Wayfarer

Chapter 846: Primrose

Outside the city, by a small stream, Xiao Nanfeng washed up in the cool water, scrubbing away the dirt on his face and changing into a set of fresh clothes. Only then did he step back onto the bank in satisfaction.

By the bank, Yanzhi had long since finished changing as well. She looked like a delicate little doll—an absolutely adorable one. However, she had smeared some mud onto her face.

"Why dirty your face again after washing it?" Xiao Nanfeng exclaimed in surprise.

"My sister said that I should do so."

"You're just a little kid! Who would care about your face? Your sister's being overly cautious." Xiao Nanfeng then frowned. "But if there are perverts around... Well, forget it. Do as you please, but don't just use mud. It's dirty. We can draw a few marks on your face with plant dye instead."

Yanzhi thought for a moment before she nodded fervently. "Alright!"

"Go wash up. It's time to eat," Xiao Nanfeng continued.

Yanzhi rinsed her face in the stream before returning to join him.

"With all that storytelling earlier, we raked in a decent amount in tips. Quite a few people were staring at our wealth greedily, but we managed to slip away. No one will recognize us tomorrow now that we have new clothes," Xiao Nanfeng began.

"Mmm," Yanzhi replied, still a little shy.

"Alright, let's dig in. I know you only had a drumstick on the way here, so you must be starving." Xiao Nanfeng smiled.

He unwrapped a few packages of food as they began to eat together. Yanzhi, having gone hungry for so long, devoured her fill of chicken, beef, and roast duck.

Xiao Nanfeng watched her with a mix of amusement and sympathy. "You've really had it tough, huh? Chosen one or not, you're in pretty rough shape..."

Xiao Nanfeng himself wasn't all that hungry. He had her eat her fill before he asked, "How long has it been since you last ate?"

Finally full, Yanzhi blushed. Her cheeks turned slightly red as she realized just how much she had eaten.

"Go on. Have as much as you want," Xiao Nanfeng reassured her.

"I'm full," she replied.

"What's your name, then?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

Yanzhi remained silent, reluctant to answer.

"You have to keep that a secret, too?" Xiao Nanfeng was rather surprised.

Yanzhi lowered her head, not daring to respond. She frowned.

"Forget it. If you don't want to tell me, that's fine too. Where's your family?"

At the mention of her family, Yanzhi's eyes welled up with tears, which fell silently down her cheeks like pearls.

"Ah, please don't cry. I won't ask about your family anymore," Xiao Nanfeng hastily added.

Yanzhi wiped at her tears and whispered, "They're all dead."

Xiao Nanfeng fell silent, then sighed softly. "I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"It's alright," Yanzhi replied, attempting to put on a brave face as she wiped her tears away.

"I'm... Well, I suppose you can just call me Nanfeng," Xiao Nanfeng said.

"Nanfeng?" Yanzhi frowned. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"From the looks of it, I suppose you don't have any special abilities. You can just stick with me from now on."

Yanzhi was confused by his words but understood that he was offering to let her tag along.

"Why are you being so nice to me?" she asked uncertainly.

Her family's tragic death had left her wary of strangers. She was filled with distrust and skepticism toward others. If Xiao Nanfeng hadn't offered her that bun back then, she wouldn't even have considered speaking to him.

It was only because of his surprising kindness that a small warmth began to blossom in her heart once more. Even so, she remained wary.

"Don't worry about that. For now, just follow my lead," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

This little girl was the protagonist of this world. To Xiao Nanfeng, following her was his best option, especially since he still couldn't make sense of where he was. Besides, she seemed a little naive, so there was no need to complicate things.

Yanzhi pursed her lips in mild frustration. She wasn't entirely convinced by Xiao Nanfeng, but was too tired to argue. Without Xiao Nanfeng's help, she didn't know how she would be able to survive on her own.

She didn't sense any ill intent from him, either, so she was willing to let things slide for now.

"Is that story you told earlier about Xu Xian and Bai Suzhen true?" Yanzhi asked.

"You actually believed that made-up story? There are hardly any gods and demons in this world. That's all superstition. You need to believe in science instead!"

"But my father told me that evil cultivators are making a fuss in the empire, and there are demons invading cities and eating people. Are you sure gods and demons don't exist?"

Xiao Nanfeng paused. "What? Gods and demons really exist in this world?"

"Don't they? I even saw someone flying through the sky," Yanzhi replied.

Xiao Nanfeng gaped. To himself, he murmured, "Is this a world of myth and legend, then? Can people really cultivate here? Do Immortals really exist? Wonderful. I'll learn their techniques. If I can make my way back to Earth, I could bring back the secret to eternal life!"

"What's the matter? Why are you smiling all of a sudden?" Yanzhi asked, puzzled.

