18

 Jiang Nian felt that things should be done thoroughly, giving everyone an explanation, and giving himself an explanation as well.

On his first mission, he didn't have time to explore this world much, nor did he make many friends. However, he encountered a few somewhat strange but kind people, as well as online friends who accompanied him.

In just a few months, he experienced many joys and sorrows.

But ultimately, they were all just passersby.

Jiang Nian put down the bag containing his game console, found the clothes Xue Rongfeng had washed and dried for him on the bedside table, dressed, opened Xue Rongfeng's door, and looked back as he left, as if saying goodbye to Xue Rongfeng.

Jiang Nian had asked the system what would happen after he left the world, and the system told him that to outsiders, he would appear dead.

However, what the system didn't mention was that because Jiang Nian himself had already left the world, what remained was merely a projection like a slideshow, which would dissipate within half a day, leaving no trace.

Jiang Nian didn't want to traumatize Xue Rongfeng, nor did she want to cause trouble for the landlord by returning to his rented apartment. Therefore, she chose to go to the suburbs of City A, a coastal city where the suburbs bordered the sea.

The romantic sea seemed to embrace everything.

The suburbs were too far; a taxi ride would take several hours. The driver was a middle-aged woman. She glanced at the handsome boy in the back seat, noticing his relieved expression, as if he had let go of something. She couldn't help but ask, "Why do you want to go to the sea in the suburbs?"

"Are you feeling down?"

Jiang Nian was taken aback, then gave a sweet smile and said, "No, I just want to get some fresh air."

The driver didn't say anything more.

During the rest of the journey, Jiang Nian had the system return all the money he had earned in this world to his fans and sponsors. The rest, such as livestream donations, was donated to a charity platform.

He couldn't take these with him, so he might as well do some good.

As Jiang Nian got off the bus, he said goodbye to everyone he knew, sent the message he had typed through his account, and then stepped off.

At that moment, the driver suddenly said, "Nothing is insurmountable."

The boy, bathed in soft sunlight, as if edged with gold, smiled brightly on his fair, almost divinely blessed face. He repeated, "Yes, everything will pass."

"Goodbye, sister."

The fisherman had deliberately found a secluded spot where no one returned. He cast his line contentedly, waiting for the plump fish to bite. The place was deserted, the road rugged and uneven, filled with boulders, completely obscuring his figure.

Out of the corner of his eye, he thought he saw a figure standing on a rock not far away. The fisherman assumed it was a young adventurer and ignored it, but the figure vanished without a trace the next second.

The fisherman froze, then cast off his fishing rod and sprinted in that direction. He was an excellent swimmer and jumped into the sea without hesitation.

Even so, the boy he pulled ashore had stopped breathing.

Soon, a crowd and police surrounded the area.

...

Meanwhile, Xue Taihe, waking up in the hospital, felt a sudden tightness in his chest, as if someone important had left him.

But all he cared about was Jiang Nian.

"Nian Nian... I want to see him," Xue Taihe murmured, pulling out all the IVs. Wearing only his hospital gown and shuffling along, he ignored the shouts of those around him, obsessed with finding Jiang Nian.

He needed to see his wife.

Only when he saw his Jiang Nian standing safely before him could Xue Taihe find peace. As he got into his car, his phone suddenly rang with a special notification sound.

Unlike Xue Ronghe, who used to be so eager to see what Jiang Nian had sent, he now felt as if someone was choking him, a suffocating feeling creeping up his face, making him turn red and unable to move.

It was like a death knell.

In another district of City A, there was a famous temple for matchmaking. Luo Guanhan drove there personally, spent a large sum of money in the donation box, and wished for Jiang Nian's health and safety.

Afterwards, he went to the matchmaking tree, bought matchmaking talismans, wrote his name and Jiang Nian's name on them, tied them together, and hung them on a branch.

May they be together for eternity.

Luo Guanhan had never believed in such childish things before, but after meeting Jiang Nian, he was willing to try anything, hoping for a beautiful wish.

Just as Luo Guanhan was missing Jiang Nian and longed to see her immediately, the love charm he had tied in a tight knot was gently blown down by the wind. Luo Guanhan instinctively reached for it, but the charm slipped from his fingers and landed in the incense burner in the distance, vanishing instantly without a trace of dust.

Luo Guanhan stood frozen, a sudden chill running down his spine for some reason.

"Nian Nian..."

Luo Guanhan snapped out of his daze, pushing through the bustling crowd towards the temple gate, and also towards Jiang Nian's house.

At that moment, his phone rang.

In the neighborhood, Luo Gaoshan felt a pang of regret. He had angered Jiang Nian and hadn't yet received her forgiveness, so he dared not follow her as boldly as before, only daring to watch from afar, even just catching a glimpse of her blurry back made him very happy.

But he hadn't seen any lights on at Jiang Nian's house for almost a day and a night. Luo Gaoshan was uneasy, feeling that something was happening, and that it was related to Jiang Nian.

