Ti flies by quickly; December has rushed past, and suddenly, it’s the end of the year.
In both the world Su Mo traversed from and this one, the New Year’s period is always when everyone is the most relaxed.
Family mbers working afar return from all corners of the world, relatives and old friends gather, drink wine, and reminisce about the fun tis of the past year while looking forward to the new year together.
At the end of the year, very few people engage in business, so New Moon City is quite peaceful during this ti. Starting mid-month, interdiaries stopped sending commissions one after another, so Su Mo gave the Edge rcenaries an early holiday.
Except for those rcenaries without families who planned to stay at Edge Mansion to celebrate the New Year together, others returned to their hos for so rest.
In recent days, Su Mo, who had been busy working, finally had ti to indulge in his biggest hobby—playing gas with Dongdong and KK all day. Even Future, who is usually the most focused, set aside work to slack off.
After finishing a ga, Su Mo went to the window to stretch, overlooking the bustling lights of the city outside. "Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve, I should start thinking about how to prepare the New Year’s Eve dinner."
Dongdong poked his head out and asked, "What is New Year’s Eve dinner?"
Thinking about Dongdong’s background, she might really have never had a New Year’s Eve dinner growing up. Su Mo explained, "New Year’s Eve dinner is a reunion dinner at the end of the year, where the whole family gathers to eat a sumptuous dinner together."
"Let’s go on a big shopping spree at the supermarket later to buy things we need for the New Year’s Eve dinner. Tomorrow, everyone has to cook a dish~"
Dongdong scratched the back of his head and chuckled awkwardly, "Ah, but what if I don’t know how to cook..."
KK said confidently, "No problem, I’ll teach you step by step. Cooking is really easy!"
"Yay!" Dongdong clapped his hands, beaming with a silly grin, "If it doesn’t taste good, don’t bla , okay?"
The group chatted and laughed as they headed to the largest supermarket in the Lakefront Business District.
With the year-end approaching, the supermarket was very lively, teeming with groups of people, including couples snuggled together and families of three holding hands.
KK and Dongdong, the most vibrant of the kids, had to check out every snack shelf they passed, pointing and laughing at the items on display.
Future, as usual, lazed around, sprawled in the shopping cart like a hamster, occasionally drawing chuckles from passersby.
Chu Nanyi played the role of a big loser, responsible for pushing the cart that held Future.
But he was quite the social butterfly, not caring at all about the stares from people around. When he saw a beautiful woman, he didn’t forget to wink, imdiately going over to ask for her contact if she smiled.
Su Mo and Qi Ling walked together at the back, watching their lively companions, their eyes full of nostalgia.
Qi Ling, having changed from her usual sweet girl style, wore an intellectual gray trench coat and tall black boots with her hair parted in the middle, revealing her forehead, looking several years more mature with a distinct sophisticated air.
Su Mo looked at Qi Ling beside him and smiled, "This outfit suits you well."
Qi Ling blinked, "So do you prefer like this or the way I used to dress?"
Su Mo: "Both are great. I liked the cute style you wore whenever we dated, and I also like this intellectual, mature style now."
Qi Ling circled in front of Su Mo, hooked her finger, signaling him to co closer.
Su Mo bent down, leaning in.
Qi Ling hugged Su Mo’s neck from the front, brought her red lips to his ear, and whispered softly, "Does it an you just like , no matter how I am?"
The warm breath and soft words at his ear caused Su Mo’s face to flush instantly, not knowing where to place his hands, "In front of all these people..."
"What does it matter, let them watch~" Qi Ling held onto Su Mo’s arm in reverse, leading him forward.
Strolling along, they passed the health products section.
A short distance away, a young man, weary from travel, was on the phone.
He looked at the dazzling array of goods on the shelf, smiling broadly, "Dad, Mom, hey~ I’m back in New Moon City, just shopping at the supermarket."
"Yeah, I had to work until the very last day of the year, which is so annoying. I ignored the bosses and ca back two days early after taking ti off."
"Yes, yes, I’m buying so New Year’s goods, see you soon. I really miss Mom’s pickled fish!"
Gazing at the beaming young man, Su Mo couldn’t help but feel a pang of lancholy inside.
Since traversing worlds, he never really had the chance to ponder one issue—why did he cross over?
And...
How is the world before crossing?
How much ti has passed there?
Did his original existence disappear, or in so form remain over there?
Are dad and mom okay?
Will there be a chance to return in the future?
If there is, how will he choose?
Should he stay here or go back there?
If the mont of choice actually arrives so day, which side is true to him, and which side is false?
Qi Ling sensed Su Mo’s sudden silence, keenly aware sothing was amiss: "What’s wrong? Sothing on your mind?"
Su Mo quietly said: "Qi Ling, let quiz you."
Qi Ling: "Go ahead."
Su Mo: "Recently you’ve been gaming occasionally with KK and them, so let ask—suppose one day you wake up to find yourself transported into the world of a ga."
"That world is particularly intriguing, way more fun than reality, filled with various exciting and interesting things every day, and you’ve t many important people."
"But then one day you discover, that ga world is fake, rely a dream you’re having, and your friends and family are waiting for you to wake up in reality."
"So, if the choice remains in your hands. Would you stay in a fake place, or return to the real world?"
Qi Ling bowed her head slightly, pondering. After a long ti, she said, "Your question is pretty hard to answer. Because from the subjective perspective of soone who has experienced it, there is no distinction between real and fake."
"In that so-called ga world, I’ve invested genuine emotions and had a part of life that belonged to . Even if, objectively speaking, it is fake, it still feels real to ."
"So, I’m not choosing between one fake world and one real world; I’m facing two real worlds."
Listening to this, Su Mo couldn’t help but smile, "Makes sense, you’re very right. So back to the original question, if you had to choose, where would you stay?"
Qi Ling: "It depends on the situation; I’d definitely stay wherever I like more. If nobody important to exists in reality, why would I return?"
Su Mo asked intently, "But what if, both sides have people important to you?"
This question sent Qi Ling into a prolonged reflection.
Su Mo didn’t rush her, strolling alongside, letting her imagine.
After an indefinite duration, Su Mo felt his arm being held.
Qi Ling laid her head on his arm, murmuring softly with closed eyes, "Wherever you are, that’s where I’ll choose..."
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