Chapter 205: Genius Kindergarten (Part 18)

Chapter 205: Genius Kindergarten (Part 18)

"You..."

Jie Fangcheng couldn't help but take a couple of steps forward, too many questions swirling in his mind.

But as Jie Fangcheng advanced, the Zhang Si Quan before him took two steps back.

"Jie Fangcheng?"

It was only then that Jie Fangcheng noticed something odd about his perspective—no, it's more accurate to say that his perspective seemed to finally correct itself.

After being transformed into a kindergarten child, Jie Fangcheng's height had shortened, making everything else appear larger.

But in this mental space, his viewpoint seemed taller.

Had he grown back to his original size?

Zhang Si Quan silently observed the man before him.

It was an extremely familiar face, bearing a seventy percent resemblance to the kindergarten version of "Jie Fangcheng." Stripped of the baby fat, the facial features appeared more distinct and sharp.

A cascade of long white hair was gathered by a crimson crown, and a dark brocade robe embroidered with large red flowers enveloped him.

His complexion was pale, lips a vivid red, and his eyes one black and one white. Despite the exotically beautiful appearance, his aura was imbued with an indescribable solemnity.

At that moment, Jie Fangcheng was also staring blankly at the Zhang Si Quan before him, thoroughly puzzled: "You... you're Zhang Dao'an, aren't you?"

"No," Zhang Si Quan quickly refuted.

He knew well that he wasn't "Zhang Dao'an." If one must describe, he's more like a foreign soul who suddenly occupied a body named "Zhang Dao'an" one day.

Jie Fangcheng opened his mouth, then opened it again.

This guy... this is Zhang Dao'an, right?

This mental space, the Ferris wheel, and that fish... Where's that fish?

Jie Fangcheng looked around and quickly located the Dream-Return Fish.

The fish, which appeared nearly lifeless in his own mental space, was now exuberantly navigating through this bustling city. It was as if it had returned to its happy hometown; each scale seemed more lustrous, displaying a vivacity that it never showed in Jie Fangcheng's mental space.

That darn fish!

Seeing that Jie was observing the Dream-Return Fish, Zhang Si Quan extended his hand.

Capturing a fish in one's own mental space should be a simple matter, although he'd never done such a thing before—or had he really never?

When Zhang Si Quan attempted to catch the fish, even though it seemed fond of him and familiar with the mental space, it reflexively changed color to blend with the surroundings.

The next second, it was unsurprisingly caught once again.

The well-practiced captive fish made two symbolic flaps of its broad tail fin and emitted two "mewls" before becoming motionless.

"Your fish."

Only when Zhang Si Quan tried to hand the fish over to Jie Fangcheng did the silver Dream-Return Fish start to struggle as if its life depended on it.

Ugh! This darn fish!!

Not even a shred of face-saving, huh??

Jie Fangcheng inwardly cursed but politely declined Zhang Siquan's offer to return the Hui Meng Fish.

"It was originally kept in your cognitive space; it almost died in my care."

"I am not Zhang Daoan."

Jie Fangcheng fell silent, then took a deep breath.

"Is there a possibility you've lost your memory? I know it sounds cliché… but you are truly Zhang Daoan." Jie Fangcheng pointed at the sky above and then to the familiar simulations occasionally seen around them. "Look at your artsy sky, and that Ferris wheel—I’ve ridden it before. Do you remember any of this? These are simulations we've been in together!"

Zhang Siquan remained silent, simply extending the Hui Meng Fish toward Jie Fangcheng.

This kid!

Jie Fangcheng grew somewhat irritated: "Aren't you supposed to be smart? You should be able to figure it out, you really are Zhang Daoan!"

Zhang Siquan was rational: "Perhaps I have the memories of 'Zhang Daoan,' but that is not me."

Zhang Siquan was certain that the "him" from two months ago couldn't possibly be the same as the current "him."

"Zhang Daoan" is intelligent, but his intelligence is programmed. He's gentle, polite, and affable; a lifelong learner praised by teachers and parents alike.

