Jiang Siyang crossed the boulevard and finally reached his destination. The towering, majestic mountain was a magnificent sight from afar, and up close, it was even more breathtaking.
He immediately recalled what Zhang Jin’an had said about Little South Mountain while they were in the car:
“I went there several times with friends back in high school. In different seasons, and even at different times—at sunrise or sunset—the scenery is always different. From the top of Little South Mountain, you can see every house in the city. It feels as if you could tread upon the mists and reach out to pluck the stars. Standing up there, time itself seems to stretch and slow down.”
As it was nearly dinner time, there were surprisingly few tourists. Still, travelers carrying hiking packs or wearing athletic gear passed by Jiang Siyang one after another, and more than a few noticed him. In particular, several aunties wearing red sunglasses were heading in the opposite direction, likely having just come down from the mountain; as they passed him, they didn't forget to wave at the camera and say hello.
The base of Little South Mountain was enclosed by a wire fence about three or four meters high. The main road beside it was an uphill slope. Jiang Siyang followed the fence for less than a few dozen paces before he spotted the program crew’s signboard.
This sign confirmed that Zhang Jin’an’s hypothesis had been correct.
Jiang Siyang couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. Subconsciously quickening his pace, he pointed toward the sign for the camera. "There, I see it!"
When Jiang Siyang ran up to the NPC dressed in a blue uniform, the man smiled at him and held out his hands. "Congratulations, Player, on reaching an ending. Please present all the route cards you have obtained."
Jiang Siyang said happily to the cameraman, "It really is here—"
As he spoke, he pulled the cards he had collected from his pocket. But just as the cards were about to touch the NPC’s hands, Jiang Siyang froze. Then, he pulled his hand back, gripping the cards tightly.
"What's wrong?" the NPC asked with a smile.
Jiang Siyang pursed his lips and asked cautiously for confirmation, "If I give these to you, will this ending belong to me?"
The NPC nodded. "Yes. Only one person can achieve a single ending; those are the rules. Whoever gives me these cards is the one who achieves this ending."
Jiang Siyang glanced back at the path he had come from. No one else was coming up.
He asked again, "Can't two people go up together?"
The NPC replied, "Going up is fine, but only one person can claim the ending."
"..." Jiang Siyang fell silent. He looked at the cards in his hand, then took out his phone and gave the NPC a small smile. "Then I'm sorry, I'll wait a bit longer."
"Very well. But I must remind you, there is only one hour and twenty minutes of total time remaining. However, the deadline for this final stage is earlier. If you haven't given me the cards by five o'clock, everything on them will become invalid," the NPC said.
"I know," Jiang Siyang replied. He found a long stone slab seat by the side of the path and sat down, dialing Zhang Jin’an’s number on speakerphone.
As soon as the call connected, Jiang Siyang asked hurriedly, "Ge, where are you?"
Jiang Siyang was not the type to get easily agitated. Even when he was anxious, his speech would only get faster, not louder; he remained as gentle and cautious as always.
There was no immediate answer from the other end. Instead, Jiang Siyang heard Zhang Jin’an give a low chuckle. "Is the scenery there beautiful?" Only Zhang Jin’an would have the leisure to make small talk at a time like this.
Zhang Jin’an’s voice sounded even steadier over the phone, his tone more composed than Jiang Siyang’s.
"It's beautiful. It’s been beautiful the whole way," Jiang Siyang answered truthfully.
Zhang Jin’an laughed twice. "Since you’re calling me, does that mean the location was correct?"
"Yes, it's correct. I'm standing in front of the staff right now." Jiang Siyang glanced at the crew members nearby. "Ge, when are you coming over?"
"Did you hand the cards over to them?" Zhang Jin’an asked.
"No." Jiang Siyang looked at the cards in his hand. The one on top was the very last one, which read: *A Place Touching the Clouds.* "I didn't give them the cards."
"Why didn't you?" Zhang Jin’an said. "If you hand them over, that ending will be yours, right?"
Zhang Jin’an was truly good at guessing.
"Yes," Jiang Siyang admitted.
Zhang Jin’an smiled. "You aren't thinking of giving this to me, are you?"
Right again.
"...Yes." Jiang Siyang stuffed the cards back into his pocket, admitting it directly. "I feel that the credit for reaching this ending belongs more to you than to me."
In truth, from the moment Jiang Siyang had agreed to come here, he had already considered two outcomes. One was that this wasn't the right place, in which case the two of them would look for another spot together; even if it was a waste of time, it would be his time to waste. The other outcome was that this was the correct place, in which case he would unconditionally let Zhang Jin’an take the ending.
Zhang Jin’an was the one who had thought of this ending, and Zhang Jin’an had been the main force in the previous stages. Throughout the entire game, aside from the very last puzzle, Jiang Siyang felt he hadn't been of much help. He couldn't accept this ending for himself.
"It's fine, don't worry about me. I just went to verify my other idea, and I was right. I'm about to get an ending of my own." Zhang Jin’an’s tone was extremely patient and gentle, like he was coaxing a child to hand their candy over to a teacher. "Hurry up and give them the cards. Isn't time running out?"
"I know, but even so..." Jiang Siyang looked up at the massive mountain before him, its peak lost from view. "I still want to wait for you to come over."
"..."
Jiang Siyang’s voice was very soft, but the person on the other end must have heard him. There was no sound, as if Zhang Jin’an didn't know what to say.
The base of the mountain was shaded by green trees. A cool breeze brushed against Jiang Siyang’s cheeks; because he had worked up a bit of a sweat, it felt incredibly refreshing.
He didn't know if Zhang Jin’an’s claim about finding another ending was true, or if it was just a lie told so that Jiang Siyang wouldn't feel guilty about taking this one. But neither outcome mattered.
He just wanted Zhang Jin’an to come.
"They said there's only one ending here, but we can go up together," Jiang Siyang continued.
The other end of the line remained silent. "..."
"I want to go up with you, Ge. Even though we can't go back to that time, I still really want to see the scenery from your memories," Jiang Siyang said from the bottom of his heart.
***
