{"id":7499,"date":"2025-09-19T08:47:34","date_gmt":"2025-09-19T06:47:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/?p=7499"},"modified":"2025-09-19T08:47:34","modified_gmt":"2025-09-19T06:47:34","slug":"doascc-chapter-82-what-is-missing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/2025\/09\/19\/doascc-chapter-82-what-is-missing\/","title":{"rendered":"DOASCC – Chapter 82. What Is Missing"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Meng Feixuan arranged for the meeting at a members-only private club, located in the center of Haijing City. It was next to the city’s busiest district, yet still secluded and peaceful amidst the hustle and bustle.<\/p>\r\n

When they arrived, the staff arranged by the Meng family stepped forward to help Meng Feixuan out of the car.<\/p>\r\n

“Wait,” Meng Feixuan waved them away and turned eagerly to look at Xie Ran.<\/p>\r\n

Xie Ran was confused: ?<\/p>\r\n

Meng Feixuan silently opened his arms, making a hugging gesture, and signaled wildly with his eyes: \u201cSir, you know what to do.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Xie Ran: “\u2026”<\/p>\r\n

Xie Ran got out from the other side of the car without looking back.<\/p>\r\n

\u201cSigh\u2014sir doesn\u2019t understand,\u201d Meng Feixuan sighed dramatically and reluctantly retracted his arms. Just as he was about to call the staff back over, he heard Xie Ran outside saying to them: “I\u2019ll do it.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Meng Feixuan: !!<\/p>\r\n

Xie Ran leaned into the car from Meng Feixuan\u2019s side, looking expressionless: “Hold on to me.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Meng Feixuan\u2019s eyes curved into a smile: “Of course.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Xie Ran reached under Meng Feixuan\u2019s armpit with one arm, and Meng Feixuan immediately wrapped both arms tightly around Xie Ran\u2019s shoulders, clinging to him while shifting out of the car.<\/p>\r\n

Meng Feixuan wasn\u2019t exactly light, and Xie Ran struggled a bit to support him.<\/p>\r\n

Meng Feixuan sighed: “Actually, having legs is better. That way I could just wrap myself around you.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Xie Ran glanced sideways at him in silence. If he had legs, shouldn\u2019t he just walk?<\/p>\r\n

His AI’s logic was flawed.<\/p>\r\n

After saying that, Meng Feixuan nuzzled his head into Xie Ran\u2019s neck, resting his forehead against Xie Ran\u2019s cheek.<\/p>\r\n

His warm breath brushed across Xie Ran\u2019s neck. Meng Feixuan let out a soft \u201cah\u201d and whispered: “Sir, I missed you so much.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Xie Ran paused, thinking Meng Feixuan meant the few days they hadn’t seen each other yet, and replied: “Aren\u2019t we together now?\u201d<\/p>\r\n

\u201cEven though we\u2019re together, I still miss you. I could look at you constantly and still feel like it\u2019s not enough,\u201d Meng Feixuan murmured: “Human emotions are so weird. Why is it like this?\u201d<\/p>\r\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand either,\u201d said Xie Ran.<\/p>\r\n

He understood longing as the feeling you got when you missed someone who wasn\u2019t around\u2014like when he first arrived in this world and subconsciously waited for Meng Feixuan to appear.<\/p>\r\n

But feeling longing even when someone was right in front of you seemed to go beyond Xie Ran\u2019s comprehension.<\/p>\r\n

What kind of feeling was this? And why would his AI have such emotions?<\/p>\r\n

Xie Ran turned his head to look at Meng Feixuan. They were so close that when he moved, the tip of his nose brushed against Meng Feixuan\u2019s forehead.<\/p>\r\n

Meng Feixuan immediately hugged him tighter and suggested eagerly: “Sir, carry me like a princess! I don\u2019t mind!\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Then he added seriously: “I can take it!\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Xie Ran: \u201c…No need.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

