I Want You to Say One Thing

"Um... is there anything I can do for you?"

Only Shu Xiaonan and Yu Xing were on the restaurant's terrace. The sky was tinged with a reddish hue, which added a touch of eeriness to the scene.

The young man in front of me was backlit, while behind him was a brightly lit, shimmering scene. The laughter of tourists drifted through the glass doors, making the terrace seem even quieter, hidden in the illusion of liveliness.

Yu Xing smiled, walked a few steps to Shu Xiaonan's side, leaned on the balcony railing, and could just see Qu Xuanqing leading Guo Tingting to the small supermarket next door.

He watched the two enter the supermarket and disappear from sight before asking, "Have you ever hoped that there was another side to this world?"

Shu Xiaonan said cautiously, "I think so."

She had a vague feeling that she was getting closer to some incredible truth, and that everything she heard today might change her life.

But actually she...

The girl scratched her head and continued before Yu Xing could speak, "I thought about it the most when I was in junior high. You know, puberty is a time for being a little immature, and besides, I really... really am a little different from others."

"Back then, I thought, if only the world were full of dangers, I'd definitely be the protagonist, the kind who's all about showing off and slapping people in the face."

"Oh?" Yu Xing understood her meaning and looked interested. "Don't you want to anymore?"

"I met Tingting in high school. We were deskmates from the first year for three years, and we were almost never apart." Shu Xiaonan smiled too. "We made a promise to go to the same university, and we both kept our promise."

"She loves looking at handsome guys, and so do I; she likes playing Yugi, and so do I; she wants me to share everything that happens to her, and so do I. She helps me spot jerks, considers my outfits, and never forgets to use beauty filters on me when taking photos."

These little things are so ordinary, Shu Xiaonan was a little embarrassed to talk about them. She laughed and said, "We have a lot in common, except for one thing—she's very timid."

"So I thought, it's better if the world isn't fraught with danger. It's best if things are consistent inside and out, and all dangers exist only in our perception. Otherwise, Tingting would be so scared."

A gentle night breeze blew, chilling to the bone.

But the restaurant had the air conditioning on, and warm air squeezed out from the gaps in the glass doors, giving the terrace a little warmth.

Yu Xing nodded gently. "This kind of friendship is rare and enviable."

"So, therefore," Shu Xiaonan felt she had laid the groundwork enough, and she mustered her courage, "If you're going to tell me some truth hidden behind the world... can I... not listen?"

"Anyway, that's how I've lived all these years. I have no parents, and my grandmother who raised me has passed away. I only have Tingting as a friend, and I cherish her very much."

Seeing that Yu Xing remained silent, Shu Xiaonan said awkwardly, "Well, of course, you saved me, so it's only natural that you want me to do something for you. If you insist that I get involved in these things, I won't refuse!"

"Ha, don't be nervous." Yu Xing reached out and patted her shoulder. "I was going to ask you, now there's an opportunity for you to see another side of the world, it's extremely dangerous, but it can give you things you can't get in reality, do you want to join?"

"But now it seems you anticipated this topic and made your choice, so I don't need to ask anymore."

Looking at the little girl with bangs, Yu Xing sighed a little.

Orphaned, possessing extraordinary luck, sharp thinking, stable mentality, and good looks, this is truly a perfect protagonist template.

However, Guo Tingting is not a supporting character, nor a vicious best friend, nor a character with secrets that can be explored in the plot. Her existence is unnecessary for the "protagonist," she is dispensable, and even hinders the protagonist's uniqueness.

But Shu Xiaonan did it willingly.

Reality is not a novel. Guo Tingting doesn't need to be functional; she is a living, breathing person with feelings that have accumulated over time through their interactions.

This is the life that a true "human" person experiences.

There are no set rules, no all-powerful world consciousness; everyone should live according to their own ideas.

Shu Xiaonan was far too clear-headed. She had long understood her choice, so she ignored her obvious abnormalities and forced herself to blend into the group.

Some people are drawn to power, while others yearn for a quiet, secluded place.

Everyone has their own choices; there's no need to force anyone.

Shu Xiaonan breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank you."

Yu Xing added, "But since you don't want to know the other side of the world, then you can only repay me now. After all, whether I'll ever meet you again is unknown."

He waited for several days on the snow-capped mountain for this very reason.

Shu Xiaonan perked up. "Tell me! I won't do anything illegal like murder, arson, or prostitution! Name anything else you want!"

Yu Xing looked at her earnestly and said clearly and firmly, "I want you to say one sentence."

This girl possesses a conserved fortune, but the power of her words is extremely strong.

He hadn't originally planned to do this, but since he'd encountered it, he couldn't let it slip by; he needed a word from him.

Shu Xiaonan's heart skipped a beat. She knew that if she said anything particularly outrageous or got involved in any complicated matters, her words would somehow backfire on her.

The greater the resistance, the stronger the backlash when it is achieved.

But Yu Xing was her savior! He was handsome and gentle, how could Shu Xiaonan refuse?

She straightened her body, her expression serious as if she were going to war. "Which sentence? I'll say it!"

Yu Xing pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "In this city where I died, all the gods were false."

Shu Xiaonan:?

She was taken aback at first, then realized that this was probably what was in the "other side"!

But what does it mean that he "died"?

However, having already agreed, and having just said she didn't want to hear those secrets, Shu Xiaonan glanced at Yu Xing with some worry, suddenly sensing a dangerous, destructive aura emanating from her savior.

It should actually be described as a "sense of brokenness," but the young man showed no signs of fragility or vulnerability whatsoever; rather, he seemed to have the ability to make others feel fragile and vulnerable. Therefore, she used the word "sense of destruction."

Now, Shu Xiaonan has no choice but to do what she can for Yu Xing.

"In, in my..."

"Shh," Yu Xing interrupted, "Change the pronoun."

"... In the city where you died, all the gods were false." After saying this, Shu Xiaonan suddenly felt completely listless.

The feeling came suddenly, as if her energy and spirit had been instantly drained away; this had never happened before.

His limbs were empty, as if they were gone.

Her whole body looked like a withered flower or a broken willow, as if it would break apart with the slightest breeze.

It seemed as if several indescribable gazes were projecting from afar, and the sky tore open into a giant eye, its pupils darting about, searching for those who would change their destiny.

Shu Xiaonan trembled, like an ant hiding in the ruins.

"Thanks."

Suddenly, a voice shattered this nightmarish illusion, and a warm hand covered her head, blocking all the still-scanning gazes.

The feeling of being searched for and watched has dissipated, leaving only a cool sensation on the top of my head.

Yu Xing left a curse mark on Shu Xiaonan's crown, completely severing Shu Xiaonan's connection with the words just spoken, and redirecting all malice towards himself through the curse mark.

He's the one who challenged the rules; we should be targeting him.

"Oh my god." Shu Xiaonan's legs were weak and her eyes were blurry. "I think I just saw my grandma."

She might just be on her way to the gates of hell.

"Ha, it's alright now, and you won't suffer any backlash," Yu Xing comforted her, because the backlash would directly affect him.

On the other side, Qu Xuanqing and Guo Tingting came out of the supermarket carrying bags.

Qu Xuanqing looked up and met Yu Xing's gaze across the wind. When their eyes met, Qu Xuanqing knew that Yu Xing had already taken care of things.

She led Guo Tingting back.

Yu Xing also turned to Shu Xiaonan and said, "Alright, you've already repaid my life-saving grace. Don't think about it anymore. Enjoy life with your best friend."

"We've already visited the snow mountain, let's go home early."