Moreover, this "Zhang Daoan" is helpful and kind-hearted; he's perfect and good.

I am not.

Zhang Siquan was sure that what filled his heart was weariness and indifference. Although he didn’t know where he came from, he was more skilled at uncovering the darker sides of people and was better at dealing with things that thrive in darkness.

Bright sunshine has nothing to do with him; he has even less in common with a character setup like Zhang Daoan.

"Did you know the previous 'Zhang Daoan'?" Zhang Siquan's expression remained calm. "Because I am truly not him."

Jie Fangcheng let out several sighs of exasperation, wishing he had more mouths to explain.

"I’m not talking about the Zhang Daoan you’re thinking of; I’m talking about my Zhang Daoan… How do I even begin to explain this to you..." Jie Fangcheng became anxious, scratching his head and ears. Suddenly, his eyes landed on the Hui Meng Fish beside him.

The Hui Meng Fish, which had been playing dead in Zhang Siquan's hands, sensed a sharp gaze and its tail fin flared up in alert.

"I've got it! Why don't you just enter my memory to see for yourself? It would be much faster than me explaining it!"

Zhang Siquan gave him a long, deep look.

"Go into your cognitive space?"

"Exactly!"

Zhang Siquan paused, leaving Jie Fangcheng puzzled: "What's the matter? Is there a problem?"

What exactly a "thought space" is, Zhang Si Quan couldn't quite tell.

Yet he had a vague feeling that he was the absolute master within his own realm of thought.

What about in someone else's thought space?

The Jie Fang Cheng standing before him not only unreservedly entered his thought space but also invited him into his own to explore memories.

Could this really be just the affection between ordinary friends and brothers?

"Come on, quit dilly-dallying!" Over there, Jie Fang Cheng had already grabbed the Dream-Return Fish with one hand.

The moment the white Dream-Return Fish touched his hand, it appeared as if it wanted to die, making Jie Fang Cheng incredibly frustrated.

"What's the deal with this fish?"

Zhang Si Quan explained, "The Dream-Return Fish exists in symbiosis with human thoughts. To keep it, you need to provide a sufficiently stable thought space; otherwise, it will struggle to adapt."

After explaining, Zhang Si Quan paused, perplexed.

He had never seen this fish before; why did he know these things now?

Jie Fang Cheng hadn't considered this, and he seemed a bit put off.

"Hey, you're pretty bold, aren't you? Are you implying I'm stupid?!"

Zhang Si Quan simply shook his head, "That's not what I meant."

"Then let's go!" Jie Fang Cheng dropped the matter. "Professor Zhang, let me show you what we've been through!"

With that said, under the guidance of the Dream-Return Fish, both were ejected from the thought space in unison.

The moment Zhang Si Quan opened his eyes, Jie Fang Cheng’s hand was already extended.

"Come on, come on!" With one hand holding the fish and the other reaching for Professor Zhang, Jie Fang Cheng's expression was unmistakably ecstatic, "Hurry, hurry!"

He couldn't wait to prove to Zhang Si Quan that he was indeed telling the truth, that Zhang Si Quan was really Zhang Dao An.

Zhang Dao An looked at his hand and finally placed it upon Jie Fang Cheng's.

Jie Fang Cheng closed his eyes.

The scene before him started to shift...

When Zhang Si Quan reopened his eyes, he was momentarily stunned.

The white-haired "Jie Fang Cheng" who had been beside him was nowhere to be found, replaced instead by a Jie Fang Cheng dressed in Genius Kindergarten attire.

The five-year-old Jie Fang Cheng looked down at his short body and stubby arms before turning his head.

Beside him stood a bespectacled classmate who looked vaguely familiar.

Who was it again...

Ah!

Zhang Dao An!

Little Jie Fang Cheng swiftly took his hand.

"Come on! It’s time for class," said Jie Fang Cheng.

Jie Fang Cheng spoke.

Zhang Si Quan immediately understood what was happening.

Normally, people can’t freely enter or exit their own thought space, and someone like Zhang Si Quan, who has an entire miniature city within his thought space, is even rarer.

