Chapter 464: 2.2 Main·Pinokangni (135)

Although she couldn't fully endorse that happy guest's idea, she really wanted to try a place where you could empty your mind, play at will, and not think about anything except happiness.

For example, to experience a heroic dream bubble, or to be a revered tiger‑silk big sister who can intimidate everyone with a single "Awo!" shout!

"Fufu, you just simply want to go out and have fun, right?"

As he said, Yi Xuan, the master, yawned unconsciously. Summer noons are always lazy; heat, light, and scent spread together, weighing down the eyelids, slowing the breath, and then he fell asleep. Yi Xuan recalled that when he was a child and first came to Sui Bian Guan with his sister, he would suddenly lose consciousness and doze off.

A sudden draft swept through, bringing a hint of sea‑side coolness and the bubbling "gulu gulu" sound of mung bean soup from the kitchen stove. Yi Xuan suddenly realized that summer still hadn't given the disciples a proper chance to relax.

Although this place doesn't have Pinokangni‑style beautiful dreams, as long as you can completely relax and be happy, where isn't Pinokangni?

"I remember… Zhe and Ling seem to be running a resort by the sea. Fufu, tomorrow the master will take you all there for a few days. How about it?"

"Really?!" Pan Huyin's panda eyes widened instantly.

Yi Xuan smiled faintly: "When has the master ever deceived you?"

"—— Yay!"

Fufu almost sprang from the chair like a kitten, ears twitching: "Master! I always knew you're the best!"

——

"…But the paradise in our hearts… shouldn't have an end."

Zhigengniao nodded: "The paradise in our hearts… shouldn't be just an illusory, fleeting dream."

The brother and sister kept moving forward and encountered a quiet old man, once a soldier whose comrades had all perished and whose hometown melted in bombings. He came to Pinokangni; in reality he has little time left, needing massive manpower and resources just to stay alive, and only in dreams can he enjoy this splendid scenery as a healthy person.

The old man's story made Zhigengniao feel sad, but fortunately this beautiful dream truly left a happy memory for his remaining life.

"That's the purpose of Pinokangni's beautiful dream," Xingqiri said.

"But beautiful dreams are ultimately limited. They are merely a haven for the downcast, unable to eradicate suffering at its source."

"In this regard, Xingqiri was indeed confident: 'There will always be a way—Pinokangni is already on the right path.'"

——

My sister could never be that cute.

On the living‑room sofa, Gaosang Tongnai hugged her knees, her light‑brown hair draped over the rabbit pattern on her pajamas, her head tilted upward watching the silhouettes of the brother and sister in the sky.

"See, that's the reality," Tongnai said suddenly, her fingers twining with her hair ends, "Zhigengniao's idea is the most reasonable. If you can't solve the root problem in reality, what kind of solution is that? Avoidance is the most shameful."

Jingjie let out a soft sigh, glancing at his sister's profile: "But Xingqiri's view also makes sense; if reality is too painful, retreating into a beautiful dream isn't unheard of—"

"Ha?!" Tongnai snapped her head around, her azure eyes wide, "Your indecisive remarks are the worst!"

"What's this got to do with games…?" Jingjie scratched his head helplessly.

"Idiot! Metaphor! I added a metaphor!" Tongnai emphasized repeatedly, "Life is like fighting a BOSS in a game; troubles come one after another, and you must work hard to solve them! If you keep thinking of 'temporary escape', the problems will only pile up!"

Finishing, Tongnai seemed a bit angry at herself, grabbed the nearby pillow and hurled it.

"Avoidance is shameful, but useful," Jingjie caught it steadily, gently shoving the pillow back onto the sofa, "Besides, aren't games created for ordinary people to temporarily escape life's gloom?"

"I… I…!"

The girl was momentarily at a loss for words, her face flushing red, the rabbit ears on her pajamas trembling with her shaking body.

"…Fine! I won't argue with you! I'm going upstairs to sleep!"

Watching his sister's retreating silhouette, Jingjie felt rather helpless; just now he sensed Tongnai's dislike again. If only he could handle his relationship with his sister as Xingqiri does… Seeing the harmonious brother‑sister pair in the sky made him deeply envious.

——

The two kept moving forward a few steps and met a girl identical to Zhigengniao; the Zhigengniao greeted enthusiastically on sight: "Brother! What a coincidence, we meet again."

"Reveal your true form, your trick is useless to us."

Zhigengniao, unlike his brother who becomes hostile at first sight, calmly said, "I heard a deceitful masked fool also received an invitation… looks like it's you. Are you having fun?"

"Just getting by," Huahuo shrugged, "People here are too easy to swindle; a little sweet bait and they bite."

"Since you've had enough, it's best to leave early. Harmony's movement cannot tolerate discord."

Huahuo deliberately put on a grievance expression: "What? I'm useless now that the true self is back? I even helped the family so much, how cold. You should thank me; if I hadn't cleaned up this mess… Pinokangni would already be a chaotic stew."

Xingqiri declared sternly: "That was a private request from the Oriole Tail Flower Clan Leader, unrelated to us. Step back, and stop disrupting the Harmony Grand Festival."

"Harmony Grand Festival? Hmph, trying to scare who? As if I don't know what you're plotting," Huahuo's smile deepened, "Anyway, regardless of your thoughts, Chicken Wing Boy, our dear Zhigengniao should have decided not to take the stage, right? After all, you saw how ugly this beautiful dream looks under Harmony's operation…"

"Dreamland Pinokangni… is this the paradise you two siblings want?"

"…Shut up!" Xingqiri snapped, teeth clenched.

Seeing the other angry, Huahuo clearly became even happier: "So angry, Chicken Wing Boy? Hit your sore spot?"

Zhigengniao also withdrew his earlier kind words, coldly saying, "Our agreement has nothing to do with you, fool. Leave now, or don't blame the family for being impolite."