Chapter 55: Anomalous Time 21

Chapter 55: Anomalous Time 21

The sunlight outside the window was warm and gentle, painting the landscape like an oil painting. It softened the chiseled jawline of the person opposite him, making it appear more mellow. The wind suddenly swept his dark, slightly curled hair, just enough to obscure the tumultuous lake behind him.

In this instant, Yu Bai couldn't see the emotions that flowed through those heterochromatic eyes.

Xie Wufang's way of comforting people might have been a bit too direct, but it was quite effective.

He couldn't help but recall that time in the loop when he realized he wasn't simply back in the past, but trapped there. He had stormed into the neighborhood, confronting Xie Wufang, who was about to enter the elevator, demanding that he send him back.

The tall man, looking utterly confused, had stopped in his tracks. His first reaction was to ask uncertainly, "Are you angry?"

Before Yu Bai could get even angrier at the question, Xie Wufang, who was innocent in that timeline, awkwardly tried to soothe this unfamiliar neighbor whom he had only met once before.

That day, Xie Wufang said, "I'm sorry, please don't be angry."

At this moment, Xie Wufang said, "Don't worry, you'll return to your world."

Yu Bai thought, has this guy improved his consoling skills?

Regardless, he felt genuinely comforted at this moment.

His previously anxious heart strangely calmed down.

"Yeah, I will," Yu Bai continued along with what Xie Wufang said, trying to boost his own confidence. "There's always a solution to be found."

As he spoke, he reached out to gather the scattered black Go stones on the board, collecting them one by one into the stone jar.

The painful yet enjoyable journey of learning Go had come to a temporary end. There were now more important matters to attend to.

"I wonder where Uncle Zhang has gone off to... I plan to ask him again if he has any wishes."

Yu Bai pondered, "Compared to yesterday afternoon when we first met, we should be more familiar with each other now, right? Maybe I'll get a different answer."

He believed that Zhang Yunjiang wouldn't mention that wish for world peace again.

Firstly, Yu Bai couldn't make it happen.

Secondly, still couldn't do it.

...And there was a possibility that things would go in the opposite direction.

After all, the entire world was facing the danger of explosion or annihilation.

In short, if it really didn't work out, he would once again resort to the fabricated virtual grandfather, seeing if he could use this to open the old man's heart.

As Yu Bai muttered to himself, he couldn't help but laugh.

Sorry, it was a very serious and terrifying matter, but for some reason, he couldn't help but want to laugh, making it impossible for him to be completely serious.

The cool black Go stones were picked up by warm fingertips and gently placed into the stone jar, producing crisp sounds.

An ordinary human being was earnestly thinking of ways to save the world, his words flowing, his lips slightly curved upwards, his eyes shining brightly.

The man sitting across from him silently watched him, not speaking, seemingly holding back what he originally wanted to say.

It wasn't until Yu Bai, who was focused on tidying up the Go board, noticed something amiss and turned his gaze towards the person on the other side of the board.

Xie Wufang, who often imitated his actions, was not helping him sort the black and white stones at this moment; he was merely sitting quietly.

The white stones that had been dropped one by one by that pair of beautiful hands remained on the board, their luster warm and bright, like stars scattered across a deep and rich night sky.

Why isn't he tidying up?

Yu Bai was a little surprised.

"Are you planning to continue playing Go?"

He tried to guess Xie Wufang's thoughts. "How about after I finish talking to Uncle Zhang, I'll have him come over to play Go with you? He'd definitely be happy."

But Xie Wufang quickly declined his suggestion. "No need."

He paused and continued, "I'm going back to my room."

...Huh?!

Yu Bai blurted out, "Are you going to sleep in your room?"

Only after asking did he remember that Xie Wufang didn't need sleep.

Yu Bai, who was usually surprised by this fact, momentarily forgot it due to this statement.

This deity who always followed him rarely had moments where he wanted to do something alone.

What was he going to do in his room?

Was he going to write in his diary at his desk? Watch TV? Or something else?

Just as Yu Bai was about to ask again, he heard Xie Wufang's calm voice.

"Perhaps."

Yu Bai was even more surprised.

After trying watermelon and enjoying its sweetness, was this deity, whose habits were so different from humans, also planning to experience the taste of sleep?

After all, eating and sleeping were two things every human had to do.

Thinking this way, both bewildered and amazed, Yu Bai subconsciously reminded him, "Remember to close the window then. It can be noisier during the day than at night, there might be noise outside."

Xie Wufang nodded gently in agreement: "Alright."

Yu Bai watched as the man with black hair and blue eyes rose from his cushion and left the chess room, his tall figure gradually disappearing behind the understated wooden sliding doors.

He was momentarily stunned.

It wasn't even night time, why choose this moment to learn how to sleep?

...However, humans do indeed take naps.

So it wasn't entirely the wrong time.

