PTCQT Chapter 26

“Is it funny?” Shen Chun asked Xie Boyuan as he returned to the room.

“I didn’t laugh,” Xie Boyuan said, unable to resist touching the tip of his nose.

But actually, it was very funny, especially because something like that had happened to someone as usually composed as Shen Chun. Paired with the helpless expression on his face at the moment, it made it all the more amusing.

“Hmm?” Shen Chun leaned in slightly, studying his expression closely. He reached out and tugged at the corner of Xie Boyuan’s mouth with a smile. “If the President keeps laughing, I’ll let you experience the kind of fun I had as a kid.”

Xie Boyuan looked a little confused.

Shen Chun chuckled and said, “Rolling around together. We won’t even need a space as big as the living room, just from one end of the bed to the other will do.”

Of course, the “rolling” he meant wasn’t as innocent as it sounded.

Xie Boyuan’s heartbeat quickened, and his gaze wavered slightly. “Don’t mess around,” he muttered.

But he forcibly straightened the corners of his mouth and didn’t dare to smile again.

It was one thing to fool around in their own space—he could indulge Shen Chun however he liked—but they were currently at the Shen family’s home. If they really acted out here, his image might take a serious hit. And the person in front of him was bold enough to do exactly what he said.

“Alright then,” Shen Chun said, looking at him. “Tell me an embarrassing story from your childhood, and we’ll call it even.”

“I was very well-behaved as a kid,” Xie Boyuan said, his eyes shifting slightly.

“Then we’re rolling…” Shen Chun laughed as he wrapped an arm around his waist.

“No, wait, I’ll tell you, I’ll tell you…” Xie Boyuan braced a hand against his shoulder, the tips of his ears tinged red. “When I was little, I was trying to catch fish in the river. I slipped, and the fish… wriggled into my pants and made a round trip.”

“Pfft!” Shen Chun couldn’t hold back his laughter. Just picturing a little version of the President sitting in the shallow river, brows furrowed in frustration as he tried in vain to get the fish out of his pants, how could that not be funny? “Hahahahaha…”

“Stop laughing.” Xie Boyuan’s embarrassment had reached his neck, turning it red.

“I’m not laughing anymore,” Shen Chun said, suppressing his smile as he leaned in and kissed the tip of his nose. “Tell me more about your childhood, President. I… want to know you better.”

“Alright,” Xie Boyuan replied, unable to resist the warmth in Shen Chun’s gaze.

There were many memories from youth, some bitter, some warm. Xie Boyuan spoke of them in scattered fragments. The process of growing up, to him, was filled with meaning, yet to others, it might amount to nothing more than a few words. Human sorrow and joy are rarely shared in full; when spoken recklessly, they often come off as nothing but noise.

But whenever Xie Boyuan told Shen Chun these stories, Shen Chun always listened intently. Whether he smiled or teased, his expression was sincere. It made one feel like he truly cared, so much so that it was impossible not to want to say more, to share just a little bit extra.

After the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, the festive atmosphere gradually began to fade. When Xie Boyuan returned to work, he found himself, for the first time, thinking the holiday had been too short. Still reluctant as he was, he went back to the office.

Shen Chun’s warning had been highly effective, Wang Zecheng’s attitude toward him didn’t grow cold; in fact, it became even more courteous. However, all the previously flirtatious remarks had completely disappeared.

Without those disturbances, Xie Boyuan’s work at the company became much smoother.

“What’s the situation?” Shen Chun asked as he stepped inside.

“She keeps saying we’re holding her captive and keeps demanding too much,” the bodyguard in black replied.

“Has she been eating properly?” Shen Chun asked with a smile.

“She’s eaten everything we’ve brought her,” the bodyguard said.

“No issues?” Shen Chun stopped at the door of a room. As he turned the doorknob, a sharp scream came from inside.

“Ah!!! Don’t come in! If you dare come in, I’ll kill myself! I’ll sue all of you!”

Shen Chun stepped inside, catching the cup that had been thrown at him. He looked at the woman who was frantically hurling things around and smiled. “Miss Zhao, do you want to get all of the Gao family’s assets?”

With just that one sentence, the woman who had been hysterical a moment ago froze. The raised pillow in her hands was slowly lowered. “What do you mean?”

“Exactly what it sounds like,” Shen Chun said as he walked to the bedside, placing the cup down with a soft clink, yet the sound made Zhao Ke shudder involuntarily.

Shen Chun took a seat on the other side of the bed. The bodyguard closed the door behind him, leaving just the two of them in the room. The silence allowed Zhao Ke’s nerves to slowly ease.

