71 : Second string of code

 Yin Luo gently stroked the string of code. The code lit up briefly and then quickly disappeared.

He didn't know the meaning of the flash.

Maybe Lu Ran was making a face at him.

System: [Code successfully retrieved, Lu Ran's personality fusion complete.]

Yin Luo slumped weakly onto his desk, burying his head in his arms. He still carried a faint scent of mint.

Among the group, Lu Ran's scent was the faintest.

Perhaps it was because Lu Ran's personality split early and he was young, lacking any aggressiveness, so he had little presence among the three personalities.

Yet, he was also the first to develop a competitive spirit.

Lu Ran had always been the one who waited the most but received the least. Although he was always jealous, he never asked for anything in return when he did things for him.

Lu Ran was also exceptionally protective. Although impulsive and reckless, every fight was for him. Afterwards, he would secretly hide the wounds, afraid that Yin Luo would discover them, and if discovered, he would complain of pain.

His love was imbued with youthful passion.

Pure, open, and straightforward.

Yin Luo now felt a pang of regret.

He should have spent more time with Lu Ran at school, watched his basketball games more often, and attended more classes with him. Instead of ruthlessly abandoning him after completing his tasks with him.

The system sensed Yin Luo's emotions: [Host, are you alright?]

Yin Luo didn't answer, sitting up straight and staring out the window.

The third floor wasn't very high; he could see several trees with dense branches and dim streetlights. There was a streetlight every so often.

There used to be a section of road at Yin Luo's school where the streetlights were always broken, but that road was the one he always took home.

Yin Luo wasn't afraid, but that day was too special.

It was the day he was transferring schools and packing his things back for his classroom—after being pinned against the wall and forcibly kissed, his legs were weak, and he didn't dare stay a moment longer.

After running downstairs with his backpack, he hesitated in front of the dark path.

What if this person was hiding here? Would they do something terrible to him? Yin Luo gripped the strap of his backpack tightly, his nose stinging with fear.

However, the next moment, the streetlights miraculously lit up.

The light gave Yin Luo courage, allowing him to immediately cross the alley.

Looking back now, these were not coincidences.

Could it be Duan Muze?

The person who forcibly kissed him was Duan

Muze, and the person who helped fix the light was also Duan Muze.

Duan Muze was a complete pervert, like a crazed voyeur.

In the past, Yin Luo would have stayed far away from him, but now, after being in contact with him for so long, his feelings for Duan Muze were complicated.

He was no longer indifferent to his morbid crush, and even felt a little curious about him.

It was getting late, so he pulled back his memories and left the school to return to the film crew's hotel. He entered the room and found that everything related to Lu Ran had disappeared.

System: [His personality has been merged, and everyone who knows him will have their memories erased. However, host, don't worry, this is just a virtual world. After the other personality merges, this place will completely disappear.]

Yin Luo knew this was true, but saying it out loud still made him feel bad.

The lead actor in the movie changed from Lu Ran to a popular young actor, and Yin Luo's role became his assistant. That very night, Yin Luo resigned from his job. The agent wasn't surprised, assuming he couldn't handle the big star's temper, so he immediately agreed and didn't force him to work a few more days.

After resigning, Yin Luo went back to the hotel to pack his luggage.

He had been a day student in high school, only starting to live in dorms in college. Later, his mother worried that he wouldn't be able to take care of himself and wanted to buy a house near the school to hire a nanny, but Yin Luo refused.

He had to grow up eventually and leave his parents' care, so he grew up with some stumbles.

Even now, Yin Luo still couldn't manage everything very well, but it was much better than when he first entered college.

He gathered the clothes on the balcony, recalling how Shang Chengning folded clothes, and then sorted them into bags.

He finished packing quickly.

Yin Luo carried his suitcase, checked in with the front desk, and went out. Just as he was about to hail a taxi, he saw a familiar black sedan on his right. It had

a Wucheng license plate.

The car door opened, and Shang Chengning got out and walked up to him.

Yin Luo paused, startled.

He suddenly felt an urge to hug him.