Under the midday sun, Yu Bai unexpectedly yawned, feeling a sudden urge for a nap himself.

He quickly shook his head, dispelling the drowsiness brought on by the warm sunlight, and took the liberty of putting away the white pieces Xie Wufang had used into another chess jar, also preparing to leave the chess room.

There was no time for sleeping now; he still had to find Zhang...

"Doctor Yu!"

As if summoned, just moments after Xie Wufang's departure, Zhang Yunjiang appeared at the door of the chess room, calling out softly.

The old man glanced at the retreating back of the Go teacher, now out of sight, and asked Yu Bai, who remained inside the room, somewhat anxiously, "Why did he leave? Did he get angry with you?"

"...Huh?" Yu Bai was taken aback by the question. "Why would he be angry with me?"

"You were caught daydreaming during your game earlier!"

Zhang Yunjiang was worried for the bewildered young man. "Teacher Xie said you didn't like Go, but he taught so earnestly, surely thinking you were particularly interested...Did you two have an argument? Why did he suddenly leave alone!"

Only then did Yu Bai realize what the old man was referring to.

Just as he was about to explain, he thought of something and feigned surprise, asking Zhang Yunjiang, "Uncle Zhang, how did you know what we were talking about?"

"Weren't you taking a walk earlier?"

"..."

Zhang Yunjiang's tense expression froze. "Ah? Well, I was just passing by..."

Seeing the usually poetic and refined old man stammering and darting his eyes around, Yu Bai couldn't help but laugh.

"Don't worry, we didn't argue. He just went back to his room for a nap."

He explained earnestly to the old man, "But I do intend to stop learning Go, so you won't be able to listen in on his lessons anymore. I'm sorry."

The old man was taken aback, reflexively responding, "What's there to apologize for? We should be the ones apologizing! It was really inappropriate to eavesdrop outside..."

Zhang Yunjiang hesitated for a moment before continuing seriously, thanking the young man in front of him, "Because you wanted to learn, we were able to hear such wonderful lectures. It was all thanks to you."

"The few moves Teacher Xie explained earlier will keep me occupied for a long time. I'm already very satisfied, truly thank you."

"It's all thanks to your interest in Go that we got to experience this. Regardless of whether you continue learning or not in the future, it was a fortunate encounter."

In addition to his gratitude, he casually mentioned something further off. "Also, it's thanks to the two of you wandering around the park when the foolish old Yuan called out to you."

"Thinking about it, it really was fate! If it weren't for old Yuan's antics, he wouldn't have gone off to meditate alone, and I wouldn't have been so happy these past few days."

The old man spoke with genuine sincerity, his deep wrinkles crinkling with joy.

At the same time, Zhang Yunjiang noticed that Yu Bai, standing beside the chess table, seemed to be taken aback. In his unusually clear eyes, there flickered some complex emotions that were hard to read.

"Uncle Zhang," the young man with warm hair color suddenly spoke up, asking softly, "Do you have any regrets?"

The old man was surprised. "Regrets?"

"Something very important to you that you haven't been able to achieve yet." He explained, emphasizing, "...Apart from world peace."

Only then did Zhang Yunjiang understand.

It was the wish that Doctor Yu had asked him about yesterday.

For some reason, these two mysterious young people, who had become acquainted through a game of unfinished Go, one was particularly curious about "friends," and the other was especially concerned about "wishes."

Perhaps he was too old to understand what young people were thinking these days.

But just as he had answered Xie Wufang's question before, Zhang Yunjiang still pondered this question seriously without asking for reasons.

Regrets.

He had lived seventy years, and along that long road, there were countless regrets, some still etched in his heart, others forgotten quietly before they could be resolved.

There were simply too many days, too much time, so he walked, regretted, and forgot along the way.

Doctor Yu's question was probably asking about the biggest regret in his life?

Actually, this was the first time Zhang Yunjiang had heard such a question from a younger generation.

Although unexpected, he felt genuinely comforted.

Those descendants, bound to him by blood, had never asked about his wishes or regrets.

Perhaps he really resembled Doctor Yu's deceased grandfather.

That was why he was fortunate enough to experience the concern that belonged to another old man.

Stolen Go lessons and stolen concern.

In the elegant and refined chess room, the silver-haired old man slowly lost himself in thought, his aged gaze revealing a sense of resignation. The young man nearby did not disturb him, waiting quietly, his fair and beautiful face being kissed by youth.

Beyond the open lattice gate, faint sounds of commotion echoed from another part of the courtyard.

There were loud, slightly silly barks of a puppy, the crisp and innocent laughter of a little girl, and the precocious voice of another child.

Of the three who had listened to the lecture outside earlier, only Zhang Yunjiang, worried about the two young men, lingered near the chess room, fearing that they might not get along.

Yuan Yuhang was indeed chasing after the corgi, while He Xi genuinely felt embarrassed and decided not to continue eavesdropping, choosing instead to join in the chase for the little dog.

