I've already said this isn't a life simulator!

With the help of Aponia, or rather the "sanatorium," and the occasional assistance of that unknown thief, you successfully weathered this difficult time.

Afterwards, the gangs resumed their aid to you, continuing to provide you with supplies. You no longer needed the "sanatorium's" help, and the thief who left no trace began stealing supplies from your warehouse again.

Even the number of times the gangsters came to "negotiate" decreased, and the church you repaired broke previous records, remaining intact for a very long time.

Perhaps because the church has been renovated, some refugees have come here seeking help, and after receiving assistance, they have voluntarily chosen to stay and help you.

Father Yan Zheng also did his best to help them. Although he would occasionally show signs of worry, his smile was genuine when he was helping the refugees.

Everything seems different now. There are no more chaotic sounds of battle, and the repaired church won't be a mess the next day... Everything is different.

However, your regular communication with Aponia has continued, only this time it's you going to the "sanatorium"—after all, you want to repay them for their previous help.

You thanked the nun at the "sanatorium" and had a conversation with her—she seemed to have some ulterior motive, and the conversation revolved around your relationship with Aponia, with hints of some unspoken feelings she once had for Father Yan Zheng.

It was only then that you realized that even Father Yan Zheng had a remarkable love story.

[You asked the nun why they weren't together? You should know that your doctrines don't restrict marriage between priests and nuns. If they wanted to, they could certainly be together.]

The old woman simply smiled, shook her head, and didn't answer. She looked at you tenderly with loving eyes and gently patted your head.

Knowing that the old woman didn't want to talk about it, you didn't press the matter further. Instead, you changed the subject, but the old woman's strong hints left you somewhat bewildered. In the end, you could only flee in a slightly embarrassed manner to find Aponia, who was taking care of the children.

As evening fell, you bid farewell to everyone at the "sanatorium" and returned to the church. Father Yan Zheng and the others who remained there had prepared dinner, and they greeted you warmly upon your return.

Reflecting on everything that happened at the "sanatorium" today, looking at the simple yet well-equipped and welcoming church before you, and seeing the smiles on the faces of the people there, you couldn't help but smile too.

You gently hold the cross pendant on your chest, feeling the warmth from your palm. You know that "He" is watching you.

Although none of this was instructed by "He," and "He" did not comment on your actions, looking at everything before you, you believe that "He" must have supported you in doing all of this. You also believe that "He" guided you here to bring change to this chaotic place, and to provide a safe haven for the ordinary people living in such a state of uncertainty.

[Your decision to renovate the church back then must have been "correct"—you believed that so.]

[And "He" did not comment on this, as always.]

Chapter Six: [He] will impose punishment, which I... will carry out on his behalf (9449)

Your lives are getting better and better, and the future seems full of hope.

And you continue to dedicate yourself to helping others, but every week you set aside one day to visit the "sanatorium" to meet with Aponia, talk to her, and help care for the children.

In short, you had a relatively pleasant time.

But... accidents always happen unexpectedly, or perhaps... they aren't accidents at all?

[Some major disaster seems to have occurred outside, and more refugees are fleeing to "Twilight Street" in the chaos. Among them are all sorts of strange people, but most are ordinary people who have come to survive.]

Most of them couldn't adapt to the chaotic "Twilight Street," where things that outsiders would consider "criminal" could happen anytime, anywhere—murder, robbery, theft... it was all too common, and you could even see people being brazenly kidnapped on the street.

This place is utterly chaotic for ordinary people like them, so they turn to you, or rather, to the church and the "sanatorium," hoping you can provide them with a place to stay.

And that's exactly what you did; after all, that was your initial goal.

[You have taken in many refugees, especially you and Father Yan Zheng. After all, the church was previously regarded as a "negotiation table" and had been left empty. Apart from you and Father Yan Zheng, there were not many other people. Compared to the "sanatorium" that already had many children and wounded people, you can naturally take in more people.]

