Kael felt a sharp ache in his chest as he read on.
In his memories, Hu Tao was always lively and clever, fearless and full of mischief. A girl so vivid and alive… yet she had withered because of him.
To be honest, Kael really wanted to tell Hu Tao everything.
Living through these repeated life simulations had already crushed him under an unbearable weight. If Hu Tao could stay by his side, it would at least give him a little comfort.
But was it really the right choice to drag her into this?
His younger sister, Chenxi, was already in danger because of him.
After protecting Hu Tao for so many years in the life simulation, there was no way he wanted to pull the girl he loved into this mire. Drawing a clear line between them was the only way to truly protect her.
And if Hu Tao could give up on him… then when he eventually died, maybe it would hurt her a little less.
"I choose option two."
[Received.]
The System, which had been silently observing everything, sensed Kael's thoughts clearly.
After going through so many life simulations, and after interacting with the real-world female leads, Kael had grown softer.
He was no longer as eager as before to stab the female leads with emotional sadness just to grow stronger.
Now, he was even going against the original purpose of the Tragedy System. Every choice he made was meant to lessen the pain of the female lead.
The System had no intention of reminding him of this. In fact, it was quietly pleased.
[This Host is truly perfect for delivering tragedies.]
The System thought to itself.
Sincere feelings were always exchanged for sincerity.
At its core, emotions were nothing more than mutual effort. There was no such thing as feelings that came out of nowhere. Every bond required both sides to give and maintain it.
Kael believed his actions would ease Hu Tao's pain.
In reality, this kind of protection was the cruelest blow of all.
The System could already foresee that once this life simulation ended, it would harvest a massive amount of energy from Hu Tao once again.
[You gently pry Hu Tao's hand off yours.]
["There's nothing I need your help with. I'm just tired."]
["Because of my promise to the former director, I've been trapped in Wangsheng Funeral Parlor for many years."]
["Now that you can stand on your own, my task is finally complete."]
["I can finally do what I want to do."]
["Hu Tao, don't come looking for me anymore. I don't want to be bound to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor any longer."]
[Hearing your words, Hu Tao's eyes widen in disbelief, tears rapidly gathering.]
[Her voice trembles as she asks, "So Wangsheng Funeral Parlor… and me… to you, we're just shackles?"]
[You answer without hesitation, "They're both responsibility and restraint. But now, I'm finally free."]
[Hu Tao shakes her head, tears flying as they spill down.]
[She can't believe you would say something like that.]
[She had already accepted the fact that you didn't love her.]
[She just didn't want to sever her connection with you. As long as she could see you, that was enough.]
[But she couldn't accept that, to you, she was nothing more than a burden.]
[You force yourself not to look at the devastated Hu Tao and turn away.]
[Just give up on me… please don't come back and shake my resolve again…]
[Your sleeve is suddenly grabbed by a pale, slender hand.]
[Hu Tao lowers her head. You can't see her expression, only the tear-stained marks still dotting the ground.]
["I trust what I feel…"]
["That kindness… that companionship… they were real…"]
["It wasn't just responsibility…"]
[Hu Tao lifts her head to look at you. Tear tracks still cling to her face, yet she wears the same playful smile as always.]
["No matter what you say, I won't give up!"]
[You look into Hu Tao's eyes, overflowing with affection, and your breath catches.]
["Hu Tao…"]
[This clever, mischievous girl always gives you reactions you never expect.]
[In the end, you can only flee the scene in a panic.]
[No matter how hard you push her away, she always returns to your side without hesitation.]
[You truly don't know what to do with Hu Tao anymore.]
[Liyue is your and Yelan's territory. Logically speaking, finding a ten-year-old girl shouldn't be difficult.]
[Yet Chenxi seems to have vanished without a trace. No matter what methods you use, you can't find a single clue.]
[There is only one possible answer.]
[Chenxi has been found by the Fatui.]
["Mr. Kael, I'm very sorry…"]
[Yelan knows how important Chenxi is to you.]
[When you joined Yanshang Teahouse, you made three requests. This was the only one that truly mattered.]
[That Chenxi must be watched closely and never allowed to leave Yanshang Teahouse.]
[She knew your identity was special. She knew Chenxi was your greatest weakness. Yet she still let her guard down and allowed Chenxi to escape.]
[If it weren't for her personal desires, if she hadn't taken you to Mondstadt, perhaps this accident would never have happened…]
[Yelan had always been confident in her abilities. That confidence led to her oversight, and she failed to properly secure Chenxi…]
[Yelan's heart feels unbearably heavy.]
[Trying to obtain you now seems even more distant than before…]