Rebirth 08: Equipment God

Chapter 162 Pocket Watch, Letter Paper, and Scorching Sun

When they reached the foot of the mountain, they finally found some shade, and all three of them felt much more comfortable.

Yu Xiaoli took two pears out of her bag and gave one to each of Zhai Da and Lu Wei: "Have some water. We're leaving tomorrow, and it would be troublesome if you got heatstroke."

Yu Xiaoli took a long leave of absence to accompany her two children to Harbin for school, planning to stay there and settle them down before returning.

Zhai Da was also happy to take this opportunity to take his mother out for a trip, as Yu Xiaoli hadn't been able to travel for a long time due to financial pressure.

He privately advised her to simply retire, rent a place there, and settle down, so the three of them could live together as a family.

But Yu Xiaoli still refused.

In her words, "I'm only in my forties, not even fifty yet. What would I do if I retired and went to your place? Cook all day? Be a maid? And in a strange city no less?"

Zhai Dayi thought it made sense. Yu Xiaoli wasn't just a figurehead called "Mom." It had nothing to do with money. She had her own job, her own friends, and her familiar hometown.

Of course, Yu Xiaoli had other things on her mind. If Zhai Da successfully developed an "artificial human," she might consider quitting her job and changing her lifestyle.

But it's just a thought. It's too early for anyone, including her.

Zhai Da currently has substantial savings, including over 90 yuan in royalties from "The Long Road of Lü" as of now, over 170 million yuan in income from Utopia, and various other top prize money.

Zhai Da took an integer number, only taking "Yi Shuang" with him, intending to give the rest to Yu Xiaoli.

208 million is more than enough, and there will be a continuous income.

From now on, Yu Xiaoli will just work for fun and won't find it tiring.

The three sat in the shade to rest, preparing to set off for the return trip soon, but unexpectedly they saw an unexpected figure.

Xu Xuejun walked over from not far away, also carrying a bag. When he saw Zhai Da's family, he silently came forward to greet them.

Zhai Da asked in confusion, "You came all the way here to find me?"

Xu Xuejun didn't answer, but looked at Yu Xiaoli with eyes full of emotion and kindness: "Mao Mao, it's been a long time."

Yu Xiaoli was stunned, and it took her a moment to realize that Mao Mao was her nickname, but she had only used it when she was very young.

"Uh, who are you?" She knew that Zhai Da was learning a craft from Yu Lihua's colleague, but she still didn't know what relationship this person had with her family.

“I used to work under Master Yu.”

"oh oh."

That's as good as saying nothing.

We couldn't talk much more because we weren't really familiar with each other.

Xu Xuejun walked up to Zhai Da, took out the old pocket watch from his pocket, placed it in Zhai Da's hand, and sighed:

"I tried to fix it last night, but I still couldn't. Something feels off."

"I told you I'd give it to you today, take it, maybe you can fix it in the future."

Zhai Da took the pocket watch, but before he could tell him that it might not belong to his grandfather, Xu Xuejun patted Zhai Da on the shoulder and walked upstairs.

After walking about ten meters, Zhai Da suddenly shouted, "Oh, right, I also have something for you."

Xu Xuejun looked back.

Zhai Da looked at Yu Xiaoli, who then pulled an old, faded, and somewhat tattered envelope from her bag.

“When you asked if we had any news that day, we searched through the house again while packing and found this.”

Xu Xuejun reached out to take it, but seemed hesitant, so Zhai Da simply slapped it into Xu Xuejun's hand.

"Your name was on it, but it was a private email, so I didn't open it."

Xu Xuejun nodded and continued walking upwards.

Zhai Da stared at the other person's back for a while, then looked down at the pocket watch on his hand.

This is a rather old and badly worn pocket watch. The cover is silver-white, the body is brass-colored, and the back has a complex but almost worn-down cold-pressed pattern.

Opening the case reveals a pearl white dial with the words "SEA-GULL" in the center, along with no other markings.

The three pointers inside all point downwards in the same direction due to gravity, indicating that they have completely malfunctioned.

"Congratulations, host. A special blue item has been discovered: the Uncertainty Pocket Watch. Its original owner is unknown, but it is now imbued with the heavy longing of a lost soul."

Ownership: Owned, activated.

"Equipment effect: This pocket watch is damaged and can no longer display the time correctly. Its hands are inexplicably magnetized, sometimes weak and sometimes chaotic. However, in a very small probability, when all three hands point in the same direction, there will be something related to the host. Whether it is a blessing or a curse, it is a matter of choice."

"Special effect 'Lost': Point it at someone and swing it left and right. If the other person's attention is focused on the pocket watch for more than five seconds, they will enter a 'Lost' state for five seconds, their thoughts will be temporarily suspended, and they will recover after five seconds."

"Note: By the way, you wouldn't be stupid enough to stare at it yourself, would you?"

"Unsealing Quest: Follow the pointer to explore once."

“New set component detected in the host. The set ‘Mystic Code’ has reached (5/6). Information has been updated.”

"New component enhances the Uncertainty Pocket Watch: Now you can always sense the watch's abnormal pointer immediately, and it will continue until you discover 'it' as long as the event has not been completely missed or overwritten by a new event."

"New Set Effect → 'Mysticism': Even if your magic tricks are recorded and analyzed frame by frame, your peers and those with a keen eye will not be able to crack the secrets of your magic. Every performance of yours will become an unsolved mystery in the magic world."