Not the forced, unwilling kind of hug he used to have, but an active, unusually dependent one.

Especially in this situation.

After a moment's hesitation, Yin Luo restrained himself. Shang Chengning had already walked up to him and offered his suitcase: "Want to go back?"

"Um..." Yin Luo's eyes were a little red. "Didn't you go back? Why are you here?"

Shang Chengning ruffled his hair: "I was worried about you."

Yin Luo had indeed sent him back that afternoon, but Shang Chengning, unusually rebellious, planned to stay until Yin Luo left.

If Yin Luo went back with the film crew, he wouldn't let them know he was still there, following him from a distance; if Yin Luo went back alone, he would take him with him.

In short, he wouldn't let Yin Luo go back alone.

Yin Luo sniffed, following beside Shang Chengning, watching him put the suitcase on the back seat, open the car door, and take out drinks and cake from the small refrigerator in the back.

Yin Luo didn't have much of an appetite, but his spirits and mood were much better.

Seeing that he didn't want to eat, Shang Chengning offered, "If you're not hungry, you can put it on the shelf over there."

Yin Luo hummed in agreement. After a moment's hesitation, he asked the question that had been bothering him since earlier: "Where's Duan Muze? Didn't he come?"

Perhaps because it was the same person, the two of them had come looking for him almost on the same day.

Given Duan Muze's personality, he wouldn't willingly give Shang Chengning the opportunity.

Shang Chengning's tone was indifferent, yet subtly mocking him: "He fainted just now, probably because he's too weak."

"..." Yin Luo subconsciously felt it was related to the personality fusion and became anxious, "How is he now? Is it serious?"

"I've already taken him to the hospital. The doctor said there's nothing wrong, so I came out." Although Shang Chengning was jealous, seeing that Yin Luo had been in a bad mood since earlier, he suggested, "On the way back, we'll pass by that hospital, I'll take you to see him."

*

Because it was an emergency, there was no ward arranged. When Yin Luo came in, Duan Muze was lying on a very small single bed. He was pale and looked like he had just woken up. He immediately tried to get up when he saw Yin Luo.

Yin Luo immediately went over and pressed him down: "Don't move."

Duan Muze obediently lay back down.

Yin Luo: "Are you feeling unwell right now?"

Duan Muze: "Seeing you makes me feel better."

Yin Luo sat down and observed for a while, noticing that his complexion was indeed much better than before. She then went to the doctor to ask about the situation. The doctor couldn't find the cause either, only advising the patient to pay attention to their diet and get plenty of rest.

After returning home, Yin Luo instructed Duan Muze, "Don't you have shares in the company? Don't go out during this time, just stay home and rest."

"The share authorization letter is in your name," Duan Muze said, glancing at Shang Chengning, "It was given to you on the day you and he had your fake engagement."

"..."

He even emphasized the fake engagement.

Seeing that Shang Chengning's face was getting darker and darker, Yin Luo was afraid they would start arguing in the hospital, so she immediately pulled Shang Chengning away, "He seems to be alright, let's go home."

Seeing this, Duan Muze immediately tried to pull out the IV drip, "I'll go with—"

Yin Luo glared at him fiercely, "You dare!"

Duan Muze paused, his lips moving, but in the end, he didn't say anything and silently lay back down.

He seemed a bit harsh on him… Seeing his expression, Yinluo softened again: “Go back and take good care of yourself. No work, understand?”

Duan Muze stared intently at him: “I’m going to the old house to recuperate. Will you come to see me?”

Yinluo pursed his lips and whispered, “Yes.”

*

It was already midnight when they arrived in Wucheng.

Yinluo felt exhausted and uncomfortable after experiencing so much that day, so he quickly took a shower and lay down.

He soon closed his eyes.

After washing up, Shang Chengning saw that Yinluo was already asleep, so he lay down next to him and hugged him tightly.

—His imagined wife.

Shang Chengning had never had a memory lapse from the beginning. He knew more about what had happened in the past than anyone else, and he also knew that the young man he was holding in his arms was not his wife.

