Su Ze dared to enter this mysterious realm not out of blind confidence, but because he was fairly certain he could come out alive.
With hundreds, if not thousands, of his clones and illusions, catching him would be like trying to shoot a mosquito with an anti-aircraft gun.
Coupled with his terrifying combat prowess, if he avoided direct confrontation and resorted to ambushes, he had a very high chance of killing his target.
China needed a windfall, and so did he.
Su Ze was a reckless gambler.
The most skilled gamblers weren’t at the gambling tables; the biggest bet was stepping into the mysterious realm.
Su Ze had ventured into the mysterious realm many times. His wealth was beyond measure, and in the realm, he wagered his life to break through barriers, all for the sake of power—greater power!
He was a normal person, but in a way, he was a true madman.
What concerned him most now was Uesugi Akizuki. Perhaps he was being selfish, but Su Ze couldn’t let go of this chance to rise to the top in one leap.
Even with his mastery of laws and top-tier talent, it still wasn’t enough. He could stand out among his peers, but not by much.
He couldn’t bear to watch his peers emerge from the mysterious realm, ascending to greatness in one stride, while he only progressed slowly.
Only with sufficient strength could he secure his footing in the future.
Otherwise, with his current abilities, it would be difficult to establish himself in the future. He didn’t want to become prey on the chopping block of stronger individuals. He wouldn’t give up any opportunity to gain power!
As Su Ze frowned in deep thought, Uesugi Akizuki suddenly grabbed his hand, her eyes shimmering with emotion. “Anata to issho ni, watashi wa totemo shiawase desu.”
(“Being with you makes me very happy.”)
These were Uesugi Akizuki’s sincere words. She had noticed that Su Ze seemed somewhat off these past few days, as if he was constantly troubled.
Coupled with what Su Ze had said last time—about wanting her to be happy when she thought of him—Uesugi Akizuki felt something was amiss. What she really wanted to express was, “I’m even happier when I’m with you.”
But given her language skills, even when expressing it in Japanese, she could only convey the general idea.
Su Ze patted her head, his gaze complex. “I’m happy too.”
Not many days had passed, but the mark on Su Ze’s arm was growing brighter. He noticed that the mark was gradient, becoming increasingly luminous from left to right. He guessed that when the glow fully covered the mark, it would be time to leave.
The National Day holiday had ended, and Su Ze and his little dumpling returned to campus life. Based on the speed of the glow’s spread, he estimated it would be tomorrow or the day after.
The sun had already set, and the evening glow outside the window resembled a vast plain ablaze, yet without the heat or terror—only the beauty and romance of twilight.
It burned slowly, calmly, spreading across every corner of the sky, and then… the fire extinguished, leaving behind deep, dark ashes.
A few embers seemed to linger, flickering occasionally in the blackened sky before settling into stillness.
“I… have to go out tomorrow. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone,” Su Ze said as he used a hairdryer to dry Uesugi Akizuki’s hair, the smooth, wine-red strands rippling like waves. “Be good at school. Your sister will take care of you.”
“Or… you could learn to take care of yourself.”
“Cooking, eating, sleeping, doing laundry…”
Su Ze knew that even though he and Uesugi Akizuki were a couple, he couldn’t always be by her side. A single disaster could separate them forever, so she needed to learn to take care of herself.
The little shrine maiden sitting on the chair looked into the mirror of the vanity, her gaze meeting Su Ze’s calm eyes as he stood behind her, drying her hair. She tilted her head upward, a hint of confusion in her expression.
She sensed something was off but couldn’t quite put her finger on it. Su Ze said she needed to learn to take care of herself—cooking, sleeping, doing laundry…
Doing all these things alone seemed so lonely…
“Be good…” Su Ze whispered, his fingers running through her semi-dry, wine-red hair. Even with some moisture, her strands were silky smooth, clinging together but parting easily with a gentle touch.
Uesugi Akizuki snapped out of her thoughts, pouting slightly. She didn’t want to be apart from Su Ze, but he had to go. She couldn’t keep insisting he take her with him. Su Ze must have his reasons for not bringing her along.
Uesugi Akizuki wouldn’t restrict Su Ze for her own sake. Though she wanted to cling to him every moment, she was considerate and thoughtful of his needs.
“I’ll be good,” the little shrine maiden affirmed, nodding earnestly. She reached her hands upward, her wide sleeves slipping down to reveal slender arms, her expression adorably serious.
Su Ze clasped her hands, interlocking their fingers. “If I’m not around, listen to your sister. Don’t cry or make a fuss over me.”
“Okay,” the little shrine maiden replied solemnly. She thought Su Ze was worried she might act out and upset her sister, so she decided not to be mischievous while he was away.
She began to think about how she would take care of herself after Su Ze left…
Morning.
The glow on Su Ze’s arm had nearly covered the entire mark.
Su Ze made breakfast for his little dumpling and watched quietly as the wine-red-haired shrine maiden ate it bite by bite with great focus.
Su Ze took her hand, and as Uesugi Akizuki stared blankly, he leaned in. Soon, their lips met softly.
The little shrine maiden’s legs went weak, and she collapsed onto the sofa, breathing heavily.
This was only the second time Su Ze had initiated such a gesture.
The first time was on that starry night when they became a couple.
Then, the little dumpling watched as Su Ze, carrying a long case, turned the doorknob to leave.
An indescribable loneliness washed over her, and her heart panicked at that moment. She suddenly regretted it—she didn’t want to be apart from Su Ze!
She jumped up, wanting to run after him, but the door began to close just as she reached it. By the time she rushed over, all she could see through the crack was Su Ze’s calm, resolute black eyes.
She didn’t even touch the door before it shut.
“Be good…” Su Ze’s voice came from outside, followed by a brief silence before the sound of his footsteps fading away.
The little shrine maiden crouched behind the door, her head buried in her knees. She resisted the urge to open it, afraid of becoming a burden to Su Ze, of making him give up what he wanted to do for her sake.
After some time, the little shrine maiden made her way to the balcony. The warm sunlight slanted across her face, and her simple yet elegant shrine maiden robes swayed gently. She clasped her hands together and began to pray—for Su Ze…