Starlight of the Secret Base and Ripples at the Fingertips

Mrs. Smith's cold warning hung like an invisible barrier, but it couldn't truly block two exploring hearts. Lynn became more cautious, making the attic "Secret Base" even more hidden, covering the screen's gaps with old blankets to ensure not a single ray of light or sound would leak out. At the same time, he sped through his orphanage chores, just to arrive on time and not disappoint that little brown-haired head in the library corner.

Hermione, clearly, also felt the pressure. When they met again, she no longer shared her discoveries loudly like before. Instead, like a wary fawn, she first looked left and right, making sure Mrs. Smith wasn't nearby, then quickly slipped over to sit beside Lynn, mysteriously pulling a small cloth pouch from her backpack.

"Lynn!" she whispered, her big eyes sparkling with the excitement of sharing a treasure, "Look! I found them!" Carefully, she tipped out several stones onto the table.

They were stones of various sizes and colors—deep ink-black, warm milky-white, and one strange deep blue that seemed to have a faint glow swirling inside. Their common trait was an unusually smooth, polished surface, rounded edges, and shapes tending toward regular geometry, as if carefully selected and processed by someone.

"These stones...?" Lynn picked up the deep blue one. It was cool to the touch, with a fine texture, indeed unlike anything naturally formed.

"I found them in an old rock pile in my backyard!" Hermione's voice was still low, but full of accomplishment, "I secretly used my dad's toolbox—there's a grinding wheel and polishing paste! I polished them for so long, my hands got all red!" She held out her small hands, and indeed, on her fingertips and the edges of her palms, faint new red marks and thin calluses were visible.

Lynn's heart was instantly filled with a warm, bittersweet emotion. This eight-year-old girl had silently done so much for their "secret," to find something that could "carry" that strange power. He gently held Hermione's wrist (avoiding the red marks), looked into her eyes that seemed to be seeking praise, and his voice unconsciously softened to the utmost: "Does it hurt, Hermione? Don't do this anymore. It's too hard."

"It doesn't hurt!" Hermione immediately shook her head, her little face lifting with stubbornness, "As long as I can help, as long as we find clues to the 'key,' it's not hard at all! Lynn, do you think these stones, like the symbols in your book, can... can 'sense' something?" She looked at Lynn expectantly, then at the deep blue stone.

Lynn's heart stirred. The symbols in the Starry Book required him to inject his own "spark" energy. Whether these stones themselves had any special properties was unknown, but Hermione's pure intention and initiative were themselves the most precious "key." He picked up the deep blue stone; it was cold in his hand, but when he tried to extremely faintly channel a thread of the warmth from his internal "spark" to envelop it...

Hum...

Extremely, extremely faint! Like a drop of water falling into a deep pool—only a barely perceptible ripple sensation came from his fingertip. The stone itself showed no change. If Lynn hadn't had keen perception, he would have missed it. This feeling was completely different from guiding the Starry Book's symbols; it was more like an extremely weak resonance, or... a passive feedback from the stone to his energy.

"Did you feel something?" Hermione asked nervously, her little fists clenched tight.

"Mm... a very faint change," Lynn chose to tell the truth, but used vaguer words, "Like... like a drop of water falling on very still water, making a tiny ripple." He put down the stone and looked into Hermione's eyes, "Hermione, your heart and your effort are the best 'key.' These stones are beautiful, and you found and polished them with your heart. That itself gives them special meaning."

Hermione's eyes grew even brighter, clearly pleased by Lynn's words. She picked up the deep blue stone, caressing it with affection: "Then... Lynn, this prettiest one is for you! It's the same color as that starry book!" Without waiting for his response, she pressed the stone into Lynn's hand.

"Thank you, Hermione. I really like it." Lynn gripped the stone, still carrying a trace of Hermione's palm warmth. Beneath its cool touch, it seemed to hold a faint warmth. Looking at Hermione's excited face, an idea flashed through his mind. From his simple cloth bag, he took out a small package carefully wrapped in old newspaper. Opening it revealed a piece of sturdy thin copper wire he'd found yesterday in the orphanage's backyard scrap wood pile, along with some small tools (also "borrowed" from the orphanage's tool shed).

