“So, when you think about it, storybooks really are a wonderful invention.”
Nian hugged one of the books against her chest, speaking with a somewhat sentimental expression.
The two were sitting together on a rather large bench.
By now, they’d already read quite a few of the books Nian had enthusiastically described as “masterpieces.”
Of course, what Nian considered masterpieces, Hongyu considered…
‘I’ve endured more than enough of these literary delicacies.’
‘Please take them away.’
Nevertheless, Hongyu had no intention of ruining Nian’s enthusiasm.
He’d maintained an expression of genuine interest throughout their reading session, never once voicing a complaint.
“Even after someone passes away, the stories they leave behind can continue existing in this world.”
“And people who come afterward can remember those who have died through the works they created…”
Nian opened one of the books.
To Hongyu, the story recorded within was painfully conventional.
But then again, clichés became clichés precisely because the stories behind them had once become classics.
“Why are you suddenly talking like some old person reflecting on the meaning of life?”
Hongyu took the storybook from Nian’s hands.
His remark earned him an exasperated look.
“What?
Am I not allowed to reflect on life?”
“Old geezer, that’s discrimination against giant beasts!”
“I’m going to report you to the Sui Regulator!”
Nian made her declaration with an entirely serious expression.
“Good grief!”
“What’s this supposed to be?
‘Who’s the insolent fool bringing charges against the very official presiding over this court?'”
“And since when was the Sui Regulator established to protect your personal rights?!”
Hongyu was thoroughly caught off guard by her response.
Although, to be fair, thanks to his many interventions over the years, protecting the Sui siblings had practically become one of the organization’s main responsibilities.
“Besides, if you actually went there to complain about me, Wang would probably be the first person to refuse your case…”
“I just think that sort of philosophical statement doesn’t really suit your personality.”
“If it were Chongyue saying something like that, I’d understand.”
“Big Brother?”
Nian thought back to her previous visits to Yumen.
“Haah.
I’ve visited him there before.”
“He’s becoming more and more like some ancient, old-fashioned grandmaster.”
“Compared with how he used to be, he’s nowhere near as entertaining anymore.”
She recalled the way Chongyue had behaved in their younger days.
“Honestly, I liked him better when he was still playing chess against Second Brother and secretly stealing pieces whenever he started losing, just like you.”
“Back then, he was only pretending to be mature and composed.”
“Deep down, he was still pretty impulsive.”
“His growth is a good thing.”
Hongyu was genuinely pleased by the changes Shuo had undergone in becoming Chongyue.
After all, only when one of the twelve Sui fragments had matured enough to take over his responsibilities as the family’s guardian would Hongyu finally be able to leave with peace of mind.
And so far, he was extremely satisfied with the progress both Chongyue and Wang had made.
Chongyue had already become the dignified grandmaster Hongyu remembered from his previous life.
As for Wang, although Jie’s survival meant he had never become a man obsessively devoted to protecting his family at any cost, he was nevertheless steadily taking over Hongyu’s position as Grand Warden.
Their growth was precisely what gave Hongyu the confidence to use what little remained of his life to resolve the threat of Sui once and for all.
“Still, old geezer, you haven’t changed at all.”
Nian suddenly smiled and rested her head on Hongyu’s lap.
“Me?
I’ve changed a great deal, thank you very much.”
Hongyu brought his knees closer together, making it more comfortable for her to rest against him.
“Oh?
Really?”
Nian looked up at his unchanged face.
Even his personality seemed exactly the same.
She couldn’t help wondering what sort of change he was talking about.
‘Could it be…’
‘Is Yu experiencing the same thing I am?’
The thought suddenly appeared in her mind.
But she immediately pushed it aside.
‘How could that be possible?’
‘Yu isn’t a fragment of that monster.’
‘Why would he have to endure the same things we do?’
“Don’t you think I’ve gotten even more handsome?”
Hongyu confidently brushed back his hair, looking thoroughly pleased with himself.
“Pfft—!”
Nian burst into laughter, completely ruining his attempt to act impressive.
“You’ve gotten even more handsome!”
“Naturally!”
Their conversation continued in this cheerful manner.
Laughter gradually filled the space between them.
Ever since Hongyu had arrived, the smile had scarcely left Nian’s face.
She continued resting her head on his lap.
Ordinarily, looking up at someone’s face from that angle would hardly be flattering.
But apparently, the word “ugly” simply had nothing to do with Hongyu.
To Nian, he was sometimes a strict caretaker.
A guardian.
But that side of him usually appeared only when she’d made a particularly serious mistake.
Most of the time, he was something else entirely.
A friend who had accompanied her through centuries of life.
Someone toward whom she held feelings so complicated that even she struggled to understand them.
His smile was often artificial.
His eyes were usually concealed from her and the rest of the family.
Yet the things he did for them always made her feel warm.
And whenever he inadvertently displayed even the slightest trace of genuine emotion, it filled her with a peculiar mixture of surprise and happiness.
When Jie had been placed in danger, the anger Hongyu displayed had been unmistakably real.
‘So he really does care about us.’
That had been the thought shared by all the Sui fragments at the time, Nian included.
Now, Nian quietly studied Hongyu’s face.
For some reason, the faint, familiar fragrance surrounding him made her heart beat faster.
It was a sensation she’d experienced occasionally during her childhood.
