Am I really hallucinating?

Chapter 635 Going to see...

The Zero One Office was brightly lit all night long.

What started as the three kids' usual late-night antics turned into a massive, late-night party. With Zheng almost declaring himself the "Party King," he led the group, who, apart from Lin Yilin, had little experience with entertainment, to experience what true enjoyment was all about.

As dawn broke, even though none of the people present needed a full day's sleep, once the excitement of the entertainment wore off, they couldn't help but want to lie down and rest to calm their restless hearts.

Even Mo Mang and Lu Chongming were kept for the night, but neither of them had any objections.

Lu Chongming's return this time was unexpected, so we won't trouble his father at home any further.

Although the next day wasn't a weekend, Mo Mang wasn't bothered by taking time off. As a working man, he wasn't afraid of the "if you don't do it, someone else will" argument.

Mo Mang is the type of person who thinks, "You don't need me, there are plenty of other places that want me."

Even if we take a step back, he can still work at Zero One Agency, right? The working conditions there are much better than any other job on the market.

In the morning, Mo Mang, who hadn't slept, got up and glanced at the group of people in the firm who were either sleeping on the floor or on the sofa, lying around in all sorts of crooked positions.

Doris, Rabbi, and Lin Yilin were not there; they went inside to rest in the temporary bedroom of the office.

After tidying himself up a bit, Mo Mang was about to leave.

"Aren't you going to rest for a bit? You're the only ordinary person among us who doesn't have any supernatural powers," Lu Chongming asked, getting up from his makeshift bed.

"It's just one all-nighter. I got used to it when I first graduated from university and entered the workforce," Mo Mang said with a smile. "I'm going to buy some breakfast; maybe someone will want some."

Lu Chongming: "I'll go with you."

Mo Mang nodded.

The two left the office quietly, without disturbing anyone.

In April, the weather in most parts of the city has recently started to warm up, but it is still inevitable that there is a chill in the air in the early morning.

"We got a little too carried away last night," Lu Chongming said with a symbolic yawn.

Mo Mang chimed in, "Yeah, the radish in the pillow fight is really amazing... although it feels a bit strange to have a robot participate in the pillow fight."

"There are some people here who are even more outrageous than robots, so it's actually not that bad. But when it came to the strategy board games, you, as an ordinary person, completely dominated everyone. That was amazing," Lu Chongming exclaimed.

"It's just some basic strategic thinking. Everyone's just playing around and not taking it seriously, so I have to do my best to ensure everyone has a good gaming experience," Mo Mang said modestly, as is his habit.

"The resource gap is huge, and they show absolutely no mercy to opposing players. If I hadn't seen it, I would have really believed it," Lu Chongming complained.

If it weren't for Toast, who was initially a bit withdrawn and trying to appear profound, being drawn in by everyone's voices and standing up to Mo Mang, everyone would probably have had to switch to another game for the sake of balance.

"Back when I was struggling at the bottom of Xixi Keke, I never dreamed I could live like this now." After laughing, Lu Chongming faced the sun and sighed.

“I heard about you from Zheng Fan,” Mo Mang said.

"Huh? My story must be really embarrassing! He's definitely going to make fun of me." For Lu Chongming, who was thin-skinned, it was obviously a bit embarrassing to tell his own story to others.

“I think it’s an outstanding experience, and Zheng’s opinion of you is also very high. He didn’t belittle you; he has…high expectations for you.” Mo Mang thought for a moment and then decided to say it.

Lu Chongming's expression calmed down, and he wasn't particularly surprised: "When that person first saw me, he was so disgusted with me that he wanted to kill me... I can't blame anyone else for that. As for expectations, I don't have that much ambition to climb that high myself. However, I can probably sense it a little..."

Lu Chongming fumbled around for a moment and took out the Zheng Fan-made lighter he had been given when he helped out at the Black Sparrow Studio. Although he didn't use it much anymore, he still carried it with him as a memento and a talisman. "I'm surprised that he's willing to directly help me solve my mother's problem."

“I’m not surprised he can solve your mother’s problem.” Although he didn’t understand the details, Mo Mang still had great faith in Zheng Fan’s abilities.

Having always played the role of someone who is "dependent on others" from childhood to adulthood and into society, Mo Mang rarely felt a sense of trustworthiness from others.

It's a quality that, regardless of its nature—from ability to personality—possesses immense persuasiveness, even if it's unpredictable, eccentric, and emotionally unstable. Zheng Fan's actions on Metro Line Zero left a deep impression on Mo Mang.

“I’m not surprised, what surprises me is that he’s willing to help me solve this problem directly,” Lu Chongming said.

After a moment's thought, Mo Mang understood: "That's your biggest motivation."

“Mr. Illusion doesn’t want to replace others’ motivation with his own,” Lu Chongming explained in detail. “As long as we ask him for help, he certainly won’t refuse given our current relationship. At most, he might make some demands and cause us some trouble. But he won’t offer a helping hand. He’d even be happy to see us in trouble and then watch how we break free and overcome it.”

Mo Mang nodded: "That's true."

"A god high above, that's Mr. Illusion's true mindset. Judging from his abilities and origins, he deserves that title. Such a god is too gentle for believers. But before that, I still preferred to think of him as a kind older brother. Although he disliked me, he gradually led me to where I am today."

Lu Chongming hadn't explicitly expressed it before, but in reality, he said, "If Mr. Illusion were gone, it would be much less fun."

Mo Mang added, "I wouldn't dare call him 'Big Brother' so affectionately. However, he's one of the best bosses I've ever had; at least he's someone you'd never find annoying to follow. Such a good leader is someone his subordinates will remember fondly."

They both fell silent as they spoke.

Zheng Fan's departure will not bring about any significant changes to their lives.

Mo Mang adheres to his principles and responsibilities, refraining from rashly venturing into the supernatural realm. He maintains the status quo with his abilities, occasionally working part-time at Zero One Agency, which is his most satisfying daily routine.

As for Lu Chongming, even if he stops his upward progress now and continues to work steadily in the Bureau, with his current position under Zhang Xue and the support of others behind him, he will probably become the chief of a certain district sooner or later, or even take over the chief position of the five major gray district groups.

Zheng Fan had already handed over the goods to them, either directly or indirectly.

His departure won't change much.

“I don’t have such lofty ambitions myself, but…” At this moment, Mo Mang thought of something and spoke again, in a suggestive tone, “If it were you, Lu Chongming, after Mom is cured, perhaps you could take this as a new motivation and goal. It’s not so urgent, and it won’t make you feel pain anymore, but it’s enough for you to pursue for the rest of your life.”

Lu Chongming laughed out loud: "That's what I think too."

It seems he had already thought about this matter.

Miss Lin Yilin and her group will not let Zheng Fan leave easily, but if Zheng Fan runs away, they will definitely try their best to find him.

As for Lu Chongming, he wouldn't get so entangled; it would feel strange for him to get involved.

He only remembered some of the quotes of Captain Jin Qunhou of the Golden Iron Pot, as well as fragments of memory that often appeared in his dreams as the fusion of factors in his body progressed.

"Let's go see Mr. Illusion's true form then, if we have the chance," Lu Chongming said casually.

"Are you two going to buy or not? If not, don't block the aisle." The breakfast shop owner tapped the steamer next to them impatiently.

The two, who had just been so agitated, quickly apologized and obediently went to buy breakfast.

(End of this chapter)