This day... had finally come to an end.
Gu Shen left Dream Whisperer, stood by the roadside, and took a deep breath of cold air, pulling himself together.
He had more or less fully absorbed the side effects of the Truth Ruler, though his steps still felt a little light and unsteady.
In Dadu south of the Yangtze, November evenings turned chilly after sunset.
He pulled his coat tighter. Too much had happened today—the mass insomnia, the Eternal Foundation's attack, the Pocket Watch dreamscape... A string of events had come one after another, almost leaving him unable to breathe.
Fortunately, it was all over now.
The evening breeze swept past, carrying music from a roadside coffee shop. Pedestrians passed along Lipu Street; couples walked arm in arm and laughed, children chased one another and played. The bustling white noise of the crowd relaxed Gu Shen, easing the tension in his mind.
"Little Gu Doctor."
Under a streetlamp on the other side, a petite, adorable girl waved at him.
Qu Shui wore a fluffy knit cap, a camel-colored sweater with a cartoon design, a pleated skirt, and pink slouch socks pulled up to her knees. She looked bright and youthful.
"Sorry to keep you waiting." Gu Shen felt a little apologetic for making her wait so long.
As he drew closer, Gu Shen noticed that Qu Shui had put on makeup as well. Her cheeks were rosy, and the pallid, haggard look from before had nearly vanished. She was brimming with energy, and beneath the streetlight, her radiant smile was strikingly beautiful.
"No, no, I just got here too."
The girl breathed warm air into both hands and said, "Little Gu Doctor, work must be tough, right? It's getting late. Let me treat you to dinner!"
Gu Shen hesitated.
He had