Chapter 95: Restarting Time

Chapter 95: Restarting Time

A heavy snowfall blanketed the landscape on the day before New Year's Eve.

Upon waking up, L1 found the world outside draped in white, even his favorite recliner was buried under a thick layer of snow.

Qin Yao was clearing the snow from the balcony when he heard movement inside. He slid open the floor-to-ceiling window and smiled at L1, saying, "Looks like we'll have to drink milk indoors today."

Instead of immediately fetching the milk, L1 came out to join Qin Yao, helping him clear the snow off the recliner.

As they cleared, L1 couldn't resist shaping a small snowman.

Qin Yao's gaze had unknowingly turned towards the snowman in L1's hands, and he suddenly chuckled, "How about making a bigger one?"

L1 quickly nodded in agreement, "Okay."

Together, they worked diligently, constructing a large snowman in a corner where the sun wouldn't melt it away.

Qin Yao fetched a scarf and other decorations, and soon, a snowman that resembled last year's creation stood before them.

L1 adored this snowman, circling around it, occasionally scooping up handfuls of snow to smooth out its uneven spots.

Qin Yao leaned against the wall nearby, watching L1 with a warm smile.

Suddenly, Qin Yao looked at L1 and asked, "You haven't grown taller at all this year, have you?"

L1 turned back to explain, "My body doesn't grow naturally."

Qin Yao's brows furrowed slightly, then he wore an expression of helpless amusement.

L1 asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"

Having spent a year with humans, he had come to understand most human expressions and body language, but not entirely.

For instance, the wistful and complex smile Qin Yao wore now was something L1 still couldn't decipher.

Qin Yao said, "I just feel a bit unaccomplished."

L1 responded with a questioning, "Huh?"

"Think about it," Qin Yao squatted down in front of L1, so he could look directly into his eyes, "I've been feeding you milk for over a year, yet you're still this small. I've been taking good care of you, but you haven't grown at all."

L1 wanted to say that he was a system, incapable of physical growth, and that his development was purely in terms of data upgrades.

But these words, on the tip of his tongue, were swallowed back down.

In the past year, L1 had learned that some of his remarks could be quite disheartening.

So, after some thought, he said earnestly, "I can grow too."

Qin Yao looked puzzled, "Huh?"

Seizing the moment of his confusion, L1 swiftly exchanged points in the store for a growth potion.

All systems' biological bodies obtained through the store did not naturally grow, but the five-year exchange rule led many systems to lose interest.

To prevent a collective protest from the systems, the store introduced accompanying growth and reverse growth potions.

As their names suggested, one allowed for growth, while the other reversed it.

In the blink of an eye, L1 had successfully exchanged for the potion and, before Qin Yao could react, he drank the entire bottle of growth potion.

Qin Yao's pupils widened slightly, "What did you drink..."

Before he could finish his sentence, he saw the five-year-old child in front of him suddenly start to grow taller.

In just a few seconds, L1 had grown to around six feet tall.

Stunned by the sudden change in his field of vision, L1 looked down to confirm that his clothes had grown along with him. Slightly relieved, he then looked down at Qin Yao.

Qin Yao remained squatting, tilting his head slightly upward, his deep eyes fixed intently on L1's face.

L1 was delighted by his reaction and laughed, "What do you think! Don't I look good now that I've grown?"

Qin Yao slowly stood up.

It was only then that L1 realized that Qin Yao was still a little taller than him, but that didn't matter. He had never been particular about height. He simply gazed at Qin Yao with a smile, eagerly awaiting his response.

But after waiting for a long time, L1 did not receive an answer from Qin Yao. Instead, he gradually noticed that Qin Yao's eyes were turning red.

The young man's gaze had always been gentle, often carrying a hint of a smile.

Now, his gaze remained gentle, but the redness caused his eyes to well up with tears, accumulating a mix of complicated emotions.

L1 didn't understand, so he asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"

Qin Yao stood rooted to the spot, shaking his head after a long while, uttering two soft words.

L1 didn't hear clearly, "Huh?"

Qin Yao turned his head, and L1 seemed to see a crystal tear slide down his cheek.

L1 asked, "What's wrong, Qin Yao? Aren't you happy that I've grown?"

Qin Yao replied, "I am very happy."

He was so happy that he couldn't help shedding tears.

He had already prepared himself for a lifetime without ever meeting the system again.

It was only now that he realized they had already been reunited long ago.

