This hard-won shortcut seemed to have no reason to be refused.
To clear all obstacles for her, all she needed to do was kill the First World's Tong Yang in two years. What seemed like an utterly impossible task was, for Tong Yang, no different from a pie falling from the sky.
The fight against the First World and the Parallel Worlds had now become a fight against the First World's Tong Yang.
However, all the heavy burdens would fall on Tong Yang alone.
If successful, everyone would rejoice; if not, she would not only lose her life but also bear the infamy of causing the Real World's invasion.
"Well?" asked the First World's Tong Yang.
It seemed she didn't believe Tong Yang would refuse.
If Tong Yang participated in this game, she would shift from passive to active. Once she failed, the blame would rest solely on her shoulders.
Tong Yang didn't care about that. What happened after her death had nothing to do with her, and she wouldn't know anyway.
Her judgment was that she should participate in this game and make use of the First World's Tong Yang.
"I'm willing to play this game with you, but this isn't just a matter between you and me," Tong Yang said.
The First World's Tong Yang laughed. "It seems the Third World isn't so boring after all. You think they still have a reason to exist."
Tong Yang said, "I need to return to the Real World once."
Tong Yang believed she should join the game, staking the entire Real World. However, she didn't want the Real World's fate—life or death—to be decided arbitrarily without its knowledge.
They might not be willing to entrust their lives to Tong Yang, for her to bear alone.
The First World's Tong Yang immediately said, "Fine, I can let you return."
Tong Yang said, "To prevent the situation from worsening further, you need to replace me and return to the First World with them to stop the conflict between the United Government and the slums from erupting."
Tong Yang spoke with righteous confidence. The First World's Tong Yang narrowed her eyes at her. Clearly, no one had dared make such a demand of her before.
Tong Yang said, "This is a basic condition."
The First World's Tong Yang said with an ambiguous tone, "You really know how to make the most of everything."
Xue Wei and Mi Qi stared dumbfounded at the woman who seemed like a god of death, saying in disbelief, "You're letting her go back with us?"
"No way, I don't want to be around her."
Bai Sining wore an equally wary expression.
Tong Yang said, "I don't want to waste time. If she wants to take action against you, does she need a specific time and place?"
"Well, that's true."
The First World's Tong Yang's mouth turned down in a sigh. "You're so adorable, I can't even refuse you."
"You must have a way to take them back to the First World, right?"
"Naturally."
"Then that's settled. I might stay for a few days when I go back. Sorry for the trouble."
The First World's Tong Yang raised an eyebrow. "You really don't stand on ceremony at all."
Tong Yang pondered for a moment, then looked at Xue Wei and said, "You also wouldn't want our game to be sabotaged. If anyone tries to interfere, I wouldn't mind if you killed them."
She was saying this to the First World's Tong Yang.
The First World's Tong Yang chuckled darkly. "Getting addicted to ordering me around? However, I certainly won't let anyone ruin the game I've so carefully prepared."
Xue Wei hurriedly said, "I won't interfere."
"Who knows."
Tong Yang said, "I'm leaving. You all take care."
"I look forward to your answer."
Tong Yang parted ways with the four of them and used the "Elevator Game" to return to the Real World, appearing in Country M.
All the items Tong Yang carried with her were left in the First World. She could only borrow a passerby's phone to contact Mr. Meng.
"Tong Yang?" Mr. Meng asked in surprise. "Where are you? Why are you calling me?"
Tong Yang said, "Mr. Meng, I'm in a bit of a bind. Could you send someone to pick me up and contact Country Z?"
"What's your location? I'll send someone immediately."
Tong Yang reported her location. After waiting two or three hours, a helicopter sent by Mr. Meng picked her up and took her to his home.
Personnel dispatched by the Country Z government arrived the following evening. Everyone gathered in the study of Mr. Meng's house.
Mr. Du asked, "How did you end up here?"
Tong Yang told them about her experiences in the slums and the appearance of the First World's Tong Yang.
Hearing this, everyone fell into deep thought.
"What are your chances of success against the First World's Tong Yang?" Mr. Du asked.
Tong Yang said, "Less than ten percent."
Wu Pingxue said, "Given the current situation, with the First World slaughtering humans in the slums to prepare for developing the Magnetic Field Energy, our chances of destroying the Magnetic Field Energy would also be greatly reduced, even to less than ten percent."
