Chapter 165: (Extra 1)

In this romantic and lonely retreat, the powerful mental pressure of full immersion on Qinglu, Song Pianxian didn’t say much after learning about it, but she took special care of Qinglu’s physical examinations for the next two years, feeling slightly relieved only when each result showed good health.

By this time, Qinglu was about to graduate. She had been working on projects with her mentor since her sophomore year, won the Ice Classic Award with her engineering design in her junior year, and before she even left campus, she was already famous.

When Qinglu officially graduated, Song Pianxian attended her graduation ceremony as a representative of the alumni.

Both Qinglu and Xu Zhaojiu were at S University. Xu Zhaojiu studied in the design department, while Qinglu was in the emerging precision engineering department of the past hundred years. At the same time, S University was also Song Pianxian’s alma mater.

Song Pianxian had known before that Qinglu loved to follow in her footsteps. Like everyone else, she only saw it as Little Sister admiring her. Now, seeing Qinglu’s every move, it added more meaning and speculation.

She could only be grateful that the precision engineering department was S University’s top major, unmatched in the country. Qinglu’s arrival at S University was just right—As for Xu Zhaojiu, after the Song Family’s money was in place, she was admitted to the school out of quota, and she chose the design department without informing her family.

The graduation ceremony was held in the auditorium. It was drizzling that day, and there was a rear-end collision on the road, causing a delay. By the time Song Pianxian arrived at S University, it was already a bit late.

Song Pianxian pushed open the umbrella, and her assistant went to park the car. She walked alone towards the auditorium.

The drizzle moistened the air, not unpleasant, and it felt a bit cool when it splashed on the ground. Song Pianxian looked at the nearby Yue Lake.

Raindrops created soft ripples on the surface of the lake, reminding Song Pianxian of the fireworks exploding in the sky, scenes she had seen with Qinglu in the “S University” of the copy world, along with Nie Lingbo.

A flash of nostalgia and a smile passed through Song Pianxian’s eyes. She glanced at her silver wristwatch and quickened her pace.

The closer she got to the auditorium, the more people there were. Song Pianxian saw graduates in their gowns everywhere she looked. They stood in the lush greenery of the campus, full of vigor and hope. Everything was different from the tense society outside the campus, making Song Pianxian involuntarily relax and smile faintly.

What Song Pianxian didn’t know was how conspicuous she was in her all-white suit among a sea of gowns.

“Hurry up, the ceremony is about to start—” A girl pulled her friend’s sleeve, urging her to hurry up.

Her companion suddenly realized that she had stopped in her tracks while looking at the passersby. Excitedly, she pulled her back and bounced along, saying, “Look over there, that little Big Sister— the one in the white suit, she’s so beautiful!”

“At this time, aren’t all the people coming to the auditorium our graduates? What…” The girl took a moment to glance across the street, but the rest of her words evaporated on her lips.

Every inch of that person was exquisitely perfect, yet carried a natural comfort, like a breeze passing through the cool rain, unhurried.

Beauty was secondary; to the students on campus, the elite aura she exuded was the most conspicuous.

The well-fitted and elegant white suit she wore gave off a high-end feel—perhaps it was haute couture. The campus paths she trod upon seemed to transform into immaculate ground, or places adorned with the fragrance of clothes and hair, like walking on a red carpet.

The mature yet elegant aura of the senior sister impressed the girls wearing their graduation gowns, leaving them momentarily stunned and then bursting with the impulse to scream. The girl tightened her grip on her companion’s hand and whispered excitedly:

“Ah, she’s really beautiful! Who is she? Is she a senior sister?”

“Yeah, I guess so. Besides us, the only other person coming to the auditorium today is the alumni representative.”

Reluctant to tear their gaze away, the girls stopped in their tracks. As the senior sister passed by, they caught a perfect profile view. Just as the girls were about to praise the senior sister’s beautiful contours, she turned slightly, looked up, smiled softly, and said in a gentle voice:

“Shouldn’t you hurry up? Your graduation ceremony is about to start.”