“You’re saying you want my child to inherit the Gao family’s wealth?” she asked cautiously. “Don’t be fooled by how wild Gao Liang acts now, he’s had plenty of pregnancies terminated. But if he really wanted a wife and kid, it wouldn’t be hard for him. My child’s no different.”

“What if he loses the ability to have children?” Shen Chun said with a smile.

Gao Liang’s plan wasn’t particularly clever. At best, it was just a crude attempt to pin the matter of Zhao Ke’s child onto Shen Chun. As long as the rumor spread—truth mixed with lies—once the mud stuck to your pants, even if you shook it off, it would never be truly clean again.

If word got out, however much praise Shen Chun had earned at A University, he’d receive just as much condemnation in return.

It wasn’t a brilliant scheme, but it didn’t have to be. As long as it was effective.

Unfortunately for Gao Liang, such tricks were limited in number. As long as someone kept a close watch, catching him in the act was only a matter of time. It simply hadn’t been the right moment during the New Year festivities, but now, Shen Chun could take his time and enjoy the game.

Zhao Ke couldn’t help but swallow hard. If her child ended up being the only heir of the Gao family, then yes—one day, all of its assets would belong to her child. Excitement swelled in her chest. She looked at Shen Chun and asked, “What do you want me to do?”

“Expose everything Gao Liang has done,” Shen Chun said in a low voice, “and reveal what he planned to make you do. Then I’ll send you abroad and make sure your child is safe.”

His tone softened further. “Until the day you want to be found by him, you’ll want for nothing.”

His voice was smooth and pleasing, and he was undeniably handsome. Even someone like Zhao Ke—who prided herself on only caring about money—couldn’t help but be struck by his looks. But… Shen Chun was terrifyingly ruthless.

Gao Liang wanted to ruin him just a little, so he would return the favor tenfold. A man like that… if she had really dared to cross him back then, she might not even have a place to die, let alone be left whole.

Zhao Ke’s voice trembled slightly. “I’ll do it.”

Shen Chun smiled. “Good.”

Making someone infertile have children was near impossible. But making someone fertile become sterile? That was easy. All it took was a single drop of a colorless, tasteless drug—quiet, undetectable, and devastating.

As the new semester at University A was about to begin, the campus forum exploded with another scandal. A short video had been posted, featuring a visibly pregnant woman revealing the truth behind the recent wave of gossip that had been circulating on the forums.

“All those rumors were fabricated by Young Master Gao of the Gao family, Gao Liang. Young Master Shen did go to those places, but only to eat and drink. He never touched any women, nor was he involved in gambling… Gao Liang wanted me to use this child to smear Young Master Shen’s name, and then force me to abort it afterward. I won’t let him get away with it!”

Her words were a little jumbled, but the message was crystal clear. Until now, the gossip had lacked solid evidence, but in the final moments of the video, Zhao Ke held up a paternity test confirming that Gao Liang was the biological father of her unborn child. The bloodline connection was irrefutable.

“The upper class really is a mess. I wonder what Shen Chun did to offend the Gao family.”

“Who knows? But Shen Chun’s not exactly some pure-hearted male god either, is he? He’s been to places like that, and those women still worship him?”

“What’s wrong with going to a place like that? You talk like none of you have ever been. If you actually had the money, you’d probably want to live there full-time.”

“Going to a bar is pretty normal, isn’t it? It’s not like he’s there every day. Just wanting to check it out without messing around, why does that deserve hate?”

“Anyone who dares say they’ve never been, raise your hand and swear on your future, I dare you.”

“I still think someone like Shen Chun isn’t suited to stay in the student council. He’s not a good role model. Always stirring up drama like he’s some celebrity, it’s tainting University A’s pure image.”

“You being alive is already polluting University A’s air.”

Debate raged on across the campus forum, but Shen Chun only glanced at it briefly before losing interest. Eating, drinking, those were trivial matters. To most adults, having been to places like that was nothing out of the ordinary. The hype would fade in a few days.

But while the Shen family remained calm and composed, chaos had erupted in the Gao household. First, Gao Liang searched high and low for Zhao Ke, but she was nowhere to be found. Then, the Gao family faced targeted attacks from the Shen family, completely cutting off their cash flow.

Gao’s father brought Gao Liang along to personally apologize. They were received politely, and Shen Chun accepted the apology on the surface. But the Gao family quickly realized this was far from over, as the Shen family’s retaliation continued relentlessly.

Not only was Gao Liang repeatedly reprimanded and forbidden from indulging in his usual antics, but when preparations began for a marriage alliance, he was found to be infertile.

