Liu Buli had always been a self-aware person. He knew his physical condition and was acutely aware that if it continued, he would likely be driven to death by the chaotic thoughts that plagued him.
This might sound absolute, and perhaps he wouldn't necessarily die.
However, a place like a mental hospital was probably in his future. After all, if he doubted the reality of the world he had lived in for so many years, even if others told him he wasn't sick, Liu Buli himself wouldn't believe it.
He thought again of the promise the man in his dreams had made, and Liu Buli couldn't help but curve his lips.
He might truly be going mad.
Because now, knowing his physical state, he didn't feel much fear. Instead, he was seriously contemplating whether, if he truly descended into madness, the man who had been persistently searching for him would finally appear, reach out to him, and tell him that he had come to take him home.
This was truly sick to the core.
Liu Buli cursed himself fiercely in his mind, then stopped thinking so much. He took two deep breaths, looked up at the distant mountain peak, and continued walking in that direction.
After sleeping, the soreness in his legs seemed to have improved considerably. Coupled with the sun's increased westward slant, it was no longer as hot, making his subsequent actions more convenient.
However, the amount of exertion was a problem. By the time he finally reached the mountaintop, the sun had already completely set. Everything around him plunged into darkness, with only the moon overhead, not perfectly round, but at least providing a sliver of light to illuminate his surroundings.
He took out the food he had prepared, ate a couple of bites, and drank some water. Liu Buli had no idea why he had come to this mountain. He was alone, and as night deepened, there was no one to talk to.
He took out his phone and checked. Just as he had imagined, there was no signal at the mountaintop. He felt as if he were cut off from the world. Perhaps if he died here by accident, no one would ever know.
Thinking this, Liu Buli didn't feel any fear. He even found it somewhat amusing.
Perhaps it was because his life had been unremarkable, devoid of hobbies or aspirations, and he had no close relationships. Therefore, when he thought of death, he couldn't feel any tension or anxiety.
It was as if it were simply the end of a life's journey, and he truly didn't care when he would reach that end.
No, that wasn't quite right.
He did care a little.
If life had to reach an end, then at least before reaching that end, he wanted to see the man who had appeared in his dreams.
He didn't have many greedy desires. He simply wanted to catch a glimpse, to know what the only person who had ever piqued his interest in his life looked like.
This thought was truly strange.
He had never met the person, and he was merely an apparition. Yet, whenever he thought of him, he couldn't help but smile.
It was as if that man fulfilled all his fantasies, the absolute ideal type. He was long past the age where he would be moved by imagination, but when he thought of his imagined subject being him, he couldn't control his emotions at all. His heart would pound uncontrollably, and in his mind, he would repeat "I like him" over and over again.
So who was he truly in love with?
He was more curious than anyone else.
However, miracles did not occur. Fantasies ultimately remained just fantasies.
Liu Buli stayed awake until late at night, but the man who had promised to pick him up never appeared. Eventually, the moon hid behind the clouds, and drowsiness completely enveloped him.
He didn't even know when he fell asleep.
He only knew that in this dream, the man he was waiting for did not appear.
Never mind. This was the dream he deserved.
A void, just like before.
He had once heard experts on television say that sleep quality was best when one did not dream.
But Liu Buli felt that without seeing that man, all sleep became meaningless. This persistence, merely for the sake of survival, did not alleviate any of his fatigue. Instead, it made him feel more acutely that he was merely a soulless shell.
Brother Zhang was right about that.
Thinking this, Liu Buli chuckled self-mockingly.
Since he had already emerged from his sleep, continuing to close his eyes and wait would not bring about the miracle he desired.
Yawning, Liu Buli forced himself to open his eyes.
But the moment he saw what was in front of him, Liu Buli's beautiful eyes widened. His breath seemed to cease for a moment. He simply stared blankly ahead, at the man who had appeared before him at some unknown time.
The man was extraordinarily handsome.
With thick eyebrows and large eyes, his slightly upturned corners added a touch of allure. Although he was squatting in front of him, judging by his physique, Liu Buli could tell that the man was definitely tall.
His hair cascaded to his waist, and his thin lips were slightly pursed. The ancient attire he wore seemed strange in the present day, but on this man, it looked as if he was born to wear it, appearing perfectly natural.
As he saw Liu Buli open his eyes, the man's eyes lit up.
His entire demeanor suddenly became more lively. The corners of his mouth curved upwards, forming a beautiful arc. The man smiled, reached out, and gently stroked Liu Buli's head. Then, he softly called out, "Master, you've waited. I've come for you."
His voice was exceptionally pleasant.
It was exactly the same as in his dreams, the voice Liu Buli liked the most.
And unlike the tone of despair and sadness in his dreams, at this moment, what Liu Buli heard was only profound joy and peace.
Even so, this man's face was undeniably unfamiliar to him, and that was also a reality.
Liu Buli felt as if he had encountered a madman.
Or perhaps he had accidentally stumbled onto the set of someone filming a movie. In any case, everything seemed incredibly unreal.
And as someone caught in the middle of it, he should be feeling fear right now.
But he felt no fear at all.
He couldn't even force himself to appear afraid.
He could only look into the man's eyes. After a moment of hesitation, Liu Buli opened his mouth and said, "Um... hello, nice to meet you. My name is Liu Buli. Can you... tell me your name?"