Chapter 80: END
Note: Hi! Thank you again for your patience. I hope you had fun reading this story. If you're interested in more world hopping/ quick transmigration stories, I've finished translating Forcefully Doting On You last year. I also have a couple more ongoing translations, The Boss I Picked Up All Fell In Love With Me and Applaud For Happiness -- both of which I'm hoping to finish in the first half of this year.
Enjoy this last chapter! ♡⸜(˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)⸝♡
“System reboot successful. Loading data… Progress 10%… 15%…”
The system’s voice echoed in Cheng Xuyuan’s mind. He furrowed his brow suddenly, the intense pain almost taking his breath away.
Memories flooded his mind like waves crashing in. The fragments of his journey pieced together slowly as the system’s voice guided him.
In these chaotic pieces, the moments spent with Gu Juncheng stood out — long and precious.
Cheng Xuyuan remembered staying up late to accompany Gu Juncheng during exam preparations, their post-school trips for late-night snacks, the joint battle in the exam room, and the New Year’s Eve photo they took together.
And the fireworks outside the observation tower came alive in his memory, illuminating the night sky like the unclear emotions between them that year — bright and fleeting.
“Data load successful.” The system’s voice remained mechanical and cold. “Please wait for further instructions from the main deity…”
Cheng Xuyuan recovered from the pain, his eyes already red. He lay on the bed, shivering, gasping for air, his back soaked in sweat.
After a while, he had enough strength to communicate with the system: “System… After finding you, what will happen? Can I stay in this world? Is it possible?”
The system seemed to ponder before responding, “I cannot make decisions. We must await instructions from the main God…”
Cheng Xuyuan picked up his phone. Gu Juncheng had sent him several messages, mostly asking why he suddenly stopped responding or if he wanted to back out…
Cheng Xuyuan typed and deleted in the chat box, lost in confusion.
“Can I stay?” Cheng Xuyuan asked the system. “If I want to remain in this world, is it possible?”
The system remained silent.
He asked again, “When will the main God give instructions?”
“Waiting time required,” the system’s voice devoid of emotion.
Cheng Xuyuan sighed, glancing at his phone. He sat on the bed, staring at the ceiling for a long time, then suddenly sat up, determination in his eyes. He messaged Gu Juncheng.
“Let’s meet in person.”
Both Cheng Xuyuan and Gu Juncheng lived in the southern city. Due to different travel times and family matters, they hadn’t met since winter break.
Gu Juncheng replied swiftly, “Sure. Where should we meet?”
Cheng Xuyuan suggested a local café. After confirming the meeting, he changed his clothes, adjusted his emotions, and prepared himself for the conversation.
Regardless of the final command from the main God, he needed to have a clear conversation with Gu Juncheng.
The café was tranquil, with few customers. Wind chimes tinkled at the entrance. Cheng Xuyuan arrived first, and not long after, Gu Juncheng appeared.
When their eyes met, Gu Juncheng’s face lit up with a smile, his eyes dancing with excitement.
Cheng Xuyuan ordered a latte for him and a Blue Mountain coffee for himself, but he had no appetite. He stared at the latte’s foam art, avoiding Gu Juncheng’s gaze.
“What’s wrong?” Gu Juncheng immediately noticed something amiss. “Is something bothering you?”
Cheng Xuyuan looked up at him and asked earnestly, “Have you been unhappy during the two years I was gone?”
Gu Juncheng stared at him, momentarily speechless. He asked hesitantly, “You…remember everything now?”
“Yes.” Cheng Xuyuan nodded. “I remember it all.”
Gu Juncheng hugged him tightly, joy radiating from his eyes. “I thought… you’d never remember again.”
Cheng Xuyuan found comfort in Gu Juncheng’s familiar scent.
Suddenly, the system’s voice interrupted: [During my absence, what happened between you two?]
Cheng Xuyuan replied, [It’s unrelated to you, thanks.]
