A Money-Grubber?

Before leaving the Star Dou Great Forest, Di Tian sought out Tang Wulin. He did not say much, only silently handing over a thin card edged with dark-gold patterns. The card felt warm and smooth to the touch, with the texture of some special soul-guided metal.

"This is an anonymous federal gold card," Di Tian said in the same even tone, as though discussing something insignificant. "The federal credits inside should be enough for your expenses going forward. There is no need to be frugal. If it is not enough... the Star Dou Great Forest's accumulation over ten thousand years will not be spent so easily by the two of you."

Tang Wulin accepted the card, finding it slightly heavy in his hand. He thanked Di Tian without giving it much thought. To him, it was merely necessary travel money.

It was not until they boarded a soul-guided train bound for the East Sea coast and settled into a spacious, comfortable private compartment, after the train had smoothly started moving, that Tang Wulin curiously sent a thread of soul power into the card. He wanted to know what "enough for your expenses" actually meant.

The next instant, his entire body froze as if he had been struck by a paralysis spell. The hand holding the card stiffened in midair, his eyes staring straight at the faint light flowing across its surface. His mouth fell slightly open, wide enough to fit an egg.

It was not a simple number. It was a balance made up of a dizzyingly long string of zeroes, an astronomical figure! He even blinked instinctively, wondering whether his muddled memories had caused him to misread the number of digits. Only after counting it back and forth three times did he finally confirm that the sum was vast enough to buy who knew how many luxurious soul-guided trains like the one they had ridden before!

After a brief daze, an irrepressible, heartfelt ecstasy bubbled up like a spring. His eyes instantly shone with astonishing brightness, as if golden stars were glittering within them, while the corners of his mouth rose uncontrollably, nearly reaching his ears. It was a pure, instinctive thrill at possessing an enormous fortune, unrelated to memory, as though it had been carved into his bones.

"Pfft—"

A very soft laugh came from beside him.

Tang Wulin abruptly came back to himself and turned his head. Gu Yuena had removed the wide-brimmed hat she had used for disguise at some point, revealing her altered appearance of delicate black hair and black eyes. She lightly covered her lips with the back of her hand, her eyes and brows carrying a trace of suppressed amusement.

"Look at you," she said. Her bright black eyes curved into lovely crescents, and her voice carried a familiarity and teasing tone she herself had not noticed. "Your eyes are practically popping out. Wulin, how are you still such a money-grubber?"

The words slipped so naturally from her lips, as though she had said them hundreds or thousands of times before.

The wild joy in Tang Wulin's heart was instantly replaced by an even greater tremor. He stared at her blankly, forgetting the gold card in his hand and that astronomical sum. Carefully, he asked, "Gu Yue, did you... remember something?"

At his words, the smile on Gu Yuena's face faded slightly, replaced by confusion. Tilting her head, she carefully searched her feelings before finally shaking her head. "No. It was just that, seeing you like that, those words came out naturally." After a pause, she added, "It feels like... this is simply how you have always been."

The light in Tang Wulin's eyes dimmed for an instant, but he soon accepted it. Even without complete memories, certain things carved into one's bones would still reveal themselves unintentionally. That in itself was a kind of hope.

He carefully put away the gold card. Though his heart still raced at the thought of that enormous sum, he felt even more reassured. At least, while searching for their memories, they would not have to worry about making a living.

The train sped onward, the scenery outside racing backward as dense forests gradually gave way to rolling hills, which then slowly opened into broad plains. The warm afternoon sunlight streamed through the large windows, filling the compartment and coating everything in a soft golden edge.

The carriage was quiet, with only the steady hum of the moving train. After eating and drinking their fill, a lazy drowsiness quietly crept over them. Gu Yuena leaned against the soft seatback, her head bobbing with the train's gentle swaying as her eyelids gradually grew heavy.

At last, her head tilted lightly to one side and naturally came to rest on Tang Wulin's shoulder.

Tang Wulin's body stiffened slightly at first. The sudden weight and warmth on his shoulder, along with the cool yet faintly fragrant scent lingering at the tip of his nose, left him at a loss. He could clearly feel her even breaths brushing his neck, bringing a faint tickle.

He lowered his head and looked at her peaceful sleeping face so close beside him. In her altered appearance, she had lost some of her breathtaking beauty, yet gained a softness and authenticity like that of the girl next door. Her long black eyelashes resembled two little fans, casting faint shadows beneath her eyelids. She seemed to be sleeping deeply and peacefully.

An indescribable calm and contentment slowly flowed through Tang Wulin's heart. The excitement, unease, and confusion over the unknown he had felt earlier all seemed to be soothed away in that moment by the warm sunlight and the weight on his shoulder. He carefully adjusted his posture to let her lean more comfortably against him, then relaxed as well, gently tilting his head back against the seat. Looking at the sleeping face of the person beside him, he smiled from the bottom of his heart. Yes, this was his beloved. What was there for him to be unhappy about?

The sunlight warmed his body, while the train's rhythmic motion was like a lullaby. Before long, Tang Wulin felt sleepiness welling up too, his eyelids growing heavier and heavier. He took one last look at the golden fields flying past outside the window, then slowly closed his eyes.

His breathing gradually became long and steady.

He, too, fell asleep.

Sunlight slowly moved across the two of them, tracing their silhouettes as they leaned against each other. The compartment was so quiet that only their even breathing and the sound of the moving train remained. In that moment, there were no grudges and entanglements from ten thousand years ago, no pain and confusion from lost memories, nor any pressure from the heavy responsibilities they bore. There were only two travelers relying on each other, finding a rare moment of peace and restful sleep during a brief journey.

They slept deeply and peacefully, as though they intended to make up for all the security they had lacked over the past ten thousand years in this single sleep.

After an unknown amount of time, a gentle female voice sounded over the train broadcast. "Attention, passengers. The train will soon arrive at the final stop of this journey, Aolai City. Passengers disembarking, please prepare in advance..."

Tang Wulin woke first. He moved his somewhat numb shoulder, disturbing Gu Yuena, who was leaning against him.

Gu Yuena's long eyelashes trembled a few times before she slowly opened her eyes. Her black eyes still held the hazy moisture of someone who had just awakened, making her seem a little lost. When she realized she had been resting on Tang Wulin's shoulder, a faint blush rose to her face. She quickly sat upright and somewhat awkwardly smoothed her slightly tousled black hair.

"We're here?" she asked softly, her voice still carrying a trace of sleep-induced huskiness.

"Mm, we're here." Seeing her rare, adorably muddled expression, Tang Wulin's lips unconsciously curved upward.

The train slowly decelerated before finally coming to a smooth stop at the platform. Through the window, they could already see the bustling crowds on the platform, as well as the pointed rooftops of distant buildings with the distinct style of a seaside city.

In the air, they seemed to be able to smell the faintly salty scent that belonged to the ocean.

Aolai City, the place where their memories began, had arrived.

Tang Wulin and Gu Yuena exchanged a glance. Each saw a barely noticeable tension in the other's eyes, along with even greater anticipation. They picked up their simple luggage and followed the flow of people off the train, stepping into this city at the edge of the continent, bathed in warm sunlight and sea breeze.