Xu Zimei gave a sheepish smile; this was a topic he struggled to engage with.
"Zimo, I will miss you."
Han Yanrou looked at Xu Zimei, this time not avoiding his gaze like she usually did.
Even though her face was flushed and she nervously bit her lower lip, she still stubbornly stared at Xu Zimei unflinchingly.
As if trying to imprint his face deep into her heart.
Seeing that Xu Zimei did not reply for a long time, Han Yanrou turned and waved her hand.
"Alright, Iâm going back to sleep now."
The weather was always unpredictable, and the rain that had stopped started to pour once again.
It was unclear whether it was the soundless fall of rain or the sound of rain muffling the soundless tears.
As she turned around, tears fell like a downpour.
"Donât wake me when you leave tomorrow, just go quietly.
I want to sleep in, sleep until the afternoon, and then have another sleep until the day after tomorrow morning.
Iâve been so tired these past few days."
Han Yanrou said as she walked toward her room without looking back.
Xu Zimei was silent for a long time and eventually returned to his own room.
He was not from this world. He always remembered his purpose, which was solely for the Ancient Heavenly Court.
He didnât need to cause more troubles or even establish contacts with the Form Blood Clan.
Back in his room, Xu Zimei lay quietly on the bed.
His perception was very sharp; even without using his eyes, every scene in the courtyard reflected in his mind.
The girl did not go to sleep as she had said.
Instead, she came out of her room and sat in front of the door, staring unwaveringly at Xu Zimeiâs room all night.
It wasnât until dawn, when noise came from Han Shengxiaoâs room, that the girl hurriedly stood up and rushed back to her own room.
"Zimo, get up and pack up; the trade caravan is about to set off. Donât make others wait," Han Shengxiaoâs loud voice came from the courtyard.
Xu Zimei also came out of the house and smiled, "Iâm all ready."
"Then letâs go," Han Shengxiao nodded slightly.
Xu Zimei turned and took a deep look at that room before quickly following Han Shengxiao to leave.
âŠ
The scale of the trade caravan was decent,
with nearly a hundred people, all dressed in blue robes.
They looked very unified, each one a seasoned traveler.
Han Shengxiao briefly told the person in charge of the caravan, and he gave Xu Zimei a horse to ride in the middle of the caravan.
Early in the morning, as the sky was just getting bright, the caravan set off.
The sky was still drizzling, but the caravan could not afford any delay.
Following the mountain road in front of the village, they marched mightily towards the Dark Kingdom.
âŠ
"What do I call you, sir?" Xu Zimei looked at the man in blue next to him and asked with a smile.
Seeing Xu Zimeiâs confusion, the man explained, "We are all orphans taken in by the Lan Family since we were young, with no names, only codes."
Xu Zimei nodded slightly, "Do you often go to the Dark Kingdom?"
"Itâs the business of the trade," the man in blue nodded slightly.
"Then do you know any place there called the Sea of Blood?" Xu Zimei asked.
"Iâve never heard of it," the man replied flatly.
Xu Zimei sensed that the man wasnât much for conversation, so he didnât ask further.
Just then, suddenly, he saw the caravan halt ahead.
There was a commotion coming from the front.
"There are people ahead,"
"Who? Everyone be careful."
Xu Zimei steered his horse to the edge of the road and looked up to see what was happening.
At the side of the mountain road, Han Yanrou stood holding an umbrella, her slender figure gazing around, as if looking for someone.
"Everyone, donât panic, this is my friend," Xu Zimei called out anxiously.
He jumped off his horse and, without caring about anything else, ran towards Han Yanrou.
Upon reaching her, he let out a long sigh.
The weather was quite cold, her figure shivering slightly, wearing not much. Her little hands and cheeks were somewhat bluish.
"Why did you come here?" Xu Zimei asked.
"Father sent me to see you off," Han Yanrou replied with a smile.
"Are you cold?" Xu Zimei took her hand, which was ice cold.
Han Yanrou shook her head slightly, "I was cold just now, but not anymore."
He looked at Han Yanrou, silent for a long while before he finally said, "I understand everything, but you should know that I wonât stay here. I donât even belong here."
"I know, brother Zimo told me that you came here carrying many burdens and must move forward resolutely."
Han Yanrou nodded with a smile, "Father says that a daughter married off is like water splashed out. If you are willing, then let me come with you. If not, I will stand here watching, watching your figure disappear from my sight before I return home, is that alright?"
Hearing Han Yanrouâs words, Xu Zimei let out a bitter laugh.
"Brother Han is really posing a difficult question for me."
Han Yanrou looked at Xu Zimei, wanting to say, "You donât have to be distressed."
But she couldnât say it; she feared that if Xu Zimei truly wasnât distressed, he might really leave.
She would be heartbroken, unable to bear it.
For Han Yanrou, her first half of life was spent among othersâ mockery and her odd appearance.
Besides her father and uncle, basically no one else wished to speak with her.
Xu Zimei was the first stranger who was willing to be her friend, lighting the third flame in her heart.
Apart from her father and uncle, the third flame.
Often, we do some things without needing reasons.
Just like this moth, knowing well that the flame is out of reach, yet still blindly plunges towards it.
Xu Zimei was silent for a long while.
Finally, he asked, "No matter the outcome, you wonât regret it?"
"I wonât," Han Yanrou lowered her head, shaking it slightly.
"Letâs head to the Dark Kingdom first; I havenât found the place Iâm looking for yet," Xu Zimei said with a smile.
He took Han Yanrouâs hand, leading her back to the horse.
Han Yanrouâs cheeks turned red with shyness, but she pursed her lips and obediently did not resist.
"Young man, let your lady ride in the sedan, she doesnât seem to be in good health."
A burly man next to the caravan spoke.
Xu Zimei looked at him; he seemed to be the leader of the caravan.
He thanked him and led Han Yanrou onto the carriage.
"Sleep for a while. When you wake up, we should nearly be at the Dark Kingdom," Xu Zimei said.
Han Yanrou nodded.
Xu Zimei had her lie on her side with her head resting on his legs.
Perhaps because she was affected by the cold, coupled with not having slept all of last night, once Xu Zimei used his Spiritual Energy to dispel the cold, Han Yanrou also fell into a deep slumber in this warmth.
...
Halfway through the journey, a disturbance appeared ahead.
Xu Zimei carefully placed Han Yanrou on the carriageâs cotton cushions and stepped out of the sedan.
"Donât rush, old man is just looking for someone."
As soon as Xu Zimei walked out, he saw an elderly man standing at the front of the caravan.
Dressed in a red robe, he grinned at Xu Zimei, showing his yellow teeth.
"Welcome to the Form Blood Space!"