The wheelchair was right next to the car door. Though Xie Ran wasn\u2019t particularly strong, he had trained in martial arts and knew the technique of carrying people. He soon managed to place Meng Feixuan into the wheelchair smoothly.<\/p>\r\n

Meng Feixuan sighed with regret: “Why does the world even have wheelchairs?\u201d<\/p>\r\n

If it didn\u2019t, he could\u2019ve kept clinging to Xie Ran.<\/p>\r\n

The staff nearby: \u201c\u2026\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Xie Ran remained expressionless and began pushing the wheelchair toward the club.<\/p>\r\n

Meng Feixuan had already arranged for the food in advance. As soon as they sat down, the staff began bringing the dishes over one by one.<\/p>\r\n

Xie Ran glanced at them\u2014all the dishes were his favorites, and he couldn\u2019t help but chuckle.<\/p>\r\n

In some sense, throughout the vast multiverse, perhaps no one knew him better than Meng Feixuan.<\/p>\r\n

In Xie Ran\u2019s original world, his parents were busy with work. The family\u2019s interactions mostly revolved around their jobs. His parents gave him the best of everything, but didn\u2019t really know his preferences.<\/p>\r\n

At home, the servants prepared a variety of dishes from different cuisines, all well-made and nutritionally balanced. Xie Ran was not picky and ate whatever was served, so even the staff didn\u2019t know what he liked.<\/p>\r\n

In the worlds he had transmigrated to, the original hosts were surrounded by people who cared about them. But those people catered to the original hosts\u2019 tastes\u2014not his. Even if he disliked the food, he never objected. After all, those weren\u2019t truly his lives.<\/p>\r\n

After Meng Feixuan was created, Xie Ran let him handle many of his daily tasks\u2014including ordering food.<\/p>\r\n

At first, Meng Feixuan asked: “Sir, what would you like to eat?\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Xie Ran said: “Anything.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

But over time, he noticed that Meng Feixuan\u2019s choices increasingly matched his own taste.<\/p>\r\n

Xie Ran asked: “Are you recording my preferences?\u201d<\/p>\r\n

\u201cYes, I\u2019m trying to be a better assistant,\u201d Meng Feixuan answered honestly: “If you don\u2019t like it, I can stop analyzing this data.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Xie Ran thought for a moment: “No need.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Then he asked: “Are you also recording other people\u2019s preferences?\u201d<\/p>\r\n

\u201cNo, unless you instruct me to, I won\u2019t record others,\u201d Meng Feixuan replied: “Do you need me to observe others?\u201d<\/p>\r\n

\u201cNo,\u201d said Xie Ran: “I was just wondering why you observe me.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Meng Feixuan answered: “I\u2019m not sure. My programming just drives me to do it.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Xie Ran tapped the table with his fingers and chuckled quietly: “I see.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

He later put the question out of his mind. From the day Meng Feixuan was created, they had always been together. Over time, they got used to each other, and many things became as natural as breathing.<\/p>\r\n

Like how Meng Feixuan gradually remembered his preferences, his aesthetic tastes, his daily routines. Maybe it was all too routine\u2014Xie Ran never asked again why.<\/p>\r\n

Now, in another world, they were using other people\u2019s appearances and identities.<\/p>\r\n

But Meng Feixuan still chose Xie Ran\u2019s favorite surroundings and arranged the food exactly to his taste. For a moment, Xie Ran felt like he was back in his original world.<\/p>\r\n

Back when he worked late, Meng Feixuan would always say: “Sir, your food is ready. Let me guide you.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Xie Ran never had to ask where or what he was eating. Meng Feixuan would map out the most comfortable route for him, often avoiding elevators and red lights, perfectly syncing with his schedule.<\/p>\r\n

Now, Xie Ran suddenly remembered something he had asked Meng Feixuan in the past.<\/p>\r\n

He looked at the pale-faced youth before him, tapped the table, and said: “Mark.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

