Just as Tang Chen felt overwhelmed by his younger brother’s achievements, a knock on the hospital room door rang. Tang Xiao and Tang Chen instinctively looked toward the entrance and saw Li Xiaoyi walking in with a fruit basket, accompanied by a secretary. “Sorry to interrupt.”
Tang Chen instinctively stood up, but Li Xiaoyi pressed him back down. “Stay seated. This isn’t work hours.”
So Tang Chen sat back down, though his expression remained uneasy. Seeing this, Li Xiaoyi couldn’t help but laugh. “What’s with that look? Afraid I’ll eat your brother or something?”
“I didn’t think that.”
Tang Chen was simply unsettled by the sudden turn of events. Thinking back to what he had seen on his phone earlier, he realized his superior had already given him some ‘mental preparation’ in advance.
He subconsciously glanced at Tang Xiao, only to find that his younger brother appeared completely unfazed, as if he had anticipated this all along.
“Alright then, since you’re worried, you can stay and watch.”
After saying this, Li Xiaoyi turned to Tang Xiao with a smile and extended his hand. “Hello, you must be Dr. Tang Xiao. A true genius at such a young age. Allow me to introduce myself—I’m the regional director here. My surname is Li, and my name is Li Xiaoyi.”
“Hello, Mr. Li. I’m Tang Xiao.” Tang Xiao shook his hand.
Li Xiaoyi, a middle-aged man in his late thirties or early forties, had a kind and approachable appearance. “I’ve long heard of you, Dr. Tang Xiao.”
Tang Xiao’s mind raced, and he quickly responded with a modest rejection. “No, no, you flatter me. I only recently graduated with a master’s degree—I’m no doctor. Please don’t use honorifics with me; I really don’t deserve it.”
“If even you don’t deserve the title of doctor, then who does? You saved an entire world.” Li Xiaoyi shook his head.
“It was just luck.”
Li Xiaoyi, however, did not agree with Tang Xiao’s humility. “Three years of work cannot be dismissed as mere luck.”
Tang Xiao’s heart skipped a beat.
“Three years?” Tang Chen, standing behind him, asked in confusion. “What three years?”
“Oh, right. Xiao Chen still doesn’t know, does he?” Li Xiaoyi turned to look at him before shifting his gaze back to Tang Xiao. “Maybe the people in that world don’t know, but we do. The zombie mushroom wasn’t something a genius scientist could just casually solve in a flash of inspiration.”
“Someone spent three years—three years of being unrecognized, unacknowledged, nameless in the real world—burying themselves in research before finally achieving a breakthrough.”
Li Xiaoyi handed a tablet to Tang Xiao and patted him on the shoulder. “But we know. I used to be responsible for documenting different worldline information from players. We remember just how difficult those three years were. We’ve witnessed countless times how that world’s humanity was wiped out. We tried everything to stop the invasion of the King of Mushroom.”
“You weren’t fighting alone.”
Tang Xiao took the tablet and looked at its contents.
December 12, 2018 (First Reversal)
Last time, the King of Mushroom took over the signal tower first, cutting off communications. Attempting to contact the Alliance leadership to prevent it.
Tang Xiao remembered this date—it was the first time he successfully reversed time, full of hope for restarting his research.
January 1, 2019 (Fifth Reversal)
Three days later, Base No. 054 was overthrown due to internal betrayal. Attempting to prevent it.
This was when he realized he could rewind short-term, using save points to rapidly advance his research. The results weren’t ideal at the time, so he reversed to save time.
January 19, 2019 (Tenth Reversal)
A spy from the Huigui Sect infiltrated the upper ranks of the Alliance, secretly colluding with other council members. Attempting to eliminate them in advance.
Tang Xiao himself didn’t even remember what had happened here—probably a failed experiment. He had to reverse the time again.
And there were many more entries. So many more.
Using the players’ logout function (time reversal didn’t affect reality), they recorded in detail everything that happened in the game world. With this intelligence, they helped humanity survive longer in that world.
