"If.. I cannot give Finn the future he wants, then I don't want to become an obstacle to him." Peter's voice grew softer, his eyes hiding concerns that others could not read.
"The future Finn wants?" Noah looked at Peter in confusion; even he didn't know what the future Finn wanted. Finn was like a gust of wind, changing direction every moment; no one knew where his next step would actually lead.
Yes, Finn is a person with clear plans for his own future." Peter nodded, his tone carrying a hint of imperceptible bitterness, "In his clear plans, there is no me.
Peter clearly remembered Finn's thoughts from before—
[I want to be born as a human, naturally, that has to start from being a baby.]
[The Main Brain has already promised me that it will give me a very happy family, with parents who dote on me and siblings to play with, but I want to be the youngest. You know, because the youngest always receives a bit more favoritism.]
[I clearly could have started from the beginning and had a complete life.]
[Why start directly from the age of twenty and skip the complete twenty years before it?]
Peter could not deny that Finn's position was wrong.
Finn, who had always been the System, simply wanted to have his own complete Life Stage; this wish was so pure.
This was also the best opportunity Finn had earned through his diligent service to one hundred Hosts, Peter could not bear to, nor was he willing to, interfere with him.
Finn said that he was very good at saying goodbye.
Peter did not want Finn to do things he was not good at—
For example, thinking about how to reject a friend's confession, or how to say goodbye after entering into an intimate romantic relationship.
"But if you haven't even said it.." Noah instinctively wanted to advise Peter not to engage in such early self-denial; matters of the heart were never something that could be planned.
"It's not that order of operations," Peter countered firmly.
Only Peter knew that Finn did not belong to this world.
He appeared in their lives as Finn Osborn to complete a predetermined mission. But only by completing this mission could Finn truly break free from the constraints that had always bound him, to possess a life that belonged entirely to himself—a future that Finn had longed for a very, very long time.
Peter had imagined the scene of a confession countless times in his heart, but he never dared to say it aloud.
He hoped to have a future with Finn, but this hope had to be built on the foundation of Finn staying of his own free will.
He hoped Finn would stay because Finn himself wanted to stay in this world that had him, Harry, countless friends, all the warmth, under the identity of Finn Osborn.
Peter feared that his feelings would become a shackle upon Finn.
He feared that Finn's nature was too soft and too easygoing, that he might be moved by this sudden affection from Spider-Man, then, because of that emotion, he might waver and find himself in a dilemma.
Moreover, if they truly became a couple, Peter couldn't guarantee that he wouldn't become that selfish. Because he liked Finn so much, he would use the fact that he could hear Finn's inner thoughts.. to find any way possible to make him stay for his sake.
"You're eighteen, Finn is only twenty; it's just a relationship, so why make it so complicated?" Noah could not understand Peter's inner turmoil at this moment.
And don't even think about the distant future." Noah didn't want to discourage the young people, nor was he saying that a relationship truly had to last a lifetime. "Let's be realistic; no one can guarantee how long a relationship will last. It's enough to cherish the present. Isn't it enough that the two of you are happy?
It's precisely because.. I want Finn to be happy.
Finn's understanding of human emotions was originally one-sided and naive. Sometimes, Peter didn't even want Finn to have a "heart." Just like right now, even if the Misery Value increased, Finn would probably only think that the Misery Value had risen inexplicably because he was being escorted to a cell, wouldn't think much more of it.
But this was fine; even if it was just a heartless, carefree happiness, Spider-Man hoped that Finn could have a relaxed and interesting journey during his mission as a Host.
It was just that sometimes, Peter would also think—
Would there be a chance, in a future where everything has ended, that Finn could send a message to him from another dimension?
Just tell him simply that he is living a good life.
And he got the life he wanted.
After stabilizing his emotions, Peter returned to the successful completion seat of the first stage of the live stream. In the cage opposite him, a large number of failed Human Resisters had been fitted with special shackles. Spider-Man spotted Finn at a glance, as if his gaze could always accurately lock onto him.