Most people lack strong control over their own thoughts, and once trapped in a thought space, they often forget their real identities, becoming ensnared by dreams instead.

Apparently, for some reason, the Dream-Return Fish didn't rewind time to the moment Jie Fang Cheng intended, but instead took them to this replica.

Zhang Si Quan turned his head to look, and sure enough.

Zhan Xiao Ming, Teacher Liu, Zhou Yi An... even the two security guards at the entrance had been restored.

"Jie Fang Cheng, wake up."

Zhang Si Quan tried to alert him, but the childlike Jie Fang Cheng ignored him, simply holding his hand as they quickly entered the classroom.

Zhang Si Quan's brow furrowed slightly.

This was Jie Fang Cheng's thought space, and he was the master of this domain. If he didn't wake up, there was no way for Zhang Si Quan to exit either.

But how could Jie Fang Cheng be roused in his current state?

By clearing this replica level?

Zhang Si Quan's eyebrows tightened; he was beginning to feel cornered.

If Jie Fang Cheng truly believed in the depths of his heart that he was just a five- or six-year-old child, it would be difficult for him to bring his full abilities into play. Moreover, Zhang Si Quan’s own powers were constrained by Jie Fang Cheng’s perceptions of him within this thought space.

There was no need to ask; Jie Fang Cheng had clearly never considered himself to be combat-capable.

As Zhang Si Quan pondered, the Jie Fang Cheng before him suddenly gripped his shoulder and locked eyes with him.

"Don't worry; this time, no matter what, I'll protect you."

Those black eyes stared directly into his, causing Zhang Si Quan's fingers to instinctively twitch.

Of course, Zhang Si Quan quickly realized that these were not empty words.

Even in Jie Fang Cheng's dream, his strength at five or six years old surpassed everyone present.

At noon, he beat up a teacher NPC without a second thought, and upon seeing Zhou Yi An, Jie Fang Cheng casually thrashed him as well.

Zhang Si Quan watched from the side: "..."

Is he really this... nonchalant in his dreams?

When school let out in the evening, Jie Fang Cheng extended his hand: "Let's go."

"...Where to?"

"Home, of course!"

Home?

Just as Zhang Si Quan was puzzling over this, the scene before them shifted once again.

An ancient and imposing palace appeared in front of them. Before Zhang Si Quan could gather his wits, Jie Fang Cheng had already led him through the palace gates.

Both appeared to be around five or six years old—no, perhaps seven or eight? They both seemed to have grown a bit.

Guards dressed in purple robes anxiously looked in their direction.

"Your Highness! The immortals are dueling outside, where have you run off to?"

"I'll go have a look," Jie Fang Cheng said, still firmly gripping Zhang Si Quan’s hand, and led him through the lavish palace, eventually arriving at a temple-like edifice.

He navigated effortlessly, and once inside, the construction could only be described as opulent.

In the center of the temple was a gold-cast deity statue that looked incredibly compassionate. Kneeling devoutly before it was a king wearing dragon robes and a royal crown.

After finishing his prayers, he gestured for Jie Fang Cheng to come closer.

"Crown Prince, you should offer your prayers as well."

Jie Fang Cheng, however, let out a cold laugh.

The next second, his fingers formed a sword and he sliced the head off the deity statue.

The emperor erupted in fury: "Rebel! You show no respect to the gods; do you wish to take Da Ru down with you?!"

Da Ru?

Was this a memory of Jie Fang Cheng's?

After a few more shifts in the setting, when Zhang Si Quan opened his eyes again, he was met with a sky full of flying sand.

Before he could regain his senses, a familiar voice resounded beside him.

"Issue the command; we attack the city tomorrow!"

Zhang Si Quan sharply turned his head to find that Jie Fang Cheng had transformed into a youth of about fifteen or sixteen years old.

Clad in a silver helmet and draped in a red cloak, he wielded a longsword that seemed a tad too lengthy—a gentleman's blade.

