Mini World Game Console-Chapter 772 - 773: The World is So Gentle

March 20th, morning. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

I dreamt again.

In the dream, I seemed to have turned into a frail, powerless girl, chased by wild beasts in a pitch-black wilderness. I kept running and running, endlessly, until I woke up.

Although the dream was exhausting, Ren Suo wasn't affected at all; he quickly lifted his spirits.

He used some hair wax to comb his hair into an adult-like style. He polished his nails, applied eyeliner, trimmed his beard, curled his eyelashes, and applied sunscreen. Ren Suo skillfully made himself look as appealing as possible.

Because he sometimes needed to dress as a woman, Ren Suo had also bought these makeup props. Although he didn't use those cosmetics, many props were also usable by men.

If only the Law Net could introduce a "one-click beautify" Spell in the future. Even though Cultivators' appearances would Evolve to be more and more attractive, the details would still need to be handled by the Cultivator themselves.

As the saying goes, "A woman adorns herself for one who delights in her," and men are no different. Previously, Ren Suo didn't even need facial cleanser. He would scrub his face with a rough, coarse towel while bathing; it's a wonder he didn't carve Moon craters into his face, given how thick-skinned he was.

But that was normal. The previous Ren Suo didn't need to make himself look sweet and appetizing, considering he was always holed up in the dormitory. Why would he dress up for his roommates? Such an act would have been too risky.

After becoming a Cultivator, the former Ren Suo became even more arrogant. Feeling increasingly handsome, he naturally felt less need to dress up, daring to visit the Dong Chengling family home for a meal in his slippers.

Such self-satisfaction was a major downside of relying on emotional thinking.

In fact, it also concealed Ren Suo's true essence: laziness.

He complacently relied on others liking him, so he couldn't be bothered to spend time improving his appearance. He relied on the help of the Bond System, so he couldn't be bothered to put effort into strengthening his Bonds.

Such foolish arrogance, such wishful sentimentality. To think I haven't been dumped yet—my girlfriends must all be Angels.

However, both the previous Ren Suo and the current Ren Suo agreed on one thing: when asking for favors, try to appear as desirable as possible.

Just like the Ren Suo who immediately went to apologize to Qiao Muyi upon waking up, and just like the current Ren Suo trying to deepen his emotional connections with his girlfriends.

At 8:50 a.m., Ren Suo arrived ten minutes early to meet at the Dong Chengling family home. When Dong Chengling opened the door, Ren Suo paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Which Fairy has descended to the mortal world?"

Today, Dong Chengling wore a white, waist-cinching dress. A decorative white floral ribbon was tied over her shoulders, irresistibly drawing one's gaze to her bare, fragrant shoulders and her delicately contoured figure.

She even wore high heels, making her almost as tall as Ren Suo. Although she never dyed her hair, today it was styled in soft, large waves, likely done last night when she took Qiao Muyi back to the city center.

Today's Dong Chengling looked like both a meticulously prepared gift and a beautiful, enchanting Fairy.

"Good morning." Dong Chengling still appeared calm and ethereal. Today, however, she seemed to have applied foundation and makeup; her face was radiant, and even her ordinary smile bloomed with a soft glow.

Ren Suo glanced at her ankles. "Don't force yourself if you're not used to them."

Someone who never wears high heels and suddenly puts them on is very likely to injure their ankles from lack of practice.

Dong Chengling tilted her head, then suddenly reached out to gently scrape Ren Suo's cheek. Smiling at him, she said, "I'm also a Fourth-Stage Cultivator. Are you underestimating me?"

With that, she hooked Ren Suo's arm, turned to close the door, and strode towards the elevators. "Let's go."

Ren Suo blinked but didn't speak. However, Dong Chengling seemed to sense his unspoken question and said directly, "It's just you and me this morning and at noon. After lunch, I'll tell you the next date location."

Dong Chengling didn't look at him but at the elevator doors. "If we're all together, some things can't be said. If it's too late, some things also can't be said in time. So… this is how it is."

