Chapter 26 The Delusions of the Mind and What the Mind Thinks
Chapter 26
The room was pitch black.
With the light streaming in through the window, Qin Yan could barely make out that the clock on the wall showed three in the morning.
She turned on the light.
The familiar room seemed to be completely untouched, with not even a single item of furniture or decorations altered.
This is the mission world she has stayed in the longest.
She even took care of a child along the way.
There was a rustling sound outside the door.
After a long while, the door opened with a click.
The hallway light shone in and illuminating the man outside the door.
Even against the light, Qin Yan could still clearly see who it was.
The once youthful and energetic face now carries a hint of composure and melancholy.
The person outside the door was stunned when they saw Qin Yan, then laughed self-deprecatingly.
"Is it another hallucination?"
It's not a question, it's an affirmative sentence.
Qin Yan watched the man walk towards her step by step, but she stood still.
Unlike the timelines of the previous mission worlds, this is clearly a world after she has completed her mission and left.
It was a worldline she had never experienced.
The man stopped two meters away from her.
His expression seemed to convey a sense of uncertainty and a restrained feeling of not being able to obtain what he desired.
Perhaps still not satisfied with the distance, the man cautiously took a few more steps forward.
She was just inches away.
The other person's breath smelled of alcohol.
He raised his hand and stopped beside Qin Yan's cheek, but did not move it any further.
"Ayan."
He scrutinized Qin Yan for a long time, then smiled and said, "I'm afraid I'm drunk."
"I actually think you're real."
Qin Yan looked up.
He seemed to have grown taller than before.
"Why don't you just touch it and you'll know?"
The man was clearly not expected to hear a sound, and a moment of confusion flashed in his eyes.
He murmured subconsciously, "Auntie?"
Qin Yan smiled and said, "Mm."
Then she was pulled into a warm embrace.
The man's chin rested against the crook of her neck, his hot breath spraying onto her skin.
"It's okay, it doesn't matter if it's fake."
Qin Yan felt herself being held even tighter.
He had never been so unrestrained with himself before.
After all, they are nominally aunt and nephew.
"I will find you."
The man's rapid breathing gradually calmed down.
"No matter where you are, I will find you."
*
When Fang Jue woke up, she found herself lying in bed.
He doesn't remember how he got home.
He rubbed his temples; his head was throbbing badly.
I drank myself into oblivion again.
He even dreamed that Qin Yan had returned.
Qin Yan, his nominal aunt.
When he was fifteen, his parents died in a car accident.
He had no other relatives, and with the meager compensation, he studied while working illegally.
Reputable places don't hire minors, but the compensation he received wouldn't last long.
He finally found out that a KTV was hiring, with no requirements and no need to provide any documents.
He was successfully hired.
That day, he delivered wine to the private room as usual, but he was unlucky and ran into the short-tempered boss.
The boss was a big-headed, thick-waisted man with a face full of menacing features. For some reason, he picked up a wine bottle and threw it.
Unfortunately, it hit him on the head as soon as he entered the room.
Despite realizing he had hit someone, the boss showed no remorse and instead continued to curse and swear at him.
He even grabbed another wine bottle from the table and was about to throw it at him.
This was the first time Fang Jue had encountered something like this. Coupled with her hot head, she couldn't think of anything and just stood there motionless.
He was pulled aside by a force.
The bottle brushed against his hand and slammed against the wall.
The wine in his hand was taken away, and the incredibly beautiful woman looked at him indifferently: "Aren't you going to stay here and get in the way?"
He hurriedly left.
He heard her trying to smooth things over inside, smiling as she soothed her boss, whose face was full of anger.
But the sound of bottles shattering could still be heard.
He wanted to see what was happening inside, but fearing he might cause even more trouble, he hurriedly reported to the manager.
The manager looked at his head covered in blood and, quite humanely, told him to go to the hospital for treatment without deducting his wages.
Fang Jue blurted out, "And what about her?"
The manager said calmly, "I feel at ease with you here, Sister Yan. You'd better hurry up and treat your injury. If you don't come in tomorrow, your salary will be deducted."
Fang Jue found a clinic nearby.
