Amid everyone's discussion, the video's plot continued.
After tidying up his clothes, Van pushed open the room's door.
He stood on the second floor, looking toward the living room through the staircase of the villa, as if searching for someone.
Sunlight shone through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows onto the floor, warm and soft.
However, the empty living room made Van feel a bit confused.
His voice sounded in the scene, "Didn't I inform them in advance? Why haven't they come back yet?"
Then he took out his phone, opened the group chat called "Golden Courtyard Family," and sent a question mark.
However, after waiting for a long time, still no one replied.
He shook his head helplessly, complaining, "This group of guys, are they really that busy?"
Afterward, he packed his school bag and left the villa.
———
Seeing this, people in the real world one after another sent barrage comments expressing pity for Van.
[Unbelievable, such an important graduation ceremony, and his family didn't come?]
[No wonder Van values his friends so much, turns out it's because he himself is the one not valued.]
[I get it now! The next plot should be Van attending the graduation ceremony, then the Honkai breaks out, and his family dies. For revenge, Van sets out on a journey to fight the Honkai.]
[Bro, they just didn't attend the ceremony, doesn't mean they deserve to die, right?]
[Although what came before was kind of cruel, I surprisingly want to keep watching.]
[+1]
[Bro upstairs, who turned you guys into this?]
[Don't ask. If you must ask, it's miHoYo!]
———
Amid the netizens' roasting, the video's plot quickly progressed.
After arriving at school, Van, led by the teacher, entered the auditorium with classmates to take commemorative photos.
Van looked at classmates who were accompanied by family, and a trace of disappointment inevitably flashed across his face.
But he quickly adjusted and comforted himself inwardly, 'It's just a graduation photo, not some life-or-death parting…'
Even though he said that, during the photoshoot Van still instinctively looked up at the auditorium's doors, obviously expecting something.
However, even when the graduation ceremony ended, he still didn't see the person he wanted to see.
———
In the real world, this scene immediately broke the emotional Guinaifen. She couldn't wait to jump into the video, tightly hug Van, and then shout, "Honey, don't be sad. Even if your family isn't with you, you still have me!"
Seeing this, many viewers began to hope that miHoYo's writers would give them a plot twist.
Whether the family shows up or the Honkai breaks out… Anyway, they didn't want to keep watching this depressing story.
However, what disappointed them was that the following plot turned strangely calm.
———
After the graduation ceremony ended and bidding farewell to his classmates, Van left school alone.
When passing by the supermarket entrance, he even took the time to buy some groceries, preparing to go back and cook for his family.
Van's action made Guinaifen, who already felt bad, feel even worse.
She really couldn't understand why Van, being treated like this, still chose to treat others so kindly. If it were her, she definitely couldn't do what he did.
When leaving the supermarket, the sky had darkened, and snowflakes began to fall from the sky.
Van looked up at the sky and murmured, "Better hurry."
When he returned to the villa called "Golden Courtyard," Van found the house completely dark.
He sighed helplessly, "Still not back yet? Are they that busy?"
Opening the door, he put the groceries down and groped in the dark to find the light switch.
At that moment, the lights in the room suddenly all lit up.
The villa that was pitch-black just a second ago instantly became bright.
Immediately after, familiar voices rang in Van's ears.
"Surprise!"
The sudden light made Van unable to open his eyes for a moment.
After adjusting, seeing the thirteen figures under the lights, a genuine smile appeared on his face.
The pink-haired girl standing in front looked around at her companions and called out together, "1, 2, 3! Van, happy graduation!"
Then, a cake was brought over.
Van looked at the cake, then at everyone, and smilingly invited everyone to blow out the candles together.
Scene changed to the dining room.
"What? You thought we wouldn't come back today?" The pink-haired girl excitedly said, "No way! Such an important day today, no matter what, we had to come back."
The wine-red long-haired woman beside her explained, "Sorry, mainly my flight got delayed because of heavy snow, so that's why…"
Before she finished, she was interrupted by the pink-haired girl.
"Aiya, this idea was mine, if you want to blame someone, blame me! I felt on such an important occasion, even missing one person would make it incomplete."
Watching the two of them take the blame for each other, Van revealed a helpless smile.
"I never said I blamed you. You being able to come back already makes me happy."
At this time, a bowl of steaming longevity noodles was placed in front of Van.
Van looked up, turned out it was Fu Hua.
"Van, congratulations on graduating. Eat while it's hot, noodles don't taste good cold," Fu Hua said.
Van smiled gratefully and began to eat the noodles.
Seeing this, the pink-haired girl also clamored for Fu Hua to prepare her a bowl too.
Fu Hua smiled and said, "Everyone has a bowl."
The atmosphere was warm and lively.
———
Seeing this, the barrage that had earlier complained the plot was depressing instantly changed tone.
[So the twist was here all along, miHoYo, I misjudged you]
[Hajime, you rascal!]
[Such a heartwarming scene… but sadly, knowing miHoYo's style, next is definitely the knife!]
[Damn it, Otto, I'll stab you first!]
———
Van looked at the people playing around and finished the longevity noodles, not even leaving the soup.
After putting down the chopsticks, Van was just about to get up to help. At that moment, a faint alarm began to ring in his ears.
Upon hearing the alarm, Van's gaze became a bit dazed. Then as if realizing something, it turned firm again.
He looked up at the still-laughing group, eyes filled with reluctance. But in the end, it turned into a sigh.
"Thank you all for coming… but, goodbye."
As soon as he said that, a cold system notification sounded in the space.
[Simulation, Eternal Paradise, 999th test passed]
[Test subject, Van]
[Please write the test report...]
In the video, Van's figure gradually distanced itself from the thirteen familiar figures. With eyes full of reluctance and determination, he began writing the final report.
"Simulation runs stably, no obvious bugs. Memory personification successful, no abnormal responses."
"After completing memory synchronization, it can officially operate…"
Van finished the report proficiently, just about to submit, but his finger paused in midair.
After a long while, he reopened the report and added one more line, "Meeting you all was really great. I'll fulfill my promise and realize your wishes…"
After pressing submit, the video screen began to shake. Then, with a "pop" sound, like a TV being turned off, the screen went black.
Moments later, red subtitles slowly appeared on the black screen,
[Until the End Battle, remaining time, 12 hours, 06 minutes, 13 seconds…]
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