After a flash of white light, Gu Rong was back in his own room.

The wallpaper was warm yellow. Outside the window, little birds chirped in the palm tree. Sunlight spilled in, casting a faint halo around Gu Rong’s small figure.

On the wall were photos from his infancy and messy graffiti. On the desk sat the photo frame with him, his Daddy, and Mommy.

Gu Rong looked blankly at everything before him, then spread his small hand. Lying quietly in his palm was the black key.

Looking at the key for a moment, Gu Rong closed his palm, opened the room door, and stepped out.

Gu Rong’s little face was dazed, as if just waking from an incredibly long dream. His whole being was somewhat mengdong mengran (vacant and bewildered).

Walking down the stairs, he looked at everything in the house. It was completely unchanged from before, as if the apocalypse had never happened, everything still warm and beautiful.

Gu Rong arrived in the garden outside the villa.

Soon, an anxious voice came from behind: “Little Young Master! How did you wake up by yourself? And ran down yourself?”

Gu Rong turned his head and saw Uncle Butler walking briskly towards him, looking anxious.

Seeing Uncle Butler, Gu Rong subconsciously looked back at the villa’s main gate, his mind flashing back to the pile of white bones covered in small flowers.

“Uncle Butler.” Gu Rong’s small voice was low, slightly choked.

Uncle Wang instantly heard the wrong note in Gu Rong’s voice and sensed his mood wasn’t right. His heart leaped instantly, asking nervously: “Aiyo, Little Young Master, what’s wrong? Did you have a nightmare? How about Uncle Wang take you to the park to ride your scooter? Or eat something first? Big chicken leg? Big hamburger?”

Gu Rong nodded his little head: “Okay, Zaizai wants to eat big chicken leg, and big hamburger!”

Uncle Wang felt slightly relieved. Bending down, he smiled: “No problem! Let’s go, Uncle Wang will take Little Young Master out to eat right now.”

Gu Rong paused slightly: “Go out eat?”

Uncle Wang said: “Yes! But, if Little Young Master doesn’t mind Uncle Wang’s terrible cooking, Uncle Wang can also make it for Little Young Master, haha.”

In the Old World, because the virus was rampant, and Daddy Gu and Mommy Gu had specifically warned about diet and avoiding public places, Uncle Wang had chosen to make hamburgers at home. But now, Uncle Wang proactively offered to take Gu Rong out to eat.

Gu Rong was young, but having just experienced it, he easily noticed the difference. Blinking his big eyes: “No more zombie virus? Outside, no zombies anymore?”

Hearing this, Uncle Wang’s heart skipped a beat.

What’s wrong with Little Young Master? Why start talking nonsense?

Uncle Wang squatted down directly in front of Gu Rong, saying: “Little Young Master, what nightmare did you have? Don’t be scared, don’t be scared! Dreams are fake! Broad daylight, where would there be zombies? Pei pei pei! Zombies are a Western thing! If they came here, they wouldn’t acclimate and would kick the bucket! Maybe even end up as a dish! Don’t be scared ha! If they dare come, Uncle Wang dares to fry them in a pot, an extra dish for Little Young Master!”

Gu Rong was amused by Uncle Wang’s banter, his heavy heart temporarily set aside. Only now did he truly feel the reality of returning to the real world. This was the New World. No zombies, no virus… no Lord Devil either.

Gu Rong clenched his fist in his palm and said: “Zaizai wants to find Daddy find Mommy!”

Seeing Gu Rong’s mood improve considerably, Uncle Wang smiled: “Sir and Madam will be back from the laboratory soon. Come, Little Young Master, Uncle Wang will take you to buy chicken legs and hamburgers, and we can stop by the park to ride the scooter for a while.”

Gu Rong nodded: “Okay!”

Allowing Uncle Wang to hold his hand, Gu Rong walked with his short little legs, simultaneously calling out in his mind: [006?]

As expected, there was no response.

The game was closed; 006 had disappeared, too.

In this New World, Daddy, Mommy, and Uncle Butler were all back. Grandpa Ming was perhaps also lying in his own little courtyard, basking in the sun.

But what about Big Brother, Little Brother, Uncle Doctor, and the others? Where were they?

It felt like everyone had returned, yet it also felt like not everyone had returned. Gu Rong was young and couldn’t clearly explain it, but he felt a faint sense of loss in his heart.

When the game restarts, Lord Devil will return. But when will the game restart?

