books44 Chapter 431 [Empire] Farewell
Chapter 431 [Empire] Farewell
After waking, my head was still a little groggy, and my body seemed to be in a state of incomplete recovery. But gradually, I realized I was no longer in a state where I could fall asleep at any moment. Gently opening my eyes, I saw myself lying on a sofa, the curtains beside me gently blown by the wind, letting in sunlight that cast dappled shadows on the floor. My memory, like broken lines, gradually restored itself in fragments.
Shan Qi didn't appear immediately, but soon I heard him moving outside the room. He soon entered, wearing loose-fitting home clothes, a stark departure from his usual formal business attire. He clutched a few books and scattered materials, appearing to have just emerged from a study or research space. Although he's often considered a business genius, possessing formidable judgment and commercial acumen, that day I suddenly realized there was another side to him—a side completely different from what I'd previously encountered.
"You're awake." He looked at me, his tone not changing much, but a hint of concern flashed across his eyes. "How do you feel?"
I nodded, sat up, and yawned slowly. "I'm fine, just a little tired." I waved my hand, not wanting to dwell on how I'd ended up sleeping in his house.
Shan Qi didn't say much, just put the materials on the table, then took a thick ancient book from the bookshelf, opened it and began to read carefully. I noticed that the cover of the book showed an ancient pattern, somewhat similar to the lost magic and witchcraft materials in Earth's history.
"Have you been studying these ancient things again recently?" I couldn't help but ask, my eyes unconsciously falling on the book he was reading in his hand.
"Hmm," he replied calmly, seemingly unsurprised by the question. "I've had some interests lately. Although they're not entirely related to what I'm doing now, there are always times when seemingly useless things suddenly become useful. As you know, the origins of technology are often hidden in this lost knowledge."
"Magic and witchcraft?" I raised my eyebrows and looked at him curiously.
"Hmm." He seemed unconcerned and continued flipping through the book in his hand. "Magic is a natural force that's not fully understood. Some ancient civilizations even have strange technologies that can accomplish seemingly impossible things. You could call it magic, or some kind of extraordinary science."
I was a little surprised. Although I knew he was studying all kinds of strange things, I had never expected him to include these things that modern people consider "superstition" in his research. His interests were so broad that they even included these almost forgotten areas.
"Are these things useful to you?" I asked curiously, with some doubts in my mind.
"It works for me." He raised his eyes, his expression never changing. "You might not know this, but many breakthroughs in modern technology stem from the knowledge of ancient civilizations. I've done some experiments before, and these ancient theories and methods sometimes inspire me, allowing me to understand certain technologies from a different perspective."
His words surprised and shocked me. Although Shan Qi never discussed his personal research, I realized at that moment that this business prodigy was more than just about making money and expanding his business empire. His thinking was far superior to that of ordinary people, even reaching into areas we consider "forbidden zones."
"You are such a weirdo." I smiled helplessly.
"Maybe." He replied calmly and continued to flip through the book in his hand. "But some weird people can change the world."
This made me think of his past success and the invisible driving force behind it. This driving force was not just for money and status, but more likely a deep desire to uncover the truth of the world and break the inherent framework.
And so, all day long, I witnessed Shan Qi's ordinary yet extraordinary day. He didn't have any grand work meetings, nor did he have those business plans he used to be busy with. Instead, he was completely immersed in his ancient and mysterious research, completely lost in his own world.
I suddenly felt that Dan Qi seemed more like a lonely explorer, not only in the business world, but also in all unknown fields.
"Shan Qi, I'm leaving soon."
I stood across from Shan Qi, my tone heavy, as if I were saying goodbye, but also as if I was trying to convince myself to accept this fact. This sudden news made the air stagnant, as if even time had slowed down a few beats.
Shan Qi stopped reading and looked up at me. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but it was quickly concealed by his calm expression. He didn't rush to speak, but looked at me quietly, as if thinking about something.
"You're leaving?" His voice was low, with a slight displeasure that was not in line with his usual style. "When?"
"Soon," I nodded gently. "This time, it might be the time for me to leave the Capital Planet and go find my next foster parent, Ye Qing."
He frowned slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he was silent for a moment before speaking: "You know, you can leave this kind of thing at any time. Why now?"
I smiled wryly and lowered my head, unable to express the reluctance and confusion I felt. Yes, I hadn't received any notifications, not even a message from Ye Qing, but the system's rules were like an invisible net, always leading me to my next destination. This was fate, and I couldn't escape it.
"I don't know, maybe... this is it." I raised my head, trying to make my tone sound calmer. "I can't delay, I have to go."
Shan Qi didn't ask any more questions. He just looked at me for a while, then sighed softly, stood up, and walked to the window. He looked out the window. Night had fallen, the stars were twinkling, and the lights were dim.
"When you leave, I'm afraid there will be many people who will be reluctant to let you go." His voice was filled with an unknown emotion.
I was stunned for a moment, a complex emotion welling up in my heart. "Are you one of them?" I couldn't help but ask.
Shan Qi didn't answer, but turned and looked at me. At that moment, I saw a hint of tenderness in his eyes, as if the invisible distance between us had finally been shortened by some silent emotion.
"After you leave, my life will be missing an important part." He said lightly, without much sadness in his tone, but with a sense of emptiness that could not be ignored.
I didn't say anything else, just looked at him quietly, the complex emotions in my mind intertwined. There was so much I wanted to say, but I didn't know how to express it. It seemed that every word became heavy, like a burden.
Shan Qi looked at me, walked over to the table, and picked up the strange book. "Let's go. Since this is fate, there's nothing to worry about." He closed the book and put it aside, a look of relief in his eyes. "But remember, no matter where you go, remember to come back and visit once in a while."
My heart trembled. I had expected him to accept this all as nonchalantly as I had, but I didn't expect him to suddenly say this with a rare tenderness. Beneath that familiar mask of indifference, there seemed to be a hint of concern that he had never expressed.
I nodded, feeling an indescribable emotion well up in my heart, and when I turned and walked towards the door, I almost didn't dare to look back.
"Shan Qi," I stopped and took a deep breath, "Thank you."
He didn't respond immediately, but just turned his head slightly and looked at my departing back: "Goodbye, as you wish."
The door closed gently behind me, taking away the last breath of farewell.