His appearance was strikingly unconventional, yet he exuded a stalwart demeanor accompanied by an irresistibly youthful aura.

Before Zhang Si Quan could even regain his composure, he felt his hand once more enveloped tightly by another.

With his right hand on his sword, Jie Fang Cheng’s other hand firmly grasped Zhang Si Quan’s at his side.

"Rest assured, I will protect you," he spoke the words once again.

"I…" Before Zhang Si Quan could articulate a response, the scene before them shifted anew.

This time, they found themselves in an odd setting, resembling a brick kiln of some sort.

Flames were licking at the thing before them... What was that?

A deity statue?

It was a statue radically different from the one they had seen earlier.

It was not crafted of gold...

Instead, corpses were fed into the flames, becoming the "flesh" of the statue, as an innumerable crowd of grieving worshippers knelt around it.

While the scent of incense pervaded, an eerie aura engulfed the space.

The wails that filled the palace were sorrowful and mournful.

"Your Highness…"

At that moment, a chill seemed to envelop the area around Zhang Si Quan.

He turned his head and saw an ephemeral, almost disintegrating specter appear before him.

Jie Fang Cheng cast his eyes down towards the people worshipping around the flames.

Zhang Si Quan noticed that, at some unknown point, the spirited young general’s hair had turned completely white.

He still looked youthful, but with long white hair draping over his shoulders, as if touched by freshly fallen snow.

The specter gently held Zhang Si Quan’s hand. At this moment, he looked down tenderly at the worshippers around the fire.

"I will protect them."

Zhang Si Quan was momentarily taken aback.

But almost in the blink of an eye, he saw a scene where the river ran red with blood.

It was a square temple that bore an unsettling resemblance to a coffin, housing within it a statue deemed divine.

Standing in front of the divine effigy was "His Highness," who looked strikingly similar to it, crowned and draped in a black robe. Lying neatly at his side were dozens of corpses.

In his hand, he wielded a slender gentleman's sword, plunging it into the heart of the person before him.

Those who met their end by his hand seemed to hold no grudge; instead, they clung to his sleeves with a look of lingering attachment.

"Your Highness…"

Xie Fangcheng gave no response.

He cradled the body in his arms, gently laying it on the ground. His hands were already stained red with fresh blood.

As he rose to his feet, he instinctively reached for Zhang Siqian's hand beside him, but hesitated mid-motion, recalling the blood on his own hands, and withdrew his fingers.

In the next instant, Zhang Siqian seized his hand.

Xie Fangcheng turned to look at him and offered a small smile.

Before he could even respond to that smile, the scene shifted abruptly the moment Zhang Siqian reopened his eyes.

They appeared to be on a mountain, surrounded by a group of unfamiliar men and women.

Dark clouds blanketed the sky, punctuated by flashes of lightning and peals of thunder. Humans felt as insignificant as grains of sand in that moment.

Before Zhang Siqian could fully comprehend the situation, he felt as though he was being pulled by some force, suddenly standing in front of Xie Fangcheng.

This familiar moment, one he had experienced before, stirred something in Zhang Siqian's memory.

What had he wanted to say to Xie Fangcheng, who had caught him in that instant?

"We'll meet again."

He seemed to realize who he was.

As Zhang Siqian looked at Xie Fangcheng, whom he had just shielded, he was about to speak when he noticed the other man's eyes were bloodshot, and his long hair was dancing in the wind.

In the next moment, within a dream that seemed to have a predetermined outcome, Xie Fangcheng abruptly pulled Zhang Siqian behind him.

A beam of white light shot from a distant place. Zhang Siqian felt a tightness in his chest: "Xie Fangcheng!"

In the next second, he opened his eyes with a start.

Both were abruptly ejected from Xie Fangcheng's mental realm. Beside him, Xie Fangcheng coughed up a mouthful of dark red blood.

Zhang Siqian quickly steadied him.

Xie Fangcheng gripped his sleeve tightly, his eyes seemingly unfocused yet looking through him, as if seeing the countless people he had once vowed to protect but ultimately failed to do so.