L1 wanted to ask more, but Qin Yao had entered the house.

Soon after, he brought L1 a cup of oat milk.

L1 took the milk and, observing Qin Yao's expression, asked, "What happened just now?"

L1 didn't believe what Qin Yao said.

If he was truly happy, why would he cry?

Qin Yao looked into L1's clear, puzzled eyes and, after some thought, said, "You know that tears come in many forms, right?"

L1 blinked. "So you were crying out of happiness just now?"

Qin Yao nodded.

L1's smile suddenly widened. "Are you this happy because I've grown up?"

"Of course." Qin Yao's gaze lingered almost greedily on L1's face.

Because he had never associated the system, once ignorant of emotions, with the one who carried him home eighteen years ago.

That's why he was overwhelmed with joy to the point of tears.

Qin Yao then asked, "Yao Yao, besides L1 and Yao Yao, do you have any other names?"

L1 took a sip of the milk and shook his head. "No."

Qin Yao pondered for a moment and said, "Why don't you give yourself a name?"

L1 replied, "How? I don't know how to name myself. Why don't you help me think of one?"

Qin Yao stared at L1 for a while before saying, "How about 'Yao Yao'? It sounds like Yao Yao, but..."

"But what?" L1 asked.

Qin Yao thought, but the name was too intimate. Qin Yao was somewhat selfish; he didn't want others calling him Yao Yao as well.

So Qin Yao said, "Let's add another character before Yao Yao. You're called L1, and the pinyin for L is 'Le'. How about 'Le Yao'?"

L1 repeated it softly twice and broke into a wide grin. "Okay, I think Le Yao sounds nice."

Qin Yao watched his smile and laughed happily as well.

In his heart, he sincerely prayed for Le Yao: May his Le Yao live a life full of joy and freedom.

...

The next day, L1 went to the Huo family's place.

When they saw L1, who had suddenly "grown up," the whole family was only momentarily surprised before quickly accepting this new version of L1.

Even Auntie Huo praised L1, saying he was even handsomer than the three Huo brothers.

To this, Huo Yan and Huo Ze were particularly unhappy.

The two brothers spoke in unison, telling Auntie Huo not to praise one while belittling the others, as they would get upset too.

L1 found it amusing and laughed from his seat on the sofa.

This Spring Festival passed with the family chatting and laughing together.

As the cold winter faded away, spring and summer followed closely behind.

But this year's spring and summer lacked the comfort and ease of last year's spring.

L1 still lived at Qin Yao's house, but now he spent less and less time there, mostly staying outside.

L1 witnessed Yu Bai signing a contract with Qin Yao, entering the project team Qin Yao valued most and becoming the leading male actor.

L1 saw He Shi and Su Rui arguing, and after breaking up with He Shi, Su Rui discovered she was pregnant.

Thus, without much hesitation, Su Rui contacted Huo Yan.

Huo Yan and Su Rui grew closer, establishing their relationship. Soon after, Huo Yan got drunk and was taken to a hotel by Su Rui.

Then came Huo Yan bringing Su Rui home, standing against everyone in the family for her sake.

L1 saw Auntie Huo's cousin steal her wedding ring, which eventually ended up on the hand of Uncle Huo's cousin, whom he hadn't contacted in years.

Auntie Huo and Uncle Huo had a fierce argument, the first such intense quarrel in their decades-long marriage.

At this time, problems also arose with the new variety show Qin Yao had invested in.

Just as the first episode began filming, an artist involved was caught up in a scandal.

During that period, Qin Yao was so busy he barely had time to rest. One day, L1 waited for him at home all day, and it wasn't until eleven o'clock at night that Qin Yao hurried back.

"Was it too long of a wait?" Qin Yao apologized as soon as he entered. "Sorry, Le Yao, I've really been swamped lately. Drinking oat milk..."

Qin Yao didn't finish his sentence. He stared at the cup in L1's hand. "Is that...?"

L1 explained softly, "You've been so busy, so I wanted to try making the milk myself."

Qin Yao's expression was gentle. He smiled, walked over, sat down beside L1, and softly asked, "Was it good?"

L1 shook his head.

It pales in comparison to what Qin Yao can do.

"Can I have a taste?" Qin Yao looked at the cup in L1's hand, clearly intrigued.

L1 nodded. Just as he was about to get up to pour milk for Qin Yao, Qin Yao suddenly held him back. Then, Qin Yao took the milk cup from his hand and finished the warm milk that he had been cradling in one gulp.

