Not only Lu Yizhou himself but the air around him seemed to freeze in that split second. [...I can leave already?]
[666: That's right! Congratulations, Host! You have done exceptionally well in the first world!]
[Didn't you say that I have 15 years of time until Ren Zexi turns 20?] Lu Yizhou counted inside his mind. [That's still three and a half years to go.]
[666: Indeed, that's the time limit, Host! It means that you can stay in this world for 15 years at most. However, you can also choose to leave as soon as you complete the mission. In this case, you have successfully prevented Ren Zexi's demise by eliminating the Feng Clan and directing all of Ren Zexi's attention toward you, making him lose interest in the protagonists. Ren Zexi's fate has been successfully altered.]
So...he had completed the mission and could leave in three days' time? Lu Yizhou clenched his fist. He didn't know how to describe what he felt right now. Wasn't this what he had always wanted? To finish this stupid mission and became the only person who failed to fill the willmeter? So why...did Lu Yizhou feel reluctant?
[Why didn't you tell me such an important thing?!] He gritted his teeth.
[666: A—Ahh, I'm sorry, Host! 666 thinks that you will learn gradually as you go! What happened? Are you... unwilling to leave? Do you want to live longer?!]
[No.] Lu Yizhou instantly doused the excitement in 666's tone. [From the start, I have said it and I'm not planning to change my mind. No matter what you do, my willmeter will not be filled.]
That's right. He had given up on everything. Ever since he took the path down to the abyss, there had been no return. He could no longer obtain salvation.
A series of knocks resounded through the room and the door swung open, showing Ren Zexi who was still clad on a business suit, beaming. "Uncle Lu!" He walked in and after taking a good look at Lu Yizhou, frowned in worry. "Is something wrong? Your complexion doesn't look too good."
Lu Yizhou shook his head. His expression returned to the usual impassive soon after. "What's wrong? It's not the time for you to get off work yet."
It seemed like he had indeed seen wrong… Ren Zexi scratched his head and threw the matter to the back of his mind. Pulling Lu Yizhou's hand, he jutted his chin toward the door. "I finished earlier today. There's something I want to show you. Come on!"
Lu Yizhou helplessly stood up and followed behind Ren Zexi, eyes landing on their hands that were clasped together. It was warm. The teenager had always been so warm compared to Lu Yizhou.
Ren Zexi brought him to the dining hall whose door was still firmly shut. Turning around, he gave Lu Yizhou a mischievous grin.
Lu Yizhou instantly knew that Ren Zexi must be up to no good again. He asked again, indulgence in his tone. "What's wrong?"
Ren Zexi tiptoed to cover Lu Yizhou's eyes with his palm. "Close your eyes and don't open them until I say so."
Lu Yizhou had no choice but to comply. He felt Ren Zexi's presence drifted away and heard the soft creaking sound of the door opening, followed by a tinge of...sweet and fruity smell?
"Alright, you can open your eyes now!" The teenager's voice came from across the room, gradually coming closer. "Surprise!!! Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday to Uncle Lu~"
Despite himself, Lu Yizhou's heart still gave a leap when he opened his eyes and saw every single servant in Lu Mansion crowding in the dining hall, wearing pointed hats and blowing trumpets, happily singing. And most importantly, Ren Zexi came forward with a large cake in his hand, clumsily decorated with all kinds of fruits Lu Yizhou often ate. Two candles stood atop it, bearing the number 4 and 2, the lights flickering and illuminating Ren Zexi's blushing face. "I—I made the cake myself so it's not very good compared to the ones sold in the bakery."
Lu Yizhou pressed his lips tight, reached out and took a slice of tangerine dipped with cream and brought it to his mouth. Under Ren Zexi's nervous yet anticipating gaze, he hummed, the corner of his lips lifted into a smile. "It's... very delicious, Zexi."
Ren Zexi was mesmerized by the man's sudden smile. Unable to hold back the giddiness anymore, he lowered his head and let out an embarrassed chuckle, his whole body radiating with happiness and bliss.
Lu Yizhou took in the beautiful sight in front of him, his heart twinged in a pain like never before. [666.]
[666: W—What? *sniffle*]
[Just a little longer.] He let out a light sigh. [Just give me a bit more time and then...we will leave.]
***
Nine days after Lu Yizhou's birthday was the death anniversary of Ren Zexi's parents. As always, the two men visited the cemetery together. Lu Yizhou waited behind as always while the teenager talked about whatever with his parents, sometimes he was laughing, sometimes he showed a tinge of sad smile. Oftentimes, he was whispering in a small voice as if telling a secret that nobody but the three of them should know.
Lu Yizhou gave Ren Zexi some space and stepped away for fresh air. He didn't have a smoking habit yet nowadays, he found himself craving one. From his peripheral vision, he could see a futuristic glowing portal that shouldn't have existed in this world. It was the exit portal that had been glued to Lu Yizhou's side for the last six days, reminding him again and again of the meager time he had left.
"Uncle Lu!" Ren Zexi ran out and tugged on his sleeves, grinning albeit with the rims of his eyes reddened. "Have you been waiting long?"
"No." Lu Yizhou paused and then reached out to graze the bottom of his eyes. "Did you just cry?"