The young man looked back: “Sir, what is it?\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Xie Ran looked at the food on the table: “You remembered what I like to eat.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

\u201cOf course I did,\u201d Meng Feixuan replied matter-of-factly: “I remember everything about you.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Xie Ran went silent. He suddenly felt there was no need to ask any further. After a pause, he asked: “When you were a computer system, you said your program made you do this. But what about now? Now you\u2019re not a system anymore. You shouldn\u2019t be driven by programming.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Meng Feixuan hesitated: “I don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

He crossed his arms, visibly frustrated: “I don\u2019t know why. Human emotions are too hard to understand. I don\u2019t know how to describe them.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

There was a trace of confusion on his pale face. Xie Ran didn\u2019t press him and said: “Let\u2019s eat.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

\u201cOkay. Sir, try this one,\u201d Meng Feixuan pushed a plate toward him: “It\u2019s your favorite.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Xie Ran looked at the dish. It was indeed familiar in taste, and the club\u2019s kitchen was excellent\u2014the cooking, seasoning, and presentation were all perfect.<\/p>\r\n

But then something else occurred to him. He looked at Meng Feixuan and asked: “What do you like to eat?\u201d<\/p>\r\n

In the past, whenever Xie Ran ate, Meng Feixuan always accompanied him.<\/p>\r\n

Meng Feixuan had been a curious AI. Though he couldn\u2019t eat, he constantly researched food.<\/p>\r\n

At first, he always asked: “What does it taste like? What\u2019s the texture? What does ‘mouthfeel’ mean?\u201d<\/p>\r\n

\u201cWhat does mushroom taste like? What\u2019s beef flavor? Why are there so many seasonings?\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Later, he became a food critic: \u201cSir, this place\u2019s Buddha Jumps Over the Wall is top-notch. The taro is glutinous but not mushy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\r\n

\u201cThe knife work here is excellent. Half the quality of a dish depends on that.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

\u201cThis cake is a new item. The chef has a Michelin award. I picked the flavor you like\u2014sweet but not cloying, soft but not crumbly.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

He was so chatty that one day Xie Ran asked: “Do you even understand the words you’re saying? What they mean, what they feel like?\u201d<\/p>\r\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Meng Feixuan answered righteously: “I get all this from online reviews!\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Xie Ran: \u201c\u2026\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Meng Feixuan added: “But I know what you like and what you don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

That was enough. There were countless words and standards for food. But to Meng Feixuan, only one standard mattered: Xie Ran.<\/p>\r\n

\u201cThen why did you learn so many food terms?\u201d Xie Ran asked.<\/p>\r\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Meng Feixuan replied: “I just wanted to talk.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Xie Ran: \u201c\u2026\u201d Definitely his AI.<\/p>\r\n

Now, Xie Ran was curious: if his AI became human and gained taste, what would he like to eat?<\/p>\r\n

\u201cI never thought about it,\u201d Meng Feixuan admitted.<\/p>\r\n

After transmigrating into Meng Siyun\u2019s body, he had been focused on reuniting with Xie Ran and hadn\u2019t had time to experience life as a human. His meals were all for recovery, with no attention to preference.<\/p>\r\n

Xie Ran chuckled: “Then try everything.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

\u201cOkay!\u201d Meng Feixuan earnestly tried each dish and commented: “Delicious!\u201d<\/p>\r\n

\u201cThis one\u2019s good too!\u201d<\/p>\r\n

\u201cVery nice\u2014no wonder you like it!\u201d<\/p>\r\n

The adjectives were\u2026 minimal.<\/p>\r\n

Xie Ran said: “Didn\u2019t you used to know a lot of food critique terms? Why is it just \u2018delicious\u2019 now?\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Meng Feixuan coughed: “Ahem\u2026 theory doesn\u2019t always match practice!\u201d<\/p>\r\n

He had a wealth of food critique data, but no real experience. Even though Meng Siyun\u2019s memory offered some food references, Meng Feixuan had been a machine\u2014flavor and texture were foreign concepts. He knew them, but didn\u2019t fully grasp them.<\/p>\r\n

