Someone was calling his name over and over: "Julian, Julian! Are you okay?"

Julian opened his eyes to see Zhan Hongling, his face covered in blood, staring at him.

He was stunned: "Zhan Hongling?!"

Only then did he realize that they were in a pitch-black space; they must have been buried underground.

Zhan Hongling was shielding him, and a steel pipe as thick as a wrist had pierced through his abdomen!

Julian’s heart skipped a beat: "Zhan Hongling, you..."

Zhan Hongling curled his blood-stained lips into a smile: "It’s okay, I’m fine... Julian, don't worry at all, I really am okay."

How could he possibly be okay?

Julian strained his voice: "Is anyone there?! Help! Come save us!"

With the amount of blood Zhan Hongling was losing, he would surely die if he wasn't saved!

Zhan Hongling stopped him: "Julian, I said, I really am okay. Because I am a system."

Julian’s expression turned to one of disbelief: "What did you say?"

"Don't worry, I’m not that heartless system from before. I am System 099, specially sent to save the male and female leads of this world," Zhan Hongling said with a cheeky grin. "That would be you and Clara Ke."

"The previous system, 0687, altered its mission without authorization. If Clara Ke hadn't found a way to send it back to the main system, no one would ever have known what you both suffered in this world."

"The main system sent me here to correct the world line and bring you and Clara Ke back together."

"How do you think Clara Ke was chosen to return to Qiming Hospital from Lenoir Hospital at exactly the right time?"

Julian’s breath hitched: "It was you..."

Zhan Hongling nodded: "It was me. In fact, looking at last night, you and Clara Ke had already made up. My mission was complete, and I had originally intended to stay in your world a little longer."

"After all, Julian, I quite like you as a friend."

"But now that I’ve lost my life for you, it’s time for me to go back and report."

Julian subconsciously grabbed onto him: "You're leaving?"

Zhan Hongling gave a flippant laugh: "Can't bear to see me go? I knew you were just acting cold on the outside; you still treated me as a friend on the inside."

"Even though I’m leaving, you don't need to be too sad. I’ll come back to check on you when I have time."

"As for now, the oxygen here is running low. I have to send you out. Clara Ke is still waiting for you."

As he spoke, Julian didn't have time to say another word before a white light flashed before his eyes.

He shut his eyes instinctively. A second later, he heard voices from above: "There are signs of life here! Begin the rescue immediately!"

Julian wanted to open his eyes and look at Zhan Hongling one last time.

After all these years, he never got to tell Zhan Hongling: "Actually, I am truly happy to have you as a friend."

The dark space was excavated, and a beam of light leaked in.

As Julian was pulled out by the rescue workers, he fell into an embrace the very next second.

"You scared me to death! Thank goodness you’re still alive... Julian, you liar! You clearly said you would wait for me!"

Julian’s consciousness gradually returned.

He looked at the woman in his arms and slowly pulled her tight: "I was waiting for you, Clara. I’ve waited for you for many years."

"This time, we will never miss each other again."

——

The End.