In fact, many people don't think highly of your place, especially the church. In this "Twilight Street" where gangs and criminals dominate, anyone with a little thought can see that the only way to survive here is to join one of those gangs and become a member. Otherwise, ordinary people who are alone will likely be devoured by the unscrupulous people here.

[However, it's truly strange that in a place like this, there exists a "place of refuge for ordinary people" like yours. Even a place like a "sanatorium" can be explained by the excuse that "the gangsters refrain from harming you out of old friendships," but your church should be an outsider, so why...]

However, they had no other ideas. They only wanted to find a place to live, a place where they could live peacefully. As for you, they just thought that the gangsters had a change of heart and gave up a piece of land for the church to exist.

After all, your buildings are intact, there seem to be no signs of conflict, and your supplies are plentiful enough for you to survive.

[And you and Father Yanzheng didn't have time to worry about that, after all, more and more people were coming to seek help, to the point that the church was full of people, and they even had to set up awnings in the outer courtyard to let more people rest.]

Although you are getting busier, you feel fulfilled. Your smile, though slightly tired, is genuine. You believe that "renovating the church" was the right decision.

[During your nightly prayers, you clutch the cross pendant in your hand, recounting your experiences of the past few days to "Him," with a certain expectation in your heart, as if you want to receive praise from "Him."]

However, "He" had no objection to this.

Ultimately, however, the story wasn't so "beautiful" after all.

--------

"Thank you so much for your help, Granny."

Xi Wang bowed slightly to the old nun in front of her, clutching the cross pendant on her chest, and murmured something.

May He always protect you.

"It's nothing, it's just some extra food we have. It will spoil if it stays here for too long, so you can take it to help more people."

The old woman smiled and waved her hand, indicating that Xiwang didn't need to worry too much.

"And...child, we've all seen your efforts. You've given the people here a safe haven...even if it's just a small, temporary one, it's enough...for those panicked people, for those who have lost everything and come here, it's undoubtedly a ray of light in the darkness."

"Indeed... your name is really good... Xiwang... [hope]... Haha, it's a really good name."

At this point, the old woman couldn't help but laugh again, reaching out to touch Xi Wang's head, but she couldn't because of the height difference... So Xi Wang also lowered her body slightly so that the old woman could reach her head.

"Good boy, good boy..."

The old woman smiled even more broadly, then took his hand and spoke in a concerned tone.

"In the future, please remember to communicate with that child more often. Please believe me, you two are a perfect match."

"Mommy..."

Xi Wang's tone became somewhat helpless... Not to mention that he and Aponia only got along slightly, and because they were both being watched by "He", they had a lot in common and their communication went smoothly. But in the eyes of outsiders, especially in the eyes of the nun and Father Yan Zheng, their relationship was developing in "that direction".

Although Xi Wang could sense that the old woman and Father Yan Zheng were only projecting their feelings onto Aponia and herself, since their relationship reminded them of their past selves, this attitude, which was almost like "parents pressuring them to get married," was... well, somewhat frustrating.

“I know you don’t want to listen to our rambling, but… I still have to say it.”

The old woman held his hand and said softly.

“You are surely destined companions, fellow travelers on the path, for you are all His children whom He watches over and loves.”

"Your paths lead to the same destination, intertwined and intersecting... No, perhaps your path is longer and more difficult than hers, after all, you are so lovable and favored by [He]."

“I know, I’ve heard it from him, from the priest, about your past. Perhaps in your own eyes, you are stained with the blood of sin, or perhaps you are a born villain, but… I know you are a good child, always have been.”

"That is why you are watched by [He], favored by [He]... And because of this, you will experience even longer suffering, but... please don't worry, she will be by your side, her gaze will be on you, and will never leave."

"Keep going strong and determined, push through the thorns, and move towards the already shining light. Along the way, you will gain love and trust, memories and companions, and she will follow you to the end."

The old woman spoke softly, her words carrying a meaning that was difficult to express.

"...Granny, do you know something?"

