The morning sunlight streamed through the gap in the curtains. Xiao Ming opened his eyes.
"Yeli's voice was even more enchanting than yesterday," Lin Jie had already woken up five minutes ago. She had been sleepless for most of the night.
Xiao Ming stretched and got out of bed. "Looks like our conversation left a deep impression on her."
"Of course," Yeli chuckled. "Any woman who hears a mysterious man say he's going to take her away from this world would toss and turn all night."
Xiao Ming walked into the bathroom, quickly freshened up, and changed into a black casual outfit. Today was the last day in this world—it was time to pull in the net.
"Where's Lin Xiaoxiao?" he asked while adjusting his collar.
"Still sleeping," Yeli replied. "She slept soundly last night, even had a nice dream—she dreamt of going to another world with you."
Xiao Ming smiled. "Looks like I won't need to persuade her."
Just as he was about to head out, his phone vibrated. It was Professor Chen Ming's number.
"Interesting," Xiao Ming raised an eyebrow. "This defeated dog still dares to contact me?"
He answered calmly. "Hello, Professor Chen."
"Xiao Ming!" Chen Ming's voice was filled with rage. "You think you've won? I've reported your illegal access to the university system to the police!"
Xiao Ming let out a soft laugh. "Really? Got any proof?"
"I don't need proof!" Chen Ming practically shouted. "I know it was you! You fraud, I've already found out—you're not a famous psychologist at all!"
"Professor Chen," Xiao Ming's tone suddenly turned cold, "you might want to calm down. You don't need me to teach you what playing with fire leads to, do you?"
There was a pause on the other end. Then Chen Ming's voice turned sinister. "Xiao Ming, I warn you—don't think you can walk away unscathed. This afternoon, I'll reveal your true identity at the board meeting. You're finished!"
Xiao Ming was unbothered. "Suit yourself. But before that, I suggest checking your bank account. You might be in for a surprise."
"What do you mean?" Chen Ming's tone turned panicked. "What did you do to my account?!"
Xiao Ming didn't respond and simply hung up.
"Yeli," Xiao Ming sneered, "proceed as planned. Let that rat jump into the trap on his own."
"Already done," Yeli replied. "I transferred a sum to his private account, making it look like a bribe. I also sent an anonymous tip to the police."
Xiao Ming nodded in satisfaction and walked out of the room.
The morning at the farm was peaceful. A few birds chirped under the eaves. Xiao Ming took a deep breath of fresh air and headed toward the dining hall.
At the entrance, he saw Lin Jie sitting alone with a cup of coffee, staring blankly out the window.
"Morning," Xiao Ming greeted and sat across from her.
Lin Jie looked at him wearily. "Morning."
"Didn't sleep well?" he asked with concern.
Lin Jie sighed. "What do you think? Someone tells me he's from another world and wants to take me and my sister away—how could I possibly sleep well?"
Xiao Ming smiled slightly. "So, what have you decided?"
Lin Jie set down her coffee and looked him in the eye. "Xiao Ming, I need proof. If you really come from another world, show me some evidence."
Xiao Ming nodded, glanced around to ensure no one was nearby, and said quietly, "System interface, display."
The next moment, Lin Jie saw a translucent blue screen appear in front of Xiao Ming, flickering with symbols and data she couldn't understand.
"What...what is this?" Lin Jie gasped and instinctively reached out, but her fingers passed through it.
"This is my system interface," Xiao Ming explained. "Only I and those I permit can see it. Through it, I can analyze the rules of this world, understand character relationships, and even predict some future events."
Lin Jie stared in shock, speechless.
"Yeli, say hello to Lin Jie," Xiao Ming commanded.
"Hello, Miss Lin Jie," a charming female voice sounded in Lin Jie's ear, startling her. "I'm Yeli, Xiao Ming's system assistant. Pleased to finally talk to you formally."
"This... this can't be real!" Lin Jie looked around in panic. "Is this some kind of hologram? Directional sound?"
Xiao Ming shook his head. "Not technology—power beyond this world. Lin Jie, I know it's hard to accept, but this is the truth. I come from a dimension that can travel across different worlds. Yours is just one of many."
