After the rain cleared, the sun cast down warm rays of light, making the puddles on the ground glisten brightly.

The wind carried the scents of muddy water, damp earth, and rotting vegetation.

Xie Ci simply stood quietly to one side, silently looking at what was now a pile of ruins.

Actually, the innermost room still vaguely showed the outline of its foundation. He still remembered the corner where a computer desk sat, one he'd scavenged from the secondhand market, with his laptop and the secondhand PS5 he'd waited so long to find.

It was very quiet around them. Apart from the sound of thin streams flowing in distant low-lying areas, there was only his own breathing.

"Little Ci..." Ye Li looked at Xie Ci standing there motionless and spoke up anxiously. She was about to offer comfort but realized she didn't know what would be good to say.

Deep down, she felt somewhat glad—this way he could live with her.

She felt she was being selfish again. This was the house he'd lived in for four years.

Ye Li: (≧д≦)

The conflicting emotions left Ye Li with only the choice of silent companionship. She observed Xie Ci's expression and quietly took hold of his hand.

To be honest, Xie Ci was truly terrified in retrospect.

If he had chosen option one, he would most likely have gone home last night, then been buried underground, returning to Mother Earth's embrace.

It seemed heaven had played a joke of moderate proportions. The mountain flood's eruption had only destroyed Xie Ci's small house.

While afraid, he also felt somewhat fortunate.

At least the ending was perfect.

The sudden mountain flood had only taken away this one small house, causing only some trivial property damage with no casualties. At least he hadn't heard anything about it in the news.

Feeling Ye Li's tender little hand, Xie Ci actually knew what she was thinking.

Although he had lived in this house for four years, he actually didn't feel much about it. It was just a place to stay.

His earliest memories started from here, and until now, it hadn't left behind any past worth remembering.

The things in the house? If they're gone, I can buy them again.

Xie Ci rarely invested deep emotions in material possessions. Those were things that would eventually exit his life. He had prepared for their loss from the moment he acquired them.

"Let's go, Ye Li." Xie Ci gripped her hand in return and smiled at her. "Didn't you say you'd take me shopping?"

Worth mentioning was that more than half of the large wardrobe in Ye Li's villa was filled with men's clothing suitable for Xie Ci to wear, with complete outfits for spring, summer, autumn, and winter, clearly prepared long ago.

Ye Li seemed somewhat surprised that Xie Ci had recovered so quickly. Then she also smiled brightly, her eyes and brows filled with undisguisable affection.

She took his hand, and together they returned to the car.

Ye Li hummed a song, the corners of her mouth curving into a smile.

She was like a flower in full bloom, charming and bright, with undisguisable fragrance.

"Hmm... let me think, we'll first go get you a replacement phone card, then buy a computer, video recording equipment. As for PS5, there are already two..."

Ye Li happily discussed the upcoming shopping plans, fully displaying girls' natural love for shopping.

Xie Ci sat in the passenger seat, responding from time to time.

He was still thinking about one thing: exactly what would make such a life-loving girl give up on living?

Xie Ci had wanted to ask about this early on, but just as he started to broach the topic, Ye Li blocked him with an almost pleading gaze.

That look seemed to say, please don't ask.

Since you don't want to be asked, then I won't ask. Xie Ci didn't want to force anyone. Everyone had things buried deep in their hearts.

According to the system's hint, "personal fate is not in Dong Ye Li's hands," and her habit of "playing" an acceptable or needed role...

Could it be that the family estrangement drama at the café was actually real?

If a person's close relationships were all built on interest exchanges or family arrangements, using this as a premise to deduce...

Just as Xie Ci was pondering, with a squeak, the car stopped steadily.

"Come down, Little Ci." Ye Li said with a smile. "We're here."

Xie Ci got out of the car, looked up, and froze.

A large sign displayed several letters.

Isn't this a brand specializing in women's clothing?

Seeming to notice Xie Ci's surprise, Ye Li tapped Xie Ci's nose tip, pouting slightly and saying somewhat plaintively, "The house is full of clothes you can wear, but I don't have many clothes. School's starting soon, and I want to dress up prettily too."

After speaking, she tilted her head, put both hands behind her back, and smiled sweetly.

"How about it? Help me pick some out."

