Welcome to Rewind World Game-Chapter 835 - 833: "You are always a good man.

The doors of the villa’s hall were wide open, sending out a burnt joss paper-like smell.

Su Ming’an’s gaze swept past Lv Shu at the door, peering inside through the gap. He saw over thirty boxes of tea leaves laid on the table, the small stove burning fiercely, making the hall steam white as snow.

A young man in a black suit stood by the table, pinching strands of tea leaves between his fingers. As more than thirty boxes of tea leaves fell into the pot, the boiling water bubbled like a deep abyss devouring the tea leaves one by one, creating a terrifying scene. The burnt joss paper smell emanated from there.

...Su Rin had unexpectedly come to his home and was brewing such frightening tea leaves.

Su Ming’an drew back his gaze and looked at Lv Shu. Lv Shu was also staring at him without speaking, seemingly waiting for him to initiate the conversation.

"Lv Shu?" Su Ming’an questioned softly.

"...Hmm?" Lv Shu’s reaction was somewhat slow, taking three seconds before responding. A butterfly flew back to his right shoulder from the doorframe, its wings brushing against the silver threads of his Hanfu, standing alongside the mantis.

Under the dim yellow light, his floating white hair resembled snow on the brink of melting beneath the warm sun, as if he would disappear again at any moment. Hearing Lv Shu’s voice, Su Ming’an suddenly realized he could now see some colors beyond black and white.

Su Ming’an surveyed Lv Shu repeatedly, then confirmed for a moment in those pupils before asking again, "Back?"

Su Ming’an had been observing.

Lv Shu’s expression had always been stiff, but not cold. When you truly look at him, you won’t be burned by the aura of resistance from him. When he smiles, he also appears quite natural.

He’s different from Lin Guang. Having not observed them in detail before, it was hard to see the difference, but after closely observing these two people, you will find they are ultimately different.

"...Hmm." Again after three seconds, Lv Shu replied.

Just as Su Ming’an was about to speak, he saw Lv Shu suddenly reach out and pull on his clothes. Lv Shu’s movements were somewhat stiff, like forcefully manipulating an uncooperative puppet body, with his footsteps seeming to clank.

"The wind outside is strong, come in." Lv Shu’s words were also somewhat strained, each word seeming to choke.

Su Ming’an entered, and the door closed behind him, shutting out the cold wind and snow. Inside, the fireplace was burning, staining the majority of the hall in warm hues, with the chandelier on the ceiling reflecting a fragmented golden glow.

Beneath his feet was a crimson soft carpet and Baroque-style tiles, the hall was arc-shaped, with mushroom-shaped wall lamps standing every two meters, directly ahead was a spiral staircase leading to the second-floor lounge and piano room, with similarly intricate carvings on the handrail.

Only now did Su Ming’an realize that this villa, which he hadn’t visited for a long time, had been renovated, looking considerably more furnished, even the wallpaper adorned with a luxurious golden hue, with portraits hanging on the walls, gradually giving it a homely feeling.

No wonder, even for Adventurer Players, they would spend Points in the Main God World to buy themselves a home. Staying in a cramped, enclosed personal space, very few can endure such confinement.

"Did you renovate it?" Su Ming’an asked Lv Shu.

The entry rights to this private villa could be shared, currently, Su Ming’an had only granted access to Lv Shu, Noel, and Lin Yin, who could also share the rights with others. Although the villa could be freely renovated, Su Ming’an hardly imagined... Lv Shu would create such a Western-style decoration.

Lv Shu shook his head, somewhat bewildered: "Not me."

Su Ming’an redirected his gaze. Indeed, this glamorous, dazzling court style was evidently another person’s preference—

"Lv Shu’s soul just returned to his body, so his reactions might be slow," came Su Rin’s voice from the side.

In the center of the hall, Su Rin continued brewing tea, with more than thirty different kinds of tea leaves dancing in his hands, falling into the kettle simultaneously.

He was dressed in a well-fitted black suit, revealing a blue tie at the collar, with no wrinkles on his entire attire, even the sleeve cuffs were smoothed. If one overlooked his terrifying actions at hand, he indeed appeared quite impressive.