“How can this be? How can this be?” Gao Liang clutched the diagnosis report, grabbing the doctor by the arm. “Do you even know how to run tests? Quacks! I want a different hospital! I’m going to sue you! This is impossible, check again! Run the tests again!”

The Gao household had descended into chaos, while Shen Chun strolled onto campus feeling refreshed and at ease. The uproar online seemed to have had no impact on him whatsoever. Even his friends hadn’t distanced themselves in the slightest.

Just as Du Xin had said: “It’s not like he broke any laws. Who doesn’t have a bit of a past?”

“Oh? So that means Senior Du also has a hidden past?” Shen Chun said with a smile.

“To tell you the truth, I actually do,” Du Xin admitted, scratching his head. “Back in middle school, I was pretty wild. Not only did I sneak into internet cafés, but I even got into a fight with a teacher. Now that I’ve grown up and thought it through… sometimes, I really regret it.”

At school, the storm had come quickly but passed just as fast. Thanks to Shen Chun’s good reputation and solid relationships, most of the voices around him were supportive. The few dissenting ones gradually faded into silence.

The trouble with the Gao family was no longer a concern, the matter was more or less resolved. But there was still one thing that required a proper explanation: Shen Chun needed to talk to Xie Boyuan.

Take, for example, those matters of eating, drinking, and entertainment.

If he wanted to hide them, of course he could do so completely. But to live out the rest of his life—decades—with someone, all it would take is one careless moment to expose a lie. And to cover that up, he’d have to tell another.

Layer enough lies on top of each other, and sometimes even a person themselves forgets their original intentions. In the end, two people who once shared a deep bond of trust could lose faith in each other and drift apart.

The actions of the original “Shen Chun” weren’t something the current Shen Chun needed to take responsibility for in front of outsiders. But when it came to his parents and his lover, those things were unavoidable. Sooner or later, they had to be acknowledged.

The two sat facing each other. Xie Boyuan seemed to sense what Shen Chun was about to say, and a faint heaviness settled in his chest. “Everything on that end taken care of?”

“Perfectly handled,” Shen Chun replied.

Gao’s father had completely lost his financial footing, bankruptcy was just around the corner. Though some of his previous earnings still remained, Gao Liang was now frantically searching for Zhao Ke. When he still had the ability to have children, it didn’t matter. But now, with his fertility gone, that one child had become his lifeline. He no longer had the time or energy to waste on anything else.

Now that was a real strike to the heart, the kind that takes the fire out from under the pot.

“…So,” Xie Boyuan asked cautiously, watching his expression, “do you want to tell me about it? Were any of those things… true?”

“Yes. I really did go to those clubs. And I really did drink wine that cost hundreds of thousands,” Shen Chun said, taking his hand. “It’s also true that I hired hostesses. But I never touched any of them. The forced drinking, yeah, that happened too…”

Xie Boyuan’s hand tightened slightly as he looked at Shen Chun and asked, “Why did you do those things?”

“Probably just youthful recklessness,” Shen Chun replied.

Xie Boyuan took a deep breath. This was all a bit beyond what he had imagined. He had never thought that Shen Chun could be someone who bullied others, let alone that someone else might have once been by his side, or even sitting on his lap. A sour, indescribable feeling welled up in his chest, and for a moment, Xie Boyuan didn’t know what to do.

His hand withdrew. Seeing the chill settling over Xie Boyuan’s expression, Shen Chun clicked his tongue. [Would it have been better not to confess all of this?]

[Host, I’m not sure either…] came 521’s reply, after all, it was a single, inexperienced system. [But I can search for advice from others’ experiences!]

[Oh? What do people say?] Shen Chun asked.

[1. What to do when your wife is angry? Just do her. Problem solved.

2. Still angry? One round didn’t work, go for two. Couples fight, then make up in bed.

3. He’s giving you the cold shoulder? Be even colder. See who can freeze out the other longer.]

521 dutifully reported its findings with the earnestness of a hardworking assistant.

[Forget the first two, what about the third one? Did they break up?] Shen Chun asked in confusion.

521 did a quick check and replied, [Nope, they’re still very much in love, stuck together like glue.]

[Well, that’s a one-in-a-million outcome,] Shen Chun said with a chuckle. [Thanks, cutie. When it comes to love, it’s better to handle it ourselves. Other people’s solutions might not suit us.]

[Oh!] 521 responded in sudden realization, quickly jotting down notes for future reference.

Xie Boyuan now lived by a weekend schedule, one a student, the other a working professional. They could no longer spend all their time together like before. When feelings run deep, there’s never enough time, especially on weekends, when Xie Boyuan would often indulge Shen Chun’s playful antics.