Lin Jie took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. "Even if I believe you... why us? Why take Xiaoxiao and me?"
Xiao Ming was silent for a moment. "Because in the original plot, your ending wasn't good. Especially Xiaoxiao..."
"What about Xiaoxiao?" Lin Jie asked, tension rising.
"In the original timeline, Chen Ming was never exposed. He continued his crimes. Xiaoxiao... would've been his next victim."
Lin Jie's face turned pale. "No... that can't be!"
"That's why I had to step in," Xiao Ming said firmly. "I can't let that happen."
Lin Jie clenched her fists. "If that's true... thank you for protecting Xiaoxiao." She paused. "But that still doesn't justify leaving with you. Chen Ming will soon face legal justice—the danger is over."
"Chen Ming is just the beginning," Xiao Ming shook his head. "This world is about to face a disaster you can't imagine."
"What disaster?" Lin Jie frowned.
Just as Xiao Ming was about to answer, Lin Xiaoxiao's voice came from behind. "Good morning, sis, Xiao Ming!"
Xiao Ming quickly closed the system interface and turned to greet her with a smile. "Morning. Did you sleep well?"
Xiaoxiao nodded, rubbing her sleepy eyes. "Yup, had an awesome dream!" She sat next to Xiao Ming, curious about her sister's serious expression. "What were you two talking about? Looked intense."
Lin Jie forced a smile. "Nothing, just discussing today's plans."
"What's the plan?" Xiaoxiao asked excitedly.
Xiao Ming glanced at Lin Jie and then said to Xiaoxiao, "I have something important to handle today—need to go to the university. Want to come with me?"
Xiaoxiao nodded. "Sure! I've been wanting to see sis's office anyway."
Lin Jie hesitated, then sighed. "Alright, we'll all go."
After breakfast, the three drove to the university campus. Along the way, Lin Xiaoxiao chatted energetically, while Lin Jie remained silent, occasionally glancing at Xiao Ming with complicated emotions in her eyes.
Upon arrival, Xiao Ming received an internal message from Yeli: "The police have begun investigating Chen Ming's account and found numerous suspicious transactions. He's currently panicking in his office."
Xiao Ming nodded in satisfaction and said to the sisters, "You two head to Lin Jie's office first. I have something to take care of."
Lin Jie looked at him warily. "What are you going to do?"
Xiao Ming smiled slightly. "Go see Professor Chen Ming—bring this to a close."
Lin Jie hesitated, then said firmly, "I'm going with you. Xiaoxiao, wait in my office, okay?"
Xiaoxiao seemed to sense something but nodded anyway. "Okay. Be careful, you two."
Xiao Ming and Lin Jie walked together toward the teaching building. Lin Jie asked in a low voice, "What are you going to do to Chen Ming?"
"Do you trust me?" Xiao Ming didn't answer directly.
Lin Jie glanced at him. "I don't know. But I do know Chen Ming is dangerous. I can't let you go alone."
Xiao Ming chuckled. "Worried about me?"
"This isn't funny," Lin Jie said seriously. "No matter where you're from, you're in this world now, subject to its laws. I don't want you doing anything extreme."
"Don't worry," Xiao Ming reassured her. "I'm just going to talk. Everything will be handled within the law."
They arrived at Chen Ming's office. Xiao Ming gently knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" Chen Ming's irritable voice sounded from inside.
"It's me—Xiao Ming."
The door flew open. Chen Ming stood there, face gloomy. Upon seeing Lin Jie, a flash of surprise and irritation crossed his eyes. "What do you want?"
Xiao Ming pushed the door open and walked in. "We need to talk, Professor."
Chen Ming backed up a few steps, watching them cautiously. "I have nothing to say. You'd better leave, or I'll call security."
Xiao Ming glanced around. The office was a mess—papers scattered, the computer screen showing a bank account page.
"Looks like you've discovered it," Xiao Ming said as he sat leisurely in a chair. "That money that suddenly appeared in your account—pretty troublesome, huh?"
Chen Ming's face changed. "It was you! You hacked my account!"
Xiao Ming shrugged. "Me? I'm just a psychological counselor. How could I have that kind of technical skill?"
Lin Jie stood by, confused by the confrontation.
