Chapter 128: Epilogue: The Sealed Memory — Bai Yun

Epilogue: The Sealed Memory — Bai Yun

Blue-White Star, Year 4034.

Bai Yue walked along a street he knew well, a small backpack on his back.

This street held his childhood memories.

Though decades had passed and much had changed, he still remembered it clearly.

It was when he was five that his parents had brought him here to stroll—right then, they met their fate.

And he had never forgotten one thing.

That red mutated giant ant.

Years ago, when Bai Yue saw the corpses of the dead mutated giant ants, he had not found the one his father had wounded.

He remembered clearly: that mutated ant had lost one eye to his father—how could it simply vanish?

There was only one possibility:

That mutated ant had escaped.

So over the years, while training himself, Bai Yue never stopped searching for traces or news of that mutated ant…

“Sigh…” Bai Yue let out a faint breath, just as he turned to leave, a ragged, emaciated figure streaked past him, covered in grime.

Clenched in its mouth was a large piece of cooked meat!

Judging by its shape, it seemed to be a girl.

She appeared to be about thirteen or fourteen.

And one of her hands looked strange.

Yet her running speed was astonishingly fast!

“Stop! Don’t run! You little bastard, always stealing!”

Behind him, a burly youth chased after her, swinging a wooden stick.

Out of pity, Bai Yue reached out and blocked the youth.

“What are you doing?! Why stop me?! Are you in cahoots with that thief?!” the youth shouted.

“No.”

“Then why stop me?! Don’t you know this thief keeps stealing meat from my father’s shop?!”

“How much?”

“What?”

“How much? I’ll pay for her.”

“Really?”

"Yeah. They're all pitifully mutated children, driven by desperation."

At these words, the youth softened slightly.

Didn’t he know it was true?

Though scientists had developed vaccines drastically lowering the mutation rate in newborns, some infants still mutated inevitably.

And his father often told him: just let it go.

Clearly, his father felt pity for these mutated children.

But the youth couldn’t swallow his anger—this thief kept stealing meat from his father’s shop.

Once or twice, he could overlook it—but this had gone on for months!

His father had clung to their old shop, saying it was inherited from the elders, too precious to abandon or sell.

This time, he’d caught her red-handed, so he’d chased her without pause.

“Sigh… fine. I won’t take advantage. That thief’s been stealing meat from my father’s shop for nearly half a year—give me eight thousand.”

Without hesitation, Bai Yue raised his hand, activated his smart bracelet, and projected a virtual screen.

The youth also pulled out his smart bracelet and opened payment.

He transferred the money right there—even added two hundred extra.

“T-this… young sir, you gave too much.”

“Keep the extra. Pack me a few portions of cooked meat, plus some rice and vegetables. I’ll wait here for half an hour.”

“Yes, yes, alright!”

…

Half an hour later, the youth returned carrying several packed meals.

“Young sir, sorry to keep you waiting. Here’s what you asked for.”

“Thanks. You’ve worked hard.”

“Not at all, young sir, take care now.”

The youth watched Bai Yue leave, then turned and returned to the shop.

Bai Yue carried the food, searching along the quieter outskirts.

After hours of effort, he finally found the girl who had been stealing.

She crouched in a corner near a trash bin in a secluded alley.

Beside her lay a small pile of rags and scraps of paper.

Though she couldn’t ward off the cold, at least this spot sheltered her from wind and rain.

Bai Yue approached her, but she stared at him with sharp suspicion, scanning her surroundings for escape routes.

Bai Yue paid no mind; he simply placed the packed food a short distance in front of her, then stepped back.

“If you trust me, take and eat. If not, throw it away—it doesn’t matter.”

The girl sniffed the savory aroma of the food, swallowed hard, and her stomach let out a loud, insistent growl.

Yet her caution remained.

Though she’d eaten a piece of meat earlier, it hadn’t filled her.

In the end, she couldn’t resist the temptation and snatched up the food, devouring it greedily.

