Chapter 100

Tao Shushu accompanied Nan Yuan as he walked through his home.
There was a training ground right in the house, this was where Nan Yuan had learned his combat and shooting skills.
The laboratory belonged to Man Qian, and now only a mess of wires and clutter remained.
In Nan Yuan’s room, the wardrobe was filled with multiple sets of military uniforms. He was supposed to wear one and join the Second Legion.
Following Tao Shushu’s preference, Nan Yuan changed into a crisp military uniform.
Tao Shushu coughed lightly and subtly covered her reddening ears.
The survivors unanimously agreed to use the former site of the Second Legion as their headquarters to establish a new social order.
Having just received a large sum of gold coins as a reward, Tao Shushu, now flush with cash, splurged on a lot of food and medicine.
Nan Yuan gathered a large group of people, set up the AI program, and began mass-producing the zombie virus serum.
It wouldn’t be long before the zombified humans could return to normal.
Many people held onto hope, believing that their lost family members were merely zombified and that they would soon reunite.
Even Zhou Yan grew restless, repeatedly checking the progress of the serum and criticizing the AI for being too slow in its preparation.
Interplanetary communications were restored once again.
Much of humanity’s infrastructure had been destroyed and would require a long time to rebuild.
But the greatest threat was now gone.
System 001 helped recycle the chaotic energy.
Tao Shushu and Nan Yuan worked together on every task.
She watched with great enthusiasm, as if witnessing the post-apocalyptic reconstruction she hadn’t had the chance to see in her previous life.
If it weren’t for having to attend school, Tao Shushu could have watched it all 24/7.
Before logging off, Tao Shushu noticed that Zhou Yan had taken the lead in erecting statues of her and Nan Yuan at the center of the central star.
The statue was created using 3D printing technology, making the fireworks held in Nan Yuan's palm appear incredibly lifelike.
It also vividly captured the distinct smile in Tao Shushu's eyes.
Tao Shushu felt a little embarrassed, but seeing Nan Yuan smile and all the surviving humans offering their heartfelt blessings, she couldn't help but smile too.
No matter where they were, they would always be a couple blessed by everyone.
After working overtime to produce it, the serum was delivered to all the galaxies.
Nan Yuan assigned the anxious Zhou Yan to lead a team responsible for maintaining order on the zombie-infected planets.
With Nan Yuan stationed at the central star, there were no immediate tasks for the time being.
System 001 reappeared, "I will soon return to headquarters to report on the situation here. Before that, I can accompany you in experimenting with how to reach Aqua Blue Star."
Nan Yuan's heart stirred.
He connected to Tao Shushu's communication line.
Tao Shushu was waiting for the award ceremony of the National Middle School Physics Competition.
The official results would be announced at the ceremony, with the top 50 scores still kept confidential for now.
However, recruitment teachers from various prestigious universities kept visiting Tao Shushu one after another, it was clear without a doubt that her results must be outstanding.
The class monitor looked at Tao Shushu enviously, "Shushu, which university are you planning to attend?"
"What do you plan to do in the future, Shushu?"
"Shushu must have taken first place this time."
The provincial team members gathered together, chatting nervously as they awaited the results announcement.
Tao Shushu put down her phone, "I will continue studying physics."
Amid the crowd, she stood out, radiant and unrestrained.
Nan Yuan watched quietly for a while. This time, he no longer felt jealous of the classmates who could stand by Tao Shushu's side, he would soon be there too.
When the award ceremony began, Tao Shushu finally managed to persuade the enthusiastic recruitment teachers to leave.
She learned from them that she had taken first place in the competition.
Tao Shushu smiled, opened the game, and said, "Nan Yuan, guess what my result is."
"First place," Nan Yuan replied.
"Bingo," Tao Shushu laughed. "I'm super amazing."
"You're the most amazing," Nan Yuan said. "Shushu, can I come to your award ceremony?"
"Of course," Tao Shushu replied.
She was about to suggest keeping the communication line open when, the next second, her phone rang.