The wound wasn't serious; the doctor gave it a simple treatment and told him to come back regularly to change the dressing.
After treating his wound, he hurriedly returned to the KTV.
He knew that these older women existed in the KTV.
If a boss makes a request, the manager will arrange for these women to handle the reception.
He dared not ask.
But he knew this girl.
Her name is Qin Yan, and everyone calls her Sister Yan.
Despite looking quite young, he is tactful and reliable in handling matters.
Whenever they encounter difficult customers, she is the one who can handle it.
He went back to find the manager: "Where's Sister Yan?"
The manager frowned at him: "Go away. Why did you come back? Go back and rest."
"Gone? Where did she go?"
The manager waved his hand impatiently: "Why is the little brat asking so many questions?"
Fang Jue waited for several days but Qin Yan didn't show up, so he had to ask the manager to deliver the items to Qin Yan.
She helped him, but he couldn't find a chance to thank her.
"Fruits, skincare products, and why is there lipstick?"
Fang Jue lowered her head, slightly embarrassed: "I didn't know what to give her, so I searched online."
"Alright, I'll pass it on to him. You go and get back to work."
Much later, he ran into Qin Yan in the workplace.
Fang Jue's eyes lit up: "Sister Yan."
Qin Yan glanced at him: "How old are you?"
Fang Jue stammered, "Ten...eighteen."
Qin Yan raised an eyebrow: "An eighteen-year-old junior high school student?"
Fang Jue: "..."
Qin Yan: "I've seen you in your school uniform."
Fang Jue wanted to escape.
Qin Yan: "I received the items."
Fang Jue lowered her eyes and said, "I'm glad you don't mind."
The daily grind of attending classes during the day and working at night gradually became too much for Fang Jue.
With the high school entrance exam approaching, he was actually feeling very anxious at such a crucial time.
His grades weren't bad, but lack of rest caused him to be in poor spirits and have difficulty concentrating lately, resulting in a continuous decline in his exam scores.
If this continues, he might not even be able to get into high school.
At three in the morning, he was getting tired and went to the back door for some fresh air.
I had just lit my cigarette when a voice suddenly rang out behind me.
"A middle school student smoking?"
Fang Jue was so startled that she dropped the cigarette in her hand and instinctively stomped on it.
He turned to the side: "Sister Yan?"
Qin Yan looked him up and down: "From No. 1 Middle School?"
Fang Jue hummed in agreement.
Qin Yan stretched out her hand, palm facing up.
Fang Jue was stunned for a long time.
"cigarette."
Fang Jue obediently took out the cigarette.
"And a lighter."
Fang Jue obediently handed over the lighter.
Qin Yan looked at the cigarette pack: "Don't smoke such cheap cigarettes."
Fang Jue nodded: "Okay."
"I heard you can't afford the rent?"
Fang Jue's eyes dimmed: "...It's okay, I've already found a new house."
He wanted to ask his manager for an advance on his salary, but the manager refused.
Hiring him was illegal in the first place, and the manager didn't want to take on so much trouble.
His parents rented a house in the city so that he could study in peace, but the rent was very expensive.
He simply can't afford it now.
However, the cheapest rentals are all in the suburbs, making it inconvenient to go to and from school, and they are also far from where he works. He hasn't found a suitable place yet.
He didn't want others to see his downfall.
Especially her.
"You can't even afford rent, yet you're buying all those expensive things?"
Fang Jue realized she was referring to the things she had given her.
That was a thank-you gift, and he even felt that those things were unworthy of her.
But he couldn't afford anything better.
"Take it."
Fang Jue saw Qin Yan hand him a bank card.
He refused outright, saying, "Sister Yan, why are you giving me this?"
Qin Yan raised her eyes, a half-smile on her face: "You think you don't have to pay it back after I lent it to you?"
Fang Jue blushed: "Of course not."
"The password is written here. You can pay me back when you make money."
Seeing that Fang Jue was hesitant to accept the card, Qin Yan simply stuffed it into his pocket.
Seeing Qin Yan turn to leave, Fang Jue quickly grabbed the hem of her clothes.
"Sister Yan, may I have your contact information?"
