The Scum Shou's Survival Guide

Chapter 162

Lu Xiuwen looked at Ye Ming's reaction, finally unable to deceive himself any longer. Before this moment, he clung to a faint hope, wishing for a different answer from Ye Ming. But there was none.

No other answer.

Ye Ming's fear, Ye Ming's surprise, Ye Ming's panic, every subtle expression... all confirmed his suspicions, forcing him to face the cruel truth he least wanted to accept.

His own life—perhaps just an insignificant game to Ye Ming.

In that world, he lost his loved one, letting regret and pain torment his soul day after day. He even contemplated suicide numerous times, wondering if death would offer a chance for a new life, a chance to undo the eternal nightmare.

Now that he was finally dead, the dream had indeed ended, but what awaited him was not liberation and rebirth. It was another, even more absurd outcome.

While he painted a prison for someone else, that person lived freely, oblivious to him, not even remembering him.

The boy he loved, who deceived him with an innocent appearance, turned out to have 'loved' many others—Yang Qian, Ming Chong, Qin Yi, Jiang Ci, Li Zechen... all deeply devoted to him, unaware that their world might just be someone else's game.

He wasn't different from those people; he was just one of them.

If he hadn't coincidentally gained the memories they left behind, he would still be oblivious.

But now he understood. Because Ye Ming was their 'beloved,' Ye Ming knew everything about them. Because Ye Ming was Gu Ran, he felt fear when he asked that question.

Lu Xiuwen stood there, as if some blunt object was slowly cutting through his body. Despite the impending agony, his face remained composed. He resisted showing a pitiful side, not wanting to appear foolishly exposed.

The more terrified Ye Ming seemed, the more intense Lu Xiuwen's inner pain became. It proved that Ye Ming was just deceiving and manipulating him, unable even to deceive himself. Was there any remorse in Ye Ming?

Being too aware of reality isn't always a good thing.

Knowing too much isn't necessarily fortunate.

Because, to you, I'm just an insignificant game. That's why you can leave so heartlessly, never speaking a true word to me.

All the love and dependence were just a carefully planned performance.

Thinking of this, Lu Xiuwen actually laughed. He thought he lived a clear and understanding life, believing he could control everything with meticulous planning. Yet, he was the foolish one, unable to see if someone was genuine.

Ridiculous and lamentable.

"Xiao Ran..." Lu Xiuwen's gaze swept across Ye Ming's room, a hint of nostalgia in his voice, "You're doing well in this world."

If there's anything to be grateful for in this cruel truth, it's probably that the person he loved is still alive.

Not just alive but living happily.

Just like he fantasized in his dreams...

Ye Ming stared at Lu Xiuwen, even though Lu Xiuwen's expression was calm, almost smiling, as if reuniting with an old friend for casual conversation. Yet, an inexplicable chill crept into Ye Ming's heart. This version of Lu Xiuwen, seemingly indifferent, contradicted everything he knew.

If Lu Xiuwen had figured out his identity, possessing memories of previous individuals, how could he act so nonchalant? If someone dear to him had died, causing years of pain, only to discover he was just a pawn in someone else's game, lied to and manipulated with multiple 'loved ones'... wouldn't he be infuriated?