"What do you want?" Chen Ming gritted his teeth.
"Simple," Xiao Ming crossed his legs, relaxing in the chair. "I want you to confess—admit all your misconduct toward female students."
Chen Ming sneered. "You're dreaming. Why would I do that?"
Xiao Ming pulled out his phone and played a recording. "Because besides that suspicious transfer, I also have this."
Chen Ming's voice came clearly from the recording: "That girl deserved it! She dared reject me—I'll make sure she can't stay at this university!"
Chen Ming's face turned deathly pale. "This… this is fake! You faked it!"
"Is it?" Xiao Ming raised an eyebrow. "Shall I send it to the board and the police for verification?"
Chen Ming slumped into a chair, sweating. "You… what do you want?"
"I told you—confess," Xiao Ming said coldly. "Go to the police and turn yourself in. Own up to all your crimes. That way, you might get a lighter sentence."
"Never!" Chen Ming suddenly stood. "I won't ruin my reputation and future!"
Just then, Xiao Ming's phone rang. He glanced at the caller—it was the police.
"Looks like you won't need to surrender after all." Xiao Ming smiled and answered. "Hello? Yes, this is Xiao Ming… Professor Chen Ming? Yes, he's here in his office… Got it. I'll wait."
He hung up and said to Chen Ming, "Congratulations. The police are on their way. They're very interested in the money in your account—and the anonymous tips."
Chen Ming looked as if struck by lightning, face ashen. "You… you set me up!"
"Set up?" Xiao Ming sneered. "Were the victim testimonies fake too? Were the threatening messages you sent them fake too?"
Despair flickered in Chen Ming's eyes. Then suddenly, he lunged at his desk, pulled open a drawer, and drew out a gun!
"Xiao Ming, look out!" Lin Jie shouted.
But Xiao Ming didn't move, calmly facing the gun.
"You think this will scare me?" he asked coldly.
"Shut up!" Chen Ming screamed hysterically, the gun trembling in his hand. "You ruined me! You'll pay!"
Lin Jie's face went pale, but Xiao Ming remained steady. "Chen Ming, do you really want to escalate this? If you confess now, there's still a way out."
"A way out?" Chen Ming laughed maniacally. "With no reputation, no position—what way out?"
He aimed at Xiao Ming, finger on the trigger. "Go to hell!"
Just as he was about to pull the trigger, Xiao Ming's figure blurred. In the blink of an eye, he stood in front of Chen Ming and grabbed the gun.
"What?!" Chen Ming couldn't believe his eyes. "This isn't possible!"
Xiao Ming easily took the gun, removed the magazine, and tossed it aside. "Professor Chen Ming, game over."
Chen Ming collapsed to the floor, full of fear. "You… what are you?"
Xiao Ming didn't answer. Instead, he looked at the stunned Lin Jie. "Now do you believe me?"
Lin Jie nodded dumbly, awe in her eyes.
At that moment, several police officers rushed into the office and quickly subdued the collapsed Chen Ming. The lead officer thanked Xiao Ming. "Thanks to your report and evidence, we can finally close this case."
Xiao Ming nodded modestly. "Just doing my civic duty."
After the police took Chen Ming away, Lin Jie finally found her voice. "That… that speed… no human could move like that."
Xiao Ming looked at her and spoke softly. "Now do you understand why I said I'm from another world?"
Lin Jie took a deep breath. "I… I need to talk to Xiaoxiao."
"Of course," Xiao Ming nodded. "Time is short. I must leave tonight. I hope by then you've made your decision."
They went to find Lin Xiaoxiao. Along the way, Lin Jie said nothing, clearly still processing what had just happened.
When they entered the office, Xiaoxiao was reading. She jumped up when she saw them. "What happened? I saw police go into the building!"
Lin Jie forced a smile. "It's fine. Everything's resolved. Chen Ming's been arrested. He can't hurt anyone anymore."
Xiaoxiao sighed in relief and looked curiously at Xiao Ming. "You look weird, are you okay?"
Xiao Ming looked at Lin Jie, then said to Xiaoxiao, "Xiaoxiao, I have something important to tell you."
Xiaoxiao sat up straight, eyes full of curiosity. "What is it?"
