My Notoriety Spreads Throughout the World-Chapter 322 - 289: Farewell Ceremony (Part 5) [Double-Length]

"Sebastian, you were fine the last time we met, why have you suddenly become like this?" Chichu Chun's voice had long become hoarse from crying.

"Didn't I say before that I hate it when you hide things from me? You clearly promised me you wouldn't hide anything from me anymore. Has your health been like this for a long time, but you never told me?"

"Sebastian... let's go home, let's go home..."

"Miss, I know my physical condition better than anyone. I can't go back." Sebastian smiled as he tidied Chichu Chun's messy hair, the depths of his weary eyes flickering with complexity.

In the blink of an eye, the little girl who used to ride on his shoulders, shouting about catching dragonflies, had grown up so much. He watched her slowly grow up, clearing away so many hidden dangers in her path of growth, so much so that she never encountered the dark side of the world and retained her initial innocence, free-spirited and carefree nature.

Many people said it was he who spoiled her, making her so willful. He had also wondered if he had done wrong, if he had protected her too much. But whenever she appeared beside him like a little sun, curious about everything around her, warming everything around her, he would always persuade himself over and over again to let this time last a bit longer, to let her innocent smile stay in his dull life for just a little longer.

His wife had left him when he was young, and for over a hundred years, he held fast to that initial, sincere emotion, never wavering.

If he had a daughter as big as Miss, would she be as innocent and exuberant as her?

Perhaps he had long poured all the love a father has for his daughter into this Young Master, ever since she sweetly named him Sebastian, letting go of all past obsessions and grievances.

Warm emotions melted his icy stone-like facade, allowing him to absorb all his sharp edges and regretful remorse into his flesh, growing new bones that rooted in place, willing to use all the remaining time of his life just to become a large tree, casting shade, accompanying this innocent girl while shielding her from all the heat and storms, solely to create a carefree paradise for her, where she could sit on the lawn painting, look up to see the azure sky, and show a radiant smile.

"Did you do all those things?" Chichu Chun struggled to express her questioning words for a long time, eventually sniffing and speaking in a halting tone.

Sebastian said nothing, as at that moment, a few untimely voices rang out behind Chichu Chun.

"Hey, don't push me."

"You pushed into me first, I'm getting dizzy!"

"You two, that's enough, look at what kind of atmosphere this is."

Chichu Chun froze for a few seconds before turning around woodenly, only to see the group of Dark Night Walker standing in a line at the door, jostling and grinning awkwardly at her.

"You guys..."

"Ahem, I was worried I might not act convincingly enough for you to see through it." Night Owl cleared his throat. "Enduring the pig blood smell for half a day, fortunately, the final effect was not bad."

"Hey, Rice Wine, you're really not cool, are you? You were originally the Young Master of Chichu Heaven. Do you know my expression when I learned the truth?" Owl crossed his arms and complained.

"Exactly, we were feeling guilty for using your gold vault during operations, but now thinking back, we should've taken a cut!" Sparrow held his head.

"Rice Wine, you're really silly, getting all worked up without thinking things through. How could falling from a few meters high possibly kill anyone? There was a protective mat below."

"It's easy for you to talk while standing; when that guy pointed a tranquilizer gun at my forehead, I was really afraid of the pain!" Sparrow waved his fists and glared angrily at Xu Xiaoyou.

Xu Xiaoyou smiled helplessly, while Chichu Chun's surprised gaze was directed at her. "From the beginning, were you conspiring with them to deceive me?"

Before Xu Xiaoyou could organize her philosophical words, the dark red-haired girl threw herself into her arms, crying like a child, "You guys are too much! Everyone is watching me make a fool of myself, this isn't fun at all..."

The girl in her arms sobbed uncontrollably, evoking much sympathy. Xu Xiaoyou's gentle expression slowly faded, and she said, "Because this was never meant to be a game; it's time to end the role-playing. Rice Wine, you've reached the age where you need to ponder your future and learn to take responsibility."

"How much longer can Sebastian be with you? One month, two weeks?"

"A ship docked in the harbor is safest, but that's not the purpose of its creation. Ships are meant to sail the seas and distant places."

Chichu Chun buried her head in Xu Xiaoyou's arms, sobbing softly and nodding gently.

"Everything that happened tonight, the words I've entrusted to you, you need to remember in the days to come and digest until you grow into a responsible leader, worthy of others' trust and follow."

"This world is not a fairy tale; there aren't so many beautiful stories. Parting and death are common, and brutally realistic situations like Yukawa Maki's are what everyone should learn to accept."

"Your future is destined to be in bright places, becoming a beacon for many, guiding people in the dark towards direction, encouraging their faith and courage. You've wasted too much time already; now you must grow quickly, don't let the past bind your steps, more precious and worthy things to protect will always be waiting on the road ahead."