However, from the moment Yinluo returned and stood in front of him, he was afraid of losing him again.

So, he used this despicable means to keep Yinluo.

He knew Yinluo too well—spoiled, bad-tempered, yet soft-hearted than anyone else.

As long as he showed a vulnerable expression, Yinluo wouldn’t abandon him.

But could such a lie bind Yinluo for life? Could his relentless pursuit earn him even a shred of affection?

Would he even like him?

Shang Chengnin's breathing became erratic, his delicate kisses landing on Yinluo's neck. His limbs clung tightly to Yinluo, rendering him immobile like prey.

But Yinluo wasn't prey. He was the one he loved.

Shang Chengnin leaned close to Yinluo's ear, gazing at his soft profile. The young man had probably had a bad dream; his lips were tightly pressed together, and his brows were slightly furrowed.

The man reached out and gently smoothed Yinluo's brow with his fingertips, murmuring softly, "Will you like me? Even a little?"

"Will you abandon me?"

Abandoning him wouldn't matter, just a little bit of affection would be enough.

Just a little, and I'd be satisfied.

*

Yinluo had a nightmare all night, filled with dreams about things that happened in high school. Thinking back carefully, he seemed to have seen Duan Muze back then.

Like the senior student giving a speech under the national flag during the freshman orientation.

There were too many people at the time, and he was at the very back. Through the crowd, he could only see a tall figure in a school uniform.

That must be Duan Muze.

He remembered that Duan Muze had applauded during the speech.

Yin Luo took a deep breath; his head was throbbing.

For the next three days, he stayed in the villa and didn't go anywhere. Life seemed to return to the time when he was engaged to Shang Chengnin—peaceful yet comfortable.

At the same time, the system also told him that Shang Chengnin's brainwaves were normal, without any major fluctuations.

Yin Luo curled up on the sofa, covered with a blanket, and looked at the man busy in the kitchen.

He had to admit that although Shang Chengnin came from a wealthy family, he didn't have any arrogance; he only possessed an innate nobility that others couldn't imitate.

Moreover, he was incredibly attentive and caring, making it easy for people to feel dependent on him. This reminded Yin Luo of his father, who had passed away long ago. From some perspectives, Shang Chengnin was different from Duan Muze, who rose to prominence later in life

. But Duan Muze is doing well now, Yin Luo believes he's not the kind of person who looks down on his background, so why would he split into a person with a clean background, a mature and stable Shang Chengnin? He must have overlooked something very important. 

Yin Luo frowned, his gaze sweeping around the living room a few times, suddenly remembering something he had wondered about before— in Duan Muze's mental world, the layout of the living room in the Yin family villa was almost exactly the same as in reality. 

Yin Luo used to enjoy inviting classmates over to play, but they were all people he knew, not someone like Duan Muze. 

So, had Duan Muze visited their house without his knowledge? The vibration of his phone brought Yin Luo back to his senses. 

He opened WeChat; it was a message from Duan Muze. Duan Muze: [I'm discharged from the hospital, going back to my old house to recuperate.] 

A little while later, another message came. Duan Muze: [The roses are blooming.] 

Yin Luo was just about to reply "I'll come see you tomorrow" when his hand went empty before he could send it. 

Looking up, Yin Luo saw Shang Chengning still wearing an apron and holding his phone. 

"Dinner's ready. Don't play for too long, it's bad for your eyes." 

Yin Luo gave an "Oh." Thinking there was no rush to reply, stabilizing Shang Chengning's brainwaves was more important. 

Shang Chengning turned back to the kitchen, took off his apron, and stared at Yin Luo's WeChat chat window, then calmly turned it off. * Yin Luo planned to have the system retrieve Duan Muze's detailed life information after dinner for a thorough study, but he wasn't given the chance. 

Shang Chengning's brainwaves fluctuated wildly. 

The system issued the same alarm as Lu Ran's: [Host must retrieve the second string of code tonight!] 

[Otherwise, Duan Muze will be taken over by another personality!] 