But this time, President Xie didn’t kick him out… he just ignored him completely.

He ate, drank, and went about his tasks alone, doing everything as if Shen Chun didn’t even exist.

Watching his host all alone and looking pitiful, 521 silently held up its little camera and thought to itself: So lonely… poor thing.

“President, I’m hungry,” Shen Chun said, eyeing the dishes on the table.

“There’s food in the fridge,” Xie Boyuan replied coldly.

He didn’t even know what exactly he was angry about, just that he was angry. And he couldn’t bring himself to say why, like he was mad at himself more than anyone else.

It was Shen Chun’s fault, and yet… it was all in the past now. Everyone has a past, don’t they? People should look toward the future. Their relationship was going well, Shen Chun had introduced him to his friends and family, and every step ahead seemed to include him. He should be content. He knew that.

He knew the logic, understood it clearly in his heart. But he couldn’t stop himself from acting this way. He couldn’t keep going on like this, or he might wear out his lover’s patience. And if Shen Chun did leave one day, he knew he would regret it, deeply. But still… he couldn’t control it.

Shen Chun opened the fridge and looked inside. Nothing was prepped, just raw vegetables, eggs, and meat. He raised an eyebrow. Message received loud and clear: make it yourself.

He took out some eggs and noodles and casually cooked a bowl of noodles. But by the time he sat down at the table, Xie Boyuan had already gotten up and started doing the dishes.

[Host, just eating noodles isn’t healthy,] 521 reminded him.

[If I make a full meal right now, he’ll only get angrier,] Shen Chun replied.

After filling his stomach, Shen Chun looked over, Xie Boyuan had already finished washing the dishes and was now sitting on the couch, playing a game. The volume was turned up loud. He was playing well too: first blood, double kill, even a pentakill, the game’s voice announcer kept going, and his teammates’ praise came one after another.

But despite completely crushing the enemy team, not a hint of satisfaction or warmth showed on Xie Boyuan’s face. His expression remained cold and unmoved.

In the original timeline, they said he had a cold temperament, and now, Shen Chun was witnessing it firsthand. When Xie Boyuan turned cold, he truly kept people a thousand miles away.

Still… he wasn’t that hard to coax.

Shen Chun sat down beside him. The sofa dipped softly with the added weight. His gaze swept over Xie Boyuan’s hand, which paused ever so slightly. And just as the screen of his phone dimmed, Shen Chun slipped through the crook of the arm still holding the device, and kissed the man who had been caught completely off guard.

“Let go—” Xie Boyuan tried to push him away, but his movements were quickly restrained. Just as he opened his mouth, ready to bite, Shen Chun had already pulled back.

“President, I know I was wrong. You can punish me however you want, just don’t ignore me, please?” Shen Chun said softly, arms wrapped gently around Xie Boyuan’s waist.

His voice was incredibly tender, but beneath it lay a trace of unmistakable sadness. Xie Boyuan’s breath caught for a moment, and the strength in his push weakened. Meeting Shen Chun’s gaze head-on, a pang of sadness rose in his own chest as well. “Then tell me… what exactly did you do wrong?”

“I shouldn’t have had any contact with others in the past, but I really only asked for someone to sit with me. I didn’t do anything else,” Shen Chun said earnestly.

“Not even on your lap?” Xie Boyuan’s face flushed slightly, though his tone remained cold.

“No, never. I swear. If I were lying, I wouldn’t even be telling you any of this,” Shen Chun said, looking him straight in the eyes with sincerity.

“What else?” Xie Boyuan asked.

“I’ll never bully anyone again,” Shen Chun replied. “I’ve turned over a new leaf. Really.”

And to be fair, Xie Boyuan had never actually seen him bully anyone. “Why the sudden change of heart?”

Old habits die hard, so what could’ve caused such a drastic change?

“Because of a car accident about a year and a half ago,” Shen Chun said, guiding Xie Boyuan’s hand to his chest. “Three ribs broke right here. But after walking to the edge of death and back, a lot of things suddenly made sense.”

Xie Boyuan’s expression shifted to one of shock, and his fingers trembled slightly. “Why did the accident happen? Are you okay now? You still drive… is that really safe?”

His voice was full of worry, none of the earlier coldness remained. Shen Chun smiled and said, “I’m fine. It’s been over for a long time. No aftereffects or anything.”

“Why did the accident happen?” Xie Boyuan, slightly relieved, still pressed on to the heart of the matter.

