Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Pei Yan's momentary silence left Shen Jue feeling a little uneasy.

Had he said something wrong?

Or perhaps—

Just a few seconds into his overthinking, he heard Pei Yan let out what sounded like a sigh.

Hmm?

Shen Jue perked up his ears.

Pei Yan's expression seemed tinged with regret as he spoke softly, "If you were here with me now, would you still open your arms and comfort me with a hug?"

Shen Jue didn't answer immediately. He paused, then asked, "Would that be enough?"

He was genuinely curious.

After his question, he saw Pei Yan in the video seem to freeze for a moment, then let out a low chuckle.

"If I said it wasn't enough, how else would you comfort me?"

Shen Jue thought again but couldn't come up with anything.

In his understanding, a hug was already the most he could offer.

Pei Yan felt like sighing once more.

Truly, he was too well-behaved.

Even if he were to be bullied to tears, he'd probably just look at him with watery eyes.

"Shen Jue."

"Hmm?"

Shen Jue instinctively straightened his back a little. Every time his nickname was called, he felt as if he was about to be reprimanded.

But Pei Yan said, "As long as your hugs are reserved for me, and only for me, that's enough."

"In that case, I would be deeply comforted."

Bang!

A string of fireworks shot up into the sky.

Shen Jue thought he had heard his own heartbeat.

He glanced at the time and realized it was already midnight.

Shen Jue exclaimed excitedly, "Brother Pei! Happy New Year!"

"Happy New Year, Shen Jue."

They spoke almost simultaneously, then both laughed.

They took a moment to admire the fireworks together.

They even compared notes, but of course, the displays weren't the same.

Heyuan was quite far from the Pei family's old residence. Even under the same sky, they weren't watching the same fireworks.

"It's okay, that means we still watched the fireworks together."

"Yeah."

Pei Yan looked at Shen Jue and suddenly asked, "Do you have any plans for the next few days?"

"Yes."

Shen Jue listed them one by one for Pei Yan: "I still need to visit my grandparents to pay New Year's respects, and I also want to stop by my aunt's place. Guan Mulin said he's going too. Oh, and I also need to... visit the graves."

He was going to pay respects at the graves of Guan Mulin's biological parents, Xu Ning and Shen Shengan.

They would first go to Xu Ru's house, then go together with Xu Ru and Jian Yi.

As he spoke, Shen Jue's tone grew somber.

As if he had thought of something.

"If only Mom and Dad could come back to life."

996 popped up: "That's impossible, I've told you before, Host. People can't come back from the dead."

"I know."

"Host..."

"Hmm? What?"

996 seemed hesitant but ultimately didn't say anything.

"No, it's nothing."

"Happy New Year, Host."

It figured that on a day like today, it was better not to bring it up.

"Happy New Year, bro 996."

The conversation between the host and the system traveled through the video to Pei Yan. Shen Jue might not have noticed the system's hesitation, but Pei Yan did. He couldn't help but frown slightly. However, since the system didn't continue, Pei Yan couldn't figure out what was going on. Moreover, Shen Jue's plans for the next few days were something he couldn't really involve himself in. He could only remind Shen Jue to contact him anytime if anything came up.

Pei Yan smiled. "You can contact me whether something's up or not."

"As long as I see it, I'll respond to you."

At this point, he didn't care about any missions.

He just wanted to tell Shen Jue that he was here and would always be here.

............

Shen Jue felt very content this New Year.

Yes, content.

There were no extra complications, and no unexpected situations arose.

He felt quite satisfied.

It wasn't until the day of Tomb-Sweeping that Shen Jue's mood became subdued.

Xu Ning and Shen Shengan died when he was five years old. In his memory, they were wonderful parents. Xu Ning would hold him and pinch his cheeks, while Shen Shengan would lift him up high and let him sit on his shoulders.

If that accident hadn't happened, even if he wasn't their biological child, he probably would have lived a very happy life.

But reality doesn't deal in 'what-ifs.'

The truth is that he found his biological parents, while Guan Mulin lost his at the same time.

Guan Mulin never even got the chance to meet them.