Ren Suo instantly had an Insight into their arrangement. Although they said they were dating him together today, in reality, they had divided the day into four parts. This allowed Ren Suo to attend each date in turn; it was both a group date and a chance for one-on-one time, so no one felt short-changed.

The morning and noon were Dong Chengling's time. As for who he would be with in the afternoon, evening, and at night, Ren Suo didn't know. He had to get through Dong Chengling's 'storyline' before he could move on to the next 'level.'

"I'm sorry," Ren Suo said.

"If you feel sorry, then take off your mask," Dong Chengling said.

Without hesitation, Ren Suo took off his mask and slipped it into his pocket. He had noticed that his smile could no longer be 'seven parts silly and three parts ignorant' as before, so he wore a mask to reduce the chances of revealing himself. However, since Dong Chengling had requested it, and wearing a mask on a date indeed detracted from the experience, Ren Suo didn't insist.

Leaving the dormitory building, Dong Chengling led Ren Suo off campus. "Suo, did you bring your transit card?" she asked.

"Yes," Ren Suo nodded. "Aren't we going to Teleport to the city center?"

"No," Dong Chengling said, lifting her head and turning to smile at Ren Suo. "Occasionally, I also want to waste time with you."

Dong Chengling: a Fourth-Stage Cultivator, a special-grade teacher at Heavenly Lotus Academy, a disciplined Cultivation machine who meticulously organized every minute and second, living by the motto, "Wasting time is wasting life."

Information about Dong Chengling flooded Ren Suo's mind, causing a momentary Chaos and a blank void in his thoughts.

Like an awkward teenager, Ren Suo couldn't muster a thoughtful response in time. He could only silently follow Dong Chengling out of the campus to the subway station, where they boarded a train to the city center.

Since it was the first station on the line, Ren Suo and Dong Chengling initially found seats. Later, as more passengers boarded and the seats filled up, they had to squeeze in. After two more stops, some elderly people, apparently on their way to morning tea, got on. Dong Chengling and Ren Suo simultaneously stood up to offer their seats, then stood in a corner waiting for their stop.

Ren Suo noticed that Dong Chengling didn't take out her phone or any electronic devices. She just rode the train quietly, occasionally glancing at him.

That figured. Dong Chengling wasn't the type to play with her phone; she rarely used social media and usually contacted Ren Suo by calling him directly.

Seeing this, Ren Suo naturally couldn't take out his phone to browse the news either. In fact, he hadn't made any plans for this 'travel time,' as he initially assumed Dong Chengling would simply Teleport them directly.

Because Ren Suo believed Dong Chengling, like himself, was a rational human being who disliked wasting time.

However, Ren Suo hadn't expected that Dong Chengling wasn't rational about everything.

So, Ren Suo could only put his arm around Dong Chengling's slender waist. In the subway, they gazed at each other, Ren Suo observing her neat eyelashes, her eyeliner that was just a tiny bit less perfect than his own, her meticulously groomed eyebrows, and her beautiful, transparently clear eyes.

Whispers and camera clicks were constant all around them. Ren Suo and Dong Chengling were both Fourth-Stage Cultivators, and the charismatic aura that resulted from their life's Evolution was very eye-catching. Coupled with their screen-star looks, they naturally drew the attention of everyone in the carriage.

However, neither of them paid any attention to the others. Even Ren Suo gradually felt the noisy world around him quieting down.

This was their way of communicating. This was their unique Silence. No words needed. No facial expressions needed. No emoticons needed.

Just by quietly looking at each other, it felt as if they could convey their innermost thoughts to one another.

Originally, both Ren Suo and Dong Chengling were inarticulate and awkward individuals, reluctant to initiate conversations. Therefore, what might be an uncomfortable silence for others was, for them, the perfect atmosphere.

Even though the present Ren Suo was no longer the Ren Suo of the past, and Dong Chengling was now the 'Number One Teacher in the World,' beloved by her students at the academy, this silent understanding remained an important emotional Bond between them.

In the past, Ren Suo had often 'played' like this with Dong Chengling. And now, this was their first Silence of March.

When the subway reached their station, Dong Chengling pulled Ren Suo to transfer lines. Ren Suo didn't know their destination and could only let Dong Chengling lead him by the nose.

