Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 1023: Chapter 1022: Your Wife’s Younger Sister, I’ll Raise Her...

Seeing Fang Zheng, who was just on television, suddenly appear behind them, the three girls were quite excited. Fang Zheng waved to them.

”Yo, long time no see. How have you been lately?”

”I’ve been good, Mr. Fang Zheng. How about you?”

”Everything’s fine on my end too.”

As he spoke, Fang Zheng took out invitations and three small boxes.

”Here, these are for you.”

”What is this?”

Silica curiously accepted the invitation and asked.

”It’s a celebration party after defeating the final boss on the hundredth floor. You haven’t forgotten, have you? I’ve already booked the time and place. You can all come and attend. Of course, if you want, you can also bring your family and friends.”

”Really?! That’s great!”

Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s answer, Silica immediately shouted with joy.

”I’ve been wanting to see everyone again!”

It wasn’t just Silica; even Shinong and Chiyo next to her showed excited expressions. Although after waking up, they were all taken to specialized schools for study and life (Fang Zheng even invested money in them), not everyone would go.

For example, Gabriel just stayed at home, unwilling to move, while Fang Zheng had visited Aoba before, who’s currently practicing her drawing skills, hesitating between taking next year’s art university entrance exam and looking for a job. Therefore, even in the real world now, within the Dark Moon Sword Guild, only about half of the raid group has actually met.

Back then, Yuna and Asuna were so happy when they added each other as friends, which shows their high expectations as well.

”The other thing is a trial product of Illsion; you’ll each get one. Try it out and see how it feels. Inside there’s also a pre-installed Pokémon demo for you to try. Feel free to give feedback if you have any.”

”That’s fantastic! Thank you, Mr. Fang Zheng!!”

Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s words, Silica smiled sweetly, quickly unwrapping the package and putting the Illsion on her ear. Shinong, on the other hand, nervously accepted the gift and asked uncomfortably.

”Can I really accept this?... It seems quite expensive.”

Illsion is not exactly cheap. Market-wise, it’s only a little cheaper than full stealth devices, and overall, it falls into the ”high-end brand” category that you’d need to save up your lucky money for. For Shinong and others who are still in school, this obviously isn’t a small amount.

”Don’t worry, you’re my companions after all. Consider it a gift for you guys. Besides, money is no big deal for me.”

Fang Zheng dismissed the thought with a wave of his hand, jesting. For him, is money even a problem?

After that, Fang Zheng invited Chiyo, Silica, and Shinong to dinner and then drove Silica and Shinong home. And when Fang Zheng parked the car at Chiyo’s house, Chiyo made an unexpectedly inviting suggestion.

”Umm... Mr. Fang Zheng, would you like to come in and sit for a while?”

”At this time? It might not be appropriate to disturb your parents.”

Hearing Chiyo’s invitation, Fang Zheng paused for a moment and then glanced at his watch. It was already eight in the evening, a time usually reserved for family gatherings over dinner. Under normal circumstances, an outsider would not be fit to join.

”It’s okay... My parents are both out... It’s just me at home...”

”......”

This sounds a bit misleading, doesn’t it?

”Alright.”

Though Fang Zheng initially planned to refuse, upon seeing Chiyo’s pleading expression, he nodded and agreed.

Chiyo’s house is typical of Japanese courtyard design. Next to the courtyard is a dojo, while on the other side is living quarters and storage. As Chiyo mentioned, the whole house was pitch dark, void of anyone’s shadow. It’s no wonder she wanted Fang Zheng to come in; a girl alone in such a large place can indeed feel a bit creepy.

”My parents are on a business trip these days, and it’s just me at home...”

Offering Fang Zheng a cup of tea, Chiyo quietly replied.

”I see... ”

Taking the cup, Fang Zheng also felt a bit awkward, and as he tried to find a topic, Chiyo sitting beside him suddenly spoke.

”Mr. Fang Zheng... I want to thank you...”

”Thank me?”

Hearing Chiyo’s gratitude, Fang Zheng was puzzled. After waking up, he specifically investigated her brother’s situation through a hack, discovering that he had died on the very day the death game started... Alright, technically Fang Zheng hadn’t helped much.

”Yes...”

Chiyo nodded, staring at the teacup in her hands.

”Honestly, when I entered the game, I was always worried and anxious. I wanted to find my brother but didn’t know where he was... Mr. Fang Zheng, you helped me; although I still didn’t get to see him, without your support, I might not have returned safely.”

As she spoke, Chiyo clenched her hands.

”When I woke up, both my parents were so happy. Mother couldn’t stop crying when she hugged me. They had already lost my brother; they didn’t want to lose me too. But without your support, Mr. Fang Zheng, I wouldn’t have been able to endure till the end of the game. So... thank you, Mr. Fang Zheng.”

”It wasn’t just my effort alone.”

Hearing this, Fang Zheng put down the teacup, reached out to stroke Chiyo’s hair.

”You worked hard too, Chiyo. You did well in the raid group; you are brave and determined. Conquering the hundredth floor and returning to the real world didn’t rely solely on my strength, but was a result of everyone’s unity. Otherwise, just with me, Ester, and Restia, defeating the final boss wouldn’t have been possible.”

”But it was Mr. Fang Zheng who organized us, formed the Dark Moon Sword Guild, and allowed us to successfully escape the death game.”

Chiyo lifted her head, her pitch-black eyes shining brightly. Her body gradually leaned closer, pressed against Fang Zheng.

”So... I still want to thank you... Mr. Fang Zheng...”

As Chiyo spoke, she reached out, placing her hand on Fang Zheng’s chest.

”Also, I have a small request...”

”What request?”

”Can I... call you brother?”

At this, Chiyo hesitated but eventually spoke.

”I... have no blood relation with my brother. I once loved my brother, but he is now dead. I can’t forget him, so...”

While speaking, Chiyo reached out, encircling Fang Zheng’s neck. Her cheeks slightly flushed, she gazed at Fang Zheng.

”So... Mr. Fang Zheng... could you be my brother? I know Eiriri and Asuna are there; I don’t expect to be your girlfriend. I just want to be your... sister...”

Fang Zheng could feel the soft touch accompanying Chiyo’s movements, gently pressed against his chest.

”Can you, brother...?”

Looking at Chiyo before him, resembling an abandoned puppy, Fang Zheng hesitated but nodded.

”Of course, Chiyo.”

”Ah...”

Hearing Fang Zheng’s reply, Chiyo smiled happily, then she closed her eyes, wrapping her arms around Fang Zheng. Soon enough, the two figures fell onto the couch... and shortly after, Chiyo’s voice rang again.

”Hold me tight... brother...”