This was the first time Shen Jue had come to visit the graves with Guan Mulin.

He didn't know if Guan Mulin had come here alone secretly before.

During that time, he was too hesitant to broach these subjects.

Especially after confirming with bro 996.

Shen Jue stood to the side, watching Guan Mulin bend down and place a bouquet of flowers in front of Xu Ning and Shen Shengan's tomb. Apparently moved by the moment, or perhaps from a mixture of complicated feelings and curiosity, he automatically reached out and touched the photo on the tombstone. He parted his lips as if to speak, but hesitated, pursed his lips, and appeared somewhat uncertain.

Almost instinctively, Shen Jue asked that question again:

"Bro 996, is it really not possible..."

Bro 996 knew what Shen Jue was asking and let out a sigh before speaking up: "It's not possible, Host. The dead can't be revived. Guan Mulin's parents can't be brought back—it defies natural law."

"In fact, promising to restore Jian Yi's left hand after completing the mission, while also needing to alter the memories and awareness of many people, takes an incredible amount of energy. If your mission weren't so intimately connected with the protagonists of this world, the headquarters wouldn't have approved your submitted mission reward. And besides, you... Host, please stop thinking about impossible things. It really can’t be done."

"I know."

Shen Jue's voice dropped: "I just feel sorry for Second Brother..."

"There's nothing that can be done about it."

Bro 996 went quiet for a moment: "Just like when you first accepted this mission, Host, much was unpredictable, and some situations are out of our hands."

Shen Jue paused.

He noticed something odd in bro 996's tone.

He couldn't help but ask: "Bro 996... what's wrong?"

Bro 996 paused for another couple of seconds before finally deciding and speaking: "There is something I need to tell you."

"Actually, I should have told you earlier, Host."

"It's just..."

Bro 996 took a deep breath, thinking that whether he said it sooner or later, it had to be said, so he might as well get it all out now.

"It's just that our mission energy bar has passed the halfway point, right? Before this, our missions were basically handled step by step. Although we had mission guidance and suggestions, and the Host’s role-playing between the central couple was specifically outlined, as for the Host’s final outcome—I mean, the end goal of the Host’s role-playing, after our mission energy bar passed the halfway mark, we received new, clear instructions..."

Shen Jue automatically pressed his lips together: "...What instructions..."

"It's just... Well, Host, you know, you’re supposed to play the role of the Malicious Real Young Master, serving as a contrast to the fake young master to highlight his virtuous and upright image. So your image definitely has to be bad. In the end, the fake young master will stay with the Guan family, and as the opposing side, you will definitely have to be... definitely have to be driven out..."

Bro 996’s voice grew quieter and more apologetic as he went on.

He was afraid to look at what expression the Host was making now...

He hadn’t expected that passing the halfway mark of the mission energy bar would lead to such clear instructions.

But thinking about it, it made sense.

After all, the mission energy bar had already accumulated more than half, and success was essentially within grasp—of course, more specific guidance was necessary.

But while these instructions were clear, they were also...

Bro 996 was just thinking this when he suddenly noticed Guan Mulin looking at them—more precisely, looking toward the Host, with an odd look on his face, as if he had heard something astonishing and hard to believe.

Huh?

While he and the Host were talking, did something happen?

Bro 996 thought about it—no, nothing happened.

It was just the conversation between him and the Host—

Wait.

It couldn’t be, could it??

"Host, look at Guan Mulin—" Bro 996 blurted out.

Shen Jue also automatically glanced up.

And Guan Mulin immediately lowered his head, concealing his astonishment and mixed emotions.

What had he just heard?

First, Shen Jue was indeed doing the mission to help Jian Yi restore his left hand.

Jian Yi’s left hand could actually be restored—of course it could, since something like a system existed. Restoring a disabled left hand probably wasn’t that difficult.

At first, when Guan Mulin heard Shen Jue and the system talking, and Shen Jue mentioned his biological parents, he was rather surprised. Then, hearing Shen Jue say he felt sorry for him, he felt conflicted. He wanted to say there was no need to feel sorry—if anything, he had taken Shen Jue’s place and owed Shen Jue a great deal. Many things were beyond human control or change, especially death.

