The setting sun cast its afterglow on the farm path as Xiao Ming and Lin Xiaoxiao walked hand in hand back to the cabin. Lin Xiaoxiao looked like she was soaked in a honey jar, an uncontrollable sweet smile on her face.
"Xiao Ming, today is the happiest day of my life," Lin Xiaoxiao said softly, her eyes sparkling, "I really wish time could stop at this moment."
Xiao Ming looked at her blissful profile and smiled slightly: "There will be more days like this."
Lin Xiaoxiao suddenly stopped and looked up at Xiao Ming: "Promise?"
Xiao Ming reached out to gently stroke her hair: "I promise."
By the time they returned to the cabin, night had fallen on the farm. The stars were twinkling, casting a tranquil atmosphere.
"Are you hungry? Want to get some dinner?" Xiao Ming asked.
Lin Xiaoxiao shook her head: "Not really, I ate a lot of snacks this afternoon." She hesitated for a moment, her cheeks slightly flushed, "I'm a bit tired and want to rest early."
"Alright, then rest early." Xiao Ming said with a smile, walking her to the cabin door.
Lin Xiaoxiao stood at the door, looking like she wanted to say something but held back, her eyes full of anticipation. Xiao Ming leaned down and gently kissed her forehead: "Good night, sweet dreams."
"Good night," Lin Xiaoxiao stood on her toes and gave Xiao Ming a quick kiss on the cheek, then quickly darted into the cabin and shut the door.
Xiao Ming stood there, looking at the closed door, suddenly overcome by a strange feeling. He shook his head and turned toward his own cabin.
"System, what was Lin Xiaoxiao's favorability score just now?" Xiao Ming asked softly.
No response.
"System?" Xiao Ming frowned.
Still no response.
Xiao Ming entered his cabin, closed the door, and called again: "System, are you there?"
"I'm here," a somewhat lazy female voice replied, clearly different from the usual calm mechanical tone, "Call me Ye Li. 'System' sounds too cold."
Xiao Ming was stunned: "What?"
"Does the host not understand human language?" the voice teased, "I said, from now on, call me Ye Li."
Xiao Ming raised an eyebrow: "Why the sudden name change? And the voice too?"
"Congratulations, host, for successfully triggering the system upgrade condition," Ye Li said proudly, "Since your progress in this world has been smooth, the system has automatically upgraded to version 2.0, updating the voice module and personalization settings."
Xiao Ming thought for a moment: "So, you're no longer that cold mechanical system?"
"Aha, you're pretty sharp," Ye Li chuckled, "I'm still the system, just more humanized. Now I can understand more complex human emotions and provide more personalized suggestions."
Xiao Ming sat on the edge of the bed: "Sounds good. Any new functions?"
"Of course, the most important is, I unlocked the 'Companion Storage Space'," Ye Li's tone turned serious, "This function allows you to temporarily store your companion in the system space and summon them at the right time."
Xiao Ming's eyes lit up: "You mean, I can take Lin Xiaoxiao to the next world?"
"Not just Lin Xiaoxiao," Ye Li explained, "Anyone who has formed a strong emotional connection with you can be stored in the system space. But their favorability must reach 100%."
Xiao Ming pondered: "Lin Xiaoxiao has reached that. What about Lin Jie?"
"65%, showing an upward trend," Ye Li replied, "But it's still a ways off from 100%. What, planning to take both sisters?"
Xiao Ming chuckled: "As a villain, greed is natural."
"Fine, up to you," Ye Li said helplessly, "But let me remind you, the plot of the first world is about to end. You need to prepare before leaving."
Xiao Ming nodded: "I know. First, I need to deal with Professor Chen Ming and eliminate that threat."
"A wise choice," Ye Li agreed, "According to plot analysis, Professor Chen Ming will launch his final counterattack at tomorrow's meeting. You need to be ready."
Xiao Ming narrowed his eyes: "What tricks can he pull?"
"He might have some key evidence," Ye Li analyzed, "If I'm right, he'll reveal your true identity at the school meeting to get back at you."