Tao Shushu saw that it was a call from Xun.
Her heart skipped a beat as she answered the call.
"Shushu, I'm outside the auditorium." Lu Nan Yuan's voice was hoarse from his long coma, yet his gentle tone was exactly the same as Nan Yuan's.
Tao Shushu immediately dashed toward the auditorium entrance.
It was another sunny day.
Sunlight filtered through the tree branches, casting dappled patterns on the young man's face.
Though still weak in this body, Nan Yuan struggled to keep his eyes wide open and called out with a smile, "Shushu."
Tao Shushu rushed to Nan Yuan's side.
She instinctively reached for his hand but then hesitated, remembering that this Nan Yuan was real.
Just as she wavered, Nan Yuan took her hand.
His longing to see her was impossible to hide.
Even though they could communicate every day.
Even though she shared every little thing with him.
Holding her hand quietly like this remained what he wanted most.
He wanted to exist in the same time and space as her.
Nan Yuan smiled. "Nice to meet you, Shushu."
Perhaps it was the brilliant sunshine.
Their clasped palms grew slightly damp.
Tao Shushu suddenly threw herself into Nan Yuan's embrace.
"Welcome, Nan Yuan."
Nan Yuan wrapped his arms around her, holding her gently.
Behind them, college admission officers who had mistaken Tao Shushu for being poached by a rival school tactfully turned away. "Hehe, with her personal life settled, Shushu will surely focus even more on her studies."
Nan Yuan carried the scent of disinfectant, clearly having just left the hospital.
Tao Shushu frowned with concern. "Nan Yuan, are you feeling unwell anywhere?"
She examined him from head to toe.
Nan Yuan coughed lightly. "I'm fine."
Following Nan Yuan's cue, Tao Shushu looked up and saw Shen Yichen pushing a wheelchair behind him, along with Old Master Lu stepping out of a van.
Tao Shushu found herself meeting the family.
Shen Yichen glanced between Nan Yuan and Tao Shushu. "Wow! Nan Yuan has been... Don't tell me you two communicated through brainwaves and fell in love?"
Tao Shushu chuckled. "No, it was fate."
A connection from their previous world that even this universe couldn't separate, a bond blessed by the cosmos.
Nan Yuan nodded. "Mm."
Overjoyed to see Nan Yuan recovered, Old Master Lu wept tears of happiness.
After the brief commotion, the system reminded them: [Fifteen minutes until the award ceremony begins.]
Tao Shushu needed to return to her seat.
Nan Yuan walked with her.
Shen Yichen sighed. "Suddenly I feel like these steps should be covered with a red carpet."
Sunlight illuminated the steps beneath Tao Shushu's feet.
Creating a path shimmering with colors.
Holding Nan Yuan's hand, she walked step by step toward the auditorium.
Tao Shushu settled Nan Yuan into the family seating area.
Their provincial team classmates erupted in cheers.
Tao Shushu smiled. "Let me introduce my boyfriend, Nan Yuan."
Nan Yuan held her hand, his palm still slightly sweaty, not daring to squeeze too tightly. "Yes, I'm Shushu's boyfriend."
Tao Shushu tightened her grip. "My classmates are all wonderful people."
"They really are." Nan Yuan smiled as Tao Shushu introduced them one by one.
The competition results were unsurprising.
Tao Shushu scored perfect marks in both theory and practical exams, and her performance in the team event was outstanding, she was the undisputed champion.
She cheerfully ascended the podium.
Nan Yuan sat in the audience, his gaze fixed intently on Tao Shushu, not straying for a second.
He wanted to remember every moment of her.
Tao Shushu's phone was flooded with a stream of congratulatory messages.
Classmates from Huiwen Highschool, the Gu family, and Jia Xu all sent their regards.
Tao Shushu called out to the system, [You know how to reply, right? Help me out.]
[Why me?] the system asked.
[I have a date with Nan Yuan.] Tao Shushu replied with a squinting smile.
Holding the trophy, she walked step by step back to Nan Yuan's side.
