The world before his eyes quickly turned upside down.
Qian Renjue was dizzy, unable to see anything clearly, only sensing the alternation of day and night.
It seemed like a day, yet also like a year.
A torrential downpour and lightning illuminated the night as if it were day.
Boom!
In a lonely wooden house, a pair of candles flickered.
A woman in a wedding dress lay on the bed.
Tears blurred her vision, growing heavier.
In a daze, Qian Renjue once again found himself standing on solid ground, surrounded by bustling passersby.
Shops lined both sides, and the sound of people hawking their wares filled his ears.
His sudden appearance caused no alarm.
[The Dream of Yellow Millet]
Its purpose was to randomly place him in a certain time and space of the world, where his dreams would intersect with another person's.
As a result, Qian Renjue was unsure of who the other person was or which time they belonged to.
He surveyed his surroundings and began to walk forward.
Up ahead, some sort of commotion seemed to be happening.
In front of a clinic, the crowd was dense, with desperate cries echoing from within.
"Please!"
"Please save my mother! I beg you..."
A black-clad girl with a single ponytail knelt in front of the clinic.
In her arms, she cradled a frail woman.
The woman's face was pale and gaunt, despite being in middle age, she already showed signs of age.
Tears brimmed in the girl's eyes as she held the woman tightly.
She didn't know how many times she come back, but she couldn't accept the tragedy that was about to come.
She continued pleading desperately, beginning to kowtow.
Bang!
"Please, save her! I'll do anything!"
"Save her!"
"Enough!"
From within the clinic, a figure strode out.
"This is a clinic, not a charity. Without the debt repaid, we've done all we can!"
"Take her back where she came from. Any more delay, and even medicine won't help!"
"Drag them away, don't hinder other patients!"
"No, please!"
"I'll find the money, I beg you, please have mercy..."
The girl sobbed and begged.
"Someone, drag them away!"
Two more figures emerged from the clinic, faintly radiating a powerful aura.
"Their medical fees, I'll cover them."
A clear, refreshing voice rang out.
A golden-haired youth, dressed in luxurious clothes, had somehow pushed his way to the front.
He held an open pouch filled with gleaming gold coins.
"Are you sure, sir?"
"I'm sure. Until she is cured, all the expenses are on me."
The noble youth's calm voice silenced the noisy crowd.
"Thank you! Thank you so much!"
The black-clad girl turned around, her tear-streaked face full of gratitude.
Seeing the boy she had never met before, she didn't think much and grabbed the opportunity, kowtowing repeatedly.
"Thank you! Thank you!"
"I will definitely repay you."
Qian Renjue stood still, watching the girl bow before him, slightly dazed.
He then frowned slightly.
[Congratulations to the host for successfully spreading great love for the first time! (Recipient: ...)]
[Reward received: The Blood-Crying Blade]
"Quick! Bring the patient inside and use the best herbs!"
...
In the shadows of Spirit City, Ling Yuan, hidden away, stared at the bed where Qian Renjue lay, puzzled.
Why was he lying down to sleep so early in the morning?
Unbeknownst to her, the Qian Renjue on the bed was already immersed in someone else's dream.
Tears slowly trickled down the face of the Soft-Bone Rabbit.
Two beings, on the same bed, with different dreams.
In the Star Dou Great Forest...
The Life Lake, as clear as ever, reflected the moonlight.
The tiny Soft-Bone Rabbit suddenly opened her scarlet eyes near the flowers not far from the lake.
"Holy Son? Holy Son?"
Whoosh!
The Soft-Bone Rabbit called out in a low voice, darting out of the bushes, and froze in place.
The surroundings were all too familiar.
"I'm back?!"
The Soft-Bone Rabbit's voice was filled with joy, but also carried a hint of disappointment.
She quickly dashed toward the Life Lake.
"Da Ming! Er Ming! Your Sister Xiao Wu is back!"
"Da Ming, Er Ming!"
No matter how much the Soft-Bone Rabbit called out, everything remained silent.
There was no response.
"Da Ming, Er Ming, where did you all go?"
The Soft-Bone Rabbit drooped her head, her throat slightly hoarse.
Clear moonlight cascaded down from the sky, gathering into little spots on the ground.
A familiar fragrance caused the Soft-Bone Rabbit to lift her head quickly.
Across the lake...
A pot hung over the campfire.
A woman with long pink hair, dressed in white feathered clothes, smiled gently.
Her delicate hand stirred the soup in the pot with a wooden spoon.
Thud!
The Soft-Bone Rabbit, trying to stand up, stumbled slightly, her steps faltering.
Her scarlet eyes trembled as she looked at the gentle figure opposite her.
"Mom?!"
The Soft-Bone Rabbit suddenly spoke, then ran swiftly toward the other side of the lake, her scarlet eyes filled with tears, her body radiating a pink glow.
"Mom——!"
Her tearful voice echoed over the Life Lake.
As she ran, the Soft-Bone Rabbit slowly transformed into a human form, a small girl with delicate features and flowing long hair.
She rushed toward the other side.
"Mom, it's really Mom! Xiao Wu is here, right here!"
Xiao Wu waved excitedly at the figure across the lake, tears continuously streaming down her cheeks, dripping onto the pink petals on the grass beneath her feet.
"Ah!"
Suddenly, Xiao Wu cried out in pain, she stumbled and fell heavily to the ground.
"Mom, Mom..."
Despite the pain, only one word escaped Xiao Wu's lips.
Grasping the grass beneath her, she struggled to stand.
Before her, a pair of bare white feet appeared, as if descending from the sky, gently touching the grass.
The hem of a white dress fell, carrying a familiar fragrance that she always dreamed.
Xiao Wu raised her head, her eyes vacant.
"Xiao Wu~"
A gentle voice whispered in her ear.
A pair of soft, delicate hands caressed her shoulders, and the woman crouched down, tilting her head to look at her daughter lying on the ground.
With a smile, she greeted her:
"Xiao Wu, my dear daughter. It's been so long~"
Tears filled Xiao Wu's scarlet eyes as she looked at the familiar figure.
Finally unable to hold back, she broke into sobs.
"Mom——!"
Xiao Wu instantly leapt up.
She threw herself into Ah Rou's arms, clutching her feathered robe, crying uncontrollably.
"Mom, Mom, I missed you so much, I really missed you! Sob, sob..."
"Yes, Mom knows. I've been watching over you."
Ah Rou held her daughter tightly, stroking her head, tears glistening in her eyes.
Xiao Wu poured her heart out, telling her everything about her life since Ah Rou left, about her transformation, and her sudden capture.
Everything...
She shared it all with Ah Rou.
"They all say I'm stupid, but Xiao Wu isn't stupid at all!"
Xiao Wu complained tearfully.
Ah Rou smiled tenderly, her tear-streaked face breaking into a soft smile.
"Haha... yes, not stupid at all. Being this happy is more than enough."
Her voice carried a hint of emotion.
"Really, my Xiao Wu is perfect just the way you are..."
"Mom, I missed you so much!"