Special episode: Happiness in a dream (1)

Sunlight streamed through the clean glass windows, casting warm dappled patterns on the soft carpeted floor, while the air was filled with the aroma of toasted bread and milk.

Luo Li sat at the dining table, looking at the newspaper in front of her—it seemed to be reporting on the public beta of a new game, rather than on vampires or survivor strongholds.

This feeling was both unfamiliar and addictive.

"Dad! I can't find my butterfly hair clip!"

A clear, slightly anxious little voice came from afar, followed by a figure in a blue overalls dress with silver-purple hair tied in two small buns rushing over – it was the younger sister Shiyi.

Her little face was flushed with anxiety, and her purple eyes were misty with tears, as if she was about to cry at any moment.

"Did it fall under the bed again?"

Another, slightly more composed but equally youthful voice rang out.

The older sister Shiyu, came out of the kitchen carrying two empty milk cups. She was wearing a matching pink pinafore dress, her hair was neatly combed, and her expression was as serious as a little adult.

"How many times have I told you not to leave your things lying around?"

"I didn't leave it lying around!"

Shiyi stomped her foot and looked at Luo Li with a wronged expression. "Dad, please help me find it! There's a performance at kindergarten today, and I want to wear the prettiest hair clip!"

Luo Li's heart felt as if it had been gently brushed by the softest feather.

He put down the newspaper, bent down, and gently wiped away the tears welling up in Shiyi's eyes, saying softly, "Okay, Dad will help you look. Don't worry, it's definitely at home."

His movements were natural and fluid, as if he had done it a thousand times.

A voice deep inside seemed to be reminding him that this wasn't real, but the feeling was too warm, and he subconsciously ignored it.

"Sigh, silly Shiyi, always so forgetful."

Shiyu sighed, put the cup into the sink with an air of maturity, and joined the search.

Watching the two small figures rummaging around the living room and listening to their chattering, Luo Li's lips unconsciously curled into a smile.

These mundane troubles, so full of the flavor of life, are something he finds sweet and delightful.

Finally, Luo Li found the hair clip in the gap of the sofa cushion.

Shiyi cheered, took the gift like a precious treasure, carefully tucked it into her hair, then stood on tiptoe and gave Luo Li a quick kiss on the cheek. "Thank you, Daddy! Daddy's the best!"

Shiyu watched from the side, not saying a word, but her eyes showed a hint of dependence and reassurance.

"Alright, little princesses, it's time to go to kindergarten."

Castorice's gentle voice came from the doorway. Today she was wearing a light purple dress, her long hair was tied up, and she looked gentle and intellectual.

She was holding two identical small backpacks with bunny patterns printed on them.

"Mommy!" The two little ones immediately ran over.

Castorice skillfully straightened their collars and hair, and checked that they had everything they needed in their schoolbags.

Her movements were gentle, and her eyes were full of love.

Luo Li walked over, naturally took a schoolbag from her hand, and gently put her other arm around her waist.

Castorice was slightly taken aback, a blush rising to her cheeks. She gave him a reproachful look but didn't pull away, only whispering, "The children are watching."

"What's wrong with looking at me?"

Luo Li was perfectly justified, and even leaned down to quickly kiss her cheek.

"Oh dear! Daddy's embarrassing!"

Shiyi immediately traced her cheek with her fingers.

Shiyu also pursed her lips and secretly smiled.

Castorice's face turned even redder, and she lightly punched him. "You're so unserious! Let's go, we're going to be late."

The family of four went outside, and the sunshine warmed them.

There were no Blood-Erosion Clouds, no alarms, only the buzzing of neighbors mowing their lawns and a few birdsongs in the distance.

They walked to the nearby kindergarten.

Shiyi was like a happy little butterfly, hopping and skipping, occasionally pointing to the wildflowers by the roadside for Luo Li to see.

Shiyu Yu quietly held Castorice's hand, occasionally correcting her younger sister. "Shiyi, walk carefully, don't bump into anyone."

After dropping the two little ones off at the kindergarten gate, watching them go in with their teacher, they kept turning back to wave. Luo Li and Castorice smiled and waved back at them until their figures disappeared from the school building.

On the way back, only the two of them remained. Luo Li naturally took Castorice's hand; her hand was warm and soft.

"What are the plans for today?" Luo Li asked.

"Hmm... let's finish proofreading the manuscript for the publisher first."

Castorice tilted her head and thought for a moment, "I'm thinking of going to the supermarket this afternoon to buy some ingredients, and tonight I'd like to try making the sweet and sour pork ribs you mentioned wanting to eat last time."

In her dream, Castorice seemed to have found a job related to words. She was no longer the Battlefield Saintess who was burdened with the curse of the River of Souls, but just an ordinary wife and mother who loved life.

"Do you need my help?" Luo Li asked.

"No need, didn't you say yesterday that you were going to try and climb the rankings in that game's new season?"

Castorice smiled and shook her head, "A top streamer can't afford to slack off."

Her tone was teasing, but her eyes were full of support and understanding.

Luo Li smiled too.

In this dream, he still seems to be a game streamer, but he no longer needs to rely on his "Super-Speed Reaction" ability to survive in the apocalypse. Instead, he truly enjoys the fun of the game and has a stable life and a loving family.

Everything was unbelievably perfect.

Back home, Castorice went to work in the study, while Luo Li sat in front of the computer but didn't immediately open the game.

He just stared at the desktop wallpaper featuring himself, his wife, and his daughters, without making a move for a long time.

The sunlight outside the window was perfect, and the faint sounds of children's laughter drifted in from downstairs.

There is no killing, no loss, no desperate search here.

Only peaceful, mundane, and everyday happiness.

He knew it was a dream.

It was the sweetest trap woven together by Belial's power and his deepest desires.

But so what?

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, as if he wanted to keep this false yet warm air in his lungs forever.

If this is a dream...

He would rather never wake up.

Let him live in this dream where Shiyi forgetful, Castorice worries about him like a little adult, Xia Shiyu prepares dinner for him, and he can play games in peace...

And so on, into a deep sleep.