Mr. Du said, "Tong Yang, this is not a simple matter. If you agree to her demands, the help we can provide you will be very limited."
Tong Yang shook her head. "Even if I don't agree to her demands, the help the Real World can provide me is also very limited."
The situation facing the Real World was too passive. Coupled with the existence of the Magnetic Field Energy, they had almost no means to fight back.
On one hand, they couldn't make any major moves; on the other, their understanding of the two worlds was one-sided. If not for the appearance of Tong Yang as a temporal anchor point, their situation might have been even worse than that of the Parallel World.
Apart from assisting Tong Yang in completing her plan, the Real World could do little. The Magnetic Field Energy was an insurmountable chasm for them.
Mr. Du sighed. "I'm sorry to disappoint you."
"There's no need to say that. Without the Magnetic Field Energy, the Real World inherently can't do much."
The 749 Bureau had been involved in these matters, obtaining some key information and even high-quality genetic serums. Unfortunately, it was merely a drop in the bucket. Against the formidable Magnetic Field Energy, ordinary people simply couldn't contend.
"I didn't expect the First World's Tong Yang to intervene. I don't know if this is ultimately a blessing or a curse," Wu Pingxue said gravely.
Tong Yang said, surprised, "I thought it was within your expectations."
Wu Pingxue said, "I can't predict the future."
Mr. Du pondered for a moment and said, "Tong Yang, I'd like to hear your thoughts."
Wu Pingxue said, "Tell us your plan."
Tong Yang's gaze swept over the two of them. After a few seconds of silence, she said, "The First World's Tong Yang is extremely powerful. Even if given ten or twenty years, I might not necessarily be able to defeat her."
During her growth period, the First World's Tong Yang definitely wouldn't stand still waiting for her.
In two years' time, early 2028, she couldn't possibly be a match for the First World's Tong Yang.
Tong Yang continued, "Therefore, I hope the plan proceeds as usual. She will pave a road for me. Killing her means victory at the end of that road. I want to open a hidden path along this road. Even if she wins and I die, the Real World can still reach the end of that road."
"Not only will I agree to her conditions, but I will also utilize her as much as possible, squeezing out all her value. However, I will stay at the training base from now on. These tasks will have to be carried out by you."
Tong Yang did not deny that she was a greedy person.
Admittedly, it was almost impossible for her to defeat the First World's Tong Yang. But she wasn't just fighting for herself. Even if she failed and died, she had to ensure the Real World achieved its goal.
This was the equivalent exchange Tong Yang had set in her heart for herself and the Real World.
The fate of the real world rests on her shoulders alone, and she is doing her utmost to leave them a way out.
Tong Yang felt she might be overthinking things, but it didn't matter.
Wu Pingxue looked at her deeply and said, "So, you've prepared yourself for certain death."
Tong Yang nodded. "Yes."
She didn't want to die. In the time she had left, she would strive with all her might to grow stronger, even though the hope of defeating the Tong Yang from the First World was exceedingly slim.
Tong Yang disliked sacrifice, so she didn't consider her actions sacrificial.
In her view, this was simply an equivalent exchange.
"It will be very difficult for me to win. Utilizing her to destroy the magnetic field energy would be much simpler."
Wu Pingxue didn't directly tell Tong Yang what the method to destroy the magnetic field energy was. The information they currently possessed was insufficient—such as the twelve families corresponding to the twelve gates, and the internal distribution within the United Government. Using the First World's Tong Yang would make everything clear at a glance.
Moreover, with parallel worlds watching covetously, the First World's Tong Yang was of great use. Tong Yang felt they should seize this opportunity.
Silence fell in the room. Mr. Du sighed. "Tong Yang, have you thought this through?"
Wu Pingxue's expression was also uncharacteristically serious.
Tong Yang said, "This is just a contingency plan for the real world. I care about my own life more than any of you."
You can't have your cake and eat it too, but Tong Yang was determined to try.
If her hope of beating the First World's Tong Yang was slim, then she would find another path—at the very least, ensuring the real world remained in an invincible position.
Tong Yang was too rational. Her ideas left no room for others to find fault, because aside from the cost to herself, there was no harm to the real world.
