Chapter 21: Two Little Ones

Bai Hang moved like a cautious fox probing a cave, tiptoeing step by step down the cold, rotating stone stairs.

When they stepped onto the Lower Platform and searched eagerly, the sight made them pause slightly.

The figure they expected, still hanging from a Lock, had vanished.

In its place was a curled‑up figure in the corner.

Xi Lian hugged their knees, chin resting on the thighs, pink hair strands falling messily, covering part of the cheek.

With bare feet, the faded purple dress still torn, they curled into a ball, as if that could grant a sliver of negligible safety.

They had tried to climb the stairs, but an invisible barrier blocked them, trapping them on this platform.

"Xi Lian?"

Bai Hang called softly and hurried over.

Hearing the voice, Xi Lian slowly lifted their head.

This lift tightened Bai Hang's heart instantly.

Their eyes, once bright, now lacked luster, flushed with red, slightly swollen sockets, long lashes still damp, showing anyone that they had just cried, and for some time.

Combining the earlier scene of being bound by a Lock and Black Curtain Lady's inscrutable behavior, a "reasonable" conjecture instantly formed in Bai Hang's mind:

Their master… indeed must have done something excessive to Xi Lian!

Probably not that…

After all, they made someone cry; even though the Lock was released, they're still locked here!

A surge of sympathy and righteous anger rose; they immediately crouched, met Xi Lian's gaze, voice even softer, with unmasked concern: "Are you okay? Did she… bully you?"

They were too shy to say "master" outright, but the worry in their eyes and a hint of blame toward Heimu were clear.

Xi Lian watched Bai Hang come and go, seeing the pure concern in their eyes, felt a warmth in the heart, but was soon drowned by more complex emotions.

How should they explain the dozens of absurd "acting" just now?

How to describe Iron Tomb's inexplicable final hug, apology, and escape?

Even they themselves were completely confused.

They subconsciously avoided Bai Hang's question, slightly lowered their eyelids, shook their head, voice a bit hoarse: "No… nothing…"

This evasive reply, to Bai Hang, seemed more like silent grievance, deepening the misunderstanding.

"It must be very hard…"

Bai Hang sighed, did not press further, fearing to touch the other's sorrow.

They looked at Xi Lian's thin clothing and trembling shoulders (partly from recent emotional surge, partly from the cold), and without hesitation removed their own not‑thick but clean coat, gently draping it over Xi Lian's shoulders.

The warm fabric covered, dispelling a hint of chill.

Xi Lian's body tensed briefly, then relaxed, instinctively smoothing the coat's edge, whispering: "…Thank you."

"You're welcome!"

Bai Hang, seeing they did not refuse, showed a warm smile.

They also sat on the ground, right beside Xi Lian, keeping a proper distance so as not to overwhelm.

"It's cold and dark here, truly uncomfortable. Don't be afraid, I'll keep you company."

They leveraged their chatty nature as a traveler and former Star Chariot Pilot, subtly shifting the topic to dispel the low pressure around Xi Lian.

"By the way, your hair color is really pretty, pink! Like a flower called 'Crimson Cherry' I once saw on Xianzhou, especially when it falls—so beautiful!"

Bai Hang gestured, trying to open the conversation with a light topic: "My hair was originally light purple; I don't know why, I woke up like this…"

They touched their snow‑white strands, tone a bit melancholy yet mostly carefree.

Xi Lian listened quietly, eyes on Bai Hang's hair and Fox Ears, softly asking: "Aren't you from Weng Fa Luo Si?"

"Hmm! I'm not."

Bai Hang nodded, "I come from the Xianzhou Alliance, a member of the Fox Tribe. Most of our kind live on Xianzhou, skilled in flight and trade. I used to be a Star Chariot Pilot, sailing the Star Sea, having seen many different planets!"

Their tone carried nostalgia and pride.

"Star Sea… travel…"

Xi Lian murmured the phrase, eyes showing yearning.

They had been bound to Weng Fa Luo Si's fate too long, knowing little of the outside world.

"That must be… interesting."

"Indeed! Though sometimes danger appears, like Star Chariot malfunctions, or accidentally entering a strange Interstellar Dust Belt…"

Bai Hang, seeing her interest, vividly recounted some close‑call tales from their voyages, deliberately omitting the truly brutal battles.

They described the strange landscapes of various planets, the myriad cosmic creatures encountered, and the amusing anecdotes heard at different Space Stations.

Xi Lian listened entranced, the tension in their body gradually easing.

Bai Hang's narration opened a window to a vast world for them, temporarily easing their inner confusion and unease.

After a while, Xi Lian seemed finally to gather courage, softly asking the lingering question: "She… Iron Curtain… where did she go?"

They still used their Cognition of Heimu in the address.

Bai Hang was momentarily stunned, then realized she meant Black Curtain Lady.

"Master? She returned to the upper space, seems busy with something."

They paused, carefully observing Xi Lian's expression, "Are you… very afraid of her?"

Xi Lian was silent for a moment, then lightly nodded and shook their head.

(Inner thought: afraid, but it seems… different from the pure fear before?)

They could not accurately describe that feeling.

Bai Hang, seeing Xi Lian's state, felt an even stronger urge to protect, patted their own chest (though lacking substance): "Don't worry too much! The master… she can be scary at times, her words cold, but I think she's not purely a villain? Look, she saved me, and now she let you down too…"

They tried to speak well of Heimu, but recalling Xi Lian's swollen eyes, felt the words lacked persuasiveness, and their voice gradually softened.

She turned and grasped Xi Lian's cool hand, speaking earnestly: "No matter what, we're companions now! I'll be with you! If we ever get the chance, we might even leave this place together and see the true Star Sea! I'll take you on the Star Chariot—I promise it'll be far more interesting than just listening to me talk!"

Xi Lian felt warmth travel up the back of her hand, and as she looked into Bai Hang's lively, sincere azure eyes, the thick ice in her heart seemed to melt a little further.

Although she remained silent, she gently returned the grip with her other hand, lightly squeezing Bai Hang's hand.

That tiny gesture made Bai Hang break into an instant smile; she knew she had at least taken the first step.