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

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I have witnessed the vicissitudes of life and the changes in the world, but the stars still shine brightly.

It seems that compared to the eternal stars in the sky, the old man's long life is just a joke.

"Sir, why is the moon bright?"

"Perhaps... it's because the sun is too dazzling, and the moon is chasing after its remaining radiance."

As Xi gazed at the two moons in the sky, she came to her senses and realized that Bai Zhou had already fallen asleep next to her.

"...Why are there so many questions today?"

Xi picked up the baby dragon and carried him back to the cabin.

"To say such things at such a young age... who knows how many women he'll deceive in the future."

Recalling what Bai Zhou had said to her that day, Xi gently tapped his little nose, guessing what Bai Zhou would be like in the future.

"I hope that fifty years from now, you will still remember me. And you will... call me 'sir' again."

That was enough for her.

Fifty-six years have passed since our parting amidst the floating clouds, and ten years have flowed by like water.

After drifting on the water for five days, the two finally made their way into Kuaiji City.

"Sir, is this Kuaiji? It doesn't seem to be much different from Gouwu."

During the day, he stayed by Xi's side without leaving her side.

Although he had arrived at his destination and would soon be able to taste the long-awaited perch, there was no sign of happiness on his face.

"There is a large, beautiful lake in Kuaiji."

Xi held his little hand and led him around the streets.

"It's almost noon, what would you like to eat?"

"...I'll listen to you, sir."

I don't want to eat sea bass right now.

"Then... let's go eat noodles... no, let's go eat something else."

That noodle shop seems to also sell sea bass on the side; it doesn't look like a proper shop at all. With so few customers, the noodles must not be very good.

"Ah."

Although the noodle shop in front of him wasn't exactly bustling with people, it still had quite a few customers. But if Xi said it wasn't good, then it wasn't good, and Bai Zhou naturally wouldn't say anything more.

"Sir, let's go eat crab."

I saw a restaurant that mainly sells river delicacies during the day.

Although I just stopped taking the medication, taking just a little bit won't cause any problems.

"Crabs, that's fine too."

Xi led him into the shop.

"Waiter, one of each of these, please."

During the day, Bai Zhou pointed to the various shrimp and crab dishes on the menu and ordered many dishes, while also ordering a bottle of Shaoxing wine for Xi.

The food was served quickly, and Xi looked at the bottle of wine with a sense of helplessness.

"Drinking at midday, really..."

She gently tapped the daylight, but did not refuse.

"Sir, do you think the perch from Kuaiji is delicious?"

Bai Zhou asked curiously as he peeled crabs for Xi Xi.

"Probably. This place is built along the river, and the fish are at their fattest when they swim back in the river. Although it's not that time yet, fish usually taste similar. The perch at this time... should taste pretty good."

Xi seemed to have thought of something else and added:

“I once went to a place where the perch was exceptional. If I had the chance… I suppose that place has been destroyed by disaster and I would never be able to find it again.”

"What a pity..."

During the day, he held a crab leg and nibbled on it, his little face full of longing.

"Alright, let's eat quickly. We still need to find a guesthouse later."

"Ah."

Bai Zhou said nothing more, placed the peeled crab meat and crab roe on a plate and pushed it to Xi, then took a crab and ate it slowly.

As Xi savored the flavors of the wine and crab, watching the daytime struggle with the crabs, she felt a sense of tranquility.

"Phew, that crab place is really good, sir. Let's go there again next time."

"it is good."

After checking into the guesthouse, Xi sat in a chair watching Bai Zhou pack his things, occasionally responding to his words.

"Sir, are you drunk?"

Seemingly noticing something strange about Xi, Bai Zhou quickly came to check on her condition after making the bed.

"perhaps……"

Looking at the little guy's clean face, Xi suddenly wanted to leave some mark on it, to leave some mark that belonged to her alone.

"Sir...?"

Day calls out in alarm to dusk.

Xi was just looking at him a moment ago, how come she's leaning on his shoulder in the blink of an eye?

"Shut up!"

Xi felt the noise around her, so she pulled him into her arms to stop him from shouting anymore.

"Ugh... Sir... I feel a little stuffy..."

Bai Zhou wanted to speak, but Xi grabbed his tail, forcing him to shut his mouth and silently feel the softness there.

After standing there for a while, Xi finally spoke:

"Ah Xi, let's go take a nap... and then we'll go eat sea bass, okay?"

Xi was a little sleepy, probably due to the effects of the alcohol.

"Hmm... I'll listen to you, sir."

The newly made mattress is very warm, and it feels very comfortable to lie on.

He held the baby dragon in his arms, their tails gently touching.

Xi wanted to see if he was sleeping obediently. When she bent down, just as she had thought, she saw those clear eyes looking at her.

Why aren't you asleep?

Xi pressed her forehead against the young dragon's and gently rubbed it, the horn making a soft "thump-thump" sound when it touched something.

"I'm thinking of you, sir."

Bai Zhou loved Xi's eyes, eyes as beautiful as the morning sun or a rainbow after the rain. He could never tire of such a beautiful sight.

But what he liked most was being able to see himself in those eyes.

"I?"

Xi didn't know what to say.

She saw herself in the boy's eyes, only herself.

“Ah Xi…”

All she could do was... hide her selfish thoughts and desires even deeper.

but……

"Sir, please go to sleep. I will stay by your side."

Just a little catharsis... just a little...

"gentlemen?"

The touch on his lips was fleeting; the boy didn't even have time to react before he was being held tightly again in the blink of an eye.

■

The weather was rather gloomy in the afternoon, with many clouds gathering in the sky and the wind picking up considerably on the street, as if it were about to rain.

A small boat floats on the lake, surrounded by the quiet of the wind and the sound of water. For some reason, no other pedestrians have come here, and those who occasionally wander in are quickly asked to leave.

The perch caught at dusk had been on the table for a while, yet its scales remained intact. After cooking, neither of them touched it, simply watching it cool.

"Ah Xi, the perch scales won't taste good if they get cold."

Xi wanted to find some topics to talk about.

This is something that should be done during the day.

"gentlemen……"

Bai Zhou ignored the fish.

He stood up, sat down next to Xi, and looked at her.

"Sir... will you return to Shendu in the future?"

"...Yes."

Xi will go back.

"Then... will you come to see me?"

"...Yes, if I don't get chased away by the guards as some kind of nobody."

If Xi goes to the capital, she will definitely go to see him.