Gu Juncheng looked into his eyes, full of anticipation. “About what you said earlier…”
Cheng Xuyuan hesitated, then lowered his head.
Gu Juncheng’s grip on his arm tightened. His eyes held disbelief. “You’re not going back on your word, are you?”
“No,” Cheng Xuyuan gathered courage. “Gu Juncheng, I’m not sure if I’ll leave you again, like last time…”
Gu Juncheng remained silent, gradually releasing Cheng Xuyuan’s hand. He patted Cheng Xuyuan’s back gently. His voice was steady and warm: “Silly, many things are beyond our control. Just like when you were the Pen God, and I was mortal. I know I might only be a brief passerby in your life, but I still want to be with you.”
Cheng Xuyuan stared at him, stunned.
“In fact,” Gu Juncheng’s gaze softened, “when we can kiss, let’s not settle for just hugs. If you’re willing, even if tomorrow is doomsday, I’ll cross volcanoes and tsunamis to reach you and tell you — I love you.”
Cheng Xuyuan’s eyes welled up. Feeling embarrassed, he turned away, holding back tears. Then he faced Gu Juncheng and whispered, “I love you too. Let’s be together, Gu Juncheng.”
“Okay.” Gu Juncheng’s lips curved, joy unmasked in his eyes. He ruffled Cheng Xuyuan’s hair, as he always did when something made him happy, overflowing with indulgence and affection.
At that moment, the system’s voice rang out.
“The main God has issued a command.”
Cheng Xuyuan sat up abruptly, startling Gu Juncheng, who asked, “What’s wrong?!”
Cheng Xuyuan gestured for him to stay quiet and furrowed his brow, communicating with the system in his mind.
The system continued, “Due to the outstanding performance of Plug-in No. 10287 in the task of locating the system, the main deity has decided to reward you with a choice: you can either continue upgrading your skills and proceed to the next world or live as an ordinary person in the current world until death.”
Cheng Xuyuan finally breathed a sigh of relief, releasing the tension that had gripped him. He decisively replied to the system, “Thank you, main God. Please allow me to live as an ordinary person in the ‘Pen God’ world.
“Have you made your decision?” the system asked. “Once decided, you will no longer be bound to the system, lose your superpowers, and be unable to travel to other worlds…”
“I’ve made my decision,” Cheng Xuyuan said firmly. “Perhaps in the past, I would have chosen to be an all-powerful plug-in, but now I’ve realized that those who are loved and capable of loving others wholeheartedly are the true winners in life. Of course, I want to thank you for being with me all this time. I hope your future host will be even more remarkable, sparing you some trouble.”
The system fell silent for a while before finally speaking, “Plugin No. 10287, this plugin delivery journey concludes here. The system will unbind from you. Unbinding progress: 1%…12%…20%…100%. Unbinding successful.”
As the system’s voice faded, Cheng Xuyuan’s mind returned to calm.
Emotions swirled within him, and he turned to hug Gu Juncheng. It was as if nothing had happened. He whispered in Gu Juncheng’s ear, “From now on, I’ll be by your side as an ordinary person.”
“Silly,” Gu Juncheng chuckled, his fingers tracing Cheng Xuyuan’s waist. “In my eyes, you’ve never been ordinary.”
For Gu Juncheng, whether as the former Pen God or the present Cheng Xuyuan, both were his guiding light, changing the trajectory of his life.
Cheng Xuyuan closed his eyes, a faint smile on his lips. “I like you.”
“Me too.” Gu Juncheng nuzzled his cheek.
Outside, the winter sun shone brightly.
________________________
Two years later.
Today marked the final day of exams at Hang University. As a third-year student, Cheng Xuyuan faced numerous challenging subjects, along with various projects and lab reports. Finally, he felt liberated.
Carrying his suitcase with excitement, Cheng Xuyuan was stopped by Qi Zimo. “Are you going home for the summer or staying here?”