...

Next door was a mobile phone service center. It seemed Ye Li had calculated everything.

Xie Ci placed the bags of clothes on a nearby chair and inserted the replacement phone card into his newly bought phone.

Nearby, Miss Ye Li took another outfit she'd just selected and walked into the changing room, not forgetting to wink at him before going in.

Xie Ci looked at the pile of packaged clothes and couldn't help but sigh.

Can't figure out whether this is me buying clothes or her buying clothes.

From the moment they entered the mall, wherever his eyes glanced, Ye Li would pick clothes from there. Any piece of clothing that Xie Ci looked at for more than three seconds couldn't escape the fate of being purchased.

Ye Li kept asking him which one looked good, which one was pretty. When Xie Ci said they all looked pretty and good, Ye Li would lightly punch his shoulder with her small fists.

Ye Li: "Are you just brushing me off~ (ｉДｉ)"

Xie Ci: "I'm not, I didn't, they really all look very good."

So she bought them all—various colors, various styles, floral dresses, off-shoulder T-shirts, slit qipao...

Xie Ci thought, When you were my homeroom teacher in freshman year, didn't you just wear red T-shirts with tied hems and jeans every day? How do you know how to change styles now? You even picked out some stockings.

Worth mentioning was that today Ye Li had her hair tied up neatly in a high ponytail, with stray hair on the side held by a delicate blue hair clip. The petals had a slightly fuzzy texture, showing a sweet, lively feeling within the freshness.

Maybe it's because she loves life more now, or has someone she likes.

She probably won't think of doing anything foolish anytime soon. So what needs to be addressed now is her family problems...

Xie Ci pondered while his phone had already downloaded a certain pink video app. He logged into his account and instinctively clicked on private messages.

The message column already showed 99+.

This account had been operating for three or four years, posting various game reviews, guides, and live stream videos. Daily messages hitting 99+ was already normal.

But Xie Ci's heart was extremely anxious. He clicked on the small envelope icon. At the top of the private chat column, a user with an all-black avatar, username IIIIIIIII, and note "Ling Xi"—just her messages alone had reached 99+.

Xie Ci sighed helplessly and clicked in.

After ignoring her for so long, this little princess of verbal warfare is probably about to explode.

He had only not looked at his phone from yesterday afternoon until this afternoon, yet her messages continuously covered almost every time period. Even if she was in Los Angeles with a time difference, that was still over ten hours.

Ling Xi:

Look at this, the opponent's moves are exactly like the mistake you made last week. So genuinely bad.

I found a new server, double damage, explosives not banned, feels worth trying.

Where are you? Disconnected? (▼⊿▼)

(One hour later)

That position you mentioned in yesterday's video, tested it and there's a chance of getting stuck in walls. Suggest deleting and re-recording.

Did you see OW's new season mythic skin? Looks pretty good, I'll get you one when I go home.

??? You vanished from the face of the earth??

[Shared a funny video meme]

If you're not dead, say something! Urgent urgent urgent! ヽ(#`Д´)ﾉ┌┛〃

(Another hour later)

Phone stolen? Kidnapped by a rich woman? Make a sound, will you!

Fine, I'll solo queue, can't carry you today.

[Shared several carefully selected leg photos from today, with an arrow through a heart tattoo, surrounded by a few blooming plum blossoms, so prominent on the inner thigh]

Hmph, today's leg photos sent two hours early, be grateful!

...

(Three hours later)

Fine, Xie Ci! Playing disappearing act, huh!

Your lady survived over ten years alone in the US just fine! Missing one of you? Ridiculous!

(Record of two retracted messages)

Didn't I help you test all those guide videos? Burning bridges after crossing, huh!

Say something! Are you dead?!

...

(Half an hour later)

Whatever, do what you want, I don't need you either!

(Four hours later)

...Are you okay? Please reply to me...please...

Then came a series of selfie leg photos, without exception showing that prominent tattoo, with increasingly tricky angles and increasingly bold content.

Xie Ci really had a headache.

Translator’s Corner

Slit Qipao: It's that one Chinese dress. You should know what I’m talking about.

Pink app: Probably Bilibili. If someone has another answer, do tell. Just ping me in the fenrir discord server.

-Ruminas

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.