LABMY CH17

On Sunday, a time when one would normally be off work, the company was still bustling with people. This company was in its startup phase, and the boss was leading all employees to work overtime. However, at least the salary was substantial, with not only full overtime pay but also additional bonuses.

As the front desk receptionist, there wasn’t much work compared to the R&D and other departments, given the company’s early stage.

Unexpectedly, on a weekend, a young and beautiful girl came to the front desk, asking for the boss. “Do you have an appointment?”

Tong Lerong nervously tightened her grip on her bag. Her anxiety wasn’t due to shyness. Although the Tong family wasn’t particularly wealthy, they still held some status. “I’m a classmate of Wei Zhenge. Could you please inform Mr. Jian?”

The receptionist ultimately passed the message to Mr. Jian’s assistant. Everyone in the company knew that Mr. Jian occasionally received calls from someone nicknamed “Little Pillow.”

This was known because even during meetings, Mr. Jian would answer this particular call.

At this moment, Jian Yuanbai was sitting in his office, leisurely holding a cup of coffee and proudly boasting to the system, “The technology development is almost complete. Next, it’s all about marketing and mass production. Things are finally on track.”

The system remained silent. It was a “Long AoTian Support System,” designed to assist Long AoTian in growing stronger. Yet now, looking at Jian Yuanbai in a suit and tie, sitting in his luxurious office, the system was speechless.

Compared to the still-developing Wei Zhenge, Jian Yuanbai seemed more like the true Long AoTian. In fact, he was even more qualified for such a title, having never encountered the temporary setbacks that Long AoTian was supposed to face.

Smooth sailing, unstoppable success.

The system began to doubt whether this seemingly minor character it had chosen was truly the right person for the mission. After all, this mission was high-risk, and the host could die if things went wrong.

The system’s silence was nothing new to Jian Yuanbai, who paid no attention. However, at that moment, his assistant called to inform him that a classmate of Wei Zhenge was here to see him. Without hesitation, he let her in.

Jian Yuanbai looked at the girl who entered. Her shoulder-length hair cascaded down naturally, and she wore a white dress with a delicate heart-shaped necklace on her chest. She had clearly dressed up and was holding a beautifully wrapped gift bag. “You’re Little Pillow’s classmate?”

Hearing this nickname, Tong Lerong froze. She couldn’t believe that this cold and distant-looking man would use such a gentle term.

Blushing, Tong Lerong nodded and softly said, “Hello, I am Tong Lerong. I would like to see Wei Zhenge. Would that be possible?”

Jian Yuanbai asked, “Why are you looking for him?”

Although Wei Zhenge had messaged him not to reveal his birthday, Tong Lerong, unaware of this, replied straightforwardly, “Today is his 18th birthday. I want to celebrate it with him.”

After sending Tong Lerong off, the office fell into a dead silence. The system swallowed nervously, though it didn’t have a physical throat, afraid to say a word.

It expected Jian Yuanbai to be furious and question why the system didn’t even know Wei Zhenge’s true age. However, after a long silence, Jian Yuanbai’s tone was calm:

“I thought… I’d at least accompany him for a year.”

“In the storyline you provided, the character I’m playing—a street thug—was supposed to stay with Little Pillow until he graduated high school. That was when he officially became an adult.”

“So… my mission is over, isn’t it?”

The system replied, “Yes. Once Wei Zhenge awakens his ‘X-ray Vision’ ability, he will embark on the path of stone gambling and eventually become the world’s top jeweler.”

Jian Yuanbai glanced around his spacious office. His company was now running smoothly, and within a year, it could crush the Wei family. Yet now, his Little Pillow no longer needed his protection.

“I guess… I should leave,” Jian Yuanbai paused. “But I don’t like saying goodbye.”

“How much longer can I stay in this world?” he asked again.

Before the system could answer, Jian Yuanbai sneered, “Care to explain why there are so many plot holes in the storyline you gave me?”

The system quickly replied, avoiding the question, “You can stay here for another year, fully experiencing your time with Wei Zhenge.”

The system hoped this answer would distract Jian Yuanbai from the plot inconsistencies. However, Jian Yuanbai’s next words caught it off guard.

“No need. I came here for the mission. Since it’s complete, I should leave.”

The system was stunned. “But… didn’t you say you came here for Little Pillow? That everything you’ve done was for him…”

As the system spoke, it suddenly realized something. Jian Yuanbai’s mission was indeed to support Wei Zhenge. Everything he had done—building the company and working overtime—was all to achieve this within the limited time he had.