Gu Rong took the key he had been holding in his palm and put it into his pocket.

[Little host? Little host?] 006’s familiar electronic voice sounded in his mind.

Gu Rong’s little feet stopped. He looked up sharply, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes, his small voice excited: [006!!!]

006 said: [It’s me wuwuwu! Little host, I short-circuited just now! Good, good, reconnected! The game is closed now, I thought I was going to be separated from the little host QAQ]

Gu Rong had thought the same just now. Hearing 006’s voice now, much of the loss in his heart was swept away.

006 was still here. Everything in the past was real, the game was real too. Someday, the game would restart again.

Gu Rong instantly returned to being the cheerful little dumpling, his small face beaming, his voice tender and childish: [006! Zaizai also thought you disappeared!]

006 said: [After the little host spent all points, the New World was rebuilt. Now everyone is back! No more zombie virus, no more apocalypse! Congratulations, little host, for clearing the game, finding Daddy, Mommy, and Grandpa Ming.]

Gu Rong drooped his little head: [But Lord Devil disappeared.]

006 was also silent for a moment, then said: [Little host, don’t be sad. Lord Devil said He would return when the game restarts. You will definitely meet again! Little host just needs to do the one thing Lord Devil said now: Grow up well.]

Gu Rong clenched his small fists, his little face resolute: [Okay! Zaizai must grow up well!]

He grabbed Uncle Wang’s fingers and shook them: “Uncle Butler! Let’s go out quickly! Zaizai wants to eat more, grow tall fast!”

Uncle Wang picked up the scooter: “Okay! Little Young Master will definitely grow taller than Uncle Wang!”

A gentle breeze rustled. The trumpet vines on the wall bloomed brightly and passionately.

–

Gu Rong and Uncle Wang strolled outside until six o’clock. Just as they reached the gate of their house, from afar, they saw a car parked in front of the villa.

Gu Rong’s little feet stopped. He then released Uncle Wang’s hand and ran deng deng deng forward. Passing the car, Gu Rong peeked inside. Too short, couldn’t see anything. He ran dadada into the villa again.

Just as he entered the house, he collided right into Gu Baiyu, who was coming out. Gu Baiyu, with sharp eyes and quick hands, avoided bumping into the little dumpling before him, instead smoothly scooping the cub up from the ground.

Seeing his Daddy, Gu Rong’s eyes shone brightly. He patted Gu Baiyu’s face with both small hands, amazed: “Daddy! How come you’re back too?”

He saw the car and thought only Mommy had returned. Didn’t expect Daddy to be back so early, too! The sun hadn’t even set yet.

Gu Baiyu let Gu Rong hold his face with both small hands, leaned his head forward, gently bumping foreheads with him: “Finished work. Where else would Daddy go but home? What do you mean by ‘Daddy also back’? Hmm?”

Gu Rong giggled at Gu Baiyu’s teasing. His eyes saw Mommy behind him, having just changed into loungewear and coming downstairs. So, he wriggled in Gu Baiyu’s arms, wanting down.

Gu Baiyu also heard the footsteps behind him. Seeing Gu Rong wanted Mommy as soon as he saw her and wouldn’t let him hold him, he deliberately held him tighter, lifted him over his shoulders, let him ride on his neck, held his small body steady, and went into the garden.

Gu Rong was instantly distracted. Afraid of falling, his small hands quickly hugged Daddy’s head, yelling in his milky voice: “Mommy, save me! Save Zaizai!”

Ye Lan came out of the house smiling, playing along: “Wah! Zaizai’s been captured by a big monster!”

Gu Rong: “Big monster catch Zaizai! Help! Help!”

Uncle Wang nearby laughed until he bent over.

006 watched, stunned.

Just saying, where did the little host’s little drama queen constitution come from? Turns out it was practiced.

–

At dinner time, Uncle Wang mentioned Gu Rong having a nightmare while sleeping in the afternoon. Hearing this, Gu Baiyu and Ye Lan showed concern in their eyes, but no worry. This world had no zombies; a dream was just a dream; it wouldn’t come true.

Ye Lan placed a piece of sweet and sour pork rib into Gu Rong’s bowl and said: “Did baby secretly watch a zombie video?”

Gu Rong pouted: “Zaizai didn’t watch!”

Gu Baiyu smiled: “Rongrong becoming a Little Zombie would still be an adorable Little Zombie. How about playing a Little Zombie for Halloween this year? Little Jiangshi is also good; I can buy you clothes.”

