Sanctuary Starfield Journey

Qinglan sat at the village entrance as usual, gazing at the village sign that had turned from new wood to rotten wood. It read "Qianyi Village" and had a few fruits laid out below it.

Elder Yan Huayue walked to his side and patted his head: "Do you know what day it is today?" Qinglan just stared at the village entrance, saying nothing. "Happy birthday, today is your 12th birthday." Qinglan just nodded after hearing this, completely unwilling to mention his birthday.

Yan Huayue sat down beside him and said softly, "I've prepared some fragrant, crispy, chewy, and soft 'My Heart Turns to the Future' treats for you, which promote all-round development in morality, art, and intelligence. I spent a lot of money to buy them, so it would be a shame not to eat them." Hearing this, Qinglan could only compromise and followed Elder Yan Huayue back into the house.

The house wasn't big, but it could hold Qinglan's shattered childhood, yet the indelible mark of the flames etched into her heart could never be washed away.

Elder Yan Huayue led a girl out from behind the long curtain and said, "Qinglan, this is Yan Fuxue. She shares your birthday." Qinglan ignored her and went straight to the table, looking at a cake on it. This must be the "My Heart Turns to the Future" cake Elder Yan Huayue had mentioned. But giving "My Heart Turns to the Future" to someone with no future... Qinglan just smiled at the thought.

Qinglan sat in the chair, burying his head in the cake on the table, not wanting the girl to know about his past. Yan Huayue simply sat down beside him: "Eat slowly, no one will take it from you." The girl also sat down.

Qinglan lowered his head even further, quickly finished his meal, and was about to leave when he caught a glimpse of the girl wearing heavy clothes in the sweltering heat, and couldn't help but feel puzzled. Yan Huayue, seeing his confusion, said, "This is Yan Fuxue; she's been with me for almost 11 years." Qinglan shook his head and turned to leave.

Seeing Qinglan's retreating figure, Yan Fuxue clutched her clothes, her voice trembling with tears, and asked Yan Huayue, "Elder...am I strange...?" Yan Huayue patted her head, "No, he's just like you." Yan Fuxue ate her cake, and her tears subsided somewhat. She had to admit, the cake was quite delicious; after eating it, she felt instantly filled with hope and the courage to face the future. Yan Fuxue stared out the window as the moon gradually rose. A little below, she could see Elder Yan Huayue heading towards another part of the village, a few wisps of breeze brushing against his hair.

A gentle breeze carried the aroma of tea into Qinglan's room. He was lying on the bed when he heard a knock at the door. He knew without a doubt it was Elder Yan Huayue: "Come in." Elder Yan Huayue pushed open the door and entered. It seemed Qinglan was indeed quite familiar with the place.

Yan Huayue sat by his bedside, once again playing the ever-present counselor: "Qinglan, that girl said she really wants to get to know you." Qinglan replied, "Don't tease me, wants to get to know me?" Yan Huayue sighed deliberately, "What a pity, the handsome young man actually said no one wants to get to know him." If it were the real Qinglan, he would probably be overjoyed, but this was the 12-year-old him.

Qinglan pulled the blanket tighter, not wanting to face Yan Huayue. Seeing this tactic wasn't working, Yan Huayue quickly changed her story: "Actually, she doesn't have any friends. I only said that because you're all in similar situations, hoping you could get to know each other and make friends." This sincere explanation convinced Qinglan, but since it was late, he didn't want to delay his "future friend," so he said, "It's getting late, Elder, you should go back now. I'll go see her again tomorrow." Seeing that her trick had worked, Yan Huayue happily returned to her room, where Yan Fuxue was still waiting for her.

Yan Huayue saw Yan Fuxue sitting obediently in a chair waiting for her, and said, "That boy just said he really wants to get to know you." Yan Fuxue lowered her head slightly and said, "I'll give it a try..." As expected of a master of diplomacy, her matchmaking skills are so strong.

The same sunlight shines in different rooms, but also in the hearts of the same couple.

When Qinglan woke up, he was excited about this formal meeting and was already rehearsing what he would say in his mind. Yan Fuxue was the same; she was already thinking about it when Qinglan entered the room.

Seeing Qinglan approaching from outside, Yan Fuxue immediately stood up from her chair to greet her. Qinglan quickly stepped forward and timidly said, "Um, my name is Qinglan. Please sit down, please sit down." She then gestured for Yan Fuxue to sit down and stood opposite her. Yan Fuxue said, "Qinglan... hello, my name is Yan Fuxue, I'm 11 years old." She then sat down, and Qinglan followed suit. Yan Huayue, behind the long curtain, listened to their conversation with a smile.

Qinglan, unsure of what to say, glanced at the tea on the table and pushed a cup towards her, saying, "Have some tea, have some tea." Yan Fuxue gently accepted it, saying, "Thank you." She began to sip the tea, occasionally stealing glances at Qinglan's actions. After their eyes met, both of them looking away, equally at a loss for words.

Yan Fuxue's mind went blank. Seeing her like this, Qinglan decided to speak first: "Why are you wearing such thick clothes?" Upon hearing this, Yan Huayue immediately attacked: "Oh no, how could this child say the most inappropriate thing?"

As Yan Huayue was debating whether to go out, she suddenly heard Yan Fuxue speak: "I...this was left by my mother..." Qinglan felt a little guilty upon hearing this: "I'm sorry, I didn't know. This garment was left by your mother." Yan Fuxue nodded, then shook her head: "I wasn't talking about the garment..." Then she unzipped her coat, and Qinglan was so frightened that she dared not look: "I...I'm a man..." A chill emanated from inside Yan Fuxue's coat.

A chill swept over Qinglan's hand, tugging at his fragile and sensitive heart, and pulling his head up as well. Qinglan asked, "So you're this cold." Yan Fuxue zipped up her jacket, revealing a layer underneath. "I heard my mother absorbed the power of the flames..." Qinglan wanted to pat her shoulder, but stopped halfway, saying only, "It's alright. My mother left me when I was 11, but my home wasn't lost. Elder Yan Huayue brought me back. As for my father... let's not talk about it." Yan Fuxue panicked upon hearing this. "I... I didn't mean to..." Qinglan shook his head, looking at her evasive eyes. "It's alright, it's all in the past." Yan Fuxue finally looked up at Qinglan.

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