“I was drag racing late at night,” Shen Chun said, holding his hand. “Didn’t hit anyone, just lost control and drove straight into a tree.”

“You—!” Xie Boyuan burst out, not knowing whether he should be angry or just more worried.

He was just overwhelmed with fear. Car accidents had taken far too many lives, humans were so fragile in the face of such things. Three broken ribs… that must have hurt terribly. If one of them had pierced his heart or lungs, it was very possible he would’ve never seen Shen Chun again.

“President, don’t be mad anymore. If you keep this up, I’m going to die of sadness,” Shen Chun murmured, kissing the corner of his eye. “Your eyes are all red from being angry.”

Xie Boyuan gave him a light slap, unable to admit that the redness came from fear, not fury. “You’re not allowed to drive anymore.”

“Alright, then you can drive my car,” Shen Chun agreed readily. “I’ll just get rides wherever I go.”

“Mm.” Xie Boyuan responded with a small nod.

“Still mad?” Shen Chun asked.

“…Not anymore.” Xie Boyuan reached out and gently touched his cheek, only then did he finally notice a familiar sound coming from the floor.

“The game!” he exclaimed.

“President, am I less important than the game?” Shen Chun asked with a smile, holding him down just as he was about to get up.

“You’re jealous of a game now?” Xie Boyuan’s heart softened completely, how could he stay mad when faced with this?

“Well, it did have your full attention just now. If I don’t get jealous of it, who else should I get jealous of?” Shen Chun chuckled.

A warmth spread through Xie Boyuan’s chest. “Then I won’t play anymore.”

“No, no—you can play,” Shen Chun said meaningfully. “President needs entertainment too. Can’t play favorites, right? You play your game… and I’ll play with myself…”

The weekend, in the end, concluded in a thoroughly shameless fashion, not only killing 521’s idea of transferring the host to a clean-slate body in the next world, but also making Xie Boyuan swear off that particular game for at least the next six months.

With everything out in the open, life became unusually peaceful and harmonious. Du Xin didn’t go as far as making a school-wide announcement about Xie Boyuan being taken, but he did inform the senior girl who had been pursuing him. As luck would have it, someone overheard. One person told ten, ten told a hundred, and soon, everyone knew that President Xie was no longer single.

“All right. He’s taken. Don’t disturb the dead.”

“Two campus heartthrobs, both taken, is this the distortion of human nature, or the cruelty of reality?”

“I just wanna know which little vixen lured away my male god, is that too much to ask? Why is real life so cruel?”

On the plane, Shen Chun sat gazing out the window at the drifting clouds, his hand clasped tightly around Xie Boyuan’s. “President, after we visit your grandparents… let’s make our relationship public, okay?” he said softly. “If I want something, I’ll go after it myself. Our relationship will never stand in the way of my future.”

“…Okay.” Xie Boyuan interlaced their fingers with his own, replying in a low voice.

The longer they were together, the more Shen Chun wanted everyone to know that this person was his, only his. This person wasn’t afraid, and neither was he.

During Qingming, they visited the ancestral graves together. Shen Chun brought fresh flowers and accompanied Xie Boyuan to the cemetery. Unlike the orderly rows found in the city, the village graveyard was simple, just two earthen mounds side by side, even the memorial tablets set closely together.

Following local customs, Xie Boyuan burned offerings and, as if truly speaking to his elders, introduced Shen Chun with heartfelt sincerity: “Grandma, Grandpa, I’ve found that handsome young man I told you about. He’s really wonderful, and we’re going to stay together. You don’t have to worry anymore.”

“Grandpa, Grandma, my name is Shen Chun. I’m the handsome young man Xie Boyuan told you about,” Shen Chun said seriously. “I’ll treat him with all my heart, for the rest of my life, I’ll never let him down.”

In this world, there were no wandering spirits. Graves were more a sign of respect for the departed, and more importantly, a comfort for the living. As if, so long as the body rested there, the person never truly left.

Shen Chun had heard Xie Boyuan speak of these two elders, how they had supported one another through life, childhood sweethearts who stayed together through youth and old age, loving each other always. Two warm souls, who had raised a grandson with a heart just as warm.

Though he appeared cold on the outside, President Xie’s heart was remarkably soft, he just reserved it for those who truly mattered.

Just as Shen Chun had promised, after Qingming and the ancestral visit, their relationship was no longer kept a secret. First, a few people found out. Then, everyone did.

Online discourse, of course, included its fair share of criticism and cynicism, but the voices of support were louder. Especially with two such prominent figures involved, their story took on a kind of legendary glow.

“I knew there was something going on between them!!!”

