Chapter 54: This is Xian

"Hahaha, just that?" Xier laughed lightly, "It's like scratching an itch through a boot—no fun. Looks like I'll have to teach you a few slang terms before you go back."

Bu Luo Ni Ya waved her hands repeatedly: "No, no."

Xier rested both hands on the railing, lifted her head to glance at the orphanage, then at the girl beside her. Bu Luo Ni Ya was like a gentle stream, unknowingly tugging at her heartstrings, and she was willing to follow its flow… For over ten years, Xier had never felt this way before.

"I've heard a few Iron Guard veterans say that before the isolation order was issued, there wasn't much difference between the upper and lower layers. Everyone ate the same food, talked about the same topics, and celebrated the same holidays."

"In our generation, although our upbringing may differ somewhat… when it comes to the joys, sorrows, and emotions of life, and the bonds between people, these precious feelings are surely still the same."

"If there were a bridge to reconnect the upper and lower layers once more… we could surely return to that ageless era when we stood shoulder to shoulder against the cold tide and the rifts."

As she spoke, Bu Luo Ni Ya gazed at Rivet Town below the mountain; following her line of sight, Xier seemed to see the future she had hoped for.

Looking at Bu Luo Ni Ya's expression, Xier tilted her head slightly, smiled with pursed lips: "I'm not like you—I can't sum up all those grand principles, but…"

She reached out her hand to Bu Luo Ni Ya; pure moonlight fell on her palm, as if waiting for her to grasp that light together: "If this is the future you wish to see, I'm willing to build that bridge with you."

"Xier…"

Before Xier could react, Bu Luo Ni Ya tightly grasped her hand. The girl's smile bloomed like a flower, her eyes clear as autumn water, and within that gentle gaze… only she was reflected.

"Thank you, Xier. Your trust means a lot to me."

As if struck directly, Xier staggered back a few steps, her cheeks instantly flushing with a tempting blush.

"So sweet, truly sweet…" Mayin gazed at the girl's flushed face on the light screen, unable to help feeling envious.

Why can others hold hands while she has to sleep hugging a pumpkin in the dead of night!

…She also wants a sweet romance!

"Why don't I learn from Xier? Maybe Ta Zimi will suddenly have an epiphany." Mayin suddenly had a brainwave: "Xier and Bu Luo Ni Ya just succeeded in holding hands on the light screen—that could even be a textbook‑level demonstration, right?"

Saying it and doing it, Mayin is a true doer.

"Ta Zimi."

Mayin walked up behind the boy, looked down at him from above; when he heard the sound and lifted his head, she leaned forward and gave him a gentle, warm smile. Following Xier's example on the light screen, she extended a hand to him—as if, in this dark, cold night, it were the only place that could accept him and give him warmth.

"Mayin?" Ta Zimi instinctively grabbed her hand, then pulled her to his side before she could react, and she plopped back down beside him.

"I thought you were mad at me, Mayin." Ta Zimi said with a smile, "Look at Xier and Bu Luo Ni Ya—the two of them… they're really nice."

"Ah, uh… sure, sure it's great." Not expecting things to go so smoothly, Mayin's face flushed completely red; at that moment, it seemed every tiny movement of Ta Zimi's was endlessly magnified—his warm palm, the light brush of his fingertips, the gentle stir of his hair—no matter how slight, it made Mayin's heart race.

It was hot… so hot that a pink haze seemed to fill Mayin's vision; she felt as if a string in her head were about to melt…

"Tha… tha… Ta… Ta Zimi."

"What's wrong? Mayin, you're acting strange tonight. Your face is so red… are you feverish?" Ta Zimi said, reaching to put his hand on her forehead, but Mayin shoved it away.

"I… I'm not sick… Ta Zimi."

Mayin only felt her head in a tangled mess; she struggled to recall Xier's hand‑holding declaration, stammering: "If… if this is the future you wish to see, I… I'm willing to be with you——

"Mayin, I understand your feelings." Ta Zimi suddenly interrupted her: "You want us to be like Bu Luo Ni Ya and Xier, right?"

Ta Zimi, you've finally had an epiphany!!!!

Mayin couldn't help but scream in her mind, then nodded vigorously.

"I understand what you mean, and I'm also willing to become your comrade‑in‑arms, Mayin." Ta Zimi gripped her hand solemnly, "That peaceful future… we will surely see it together!"

Emmm… huh??

Comrade?

Mayin suddenly realized the blind spot.

Ta Zimi, you've finally had an epiphany… my ass!

"You don't understand at all!"

Mayin chopped his forehead with a knife‑hand, storming off angrily. All that remained was the boy, face blank, scratching his head in bewilderment: "Where did I say something wrong to provoke such fury?"

"Whether it's the mother's sudden change of heart or the long‑buried truth of Bei Luobo Ge, these are full of doubts."

"Bu Luo Ni Ya has finally decided to go to the upper district and ask the mother herself for an answer."

"Xier panicked visibly: "You… wait, you're not really going, are you? Going alone? No, this idea is too…"

"I've thought it through, Xier." Bu Luo Ni Ya's eyes were firm: "Whether as a daughter or as a Silver Mane Iron Guard, I must fulfill my duty to offer counsel in person. Even if…"

After speaking, Bu Luo Ni Ya handed Xier a letter, asking her to pass it on to Xing and the others; if she couldn't meet up with them, they would know what to do.

"All right, I understand." Xier nodded solemnly: "You know what you want to do; no matter how much I oppose, it's pointless. Just remember this—if you ever run into danger, I'll spare no effort to save you."

"Then I'll wait for you."

Bu Luo Ni Ya smiled faintly, as if ripples were spreading across a spring lake, willow branches drooping slightly, gently stirring something.

Xier suddenly thought that perhaps one day the heavy snow of Bei Luobo Ge would melt under the spring sun, returning to the spring lake; and she too would return to that spring water, indistinguishable, merging closely.