Yin Luo's heart pounded with the alarm, his eyelids twitching. He took a deep breath and looked at the man cutting fruit for him. 

Soon, Shang Chengning noticed his gaze and looked in his direction. Their eyes met. Shang Chengnin's eyes, hidden behind his glasses, were exceptionally dark.

 He slightly raised the corners of his lips, appearing completely normal. 

The time portal had moved faster than ever before. Yin Luo didn't know what to do. 

He knew that he couldn't panic, especially in situations like this, but he couldn't control himself—he couldn't remain calm, his mind was blank. He guessed that this personality of Shang Chengnin was also created for him. 

Although both were personalities that Duan Muze himself had developed, and Yin Luo had been completely unaware of it from beginning to end, he couldn't remain indifferent after learning about them.

He didn't need that.

He didn't need anyone to give up their true selves just because they liked him.

He believed that Duan Muze also had his own strengths.

Duan Muze was Duan Muze, and he couldn't be replaced by any other personality.

Yin Luo glanced at the time portal; it was 8 PM, four hours until midnight. He planned to confront Shang Chengning in the last half hour.

Before that, he planned to help him fulfill his wish at the time portal.

Feeling guilty towards Shang Chengning, Yin Luo ran over and surrounded him: "Stop cutting fruit, let's do something else."

Shang Chengning paused, put down the fruit knife, and lifted his eyelids: "Go to the bedroom?"

Yin Luo was stunned for a moment, his face flushed: "...That's not what I meant."

Shang Chengning chuckled: "Just kidding."

Then he added: "But we really haven't been intimate in a long time."

Although they slept in the same bed every

night , Yin Luo wasn't in a good mood, and Shang Chengning wouldn't force him.

Yin Luo thought for a moment: "Besides these, what else do you want to do? Like... your wish, the wish you make every year on your birthday."

Shang Chengning really pondered for a moment: "As for a wish, I made one when I was little, but it didn't come true."

Yin Luo immediately asked: "What what?"

Shang Chengning looked at him: "Go to the amusement park."

*

The amusement park was already closed at this time of night, but money makes the world go round, especially for the amusement park's builders.

Yin Luo had been to the amusement park several times with his parents when he was little. At that time, his sensitive constitution wasn't very obvious, he just didn't like queuing. Later, when he grew up, he didn't like going to crowded places, so he never came again.

So this time was perfect, it was empty and quiet, with only Yin Luo and Shang Chengning besides the staff.

Because it was summer, the night breeze was particularly refreshing. Yin Luo was led by the hand by Shang Chengning, passing by one ride after another. Yin Luo had played almost all of them, stopping at each place.

After playing these rides, it was almost midnight.

Hearing the alarm in his head, Yin Luo opened his lips, about to speak, when Shang Chengnin interrupted him—

"There will be electronic fireworks five minutes before midnight." Shang Chengnin hugged Yin Luo from behind, pulling him into a tight embrace. "Stay with me until the end, okay?"

Yin Luo was stunned.

Shang Chengnin was always a smart man; he believed the other already knew.

The two fell silent, waiting for the fireworks.

Holding each other, Yin Luo could barely feel Shang Chengnin's heartbeat. He gripped the other's hand tightly, finding it had cooled.

Shang Chengnin suddenly spoke: "I went to your house, when you were a freshman in college."

Yin Luo's breath hitched: "Was it to see me?"

Shang Chengnin smiled: "No, I was picked up by your mother."

Yin Luo's mother had never told him this. Yin Luo was surprised: "Can you tell me about it?"

...

That was probably the darkest period of Duan Muze's life.

No matter how poor and difficult his childhood was, he always carried hope. Just when Duan Muze thought he had a chance to become powerful, his mother was suddenly in a car accident.

The accident was severe; she fell into a coma and survived on exorbitant medical

and hospital fees. Desperate, Duan Muze went to the Duan family.

Unable to see Duan's father due to his status, he went to Duan Qixuan, the eldest son of the Duan family. Upon hearing his request, Qixuan smiled and said, "Okay."

