Chapter 51 (Bonus Chapter): On a Bright Future and the Joys of Human Life. ...
①About the gossip system
The world was being reshaped. When Lu Yu suddenly woke up, he received a notification to unbind the system.
[Rewards distributed. This system is now departing. Until we meet again, host.] The projection appeared before him, causing Lu Yu to slowly concentrate.
Pei Yanzhi in her arms was recombinating, awakening, and looking around, everything was also recovering and regaining its vitality.
Lu Yu was completely relieved. He opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say. He only said, "...Thank you, system."
The projection hesitated for a moment: [This system thought the host would blame me.]
Lu Yu chuckled: "How could that be? This is our world, not yours. The fact that you appeared and gave us a hint is already something we should be grateful for. To hate you just because we can't get your help would be such a greedy thing to do. Wouldn't that just make you choose me for nothing?"
[Hehe,] the gossip-eating system cheered, [This system knew that the host was many, many times better than any chosen one from the original world!]
Lu Yu stared at the ever-advancing unbinding progress bar and suddenly said, "Speaking of which, why did you, or rather, the true cosmic consciousness that governs many real worlds, choose me? Is it because I am the original owner of the godhood, and the most likely person to prevent Ji Chengchuan from collecting the fragments?"
The gossip-eating system seemed surprised by Lu Yu's question. After a pause, it replied: "There are those reasons, but more importantly, the host possesses an ordinary heart, just like many others. It's rare to find someone who is ordinary, and who remains so even after achieving extraordinary status, without abandoning their principles or losing their true self."
Furthermore, the host is the person with the strongest awakened power in this world. This system was found by following the path of awakened power, so choosing the host is the best choice.
Of course, this is all predicated on the host being a good person, not a bad one. Smiling Game read that book and awakened considerable power, but this system will absolutely not choose it.
Lu Yu adjusted his glasses, feeling flattered.
"Actually, I'm not that great..."
The Gossip System: […Please don't make such a disgusting face, host. Pei Yanzhi might like it, but this system really feels like vomiting.]
Lu Yu: "..."
They're really going to untie the knot, and now they're getting arrogant.
Lu Yugang was still a little sad about the unbinding of the gossip system. After all, they had chatted a lot and were considered good friends. But now, what is sadness?
Lu Yu chuckled twice, feigning politeness: "So, you're unbinding now to find a less disgusting host and help the next world?"
[No,] the gossip-eating system's text is cheerful: [Other novel worlds where awakened powers have other colleagues to help; they don't need this system. This system has finished its work and is going home for vacation. Don't be too envious of this system!]
Lu Yu's smile vanished in an instant: "...Get lost!"
In the midst of a few lighthearted words, the unbinding progress bar was already full.
Lu Yu's mental world suddenly felt lighter, and the projection in front of him slowly dispersed, like light dust or stardust, carried by the wind and drifting into the sky.
[Host, you must be happy.]
In the blur, the gossip system condensed the final words.
“You too,” Lu Yu said, “Have a happy vacation.”
A tremor ran through her, and a pair of dazed and bewildered brown eyes slowly opened: "You... Lu Yu? Who are you talking to... what is that?"
Amidst the interplay of global forces, Pei Yanzhi glimpsed that line of hazy text.
“System,” Lu Yu replied, his gaze gently fixed on Pei Yanzhi, tracing his features, “the gossip-eating system.”
Pei Yanzhi was taken aback: "I must not be awake yet..."
"No, you're awake. We won."
Lu Yu could no longer contain himself and hugged Pei Yanzhi tightly, his heart overflowing with joy and sorrow through his tears: "We won... Yanzhi, we won! From now on, there will be no more Smiling Game, no more pollution, we... we are all free! We won!"
Pei Yanzhi stood there stunned for a moment, looked around, and then hugged Lu Yu tightly, tears streaming down his face.
"team leader!"
"Boss Lu!"
"Oh my god! We're still alive!"
"I knew it! My mom always said I was hard to kill since I was little! A near-death experience means good fortune is sure to follow! Hahaha!"
"We won! The world's prison...we've broken it!"
"We won!"
