Lu Mingfei: Don't call me a loser, call me a hero.

Inside the villa, with the help of the housekeeper, Aunt Tong, Chu Zihang put away all the gifts he had received that day, but he still held the copy of "The Road" that Lu Mingfei had given him.

Looking at the father and son walking towards the setting sun on the book cover, his deeply buried memories were stirred up again.

Four years ago, Typhoon Dandelion (0407) made landfall, bringing torrential rain and gale-force winds that forced the entire city to take a three-day holiday.

For this city that is hit by typhoons every summer, this is just another ordinary typhoon day. Everyone can simply close their doors and windows and enjoy this holiday that has fallen from the sky.

But for Chu Zihang, that night of torrential rain was a nightmare he would never forget.

On that stormy night when the typhoon made landfall, the world presented its most unbelievable and real side to him in a bloody and brutal way.

He witnessed and participated in a supernatural event and gained incredible supernatural powers from it.

However, as a certain legendary dog ​​egg once said, gaining power comes at a price.

So, what is the price?

When the rain stopped and the wind died down, there were no casualties on the coast, only one person was missing.

That person was his father.

Biological father.

In that unknown supernatural event, the man whom everyone looked down upon sacrificed his life to give Chu Zihang a chance to escape, but also trapped him forever on that rainy night.

Every night after that, the moment he closed his eyes, everything that had happened that night would automatically replay in his mind:

A young boy, his head wrapped in a coat, dashed into the rain like a stray dog; a god riding an eight-legged celestial horse led an army of monsters to block the road; a man who had been a coward for half his life tore off his disguise, wielding a long sword and transforming into a madman...

And then there's the boy who abandoned his father and fled for his life, only to realize he had completely lost that man and try to win him back, but to no avail.

"The father has finished his journey, and the son has taken up the torch and will continue on the road. The road will never end."

Chu Zihang murmured, his gaze falling on the Divine Sword hanging on the wall, his eyes growing increasingly resolute:

"I will find Him."

After placing the book under the Divine Sword, Chu Zihang pulled out a large tote bag and filled it with some things.

As I walked out of the courtyard, I saw Lu Mingfei standing there in a daze.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked.

"Huh? No, nothing!" Lu Mingfei was brought back to his senses by the voice. "I was just wondering whether I should thank Aunt Xiaoyan."

Of course, he couldn't directly say that he suspected there was something wrong with his mind, since a well-intentioned piece of advice from someone else would be judged as a mental attack. He could only say that he had received so much care from his senior brother and aunt that day, and asked if he should express his gratitude in person, and so on.

Chu Zihang thought of his mother, who was already drinking happily with her girlfriends in the bar, and shook his head, saying, "She's had too much to drink. I'll let her know."

"Oh, okay, thank you, senior brother." Lu Mingfei thanked him, then looked at the large bag handed to him: "What's this?"

"Your clothes, and a return gift." Chu Zihang stuffed the bag into his arms.

"A return gift?" Lu Mingfei was taken aback. He looked down and opened the bag, finding that besides his clean school uniform, there was also a brand new...

Genuine PS2 game console, model 90000!

The plastic seal on the packaging box was still on, and there was a big bag of game discs next to it!

"Senior Brother, are you kidding me?"

Lu Mingfei was so shocked he could barely speak, and his legs went weak; he almost wanted to become the godfather of the child.

"Today is your birthday, why are you giving me a gift instead?"

He hasn't properly celebrated his birthday in a long time and doesn't know the current customs. Does having a birthday party these days mean you have to give gifts to the guests, just like having a wedding?

Even a return gift shouldn't be this expensive!

He only spent a few dozen yuan on a book, but this genuine PS2 game console must cost at least two thousand yuan. He might not be able to save that much money even if he saved up his allowance for six years!

"This was brought back from Japan by my dad's business partner. I don't play games, so it would be a waste for me to keep it. I'm giving it to you."

Chu Zihang knew Lu Mingfei's financial situation. Yesterday, he heard that Lu Mingfei was planning to buy a used PS2, so he wanted to sell this genuine game console to him at a low price. He could name his price or even give it away for free.

But fearing it would hurt his pride in front of everyone, she didn't say anything and simply invited him to the birthday party instead.

Regardless of whether he has prepared a gift or not, Chu Zihang will entrust the PS2 to him.

Lu Mingfei dared not accept such a generous gift and was about to refuse when Chu Zihang continued:

"Don't refuse. You helped me strengthen my resolve to follow in my father's footsteps."

Although he had long ago made up his mind to follow in his father's footsteps, the book that Lu Mingfei gave him made that decision feel more like destiny.

