Chapter 19: World One Complete

After jumping down from upstairs, neither of them could sleep. Lin Jianxi sipped his hot tea, wrapped in a thick coat, half-reclining on the balcony rocking chair.

Just like the first time he’d laid eyes on Song Cheng’an, the other man stood a short distance away, simply watching him.

Lin Jianxi savored the evening breeze as the System asked, “Do you really love him?”

Lin Jianxi closed his eyes. “Love.”

The System pressed, “Romantic love?”

Lin Jianxi tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Perhaps. Does it matter?”

“…”

At this point, declarations of love or not seemed utterly pointless.

Sensing the thickening tension in the air, the System changed the subject. “The next world’s going to be even more thrilling, you know.”

Lin Jianxi perked up. “Tell me about it.”

The System chuckled. “Hehe, you’ll find out once we head over.”

Lin Jianxi let it drop. He checked the time—only half an hour until midnight. Turning to Song Cheng’an at his side, he crooked a finger. Song Cheng’an approached, and Lin Jianxi met his gaze. “Satisfied with this ending?”

Song Cheng’an nodded. “Yes… Lin Jianxi, give me some time. I’ll change myself, I swear.”

“Then I’ll give you half an hour.” Lin Jianxi playfully scraped Song Cheng’an’s nose.

“…Half an hour?” Song Cheng’an blinked in confusion.

“Mm. Half an hour.”

Song Cheng’an’s past had forged his personality—it couldn’t be undone, not completely. He might manage to rein in some of his emotions, but that was the best he could hope for.

Lin Jianxi thought back to those years of emotional back-and-forth between them: the confessions, the pleas of love, the rejections, the flights from reality. In the end, he harbored no regrets. Song Cheng’an had been through it all with him; he must understand the truth by now.

Otherwise, those repeated “thank yous” wouldn’t have spilled from his lips.

Neither of them voiced the lie at the heart of their love.

They both knew Song Cheng’an simply craved reassurance, a balm for his conscience.

With the plot drawing to a close, Lin Jianxi had given these people the happiest ending he could muster. Gu Heng wouldn’t forget him, but maybe the obsession wouldn’t burn so fiercely, the thirst for Song Cheng’an’s death so consuming. Maybe… he’d stroll quiet paths, breathe in the evening breeze, sip some wine, and live out a steady, untroubled life.

As for Song Cheng’an.

Lin Jianxi would see his end with his own eyes.

Half an hour flew by too quickly. Song Cheng’an could accomplish nothing in that time, left standing in a haze of bewilderment. Lin Jianxi said nothing, simply waiting in silence.

Thirty minutes.

Twenty.

Ten.

Five.

Three.

Thirty seconds.

Lin Jianxi suddenly smiled, turning to Song Cheng’an, who was crouched beside him. “Do you know why I avoided you back then?”

Song Cheng’an froze.

As kids, Lin Jianxi had acted like even a brush of his hand was contaminating, refusing to let him past the first floor, keeping him confined near the guest room.

Things eased as Song Cheng’an grew older. He could hug Lin Jianxi and act spoiled, bury his face in that familiar scent, and on sleepless nights, feel a gentle hand stroking his hair while Lin Jianxi hummed a tune.

It wasn’t a lullaby—more a rugged, masculine melody—but in Lin Jianxi’s voice, it turned soft and soothing. Song Cheng’an would drift off to it and sleep straight through till morning.

“…You hated me.” Song Cheng’an dropped his gaze, shying from the memory. “I know you hated me.”

“I told you, I never hated you. It was all a misunderstanding from the moment we first met, Song Cheng’an.”

“…”

Song Cheng’an’s eyes widened slowly.

System: “Ten seconds until world departure.”

Lin Jianxi’s hand drifted gently over Song Cheng’an’s eyelids, feeling the quiver of his lashes. He smiled.

“—Because the cloth you used to wrap that bread? It was my underwear.”

“……………………”

Song Cheng’an’s lashes fluttered wildly. “Wh-what do you mean?”

Lin Jianxi replied, “Exactly what I said.”

Song Cheng’an seized his wrist. “No, the first time we met—it was in the basement. You grabbed my hair and bashed my head against the table corner—”

Lin Jianxi lowered his hand, pressing an index finger to Song Cheng’an’s lips. “Shh.”

Song Cheng’an’s eyes turned red.

Lin Jianxi leaned forward, forehead to forehead, his voice a murmur. “It’s our little secret.”

“…”

System: “Three seconds until world departure.”

Song Cheng’an’s tears pattered onto Lin Jianxi’s arm, warm at first, then cooling in the breeze.

“Lin Jianxi,” Song Cheng’an trembled, “why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

System: “Two seconds.”

Song Cheng’an: “Do you know how much I suffered?”

System: “One second.”

“Do you hate me?” Lin Jianxi asked suddenly.

“I hate myself for not treating you better sooner.” Song Cheng’an sobbed.

Before Lin Jianxi could reply, white light flooded his vision. The System’s voice chimed in his ear: “Congratulations! You’ve cleared the First World~”

“Wait,” Lin Jianxi said abruptly.

System: “…What?”

Lin Jianxi: “Can we wait a few more years?”

System: “That violates protocol… Hey, why are you crying?”

Tears traced down Lin Jianxi’s closed eyes. “I can’t leave him like this. I want to see him relaxed, happy—not always suffering and struggling. I want him to smile like a real kid… Just a few more years. Any price.”

“…”

The System sighed. “Fine. But the Second World’s difficulty just went up.”

Lin Jianxi: “Mm.”

In a haze, Song Cheng’an’s voice returned, his arms wrapping around Lin Jianxi like he was the most precious treasure. “Lin Jianxi, I’ll atone… Why are you crying?”

Lin Jianxi opened his eyes to those familiar ones and gave a soft smile. “No questions about why I’m not the same person as him?”

“It doesn’t matter. None of it does.” Song Cheng’an nuzzled into the back of Lin Jianxi’s hand. “You loving me is enough. As long as it’s you.”

…

~~~