People around them gradually woke up. Regardless of their faction or status, they all cried, laughed, and hugged each other, cheering and shouting.
The gossip system hovered high in the sky, took one last look, sighed with a mixture of bittersweetness and joy, and then, following the power of the universe, detached itself from this beautiful blue planet.
②Regarding the aftermath
Lu Yu and Pei Yanzhi both participated in the cleanup work following the reshaping of the world.
Of course, this is limited to online and remote use of the power of rules and space.
Choosing this method was partly due to the fact that the two people used gold chains to restrain each other; another reason was that they didn't want to reveal their true identities to the public.
A major battle on the ocean might fool many, but the sudden pollution outbreak, the apocalyptic disaster, the silvery-blue meteor shower and the blazing sun, and the words in the sky—
Although the humans on both planets did not see the specific contents of the book, they both realized that their world was a novel when the words appeared. Later, they gathered together the power of awakening, broke the shackles of the words, and gained a real new life. This is not something that can be easily hidden.
Unable to do anything else, the authorities, upon regaining consciousness, immediately convened an emergency meeting with all parties, and shortly thereafter revealed the truth about the world's reshaping.
Whether it's the King of Calamities, the Realm Lord, or the many players, they are all indispensable parts of the truth. Of course, their identities have not been fully revealed.
Even so, too many people are curious about them and are crazy about exploring them. Posts on the internet keep coming in waves and can't be deleted cleanly.
Lu Yu couldn't imagine what it would be like if he actually showed his face; it certainly wouldn't be what he expected.
Everyone wants to be a hero. But even the most famous heroes have an ordinary side and have to live the life of an ordinary person. They cannot be perfect and glorious all their lives, without any flaws or mistakes.
Lu Yu considered himself a living person and didn't want to spend half his life in prison after breaking free from the world's cage, so he decisively refused to go public. During his only official live stream, he was completely covered up, even wearing a cow-and-cat headgear; it was impossible to tell if he was human or ghost, let alone guess his true identity.
The online Sherlock Holmes have been digging for a long time, but they still haven't been able to find him.
The King of Natural Disasters is the King of Natural Disasters, and Lu Yu is Lu Yu. Are the two related?
Lu Yu took off the White Rabbit headgear and looked quite pleased with himself.
In fact, if it weren't for the fact that the Blue Star officials had followed the news from the Gold Star players and come over, Lu Yu wouldn't have wanted to contact them. He just wanted to do what he was supposed to do and get back to work as soon as he was done.
Don't get me wrong, he doesn't love going to work, he just wants to get back to a normal, orderly life as soon as possible. Only after going through ups and downs can one realize that ordinariness is a blessing.
"So, would you like to work here?" the official asked with a friendly smile.
Lu Yu flipped through the contract, pondering: "Two days off per week, 13th-month bonus at the end of the year, 9 to 5, no fixed office hours, just clocking in and out online, browsing posts, deleting outrageous comments, and occasionally doing fieldwork or fighting monsters when there's residual pollution to clean up, and then a base salary of 100,000 per month..."
He looked up and gazed sincerely at the person opposite him: "As you know, I was born to love going to work."
③Regarding going to work
Speaking of work, Lu Yu changed jobs, rising from operations director of a small media company to Blue Star's number one cyber police officer.
From the day he left with a smile, Lao Kou both cried and laughed. He cried because he was sad to lose Lu Yu, such a cost-effective ox and horse, and laughed because this troublemaker who was always thinking of ways to slack off and take paid breaks was finally gone, and he could finally clean up the company's atmosphere.
Sister Liu was reluctant to part with him. The office building's most handsome man was about to change hands and be given to a young and attractive man from another company. Moreover, she was afraid she would never be able to enjoy the gossip of a marriage between two Taoist sects again.
The operations department colleagues exclaimed excitedly, envying Lu Yu's relief while secretly pooling their money to send him two boxes of condoms as a farewell gift.
The gift touched Lu Yu's heart. At the farewell dinner, he happily clinked glasses with his colleagues, and all the past grievances and disagreements from work and communication were dissolved with that one toast.
"By the way, did we run into some players during our team building trip?"