Nan Yuan smiled as he took the trophy and gently embraced Tao Shushu.
Applause erupted throughout the venue.
For Tao Shushu.
And for the sweet young couple.
Though Tao Shushu had mentioned going on a date with Nan Yuan, she couldn't actually leave just yet.
Yancheng Daily wanted to interview the city's newly crowned gold medalist.
Her teammates from the provincial team were also waiting for Tao Shushu to join them for a celebration banquet. Thanks to their high scores in the team competition, the provincial team had achieved an excellent overall result this time.
Photos from the event had already spread.
Everyone now knew that the gold medalist, who had achieved perfect scores in both theory and experiments, had embraced her boyfriend right after receiving her award.
The Huiwen Highschool campus forum instantly exploded with activity.
Tao Shushu clicked on the link sent by Li Anyu, and with just one refresh, over a hundred new posts appeared.
"The school belle is actually in a relationship, I'm heartbroken!"
"Shushu is way too fixated on gender, but honestly, the male lead is so handsome. I approve of this match."
"Whispering quietly, they look really good together."
"I took another look at the title. This is a thread celebrating Tao Shushu's first-place win with double perfect scores in the National High School Physics Competition!"
"To the poster above. It would be more surprising if Shushu didn't take first place."
"I'm tired of talking about Shushu's physics talent. If I had even a fraction of it, I'd be burning incense in gratitude to her!"
"She's too strong, too strong. I heard this year's theoretical questions were very innovative. Congrats, Shushu. Also, wishing Shushu and her boyfriend stay together forever."
"Congratulations to Shushu for taking first place, and wishing the young couple stay together forever +1"
"+10086."
Tao Shushu read through the posts one by one and chuckled softly.
"Nan Yuan, everyone says we should stay together forever," Tao Shushu said.
It was rare for the Huiwen campus forum to be so unified. Scrolling through, every post was filled with congratulations and blessings.
Nan Yuan silently liked every single post. "Mm."
In the end, Nan Yuan was specially invited by the enthusiastic provincial team members to join the celebration banquet.
Li Xin and Teacher Zhang were also there.
The two teachers smiled kindly without saying anything, but they seated Nan Yuan next to Tao Shushu.
Tao Shushu asked Nan Yuan softly, "Nan Yuan, are you a little nervous about meeting the teachers?"
Nan Yuan was sterilizing chopsticks for Tao Shushu. "Shushu, I want to earn the approval of all your elders."
Tao Shushu gently held Nan Yuan's hand. "You already have."
They were the kind of people who would never be separated, even across time and space.

There was still much to handle in the C1 Star System.
Nan Yuan couldn’t stay away for too long.
After attending the celebration banquet, Tao Shushu was cornered by Li Anyu.
Li Anyu stared excitedly at the campus forum post. "Shushu, you kept your relationship a secret from me for so long!"
Tao Shushu patted Li Anyu. "It really was just an online relationship before."
Back then, the distance between them spanned two dimensions.
They were both steadfast enough.
And fortunate enough.
So they found their happy ending.
Mother Tao teased with a playful expression, "Shushu, I guessed a long time ago that you were in a relationship. That young man is quite handsome, whose family is he from?"
Tao Shushu threw herself into her mother’s arms, acting coquettishly.
Before she could explain, Mr. Lu came to visit.
Tao Shushu left the adults to handle adult matters.
She returned to her room and dialed Nan Yuan’s communication line.
In the C1 Star System, all zombified humans had been treated with the serum and were gradually regaining consciousness.
Nan Yuan had arranged personnel in advance to establish order immediately, informing the zombified individuals of everything that had happened. Artificial intelligence assisted in identity registration and restored communications.
Cheng Feimao had found a friend.
The soldiers of the Second Legion were also returning home from various planets.
Unfortunately, Nan Yuan’s brother had been identified as a key figure and killed early in the apocalypse.
Tao Shushu ruffled Nan Yuan’s hair. "Nan Yuan, if you’re sad, you can cry a little in secret."
