Chapter 37: A Dream’s Echo and a Healing Touch

Bai Chen felt himself falling, plummeting for an unknown duration before he landed silently on the ground.

Everything in his vision felt familiar yet blurred, and he saw his own reflection in a mirror.

It was a handsome fifteen-year-old middle school student.

Bai Chen seemed to have forgotten something, yet he couldn’t recall what it was.

He only remembered staying at home, in what was undeniably his own bedroom.

Stepping out of his bedroom, Bai Chen noticed a cake on the table, adorned with several burning candles.

Sweet strawberry jam had been artfully piped onto the cream, forming a heartfelt message:

“Happy Birthday to our dearest son!”

‘Ah, right, today is my birthday,’

‘I was supposed to go on a trip with Mom and Dad.’

Bai Chen concluded that this must be the forgotten detail.

Turning his head, he glimpsed his parents through the window, their figures visible on the other side of the glass.

Bai Chen eagerly rushed towards the living room door.

The very moment he stepped out of the house, the entire world shifted, its colors twisting into something grotesque.

A burning city ignited the sky, transforming the streets before his eyes into an Asura’s Purgatory.

Screams echoed incessantly, as one terrified figure after another bolted past Bai Chen.

Charred corpses lay sprawled before him, their blackened faces frozen in grotesque expressions that nearly made him stumble.

‘Wait, where are Mom and Dad?’

Bai Chen frantically searched for his parents, a flicker of a smile finally gracing his face as he spotted them.

Yet, his parents remained with their backs to him, advancing steadily towards the burning inferno.

No matter how desperately he called out, he could not prevent them from vanishing into the flames.

Once the flames subsided, Bai Chen, with nowhere left to go, sat alone amidst the city’s ruins, his eyes fixed on the ground, utterly devoid of light.

“This is for you.”

In his moment of utter helplessness, a benefactor appeared.

Though their time together was brief, this benefactor instilled courage in him and taught him how to prepare simple meals.

They even bestowed upon him a pendant, a symbol of bravery.

“Remember, no matter what happens in the future, never give up. Your journey is far from over.”

Hope rekindled in Bai Chen’s eyes, but his benefactor vanished as suddenly as they had appeared.

No matter how extensively he searched, there was no trace, as if they had simply evaporated from the face of the earth.

If they could ever meet again, Bai Chen vowed to thank that person personally.

‘Where did you go?’

****

The first sensation upon waking was the dampness on his cheeks, clear liquid tracing a path from the corners of his eyes, down his face, and onto the bedsheets.

Bai Chen didn’t open his eyes, but he wiped away the tears.

‘To think I’d actually cry because of a dream, that’s really not like me.’

‘Thankfully, the pendant is still here.’

A relieved smile played on Bai Chen’s lips as he opened his eyes, which, predictably, met the pristine white ceiling of a hospital room.

‘I’m actually still alive?’

He felt a dull ache in his right hand, a consequence of it being held aloft for so long.

It seemed to be clutching something soft and yielding, like a water-filled balloon.

‘Wait!’

Bai Chen abruptly turned his head, his gaze immediately locking with that of a girl.

There was no greater happiness in the world than waking up to see the eyes he cherished most.

Those eyes, devoid of highlights, resembled a starless night sky, radiating a unique tranquility.

However, as Bai Chen’s gaze descended, he quickly discovered the source of his arm’s soreness.

Mo Qiu sat by his bedside, grasping his wrist and pressing his hand against her own chest.

Upon realizing what he was holding, Bai Chen was utterly dumbfounded, his palm unconsciously tightening its grip.

‘So soft.’

Compared to an actual water balloon, this “Big White Rabbit” (TL Note: A playful euphemism for a woman’s breast) possessed warmth, and he could even feel the rhythmic thrum of the girl’s heart.

It seemed his grip was a little too firm, causing Mo Qiu’s body to tremble slightly.

Yet, she didn’t let go; instead, she pressed his hand even harder against herself.

Even without Bai Chen exerting any force, he could clearly feel the “Big White Rabbit” (TL Note: A playful euphemism for a woman’s breast) being squeezed and deformed in the center of his palm.

“You’re awake. Do you feel better?” Mo Qiu was the first to speak.

“You, what are you doing?” Bai Chen swallowed hard.

“I’m comforting you.”

“Huh?”

“It seemed you had a nightmare. I heard that a calm heartbeat can bring reassurance.”

‘Where did she pick up such absurd logic?’ Bai Chen thought, a wry smile touching his lips.

Despite how preposterous it sounded, feeling her heartbeat truly did instill a sense of peace within Bai Chen.

Moments later, he gently pulled his hand free from Mo Qiu’s grasp, and she offered no resistance.

Bai Chen sat up, a sharp pain in his back making him grit his teeth.

“How long was I asleep?”

“One day.”

“You’ve been waiting here for me this whole time?”

“Mm.”

‘How is that possible? Who could wait without eating or drinking…’

Bai Chen was about to voice his disbelief, but seeing Mo Qiu’s doll-like expression, he realized such a feat might not be impossible for her.

Bai Chen placed a hand on her shoulder, asking with concern:

“What about you? You didn’t sustain any serious injuries, did you?”

“Only a few minor scratches.”

Mo Qiu lifted an arm and raised a knee, revealing fair skin adorned with band-aids or wrapped in bandages.

“That’s good. You really should take better care of yourself.”

‘You should worry about yourself first.’

Mo Qiu mused inwardly, knowing that she could rapidly heal her wounds with demonic power, a luxury Bai Chen did not possess.

‘He actually cares more about me after waking up?’

Fingers resting on her lap trembled almost imperceptibly, and a faint, fleeting curve touched the corners of the girl’s lips, only to disappear just as quickly.

