It was Liu Zhihui, someone she hadn't seen for a long time.
Back then, she and Ji Chengxuan were curious about Liu Zhihui's identity and even tried every means to investigate her.
Of course, they got no results in the end. Time had slipped away mercilessly.
"Little girl, long time no see."
After all these years, Liu Zhihui seemed much gentler than before.
"Still as beautiful as ever."
Yun Que'er nodded politely. "You too, Dean Liu."
"Time waits for no one." Liu Zhihui touched the graying hair at her temples. "By the way, I'm no longer the dean."
Liu Zhihui was almost sixty this year, so it was natural for her to retire.
"It's not what you think."
Liu Zhihui seemed to know what Yun Que'er was thinking.
Yun Que'er looked at her in confusion.
"I resigned on my own. Although I had a high chance of being promoted to dean, I didn't want to do it anymore."
Yun Que'er had a hard time digesting Liu Zhihui's words.
In her eyes, Liu Zhihui was a strong - willed woman and an egoist. How could she let go of such a good opportunity?
"Don't understand, right?" Liu Zhihui stroked Yun Que'er's head. "Sometimes, people should be more lenient with themselves. Chasing fame and fortune too much will only make one overlook what they truly want."
She withdrew her hand. "Take me for example. What I really wanted was to be with the one I loved for a lifetime. But all around me were only men driven by power and greed. So what if I had momentary pleasure? It was all just a passing cloud, and I would never be truly happy."
Liu Zhihui smiled at Yun Que'er. "But now it's okay. I've shaken off all the things I didn't like at all, so my life has become much more comfortable. Little girl, don't think that just because you've seen a lot, you can understand everything in this world. You still need to learn."
Yun Que'er really thought she had seen through a lot, but at this moment, listening to Liu Zhihui's words, she felt like she couldn't understand a single word.
"By the way, there's something I forgot to tell you."
Liu Zhihui suddenly leaned close to Yun Que'er's ear. "Actually, we've known each other for a long time, No. 8073."
Yun Que'er's hair stood on end. She looked at Liu Zhihui tremblingly.
"You... you are..."
Liu Zhihui smoothed her hair. "Actually, you guessed right. I'm a time - traveler. But do you know why no matter how hard you tried, you couldn't find out my real identity?"
Yun Que'er didn't understand before, but now she did.
Because Liu Zhihui was the developer of the system.
"The original intention of creating the system was very simple. I just thought there were too many suffering people in this world, and I wanted them to live a good life. I just didn't expect that while some people did achieve their ambitions as I planned, there were more people who did evil things. More people were blinded by the fog in front of them."
Liu Zhihui glanced at Yun Que'er. "You've done a good job, and that boy is also good. But do you know? You'll soon become one of those people who forget their true selves."
She grabbed Yun Que'er's hand, and the system screen popped up automatically.
Liu Zhihui simply operated it a few times, and the system's operation interface changed.
"What is this..." Yun Que'er looked at the screen in surprise.
It was the level - five reward that Yun Que'er had always wanted before.
"I've modified your system. I'm giving you a chance, and it's the only chance. You can now choose to pursue what you want most, or go back to the real world. Don't worry. After you go back, you can still use the system, but you'll lose all your memories of this world."
Yun Que'er's hands trembled.
This was the opportunity she had dreamed of, but now Yun Que'er didn't care about it at all.
After only a two - second pause, Yun Que'er's mind suddenly became clear.
"Thank you for giving me this opportunity." Yun Que'er said firmly. "But I don't need it now!"
After saying that, Yun Que'er rushed out in a hurry.
Liu Zhihui folded her arms, a satisfied smile on her face.
"That's right. Otherwise, if you can't even get what you want, what's the point?"
Yun Que'er rushed to the railway station as fast as she could.
She had already made up her mind that no matter what happened after seeing Ji Chengxuan, she had to see him.
But when she rushed into the waiting room recklessly, she bumped into Dr. Ji and Zheng Ying head - on.
"Little Que'er, why are you here?"
Yun Que'er was startled.
She was late. She was still one step too late.
