June doesn't even know why he's doing this.
It's not like he'll gain anything from it. He isn't gaining any level-ups, either.
In fact, he's even losing something because of these two.
However, there was something that tugged on his heart, telling him he needed to do something about it.
He grabbed his wallet and pulled out fifty dollars. He clicked his tongue when he realized he only had enough money for a ride back home now. There goes his plans of buying some food while on his way back to the apartment.
He definitely should talk to Mr. Chang and ask him to work when they have breaks like this.
June patted the young man's shoulder. He looked at June suspiciously.
"I don't have any money," the young man said.
June sighed and placed the fifty dollars in his palm.
"What is this?" he asked.
"Buy the kid the doll she wants," June coldly said. "Her whining is making my ears hurt."
The young man frowned. "Excuse me, we're not beggars. And you're welcome to leave if you don't like my sister's voice."
June clicked his tongue. Can't this boy just take it?
"Just think of it as a Christmas gift," June said.
The latter guy narrowed his eyes. "It's August. Why are you really giving me this?"
"Buy the little kid the doll. My bus is here," June said, standing up.
"Wait!" the young man said. "We're not a charity case—"
"I never said you were," June cut him off. "I'm going."
However, the young man held onto his wrist and pulled him back. The two of them made eye contact, and the young man's eyes widened in surprise.
"Wait—you're June!"
"Bye!" June exclaimed and ran to the bus. "Buy her the doll, okay?" he called out as the bus doors closed.
Then, he sighed in relief when the bus finally started moving. He sat down at the very back, leaning his head against the window and gazing at the night sky.
His life had been peaceful thus far.
Compared to his life as Chen Jun Hao, this definitely seemed a lot less dangerous. Yet somehow, there are some aspects he misses about his past life. In the end, he lived longer as Jun Hao than Joon-ho.
However, he had accepted that there was no other way out.
June still isn't sure how far he can trust Fu, but things seem to be going pretty okay so far.
[REWARD! With the host's rank exceeding five steps, you are given a reward. Exceed missions and earn rewards! Since this is the host's first reward, you are given what you currently desire the most.]
June frowned. What he currently desires the most?
[Reward Title: Perspective Taking. Have the opportunity to see Mei Ling's life! Valid for two minutes.]
June stood up on the bus when he read the pop-up, causing some of the passengers to look over his way. He awkwardly sat back down and muttered soft apologies under his breath.
[Activate now?]
June looked at the landmark outside the window and saw that he still had a little over five minutes before he arrived at his stop. So, he unhesitatingly nodded.
"Activate now."
After uttering those words, June's vision instantly blurred, and when it was cleared, he wasn't on the bus anymore. Instead, he was in a room that felt foreign yet warm.
A scene materialized before his eyes. He found himself in a cozy kitchen, the aroma of homemade food filling the air. It was a place he had visited many times, even if he hadn't been physically present.
He was now seeing through Mei Ling's eyes, and he watched as she stood in front of the stove, carefully stirring a pot of simmering soup. Her fingers deftly worked, and when she glanced at herself at the mirror of the cabinet, June confirmed his suspicions.
He is, indeed, in Mei Ling's perspective.
June could feel the warmth of the kitchen, the comfort of familiarity, and the love that had gone into preparing the meal.
The scene shifted again, and now June found himself standing at the end of the street, watching as an elderly couple interacted with Mei Ling. The couple's faces were kind, their eyes filled with warmth as they spoke to her. He could sense their genuine affection for her.
The realization struck him—these were the neighbors at the end of the street. The ones who had lost their child and had taken a liking to Mei Ling. June had known them and had even thought that, perhaps, Mei Ling would be better off living with them, especially during the times when he struggled to balance his work in the gang and taking care of her.
But Mei Ling had always been adamant. She had insisted on staying with her brother, no matter the challenges they faced. He saw flashes of memories—Mei Ling's determination, her unwavering loyalty to him, her laughter that had brightened even the darkest days.
And then, in the blink of an eye, June was back on the bus. He sat there, his heart heavy with the weight of the emotions he had just experienced. He looked down at his hands, and he felt a painful pang in his chest.
He understood now—Mei Ling's choice to stay with him had been a testament to the bond they had shared as siblings. And now, knowing that she was living with the elderly couple, he felt a bittersweet feeling settle over him. He couldn't help but smile, even as his heart ached.
[End of Reward. The scene that is played is the current Mei Ling's life. Fu hopes he fulfilled the host's wishes! Mei Ling's current life will continue while the host strives to debut!]
Fuck Fu.
After seeing those scenes, June felt like he wanted to cry. However, he held himself back.
Mei Ling was now happy, and June would like to keep it that way.
And there's only one way to keep her safe—he needed to debut.
