Started as a comics editor

Chapter 323 Tang Xun's Trip

The cicadas chirped incessantly outside the window, and the sun was scorching. For the working class, this was nothing short of hellish torture.

But for Tang Xun, who had just finished the college entrance examination and was now in an air-conditioned room, it felt like paradise.

Now, she truly appreciated the beauty of summer.

The taut string finally loosened; the lingering sound remained, but it no longer caused heart palpitations.

Although she seemed overly concerned about the college entrance examination, humans are social creatures and are easily influenced by the subconscious of the entire group.

When her classmates around her felt nervous.

She would inevitably be affected by this atmosphere.

This influence is subtle and gradual; unless one is truly magnanimous, it is difficult to escape it.

Tang Xun was clearly not a carefree person; on the contrary, she was very meticulous... otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to take good care of her older sister, who was usually more carefree than her.

However, this atmosphere completely disappeared after the day the college entrance examination ended.

The girl, who had just been freed from the mountain of exam questions, felt an unprecedented sense of relaxation... and boredom.

Today is a working day.

Tang Yao naturally had to go to the company.

So, it's not uncommon for Tang Xun to live alone in such a large house.

However, perhaps because the holiday after the college entrance examination is indeed a bit more special than a regular summer vacation.

So even though she had experienced many such holidays before.

She was still feeling a bit bored and hadn't done what she usually did when she was bored.

Instead, he went to his sister's room, sat in front of the computer, and started looking at something.

Before the end of the college entrance examination.

Tang Xun had never played the games her older sister made; at most, she would look at related information and find topics to chat about with Tang Yao.

Of course, this was not what Tang Yao requested.

Tang Yao never made such a request; she only reminded that certain games were not suitable for minors, such as escape games.

Besides.

If Tang Xun wants to play other suitable games, Tang Yao won't stop her.

Because she trusted Kaoru's judgment.

However, Kaoru still didn't play, because she felt that her identity at the time was not suitable for playing games.

She even felt, somewhat ritualistically, that those colorful and imaginative worlds should be left to be explored only after complete liberation.

And today is the day after that.

She wasn't playing it secretly; she had told her older sister about it beforehand yesterday.

Tang Yao readily agreed, only reminding her not to rummage through the things on her computer.

...Actually, it would have been better if I hadn't said anything, because Tang Xun became interested after I did.

To some extent, Tang Yao was right; she had indeed entered her rebellious phase.

Or to be more precise—a girl, almost eighteen, just finished the college entrance exam, relieved of a heavy burden, and a secret with her loved ones.

The combination of these words is very ominous...

So Tang Xun sat in front of the computer without immediately clicking on the colorful game icons on the desktop.

Instead, I inexplicably opened the browser, and then, after thinking for a moment, I opened the browser history.

The list on the screen scrolled up.

Tang Xun's gaze swept over the area, and then she fell silent.

On the first page of browsing history, several keywords were arranged in a way that was both striking and harmonious.

[Classic tokusatsu suit.]

Warp drive, space warping.

[The Brain in a Vat Thought Experiment.]

[What to do if you have a large bust? Sports bra recommendations and outfit ideas to make your bust look smaller.]

【…】

...This leap in thought, this seemingly unrelated combination of keywords.

Tang Xun's cool face was expressionless, but her heart was filled with mixed feelings. She really wanted to depict her sister's wild and imaginative spiritual world.

But after trying for a long time... I didn't succeed.

After all, the search path is too convoluted and bizarre, jumping directly from the nostalgia of tokusatsu suits to science fiction physics, then plunging into profound philosophical speculation, and finally landing on the very real problem of women's body image... This mind map is probably something even AI can't draw.

Tang Xun pursed her cherry-red lips, shook her head gently, and then closed the history window without continuing to read.

Actually, she was mentally prepared for this.

However, her curiosity was not extinguished; instead, it seemed to be fueled by a small flame.

She then turned to the numerous folders on her sister's computer desktop and slowly moved the mouse.

This side is much more normal, without so much random stuff. Many of the subfolders seem to be for work purposes, because the filenames are all normal, such as "XX character design draft_first version", "discarded concept art", "personal brainstorming", "plot outline fragments", etc.

Tang Xun clicked on a few and looked at them. Most of them were wildly imaginative drafts, settings, doodles and scattered notes. There were strangely shaped mechanical designs, architectural sketches full of exotic styles, quick sketches of character expressions that were hasty but vivid, and long passages of fragmented text about world-building and character relationships. The content was extremely complicated and full of sparks of imagination, but it was also clear that many of them were just fragments of inspiration.

to be frank.

very funny.

Tang Xun knew that her older sister was very capable, extremely capable.

But I really didn't expect... it would be so amazing. I usually think about so many completely unrelated things.

Just like the search keywords in a browser, they're completely unrelated.

