Chapter 20: Empty Frustration
The first day of the sports meet ended with everyone harboring their own thoughts. Lu Li had a nagging feeling that perhaps he was the one being kept in the dark. Back at home, An Baili went to cook, while Lu Li sat at his computer, checking the game’s sales figures. Half a month had passed, and Evening Collection had sold over 450,000 copies, far exceeding his expectations. At this rate, the total sales for the game’s lifecycle could reach millions. Evening Collection was still trending on major websites, and Lu Li had even turned down several interview requests from gaming media outlets.
As Lu Li was looking at the sales chart with satisfaction, a gray profile picture popped up. It was “Zhu Xi.”
“Greetings, Mr. Producer. How are you doing?”
Lu Li was in a good mood and replied casually, “Very well. Thanks to you, the game is selling great.”
“Hmm… Mr. Producer, are you busy with anything lately?”
“Why do you ask?”
“You haven’t been online much, your profile has been offline.”
Wen Hupo’s face appeared in Lu Li’s mind, her every expression breathtakingly beautiful. He had been distracted by her lately. Ever since their encounter at the amusement park, he felt like something had shifted in their relationship.
“I have some things on my mind,” Lu Li admitted truthfully. It was strange, but he found that he could share his inner thoughts with this “Zhu Xi” without reservation, thoughts he couldn’t express to the other girls. Perhaps because, subconsciously, he felt that “Zhu Xi,” the “royal family,” was too distant, too unreal for him to feel any pressure.
“I used to like a girl…” Lu Li typed slowly, his thoughts also slow and deliberate. “But I realized that she doesn’t seem to like me.”
“Zhu Xi” was silent for a moment, then replied carefully, “Do you still like her?”
Lu Li shook his head. “I think it’s childish to dwell on ‘like’ and ‘dislike.’ There are more important things in life. But the more I think that way, the more I feel a sense of regret.”
“You still haven’t told me if you like her or not.”
“…A little.”
“Mr. Producer, how old are you this year?”
“Thirty-seven.” Lu Li had wanted to say seventeen, but feeling heartbroken at seventeen seemed too melodramatic and self-absorbed, so he made up a number. He thought he heard “Zhu Xi” chuckle softly, as if she had seen through his lie.
“You still have seventy years to live.” Zhu Xi’s tone was girlish, perhaps deliberately so. “For the first month after your death, everyone will miss you very much. After a year, your friends’ memories of you will become blurred. After ten years, even those important to you will forget the details. After twenty years, most of your generation will be gone, and no one will remember you. After fifty years, all records of you in this world will disappear…”
“Mr. Producer, this is your future.”
Zhu Xi’s words hung on the screen, strangely compelling, giving Lu Li the illusion that she was telling the truth.
“So, Mr. Producer, after a hundred years, no one will care about your regrets, and no one will comfort you.” Her words were polite, but their coldness was chilling. “If you don’t fight for it yourself, no one else will pity you.”
“It sounds like you’re making it up.” Lu Li tried to shake off the feeling of unease.
“It’s true. I can see it.” Zhu Xi sent a cheering emoji. “Seize the day, Mr. Producer!”
Lu Li wanted to say something else, but he suddenly heard a noise from the kitchen. Did An Baili burn the food again? He quickly closed his laptop, only catching a glimpse of “Zhu Xi’s” last message: “June 6th, 10 a.m. …”
June 6th? 10 a.m.?
Lu Li shook his head. He must be losing his mind, actually believing for a moment that “Zhu Xi” could predict the future. If the girl on the other side of the screen could really see the future, then he, Lu Li, could achieve immortality in this life!
Thinking of this, he chuckled at his own absurdity.
Just then, An Baili’s voice came from the kitchen. “Lu Li, Lu Li, come quick, the fish is falling apart!”
“Coming, coming, don’t stir it anymore, just add some water and make it fish soup.”
“How can we do that… Stop it, I’m cooking…”
“Why aren’t you wearing anything under your scarf…”
“Shh…”
The next day. The Chuanhai No. 1 High School sports meet lasted for two and a half days. The first day was for individual events, the second for team events, and half a day for the award ceremony. Encouraged by An Baili, Lu Li changed into his sports attire. He had to admit that even without regular exercise, a young body was still full of energy. As he moved, the muscles in his thighs flexed, and Lu Li felt a sense of vitality.
He saw Silly Goose sitting at the judges’ table in the distance, her head bent over some paperwork.
The sky was clear, the sun was shining, and the cheers and energy of youth filled the sports field.
This was youth.
The relay race was the last event in the morning. The athletes from Class 1 of the second-year liberal arts program were huddled together, discussing their strategy. Wen Hupo stood alone, her arms crossed, staring blankly at the field, looking utterly lonely.
Lu Li composed himself and walked over to her. “Hey.”
Wen Hupo turned around, her eyes lighting up with surprise. “…Hi… What are you doing here? And what are you wearing?”
Lu Li suddenly realized that Wen Hupo hadn’t called him “Outstanding Representative” in a while. A girl’s mind was delicate, and a change in address often signified a change in attitude.
“Jingyi is injured, I’m replacing her.”
The light in Wen Hupo’s eyes dimmed slightly, and she forced a smile. “I see…”
Lu Li felt a complex mix of emotions in her gaze. He told himself not to be delusional. “How have your competitions been going so far?” Wen Hupo had been saying she wanted to achieve something, to leave no regrets in her youth. He wondered how she was doing.
The light in Wen Hupo’s eyes dimmed even further. “Not ideal. I overestimated my athletic abilities…”
Lu Li wasn’t surprised. He had to admit that Wen Hupo was indeed smarter and more perceptive than most of her peers, but this also meant that she was more arrogant and prone to assumptions. In unfamiliar territory, she tended to jump to conclusions, only to fail spectacularly. This wasn’t the first time this had happened. It had also happened once in his past life.
What was it about that time? It seemed like… it was about cooking…
Lu Li rubbed his temples.
Why did Wen Hupo suddenly decide to learn how to cook in his past life? He couldn’t quite remember…
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