Hearing that Airi was actually going to share a bed with him, Chang Yuan felt a surge of excitement in his heart.
But he quickly suppressed that fluttering feeling.
No, this was Airi, and she was still young. He should not be thinking like this.
After taking several deep breaths and steadying his emotions, Chang Yuan entered sage mode.
Then Airi took off her little shoes and climbed onto the bed, which was just large enough for two children.
Lying beside Chang Yuan, Airi blinked at him, staring intently.
"Chang Yuan, when are you going to tell the rest of the story?"
"Right now. Hmm, I'll tell you the story of a little girl named Kiana. It's a sunny, cheerful, uplifting story."
"Really?"
For some reason, Airi felt that Chang Yuan was fooling her, yet she could not find any proof.
"Of course. How could I possibly lie to you?"
Chang Yuan patted his chest and said with certainty.
He was a good person. He never lied to anyone.
"Fine, then I'll trust you this once, Chang Yuan."
"Alright, I'll tell you now. This is a story about Honkai..."
Half an hour later...
Looking at Airi, who had closed her eyes and fallen asleep, and the glimmer of tears at the corners of her eyes, Chang Yuan nodded in satisfaction.
As expected of him. He could already make Airi cry for him.
"Don't worry. I won't let a similar tragedy happen again."
Gently rubbing Airi's head, Chang Yuan murmured softly.
Still asleep, Airi seemed to sense something. She reached out with her little hand and tightly gripped Chang Yuan's clothes.
Luckily, even after being trapped in the forest for several days, Chang Yuan had not forgotten to bathe. Otherwise, he would probably have reeked by now.
"But, as expected of Airi. She's fragrant and soft."
Looking at Airi's rosy little face, Chang Yuan nearly wanted to take a bite.
He even wanted to know what this little strawberry cake tasted like.
But in the end, he forcibly restrained that almost criminal impulse.
He merely reached out and poked Airi's cheek.
"Good night, Airi. May this moment last forever, and may we never be apart."
Closing his eyes, Chang Yuan fell into a deep sleep as well.
Not until the next day did a soft little hand pat his face.
"Chang Yuan, it's time to get up. We need to go help Uncle Tok. We can't keep eating for free."
"Mm, got it. This is nice."
Still half-asleep, Chang Yuan opened his eyes. The moment he saw that little bundle of pink hair, he could not help but sigh.
"This is nice?"
Airi did not understand what Chang Yuan meant.
But the next moment, a warm hand landed on her head.
"It's nothing. Just an observation."
After confirming that this was not a dream, Chang Yuan felt excited inside.
Since none of this was a dream, he had the power to change everything.
"Alright, then come collect firewood with me, Chang Yuan. Our little bodies can't do much else, after all."
Taking Chang Yuan's hand, Airi led him to the place where she had previously helped Uncle Tok and the others gather firewood.
Faced with this little pink-haired dumpling tugging at him, Chang Yuan obediently followed.
They went only a short way into the forest, where Airi led Chang Yuan to gather fallen dry branches along the outskirts.
This was one of the few things in the refugee camp that could be used for warmth.
They worked until noon before Airi and Chang Yuan returned to the camp.
"Hey, little Airi and Chang Yuan are back."
Since they had introduced themselves earlier, Uncle Tok could now call Chang Yuan by name.
There were no family names in this world.
So Chang Yuan was his full name; Chang was not his surname.
"Uncle Tok, did we gather enough wood today?"
"Enough, enough. The wood you collected will last two days. You two are really hardworking."
As he spoke, Uncle Tok picked up a bowl and served Chang Yuan a bowl of porridge, then served Airi.
"Chang Yuan, don't do what you did yesterday again. Making a girl feed you—shame on you."
Holding her bowl of plain porridge, Airi did not forget to remind Chang Yuan.
Chang Yuan helplessly shook his head.
He had been in such a hurry yesterday only because he was starving.
He was not in such a rush now, so there was no way he would repeat that mistake.
"I won't make the same mistake twice."
After blowing on it a few times, Chang Yuan took a small sip.
Only after seeing that Chang Yuan truly would not make the same mistake again did Airi contentedly start eating her plain porridge.
After finishing the porridge, Airi took Chang Yuan's hand and ran into the forest again.
"Airi, where are you taking me?"
"Don't ask so many questions. You'll know when we get there, Chang Yuan."
Airi turned back, winked at Chang Yuan, and chose to keep him in suspense.
Chang Yuan could only follow her helplessly.
Eventually, they arrived beside a lake.
"Hehe, little bunny, come here. I came to play with you again."
Letting go of Chang Yuan's hand, Airi immediately ran toward a little white bundle on the grass beside the lake.
Chang Yuan looked more closely and discovered that it was a rabbit.
But unlike an ordinary rabbit, it did not flee when it saw Airi. Instead, it hopped toward her.
"Is this when Airi's special nature starts showing itself?"
Seeing that animal affinity that no normal person could possibly possess, Chang Yuan thought to himself.
"Chang Yuan, look. Her name is Little White. Do you think that's a nice name?"
"Uh, Airi, why do I feel like Little White doesn't like me very much?"
Watching the little white rabbit bare its teeth at him, revealing its large front teeth, Chang Yuan did not dare approach it at all. Who knew whether rabbits could carry rabies?
"Does she? I don't think so?"
Airi turned Little White around and looked at the gentle-faced rabbit in confusion.
Chang Yuan's mouth twitched slightly.
This damned rabbit. If it were not female, he would definitely make spicy rabbit head out of it.
"So you brought me here just to meet this little white rabbit?"
"Of course not."
Shaking her head, Airi pointed toward the lake beside them.
"Chang Yuan, you should take a bath. Your sweat smell is reaching me. It's not especially strong, but I still think you should take better care of your hygiene."
As she spoke, Airi took out a small pink bar of scented soap from the little shoulder bag Celia had prepared for her.
Celia had packed her with everyday necessities and first-aid supplies.
She had not prepared anything else.
Before you continue