"Ah, this…" Ren Zexi lowered his eyes and chuckled lightly. "Just a bit. I kinda missed them."
Lu Yizhou said nothing but patted his head.
"Uncle Lu…"
"Hmm?"
"Can I hug you?"
Lu Yizhou stared at the crown of Ren Zexi's head and slowly brought the youth into his arms. He had gotten much taller and larger than the last time Lu Yizhou remembered yet somehow he had the feeling that the Ren Zexi in his embrace was still the five-years-old Ren Zexi who clung to him, reluctant to let go. Lu Yizhou's hands paused and in the end, he gingerly hugged the teenager a bit tighter before pulling away. "Let's go home." He said.
Ren Zexi blinked and returned with a smile. "En, let's go home."
Subsequently, almost two months passed in a blink of an eye. The plum blossom trees in the garden had shed all of their petals, covering the ground with fluffy, pink flowers. The scenery was breathtaking, truly a sight to behold.
Lu Yizhou sat on the reclining chair overlooking the servants sweeping the pile of white pinkish petals, a cup of turbid, foul smelling medicine in his hand. "How long have you been working here, Butler An?"
Albeit surprised by Lu Yizhou's sudden question, An Kequ still answered honestly. "It's been more than 40 years, Master."
"40 years…" Lu Yizhou murmured, his eyes staring blankly at nothing. "It's been a very long time."
"That's right." The butler, whose temples had been dyed gray and wrinkles stretching the corner of his eyes, smiled. "Master, you should drink your medicine soon otherwise it will go cold and turn bitter."
Lu Yizhou hummed and brought the cup into his mouth yet not showing any sign of drinking it anytime soon. "Will you keep working here for Ren Zexi in the future?"
"Of course." Butler An would be incompetent if he hadn't realized that something was off with the Master he had been serving for almost half a decade. "Master Lu, what do you—" The butler's eyes widened as the cup slipped from Lu Yizhou's hands and crashed to the floor, shattering into millions of pieces. The black liquid seeped into the expensive carpet, spoiling and staining it thoroughly.
He held the convulsing Lu Yizhou and hollered to the nearby servants, his voice cracking. "Prepare the emergency room!"
***
Ren Zexi slammed the door open. Desperation, fear and disbelief shook his entire body. "How…" He gasped, beads of sweat trickling down his forehead. However, the words could no longer come out of his throat as soon as he took in the scene in front of him. The servants in the hallway were crying their hearts out and the atmosphere was bleak and heartbreaking.
Hearing the commotion from the door, they turned to find the panic-stricken Ren Zexi. "Young Master…" Unable to continue the sentence, they broke down crying again.
What...What were they crying for? Why did they show this kind of expression?!
Staggering, Ren Zexi made his way to Lu Yizhou's room, pushing the servants in his way aside. His eyes first landed on Butler An who clearly looked as if he had aged ten years, his hair and clothes messy like never before. "B—Butler An, w—where is Uncle Lu?"
Butler An lifted his head and his eyes reddened in an instant. Stepping to the side, Ren Zexi could finally see the figure he was looking for, his face serene and peaceful as always. Forcing the words out of his constricted throat, he asked. "Uncle Lu...is sleeping again?"
Butler An shook his head, tears falling. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Young Master…"
A blank laugh escaped his lips. "What are you saying? Look, he's just sleeping..." Ren Zexi drew close and reached for Lu Yizhou's hand, cold and dry to the touch. "Uncle Lu, I'm home." He placed the man's palm to his cheek, nuzzling his head closer like he always did. "Uncle Lu, I am home ah...why won't you open your eyes?"
However, Lu Yizhou didn't respond like before. He wouldn't open his eyes and smile...ever again.
He had completely stopped breathing.
[666: Host, it's time for us to go.]
Lu Yizhou in a transparent form stood by Ren Zexi's side, silently witnessing how the teenager buried his face into the lifeless body's shoulder, anguished and sorrowful cries reaped out of his throat. He lifted his hand to pat Ren Zexi's head, but his translucent physique could no longer reach him.
[666: Don't worry, Host! This is just a simulator world. As soon as you step through the portal, the world will restart by itself. Nothing will happen to Ren Zexi!]
Lu Yizhou sighed. [I know. It's just that...it feels weird to see someone mourning for my death.]
He hadn't forgotten. Ren Zexi, An Kequ, everyone in this world — they were unreal. Only a realistic image that his brain conjured with the help of the system. He gave Ren Zexi one last glance and finally took a step toward the portal.
.
.
.
Mini theater
Ren Zexi glanced at Lu Yizhou behind him and leaned forward to whisper only when he confirmed that the man wasn't paying attention. "That's the person I like, Mother, Father. How is he? Handsome, right? He's also very kind, gentle and charming. He accompanied me here every year so...you must have known him also. He's the kindest and most gentle person in the world."
He stared at the black and white photographs of his parents, both were smiling back at him. The wind blew and ruffled his hair, carrying his voice into the form of a whisper. "Forgive this unfilial child, Mother, Father, for I am unable to continue the Ren Family's bloodline." His eyes reddened as he murmured. "I love him. I love him too much to let him go…"
Even if he had to bear the great sin, he was perfectly willing...as long as he could stay by Lu Yizhou's side for a long, long time.