She didn’t care if it was poisoned—even if it was, dying full was better than…

Enduring this day after day…

Bai Yun stood nearby, watching her eat.

Soon, every last morsel, every drop of broth, was gone.

Bai Yue pulled a bottle of water from his backpack, unscrewed the cap, and placed it before her.

The girl grabbed it and drank it down in one long gulp.

Only then did she sigh in satisfaction, patting her full belly.

Her wariness toward Bai Yue lessened considerably.

She stood and walked up to him.

“Th-thank you,” she mumbled.

Only then did Bai Yue truly see her face.

One of her arms was mutated—resembling a tentacle, branching into smaller tentacles.

Her hair was messy and wild, yet unmistakably white, like his own.

Grime covered her pale, emaciated face.

Bai Yue extended his hand and said, “Will you come with me?”

The girl hesitated, then reached out and took his hand.

Not for any reason—just a sixth sense told her this man wouldn’t harm her.

On the street, a scene emerged: a delicate white-haired boy holding the hand of a filthy, mutated girl.

A girl with a mutated arm.

Seeing the strange glances of passersby, the girl grew fearful and wanted to cling closer to Bai Yue.

But she feared her grime would soil him, so she held back.

They returned to the Luo Estate.

The maid saw Bai Yue and stepped out to greet him; seeing the filthy, mutated girl he held by the hand, she asked, “Young Master Bai Yue, who is this?”

Half the Luo Estate’s current success owed to Bai Yue’s help, so every servant held him in deep respect.

“Could you please prepare hot water for her to bathe, and some food?”

“Yes, Young Master Bai Yue.”

The maid asked no further questions and turned to prepare.

Just then, Luo Li walked toward them.

“Bai Yue, you’re back. Who is she?”

“Luo Li, could you lend me some of your clothes for her to wear?”

This was the first time Luo Li had ever seen Bai Yue make a request.

Though she didn’t fully understand, since it was Bai Yue’s request, she naturally agreed.

“Alright, wait a moment.”

“I’ll take her to bathe first. I may need your help again shortly.”

“No problem. Take her, I’ll come soon.”

“Thank you, Luo Li.”

“N-no… no need to be polite…”

Seeing Bai Yue thank him, he blushed involuntarily and fled like a startled animal.

…

Arriving at the bathroom, the maid had already filled it with hot water.

What they called a bathroom was essentially no different from an artificial hot spring.

This place was normally used by the Luo family for bathing.

“Bai Yue!” Luo Li arrived at the bathroom carrying a bundle of clothes.

“These are clothes I wore as a child—they should fit her.”

“Thank you. Could you please bathe her for me?”

“Of course, no problem!”

Just as Bai Yue was about to leave, the little girl instinctively followed, gripping his hand tightly.

“Don’t worry—I’ll wait right outside. Be good.”

After some reassurance, the little girl finally calmed down.

“Thank you, Luo Li.”

“Mm.”

Then Bai Yue went to wait outside the bathroom door.

The little girl looked at Luo Li, nervous.

“It’s fine. Come on, I’ll wash you.”

Luo Li’s gentleness eased the girl’s guard. She took off her dirty clothes and stepped cautiously into the warm water.

Feeling the warmth of the water on her skin, she felt utterly happy.

Then Luo Li took soap and shampoo and began washing her hair first.

“Close your eyes, or it’ll sting.”

The little girl obediently shut her eyes.

Outside the door, Bai Yue sat on a chair, unsure why he was helping this girl.

Perhaps fate had its own design…

Or maybe it was destiny…

The national authorities had already issued an order forbidding the abandonment of mutated children!

But some parents saw mutated children as burdens, and sometimes they even lost control!

Thus, they still discarded their underage children against the rules.

Some dumped them near welfare centers.

Yet this was only a small fraction—most families, regardless of their child’s condition, cared for them tenderly and nurtured them to grow healthy.

Helping today wasn’t due to excessive compassion. This was Bai Yue’s first time doing this—and his last.

If he helped every time he encountered such a case, he had no business remaining on this earth!