Qin Yan gave out a number: "Can I go now?"
Fang Jue nodded, then shook her head.
"There's a very important parent-teacher meeting in a few days about filling out high school entrance exam applications. Could you attend as my parent?"
He wants to try if he can.
I want to deepen my bond with her.
Qin Yan thought for a moment: "When?"
"Next Tuesday."
"OK."
Fang Jue didn't expect things to go so smoothly.
"...Ah, okay, um, thank you."
"Then," he tentatively suggested, "you'll pretend to be my cousin?"
"We're from different generations, I should be your aunt."
"...Okay, then, Auntie?"
"Mmm, good girl."
Watching Qin Yan walk away, Fang Jue reached into his pocket and touched the card inside.
I don't know why, but I always feel a warm sensation in my chest.
He took some time to go to the bank to check his balance.
There were seven figures inside!
He thought there might only be a few thousand yuan inside, or at most tens of thousands.
But he never expected that the amount inside was seven figures.
Did Qin Yan give him all the money she earned?
What should she do then?
He has to return the card.
He cannot accept it.
But he hadn't seen Qin Yan for several days.
Having no other option, he went to the manager to inquire about the situation.
"Sister Yan? She's gone."
"Gone? What do you mean by 'gone'?"
"I resigned. It seems like some boss took a liking to me and I quit."
Fang Jue felt a sudden emptiness in her heart.
It's like something is blocking the way.
Sad, disappointed, and dejected.
It's like my heart had just been filled, but then it was ripped out.
It hurts a lot.
Even breathing was painful and made it hard to breathe.
He sent a text message to Qin Yan.
No reply.
Finally, he mustered up the courage to make the call.
The number is invalid.
Despair spread through my heart.
She never intended for him to repay the money.
They had barely met more than a few times.
Why is she so good to him?
Why should I cut off all contact with him?
She could have lived a very good life with that money.
Why would you leave with another man?
She promised to attend the parent-teacher meeting.
So, was this also a lie to him?
Fang Jue submitted her resignation to the manager.
The manager didn't ask any further questions, settled his wages, and told him to study hard.
He moved to the suburbs over the weekend.
It's a bit far, but the rent is cheap.
The house was small and dilapidated, only big enough for a bed, but he was content living there alone.
The money I have is barely enough to last until the end of the high school entrance exam.
He needs to focus on his studies during this time, and he will consider working after the exams are over.
He couldn't use the money Qin Yan gave him.
On the day of the parent-teacher conference, he told his homeroom teacher about his situation and said that he would attend the conference on his own.
The teacher knew about his situation, looked at him, sighed, patted him on the shoulder, and encouraged him to keep going.
In the afternoon, parents gradually arrived at the school.
Fang Jue watched the students and parents chatting and laughing, then quietly found a secluded spot.
He reached for a cigarette, but then remembered that he hadn't smoked since that day.
He looked up at the sky.
In the end, everyone abandoned him.
With the meeting time fast approaching, he got up and went back to the classroom.
As soon as he returned to the classroom corridor, he was surrounded by several students.
Who was sitting in your seat?
"Damn, that's fucking beautiful."
"Didn't you say no one attended your parent-teacher conference?"
Fang Jue looked out the window.
She wore a fitted long dress and light makeup. The sunlight from the window shone on her, as if she were coated with a layer of light.
She was more beautiful than he had ever seen before.
Fang Jue was somewhat lost in thought.
His classmate slapped him on the back: "Say something!"
"Yes, she is my... aunt."
His classmate looked at him with disgust: "Tsk tsk tsk, look at your disgusting smile. I know, I know, you have a beautiful aunt."
Fang Jue was stunned. Had he smiled?
He saw Qin Yan waving at him.
"Oh, your auntie is calling you, hurry up and go."
The surrounding classmates were making a fuss.
They're probably envious because none of them have such a beautiful aunt.
Fang Jue was in a good mood and laughed off their teasing.
He walked up to Qin Yan, looking at her in a daze: "...Auntie."
Qin Yan looked at the report card on the table and said in a serious tone, "You've regressed."