Oblivious to Mo Qiu’s subtle expressions, Bai Chen remained lost in thought, a headache so severe it made him gasp.

“How… how did we survive?”

Apparently, a head injury sustained during the battle had muddled Bai Chen’s memories of what transpired at the market.

He only recalled himself and Su Wanghai tracking Zhou Wanchen, encountering Mo Qiu, and then being attacked by Saluk.

The subsequent battle had been chaotic: Libelle’s appearance, Saluk’s return, yet he couldn’t recall the specific details.

He only vaguely remembered being defeated in the fight.

‘If that’s truly the case, then why are Mo Qiu and I still alive?’

Bai Chen turned to look at her, the girl’s expression as calm as still water, as she raised a finger and pointed at him.

“You won, Bai Chen.”

“Huh?”

Bai Chen was somewhat incoherent, blinking rapidly.

“I won… but why don’t I remember…”

“It’s true, you won,” Mo Qiu stated, her expression unwavering.

“When you were about to lose, you suddenly became terrifying.”

As if recalling a vivid memory, her shoulders trembled slightly.

“It was like you transformed into a different person, utterly horrifying, and then you defeated that demon.”

Bai Chen remained silent for a moment, then quietly asked, “Is he dead?”

“You killed him with your own hands.”

‘I see…’ Bai Chen sighed, understanding the source of her fear.

The thought of Mo Qiu being afraid of him brought an inexplicable ache to his heart.

‘So, it turns out I’m not without talent after all, but what exactly was that power?’

If he had been empowered by that force, then defeating Saluk would not be surprising, and losing his memory would be a natural consequence.

Fortunately, he hadn’t harmed Mo Qiu while in that state.

Seeing that he didn’t press further, Mo Qiu narrowed her eyes slightly, her gaze shifting to his chest.

“Bai Chen, I want to ask you about your sleep-talking.”

“Sleep-talking?”

“You mentioned someone you wish to see again.”

Sitting beside him, Mo Qiu had heard him murmur this more than once, which surprised her.

She had never heard of Bai Chen having someone he cared for so deeply; his parents were deceased, and he had no particularly close relatives.

The unexpected revelation that there was an unknown individual in his heart irritated Mo Qiu, and she desperately wanted to know their identity.

Who was this person who could make Bai Chen miss them even in his dreams, to the point of shedding tears?

Bai Chen paused, then chuckled softly. “You’re making fun of me. Look at this.”

Bai Chen picked up the pendant and placed it in her hand.

Worn by wind and rain, the pendant was not only chipped of its paint but also slightly deformed.

Based on the experience accumulated in her previous life, Mo Qiu could tell at a glance that it was a cheap trinket, devoid of any special power.

“When I was at my most helpless, that benefactor helped me and taught me the importance of holding onto hope.”

“I’ve kept the pendant they gave me, and one day, if I ever meet them again, I’ll thank them properly.”

Bai Chen gazed out the window, his eyes sparkling with a vibrant, hopeful light.

“Who is he?”

“That’s what I want to know too; my benefactor never told me their name…”

“Are they male or female?”

“Is there a need to ask for such specific details?”

“I also want to express my gratitude to them, to thank them for helping Bai Chen.”

‘Isn’t this my own business?’ Bai Chen thought to himself, and to dissuade her, he quickly replied:

“I truly can’t remember.”

“…Alright.”

Mo Qiu returned the pendant to him.

“I also hope, Bai Chen, that you will continue to hold onto hope, no matter what you encounter.”

‘Just don’t make me clean up your mess again.’

‘You are the hero I’ve chosen, and you must follow this path.’

‘Otherwise…’

Hearing this, Bai Chen offered a gentle smile. “Of course.”

Bathed in the brilliance of his smile, Mo Qiu instinctively averted her gaze.

‘Otherwise, I’d have to go through the trouble of saving you again.’

Her action made Bai Chen’s eyes widen.

‘Is Mo Qiu… shy?’

‘Her expressionless shyness is quite cute. It would be even better if her actions were a bit more normal.’

“Do you want to eat an apple?”

“Sure, I can do it myself.”

Bai Chen swiftly snatched the apple and fruit knife, quickly peeled and sliced it, then tried a piece himself.

“Mm, delicious. Mo Qiu, you should try some too.”

The apple was offered before her, but Mo Qiu remained impassive.

She leaned forward, closed her eyes, and opened her mouth.

“Ah~”

Bai Chen froze awkwardly. “Your hand…”

“It’s injured, I can’t move it too much.”

“But you just now…”

“Ah~”

“Mo Qiu?”

“Ah~”

Alright, Bai Chen conceded, cautiously bringing the apple to her lips.

He figured if he was quick enough, he wouldn’t give her a chance.

The instant the apple touched the girl’s lips, she opened her mouth and directly took in both the apple and Bai Chen’s fingers, with a speed akin to a striking python, which, once it seizes its prey, bites down relentlessly.

Startled, Bai Chen quickly pulled his fingers out, the silvery threads (TL Note: Saliva) on them glistening exceptionally in the sunlight.

It wasn’t over. Mo Qiu grasped his wrist, extended her small pink tongue, and gently licked the two fingers that had held the apple.

“Mo Qiu?!”

“The apple tastes good.”

“But there’s plenty of…”

The girl was like a docile kitten, her tongue tracing his skin, a ticklish, yet pleasant sensation.

When she looked up at him, he deliberately averted his flushed face.

“This is a reward, and also comfort.”

“Oh, thank you.”

Mo Qiu stared at his reddened earlobes, seemingly enjoying the sight.

‘The reward has been delivered. Don’t disappoint me again, my one and only chosen hero.’

‘Otherwise, I’d have to go through the trouble of saving you again.’