{"id":8062,"date":"2026-07-15T08:12:40","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T06:12:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/?p=8062"},"modified":"2026-07-15T08:12:40","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T06:12:40","slug":"a-love-struck-brain-is-nothing-in-the-face-of-melodrama-chapter-76","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/2026\/07\/15\/a-love-struck-brain-is-nothing-in-the-face-of-melodrama-chapter-76\/","title":{"rendered":"A Love-Struck Brain Is Nothing In The Face Of Melodrama &#8211; Chapter 76"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Inside the hall, the lights looked as if they had crystallized from frost and snow, radiating a bone-chilling pallor, mercilessly spilling over every inch of space. The silver-white walls stood cold and indifferent, reflecting on the mirror-like marble floor, making the vast space feel even deeper, like a massive ice cellar.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\">\u201c<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Tsk, it\u2019s still so cold in here. I wonder where Mother\u2019s wisdom went\u2014she actually got fooled by Ye Bai\u2019s little trick.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Woden muttered softly.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">When Woden stepped into the hall, he still carried his usual royal demeanor, standing tall yet unable to hide the impatience in his bones. Fortunately, he still gave the Minister of Finance\u2019s family some face, appearing without any companion besides Ye Bai.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\">\u2014<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Although now he couldn\u2019t even find Ye Bai to be his companion.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">His all-black suit, tailored from the finest interstellar material, usually exuded noble elegance, but in his haste, it had wrinkled in several places, the hem hanging loosely.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">His usually meticulously styled golden hair was now disheveled, with strands stuck to his sweaty forehead, making him appear more disheveled.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Only his eyes burned with hot, searing anger, scanning the surroundings with fierce intensity.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">When he received the news of Ye Bai\u2019s death from his mother, Woden\u2019s first reaction was that his mother had been deceived\u2014there was no way that guy could be dead.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Even when he heard that Ye Bai supposedly committed suicide, Woden only laughed and then said sarcastically: \u201cWith me in this world, Mother, that guy would never dare die alone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">His mother, however, didn\u2019t offer much explanation, only instructing Woden to attend the funeral on time. Woden originally wanted to resist, but his mother\u2019s cold voice over the phone made him realize that he couldn\u2019t skip it this time. Thus, he appeared there with an impatient expression.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\">\u201c<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">This is ridiculous\u2014they actually made me come here.\u201d Woden muttered softly, his steps half-hearted and hollow, his shoes clattering against the floor.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">But when his gaze accidentally fell on the coffin in the center of the hall, and on Ye Bai lying inside, he felt as if struck by lightning, freezing in place. The careless expression he had carried vanished completely, replaced by sheer shock.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\">\u201c<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">What\u2026 what is going on?\u201d Woden raised his voice, questioning in disbelief, tinged with subtle panic.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As he approached and saw Ye Bai\u2019s lifeless face, Woden seemed to finally comprehend. His expression turned pitch-dark, his brows knitted tightly into a deep furrow, and rage boiled wildly in his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\">\u201c<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Ye Bai, what trick are you pulling now?\u201d Woden shouted at the coffin. His voice was like a bell, echoing layer upon layer through the silent hall. \u201cPlaying dead? You think this childish stunt can fool me? Don\u2019t waste your effort!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">His fists clenched involuntarily, knuckles whitening under the strain, veins bulging on the back of his hands. If the cabin wall hadn\u2019t blocked him, his poised fists would have already struck.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The young man, Ye Bai\u2019s brother, stood beside him, his eyes bloodshot, tears threatening to spill but held back. Seeing Woden\u2019s actions, he lunged forward to restrain Woden\u2019s increasingly uncontrollable movements.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\">\u201c\u2014<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Woden! Do you have any humanity left? My brother is dead, and yet you can speak such cold-blooded nonsense!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Woden, as if provoked like a dragon touched on its reverse scale, snapped his head and glared viciously at Ye Wangxing, his contempt unmasked.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\">\u201c<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Stop pretending to be pitiful! Yesterday I saw him alive and well. How did he end up lying here overnight? He must have planned this deliberately, just to get my attention. He\u2019s done this more than once, but I never imagined he\u2019d go this far, using his death to toy with me!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Woden spoke, a hint of disdain coloring his expression.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\">\u2014<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The young man almost struck Woden with a punch.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Fortunately, the Minister of Finance and his wife intervened, though their expressions were grim.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As the tension in the air thickened, the funeral proceedings finally began.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The cold, automated voice announced without emotion: \u201cThe body transfer procedure will commence. All unrelated personnel, please evacuate immediately.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">At the sound of the announcement, the gravity device beneath the coffin emitted a low hum and began operating slowly, a subtle vibration spreading underfoot.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">In the interstellar era, one funeral method involved sending the coffin into space. During this process, the person inside could be transformed into a gem by a simple facility, ultimately drifting in the cosmos.