My girlfriend died in the past

Chapter 344 The Grand Return

Chapter 344 The Grand Return (The Finale)

When Zhuang Xiao came to her senses, she found herself in the warehouse.

However, this place is not the original warehouse at this moment. Instead, it is like the previous secret chambers hundreds of meters underground, completely surrounded by an unknown, one-piece cast alloy.

There isn't even a door yet.

Or to put it another way, it's a hollow metal box cast in one piece, but it looks about the same size as the warehouse in a chicken farm.

In the middle of the room was a hibernation pod just like the ones in the real world, and Zhuang Xiao and Shu Die emerged from it.

Zhuang Xiao raised an eyebrow. "Is this really a warehouse in a suburban chicken farm?"

“Yes.” Little Shudie next to her also got up. “The people in the ‘outer world’ think that this is the real world. There are not many people who know the truth, but they know you.”

Zhuang Xiao was puzzled. "So this is to guard against me? Is it really necessary?"

"The truth about the real world is hidden here, but almost everyone knows that you have a problem, or that according to the 'historical records,' you were the instigator of that 'great disaster,' and 'Zhuang Xiao World' is your prison."

Shu Die shrugged. "In 2024, something that could destroy the world also happened in this 'outer world,' but the setting here is an AI crisis. However, artificial intelligence, AI, and the Internet have developed too fast, and they have also made initial progress in controlled nuclear fusion technology, so they are very afraid that you will cause trouble after you come out."

"'Zhuang Xiao World' is also a virtual world in this world, and it is also a product of Mengdie Company. It was an official bidding process, and Mengdie Company won the bid and then built a 'virtual world prison' specifically for you."

"But 'Zhuang Xiao World' has a bug, so they have started to take precautions."

Zhuang Xiao asked curiously, "So this 'outer world' has already been unified?"

“That’s right.” Shu Die looked up at him with a grin. “This is what it means to ‘go against the whole world.’ What do you plan to do, Xiao Ge?”

"By the way, there are no ventilation openings here, and you heard that roaring sound, didn't you?"

Zhuang Xiao nodded, "I definitely heard it. What was that sound?"

"They are using machines to try to pump out all the air here, creating a complete vacuum."

Zhuang Xiao wasn't too surprised; he was just curious, "If they wanted to kill me, why didn't they do it when I was lying in the hibernation pod?"

He glanced back at the open hibernation pod behind him and found that there seemed to be only one spot there.

“Because it’s impossible.” Shu Die still had that same grinning look on her face, as if she were watching a good show. “In the human understanding of this world, Xiao Ge, you are deeply bound to artificial intelligence, like an anchor point. As long as you are alive, they can still control artificial intelligence. But if you die, at least 80% of the human technology in the ‘outer world’ will become ineffective.”

Zhuang Xiao's eyes lit up. "Is this true? Does that mean I can control an army of artificial intelligence to help me?"

"That's impossible; it's just fabricated data," Shu Die continued cheerfully. "Once the air becomes thinner, and after you, Xiao Ge, fall into a coma, they'll find that the artificial intelligence hasn't been affected, and then they'll kill you."

"Brother Xiao, in about ten minutes all the air here will be sucked out. How are you going to get out?"

"Let me ask you a question first." Zhuang Xiao held up her index finger. "Right now, am I the only one who can see you?"

Shu Die turned around and saw the hibernation pod, and instantly understood why Zhuang Xiao had asked that question.

Because there is only one spot in that hibernation pod.

Even though she was petite, she couldn't be stuffed in with Zhuang Xiao.

“That’s right, Brother Xiao~” So Shu Die honestly admitted, “The current me is just a part of the original consciousness, just like the different Shu Dies in the ‘Shadow World’. The ‘me’ here is actually the carrier of the information about that drug.”

"My physical body is in the rented room, or rather, my physical body in the 'outer world,' while my consciousness is still in Zero outside."

"Take me to the rented room and let 'me' merge into the body of that sleeping me. The information about the drug will be transmitted into Zero's database through consciousness, and only then can the outside world begin manufacturing the drug."

