Chapter 278: Choice

【System detects host's original consciousness share stable at 60%, blackened personality enters sleep state】

When the cold mechanical voice sounded in Lin Chen's mind, he was leaning against the door frame of the infirmary,

gasping for air, the cold sweat on his forehead sliding down his jawline and dripping onto the floor, making a faint sound. Lin Hao on the hospital bed was still looking at him calmly,

his eyes without mockery, without resentment, only a faint sense of peace.

Lin Chen took a good while to straighten his body. He looked at Lin Hao's pale face,

looked at his loose hospital gown, looked at the gun and the bag of bread on the bedside cabinet, his lips moved, but he did not say another word.

He knew that saying anything now was redundant; apologies or explanations were no match for concrete actions.

【System prompt, infirmary medicine reserves are insufficient, suggests contacting Xia Nuan to replenish antibiotics】

Lin Chen nodded, considering it a response to the system's prompt. He turned and walked toward the doorway, his steps very light, fearing he would disturb the person on the hospital bed. When he reached the door, he stopped again and looked back at Lin Hao. Lin Hao was also looking at him; their gazes met in the air, without any words, yet it was as if they had reached some silent understanding.

Lin Chen gently closed the door, not completely shut, leaving a gap, enough for the wind to blow in, enough for Lin Hao to hear the sounds outside.

He leaned against the wall of the corridor, closed his eyes, his mind a tangled mess.

The blackened personality's scolding voice still echoed faintly, Lin Hao's calm eyes, Lu Ran's dejected back, Xia Nuan's worried face, and Sister Chu Yao Yao's unopened letter flashed through his mind one by one, making his head ache as if it were splitting.

【System detects host's brain waves are abnormal, family seal trigger probability increased to 80%】

Just as the system's prompt ended, a gentle female voice suddenly sounded in Lin Chen's mind without warning,

not a mechanical voice, not the blackened personality's mockery, but carrying a trace of warmth, carrying a trace of persuasion, as clear as if it were right by his ear.

"Lu Ran, you have to give others a chance to choose."

Lin Chen opened his eyes abruptly, his eyes filled with shock. This was Sister Chu Yao Yao's voice,

he couldn't have misheard. Back when Sister Chu Yao Yao was still in the safe zone, he had heard her speak—gentle, firm, carrying the power to heal people's hearts.

He didn't know why he had suddenly heard Sister Chu Yao Yao's voice, only knowing that this sentence was like a thunderbolt, slamming fiercely into his chaotic thoughts.

Give others a chance to choose.

Lin Chen muttered to himself, repeating this sentence. He thought of his forcing of Lin Hao,

thought of the blackened personality's scolding of Lin Hao, thought of Lu Ran being trapped by guilt,

thought of Xia Nuan's forbearance in not daring to resist. He suddenly realized that he had always been making choices for others—choosing the way for Lin Hao to live,

choosing the path for Lu Ran to let go, choosing the stance for Xia Nuan to remain silent—yet he had never asked them what they actually wanted.

【System prompt, family seal triggered successfully, host's emotions trending toward stability】

Lin Chen ignored the system's prompt. He pushed open the door he had left ajar,

and walked in. Seeing him enter, a trace of surprise flashed in Lin Hao's eyes, but he still did not speak. Lin Chen walked to the bedside cabinet,

picked up the gun, removed the magazine, poured the bullets out one by one,

placed them on the table, and then put the empty gun back in its original place. He picked up the bag of bread again, tore open the packaging, and handed it to Lin Hao.

Lin Hao did not take it, just looking at him.

"Eat something." Lin Chen's voice was very soft, carrying a trace of exhaustion,

"I'll have Xia Nuan send over the antibiotics; if you want to take the medicine, take it, if you don't want to, you don't have to."

"If you want to stay in the infirmary, stay; if you want to go out for a walk, you can."

"If you want to continue doing things for the safe zone, do it; if you want to rest, you can."

"I won't force you, and I won't let that voice scold you again."

"The road is your own; how you walk it, you choose for yourself."

After Lin Chen finished saying these words, it was as if he had unloaded a heavy burden,

and he felt much lighter. He looked at Lin Hao, his eyes filled with sincerity.

Lin Hao looked at the bread in his hand, hesitated for a moment, then took it, picked up a piece, put it into his mouth, and chewed slowly.

Lin Chen smiled, turned, and walked toward the doorway. This time, he did not look back. When he reached the door, he reached out and grasped the doorknob,

twisted it gently, and then pushed it shut slowly. He didn't leave a gap, but closed the door tightly. He took a key from his pocket, inserted it into the keyhole, and turned it gently, making a "click" sound.

【System detects host's behavior conforms to the family seal's guidance, blackened personality awakening probability decreased to 10%】

Lin Chen ignored the system's prompt. He let go, turned, and walked toward the end of the corridor.

In the empty hospital, only his footsteps echoed slowly, along with the clear sound of the iron door being locked echoing in the empty hospital. ===== CHAPTER 279 =====