Alternate Dimension Game: Happiness is all that matters!

Xiaoyue looked at her older cousin with a smile as he waxed philosophical, enjoying the sight of Wang Hao pontificating about the world. Then she said with a sigh, "So were you consciously, with a plan, guiding the changes in Earth World, or was it unintentional? If you're really that awesome, you could go and transform other worlds!"

"Human beings in other worlds might not have it any better."

"Ah, it was unintentional; don't think I'm that incredible. I really don't know anything; it's all been pure luck."

The two of them, along with their dog, strolled casually down the streets, in search of dinner.

Wang Hao had a strange premonition that his time here wouldn't last much longer. Before leaving, he might as well enjoy all the local delicacies. And indeed, in such a large city, there were always hidden gourmet gems waiting to be discovered.

Like the clay pot soup they had yesterday, made with clay pots, silky chicken, and natural mineral water, slow-cooked over hardwood charcoal at a constant temperature for over seven hours—a culinary marvel.

"Recently, my greatest achievement has been learning to control my emotions and enjoying life's pleasures just like a normal person."

Wang Hao rubbed his eyes, hiding a flicker of light within them, "I've found it's more fun to be an ordinary person who enjoys games."

"As for those sudden sparks of inspiration in my head, like someone's causality and Destiny, the river of time, the Emperor of Heaven, and the like, I just treat them as some teen angst—'It's a waste of youth not to indulge in a bit of immaturity,' especially the two guys in my eyes, restraining each other, coming and going, making the world in my eyes so much more interesting!"

Xiaoyue noticed his wandering gaze drifting toward a long-legged beauty on the sidewalk and quickly gave him a stern look, "What are you staring at? Can you stop ogling other people's butts?"

Wang Hao, not the least bit embarrassed, shook his head confidently, "Madam, as an ordinary man, it's my duty to look at pretty girls' butts. A glance doesn't cost flesh, nor does it lead to action."

Xiaoyue couldn't help but laugh, "Ha, you talk such a righteous game, but in truth, you're nothing but a cultured rogue."

Wang Hao replied, "Righteous? I don't want to discuss such complicated issues. I'm starving. What do you want to eat today? I'm treating. Anything at all!"

"I'm definitely going to make you pay through the nose... I want that 500-yuan-per-person Japanese cuisine!" Xiaoyue said, her eyes shining as she pointed to Tokyo Teppanyaki up ahead.

Wang Hao felt the sting in his wallet but, having boasted extravagantly, had no choice but to suck it up, "Having Japanese cuisine... means it'll be a few days before you can take off that 'cousin' label!"

"Give me back my freedom, big cousin!" Xiaoyue suddenly pleaded, cooing, "Please big cousin, pretty please with a cherry on top!"

The thought alone made Wang Hao curious to see Xiaoyue's future.

But he quickly suppressed the mysterious impulse.

After all, to see someone's future was just like sticking on a new label, right?

That… certainly wasn't good!

Not interesting at all!

Seeing him hesitate, Xiaoyue rolled her eyes, "You want to pry into my life again, right? It's because you're used to wanting to be all-knowing that you feel like this. The truth is, the unknown is what's interesting. What's the fun in what's already known?"

"Ah, I know…"

Interacting between normal people doesn't need to be in the form of sticking labels on each other.

There's both a sense of strangeness and familiarity.

To control every aspect of someone else's life on a whim turns them into a kind of slave.

Wang Hao knew this, and he tried hard to overcome this subtle desire for possession.

"Let's eat this."

They had talked about splurging, but in the end, they chose a Chinese restaurant with a reasonable cost-performance ratio.

They ordered some home-cooked dishes and chatted about trivial matters, like school gossip, the plastic friendships among roommates, and which teacher was awesome and which one was a fool.

One could see that Xiaoyue was doing quite well in this world.

Wang Hao felt a mixture of emotions, his thoughts in disarray.

The thought that she wouldn't be his cousin after some time filled him with a bittersweet sense of loss; even the food in his mouth tasted a bit bland.

It was a curious feeling, like parting with a family member, yet not quite.

And also, perhaps a bit of anticipation?

It was hard for him to pin down.

Ultimately, he could only sigh, "Let's just play games tonight and keep it simple."

"I want to see my friends in the game, deal with most of the stuff together, and then say farewell to them."

"After that, I'll take a look at other worlds."

"So soon? Have you made up your mind?" Xiaoyue asked curiously.

Wang Hao smiled, "If you want to stay here and finish college, it's fine to stay a few more years. Earth won't plunge into chaos anytime soon."

Xiaoyue quickly shook her head, "Forget it, I want to wander other worlds with you!"

...

...

Before long, the two had enjoyed their dinner and returned to the internet cafe.

The shop was deserted, without even a kid around.

There were still only the two regular customers.

Wang Hao looked at them with interest and exclaimed with a smile, "Friends... oh, three friends, you've really been through a lot recently. Ling Pingzhi, you've been living here exactly one year. You're free to leave now, go wherever you want. Of course, you can also keep following me and check out other places."