Don't pretend, everyone knows you're the villain!

Meeting Shen Yi was the beginning of a change.

Sleeping in the same bed, no more nightmares.

Being able to sleep peacefully is an unexpected bonus.

After experiencing different scenarios from the dream with Shen Yi time and time again, Lu Tiannan knew that things were about to change, but he couldn't help wanting to get closer and didn't want to leave.

The person, who was used to being strong, kept showing weakness in front of Shen Yi, and had long been deeply infatuated without realizing it.

When Xi Mingzhu said he was there to save him, his heart was no longer able to resist being moved.

Previously, Lu Tiannan disliked Gu Junbai and Zhai Mingxu not only because Xi Mingzhu trusted them, but also because they were responsible for his death one time.

Lu Tiannan admitted that he had brought this upon himself, but the real culprit behind his death was Zhai Mingxu.

After dreaming about those things, the line between reality and illusion has long become blurred.

Lu Tiannan always adhered to the principle that he wouldn't engage in pointless fighting unless the player intended to kill him. Even with Zhai Mingxu right in front of him, he always restrained himself. The incident with Countess Campbell, where he forced Gu Junbai to reset the game, was both a result of coercion and a way to settle personal scores.

What truly separated dreams from reality was Xi Mingzhu; it was his brother Mingzhu who personally pulled him out of the nightmare.

Xi Mingzhu came to save him...

Chi Ziyang stared at Lu Tiannan thoughtfully and asked, "Was it a nightmare?"

In his mind, dreams are illusions.

"If I hadn't met my brother, that dream would have gradually come true as I followed the established path. Many things didn't happen after I met my brother, but I always believed that I would die on the seventh floor." Lu Tiannan spoke lightly, but in reality, he had no desire to walk towards the predetermined future.

Everything is different now; he doesn't necessarily have to go to the seventh floor. Without his interference, Zhai Mingxu and Gu Junbai might not have failed.

But when he obtained the item card in the Werewolf game—which forcibly activated the seventh level.

It seems as if we are still in the abyss.

Is what is being redeemed real, or just a beautiful dream conceived by the self who died on the seventh floor?

While indulging in it, she was also filled with endless panic, fearing that she would eventually cruelly abandon Xi Mingzhu alone.

What should my brother do then?

Having acquired Lu Tiannan's memories, Chi Ziyang connected them with Lu Tiannan's concerns, the seventh floor, and the prop card that Lu Tiannan was holding tremblingly.

Was it because of a fear of death that she reacted so strongly to that prop card?

Chi Ziyang blinked slowly and said calmly and seriously, "It's all real. You're not dreaming right now. Are you worried about that prop card? If you're worried, you can keep it as a souvenir for me."

Lu Tiannan sat down, looked at Chi Ziyang, and chuckled.

"Kid, are you trying to comfort me?"

Chi Ziyang shook his head, his childish voice trying to express his thoughts.

"I envy you. I couldn't keep my brother, but you could. Don't back down, you're amazing and lucky... There's already a star in your darkness that belongs only to you, never dimming or dying."

Chi Ziyang stood up and lightly stomped his foot.

Speak as lightly and casually as possible.

“I originally wanted to keep my brother a little longer, but you were worried about him and that’s why you didn’t want to leave. I know my brother belongs to you. After saying goodbye to my brother later, I will see him off.”

"Lu Tiannan, you must love your brother well, along with my affection for him. I admire you, but I've never been jealous of you. I helped you both, but I had my own selfish reasons. I hope that the light reflected from that star can occasionally shine on me, just a little bit..."

The glimmer of light stolen in the darkness cannot be held onto, but one must always cherish a sliver of hope while living.

Even if it's just wishful thinking.

"I know that in your perception, I am just a dispensable game experience. But I just feel that even if I existed, it's not necessarily true. The warmth I felt was a real temperature that existed."

A large hand gently rubbed Chi Ziyang's little head.