"I can pay her medical expenses, but only if you die."

His cruel words froze Duan Muze's face, and he took it seriously: "Okay, let's get it notarized."

Duan Muze was actually afraid; his feelings for his mother were complex—he hated her yet couldn't live without her. Afterwards, Duan Qixuan made a promise, and one rainy day, the two came to an intersection.

Traffic accidents were frequent there, especially in the rain. If Duan Muze was hit by a car there, Duan Qixuan would be responsible for his mother's medical expenses.

Duan Muze was dressed in all black, his hair and face soaked by the rain, making him look even colder. He looked out of place amidst the brightly lit street.

"The red light is on," Duan Qixuan reminded him from the side.

Duan Muze tensed up, finally making up his mind to walk into the traffic.

A screeching sound of brakes rang out, and Duan Muze closed his eyes, his heart pounding. However, the expected excruciating pain did not occur. He opened his eyes and saw a woman with a very serious face get out of the car.

He thought he would be scolded.

Instead, she simply said, "Are you alright? I'll take you to the hospital."

Duan Muze remained expressionless, turning his head. Duan Qixuan gave him a wink, that twisted and ferocious expression making him look like a demon.

He turned back, looking at the unfamiliar woman in front of him, and as if possessed, got into her car.

The woman didn't take him to the hospital, but instead went to the villa area. On the way, he realized the route was wrong, but he didn't say anything.

Perhaps afraid he would worry, the woman took the initiative to say, "This is the way home, not the hospital."

"Did something happen to you?"

Her gentle voice didn't match her appearance, causing Duan Muze's expression to soften. At that moment, he felt that his mother should be like her.

His lips were chapped, and his voice sounded hoarse and weary: "How did you know?"

The woman looked at him: "Because you looked so desperate."

Duan Muze's heart trembled.

For the rest of the journey, he briefly recounted his ordeal to her. The young man's expression was indifferent, and his voice was cold, but it only seemed to resonate more deeply with those around him.

Soon, they arrived at the villa.

Duan Muze sat somewhat

awkwardly on the sofa, his face downcast.

He stared at a wooden floorboard.

It was old and worn, but it had a distinctly homey feel to it.

Seeing him soaked from the rain, the woman first ordered someone to bring him a towel and clean clothes, then looked at Duan Muze: "This is something I, as an outsider, cannot comment on, but I must say, you are still young, and you have a long life ahead of you."

"If it were before, I certainly wouldn't have interfered. But if it were him—" Duan Muze then saw her gaze shift to a photograph on the TV cabinet.

He froze.

It was a photo of a family of three.

Besides the woman, there were two other people he recognized.

One was Yin Luo, and the other was Yin Luo's father.

He had seen him at Yinluo's parent-teacher conferences.

Later, Yinluo missed school for a while, and he heard from other classmates that his father had died in an accident.

Duan Muze's heart pounded. He thought that after Yin Luo transferred schools, they would never see each other again. But perhaps fate took pity on him and arranged for their reunion.

He turned his gaze to the woman's face again.

This was Yin Luo's mother.

Her face was full of tenderness when she spoke of her husband: "If it were him, he wouldn't have abandoned you."

"He's a very kind, mature, and strong person."

She smiled at Duan Muze again: "My son likes him the most. He's as kind as his father. So, for my son's sake, I'll help you." Duan Muze

stared at the photograph.

A kind, mature, and strong person?

He clenched his fists.

After that, the woman lent him some money, which helped Duan Muze get through a difficult time. He didn't go back to the Duan family.

Later, the Duan family contacted him, and Duan Muze returned the money he had borrowed.

This was his secret—it seemed that in this way, a thousand threads of connection had been re-established between him and Yin Luo.

Later, Duan Muze, following Duan Qixuan's advice, entered the entertainment industry. A few years later, his father asked him to return, so he immediately left the industry. It seemed he listened to everything the Duan family said, like a puppet without dignity, manipulated at will.

No one knew that he was secretly working hard.

