Volume Two: The Youth of a Thousand Faces, Truth in Disguise Chapter Twenty-Three: A Matter of Lifelong Importance

Growing up is the journey from childhood to adulthood, during which the masks in our hands grow increasingly diverse. With a thousand faces covering one's head, which one is the true self? Is it the calm and composed leader? Or the brother who dotes on his younger sister? Perhaps it is the boy whose inner drama never ceases, or maybe it is all of them. Back then, even I didn’t know the answer. People often say we must step out of our comfort zone, but in my youth, it felt like I was searching for a comfort zone of my own—a place where I wouldn’t have to pretend, where I could be myself, laugh when I wanted to laugh, cry when I wanted to cry, even if it was just me alone. Fortunately, I found her.

That evening, the academy recorded the performance of every student: how many calamities they had slain, how many they had helped to defeat, and various other minor achievements. All of these would serve as the basis for their initial exam scores.

Hoye and his team had assisted Vivian in slaying Boppy, who had advanced to the level of Catastrophe. Not only was this a significant achievement for a mere academy exam, it would also be considered a major feat even among the military ranks. The moment Boppy’s death appeared on the big screen, everyone had a pretty good idea—the four members of this group were sure to be among the top ten scorers. As for Lu Dingyuan… well, he had messed things up more than once, and people in the academy were probably used to it by now.

Speaking of which, Six did indeed hinder the hunt for Boppy. Had he not punched Boppy away, but instead coordinated with Hoye to attack, Boppy might never have advanced to Catastrophe and would have been slain directly by them.

Dinner time was a rare opportunity for the whole family to gather together. The Halls family, naturally, held a family dinner. They had even invited Shangguan Yudie, given the good relations between their families—both sets of young people had often eaten at each other’s homes.

But at that moment, Shangguan Yudie glanced at Hoye, her mental waves unsettled, her mood clearly not great. So she politely declined, leaving the family some space; perhaps her absence would cheer up little Hoye.

The four of them sat in a private room, the table laden with Chinese dishes, most of which were Hoye’s favorites. In truth, he was the only one in the Halls family who preferred Chinese cuisine; his father Eddie didn’t care either way, while his mother Vivian and Alice were more accustomed to French food. Perhaps this was a habit that flowed in their blood.

Yet, after returning from the battlefield today, everyone could see that Hoye’s state was a bit odd. They hoped that a meal might lift his spirits.

They could tell Hoye was unhappy because they were family. Yet Hoye’s face was always adorned with a smile, as if the smile were a painted mask that could never be removed. Hoye was adept at smiling—his family knew this well. If you weren’t close enough, you could never discern his true emotions through his smile. Many times, he appeared to be smiling, when in fact he was crying inside.

“The food’s all here. Come, let’s eat,” Hoye said.

Eddie and Vivian calmly picked up their chopsticks, while Alice’s movements were somewhat hesitant.

“Hm? Why aren’t you eating? Alice, try this twice-cooked pork—it’s really good.” Hoye served Alice a dish.

After tasting it, Alice put down her bowl and chopsticks, looked at Hoye, and asked, “Brother, are you… alright?”

“I? What could be wrong with me?” Hoye knew exactly what Alice was asking, but he feigned ignorance, even answering with his mouth full, his words muffled.

The sight of that bone-chilling sand serpent had stirred up some unpleasant memories. He had once said he wouldn’t let anything hinder his steps, claimed he wouldn't care, but it was all self-deception. Sometimes he would hide and cry alone; he didn’t find it shameful—when you’re sad, you need to cry. But in front of others, he always kept up a smile, because tears were not meant for others to see.

Hoye understood that he ought to let go of his sorrow. Yet, while words are easily spoken, truly understanding means accepting it in your heart, and that is a long journey.

Alice was straightforward enough to ask him directly, but their mother Vivian changed the subject to family matters. “By the way, Hoye, Alice, you’re both sophomores now. Have you found someone you like?”

“No, I think it’s still a bit early,” Alice replied first. She really hadn’t considered finding a lover; with her brother doting on her, it felt like enough.

Vivian looped her arm around Eddie’s, smiling as she said, “Not too early at all. Your father and I started dating when we were sophomores.”

“Huh? That early? You never mentioned it,” Alice’s eyes sparkled. She was eager to hear her parents’ tales from youth.

Eddie, who had been silent, gave Vivian a deadpan look and sighed, “You really say everything, don’t you?”

Vivian pouted, “What does it matter? It’s not a secret.”

Eddie had long been known as the Black Reaper—not just for his formidable strength, but for those lifeless, dead-fish eyes that made him appear perpetually morose. The only two people in the world who could act spoiled in front of him were Vivian and Alice.

Eddie took a deep breath and smacked his lips.

“So Hoye, what about you?” Vivian turned and asked him.

Hoye, who had been calmly eating, had just picked up a large prawn when his chopsticks froze in place. He glanced at the pure silver cross pendant on his chest, pondering for a full five seconds. “Me… I haven’t thought about looking again. I’ll leave it to fate.”

Hoye would never claim it was too early; after all, he and Qingxue had started dating at sixteen, which certainly counted as an early romance. He figured if he said it was too early, his family would kill him with their looks. Truth was, he hadn’t thought of finding another lover—not out of some melodramatic vow of chastity for Qingxue, but simply because no other girl had moved him. How many girls could be as straightforward as Qingxue had been?

Hoye picked up his glass and took a sip of water.

“I see…” Vivian’s gaze grew peculiar, and then she shocked everyone: “Then would you like to go on blind dates?”

“Pfft!” Hoye nearly choked on his water.

“Mom, what are you saying? I’m not even twenty yet, do I really need to go on blind dates?” Hoye was genuinely stunned. He was only nineteen! Not yet of age, not even at the legal marriage age—blind dates?

“Actually, I know several well-bred girls with good looks, education, and personalities. They’re all at Bancroft. Do you want me to set something up for you?” Vivian asked.

Hoye was about to refuse, but caught Eddie’s cold, sharp gaze. Instantly, his hair stood on end—his father was in on this too? His survival instincts told him to stall for time, so he forced a smile. “Well, I’ll give it a try.”

Alice clutched her aching stomach, nearly bursting out laughing.