Forget-Me-Not opened her sleepy eyes, sunlight streaming through the gaps in the leaves and illuminating her face.
She blinked, trying to adjust to the sudden brightness.
The surrounding scenery slowly became clear—the trees, the embers of the campfire, and the familiar figures beside her.
In an instant, memories of the previous day surged like a tide.
Forget-Me-Not felt a sharp pain in her chest, and her eyes became moist again.
She wanted to call out for her mother.
But she could only bite her lip, swallowing all her sadness back inside.
"Are you awake?"
Tao Yao's gentle voice came, like a spring breeze brushing against Forget-Me-Not's heart.
Forget-Me-Not nodded lightly, her eyes filled with sadness and exhaustion.
She tried to force a smile, but that smile looked more painful than a cry.
Seeing Forget-Me-Not like this, Tao Yao felt a pang of pity. She softly said:
"Come on, let me take you to wash your face first. Look... you cried for so long last night that your face is all swollen."
Saying this, Tao Yao stood up.
However, she stumbled twice as soon as she got up, nearly falling over.
It turned out that she had kept the same position all night to avoid waking Forget-Me-Not, allowing the little girl to sleep comfortably on her lap.
The long night of sitting motionless had left her legs numb.
Forget-Me-Not, seeing this, became anxious: "Sister, are you okay?"
Tao Yao barely steadied herself and showed Forget-Me-Not a warm smile: "I'm fine, just my legs are a bit numb. A little rest will be good."
Beside them, Hiyakura watched this scene, feeling a twinge of envy.
Compared to Tao Yao, who played the role of a human pillow, she actually had a good night's rest.
But seeing Forget-Me-Not leaning next to Tao Yao, Hiyakura was filled with an indescribable emotion.
How she wished she could also enjoy Tao Yao's knee like Forget-Me-Not.
Forget-Me-Not looked at Tao Yao's tired appearance, suddenly feeling a strong sense of guilt.
She lowered her head, her voice tinged with apology: "I'm sorry, Sister. It's all because of me that you didn't sleep well last night. I... I shouldn't be so weak."
Hearing this, Tao Yao gently patted Forget-Me-Not's head, her tone filled with tenderness:
"Don't say that. You've been through so much; it's normal to react like this. I don't mind."
Forget-Me-Not looked up, her eyes shimmering with tears: "But... but I've already grown up. There's no need to trouble you with such things anymore. I can wash my face myself!"
Seeing this, Hiyakura stepped forward:
"I'll go with Forget-Me-Not; you rest for a while, Tao Yao."
Tao Yao nodded, looking at Hiyakura gratefully.
Hiyakura took Forget-Me-Not towards a nearby stream.
The water was clear, revealing Forget-Me-Not's puffy, red eyes.
She gently splashed water on her cheeks, the cold sensation making her feel slightly more awake.
By the time they returned, Tao Yao had already packed their belongings.
The three of them simply ate some dry food and set off on their journey back to Cherry Blossom City.
The distance from Cherry Blossom City to the South River Snowfield was not short.
To reach their destination, they needed to cross layered mountains, traverse vast grasslands, and trek through dense forests.
Each segment of the journey had its own unique scenery.
But for the tired travelers, this long return trip felt particularly arduous.
Hiyakura walked at the back of the group, her steps increasingly heavy.
She couldn't help but murmur to herself:
"It's really strange; why didn't it feel so far when we came? Why does the return trip feel so long?"
She took a deep breath, trying to relieve her physical fatigue.
However, as time passed, a strange sensation began to rise within Hiyakura.
This journey, these experiences, seemingly fabricated by memory crystals, felt so real; why was that?
She could clearly feel the ground beneath her feet, the air around her, and even the sensation of the breeze brushing against her cheeks.
This feeling of reality made her start to doubt.
Was she really just experiencing a virtual memory?
"No..."
Hiyakura shook her head, quietly muttering to herself:
"This is everything Tao Yao truly experienced. If I weren't here, then during this time, Tao Yao would have faced all this tragedy alone..."
Ahead, Tao Yao keenly sensed Hiyakura's state.