“…” The girls and their companion blushed simultaneously, stuttering, “Th-this… “

Ah, they were called out!

Ah, but the senior sister talked to them!

Their embarrassed and excited emotions entwined within the hearts of the schoolgirls. Their only outward expression was blushing—blushing furiously.

The auditorium wasn’t far now, and the sounds of lively music could be heard drifting through the light rain.

The girls calmed down, realizing that Qinglu was going to speak as the student representative. They suddenly became clear-headed. How could they miss Qinglu’s speech appearance! They couldn’t bear to choose between the senior sister and the junior sister. They wanted them all!

“Congratulations on your graduation.”

As the girls and their companion woke up suddenly and prepared to hurry to the auditorium, they heard the woman in the white suit’s blessing with a smile.

Receiving the sincere blessing from an outstanding stranger—or rather, a senior sister—made the girls and their companion blissfully bubbly. Of course, in the time that followed, they discovered that this senior sister was not stingy with praise and blessings.

After the student representative Qinglu gave her speech, she went up to the stage herself, presented a bright bouquet, and gave a warm hug, saying “Congratulations on your graduation” gently, causing a stir in the lively auditorium.

At first, the girls thought everyone was as stunned by their appearance as they were. But when they heard the Finance Department erupting like an explosion, and even half the auditorium could hear their exclamations, the girls felt that something was not quite right.

Next, the woman gave a speech on stage. The moment she announced her name, just the three words “Song Pianxian” made the art students who never paid attention to financial news gasp softly. What did this surname and name represent? Almost everyone in the country knew.

Not only were the students shocked, but even the leaders and other guests from prestigious political circles blinked and asked the board of directors:

“So, President Song is coming this time? Director Pan, this is quite a surprise for us.”

“Is the school planning a gathering later? What about Ms. Song…”

The board of directors knew exactly what they meant and politely replied:

“President Song said before that her visit didn’t need to be publicized. As for the gathering… President Song declined.”

The crowd responded, unable to conceal their disappointment.

The graduation ceremony lasted all morning, and in the afternoon, the university was open to the outside world, allowing family and friends to come and take pictures with the students.

The weather had cleared up, and Song Pianxian and Qinglu were strolling on campus.

Today, Song Pianxian had declined several invitations. She walked on the soft, verdant lawn, where the grass still held traces of undried rainwater, bringing a slight chill. The weather was refreshingly cool, and Song Pianxian squinted contentedly, leading Qinglu through the less crowded shortcut paths to the Multimedia Building.

This is a wide open space, scattered with art pieces left by students from previous years.

Everywhere, young students wearing graduation gowns were adjusting their personal terminals to capture clear smiles with their friends, leaving behind group photos of their four years at school. The atmosphere was especially lively.

Earlier, the two had already exchanged quite a few pleasantries, so Song Pianxian naturally inquired, “You mentioned earlier that your project with Professor Yu will end by the end of this year. I remember he spoke highly of you, even allowing you to start working on independent projects and preparing for the Engineer Assessment… What are your plans?”

This engineer’s full title is “Precision Engineer,” which nowadays represents a top-notch engineer capable of working independently. Humanity is just one step away from the Interstellar Age – albeit a distant step – but top engineers can already independently develop designs for any planet and then coordinate construction and post-operation. This could even directly change human life.

For example, the representative work of Yu, the mentor Qinglu is currently following, is the Glass Flower House on the moon. After several years of incubation and operation, it has gained a reputation as a “hotspot for wedding photography.” If couples don’t take a set of wedding photos there, it’s as if something is missing from their marriage.

Similarly, Qinglu’s parents… If the lunar orbit had succeeded back then, it would have become a scenic spot visible every time humans looked up at the sky.

Song Pianxian sighed softly, then her gaze returned to Qinglu, staring at her, waiting for her response. At the same time, Song Pianxian also had an answer in her heart.