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">With luck, the relatives might even see them become a small planet.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Hearing this icy, automated instruction, Woden went instantly mad. The disdainful expression vanished from his face.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">He charged toward the control panel like a runaway horse, hands wildly flailing over the holographic interface, frantic and urgent, trying to halt the procedure: \u201cYou\u2019re really going this far? You\u2019re really going to send Ye Bai into space just to get my attention?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As he spoke, cold sweat broke out on him.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">However, the system permissions were already locked. Red warning lights flashed on the panel, rejecting his frantic attempts repeatedly, like merciless spectators watching his struggle.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The attendants, looking concerned, forced themselves forward, reaching to restrain Woden: \u201cYour Highness, please remain calm. Do not interfere with the funeral proceedings.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\">\u2014<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">After all, this was a child\u2019s funeral. If he went mad here, what would happen to the royal reputation?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">But Woden suddenly exerted force, violently shaking off the attendants\u2019 hands, with such strength that one of them fell hard to the ground and scrambled up in embarrassment.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">He then turned and roared at Ye Wangxing: \u201cWas it you scheming behind the scenes? Ye Bai never played such a big trick before! Did you get too close with those four that Ye Bai learned to use his death to get my attention?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The Minister of Finance\u2019s family trembled all over, and what Woden didn\u2019t notice was that Martha in the audience also shivered slightly, fortunately without drawing anyone\u2019s attention.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">However, the family only trembled momentarily. Ye Wangxing quickly adjusted his expression to one of disbelief, paired with red-rimmed eyes that looked sorrowful to the point of despair.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">His fingers trembled as he pointed at Woden, his voice choked.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\">\u201c<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Wo\u2014den! You\u2019re completely unreasonable! You forced Ye Bai into this! You betrayed the promises you made to him as a child! In his will, he wrote that it was all your damn fault!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As he spoke, Ye Wangxing threw a letter directly at Woden\u2019s face. The thick paper struck Woden, turning his face bright red, as if Ye Bai had slapped him.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Woden, incredulous, took the will and opened it, but froze just after reading the opening lines. He crumpled the paper into a ball, yet whenever he tried to tear or discard it, it felt as if someone stopped him.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">In the end, he gripped the will tightly, pointing at the Minister of Finance\u2019s family opposite him, mouth opening and closing as if to speak, but he didn\u2019t say a word.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Meanwhile, the gravity device continued to increase its force, and the coffin slowly lifted off the ground. The church opened its skylights.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Woden\u2019s eyes widened, and he immediately turned back, staring at the coffin as if he could burn a hole through it. The anger on his face surged violently, mixed with a subtle, barely perceptible panic.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\">\u201c<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Ye Bai! If you wake up right now, I\u2019ll act as if this never happened, and I won\u2019t bother you about those trivial matters anymore!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">His voice grew hoarse and dry from shouting, yet he remained firm, wrapping the creeping unease in a shell of anger.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">But the coffin continued its ascent, indifferent and disdainful, as if Ye Bai had finally resolved to leave him.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Woden\u2019s legs gradually lost their strength, yet he stubbornly endured with sheer willpower. Even when the attendants dragged him out of the hall, he continued struggling, hands flailing wildly in the air, muttering: \u201cThis isn\u2019t possible\u2026 he must be playing with me\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">He seemed to descend into madness, refusing to accept the reality before him.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Finally, Woden was forcibly dragged out of the hall. The heavy doors slammed shut behind him, producing a muffled thud, as if signaling the end of this farce.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The guests let out long sighs of relief\u2014they had not expected the Crown Prince Woden to suddenly lose control to such an extent.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Weren\u2019t his relations with Ye Bai strained? Why was he so devastated at the sight of a dead man?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Could it really be that type of plot where one realizes how much they loved someone only after their death?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The guests\u2019 faces showed expressions of disgust, and Martha didn\u2019t even hide her own.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\">\u201c<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Ye Bai, you should be thankful you faked your death, otherwise your parents would\u2019ve invited so many guests that within ten minutes, this whole galaxy would know about it\u2014it would be utterly humiliating.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Martha sent a grimacing message to Ye Bai\u2019s holographic interface.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Just imagining the previous scene made her curl her toes in embarrassment. Even as a guest, she felt mortified. If she were the protagonist, she\u2019d have to leap out of the coffin herself to explain she had nothing to do with that mess!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\">\u201c<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">But your brother acted really well. When Woden charged and lunged at your coffin, I almost couldn\u2019t hold back my laughter. Yet your brother controlled himself, still focused on covering for you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Martha typed the message with a hint of admiration.