Well, the old man was indeed reminiscing about the past. His experience with Luoqi was truly similar, he had also been a hopeless romantic when he was young, pursuing a girl from the Curio Department in just the same way.
It's just a pity that his story didn't have a happy ending, so perhaps he saw the shadow of his past in Luoqi and thus obstructed him, not wanting him to be trapped by love.
As for how Caelus knew? Well, don't ask how someone on the Path of Remembrance gets their hands on a memory.
Finding Luoqi, Caelus did not hesitate to hand over the red data symbolizing the truth.
The reason was simple, he liked recording true stories, so naturally, he had to give others the true truth.
After learning everything, Luoqi muttered to himself.
"So it's impossible for me to count on her returning. The time span between us is already too long, one day for her is equivalent to a year for me, and this gap will only continue to increase."
"Even if I could wait for her to return, I might already be decrepit, an old man with one foot in the grave."
Luoqi took a deep breath, but a smile appeared on his face as he said, "Spending a lifetime waiting for someone, enduring a lifetime of loneliness and solitude... Honestly, buddy, you don't think I'm that naive, do you? Haha! Of course I won't wait for her. I won't wait!"
"I'm going to chase her! I will chase time!"
"Since our time has formed a massive canyon separating us, instead of waiting for her to walk out of it herself, I might as well cross the canyon to see her."
"Perhaps after ten years, I'll finally meet her, who has only experienced one month, but that way our time will be synchronized, which is far better than sitting here waiting like a fool."
"Thank you, buddy. Thank you for being willing to tell me the truth and for telling me what I should do now. I'm going to have a good meal, say goodbye to my master, and then set off on my journey."
Watching the young man who had made a decision in such a short time and was about to act on it immediately, Caelus once again intuitively felt the power brought by love.
"This journey could be very dangerous. The Antimatter Legion, the Abominations of Abundance, and all sorts of potential dangers, you might die on the way. There's also the possibility that by the time you arrive, you'll be an old man, and she'll still be very young... Even so, are you still willing to go?"
"Yes, of course I know how many dangers this universe holds, and of course I know how impulsive this sudden move of mine is, but I have no regrets."
"Just because of... love?"
"Yes, buddy. Perhaps you don't understand right now, you haven't met someone you can love from the bottom of your heart, so you can't understand my impulsive choice. But precisely because I love her deeply, I am willing to risk everything to pursue her. Love is such a thing that easily makes people lose their reason, but I find it sweet even if it's bitter."
"Moreover, even if the starry universe is dangerous, it is equally vast and beautiful. On this journey, perhaps I will be able to see scenery I've never seen before and feel a sense of being alive I've never felt. Carrying this exploration of the unknown, along with that anticipation of reunion, I will walk to the very end of this journey."
"When we get married, I will ask you to be my best man, my friend!"
"At the moment of parting, I wrote a final poem for you."
Luoqi handed the paper with the poem on it to Caelus, then waved his hand with a smile and went to perform his pre-departure ritual.
Caelus looked at the paper in his hand.
> Goodbye Herta
> Darkness lines up in the distance.
> Dissecting time in a nearly cruel way.
> The petals questioning love have already fallen, like the ticking of a clock in infinite space-time.
> We have no choice but to slide into the ominous trembling of the universe, like sliding down a slope of twilight.
> Just like that, the stars continue to enjoy the music overhead, and along the way will be their elegant, weary faces.
Caelus could feel the determination and the fervent pursuit of love brewing within the words.
"Mem..."
Mem appeared. Watching the emotions brewing in the text, she could also taste a flavor within them, a flavor that was both sweet and sour, with a faint bitterness. This, perhaps, was the true taste of love.
It was far more delicious than that so-called love she had tasted earlier in the Data Calculation Room.
"A very good flavor, a very good memory, a very good story. I also really hope this story can have a perfect ending."
Caelus put away this gift and then returned to his room in the space station. He spent some time crafting something, then found Luoqi, who had not yet left the space station, and tossed a Light Cone into his hand.
He was like an old friend, but it's a pity that Caelus would not easily gift that old friend's method of self-preservation again, he could only use another way.
[Pseudo-Light Cone: Caelus
Effect: Summons a memory projection of an existence named Caelus.
Usage count: 4 / 4
Rating: I choose you!]
"I hope you can cross the canyon of time and find the person you love."
The moment Luoqi received this Light Cone, he understood how to use it. He fell silent for a long moment, then looked at Caelus in front of him, nodded firmly, and said, "Although I don't know who you are, or how you know my story, I will succeed. Thank you for your help."
Caelus didn't say anything more and turned to leave. He found Bernard, who was still in the same spot, told him his choice, and handed him the fake data.
"I see. Very well, this can be considered his own decision."
Bernard's gaze was somewhat dazed. As Luoqi's teacher, and someone who shared similar experiences with him, the old man always inevitably found himself reminiscing about the past.
"He is about to leave Herta Space Station. Who knows when he'll be back, or if he'll be able to successfully achieve his goal? As his teacher, I should go see him off."
"...Yes, you're right. With this departure, who knows if we'll ever meet again? I must see him off."
When only Caelus and Mem were left, Mem asked, "Partner, will he succeed?"
"He will."
"Why? Is it because you also think this sincere love will give them infinite possibilities, Partner?"
Mem's eyes were sparkling.
"No, the system notified me that I've completed a hidden quest."
Caelus answered bluntly.
[Hidden Quest: To the Dim Star. Quest Objective: Help Luoqi learn the truth or conceal the truth. [Truth branch completed, facilitating their reunion.] Quest Reward: 1,000 system currency.]
From the amount of system currency, it was clear that even without his help, the two would have reunited eventually.
Caelus thought to himself, then opened his book and began to record this love story that chased after time. He didn't forget to include the poem that was given to him, and at the end, he wrote a prophecy for the story.
In the future, they will eventually reunite.
(To be continued.)