He seized every opportunity to climb up, frantically, until finally, he climbed above everyone else.

He became the kind of person Yin Luo admired—gentle and strong.

But only he knew how shameful his past was.

Now, this disguised version of himself seemed qualified to stand with Yin Luo, but what if it was discovered? Would Yin Luo care?

...

Yin Luo had never known this.

He felt his whole body trembling.

Looking back at Shang Chengnin, he never expected this personality to emerge in this way—still because of him.

Yin Luo's eyes stung; he wanted to tell him not to be self-conscious, not to dislike himself. But the next moment, the fireworks that soared into the sky drowned out his voice.

He saw Shang Chengnin lower his head, his eyes reflecting not only the dazzling fireworks but also his own image.

For the last five minutes, the two remained silent.

Shang Chengnin held him tightly, feeling his breath and heartbeat in those final moments.

He was leaving. He

always had to leave.

Although he was unwilling, he knew that Yinluo wouldn't be happy.

Shang Chengnin made one last wish—that his Yinyin would be happy.

*

When the fireworks ended, Yinluo felt that no one was behind him.

He didn't dare to look back.

Perhaps it was because the fireworks were over, but a sense of loneliness welled up in his heart, and tears streamed uncontrollably down his face.

His sobs were extremely suppressed, but large tears fell, turning his entire face red.

The system couldn't bear it and used points to exchange for a limb to gently pat his back.

Yinluo regained some composure and felt his palms burning. He opened them—and the second string of code appeared in his palm.

[Host, Shang Chengnin's personality has been successfully merged with Duan Muze's personality.]

[Mission complete.]

[The mental world is about to collapse. ] [

You have twelve hours left to stay. You can choose to leave immediately or stay within the time limit. Once the time limit expires, you will be forcibly sent back to reality.]

A moment later,

Yin Luo said softly, "I understand. Let me go say goodbye first."

*

The first time he left, Yin Luo thought this was a book, and he was almost only focused on completing the tasks, without developing any feelings for the people in this world.

He just wanted to leave as quickly as possible.

But people have feelings and thoughts, especially after spending so much time together.

So, Yin Luo fulfilled all the regrets he had after his

first departure.

He bought things his parents liked and had them delivered, bought roasted chestnuts for Yin Yuzhou and delivered them to the front desk, and sent a thank-you email to his respected teachers anonymously.

Finally,

[It's time to say goodbye to the system.]

The system cried: [Host, I will miss you.]

Yin Luo smiled.

After saying goodbye to this world properly, he finally arrived at a certain place.

He knocked on the door, looked at the man opposite him who was staring at him in surprise, and for the first time, hugged him tightly.

Duan Muze hadn't expected Yinluo to come find him so quickly. He wanted to ask many questions, but seeing Yinluo's low spirits, he kept quiet.

The two stayed quietly inside the room, not going anywhere.

Yinluo looked at the blooming roses in the yard: "They're all in bloom. You've taken such good care of them."

Duan Muze: "Because I was afraid you might come someday, I didn't dare to slack off."

Time passed slowly.

That night, the two squeezed into one bed. In the darkness, Yinluo suddenly called him: "Duan Muze."

Duan Muze was already sleepy, his voice languid: "What is it?"

Yinluo: "If there's a time portal, tell me about your past."

Duan Muze hugged him tightly: "Okay, if you're willing to listen."

He quickly fell asleep.

Yinluo answered in a very soft voice in his arms: "I'm willing."

*

The next day.

Duan Muze woke up and found Yinluo was gone. He didn't even put on his shoes, frantically searching the entire house.

She wasn't there.

Yinluo was gone.

Was she going to abandon him again?

Duan Muze's expression was one of despair, his temples throbbing, looking utterly disheveled and pathetic. He glanced around the living room and noticed a bouquet of roses on the table.

The fresh petals were still glistening with dew.

Beside them was a note. Duan Muze

walked over.

On it, in beautiful handwriting, each stroke carefully written—

"I haven't abandoned you.

Wait for me, I'll come to see you with roses."

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