"...Zhong Dao'an?"

Zhang Siqian hesitated for a moment before acknowledging the name that felt both strange and familiar.

"I'm here."

The next second, Xie Fangcheng collapsed into his arms.

.

When Zhan Xiaoming cheerfully knocked on Brother Xie's door the next day, it was Zhang Siqian who answered.

Upon seeing Zhang Siqian, Zhan Xiaoming felt as if his neck had inexplicably shortened.

How odd, why does this guy emanate such an aura of menace?

He stepped to the side, trying to check if Brother Xie was awake, but the room was dark and Zhang Siqian obstructed the view.

Zhan Xiaoming could only ask softly, "Um, where's my Brother Xie?"

"He took the day off. Go to school by yourself," Zhang Siqian responded before attempting to close the door, but Zhan Xiaoming hastily stopped him.

"Ah? What happened to Brother Xie?"

Zhan Xiaoming's question contained 30% confusion, 50% curiosity, and a mere 20% concern.

After all, Xie Fangcheng was formidably strong; even ghosts would march in step when they encountered him.

Unfortunately for Zhan Xiaoming, upon hearing his question, Zhang Siqian glanced at him coldly with a mocking smile.

"What, you don't dare go to class without him? Entrusting your life entirely to someone else and imposing stress on him that he shouldn’t have to bear is not a good idea, don't you think?"

Zhan Xiaoming felt somewhat slighted by the unsolicited scolding, especially since Zhang Siqian was speaking the truth.

Without Xie Fangcheng accompanying him to class, he genuinely wouldn’t dare go to kindergarten now.

Teacher Liu had also marked him as a problem child; attending class alone would undoubtedly lead to trouble.

Had Xie Fangcheng not been with him thus far in this 'game,' Zhan Xiaoming wouldn't be waking up leisurely in a hotel and enjoying barbecue, as if he were on a casual outing.

Without Xie Fangcheng, Zhan Xiaoming would have been dead on the first day.

"Then... I guess I'll take the day off too," Zhan Xiaoming finally conceded, starting to retreat. However, Zhang Siqian stopped him again.

"Take these."

Zhang Siqian tossed Zhou Yian's in-game items to Zhan Xiaoming, then followed up with, "I have a few questions for you."

"What?"

"How does one become a player in your game?"

"Huh?"

Zhan Xiaoming was taken aback. Just as he was about to reiterate the three types of players he had discussed with Xie Fangcheng, Zhang Siqian interjected with a precise question, "What should I do if I want to become a player in your game?"

Wasn't this guy extremely averse to the game? Why would he want to become a player now?

The question genuinely stumped Zhan Xiaoming. He shook his head: "I don't know. It's probably random, I guess?"

Zhang Siqian repeated, "Probably? Maybe? Guess?"

Zhan Xiaoming was on the verge of tears, "Brother, you have to understand, how would I know the answer to such a complex question!"

Zhang Siqian nodded, "I understand now."

As he began to close the door, Zhan Xiaoming hastily handed back the items he had received.

"Um..."

"Keep them."

Zhan Xiaoming had already looked through the items when he first received them. Though they were not to Xie Fangcheng's liking, each item did have excellent attributes.

Support items, especially those of the general type, were easy to sell, if nothing else.

Seeing that Zhan Xiaoming was about to speak, Zhang Siqian calmly interjected, "Zhou Yian might come looking for you by noon. Take the items and get out of here."

Zhan Xiaoming let out a confused "ah," his mind racing through countless thoughts.

It wasn't until Zhang Siqian closed the door that Zhan Xiaoming made up his mind and sat down right outside the two men's apartment.

Then, after a moment's hesitation, he moved back to his own doorstep.

This way, if Zhou Yian did indeed show up, he'd be the first to know.

If he couldn’t win and ended up dead, at least his room was empty, posing no risk to Brother Xie and Zhang Siqian.

But... could something have really happened to Brother Xie?

Zhan Xiaoming sat there, consumed by worry.

Inside the apartment.