This child, full of edges and corners, wasn't as cold as she appeared on the surface.
After the discussion concluded, Tong Yang and the others met with the M-country government before setting off to return home.
Uncertain when she might return to the real world, Tong Yang planned to settle all her affairs before heading to the First World.
Back in the capital, Tong Yang went to Yang Lin's parents' home. She didn't explain much, afraid they might notice something amiss.
Then she went to visit Grandma Yu. The outcome was predictable—she got an earful.
She found Chu Shiyu, and together they picked up Tong Le and Yang Lin from school, had a meal out, and sent the two children home.
That evening, Chu Shiyu contacted Xu Junyue and the others.
Xu Junyue was at the military camp and temporarily couldn't get away, so Tao Bai and a few others came out to meet.
After a few drinks and some pleasantries, Tong Yang got straight to the point.
"How is Ji Jia'en considering things?" Tong Yang asked.
There were less than three months until Ji Jia'en's death date in May 2026. After Tong Yang went to the First World, she wouldn't return, so she could only take this chance to ask. If the other party didn't believe her, she wouldn't waste any more energy on such matters.
Zhou Jingyun was taken aback. "Jia'en-jie never mentioned this to me. She's probably forgotten all about it."
Tong Yang nodded, her expression unchanging, and said, "I suggest you ask her what kind of funeral she'd like and pick out a cemetery plot in advance."
Zhou Jingyun: "..."
"May I ask the time and place of her passing?"
Tong Yang said, "Mid-May, at the Hongyang Grand Hotel."
She had said her piece. How things developed afterwards was none of her concern.
Zhou Jingyun nodded. "Thank you."
Chu Shiyu had trained with Xu Junyue for a period but returned to school after it started.
"You seem to be in a real hurry this time," Chu Shiyu said on the way home.
Tong Yang had no intention of hiding it from her and bluntly voiced her thoughts.
After hearing her out, Chu Shiyu looked at her in silence for a long time.
"Tong Yang, you always walk ahead so fast, all by yourself," Chu Shiyu said, her voice slightly hoarse.
A cold wind brushed her cheeks. Tong Yang looked into the distance and said, "Don't worry, Wu Pingxue won't let you all stay idle."
Keeping the real world unscathed under such circumstances was no simple task.
As for how to do it, Wu Pingxue had a good sense of proportion.
Chu Shiyu gave a wry smile, her tone lightening a little. "It's strange. You're too capable. I always feel like you won't lose. It seems like you've never lost, either. No matter how desperate the situation, you always find a solution."
Tong Yang smiled. "Let's hope so."
The next day, Tong Yang contacted Mr. Du, informing him that a certain model of aircraft would crash in mid-to-late 2026 and that they should take preventive measures in advance.
Upon learning this, Mr. Du immediately dispatched people to investigate.
Tong Yang quite liked this feeling—not having to exhaust herself explaining things.
After that, Tong Yang returned to school to apply for a leave of absence. It was a pity, but there was no helping it. This wasn't like the time in Dongyang Community where academics were the top priority. Now, she cared more about her own life and needed to devote all her energy to protecting herself.
With her worries settled and all matters of the real world no longer requiring her consideration—and with the First World's Tong Yang clearing obstacles in both the First World and parallel worlds for her over the next two years—she actually felt an immense sense of relief.
On her final day in the real world, Tong Yang went to find Ye Huai.
Ye Huai had been extremely busy lately. Rumor had it he'd had a heart attack mid-way and nearly died, though he hadn't let Tong Yang detect any signs.
"Hello, I'm looking for Ye Huai."
Tong Yang didn't have a communication device on her, so she went directly to Ye Huai's company.
After returning to the real world, she hadn't found the time to contact him.
The receptionist said, "You're looking for President Ye? Do you have an appointment?"
Tong Yang was momentarily stunned. "Is an appointment necessary?"
Tong Yang had never met anyone who required an appointment, feeling a bit helpless. She still had to go to the public security bureau in two hours.
The receptionist smiled and said, "Miss, President Ye is usually very busy with work. Generally, you need to schedule an appointment in advance to secure his time."
Tong Yang nodded and asked, "I didn't bring my phone. Could you contact him for me? If he's unavailable, that's fine."