"...You turned my home into this?" Su Ming’an asked.

Su Rin raised his head and began pouring an entire bottle of milk into the tea: "Yes, Noel said earlier that they wanted to spend the New Year at your home. I’ve prepared some fitting furniture for the New Year and updated your home a bit."

Su Rin carefully watched the milk’s measure and continued: "I know you’re reluctant to spend your Points, so I covered the renovation costs. With this decoration style... you shouldn’t dislike it."

Su Ming’an glanced around the hall. Indeed, he couldn’t deny Su Rin’s aesthetic sense.

"When will Lv Shu be better?" Su Ming’an said.

The milk fell into the blood-red tea, like mud flowing into the sea, with terrifying bubbles bubbling ominously, sounding like ancient evil gods calling.

Su Rin placed the milk bottle aside and replied: "It depends on his adaptability. His soul was away for too long; it’s impossible for him not to have suffered damage. Although I pulled him back, it still depends on his own recovery."

An odd smell wafted through the hall, reminiscent of life-seeking ghosts. Su Ming’an stepped back slightly and gave Su Rin a look.

Who taught Su Rin this terrifying tea-soaking technique? Lin Guang?

Su Rin said: "I’m surprised. He could do this much for you. Based on my observation, had you not had the help of ’Mu Team’ over the last twenty days, it would be difficult to achieve Hephaestus’s final plan. Whether secretly transmitting commands to the City-State for you or guiding you, aside from electronic ghosts achieving this, he truly became an unforeseeable part of the Deity’s plan."

Su Ming’an made a sound of agreement.

Without the presence of ’Mu Team,’ his path would have been much harder.

Previously, he thought some of Lv Shu’s actions were meaningless, but this time, Lv Shu’s influence was apparent, and his final contributions were surprising. If not for Lv Shu, he couldn’t have found the secret Dawn System database or discovered the truth of the [Ninth World·Zhai Star].

However, this time with Su Rin’s involvement, Lv Shu’s soul returned to his body. But what about next time?

Next time, and the times after, will Lv Shu be able to return smoothly each time?

Su Ming’an looked at Lv Shu.

Lv Shu’s expression seemed to come alive, his eyes started having a luster, his pupils weren’t as stiff as before. He seemed to be gradually adapting to his body.

"I’m fine." Lv Shu stuttered: "No need... to worry about me."

"..."

This appearance of being pulled back from the brink of death, Su Ming’an had seen more than once.

The first time was after the end of the Fourth World when Lv Shu wanted to perish together with Edward, without the Death Rebound, Lv Shu would have truly died.

The second time was at the Eighth World Dome, when Lv Shu appeared as the Black Robed Man of the Ancient Castle checkpoint, providing Su Ming’an with Black Beast Energy. Back then, if Su Ming’an hadn’t had the Ruler’s Skill, Lv Shu would have died.

The third time was when his soul left his body and became the "Mu Team". If Su Rin was not there, if Su Ming’an had not used the Red Rose in the Seventh World, Lv Shu would still have died.

Always on the edge of death, Lv Shu never left himself any way out, like a fire that burns without any restraint, relentless until it completely burns out.

Without turning back, resolute, determined, tragic, silent, loyal.

Su Ming’an didn’t know how long Lv Shu had stayed in Kaius Tower. But it was surely not an easy time, living as an electronic ghost unable to meet others, constantly dwelling in an invisible dimension, unable to touch anything tangible, only bearing the false title of "Mu Team"—what had Lv Shu suffered through these years? And what was his mood?

What drove him to do this was merely a pure pursuit of Su Ming’an. And this "pursuit" alone was enough for him to pay such a hefty price, the pain of the body, the solitude of the soul, long endurance, lonely waiting, even his life. If he were to disperse, it would truly be to vanish into thin air, without even a corpse remaining.

Even Su Ming’an might never find out who "Mu Team" really was, what Lv Shu had given before his death.

He gradually tasted the weight of Lv Shu’s pursuit, pressing down on him as if it were a mountain. This feeling, pure, needing no benefit, bore no other desires, surpassed any literal love and friendship.

