Bengtie: My death fueled their madness.

"Huh?"

Clarice subconsciously touched her cheek, finding it damp.

"Strange, why am I suddenly crying..."

It wasn't until I subconsciously looked at the soybean cake in my hand that I realized why.

Qi Zhimu followed her gaze.

"It tastes bad?"

"No!"

Clarisse's expression was complicated, as if she couldn't quite make sense of the turmoil in her emotions.

"...How should I put it? I can't find a very fitting description. It's like after eating it, all the regrets of the past seemed to gather into a wave and surge into my heart all at once."

"Is it really that mysterious?"

Qi Zhimu himself had no idea that the plum-pickled soybean cake had such an effect.

Under the girl's gaze, he also picked up a piece and put it in his mouth. As he chewed, his movements gradually slowed down.

Clarice noticed that Qi Zhimu's eyes were unfocused, and his thoughts were clearly drifting into the distance.

A single tear silently slid down his cheek.

"Mr. Qi...?"

"Um……"

Qi Zhimu responded softly, using the back of his hand to support his chin and catch the tears that were about to fall.

He looked down at the wet stains on the back of his hand, closed his eyes, and savored the moment.

The taste itself was perfect, even better than any pastry I've ever made before, making it unforgettable.

Yu Qingtu's needs have been perfectly met.

But why did it turn out like this...?

Qi Zhimu guessed... that it would probably need to become a consumable artifact to have unexpected special effects.

Forget it, there's no point in dwelling on it.

Even though it has become a rare and exotic item, it is still essentially a carefully crafted pastry.

Purpose: To be eaten.

Gone.

"Don't worry about it. Life is full of surprises. Just consider it an extra gift."

"Oh, Mr. Qi, how did you come up with such a special pastry?"

"Hmm... It's like clenching your fist. I feel like I can do it. I don't remember researching it. If you like it, take this plate of pickled plum soybean cake home with you."

"...I like it, but my eyes water every time I eat it. Won't I get dry eye syndrome?"

"Dry eye syndrome is generally not directly related to the amount of tearing..."

Finally, Clarice carefully packed up the plate of soybean cakes and waved goodbye to Qi Zhimu.

"See you next time, Mr. Qi~~"

"...See you next time."

Qi Zhimu smiled and watched the girl leave.

He can still speak... but perhaps, there will only be one more time at most.

When the day comes for the second "see you next time," I probably won't say anything more.

He didn't want to break his promise.

If you can do something 100%, don't be ambiguous about it; if you can't, don't give others expectations, lest they only be disappointed.

Meow~

Little Orange rubbed its head against Qi Zhimu's feet.

Qi Zhimu bent down and picked it up onto his lap, gently stroking its back.

"Thank you for your companionship over the past three years. In a few days, I will have to leave and will no longer be able to take care of you."

"Go find a new owner. You can leave anytime you want."

"Or, Clarice might be willing to adopt you, and you could go with her, but either way, you need to lose weight..."

"I'll ask her how it went when she comes next time."

After he finished speaking, Qi Zhimu didn't hear Xiao Ju's cry for a long time.

It wasn't asleep; it just squinted and stayed quietly, its round body snuggling closer to his chest.

"Is that so..."

Qi Zhimu seemed to understand and sighed softly.

Soon, a long, drawn-out string melody drifted from inside the bamboo house, carrying a hint of loneliness.

……

Winter days are always shorter.

As night fell, a spaceship silently landed on the snow-covered ground, and the hatch slowly opened.

A man dressed in luxurious and flamboyant clothes walked out and headed straight for the bamboo house.

Living deep in the mountains and forests where transportation is inconvenient, Qi Zhimu is rarely disturbed by people on ordinary days.

Those who occasionally come to us are patients suffering from intractable diseases who have tried every possible method without success.

After experiencing despair, some people will place their hopes on the old saying: "There are many hidden masters among ordinary people."

Qi Zhimu has lived in seclusion in these mountains for over a hundred years. To maintain his peace and quiet, he always instructs patients who come to him not to reveal his existence casually.

But as time goes on, it's inevitable that someone will leak the news.

As a result, those unverified rumors circulating in the streets would reach the ears of people who had no other choice but to try anything as a last resort.

Those who have found their way here, Qi Zhimu will treat if he can, and if he can't... well, so far he hasn't encountered any cases he's helpless against.

Generally speaking, if three or four people come to us in a year, that's considered a lot.

Except for extremely rare special cases like Durand, Qi Zhimu can complete the treatment of other patients on the same day.

The remaining very few cases involved only one person.

"Long time no see, Mr. Qi Zhimu."

"Nine years is quite a long time, Mr. Long Jing." Qi Zhimu put down the zhongruan.

Long Jing is one of the ten Stone Hearts under the Diamond Supervisor of the Star Peace Company's Strategic Investment Department.

Of course, it's just a code name.

Qi Zhimu didn't know his real name, nor did he need to.

"I thought your illness had relapsed and that you had passed away."

"...Hey, is it really okay to say such hurtful things after such a long time apart?"

Long Jing rolled her eyes in annoyance and casually sat down.

"I've been your patient for over forty years, so we can at least be considered friends, right?"

"I didn't mean to curse you. Nine years ago, the medicine you took was only enough for eight years. When you didn't come last year, I assumed that the Dragon Crystals of the ten Stone Hearts had been replaced." Qi Zhimu stated the facts.

Long Jing was taken aback, then a look of realization crossed her face: "No wonder I haven't seen you send any mail requests this year."

Every late autumn, Qi Zhimu would send him a package request, sending a fast-delivery package to a remote, uncivilized planet in the universe.

That wasn't ordinary mailing; it was the highest-level service from the company's delivery department.

It can be said that unless targeted by an opponent at the level of a Star God or Commander, nothing will go wrong.

So that's why... Wait a minute!

Long Jing suddenly remembered that she had checked the delivery department's records before coming here, and there were no orders for Qi Zhimu this year!

"Did you personally travel to that planet this year?"

"no."

"...No need to send any more packages?"

"No, that's not it. I just asked a senior colleague who was going that way to deliver it for me. You're such a busy person, you didn't come all this way just for this, did you?"

"That's part of the reason, but not the whole story."

Long Jing casually picked up the teapot, but Qi Zhimu stopped him with a gesture.

"...You won't even serve me a cup of tea? Is that really necessary?" Long Jing asked in astonishment.

Qi Zhimu chuckled: "Of course not, we won't drink this coarse tea today."

As he spoke, he took out a jar of plum blossom wine from the folding space.

An alluring fragrance wafted from the sealed jar, immediately capturing Long Jing's attention.

"Wow, what a surprise! You actually took out this treasure to entertain me..."

"Oh……"

Qi Zhimu didn't explain. He brushed away the small teacup and replaced it with a large bowl, then turned his hand over the edge of the wine jar and poured the wine.

His somewhat audacious manner surprised Long Jing even more.

Something's not right... Did he figure something out?