"Note: Honestly, you really hit the jackpot with this niche set."

Zhai Da gripped the pocket watch and shook it from side to side; the hands indeed swung weakly, like a weary eighty-year-old ox.
This is the first "blue equipment" that Zhai Da has obtained so far, and to be honest, its effect is not as amazing as he had imagined.

Its value seems to require time to be verified and accumulated. Perhaps it's like a compass, guiding me time and time again, or like a seductive fragrance that lures insects, trapping me time and time again.
Opening blind boxes? He likes opening blind boxes. It seems I need to develop my own little gadgets as soon as possible; you never know when they might come in handy.

Of course, it's a pleasant surprise that the Uncertainty Pocket Watch can become a component of the "Mystic Code". He is getting closer and closer to his first complete set. Once he has the complete set and put it in the "Equipment Slot", it will have many wonderful uses.

Yu Xiaoli's call brought Zhai Da back to his senses: "Xiao Da, that person must have gone to your grandfather's grave, right? Do you want to go take a look?"

Zhai Da thought for a moment and said, "Forget it, there's no need."

"What if it's an enemy?"

"That idea is pretty absurd."

'What kind of word is this? It doesn't sound good either.'

"Let's go home, pack our things one last time, we're leaving tomorrow! We need to get some rest."

------

Xu Xuejun walked step by step to the top of the cemetery, which was not easy for someone his age.

The sun was blazing, and I was already drenched in sweat before I even arrived.

Arriving at Yu Lihua's tomb, looking at the untouched offerings and the still-warm brazier, he remained silent for a moment before placing the offerings he had brought with him.

As a result, the offerings became increasingly abundant, seemingly enough for a family of several people to have a hearty meal.

Finally, Xu Xuejun placed an orange in the center, lit incense, squatted down in front of the tombstone, and burned paper money while chanting prayers.

"Master Yu, I'm here again. Please don't find me annoying."

"Ever since that day, I keep dreaming about you. Sometimes you're still in that little room, sometimes you're in the factory. I can't sleep at night."

“Your grandson will be leaving tomorrow, and I’ll be back to my normal life. By the way, you said in the dream that my talent is above yours. I don’t know if that’s true or not, but I’m sure that Xiao Da’s talent is above mine now.”

“I’m not sure what path he’ll take in the future. I’m just an old man being phased out by the times, and I don’t know what the outside world is like. But he told me that he might come back someday and continue to run ‘Utopia’.”

"Given that kid's personality, I suspect he's more than just someone who wants to run a 'tutoring institution'."

It seemed that he had already said too much from his heart, and after muttering a few words, Xu Xuejun fell silent for a moment.

Those repetitive remarks must have annoyed Master Yu.

So he took out the letter.
What could be inside? Did Master Yu really write him a letter?

Just like in my dream?
Xu Xuejun opened it shakily.

The familiar handwriting above is so clear under the blazing sun, and has not faded with time.

I was already moved to tears just by reading the first line.
"Xuejun, it's like seeing you in person. How have you been lately?"

"I've actually stopped blaming you. But you never come to see me."

"But you have been orphaned since childhood and are unruly, like a wild monkey on the mountain."

"Even in military academy, life still has many beautiful aspects."

Xu Xuejun bit his lip hard, not wanting to disturb the tranquility of the cemetery, but his whole body was trembling like a leaf.

It's exactly the same as in my dream!
Master Yu truly forgave himself before he passed away.

He once regarded Yu Lihua as his father.

But self-blame turned those warm memories into sharp knives, making Xu Xuejun afraid to recall them or face them.

Now, thanks to a bizarre "dream," those sharp edges have finally melted under the scorching sun more than a decade later.

Xu Xuejun could no longer hold back and knelt down in front of the grave with a thud. His aged back was wailing like that of a young man.

With snot and tears streaming down his face, his forehead pressed against the ground, he shouted with all his might:

"Teacher Yu, I have not given up on myself."

"You disliked my drinking, so I quit drinking after that incident and haven't touched a drop of alcohol for decades!"

“You said I was unruly and probably wouldn’t be able to start a family. But I did marry and have a daughter. I saw my wife off and my daughter married off. I took good care of them! I took good care of my family.”

"You said learning has no end, and I have been learning all along, even if I can only do simple tasks, I have never slacked off!"

"I've really been trying my best to live a good life, but I'm too ashamed to face you again!"

"Xuejun misses you, Master!"

When youth turns to old age.

Xu Xuejun finally reconciled with his younger self.
And finally, I dared to utter those two words.
　Happy Chinese New Year everyone!
　　I wonder if you've made any preparations?
　　The story then enters its next phase, much like the Spring Festival in real life.

　　Here's a heads-up about the update schedule for the Spring Festival. My current plan is to only take a day off on New Year's Eve, which is "tomorrow," to spend more time with my family. I'll update as usual at other times.

　　Keep it up! I'll only rest for one day, just one day, and then I'll continue writing during the Spring Festival!

　　However, I might update with a phased equipment summary tomorrow, along with a "leave of absence" notice. Those who are interested can follow along.

　　New Year, new beginnings; Spring Festival blessings for every family. Wishing everyone:
　　Fun and hopeful, free from disaster and hardship.

　　Rich and leisurely, both wealthy and slim!

　　Horizontal scroll: They're all male/female gods!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)