"Since it's so special," Lynn picked up the copper wire and tools, shaking them at Hermione, "let's give it a 'home,' so it can always be with you, okay?" He was referring to the other milky-white stone Hermione had kept for herself.

Hermione was stunned for a moment, then her face burst into immense surprise: "You're going to... you're going to make it into a necklace for me? Like a talisman in storybooks?" Her little face flushed red with excitement.

"Mm, let's try." Lynn nodded with a smile. He carefully picked up the milky-white stone, which had been polished into a teardrop shape. Recalling some simple jewelry-making methods from his past life, he deftly wrapped the copper wire around the rounded end of the stone, securing it. His fingers moved nimbly, forming a simple yet sturdy frame. His movements weren't fast, but they were focused, his slender fingers looking especially agile in the dim light.

Hermione lay on the table, chin resting on her hands, eyes fixed unblinkingly on Lynn's movements. Her long lashes fluttered like little fans, full of admiration and anticipation. Occasionally, she would whisper suggestions: "Would it look better if you wrapped it around here?" or "Add another little loop?" Lynn always responded patiently, making fine adjustments according to her ideas. In that small corner, only the faint sound of copper wire twisting and their occasional low murmurs filled the air, creating a warmth like winter sunshine.

After who knows how long, an exquisite pendant was finished. The copper wire perfectly wrapped and secured the bottom of the milky-white stone, extending into simple chain links. The overall lines were smooth, with a rustic beauty.

"There, see if you like it?" Lynn gently placed the finished pendant into Hermione's open palm.

"Wow! It's amazing!" Hermione carefully cupped the pendant, examining it against the light streaming through the window. Her little face radiated pure joy. "Lynn, you're so skilled! It's even prettier than some things in my mom's jewelry store window!" She eagerly slipped the copper wire chain over her slender neck. The milky-white stone hung just below her collarbone, its warm luster making her face even more lively.

"I'm glad you like it." Watching Hermione's happy expression, Lynn felt a deep sense of satisfaction. He picked up the deep blue stone Hermione had given him and, following the same method, wrapped it with copper wire, making a simpler pendant and hanging it around his own neck. The cool stone against his skin seemed to take on a trace of warmth.

"Look! We both have 'talismans' now!" Hermione pointed at the stones on her and Lynn's chest, her eyes curving into crescents with her smile. "Mine is called 'Moon White Stone,' and yours... 'Star Stone'! Okay?" She was proud of her naming.

"Okay, Star Stone it is." Lynn responded with a smile. He took out the deep blue Starry Book and placed it on the table between them. "Hermione, today I want to try... let's 'read' this book together, okay? Using that 'feeling' we found before." He pointed at his own fingertip, then looked at Hermione.

Hermione immediately sat up straight, her little face serious and expectant, nodding firmly: "Mm! Together!"

Lynn took a deep breath and slowly opened the pages. This time, instead of touching the complex symbols, he focused on a relatively simple pattern composed of a few dots and wavy lines. He concentrated, mobilizing the "spark" within him, carefully channeling a thread of warmth slightly stronger than what he'd shown Hermione before, gathering it at his fingertip. At the same time, he used his mind to "trace" and "feel" the rhythm of the symbol.

Hum...

The page beneath his fingertip once again transmitted the familiar, clear vibration. At the edges of the symbol's lines, an extremely faint silver light flickered and vanished. The "spark" inside him felt a slight drain.

"I felt it!" Hermione whispered beside him, her voice filled with suppressed excitement. "The air... the air is trembling again, like before water boils! Right over the page! It's more obvious than last time!" She tried hard to describe her perception.

"Good, Hermione. Your perception is very sharp." Lynn encouraged, inwardly amazed by her sensitivity. "Now, try like I did before. Focus your mind, imagine there's also a 'hot little spark' inside you. Imagine it flowing down your arm, to your fingertip..."

Hermione immediately closed her eyes, her little face tense, her brow furrowed into a knot, clearly concentrating with all her might. Lynn didn't disturb her. He just maintained the faint warmth at his fingertip, keeping the symbol's weak vibration and glow going, providing a perceptual "anchor" for Hermione.