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">However, Ye Bai on the other side didn\u2019t respond immediately. Martha rolled her eyes, assuming he had again started basking in sentimental indulgence. She then shifted her gaze back to Ye Wangxing, only to find him still in deep, painful distress.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\">\u2018<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>Such strong conviction?\u2019<\/i><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Martha was shocked. She noticed that the Minister of Finance and his wife barely restrained themselves, clamping their mouths shut to prevent revealing anything.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">But Martha misunderstood one thing: Ye Wangxing on stage wasn\u2019t acting well\u2014he had already laughed inside the system space.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-family: NSimSun;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"zh-CN\">\u3010\u2014\u2014<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Hahahahaha, help! I can\u2019t hold it in, 19! How can he be so funny?<\/span><span style=\"font-family: NSimSun;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"zh-CN\">\u3011<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Ye Wangxing laughed uncontrollably inside the system space, rolling back and forth until he caught his breath. 19, standing beside him like a loyal guardian, didn\u2019t laugh at all, merely ensuring Ye Wangxing didn\u2019t roll off the virtual ground.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\">\u2014<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Meanwhile, the lights in the system space grew noticeably brighter.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Ye Wangxing didn\u2019t notice. He wiped the tears from his eyes, still wet from laughing, looked at 19 with damp eyelashes, and smiled broadly.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">He truly couldn\u2019t hold it in. Woden\u2019s frantic charge at Ye Bai\u2019s coffin, combined with his wrinkled suit and messy, unkempt features, had been utterly comical.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Especially his lines made it even funnier.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">However, after that bout of laughter subsided, Ye Wangxing regained his rationality and sincerely said to Woden:<\/span><span style=\"font-family: NSimSun;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"zh-CN\">\u3010<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Serves you right!<\/span><span style=\"font-family: NSimSun;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"zh-CN\">\u3011<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">19 nodded in agreement.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">He still hadn\u2019t understood Woden\u2019s personality logic, even though he had tried to shape Woden\u2019s personality model based on the host\u2019s words.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">But Woden\u2019s behavior today made 19 realize one thing:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\">\u2014<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Never use data simulation to model the personality of some strange people and predict their next actions.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">His personality model was completely useless.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">19 thought about it and deleted Woden\u2019s data model, then asked his host, who was relatively good at simulating human personality:<\/span><span style=\"font-family: NSimSun;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"zh-CN\">\u3010<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Host, what will Woden do next? Will he feel guilty about Ye Bai because of the funeral, then completely change and live properly as Ye Bai wished?<\/span><span style=\"font-family: NSimSun;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"zh-CN\">\u3011<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Hearing 19 speculation, Ye Wangxing shook his head, looking at 19 with a rare glimmer of curiosity: <\/span><span style=\"font-family: NSimSun;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"zh-CN\">\u3010<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">No, no, no. Absolutely not. He won\u2019t even look at Ye Bai\u2019s suicide note during this period.<\/span><span style=\"font-family: NSimSun;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"zh-CN\">\u3011<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Ye Wangxing spoke based on his years of experience observing others and being personally taken by his father to mediate situations.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-family: NSimSun;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"zh-CN\">\u3010<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">If this were reality, Woden might even burn Ye Bai\u2019s note directly, then within a few days start looking for a new person. After all, stories about regretting only after death are rare, most people just feel relieved the trouble is gone.<\/span><span style=\"font-family: NSimSun;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"zh-CN\">\u3011<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Ye Wangxing sighed.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-family: NSimSun;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"zh-CN\">\u3010<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">But this is a novel world. Woden will probably live normally for a while, then fall into self-degradation, and finally, when he can\u2019t adapt to life, he will remember Ye Bai\u2019s kindness, tremble as he pulls out Ye Bai\u2019s note, kneel at his grave, and weep in regret.<\/span><span style=\"font-family: NSimSun;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"zh-CN\">\u3011<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Ye Wangxing was familiar with this trope. When he had been hooked by novels back then, most of the endings followed this pattern.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\">\u2014<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Reading it made Ye Wangxing feel like his mammary nodules were about to be irritated out.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-family: NSimSun;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"zh-CN\">\u3010\u2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Are humans really like this?<\/span><span style=\"font-family: NSimSun;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"zh-CN\">\u3011<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">19 analyzed Ye Wangxing\u2019s words and expressed this doubt.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Wasn\u2019t it said that humans were one of the most emotionally rich species in the universe?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">During war, psychological problems in humans were normal, so 19 wouldn\u2019t be surprised by any strange behaviors from soldiers or commanders in wartime. But the host\u2019s country was quite peaceful, wasn\u2019t it?