Earth Metaverse 10 years, 26th June 2031 AD.
Shawn wanted to stay in Sunzen for two more days—first, to visit Sunzen United University, and second, to see Ranzi. However, his teacher urged him to return as soon as possible to estimate his exam score and submit his college applications. To make matters worse, it was peak travel season, and rescheduling his return flight was nearly impossible. If he canceled his ticket, there was no guarantee he'd be able to book another one.
In the end, apart from accompanying the group to a cemetery outside Lucy, he didn't have the chance to go anywhere else. That night, he boarded a flight back home.
On June 23, the college entrance exam results were released: Shawn ranked second in his class, just behind Donner, but 1.7 points ahead of Jolie. The results filled him with immense satisfaction—not because of his rank, but because he had achieved them purely on his own merit. Thinking back to the first day of the exam, when the Zhen Palace Spirit Key had inexplicably failed to work, he still felt a lingering unease.
His entire family was thrilled, especially his grandmother, who, for the first time in Shawn's memory, took the initiative to organize a celebratory dinner in his honor. She had always avoided family gatherings in the past.
His grandfather, overjoyed by Grandma's unexpected suggestion, couldn't stop asking him, "Did she really say that? Did she really suggest it?" The excitement in his eyes made Shawn's emotions stir in a way he couldn't quite explain.
By 3:00 PM, Grandpa was already pulling him into a taxi, as if afraid that if they arrived too late, Grandma might change her mind. Along the way, he rambled on, "This is a rare occasion… Eighteen years… If it weren't for what happened to Lucy, your grandma…"
Shawn simply nodded and remained silent. He knew what Grandpa meant, but he didn't want to break the rare, peaceful moment they shared.
When they arrived, Grandma was already waiting at the door. She wore a simple dress, her hair neatly combed, her expression calm yet full of anticipation.
"Shawn, come in," she said warmly. "Grandma has something to ask you."
She led him into her room, her questions centered around his trip to Sunzen.
"Is it a good place? Is it like what your grandfather described?" she asked, her eyes reflecting a mix of emotions.
Shawn answered carefully, "Grandma, it's quiet and peaceful there. Grandma Lucy's grave is well taken care of. When we visited, everyone felt the same as Grandpa—they admired and missed her deeply."
For a moment, Grandma froze. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she quickly suppressed them. After a pause, she murmured, "What she did was truly admirable… It's just such a pity…"
Sensing the heavy atmosphere, Shawn quickly changed the subject. He talked about the clear blue skies in Sunzen, the drastic temperature differences between morning and evening, the diverse clothing styles of the pedestrians—he even mentioned spotting people wearing winter coats in the middle of June.
Gradually, Grandma relaxed, and a faint smile appeared on her lips.
As night fell, the sky outside darkened, but the house was filled with the rich aroma of home-cooked food. The warm yellow light reflected off a table full of carefully prepared dishes.
Dad was in charge of the kitchen that night. Though the selection wasn't extensive, every dish was thoughtfully made—Shawn and Grandpa's favorites: cold marinated beef with a deep umami taste, braised pork trotters in a rich, savory sauce, crispy fried eggplant pancakes, stir-fried shredded potatoes with green peppers, and sweet-and-sour cabbage infused with a hint of vinegar.
Just as Shawn was about to pick up his chopsticks, he suddenly froze.
He saw his grandmother quietly place a piece of deep-fried fish into Grandpa's bowl. Her movement was light, natural, as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world. That dish had always been Grandpa's favorite.
Grandpa paused for a moment, staring at the fish in his bowl. A subtle smile formed at the corners of his lips, but his eyes shimmered with emotion. He picked up the piece of fish, placed it in his mouth, and chewed slowly—not as if he was savoring the flavor, but as if he was reliving a memory long buried in time.
"Today is... just perfect," Grandpa murmured with emotion, his voice tinged with a hint of choked-up sentiment.
Dad looked up and chuckled, "See? Grandma still remembers Grandpa's favorite dish!"
The warmth at the table deepened. It wasn't just a meal—it was a moment of connection, a blending of emotions and memories. Under the soft glow of the dining room light, faint smiles spread across everyone's faces. In Grandpa's bowl, and in his heart, that piece of fish melted into something far beyond taste—into a quiet warmth, nourishing the years that had passed.
Just as everyone was immersed in the moment, Shawn's phone suddenly vibrated. He glanced at the screen—Jolie was calling.
He hesitated for a second before answering. "Hello, Jolie?" His tone carried a mix of surprise and curiosity.
"What? You sound shocked to hear from me," Jolie teased, a slight pout in her voice. Shawn hadn't heard her speak like this in almost half a year.
He froze for a second, then smiled. "How could I be? I'm happy you called."
"What are you up to? Have you eaten?" Jolie's voice remained soft, carrying an unexpected warmth.
"Yeah, I'm at a family dinner right now," Shawn replied honestly.
"Oh? I was thinking of asking you out for a walk," she said, her tone laced with subtle disappointment.
"I can't tonight," Shawn lowered his voice slightly. "You know how rare it is for us all to be together. But tomorrow—how about we meet then?"
Jolie seemed to brighten. "Alright, it's a date. And Donner too—the three of us." She paused, then added with a light chuckle, "Enjoy your meal."
After hanging up, Shawn sat there, puzzled. What had changed? Just a few days ago, back at the exam center, the three of them had been locked in a tense, almost combative rivalry. And now, Jolie sounded... friendly? Even cheerful?
"Shawn, it's okay," Grandma suddenly spoke, her voice unusually gentle. "Grandpa isn't going anywhere tonight, and we won't be separated again."
A contented smile appeared on Grandpa's face.
Even Mom chimed in softly, "A girl, huh? It's fine, go ahead."
But Shawn shook his head. "No, it's not like that… Actually, the three of us..." He trailed off, feeling awkward. He almost admitted, "We've been at odds for a while—more like rivals than friends."
After dinner, Shawn retreated to his bedroom.
This room had been set up for him when he was in primary school, a space reserved for weekends and holidays. Today, his parents had added a new wardrobe and fresh bedding.
Lying down on the soft, clean sheets, Shawn let out a deep breath. The family is finally together again.
But Jolie's call still lingered in his mind. Just days ago, she had been practically at war with him—ready to knock him down without hesitation. And now? She was inviting him for a walk like nothing had happened.
What was even stranger was that she wanted Donner to join them. Donner had never been one to let go of grudges, and Jolie wasn't exactly the forgiving type either.
Was it because of the exam results? Or was it simply that high school was over, and past conflicts didn't matter anymore? Or... did she somehow know about my trip to Sunzen?
Suddenly, a thought struck him—Jolie and Donner's pendants. They were the same as Jordan and York's: the Gen Palace Spirit Key and the Xun Palace Spirit Key.
What was their connection to Jordan and York?
A chill ran down his spine.
And then there was another lingering mystery—the Zhen Palace Spirit Key. It had malfunctioned during the college entrance exam but had returned to normal afterward. That wasn't just a coincidence. Yet, even now, Secretary General Quinn hadn't responded to his messages about it.
This isn't random… It's like something deeper is at play.
A thought surfaced in his mind, sending a shiver through him.
"Could this be connected to the AGI-ST Program?" he muttered.
Just as he considered reaching out to Quinn again, the Zhen Palace Spirit Key pendant around his neck suddenly flickered with light. A green dragon materialized before him, and a voice echoed in the room:
" Shawn, this is Uncle Quinn. Come to the Palace of Meta Origin immediately.