Chapter 43: I'm Sorry
On the night when Cocolia adopted Lu Yu, she, who had never cooked before, made a meal for the first time.
It was a Russian borscht, one of the few dishes Cocolia could cook.
"How is it? Is it delicious?"
Under the bright light, Cocolia gazed gently at the boy in front of her. Seeing the young boy feeding himself with every bite, a hint of joy slowly emerged in Cocolia's heart.
That night, upon Cocolia's request, Lu Yu and Cocolia slept back to back.
"Good night, little Lu Yu."
"Good night, Cocolia sister."
[Event ends, intrusion complete. The host will return to reality in five seconds.]
"System, tell me, what was the purpose of this intrusion you arranged?"
As soon as he returned to reality, Lu Yu noticed that something was off.
What was the purpose of the intrusion function? Lu Yu remembered clearly that the intrusion system was initially meant to change the plotlines he deemed unreasonable.
However, this time, in the free intrusions provided by the system, he was told not to casually alter the plot's predetermined course. This alone was enough to make Lu Yu ponder.
Did the system go to such great lengths, sending him into an intrusion, just to let him experience the plot for free? When did this capitalist system start doing things so uncapitalistic?
Although Lu Yu admitted that sleeping next to Cocolia felt comforting, but...
This system... seemed to be more complicated than Lu Yu had initially thought?
[The host's question has been previously addressed with a prompt. This simulation involves multiple female leads, and due to the extensive branching routes, after each branch selection, the host will be forced into intrusion mode. Please carefully consider the relevant choices and proceed with the simulation reasonably.]
Lu Yu: "..."
"Can the Riddle Man go away?! Talking or not, whatever, never mind, continue the simulation."
[Simulation continues.]
[Age 7: As you slowly grow up, your intelligence and exceptional physique become evident. After a simple test, Cocolia discovers that you seem to be a born warrior. After consulting with you, Cocolia decides to train you.]
[Age 9: As you grow older, you become unsatisfied with ordinary knowledge. During your free time, you start exploring other avenues. After careful consideration, you realize that Cocolia's cooking skills are not up to par. So, you decide to learn cooking on your own. After a few months of self-study, you successfully conquer your own and Cocolia's taste buds.]
[Age 10: You can easily defeat Cocolia in one-on-one combat. With your intelligence from a young age, you've already sensed that Cocolia is hiding something about your biological parents. Occasionally, you probe her for information, but she always evades with excuses.]
[Age 11: Cocolia, defeated by you once again, feels there is nothing more she can teach you. You have developed skills that rival hers and possess a high level of tactical acumen. After some internal struggle, Cocolia finally reveals the truth about your parents' death. She places a dagger in front of you. Now, you can easily take her life. How will you act in front of Cocolia?]
[Option 1: Kill Cocolia for revenge on your parents: Life and death are predetermined; some wrongs cannot be rectified. Farewell, my foster mother!]
[Option 2: Spare Cocolia: Some hatred cannot be settled by death. Cocolia, repay me with your lifetime!]
"System, why do I feel that the recent simulations have fewer fixed routes and more choices available for me?"
Looking at another branching choice, Lu Yu felt curious. He remembered the very first simulation where there was only one path he could take, but now, he had more and more options. What's going on?
[The events in the simulator are not fixed. As the host's basic attributes increase, the number of branching paths available to the host will gradually increase.]
"I see, I understand now."
In other words, initially, his attributes didn't meet the requirements, so many routes were locked. But now that his attributes meet the criteria, Lu Yu can make more choices.
"Then I'll choose the second option."
Cocolia definitely couldn't die here; otherwise, the subsequent plot would not progress, and Lu Yu wouldn't know where to find the other girls from the orphanage. He had to spare Cocolia's life.
[Due to the nurturing and education you received for many years, you spare Cocolia.]
[As the host made a choice, according to the rules of this simulation, the host will enter intrusion mode in five seconds... 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.]
[Intrusion time locked, intrusion begins.]
Opening his eyes, Lu Yu held a dagger in his hand, and Cocolia stood just a meter away from him. If he wanted to, he could use the dagger to take her life instantly.
Cocolia had already closed her eyes, prepared to accept death after telling everything to Lu Yu. However, several minutes passed, and the pain she imagined did not come.
A clattering sound.
As Cocolia opened her eyes, she saw the young boy's back and the fallen dagger on the ground.
"Sister Cocolia , let's go home."
As if nothing had happened, Lu Yu's tone remained as calm as ever. He picked up the fallen dagger. Watching the young boy walk away, Cocolia was left in a daze.
Lu Yu spared her life? Cocolia couldn't comprehend it.
She didn't know how to face Lu Yu. She wandered outside for a long time until it was dark before returning home.
As soon as she pushed the door open, Cocolia caught a familiar aroma.
Is this... Russian borscht?
"Cocolia sister, you're back? Let's eat."
Cocolia witnessed the 11-year-old boy skillfully taking out two plates from the cabinet and serving the cooked borscht, just like they had done countless times before.
"Lu Yu..."
Looking at the seemingly unchanged Lu Yu, Cocolia softly called his name.
"Sister, if you really want to do something to atone, then open an orphanage. I don't want more children to end up like me."
After saying that, Lu Yu began to clean up the plates they had finished eating.
Seeing the young boy's busy figure, waves of remorse surged within Cocolia. It was her fault that Lu Yu's parents died, and she had ruined his life.
"Lu Yu, I'm sorry..."