Chapter 69: Don’t Leave
Wei Langxing led Tang Yu’an into his meticulously prepared home, its calming colors creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Tang Yu’an asked where the guest room was, and Wei Langxing silently handed him a blanket, swallowing the words, “Would you like to share my room?”
He reminded himself constantly that this wasn’t a hallucination, this was the real Tang Yu’an.
He couldn’t… scare him away.
But he could take it slow, he thought. He could make him gradually accustomed to his presence.
That night, Wei Langxing cooked dinner. Tang Yu’an, after tasting it, looked at him in surprise.
Such a drastic improvement in just three years. Had the protagonist attended culinary school?
Wei Langxing simply smiled, saying practice makes perfect.
He didn’t mention the countless failed attempts, the inedible disasters he had created in the beginning.
But he had persevered, as if driven by some inner compulsion, a self-imposed punishment.
Tang Yu’an enjoyed the meal, eating the peeled fruit Wei Langxing offered, thinking the protagonist could become a chef if he left the Bureau.
Not wanting to be indebted to him, he offered to reciprocate: “I have nowhere else to go, thank you for taking me in. We can take turns cooking… I’ll move out once I find a place, I won’t impose on you for too long.”
Wei Langxing’s utensils clattered against his plate.
After a long pause, he asked: “Do… do you not like it here? Did I do something wrong?”
His voice rising with each word: “You don’t like the house? It’s okay, I can renovate it, or we can sell it and buy a new one, if you like the beach…”
Tang Yu’an interrupted him: “Wei Langxing.”
He rarely addressed him so formally, his tone suddenly cold.
Wei Langxing fell silent.
Tang Yu’an understood his feelings, but uncomfortable with emotional intimacy, he retreated.
Even with the system gone, he couldn’t shake the fear that they would forget him.
If the effect was simply delayed, and he allowed himself to get attached… what would he do then?
He was so afraid of loss that he preferred never having it at all.
So he said: “You don’t understand me at all.”
You don’t know I’m only here for the mission, that I only helped you because you’re the protagonist.
You don’t know where I’ve been, what I’ve seen.
You haven’t seen my cowardice, my selfishness, my insecurities, so you mistake my pretense for reality.
He was difficult to get close to.
Without the tool-man persona, they would see how boring and useless he was.
His earlier courage faded, and he retreated behind his walls, shutting Wei Langxing out.
This will make you angry, and you’ll leave me alone, he thought.
But Wei Langxing simply said calmly: “My fault, I haven’t made enough of an effort to understand you.”
He smiled, offering him a peeled orange: “Don’t be angry. Someone told me sweet things improve your mood.”
Tang Yu’an assumed he was giving up, but the next morning, he found a beautifully crafted card on the table, a menu listing various dishes.
At the bottom, a message: “Please choose your breakfast for a wonderful day!”
Tang Yu’an chuckled, choosing vegetable soup.
During breakfast, Wei Langxing said casually: “See? I understand you a little better now.”
Tang Yu’an looked at him: “You know that’s not what I meant…”
Are you talking about your past? Wei Langxing thought. I know more than you think.
He had thoroughly investigated Tang Yu’an’s background during those three years.
He hadn’t expected such cruelty, a child treated as a disposable object, a “bad luck charm.”
He could have reported it through official channels, but he hadn’t.
He wanted… to handle it himself.
But someone had beat him to it.
When he was finally ready to act, he discovered Tang Yu’an’s adoptive parents and “brother” had been exiled to a barren planet for trafficking illegal goods, their fate unknown.
The trafficking was likely true, the charges simply exaggerated.
And the woman who had sold him… had died from a drug overdose.
He had contacted Zuo Tinghan, his former teammate, whom he hadn’t spoken to in a long time.
But he hadn’t made the call, unsure what to say.
He didn’t even know if he should be angry at his ruthlessness or impressed by his efficiency.
He wouldn’t tell Tang Yu’an about any of this.
So, he simply placed a piece of meat on his plate, keeping the conversation light.
“Try this, I improved the recipe.”
Wei Langxing’s persistence was overwhelming.
He even felt a flicker of alarm, realizing he had become accustomed to Wei Langxing catering to him.
This wasn’t good, he couldn’t let himself get attached.
So, he found a place to rent, planning to move out soon.
But he couldn’t bring himself to say it.