But as Dong Chengling led him out of the subway station, the first thing Ren Suo saw was the Lianjiang River, gleaming like heavy golden waves under the morning sun. The warm, fresh spring breeze carried a faint, tangy, watery scent that made one's teeth tingle slightly.

It was the Lianjiang Long Embankment.

Lianjiang City was, naturally, named after the Lianjiang River. This river runs through the entire city, nourishing the people on both banks. After significant pollution control and beautification efforts, it quickly became a city landmark. Every summer, there were activities like crossing the Lianjiang River, and in winter, there was winter swimming. The waterside play platforms would have children playing and, yes, even peeing in the water from early morning.

Although the air had a slight watery tang, after a while, you wouldn't notice it. Instead, you'd feel refreshed and serene.

"It's still early, and other places aren't open yet. Besides, I don't have anywhere particular I want to go," Dong Chengling said, still holding Ren Suo's hand. "Just walk with me on the embankment."

Both banks of the Lianjiang River were lined with stone railings and planted with large trees, the paths well-maintained, offering an excellent experience. Many tourists, citizens, and couples loved to stroll along the banks, enjoying the spring breeze, the river scenery, and the leisurely urban life.

Ren Suo had no objections. Hand in hand with Dong Chengling, they strolled along the long embankment like an ordinary, divinely matched couple.

However, Ren Suo remembered his mission; the 70,000 Truth Points were still his primary objective. So he asked, "Is there really nowhere you want to go? No matter how far, I can go with you."

Dong Chengling shook her head. "No."

Dong Chengling turned her head to look at the Lianjiang River, gently placing her left hand on a stone pillar of the railing and rubbing it. She smiled calmly. "I'm a very boring person, you know. I can't name a favorite movie or a favorite novel. I don't have a favorite star, nor a favorite game…"

"That sounds cool," Ren Suo said.

Dong Chengling shrugged and shook her head. "Not really. I often feel that life isn't all that interesting, and I occasionally question the meaning of it all. The supposed meanings I find in books or hear from others rarely convince me."

"Actually, I just live for the sake of living, purely to live better. But I don't know what I'm living for, or for whom."

"Later, I came to understand that the reason I'm alive is to spend the rest of my life finding those 'favorites.'"

Suddenly, Dong Chengling took Ren Suo's hand and started walking briskly. They had just lifted their feet when, in the next instant, they landed ten meters away!

The nearby pedestrians were startled!

"For example, Cultivation. Cultivation lets me see a more beautiful world."

With another Teleport, a nearby child screamed in fright, clutching his mother's leg and babbling excitedly and incoherently.

Yet Dong Chengling, unconcerned, stomped her high-heeled foot heavily on the ground, the sound of her footsteps crisp and clear, as she unabashedly displayed her Supernatural Ability. "For example, Spells. Spells make me unique."

However, Ren Suo's next step met only air. The sensation of weightlessness nearly made him lose his balance. Looking down, he found Dong Chengling had Teleported him to the middle of the Lianjiang River!

"For example, culinary skills. Culinary skills let me feel the happiness of preparing a meal with my own hands."

Just as he was about to fall into the middle of the Lianjiang River, Ren Suo's feet once again found solid ground. Shockingly, they were already back on the bank.

Ren Suo exhaled softly, his wildly thumping heart quickly calming. Even with his high Cultivation and strong cognitive and reflexive Abilities, his body still tensed involuntarily by instinct when faced with sudden events.

Ren Suo looked up to see Dong Chengling looking at him, her face lit with a radiant smile. It was an exceedingly rare smile, so youthful and brilliant, so dazzlingly vibrant, it was as if space and time themselves had frozen for her, leaving Ren Suo's mind completely blank.

"And for example, you, Suo."

Ren Suo quickly came back to his senses. He blinked and said earnestly, "Cheng Ling, you are also my most beloved."

"We are lovers destined by fate, a couple blessed to be free from illness and disaster."

"Our story will continue: marriage, children, growing old together, happiness and contentment, without sorrow, without tears."