Just like welfare centers—sometimes the burden becomes too great, and they too must abandon some children…

Over an hour later.

Luo Li emerged, leading the now-clean little girl dressed in fresh clothes.

At last, the girl’s appearance was fully revealed to Bai Yue.

As he had guessed, she had the same white hair, loosely hanging down.

Her dark, hollow eyes stared directly at Bai Yue.

Her delicate face was still thin.

Her small frame looked frail.

This was due to prolonged malnutrition.

Yet it was clear that with proper care, she would grow into a beautiful child.

In adulthood, she would surely become a stunning woman.

“You worked hard, Luo Li.”

“It’s nothing.”

The little girl walked up to Bai Yue, extended her only intact arm, and wrapped it around his waist, pressing her cheek tightly against his chest.

She clearly clung to him.

Seeing this, Bai Yue gently stroked her head, soothing her.

“What’s your name?”

The little girl looked up at Bai Yue and shook her head—she had no name.

“Shall I give you one?”

The little girl nodded, her eyes filled with hope.

Bai Yue thought about what name to give her.

A soft breeze drifted through the window, lifting her white hair.

He looked out the window at the blue sky, where white clouds drifted lazily, shifting shapes endlessly.

“Your name will be Bai Yun. You’ll share my surname.”

“Bai… Yun…” The girl spoke haltingly, murmuring the name over and over.

Clearly, she loved it.

“Bai… Yun… like…”

Bai Yun smiled sweetly, a single tear of happiness falling from her eye.

“I’m Bai Yue. I’m your brother. She’s Luo Li. She’s your sister.”

“Brother… sister… like!”

Luo Li gradually grew fond of Bai Yun.

And this was the first time she had ever seen Bai Yue smile.

For years, Bai Yue had worn only a cold expression—but now, perhaps this was a good beginning.

【Drip～ Drip～ Drip～ …】

At this perfect moment, Luo Li’s smart bracelet received a call signal.

She picked it up and opened it—it was her brother, Luo Zhanyun.

Instantly, she felt annoyed!

He had to call now? If it’s not urgent, he’d better lock his door tonight!

She’d just finished developing a new drug—maybe she could test it on her brother and see how it worked.

She tapped to answer.

“Brother, if this isn’t urgent, then… hmmm～”

“Uh…”

On the other end, Luo Zhanyun broke out in goosebumps—a bad feeling crept over him.

Had he interrupted something important?

“Uh… Xiao Li, there’s… there’s actually something I need your help with. Could you come… over to me?”

It wasn’t anything major—just some drug-related questions. Luo Li was better at this.

Don’t let her age fool you—age doesn’t determine ability.

Just like Bai Yue…

“Fine, I got it. I’ll be there in a bit.”

She hung up without giving Luo Zhanyun a chance to speak.

She turned back to Bai Yue and Bai Yun—and saw Bai Yun had fallen asleep, curled quietly against Bai Yue’s chest.

“I’ll take her to my room to rest.”

“Mm. Good. I’ll check on her later. She’s lived alone for so long—it’s been hard. I like her. Maybe I’ll adopt her as my little sister.”

“Thank you, Luo Li.”

“N-no… no need… I-I’ve got things to do… I’ll go now…”

No sooner had she spoken than Luo Li fled.

As Bai Yue prepared to lift Bai Yun and carry her to his room for a proper rest, he heard her murmuring something—his nerves tensed.

“Brother…”

“I’m here. Don’t worry.”

Hearing Bai Yue’s voice, her tension eased. She smiled sweetly and slipped into sleep.

Bai Yue carried Bai Yun to his room and laid her gently on his soft bed, letting her sleep peacefully.

…………

【I’ve seen many private messages asking if I can include Hu Die Ren in this story, but some say I shouldn’t. Someone suggested I ask you all: should I include her? If yes, I’ll need to slightly rewrite the ending. If no, I’ll continue as planned. Also, I’ve spent over half a month drawing the protagonist’s illustration—it’s done. I’ll release it in about one more chapter.】