No wonder… every time he did a short-term reversal, the main timeline didn’t decrease as much as he expected.
Suddenly, applause rang out in the hospital room. Tang Xiao looked up and saw Li Xiaoyi clapping with a smile as he gazed at him. “These three years… you’ve worked hard, Dr. Tang Xiao.”
Tang Xiao’s heart trembled slightly. He spoke softly.
“No… thank you, too.”
Without their efforts, he wouldn’t have had as much time to complete his research.
Tang Xiao had originally thought that in this time-reversing struggle, only he and Jun Tesi were trudging forward blindly, unable to see the road ahead. But at this moment, when he turned back, he realized—there was an entire team of people, silently supporting him from every corner of the world.
Tang Chen stepped forward as well, placing a hand on Tang Xiao’s shoulder. He truly hadn’t known. He never imagined that in the three years since his brother left home, he had gone through all of this.
The little fledgling he once thought he needed to protect had somehow grown strong wings, soared into the sky and even saved a whole world.
But the hardships behind it all—his family knew nothing.
Even knowing that things had to be this way, he still couldn’t help but feel both proud and heartbroken for his brother.
How much pain had he endured, for that boy who once loved playing games to grow into a scientist who saved the world?
“Alright, alright, this isn’t a tearjerker program. Don’t make the atmosphere so somber,” Li Xiaoyi said, sensing that Tang Xiao was no longer as tense. Finally, he brought up the real topic at hand. “Actually, the reason we’re here today is to ask for Dr. Tang Xiao’s help—both in research and intelligence.”
“Just as you’ve experienced, the world of that game is merging with ours.”
Tang Xiao's heart sank.
As expected.
“Can you tell me more about it?”
“Of course, that's exactly why I'm here.” Li Xiaoyi said, handing Tang Xiao a tablet. “For a scientist like you, looking at the data might be more intuitive. So, listen while you read.”
“Dr. Tang, you must have heard of the parallel world theory or quantum mechanics.”
“My research field doesn't involve that, but I've heard a little about it.”
“This involves a concept called quantum superposition. Our scientists have hypothesized that the very existence of quantum superposition means a quantum particle can exist in multiple, entirely different worlds simultaneously. Each superposition state could be a parallel world… Hmm, that might sound a bit confusing. Let's take the famous Schrdinger's cat as an example.”
“When the box containing Schrdinger’s cat remains unopened—meaning an external observer has not observed it—the cat exists in a superposition of being both alive and dead. However, once the box is opened, the cat can only be in one of two states: either alive or dead. The superposition collapses into a single reality, which is known as quantum collapse.”
“When the cat is alive, that forms one parallel universe where it survives. When the cat dies, another parallel universe is created where the cat is dead. Is that what you mean?” Tang Xiao asked while looking at the data on the tablet.
“Exactly. However, for some unknown reason, two universes that should have remained fixed after quantum collapse have returned to a state of 'quantum superposition' again. This is why the phenomenon of fusion is occurring,” Li Xiaoyi explained. “Of course, we have no idea why this is happening. It’s as if an invisible hand has overturned the laws of time and space, shoving the already-determined fate of the cat back into the black box.”
A nameless chill crept up Tang Xiao's spine. He murmured, “If that’s really the case… The observer of the black box is us humans. But for this world—who is the observer?”
Two different parallel worlds, two completely different timelines. Take Xiao Bai’s mother, for example—she's still alive in this universe but has already died in another.
So, when the world reverts to a state of quantum superposition and is observed once again, will only one result remain? And when that happens, who will decide whether Ms. Xiao lives or dies?
This bombshell revelation left Tang Xiao in silence. He kept thinking about the possible consequences, but the more he thought about it, the more powerless he felt. After all, he wasn’t a quantum physicist—this was an entirely unfamiliar field beyond his grasp.
