Chapter 210: Goofing Off

Ti Bao nodded as if half‑understanding, then seemed to recall something and asked curiously, "So… Mom, which kind of story do you prefer? Or rather, which… do you think is more interesting?"

She now naturally switches back to the address "Mom" when chatting privately, with a hint of dependence and intimacy.

Heimu was silent for a moment, his violet‑black eyes watching the flowing images on the Light Screen, then he spoke slowly:

"As an observer, I have no intention of judging which suffering is more 'advanced' or more 'worth writing about.' Every world, every civilization, every individual has its own unique weight and trajectory."

She paused, and a hint of self‑deprecating playfulness entered her tone. "However, if I must pick a 'viewing experience'… perhaps placing different 'tragedy templates' together and watching their collisions, misunderstandings, even some misplaced resonance… for example, letting a resident of Weng Fa Luo Si who is accustomed to 'chronic internal strife' suddenly face a crisis of 'acute Destruction'; or letting a warrior from a culture of 'heroic sacrifice' experience what 'standing still through thirty‑million cycles of Next Reincarnation Cycle' feels like…"

Her gaze seemed to pierce the carriage, reaching toward Sai Fei Er who was "experiencing life" on Xianzhou, toward Xi Lian who was being "warmly attended" by Ailixiya on Le Tu, and also toward A Xing and Chang Ye Yue who were carrying out a Task in different worlds.

"…perhaps some unexpected 'chemical reactions' would arise. The process itself might be far more 'meaningful' than simply immersing oneself in a single tragic narrative."

Ti Bao blinked, vaguely grasping Heimu's meaning.

It seemed… indeed quite interesting.

Although for the parties involved it might be a bit too "stimulating."

She couldn't help but laugh; the smile was clean and warm, dispelling the slight gloom that had lingered from the heavy discussion.

"It seems I kind of understand now."

She whispered, hugging the cushion in her arms tighter, "It's like… like different pigments, each having its own heavy hue when viewed alone, but if they happen to mix, they might produce a strange, brand‑new color no one could have predicted."

Heimu looked at her, this time smiling clearly, though faintly.

"Good understanding, Ti Bao."

She lifted her cup, gesturing slightly toward Ti Bao, "To those 'new colors' that haven't been mixed yet but are destined never to be boring."

Ti Bao also lifted her flower‑fruit tea, properly "clinking" an invisible cup rim, her smile radiant:

"Mm! Also to… being able to sit here, Mom and Mom together 'watching stories' right now."

Changletian – early‑morning streets.

Qingque rubbed her sleepy eyes, her steps light as if walking on clouds, swaying as she shuffled along the bluestone path toward home.

The morning mist had not yet cleared, the air was slightly cool, yet the clamor of last night's card table—"pure suit," "winning on a kong"—and the frustration and exhilaration of counting points echoed in her mind, her eyelids heavy and drooping.

"(Ah… so sleepy… next time I'll never stay up all night… yeah, next time for sure…)"

Just as her spirit drifted beyond the sky and she nearly collided with a streetlamp, a petite figure walked over from the opposite side.

Pale‑green hair, now sporting somewhat listless Fox Ears, and that conspicuously strong blue Tail—this was Huo Huo of the Ten Kings Office.

Qingque, though extremely drowsy, still retained basic courtesy.

She strained to open her eyelids, raised her hand, and vaguely waved at the other, forcing a slightly dazed smile onto her face: "Yo… Huo Huo… good morning…"

However, Huo Huo, who would normally shrink like a startled animal or at least mutter a soft "morning," today seemed not to see her at all, eyes unwavering, walking straight past her.

His stride was even faster than usual, carrying an… inexplicable resolve?

Qingque's half‑raised hand froze in the air, and she blinked bewilderedly.

She sluggishly turned her head, only seeing Huo Huo's swiftly receding back, and… the pair of black sunglasses perched on his nose, almost covering half his face?

"(Huh? Ignoring me? Bad mood? And those sunglasses… when did he buy them? Does the Judge wear this at work?)"

Qingque scratched the hair that stuck up from sleep, her mind full of question marks.

But drowsiness quickly reclaimed the high ground; she let out a huge yawn and decided to push this little incident to the back of her mind.

"(Forget it, maybe it's new 'work gear' from the Ten Kings Office? Or maybe he didn't sleep well last night? Whatever, whatever, getting home to catch up on sleep is what matters! My bed is calling me!)"

She shook her head and continued drifting toward the warm duvet as if Sleepwalking.

Qingque's home.

"Still remember how to come back?"

Qingque's mother was hanging laundry in the yard; seeing her daughter's hollowed‑out look, she huffed irritably, "Look at you, playing cards all night again? No need to go to Tai Bu Si to clock in today?"

Qingque mumbled a sleepy "Hmm?" then slapped her forehead hard, "Oh right! I have to work."

But the next second, she showed a sudden realization, waving cheerfully, "Ah, Mom, I just remembered! I took the day off today! Hehe, I requested it in advance!"

"Taking leave? I think you're just trying to slack off!"

Qingque's mother glared at her, but didn't stop her motions, "All day with no proper demeanor, only goofing off playing cards; when will you learn from Master Fu Xuan to be more steady!"

"Yes, yes, yes, I'm being scolded—"

Qingque half‑heartedly brushed it off, slipping like oil toward her room, "I'll go take a quick nap first; replenishing my energy will let me serve Xianzhou better!"

Before the words finished, she had already slipped inside the door, leaving her mother shaking her head helplessly.

Returning to her own room, piled with all kinds of novel Small Gadgets, unfinished "work‑(go)‑(fish)" props and scattered playing cards, Qingque felt as if she'd returned to a happy old home.

She kicked off her shoes and lunged onto the soft, messy bed.

But before her head touched the pillow, her peripheral vision caught an extra item on the desk.

A thermos cup printed with an abstract "Mo Yu" pattern.

"Mm?"

Qingque propped herself up, rubbing her eyes.

It seemed this thing wasn't here yesterday? Could Mom have bought it?

Rewarding me for "hard work"?

No, Mom would never buy something so flashy with a weird pattern…

Curiously, she climbed down from the bed, walked to the desk, and picked up the thermos.

It felt heavy in her hand, the craftsmanship quite exquisite.

She unscrewed the lid—

"Ding."

A light chime sounded as a cool, round object rolled from the cup into her palm.

It was a jade token with a green‑jade base and white‑jade inlay, just the size to fit a single hand.

The jade texture is warm, smooth and delicate, the blue base resembling a deep lake surface, while the white side is carved with a lifelike, gracefully‑lined blue swimming fish; its tail sways as if ready to leap out of the card face, exuding extraordinary vitality.

"Hey! Good stuff!"

Qingque's eyes lit up instantly.

She has never been able to resist these delicate and interesting Small Gadgets.

Holding it and playing with it, the feel is cool and pleasant; the carving is beyond praise—truly top‑grade craftsmanship.

(Could it be that Mom has had an epiphany? She knows I like these? Or perhaps a fellow player gave it? No, I didn't lose any money last night…)

A few thoughts flashed through Qingque's mind, but they were quickly eclipsed by the beautiful jade card, which captured all her attention.

She likes this feeling of unexpectedly receiving a surprise.

"Who cares, just keep it for now!"