“Of course,” Cheng Xuyuan replied without hesitation, “I’ll stay here.”
“Well, I don’t think Gu Juncheng has the energy to work,” Qi Zimo teased.
“Get lost!” Cheng Xuyuan kicked out playfully.
He and Gu Juncheng had been living together for a long time, sharing the same apartment Cheng Xuyuan had rented earlier.
Cheng Xuyuan didn’t sleep there every day; only during holidays or when he didn’t have early classes the next day. Since moving in, the room had become… quite messy.
Gu Juncheng felt that Cheng Xuyuan had cured even his mild germophobia.
In addition to that, Cheng Xuyuan had adopted an orange cat. When he brought the cat home, he informed Gu Juncheng without prior discussion, “This cat is our son now. Let’s call him Cheng Junjun.”
Gu Juncheng blinked. “What?”
When Cheng Xuyuan returned home, Gu Juncheng hadn’t finished work yet. Cheng Xuyuan kissed the orange cat and filled its food bowl, then headed to the small kitchen to prepare dinner.
His cooking skills weren’t great, but today he was in a good mood and decided to surprise Gu Juncheng.
Gu Juncheng arrived home still in his suit, his polished shoes making crisp sounds. Cheng Xuyuan greeted him, “Hey, today I’m cooking.”
“How are you so talented?” Gu Juncheng changed into slippers. “Remember the last time you almost blew up the kitchen? Have you forgotten?”
“I remember, I remember.” Cheng Xuyuan muttered, “But this time it’s to make you a cake…”
Gu Juncheng raised an eyebrow. “Even Cheng Junjun won’t eat your cakes.”
“Okay, okay, I know.” Cheng Xuyuan suddenly smelled something. “Oh no, I think the food is burnt…”
Before he could finish, he rushed back to the kitchen.
Gu Juncheng shook his head and followed, rescuing the kitchen from chaos. He ordered Cheng Xuyuan out and forbade him from entering again.
After dinner, the sky outside displayed a beautiful array of flamingo-like hues, casting a warm glow on the table by the floor-to-ceiling window. Cheng Xuyuan sat on the floor, cradling Cheng Junjun. As he stroked the cat’s fur, he said, “Why have you gained so much weight? You clearly didn’t inherit my ‘never get fat’ genes. You’re not my biological child.”
Gu Juncheng’s lips twitched. “When will you stop talking to the cat like that?”
“It’s a cat thing,” Cheng Xuyuan chuckled. “I can’t change it.”
After a busy day, Gu Juncheng flopped onto the bed without even taking off his socks. Lazily, he called out, “Wife, come give me a massage. I’ve been annoyed by that idiotic client all day. I’m exhausted…”
Cheng Xuyuan tossed Cheng Junjun aside and hurried to the bedside. He looked at Gu Juncheng with disdain. “At least take off your suit. I’ll have to iron it again later.”
Grumbling, Gu Juncheng reluctantly sat up to remove his suit. “You’re always so serious when you’re in charge of undressing me.”
“What are you saying?” Cheng Xuyuan glared at him.
Gu Juncheng grabbed his arm, pulling him closer. Looking into his eyes, he said, “I’m craving dessert after dinner.”
“Ah?” Cheng Xuyuan’s face slowly reddened. “But it’s not even dark outside yet…”
“It’s not like we haven’t done it in the evening before,” Gu Juncheng said nonchalantly.
“Cheng Junjun is right here… mmm…”
The remaining words were stifled.
Cheng Xuyuan’s heartbeat echoed like the pounding of drums, his breath as desperate as a fish out of water, and his body swayed like a sailboat on the rolling sea.
“You just… said you were exhausted… You lied…”
“Pretty impressive, huh?”
The orange cat hopped onto the white table by the window, silently observing the fiery clouds outside. Its tail traced arcs in the air, as if responding to the rhythmic sounds within the room.
It had grown accustomed to it long ago.
________________________
Author’s note:
The end!
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