The receptionist patiently asked, "May I have your surname, please?"
"Tong Yang."
"Alright, please wait a moment."
The receptionist made a call.
"Hello, front desk. Could you please get President Ye? A Miss Tong is here to see him."
"Okay."
After a brief conversation on the other end, the receptionist hung up.
"Miss Tong, please have a seat in the waiting area."
"Thank you."
Tong Yang sat in the lounge area to wait.
The receptionist brought her a cup of hot tea. "President Ye will be right down."
"Okay, thank you."
Tong Yang hadn't waited more than a few minutes when slightly hurried footsteps sounded from behind her.
Tong Yang turned around and locked eyes with Ye Huai, who was dressed in a deep blue suit.
Months apart had made the young man seem much more mature. His eyes held a smile as he quickened his pace to reach her. "Long time no see."
Tong Yang observed him comfortably. "Looking more and more like an adult."
Ye Huai chuckled. "You sound like an elder."
Tong Yang didn't mind. "Do I?"
Ye Huai said, "Do you have time? Come up to my office for a bit."
"I have two hours," Tong Yang said.
"Then let's go."
Tong Yang walked with him into the elevator and up to his office.
"Why didn't you contact me in advance? I could have prepared."
Tong Yang said, "No need. I just came to see you. I'll only stay for a little while before leaving."
"What would you like to drink?"
"I already had something downstairs."
Ye Huai closed the office door and the blinds, sitting with her on the sofa.
"Is everything going smoothly?" Ye Huai asked.
"Mm, relatively smooth."
Ye Huai tilted his head to look at her and remained silent for a long time.
"What's wrong?" Tong Yang asked, puzzled.
Ye Huai said, "Sorry, I didn't expect you to be here."
Tong Yang asked with keen interest, "Are you happy?"
Ye Huai nodded frankly. "Happy. I thought we wouldn't meet again until next year, or the year after."
In the First World, even though she could contact people in the real world, Tong Yang was busy with training all day long. She never visited without a reason and rarely contacted them.
His answer was so straightforward that it actually made Tong Yang feel a bit uncomfortable.
"I heard you almost died?" Tong Yang asked bluntly.
Ye Huai said, "It wasn't that exaggerated. I just forgot to take my medicine by accident."
Tong Yang said, "You've been taking medicine for so many years, and you still forgot?"
"Maybe my health is a bit better than before, so I got careless."
Tong Yang said with a half-smile, "That's great. While I was fighting for my life in the First World, you were also fighting for your work."
Ye Huai looked at her and said sincerely, "I cherish my life, really."
"I hope so."
Tong Yang hadn't come to him for this. She glanced around Ye Huai's office. The decor leaned toward a steady, solemn style, with a large medical kit placed in one corner.
Tong Yang pondered for a few seconds and asked, "If you had a sudden heart attack, would the medicine in there be enough?"
Ye Huai, not understanding her point, replied, "If it's not serious, it's enough."
"What if it's very serious?" Tong Yang asked.
"The family doctor's office is on the seventeenth floor. It would only take two minutes for them to get here."
"Oh." Tong Yang nodded. "That's good then."
Ye Huai asked, puzzled, "What's the matter?"
Tong Yang didn't answer. Looking at his pale lips, she leaned forward without warning and kissed them.
Ye Huai's pupils dilated. He didn't react even after Tong Yang pulled back.
"What kind of reaction is this?" Tong Yang looked at his calm face. "I thought you'd faint like last time."
Ye Huai's gaze rested on her face in a daze, his pale skin flushing slightly. He pursed his dry lips, his expression turning odd.
"You..."
He wanted to say something but hesitated.
Tong Yang's motto had always been to talk less and do more. She grabbed Ye Huai's shoulders and kissed him again.
Ye Huai's skin was too fair; a light pinch left a large red mark.
Breath brushed between their noses. Tong Yang didn't close her eyes. She curiously observed Ye Huai's reaction and found that he, with trembling long eyelashes, hadn't closed his eyes either.
The moment their eyes met, Ye Huai bit her lips, not too lightly, not too heavily.
He grasped Tong Yang's hand, his palm temperature scalding hot, his voice hoarse: "Close your eyes."