Lu Mingfei wanted to say, isn't it normal for a son to follow in his father's footsteps? Why send such a lavish gift? Senior brother, this really puts me in a difficult position!

But seeing the unwavering determination in his calm eyes, he swallowed his words.

Just then, the game's mission options appeared as expected:

Those who know me say I am worried; those who do not know me ask what I seek.

[Regarding Chu Zihang's return gift, please choose—]

[1. Accept it readily (Chu Zihang's favorability +10)]

[2. After declining three times, he finally accepted.]

[3. Firmly refuse and walk away without looking back (Xia Mi's favorability -10)]

No, senior sister, why are you still spying?!

Lu Mingfei instinctively wanted to look around for Xia Mi, who was hiding somewhere and secretly watching him, but Chu Zihang was still waiting for his reply, and it would be impolite to do so.

After a two-second silence, he still chose to accept: "Senior brother, if you ever need anything, just say so. Whether it's going through fire or water, I'll go through it all without hesitation!"

The water in Peach Blossom Pool is a thousand feet deep, but it cannot compare to the affection my senior brother gave me.

This kindness is too heavy a burden for him to repay!

[Chu Zihang's favorability +10, current favorability 65 (heart-to-heart)]

[Congratulations on obtaining one chance to draw a bond reward. Would you like to proceed?]

The game notification sounded again. Lu Mingfei looked at the favorability score of 65 and the system evaluation of "heart-to-heart talk" and was so excited that he couldn't speak.

As the ancients said: "If you treat me as a national hero, I will repay you as a national hero."

He, Lu Mingfei, is not cut out to be a national hero, but he is more than capable of being a loyal follower of his senior brother.

Even if Chu Zihang were to say that he was actually burdened with a blood feud and was about to go find his father's killer to pay for it, he would not hesitate to grab a knife and charge.

As I always say, death is not scary; death is like a cool summer night, allowing one to sleep peacefully without worries!

His senior brother treated him with genuine sincerity and regarded him as a confidant. Lu Mingfei felt that if he continued to act like a maggot and give up easily, he would really be letting down his senior brother's profound feelings.

He wants to become a jade dragon, to repay the emperor's kindness on the golden platform!

But Chu Zihang clearly didn't need Lu Mingfei to go through fire and water for him. He just saw that this young boy, who always appeared in his father's memories, needed help, so he offered his assistance.

"By the way, senior brother, this garment is..." Lu Mingfei put down the bag and hurriedly tried to take off the garment to return it to its rightful owner, but was stopped by the latter:

"Wear these, I have other clothes."

Senior brother! You won't even flaunt your wealth in front of me, or say that you have a lot of clothes!

Lu Mingfei finally understood why, during the selection of the list of most despicable men, some people said that Chu Zihang was sent by the Creator to make other boys question their existence. How could there be such a perfect man?

If he were Lu Mingfei, I would definitely marry him!

"Senior brother, I won't say anything more. From now on, my life is yours!" He patted his chest and promised, his eyes filled with sincerity.

"...That won't be necessary." Chu Zihang was silent for two seconds, then shook his head.

"Your life is your own; you should live for yourself."

Then, changing the subject: "How are you going to get home later? Do you need a driver to take you?"

"No need, no need, I came by bus, I'll just take the bus back later." Lu Mingfei shook his head repeatedly.

He has already received enough favors today and cannot bear any more; otherwise, he really doesn't know how to repay them.

Besides, Senior Sister Xia Mi might be lurking somewhere spying on us, so we should probably keep the driver to take her home.

This time, Chu Zihang didn't insist. He waved and watched him walk out of the villa gate with his handbag.

Then he turned around and looked around, quickly locking onto his target, and walked towards the artificial lake.

A slender figure stood on a viewing rock by the lake, her hands behind her back, facing away from the crowd.

The evening breeze ruffled her hair, and the moonlight bathed her in a soft, luminous glow, making her look like a fairy from a painting.

Chu Zihang walked over, but before he got close, he heard the girl with her back to everyone speak:

"How does it feel to be surrounded by pretty girls?"

"I'm very tired," Chu Zihang answered truthfully, feeling even more tired than when he played in the National High School Basketball League Finals.

"You don't know how lucky you are!" Xia Mi snorted, turning around to look down at him.

"What book did Lu Mingfei send that warranted such a lavish gift in return?"

"A novel that I really like."

"That's very generous." Xia Mi looked him up and down. "What are your plans for summer vacation?"

"Go abroad."

"How long will it take?"

"I don't know."

"I heard you're planning to apply to schools abroad?"

"Um."

Xia Mi stood with one hand on her hip, chin slightly raised, looking at him with an imposing air:

"If I meet some pretty foreign girls abroad, I hope I won't forget about you?"

