Chapter Twelve: Doubt

That day marked the anniversary of "Mo Niannian’s" parents’ passing. Jiang Hu rose early and prepared everything, waiting for Mo Niannian to wake up.

Mo Niannian, as usual, slept until she woke naturally, yawning endlessly as she stepped outside. Eyes closed, she didn’t smell the aroma of breakfast, which made her open her eyes in confusion.

“Hm? Didn’t you make breakfast?”

Jiang Hu’s eyes flickered slightly. “Sis, did you forget? Today we’re going out.”

Mo Niannian’s mind was still foggy with sleep, and she asked, half-asleep, “What are we going out for?”

The system shrieked in panic: [Host! I reminded you last night that today is the original Mo Niannian’s parents’ memorial day!]

Its frantic warning made Mo Niannian’s head ache. She kept her expression perfectly composed, her demeanor gradually growing somber. “Alright, I’ll get ready.”

Jiang Hu continued to watch her, smiling sweetly as if nothing was amiss. “I’ll wait for you, Sis.”

[Host, do you realize you nearly made a grave mistake? If the inhabitants of this world sense you don’t belong, the small world will automatically activate its purge protocol!]

[Oh, got it.] Mo Niannian replied nonchalantly, even tempted to go back to sleep.

[No one knows what consequences that would bring!!] [Once the small world initiates purge mode—]

Before the system could finish its frantic warnings, all its sounds vanished. A line of text appeared: You have been muted by the host. Mute duration: twenty-four hours.

System: ???!!!

It wanted to destroy Mo Niannian.

Mo Niannian changed into a black long dress and set out with Jiang Hu.

“Sis, aren’t we bringing a bouquet?”

Mo Niannian replied carelessly, “We ordered them at the flower shop, remember?”

Jiang Hu looked guilty. “Ah, it’s my fault—I’ve been so busy lately I got confused. I thought we were bringing flowers from home.”

“Should we change things up this year? We always bring chrysanthemums, they might be tired of them.” Jiang Hu continued, his face innocent.

Mo Niannian clicked her tongue inwardly, then answered, “You forgot again, my parents liked lilies. We bring lilies every year.”

Jiang Hu patted his head. “Look at my memory, how could I forget something so simple?”

Mo Niannian forced a smile, “Oh, it’s nothing. Eat more walnuts, they’re good for your brain.”

This little rascal was truly sharp—not even the smallest slip escaped him, and he spent the whole journey testing her.

Troublesome, indeed.

All the way, the two probed each other. Mo Niannian, though lazy and uninterested in such matters, managed not to reveal any flaws.

She could freely access information about the small world—a privilege, perhaps.

When they reached the cemetery, Mo Niannian silently placed the bouquet. She had never spent time with them, so naturally felt no real emotion. She reviewed the original Mo Niannian’s behavior and properly expressed her sorrow.

“Sis, don’t be sad. If they see you like this, they won’t be happy,” Jiang Hu comforted her.

Mo Niannian said nothing. Following past practice, she sent Jiang Hu away and sat alone before the gravestone for a while.

Her parents’ death anniversary was perhaps the only day Jiang Hu used to feel happy. On that day, the original Mo Niannian had no heart to torment him—perhaps she remembered her own parents, or maybe conscience struck. In any case, his treatment was much better than usual.

Jiang Hu had once liked this day, but now, watching Mo Niannian gaze at the gravestone, he felt uneasy.

He didn’t obediently leave, instead finding a hidden spot to sit and observe her.

He kept his eyes on Mo Niannian. Her behavior that morning had made him suspicious, and though he’d tested her several times since, she hadn’t slipped.

Yet Jiang Hu remained doubtful.

He’d long suspected something—Mo Niannian now was utterly different from before. Could a person really change so much?

Moreover, today her emotions seemed off. These were her parents, buried here.

Her grief was only surface-deep, lacking the heaviness and longing of past years.

That evening, Jiang Hu decided to test her again. He deliberately cooked a dish Mo Niannian had always refused—celery stir-fried with pork.

Mo Niannian hated the taste of celery; anything containing it, she wouldn’t touch.

He was careful, buying the celery unseen by her, and after cooking, meticulously picked out the celery pieces.

He used plenty of seasoning to mask the flavor—it was subtle, and only a true celery hater would notice.

Mo Niannian didn’t notice, eating happily.

Strictly speaking, Mo Niannian loved meat in any form. She took two chopsticks’ worth of meat strips from the celery stir-fry and ate with delight.

“Sis, how’s the dish today? Tasty?”

Mo Niannian answered between bites, “Not bad, you’ve improved.”

“If you like it, I’ll make it again. There’s still some celery in the fridge.”

Mo Niannian ate contentedly, her eyes squinting with pleasure. “Do as you like.”

Jiang Hu’s gaze darkened as he scrutinized Mo Niannian.

No matter how thoroughly someone changed, they couldn’t completely alter their habits.

Who was she, really? What was her purpose?

He feigned casual conversation. “Sis, do you have any plans for the future? Anything you want to do?”

“What’s the point of thinking so far ahead? I’ll deal with it when it comes.”

She used to plan to explore this small world once she’d eliminated the boy’s malice toward it.

Now she found it exhausting—why not just relax at home?

She’d rather finish the mission, earn some money, find a place to retire, and live a life waking naturally each day. What a joy.

Jiang Hu lowered his head, stewing over his emotions, and spoke earnestly, “Sis, I know I’ve made you suffer a lot, but don’t worry. Soon I’ll be able to earn money, and I’ll take care of you. Whatever you want to do, I’ll support you always.”

Mo Niannian was deeply moved—at last, the boy understood how to care for her.

She nearly shed tears of excitement. “No need. Just look after yourself. When you can earn your own way and find a wife, I can finally take a break somewhere.”

Jiang Hu’s tone became anxious. “Sis, you want to leave me?”

His heart tightened; he’d never considered that possibility.

After his parents were gone, he only had Mo Niannian.

Mo Niannian reached over and patted his shoulder, her eyes full of the gentle pride of an elder. “When you have your own family and career, I’ll have fulfilled the task your parents entrusted to me. It’ll be time for you to live your own life.”

Mo Niannian thought of a perfect excuse—if the boy suspected again, she’d simply say she’d dreamed of his parents and remembered how kind they were to her in those days.