Mini World Game Console-Chapter 798 - 799: Are You Happy?

Ren Suo followed his father downstairs. The midday sun was searing, but there were plenty of shaded areas in the old residential complex. They sat down on a bench under the trees.

"It seems like it's been a long time since we've had a chat like this." Ren's father took off his glasses and wiped them with a cloth—they were non-prescription glasses. Ren Suo had already abused his position for personal gain; when Zhao Zili descended, he had conveniently had him 'purify' his family members' bodies. Naturally, minor ailments like myopia were instantly cured.

However, because his father had worn glasses for so long, even though his myopia was cured, his eyes would still squint narrowly under normal conditions, making him look utterly devoid of authority. So, he had to wear glasses to maintain the dignified air of a teacher.

"The last time we talked like this was probably when my college entrance exam scores were released and I was preparing to fill out my university application choices," Ren Suo said.

When discussing serious matters, Ren's father preferred the unconstrained outdoors to being inside. This was actually one of his teaching techniques. He felt that students became nervous and uneasy when questioned indoors. Outdoors, however, with the perceived safety of being able to escape at any time, students who had made mistakes felt they had a way out. This made them more likely to open up, recognize their errors, and quickly adjust their mindset. If discussing other major issues, being beneath the blue sky and white clouds, amidst the clamor of passersby, and discussing problems in this vibrant, tangible world broadened one's mind and perspective. It made it easier to calm down than in an air-conditioned room with four white walls.

Ren's father said, "Time really flies. That high schooler who agonized over choosing a university based on which had better cafeteria food or faster internet speed has now been working for a year, is completely independent, and is even planning to get married and start a family."

Ren Suo scratched his head. "Quick? I feel like these past five years have gone by very slowly, especially this year. A lot has happened…"

"That's a privilege of youth. To you, five years might be a quarter or a fifth of your life, but for me, it's only a tenth. A young person's perception of time isn't the same as a middle-aged person's," Ren's father said. "Time will only seem to pass more quickly. When you reach my age, you'll feel like everything passes in the blink of an eye."

Ren Suo disagreed. "That's because your life is uneventful, without any ups and downs. Once life settles into a routine, with every day being the same, of course, it will seem to go by quickly."

"That's also part of it, so I'm just stating a fact; I'm not saying that's necessarily a bad thing," Ren's father said. "Watching you and Ren Xingmei grow up so quickly, graduate, and start working has been a source of great happiness for us."

"And for me, there's another very happy thing: your mother and I have never lost our battle against time. Even though we've been battered and bruised, grown older, our energy has diminished, and our health isn't what it used to be… we've never truly lost. Your mom is still as endearingly whimsical and mischievous as she was at twenty. And I, just like when I was twenty and thought I had to protect this adorably foolish girl, who seemed as precious as a national treasure, and not let her get away, I still want to protect her for another twenty years."

Ren Suo exclaimed, "So Mom was so silly all because of your schemes, Dad!"

I spoke at such length, and you only picked up on that detail!?

Ren's father sighed helplessly. "It's a genetic problem."

Thinking this, Ren's father felt a little sorry for Ren Suo. Ren Suo's thinking ability was clearly also a genetic issue. As for whose genes were responsible… well, as a father and a math teacher himself, he was certain his own were perfectly fine.

"So, there's nothing wrong with an ordinary life," Ren's father continued. "You don't need any earth-shattering trials. Just cherishing your affections through ordinary days… isn't that pretty good?"

Ren Suo blinked and looked at his father. "Can you be clearer?"

Could it be that genetic problems become more pronounced with age? Why does my son's problem seem to be getting worse… Ren's father muttered inwardly, then looked at his son and said, "Little Suo, you're like me. You enjoy living a quiet life, immersed in your hobbies."

Ren's father patted Ren Suo on the shoulder. "So, do you think the life you're living now is the future you once hoped for?"

Ren Suo was slightly startled, remembering the recent hardships, and remained silent.

"We all only have two hands; managing to hold onto even one person is already quite difficult," Ren's father said. "Even so, among the countless couples in the world, the vast majority don't make it to the end. Sometimes, no matter how hard both sides try, they still can't obtain what they seek."

