Chapter 280: This Is a Parting Gift

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As the countdown ended, fireworks roared into the sky, piercing through the night like a dazzling waterfall, endlessly cascading down.

One after another, fireworks shot into the air, bursting into different colors like blooming flowers, instantly illuminating the darkness.

Watching the brilliant fireworks overhead, Bianca's face, however, showed no sign of a smile. She turned her head slightly toward the excited Fu Lin, hesitating before speaking, "Fu Lin, I..."

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In the following year, Bianca and Rita also bid their final farewell to Fu Lin on New Year's Eve before setting off back to Schicksal to complete a new mission assigned by Otto.

Meanwhile, Mei discovered Fu Lin's gift on her bed. Except for when she was in class or outside, she held it in her arms with great fondness, never tiring of it.

However, as the time left in this world grew shorter, Fu Lin's heart pounded uneasily, his mind filled with images of Kiana's sickly appearance.

Although he believed he had made all the necessary preparations and countermeasures, the power of the Herrscher End made him uncertain, preventing him from calming down.

Mei sat cross-legged on the sofa, hugging a stuffed toy in her arms. Seeing Fu Lin staring off into space, she asked worriedly, "Fu Lin, you don't look too well, and you've been eating much less than usual. Are you feeling unwell?"

Glancing at the system screen displaying the dwindling time, Fu Lin withdrew his gaze, waved his hand dismissively, and looked at Mei, who had grown into a beautiful young woman.

"It's nothing. I was just feeling sentimental. Three years have passed in the blink of an eye, and Mei has become even more beautiful."

"Then… do you feel even a little bit moved?" Mei's arms squeezed the stuffed toy in her embrace, slightly deforming it. A faint blush appeared on her face as she gazed at Fu Lin with nervous anticipation.

"I do. Princess, are you interested in going on a romantic date with me?" Fu Lin curled his lips into a gentle smile, his eyes filled with affection. He stood where the sunlight poured in, raised his hand slightly, bent his fingers, and extended an invitation to Mei.

Herrscher of Thunder, Call me Queen!

Ignoring the voice in her mind, Mei blinked in surprise before her expression gradually brightened. She raised her hand and placed it in Fu Lin's palm.

As Fu Lin grasped Mei's soft, delicate hand, he gave a gentle tug, pulling Mei into his arms amidst a startled cry before silently carrying her upstairs.

(Don't misunderstand—just helping Mei change outfits.)

...

Under the bright and sunny sky, Fu Lin and Mei walked hand in hand along the amusement park's pathways, surrounded by joyful laughter and excited cheers.

Feeling the warmth in her palm, Mei raised her eyebrows, her eyes filled with happiness and delight. She hadn't expected her long-awaited moment to arrive so suddenly.

Looking down at the ice cream Fu Lin had bought for her, she felt sweetness bloom in her heart. She took a bite and then fed a spoonful to Fu Lin.

Fu Lin took a light bite. The ice cream's sweetness and coolness melted in his mouth, but his stomach churned as if caught in a storm.

Not wanting Mei to notice, Fu Lin endured the discomfort, gently stroked Mei's hair, and pointed toward a nearby escape room attraction.

"Mei, let's try that one."

"Okay." Mei stuck out her tongue, taking small licks of her ice cream, and, seeing the eerie little house Fu Lin pointed to, readily agreed.

They chose an escape room focused on role-playing and puzzle-solving and entered. The staff behind them locked the iron gate at the entrance.

The only way out was to solve the puzzles and exit through another door. According to the staff, this was done to, "Provide customers with the most immersive experience."

As the metal door clicked shut, locking completely, Mei surveyed her surroundings with excitement and quickly immersed herself in the game.

Fu Lin, standing in a dimly lit corner, clutched his chest, his face pale. Watching Mei focused on searching for clues, he took the opportunity to use purification on himself, clearing the side effect of absorbing the Honkai Energy from Mei.

"Fu Lin, I found a notebook under the bed."

"Let me see…"

As the purification took effect, Fu Lin's complexion gradually returned to normal. Hearing Mei's call, he quickly walked over, took the notebook, and opened it to read aloud, **"■ Their love for me has turned into an obsession—sickly and twisted. It terrifies me. ■ They imprisoned me.

I have to find a way to escape…

Day one…

Day two…"**

As he read, Fu Lin's voice slowed, his expression turning odd. But seeing Mei staring at him with wide eyes, he silently put the notebook down.

Under Mei's watchful gaze, he cautiously pushed aside the double bed, revealing a hidden passageway.

Fu Lin clapped the nonexistent dust off his hands, crouched down, and crawled inside. Mei followed closely behind, and they soon entered another room.

After scanning their surroundings, they heard faint footsteps from outside the wooden door. Fu Lin pulled Mei into a closet, and soon, a disheveled figure entered the room…

...

After successfully escaping the room, Fu Lin held Mei's hand as they tried every attraction in the amusement park before finally leaving, fully satisfied.

Fu Lin glanced at the sunset's golden glow. Upon hearing that Mei wanted to go to the cinema next, he headed there with her and accompanied her in watching a movie.

By the time the movie ended, it was already deep into the night. Fu Lin carried the peacefully sleeping Mei back home, gently placed her on the bed, and thoughtfully tucked a cat plushie into her embrace before covering her with a blanket.

After finishing all this, Fu Lin quietly sat by the bed, gazing at Mei's sleeping face. He gently brushed his fingers across Mei's cheek and slipped a lightning-shaped necklace under her pillow. Then, he got up, shut the door tightly, and walked downstairs.

The clock on the wall ticked softly. Fu Lin slowly sat down, closed his eyes, and his body gradually shrank, turning back into a cat. Then, his consciousness faded into darkness.

Far away in the Sea of Quanta, Bianca instinctively raised her head, a trace of doubt flashing through her eyes.