Fang Jue never expected that the first thing she said when she came over was this.
"...I will try my best."
"I heard you quit your job and even canceled your hotel reservation?"
Fang Jue had no idea where Qin Yan had gotten such information; she was so well-informed.
He nodded: "Yes."
"Where did you move to?"
Fang Jue gave an address.
Qin Yan frowned: "So far?"
Fang Jue lowered her voice: "It's cheaper over there."
Didn't I give you the card?
Fang Jue lowered her eyes: "I can't use it."
Qin Yan thought he had misunderstood and explained, "That's all clean money."
It's not a matter of cleanliness or uncleanliness.
It's something he can't stand.
He can't afford it.
He was unwilling to sever their connection for such a large sum of money.
Fang Jue changed the subject: "Your phone number is not in service."
Qin Yan's expression remained unchanged: "Really? I have too many phone numbers. I don't know if I haven't had time to top up my phone credit."
Fang Jue took out his phone and handed it to Qin Yan: "Enter the number."
Qin Yan typed in a string of numbers without blinking.
Fang Jue dialed the number without thinking.
The number is invalid.
Fang Jue raised her eyebrows.
Qin Yan said with an air of self-righteousness, "I already said I have too many phone numbers, I can't remember which ones I haven't topped up."
Fang Jue held out her hand: "Your phone."
Qin Yan looked at him, then at her outstretched palm, and said with a hint of helplessness, "Why are you so persistent?"
Fang Jue said, word by word, "Auntie."
Qin Yan took the phone from his other hand, typed in a string of numbers on the screen, and dialed the number herself.
The ringtone came from her handbag.
"Is it okay now?"
Fang Jue nodded.
He kept repeating the manager's words to himself.
I finally couldn't help but ask.
"The manager said you resigned because they found a suitable replacement."
He tried to express himself in the most tactful and gentle way possible.
Qin Yan nodded: "What he said is also correct."
Fang Jue's eyes darkened.
"But it's not what you think. The situation is a bit complicated, so please don't ask."
Hearing Qin Yan say that, Fang Jue felt much easier to breathe.
"Um."
After the parent-teacher meeting, Fang Jue insisted on sending messages to Qin Yan every day to report on her situation.
Although she doesn't reply most of the time.
If I'm in a good mood, I might give him a soft "hmm".
But that made him very happy.
At least, she's still here.
After the middle school entrance exam, he started working again.
He needs to hurry up and earn tuition and living expenses.
After the admission scores were released, he immediately sent a message to Qin Yan.
She's probably busy and hasn't replied.
A few days later, Qin Yan called him.
Fang Jue stared at the caller ID on her phone screen for a long time.
Qin Yan called him.
He was very happy.
I'm so, so, so happy.
Qin Yan didn't even offer a pleasantry: "At home?"
Fang Jue replied, "Yes, at home."
"Okay, wait."
Fang Jue didn't know what he was waiting for, but Qin Yan hung up the phone, not giving him a chance to speak.
He could only wait obediently.
An hour later, Qin Yan and the movers arrived.
Fang Jue was somewhat surprised: "Sister Yan?"
Qin Yan glanced at him: "We're from different generations."
"...Auntie."
Qin Yan looked at the space, which was less than 30 square meters, and then turned to Fang Jue: "How can you fit so many things in such a small space?"
Fang Jue was a little embarrassed: "There are so many things that I can't bear to throw away."
He wanted to keep many of his parents' things.
These are the things he left behind after doing his best.
There really wasn't enough room to hold any more.
There weren't many items, and the workers quickly loaded them all onto the truck.
Fang Jue asked, "Where are you going to help me move to?"
Qin Yan got into the passenger seat without looking back: "My home."
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
This was the first time Fang Jue had heard her own heartbeat so strong and powerful.
Urgent and forceful.
He said softly, "Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why are you so good to me?"
Qin Yan thought about it seriously for a moment: "Maybe it's because I have too much free time."
This reason did not convince Fang Jue.
But it doesn't matter what the reason is anymore.
He fulfilled his delusion.
It is something I can only look at but cannot reach, something I long for.
Wherever the thought lies, the smoke rises.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
