Fern's Shadowing

Fern lay in Dugu Qing's arms, feeling his body heat and listening to his heartbeat. The miracle she had thought could never happen...

Had now happened naturally, proper and legitimate, with no one noticing her feelings.

She lowered her eyes and focused, overlapping her fair hands and pressing her joined fingers against her chest as she thanked the goddess of fate for her favor.

She was blissfully happy.

"You two, stop dawdling and hurry up."

Frieren took a few steps forward, then saw that Dugu Qing was still standing in place with Fern in his arms. Her eyes instantly turned into little dots.

She didn't know why Dugu Qing had stopped.

"Got it."

Though embarrassed by the awkward position, Dugu Qing still acted as if nothing were wrong and carried Fern forward.

A lush green forest appeared at the end of the horizon.

Overjoyed, Dugu Qing sprinted into the shade with Fern in his arms and set her down.

The three rested beneath the trees and set out again that afternoon.

They passed countless wheat fields, traveled countless roads, saw countless flowers and birds, and spent one day and night after another on the road.

One year later.

In the twenty-seventh year of the Xinshi Era, Fern was seventeen.

Her figure had gradually lengthened and grown fuller, shedding its youthful immaturity and gaining soft, delicate curves.

Standing together, Dugu Qing and Fern looked like a golden boy and jade girl, each complementing the other.

Along the way, many strangers mistook Dugu Qing, Frieren, and Fern for a family of three on their honeymoon.

Dugu Qing was naturally taken for the father.

Fern often gave Frieren headpats and stood a head taller than her, so she was naturally taken for Mrs. Dugu.

Frieren had it a little harder.

Because she was petite and looked so young, like a loli, she was often mistaken for Dugu Qing and Fern's daughter.

At first, Frieren was so angry she nearly "ran away from home," but later she stopped caring.

Fine, she'd be the daughter!

So what? What could they do?

In any case, true friends could see the three of them for who they were at a glance.

As for strangers they met by chance, they would soon part ways after an explanation anyway. There was no need to get angry.

Besides, Dugu Qing's cooking was so delicious and Fern's massages were so gentle. What bad intentions could they have?

The Central Countries, the trading city of Waalm.

Dugu Qing, Frieren, and Fern entered the bustling trading city.

Dugu Qing looked at the lively crowds around him, his throat tingling with a sudden urge to sing and bring a song he had heard in his previous life to this world.

Frieren suggested that the three of them shop separately to replenish their supplies.

Dugu Qing nodded repeatedly at her suggestion, a hint of delight on his face.

After assigning their tasks, Frieren turned and left.

Dugu Qing waved, then hurried away with an excited look on his face.

"Something's suspicious."

Fern watched Dugu Qing's departing figure, doubt in her eyes. She felt certain he was hiding something from her.

She slowed her pace and followed Dugu Qing, tracking him carefully.

Mackam Street.

Dugu Qing walked along the street and found an open organ shop on a corner.

He hurried forward and entered the quaint old shop.

"Looking to buy an instrument?"

The shopkeeper came out from behind the counter and welcomed him warmly.

Dugu Qing nodded and walked around the shop, looking for an organ he liked.

In a corner, he found two lyres.

Dugu Qing was instantly won over by their appearance and bearing. He readily paid for both of them.

One lyre had six strings and the other seven. They were made of rosewood and oak, respectively, with understated, graceful colors and fine, smooth grain. They looked elegant and noble, like kings among instruments.

Before Dugu Qing even reached the forest, he couldn't wait to play the prelude to Scarborough Fair.

"Wow! That sounds wonderful. I never knew Dugu Qing could play, too! He's amazing."

Fern, the lady tailing him, stared wide-eyed, her face full of pleasant surprise.

Passersby slowed their steps as they heard Dugu Qing play, hoping to bask in a little more of the music.

Unfortunately, Dugu Qing had no intention of showing his singing and playing to outsiders. He quickly bought his supplies, slung the bamboo basket on his back, and left the noisy commercial district.

He sat down in a bamboo grove, placed his slender fingers on the lyre, and gently plucked the strings.

A haunting, ethereal melody rang out, and Dugu Qing began to sing an English song.

"Are you going to Scarborough Fair?"

"Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme..."

When the song ended, Dugu Qing's gaze softened. He put down the lyre and tossed aside the red robe that was in his way. His white clothes, whiter than snow, shone in the evening sunlight.

He leaped into the emerald sea of bamboo. His nimble, long legs danced atop the needlelike bamboo leaves as he spun lightly, his sleeves fluttering in the wind.

His every frown and smile made him look like an immortal, captivating and soul-stealing.

He made the dull, dreary world vibrant and endlessly enchanting.

"So, so beautiful!"

Hidden in the shadows, Fern covered her mouth and watched in a daze.

When his play came to an end, Dugu Qing felt that his feet, which had carried him so far, had regained their vitality. His singing voice, which had been held back by mundane matters for days, had been given full rein, and his spiritual energy had revived.

He put on his red robe, picked up the lyre, and left with the bamboo basket on his back, looking effortlessly graceful.

"Oh no, I forgot to buy supplies."

After watching Dugu Qing leave, Fern woke from her trance. She looked at the empty bamboo basket on her back and felt like crying, but had no tears.

Even so, if time were turned back and everything began again...

She believed she would still follow Dugu Qing, without a shred of regret.

The balcony of the travelers' inn.

Dugu Qing set down the bamboo basket and put the supplies inside it into Frieren's suitcase.

Frieren sat in a chair on the balcony, holding a teacup, a little curious.

"What took you so long?"

"I bought two lyres."

Dugu Qing held up the two instruments and showed them to Frieren as if showing off.

"Where's Fern?"

"I don't know either. Maybe she's still shopping!"

"Fern really is still a child! She came to a bustling place and got distracted."

That was all Frieren could guess.

An hour later, Fern arrived at the meeting place, panting heavily.

Dugu Qing and Frieren had finished their tea long ago, gone to a dessert shop Frieren had found, and bought desserts to bring back.

As soon as Fern entered the room, she saw the desserts on the table: Mercury pudding, dorayaki, éclairs, and strawberry ice cream. The pleasant surprise instantly drove away her exhaustion from the whole day.

"You bought desserts!"

"Yeah! We were just waiting for you!"

Dugu Qing picked up the teacup and poured Fern a bowl of warm water.

"Thank you."

The three sat down in their chairs and ate together in a harmonious atmosphere, happy and cheerful like a real family.

"Fern, I'm so envious of you! Your figure keeps getting better."

After the meal, Frieren appeared behind Fern as if out of nowhere and looked down from above at her pride.