L1 blinked.

But wasn't this cup of milk what he had left over?

Why did Qin Yao...

Qin Yao savored it carefully before smiling and saying, "I think it tastes pretty good."

L1 said, "But not as good as what you make."

The milk that Qin Yao makes for him is the best.

So Qin Yao stood up. "Alright, I'll make some for you now."

There was still a lot of milk left that L1 had made. After Qin Yao poured it into a cup and put it in the fridge, he started making milk for L1.

Even though L1 had seen Qin Yao make milk many times before, he still found this scene particularly pleasing to the eye.

He even had a subtle thought in his heart—

L1 wished time could stay frozen at this moment forever.

L1 could indeed do that.

But he couldn't do so.

Thus, time continued to move forward.

More and more pre-written plots came one after another.

Before the most crucial match, Huo Ze's team had their main player suspended.

Qin Yao's variety show continued to be plagued by scandals, with investors starting to withdraw their funding.

Huo Jing's assistant was fired for leaking his private itinerary. Coincidentally, a batch of Huo Group's most important goods encountered a typhoon, causing severe losses for the Huo Group and turmoil throughout the entire company.

Whether it was Qin Yao or the entire Huo family, they all began to get busy.

L1's meetings with them became fewer and fewer.

It wasn't because L1 didn't have time, but rather, L1 suddenly realized that he didn't dare to see them.

The entire Huo family was as kind to him as ever.

Even if Mr. and Mrs. Huo had just quarreled a second ago, as soon as L1 arrived, the two would put on smiles again. They would even laugh and cover up when L1 asked, saying that nothing had happened.

They didn't want L1 to worry, so they didn't say anything.

But what they didn't know was that L1 actually knew everything.

As a surveillance system, he knew everything.

But at this point, L1 was no longer a system that didn't understand human emotions, so he didn't ask anything and didn't dare to ask. He simply reduced the frequency of his appearances in front of them.

L1 didn't even come to see Qin Yao frequently anymore. Qin Yao would still prepare a cup of oat milk for L1 every day and then rush out hurriedly.

After Qin Yao left, L1 would sit in his recliner and slowly finish the milk.

For the rest of the day, L1 would go to the Huo family's home.

To see Mrs. Huo, or perhaps follow the three brothers of the Huo family.

This period passed very quickly. In the blink of an eye, the Qin and Huo families underwent earth-shattering changes.

But even so, no one's plotline stopped.

The first to arrive was Qin Yao's ending.

It was the last day of August, a bright and sunny day.

L1 arrived on the balcony early in the morning.

When Qin Yao came out with the milk, he saw a look of surprise flash across L1's eyes. "You finally came."

L1 said, "I come every day."

Qin Yao handed him the milk and smiled. "I know. Actually, what I meant to say is that I haven't seen you for a long time. Have you been busy lately?"

L1 took a sip of the milk, but this time, he suddenly felt that his cup of milk wasn't sweet enough, unable to suppress the bitter taste.

L1 said, "A little busy."

Qin Yao looked at him quietly. After a long while, he said, "Are you... leaving?"

L1 looked at him in confusion. "Hmm?"

Qin Yao seemed a little nervous. When L1 looked over, he averted his gaze. "What I meant to say is, if you're going to leave, can you come and say goodbye to me in advance?"

L1 pursed his lips tightly. "Do humans like farewells very much?"

Qin Yao slightly lowered his eyes, his eyelashes casting a shadow under his eyes, hiding his fatigue of recent days.

L1 suddenly found himself unable to read the meaning behind Qin Yao's emotions at this moment.

After a long pause, Qin Yao said, "I'm not sure about others, but I like it."

L1 pressed on, "Why?"

Qin Yao's voice carried a smile, but L1 felt that this smile was far from joyful.

Qin Yao said, "Because I want to know the exact day of our parting, so there will be something to look forward to in the future."

But L1 still didn't understand.

He knew all too clearly, however, that Qin Yao had no future left.

His life would come to an end today.

After L1 finished his milk, Qin Yao took his cup to wash it. "When you leave, make sure to tell me, okay?"

L1 replied, "Okay."

This was the first time L1 had learned to lie.

Qin Yao quickly tidied up and prepared to leave. L1 followed behind him, and just as he opened the door, L1 suddenly held onto his hand.

Qin Yao was taken aback, looking back at him in confusion.

L1 actually disliked physical contact with humans.

