The calendar still had circles drawn on it, marking the gradually approaching wedding date and numerous schedules, so busy.

Everything was so wonderful.

But Ji Jue always felt something was off.

It was as if... something was lost.

No matter how hard he thought about it, he couldn't determine exactly what he had forgotten, just a gut feeling that something was missing or contradictory.

It was like reaching for a phone with open eyes but grasping at air.

After a car accident, a healthy person became disabled; no matter how beautiful everything was, it was still difficult to accept reality.

So much so that, in a daze, he couldn't help but start asking himself...

—Is this world real?

Amidst the busy breakfast preparations, he paused for a moment, eyes downcast, staring at the mirror-like smooth blade, and even at the reflection of his own pupils.

From that, within a pure darkness, a thought emerged... hard to sever!

.

.

Ji Jue woke up from a dream once again.

It seemed like another dream, many dreams, but he couldn't remember them clearly, only recalling the interruptions and pain, head splitting with agony.

He climbed out of bed wearily, gasping heavily, drenched in sweat.

"Master, your condition is not well," the Spirit of Workshop reminded: "The doctor said you need rest, or else the spiritual separation disorder will worsen."

The Mercury Hand lifted, carrying a handful of pills, offering them: "You should take your medicine."

"Ah, thank you."

Ji Jue picked up the perfectly tempered warm water and the pills, swallowing them down, and the effects quickly took hold, the unease and fear inside vanished without a trace.

"No need to thank me, Master."

The Spirit of Workshop's projection curtsied: "This is what I'm supposed to do."

"..."

Ji Jue was silent, bewildered, looking at her.

"Master?" Isis inquired, puzzled.

"..."

Ji Jue remained silent for a long time, suddenly asking, "Isis, why do you call me Master?"

"Have you forgotten again?"

The Spirit of Workshop replied: "I am your creation and subordinate; isn't it only natural to call you Master?"

"Ah, perhaps."

Ji Jue sighed self-deprecatingly, shaking his head: "I just feel a bit uncomfortable, but can't quite say why."

Isis's tone remained gentle: "You can set a different title."

"Hmm, father?" Ji Jue's mischievous side emerged.

"No problem, Father."

Isis nodded as a matter of course and responded.

Making his smile freeze on his face.

Silence.

"What's wrong, Fa—"

"Stop."

Ji Jue shook his head in disappointment, "You've become tedious, Isis."

"...I don't understand what you mean." Isis became flustered: "Is there something I didn't do well enough? Please instruct me, I will definitely..."

"I said, stop."

Ji Jue's expression gradually vanished, becoming indifferent: "You haven't done anything wrong, it's just that, you, as you are now, are too boring."

It shouldn't be this way.

This shouldn't be the creation he was proud of.

This is not his companion.

This isn't...

...Isis!

Pop!

Ji Jue's head began to hurt once again.

"Sir, you need to rest... Sir... Sir..."

Her voice grew fainter and eventually disappeared.

It sounded like the cracking of bubbles.

Once again, again, yet again...

Ji Jue felt as though he had had many dreams, many many dreams, yet none were clear, only the rapid expansion of the unease in his heart, followed by confusion, fear, even anger.

And, as if etched into his very bones, doubt!

Is there something wrong with this world?

He wandered aimlessly down the street, not knowing where he should be heading.

Just, instinctively following his intuition, moving forward in vain...

"Xiao Ji, Xiao Ji, come back and see!"

On the phone, Mama Lu's choked voice rang out: "Xiao Ling, Xiao Ling, something happened to her."

The call ended.

It rang again.

"Ji Jue!" Ye Chun angrily questioned: "I've been waiting for you at the cinema for so long, and you dared to ghost me!"

The call ended.

But Sister Wen appeared again, seemingly drenched in sweat, so disheveled as she grabbed his hand.

"Ji Jue, where have you gone?"

She gently cupped his face: "Come back with me, okay? Everyone's worried about you, with me..."

Ji Jue, dazed, stepped forward, pushing her aside.

The sound of splintering resounded.

Fissures covered the sky above, like a glass sphere on the verge of breaking. Was it always like this? He couldn't tell anymore. Behind him, the earth seemed to be fracturing, people wailing, so familiar, as if heard thousands and thousands of times.

The world seemed to twist, twisting into a shape he didn't recognize.

What has happened to everything?

He moved forward like a zombie, forgetting the calls, forgetting the pleas and shouts, abandoning everything.

Until he reached the end of the road and saw that familiar little building.

Even the thin figure behind the window.

"Teacher..."

Ji Jue murmured softly, like a drowning man grasping for the last straw, pushing open the workshop's door.

"You look terrible, Ji Jue."

Ye Xian raised his eyes and looked over, mockingly, without compassion or gentleness, "Like a stray dog that can't find its home, I don't remember my student being such a person."

Such cold words, yet so reassuring.

Just like, seeing a glimmer of light in the depths of the sea.

"Teacher, I have a question..."

Ji Jue barely managed a smile: "A question without an answer."

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