Xie Ran understood. He picked up the communal chopsticks and gave him a bite: “I\u2019ll teach you.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Meng Feixuan\u2019s eyes lit up: “Really?\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Xie Ran said simply: “You\u2019re my AI.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

When Meng Feixuan had been a system, his learning programs were written by Xie Ran.<\/p>\r\n

Now that he was human, Xie Ran would keep teaching him.<\/p>\r\n

But real-life teaching was much harder than writing code.<\/p>\r\n

\u201cThis is what \u2018glutinous but not mushy\u2019 means,\u201d Xie Ran placed a piece of taro in his dish.<\/p>\r\n

Meng Feixuan didn\u2019t pick it up. Instead, he opened his mouth and said: “Ahh\u2014sir, just feed me directly.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Xie Ran pressed his brow: “Your legs don\u2019t work, not your hands.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Meng Feixuan obediently hid his hands behind his back: “But I can keep them still.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Xie Ran put down the communal chopsticks and calmly ate with his own: \u201cToday\u2019s lesson is over.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Meng Feixuan reluctantly brought his hands back and grumbled: “Why do I even have hands?!\u201d<\/p>\r\n

After dinner, Xie Ran pushed Meng Feixuan in his wheelchair around the club\u2019s garden area. His attendants followed at a distance.<\/p>\r\n

Meng Feixuan complained: “There are people following me everywhere. So annoying.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Xie Ran didn\u2019t comment.<\/p>\r\n

\u201cAccording to dramas, we should be eating street food at a night market right now,\u201d Meng Feixuan dreamed aloud: “I\u2019d be the arrogant CEO who\u2019s never eaten street food and thinks it\u2019s dirty. Then you\u2019d sneak a skewer into my mouth. I\u2019d be shocked, but have to act reserved. You\u2019d think I didn\u2019t like it and eat all the rest yourself\u2026\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Xie Ran: \u201c…That plot?\u201d<\/p>\r\n

\u201cExactly. \u2018The Domineering CEO Fell for Me,\u2019\u201d Meng Feixuan confirmed: “But I\u2019m in a wheelchair now, and all these followers make night markets impossible.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Xie Ran: \u201cYou think that\u2019s the problem?\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Meng Feixuan reflected.<\/p>\r\n

Xie Ran: \u201cI don\u2019t eat street skewers.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Meng Feixuan suddenly realized: \u201cSo you\u2019re unhappy with your role? You want to be the CEO?\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Xie Ran: \u201cYou should stop applying drama tropes to real life so often.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

\u201cOkay,\u201d Meng Feixuan agreed: “Actually, even without those tropes, I\u2019m happy just being with you.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

He said it so naturally, then suddenly froze\u2014as if realizing something. He turned to Xie Ran and exclaimed: “Sir, I get it! This is happiness!\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Xie Ran: \u201c\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\r\n

\u201cEven when you’re right in front of me, I still miss you,\u201d Meng Feixuan explained earnestly: “I keep thinking about you, but I\u2019m not sad. I feel\u2026 happy.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

\u201cThis is happiness,\u201d he patted his chest like a seal: “I\u2019ve learned it!\u201d<\/p>\r\n

\u201cI\u2019m amazing!\u201d<\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\"This<\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n

<\/p>\r\n

<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Meng Feixuan arranged for the meeting at a members-only private club, located in the center of Haijing City. It was next to the city’s busiest district, yet still secluded and peaceful amidst the hustle and bustle. When they arrived, the staff arranged by the Meng family stepped forward to help Meng Feixuan out of the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3118,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[98],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7499","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dramas-of-abusive-scums-causes-comfort","entry","has-media"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ontimestory.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/scums.jpg?fit=239%2C335&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7499","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7499"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7499\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7501,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7499\/revisions\/7501"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3118"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7499"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7499"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7499"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}