I am the old, fiery-faced man from the senior department.

"..."

Xi lifted her head from between her legs and looked at Bai Zhou, who was wagging its tail wildly because of the heat. She straightened up, pressing her fingertips against the straw mat, and gently placed the ice pack in her arms on Bai Zhou's head.

"Thank you, sir... I'm alive..."

A refreshing coolness descended from my forehead to the tip of my tailbone, and the daytime heat finally subsided.

"This weather... is strange."

Xi took out another bag of ice packs from the painting and hugged it to cool herself down.

Although the summer solstice has passed, it's only May now, so the weather shouldn't be this hot.

"Sir, there's a river ahead! Let's rest there."

Even from a great distance, the silver ribbon reflecting the sunlight could be seen during the day.

"Ah."

Having received the order, Radish and Greens mustered all their energy and rushed towards the river.

"The river...has become shallower?"

During the day, he lay on the riverbank, wanting to scoop up some water to wash his face and cool off, but was surprised to find that the river water was much lower than the riverbank, about half his height.

"There are fewer scales... no, there are no scaled beasts at all in this river."

Scoop up a handful of river water and splash it on your face to dispel the heat. Looking down in the daytime, you can only see that the river is crystal clear, but you can't see a single fish in it.

"The environment in the wild is getting worse and worse."

During the day, when I looked up at the sky, I was dazzled by the bright sun.

"Sir, we need to hurry to Linjia City."

During the day, he planned to bypass Shuanghe Town and go directly to the nearby Dacheng Linjiacheng.

There should be professional natural disaster messengers there, from whom we can learn detailed and specific information about celestial phenomena.

"random."

Xi withdrew her gaze from the sky and fixed her eyes on the river.

"This situation... might lead to a major disaster."

"A major disaster?"

Back in the car, Bai Zhou turned around in surprise.

"Sir, are you saying there's going to be a natural disaster here?"

Xi nodded slightly.

She had seen this situation far too many times.

This is an omen of impending disaster.

It seems we need to send the kid back quickly.

If it's just a small-scale natural disaster, that's fine, but if this is a large-scale natural disaster, she might not be able to protect the little ghost.

"Sir, you are very knowledgeable. Do you know what kind of natural disaster this will cause?"

During the day, Bai Zhou urged the A Yaos to hurry on their way while asking Xi a question.

"It could be a severe drought, a wildfire, or a combination of floods and storms—it's all uncertain."

Natural disasters are incredibly varied, and with only this few clues, Xi is unsure what kind of natural disaster it is.

"I see... But all kinds of natural disasters are terrible."

"Indeed...it's terrifying."

Thinking of the scenes of disaster she had painted, Xi sighed softly and fell silent.

The wolves sped along the main road, encountering countless carriages and horses. They all seemed to be in a hurry, and the drivers' faces showed signs of anxiety.

"Sir, we seem to have encountered quite a few people."

"They were probably wealthy people who received advance notice and wanted to escape before the natural disaster struck."

Xi could see right through these people's thoughts at a glance.

It's only natural to feel fear of disaster and to flee in the face of danger; there's nothing wrong with that.

“The rich have carriages and money, so they can leave early, but the ordinary people can only guard their villages and land, and cannot retreat even a little bit…”

During the day, looking to both sides, there is a small village not far away.

Even though signs of disaster were already appearing all around, the people continued to cultivate their land day after day, never leaving their land for a moment.

Instead of worrying about them, you should think about what to eat for dinner.

Seeing Bai Zhou lost in inexplicable sorrow, Xi frowned and gently kicked him.

The kid is too young. What's the use of thinking about these things? It only adds to his troubles.

"Yes, that's right."

Bai Zhou snapped out of his daze, shook his head vigorously to clear his mind of the jumbled thoughts, and smiled again.

"Sir, what shall we have for dinner tonight?"

"Think for yourself."

Xi leaned against the car with her eyes half-closed, while Bai Zhou pondered deeply beside her.

"Hmm...it's such a difficult decision..."

■

Linjia City, like Boyun Prefecture, belongs to Yongning Circuit. Passing through here, you officially enter the jurisdiction of "Yongning".

According to the distance marked on the map, it would only take another four or five days to reach "Yongning" during the day.

"There are only four or five days left, sir."

The two were resting in the inn. After looking at the map, Bai Zhou's tone was filled with joy.

"Four or five days left..."

Looking at the smiling boy in front of him, the painter squinted and rubbed his fingertips against the teacup.

Are you that happy...? Yes, I'm about to see my family, how could I not be happy?

Family...

Oh.

It's good, it's good.

Her fingertips, which were gripping the teacup, turned slightly white. She drank the tea in one gulp and only then did Xi feel a little relieved.

"Sir, once we leave Yongning and reach Wuyue, the perch will be almost ripe. Then... hehehe... slurp..."

Having seemingly already tasted the delicious perch sashimi, Bai Zhou grinned foolishly as he picked up his teacup and sipped the tea.

"……Um."

Do you still want to... go together?

Not leaving with family...etc.

Xi put down her teacup and stared intently at the daylight.

That being said...

What was that kid going to do on Yongning Road again?

Xi frowned and thought about it carefully.

The kid doesn't seem to have... mentioned it.

The idea that my relatives were there was just my guess from the beginning.

Xi's brows relaxed, and her tail swayed gently.

Perhaps he was just going to pick up something his family had sent him?

Or perhaps he was just going to collect his living expenses, just like he did in Twin Scales Town last time.

So...

Perhaps they could indeed enjoy the taste of perch together.

"gentlemen?"

Perhaps it was because Xi's gaze was too direct, but Bai Zhou noticed that she was looking at him as soon as he put down his teacup.

Have you decided what you want to eat?

Xi skillfully changed the subject.

"Hmm, I don't know. Is there anything you'd like to eat, sir?"

"No."

The atmosphere quieted down again.

Suddenly, Bai Zhou thought of something and happily said to Xi:

"Sir, let's go for a walk! We can buy whatever we want to eat."

"go out……"

It's a bit hot outside, and she doesn't really want to...

"Go out."

Staying indoors all the time isn't good for your health.

"Sir, it's a bit hot outside. Let me hold an umbrella for you!"

Xi glanced at Bai Zhou, who was excitedly crowding around, and flicked her tail somewhat awkwardly.

She could probably guess Bai Zhou's little scheme.

Ever since he experienced the feeling of being entangled in a tail, the little devil seems to have been unable to forget it.