Qin Yu's face was illuminated by the fluorescent light.
He cupped the green leaf in his hands, his gaze filled with shock.
A warm sensation flowed into his body.
In that instant, all weariness of body and mind vanished.
"Such pure and potent life force..."
Qin Yu slowly closed his hand around the verdant leaf.
He had an intuition.
This leaf was like a seed.
It contained the strength and wisdom of the woman in white.
If he could find a suitable way to activate the seed.
It could be restored to its original form...
With this thought, Qin Yu raised his face to look at the woman in white in the distance, his expression serious.
"Do you want me to plant it?"
The forest was silent, his murmured words echoing clearly.
"..."
The woman in white nodded gently, a flicker of fatigue crossing her beautiful face.
She seemed very tired, unable to sustain this world any longer.
But her gaze upon Qin Yu remained clear.
"Wait! May I ask, who are you..."
Qin Yu instinctively raised his hand to stop her, taking a step forward.
This feeling... she was reluctant to leave this forest.
When entering someone else's memory-dream, one should always know who the other person is.
The woman in white's expression was gentle, and she shook her head.
"Are you the mother of a child named Nahida!"
Qin Yu shouted, a realization dawning on him.
He had come here through Nahida's communication, so this woman must be connected to her.
And the closest connection...
Would surely be mother and daughter.
"..."
The woman in white blinked, seeming to guess something.
The corners of her lips curled up, revealing a mysterious smile.
In an instant, a hundred flowers bloomed, vibrant and colorful.
"..."
Qin Yu was slightly taken aback. Had he guessed correctly or not?
But clearly, there was no more time for him to ask.
As the woman in white grew weaker, the dreamscape could no longer be maintained and began to shatter.
Only her ethereal voice remained, slowly echoing.
"The world... forgets me..."
His consciousness returned to reality.
...
Qin Yu's eyes snapped open, his breathing heavy.
"It's happening again..."
He took a deep breath, trying to calm his mind.
A cool sea breeze blew, invigorating him.
"Right, Nahida!"
Qin Yu quickly raised his hand, looking at the communication device in his hand.
He didn't know Nahida's intentions, but at least during their mental resonance, he could confirm she had no malice.
The communication device's light was dim, with no response.
The communication had been cut off at some point.
"Damn it!"
Qin Yu cursed under his breath.
He clearly remembered what Nahida had said.
Always being alone meant she had never met her family.
He had met the child's mother and wanted to deliver this news.
But now... he probably wouldn't be able to contact her again.
After all, this was only a one-way communication device connected to Sandrone.
Just as Qin Yu felt regret,
A warm sensation came from his other hand.
"This...!"
Qin Yu instinctively raised his hand, his eyes widening in surprise as he slowly opened his palm.
In the darkness, a patch of emerald green bloomed, bringing a revitalizing vitality.
It was the green leaf the woman in white had given him in the dream, and also the "seed" containing power and wisdom.
"Who is she..."
Qin Yu murmured, pondering in his mind.
Perhaps he would only understand a little when he found Nahida again.
He looked out at the boundless sea, listening to the sound of the incoming tide, and remained silent for a long time.
Recalling the woman in white's fondness for all things in the forest at the end.
This feeling of farewell was truly unpleasant...
Why couldn't they be reunited?
Your child is so lonely they're browsing the internet.
If you don't go back soon, they'll probably become a shut-in too.
Wait, why "too"?
Qin Yu sighed softly and put away the seed he had obtained.
He would wait, and he would make this seed grow again.
He just didn't know what it would become when it grew.
He had a feeling this thing wouldn't simply grow into a tree...
"Gulu."
The little Aether returned to Qin Yu's shoulder and did a circle.
It seemed to have made a discovery.
"Sorry, I almost forgot about you."
Qin Yu smiled and gently poked the little Aether with his finger.
After spending so much time with Sandrone, he had picked up the habit of poking things.
"Gulu?"
Watching the little Aether tumble in the air, Qin Yu's slightly heavy mood lightened a bit.
"Qin Yu, what are you standing there blankly for!"
Behind him, Keqing's call rang out.
Qin Yu turned his head.
Keke Cat stood with her hands on her hips, staring suspiciously at the iron cube in his hand.
"You're not up to no good behind my back, are you?"
"How could I be."
Qin Yu smiled, his gaze open and honest.
He had just met a little loli.
There shouldn't be any problem with that.
"The tide is coming in."
Keqing didn't probe further, waving her hand to signal Qin Yu to hurry back.
"With Keqing here, it's truly reliable and reassuring."
Qin Yu walked up to Keqing, hands behind his back, and smiled.
"Saying strange things again..."
Keke Cat snorted and turned her face away, then immediately put on a serious expression and extended her hand.
She said sternly, "What are you hiding?"
"I can't hide anything from you."
Qin Yu winked and took out the seashell he had just picked up, shaking it.
"See what this is?"
"Just a seashell."
"It's for you."
Qin Yu suddenly placed the seashell into her palm.
And at the same time, he clasped her small hand.