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-family: NSimSun;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"zh-CN\">\u3010<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Some humans are like this. Other species also have diversity, so humans naturally do too.<\/span><span style=\"font-family: NSimSun;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"zh-CN\">\u3011 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Ye Wangxing sighed.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-family: NSimSun;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"zh-CN\">\u3010<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">I actually had too much empathy. According to my dad, I cried watching Tom and Jerry as a kid, and yet as an adult I turned out so carefree.<\/span><span style=\"font-family: NSimSun;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"zh-CN\">\u3011<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As he spoke, Ye Wangxing\u2019s mood drooped slightly. 19 had already detected the host\u2019s emotional alarm going off.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">19 CPU immediately started working rapidly, analyzing the host, and concluded that the host probably missed home.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">This was tricky for 19.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">If it were another issue, like dissatisfaction with Woden, he could discreetly eliminate Woden, making him physically disappear from the world.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">But if the host missed home\u2026<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">19 had no real solution. He wasn\u2019t a true intelligent refrigerator. He knew showing images of the host\u2019s parents would make the host cry unless real people appeared\u2014which was impossible.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">While 19 was at a rare loss, Ye Wangxing gradually recovered from his emotions on his own.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-family: NSimSun;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"zh-CN\">\u3010<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">It\u2019s fine. I just missed home a bit. Feeling sorry for myself won\u2019t help. Let\u2019s finish the mission first. At most, in one month, this mission will end!<\/span><span style=\"font-family: NSimSun;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"zh-CN\">\u3011<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The young man smiled again at 19.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The two-meter-tall system didn\u2019t bypass the topic but spoke calmly as always:<\/span><span style=\"font-family: NSimSun;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"zh-CN\">\u3010<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Host, do you need a hug?<\/span><span style=\"font-family: NSimSun;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"zh-CN\">\u3011<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Ye Wangxing paused, not understanding why 19 said that. He felt fine now<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">But looking at 19 open arms, he realized he wasn\u2019t completely fine.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">He felt a little sentimental.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Not much\u2014no psychologist intervention was needed.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The black-haired, black-eyed youth walked over and hugged 19.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\">\u2014<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">One hug was enough.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">After 19 received enough energy, Ye Wangxing began the next mission full of vigor.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">He didn\u2019t let 19 appear at the banquet because 19 acting couldn\u2019t portray grief mixed with shock, and at the banquet, that shock had to be mixed with the subtle realization of the truth.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\">\u2014<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Finally, he would have to act out realizing the truth while pretending, but only someone who knew could notice.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The last line was so tricky to deliver that Ye Wangxing didn\u2019t want to make 19 struggle. After all, the incident was sudden and deeply sad, forgetting to invite 19 was understandable. Once the truth came out later, approaching Ye Wangxing to discuss it would make the plan smoother.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">With that thought, Ye Wangxing arranged to meet him that night.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Ye Wangxing arranged a scene on the rooftop: an argument, ending with crying in \u2019s arms due to his brother\u2019s death.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">But Ye Wangxing found it odd. 19 had said Woden arrived at the hotel, yet he hadn\u2019t been seen until the next morning.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Dressed casually, Ye Wangxing followed 19, who had brooded on the rooftop all night, to the lobby, expecting not to see Woden.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">However, Ye Wangxing saw Woden in the hotel lobby.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Drunk, with lipstick marks on his neck, he looked like he had just gotten out of bed.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Ye Wangxing looked at Woden and then at his flamboyant male companion.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">He quietly rolled up his sleeves.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\">\u2014<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Hunting moment.jpg<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\">\u201c<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Ah!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Woden screamed inhumanly in the hotel lobby.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\">\u201c\u2014<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The Empress didn\u2019t care that Woden got hit?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Martha asked in surprise.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\">\u201c<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Did the Empress not even give a verbal warning this time? She at least warned the Finance Minister\u2019s family before.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Alina, sitting on the sofa, smirked: \u201cWho asked this kid to bring a hookup to the hotel on the night of the funeral? He got caught by Ye Wangxing, crying all night. If hadn\u2019t been rational and restrained, Ye Wangxing might\u2019ve even pulled Ortas\u2019s sidearm and shot Woden.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\">\u201c<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">No wonder. Going to meet a hookup on his fianc\u00e9\u2019s funeral night, getting beaten by his family isn\u2019t unjust. And there was no one else to intervene.