The End (Part 1)

For Lin Yu's question, Gu Chenan had no idea how to explain.

Was it because he had crossed into a novel world and then brought the female leads back to reality?

Such a thing would sound unbelievable to anyone, right?

He didn't know how to explain, so he threw the question to System Girl.

"System, answer this question."

System: "......"

After a moment of silence, the System spoke: "Why do you care so much? Do you have to answer whenever someone asks?"

Wow, such personality. No wonder she's my System.

Gu Chenan gave her a thumbs up.

However, he added, "Now that the female leads are here and my background is loaded, when will you meet me?"

System: "Well, that depends on when I feel like it."

Gu Chenan was speechless.

What, are you some reclusive noble lady or something? Meeting you depends on your mood?

Not wanting to argue with the System, Gu Chenan turned his attention to Lin Yu in front of him.

Speaking of which, although this Lin Yu was created using his own image as Lin Yu, the two were ultimately not the same person.

They gave off the same vibe, but their actions and speech were completely different.

That Lin Yu was always acting like a Dragon-Blooded Overlord, while this Lin Yu was polite, even a bit timid.

This made sense. Lin Yu was Lin Yu's fantasy version of himself, or the person he wished to become.

Maybe in reality, he was a weak person, but in his fantasy, he saw himself as a fearless, arrogant Dragon King.

In any case, Gu Chenan didn't dislike the Lin Yu in front of him.

"I don't know how to answer your question," Gu Chenan said.

Lin Yu swallowed hard, his curiosity driving him to ask further: "Then... how did you come to the real world?"

Gu Chenan glanced at Lin Yu and shook his head with a smile: "Don't ask. Just think of us as always being real."

With that, Gu Chenan gently patted Lin Yu's shoulder.

Lin Yu's eyes sparkled with disbelief, and he was momentarily stunned: "But... what about Lin Yu?"

"Don't you get it?"

Gu Chenan shook his head: "Lin Yu has always existed."

"Where?" Lin Yu looked around, confused.

"Stop looking," Gu Chenan pointed to Lin Yu's heart and said, "Right here."

Lin Yu was stunned, his eyes widening in shock and confusion.

Gu Chenan smiled: "You are Lin Yu, and Lin Yu is you. He's just the version of you that you want to become. Although I don't like that Lin Yu..."

"I don't dislike you."

Hearing this, Lin Yu trembled as if struck by something, stepping back a few paces.

"M-Mr. Gu, you..."

Seeing Lin Yu's shock, Gu Chenan smiled: "That Lin Yu is basically an idiot. You're better off staying the way you are, don't go around thinking you need to be a Dragon King or something."

"Why?" Lin Yu was puzzled.

Gu Chenan spread his hands: "Being modest and speaking gently—isn't that good?"

"This..."

Lin Yu thought for a moment, gritted his teeth, and shook his head: "No, it's not good at all. Being modest is seen as weakness, and speaking gently is seen as being easy to bully. I want everyone to look up to me, not treat me as if I'm nothing."

"So you created Lin Yu, letting him become someone who cannot be ignored in the world you created?" Gu Chenan asked.

"Yes!" Lin Yu clenched his teeth.

"Heh."

Gu Chenan chuckled: "Don't you think you're just escaping reality by doing this?"

"If you don't want to be ignored or looked down upon, you should first strengthen yourself, not daydream about becoming someone else."

"I..."

Lin Yu wanted to argue, but after thinking about it, he couldn't come up with a single rebuttal.

This wasn't because Gu Chenan was right, but because Lin Yu felt a slight spark of realization.

"I understand," Lin Yu finally nodded.

"Mhm."

Gu Chenan turned to look at the Cosplayers in front of him: "So, how was the comic convention today?"

Lin Yu didn't answer. After a moment of silence, he looked up: "Mr. Gu, can we meet again?"

"Of course."

Gu Chenan nodded.

"Thank you, sorry for the interruption."

Lin Yu bowed lightly and turned to walk into the crowd.

The crowd was like a tide; Lin Yu was quickly swallowed up, blending into the masses.

"Who was that?"

At that moment, Su Qianmo came to Gu Chenan's side, watching Lin Yu disappear into the crowd.

"Him?"

Gu Chenan smiled: "A friend."

Seeing Lin Yu's dejected steps, Su Qianmo was puzzled: "What did you talk about? Why does he look so disheartened?"

Gu Chenan thought for a moment and smiled: "Just a discussion about life, nothing much."

"Oh."

Su Qianmo nodded and looked towards a less crowded area: "Let's move to another spot, it's too crowded here."

"Sure."

Gu Chenan pointed to the beverage shop in the distant rest area: "Let's get some drinks?"

"I want a milkshake!"

Hearing this, Bai Yutian suddenly got excited and dashed out of the crowd.

The other female leads looked at each other, covering their mouths and giggling.

...

In the crowd.

Lin Yu gazed enviously at Gu Chenan and the female leads' playful interactions.

But he was different from Lin Yu.

If Lin Yu had seen this scene, he would have been seething with anger, but Lin Yu only felt envy, with no other thoughts.

He even understood that although Gu Chenan and the others were created by him, they had nothing to do with him.

They were completely from two different worlds, in both meanings.

But at that moment, Lin Yu suddenly froze.

When he asked Gu Chenan if they could meet again, Gu Chenan had said yes, but the problem was, he had no contact information for Gu Chenan!

No contact info, no way to meet!

"Mr. Gu!"

Realizing this, Lin Yu quickly pushed through the crowd and chased after them.

The sunlight streamed in through the exhibition hall's floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating Gu Chenan and the female leads, outlining their silhouettes with a gradient of light.

They looked like holy deities, laughing and walking away harmoniously.

Lin Yu hurried to catch up, but just as he was about to reach them, he suddenly stopped.

Looking at their distant figures and the peaceful scene, a look of relief and self-mockery appeared on his face.

Finally, he shook his head and smiled, turning resolutely to walk back the way he came.