The one with the shift had just departed, and we see Hangfang, once again in his original body, sitting in silence—but something was obviously amiss. His mood had hit rock bottom. He sat silently, eyes gazing forward, but his mind was in turmoil. It was as if his entire being had closed down from the inside out.
Just then, So Rong approached him. She caught sight of his face and cocked her head in concern.
"Hey… what's wrong with you? We're practically there. Why are you looking so… lost?" she asked gently.
Hangfang gradually turned to her, his voice low and faraway.
"You may not believe this… but I just came back from my own world."
The instant those words escaped his mouth, it was as if a thunderclap struck So Rong.
You… returned? To your world?" Her heart tightened. She smiled, but her thoughts were already in motion—Does this mean he's going to leave soon? She didn't verbalize it, but the pain had already started spreading in her chest.
Struggling to maintain a steady voice, she asked, "Then… why did you return here? What went wrong there?
Hangfang glared down, his fists balled tightly. "Nothing's the same, So Rong. Nothing at all. The world I left behind is… broken now. Everything's shattered."
He drew a shaky breath, eyes brimming with tears.
"My father… he's dead.
My mother—she's lost her mind.
My best friend… the one who used to stand by me—he hates me now.".
And my second brother. he's fighting to stay alive. He kept the family intact, but what did it cost him?
Hangfang's voice cracked, and the anguish gushed out.
"I wasn't ready for this. I imagined that I could turn back the clock and get things right again. but all I saw instead was a world I couldn't even recognize myself anymore. I collapsed, So Rong. I collapsed altogether."
As the tears streamed down his face, So Rong could no longer restrain herself. She rushed towards him and slapped his shoulder firmly.
"Idiot," she said, her voice shaking. Then, without further ado, she clamped him in a tight hug. Her arms enveloped him with all the warmth she could muster.
"You don't have to cry like this. None of this was your fault. You didn't get to decide to be cast into this world—it just happened. An accident. Not your choice."
Her voice broke as she went on,
"Please, don't blame yourself. Don't bear this pain alone. We're all with you. I… I'm with you."
She was crying as well now, the feelings spilling out of her. Catching sight of her so, Hangfang felt something inside himself shift. A choice flowered in his heart—simple, fierce, and unbreakable.
Perhaps I couldn't save the family I lost. but this family, which I already have. I will never leave them. Even if I'm stuck here forever, I will.
So Rong… she's the only one who never stared at me differently, even after realizing I'm from another world. She never doubted me, never pushed me away. She's the only one who believed in me. The only one I can still trust.
From now on, I will guard this connection—even if it costs me everything.
They arrived at the sector just in time. Standing before them was leader Xiao Xiya. She welcomed them with a cold tone, her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Welcome back. But Hangfang… this time, you've really done it wrong. Losing a match in the competition is one thing—but what you did today cannot be taken lightly."
Hangfang bowed his head in silence, accepting the words.
Xiya turned and pushed open the door. "Come in. Both of you. You must rest. Tomorrow… there will be a meeting. Something important will be decided."
When they entered the room, her words hung there, and both Hangfang and So Rong silently registered—something was on the way.