Chapter 492: Chapter 492 Final Chapter
Under the blue light text was a massive virtual screen, displaying headshot photos of her and Li Juezhou. Two researchers stood in front of the screen, operating it while speaking in grave tones.
"No, NPC No. 115 has modified the foundational code. The program is irrecoverable. World No. 03 from the novel will completely break away from the Space-Time Alliance Bureau’s management and become an independent parallel world."
"Can NPCs No. 114 and No. 115 be recalled and placed into a new world?"
"No, NPCs with awakened consciousness carry personal will and can’t complete tasks as per the program’s preset requirements."
"In that case, the only option is to erase their archive records in the Space-Time Alliance Bureau, leaving them permanently in World No. 03 from the novel."
Beeping sounds echoed, and the two photos on the screen began to flash incessantly. Sang Ning saw the numbers 114 and 115 marked above hers and Li Juezhou’s heads respectively. Suddenly, the memories forcibly erased flooded back into her mind.
It turned out she and Li Juezhou were merely NPCs specifically designed by the Space-Time Alliance Bureau to execute predetermined tasks in various novels. This was her fifth mission in World No. 03 from the novel, while it was Li Juezhou’s second mission.
During her fourth mission, Sang Ning awakened her consciousness. Before her consciousness was erased again, she left Song Shiye the message "Death end." For NPCs, only complete annihilation could end the endless cycle of tasks. She could no longer endure the puppet-like existence.
Li Juezhou awakened his consciousness during his second mission, which occurred when a space-time fluctuation suddenly pulled his consciousness back to the Space-Time Alliance Bureau’s headquarters. Before the researchers discovered him, he modified the program and sent a message to World No. 03. The message Sang Ning received in the lab was actually sent from the Space-Time Alliance Bureau.
He exploited a bug in the mission. If Sang Ning successfully completed the System task this time, she could survive in World No. 03 from the novel. Her death in the explosion signified the end of her mission, but it also brought her the chance to be reborn in World No. 03, permanently escaping the Bureau’s control.
She was free now. But what about Li Juezhou? Did his death signify the end of his task’s cycle or the end of his life?
Suddenly, Sang Ning felt her heart constricting painfully, leaving her breathless. A flash of white light appeared before her eyes, followed by sudden darkness. Vaguely, she heard someone speaking beside her ear: "These two are really tough. Not even such a massive explosion could kill them."
"Isn’t that so? Though the woman who attempted murder is in pretty bad shape. Saying nonsense like her female protagonist status was stripped away and that she’s the true ruler of this world. Looks like she’ll need to be confined in a psychiatric hospital."
Hearing this, Sang Ning let herself sink into a peaceful unconsciousness, finally reassured that Li Juezhou had also survived.
Two weeks later, at a hospital in China.
Sang Ning felt like she had been dreaming for a long, long time. Slowly, she woke from her slumber, sunlight streaming through the window, its glare causing her eyelids to tremble slightly. A tall figure suddenly cast a shadow over her: "Sangsang, you really love to sleep. I was starting to worry you’d never wake up."
Sang Ning glanced over, seeing Li Juezhou in a hospital gown, crouched like a pitiful golden retriever beside her bed, his large hands firmly wrapping around hers.
Sang Ning struggled to pull at the muscles on both sides of her mouth, managing to form a difficult smile. In a hoarse voice, she said, "115?"
Li Juezhou’s pupils shrank, his eyelids trembling a few times before he returned a smile filled with myriad emotions. "No. 114, from now on, let’s take care of each other."
During her coma, Sang Ning learned that Lu Yujing had been forcibly sent to a psychiatric hospital. Before entering, she had been incessantly ranting, "Sang Ning deserves to die! Sang Ning stole my female lead status. I am the true favored daughter of fate in this world." However, not a single person believed her.
Three days later, Sang Ning was discharged from the hospital. After much deliberation, she made a major decision—retirement.
She had never aspired to be part of the entertainment industry. Initially, she had only taken on variety shows and acted in films to complete the tasks assigned to her. Since her task was now complete, there was no need for her to remain.
The Zijin Research Institute had already confirmed her enrollment as a graduate student, charting a new life trajectory for her in World No. 03 from the novel.
Her film had become a blockbuster hit, with theaters packed to capacity, every show sold out. The momentum suggested she might claim the annual title of Best Actress, with many predicting that she’d become a top-tier celebrity.
But just as her career in the entertainment industry was thriving, she unexpectedly announced her retirement in a Weibo post. While the public was still processing the news, she went on to delete her Weibo account altogether.
Her decision sent shockwaves through the entertainment world. Fans lamented her departure, saying they felt like they had lost a home. Competitors secretly rejoiced; no longer would there be formidable competition stealing their opportunities. Others expressed regret that someone as naturally gifted as Sang Ning would forsake her potential in the industry.
Some speculated she intended to fully dedicate herself to scientific research, while others assumed the explosion had disfigured her, rendering her unable to stay in the industry. Most leaned towards the latter theory, mourning the downfall of a rising star.
Half a year later, Li Juezhou spent a fortune organizing a grand wedding for Sang Ning, a spectacle that captivated the entire nation. Media outlets nationwide covered the event via live broadcast.
Only then did Sang Ning reappear before the public. Those who had assumed she had been disfigured and thought her face was ruined were stunned when they saw the broadcast. Her face, seemingly sculpted by the gods, was untouched.
The legendary beauty of the entertainment world demonstrated no signs of injury; if anything, her radiance was even more dazzling.
Amid the blessings, people murmured that the Sang Family, being a modest household, would likely face difficulties now that she had married into a wealthy family.
But sharp-eyed reporters quickly discovered that the Sang Family was anything but ordinary.
Mr. Sang, it turned out, was one of China’s new representatives of traditional handmade woodworking as an intangible cultural heritage. Mrs. Sang had won this year’s prestigious Chef King competition and was even invited to contribute to the preparation of national banquets. Sang Ning’s previously delinquent younger brother had become the provincial science champion, a scholarly talent with incredible grades. On top of that, his striking looks earned him an army of admirers, surpassing the popularity of most regular male celebrities in the entertainment industry. Meanwhile, the research project co-submitted by Sang Ning and Zijin Research Institute’s director, Tang Yuanmao, had been accepted into major international selections.
How was this considered climbing upward? It was clearly a power couple of equals.
The wedding ceremony entered its final stage: the mutual embrace and kiss.
Li Juezhou smiled with the look of a man utterly fulfilled. His deep, dark eyes held only Sang Ning’s image. Though his expression appeared calm, his heart pounded like a drum. Fixing his gaze firmly on her, he nervously asked, "Sangsang, are you ready to walk life’s path hand in hand with me?"
Sang Ning’s eyes shone like stars as she nodded gently. Li Juezhou reached out his long arm, drawing her into his embrace. A gentle kiss fell upon her lips.
"Sangsang, please take care of me for the rest of our days."
—The End.