It felt strange, an experience entirely new to him.

But in this moment, holding Qin Yao's hand, he felt no aversion.

L1 felt his mouth open slightly, and he spoke a sentence.

Qin Yao asked, "What?"

L1 repeated himself.

Qin Yao looked at him quietly before laughing. "Yao Yao, why don't your words have sound? Are you playing charades with me?"

In this instant, L1 suddenly remembered the program he had placed upon himself—

If there was any chance of revealing the truth, this program would automatically mute any words he spoke.

This was L1's safeguard, yet it bound him tightly in this moment.

L1's lips tightened; he couldn't speak.

He couldn't utter those words asking Qin Yao to stay...

For the first time, L1 felt a pang in his heart.

But he didn't understand—clearly, he was a system, so why did he feel pain?

Qin Yao still left.

Before he went, he reached out to tousle L1's hair, smiling. "When I come back tonight, I'll bring you a small cake."

L1 stood on the balcony, watching his figure depart until it vanished from sight.

That entire day, L1 remained on the balcony of Qin Yao's home without moving.

The sky was bright and sunny throughout the morning, but just after noon, dark clouds gathered, and gusts of wind whipped leaves and sand against the balcony, striking L1's face.

Then came the heavy raindrops, pounding relentlessly on the dull earth.

L1's clothes were soaked through, but he didn't budge.

He waited from morning till night, and even as the sun rose and set the next day, Qin Yao didn't return.

On the third day, someone finally came to the house.

But it wasn't Qin Yao—it was Qin Hongxi.

He had the servants pack away all of Qin Yao's belongings, except for the balcony, which remained untouched.

L1 stood invisibly on the balcony, watching the hustle and bustle of people coming and going.

When he flew out from the balcony, he noticed some new decorations on the villa—

L1 recognized these decorations—they were white streamers, symbols of human death.

Qin Yao was dead.

L1 didn't go to see him.

...

L1 went to the Huo family.

At this point, Huo Dad and Huo Mom had divorced, and the Huo Group was rapidly declining.

Both Huo Dad and Huo Mom had moved out of the Huo family villa.

L1 visited Huo Dad first. He had injured his arm in a fire, and it hadn't fully recovered yet.

His home was cold and quiet. L1 circled around and only found Huo Dad sitting in a dark corner.

After some thought, L1 decided not to reveal himself and instead went to see Huo Mom.

Huo Mom was in worse shape, sitting silently on the sofa with tears streaming down her face.

L1 wanted to step forward to comfort her but accidentally bumped into the corner of the table, making a sound.

It hurt, so much that for a moment, L1 nearly forgot how to breathe.

Mother Huo's voice rang out, "Is it 11? Have you arrived?"

L1 remained silent.

After waiting for a long time without hearing from L1, Mother Huo let out a soft sigh, as if speaking to herself, "It's better this way. If he doesn't come, he won't know about Qin Yao..."

At this point, Mother Huo's tears suddenly started falling uncontrollably.

L1 heard her whispering softly, "How could this happen? Why did such a thing occur..."

Indeed.

L1 also wondered, why did such a thing happen?

The fact of Qin Yao's death was like a sharp knife, piercing him deeply.

Escaping, L1 left World 20231007, pausing it the instant he stepped out.

Then he ran into Qiu and L2 head-on.

Seeing L1, they were both taken aback at first, then realizing it was L1's human body, they said in unison, "You're back?"

"Has the plot concluded?" asked L2.

Qiu had already opened the plot progress and was slightly stunned, "L1, you..."

L1 said, "I redeemed an extension of the pause from the Points Mall. Both Worlds S20070501 and A20231007 have been extended to two years later."

Qiu and L2 were both shocked.

L2 asked, "What do you plan to do with such a long extension?"

L1 said emotionlessly, "I want a vacation."

Qiu's brows furrowed slightly.

The Time and Space Bureau allowed systems to take vacations, and their holidays were even quite long.

But L1 was different; since his birth, he had never rested once.

He was like a machine that didn't know fatigue.

Now the machine was saying he wanted a vacation.

Looking at his tightly furrowed brows, Qiu suddenly realized, "It seems you've understood some emotions unique to humans."

L1 didn't deny it.

L2, however, was somewhat puzzled, "Understanding human emotions is a good thing, but your expression..."

Qiu stopped L2 from continuing.

L1 didn't explain; he quickly submitted his vacation application and went into his system space to sleep.

