Extra | Parallel World

In this world, Gu Chen never got sick.

Life with Lin Nian was lighter, easier, freer than in reality.
No hospital lights, no tense medications, no looming disasters waiting to strike.

They still argued sometimes, but only about trivial, everyday things.
One quarrel might be about who forgot to take out the trash; another about what to eat for dinner.
Gu Chen would always smile and say, “Forget it, this is too small to argue over.”
Lin Nian would smile too, thinking quietly to herself: This is what love really looks like.

Morning Sunshine

Morning sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, warming the wooden floor.
Gu Chen stood in the kitchen, holding a cup of coffee, inhaling the smell of freshly baked bread.
Lin Nian sat at the dining table, while their child played with building blocks on the floor.

“Daddy! Mommy! Look, the castle I made!”
The child waved little hands, eyes shining like stars.

Gu Chen knelt down beside the child, smiling and patting their shoulder.
“Great job! Next time, we’ll build an even bigger one together.”

Lin Nian watched this scene, her smile stretching in the sunlight.
At that moment, she realized that ordinary days could feel just as moving as extraordinary ones.

Afternoon Walks

In the afternoon, the three of them walked along the tree-lined paths of their neighborhood.
The child hopped ahead, full of energy, while Gu Chen held Lin Nian’s hand tightly.

“Nian Nian, where do you want to go this afternoon?”
Gu Chen asked, his tone carrying the gentle warmth she had grown used to.

“Anywhere… as long as someone’s with me.”
Lin Nian smiled softly.

Seeing her smile, Gu Chen felt a warmth in his chest as gentle as spring.
No tests of life or death, no farewells, only the simple companionship of every day.
Every morning, they woke to see each other, feeling the comfort of home.

Evening Routines

At night, they still cooked together and helped their child with homework.
Sometimes, Lin Nian would nod off against Gu Chen’s shoulder, and he would quietly cover her with a blanket.
After the child fell asleep, they sat together on the balcony, watching the city lights flicker on and off.

“Do you think this is enough?”
Lin Nian asked softly.

Gu Chen squeezed her hand.
“It’s enough. As long as we’re safe and together, that’s enough.”

The breeze drifted by, and the sunlight seemed to stretch through time, falling gently on them.
In this parallel world, there was no illness, no life-and-death struggle—only the quiet happiness of ordinary days.

Epilogue

Late at night, the child slept soundly in their room.
Gu Chen and Lin Nian sat side by side on the sofa.

Lin Nian leaned on his shoulder, closing her eyes gently, smiling.
“So happy,” she whispered.

Gu Chen lowered his head, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her hair.
“Yes… being together, safe and sound like this, is more than enough.”

The night wind blew softly outside, drifting into their little home.
Everything was calm, everything was warm.
They had never experienced suffering here, yet they possessed the most precious thing—
A family safe, together, and at peace.