He disregarded the fact that Jiang Nian would be angry with him again for his disobedience, and rushed to Jiang Nian's apartment building. He climbed onto her balcony, ripped off the lock, and entered her home.

But it was empty. His newly bought glass table was still in the bedroom, completely bare, clashing with the cluttered space.

Luo Gaoshan stood helplessly in Jiang Nian's bedroom.

Fear and unease overwhelmed him; he felt as if he were sinking into a swamp, his legs heavy and unable to move, until his phone vibrated in his pocket, bringing him back to his senses.

It was Jiang Nian; she had messaged him.

"Nian Nian..."

Xue Rongfeng, sitting in his office, felt a sudden emptiness in his heart, and he involuntarily called out Jiang Nian's name.

Xue Rongfeng didn't know where his unease came from. He almost immediately stopped writing, greeted his assistants, and drove home.

When he finally opened his front door, his hair disheveled and cold sweat beading on his forehead, he stared at the living room, which looked exactly the same as always. He shouted, disregarding his appearance, "Niannian!"

No one answered.

Xue Rongfeng's heart pounded. He forgot to take off his shoes and walked straight in. Then he saw the bag containing the game console on the sofa.

Xue Rongfeng's vision blurred, and his usually straight posture faltered.

Jian Leyi, finding his blond roommate's crying and wailing all night a bit noisy, grabbed a basketball and his phone and went to the school playground to play alone.

He only stopped when he was drenched in sweat.

He felt a bit down. Ever since adding the "girl" on WeChat, all the messages he'd exchanged with her had remained unread.

Jian Leyi wiped the sweat from his brow, wondering what the "girl" was doing and why she wasn't replying. Did she think he wasn't attractive enough and was giving him the cold shoulder?

When would they see each other again? It had only been a day, and Jian Leyi already missed him.

As Jian Leyi sat down to rest, his phone screen lit up. He almost immediately picked it up to check the message, and sure enough, it was from the "girl."

She read: Goodbye.

She also read: Cat waving.jpg.

Jian Leyi poked at the cute cat emoji with his finger, feeling a bit annoyed. What did this mean?

Did she find his messages too numerous and annoying?

Or did she dislike him?

Why did she suddenly say goodbye?

...

The group, frantically searching for him, eventually saw the trending topic online.

[Internet celebrity Nian Nian suspected of death]

They couldn't believe it. Nian Nian, so lively and cheerful before they separated, how could she...

how could she!!

None of the men who met in the morgue could utter that word.

Especially Xue Rongfeng, he felt it was all his fault. He shouldn't have left Jiang Nian alone at home; he shouldn't have left her side when she was most vulnerable.

Xue Rongfeng looked at Jiang Nian lying on the cold bed, barely able to stand by his side, his hand gripping the wall.

She was still so beautiful, her eyes closed, as if she were just sleeping. If you called her name, in the next moment, those green eyes, like dazzling jewels, would open with a smile.

But there was nothing there, only the silence of falling into an abyss.

Xue Taihe was the first to break down. He cried out Jiang Nian's name in despair, rushing forward to tightly embrace her already cooling body. He was completely incredulous, "Wife, wife... wife, I'm here, I'm here, I'm here..."

However, just as the group was overwhelmed by the shock and wished they could die with Jiang Nian, she suddenly became transparent in Xue Taihe's arms, then dissipated into countless specks before their eyes.

"Ah—!!!"

"No—don't—"

Xue Taihe roared frantically.

How could she leave him without even a sliver of hope?

Luo Gaoshan, who had appeared calm and collected, his fierce face devoid of any emotion, suddenly pulled a gun from his pocket, silently aimed it at his temple, and collapsed in front of the other three with a thud.

Blood stained the ground.

Xue Taihe's voice was hoarse. He stared blankly at the sky, his arms still in a hushed embrace, but nothing was left.

He silently picked up the gun and shot himself in the heart.

Two more bodies were added to the morgue.

Even the usually astute Xue Rongfeng was momentarily stunned. He couldn't understand how Jiang Nian had vanished so completely. Where had he gone? Why hadn't he waited for him?

He too…

"Are you going with Nian Nian too?" Luo Guanhan suddenly asked.

Xue Rongfeng snapped out of his daze and stiffly replied, "No, not now."

His Nian Nian couldn't just leave like this.

He wanted revenge.

This coincided with Luo Guanhan's thoughts.

Luo Guanhan looked at the spot where Jiang Nian had disappeared and said calmly, "Nian Nian, soon."

He would come to find him after he finished his work.

It wouldn't be long.

Luo Guanhan was afraid Jiang Nian would feel lonely on the road alone.

Xue Rongfeng thought the same thing.

Wait for me, Nian Nian. Don't walk too fast. Stop where you are and wait for him. He will catch up without stopping.

He would never leave his side again.

…

Social media.

Nian Nian: Hello everyone, I've had a great time since meeting you all. Thank you for your continued support. Wishing you happiness and joy in the future.

Goodbye.

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