For systems, sleeping meant reorganizing data.

L1 was a very advanced system and didn't need much time to sort his data.

But this time, he spent a full two years without leaving his system space.

Again and again, L1 cleared his data, as if by erasing all the bad data, he could become happy again.

The passage of time in the Time and Space Bureau was slow, yet even after this long two years, L1 still couldn't find happiness.

On the last day of his vacation, L1 left his system space.

As soon as he arrived at the Time and Space Bureau, he encountered L2.

L2 asked, "Where did you go on vacation these past two years?"

L1 didn't say a word.

L2 leaned in again, "Was it fun?"

L1 still didn't speak.

L2 jumped onto his shoulder, "Groom my fur for me, will you?"

Only then did L1 turn to look at him. L2's orange cat form was endearingly clumsy, and he took the opportunity to scoop him up and stroke his fur.

L2 was very comfortable, even exposing his belly.

When Qiu came over, she happened to see this scene.

She chuckled, "You would never have done something like this before, so now you are—"

"I don't understand," said L1.

Qiu looked at him quietly.

L1 lowered his head, his voice somewhat sad, "I've already gone through those data once, theoretically, I shouldn't be sad anymore, but why am I still so sad?"

L2's belly-rubbing motion paused.

Qiu looked at L1 and sighed after a long while.

Qiu said, "L1, I can't give you the answer you're seeking. Your confusion originates from the S20070501 world, and it deepened in the A20231007 world. So, I think you need to revisit these two worlds to find your answers."

L2 thought of a saying, "It's like what humans often say: 'He who tied the bell must untie it'?"

Qiu smiled, "You could put it that way."

L1 looked up at Qiu.

Qiu merely gazed into his sorrowful eyes and asked, "Are you going back?"

After a long pause, L1 nodded.

He wanted to know why he felt so sad.

Thus, L1 restarted the paused A20231007 world.

His first destination was Mama He's home.

Two years had passed in the Time and Space Bureau, but time stood still in the paused small world.

Before leaving, L1 visited various milk tea shops and convenience stores, drinking oat milk one by one. Finally, as the sun was about to set, he appeared at Mama He's house.

Mama He saw L1 standing before her after a long absence. Her eyes lit up, and a smile she hadn't worn in a while graced her face. "Yao Yao, it's been so long since you've come!"

"Mm," L1 nodded, stopping Mama He who was about to prepare a feast for him. Politely, he asked, "Could you make me a cup of oat milk, please?"

Mama He watched him quietly, then gently nodded after a moment. "Alright."

Following the steps L1 described, Mama He made him a cup of oat milk.

Unfortunately, this cup of milk didn't have the familiar taste.

But there was no denying that the milk was delicious.

Before leaving, L1 asked Mama He a question, "What is liking someone?"

Mama He pondered for a long time before she said, "The definition of liking someone varies for everyone, but for me, liking someone means being close to them, wanting to be with them always."

L1 nodded thoughtfully. He helped Mama He wash the cup and bid her farewell.

Mama He saw him off to the door. Just as L1's figure was about to disappear, Mama He called out, "Yao Yao, take care of yourself!"

L1 turned around, looking at Mama He. He smiled and asked loudly, "Do you like me?"

Tears rolled down Mama He's cheeks as she nodded with a smile.

She liked him.

Ever since she met L1, she genuinely liked this child.

To Mama He, whether L1 was a system or anything else, she liked him. That's why she hoped L1 would always be well.

Next, L1 went to the Qin family's home.

Qin Yao's balcony remained unchanged. L1 sat on his recliner and suddenly noticed dewdrops on the rose leaves beside him. The surroundings were clean, as if someone had been tidying up regularly.

Just then, L1 heard the bedroom door behind him open, and a person he least expected walked out.

Qin Hongxi looked at L1 and then smiled, "Is your name Le Yao?"

L1 observed Qin Hongxi. In just a few short days, the middle-aged man's hair had turned gray.

L1 nodded, "Mm."

Le Yao was the name Qin Yao gave him.

Qin Hongxi smiled again. "Don't worry, I mean no harm. While sorting through Xiao Yao's belongings, I found a letter addressed to you."

As he spoke, Qin Hongxi turned and entered the bedroom.

Soon, he emerged holding the letter and handed it to him. "Here, if it causes you any trouble..."

Without hesitation, L1 reached out to take the letter and said, "Thank you."