Chu Zihang met her gaze, and the torrential rain in his eyes seemed to fall on an artificial lake, creating ripples in circles.

He shook his head: "No."

The two stared at each other in silence for a moment, then the girl suddenly smiled: "I haven't given you your birthday present yet, are you looking forward to it?"

Chu Zihang nodded.

"Close your eyes," the girl standing in the moonlight commanded.

Chu Zihang's heart raced slightly, and the relentless storm in his eyes seemed to pause temporarily because of those words.

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but at this moment it seemed that saying anything would be superfluous, so he obediently closed his eyes.

Xia Mi gazed at the boy who had been with her for many years. When he closed his eyes, he looked much gentler than usual.

Not so cold, not so hard, like a child who has finally decided to take off his armor and put it aside.

Her gaze swept over his handsome eyebrows, long eyelashes, pert nose, and thin lips, and a tiny bit of reluctance flashed in her eyes, but only a tiny bit.

The girl under the moon reached out and cupped the boy's head in her hands, her fingertips burying in his hair, her palms pressed against his temples, and slowly leaned down, gently pressing her pink lips against his forehead.

The kiss was fleeting, as light as a cherry blossom falling on water. Before it could even create ripples, the girl's next words struck like a heavy hammer:

"Sorry, you should just forget about me."

Chu Zihang suddenly opened his eyes, only to be met with a pair of incomparably dazzling golden eyes.

Above those golden eyes, there was an inverted symbol he had never seen before, like two ouroboros chasing each other.

The golden eyes, like a black hole, firmly drew Chu Zihang's gaze, tearing at his consciousness and plunging him into chaos.

My brain was spinning, and everything in my field of vision was spun around, as if I were looking at the world through a kaleidoscope.

Chu Zihang's handsome brows furrowed tightly, and the torrential rain in his eyes grew even more violent. He sensed that he was about to lose something he absolutely could not lose again.

He tried to struggle, but his body couldn't move at all. The hands that were holding his head were gentle and soft, yet they were like anchors, making it impossible for him to even turn his head.

Chu Zihang gritted his teeth in resistance, veins bulging on his forehead, but his eyes gradually turned golden.

Beautiful and precious scenes in her memory were ruthlessly erased, and the girl's clear figure became increasingly blurry until only a flat outline with an indistinct face remained.

"No...don't..."

Chu Zihang forced out a hoarse growl from his throat, his expression becoming increasingly ferocious.

But gradually, his struggles became weaker and weaker.

His clenched teeth loosened, his furrowed brows relaxed, and his tense muscles relaxed as well.

The狰狞 ​​(zhengning, meaning ferocious or hideous) face returned to calm, and the golden eyes gradually faded. The girl reflected in the pupils disappeared, leaving only the bright white moon hanging high in the night sky.

After a long while, a night breeze blew in, waking him from his daze.

Chu Zihang stared blankly at the artificial lake ruffled by the wind, the moonlight scattering across the water in countless fragments, wondering why he was standing there in a daze.

After thinking for a moment, he remembered that it was because seeing the book that Lu Mingfei had given him had stirred up memories, so he came to the lake to relax.

Why did standing by the lake for so long not only fail to ease my mood, but instead make me feel even more lost?

It felt like a piece of my heart had been ripped out, leaving me feeling empty and buzzing.

I raised my hand and touched my forehead. When my fingertips touched my skin, there was a faint warmth, as if something soft had briefly lingered there.

What is it?

Chu Zihang couldn't figure it out, so he stopped thinking about it and turned back to the villa.

He was already so emotionally moved by just reading the book's recommendation, so he was even more eager to see what surprises the content would bring him.

On a ginkgo tree by the lake, a slender figure sat on the treetop, gently swinging her toes and humming an Irish folk song.

Just like that night when the typhoon passed through, the young boy escaped from the land of the dead and ran back to find the man who had risked his life to clear the way for him. She, too, sat on the roof of the Maybach, watching him drive away.

Their eyes sparkled with gold as they hummed the same song, "Daily Growing."

The trees are growing taller, and the leaves are turning green.

Many times, I've seen my true love~

How many times have I seen him alone?

He's still young, but he's growing every day!

He lost his biological father in the torrential rain that followed the middle school entrance exam.

At his birthday party before the college entrance exam, he lost a girl.

Another evening breeze blew by, and the girl's figure turned into smoke and vanished, leaving only the melodious folk song echoing in the air:

"One day I gazed into the distance, my gaze passing over the high walls of the ancient castle~"

I saw a group of teenagers having a great time.

My beloved is like a flower, shining brightly in the crowd.