Lu Tiannan smiled and affirmed earnestly.

“You existed, Chi Ziyang. My brother and I will remember you.”

When Xi Mingzhu returned, the two were unusually harmonious.

Chi Ziyang sat on the windowsill with his little feet crossed.

Lu Tiannan sat half-sitting at his desk.

Chi Ziyang's gaze at Xi Mingzhu was filled with undisguised longing and reluctance.

Actually, deep down I don't want the other person to leave, because if they leave, I'll be all alone here.

An isolated island, a lifelong prison.

The sunlight could no longer warm him.

"Brother, we're about to send you away from here. Can you hug me?"

Chi Ziyang's eyes suddenly welled up with tears, and Xi Mingzhu twitched his fingertips slightly, looking at Lu Tiannan as if seeking his opinion.

Lu Tiannan raised an eyebrow, then smiled gently.

"Brother, can't I be generous just this once? Always fighting with that brat makes me look like I'm not growing up."

The moment Xi Mingzhu walked to the window and hugged Chi Ziyang, a tear slid from Chi Ziyang's eye and landed on Xi Mingzhu's shoulder.

It's so warm, it's light...

The child in her arms stretched out of the window like a long, translucent film.

Until Chi Ziyang completely swallowed the entire island, Xi Mingzhu disappeared in front of the window.

Lu Tiannan walked to the window and looked up at the sky. Without careful observation, one could hardly see that there was a thin film covering the sky.

In a short period of time, Chi Ziyang will not be able to assimilate the island.

Before Xi Mingzhu returned, Chi Ziyang told Lu Tiannan about the method for Xi Mingzhu to leave this instance: destroy the island.

Completely destroying the island by manpower is not easy, but it is not difficult for Chi Ziyang; he can completely integrate the island.

They were exiled from the start, destined to live in eternal solitude.

The darkness of the prison cell can never compare to the sunlight outside. One should not be greedy. Xi Mingzhu will never belong to him.

"Brother Tiannan, keep the prop card safe. I think you'll thank that prop card someday."

Lu Tiannan was stunned for a moment when he heard "Brother Tiannan".

"Kid, you're suddenly calling me so sweetly, you must have something else on your mind, right?"

Chi Ziyang awkwardly expressed his impolite request.

"I want to hug my brother before he leaves. I want to cherish that warmth for the rest of my life, and I want to leave behind a faint light."

Lu Tiannan chuckled. Xi Mingzhu was someone who didn't want others to touch, especially since Xi Mingzhu was a germaphobe.

If it were Chi Ziyang, even just once wouldn't be unacceptable.

After all, the other party was willing to devour the isolated island for Xi Mingzhu's sake.

"You know me quite well. But you'll have to ask my brother about this; my agreement is useless."

Hearing Lu Tiannan's agreement, it was clear that he had given his consent.

Chi Ziyang was confident that Xi Mingzhu would give him a hug.

"I know, thank you, Brother Tiannan."

Lu Tiannan hesitated, feeling that Chi Ziyang was imitating him.

"You really are——"

Chi Ziyang seemed to understand the meaning behind the words and stuck out his tongue at Lu Tiannan.

"I learned it all from Brother Tiannan."

Lu Tiannan leaned against the window and took out a piece of paper containing information about the medicine in Zone C.

Before opening it, Lu Tiannan thought for a moment and then went to the table to pick up a pen, took out a piece of paper and drew a simple sketch.

Xi Mingzhu, with long hair, stood by the window, holding Chi Ziyang, who looked like a child.

He sat lazily at the table, watching the light shining on them.

In the bottom right corner, a line of small print reads: "Chi Ziyang, thank you. Respectfully submitted by Xi Mingzhu and Lu Tiannan."

The painting was left on the desk. Lu Tiannan didn't know if Chi Ziyang would see it, but he felt that the kid deserved some recognition.

The light that shone on them from outside the window at that moment.