Chapter 1288 - 1255: Zhang Xinying’s Decision
As Lin Yi led Gongsun Bo and others towards the [Thunder Attraction Platform] on the Pilgrimage Peak, in the real world, inside Zhang Xinying’s room.
We see Zhang Xinying sitting upright at her vanity, staring at the flawless face in the mirror without moving her gaze for a long time.
At this moment, Zhang Xinying was the only one in the room.
Mingmen Yue’Er Shangguan Yue had long disappeared, leaving only two open gaming capsules side by side.
It was unclear how long Zhang Xinying had been sitting there watching.
Perhaps since they exited the game, Zhang Xinying hadn’t moved from that spot.
It was unclear how much time had passed when a hint of determination flashed in Zhang Xinying’s vacant eyes.
At that moment, it seemed she had made some kind of decision in her heart.
Right then, Zhang Xinying reached out with her slender jade hand.
A diamond-shaped gem lay quietly in her palm, emitting a dazzling light,
and this was the [Spirit Stone] that Lin Yi had given her after the City Seizing War in the United States.
Zhang Xinying clearly remembered Lin Yi’s words still echoed in her ears:
"Within this [Spirit Stone] is sealed all the memories of your past life."
"I selfishly wanted to keep this secret buried within me forever."
"But I just couldn’t do it."
"Even with a million reasons to keep it, my conscience won’t let me."
"I know I have no right to decide your life."
"Nor do I have the right to keep you by my side forever."
"So now I give it to you."
"Your life should be decided by you, not by me."
"No matter the outcome, I will respect your choice."
When Lin Yi finished saying this and handed Zhang Xinying the [Spirit Stone], he turned to leave.
Zhang Xinying suddenly asked:
"Does whether I use it matter a lot to you?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Yi’s departing steps momentarily halted.
Then Lin Yi turned around and smiled at Zhang Xinying:
"What are you thinking?"
"The outcome doesn’t matter at all, don’t overthink it."
Though Lin Yi was smiling at that moment, Zhang Xinying still saw a hint of evasion in his eyes.
However, Lin Yi didn’t give Zhang Xinying time to question further, turning back as he said:
"I have some things to take care of, I’m leaving first."
"Don’t wait for me for dinner."
After saying this, Lin Yi disappeared into the night, leaving Zhang Xinying alone under the night sky.
Zhang Xinying looked at the place where Lin Yi disappeared and murmured to herself:
"Is it really like that?"
Looking at herself in the mirror, Zhang Xinying knew it might have been his first lie to her.
From what Zhang Xinying knew of him.
She knew too well how unconvincing Lin Yi’s words were.
Perhaps Lin Yi himself didn’t even realize.
When he avoids something, it usually means it’s not as simple as he says.
He might even be saying the opposite of the truth.
Why is he lying?
To dispel her doubts and prevent her from being caught in a dilemma?
Zhang Xinying understood clearly.
Lin Yi knew too well she would make any choice or decision for him.
If he said ’it matters,’ she would sacrifice something for him, maybe even her feelings.
But now, by saying ’it doesn’t matter,’ it suggests.
He genuinely doesn’t want her to accept the memories of her past life.
But Lin Yi wasn’t aware.
Zhang Xinying could see it clearly.
Those memories probably mattered a lot to him.
Deep down, he still hoped to gain something from those memories.
But because of his feelings for her, he subconsciously hid his desires and yearnings.
Thinking of this, a slight happy smile appeared on Zhang Xinying’s face.
She knew she was in his heart:
"That’s enough."
Zhang Xinying brought the [Spirit Stone] in front of her eyes, carefully examining this Divine Artifact gem.
Honestly speaking.
If she could, Zhang Xinying didn’t want to know her past identity.
Nor did she want to gain memories of her past life.
Zhang Xinying had no idea.
If she regained the memories of her past, would she become a stranger to herself?
And forget the people around her, forget the deep feelings for him?
But!
Zhang Xinying also wanted to be able to help him.
From the experiences since the game’s open beta, she saw that what he had gone through and borne was too much.
If possible.
Zhang Xinying wanted to help him share some of that burden...
Unfortunately, as time passed, the power gap between them grew larger and clearer.
Zhang Xinying could even foresee.
Maybe soon.
Perhaps she would truly become a burden to him.
Thinking of this, Zhang Xinying looked up at herself in the mirror, then softly murmured to herself:
"Perhaps..."
"Things might not be as bad as they seem."
...
...
At that moment, in another villa’s garden, Heaven-Gifted Ouyang Hao said to Shangguan Yue, who was watching TV:
"Yue’Er, go call Aunt Feng for dinner."
"Finish eating early, there’s still something to do tonight."
Hearing this, Shangguan Yue immediately lifted her eyes from the exciting scenes on TV and nodded:
"Alright, I’ll go call her right now."
Saying this, Shangguan Yue quickly got up from the sofa and ran outside.
In no time at all, when Shangguan Yue returned to her room, just as she was about to open the door.
Suddenly, a dazzling colorful light burst out from inside the room, streaming through the crack of the door.
Shangguan Yue was shocked:
"Xiaoying Sister!!!"
...
...
In the Land of Extreme Cold, [Human Peak]
A group of people stood in the wind and snow at the base of the mountain, gazing up at the sky-piercing peak, Lin Yi said:
"The [Thunder Attraction Platform] is up there, follow me."
On the brink of achieving his dream, even Jialan Emperor Gongsun Bo couldn’t suppress his excitement.
Lin Yi didn’t concern himself with what these people were thinking and stepped towards the mountain, reminding them:
"It’s your first time here, better stick close and don’t wander off."
"Don’t blame me for not warning you."
Even though [Human Peak] is the lowest level of the three peaks on Pilgrimage Mountain,
if you don’t follow the correct path, you might easily get lost and even teleport back to the base of the peak.
But as soon as Lin Yi finished speaking, everyone laughed:
"Don’t worry, Divine Son."
"Even if you want us to leave, we’ll definitely refuse to go."
Seeing this, Lin Yi said no more.
But at that moment, Lin Yi suddenly stopped in his tracks, clutching his chest in pain, then:
"Pfft~"
A mouthful of fresh blood gushed out from Lin Yi’s mouth.
In an instant.
Lin Yi seemed to realize something, and his once pained expression turned somber as he bitterly smiled:
"Xiaoying, is that you?!"