Qinglu was wearing a loose-fitting graduation gown, with the collar of a white shirt peeking out underneath, and her long hair draped smoothly over her shoulders. She held the graduation cap in her hand, looking up at the sky, and said:

“Well, I will prepare for the assessment, and then… go complete the lunar orbit.”

In the young Qinglu’s eyes, there was a calm and clarity different from her peers. When she tilted her face up, the gentle post-rain sunlight generously sprinkled on her cheeks, like a layer of golden brilliance.

But Song Pianxian knew that she wasn’t looking at the light; she was looking at the lunar orbit that had been completely dismantled more than a decade ago.

Sure enough, when she heard “lunar orbit” from Qinglu’s mouth, Song Pianxian wasn’t surprised at all. She guessed that this was something Qinglu would definitely do, this was the choice Qinglu would make.

“Then you should work hard,” Song Pianxian smiled.

Qinglu turned sideways, quietly looking at Song Pianxian. The atmosphere was too relaxed now, discussing the future. She remembered something and said with a light smile:

“Big Sister, have you thought about what I will be like in the future?”

“Hmm?”

“In the future,” Qinglu stated, “Except for Yu Yi in the instances, they can all be considered as my future self. They are actors, businessmen, politicians. Big Sister likes them very much…”

This topic made Song Pianxian’s brow furrow. Most of the time, her little girlfriend was obedient and well-behaved, but when she got jealous, she truly lived up to her reputation, which was quite deadly. She decisively interrupted before the “Shura Field” erupted:

“They are all you.”

“I know.” Qinglu’s smile was sweet, with beautiful glimmers in her eyes. “Big Sister accepts all versions of me.”

She took two steps forward, leaving Song Pianxian with a straight back view. Song Pianxian couldn’t see her expression, only heard her voice:

“I never told Big Sister about my thoughts before entering the game. I thought, those four people are all my evolution, different versions of me. I looked forward to Big Sister liking them, which would prove our compatibility, even if it was only a fraction of it.”

“But I also told myself that as long as Big Sister had a hint of rejection or dislike, I would immediately end this absurd drama.”

“I just didn’t expect that in the end, my subconscious would make me unwilling to leave that fake world. Lingyi said I was attached to the beauty of the virtual world, but later I thought, no, it’s not all like that, I’m afraid.”

Qinglu, with her back to Song Pianxian, stopped in her tracks:

“I’m afraid of facing Big Sister’s disgust.” There were very few things that could make Qinglu afraid, but they definitely didn’t include Song Pianxian’s disgust and rejection.

“I’m even more afraid…” Qinglu’s fingers trembled.

Song Pianxian whispered, “You’re more afraid that the real you in reality isn’t as outstanding as them, disappointing me. Is that right?”

Qinglu fell silent, lowering her head. In her eyes, where no light could penetrate, dark emotions settled, yet there was also a subtle sweetness crushed out by Song Pianxian’s ultimate understanding of her.

In the awkward situation of exposing herself to Song Pianxian, in the moment of confessing her wounds openly, Song Pianxian still managed to hit the mark with the gentlest and most penetrating words.

Qinglu was deeply in love with this kind of Song Pianxian.

Therefore, she didn’t allow herself to have the slightest concealment. She closed her eyes and admitted:

“Yes.”

“You silly thing.”

Qinglu was taken aback.

The sound of faint footsteps resounded, and Song Pianxian walked around to her front.

She reached out and lifted Qinglu’s chin, holding her head up to look at herself.

“Don’t be afraid.”

Song Pianxian’s heart softened greatly because of these honest words, as if it was about to collapse with a gentle press. She looked at Qinglu in front of her, understanding clearly how proud Qinglu was, and thus cherishing even more this rare sense of inferiority.

“Don’t be afraid,” Song Pianxian repeated.

“In the instances, they have Task Manager Song Pianxian, but you have the real me.”

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Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu

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