Beside the dejected Andrew, the young man flashed a bright, cloudless smile at him through the iron bars and waved vigorously.
Peter smiled and waved back.
If there truly is such an extremely lucky future where Finn can choose to stay in this world.
He would hope—
It was because this world had left Finn behind first.
Chapter 67: Treasure · Unrequited Love
After Finn was brutally eliminated in the first level of Rat Rise, his life naturally returned to the track of the "Osborn Group CEO," but the subsequent influence of the hit show, Rat Rise: Human Challenge Battle, continued to ferment intensely.
After all three episodes of the first theme were released, the viewership soared, completely igniting discussions across the entire internet.
As the Hamster Partner and the actor playing Pippin, Finn Osborn has naturally always been the focus of the show, especially since Finn Osborn is currently the interim CEO of the Osborn Group.
There has been some media coverage regarding the changes within the Osborn Group, but the public hasn't paid much attention; after all, no matter how the Osborn Group changes, it remains firmly under the control of the Osborn brothers.
What truly captivated the public was that Finn, who now sat as the CEO of the Osborn Group, was actually willing to dress up as a plump hamster to dance for the masses, even took the initiative to step onto the stage of "Rat Rise" as a challenger.
This directly opened up a new track for CEOs—a CEO who possesses both top-tier aristocratic temperament and a complete lack of distance.
Combined with Finn Osborn's own natural high-class aura and stunning looks, he was already captivating enough, the entire internet was shouting:
Overbearing CEOs are no longer in style; sunny, happy, vibrant CEOs are the new trend!
With his high aesthetic standards, Noah Hart had always regarded Finn Osborn as the face of "METAL," sending his photos back and forth all day long. To those in the dark, it might have seemed like a brand endorsement, but the observant public had long since seen through it—
Was Noah even showing off a brand?
It was clearly a blatant display of his "stolen" younger brother!
No one could deny that even if Finn were to set aside the Osborn family business, he could completely rely on his looks to make a living, undoubtedly, Noah would certainly be willing to support Finn.
Before the livestream, Noah had naturally cheered for Finn with great fanfare, Finn's many friends had also swarmed in to show their support.
Unexpectedly, Young Master Finn was eliminated in the very first stage of the highly anticipated show.
However, the footage of Young Master Finn falling into the water during the first episode was captured by netizens in countless versions, with many praising Young Master Finn as the "Osborn-brand Mermaid." Photos and GIFs of the moment went viral across the entire internet.
Wealthy, handsome, a young genius with a top-tier business brain, he is enthusiastic, sunny, straightforward, loves to smile, backed by a social circle that responds to his every call. Finn is the perfect blueprint of a dream boyfriend in the hearts of the new generation of young female viewers.
After all, it was a live broadcast, everyone could see that there was no foul play behind the scenes.
Even the pitiful Finn was still in the pool, arguing stubbornly with the production team for a chance at a [Resurrection on the Spot], but in the end, he was still ruthlessly rejected and even thrown into a cell.
After this episode's video was released following post-production editing, netizens across the entire internet were indignant, collectively transforming into Finn's fan club to call out the production team online:
[Let Finn baby be resurrected immediately! Who is so bold as to not give the Osborn Group CEO any face? Believe it or not, if Finn waves his hand tomorrow, he'll make the Hamster Kingdom go bankrupt on the spot!]
【Young Master Finn has contributed both money and effort, as a CEO, he even dances for the audience! Why shouldn't we unite to give Young Master Finn a chance at resurrection? It's reasonable, absolutely reasonable!】
【Crowdfund for Young Master Finn's resurrection! Everyone, one sentence each, call the production crew over!】
A Human Resisters movement without Young Master Finn? Then we're done with this resistance!
Our lovely baby Finn just wants a little revival, give it to him! Now! Give it to him!!