Although the main meaning of her words was to tell him that "Aponia will be his partner and companion in the future," the mention of "He" in the old woman's words made Xiwang realize something.

"Haha...no, this old woman...I just see our past selves in you all..."

The old woman shook her head for a moment, then smiled, let go of his hand, gently patted Xi Wang's chest, and said softly.

"Go back quickly, don't keep those people waiting. Hunger is always unbearable, only food can bring peace of mind."

"...I understand, thank you, Granny."

Xi Wang nodded and walked away slowly. As she passed the front yard, she happened to run into Aponia, who was playing with the children.

"Are you leaving, Father?"

Gently nudging the children surrounding her, Aponia walked up to Xiwang, looked at the basket of food he was holding, and said softly.

"Yes, and... thank you for your gifts and help."

"If you need help in the future, please come again. It is our responsibility to provide people with a safe and secure place. Mutual assistance is the only way to ensure long-term stability."

Aponia slightly raised her eyelids to look at Xi Wang's face, noticing that his gaze was fixed on her. A hint of confusion, which she didn't know how to express, appeared in her eyes. She then shifted her gaze slightly to the old woman standing at the door, smiling as she watched everything. She seemed to understand and showed a similarly troubled expression.

“Ah… I’m sorry, the old lady brought up those things again, didn’t she? I’m so sorry to have troubled you, Father, but… no matter how much I explain to her, she just doesn’t believe me…”

"It's alright, she's just concerned about us, and besides... Father Yan Zheng feels the same way..."

Xi Wang shook her head and softly comforted her.

"...Sigh." x2

Finally, the two sighed together... It was a very helpless feeling. Clearly, neither of them had this intention, but the parents' generation had taken it upon themselves to pour their emotions and regrets onto the two of them, constantly trying to bring them together... Moreover, they hadn't done anything too outrageous in the process, only occasionally bringing it up, which didn't make people feel annoyed, but only helpless.

"However, what she said was not wrong."

After a moment of silence, Xi Wang shook her head again and said.

"……Eh?"

“We are sure to be companions on the road, under the watchful gaze and care of… [His].

Xi Wang placed her hand on her chest and gripped her cross pendant slightly.

"Indeed...that's true."

Aponia paused for a moment, then understood what was happening, raised her hand, and gently placed it on her chest.

The two exchanged a smile, bowed slightly to each other as a sign of courtesy, and then parted ways.

…………

………………

clatter--

Walking slowly back to the church, Xi Wang was in the same good mood as usual... Although the church had recently taken in too many people, leading to a shortage of food and supplies, and the gang had also reduced the supplies they were receiving, the church, which had gathered many refugees, had been having an increasingly difficult time in recent days. However, with the help of Aponia and Granny's "sanatorium" and everyone's efforts, they were still managing to live a good life.

Although life was tough, at least they had a place to sleep at night and food to eat when they were hungry... The smiles on everyone's faces were genuine.

"...Hmm? Is it going to rain?"

Xi Wang looked up at the sky and saw that rain clouds were gathering. At the same time, he also keenly sensed the dampness, which meant that rain would probably come when night fell. He seemed to have a special sensitivity to water, and he could almost always accurately sense the arrival of rain, which led many people to jokingly call him a "human weather forecaster".

However, since it's going to rain tonight, I need to hurry back... I remember there are still a few places where the awnings haven't been put up yet, I need to go back and help... Hmm?!

Xi Wang suddenly paused, then quickly quickened his pace... He saw the overturned awning in the churchyard, food scattered all over the ground, bright red blood mixed with pale white porridge flowing on the ground, and several... people lying on the ground, motionless.

He quickly walked into the front yard, put down the food, and went to the side of the collapsed person. But the moment he touched their skin, a cold sensation mixed with the warmth of the thin porridge came from his hands.

They... are dead.

Bang!

The sound of objects being smashed came from inside the church, followed by the sound of glass shattering.

He saw it: fragments of wooden furniture mixed with shards of glass flew out of the church window, landed on the ground, and shattered even more.