Xiao Ming sneered: "Even if he knows I'm not a psychologist, so what? He's the one who acted inappropriately."
"True, but the school might question you because of the deception," Ye Li reminded, "The best approach is to strike first."
Xiao Ming thought for a moment, then suddenly stood up: "I need to contact Lin Jie to understand the specifics of tomorrow's meeting."
He took out his phone and called Lin Jie. The call quickly connected, and Lin Jie's voice came through: "Xiao Ming? What's up?"
"I want to know more about tomorrow's meeting," Xiao Ming asked directly, "Who's attending? What are the main discussion topics?"
Lin Jie was silent for a moment, then said: "The principal, academic director, student affairs director, counseling center director, Chen Ming, and me. The main topic is the report about his misconduct and how to handle it."
Xiao Ming nodded: "Does Chen Ming know you reported him?"
"He probably does," Lin Jie sighed, "The meeting notice was sent publicly to all relevant personnel."
"How do you think he'll respond?" Xiao Ming asked.
Lin Jie hesitated: "I'm not sure, but he's been acting strangely lately, like he's gathering some materials. This afternoon, he even asked someone about your background."
A flash of cold light crossed Xiao Ming's eyes: "Seems he's already investigating me."
"Xiao Ming," Lin Jie said worriedly, "If he really finds something, you might get dragged in. Maybe I should withdraw the report..."
"No," Xiao Ming interrupted her firmly, "Don't worry about me. Stick to your report. Facts speak louder than words. Chen Ming's misconduct is backed by solid evidence."
"But..."
"Trust me," Xiao Ming's voice softened, "Everything will be alright. By the way, Xiaoxiao has already gone to bed. She had a great time today."
Lin Jie's voice also softened: "Really? That's good. She's still a kid and should stay away from these complicated things."
"Yes, I'll protect her," Xiao Ming promised, "You should rest early too. You'll need energy for tomorrow's meeting."
After hanging up, Xiao Ming fell into thought.
"System, analyze the evidence Chen Ming might have," Xiao Ming said.
Ye Li's voice sounded: "Based on the information, he might have discovered that you're not a real psychologist. If he dug deep enough, he may have found irregularities in your identity records."
Xiao Ming frowned: "That's troublesome."
"But not unsolvable," Ye Li said with a sly tone, "I can hack into the school's system to alter key records and also dig up more dirt on Chen Ming."
Xiao Ming's eyes lit up: "You can do that?"
"The upgraded me is much more powerful," Ye Li said proudly, "A simple system hack is like breathing to me."
"Then do it," Xiao Ming ordered, "Not only remove my flaws but also uncover more of Chen Ming's misconduct."
"Yes, my dear host," Ye Li replied teasingly, "But keep in mind, this will consume system energy, and I may not be able to use other advanced functions temporarily."
Xiao Ming didn't hesitate: "It's worth the risk."
"Okay, starting the intrusion," Ye Li's voice became mechanical, "Estimated completion time: 3 hours and 22 minutes."
Xiao Ming nodded and walked to the window, gazing at the starry sky. Tomorrow would be the day of reckoning. He had to ensure everything went according to plan. This world, though simple, was the first step in his journey—and he could not afford to fail.
Just as Xiao Ming was deep in thought, his phone suddenly vibrated. It was a message from Lin Xiaoxiao:
"Can't sleep, thinking of you."
Xiao Ming smiled and replied: "Thinking of you too. Sleep well, we have to wake up early tomorrow."
A few seconds later, Lin Xiaoxiao responded: "Will you always stay by my side?"
Xiao Ming looked at the message, hesitated for a moment, then replied: "Yes, no matter what happens."
"Really?" Lin Xiaoxiao seemed to care deeply about this promise.
"Really," Xiao Ming replied, "Now sleep, and have a sweet dream."
Putting down the phone, Xiao Ming felt an indescribable emotion. As a transmigrator, he should treat everything as a game, viewing everyone as chess pieces. But somehow, Lin Xiaoxiao's clear eyes always touched a soft spot in his heart.