“For now, we can only treat the world fusion phenomenon as a natural disaster,” Li Xiaoyi’s voice broke the silence. “Given our current technological level, we have no way of investigating its cause. More importantly, if the world really does fuse, then the mutant beasts and mushrooms ravaging that world will also appear in ours.”
Tang Xiao snapped back to reality and looked at Li Xiaoyi, who had a grave expression. “You’ve seen the devastation at the school. Over 200 people are missing, 20 are dead, and 30 are in critical condition… And this is merely the prelude—not even the appetizer.”
Images flashed through Tang Xiao’s mind—classmates wrapped in cocoons by black-purple spider-lizards, limbs melted away, and that scientist's corpse at the very beginning.
“One day, everything happening in that world will repeat in ours—the mushroom plague, the beast tides, and the unknown threat of the King of Mushroom…”
At the mention of the ‘King of Mushroom,’ Tang Xiao’s pupils contracted slightly. “The war in that world… hasn’t ended?”
“Oh? You don’t know?” Li Xiaoyi said. “The war did end. Based on intelligence from our department's players, the King of Mushroom underwent an iteration, which seems to be the reason the war stopped.”
“But after the war ended, another mutation occurred. The new King of Mushroom took over Third Eye’s base and appears to have gone berserk. The land surrounding the Third Eye base has turned into an ocean of mycelium—even the human stronghold has been affected.”
Tang Xiao suddenly recalled what Jun Tesi had said about ‘pain.’ Was it because he had lost control? Then the real question was…
“What about the humans in the game world?” he asked urgently.
Li Xiaoyi shook his head. “We don’t know. Our players have been unable to log in since then, possibly because their real bodies have died. We’ve lost all communication with that world.”
“All the players?”
“At least, all the ones we've tried to contact.”
Tang Xiao's mind went blank. This shouldn’t be happening. He had clearly completed the final world main storyline—so why did things still change?
What was Jun Tesi’s situation now?
“Dr. Tang, did you also finish the game during the war?” Li Xiaoyi probed. “If possible, we’d like to hear what you know about Third Eye and the new King of Mushroom. You know, once the world fusion is complete, that berserk King of Mushroom will be our greatest threat.”
Tang Xiao collected himself. After a moment of silence, he began sharing his experiences in the game world with Li Xiaoyi.
Of course, he left out anything related to Jun Tesi. He simply narrated events from the perspective of an ordinary researcher, focusing on Experimental Subject 428.
This was likely the first time Tang Chen had heard about Tang Xiao's in-game journey. He listened attentively, as if trying to piece together his younger brother’s growth through the fragmented retelling.
Li Xiaoyi, too, was highly interested. He valued Dr. Tang immensely—not just for his rare time-based superpower, but also for his scientific expertise, which was equally unique and precious.
“I see. That explains why your contribution to the main storyline was so high,” Li Xiaoyi mused. “In a way, you personally created the new King of Mushroom.”
Because Tang Xiao had left out the ‘elopement’ part, Li Xiaoyi mistakenly assumed that King of Mushroom 428 was born from the Third Eye project, and Tang Xiao, as the only player who had been involved from start to finish, was technically its creator.
Tang Xiao smiled bitterly. “I’m truly sorry.”
“You don’t need to apologize. If a new King of Mushroom hadn’t been born, humanity in that world would’ve likely been wiped out by now,” Li Xiaoyi reassured him. “Besides, we don’t yet know the full situation. It might not be as bad as we think."
Tang Xiao took his words as mere consolation.
A sentient King of Mushroom that saw humans as food, or a berserk King of Mushroom… Neither sounded much better.
In fact, he had no idea what Jun Tesi’s ‘berserk’ state entailed. Was he losing control of his power? Or was he slowly dying? And what about the others in the game world—Xiao Bai, Lodge, Feng Shuyun—what had happened to them?
“So, Dr. Tang, what are your plans next?”
Tang Xiao snapped out of his thoughts. “Huh?”
