waved her hand, laughing, then lowered her head, looking at the ring on her finger with precious care, and whispered.
"Thank you, Chen Mo."
"I really like it."
This was from the bottom of her heart, without a trace of jest.
Chen Mo didn't speak again, he just turned his head, quietly looking at the distant sea of flowers.
The wind blew, and the flower waves surged.
"Chen Mo." Argo suddenly spoke again.
"Hm?"
"Do you think we can make it out of here alive?"
There was a hint of confusion in her voice.
Chen Mo turned his head and looked at her steadily.
"Yes."
His answer was resolute.
"What if… I mean, what if…" Argo's voice was a little hesitant, "Back in the real world, we might not even know each other… will you still remember me?"
This question made the air fall silent.
In reality, they were people from two different worlds.
After a long time, Chen Mo reached out and gently stroked her cheek with his thumb.
"Yes."
His voice was very soft, yet incredibly clear.
"Really?" Argo looked up, her eyes glistening with tears.
"Really."
Chen Mo gazed into her eyes, enunciating each word.
"No matter which world, you are Argo."
A tear finally fell.
Argo could no longer hold back and suddenly threw herself into his arms, hugging him with all her might.
"I'll remember you too!" She buried her face in his chest, her voice muffled and tearful, "I'll remember you, this… cold yet gentle, biggest idiot in the world!"
The two embraced silently, time losing its meaning at this moment.
After an unknown amount of time, the distant singing stopped.
"Time to go." Chen Mo said softly.
"Just a little longer." Argo snuggled into his arms, unwilling to get up.
"Trouble's coming."
No sooner had he spoken than a clamor grew from far to near.
A group of players was excitedly running towards them.
"Look! It's Boss Chen Mo!"
"Oh my god! I actually saw him alive with my own eyes! Is that Argo the Rat next to Boss?"
"Are they on a date? Quick, take a picture! This is exclusive news!"
Argo sighed, reluctantly emerging from his warm embrace.
"It seems quiet moments are always fleeting."
Chen Mo stood up, casually brushing off a petal that had clung to her hair.
"Let's go."
He opened the teleportation menu, his gaze already returned to its usual calm and sharpness.
"To the Fifty-Sixth Floor."
"So soon we're going back to fighting for our lives?" Argo pouted.
"Hm." Chen Mo's gaze swept across the sky of the higher floors in the distance.
This time, Chen Mo didn't make such a grand statement, he just softly said.
"Been away from the front lines for too long."