"Host, your heart rate has increased," Ye Li suddenly spoke, interrupting his thoughts, "Data shows you're missing Lin Xiaoxiao."
Xiao Ming snorted: "Focus on the hack and mind your own business."
"Roger that," Ye Li teased, "But let me remind you, suppressing true emotions too much is not good for the mission."
Xiao Ming didn't respond, continuing to stare out the window, lost in thought.
Several hours later, Ye Li's voice rang out again: "Mission complete, host."
Xiao Ming immediately asked: "What did you find?"
"First, I have modified your records in the school system. You are now a certified psychologist with complete education and work history."
"Excellent," Xiao Ming nodded, "What about Chen Ming?"
"That's the main dish," Ye Li said excitedly, "I found out that Chen Ming didn't only harass Lin Jie. At least three other female students suffered similar treatment. Worse, he threatened them into silence by manipulating their grades."
A cold gleam flashed in Xiao Ming's eyes: "Do you have solid evidence?"
"Of course," Ye Li said, "I found traces of grade tampering and personal messages he sent to those students. I've compiled them and can send them to the school administration at any time."
Xiao Ming smiled in satisfaction: "Perfect. Send the materials anonymously to the principal and all meeting attendees before tomorrow's meeting."
"As you wish," Ye Li replied, "Also, I've prepared a backup plan. If Chen Ming reveals anything at the meeting, I can remotely interfere with the electronics in the meeting room to cause disruption."
Xiao Ming nodded: "Good, better safe than sorry."
"One more thing," Ye Li suddenly said, "Lin Jie just received a new message on her phone—from Chen Ming."
Xiao Ming became alert: "What did it say?"
"He threatened Lin Jie, saying if she doesn't withdraw her report, he'll make public some damaging information about her."
Xiao Ming clenched his fists: "That despicable man."
"Do you want to contact Lin Jie now?" Ye Li asked.
Xiao Ming thought for a moment, then shook his head: "No, let her rest. We already have the upper hand. Tomorrow, Chen Ming will face the consequences he deserves."
He put down the phone and lay on the bed, closing his eyes. Tomorrow would be the showdown. He needed rest to stay in peak condition.
"Ye Li," Xiao Ming suddenly asked, "Do you think I'm a good person?"
Ye Li was silent for a while before answering: "You're the host of a villain system. You're not supposed to ask such questions."
Xiao Ming chuckled: "Just curious."
"If you must ask," Ye Li's voice softened, "Then I'd say, there's no absolute good or evil—only choices aligned with your heart. You've done what you believe is necessary. That's enough."
Xiao Ming nodded and said no more. Gradually, fatigue overtook him, and he fell into a deep sleep.
In his dream, he saw Lin Xiaoxiao smiling at him from a sea of flowers, while Lin Jie stood in the distance, her eyes full of complex emotion. The sisters' faces blurred in and out, finally merging into fragmented scenes of various worlds flashing before his eyes.
At dawn, the first ray of sunlight filtered through the curtains and into the room. Xiao Ming opened his eyes. Today, he would conclude his journey in this world and face a greater challenge.
"Ye Li," Xiao Ming called softly, "Are you ready?"
"Always at your service, host," Ye Li replied confidently, "The evidence has already been sent anonymously to the principal and all meeting participants. Based on the timeline, they should have seen it by now."
Xiao Ming nodded with satisfaction and got up to wash. Just then, his phone rang—it was Lin Jie calling.
"Xiao Ming," Lin Jie's voice was filled with shock, "Did you know? The principal received more evidence about Chen Ming—it's not just me who was harassed!"
Xiao Ming pretended to be surprised: "Really? That's unbelievable."
"Yes," Lin Jie said excitedly, "The principal has decided to expand the scope of the meeting and even involve the police in the investigation. Chen Ming is surrounded now. There's no chance for him to recover!"
Xiao Ming smiled: "That's great news."
"Yes," Lin Jie's tone softened, "Xiao Ming, thank you for always supporting me. Without you, I might have given up long ago."