After a brief pause, Shu Die continued, "But the problem now is, Xiao Ge, how are you going to get out?"

She had always been curious as to why Zhuang Xiao could remain so calm when faced with such a desperate situation.

Is it fearlessness?

Or is he just pretending to be calm?

Or perhaps you have a trump card up your sleeve?

Does Zhuang Xiao have any trump cards up his sleeve?

Of course!
He looked down at himself and realized he was only wearing a shirt and trousers, but he was wearing something underneath, so it was alright.

Then he wiped his buttocks and a one-yuan coin appeared in his hand.

Little Shudie opened her starry eyes wide, "Brother Xiao! You hid the money in your butt?!"

"Stop talking nonsense!" Zhuang Xiao flicked her forehead.

"Eek—!" Shu Die covered her flushed, fair forehead and took a few steps back with a look of disgust. "Don't touch me with the hands that have touched my butt!"

Zhuang Xiao: "."

He clicked his tongue, ignoring Shu Die's gleeful antics, and flicked the coin with his finger.

The coin lands in your palm, heads up.

Then Zhuang Xiao tossed the coin nine more times, and it landed heads up all the time.

So we can confirm that this is indeed the "outer world," and the "outer world" is indeed part of the virtual world of "Zhuang Xiao's world."

Shu Die asked, puzzled, "Brother Xiao, I've already said this is the 'outer world,' don't you believe me?"

"Of course I believe it, it's just to verify some things." Zhuang Xiao turned her head and looked at her leisurely. "Xiao Die, guess where this coin came from."

Shu Die blurted out, "It was pulled out of her ass!"

Zhuang Xiao's face darkened.

Shu Die seemed to have thought of something, and she looked up in surprise, "Wishing for something?!"

That's right! She figured it out!
Xiao Ge knew something when he was in the inner "Zhuang Xiao World" before - if he wanted to, he could do it.

He's like Neo, the savior from The Matrix!
"It seems you guessed it."

Zhuang Xiao tossed the coin again, and when it landed in her palm this time, Shu Die's pupils suddenly contracted!
Because she saw it!

The coin is facing down!
"This is impossible!"

"The coin tosses of ordinary people in the 'outer world' are probably random, just like in the inner world. Only a few people who know the 'truth' will always get the same side up when they toss a coin."

Zhuang Xiao smiled and tossed the coin again. While the coin was in the air, he said, "It should be neither heads nor tails."

Upon hearing this, Shu Die's large, starry eyes followed the trajectory of the coin that was tumbling in mid-air.

The coin landed upright in Zhuang Xiao's palm.

It's neither the front nor the back!
"!!!"

Shu Die opened her mouth, "Brother Xiao! How did you do that?!"

To achieve "wish fulfillment," Zhuang Xiao must subconsciously believe in this matter!

This kind of thinking is simply impossible without years of extensive professional training that makes it a muscle memory!

Even when Zhuang Xiao was in the inner world, he couldn't do it well!
"Because I am the 'savior'."

Zhuang Xiao smiled and said, "The reason why a savior is a savior is because he can do things that ordinary people cannot."

"So I can."

He took a shortcut.

In reality, he can't have everything he wants.

He had tried this kind of subconscious training, but firstly, he couldn't grasp the key points, and secondly, the time was too short for him to do it at all.

However, he took a different path!

He is the savior!
This is not his conjecture, but the truth!

Especially when he decided to sacrifice himself, he was undoubtedly the savior!
The savior is someone who can do what others cannot! He is unique!
So Zhuang Xiao did it.

He doesn't even need to "hypnotize" himself to say that he is the savior.

Because that's what it is.

"Then, it would be easy for the savior to see through this alloy."

Zhuang Xiao turned her head to look at the alloy wall in front of her.

The originally pure-colored metal gradually became transparent in his eyes.

He saw that behind the metal were stones and mud.

So, this is underground?
So he looked up at the ceiling.

Above the ceiling is another layer of alloy plate. Continuing to look upwards, there are seven layers of alloy plates all the way to the ground, each one meter thick.

A pipe is cast integrally onto the alloy tube, connecting to this alloy "warehouse," and is constantly drawing out the air.

