Negotiating with Lan Yi
When Lu Yin woke up from the system again, she found herself standing in the center of the data space. There were no neon lights of an amusement park, no warm lights of a restaurant, only a pure white void, much like the back view Lan Yi left her when he turned away on the day they broke up.
A system notification sounded in my ear: "We have detected intense emotional fluctuations in the user. We recommend activating the 'Heartfelt Confession' protocol—by completing the specified tasks, you can completely end the breakup, but you must confront your deepest fears."
Lu Yin's fingers trembled slightly. She remembered last week by the lake, when Lan Yi had used sign language to say, "I've been waiting for you, waiting for you to truly understand." Now, she finally understood that a love that wasn't true should be let go.
On the system interface, a flashing icon reads: "Task 1: Complete the 'Sincere Confession' ceremony within 24 hours to gain 100% favorability, but will consume 30% of Lan Yi's health."
Lu Yin's pupils contracted sharply. She suddenly remembered that last week at the amusement park, Lan Yi had secretly used his phone to contact a number, which she had assumed was a work number. Now, she finally understood that the number belonged to Lan Yi's doctor, who had told her that Lan Yi's ALS had progressed to the late stage and he might not live more than six months.
"Help me recall my memories"
A system notification sounded: "Memory retracing complete. You have gained 50% favorability, but Lan Yi's health has decreased by 15%."
The system suddenly popped up a "Sincere Confession" agreement: "User Lu Yin's emotional fluctuations have been detected. It is recommended to start the 'Sincere Confession' ritual - by completing the specified tasks, the breakup can be completely ended, but it will consume 30% of Lan Yi's health."
Lu Yin's pupils contracted sharply. She suddenly remembered that last week by the lake, Lan Yi had used sign language to say, "I've been waiting for you, waiting for you to truly understand." Now, she finally understood that the real strategy was never about exchanging favorability for life points, but about facing each other with sincerity.
The system interface suddenly cracked open, and Lu Yin found herself standing in her apartment in the real world.
A system notification sounded: "The ceremony of sincere confession is complete. Affection level increased to 100%, and Lan Yi's health decreased to 35%."
"Whenever your affinity increases, your health points decrease, and you'll be even."
In the final mission where she had to reveal her true feelings, Lu Yin finally said the words she had kept hidden in her heart:
"Lan Yi, I don't love you anymore. Not because of your betrayal, not because of your ALS, but because... I'm afraid. I'm afraid that I'll give you all my heart again, just like before, and then lose you like this."
She paused for a moment, then continued, "But I also know that I can never truly stop loving you. Because love is never a choice, but an instinct. Just like you, even knowing that I would hate you, you still chose to protect me with your life."
Lan Yi's virtual image suddenly became real. He gently grasped Lu Yin's hand and gestured in sign language: "Lu Yin, I've been waiting for you, waiting for you to truly understand. Love isn't about possession, it's about setting you free. Now, I choose to set you free." He was genuinely guilty.
Lu Yin's tears fell again. She suddenly understood that truly loving someone wouldn't make them sad; if they were sad, it meant they didn't love her. She stopped herself, focused on being happy, and ignored him.
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