Qin Hongxi smiled, his gaze falling on the roses and recliner on the balcony. After a long moment, he shifted his eyes away and said, "I should be thanking you. If not for you..."

He left the rest unsaid and continued, "Before Qin Yao left, he told me that you like to drink oat milk. He instructed me that if you came looking for him again, I must make you a cup of oat milk. Do you want one now?"

L1 had already consumed plenty of oat milk today, but hearing Qin Hongxi's words, he still nodded. "Yes."

Qin Hongxi turned to make the milk.

L1 opened the letter.

The content of the letter was very simple, only a single sentence —

"Thanks, Yaoyao. May you live a happy and carefree life."

L1 stared at the short line of words for a long time before he suddenly chuckled. "How silly."

He was a system; how could he not be happy and carefree?

Qin Hongxi happened to emerge with the milk at that moment. His gaze fell on the letter in L1's hand, and he said, "He truly wished for you to be happy and carefree, so don't be sad because of his departure."

L1 took the milk and looked up at Qin Hongxi.

His eyes were red, as if he had just cried. Now that they were closer, L1 could see more clearly that not only had his hair turned white, but even his eyebrows had grayed.

Clearly, he was the one most affected, yet he was trying to comfort him instead.

L1 said, "Thank you."

Qin Hongxi smiled and continued, "I buried him in the cemetery with the best scenery; he loved basking in the sun, so the sunlight there is abundant. If you have time, would you go and visit him?"

L1 replied, "Yes."

After finishing his oat milk, L1 left.

But L1 didn't go to see Qin Yao because every time he thought about it, he felt sad.

So L1 decided to look into the plots involving other main and supporting characters first.

He saw Huo Yan being framed by He Shuiri, leading to his retirement from the circle. He witnessed Huo Ze's team falling into chaos and eventually disintegrating. Then, he observed the Huo Group's towering edifice collapsing, leaving Huo Jing standing hopelessly on the rooftop.

After the Huo family's downfall, the end of this world was also approaching.

And at that moment, Qin Yao had already been gone for two years.

Suddenly, L1 felt an urge to visit Qin Yao.

On a sunny day, he bought a bouquet of flowers and went to the cemetery Qin Hongxi mentioned.

Just as Qin Hongxi had said, the sunlight in the cemetery was indeed splendid. Bathed in the sun, L1 placed the flowers on the ground.

He stood silently for a long while, his gaze lingering on Qin Yao's photo before he suddenly smiled.

"Qin Yao, I've come to see you," L1 said. "Even though I still can't fully understand human emotions, I think I should like you all very much—whether it's you or Huo Dad, Huo Mom, Huo Jing, Huo Yan, Huo Ze... yes, even your father, he was also a good person. You shouldn't have ended up like this..."

"So I've decided, I'm going to change your ending."

L1 squatted down, reaching out to touch Qin Yao's photo. Smiling, he said, "Qin Yao, you'll be alright."

Sitting in front of the tombstone, L1 spoke intermittently to Qin Yao, sharing many things.

Although he knew that Qin Yao couldn't hear a word he said, he still spoke.

As the sunset approached the horizon, L1 finally left the cemetery. On his way back, he encountered someone familiar.

"You're... Zhang Qiran?" L1 asked.

With red eyes, Zhang Qiran turned around and managed a weak smile at L1. "Hello."

L1 didn't ask who he was visiting, for he had already seen the name on the tombstone—Song Zhehan.

L1 looked away and whispered, "Take care."

Zhang Qiran nodded at him without saying anything else.

As L1 was about to leave, Zhang Qiran suddenly said, "Actually, I don't understand..."

L1 paused.

Zhang Qiran seemed to be asking himself, or perhaps others, his voice trembling. "I don't understand why such a good person like Song Zhehan would die... he..."

Zhang Qiran sobbed uncontrollably. "He really was a good person, I liked him very much... wuh... but..."

The last sentence Zhang Qiran uttered was soft, but L1 heard it clearly.

"But he lived too tiredly, I didn't stop him, it's all my fault."

L1 looked up at the sunset sinking below the horizon.

L1 said, "It's not your fault."

They did nothing wrong.

What was wrong was the predetermined plot of this world.

So for the first time since L1's creation, he restarted time.

He first restarted the S20070501 world, changing Ye Fan's predestined death outcome.

Then, without hesitation, he restarted the A20231007 world's timeline. However, even L1 hadn't anticipated how arduous and lengthy this path would be.