Xiao Ming felt a touch of warmth: "This is the justice you deserve."
"By the way," Lin Jie suddenly remembered, "How's Xiaoxiao?"
Xiao Ming smiled: "She's doing great. Slept well last night. Today, we'll spend another day at the farm and go back tomorrow."
"Good," Lin Jie let out a breath, "I have to attend the meeting now. I'll contact you after it's over."
After hanging up, Xiao Ming's expression turned cold.
"Ye Li, keep monitoring the meeting."
"Already watching," Ye Li replied, "Chen Ming just arrived at the school. He looks panicked. He tried to contact the principal but was rejected."
Xiao Ming sneered: "Let him struggle in despair."
After getting dressed, Xiao Ming walked out of the cabin and saw Lin Xiaoxiao already waiting outside in a fresh white dress, looking like an angel in the sunlight.
"Good morning!" Lin Xiaoxiao greeted him cheerfully, "I woke up early just to spend more time with you."
Xiao Ming walked over and gently wrapped an arm around her shoulders: "What do you want to do today?"
Lin Xiaoxiao thought for a moment: "Can we go boating by the lake, then have a picnic?"
"Sounds good," Xiao Ming nodded, "Let's get breakfast first."
The two of them walked hand in hand toward the restaurant. Along the way, Lin Xiaoxiao chattered excitedly about her plans. On the surface, Xiao Ming listened intently, but half of his thoughts were focused on the school meeting.
"Host, the meeting has started," Ye Li's voice sounded in Xiao Ming's mind, "I'm monitoring everything via Lin Jie's phone."
Xiao Ming nodded slightly without revealing anything and continued listening to Lin Xiaoxiao.
After breakfast, they arrived at the lake and rented a small boat. The lake water was blue, reflecting golden light under the sun. The surrounding trees were lush, and the scenery was beautiful.
Lin Xiaoxiao sat on the boat, looking around excitedly: "This place is so beautiful! It feels like a fairytale world!"
Xiao Ming smiled as he rowed, but his focus remained on the information Ye Li was transmitting.
"Chen Ming is trying to defend himself, but the evidence is solid—his situation is dire," Ye Li reported, "Lin Jie is standing her ground and has the principal's support."
Just as Xiao Ming was thinking, Lin Xiaoxiao suddenly leaned toward him: "What are you thinking about? You seem distracted."
Xiao Ming came back to himself and smiled: "Sorry, I was just lost in the scenery."
Lin Xiaoxiao pouted: "Liar, you were daydreaming."
Xiao Ming put down the oar and took her hand: "I was thinking, if only time could stop at this moment."
Lin Xiaoxiao's eyes lit up: "Really?"
"Of course," Xiao Ming said softly, "Every moment with you is precious."
Lin Xiaoxiao shyly lowered her head, unable to hide the smile on her face.
At that moment, Ye Li's voice suddenly sounded again: "Emergency! Chen Ming broke down. He publicly accused Lin Jie of having an inappropriate relationship with you and questioned your identity!"
Xiao Ming tensed up: "How did Lin Jie respond?"
"She denied everything but looked shocked," Ye Li said, "The principal asked Chen Ming to provide evidence, and he showed some photos of you and Lin Jie talking at a café."
Xiao Ming sneered: "That's it?"
"Not just that," Ye Li's voice turned serious, "He also claimed to have investigated your background and found you're not a real psychologist and have a suspicious identity."
Xiao Ming's pupils shrank: "Does he have solid evidence?"
"No, because I already changed the records," Ye Li said confidently, "The principal is verifying your qualifications on the spot—everything checks out. Chen Ming looks confused and insists that what he saw yesterday was different."
Xiao Ming sighed in relief: "Good. Keep monitoring."
"Xiao Ming?" Lin Xiaoxiao asked suspiciously, "Were you talking to yourself?"
Xiao Ming smiled and shook his head: "Just thinking. Come, I'll take you to the center of the lake—it's the most beautiful there."