He seemed to care deeply for Wei Zhenge… yet, at the same time, it felt like he didn’t care at all.

The system silently and mockingly laughed in its heart. It should have known that, for those who came to complete the mission, no one would truly care about someone like Wei Zhenge, who was struggling to survive in this small world.

Even Jian Yuanbai, who was merely pushed into this mission as a minor character, was still one of “those people” who were used to standing high above others.

The system’s voice turned cold as it said, “Host, if you wish to leave this world, just let me know. Are you leaving now?”

Jian Yuanbai shook his head. “Not yet. I’ll finish what I need to do first.”

He called his assistant to bring in a lawyer and transferred all his assets and company shares to Wei Zhenge, free of charge. After the lawyer left, Jian Yuanbai sat in his office chair, spinning a pen between his slender fingers, lost in thought.

He considered how the company had already entered a stable phase and could be handed over to the vice president, whom he personally recruited and trusted. Whether Wei Zhenge chose to manage the company or simply collect dividends, everything was already prepared.

It seemed as though Jian Yuanbai could leave this world effortlessly at any moment.

Yet, he remained seated, legs crossed, spinning the pen skillfully between his fingers, sitting there for an entire day.

As dusk fell and the city lights illuminated the streets outside, he finally spoke:

“Wasn’t Tong Lerong one of the three heroines in the original plot?”

“She’s quite brave, coming directly to me just to celebrate Little Pillow’s birthday.”

Since he had already given her the address, there was no reason to refuse her visit. “He’s turning 18 today. How will they celebrate?”

“…Do you think they’ll kiss?”

The system responded impatiently, “You’re not his real brother, and you’re about to leave anyway. Why do you care if he’s dating?”

The system found Jian Yuanbai’s behavior ridiculous. If he was leaving soon, why pretend to care about Wei Zhenge?

Jian Yuanbai fell silent for a moment before suddenly standing up. “The college entrance exam is coming up! How can he get distracted by a relationship now? As his guardian, how can I allow this?”

“Tell me, can a responsible guardian allow a high school student to fall in love during such a critical year?”

Realizing the loophole in his own words, he pressed on without losing momentum: “This kid was once your precious host! Can you really abandon him just because he turned 18 and pretend nothing happened?”

With righteous indignation, he grabbed the suit jacket draped over the chair and strode out.

Jian Yuanbai still rode his motorcycle without a helmet. Yet, the sharp contrast between his formal suit and the cold, rebellious motorcycle seemed oddly fitting.

His expression was serious, his gaze cold, perfectly blending with the roaring machine beneath him. The hem of his suit flapped in the wind as he sped through the city streets, resembling either a ruthless businessman heading to negotiate a deal or a reckless young man chasing after his love.

A strange contradiction—yet somehow, perfectly harmonious.

When Jian Yuanbai pushed open the door to Wei Zhenge’s apartment, he expected to find the boy and Tong Lerong laughing and celebrating. However, the room was dim and quiet.

Hearing the sound of the door, Wei Zhenge stepped out from his bedroom with a book in hand, his dark, clear eyes filled with confusion. “Why are you back so early today?”

Jian Yuanbai had countless things to say in that moment, but the first thing that came out of his mouth was a stern lecture:

“I think you shouldn’t be dating right now.”

Wei Zhenge frowned slightly, unsure why Jian Yuanbai was suddenly bringing this up, but he still nodded. “Okay.”

When Tong Lerong had visited earlier, Wei Zhenge hadn’t asked how she found his address. In fact, he barely exchanged a few words with her.

He disliked others interfering with his life, and he had already said he didn’t want to celebrate his birthday. Yet, Tong Lerong still showed up, which made him feel disrespected.

So, he politely but coldly declined her kindness.

Jian Yuanbai fell silent after hearing Wei Zhenge’s response. His gaze unconsciously shifted to the young man’s shoes. Following his line of sight, Wei Zhenge noticed that Jian Yuanbai hadn’t changed into slippers when he entered.

“You’re just brushing me off. You’re in your final year of high school. How can you afford to get distracted by romance?” Jian Yuanbai said seriously.

Wei Zhenge raised his eyebrows, puzzled. “Why are you suddenly talking about this?”

With a faint smile, he replied, “Don’t worry. I have no interest in dating before the college entrance exam.”

Jian Yuanbai felt he should be relieved, but instead, he forced a smile that never quite reached his eyes. “Good.”

“…By the way, happy birthday.”

It was time for him to leave