“I mean, as an expert in gene editing, would you be interested in joining our project?” Li Xiaoyi finally got to the main point of his visit. “You know as well as I do—once the worlds fuse, the mushroom plague will be humanity’s greatest challenge. We’re gathering all the top experts in the relevant fields, and your name is on that list.”
“Me?” Tang Xiao looked surprised. He had thought Li Xiaoyi was more interested in his superpower than his scientific expertise.
Li Xiaoyi seemed to notice Tang Xiao's thoughts and chuckled, “Why are you surprised? If even the scientist who cracked the zombie fungus isn't invited, then I really can't think of anyone more qualified.”
“Thank you, I'm really honored.” Tang Xiao couldn't deny his excitement—it was, after all, an official invitation from the state. But he quickly forced himself to calm down, taking a deep breath. “But I need some time to think it over. Is that okay?”
“Of course, of course. This is a highly classified project—you should take your time to consider it carefully,” Li Xiaoyi patted Tang Xiao on the shoulder. “Alright then, I won't disturb you anymore. Get some rest.”
With that, Li Xiaoyi and his secretary left the hospital room. They hadn't walked far when they passed by a group of university students carrying flowers. The secretary lowered his voice and said, “He seems to be hiding something. Are you sure about inviting him?”
Li Xiaoyi glanced back at the students, who were carrying bouquets and fruit baskets as they entered Tang Xiao's room together—clearly a group visit. “Someone who was willing to dedicate three years of his life for another world's people, who risked his life to save others… I don’t believe his loyalty is in question.”
“Let's take our time. We can’t expect someone to lay all their cards on the table the first time we meet, right? Every adult has secrets they’d rather not talk about.”
Hearing this, the secretary said no more. Li Xiaoyi continued his hospital rounds, checking on wounded soldiers from the recent mission before finally leaving.
“Senior Tang! We came to see you!”
As soon as Li Xiaoyi left, a group of university students poured into the room, instantly sweeping away the serious atmosphere. Tang Xiao couldn't help but smile.
The first to step in was Lodge, carrying a bouquet of carnations, which he placed by the bedside. “We spent so long trying to find out which hospital you were in. Things were so chaotic back then that we didn't even get to exchange contact info.”
Without much hesitation, Tang Xiao took out his phone. Lodge immediately beamed and eagerly exchanged numbers with him, along with the others in the room.
An Xiang called out loudly, “Senior! We won’t say any more—if you ever need help, just call me!”
“Yeah, yeah, we’ll never turn you down!”
“If not for you, we'd all be dead for sure… waah!”
“Alright, then I won’t hold back if I ever need a favor,” Tang Xiao said, smiling at the group of energetic young people.
“But our school is temporarily shut down,” one student sighed. “It’s all over the internet. Feels like the world changed overnight.”
Tang Xiao’s heart stirred. “Is the school still covered in thick fog?”
“Yeah, it's completely sealed off—no one is allowed near it. Sigh, I have no idea what happened to the ones still inside. One of my friends is missing, and his mom is crying herself unconscious outside.”
“Same here. A classmate of mine is missing too.”
Talking about the missing students, everyone in the room couldn't help but sigh, their faces filled with unease—not just for their lost friends, but also for themselves and the world that had suddenly become so unfamiliar.
Tang Xiao could only offer a simple reassurance: “They'll be okay.”
It was probably the most hollow comfort he had ever given, but he had nothing else to say.
After the students left, Tang Xiao turned to his brother, Tang Chen. “Brother, are the people who disappeared into the fog really gone for good? Will the fog stay there forever?”
Tang Chen was peeling an apple. Hearing the question, he thought for a moment before answering, “The missing people most likely ended up in the other world. But there have been cases where someone reappears from the fog. The phenomenon usually lasts for about one or two months—it might disappear, or it might stay permanently.”
“Up until now, fog incidents have always happened in remote areas. This is the first time it’s appeared inside a city.”
“I see…” Tang Xiao murmured, his voice barely audible. “So there's about a month left…”
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