Tong Yang looked at him suspiciously. Why close her eyes? She liked observing Ye Huai's reactions.
Not getting a reply, Ye Huai leaned in and kissed her.
"Wait."
Tong Yang leaned back, not letting him kiss her. "Why close our eyes..."
Before Tong Yang could finish her sentence, a hand pressed against her waist, silencing her lips.
Seeing the other person close his eyes, Tong Yang, as if bewitched, closed hers as well.
The feeling was completely different from having eyes open. Darkness amplified the body's senses infinitely. It was very gentle and very comfortable.
Ye Huai was naturally gifted, completely mastering the rhythm of breathing, causing the kiss to last a long time.
When they parted, Ye Huai rested his forehead against hers and said hoarsely, "You came to find me just for this?"
Tong Yang pressed her tingling lips and said, "Yeah."
Seeing the meaningful look in his eyes, Tong Yang, feeling somewhat unwilling to admit defeat, said, "Not just that."
"Hmm?"
Tong Yang said, "I want to do other things too."
"What things?"
Tong Yang glanced at the hem of his clothes and said, "What do you think?"
Ye Huai chuckled. "Are you always this frank?"
Tong Yang said, "But forget it. Your physical condition isn't up to it."
Ye Huai's body stiffened slightly. He narrowed his eyes at her. "Are you doing this on purpose?"
"No, just saying it offhand, don't take it seriously." Tong Yang couldn't hide the teasing on her face.
Ye Huai pursed his lips, looking at her, his expression betraying a hint of resentment. After a long moment, he gently rested his forehead on her shoulder and said, "Don't provoke me. This is an office. There are surveillance cameras."
Tong Yang was stunned. "There are cameras?"
"Mm."
"Why didn't you say so earlier?" Tong Yang pushed him. "Let go, I'm leaving."
Ye Huai didn't let go. He raised his head,
raised an eyebrow at her with a smile, as if having scored a point, and said, "I was lying. There are no cameras."
Tong Yang was speechless. "Childish."
"Hungry? Let me take you to get something to eat." Ye Huai smiled.
Tong Yang shook her head. "No need. I'll stay a little while longer and then go."
"Okay."
Just staying like this didn't seem bad either.
Tong Yang propped her elbow on his shoulder and looked at the ceiling light for a while.
"Something on your mind?" Ye Huai asked.
"Mm." Tong Yang nodded.
What she was going to do, Ye Huai would find out sooner or later. She hadn't planned to hide it anyway.
"Before coming back, I met with the Tong Yang from the First World."
Ye Huai's brow furrowed slightly. "What did she do?"
Tong Yang said, "She wanted to play a game with me. She gives me two years, she'll pave the way for me. If I can kill her after two years, the goal in the real world will be achieved. If I lose, the real world will probably lose too."
Ye Huai's expression turned grave. "What do you think?"
"I want to agree to her, but I don't plan to follow her instructions. If I lose, the real world cannot lose. So, Wu Pingxue's plan will proceed as usual. I want to use her to achieve the goal."
Ye Huai's lips tightened into a line. "You think your chances of killing her are slim, so you're taking a desperate gamble to ensure the real world won't be affected?"
Tong Yang looked momentarily taken aback. "You think I'm that kind-hearted?"
Ye Huai looked at her deeply and said, "Tong Yang, you've always been doing equivalent exchanges. But some things are unconditional."
Tong Yang had never gained anything unconditionally. She believed everything in the world was like a monetary transaction; only by giving up something could you get what you wanted.
"It doesn't matter whether you're kind-hearted. Doing what you believe is right is enough in itself," Ye Huai said.
Tong Yang silently lowered her eyelids. "I've always been doing what I believe is right."
"The only thing I can't set my mind at ease about is that after I die, Tong Le will try to go back to the past to save me."
Just like after her death on May 28th in the original timeline, whether it's the Tong Le from the current timeline or the Tong Le from the 2036 timeline, they would likely choose to do that.
Ye Huai looked at her quietly, his eyes inscrutable and hard to fathom. "Have you ever thought that perhaps I would too?"
Tong Yang stared at him blankly, suddenly remembering what he had once said.
"Would you mind if an interesting story ended briefly?" Tong Yang asked.
Ye Huai's eyes were deep, his tone firm: "I won't let it end."
