Chapter 49: You're Almost at Your Stop
The moment you stepped off the star skiff, a pink blur rushed toward you. You barely had time to open your arms before a warm body collided into your embrace…
She hugged you tightly, as if afraid you would disappear the next second.
You sighed inwardly, stroking the slightly trembling body in your arms with deep remorse.
She was so heartbroken she was nearly fainting, crying soundlessly.
"Your big brother had something to do… he went somewhere very far away…"
You spoke softly, gently smoothing the girl's slightly messy hair.
She cried for a long, long time…
Until night fell and the streetlamps beside you lit up, casting long, dark shadows…
Only then did she slowly lift her head.
Her slightly swollen eyes stared at you blankly.
"Big brother… I thought you didn't want me anymore…"
Her voice was hoarse, like a thorn scraping back and forth against a heart valve…
"How could that be? Your big brother still expects you to take care of him in his old age and see him off."
You forced a wry smile, gently comforting her.
"I only have one little sister."
"Mm… Big Brother… are you… hiding something from me…?"
The girl suddenly asked.
You paused briefly, your heart tightening. If Fu Xuan knew the truth right now, what would you do?
"Tell me…"
Her expression turned pitiful as she looked at you with sorrowful eyes.
"Where did Big Brother find me a sister-in-law? How old is the child you have with her?"
"Big Brother, just tell me, I… I'll be fine…"
"Bring them here. I'll definitely treat them well…"
You watched as Fu Xuan's face gradually turned pale. She closed her eyes, waiting for that "answer" from your mouth.
A few dark lines appeared on your forehead.
Then you pinched the girl's cheeks with both hands.
"What nonsense are you talking about? Big Brother didn't find you a sister-in-law…"
"R-Really?"
Her face squished into a cute bun, she spoke indistinctly.
"Your big brother swears to the heavens—if there's a single false word, then I—"
The girl raised her hand, blocking the second half of your oath.
"I believe you, Big Brother…"
"It's just that you were out of contact for so long, I… I thought…"
"But it's good that you're back."
A rumble sounded from your embrace. The girl's face suddenly flushed red, and she lowered her head, not daring to look at you.
She must not have eaten properly for a long time…
You're really awful, Su Xiaobai…
You silently cursed yourself.
"Are there any vegetables left at home, Little Sister?"
"No… none left…"
Her voice was so soft it was barely audible.
"Then let's go buy some and cook at home. Your big brother is very hungry…"
"Mm…"
The girl hummed softly with a nasal sound, still clinging to you like an octopus.
You didn't mind. The significant height difference made it look, from the outside, as though she were your daughter.
There were no vegetable vendors in Luofu at night, so you had to go to Jinren Alley to pack some food…
On the way, you realized Fu Xuan in your arms had fallen asleep at some point.
Her breathing was deep.
That was a sign of extreme exhaustion…
You supported her soft body with one hand and tiptoed back to the small courtyard…
You tried to lay her on the bed to rest, but her hands clung tightly around your neck. Helpless, you had no choice but to lie down beside her, fully clothed…
Her slightly heavy, almost childlike breathing was like a lullaby, and before you knew it, you fell asleep as well…
That night, you had no dreams.
…
It wasn't until birds chirped outside the window that you slowly regained consciousness.
Fu Xuan beside you seemed to have woken long ago. Her hair was loose, one hand tucked beneath your head, and a faint smile rested on her small face.
She looked at you sweetly and tenderly.
You quickly lifted your head and carefully withdrew her hand, which might have gone numb from the pressure.
"Big Brother's sleeping face… is so cute…"
The girl's inner monologue was heard by no one…
…
From that day on, you settled in Luofu, accompanying your little sister.
For you, it was a period of relaxation.
You spent your days reclining in a chair, chatting with Fu Xuan, telling her stories and amusing anecdotes from her childhood.
Time seemed frozen in that small courtyard…
Life was as warm as the faint golden sunlight filtering through thin clouds.
"Big Brother! I can cook now too!"
Fu Xuan learned to cook with you. Seeing the girl's face smudged with black soot, a smile spread across your own.
Gradually, you became lazier, and Fu Xuan was happy to take care of you…
You wanted the girl to become more independent during these final moments.
Even if you were to leave forever, she would not starve.
Time passed quickly in such a peaceful and warm period…
One year…
Two years…
Five years…
You traveled to many places—all the other Xianzhou besides the Jade Pavilion and Xuling…
You silently memorized the route to Fanghu Xianzhou.
It was you who suggested traveling, because you wanted the girl to understand that her life was not only about you.
Happy days always passed quickly. It seemed as though you had forgotten that dreadful fate.
But you knew she had not…
In her spare time, she always performed divinations silently with her counting sticks—sometimes frowning in thought, sometimes radiant with joy.
The two of you walked toward that destiny in your own ways.
Emotions intertwined, yet you also had your own worries and fears…
Your lifespan truly extended, because one day you woke to find your hair completely white—not a single black strand remaining.
But your skin bore no wrinkles.
It seemed time only flowed through your hair.
You still looked as handsome and refined as ever…
But you knew you were truly old—you were already ninety years old.
You had reached the end of a short-lived species' life…
For you, none of that mattered.
You only feared not lasting until that destined moment.
There had been no news of the Abundance Followers for a long time; they seemed to have vanished overnight…
The Xianzhou appeared able to drift peacefully through the sea of stars forever.
You and your little sister also seemed able to enjoy life in that small courtyard forever.
Gradually, you forgot many things and began to feel tired.
Not physical fatigue, but spiritual.
It felt as though there was a divergence between your soul and your body; your body remained young, but your soul was old.
Your gaze was no longer as sharp and lively as before. Instead, it grew distant and sometimes even unfocused.
"Big Brother~"
"Big Brother~~"
"Big Brother!!"
Fu Xuan was calling you, but your reactions were growing slower…
Time had worn down your soul…
One night, the Xianzhou passed through a moisture-laden nebula.
It ushered in an unprecedented heavy rain.
Fu Xuan seemed somewhat afraid of thunder. She shrank beside you, closing her eyes and pretending to sleep…
When thunder struck, her body trembled slightly…
It was like the awakening of insects on Blue Star.
When spring thunder falls, all things grow…
You drifted into a dream, dreaming of Fanghu Xianzhou, of Diviner Jing Tian, of Commander Yueyu—and also of your little sister, who became the Grand Diviner and bore the name of having killed her master…
Boom!—
You jolted awake from the dream.
This dream felt like a reminder.
You used Precognition, and the timing was exact: the end of the fifth year.
Five years later…
That war was approaching, and your destined moment had arrived…