Even if it was just to restore Jian Yi’s left hand, Shen Jue had already given more than enough.

If it were Guan Mulin, he didn’t think he could have done the same.

Every time he thought about it, he respected Shen Jue's resolve.

Guan Mulin wasn’t sure what exactly had happened during the accident all those years ago, but how old was Shen Jue at the time? Five years old. What could a five-year-old child do?

Even now, Shen Jue was still trying his best to compensate for it.

He was too kind.

So kind that Guan Mulin felt compassion for him.

Especially after hearing what bro 996 said later—

Guan Mulin could barely contain the expression on his face, and he couldn’t stop himself from immediately looking at Shen Jue.

How could this be?

Why is it like this?

Why does Shen Jue have to be the one to leave...

After all this time together, Guan Mulin truly sees Shen Jue as his younger brother. Moreover, the Guan family is Shen Jue's real home. Even if someone had to leave, it should be him, not Shen Jue.

Guan Mulin lowered his head, pursed his lips tightly, his mind racing.

He felt an urgency, wanting to say something right away in the group chat, wanting to discuss with Qin Suxi and others about what to do.

But he didn't dare make any sudden moves, afraid of being noticed.

His behavior just now was indeed a bit unusual—could he have given himself away?

Shen Jue didn't understand what bro 996 meant.

He was told to look at Guan Mulin, so he did—and then what?

"Well... nothing."

Bro 996 thought it was probably just imagining things.

How could anyone overhear their conversation? The program code showed no abnormalities.

But maybe it was time for a routine self-check anyway.

Still, that could wait.

At this moment, bro 996, sensing Shen Jue, couldn't help but ask cautiously, "Host, are you okay?"

Shen Jue couldn't pinpoint his feelings.

Earlier, he'd been hoping that maybe once the mission ended, he would have a chance to explain.

He could stay with the Guan family.

He'd gained more family now...

But now, bro 996 was telling him that the end goal of his mission was to leave the Guan family.

It was like a splash of cold water.

What had he been thinking?

Was it because the mission had been progressing so smoothly? Was it because he felt that the family and Brother Pei didn’t actually dislike him? Even though the task energy bar was still rising—maybe all this gave him false hope... that after the mission ended, everything would work out... But he forgot that the role he was playing, logically speaking, wouldn't have a happy ending.

But hadn't he prepared for this from the start?

Back when he agreed to accept the role-playing task, he had already made preparations.

He never dared expect the Guan family to truly like him in the first place.

He never thought he would meet Pei Yan or have such a good relationship with him now.

All this was bonus.

He should be grateful for what he gained during the mission.

So...

It's okay.

I'm okay.

That's what Shen Jue told bro 996 too.

"Host..."

"I'm really fine, bro 996."

Shen Jue seemed unwilling to continue the topic and directly ended the conversation: "Don’t worry, I’ll keep working on the task."

............

"What?"

Later that day, after Shen Jue fell asleep, the family members gathered in the study.

Guan Mulin was afraid that the group chat wouldn't suffice, and he couldn't explain clearly there, so he only said there was something important—something extremely important—to discuss, and it absolutely had to be hidden from Shen Jue. So they waited until Shen Jue was asleep, then quietly gathered in the study. Guan Mulin recounted everything he'd overheard during the day in detail. The moment he finished, Qin Suxi and the others' expressions changed abruptly.

"How can this be?"

Qin Suxi anxiously paced around the study two or three times: "Why does the baby have to leave the Guan family in the end? Is there no way to change this?!"

"If we want the mission to be completed, I don't think it can be changed."

Guan Mulin bit his lip: "And Shen Jue’s purpose for doing the mission has been confirmed—the reward is Jian Yi's recovered left hand. If we want Shen Jue to give up..."

Needless to say, that was out of the question.

Qin Suxi’s face paled, her eyes slightly red.

Now they were facing an impossible choice.

She felt for Jian Yi too, and often thought about what that child could achieve if he had a healthy body.

