Rex simply nodded and walked towards the elevator.
As for why the young lady was suddenly so polite to him. It was because his previous self used to co here often, and almost everyone knew he was related to the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs. Naturally, she was afraid of offending him.
Entering the empty elevator, he pressed the button for the top floor.
As the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, naturally, his office was on the top floor.
Soon, the elevator reached the floor with a ding, and the doors slid open.
Rex took a deep breath to calm his restless mood, and with a confident stride, he stepped out of the elevator.
He walked familiarly through the hallway and soon reached the Vice Chancellor's office.
With a slight smile on his face, he gently knocked on the door.
A mont later, a gentle but authoritative voice ca from inside, "Co in."
Hearing the familiar yet unfamiliar voice, Rex's body involuntarily tensed a bit, however he quickly composed himself and opened the door with what he thought was a more relaxed smile.
As Rex stepped into the office, he was greeted by the sight of a ticulously arranged workspace—spacious yet intimate, exuding authority and refinent.
The walls were lined with rich mahogany bookshelves, filled with academic journals, leadership books, and a few frad awards that hinted at decades of service in higher education.
A large window behind the desk bathed the room in soft, natural light, offering a breathtaking view of UCLA's sprawling campus. A heavy oak desk sat in the center, its surface immaculately organized, with neatly stacked docunts and a sleek brass naplate that read "John Johnson – Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs."
John Johnson was a man in his mid-forties but carried himself with the vigor of soone much younger. His presence was commanding yet not overbearing—the kind that naturally commanded respect rather than demanded it.
He had sharp, well-defined facial features, a strong jawline, and piercing dark eyes that seed to see right through deception. His neatly combed jet-black hair, with subtle streaks of gray at the temples, added a distinguished air to his persona.
He was dressed in a tailored navy-blue suit, the kind that was neither flashy nor outdated, reflecting his disciplined and pragmatic nature.
A self-made man, John had climbed the academic and administrative ladder through sheer determination and intellect.
Born to immigrant parents who worked tirelessly to give him a better future, he had navigated the rough waters of the Arican education system, excelling at every step.
He had once been a promising economist, with offers from top Wall Street firms, but he had chosen academia, believing that true power lay not just in wealth but in shaping the minds of future generations.
His reputation at UCLA was both revered and feared, students saw him as strict but fair, while faculty admired his relentless commitnt to maintaining the university's prestige.
Yet, despite all his accomplishnts, there was one lingering disappointnt in his otherwise disciplined life—his late best friend's son, Rex Lee.
John had watched over Rex from a distance after his parents' passing, but disappointnt had taken root as he saw the boy squander opportunities, skip classes, and seemingly drift aimlessly.
Now, as Rex stood at the threshold of his office, John's sharp gaze locked onto him, a mix of scrutiny and unresolved emotions flickering across his face.
Under his sharp gaze, Rex unconsciously straightened his posture, but he quickly cald down and took the initiative to speak.
"Hello, Uncle Johnson. Long ti no see."
John didn't reply imdiately but kept staring at him intently. a trace of surprise in his expression.
As soone who had watched him grow up, he was naturally familiar with him.
That's why, even though Rex's appearance was more refined and better than before, he recognized him easily.
Still, he couldn't help but feel puzzled.
How had he changed so much in just a couple of months?
That's right—the last ti he had seen Rex was two to three months ago, and he had also been absent from the university since then.
Of course, the only reason Rex hadn't been expelled due to his absences was because of John. As Vice Chancellor, he had that power, and others naturally turned blind eye.
Back to the scene, Uncle John spoke calmly, "It has indeed been a long ti since you last ca to the university."
Rex just smiled sheepishly and didn't know what to say. After all, it was his previous self who had been absent, not him.
So, he coughed in embarrassnt and was about to make up an excuse, but Uncle John's voice cut him off.
"I know you are sad, and of course, I am also very sad because of your parents' demise, as we had been friends for decades."
His expression softened slightly as he said this.
"But you have to eventually move on. Their death shouldn't beco a hindrance in your life, as they would be heartbroken seeing you like this."
"They always hoped for your best and taught you how to keep your chin up and face adversities in life."
"This life—this world—it's a very complicated and unpredictable place. Anything can happen at any ti, and we don't have much control over it, but that doesn't an we should stop living because of the passing of our loved ones."
"You'll have to live on—even if not for yourself, then for the sake of your loved ones. Death is sothing all living beings have little control over, including humans. We can only delay it for a while, but not forever—at least not for now."
Hearing these words and recalling all the mories stored deep in his mind, he felt an overwhelming surge of emotion.
His vision blurred with unshed tears.
But couldn't help tearing up. He tried hard to control himself but to no avail.
Even though he was not his original self, the mories and experiences were real.
He rembered all the happy tis they had spent together—their bright smiles when he won first place in elentary school, their worried faces when he had fallen ill with a fever, his mother's tearful eyes when he broke his leg after falling from a tree, the warmth of family dinners filled with laughter and conversation, movie nights where they all huddled together on the couch.
Even though it wasn't him who experienced all this, the love, the joy, the security— he still rembered everything vividly, so deeply embedded in his heart.
A pang of sorrow struck his chest, as if sothing was stuck in his throat, making it hard to breathe.
Seeing him like this, Uncle John's eyes also moistened, but as an adult, he controlled himself.
He stood up from his chair, walked towards Rex, and, without saying anything, gave him a tight comforting hug.
He knew that no matter how mature Rex tried to appear, at the end of the day, he was still just a 20-year-old kid.
A kid who hadn't even graduated yet.
At this age, he should be living the best years of his life, free of worries and burdens.
But fate had been cruel. The untily loss of his parents had dealt a devastating blow to his young mind.
That's why, even though Rex hadn't been attending university, John had suppressed the matter and given him so ti to figure things out.
But he knew that wasn't a permanent solution. That's why he had been urging Rex to return—perhaps getting back into a normal routine would help him regain control of his life.
After so ti, Rex finally cald down and returned to normal.
John released him, taking a step back to examine him carefully.
"You look much better now. It's good that you've started to take care of yourself again. I rember you looking haggard the last ti we t."
"You are your parents' proudest achievent—the living testant of their love and dreams."
"So, live well, Rex. Live happily, so they won't have to worry about you in heaven."
Rex nodded heavily upon hearing this and resolved that, even though he may not be his past self, Even if he wasn't the sa Rex as before, he would live well.
For them.
For himself.
For the future.
And deep down, he didn't even know yet whether his past self had truly died.
Maybe this self was also him, just in an alternate universe, with mories of a past life?
Either way, one thing was certain.
He had to say goodbye to his past life of debauchery, it was ti to start fresh and live a happy and carefree life.
Seeing the determination in Rex's eyes, John knew that he had finally changed for the better.
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