PAID

On the day of reuniting with Qin Yao, **L1** revealed his true identity to Qin Yao.

After three timeline resets, **L1** had more or less mastered the method of changing the fates of the supporting characters. The key was to give the supporting characters the choice.

The life paths chosen by the supporting characters themselves were recognized and accepted by the main system as valid.

Thus, in the third reset of the timeline, **L1** had one main objective—to change Qin Yao’s predetermined death.

But **L1** couldn’t directly tell Qin Yao about his ultimate goal, so he kept the part about Qin Yao’s death a secret, only telling him about the other characters' outcomes.

After hearing **L1**'s explanation, Qin Yao pondered for a long time before asking, “So, you came to find me this time just to help us?”

**L1** nodded. “Yes.”

Qin Yao’s gaze on **L1** suddenly showed a hint of reproach.

**L1** was surprised. He blinked, ensuring he hadn’t misunderstood before asking, “Why are you giving me that look?”

Despite having studied human emotions, **L1**, being a system, found human feelings to be incredibly complicated.

When he didn’t understand something, **L1** usually tried to figure it out on his own.

However, when it came to Qin Yao, he couldn’t resist asking directly.

Qin Yao had promised him that if he ever had any questions, he could ask him anytime.

But this time, Qin Yao didn’t answer. He stared at **L1** with a resentful gaze for a while before finally looking away and saying in a soft voice, “I’m upset.”

**L1** became even more confused, and for the first time, a sense of unease crept in.

Why was Qin Yao upset?

Just moments ago, Qin Yao had been hugging him excitedly, so why the sudden change…?

**L1** furrowed his brows, and a suspicion formed in his mind, though he hesitated to say it.

Huo Mom had once explained to him that human affection comes in many forms.

Some affections are long-lasting, and this type of affection has another name—it’s called love.

Other affections are fleeting, like a short-lived flower that quickly withers. This is called novelty.

“Is it that your novelty in liking me has faded…”

Before **L1** could finish speaking, Qin Yao reached out his hand without warning.

The young man’s hand was large and warm, enveloping **L1**'s hand entirely. His fingers gently stroked **L1**'s, before threading through them, interlocking tightly.

**L1** felt a tickling sensation as his fingers were stroked, and he instinctively tried to pull back slightly, but Qin Yao quickly tightened his grip, holding on firmly.

The sensation was strange, but unexpectedly not unpleasant.@@novelbin@@

**L1** stopped struggling and looked at Qin Yao with a bit of confusion.

Qin Yao sighed softly in his heart.

He didn’t know why **L1** appeared so bewildered or why he seemed to have forgotten what he had said before, but the uneasiness was written all over **L1**'s face.

Originally, Qin Yao had wanted to tease him a bit more, hoping to make **L1** worry about him.

But in the end, Qin Yao couldn’t bear it himself.