“Oh, it’s Shen Chun? Okay… I’m not jealous anymore…”

“Ohhh, it’s the President? If our male god’s taken by another male god, at least it’s better than letting some random girl snatch him!!!”

“So you’re telling me… our little ship that we secretly loved is now canon?? We can ship them openly now?!”

“Official sugar drop, I’m so happy I could scream!”

…

Another year, another freshman season. The September sun was as scorching as ever, and as if the whirlwind of orientation wasn’t enough, the students were now met with the dreaded military training.

In previous years, enthusiasm for military drills had been… lacking, to say the least. Especially since the sports field had just been renovated the year before, the instructors had braced themselves for a chaotic, unruly herd.

But to their surprise, when it came time to assemble, the freshmen showed up faster and more orderly than ever, each group arriving quicker than the last.

“What kind of miracle booster are you all on? Why so motivated?” one of the instructors asked, clearly baffled.

“Nothing, we’re just naturally enthusiastic!” the students replied with playful laughter.

“Yeah! Totally not here just to catch a glimpse of Shen Chun.”

“Hey! Don’t talk nonsense!” someone quickly hushed, face turning red.

The air was filled with teasing and grins, but the truth was, a certain student council vice president might have had something to do with the unusually spirited turnout.

Same camouflage uniforms, same brimmed caps, when a group stood together, it was hard to tell anyone apart. But height varied, and so did faces.

In the loosely spaced formation, Shen Chun stood tall and lean in the last row. The belt around his waist outlined a slim, athletic frame. His cap brim was pulled low, just enough to reveal a pair of soulful, fox-like eyes that naturally drew glances from all directions.

“Eyes forward! No looking around!” the instructor barked, walking through the ranks with a ruler in hand, adjusting postures one by one. “Stand straight! Don’t bend your knees. Don’t move. If you need anything, ask for permission!”

The instructor scanned the entire squad, then stopped in front of Shen Chun. Holding the ruler against his back and waist, he gave him a thorough once-over.

“Trained before?” the instructor asked sharply.

“Report!” Shen Chun responded promptly.

“Speak.”

“Yes, sir. I have trained before.” Shen Chun answered plainly.

Military training was the most basic form of discipline. Under the blazing sun, everyone seemed drenched in sweat, but in reality, many of the rules were relaxed. For Shen Chun, it was no challenge at all, just the uniform was stuffy and made him feel hot.

“Not bad,” the instructor said after watching for a few minutes, then returned to the front of the formation and called out, “Shen Chun, step out!”

Shen Chun jogged from the back to the front and stood at attention. Where he’d been in the rear, some hadn’t gotten a good look at him, but now that he was at the front, all eyes quickly followed him.

The instructor ignored Shen Chun and instead addressed the group of students whose gazes had shifted. “He is pretty handsome, isn’t he? How about I let him stand here so you all can get your fill?”

“Alright!”

“Long live the instructor!!!”

“The instructor is awesome!”

“Quiet! None of you asked for permission before speaking!” the instructor snapped. Then, turning to Shen Chun, he said, “You’re tall enough. Join the flag-raising squad.”

After military training, there would be a small parade to review the results, including the national flag-raising ceremony. Having a flag-raising squad was normal, but their training regimen would intensify.

A group of tall boys was pulled out for special training, each with long legs and impressive stature, truly catching everyone’s attention as they marched together.

When Xie Boyuan got out of the car, he happened to see the flag squad training not far away. They all stood tall and proud, but his eyes immediately landed on Shen Chun, who was leading the formation at the front.

Under the scorching September sun, the young man’s posture was no less radiant than the blazing sunlight itself.

Xie Boyuan had seen many perfectly executed flag-raising ceremonies, each step and movement precise and powerful. Yet the young man in camouflage leading the front showed no less discipline; even his usually faint smile was now pressed into a serious, focused line.

Shen Chun’s presence drew attention, and so did Xie Boyuan’s. Though standing outside the track’s fence, he still stirred restlessness among the students nearby.

The instructor barked a few commands, and soon the clear formation dissolved into a scattered crowd at the order to rest. Some ducked into the shade, others went to drink water or use the restroom, while small groups gathered, their eyes lingering on the direction of Xie Boyuan and Shen Chun.

As the command to rest was given, Shen Chun finally relaxed a bit and walked over to the shade, intending to drink some water to rehydrate. As he bent down, a bottle of water, clearly chilled and steaming with cold air, was handed to him.

“Senior, this will help cool you down,” the boy said.

Shen Chun took the bottle, stood upright, and looked at the boy before him.