He rowed again, and the boat slowly glided toward the lake center. The sun sparkled on the water like countless twinkling stars.
"Ye Li, keep reporting," Xiao Ming commanded in his mind.
"The situation has completely turned around," Ye Li said with amusement, "All of Chen Ming's accusations have been refuted, and his scandals have been exposed one by one. The principal has decided to suspend him immediately and may press criminal charges."
Xiao Ming smiled with satisfaction: "How is Lin Jie?"
"She looks relieved but seems to still be processing your identity revelation," Ye Li said, "She may contact you after the meeting."
Xiao Ming nodded: "I'll be ready."
The boat reached the lake center, surrounded by picturesque scenery. Lin Xiaoxiao looked around excitedly, pointing at distant mountains and marveling at the lake's clarity.
Xiao Ming looked at her radiant smile, feeling a strange emotion. This girl was so innocent, her love so sincere—yet he was about to take her away from this world into an unknown journey.
"Xiao Ming," Lin Xiaoxiao suddenly became serious, "If one day we have to separate, will you remember me?"
Xiao Ming was stunned by the sudden question: "Why ask this?"
Lin Xiaoxiao shook her head: "Just a feeling... like our time is running out." She looked up at Xiao Ming with determined eyes, "No matter what happens, I'll never regret meeting you."
Xiao Ming was silent for a moment, then said softly: "I won't let you out of my sight, Lin Xiaoxiao. Wherever I go, I'll take you with me."
Lin Xiaoxiao was surprised, but soon smiled with joy: "Really? Promise?"
"I promise," Xiao Ming nodded, "From now on, I'll always be by your side."
Lin Xiaoxiao threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly. Xiao Ming gently patted her back, but his eyes looked to the distance, already planning for the unknown journey ahead.
Just then, his phone rang. It was Lin Jie.
"Sorry, I have to take this," Xiao Ming told Lin Xiaoxiao and answered the call, "Hello, Lin Jie?"
"Xiao Ming," Lin Jie's voice sounded tired but relieved, "The meeting is over. Chen Ming has been suspended, and the school has decided to hand him over to the police."
Xiao Ming pretended to be surprised: "Really? That's great! I'm happy for you."
"Yes, it's finally over," Lin Jie sighed, "But... there's something I want to ask you."
Xiao Ming tensed: "What is it?"
"Chen Ming said you're not a real psychologist," Lin Jie hesitated, "Even though the school confirmed your credentials, I still feel... there are many mysteries about you."
Xiao Ming was silent for a while, then gently said: "Everyone has secrets, Lin Jie. What matters is, I've never lied about how I feel about you."
Lin Jie was quiet for a moment too: "Xiao Ming, I don't know if I should trust you."
"Then trust your instincts," Xiao Ming said, "When you get back, I'll tell you some things—about my true identity."
Lin Jie seemed moved by this promise: "Alright, I'll return to the farm tomorrow. How's Xiaoxiao?"
"She's great. We're boating on the lake now," Xiao Ming looked at Lin Xiaoxiao beside him, "She misses you."
Lin Jie chuckled: "Tell her I miss her too. Alright, I won't disturb you two. See you tomorrow."
After hanging up, Xiao Ming saw Lin Xiaoxiao looking at him intently: "How's sis?"
Xiao Ming smiled: "All went well. Professor Chen Ming has been suspended. Your sister is coming back tomorrow."
Lin Xiaoxiao cheered: "Great! We can go back to school together!"
Xiao Ming nodded, though in his heart, he was planning something else.
"Ye Li," he called in his mind, "I need to prepare to leave this world."
"Understood," Ye Li responded, "According to calculations, the best time to leave is tomorrow night, when you're with both sisters. This will maximize emotional energy and ensure the companion storage function works properly."
Xiao Ming nodded slightly: "Then it's decided."
The boat slowly returned to shore. Lin Xiaoxiao leaned against Xiao Ming, enjoying the brief peace. Xiao Ming held her shoulder, his gaze already set on the distant future.