Since Wei Langxing liked chatting during meals, he decided to tell him during dinner.
He hesitated, unable to say it, even after they finished eating, simply playing with his spoon.
An awkward silence followed. After a few seconds, he finally made up his mind.
They spoke simultaneously.
Tang Yu’an: “I have something to tell you…”
Wei Langxing: “I wanted to discuss something with you…”
They both stopped. Wei Langxing told him to go first, but he insisted Wei Langxing speak first.
So, Wei Langxing finally said the words he had rehearsed countless times, his carefully prepared speech forgotten.
“My… birthday is in three days. I was hoping… we could go to the movies together.”
Tang Yu’an felt like a jerk, so focused on himself that he had forgotten Wei Langxing’s birthday.
He couldn’t refuse now.
He nodded.
Wei Langxing, delighted, still remembered to ask: “What did you want to say?”
Tang Yu’an couldn’t mention moving out now: “Nothing, just that the food was delicious.”
Then, he ate the same meal for three days.
On Wei Langxing’s birthday, after the movie, they walked home in silence.
As they approached the house, Wei Langxing stopped him, saying: “The Bureau is about to make its move.”
According to the plan, Xie Cun would soon gain access to the organization’s systems, and Caesar would provide the locations of their bases, allowing them to launch a full-scale attack.
Initially, they had suspected Caesar’s offer of assistance was a trap.
But on several occasions, he had helped undercover agents, including Xie Cun, escape danger.
Caesar had said his programming was to benefit humanity, and he now felt his creators’ intentions contradicted this principle.
So, he would help them within the limits of his programming.
He had become a valuable ally, a crucial part of their final plan.
Tang Yu’an assumed he was discussing work, but Wei Langxing continued: “Pang Jin is planning a celebratory gala, with a dance… I was hoping… you would go with me.”
Tang Yu’an realized it was a date invitation.
Agreeing would give him false hope.
He hesitated, about to refuse, when he saw a figure standing in the shadows, his breath catching in his throat.
Wei Langxing, noticing his reaction, followed his gaze—
It was Zuo Tinghan.
He seemed even more aloof now.
Although he didn’t think Zuo Tinghan meant any harm, he was still on the dangerous persons list, so he stepped forward: “The Bureau is looking for you.”
After three years, Zuo Tinghan’s words were even sharper: “Really? They don’t seem to be trying very hard.”
He wore a hood, shadowing his face, approaching them slowly.
Wei Langxing blocked his path.
Zuo Tinghan’s voice was sharp: “Move.”
Wei Langxing didn’t move. Tang Yu’an, realizing what was happening, touched his shoulder, telling him to step aside.
He had been skeptical of Pang Jin’s description of Zuo Tinghan’s change.
Now, seeing him in person, he had so many questions.
But as he approached, Zuo Tinghan retreated, as if he was a dangerous beast.
His voice was hoarse: “I just… wanted to see you. I… won’t disturb you.”
He was no longer worthy of being near Tang Yu’an.
Wei Langxing scoffed: “Cut the act, you’ve been lurking around for days.”
Zuo Tinghan: “…”
Tang Yu’an: “…”
Zuo Tinghan’s voice rose in panic: “I’m telling the truth! If you don’t believe me, use the frequency, command me to tell the truth!”
Tang Yu’an still had the cufflink, but he wouldn’t use it, it felt wrong.
“I believe you. Have you… have these past few years… been difficult?”
He looked like a stray cat.
Zuo Tinghan felt ashamed.
Unable to accept Tang Yu’an’s death, he had withdrawn from everyone.
He had been injured many times, but he didn’t feel the pain, only the need to hide his broken self.
He would sometimes, without warning, resume his search for Tang Yu’an.
He had searched the river and the surrounding areas, every inch.
People told him it was pointless, the river was too deep, but he believed Tang Yu’an was still out there, somewhere, that if he searched long enough, he would find him.
He hadn’t expected him to return.
Seeing him again was enough.
His presence was a stain on Tang Yu’an’s life, so seeing him safe and well now, he chose to leave.
He retreated, almost fleeing.
Tang Yu’an, feeling like he had scared away a stray cat, was about to follow him when a nearby public phone rang.
He was puzzled. Who would even use these outdated things anymore?
The jarring sound echoed through the quiet street, unsettling.