She turned her head and saw Hiyakura's slightly tired expression, a gentle smile appearing on her face.
"Hiyakura, you look a bit tired. Do you want to find a place to rest up ahead?"
Tao Yao's voice brimmed with concern.
Hiyakura was slightly taken aback but then nodded.
A warmth surged in her heart, feeling grateful for Tao Yao's thoughtfulness.
Soon, the group arrived at a beautiful meadow in the mountains.
The view was extensive, with distant hills unfold like a painting.
A clear stream flowed not far away, the gurgling of the water adding vitality to this tranquil land.
Wildflowers of various colors dotted the surroundings, gently swaying in the wind, as if welcoming these weary travelers.
Everyone chose to rest under a large, leafy tree.
The shade protected them from the scorching sun, providing a cool and comfortable place to relax.
Forget-Me-Not did not lean on Tao Yao's knee as she had the previous night.
Instead, she thoughtfully found a place to sit.
She leaned against the tree trunk, hugging her knees, quietly gazing off into the distance, seemingly lost in thought.
Hiyakura sat not far away, but her gaze couldn't help being drawn to Tao Yao.
To be precise, she was attracted to Tao Yao's knee.
She recalled Forget-Me-Not resting on Tao Yao's knee last night, a sense of curiosity blossoming within her.
"Using a knee as a pillow must be quite enjoyable, right?"
This thought lingered in Hiyakura's mind.
To be honest, she had never tried resting on someone else's knee.
She always held a special anticipation for experiences she had never encountered.
At this moment, she even somewhat envied Forget-Me-Not for being able to enjoy Tao Yao's tenderness so naturally.
Though it might seem embarrassing to envy a little girl, she truly envied her!
She genuinely wanted to try it...
This idea continued to expand in her heart.
However, reason quickly suppressed this impulse.
Hiyakura secretly shook her head, knowing it would be impossible to voice such a request at this moment.
Moreover, she didn't even know how to bring it up; such matters were far too embarrassing for her.
Just as Hiyakura immersed herself in her thoughts, Tao Yao noticed her hesitant little gaze.
Tao Yao's lips curled up slightly, a glint of mischief flashing in her eyes.
Suddenly, she spoke: "Hiyakura, do you need me to lend you my knee for a rest?"
This unexpected invitation caught Hiyakura off guard.
Her cheeks instantly flushed, her eyes filled with surprise and confusion.
"Ah? No... it's okay..."
She subconsciously rejected, her voice carrying a hint of panic.
But Tao Yao had no intention of letting her off easily.
She smiled, "Really not needed? This is my active invitation, you know. Rarely do you get such a chance for a free experience; you might not get it next time. If you want to try in the future, I might have to charge you."
Her tone held a hint of teasing but was also filled with sincerity.
Hiyakura fell into hesitation.
Her heart was fiercely struggling; on one hand, she really wanted to try, but on the other hand, she felt it seemed a bit inappropriate.
At that moment, Shiro, who had been secretly observing, suddenly whispered in her ear:
"Reject her? You can't agree!!"
The voice, though soft, carried an undeniable commanding tone.
Yet, this only ignited Hiyakura's rebellious feelings.
"Why should I refuse?"
She questioned herself internally.
A strong defiant urge surged forth; she decided to follow her own heart.
"For this past time, I have been following your requests; do you really want to interfere in such matters?"
"Hmph! I'll agree!"
So, Hiyakura took a deep breath and spoke in an almost defiant tone:
"I need it!"
Her voice was louder and more resolute than usual, almost as if declaring war against some unseen opponent.
Tao Yao was amused by Hiyakura's sudden assertive attitude.
She squinted her eyes, her smile becoming even brighter.
"Then come here." She gently patted her thigh, indicating for Hiyakura to come closer.
Hiyakura awkwardly moved to Tao Yao's side, cautiously resting her head on her knee.
At first, her body felt a bit stiff.
But as time passed, she gradually relaxed.
Tao Yao's knee was even more comfortable than she had imagined.
Hiyakura felt an unprecedented sense of security.
