"Did Zhou dream he was a butterfly, or did the butterfly dream he was Zhou?"
—Zhuangzi, "On the Equality of Things"
...
[Character Name: Xiao Le]
"In reality, your name is Mu Liangchao?"
"yes."
"Who are you all?"
"And what about me?"
Only my name is fake; I am not Xiao Le.
So, am I an illusion?
...
[Player Login, Character Generation]
[Xiao Le, Fu Guang, Yuan Wei, Huan Bo, Mu Liang Chao, Xue Wu Wang, and Ren Bai Tou are now online]
I am a player, a player of the game.
So who are you?
Who is the generated character?
Who are the real people in reality?
...
"We are all players; when the game ends, we will part ways. When we return to reality, can we still be like this?"
"Of course. When we get back, I'll always be by your side, I've already said that."
"I'm going to keep bothering you."
Lies...
How can we, who have no idea if we even exist, utter such a profound vow?
...
A slightly old photograph floated down before my eyes; in the group photo, some people were colorless.
Xiao Le watched Ren Baitou and Yuanwei walk out and stand in front of her. They seemed so real, yet it felt like they were separated by an entire span of time, untouchable.
Xiao Le felt a sharp pain in her head. The game's control center was indicating a separation of consciousness, creating a fierce conflict with her will.
[Game progress 95%]
[Game mission incomplete]
[Player's consciousness has awakened. Please log out and re-enter immediately.]
"No, wait, wait a little longer!"
Xiao Le cried out in shock. Because his consciousness was being stripped away, his vision was half obscured by black mist, and he could no longer make out their appearances.
She couldn't see anything at all, but she rushed over without any hesitation.
Sure enough, Fu Guang caught her.
Feeling the familiar embrace, Xiao Le's nose tingled, and she almost cried: "You lied to me! You big liar!"
Fu Guang's voice was right next to my ear: "I didn't lie to you, I would never lie to you."
"Then why aren't you here anymore, Shen Fuguang?"
Consciousness awakens, and memories of reality merge with those of the game player.
Fu Guang's body stiffened for a moment.
Xiao Le, no, now it should be Chang Le.
Chang Le couldn't see that after she called out the name "Shen Fuguang," the figures of Mu Liangchao and the other four became illusory and quickly disappeared without a trace.
The player is Xiao Le, and she is the only one online; the others are characters generated from the instance.
But Fu Guang did not disappear. Before Chang Le's eyes, which were not clearly visible, Fu Guang's gaze changed.
It was no longer a caring gesture of guidance and comfort, but rather a deep sense of guilt and profound reluctance to part.
He hugged her: "You little madwoman... I'm sorry."
Chang Le's pupils contracted sharply, the pressure from her fingertips almost piercing through his clothes: "You are...you are Shen Fuguang? Isn't that right?"
"I am Fu Guang, an NPC in the 'Jinse' 01 version, and also an avatar possessing a wisp of Shen Fu Guang's divine consciousness."
This is a version only you can open, and only you can see me.
Six years ago, we designed the "Jinse" dungeon together; six years later, I've finally met you.
"Lele, I miss you so much."
Chang Le's vision went completely black, and tears streamed down her face.
Shen Fuguang, how could I not miss you?
"Why... why should I!"
You said you wouldn't abandon me!
Why did you throw me away again?
"You lied to me, you all lied to me!!"
Shen Fuguang held the hysterical person in his arms and whispered in her ear, "Le Bao, my sweetie, don't cry, don't cry, listen to me."
“I didn’t abandon you. I know my darling can’t be abandoned.”
"So, I've always been here."
“My darling, I have become a part of you.”
Have you forgotten?
Suddenly, a heavy hammer flew up and slammed into Chang Le's head; the scene flashed by rapidly.
A cold wind howled on the rooftop, and the fireworks were nowhere to be seen in the distance; butterflies fell.
The image freezes.
A fallen butterfly
He was caught in the arms of the soaring black dragon.
That's the memory of that fall.
The sudden return of his memories plunged Chang Le into an even deeper nightmare.
Shen Fuguang gently kissed her forehead and whispered:
“With me, you are a child who will never be abandoned.”
"Regardless of life or death, through countless lifetimes."
"Little crazy girl, I love you so much."
"But we have to say goodbye."
Didi
[Received recognition from one of the designers, Shen Fuguang]
[Five bonus missions completed]
【1. "In my eyes, you are the most well-behaved child" - Yulouguan】
[2. "Children who give their all deserve praise" - Thirteen Forest Rat Dynasty]
【3. "You are my life, branded in my very bones" - Thirteen Lin's Dream Butterfly】
[4. "When we reach the finish line, I hope to hold your hand" - Enlightenment Ice Nest]
[5. "With me, you are a child who will never be abandoned" - Version 01 walkthrough]
[Version 01 of "Jinse" has been completed; this version is now permanently closed.]
[Rewards for the task have been distributed]
[Player's consciousness successfully detached]
...
"You are a recognized child, so go forward boldly."
— Shen Fuguang, one of the designers of "The Brocade Zither"
...
"This love can only be cherished in memory, for at the time it was all in vain. I want to hold onto our time together."
—Chang Le, one of the designers of "The Brocade Zither"
...
Luo Xuan and Iris hurriedly pushed open the room door.
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