But... but now it’s her child who would suffer...

If she had to choose, Qin Suxi would undoubtedly choose Shen Jue.

But the most important issue now was—Shen Jue still had to continue the mission.

To help a disabled person recover the use of their left hand, to give them a healthy body, and to do it without making others suspicious—according to what the system bro 996 said, it would probably even require altering and blurring others’ memories and perceptions of "Jian Yi’s disability." Just thinking about it made it clear how much energy would be required, which explained why Shen Jue took on such a mission...

And now the mission was already more than halfway done.

Could they hold Shen Jue back?

In fact, they had already helped Shen Jue get this far...

Guan Lifeng put his arm around Qin Suxi’s shoulders: "Don’t think about the worst yet. Think about it—we’re already helping the child with the mission by cutting corners. Maybe the 'ending' of JiuJiu’s mission can also be handled with a workaround."

"Right, right, that’s true."

Qin Suxi sniffled and forced herself to cheer up: "We need to think carefully about this."

What exactly should they do...

............

Shen Jue had no idea that behind the scenes, the family already knew about this matter and were deeply worried about the mission outcome that would require him to leave the Guan family in the end.

He still thought he was hiding it well and that everything was proceeding as normal.

Pei Yan still doesn't know about this.

But he has a chance to meet Shen Jue.

Because Pei Tai is hosting a banquet, and the Guan family is also on the guest list.

-----------------------

Author's note: No angst, don't worry, it'll be resolved tomorrow.

Tomorrow is a major plot point [weakling].

PS: Promoting my friend's new story "They All Think I'm a Real Immortal!"

After Yin Shuangqing died, he was taken to ancient times by an ascension system and required to act as a real immortal in front of all the ancients.

Ascension System: "Please host seriously act as an immortal, collect mystery value, divine value, astonishment value, and show-off value, etc., shock the court and the public; gather spiritual energy, restore faith, enlighten all things, complete the small world ascension task, and the host can be revived and return."

Yin Shuangqing: Although I really want to live, I'm just an ordinary person! How do I pretend? Have you got the wrong person?!

Ascension System: "The system mall contains everything under the sun, comprehensive, available for purchase with points to meet the host's needs."

That day, Yin Shuangqing made his appearance in front of a group of people about to be executed by beheading.

Later records: In the 158th year of the Dazhao calendar, an immortal descended, and from then on, the holy age began, and the immortal dynasty revived.

"Ordinary person" Yin Shuangqing: Just watch me work!

When Yin Shuangqing's identity as an immortal was questioned—quickly purchase "Golden Light Pervasion," "Flower Clusters," "Keen Senses Elixir"!

Thus, golden light filled the sky in broad daylight, flowers burst into bloom in clusters, a fresh fragrance wafted, and everyone felt physically and mentally refreshed.

When the north suffered drought and the south floods—quickly purchase "Rain Summoning Art" and "Water Control Art"!

So Yin Shuangqing flicked his fingers, and rain fell from the sky; waved his hand, and the flood changed course.

When spiritual energy was scarce as morning stars, and everyone only knew of immortals but not how to cultivate immortality—quickly purchase "Spiritual Flowers and Immortal Plants," "Spiritual Root Detection Crystal," "Complete Collection of Techniques," etc.

Thus, immortal plants generated spiritual energy, a towering crystal pillar suddenly stood tall in the capital, and immortal's teachings began here.

The court and the public couldn't help but kneel and exclaim—"This is a divine miracle!" "An immortal, it's an immortal!" "Heaven blesses Dazhao! Heaven blesses Dazhao!"

The mall also listed products of different grades like "Immortal Terraces and Pavilions," "the Netherworld," "One Hundred Thousand Netherworld Soldiers," "Heavenly Soldiers and Generals," etc., practically anything you could imagine, anything could be bought.

Yin Shuangqing rubbed his hands in anticipation, thinking: Perfect, watch me pull off something big!

But as he kept up the act, and the small world successfully ascended, Yin Shuangqing gradually realized he might not be just an ordinary person after all, and even the ascension system had a different identity?