"They're quite good at taking precautions."

Zhuang Xiao looked down and asked Shu Die, "Xiao Die, should I take you out, or what should I say?"

"Xiao-ge, do you have a way to get out?" Shu Die asked first, then said, "Actually, it's nothing. I can't be far away from you, so you don't need to worry about me. They can't see me anyway."

"Xiaodie, you are truly the gentlest girl in the world." Zhuang Xiao smiled.

Shu Die turned her head to the side, "Flattering me won't work."

Zhuang Xiao just smiled and didn't say anything.

The reason he said that was because he didn't believe that Shu Die couldn't create a physical "burden".

The reason she put things in this way was actually to indirectly reduce Zhuang Xiao's burden and lower the difficulty level.

She didn't really want to do it herself, but she still silently supported herself.

This is why Zhuang Xiao said she was the gentlest person in the world.

"Then Xiaodie, keep a close eye on your brother Xiao's figure."

Shu Diexing's eyes were gentle as she smiled and stepped back a few paces to make room for her.

Two images flashed through Zhuang Xiao's mind.

One is Neo's cool half-crouching pose when he first took off in The Matrix.

Another example is the imposing half-squatting pose with one fist dangling from the ground during Superman's first flight in "Man of Steel".

So he struck the same cool pose, half-squatting with his eyes closed, and then remained in that position without moving.

Shu Die then spoke softly from the side, "Brother Xiao, there are three minutes left."

Zhuang Xiao suddenly opened his eyes, and then his body flashed past as a blur!
The little air left inside the "warehouse" was even shaken out by visible air waves and deafening sonic booms!

Then, a sound like metal tearing apart suddenly rang out!

The seven layers of alloy protective layer and the alloy ceiling of the "warehouse" have an extra three-meter hole!

Zhuang Xiao was already five meters above the ground!
Zhuang Xiao's gaze swept across the distant city that seemed to illuminate the sky, a dazzling sight filling his eyes.

That should be the direction of the original city center.

Ding--!
Suddenly, Zhuang Xiao felt a jolt in his temple, and he slowly lowered his eyes.

He saw that he was surrounded by soldiers in power armor, as well as various large armors that he could not recognize at all.

Including the many small aerial attack units that looked like military spaceships from science fiction movies flying in from the sky.

Meanwhile, in the city center, a sharp angle suddenly peeked out from behind countless towering buildings, a rainbow of colors illuminated by the city's neon lights.

Then the clouds were torn apart, and a colossal spaceship, thousands of meters long, loomed down upon them!

"Ah"

Zhuang Xiao withdrew her gaze and slowly floated down to the ground.

Shu Die, who had been following him closely, chuckled softly with her hands behind her back, "Brother Xiao, how was it? Wasn't it amazing?"

"It perfectly matches my imagination of soft science fiction."

Zhuang Xiao opened his hand, and a deformed dumdum bullet lay quietly in his palm.

"But if it's supposed to be science fiction, why are the firearms still traditional?"

"Humans cannot imagine things beyond their own comprehension."

Shu Die slowly explained, "The military in the outside world has stopped developing because it is no longer needed. Therefore, the technology in the virtual world cannot exceed the limits of the outside world."

She glanced at Zhuang Xiao and continued, "I know what you're thinking, Xiao-ge. You think this place might be good, but if we shut it down, many people outside would already be dead."

"The remaining people will find it difficult to adapt to life starting from scratch in the outside world."

“But that’s a mistake.” She walked to Zhuang Xiao’s side with her hands behind her back, and then said slowly, “Energy is not unlimited, and equipment needs maintenance. The virtual world is only enough to last for another year.”

"And contrary to what you think, only when you solve problems will there be a continuous stream of resources, better equipment maintenance, and the continued existence of the virtual world."

"So you're not killing people, on the contrary, Brother Xiao, you're saving people, you're the real savior."

"Whether for the real world or the virtual world."

"I understand."

Zhuang Xiao patted her head, then glanced sideways at the vast army ahead.

Just then, a broadcast came through to his ears.

"Zhuang Xiao! Stop resisting! You must prioritize the bigger picture!"

