Chapter Six Hundred and Seventy-Three, Nian Nian’s Remembrance
If she isn’t your real mother…
Would you still want her to become a reality?
Young Master Sang fell silent for a good while after hearing Nian Nian’s words.
Honestly…
He didn’t know.
It is indeed a complicated philosophical dilemma—whether the personality revived by the passage of time is truly the original person. There’s not much chance of reaching a conclusion on such ethical matters.
Everyone might have their own thoughts and viewpoints. These viewpoints might all be right or wrong.
Young Master Sang had no idea how to choose.
Even if the revived mother had already made it clear enough.
…There was no need to be sad for her, no need to dwell in the past due to regrets.
You have your current wife and child; you should look forward.
However…
Out of sheer selfishness.
Young Master Sang really wanted to see his mother.
Even knowing that world was virtual, knowing that it couldn’t possibly be the real mother.
But just that fantasy made it so hard for him to resist.
“I… don’t know.”
After a long silence, Young Master Sang slowly sighed, “This is the first time I’ve felt so lost about what to do.”
“If you’re really confused…”
Suddenly, Nian Nian said from beside him, “Why not just stop thinking about it for now?”
“After all, the virtual reality is within your eyes; you can give yourself plenty of time to seek this answer.”
“This time, don’t push yourself too hard.” Nian Nian gently held his hand.
“We still have plenty of infinite time, don’t we?”
Young Master Sang looked into Nian Nian’s eyes.
Nian Nian’s adorable little face turned shy under his gaze, and she lowered her head slightly, “W-What? Why are you staring?”
“Are you hungry?”
“No! I’m not hungry!” Seemingly understanding Young Master Sang’s implication, Nian Nian’s pretty face flushed, and she half-jokingly scolded, “You big pervert! Why is your mind filled with such lewd thoughts?!”
Young Master Sang sulkily pouted, “What can I do? The moment you comforted me just now, the wife aura was off the charts—so appealing!”
If he hadn’t wished to avoid forcing her, Young Master Sang honestly might have struggled not to pounce on Nian Nian right there.
“Besides,” he mumbled, “I still don’t get what kind of romantic vibe you actually want.”
“Are you looking for eternal vows? Moonlit nights by the flowers? Or growing old together?”
“I really have no clue.” He raised his hands with a shrug.
Nian Nian huffed, turning her slightly flushed face away, but stealing a glance at Young Master Sang.
“Actually… they’re all fine.”
“What I really care about…” she suddenly lowered her head slowly.
Young Master Sang tilted his head in confusion.
Nian Nian just tightly pressed her lips together before suddenly tiptoeing up.
With a faint floral scent, her pink lips softly kissed Young Master Sang’s.
She closed her eyes, trying hard to balance on her toes, looking utterly adorable.
But Young Master Sang scarcely had time to savor it.
In the next instant, his eyes widened slightly.
A surge of clarity exploded in his mind.
…It was the power of omniscience.
For the first time, Nian Nian fully returned the authority of omniscience to him.
Young Master Sang initially didn’t grasp what Nian Nian was trying to do.
Yet unexpectedly, the scene before his eyes felt so familiar it left him speechless.
…It was a heavy snowfall.
A skinny, ragged little boy, tightly wrapped in tattered rags, wandered the streets of a small town.
He stumbled, shivering from the cold, his lips turning purple.
Until he reached a narrow alley, where the wind and snow eased slightly, the little boy huddled against the wall, murmuring to himself.
…System.
I’m really so hungry.
Can you give me a piece of bread, please?
Young Master Sang silently watched that little boy.
He knew very well—that was him.
The him who had just arrived in this world.
Only about five or six years old, frail, and alone.
Other than a nearly mute system that wouldn’t respond, he had nothing.
During that time, Young Master Sang even harbored some resentment toward that system.
Why did other people’s systems grant their hosts golden fingers, helping them soar to the peak of life?
Yet his system only remained silent.
Just watched him nearly starve and freeze to death on the streets.
But now, Young Master Sang saw the real scene.
Beside that filthy little boy.
A girl in a pleated skirt and little shoes, her eyes beautifully red, sat next to him, hugging her knees.
She wanted to embrace the boy.
But her hands just passed through the boy.
“…I’m so sorry.” The girl murmured with a sad expression as she bit her lip.
That’s when Young Master Sang remembered.
Nian Nian had said that her powers had not awakened at the start.
Forget transforming.
She couldn’t even manage to give herself a proper meal.
She could do nothing but helplessly watch herself.
…
The scene flickered.
The weather warmed up, and the boy survived the harshest winter.
In early spring, the Water Moon Sect searched for qualified young boys in the surrounding towns.
A filthy little boy blended into the crowd, gazing longingly at the elegantly dressed immortals.
His big black eyes were full of envy.
Until suddenly, a disciple of the sect cast his gaze towards him.
“This boy… his talent is mediocre. We can take him back to make up numbers.”
“Fine, we’re short this time anyway; let’s add another.”
The little boy froze for a moment, his eyes full of disbelief.
When he was taken away, he was overjoyed and even murmured to himself, “Nian Nian’s remembrance will surely echo.”
“Have I finally held on until good luck arrives?”
But not far away, Young Master Sang silently watched all of this.
The little boy had no idea. Even when he arrived at the Water Moon Sect, his bad luck would continue.
Moreover, what he thought was good luck was actually not good luck.
Young Master Sang looked at Nian Nian beside the little boy, her face pale as a sheet.
She seemed drained, stumbling as she walked behind the little boy.
But her eyes were filled with comfort.
“…I’m so sorry.”
“I’m a bit late.” She cautiously tried to reach out to touch the little boy’s back.
But her hand…
Passed right through him again, like hugging the slipping wind between her fingers.
She couldn’t hide the disappointment in her beautiful eyes and lowered her head a bit.
But moments later, she gathered her courage and slapped her face.
Like she was encouraging herself, she said, “…Keep it up.”
“He’s been working so hard to survive. You have to do your best, and can’t let him down.”
She gazed at the boy’s back, warmth and sweetness shining in her eyes.
“Nian Nian’s remembrance will surely echo…”
“I really like this phrase.”
“If I have the chance to see you…”
“You can…”
“…Call me Nian Nian?”
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