Young and fresh-faced, the green camouflage made his skin look especially fair, flushed slightly pink from the heat in a way that made him look gentle and adorable.

Shen Chun twisted open the bottle and asked, “You’re a freshman?”

“How did you know, senior?” the boy looked up at him.

“If you were a sophomore, you’d already know I have a boyfriend,” Shen Chun smiled. “Better switch targets, junior.”

“Ah…” the boy sounded a bit disappointed. “But even if you have a boyfriend, it doesn’t change the fact that I like you. I can wait.”

“I don’t need a backup, and we’re not breaking up,” Shen Chun said with a faint smile. “Don’t waste each other’s time.”

Just then, Xie Boyuan was walking over from a distance and caught that last sentence. He couldn’t help but call out, “Shen Chun.”

“President,” Shen Chun turned around and smiled when he saw Xie Boyuan. He didn’t pay any more attention to the boy and quickly walked over to Xie Boyuan. “President, what are you doing here?”

“I heard about your military training and thought I’d come see you since it’s a holiday,” Xie Boyuan said as he casually took off Shen Chun’s hat, running his fingers through his black hair. “You’re all sweaty. Aren’t you hot?”

“I didn’t have time to take it off, seeing you just made the heat disappear,” Shen Chun smiled.

Xie Boyuan fanned him casually. “Just a few more days left.”

“Almost done, just three or five more days,” Shen Chun replied with a smile. “You didn’t just come to see me, did you?”

“No,” Xie Boyuan said, pulling a key out of his pocket and slipping it into Shen Chun’s. “The place in Kangle is all set. I came to give you the keys, so you don’t end up going to the wrong place.”

“How do you like the decoration style?” Shen Chun asked.

“We’ll decide once you get back,” Xie Boyuan replied.

“Alright.”

One dressed sharply in a suit, the other in a neat military uniform, both striking on their own, but together they were like a nuclear blast.

“That’s Senior Xie, right?” the freshmen whispered. “He’s really handsome in person.”

“No doubt about it.”

“They’re really dating…”

“Two male idols quietly together, somehow it’s actually kind of pleasing to see.”

“Better to see it for ourselves, anyway.”

“Yang Mo, hurry back! Senior Shen Chun has a boyfriend now.”

The shout came from nearby. The boy who had handed over the water looked at the two still chatting, pursed his lips tightly, and though reluctant, turned and walked away.

Shen Chun was talking with Xie Boyuan, and when he heard that name, his ears twitched slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips.

“What’s wrong?” Xie Boyuan asked, noticing his smile.

“Just remembered something,” Shen Chun replied with a smile.

Yang Mo had acted as a catalyst that pushed Xie Boyuan and Xu Ze’s relationship toward tragedy. Handsome and bold, he was straightforward, even when Xie Boyuan rejected him, he said he was willing to wait. Such a person was a huge source of pressure for Xu Ze, but posed no threat to Shen Chun himself.

“What is it?” Xie Boyuan asked, puzzled.

“Nothing important,” Shen Chun replied.

Xie Boyuan said, “Then just handle it yourself. Speak up if you need anything.”

“Okay.”

Xu Ze sat quietly under a nearby tree, sipping water. His gaze shifted from the two of them and then silently withdrew, just as many had said, it was enough to see them happy.

Even though in this lifetime, it would be difficult for him to meet someone as stunning as that again.

…

Time passed, and the youthful days lingered only in one photo after another. Looking back at them, it was as if he could return to those moments once more.

“You were really handsome back then.” Xie Boyuan, leaning against the window with a breathing machine, traced his finger over the open photos.

The photos had been well preserved, though their edges had begun to yellow faintly. Yet this did nothing to diminish the radiance of the young man raising the flag in the images, each time he saw them, his heart still raced.

“You too.” Shen Chun grasped his other hand, holding it until it grew cold, then slowly closed his eyes.

[System assessment: Mission completion rated S. Mission One: earned 5 million star coins. Mission Two: earned 5 million star coins. Special mission processed: star coins doubled, totaling 20 million, credited to account.]

Shen Chun sat in the system space bathed in starlight all around him. Casually, he summoned a mirror and, seeing his rejuvenated young face, let out a sigh of relief: “Youth really is the best.”

The young man in the mirror had sharp, well-defined features, his appearance far surpassing that in the mission world, as if crafted by the careful hand of a god. It was this that made those peach blossom eyes brim with charm and allure.

[Host, congratulations on perfectly completing the mission! You’re amazing! You’re the best!] 521 exclaimed, utterly surprised that this was the first time guiding a host and they achieved the highest rating.

