The fresh scent of new fabric and the constant, rhythmic hum of the sewing machine lingered throughout the house. In the room bathed in candlelight, Xi's hands moved across the cloth so swiftly it was as if she were playing a musical instrument. With every stitch she made, delicate floral patterns and memories of a celestial world she had not seen in ages began to unfold.
Those designs were so astounding they were beyond the imagination of an ordinary human. Although her hands were exhausted, there was a strange brilliance in her eyes. The name of that brilliance was 'hope.'
"Just one more stitch..." she whispered. She worked so hard that blood almost surfaced from her fingertips. All Xi wanted was to ensure her sister never had to endure the hardships she once faced because of her, and to make Zhonghe happy upon his return. She wanted to show that Zhonghe's "crazy girl" had become a strong woman—that Yeyue's little sister was now a sister of great strength.
Outside the window, the night was fading away. Xi's body could no longer withstand the fatigue. The 'clack-clack' sound of the sewing machine slowly ceased. Her head slumped to the side, resting right on the machine. Within seconds, Xi fell into a deep sleep.
In that silent moment, the black dog in the corner of the room rose slowly. Within seconds, the form of the dog blurred, and Yeyue returned to her human shape. She walked slowly to Xi and gazed at her exhausted face with boundless affection.
As Yeyue bent her body slightly, she gritted her teeth against a sharp pain in her chest. Spending the entire day in the form of a dog felt as if it were burning her insides. She felt a strange ache beneath her skin, but she took great care never to show any of it to Xi.
"Sister... why do you suffer so much?" Yeyue whispered softly, stroking Xi's head.
Yeyue very carefully took Xi into her arms. In those strong arms, Xi looked just like a small child. Placing her gently on the bed, Yeyue began to stroke Xi's head. Xi gave a slight smile in her sleep, likely because Yeyue's warmth and scent were so familiar to her.
Yeyue sat right beside Xi, staring at the dark sky through the window. "I have no use for this money or these comforts, Xi. All I want is to protect your freedom. I will do it even if it costs me my life." She held Xi's hand firmly.
The next morning, as the sun rose, the two of them sat in the kitchen enjoying the aroma of a fresh cup of tea. Yeyue rested her head on Xi's shoulder.
"Sister, look... today we can finish the biggest order we've received from the city. With that money, I'll get you something new. You deserve to live in comfort now," Xi said happily.
Yeyue spoke soft words, saying, "The thing I want doesn't cost money, little sister..." Outside, the birds were singing, and the city seen through the mist appeared very peaceful. But for Xi, it was back to her usual duties once again.