"And you want to hold onto four… really using all your limbs."

Actually, it's five, Ren Suo thought to himself.

"Son, you must have also realized that romantic life isn't as wonderful as you imagined, right?"

Ren's father said, "This is just the beginning. As time goes on, the pressures of reality will only grow... I'm not talking about societal opposition, but the pressure you all generate yourselves."

"They are all good girls—they have goals, abilities, and good prospects. Keeping pace with one such girl is already very difficult, let alone four."

"People strive for higher positions, just as water flows downwards. They are all capable women who can build successful careers. As they achieve greater success, they will require more support and cooperation from their partners... I'm not saying you can't do it, but I believe that's definitely not the peaceful, leisurely, and free life you were hoping for."

"You might finish spending time with one, only to immediately have to spend time with another. You'll not only have to constantly monitor their emotional changes but also shoulder many responsibilities you've never considered. Moreover, you'll have to continuously improve yourself, or you won't be able to walk alongside them."

Ren's father concluded, "You'll be very tired in the future. Even if you don't mind, you'll be completely changed by it. So, will you ultimately be unhappy, or happy?"

Ren Suo quietly listened to his father's counsel, looking up through the gaps in the tree shade at the sky where the Scorching Sun blazed.

Seeing his son finally deep in thought, Ren's father knew he was mostly successful. Reality isn't a fantasy; a harmonious grand finale doesn't exist. A miserable end with repeated heartaches is the true reality. Polyamory is a heresy that deserves to be burned at the stake; monogamous, pure love is the Human World's Supreme Treasure. No matter who Ren Suo chose, he would surely be unhappy, even if he chose Ren Xingmei. Xing Mei would most likely treat him like a pet, using comfort and money to completely corrupt his already unsteady heart. She would use Luxury Mansions and servants as a cage to imprison him, and gourmet food and entertainment as his feed. Ultimately, Ren Suo would become a good-for-nothing, forever dependent on a woman. Ren's father, after all, loved his son. He couldn't bear to watch him live such an unhappy life, nor could he tolerate his own daughter keeping such a kept man! Next, he had to continue guiding him, to make him understand that not only was Xing Mei unsuitable for him, but so were the others. Only a girl who, like him, preferred a quiet and leisurely life, who could advance alongside him, and even ignite his fighting spirit to strive for a better life, was his true destiny—

"I can change."

"Huh?"

Ren's father turned to look at Ren Suo. He was still gazing up at the blue sky, a wide Smiley Face appearing on his face as he said, "Whatever they don't like about me, I can change; whatever they like about me, I'll continue to maintain."

Ren's father asked, "Are you willing to be led around by the nose by love?"

Ren Suo laughed. "I'm not only led by the nose by love; I'm also led by the nose by Mom, and by game consoles... Yes, I'm an ordinary person who just wanted to take the civil service exam right after graduation and live a peaceful life. But Dad, don't forget…"

"This past year, I've experienced many things and met many people. I'm no longer the high school graduate you remember discussing university choices with. I've changed too; I've become a better person."

Suddenly, Ren Suo asked, "Dad, have you ever watched Ren Naiser's videos?"

"I have."

"I have too, and I haven't missed a single episode," Ren Suo said. "The mission of the Eastern Han Ren Family, the pursuit of the Truth Seeker, the protection of the Magicians, the benevolence of the Food Goddess, the salvation by the Disaster Messenger, Luna's resistance, Los's justice, the Gatekeeper's Truth… I've seen and taken all of it to heart."

"If you ask what influence they have had on me, it would be making me deeply understand what responsibility is."

"I'm very weak. Saving the world is a job for those great powers. What I can do is live up to my own responsibilities."

"When I'm alone, I don't fail myself. When I'm gaming, I don't fail the game. When I'm sleeping, I don't fail my bed. And when I'm in a relationship… I don't fail others."

Ren Suo patted his dad's shoulder. "Dad, you're getting old. Simple tasks like protecting Mom can remain your responsibility. Young people like me, on the other hand, need to keep challenging Hell-level difficulty!"

