"I'm sorry," the young girl sobbed, "Today, I just... I didn't know I wasn't supposed to duel with others. Dad told me not to cause trouble for people. I didn't realize this was causing trouble. I didn't know it was like this.
"I don't know anything. I can't understand what the villagers are saying. I'm short and skinny, with no friends. When I go to the mountains, they say I'm up to no good. I'm an unwanted child.
"I really didn't know. I'm sorry, sob..."
The young girl's emotions suddenly overflowed.
Li Ang glanced at the carefully prepared dinner, finished the fruit in his hand, wiped his hand, stood up, grabbed a chair with one hand and placed it gently in front of her, then sat down closer to her side.
He softened his voice, "I also had issues today. I was impatient. Normally, I'd calmly explain the situation."
"I know, it's because I don't understand anything you say, so you... ugh, I made a mistake. Getting hit was deserved."
"It's not like that."
Li Ang gently patted her trembling shoulder.
"It's because you're very talented, and that made me anxious."
"..."
The young girl's trembling eased a little, and she squeezed out a small voice to ask, "Really?"
"Of course it's true. You've never been outside. Kids from beyond the Aerial Realm at your age can't possibly understand swordsmanship like this."
Actually, there are a few extremely talented kids, but what Li Ang said was basically true.
"Also, there's no one your equal to spar with. You don't know that your power, if used thoughtlessly, could hurt others. I was a bit anxious, worried you'd go down the wrong path."
Li Ang sighed inwardly. For ten years, he had contemplated the reality and falseness of this world more than once.
Everything he saw was real; otherwise, he wouldn't be able to account for ten years of dedication and passion.
But if this were a false world, why would it manifest before him? Even things the game designers might not understand were completed.
Now, this question surfaced in his mind again.
Zoe, originally meant to be the player-controlled heroine in "Nebis Fantasy," shouldn't have any personality.
But in this real world, she's a complete person. Her lack of parents might have been for game convenience, but it became her past, shaping her present.
She grew into the young girl before Li Ang, full of vitality, kind-hearted, lacking common sense—a blank canvas, a raw jade.
He wasn't ready to invite her to team up—let alone if she'd even accept—but he had to admit, her positive traits had a contagious effect on him.
Li Ang admitted he was worried, concerned that this rough jade would be tainted, so he was willing to play the bad cop and tell her what was wrong.
"Now I know. I won't do it again."
The young girl's voice came from between her legs, "And I know the way around. I know how to get everywhere on the island."
Li Ang chuckled, "Going the wrong way means doing wrong things, becoming a bad person."
"I misunderstood again."
"It's okay. You don't need to always admit mistakes. No one taught you before; it's not your fault. Everyone learns from making mistakes."
Zoe finally lifted her head, her face stained with tears, eyes reddened by crying. For the first time, Li Ang saw her without her lively demeanor, her aura purely fragile.
Only then did he realize how slender she was, as if he could embrace her entirely with one arm. Perhaps it wasn't a developmental issue but just natural.
"Will you blame me if I make more mistakes?"
"No, but—"
Upon hearing "no," the young girl was about to smile but was startled by the latter half of Li Ang's sentence.
"Don't be afraid. I just want to say, before doing anything, ask first. Also, remember, if it's not intentional, don't dwell on it. Just correct it in time."
"Got it."
Zoe felt much more at ease all of a sudden.
She put her feet back on the floor, her fists propped on the smooth, soft flesh of her legs, her shoulders slightly hunched, still not completely relaxed.
"Besides," Li Ang revealed the truth to her, "you're not short and skinny. A petite body can be very cute."
"Really?" Zoe said with hope, looking at him eagerly.
"I wouldn't lie to you."
"Would you not want me?"
What kind of question is this?
"That's not the right way to put it," Li Ang quickly responded. "We've known each other for less than three days. Can't talk about wanting or not wanting, at most consider each other as friends."
"Friends are people who play together, right?" Zoe asked.
"Right."
"I want to play with you. Do you still want to play with me?"
Seeing her hopeful yet vulnerable expression, Li Ang nodded.
Using the back of her hand, she wiped away the tears at her eye corners, resuming her smile.
"Hehe, friends."
She clasped her hands together, her delicate face adorned with a silly smile.
Then remembering something, she quickly looked up.
"Will friends leave and never come back? Can you not leave?"
"..."
After leaving, Li Ang definitely didn't think he would return to Satus Island.
He couldn't make a promise.
He understood the young girl meant she wanted to spend more time with him, realizing that her tagging along these past days, including the challenges and play, was just a lonely wish to connect with people.
Seeing his pause, Zoe grew anxious, her eyes wide open.
"Is there something wrong with me? Mom and Dad promised but never returned, and you aren't agreeing with me either."
"Did your parents promise they'd return?"
"Yes, it's already two years past the agreed time."
So they made a promise with a set time.
According to the villagers, Zoe's family came to the island ten years ago, living together for two years, after which her parents left, intending to return after six years.
Li Ang glanced around at this little home once built with care and asked the young girl, "What do they look like? Maybe I know them."
He wasn't just changing the subject; since her parents could come and go from the clouds, it indicated a different mindset from the Sky Island settlers, possibly as Adventurers or registered Sky Knights.
Having been active in the Celestial Group for a long time, if they were Sky Knights with some capability, he possibly could've met them.
"Really? I'll show you," Zoe said, sprinting to a room at the right of the main door, opening the door halfway, then turning back to wave Li Ang over.
"Come, come here."
He followed her, discovering it was the young girl's room.
But there was nothing too shy-provoking here as her possessions were indeed few, many showing wear and tear, with some broken beyond usefulness.
There were all sorts of small stones and shells scattered around, her only notable hobby.
In a corner stood a height marker and a weight scale, the latter obviously from an industrially advanced Sky Island.
Surprisingly, on her bed, besides faded bedding, was a large grass-woven cover. It, too, was a bit worn, but since it was dried well initially, it hadn't rotted, only worn.
That's my cover, so this little girl took it here.
Zoe didn't notice his gaze. She took a photo frame from a handmade shelf and handed it to him.
Li Ang took it, immediately noticing the frame belonged to a boutique in Holy Capital Vitas.
The photo was a picture of a man and a woman, with the man being tall and the woman petite, suggesting the daughter took after her.
Over time, the photo had yellowed, and their faces were blurred. Looking at Zoe's beauteous features, they certainly wouldn't be unattractive.
Li Ang could identify where the photo was taken, at the entrance of the Holy City.
Under the high dome of the Gate of Brilliance in the Holy City, stood a fountain composed of many statues and intricate decorations, one of the city's most famous landmarks where many visitors are advised to have their photos taken by merchants.
Their attire was also typical of Sky Knights.
"Maybe I really can find them, or at least check where they went." Li Ang said.
Zoe briskly ran out, quickly reaching the entrance of another room, her voice echoing through the hallway.
"Li Ang, come and check out their room."