Ye Lan’s eyes curved into crescents as she smiled: “I can handle the makeup.”

Gu Rong: “…”

006: […]

What a coincidence. Whether Little Zombie or Little Jiangshi, Gu Rong had played both, and for real.

Ye Lan turned to Gu Baiyu and said: “But, speaking of which, didn’t the research team discover a new virus under the Antarctic ice layer last year? It seemed it could indeed cause human limbs and organs to undergo zombification. Some advocated extracting the virus, but after consulting Professor Ming, his advice was negative, and then it was dropped.”

“Then, this year, the research team discovered under that ice layer that the virus no longer existed.”

Gu Baiyu said, “That’s a good thing. There are always people who wish for chaos in the world.”

Gu Rong wasn’t sitting in a baby chair but sat by himself, legs dangling, eating his meal without needing to be fed. He caught a key phrase, tilted his little head: “Grandpa Ming?”

Gu Baiyu and Ye Lan both turned to look at Gu Rong in surprise. Gu Baiyu smiled praisingly: “Yes, exactly your Grandpa Ming! Your Daddy’s respected teacher. He came to our house for your full moon celebration, and even held you then. You actually still remember?”

Ye Lan said, “Nonsense! How could a baby remember things from their full moon? Clearly, it’s because you yourself often mention your respected teacher at home, and Zaizai overheard.”

Gu Baiyu said: “Look, look! In front of Zaizai, how can you say such vulgar words like ‘fart’?”

Ye Lan coughed lightly: “What’s wrong with saying fart? Doesn’t Zaizai fart? Don’t you fart?”

Gu Rong even nodded helpfully beside them.

Gu Baiyu clutched his heart, looking deeply pained, “How did I ever think you were a goddess? I was blind.”

Ye Lan said, “I don’t mind making you really blind.”

Gu Rong watched his parents’ banter, covering his little mouth and smiling.

Gu Baiyu, with a strong survival instinct, quickly changed the topic: “Time flies so fast! Zaizai is already two in the blink of an eye. Next year, he’ll start kindergarten.”

The topic shift was successful. The two began discussing Gu Rong’s education.

Gu Rong scooped up a mouthful of rice.

Time indeed passed quickly, so fast that everything felt like a dream.

Before his eyes, it seemed a long river of time appeared. At each node of time, different fragments of life emerged. Looking back, Gu Rong was just born, so small he could barely be held in Daddy and Mommy’s arms, eyes closed, crying out at the top of his lungs, his first cry upon entering this world.

Next appeared Gu Rong crawling on all fours in every corner of the villa. Crawling and crawling, he learned to walk for the first time, swaying and stumbling.

Time moved forward. Gu Rong finished celebrating his third birthday, put on his Ultraman little backpack, stepped into kindergarten, and gained many little friends. Entering elementary school, his small body sat straight, doing homework. After class, he also learned calligraphy, Lego, and table tennis.

Entering middle school, the little dumpling shot up like spring bamboo shoots after rain, growing into a handsome and pretty young teenager. Sitting in the last row by the window in the classroom, one hand propping up his head, the other spinning a pen, sneaking a candy into his mouth when the teacher turned away.

Entering high school, the teenager entered puberty. His bones grew slender and long, skin fair, almost transparent, his hair dark black, with bangs falling over delicate eyes and brows, his entire being filled with youthful energy, blindingly handsome…

“Handsome! So handsome!” Zhou Yan watched his deskmate’s sleeping profile, unable to help but sigh in admiration. “Although my grades suck, my deskmate has good grades and looks good!”

Tang Xiaoyue at the front desk turned back and said: “Although your grades suck, you’re also ugly.”

Zhou Yan: “…”

Wo cao!

Zhou Yan slammed the desk: “Wait, Tang Xiaoyue, you…”

“Speaking the blunt truth.” The desk slam startled Gu Rong awake beside him.

Tang Xiaoyue, seeing Gu Rong side with her, gave Zhou Yan a triumphant smirk and turned back around.

Zhou Yan shifted his attention to Gu Rong, heartbroken: “Rong Zai! How could you side with an outsider! Divorce! Must divorce! This life is impossible!”

Gu Rong yawned lazily, his voice clear and resonant, like raindrops falling on jade: “Being ugly with bad grades isn’t a reason for you to become gay.”

Zhou Yan: “…”

Although his deskmate had good grades and looked good, his mouth was toxic!