Looking at the silent soldiers and the countless killing weapons.

Zhuang Xiao smiled, "The bigger picture."

Whose overall situation?

Or is it just their self-righteous sense of the bigger picture?

Did they choose a path that would lead to their demise a year later?

Zhuang Xiao needs neither self-proof nor explanation.

Those who seek to prove their own worth will ultimately fall into the self-proving trap.

An interpreter can never clearly explain a "fact" that others have already accepted.

Therefore, there is no need for self-proof, let alone explanation.

Just do what you believe is right, and never regret it.

Zhuang Xiao took a step towards the thousands of troops.

Bang bang bang bang—!
Four dumdum bullets, each powerful enough to tear a human body apart, seemed to respond to an emergency and fired at Zhuang Xiao.

Zhuang Xiao stopped, but did not dodge or stop him.

The first bullet struck Zhuang Xiao's left eye, emitting a dazzling spark before deforming and bouncing away.

The second bullet stopped five centimeters in front of Zhuang Xiao, then spun slowly before finally coming to rest in mid-air, as if there were an invisible, transparent shield.

The third bullet pierced through Zhuang Xiao's forehead, as if Zhuang Xiao were a mirage.

The fourth bullet struck Zhuang Xiao in the forehead, leaving a bullet hole.

But no blood flowed from the bullet hole. Then the dumdum bullet was squeezed out of the hole and fell to the ground. Then the granulation tissue in Zhuang Xiao's forehead hole began to wriggle, the bone closed, and it eventually healed completely, as if the bullet hole had never existed.

Zhuang Xiao simply smiled and remained silent.

But he saw confusion and fear in the eyes of those soldiers.

Four different methods, but each one demonstrated that the guns could not harm him in the slightest.

Aside from the soldiers, the commanders in those spaceships and armored vehicles, as well as leaders around the world, all saw this scene on their screens.

Is he even human?

It's unclear who uttered that murmur.

"It's alright! As long as the large army launches an attack, everything will be fine!"

Since things have come to this, there's no need to say anything more.

There was no prior notice or notification.

Countless firepower poured down on Zhuang Xiao in an instant.

The soldiers completely disregarded ammunition control, their eyes red as they roared and pulled the triggers forcefully, as if to vent their fear in this way.

This barrage of firepower lasted for twenty minutes.

Finally, the barrage of fire, having received orders, ceased.

Looking at the huge "meteorite crater" in front of them, filled with smoke and seemingly having had three layers of the ground shaved off, some people broke out in a cold sweat and subconsciously swallowed.

"S-succeeded?"

No one answered his question.

Countless people were also watching the smoke-filled area intently through the big screen.

As the wind blows, the smoke of gunpowder slowly dissipates.

The unharmed figure still stood there.

No, he was floating there, because a huge pit, tens of meters deep, had appeared beneath his feet.

Zhuang Xiao glanced at the soldiers.

Everyone who met his gaze instinctively stepped back, and even with the help of exoskeleton armor, they could hardly hold onto their trembling weapons.

"Ah"

Zhuang Xiao chuckled softly, then turned and flew towards the city.

Meanwhile, in the sky, the spaceships that blotted out the sun exploded one after another. To the soldiers on the ground, it looked like a grand fireworks display, as if welcoming the arrival of a new era!

Among the soldiers, a chubby figure took off his helmet and handed a cigarette to the expressionless commander beside him.

The middle-aged man, who looked exactly like Liu Lang, loosened his meticulously tailored collar, took the cigarette from the other man, and then leaned over to wait for him to light it for him.

"General Dong Zeyu, is this why you stopped everyone from stopping him?"

That general was Dong Zeyu, who was middle-aged.

He just smiled when he heard this, then put his arm around Liu Lang's shoulder and looked up at the grand "fireworks show" in the night sky.

After a long, long time, he finally spoke:
"Because I know Zhuang Xiao; he's the one who's truly saving the world."

Liu Lang remained silent for a moment, his eyes reflecting the fireworks in the sky.

So we're just going to do nothing?

"Just wait."