At the same time, she also realized that behind the exquisite game graphics was such a complex, primitive accumulation full of traces of exploration. She even admired her sister for being able to sort out a clear game context from such chaos.

At this moment, Tang Xun was browsing through numerous folders, feeling as if she were exploring a huge, uncategorized treasure trove of creativity.

Until her mouse hovered over a folder with a particularly eye-catching name... This folder was rather special; it was called 'Private Collection'.

"..."

Tang Xun saw the hidden subfolder and curiously clicked to take a look.

then.

In an instant, the screen was filled with various exquisite anime female character illustrations in different styles.

Countless exquisite anime female character illustrations are neatly arranged in the folder view, including mature women, upperclassmen, lowerclassmen, queens, knights, shrine maidens, office ladies, idols, cyborgs... covering everything imaginable.

They may be aloof and noble, full of energy, gentle and charming, or heroic and dashing.

There wasn't a single man among them.

"..."

Tang Xun looked at the screen full of anime girls, then at the folder's name, and fell silent again. An extremely subtle and indescribable feeling spread through her heart.

My own older sister...

Is it...

Tang Xun gently shook her head, dispelling some inexplicable speculations, and decided not to think about it too much.

This concludes the exploration.

Let's play games.

As she was thinking, she closed the folder, clicked on the prominent AG platform icon on her desktop, and logged into her newly registered account.

On the AG platform.

The summer celebration banner on the homepage is still eye-catching, while the promotional image for "To the Moon," with its pixelated silhouette pointing towards the moon, lies quietly in the featured spot.

Tang Xun had heard about this game from her older sister.

Just last night.

Now Tang Yao basically doesn't hide anything from her anymore. The two chat casually and say whatever comes to mind, and the company's latest work is also a topic of conversation.

Although judging from her tone, Tang Yao seemed to have a lot of resentment towards this latest work... or more accurately, she didn't resent the work, but rather herself.

...I don't know why.

After thinking about this, Tang Xun hesitated for a moment, but still clicked the "Buy Game" button.

She suddenly became curious as to why this game caused her sister so much resentment.

I just want to try it out, so any game will do. Buy, download, install.

When the melodious yet slightly melancholic piano tune flowed from the speakers, even the cool air from the air conditioner in the room seemed to take on a unique atmosphere.

Tang Xun sat upright, gripping the mouse tightly. Her beautiful face held a hint of curiosity as she started the game...

Time slipped away quietly amidst the low-frequency operation of the air conditioner and the intermittent chirping of cicadas.

The sunlight outside the window gradually changed from dazzling white to golden red.

The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the blinds, casting long, orange-red shadows on the floor of the room.

When Tang Yao got home from get off work, she had just opened her bedroom door when she saw her younger sister sitting gracefully in a computer chair with her back to the door. The light from the screen reflected on her focused profile as she played a game with great concentration.

"..."

Tang Yao was somewhat surprised to see this.

Although Kaoru mentioned it briefly last night.

But she never expected that the girl, who seemed to have nothing to do with the word "game," would actually go and play it, and seemed to be quite engrossed in it.

Tang Yao glanced at the screen, then thought for a moment, tiptoed out, and closed the door behind her.

Now that the college entrance exams are over, Tang Yao won't stop her sister from playing any strange games. In fact, she really hopes that Xun can get some rest. Going to the moon isn't a strange game, so she doesn't plan to bother her sister and instead goes to take a shower.

It's so hot, and I still feel the heat from outside; I desperately need to cool down.

Soon, the sound of running water came from the bathroom.

Actually, Tang Xun's own sister had returned, but she didn't say hello.

Because her emotions were constantly fluctuating with the story in the game, from initial curiosity about the setting, to speculation about Johnny's obsession with going to the moon, to sympathy for Riva's autism plight, to the shock when the truth was revealed, and finally to the moment when the rocket launched, her hands clenched, and her heart stopped beating.

soon.

The game ended, and the end credits slowly rolled to the accompaniment of melodious music.

Tang Xun did not leave immediately, but sat there quietly, letting the complex and profound aftertaste flow in her heart.

"So that's the story... That's amazing."

Tang Xun was silent for a moment, then muttered to herself, "A love story..."

The sound of water in the bathroom stopped at some point.

After a while, the sound of footsteps grew closer.

Then, the door was gently pushed open.

Tang Yao walked in, having changed into a refreshing set of loungewear: a cool tank top paired with short shorts. Her skin, fresh from a shower, shone with a dewy glow, revealing two long, alluring, snow-white legs.

She walked quietly into the room, drying her wet hair with a towel, bringing with her the fresh scent of shower gel.

Then she realized that the game was over, and the end credits were slowly rolling to the accompaniment of melodious music.

"Kaoru, are you done playing? How did it feel?"