Back then, however, she hadn’t understood the reason for that strange restlessness.
Now…
She thought she might finally understand.
‘Unfortunately…’
‘I probably won’t have the chance, or even a reason, to tell him.’
‘Not with that monster’s existence hanging over me.’
‘I don’t want Yu to know about it.’
For a moment, silence settled between them.
Then Hongyu suddenly spoke.
“Hey, Nian.”
“Since you enjoy storybooks so much, have you ever considered writing one yourself?”
He extended a finger and gently poked her cheek.
“Me?”
Nian froze.
Then a realization struck her.
‘That’s right!’
‘I could leave something behind in this world too!’
‘And if I did…’
‘Even after I disappear, Yu would still have something to remember me by!’
“Can I really do that?”
Nian suddenly perked up, looking at Hongyu with uncertainty.
“What’s the point of asking me?
Why don’t you give it a try?”
His voice sounded unusually gentle to Nian.
“But what if I fail?”
“Who says only good works can be remembered for generations?
Terrible works can go down in history too, just for all the wrong reasons.”
That single sentence instantly shattered the touching image Hongyu had briefly created in Nian’s mind.
“Hey!
Stop cursing me!”
Nian reached upward, attempting to pinch Hongyu’s cheek.
“I’m just saying it’s entirely possible.
If you really do end up writing some god-awful masterpiece of literary garbage that becomes infamous for thousands of years, then as Grand Warden of the Sui Regulator, I’ll personally exercise my authority to…”
Hongyu leaned his head backward while using his hands to fend off Nian’s attack, preventing her from reaching his face.
“To do what?”
Realizing she couldn’t pinch his cheek, Nian changed targets and went for his stomach instead.
“Be the first person to show up and laugh at you.”
Hongyu caught Nian’s cheeks between his fingers and pulled her hand away from his stomach.
“Ha!
I knew nothing good would ever come out of that mouth of yours!”
With her cheeks trapped in Hongyu’s grasp, Nian’s words came out slightly muffled.
“If you’re so capable, why don’t you try writing something yourself?!”
‘Me?’
Hongyu froze.
Then his interest was suddenly piqued.
“Writing something myself is out of the question. Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
But as someone blessed with extraordinary literary knowledge, I could certainly tell you a few stories.”
Hongyu spoke cheerfully, continuing to play with Nian’s wonderfully squishy cheeks.
“An old geezer like you has literary talent?”
Nian was genuinely surprised.
She hadn’t expected Hongyu to take her challenge seriously.
“Well, now you’ve got my attention.
Let’s hear it, then.
Don’t disappoint me!”
“Of course.”
Hongyu chuckled confidently.
Then he said something that seemed to carry a deeper meaning.
“Every now and then, even I want to leave some trace of my existence in this world.”
Nian froze again.
For some reason, she felt as though Hongyu’s words meant more than he was letting on.
‘Does he…’
‘Does he already know everything?’
“Hello, everyone!
U-chan here!”
“Today, I’ve brought you all to one of Great Yan’s famous tourist attractions—the sections of the Sui Regulator that are open to the public!”
A bright, cheerful voice rang out through the livestream.
The legendary streamer Eureka had begun another broadcast.
[U-chan went to Great Yan?!]
[The Sui Regulator this time?!
(Proud Great Yan citizen noises)]
[Considering U-chan’s track record with previous streams…
I have a feeling something terrible is about to happen at the Sui Regulator…]
“What do you mean, my track record?!”
“Those were accidents!
Accidents!”
Eureka waved her hands, enthusiastically interacting with her viewers.
“Besides, the Sui Regulator is one of Great Yan’s most important institutions.”
“Although they say certain areas are open to visitors, the part I’m allowed to explore is actually just the organization’s old headquarters.”
“What could possibly go wrong here?”
She made the declaration with absolute confidence.
Unfortunately, in the very next moment, a brown-haired Cautus woman arrived at the old headquarters with a large group of people following behind her.
[HOLY SHIT!
THAT’S THE GRAND WARDEN’S ASSISTANT!]
[And the people following her…
Are those Candleholders?!]
[It’s over!
U-chan’s gotten herself caught up in another major incident!]
Seeing the intimidating group approaching, Eureka immediately panicked.
For some inexplicable reason, she suddenly felt guilty.
She instinctively tried to slip away.
Unfortunately, the sharp-eyed Cautus woman leading the group noticed her immediately.
“Excuse me, miss…”
“WAAAAAAH!
I HAVEN’T DONE ANYTHING WRONG!!”
“Please calm down.
I merely wanted to ask whether you’ve seen a man with long black hair, dragon horns, and black markings on his arms anywhere nearby.”
“N-No…
I haven’t…”
“I see.
My apologies.
If you happen to see him, please inform us.”
“Um…
Could I ask why you’re looking for him?”
“Oh, it’s nothing particularly serious.”
The atmosphere around the rabbit-eared woman seemed to darken ominously.
“It’s just that our dear Grand Warden has secretly slipped away from work to goof off.
Again…”
“WAAAAAAH!
YOU CAN’T SAY SOMETHING LIKE THAT ON A LIVESTREAM!!”
Eureka hurriedly ended the broadcast.
[BEEEEEEEEEP—]
The screen went black.
[I told you!
Every time U-chan visits some country’s famous tourist attraction, something unexpected happens!]
[Agreed.]