Second Life: I'm So Glad I Met You

Qiqi was a child who feared loneliness. She tended to blame herself for everything, a fragile little soul who was easily hurt.

Even when she was hurt, she never cried out in pain. She only curled up alone and licked her wounds.

Even when she fell from a cliff, she did not make a sound.

Even when Xiu Yuan distanced himself from her, she blamed herself for being too cold and stood alone beneath the blazing sun, doing stretches.

She was so understanding that it broke his heart.

Xiu Yuan could not stop worrying about Qiqi, but he knew there really was not much time left.

And so.

He had spent a full six months preparing for this day.

It was not because he could predict exactly when it would come. He had simply been preparing ever since they adopted that little finch.

He knew he could not stay with Qiqi for her entire life, so he prepared as much as he could.

If he had had a year, Xiu Yuan might even have sent some sachets to Mondstadt.

But with only six months, the sachets he had made were barely enough for Liyue.

"Have something to eat. Look how exhausted you are."

As Xiu Yuan rested, a voice suddenly came from behind him, making him jolt in surprise.

He turned around and saw Xiangling holding a box of steaming rice and a bottle of water.

"Xiangling, you..."

"I know everything. Oh, just eat already. You haven't had anything to eat or drink all day. We can talk afterward."

With that, Xiangling handed Xiu Yuan the food.

Xiu Yuan froze for a moment, then a faint smile appeared on his face as he accepted the water and food.

Then he began wolfing it down at an astonishing speed.

He even choked and had to pound his chest.

"Oh, slow down. Nobody's going to steal it." Xiangling patted him too, then opened the water and handed it to him.

He took it and gulped down several mouthfuls. Only after swallowing did he finally feel better.

"Sho good," Xiu Yuan said with a blissful smile.

"Swallow before you speak."

Gulp...

Once he had swallowed, Xiu Yuan said brightly, "It's delicious."

"Then have some more. Wanmin Restaurant is still open. Tell me what you want, and I'll make it."

Seeing Xiu Yuan in such a state, Xiangling could not hide her heartache.

"Then...!"

Xiu Yuan excitedly raised his hand, but before he could say anything else, he put down his chopsticks.

"It's all right. This is enough. I'm full already, and I still have to get home. I'm afraid..."

"I know, I know. You're afraid Qiqi will worry. You think I don't know you? Here, take these."

Before Xiu Yuan could finish, Xiangling handed him two large cases of Coconut Milk.

Once he had them in his arms, she stacked three packed food containers on top.

"Xiangling, I..."

"Go on, go on. Look how late it is. I'm going home to sleep, and you should hurry back too. Remember, no sleeping until you've finished eating."

With that, Xiangling yawned, turned around, and left, giving Xiu Yuan no chance to speak.

Watching her receding figure, Xiu Yuan smiled faintly and said, "Thank you, Xiangling."

Then he turned and left, carrying the pile of things in his arms.

"Qiqi is so lucky..."

Only then did Xiangling turn back, gazing at Xiu Yuan's retreating figure as she murmured those words.

A crystal-clear tear slid down her cheek.

"Qiqi, I'm home!" Xiu Yuan called cheerfully.

Bang!

The door flew open, and Qiqi came running over, throwing her arms around Xiu Yuan's legs.

"Qiqi... missed you..."

"There, there. I missed you too, Qiqi. Look what I brought."

At his words, Qiqi looked up. When she saw the two large cases of Coconut Milk, her eyes instantly filled with stars.

"Coconut Milk... it's Coconut Milk... I like Coconut Milk..."

Xiu Yuan set down the two large cases of Coconut Milk, opened a carton, and handed it to Qiqi.

"Coconut Milk... tastes good..."

"Then drink as much as you like."

Xiu Yuan smiled softly, then opened the three containers Xiangling had given him.

Hilichurl-Grilled Fish, Horsetail Glutinous Rice Meat, and a box of rice.

Those were the two dishes they had ordered on their first visit to Wanmin Restaurant. Back then, Xiangling had only just created them.

After Xiu Yuan tasted them and praised them, Xiangling decided to officially add them to the main menu, and they had become wildly popular bestsellers.

The sight of those two dishes brought another faint smile to Xiu Yuan's face.

"Xiu Yuan... haven't you eaten...?" Qiqi asked in confusion when she saw his three food containers.

"I sold all the sachets we made. Everyone loved them. It was thanks to you that we could gather so many different flowers, Qiqi."

"I got so caught up in everything that I forgot to eat. Luckily, Xiangling packed some food for me, or I would have gone hungry tonight."

Xiu Yuan scratched his head as he spoke, smiling faintly.

"Really... that's wonderful... but..."

"But... Xiu Yuan went hungry... to sell the sachets... that makes Qiqi sad..."

Seeing her like this, Xiu Yuan smiled warmly and said, "Don't worry. It won't happen again."

"Mm... it's a promise..."

"It's a promise," Xiu Yuan replied.

"Qiqi, what kind of person do you think I am?"

Xiu Yuan's sudden question briefly startled Qiqi. Then she lowered her head and thought for a while before giving her answer.

"Ever since we first met... you've made me feel very warm... not like the heat that makes me uncomfortable..."

"It's my heart... that feels warm... thank you... Xiu Yuan..."

"I'm so glad... I met you..."

Qiqi's answer was sincere and gentle, without the slightest hesitation in her voice.

After hearing her answer, Xiu Yuan said, "I'm very glad I met you too, Qiqi."

"If-and I'm only saying if-one day I'm gone, will you still remember me, Qiqi?"

"Qiqi... won't forget Xiu Yuan..."

"I see... thank you, Qiqi. That's all I could ever ask for."

An incredibly gentle smile appeared on Xiu Yuan's face. Then his body gradually began to glow.

Against the darkness of night, he shone like a firefly, dazzlingly bright.

"Xiu Yuan... what's happening...?" Seeing this strange change, Qiqi panicked and hurriedly hugged him.

At that moment, she suddenly remembered the questions Xiu Yuan had just asked, and she began to understand.

Qiqi's eyes widened as she clung tightly to Xiu Yuan.

"Don't go... Xiu Yuan... don't go... don't leave Qiqi..."

"Qiqi will change... Qiqi will listen to you..."

But Qiqi's words did not make the light around Xiu Yuan disappear. Instead, it grew ever brighter.

Until his entire body was covered in a luminous glow.

Soon, beautiful specks of pale green began appearing throughout the forest.

More and more fireflies lit up the entire forest.

In distant Liyue, a man who had gotten up to use the bathroom noticed the strange sight.

"Honey! Come take a look! What's going on over there?"

The woman he had woken peered sleepily out the window and saw a scene that looked like something out of a dream.

The entire forest seemed illuminated by countless lamps, shining brilliantly beneath the night sky.

Word spread through Liyue, from one person to ten, then from ten to a hundred. Everyone got out of bed and turned their gaze toward the forest.

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