[Thank you for the compliment, little cutie. You helped a lot.] Shen Chun smiled warmly.

[Not really!] 521’s mechanical heart was filled with joy. [Thank you for the praise, Host!]

The highest completion level for missions in the original world is S-rank. Xie Baiyuan’s remaining life had little to do with Xu Ze; Shen Chun had only occasionally seen Xu Ze at work. Xu Ze wore a suit, completely shedding the insecurities and timidity of his youth. According to the system, he had many admirers around him but never found a partner, remaining alone until his death.

Though the red thread was broken, it didn’t mean it couldn’t be reconnected; only when life truly ends is it completely severed.

As for why the mission rating was so high, perhaps it was related to Xu Ze’s lonely end.

[When will the next world open?] Shen Chun asked.

[You can start it right away. Don’t you want to rest a bit?] 521 asked. [You just finished a mission, you could return to the original world to adjust your state.]

Living through an entire lifetime can be quite stressful for many hosts.

[No need, just open it directly,] Shen Chun said.

[Alright.] 521 obediently complied.

[System Prompt 521: World loading, loading successful, memory transfer in progress…]

Autumn arrived, painting the land in bright gold, whether it was the ripe rice fields or the leaves on the trees, all were tinged with yellow. Autumn was supposed to be the season of abundant harvests, when common folk reaped the fruits of their year-long toil. Yet in Tai’an City, melons and fruits lay scattered on the ground, crushed mercilessly under the wheels of carts and horses, turning into a muddy mess. Everyone in the city shuttered their doors, none daring to step outside.

Soldiers carrying swords and guns patrolled the streets, but they were not dressed in the uniforms of the capital’s guards. Wherever they passed, occasionally someone would carry a jar of wine or gather a few belongings from the roadside, but no one dared open their doors or utter a word.

The capital was grim and oppressive. Inside the imperial palace, blood was spilled anew. The palace attendants, who used to bustle through the corridors, were now driven like scared ducks into their rooms. Any slight disturbance was met with a stab from the soldiers behind them. Bodies were dragged away, leaving trails of blood winding through the halls.

The heavy scent of blood filled the air. Inside the great hall, nobles who were once honored and supreme knelt on the ground, each with a blade pressed against their back.

On the throne sat the emperor, clad in a black-and-red court robe, trembling as he watched the scene unfold. Unfortunately, the white hair visible beneath his crown betrayed his age and revealed that the ruthless spirit of his youth had long since faded.

“Your Majesty,” Prince Liang said cheerfully from the side, “the edict of abdication has already been prepared by your humble servant. You only need to copy it once and affix the imperial jade seal. It’s nothing difficult.”

“Feng Maode! Your ambitions are like a wolf’s, how will you face Father and the ancestors of the Yong Dynasty in the afterlife?” Emperor Wenhe stared at him and said.

“Matters of the afterlife can wait until then,” Prince Liang stroked the beard at his lip. “No matter how angry the ancestors are, they can’t strike me down again.” He glanced at his elder brother. “Brother, it’s just an edict. Dragging this out here serves no purpose. Or if you find the brush too dry, I can moisten it for you, bring the crown prince up.”

“What are you doing?!” Emperor Wenhe looked up in horror, trying to rise, but two soldiers held him down by the shoulders.

Prince Liang had already drawn the sword from a nearby soldier’s waist and, before the crown prince could even plead, drove it straight into his heart.

Blood spilled everywhere, and countless screams echoed through the hall. Emperor Wenhe coughed up a mouthful of fresh blood, but Prince Liang casually waved his hand to summon the imperial physicians.

“Brother, if you die, I’ll have no choice but to wipe out all your sons,” he said.

Those words forced Emperor Wenhe, whose eyes had nearly rolled back, to snap them open again, a heavy weight settling on his chest. Tears streamed down his weathered face.

“Will you write it, or not?”

Outside Tai’an City, the ground trembled. The soldiers guarding the gates looked up, only to see a tide of troops surging toward the capital. Their banners were black and red, emblazoned with a single character: “Shen.”

“It’s the Northwestern Army, prepare for—” Before the soldier could finish his warning, an arrow pierced his brow. He fell without another word.

The general on horseback pulled tightly on the reins. With a long, shrill neigh, the horse reared up, its movements powerful and wild, yet the figure seated atop remained perfectly steady.

Clad in silver armor with a crimson plume, he was like the anchor in this raging tide. The moment he halted, the entire force behind him came to a stop.

Suddenly, fireworks exploded within the city. Behind his mask, the general’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Soldiers—attack the city with me!”

 

 

 

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