On the bed lay Xie Fangcheng, who had reverted to his kindergarten form, now with a mane of white hair and dressed in a long robe embroidered with red floral patterns.

He lay quietly on the bed, but soon morphed back into his child-like form.

If anyone could hear the voice echoing in his ear right now, they would realize that he was continuously receiving system notifications.

[Ding— Instance connection failed.]

[Ding— Instance connection successful.]

[Ding— Instance connection failed...]

[Ding— Detecting unknown relationship, initiating analysis.]

[Ding— Approaching the core of the game system, version 1.0, attempting to connect.]

[Ding— Warning! Unauthorized version! Please transfer to Area A Game Management for processing immediately! Unauthorized versions could cause irreversible damage to the player's brain. Connection prohibited...]

The incessant alarms in Zhang Siqian's mind ceased the moment his hand touched Xie Fangcheng's forehead.

Beside Zhang Siqian, the silvery-white Hui Meng Yu (Dream-Returning Fish) flopped down as flat as a pancake, feigning death as if afraid.

Although unclear why, Zhang Siqian understood that the Hui Meng Yu was not to blame.

Xie Fangcheng's mental space seemed like a vast expanse of shattered stars. He had previously sustained injuries during a thunderstorm, and now, in his eagerness to confirm that "Zhang Siqian" was indeed "Zhong Dao'an," he found himself in distress.

He had forcibly tried to make Hui Meng Yu lead them both back through their past experiences. However, his mental realm couldn't sustain such a journey, incapacitating the Hui Meng Yu from initiating the recollection.

What's more, this forceful attempt likely triggered his inner demons, and now even Hui Meng Yu could not enter his mental space, which had turned into a frozen wasteland.

"Xie Fangcheng?" Zhang Siqian softly called his name.

Xie Fangcheng continued to lie there, seemingly oblivious to everything.

Zhang Siqian then turned his gaze toward Hui Meng Yu.

His own memories were scant and fragmented.

Some seemed incredibly strange, as if they were his own but also not quite right.

It felt as though another person's memories had mingled with his own. Was that person a...college professor?

Yet strangely enough, he was familiar with all that knowledge and could skillfully wield it.

Was there also a...younger brother?

He couldn't remember.

He couldn't remember anything at all.

Zhang Siqian extended his hand toward Hui Meng Yu.

"I recognize you...no, I recognize both of you," he murmured. "It's as if... I placed you in 'the river.'"

Hui Meng Yu fluttered its tail fin and obediently swam into his hand.

Zhang Siqian closed his eyes and retreated into his mental space.

The cityscape before him seemed unchanged, yet it had also subtly transformed, as if influenced by the mental state of its master.

Too confined.

This city...no, this mental space is far too limited.

"Zhang SiQuan" turned his gaze toward the sky depicted in the oil painting.

What lies beyond this sky?

The Dream-Returning Fish sensed danger and swam frantically before him.

After a moment of contemplation, "Zhang SiQuan" understood.

"Am I not strong enough yet? Is it perilous to open the sky?"

The Dream-Returning Fish flipped over on its belly, vividly cautioning him that it wasn't just dangerous—it was lethal.

Is that so?

Zhang SiQuan took another glance at the sky, then withdrew his gaze.

He looked around at the buildings, some familiar and some not, and it occurred to him that there might be another way.

Zhang SiQuan closed his eyes and soon, the surrounding structures shuffled and jostled until a small gap appeared at the edge.

This little space... should be sufficient, I suppose.

With that thought, Zhang SiQuan opened his eyes.

Jie FangCheng was still in deep sleep, appearing peaceful. However, given that even the Dream-Returning Fish couldn't enter his mental space, one could only imagine what kind of turmoil he must be going through.

Zhang SiQuan extended his hand and took hold of Jie FangCheng's.

The Dream-Returning Fish, sensing what he was about to do, thrashed its tail even more frenetically.

Zhang SiQuan chuckled.

He muttered to himself, "If I can't enter, then 'bordering' should be feasible, right?"