"Our love: Undying Loyalty."

This was Ren Suo's method: making grand promises, painting a huge, beautiful picture of the future.

Just like a publicly traded company might fabricate an annual report with endlessly bright prospects to attract investment and make its stock price soar, Ren Suo's method was similar: he made countless promises about the future to keep his girlfriends invested in the relationship.

And these promises weren't deceitful. Once everything was settled, once Ren Suo mastered the Door of Truth and gained Control of the world, he would naturally fulfill them all, even tenfold.

This was an emotional crowdfunding campaign with rich rewards and no downsides for the investors.

Therefore, Ren Suo's tone was utterly sincere, his only wish to see a joyful smile on Dong Chengling's face.

However, Dong Chengling shook her head.

"I believe your words at this moment. But, as you yourself said, promises blurted out when in love are indeed sincere. They're as real as the fruit that naturally forms on tree branches when the season comes; it's just that they're bound to rot eventually."

Ren Suo wasn't flustered at all. "Then do you believe I'll let you taste its sweetness before the fruit rots?"

"I would have believed it before," Dong Chengling replied. "But you've changed."

Ren Suo's heart jolted, his thoughts whirling, yet his face showed just the right amount of surprise. "Changed? But people always change. And I should have changed for the better, right?"

Dong Chengling shook her head slightly and smiled. "Of course, I know people change, and I never expected you to remain the same forever. But sensing that you don't feel the same way about me as you used to, I can't help but feel secretly sad."

I've lost. It's over. Have I finally been found out? Is our relationship's value about to decline?

Ren Suo lowered his eyelids, avoiding Dong Chengling's gaze, his mind racing for a countermeasure. However, Dong Chengling continued, "My Heart Chamber is very small; it can only hold one person. Suo, you haven't disappointed me. Like me, you can only commit to one person in your life."

"It's just a pity that person isn't me."

Hm?

Ren Suo looked up at Dong Chengling in surprise, but she had turned her head towards the shimmering Lianjiang River. Propping her chin on her hand, she said, "Did you think I wouldn't notice? I am, after all... a Fourth-Stage Cultivator, and your lover."

Ren Suo's nine days of seclusion had not only given him ample time to strategize but had also given Dong Chengling and the others time for Calmness and reflection.

Dong Chengling had been reminiscing about the experiences of the past month. One day, while watching a couple in her class publicly displaying affection, a flash of Spiritual Light suddenly struck her—she finally realized what was wrong with Ren Suo this month:

He no longer showed excitement, no longer seemed to have desires, his emotions didn't fluctuate, and even in closeness, there was an insurmountable distance.

He still liked her, but that liking was stiff, stagnant, no longer growing—almost polite.

Dong Chengling had always believed that the human heart has its limits; when you have a true love, your love for others naturally diminishes.

Based on the views on love Ren Suo had expressed to Xiao Ren, and his recent avoidance of them, Dong Chengling easily reached a conclusion:

He had found his true love. And it wasn't her.

"But I'm still willing to believe your words," Dong Chengling said. She looked at Ren Suo, took his hand again, their fingers interlocking, a smile with a hint of helplessness on her face. "That's the problem with love; it makes you lose your head and abandon rationality.

"When our date ends today, and the next time we meet, I hope you can make a promise then that I can unconditionally believe.

"Because, Suo, you are very important to me.

"If Cultivation let me understand the world, Spells let me find my individuality, and culinary skills let me experience life, then you, Suo, are the one who showed me how gentle this world can truly be.

"On that rainy night when the Spiritual Energy Tide erupted, you were by my side, sharing the peril of Awakening with me, experiencing the malice of Destiny together.

"In perilous Didra, when I lost my Supernatural Ability, you were by my side, doing everything you could to protect me from Destiny's calamity, comforting me, helping me.

"Even when I failed and fell, you were always there supporting me, never backing down.

"The world is so gentle. We realize we don't need to struggle in Loneliness; we can support each other through hardship."

"So," Dong Chengling raised their interlocked hands, smiling softly, "don't leave me."

Ren Suo's mind went blank.