If Su Ming’an viewed Perfect Pass as a meaningful faith, considering it his life’s future entirety.

Then Lv Shu regarded Su Ming’an as his meaningful faith.

Aside from this meaning, Lv Shu had nothing left.

"Lv Shu." Su Ming’an spoke again.

"...Mm." Lv Shu responded.

"I need you to understand, I need you," Su Ming’an stared at him: "Not as a sacrifice to cost, but because I always need you—the value you hold is not limited to ’being sacrificed’."

"..." The tension in Lv Shu’s eyes slightly eased, showing a clear astonishment.

"I don’t think only strong companions are meaningful. Nor do I think that only clever companions are the best companions," Su Ming’an said: "Only those I can trust, and who can trust me, are the ones I need most—you are a very important person among them. I need you by my side, whether it’s you, Noel, or Yuanyuan, all of you are important, none of you do I wish to lose."

Lv Shu’s pupils trembled.

His fingers slightly curled and then straightened, grasping the wide sleeve of his Hanfu tightly, almost crushing the crane embroidered with silver threads.

His lips parted then closed, wanting to speak, but not knowing what to say.

"My condition isn’t good, nor do I want to witness too much loss anymore. So as long as there’s a chance, I want to do my utmost to save," Su Ming’an thought of Yuanyuan’s corpse in the thirty-third cycle, closed his eyes, words weighing a bit heavier: "Thus, once you die, the harm to me far surpasses the help your aid could cover. This damage would be irreversible."

"I..." Lv Shu urgently tried to say something.

But Su Ming’an interrupted him, saying: "Yet I will not stop you."

Lv Shu was slightly stunned.

"I understand pursuing ’meaning,’ and comprehend how an idealist might go all out for their hope. It is a full-bodied, wholehearted commitment, to a level of madness, where nothing remains but the vision ahead," Su Ming’an said:

"I have looked into your family background, knowing you have no other desires and care for nothing. But if a person lacks desires, ideals, or ties, their existence is nearly akin to death."

"So, Lv Shu. I understand your pursuit of ’your own value of existence.’ This pursuit is a precious part of you, and you treasure it, I shall not erase it."

"If you believe your meaning is to sacrifice for me, I will not forcibly change that. I respect your thoughts, your persona, your actions made for the ’pursuit’ within your heart. Likewise, I appreciate your contribution, I am moved by all you did in the Ruined World."

"But I wish you would consider yourself first before acting. Think about how, if you were to die, I would endure such pain—my follower slot forever emptying one, my friends list eternally dimming one icon, my ’value of existence’ also lessening by one person."

"The partners I care about..." Su Ming’an pressed his lips:

"I do not wish for them to die for me."

"If you care about me, care about yourself first."

"But if you insist on contributing for me, I will equally respect your choice."

The room was quiet.

Lv Shu’s pupils were trembling intensely.

Before entering the game, he had lost the meaning to live, apart from revenge, he could think of no value for existence.

Brought up not in a normal family, never taken a High Level class, even his psychology was troubled. In the World Game, he finally found a meaning for living. He needed the other party, and the other needed him, so he pursued recklessly according to his worldview.

Su Ming’an respected his actions, acknowledged his contributions, just like he respected the Knight of Light ascending the city wall—a sacrifice that could’ve been stopped.

However, for an "ideal," Su Ming’an could candidly watch the other stride towards death. This was not disrespect for life, but precisely, respect for each individual.

Respect your choice.

Respect your ideal.

Respect your sacrifice.

Because he knows, some people will put certain things above life, so he wouldn’t arrogantly assume that keeping some alive is best for them, he respects everything they pursue. Like this time, without Lv Shu becoming Mu Team, he might really have not been able to pass.

He’s merely telling you, before you sacrifice, think of yourself.

Yet he won’t say, stop sacrificing for me, you’re not worth it.

He respects every glimpse of brilliance in one’s soul, even if it lasts only an instant.

Lv Shu slowly lifted his head, his gaze never brighter.

In the light, the spark in his eyes revived bit by bit.

"I understand." His voice was bright: "You really are a good man... always a good man, Su Ming’an."

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