Skydream? Zap!

Huo Yutong closed her eyes, her consciousness like a thread being drawn back, slowly rising along the path it had come.

When she opened her eyes again, she felt the real world.

There was the fresh fragrance of grass and trees, and the warm breath of sunshine.

Huo Yutong let out a gentle breath, feeling an indescribable sense of reassurance throughout her body.

She lowered her head to look at Gu Xingyue, still asleep beside her. His face was peaceful, his lashes casting fine shadows beneath his eyes, his breathing steady and deep.

Huo Yutong watched him for a long while, then smiled softly, her voice so very quiet that only she could hear it. "This is wonderful... today really is the luckiest day of my life. I got to meet someone outside my family who treats me well."

As she spoke, she carefully shifted, settling against the thick trunk of an old tree, then reached out and gently lifted Gu Xingyue's head onto her lap.

Her movements were ever so gentle, for fear of waking him. Her fingertips occasionally brushed his silver hair, cool and soft.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled light and shadow across her face. Her long blue hair spilled down, a few strands falling beside Gu Xingyue's cheek.

She sat quietly, looking down at the person on her lap. Her ears quietly reddened, but she could not suppress the smile on her lips.

Before long, Gu Xingyue's lashes fluttered.

He slowly opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw was Huo Yutong's slightly lowered chin.

A little farther up were her lips, the tip of her nose, and her lashes, dyed pale gold by the sunlight.

Then he realized that something soft and warm cradled the back of his head-it was someone's lap.

A lap pillow.

Gu Xingyue's mind went blank for a brief instant.

He instinctively narrowed his eyes. Before the grogginess of "just waking up" had faded, the corners of his mouth had already lifted.

Naturally, Huo Yutong noticed that he was awake too.

She could feel a slight change in the pressure from the back of his head. His lashes had stopped fluttering, and his breathing had shifted from the even rhythm of sleep to the steadiness of wakefulness.

Her ears instantly turned scarlet, a faint pink spreading over her cheeks and neck as well. She was like a boiled shrimp, unsure whether to curl up or stay still.

Inside, she panicked as though ten thousand rabbits were leaping about, her head buzzing. What do I do, what do I do, what do I do-will Brother Gu think I'm some loose girl?

Sh-should I hurry and push him away?

But he only just woke up. Wouldn't he hit his head if I pushed him away?

Besides, pushing him away would be even stranger!

"Brother Gu... you're awake." In the end, that was all she said, her voice as faint as a mosquito's hum. Her gaze darted away in panic and fixed on a nearby tree. That tree certainly was a tree!

Lying on her lap, Gu Xingyue felt its softness and warmth, along with the faint fragrance drifting from her, and a mischievous impulse suddenly reared its head.

He deliberately took his time getting up, instead looking up at Huo Yutong, who was flustered yet dared not move. His smile widened a little more. "Thanks, Yutong. I don't know why I suddenly fell asleep. Sorry for the trouble."

His tone was casual and natural, as though he had not noticed at all how delicate their current position was.

Hearing this, Huo Yutong secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but her heart was still racing outrageously. She bit her lower lip. "I-it's fine... you saved me. I couldn't just leave you lying on the ground."

Watching her struggle to maintain her composure despite being utterly mortified, Gu Xingyue somehow found her rather cute.

At last, he propped himself up on his arms and sat up. His silver hair slipped off her lap, taking that lingeringly inviting warmth with it.

He turned to look at Huo Yutong. The tips of her ears were still red, and her gaze was evasive.

Gu Xingyue thought for a moment, then lightly nudged her with his shoulder. "By the way, did anything strange happen while I was asleep?"

He asked very casually, as though discussing the weather.

Huo Yutong's heart suddenly leaped, and Tianmeng's instructions instantly flashed through her mind.

She pressed her lips together and quickly shook her head. "N-no... I just suddenly saw you faint and got a fright. Then you wouldn't wake up, so I... I leaned against this tree and waited for you."

She stumbled over her words, her gaze wandering.

Seeing how clearly she was hiding something, Gu Xingyue already had a good idea.

He was now quite certain that during his "baby-like sleep," the Skydream Iceworm had successfully completed its fusion with Huo Yutong.

But judging from Huo Yutong's behavior, that stinking bug had probably told the girl not to tell anyone or something along those lines.

Gu Xingyue snorted inwardly.

The Skydream Iceworm, huh?

That cowardly, obnoxious iceworm from the original story.

Still, given this parallel universe's tendencies, perhaps Tianmeng had changed sex too and really become a little girl-that would make it harder to strike.

His original plan had been that if that stinking bug dared lead Huo Yutong astray, he would give it some electroshock therapy with Ultimate Lightning and teach him a proper lesson. He would put Tianmeng through boot camp and make it stand at attention!

But if the other party really had turned into a soft little legal loli... then zapping her would be a little difficult.

At that thought, Gu Xingyue narrowed his eyes slightly, glancing toward the spot between Huo Yutong's brows.

He silently muttered to himself, If I catch you leading little Yutong astray, this Gu's electroshock therapy won't be any joke.

Then he withdrew his gaze, put on that harmless smile again, and held out his hand to Huo Yutong.

Huo Yutong looked at his outstretched palm, hesitated for a moment, then gently placed her hand in his.

Holding that small, slightly cool hand, Gu Xingyue gave a gentle pull and helped Huo Yutong up from the ground.

She was still a little unsteady as she rose, instinctively moving half a step closer to his side.

Then, as though scalded, she quickly pulled away, lowering her head and grinding the fallen leaves beneath the toe of her shoe.

Her blue hair fell forward, hiding most of her face and leaving only two ear tips so red they looked ready to drip blood.

Gu Xingyue said nothing more, merely lifting the corners of his lips into a gentle curve.

He tilted his head, his gaze settling on her, and asked softly, "Where are you planning to go next?"

Huo Yutong considered briefly, a trace of longing for the future flashing in her eyes, then answered softly, "I've just obtained my first soul ring. I want to go to Shrek Academy. Only there can I improve my strength faster."

At that answer, just the right amount of surprise appeared in Gu Xingyue's eyes before turning into a warm smile.

He replied naturally, "What a coincidence. I was planning to go to Shrek too. In that case, we're heading the same way. I can look after you along the way."

"Mm." Huo Yutong nodded gently, her eyes curving as a sweet smile blossomed on her lips.

Huo Yutong followed half a step behind at his side, and the two of them walked one behind the other along the forest path beneath the interlacing branches and leaves.

Sunlight spilled through the gaps overhead, casting alternating patches of light and shadow on their shoulders.

The wind passed through the treetops, stirring a soft rustling.