Nan Yuan slowly shook his head. He had long learned to face things calmly amidst the cruelty of the apocalypse, yet hearing Shushu’s comfort still warmed his heart.
The C1 Star System was gradually returning to its former peaceful and beautiful state.
Only the Bloodsucking Vine had been overused and shrunk into a tiny clump.
The Bloodsucking Vine was so resentful it nearly withered away.
Tao Shushu found it amusing and spent many energy spheres to feed it.
This time, however, the Bloodsucking Vine couldn’t absorb the energy.
Nan Yuan explained, "The Bloodsucking Vine is classified as anomalous energy and falls within the scope of recovery."
Tao Shushu gently stroked the vine’s leaves.
The first time she met Nan Yuan, he had been dealing with the Bloodsucking Vine.
In a way, the vine had accompanied them on their journey.
Tao Shushu rubbed the Bloodsucking Vine. "I wonder how the one on the barren planet is doing. There’s still a parent plant there."
"If Shushu wants to know, you can come to the barren planet and see," Nan Yuan said.
"Me? Can I see it?" Tao Shushu asked curiously.
She was genuinely interested in the post-apocalyptic reconstruction, especially since she hadn’t lived to see it in her previous life.
Nan Yuan nodded. "Shushu, I want you to see my world too."
The competition had just ended, and there were still two days of vacation left.
Tao Shushu didn’t hesitate and agreed.
Nan Yuan said, "Then close your eyes, Shushu."
When she opened them again, Tao Shushu was standing on the soil of C1 Central Star.
Before her, Nan Yuan stood dressed in pure white formalwear, cradling a galaxy in his palms.
Beneath their feet, shifting lights and colors bloomed into beautiful fireworks.
"Shushu," Nan Yuan’s voice was slightly hoarse, "thank you for coming."
Tao Shushu accepted the galaxy from his hands.
They walked side by side along the streets of Central Star.
The streets damaged by battles had been mostly cleared. Tao Shushu held Nan Yuan’s hand and said, "Nan Yuan, this place will only get better."
Nan Yuan nodded. "Yes, we’ll watch it improve together."
Tao Shushu received a warm welcome in the C1 Star System.
Everyone knew she was the mysterious girl who had helped humanity during the apocalypse, the girl most cherished by their new leader, Nan Yuan.
It was Tao Shushu’s first time truly riding a battleship from the C1 Star System, and its speed was several times faster than an airplane.
The golden-maned lion had grown quite large, capable of devouring an entire cow in one meal, yet it remained obedient only in the presence of Nan Yuan and Tao Shushu.
Tao Shushu also met the human survivors who had fought alongside Nan Yuan, Zhou Yan, Cheng Feimao, Bob, and others.
They visited the barren planet, where the area covered by Bloodsucking Grass had also diminished.
Nan Yuan returned the Bloodsucking Grass to the planet, allowing it to evolve slowly and gradually restore its energy.
Tao Shushu tasted the fruit she had once fed to Nan Yuan.
Bright red in color, she had expected it to numb her mouth, but to her surprise, it was refreshingly sweet with the first bite.
Nan Yuan was also taken aback.
Then, they heard 001 say, "This is my gift to you."
Tao Shushu collected the seeds of the red fruit, planning to cultivate and promote the crop.
They also drove around in the vehicle Tao Shushu had repaired.
After traveling a hundred kilometers, Tao Shushu earned five gold coins.
She picked up a few scraps of paper from the car and said, "Nan Yuan, do you remember how I used to draw for you?"
Nan Yuan nodded, he had kept all those drawings.
Tao Shushu chuckled and handed Nan Yuan a new note.
Nan Yuan unfolded it to find two chibi-style characters and the words, "I like you."
"Shushu, I like you too," Nan Yuan said.
So much so that he would cross time and space just to see her again.
Tao Shushu smiled, holding Nan Yuan’s hand as they walked forward from the place where they first met.
All light and energy bore witness, they would continue walking together, forever and always.