Life Simulation
Chef Mao regained his senses and found himself standing before Kael's spirit altar.
His expression softened with fatherly affection. He lifted his sleeve and gently brushed dust from the portrait of Kael.
"Cough, cough… Kael…
Dad didn't lie to you. I'll take good care of my health. I'm waiting for the day we meet again."
---
Back in reality, Kael looked at the sleeping Chef Mao, emotions swirling in his chest.
His Pain Value had dropped so drastically. Clearly, seeing him had given Chef Mao immense comfort.
That alone reassured him deeply.
At the same time, Kael regretted the way he had reacted the first time he met the simulated Amber.
Only now did he fully understand how badly he'd hurt her.
At the time, he was still new to the Life Simulation, desperately drawing a line between the simulation and the real world.
When he suddenly ran into the simulated Amber, he panicked.
He made the worst possible choice.
Thinking back to that look of disbelief and heartbreak in Amber's eyes, Kael felt a sharp ache in his chest.
If only he had told her he was alive.
If only he had let her know they hadn't forgotten everything they'd gone through together.
He could only hope he'd have the chance to make up for that mistake one day.
Since the simulated Chef Mao had returned, the real Chef Mao should be waking soon.
Kael sat back down in the chair, quietly keeping watch…
---
Early the next morning, Xiangling and Mona hurried into Chef Mao's room.
Xiangling's face was etched with worry.
"Brother, Dad still isn't awake?"
"Not yet, but he should be soon."
Mona's gaze softened as she looked at Kael. "Kael, you've stayed up all night… why don't you rest for a while? Xiangling and I can watch him."
"Alright."
Kael's strengthened body could stay awake for a full week without collapsing.
But since they already knew Chef Mao's condition wasn't serious, he could afford to take a quick detour to Wangshu Inn.
He'd accepted payment from the God of Contracts. A contract was a contract.
Kael left Wanmin Restaurant and teleported to Wangshu Inn's viewing deck.
He called Xiao, let Little Gold feed, and completed the entire routine in one smooth sequence.
"How did Liyue City feel yesterday?"
While Little Gold devoured the Karmic Debt, Xiao's pain faded significantly. That rare relief gave him a few minutes of ease.
He was in such a rare good mood that he actually took the initiative to talk to Kael.
"It's very lively. As expected of Liyue, protected by the Adepti."
Kael had been so busy handling Chef Mao's situation yesterday he didn't even have time to explore properly.
Not that it mattered. He had wandered Liyue countless times in the game.
Teyvat's most prosperous nation was bound to be spectacular.
Hearing Kael's words, Xiao smiled slightly.
"Good."
And then he vanished again.
Kael was already used to Xiao disappearing mid-sentence.
He shrugged, opened the map, and teleported back to Liyue City.
Just like yesterday, he arrived at the marker outside the gates and walked in.
He had barely stepped foot into Chihu Rock when someone shouted behind him.
"Sir up ahead!! Stop!!! Don't move!!!"
Kael turned around, eyebrows raising when he saw a very familiar silhouette sprinting toward him.
A girl dressed in black, wearing a mask, raced straight at him.
Her pale, slender legs flashed under her black shorts as she dashed forward and skidded to a stop in front of him.
"Hello, sir! I'm Hu Tao, the seventy-seventh Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. May I have your name?"
Kael looked into the bright plum-blossom eyes shining like lanterns behind her mask.
Hu Tao, huh.
"I'm Kael."
Hu Tao immediately grabbed his right hand and shook it enthusiastically.
"Boss Kael, hello hello hello!"
"Boss Kael, you have a dignified appearance and extraordinary aura. Anyone can tell at a glance you're a wealthy man. How about it, would you like to purchase our services at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?"
One of the undertakers ran up at that moment, gasping for breath.
"D-Director… you run too fast…"
Hu Tao had taken off like a madwoman the moment she saw this man's back from a distance.
The poor undertaker could barely keep up.
Breath still uneven, he muttered, "Th-this gentleman… he's not from Liyue, right… Director, your way of selling services… does it even work?"
Hu Tao answered without hesitation. "Of course it works!"
"I just feel an overwhelming sense of familiarity with Boss Kael. I really want to send—"
She caught herself.
"Ahem. I mean, I really want to introduce him to our services."
She looked up at Kael with bright, expectant eyes. "Boss Kael, I'm sure we're fated to meet! You're definitely destined to become a Hu-class VIP at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Why not plan ahead for your future funeral arrangements?"
Kael was speechless.
You definitely almost said you wanted to send me off.
No wonder she felt familiar.
He had supported her business twice in the Life Simulation.
It made sense she'd feel drawn to him.
But…
In the simulation, he died repeatedly for emotional-tragedy-throwing plot twists.
In real life, now that he had the System, he wasn't going to die that easily.
Kael smoothly pulled his hand out of Hu Tao's grasp.
"I don't think I'll need your services."
"Don't say that!" Hu Tao chirped as if she couldn't sense his coldness at all. "Everyone can use our services eventually. It's just a matter of sooner or later."
"How about this? Since you're the first person I've ever liked this much at first sight, I'll make an exception. I'll upgrade you to a Hu-class VIP for free."
"All services will be thirty percent off! Remember to come find me!"
The undertaker beside her stared at her in shock as she held out a VIP card.
It was the first time he'd ever seen the Director be so generous, giving discounts to someone who hadn't even spent a single Mora yet.
"Fine."
Kael accepted the card helplessly.
If he didn't take it, Hu Tao's persistent personality would definitely cause trouble.
The moment he took the card, he turned and walked away.
Hu Tao waved both arms wildly and shouted after him.
"Boss Kael! Welcome anytime!! Come find me when you're ready!!!"
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Next Target 700PS :)