In the moment he awaited a reply, his heart was tormented, his fingertips burning and trembling with discomfort. He feared Hannah would turn and leave, yet also feared she would nod in agreement and, one day, lose patience and abandon him.

A comparison turned the torment into fear.

Like deceiving oneself by covering one’s ears, he only wanted to cover his ears and run away.

Even manners were forsaken.

In those brief seconds, his heart and thoughts had fled, but his body remained in place.

As if fixed by someone’s spell.

"I don’t lack for labor, what does your health matter?" Hannah jumped down from the table, "Come on, little monk."

Qingyu widened his eyes, "You... you really want to take me with you?"

Hannah walked to the door and looked back at him, "Don’t you want to leave? Or do you need to pack your bags? Go pack then, I’ll wait here for you."

With that, she found a place to sit.

Having just sat down, she urged him, "Hurry up."

Qingyu was stunned in place.

"Hurry up," she elongated her tone, urging him again.

Qingyu came back to his senses, "Wait for me, I’ll be quick."

He spoke as he turned to run.

As if afraid that if he delayed any longer, Hannah would leave.

Hannah watched him leave, then chuckled lightly and leaned against the lion statue behind her to rest.

Qingyu was indeed quick.

His belongings were few, a relatively clean long shirt and a few books comprised all he had.

He washed his face, his somewhat disheveled black hair looking distinctive.

But this was among the stars, where distinctiveness wasn’t rare.

Different planets always had different customs.

Qingyu followed Hannah out to the great gates.

He turned back to look one last time at the place where he grew up.

Hannah had just descended the steps when she noticed he hadn’t followed; she was about to call out, but decided against it.

On the day of departure, Qingyu didn’t cry.

He cremated everyone in Peach Blossom Land with a fire.

After that day, Hannah never again saw the Qingyu who would cry while stuffing his mouth with buns. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

He always appeared gentle and polite, as though no affront could provoke his anger.

His temper was as calm as water.

At his most agitated, he might blush fiercely or redden his ears.

...

After leaving the items with Qingyu, Hannah departed.

Through a fabric barrier, Qingyu could still hear voices chatting outside.

"Boss, why are you heading into someone’s tent so late?"

"To deliver some items."

"Wow, boss, you’re biased, giving them things exclusively..."

The voices gradually faded away.

Qingyu bowed his head, meticulously organizing the things Hannah had brought back.

He turned and saw a black backpack placed on the chair.

He walked over and was about to store the backpack properly when he spotted a small paper box tucked in a corner.

Inside the box were mung bean cakes.

They were his favorite snack as a child.

...

The faint sweet scent of the cakes hadn’t completely dissipated when Qingyu was suddenly awakened from his dream.

Lying in bed, staring at the tent ceiling, it took him a while to come to his senses.

The Fairy Forest of his dreams, and Hannah in his dreams.

He closed his eyes again, silently reciting a Buddhist scripture.

The surface of the water, brushed by the spring breeze, gradually calmed again.

It was already late at night, yet outside, the sounds of a campfire burning and people chatting persisted.

Those on night duty were preparing a midnight snack.

Ten minutes later, Sixth Hoffman, who was sound asleep, was awakened by Nicholas barging into his tent.

"Has the Empire attacked? Has the Empire attacked? Where’s my weapon?"