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Martha deliberately said this to the third person sitting nearby: \u201cYou agree, right, Ye Bai?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Ye Bai looked at his brother, friends, and the online news with a complicated expression.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">He had planned the funeral to minimize the impact of his fake death.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">But he didn\u2019t expect Woden to go see someone the night of the funeral.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Seeing Woden drunk, still teasing his temporary hookup while leaving, Ye Bai felt his filter of Woden shatter.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\">\u201c<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Clatter\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Over the next month, Woden continued to destroy Ye Bai\u2019s mental filter, layer by layer.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Sometimes he was all talk, no skill, sometimes he insulted civilians, once almost broke the law, but the palace-appointed attendants stopped him.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\">\u2014<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">This was the last straw.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\">\u201c<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">I\u2019ve decided to break off the engagement with Woden.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Ye Bai announced solemnly to Alina and Martha in the living room.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">At first, they snickered, about to ask what broke his filter this time.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Once they realized, their mockery turned to shock, Alina even spat out her coffee.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Embarrassed, she wiped her mouth, looking incredulous.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\">\u201c\u2014<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Finally emptied your head?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Ye Bai looked a bit sheepish: \u201cYes. I realized Woden and I are truly incompatible. I will go explain in person, apologize, and break up completely.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Alina, seeing Ye Bai draw a clear boundary, didn\u2019t waste the opportunity.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Half an hour later: \u201cI already told my aunt. She gave me Woden\u2019s home password. Go find him now while you\u2019re sober. We\u2019ll wait outside. If you don\u2019t break up, you won\u2019t leave this door! Understand?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Alina still wore the coffee-stained dress, seemingly without time to change. Martha nodded seriously.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">They didn\u2019t notice two heads, one black-haired and one blonde, peeking from the manor wall.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Ye Bai looked at his friends, amused and exasperated, then took a deep breath and went in.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Alina and Martha followed, waiting in the hall for Ye Bai to finish the breakup.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">However\u2026<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\">\u201c<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Ahhhh a ghost!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Woden screamed from the upstairs media room.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\">\u201c<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Woden! I\u2019m alive! Don\u2019t run forward\u2014you\u2019ll fall!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Ye Bai\u2019s voice followed closely.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Woden never listened.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">He ran into the hall, tripped on the spiral staircase while pretending to look cool, and, barefoot, caught the carpet, falling straight forward.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\">\u201c\u2014\u2014<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Ahhhh!\u201d X3<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">One minute later, the palace.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The Empress, holding a light energy device, asked her niece on the phone in disbelief: \u201cWhat? You said Woden is dead?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p lang=\"en-US\">\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p>Support translation:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/bePatron?u=25191841\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"217\" height=\"51\" class=\"wp-image-338 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ontimestory.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/become_a_patron_button.png?resize=217%2C51\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 217px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 217\/51;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ko-fi.com\/lajnaa\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ontimestory.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/kofi3-3.png?resize=185%2C47\" alt=\"This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is kofi3-3.png\" width=\"185\" height=\"47\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 185px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 185\/47;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n<p><!--EndFragment--><\/p>\r\n<p><!--EndFragment--><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Inside the hall, the lights looked as if they had crystallized from frost and snow, radiating a bone-chilling pallor, mercilessly spilling over every inch of space. The silver-white walls stood cold and indifferent, reflecting on the mirror-like marble floor, making the vast space feel even deeper, like a massive ice cellar. \u201cTsk, it\u2019s still so [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7815,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[118],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8062","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-a-love-struck-brain-is-nothing","entry","has-media"],"acf":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":false,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ontimestory.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/20250409131120_300_420.jpeg?fit=300%2C420&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8062","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8062"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8062\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8063,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8062\/revisions\/8063"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7815"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8062"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8062"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8062"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}