Before he died, a strange thought suddenly flashed through his mind.
If...
If he had not been so desperate for the position of Deputy Director of the Event Bureau, would he not be dying now? If he had not been so proud back then, could he have provided a better life for his family? If...
The internet was right; the moments one had lived through really did surge back in one's mind before death.
He flipped through the scenes of his life as if he were watching a movie.
His entire train of thought seemed to freeze as he entered into an indescribably profound state, and then... there was no then...
In the instant that the shockwave was about to engulf Zhou Shen, he was ejected from the Secret Realm, and at the same time, a notification sounded in his ear.
"Ding, congratulations to player Zhou Shen for successfully clearing the F-grade Secret Realm Three-two-one Wooden Man."
"Time taken: two minutes and thirty-seven seconds."
Zhou Shen, who was suddenly ejected from the Secret Realm, heard the notification beside his ear, glanced around at the familiar interior of the Secret Realm Building, and after being confused for a while, quickly felt all over his head and body to make sure he was not missing any parts. Then he collapsed on the floor, drenched in sweat, gasping for air.
He completely ignored the surprised looks he was receiving from the people around him.
This level was filled with F-grade Secret Realms.
Could clearing an F-grade Secret Realm really cause one to end up so sweaty?
Only he knew what he had just experienced. Even if he had activated all the defensive items on him, even if he was known for being tough as a fighter class, he was clear that he absolutely couldn't have withstood it.
An explosion of ten missiles right to his face, how could he possibly have held up against that?
Thankfully, he had survived.
Zhou Shen, who had been sitting on the ground catching his breath for quite a while, looked up at the people around him and suddenly started laughing. His laughter grew louder and louder, the emotions of many days erupting in an instant. From then on, he was the Deputy Director of the Event Bureau.
The obsession he had harbored for so many years was suddenly fulfilled.
But he suddenly felt as if something was missing from his life.
If only he could have attained this position earlier.
His wife would have had fewer regrets before she died, and her days would have been better.
If Chen Miao grew fast enough, then Chen Miao would be that person.
All the privileges of Fengtian City would serve Chen Miao.
Just to uplift the name of Fengtian.
And as the person within the system with the best relationship with Chen Miao, that status...
Holding his daughter's hand, Zhou Shen's face, though lost in a reverie, already sported a smile stretching to his ears. He could already imagine the triumphant feeling he would have then. No, wait—he suddenly realized that his relationship with Chen Miao was still too shallow. .net
He hadn't actually helped Chen Miao with anything substantial. He must think of a way to assist Chen Miao with something significant, preferably something that would cost him dearly, to make Chen Miao feel eternally indebted to him.
Then there was the Tomb Guardian's power that Chen Miao had.
See if he could join it.
After taking office tomorrow, he would visit Miao again.
...
"Dad."
Although the little girl didn't understand what "benefactor" her father was talking about, seeing her father, who had been downcast for some time, so happy today, she too was filled with joy. However, she became a bit worried when she saw her father's eerily wide smile, "Dad, you're not sick, are you? And why do you suddenly look so much older?"
"Older, you say?"
Zhou Shen shook his head and spoke nonchalantly, "You don't understand, this is called composure; it's a kind of temperament. When you hold a high position, you must have this temperament. This is called 'the unity of virtue and authority.'
"I've neglected you lately. How about I take you out for some nice food today, would that be good?"
"Yes!"
"By the way, has anyone been bullying you at school?"
"No, I've been getting along with everyone pretty well."
"Would you like to eat hotpot?"
"I want to eat roasted sweet potatoes with oil."
"Roasted sweet potatoes with oil?" Zhou Shen's brow furrowed suddenly, "That's something only the lower class eats?"
In winter, the cold is biting, especially for those who work outside. Many people's hands crack in the cold wind. Roasted sweet potatoes with oil not only warm the body but, because of the oily nature inside the potato skins, can also be applied to the back of the hands to protect them.