"Oh, nothing—I just thought of something exciting," Xiao Nanfeng replied, trying to curb his enthusiasm.

Yanzhi raised her eyebrows, wondering if this Nanfeng was mentally sound.

"There's a ruined temple up ahead. We can rest there for the night. Tomorrow, we'll head into the city to make our next fortune," Xiao Nanfeng said confidently.

"Are you going to tell the story of the white snake again?" Yanzhi asked curiously.

"Of course not! That was a one-time thing to get us some funds quickly. I wouldn't normally stoop to that."

"Then how will we earn this fortune?" Yanzhi asked, frowning.

"Can't you see? This world is practically made of gold! Everywhere you look, there are opportunities to be found. It'll be easy."

Yanzhi pursed her lips. "As if!"

"You're just a kid. What would you know?" Xiao Nanfeng replied, brushing her off.

They arrived at the temple, cleaned it up a little, and lay down to rest for the night.

In the middle of the night, Xiao Nanfeng was awakened by the sound of quiet sobbing. He rubbed his eyes and looked around.

Moonlight streamed in through a hole in the temple's roof, but he didn't see Yanzhi anywhere.

Alarmed, he got up to search for her. If she were to disappear, how would he handle this strange world?

He stepped outside to find her sitting on the steps, hugging her knees and sobbing quietly.

The summer night was calm and warm. Fireflies floated gently around them.

He sat down beside her and listened as she whispered to himself, "Sister, I miss you so much."

It was clear that she was grieving for her family. When Xiao Nanfeng remembered that she had said that they were all gone, he felt a pang of sympathy for her.

They sat in silence for a while before Yanzhi finally realized that he was there.

"Nanfeng? Did I wake you up?" she asked, embarrassed.

He handed her a handkerchief. "Here, wipe your tears."

She took it and turned away as she dabbed at her tears, not wanting him to see her cry.

Xiao Nanfeng wanted to comfort her, but he didn't know how. Instead, he just sat there beside her.

Yanzhi didn't know what to say, either. She felt a bit lost.

"Shall I sing you a song? Maybe it'll help you feel better," Xiao Nanfeng offered.

"Huh?" Yanzhi looked up in surprise.

"It's called Primrose. It's a song from my hometown."

Curious, Yanzhi turned to him intently.

"The evening breeze stirs the bamboo, And the moon casts long shadows Fireflies flicker, bright and small, Like silver coins spread across the hills. ♪

"Primrose in two lovers' hands, The heartbeat I hear within my chest.

Secretly longing, quietly dreaming, That scent that is our love. ♪"

Xiao Nanfeng trailed off.

Yanzhi stared at him, wide-eyed. Nanfeng had appeared in her life suddenly, out of nowhere, but seemed to know how to do a little of everything. The song was beautiful.

"Are you feeling a little better now?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

Yanzhi did find herself less sad than she was before. She nodded, then asked, "Could you sing it again? I'd like to learn it."

"Of course." Xiao Nanfeng didn't hesitate at all.

He'd gone to karaoke quite often back on Earth, so it was no big deal to him. Given how heartbroken this little girl was, he didn't mind singing it a second time.

After another round of Primrose, Yanzhi had somehow managed to learn it herself.

"Alright, let's get some sleep. Tomorrow, we'll have to head back into town."

"Got it!" Yanzhi nodded.

The two of them returned to the worn-down temple, each lying by a side of the wall.

Yanzhi lay awake for a while and stared at her palm, which was clutching the handkerchief he'd given her to wipe her tears with. She tucked it carefully into her pocket and gazed at Xiao Nanfeng, who was sleeping peacefully. At that moment, the fear and unease that she had carried within for days began to fade.

Though she was young, Yanzhi found that she had far deeper and more mature emotions than would be expected of someone her age.

She had shut herself off from the world and avoided everyone, but when she was most desperate and alone, a single bun had brought Xiao Nanfeng into her heart.

She had noticed his nervousness while facing those beggars earlier, but he continued to stand firm like a god come down from the heavens to help her drive them away. After that had come their street performance and daring getaway.

Somehow, she still distrusted the world at large, but she couldn't help but want to trust Xiao Nanfeng.

"Father, Mother, Brother, Sister... Did you send Nanfeng to look after me?" Yanzhi whispered, her eyes clouding over with tears again.

A tear slipped down her cheek, but a gentle smile bloomed on her lips as she finally drifted into sleep.

Outside the temple, the night breeze blew. It mingled with the sounds of crickets and frogs, and fireflies danced in the moonlight. In her dream, there was no fear or sorrow—only the warmth of her loving family, with her father's wisdom, her mother's care, her siblings' laughter, and the gentle notes of Primrose that lulled her back into that world of safety and happiness.