"Yes, we just have to wait." Dong Zeyu slowly exhaled a smoke ring, his small, beady eyes revealing complex emotions, as well as nostalgia and reminiscence.

"We are just ordinary people. When heroes are fighting against the whole world to save it, we just need to support them silently."

Liu Lang asked, puzzled, "You trust Zhuang Xiao that much?"

“Yes.” Dong Zeyu did not hesitate. He turned around and smiled. “I have unwavering faith in Zhuang Xiao.”
-
After dealing with the massive fleet, Zhuang Xiao slowly landed on the ground in the city.

Looking at the densely packed army of bionic robots in front of him, he scratched his face. "What's going on? Aren't they worried about me controlling these robots anymore?"

"They're probably desperate, so they're trying to grab onto the last straw~" Shu Die stood to the side with a smile, as if she had come out for a picnic with Zhuang Xiao.

"Oh, that's good. Although I know it's about saving the world, killing people still feels a bit awkward. If it's a robot, I won't have any concerns."

Zhuang Xiao flexed his wrists, and just as he was about to make a move, gunshots and the roar of cars rang out.

As the gunshot rang out, several of the leading robots in the army were shot down, their bodies twitching and sparking.

Zhuang Xiao turned around in surprise and saw a clearly modified, postmodern streamlined armored vehicle rushing towards them.

Then the car door opened, and a woman wearing a military vest and with a high ponytail took off her sunglasses and reached out her hand to Zhuang Xiao, "Zhuang Xiao! Let's go!"

Looking at the dashing An Lan, and Dong Weirui sitting in the car firing a gun, and Gu Shiyue in the driver's seat.

Zhuang Xiao smiled slightly and grabbed An Lan's outstretched, slender hand.

One person can take down the whole world?

To be at odds with the whole world?

Do not!
No matter what, there will always be people in this world standing by his side!
-
Three hours later, Zhuang Xiao arrived at Hongyun Residential Area on Jianshe Road with three girls whose faces were covered in dirt and grime.

In this postmodern high-tech city, this place has surprisingly retained the appearance of its original old-style neighborhood.

Zhuang Xiao turned around and looked at the endless ruins, robot remains, and corpses.

With all of this deeply imprinted in her heart, Zhuang Xiao led An Lan and the others into the apartment building without looking back.

Reaching the door, he put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a key.

Insert the key into the hole and turn it.

The security door opened immediately.

The four of them filed in.

When Zhuang Xiao arrived at the master bedroom with the door closed, she stopped and turned around.

Dong Weirui nodded slightly with a serious expression.

In ancient times, the moon was expressionless.

An Lan smiled gently, then gave him a push, "Do what you want to do."

Zhuang Xiao pushed open the door.

Inside the room, Shu Die lay peacefully on the bed with her eyes closed and a smile on her lips, as if she were just asleep, or even having a sweet dream.

Zhuang Xiao turned her head to look at Xiao Xiao Shudie.

She looked up, her starry eyes reflecting Zhuang Xiao's face.

Then she turned around and tried to get into the body on the bed.

Zhuang Xiao suddenly grabbed her hand.

Shu Die turned around and gave him a questioning look.

"What do you want to eat after you wake up?" Zhuang Xiao asked.

Shu Die's eyes curved into crescents as she slowly uttered two words, "Grilled sausage."

"Grilled sausage?" Zhuang Xiao repeated.

"Yes, after you found me at the Strawberry House, Xiao-ge, you bought me a grilled sausage at the school gate." Shu Die tilted her head and asked him, "And what about you, Xiao-ge? What did you want after you woke up?"

Zhuang Xiao thought about it for a moment, and then she had an answer in her heart.

He gently patted Shu Die's head. "Just give me a greeting."

"that's it?"

"Yes, that's good."

Shu Die stared at him blankly, then smiled gently, "Okay~~"

She entered Shu Die's body.

Everything around seemed to freeze in time.

Zhuang Xiao suddenly felt very sleepy, and he slowly closed his eyes.

Maybe I'll never have to be this tired again.

All he wants to do right now is get a good night's sleep and not think about anything else.

Then, when the sun rises again, a busy and routine new life begins.

I do not know how long it has been.