It was as if all her fatigue dissipated in this moment.
Tao Yao's hand gently stroked her hair.
This action brought warmth that spread from her head down to her entire body.
The surrounding scenery seemed to become more beautiful.
A gentle breeze caressed them, the leaves rustled, and distant birds occasionally chirped sweetly.
Hiyakura closed her eyes, savoring this rare moment of tranquility.
She suddenly realized that this might be the warmth Forget-Me-Not felt last night.
That feeling of being cared for and cherished was so precious.
A strong emotion surged within Hiyakura.
She didn't know how to express it, merely silently basking in the beauty of this moment.
Time seemed to freeze in that instant.
Hiyakura didn't know how long she leaned on Tao Yao's knee, but when she opened her eyes again, it felt as if she had been reborn.
All her fatigue had vanished, replaced by an unprecedented lightness and joy.
She slowly sat up, bashfully glancing at Tao Yao.
Tao Yao still wore that gentle smile and softly asked, "How do you feel?"
A warm current surged in Hiyakura's heart.
She gently nodded, her voice small but filled with sincerity: "Thank you..."
Upon hearing Hiyakura's thanks, Tao Yao's smile softened even more.
She gently shook her head, her voice like a gentle breeze in spring, soft and filled with warmth:
"I should thank you instead."
A hint of sincerity shone in her gaze.
"This can be considered a little reward for you, thanking you for being responsible throughout this journey."
Upon hearing this, Hiyakura felt a rush of warmth in her heart.
Before she could say anything, Tao Yao continued smilingly, "Shall we continue?"
Before Hiyakura could react, Tao Yao gently pulled her back to rest on her knee again.
Hiyakura was a bit surprised but didn't resist.
She felt Tao Yao's gentle movements, and a wave of peace and joy surged within her.
At that moment, Tao Yao's gaze inadvertently swept over to Forget-Me-Not not far away.
The sight made her unable to resist smiling.
Forget-Me-Not was covering her eyes with her hands, appearing shy about what was happening.
However, her curiosity clearly held the upper hand.
Between her fingers was a tiny gap, through which her big eyes were secretively peeking over.
Forget-Me-Not's expression was so cute.
Her cheeks were slightly flushed, her lips pressed together as if trying hard not to make any noise.
Her body leaned slightly forward, apparently wanting to see a bit clearer, yet fearing to be discovered.
Her fingers would occasionally part slightly and then quickly come back together,
This small motion revealed her inner conflict and curiosity.
This look was both innocent and adorable, reminiscent of a small kitten driven by curiosity yet afraid of being caught.
The contradiction of wanting to see but not daring to look, wanting to get closer but fearing to do so, was vividly expressed.
Seeing Forget-Me-Not's cute appearance, Tao Yao couldn't help but chuckle softly.
Her laughter was light and melodious, like the clear chime of a wind bell dancing in the air.
After laughing, Tao Yao gently said, "Little Forget-Me-Not, come over here too."
Upon hearing Tao Yao's invitation, Forget-Me-Not suddenly dropped her hands, her eyes wide open, filled with surprise and anticipation.
Her mouth slightly opened as if wanting to say something but not knowing how to start.
Her gaze flickered with desire but also hesitation and uncertainty.
Eventually, Forget-Me-Not softly asked in an expectant yet somewhat nervous tone, "Is that okay?"
Her voice was filled with entanglement, as if swaying between heaven and hell.
Seeing this from Tao Yao, a wave of affection surged in her heart.
She gently nodded, her smile becoming even softer.
"Of course, I also want to hold you close."
Upon hearing this, Forget-Me-Not's eyes sparkled with delight.
She cautiously stood up, moving slowly towards Tao Yao like a light-footed little deer.
Each step was filled with anticipation and a bit of nervousness, as if heading towards a long-desired treasure.
When Forget-Me-Not finally reached Tao Yao, she extended her hand, gently pulling her closer.
Forget-Me-Not leaned against Tao Yao's other side, resting her head softly on Tao Yao's shoulder.
At this moment, a beautiful and warm scene unfolded in the tranquil meadow.