In the chess room, Yu Bai instinctively looked toward the direction where the indistinct sounds came from, and the old man followed his gaze.

With the quiet corridors and lush trees obscuring their view, they couldn't see the two children or the puppy, but could only see the seemingly endless clear sunlight that filled the sky.

The sun was golden, and so were the distant lively sounds.

The old man said in a dazed tone, "That little girl has a good understanding of Go, as does Xiao Hang."

"I truly hope they're willing to keep learning."

As Zhang Yunjiang spoke, he recalled the note left behind, murmuring softly, "…When Old Yuan returns, I'll know what he truly realized."

With that thought, he finally snapped out of his reverie, gazing at the young man before him whom he had met by chance, yet felt closer to than his own grandchildren, and answered the question earnestly.

"So, I actually have no regrets, and feel that everything is just right now."

"If I must say," the old man with a gentle expression smiled slightly, "I would wish for days like this to last a bit longer."

This was an answer Yu Bai had never anticipated.

"Days like this?"

He voiced the confusion in his heart.

What kind of days was he referring to?

The old man, basking in the warm midday sun, nodded with a smile: "Just like today."

As the young man beside the chess table felt lost over these words, the old man, having answered his question about regrets, now pondered his wishes, hesitated for a moment, and cautiously asked, "Doctor Yu, are you busy with work? Do you have time to stay here for a few more days?"

"For now, I don't need to work." Yu Bai was even more bewildered, instinctively accepting the invitation, "Stay for a few more days? It's...not impossible."

"Really?"

Zhang Yunjiang had merely been testing the waters with his question, but received an almost definitive response, his joy evident: "That's wonderful!"

Yu Bai belatedly realized the implications, not wanting to promise too much, hurriedly adding, "…But, I should first ask the others for their thoughts, okay?"

In this timeline, it seemed Zhang Yunjiang had no unfulfilled wishes.

So he was momentarily uncertain if this line of questioning was correct, his thoughts slightly muddled.

"That goes without saying!" Zhang Yunjiang exclaimed repeatedly, "If there's something urgent, go ahead, it's no problem."

"But, if you're willing to stay a few more days, I'd be especially delighted."

Finally, the old man, somewhat embarrassed, explained his invitation in a low voice, wrinkles at the corners of his eyes hiding a hint of bashfulness.

"It's just that...it's been a long time since it's been this lively here."

The distant barks of the puppy and laughter intertwined.

After parting ways with Zhang Yunjiang, Yu Bai wandered alone through this vast and beautiful courtyard, still a little confused.

Subconsciously, he wanted to discuss his current situation with someone.

His first thought was Yan Jing.

But Yan Jing seemed to still be eating in the dining hall.

…

Never mind, he didn't think he'd receive any constructive advice from that guy.

Yu Bai passed through the ancient and elegant corridor, unknowingly returning to the suite where he had stayed last night.

Surrounding tree shadows swayed, reflected on the glass windows draped with sheer curtains, revealing the disheveled blankets and pillows on the large bed in the center of the room, making this afternoon seem particularly leisurely and long.

This was the room where he had slept last night.

A half-wall distance further on was Xie Wufang's room, and the window by which he had sat reading at the table.

Yu Bai hesitated for a second, then continued forward.

Casually scanning his surroundings.

No one was passing by for the moment.

At this moment, he simply wanted to consult someone about his current situation, but wasn't sure if Xie Wufang was awake, nor did he want to rashly enter the house and disturb him.

Absolutely not because he wanted to secretly observe the non-human who might be taking a nap from the window.

…Whether he could observe anything was questionable.

Thinking this, Yu Bai mentally prepared himself, took a deep breath, and looked at the window next to him.

As if listening to his thoughts, the glass window that had been half-open was now closed, blocking out the occasional noise from the courtyard outside, but the heavy blackout curtains weren't drawn, only the sheer curtains fluttered gently.

Yu Bai couldn't help but want to laugh; he had forgotten to teach Xie Wufang to draw the curtains when sleeping, and so Xie Wufang hadn't done so.

Thus allowing him to successfully observe.

Behind the crystal-clear window, beyond the gossamer curtains that billow like clouds, lies a desk adorned with Go tutorials, tasteful furnishings, and at the center, an identical large bed... the entire room is laid bare to view.

As the gaze glides silently across the glass, the curiosity that swelled in those light brown eyes suddenly transforms into profound astonishment.

The bed, visibly plush and inviting, remains pristine and untouched, without a single crease to suggest it had been slept on, let alone the man who should have been napping there.

It's not just the bed; no human presence mars any corner of the room. Only meticulously arranged furniture and decor occupy the space, yet the absence of visitors leaves it feeling desolately empty, tinged with a sense of solitude.

Xie Wufang is not in the room.