Finally, the main event—food!
Various pastries and snacks, wrapped in oil paper and still emitting heat and enticing aromas, were taken out one by one and neatly arranged on a clean cloth.
lotus root cake, tapir bun roll, Qiongshi Bird Skewers, Floating Sheep Milk... a dazzling array, instantly filling this cold, dark space with mouth-watering vitality.
Cyrene's azure eyes widened, and her small mouth slightly opened. Watching the scene before her rapidly transform from "bare walls" to a "dazzling array," her brain nearly stopped functioning.
"Th-these are all...?"
"I bought them with the funds the Lady gave me!"
Baiheng put her hands on her hips proudly, her face screaming, "Praise me!" "See, this bracelet is so convenient! You can put in as much as you want! Our place won't be so desolate anymore!"
She picked up a still-warm tapir bun roll and placed it in Cyrene's hand: "Quick, try it! This is a specialty snack on the Xianzhou Luofu now, and it's delicious! I bought tons!"
Cyrene stared blankly at the fragrant food in her hand, then looked at the soft blanket spread on the ground and the piled-up books, finally letting her gaze rest on Baiheng's vibrant and caring smile.
A long-lost warmth, which she had almost forgotten, slowly flowed through her heart, making her icy fingers seem to regain some temperature.
"...Thank you."
She lowered her head, her voice slightly choked, and gently bit into the tapir bun roll in her hand.
The sweet, soft, and glutinous texture melted in her mouth, accompanied by a flavor called "being cared for."
"Oh, why are you being so polite with me!"
Baiheng also plopped down on the blanket, picked up a lotus root cake and started chewing, saying indistinctly, "From now on, we're companions! We share the good fortune! Look at these books, you can read them when you're bored to pass the time! I even bought a chessboard, but sadly I don't know how to play. I can learn later!"
She chattered on, like a happy little sparrow, constantly showing Cyrene everything she had brought back and describing her experiences on the Xianzhou Luofu.
Cyrene listened quietly, occasionally nodding, and without even realizing it herself, the corners of her mouth curved slightly upward into a genuine smile.
She carefully stroked the soft blanket, flipped through the pages smelling of ink, and felt the warm satiety brought by the food.
This space, once filled only with the coldness of chains and despair, gained color, warmth, and... hope for the first time, thanks to Baiheng's arrival and these items full of life.
Baiheng looked at Cyrene—though still silent, her eyes clearly held more vitality and sparkle—and her heart felt as sweet as honey.
She secretly resolved that she must find a way for Cyrene, and any other Golden Descendants who might be similarly trapped, to feel the warmth and happiness of "being alive" again.
[Astral Express Passenger Car Corridor]
March 7th rubbed her sleepy eyes, yawned, and pushed open her cabin door.
She was a bit worried about Xing; sleeping in a cardboard box in the corridor was unacceptable no matter how you looked at it.
Her gaze habitually fell upon that corner—sure enough, the gray figure was still curled up under the huge cardboard.
"Xing? Xing!" She walked over and gently shook Xing's shoulder.
Xing mumbled a hazy "Mm," slowly sat up, and wore a look of long-forgotten bewilderment.
She blinked her golden eyes, looked at the familiar Astral Express corridor, and then looked down at the uncomfortable cardboard box beneath her. Her brow furrowed: "H-how did I end up here?"
March 7th was stunned by her question: "Didn't you insist on sleeping here yourself? Saying things like 'the sky is my quilt, the earth is my mat,' and wanting to 'gain experience'..."
She imitated Xing's solemn and serious tone from yesterday.
"Did I?" Xing wore an expression that said, "What are you talking about? I don't understand at all," and subconsciously raised her hand to scratch her head.
However, her fingertips had just touched the back of her head—
"Hiss—Ah!"
A piercing pain, like an electric current, instantly shot through her whole body, making her cry out in pain and curl up. Tears uncontrollably welled up in her eyes.
"Xing?! What's wrong with you?!" March 7th jumped in fright and quickly crouched down.
Xing was in too much pain to speak, only able to point a trembling finger toward the back of her head.
March 7th cautiously reached out to check. As her fingertips touched Xing's hair, she felt an abnormally raised, warm, and hard giant lump!
"Woah! Xing! Your head... how did your head swell up like this?!"
March 7th exclaimed; the size of the swelling was beyond imagination. "It looks... it looks like a giant steamed bun!"
The commotion quickly drew the attention of others.
Danheng was the first to emerge from his room. Seeing Xing teary-eyed and clutching her head, a trace of surprise appeared on his usually calm face.
Immediately after, Himeko and Welt also hurried over upon hearing the noise.
"What's going on?" Himeko asked with concern.
"The back of Xing's head... there's a huge lump!" March 7th gesticulated incoherently.
Welt pushed up his glasses, his gaze behind the lenses quickly sweeping over Xing's pained expression and the back of her head she was clutching. A complex, hard-to-read emotion flashed in the depths of his eyes, but he quickly regained his usual composure: "It looks like a contusion. Since the Astral Express is still docked at the Space Station, take her to the Medical Department for an examination immediately."
[Herta Space Station - Medical Department]
After a series of busy examinations, the Space Station doctor held the diagnostic report, his expression slightly subtle.
"The examination results show that the patient's head suffered... multiple external impacts, leading to severe localized soft tissue edema and a slight concussion."
The doctor read the report, his tone carrying a hint of doubt, "Fortunately, however, no intracranial hemorrhage or more severe damage was found. It can be said to be a blessing in disguise... Perhaps we should be thankful that the patient's skull is sufficiently hard? Or..."
(Internal thought: Or maybe there's just a lot of space inside, providing good cushioning?)
"Multiple impacts?" March 7th's eyes widened. "Xing, what exactly were you doing last night? Practicing acrobatics in the cardboard box?"
Xing looked innocent and bewildered: "I... I don't remember..."
Not only did she not remember how she hit her head, but even why she insisted on sleeping in the corridor and what she had experienced before became vague, as if covered by a thick fog.
Welt listened silently nearby. When he heard "partial memory loss, mainly concerning experiences related to the 'simulated universe' test," he let out an almost imperceptible sigh of relief.
Asta also rushed over upon hearing the news and handed the detailed examination report to Himeko.
"Fortunately, there's nothing serious, but it's best to let her rest well for the next few days and avoid strenuous activity."
Back on the Astral Express, Xing was preoccupied with the large, ridiculously wrapped lump on the back of her head, which was thoroughly covered in gauze.
"Why did my head swell up like this? And I lost my memory?" she muttered quietly.
March 7th finally couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing, quickly pulling out her phone: "Don't move, don't move! This 'classic' look must be commemorated! Hahaha, it looks like a head-wrapping ceremony from some tribe!"
Himeko smiled helplessly and patted Xing's shoulder reassuringly.
Welt stepped forward, his tone gentle, carrying the unique concern of an elder: "Perhaps you were uncomfortable while resting in the corridor and bumped into something accidentally. Next time, sleep in a bed; it's safer."
His words sounded perfectly reasonable, and no one noticed the fleeting guilt and... hint of relief that flashed in the depths of his eyes.
(Welt's internal thought: The goal was finally achieved... although the means were a bit... But at least she doesn't have to bear those heavy memories that aren't hers anymore. It's just... what's this about 'multiple impacts' the report mentioned? I only tapped her once...)
---------------------------------
If you'd like to read the next 40 chapters in advance, you can support me on Patreon.
I regularly post chapter previews there, so you'll always be up-to-date and won't have to wait too long.
patreon.com/SolyuraMT
And if you enjoy the story, don't forget to give me a Power Stone. Your support really motivates me to continue translating!