"I have to leave," Xiao Ming said directly. "Tonight."
Xiaoxiao's smile froze. "Leave? Go where?"
"Another world," Xiao Ming said softly.
Xiaoxiao blinked for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed. "You're joking, right? Another world?"
"He's not joking, Xiaoxiao," Lin Jie said solemnly. "I saw… things I can't explain."
Xiaoxiao looked at her sister, then Xiao Ming. Her smile faded. "You're serious?"
Xiao Ming nodded and once again displayed the system interface. Xiaoxiao stared in awe, carefully reaching out—her hand passed through it.
"This… this is so cool!" Unexpectedly, Xiaoxiao wasn't scared, just excited. "You're really from another world? Like in the movies?"
Xiao Ming smiled. "More complicated than the movies."
"So you're going back?" Xiaoxiao's voice dropped. "You're just leaving us?"
"I want to take you with me," Xiao Ming said gently.
Xiaoxiao's eyes widened. "Really? We can go with you?"
"Xiaoxiao!" Lin Jie cut in. "This isn't a game. Leaving this world means never seeing Mom and Dad again. Never seeing your friends. Everything would start over."
Xiaoxiao's excitement dimmed a bit, but her eyes still sparkled. "But think about it, sis! Another world! What could be there? Magic? Aliens?"
Lin Jie sighed and turned to Xiao Ming. "Can you give us some time to talk alone?"
Xiao Ming nodded. "Of course. I'll wait outside. Just remember, you have to decide by tonight."
He stepped out and closed the door. But through the system's monitoring, he could hear the sisters' conversation clearly.
"Xiaoxiao, are you crazy?" Lin Jie whispered angrily. "You're just going to follow a man who claims to be from another world?"
"But sis, we both saw that strange light screen," Xiaoxiao argued. "That proves he's telling the truth!"
"Even if it is true, we can't just leave! Think about Mom and Dad!"
"But Xiao Ming said he's leaving soon," Xiaoxiao's voice started to tremble. "I… I don't want him to go…"
Lin Jie was silent for a moment, then softly asked, "You really like him, don't you?"
"…Yeah…" Xiaoxiao admitted in a low voice. "From the first time I saw him, I felt… something special. What about you, sis? Don't you like him?"
Lin Jie didn't answer right away. After a long pause, she said, "I don't know. Everything's happening too fast."
"Sis, I have a feeling," Xiaoxiao said seriously. "If we don't go with him, we'll regret it for the rest of our lives."
Outside the door, Xiao Ming's lips curved into a small smile. He knew that victory was near.
"Yeli, are you ready?" he asked silently.
"All set," Yeli replied cheerfully. "The Lin sisters' affection levels are both above 90%. They'll definitely choose to go with you."
Xiao Ming nodded with satisfaction and waited for the sisters to make their final decision.
By evening, the three of them had returned to the farmhouse. The golden glow of the sunset spilled over the grass, adding a touch of warmth and beauty to their last day in this world.
Xiao Ming stood by the lake, watching the shimmering surface, quietly awaiting the sisters' decision.
Before long, Lin Jie and Lin Xiaoxiao walked over together. Xiaoxiao's eyes were red—she had clearly cried—but her expression was firm. Lin Jie looked unusually calm, as though she had come to terms with everything.
"We've made our decision," Lin Jie looked Xiao Ming straight in the eyes. "We'll go with you."
Xiao Ming smiled faintly. "Are you sure? This is a path of no return."
"We're sure," Xiaoxiao said firmly. "We've already written letters to our parents saying we're going on a trip, telling them not to worry."
Xiao Ming nodded. "Good. Get ready. At midnight, we leave."
Lin Jie hesitated and then asked, "Do we need to bring anything to your world?"
Xiao Ming shook his head. "Nothing. In the new world, everything will start anew."
The sisters exchanged glances and then nodded, turning back to prepare.
Xiao Ming watched their retreating backs. His gentle expression turned cold, and a calculating glint flashed in his eyes.
"Yeli," he said inwardly, "the conquest of the first world is nearly complete. Prepare the portal. Target—the next world."
"Yes, my master," Yeli replied with delight. "System energy is sufficient. Target world locked. The portal will open at midnight."