Tang Yao noticed this and immediately reached for the light switch on the wall, turning on the ceiling light with a click, while smiling and asking her sister.

Soft light streamed down, and Tang Xun turned to look at her sister.

Tang Yao was casually drying her hair, a few drops of water splashing onto her shoulders. She exuded a relaxed feeling as if she had just washed away her fatigue. Her two long, pale legs were even more dazzling under the light, as if they were bathed in soft light. With each step she took, she was full of youthful and healthy vitality.

Tang Xun didn't answer her sister's question immediately. Instead, she thought for a moment, exited the game, and then opened the review section at the bottom of the AG platform store details page.

[Avalon, are you a devil? My tears are worthless?!]

I beat the game, and now I'm sitting in front of my computer crying my eyes out... the aftereffects are too strong.

[A strong contender for Best Narrative Game of the Year! In just a few hours, you experience a lifetime of regrets and fulfillment.]

This damned regret and love!

The storytelling is truly masterful; I only understood it at the very end... It completely broke down my defenses!

[Avalon has really... written amazing lyrics this time, and the music is divine.]

[Healing? Depressing! But the pain and pleasure are intertwined, making this experience unique.]

[Looking for recommendations for psychological healing games, I need to calm down...]

You can truly always trust Avalon, and trust any game this company releases...

【…】

Because the game has only been out for a short time, most reviews are just a few sentences long, but they are filled with strong emotional resonance from the players.

"sister……"

Tang Xun glanced at it for a moment, then finally spoke, turning her head and asking in confusion, "Why do you dislike this game?"

Tang Yao was bending over, rummaging through the bottom of the wardrobe. Her revealing tank top looked rather ominous as she bent over, but Tang Xun's voice came at just the right moment. Tang Yao paused for a moment upon hearing this, then straightened up and looked at her sister: "Because it was too tiring when we were making them... three games, you know. We were pushing all three games forward at the same time, it was exhausting."

"...Is it because of this?"

"There are some regrets about the plot as well."

"Pity?"

"Hmm, but it's not important."

Tang Yao thought for a moment, then gently shook her head, deciding not to tell Xun.

It's hard to say because it's been so long, so I've forgotten some things and improvised a bit... It's really difficult to say something like, "What do you think of this game?"

Tang Xun was silent for a while, organizing her thoughts, and then said, "It's very special. At first, it was inexplicable, but later I was drawn in by the plot. And when the protagonists finally went to the moon together in their memories, holding hands, and their hearts stopped... that feeling is hard to describe. It's not just simple sadness, it's like... regret mixed with fulfillment?"

Tang Yao sat down on the edge of the bed: "So you like this game?"

Tang Xun nodded gently, then looked at her sister, hesitating to speak.

"hey-hey."

Tang Yao, however, did not notice. Instead, she immediately straightened her back and said confidently, "Impressive, isn't it!"

"..."

Tang Xun looked at her older sister, who was standing tall with a "praise me!" expression on her face. The full curves under her cool tank top swayed slightly with her movements, full of vibrant life. She glanced back at the comments section on the screen, overflowing with emotion and praise. The words still lingered with the shock that the story had just told her—that tender cruelty about life, regret, perseverance, and ultimate fulfillment.

Then, she thought of her browser history, and the file deep inside her computer filled with all sorts of anime girl illustrations...

Two completely different images collided and overlapped violently in her mind.

A certain inexplicable guess seems to have been overturned once again.

Because her older sister had recently written a perfect yet flawed love story.

Tang Xun turned her head and looked at Tang Yao again.

"sister……"

"Ok?"

"The game is great."

"Thank you."

"But this is... a love story between a man and a woman, isn't it?"

"You can understand that."

"Then...why do you collect so many pictures of anime girls?"

"????"

Tang Yao's smile froze instantly. She blinked, seemingly not understanding what her sister was saying, or rather, her brain was desperately denying that she had heard anything.

"You read?"

She asked instinctively, her voice slightly unsteady, tinged with disbelief and a hint of hope—maybe her sister was referring to some other folder?

Tang Xun looked at her sister's instantly frozen expression, her clear eyes filled with a sense of obvious doubt: "Yes, it's in her private collection, and the variety is quite extensive."

boom--

Tang Yao felt a surge of heat rush to her head, and her cheeks instantly burned hot, ten times redder than when she had just come out of the shower.

She sat bolt upright in her deathbed, her beautiful eyes wide as she stared at her younger sister: "Besides that... what else did you see?"

Tang Xun watched her older sister's outburst, her cool and aloof face remaining calm as she simply stated, "I also glanced at the browser history... Also, you can ask me directly about clothing; there's no need to search randomly."

"!!!!!!"

Tang Yao completely lost her composure!
It’s over! It's all over!

Public executions in the electronic age!

The ultimate level of social death!
And it was in front of his beloved younger sister!
(End of this chapter)