After I Am died, You Tell Me This Is A Life Simulation?
Chapter 22 - The Second Life Simulation Begins!

Chapter 22: The Second Life Simulation Begins!

The slightly intimate atmosphere was completely disrupted by Old Zhen’s remark.

Cheng Lingsu’s face flushed red with embarrassment. A maiden’s modesty made her lower her voice in farewell, and she hurriedly took her leave.

If she stayed any longer, she was afraid she’d make a fool of herself.

Watching the girl flee as if escaping, Fang Han felt helpless and rubbed his forehead.

These past few months, Old Zhen had practically become a walking CP shipper.[1].

Whenever there was nothing better to do, he would tease them, nudging and winking, pushing the two together both openly and subtly.

It wasn’t like Fang Han had anything against it per se, but…

He wanted to say:

That’s not how matchmaking works, old man. Stop sabotaging us instead…

Seeing the sky gradually darken, Fang Han got up to close the door and returned alone to his small courtyard.

After dinner, he sat to meditate and regulate his breathing.

From time to time, he would summon the Life Simulator, glancing at the “Simulation Attempts” section, but his mind was distracted.

In the end, he did nothing more and simply lay on the bed, quietly waiting.

A long while later…

Midnight.

Ding! Life Simulation Attempts Refreshed!

[Life Simulator].

[Host]: [Fang Han].

[Abilities]: [Martial Arts] (Beginner), [Medicine] (Proficient)

[Simulations]: [1/1] (Resets annually)

Fang Han’s breath slightly quickened, joy rising in his chest.

A whole year!

It had not been easy.

He had waited so long that he almost doubted it would ever happen again.

But finally, it had refreshed!

Taking a deep breath, he no longer hesitated and silently chanted in his heart: “Begin simulation!”

Buzz!

[Starting Life Simulation…].

The characters flashed before his eyes. Fang Han’s consciousness blurred slightly, and the Life Simulator panel gradually became hazy—after a ripple passed, it faded away.

“…”

“…”

“!?!!?”

Lying on the bed, Fang Han stared blankly for a long moment, visibly stunned.

Wait a second…

That’s it? It’s gone?!

What’s even happening right now?

Did the simulation start? Or not start at all?

Frowning, Fang Han silently attempted to summon the Life Simulator to check.

But nothing happened.

That’s when Fang Han became unsettled. He sat up cross-legged and closed his eyes, trying again.

Still—no response.

The Life Simulator panel he had stared at for a year now was nowhere to be seen, no matter how many times he called or recited it.

At that moment, Fang Han admitted—he was a little panicked.

Damn it! Don’t tell me my golden finger just broke…

But he quickly calmed himself and began analyzing the situation: In my first simulation, I never once saw or sensed the simulator. Could it be that once a simulation begins, the Life Simulator panel automatically gets hidden?

He thought about it for a bit and gradually felt more at ease.

That would make sense.

If you could use the simulator while inside a simulation…

Wouldn’t that be like nesting dolls within nesting dolls? [2].

Still, even knowing this, the sudden disappearance of the panel left him feeling out of sorts.

Fang Han lay back on the bed, deep in thought.

“Fine. If I can confirm I’m in the simulation now, then it’s time to implement all the plans I’ve spent the past year preparing.”

“During the first round, I didn’t even know about the Life Simulator, so I played it safe and missed a ton of opportunities. That won’t happen again.”

This past year, he hadn’t just waited passively—he had done a lot of preparation.

With so much on his mind, sleep was impossible.

So Fang Han gave up on resting and instead sat upright, channeling his internal energy.

A subtle warmth circulated through his chest as his inner power flowed, gradually calming his restless thoughts.

Two hours later, his internal strength had grown slightly again. Fang Han exhaled softly, ending his cultivation.

Noticing the sky outside was still dark, Fang Han felt no fatigue at all—his energy remained abundant.

At his age, he was at the peak of vitality, and with daily inner cultivation guiding his qi and blood, going a day or two without sleep had little effect.

As long as he didn’t overdo it for too long, it would be fine.

Fang Han dressed and stepped into the courtyard to begin practicing his punches and stretching his limbs and energy channels.

Hu! Hu! Hu!

Muted but powerful sounds echoed through the courtyard.

With each punch and kick, each movement and form, Fang Han trained with utmost seriousness.

Another hour passed.

A faint whiteness finally appeared in the eastern sky.

After washing and changing into clean clothes, Fang Han sat in the courtyard, lost in thought.

Although this was a life simulation, and he had a full plan laid out…

There was no need—or benefit—to rushing out blindly across the land, flailing and scrambling.

In the end, sticking to the plan would do.

The Life Simulation… was truly simulating an entire life!

Why act so impatiently?

There was still plenty of time.

In the two months that followed, Fang Han didn’t rush out on his journey. Instead, he quietly tied up various matters and made final preparations to leave.

His actions were calm and subtle enough to keep others unaware.

But not Cheng Lingsu, who often came by to help.

She was naturally smart and perceptive, and with how closely she paid attention to Fang Han’s every move, how could she not notice?

She held back for a long time, trying to resist asking.

But seeing all of Fang Han’s recent preparations, anxiety swelled in her chest.

Finally, she asked him directly: “Brother Fang, are you… Are you leaving on a long journey?”

As she spoke, her usually bright voice trembled slightly.

Her clear eyes shimmered red at the edges—enough to make anyone’s heart ache.

The next morning, before dawn had broken—

Fang Han had already packed his things, carrying a bamboo basket on his back as he stepped outside.

A faint light glimmered on the horizon. Morning mist still lingered. The streets were silent.

His steps were light, slow, but firm.

Old Zhen didn’t come to see him off.

Only the night before, the two of them had shared a few cups of rice wine and talked the whole night.

They spoke of everything—and nothing.

Fang Han understood—that was their farewell.

As for Cheng Lingsu at this moment…

She stood quietly at the mouth of the alley, dressed in plain clothes, a light shawl around her shoulders, watching him walk away.

She didn’t call out. She didn’t chase after him.

She just silently saw him off.

Until Fang Han’s figure fully disappeared into the mist at the alley’s end.

Only then did she slowly lower her head, gripping the medicine pouch tightly in her palm.

Her lips curved slightly, not quite a smile.

She whispered under her breath, “I’ll wait for you to come back… Brother Fang.”

The morning mist was cool, but her tears were warm.

Footnotes:

• • • • CP (cp, abbreviation for “coupling”)— A term from Chinese fandom culture referring to romantically pairing two characters (real or fictional) together. In this context, it means Old Zhen is teasing them like they’re a couple, even though they’re not (yet).

• • • • Nesting dolls (Russian dolls, or “套娃” [tào wá])— Chinese slang referencing infinite loops or recursion, like one thing hidden inside another repeatedly. Here, it mocks the absurdity of simulating inside a simulation.

• • • • sì xiào fēi xiào (似笑非笑)– “Not quite a smile”; this phrase implies a subtle, ambiguous smile that carries complex emotions, such as longing, sorrow, or quiet resolve. Common in literary or emotional scenes to convey layered expressions.