Suddenly, Yun Que'er saw the jumping numbers on the waiting room's departure board.
There was still a train going to the city where Ji Chengxuan was headed, and it would leave in ten minutes.
Yun Que'er didn't even think and rushed to the ticket office.
Dr. Ji watched Yun Que'er bustling around like a spinning top and couldn't help but step forward.
"What's wrong with you?"
"Sorry, Uncle Ji. I'll explain it to you later!"
Yun Que'er turned around and ran.
When she reached the platform, Yun Que'er's hands were still shaking.
She had never been to that city before, and she had never traveled far alone since coming to this world.
Yun Que'er was nervous, but now she just wanted to go without hesitation.
"Little Que'er."
A familiar voice sounded from behind.
Yun Que'er was stunned. She turned around stiffly and found that Ji Chengxuan, who should have left, was standing behind her.
"I thought you might come, and I shouldn't just leave like this. So I changed my ticket at the last minute."
Ji Chengxuan walked forward with a smile. "This journey is a long one, but I still have something to miss here. I hope the person I miss also misses me. You..."
At the crucial moment, Ji Chengxuan suddenly blushed.
He stammered and couldn't say a word for a long time.
"Um, I, that..."
Yun Que'er suddenly hugged Ji Chengxuan and finished the rest of his sentence for him.
"Even if the journey is long and far, I'll wait for you to come home."
*
Many years later.
The Yun family's chain restaurants had spread from the south to the north, almost all over the country.
This time, the new store was opened in Jiangcheng. Coincidentally, Yun Que'er had just graduated from college, so she came with Yun Fujin.
"Why aren't you leaving yet?"
This was the fourth time Yun Fujin had asked Yun Que'er this question.
Yun Que'er was still sitting on the bed in the guesthouse, packing her clothes slowly. "Where should I go? Can't I just stay in the guesthouse?"
Yun Fujin shook his head helplessly. "Xiaoxuan called yesterday and asked you to go to the hospital when you're free. If you don't go now, it will be dark soon."
"I'm not going." Yun Que'er refused firmly. "Who asked him not to call me recently? I won't see him."
"You've been together for so many years. Why are you still always arguing? My ancestor, please hurry up." Yun Fujin urged helplessly again.
At this time, there was a knock on the door.
"Brother Yun, are you in?"
"He's come looking for you." Yun Fujin shrugged.
"I won't see him!" Yun Que'er got angry.
"It's too late." Ji Chengxuan pushed the door open and looked at Yun Que'er with a big smile on his face.
Yun Fujin left consciously.
Ji Chengxuan came behind Yun Que'er. "Are you still angry?"
"What do I have to be angry about!"
Yun Que'er said the opposite of what she meant and turned her back to Ji Chengxuan.
"Look at me."
"I won't."
"Little Que'er～"
Yun Que'er's heart skipped a beat. This guy was so cheesy.
She reluctantly turned around. "What are you doing, um..."
Ji Chengxuan knelt on one knee, holding a diamond ring in his hand.
"I originally wanted to give you a surprise. I've been planning it with my colleagues for many days. I was so busy that I didn't call you. I didn't expect it to make you angry instead."
"What... what do you mean..." Yun Que'er stammered.
Ji Chengxuan cleared his throat. "When I was a kid, I asked you if you would marry me, and you never gave me an answer. This time, you can't get away from it, right?"
Yun Que'er's face turned bright red. "I haven't agreed yet!"
Ji Chengxuan directly put the ring on Yun Que'er's finger forcefully. "Whether you agree or not, you're mine."
Oh my god, when did this guy learn those domineering CEO lines?
While Yun Que'er was still in a daze, Ji Chengxuan stood up and sat beside her.
"So will you forgive me this time?"
Yun Que'er glared at him, but couldn't help but break into a smile.
At this moment, there was only each other in their eyes. As for the long journey ahead, there would always be someone to accompany them.
As for whether to forgive or not, there was still a long time. Ji Chengxuan would spend his whole life to prove himself, and Yun Que'er would spend her whole life waiting.