Old Gu quietly asked Lu Yu, "Although the official announcement hasn't been made, I have a feeling that the plane cracking wasn't due to the pollution outbreak, but rather something that happened earlier... Do you have any suspects, Old Lu? Of all the people on that plane, who do you think looks like a player?"
Lu Yu said, "It's hard to say. I haven't paid much attention to it."
Old Gu glanced at him and stroked his chin: "That's true, all your eyes are on your husband, you don't have time to pay attention to others. Oh well, I'll go talk to Sister Liu, she'll definitely know."
Lu Yu adjusted his glasses and calmly picked up some food.
④ Regarding the marriage proposal
Human beings have such a strong ability to adapt and recover that the world gradually returned to normal after about one or two months.
Aside from a few extra things, such as the space tunnel station that's practically a subway station, the frequent trending news about the two stars' diplomacy, and the many extraordinary courses newly added by universities, people's lives don't seem to have changed much.
Two weeks after taking up his new post, Lu Yu had already fully adapted to everything new.
New world, new future, new job, new home.
That's right, the new home.
Lu Yu turned down the government-provided apartment and moved into Pei Yanzhi's new apartment complex. Happiness Complex—it was a nice name, and he liked it. He used all his savings and even took an advance on part of his salary to pay the down payment for Pei Yanzhi's current residence on Blue Star. This would be their new home.
Do you like villas?
Pei Yanzhi asked.
Lu Yu was surprised: "Do I look like someone who treats money like dirt?"
Pei Yanzhi smiled and looked at him: "If you like, we can go to Jinshui Star for a while from time to time, just like a honeymoon."
Lu Yu was naturally more than happy to oblige.
He had long been curious about Pei Yanzhi's hometown. Although he had heard that it was similar to Lanxing, they were still two different places with different scenery. Moreover, and most importantly, it was where Pei Yanzhi grew up, where his relatives, his friends, and traces of him remained.
During a typical Golden Week holiday, the two went to Mercury.
Lu Yu met Pei Yanzhi's parents and paid respects at their graves. After returning, Pei Yanzhi also accompanied Lu Yu to pay respects to his family.
Lu Yu: "We've already met each other's parents, shouldn't we start talking about marriage now?"
Upon hearing this, Pei Yanzhi turned his head, but before he could speak, he saw Lu Yu flick his trench coat and kneel down on one knee with a snap.
A ring was thrust in front of him, and countless flowers and fireworks burst forth around him.
Amidst the vibrant colors of the sky, Lu Yu said solemnly, "Yan Zhi, I love you. Can you love me forever, grow old with me, share joys and sorrows, and be with me ten times a night?"
Pei Yanzhi: "..."
What the heck is that last four-character phrase?!
He glanced at Lu Yu, wanting to correct him, but before he could speak, he was bewitched by the man's gentle and handsome eyes, and unknowingly accepted the ring.
Lu Yu was overjoyed and fulfilled his marriage proposal promise that very night, making love ten times in one night.
⑤ Regarding the future
"Propose in one year, get married in three years, have two children in five years," Xiaoqian said, squatting in the living room with a cat in each arm. "Your life is so enviable, Captain."
"If you'd like, you can," Pei Yanzhi said, bringing out a plate of sliced fruit.
He wasn't referring to proposing or getting married, but rather having two children. As far as he knew, Xiaoqian was also very fond of cats, so kidnapping one of them to stage an accident shouldn't be a problem.
"I can't," Xiaoqian said, hanging on the sofa like a dried-up corpse. "Going to work every day is already killing me, both physically and mentally. It's hard enough to just stay alive, let alone support anything else... You have no idea how terrifying those kids are! They must have committed murder and arson in their past lives to be teachers and educators in this one. That's so true, so true!"
Xiao Wan took a piece of fruit and stuffed it into his sister's mouth, silencing her wailing.
The black and white cat emerged from the human's arms, scratched its ears, glanced at the fat orange cat that was being sucked so hard it couldn't move, then strolled gracefully into the kitchen and, in a flash, jumped onto Lu Yu's back.
