"Mom, you don't need to worry about . I'll be ho for the New Year. It's nothing. Although it's a bit tough in the big city, I've really earned quite a bit of money. I'm not that troublemaker I used to be. I can support myself now, and even provide for you in your old age!"
The young man, wearing glasses and a slightly crumpled shirt, spoke into his phone, his face beaming with unconcealed joy.
"It's fine, I can take care of myself. Oh, a girlfriend? What girlfriend? I don't have ti to find one right now. I'll wait a few years, get another promotion at work, and once things are completely stable, it won't be too late to look. Only young girls care about age. You see, as long as a grown man like has money in his pocket, how could I possibly be afraid of not finding a girlfriend?"
"Mhm! I will, I know, I know, I'll take good care of my health. I don't eat takeout often; I mostly eat out at restaurants. Oh co on, I'm a grown man, how could I not take care of myself? I don't eat many snacks anymore, and I don't drink sugary drinks either. I'm drinking tea now, so you can rest assured."
"I have a client to et soon, so I'll hang up now! When I get paid in a couple of days, I'll send you money. If there's anything you like or want, you must buy it! Even if there's nothing you want to buy, it's fine to save it. If there's an ergency at ho, just use it. Why be so polite with ? I'm your son! Hanging up."
He ended the call, picked up a cup of instant noodles and a few sausages from the shelf, and went to the checkout counter. He took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes, looking sowhat weary.
The cashier behind the counter said that the machine seed to be having so issues and he would have to wait a little longer. The young man smiled and nodded, indicating that he didn't mind.
He casually lifted his head and saw his own reflection in a mirror hanging not far away. Reflected behind him was a man entirely cloaked in a black robe.
The young man was a little curious. Was soone wearing a cosplay costu? He turned his head to look but found only an ordinary-looking youth behind him.
When that youth noticed the young man's attention, he smiled, nodded, and pointed at the mirror.
The young man was sowhat bewildered. He imdiately looked back at the mirror and saw that the black-robed figure reflected there was holding a scythe that symbolized death.
"Ti to go."
The youth's voice sounded in his ear.
His expression froze. In that instant, his mind went blank.
"Sir, the machine is fixed. You can pay now."
"Ah! Oh, okay."
He took out his wallet and chanically paid the money. Then, he couldn't help but ask the staff mber if there were any other custors behind him.
"No, there aren't. Did sothing happen?"
He watched as the staff mber looked towards the place where the youth had been standing, yet their eyes showed a blank expression, as if they hadn't seen the youth behind him at all.
He let go of the last shred of hope in his heart, picked up the instant noodles and sausages he had bought, his face a mixture of fear and bewildernt, or perhaps so kind of resignation.
"Can I make a phone call?"
"You can."
"Thank you."
"Son?"
"Mom, my address is at… my bank card PIN is… and there are a few investnt projects…"
"Mom, I love you."
"Son! What's wrong with you? Why are you suddenly saying these things! Did sothing happen to you! Hello! Hello!"
The call disconnected.
The young man looked at the youth, his face full of lancholy, his eyes welling up with tears that never quite fell. The hand holding the plastic bag was clenched so tightly that the veins on the back of his hand were visible.
"What will I die from?"
"Sudden death."
"Is that so? I always relied on being young, thinking it was fine to work a bit more overti. It seems I overestimated my body. What a pity, all that money I saved, I haven't even had a chance to spend it. I haven't found a lifelong partner, haven't been able to provide for my parents in their old age, haven't let them see live a happy and fulfilling life."
"Oh! I have so regrets. Can I go back and get a bag of chips? I haven't eaten any in a while, I really want to eat one more bag."
"You can."
The young man ca out holding a bag of chips. He squatted by the roadside, tore open the chip bag, took out a chip, and put it in his mouth. Tasting that familiar flavor, the expression on his face was like he was crying and laughing at the sa ti.
Through his tear-blurred vision, he saw the youth reach into his bag of chips, take out a chip, put it in his mouth, and then say, "Original flavor."
"Friend, cherish your ti, and cherish your body. Love everyone you love, don't let them down, and don't let yourself down. No matter how busy you are with work, don't forget to rest, and rember to eat well."
"This ti, I'll let you off for this life. Consider it paynt for that chip."
In an instant, the young man sat up from his seat. He stared blankly at the computer in front of him, its screen still displaying the unfinished proposal. Beside his seat was an empty instant noodle box, the soup inside long cold.
Had he been dreaming? Official source is novel⁂fire
The young man stumbled out of his chair and went to the window, looking out at the city, still bustling with traffic even late at night. He took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, but after a long silence, he put the cigarette down again.
What had he obtained? But perhaps a death god had truly co for him.
"Hey~ Who is it? Not sleeping this late at night."
"Boss, I plan to take a few days off to go ho and see my parents."
"Huh? Just for this? You can just ask for leave from HR tomorrow. Why are you calling ? Little Li."
"It's nothing, I just had a dream. I dreamt that Death ca for , and he even stole one of my chips."
"Haha! Alright, alright, you've just been too busy lately, that's why you had a nightmare. Go get so rest, go ho and see them. After all, I've seen your hard work and dedication to the company these past few years. When you co back, I'll give you a promotion."
Hanging up the phone, the young man raised his head and looked at the full moon visible in the sky. At this mont, he felt as if he were reborn.
"Thank you, Death God."
And in another dinsion, unseen by him, Xin Yu silently held an already opened bag of chips. He took out a chip, put it in his mouth, and looked at the young man at this mont, saying,
"You've worked hard. You've already tried your best. You should rest well."
That sentence indeed reached the young man's ears. He whipped his head around, only to see the pitch-dark environnt with the sole glow of the computer screen.
This ti, he could no longer hold back the surging tears in his eyes. He didn't know why, but that sentence, at this mont, was like the sharpest blade, cleaving open his heart, making him unable to suppress the surging emotions within. He squatted on the ground and began to cry his heart out.
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