Ren's father looked at his son, momentarily at a loss for words.

The ignorant are fearless. Those who don't listen to their elders suffer the consequences right before their eyes. If one doesn't work hard in youth, they'll grieve in old age. Ren's father thought of many such cautionary adages, but when they reached his lips, he swallowed them. A grown son has his own world.

Ren's father sighed. "You've always been like this, never listening to me. Back then, according to my score estimates, you could have gone to a better university in another province, but you insisted on staying in Lian Province, in Lianjiang."

"It's close to home," Ren Suo chuckled.

"Nonsense. You hardly ever came home during university, unless your mom suddenly wanted you to come home for a meal."

"Besides, I also had to protect the world's best mom and the best sister with you, Dad."

At this, Ren's father could no longer restrain his anger and smacked Ren Suo on the head. "You really are something! Taking care of your sister all the way to the bedroom! You're truly your mother's son—"

"Not yet! Besides, I'm your son too!"

"Not yet? Not yet? I'll give you 'not yet'!"

"Stop hitting me, stop... So, you do support me and my sister, right?"

"I support your mom in feeding you rat poison."

After their playful tussle, the father and son looked at each other and gave helpless smiles simultaneously.

"Dad, I should get going," Ren Suo said.

"Alright." Ren's father wiped his glasses and asked, "I want to ask you one last question."

"Hm?"

"Search your heart and tell me," Ren's father gazed earnestly at Ren Suo, "do you think you're happy right now?"

Ren Suo was stunned.

He recalled the past few days, fraught with constant peril. The days of being at everyone's beck and call. The days of seething desires with no release. He had truly been living each day as if it were his last.

Thinking about it, the corners of Ren Suo's eyes uncontrollably moistened again.

"I..."

Just then, a pair of fair arms wrapped around Ren Suo's neck, and he felt the back of his head sink into a soft, gentle embrace from behind.

"What are you two talking about?" Qiao Muyi, who was behind Ren Suo, lowered her head, pressing her cheek against his as she asked curiously.

"It's nothing." Ren Suo wiped the moisture from the corners of his eyes and asked, "Why did you all come down?"

"Mom told us to come get you. Cheng Ling went to the garage to get the car." Qiao Muyi waved at Ren's father. "Goodbye, Dad."

"Uncle, goodbye."

"Dad, goodbye."

Gu Yueyan and Ren Xingmei also came down to say their goodbyes. Ren's father gave them a warm smile and waved. "Goodbye! Come visit more often. Remember to call ahead next time, and we'll prepare a feast for you."

Watching Ren Suo and the girls get into the car and drive away, Ren's father returned to the bench and gazed at the sky, still maintaining a faint smile on his face.

"Why haven't you come up yet?" Ren's mother came downstairs, saw Ren's father sitting on the bench, and walked over. "The dishes are waiting for you to wash them."

"You definitely didn't try to persuade them to leave our son, did you," Ren's father said with certainty.

Ren's mother blinked. "Oh, I didn't. How did you know?"

Compared to her son, Ren's mother was undoubtedly a cut above—she was not only endearingly ditzy but also utterly shameless.

"You, you…" Ren's father sighed. "If our son is unhappy in the future, you'll be the one who feels bad."

"How do you know he'll be unhappy? I think he's reveling in it," she said.

"That's true as well." Ren's father let out a soft sigh. "Everyone has their own misfortunes and their own happiness. Who's to say that one's misfortune won't turn out to be a form of happiness!"

Suddenly excited, Ren's mother said, "Oh, right! How about tomorrow we tell him something like, 'Mom and Dad forgive you. Come home for lunch, and let's have a heart-to-heart talk'?"

Ren's father was puzzled. "You forgave him? But we're not even having lunch at home tomorrow."

"No way!" Ren's mother shook her head. "I just want to trick him into coming home so he gets the cold shoulder."

"You're so mischievous, just like a child." Ren's father was utterly speechless at his wife. "If you keep messing around like this, our son will get angry too."

"Tomorrow is April Fool's Day! It would be a waste not to use this opportunity," she said.