Lu Yu had already heard the commotion, so he deliberately bent his back slightly to help the cow cat land smoothly.
"Meow!"
A black and white cat's head peeked over, looking like it wanted to stick its head into the pot to see what you were having for dinner tonight.
Lu Yu wasn't going to tolerate it anymore and said, "Yan Zhi!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a pair of hands grabbed the arrogant and domineering black and white cat and shoved it into his arms. The black and white cat rolled around in the fragrant embrace and rubbed its little head against Pei Yanzhi.
Pei Yanzhi chuckled and tapped its nose: "You sneaked into the kitchen again. Tonight we'll have cat hair mixed with rice."
"Isn't it all your fault for spoiling them?" Lu Yu turned off the stove and served the dishes. "Is there anywhere in this house that the two young masters, Da Zhuang and Er Zhuang, can't go? They meow like crazy when we close the bedroom door at night. If we open a spatial barrier, they'll squash their cat faces to get a look. They're both little rascals born from a big bad one, aren't they?"
He bent down to look at the cow-patterned cat in Pei Yanzhi's arms.
The black and white cat ignored him, raised its tail, and turned its rear end towards him.
That's incredibly arrogant.
Before, when she was wandering around the Morning and Evening Apartments, although she wasn't allowed to be touched, she still knew to try to please people. But now, not long after being kidnapped and brought back, she's already taken advantage of people and is acting like a king in the house.
I'll get my hands on you sooner or later!
Lu Yu rammed his nose into it fiercely.
Before the collision was even over, Fatty Orange arrived, leaping onto Lu Yu's back in a tiger-like pounce.
The "injuries" Pei Yanzhi left him last night hadn't healed yet, and today he was hit hard by his two rebellious sons again. Lu Yu had a headache and chose to indulge them.
He worked tirelessly, carrying the chubby orange on his back to serve dishes to the restaurant.
"Go get the rice," he ordered. "The dishes are ready, it's time to eat."
Five years have passed, and he has gone from a kitchen novice to a contemporary imperial chef, which is truly commendable.
"Wow, it smells so good!"
A group of people rushed over like starving ghosts reincarnated.
Lu Yu went to open the window and let the cool night breeze in.
The sound of someone's television drifted over from the balcony, playing a news report.
[Ji Chengchuan, formerly known as the "pseudo-chosen one," died in a fight in a special prison after failing to respond to treatment.]
According to relevant media reports, this fight was... orchestrated by admirers... We remind all citizens to cherish life, value relationships, and stay away from promiscuity...
Lu Yu's hand, which was holding the screen window, didn't even pause. With a snap, he shut out the television sound and all the echoes of the past into the night.
Not long after the war ended, many opinions emerged.
Some argue that Ji Chengchuan shouldn't be blamed; he's also a member manipulated by the novel's world, and we shouldn't be hostile towards him just because he's the protagonist. But why not? He's a beneficiary, someone who built his success by stepping on everyone else. Why can't they hate him, despise him?
If he fails to awaken and eventually ascends to godhood, will he reflect on himself and feel sorry for them?
The two sides started arguing.
But the argument didn't last long before Ji Chengchuan was put on public trial.
He wept bitterly in court, confessing that everything was against his will, but too many people had died because of him, and he was willing to accept punishment. His words were well-said and evoked much sympathy.
But when he heard that the prosecutor's office had found evidence that he knew he was the protagonist and that's why he acted recklessly, and that he was sentenced to life imprisonment, he immediately changed his attitude and started cursing, calling them ants, maggots, and cannon fodder who deserved to die in that great war.
"I'm the main character!"
He caused a scene in court, shouting, "How dare you treat the main character like this!"
The superhumans intervened and took him away, as his abilities had been suppressed.
Since then, there have been far fewer arguments about Ji Chengchuan. And after Ji Chengchuan's death, there have likely been even fewer.
Everything is truly in the past.
What are you standing there for?
A familiar presence approached. "How can we start eating without the chef at the table?"
Lu Yu turned his head and met Pei Yanzhi's affectionate eyes.
He turned around and laughed.
All that remains before my eyes is brilliant light and the warmth of human life.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com