Good people should have sugar, good people should get happiness... but am I still a good person?
Zheng Zha knew he wasn't a good person. The death of Luoli had dealt a huge shock to him, and after that, he had almost completely fallen into decadence: a life of black-and-white monotony, online games, going to bars when tired, one-night stands, work, rest, meeting high school girls online, doing drugs, and engaging in casual sex...
He knew he wasn't a good person anymore. When the light he desired finally fell upon him, it revealed nothing but filth. He no longer dared to look up at that light, perhaps the darkness was more fitting for him now.
Zheng Zha couldn't and didn't dare to imagine what Luoli would think if she knew how he had lived all these years. She was so pure, like a flawless crystal, and his filth would be exposed before her, so clearly, as if every darkest and dirtiest part of him was laid bare.
Zheng Zha had already prepared for the worst. He sat on the sofa, lit a cigarette, and was about to tell Luoli everything that had happened over the years when unexpectedly, she stood up, snorted, and said,"No, I don't want to hear it. Hmph, looking at you, I can guess what kind of life you've been living. I don't want to hear it, it'll just make me angry."
She pressed her face close to his and said,"Big pervert, listen carefully now. I'm back, so from now on, forget all those other women, those girls, and wives, forget about all of them! In front of you is only Luoli, the one and only Luoli. Got it?"
As she spoke, the little girl suddenly began to cry. She hugged Zheng Zha tightly, crying and saying,"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I didn't keep our promise. We promised to grow old together and recall our childhood memories, just like in the song. I'd rather forget you and the memories than forget our promise... You must have been so sad all these years, huh? I'm so selfish, leaving you to bear everything alone. I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."
Zheng Zha didn't say a word but hugged her tightly. The only sound in the room was the girl's crying, which went on for a long time without stopping. But both of them knew that the sorrow released through tears left behind hope and longing. The past was already gone, and they now faced an infinite future, full of possibilities and hope they both wanted to achieve.
Time flew by in happiness. Zheng Zha spent his days training survival skills, especially focusing on controlling and recovering his internal energy. He also researched items he could exchange at "Master's" shop. In the evenings, he and Luoli watched horror movies together... Yes, horror movies. Zheng Zha learned that even horror films could be exchanged from "Master," and they were quite affordable. With just a few reward points, they could get fifty horror films, which was incredibly important for those who were going to experience these films, as familiarity with the plot was key!
After watching the films, every time Zheng Zha found ways to bring Luoli into the room. Though the little girl loudly protested, in the end, she always had to be obediently carried inside. Then came the long night of battling exhaustion, but luckily, his internal energy could rapidly recover his stamina, allowing him to get up by seven every morning.
This continued for nine days, and today was the last day for the four of them in this space. After some discussion, they decided not to train today but to rest, making sure they were fully prepared for the next horror film. They still had one last chance to confirm everything was ready before being sent into the next one.
Around 11 a.m., Zheng Zha was still talking with Luoli in bed. In fact, both of them had already woken up early, but after a long talk and some lingering in bed, they felt lazy and didn't want to get up, so they ended up talking until noon.
"...So, are you going today?"
Luoli whispered softly, lying on Zheng Zha's chest. Her voice was so quiet that Zheng Zha could only barely catch what she was saying.
Zheng Zha felt a heaviness in his heart. He didn't know what kind of horror they would face next, maybe a virus, a monster, some high-tech creatures, or even aliens. Once they entered the horror film, life and death were uncertain, so he didn't answer her. Instead, he just tightened his embrace around the girl in his arms.
"Our promise... no matter what, we'll grow old together. We'll sit together and slowly reminisce about our childhood, you'll hug me and tell me stories. We'll travel the world together, you'll take me to see the aurora in the polar regions, we'll lie together on the deck and watch the stars over the Pacific, we'll see the statues on Easter Island, we'll chase pigeons in the square, and we'll imagine the ancient myths under the ruins of Greek temples... and so many more promises. Tell me, you will come back, right? We'll complete these promises together, won't we?"
Luoli lifted her head and looked at Zheng Zha with a serious expression. Only when he nodded firmly did she lie back down on his chest.
"...Our love is like building a sandcastle on the beach, bit by bit. We have to be careful not to let the sea wash it away. It's difficult and exhausting, but when the castle is finally built, we'll realize how beautiful it is. It's worth everything to protect it..."
Zheng Zha hadn't heard this sentence in ten years. She always used to say this, looking at him with a hopeful gaze. At the time, he hadn't paid much attention to her words, but after losing her for ten years, hearing it again had a tremendous impact on him.
"So... please make sure to finish building the castle. This time, let's both keep our promises."
Zheng Zha closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, they were filled with unwavering determination. No matter what, he would survive. No matter what!
"It's basically like this. Each person will carry three grenades, a bottle of blood-stopping spray, a bottle of oral antidote, a roll of high-efficiency bandages, and a disposable malicious protective talisman. Haha, really, thank you, Zheng Zha. This already costs over a hundred reward points, and we could never afford it ourselves."
In the center of the plaza, Zheng Zha used his remaining 1,000 reward points to exchange for several disposable grenades, some medicine, and high-efficiency bandages. He also exchanged a few disposable malicious protective talismans. The effect of the talismans was to warn the holder when evil spirits attacked, preventing harm before the talisman burned out.
Zheng Zha looked at his remaining reward points with a wry smile. Originally, he had 6,502 points, but now he only had 276 left. It was a painful sight, but looking at the many auxiliary items in his spatial ring, he felt a little better.
Zhang Jie finished preparing his items and placed them in his inner pockets. Then he said,"Even though we only had a few days, we've trained enough. Remember one thing in the horror film: anything can happen. We have no safety guarantees, so be extra cautious. Also... try to help the other team members, but if someone jeopardizes the safety of the entire team, kill them!"
Both Zhan Lan and Li Xiaoyi were hesitant, but Zheng Zha silently nodded. Then he asked,"How do we enter the horror film? Do we just disappear suddenly?"
Zhang Jie shook his head."No, when the time comes,'Master' will emit twenty beams of light. Just stand in one of them. Every time we go into the horror film, it's always at this time."
The four of them sat down in the plaza, and a curious thing happened. Luoli and the other two girls refused to come out to see them off. Perhaps the girls were too afraid of this parting. It was just too heartbreaking.
After another ten minutes or so, the light from "Master" in the plaza grew brighter and more intense, almost as hot and dazzling as the sun. Then, twenty beams of light shot down from it, and all four of them heard the same voice in their heads.
"Enter the light pillars within thirty seconds. Target locked. Alien transmission starting..."