Are Noah Hart and Harry Osborn there? Quickly, control your younger brother, he is being bullied by Hamsters outside! I suggest you buy out the production crew and give Young Master Finn a cheat code that allows for infinite resurrections with infinite buff stacking.
..
As the popularity of Rat Rise continued to soar, in addition to the classic trio of Noah, Elias, Finn—the [Noah and the Unnoticed Brother-in-law and Beloved Younger Brother]—another new combination also rose to fame.
—Finn, Peter, Andrew.
Even Finn himself was quite surprised; who could have imagined that after the conclusion of the first themed match, Andrew and Peter would both suddenly become famous at the same time?
The post-production of "Rat Rise" was, of course, handled by a professional team, but Anthony still dragged Montgomery and a group of imaginative high school students into brainstorming sessions, trying to figure out how to make the post-production more humorous and more engaging for the audience. The goal was to attract those who had already watched the live stream to come back and watch it repeatedly.
Then, Montgomery also selfishly added many tags—onto Andrew.
Andrew is so full of memes!
He is The Disqualified Hamster! Yet he is also the number one rebel seed of The Chosen Hamster!
—This is all due to an inexplicable connection with the Hamster!
He is a solitary, introverted, socially anxious little mushroom! Yet, Young Master Finn, the social butterfly, has a cameraman working silently behind the scenes to capture his greatness!
All of those viral videos on Finn's social media platforms were actually Andrew's work.
—It's all about the contrast!
Rather than a promotional video that Finn wanted the public to see, it was more like a tribute to the supreme Young Master Finn in Andrew's eyes.
In Rat Rise, Andrew doesn't have much screen time, but he carries all the laughs for the audience.
Because of Young Master Finn's command, he had to join the show, by some twist of fate, this human, who appeared to have the least will to resist, unexpectedly became the first person in the entire venue to raise the banner of resistance. His "unfortunate" look, which became more poignant the harder he tried, made netizens burst into laughter, creating an extreme contrast with the vivid sense of life radiating from the two Hamster actors, Finn and Peter.
But the three of them got along very well when they were together.
Finn Osborn's own popularity was so high that the background information of Andrew, who had been following him, was also dug up. Netizens pieced together a story from various sources, revealing that he was not only an introverted person with social anxiety but also a little bitter soul—an ordinary, impoverished high school student whose mother was bedridden with a serious illness. He had also experienced bullying at school and had been cursed at by others, being called a [Photography Freak].
But it was this very Andrew who happened to encounter Young Master Finn while he was out looking for stray dogs one night, thus the two of them became connected. It was also Finn who took the initiative to offer Andrew and his two friends—namely, the Halloween Party planners Steve Montgomery and Max—a chance to participate in the party. Andrew was given the opportunity to let his own brilliance shine, allowing him to continue pursuing his passion for photography, even his mother's medical treatment was properly arranged by Young Master Finn.
That light belonging to Finn shone into Andrew's neglected, dark corners so unexpectedly.
From then on, Andrew followed Finn, using his camera to firmly record that beam of light that belonged to him.
Andrew's story undoubtedly moved the netizens.
If this were a story with a royal background, Andrew would be the kind of death soldier that even Young Master Finn would fear.
Although this death soldier had little fighting spirit.
But even though he could have simply given up and become a hamster's slave, he still bitingly fired the first shot of the human resistance for Young Master Finn without any hesitation.
The answer was—there was no spirit of resistance at all.
The answer is—everything follows the will of Young Master Finn.
The answer is—a new type of 21st-century death soldier with no sense of living or dying.
The meddlesome netizens even drew a set of funny comics for Andrew, accurately hitting the public's funny bone:
[Joining the army of resisters in dejection. jpg]
[Becoming the first Resister with a heavy heart. jpg]
[Becoming the first disqualified cannon fodder with a heart like dead ashes. jpg]
[Becoming the first human prisoner in the cell, utterly despondent. jpg]
And when he saw that Finn was also being marched into the cage, the atmosphere shifted abruptly: