The Promise

Jia Youcai and Qian Renxue interlocked their fingers and walked hand in hand toward the quiet little cabin once more.

Along the way, Qian Renxue clung tightly to Jia Youcai's side. Her small hand gripped his even more tightly, afraid that if she let go, he would vanish like a bubble.

Jia Youcai's heart brimmed with sweetness as he gently swung their clasped hands.

Before long, they returned to the little cabin. Jia Youcai gently pushed open the wooden door, which slowly creaked open.

Qian Renxue nodded slightly, then lightly walked to a corner, picked up a small wooden bucket, and prepared to head outside.

Jia Youcai hurriedly stopped her. "Let me do it."

Qian Renxue gently shook her head and said softly, "I should do it. You were badly injured just now. You need to rest properly."

With that, Qian Renxue went around Jia Youcai and walked toward a small stream not far away.

She crouched down and gently scooped up a handful of clear stream water, feeling its coolness slowly spread from her fingertips. She splashed some water on her face, then filled the wooden bucket and laboriously carried it back to the cabin.

"The water's here." Qian Renxue steadily set the bucket on the ground and smiled at Jia Youcai.

"For me?" Jia Youcai pointed at himself.

"Mhm." Qian Renxue nodded gently.

Jia Youcai stepped forward, bent down, and lightly stirred the water's surface with his hand. Then he scooped up a handful of water with both hands, washed his face, and washed his hands.

Qian Renxue stood quietly to one side, watching him tenderly as her thoughts drifted away.

After Jia Youcai finished washing his face, he looked up and happened to see Qian Renxue staring blankly at him. He blinked and teased, "What? Mesmerized by how cute I am?"

Qian Renxue's cheeks instantly reddened like ripe little apples. She chided him, "Who's mesmerized? Stop being so full of yourself."

With that, she turned and gracefully sat down at the table.

Jia Youcai sat down opposite Qian Renxue and looked at her intently. "Xuexue, who's in your family?"

Qian Renxue froze slightly, and a trace of loneliness flashed through her eyes. She said quietly, "I... I don't know who my parents are. Granny Zhang adopted me."

Jia Youcai's heart ached when he heard that. Qian Xunji was already dead, and Bibi Dong presumably had never interacted with her either. If this world were reversed, then the one parasitized by the Blood Red Nine-Headed Bat King in the City of Slaughter would not have been Tang Chen, but Qian Daoliu.

He moved closer, took Qian Renxue's hand, and said sincerely, "It's okay. From now on, I'll be your family. I'll always protect you and find you lots and lots of delicious food."

Qian Renxue felt warmth fill her heart. Looking at Jia Youcai, she said softly, "Thank you. I'm really happy to have you by my side."

Jia Youcai gently stroked Qian Renxue's hair and smiled. "By the way, where is Granny Zhang now? Once my injuries get a little better in a couple of days, let's go see her together."

A flash of joy crossed Qian Renxue's eyes before they dimmed again. She lowered her voice. "Granny Zhang... has already passed away. She went peacefully. Before she left, she told me to live well and not be sad."

As she spoke, Qian Renxue's eyes reddened slightly, tears welling within them.

Jia Youcai hurriedly pulled Qian Renxue into his arms and comforted her softly. "Don't be sad, Xuexue. Granny Zhang definitely wouldn't want to see you this upset. She must be watching over you from heaven, hoping that you can live happily."

Qian Renxue leaned against Jia Youcai's chest, nodded gently, and said, "Mm, I know."

Jia Youcai released Qian Renxue and looked at her reddened eyes with heartache. "Xuexue, let's not talk about sad things anymore. I'll tell you a joke. Once, there was a fool. No matter what people asked him, he always said, 'No.' If you asked whether he'd eaten, he'd say, 'No.' If you asked whether he'd slept, he'd also say, 'No'..."

Listening to Jia Youcai's joke, Qian Renxue gradually smiled. She interrupted him, "Then if someone asked him, 'Do you have a brain?' would he also say, 'No'?"

Jia Youcai clapped his hands and laughed. "That's right, that's right! Xuexue, you're so smart!"

As the sun set, two small figures sat side by side outside the little cabin. They sat there quietly, as if time itself had paused for them.

The fading sunlight fell across them, coating them in a golden-red glow.

The girl on the left turned her head to look at the boy, propping her chin on both hands. It seemed as though she had a thousand words she wanted to say, but in the end, she held them back.

Noticing Qian Renxue's hesitant expression, Jia Youcai turned toward her and looked at her gently. "Xuexue, is there something you want to tell me?"

Qian Renxue bit her lip. After hesitating for a moment, she finally said, "Do you think... we can always stay together like this? Will there come a day when you leave me too?"

Jia Youcai stared blankly toward the horizon before answering firmly, "No matter what happens, I won't leave you. I'll protect you like the most precious treasure."

Qian Renxue gave him a sweet smile, leaned against his shoulder, and said softly, "It's wonderful having you here."

Just then, a gentle breeze passed by, lifting their hair.

Jia Youcai suddenly thought of something. He sat up straight and looked at Qian Renxue. "Xuexue, once I've fully recovered, let's go out and see the world. The world outside must be amazing. There are so many fun places and all kinds of delicious food."

Qian Renxue's eyes lit up as she asked expectantly, "Really? What will we get to see?"

Jia Youcai described it excitedly, "We can see towering mountains that pierce the clouds. There might even be snow covering their peaks. We can also see the vast, boundless sea, with wave after wave rolling in."

Qian Renxue was captivated, imagining those wonderful sights. She said excitedly, "That sounds amazing! When will we leave?"

Jia Youcai stroked his chin and thought for a moment. "In a few more years, when we've both grown up a little."

Qian Renxue nodded vigorously. "Okay! I'll listen to you."

The two sat quietly for a while longer as the sky gradually darkened. Jia Youcai stood up, took Qian Renxue's hand, and said, "Xuexue, let's go inside. It's getting a little cold tonight. Don't catch a chill."

Qian Renxue obediently followed Jia Youcai into the cabin.