When he saw the line for Sandrone, Ye Xun truly couldn’t hold it together.
Thinking back carefully, he had clearly never had any contact with her.
How on earth could her favorability score be negative?
Could it be because he often wandered near her Machinery Research Institute?
The problem was…
he had never even set foot inside!
Ye Xun shook his head helplessly, gathered his thoughts, and walked into a fairly presentable bakery.
“Officer, what can I get for you today?” The middle-aged shopkeeper immediately greeted him with deep respect the moment he spotted him.
Ye Xun felt the shriveled coin purse in his pocket and said, “Give me a loaf of dalieba.” Dalieba was the staple food most commonly eaten by the people of Snezhnaya, characterized by two things: it was huge, and it was rock-hard.
Usually the size of a washbasin, its outer crust was as hard as stone, making a solid *thud-thud* sound when tapped, though the center was unexpectedly soft.
Besides that, it had one very prominent advantage—it was cheap.
It suited Ye Xun’s current, embarrassed financial situation perfectly.
Though slightly disappointed, the shopkeeper still carefully wrapped up a loaf of dalieba for him.
After paying, Ye Xun carried the heavy dalieba and walked toward Sandrone’s Machinery Research Institute.
Before long, he arrived in front of a simple yet magnificent building and stood waiting at the entrance.
Time slowly slipped by, and before he realized it, dusk had arrived.
The amber afterglow scattered across the ground like a gentle blanket of crushed gold.
Just as Ye Xun leaned against the wall with his eyelids growing heavy, a young maiden approached with light, graceful steps.
She wore blue-and-white Moon Goddess attire and an intricate white lace blindfold.
Her eyes were lightly closed, resembling a beam of cool, solitary moonlight falling from the night sky.
*Wife.* “Lady Columbina, you’re here so early today?” Ye Xun straightened up and greeted her with a smile.
Columbina nodded slightly, her voice flowing like a clear spring.
“Sandrone doesn’t allow me to sing while she’s sleeping, so I have to sing before she falls asleep.” “You truly are a genius!” Ye Xun gave her a thumbs-up, praising her in a sincere tone.
As he spoke, he held out the heavy dalieba toward her.
“Lady Columbina, this is for you.” Columbina looked down at the hard bread that was as large as a basin and asked in slight confusion, “Why are you giving me food again?” “Because I am your devout follower,” Ye Xun replied solemnly.
“Is that so?” A trace of bewilderment appeared on Columbina’s face.
“But…
I cannot feel your faith.” Ye Xun paused, startled, then explained with a bit of embarrassment, “Uh…
maybe my faith isn’t pure enough yet.” He paused, then added earnestly, “Still, please accept my gift.
I assure you I have no ill intentions whatsoever!” Columbina tilted her head slightly, pondering the matter seriously.
In the end, she reached out her soft, fair hand and took the dalieba.
“Thank you.” “You’re welcome!” Ye Xun waved his hand with a smile.
“I still have things to do, so I’ll be taking my leave.” Just as he turned to leave, Columbina suddenly called out, “Wait.” Ye Xun paused and turned around.
“What is it?” “What is your name?” she asked softly.
Ye Xun’s lips twitched slightly.
He had given her food several times already, yet she hadn’t even remembered his name.
“Ye Xun,” he offered speechlessly.
Columbina gave a small nod, as if committing it to memory with gravity.
Only then did Ye Xun truly bid her farewell and depart.
After he was far away, Columbina slowly picked up the dalieba, sat down on the steps in front of the institute, and began gnawing on it with relish.
Even though the bread was salty and hard enough to crack teeth, she didn’t mind in the slightest.
In no time at all, the basin-sized loaf of dalieba was eaten completely clean.
Afterward, she stood up, softly humming an ethereal, distant melody, and ambled through the doors of the institute.
“Dormi, cara Columbula…” *** After parting ways with Columbina, Ye Xun took a detour back to the bakery on his way home.
“Officer, do you want another dalieba?” the shopkeeper asked politely.
“No thanks.” Ye Xun shook his head.
“Give me a loaf of milk bread.” A man shouldn’t mistreat himself.
Without another word, the shopkeeper briskly packaged a sweet, soft loaf of milk bread and handed it to him.
Stepping out of the shop, Ye Xun walked toward home under the dimming twilight.
After about a half-hour walk, a rather modest house gradually came into view.
He reached the front door, pulled out his keys to unlock it, and flipped the light switch.
Warm amber light spilled across the room, lending a touch of warmth to the lonely space.
He walked over to an old desk and slowly sat down.
On the desktop lay a yellowed photograph—in it, a young couple from Sumeru held the hand of a green-haired little girl, their smiles gentle and bright.
He reached out, his fingertips lightly tracing the photograph, muttering under his breath, “Uncle, Aunt…
and Collei…” When he first transmigrated, his body had reverted to that of a ten-year-old child.
Had this couple not adopted him, he would have frozen to death long ago in the ice and snow.
Afterward, due to his poor health, he had been unable to help them in any way.
By the time he recovered his health, however, it was already too late.
Now, the only thing he could do was…
Ye Xun’s gaze turned frosty, filled with unwavering determination.
Just then— *CRASH!* The front door was kicked wide open by a smooth, fair leg.
Amid flying wood splinters, Rosalyne stepped inside.
Her glamorous face was fraught with fury, her chin raised slightly, her full bosom trembling softly with each step.
A glamorous red-and-white gown clung tightly to her figure, the fabric outlining sleek, enticing curves that exuded both boldness and an undeniable presence.
“You fool!” She glared angrily at Ye Xun, fire blazing in her light gray eyes.
“Do you have any idea how much trouble you’ve caused?” Ye Xun remained calm, slowly standing up to walk before her.
The corner of his lip curled slightly.
“Lady Rosalyne, I’ve told you before: I am not a fool.” “Not a fool?” She sneered, reaching out a hand clad in black lace to grab his collar, pulling him close.
“I’ll give you one minute.
Explain yourself!” A faint fragrance of Cecilia flowers wafted to his nose, chilly yet intoxicating.
Ye Xun did not back down, looking straight into her eyes.
“That atrocity cannot be allowed to continue.
Otherwise, it will descend into utter chaos!” “Be specific!” Rosalyne’s brows knit together slightly, speaking with a touch of impatience.