Time ticked by. Lynn maintained the guidance, the mental focus causing sweat to bead on his forehead. Hermione's face was also flushed from effort, her long lashes trembling constantly. She could feel the increasingly clear "vibration" from the page, and the strange "warmth" emanating from Lynn's fingertip, but inside herself... it still seemed empty. She couldn't find the so-called "little spark."

Just as Hermione was getting discouraged, and Lynn was about to stop guiding—

Hermione's small hand, resting on the table, unconsciously curled her fingers from intense concentration. They happened to brush against Lynn's fingertip, which was channeling energy and touching the page!

Hum—!

It was like a spark falling into an oil barrel!

A wave of energy far stronger than Lynn's own guidance suddenly erupted from the point where their fingers touched!

The "spark" inside Lynn was like a fuse instantly lit. An uncontrollable surge of warmth rushed down his arm to his fingertip! And the symbol on the page, which had only been faintly glowing, suddenly blazed with silver light! No longer a faint glow, but a substantial, flowing mercury-like radiance that filled the entire symbol's trajectory! An invisible, gentle force spread outward from the page!

"Ah!" Hermione was startled by the sudden light and force, her body involuntarily leaning back, almost falling off the chair!

Lynn reacted quickly. His left hand shot out from under the table, catching Hermione's back and steadying her firmly. At the same time, he forcefully pressed his right fingertip down, abruptly cutting off the energy connection to the page's symbol, his heart pounding with alarm! Out of control! Hermione's accidental touch had caused his energy output to go berserk!

The dazzling silver light on the page receded like a tide, vanishing in the blink of an eye, leaving only the now-calm symbol, as if nothing had happened. The library remained quiet, as if no one else had noticed the brief anomaly in this corner.

"Lynn... Lynn?" Hermione leaned against Lynn's arm, still shaken, her big eyes filled with shock and confusion. "That... that light just now... so bright! And... it felt like someone pushed me?"

Lynn's heart was still racing. He quickly withdrew his supporting hand and closed the Starry Book. His face was a bit pale, half from the sudden energy drain, half from lingering fear. He had been too careless! He hadn't expected Hermione's touch to trigger such a violent reaction! The "spark" inside him was now noticeably dimmer, sending out strong signals of fatigue.

"It's... it's okay, Hermione." He forced himself to stay calm, his voice still a bit unsteady. "I... I lost control. The energy output was too strong. Sorry I scared you." He chose to partially confess, hiding the key fact that Hermione's touch had caused the loss of control.

Hermione patted her chest, trying to calm her breathing, but her eyes were astonishingly bright. She wasn't scared; instead, she was filled with immense curiosity and a desire to explore: "Oh my god! Lynn! You just now... you made that symbol shine so brightly! Like... like a real star! Is this... is this what that power really looks like?" The admiration and wonder in her eyes as she looked at Lynn were almost overflowing.

Seeing the pure, unafraid, longing light in Hermione's eyes, Lynn's lingering fear was somewhat replaced by a strange warmth. He nodded, his tone serious: "Yes, this is it... but it also shows how dangerous it is. It needs to be controlled very, very carefully. I almost hurt you just now." He looked at her earnestly. "So, promise me, until we've fully learned to control it, don't try it on your own, okay? Especially don't touch me when I'm channeling energy."

Hermione looked into Lynn's serious, worried eyes and felt his concern. She nodded firmly, her small hand unconsciously touching the "Moon White Stone" pendant on her chest, as if drawing strength from it: "Mm! I promise, Lynn! I'll be careful! But..." Her big eyes darted, a hint of slyness and anticipation in them, "Next time you guide it, can I... can I just 'feel' it from nearby? Just feel, not touch you! I want to remember that 'vibrating' feeling!"

Seeing her cautious yet eager expression, Lynn smiled helplessly and fondly: "Okay, next time you can 'feel' it from nearby. But we need to find a safer place..." He looked around the library. The loss of control just now, though brief, had been too risky.

"I know a place!" Hermione immediately became excited, her face lighting up. "There's a very small, abandoned tool shed behind my house! No one ever goes there! We can turn it into our 'Secret Base'! Much safer than the library!"

Secret Base? Lynn looked at Hermione's excited face, then touched the cool "Star Stone" on his chest. Perhaps it was time to move their base. For safety, and to protect this bond that had grown ever more precious because of the starlight and their secret.