Tao Yao sat there like a gentle tree, providing shelter for the two weary travelers.
Hiyakura leaned on her knee, her eyes flickering with peace and satisfaction.
Forget-Me-Not nestled against her shoulder, her face brimming with happiness and joy.
The gentle breeze wafted, tousling their hair and bringing the fragrance of the distant wildflowers.
Sunlight streamed through the leaf gaps, casting mottled shadows on the ground.
The little stream in the distance continued to flow merrily; its sound was like nature's whisper, adding tranquility and harmony to this scene.
Tao Yao gently stroked Hiyakura's hair while her other hand lightly embraced Forget-Me-Not's shoulder.
Her eyes revealed a deep tenderness.
Hiyakura closed her eyes, a faint smile gracing her face.
She felt the warmth of Tao Yao, her heart filled with an unprecedented sense of calm and peace.
The doubts and anxieties that had once troubled her seemed to have dissipated at this moment.
Forget-Me-Not gazed up slightly, looking at Tao Yao with an expression filled with admiration and gratitude.
The three of them quietly nestled together, enjoying this rare moment of tranquility.
They didn't need words because the silence at this moment spoke louder than a thousand words.
Time seemed to freeze in that instant.
Sunlight, the gentle breeze, the sound of the stream... along with each other's breathing and heartbeats, formed a beautiful symphony.
And in this moment, all worries and sorrows were cast away.
Gradually, Hiyakura and Forget-Me-Not's breathing became more steady; they seemed to have fallen into a light sleep.
Tao Yao maintained her position, her gaze tenderly flowing between the two, her face adorned with a peaceful and happy smile.
Thus, the game world's scene remained frozen at this moment.
...
Just as Tao Yao, Hiyakura, and Forget-Me-Not immersed themselves in this warm moment, in the real world, Hua Yu was fully engrossed in a game live stream.
Her eyes were fixed on the screen, her face glowing with an excited smile.
The barrage in the live chat surged like a tide, filled with various excited comments.
"Ahhhh! So sweet!"
"Oh my gosh, this is simply a dream-like scene!"
"Damn! Why can't I be a character in this game!"
"Tao Yao's knee pillow, I want that too!"
"This scene is so beautiful, I can't bear to look away!"
"Hiyakura and Forget-Me-Not are so happy, I'm dying of envy!"
"Wuwuwu, why can't I meet such a gentle person in reality?"
"I'd trade ten years of my life for a chance to use Tao Yao's knee!"
Hua Yu watched the illustration of Tao Yao gently offering her knee pillow to Hiyakura and Forget-Me-Not on the game screen, unable to help but shout:
"Wuwu! This is killing me with sweetness!"
Her voice was filled with excitement and exhilaration.
However, it didn't take long for Hua Yu to gradually calm down.
"Oh no, bad news, after giving them a reward, there must be a big knife coming next!!"
Just then, the door was gently pushed open.
Hua Lei rubbed her sleepy eyes and tiptoed in.
She was dressed in cute pajamas, her hair a bit messy, clearly just awakened.
She slowly walked over to Hua Yu's side and gently sat down.
Seeing her sister's entrance, Hua Yu immediately calmed down.
She looked at Hua Lei apologetically and softly asked: "Uh... did I wake you up?"
Hua Lei shook her head, her voice still carrying a hint of sleepiness:
"No... I'm no longer sleepy. By the way, sis, how's the story progressing?"
Hua Yu suddenly didn't know how to respond when she heard her sister's question.
Her heart began to struggle violently.
She pondered whether she should tell her sister the truth about everything that had happened in the game.
She thought about how sad her sister might be upon knowing the truth, possibly even more than herself.
After hesitating, Hua Yu decided to conceal the truth for now.
She pointed at the character illustration on the screen, forcing a relaxed smile on her face:
"Look, it's so sweet!"
Hua Lei leaned closer to the screen, carefully scrutinizing the scene.
Her eyes lit up, a joyful smile spreading on her face: "Wow, it's really warm! Tao Yao is so gentle, and Hiyakura and Forget-Me-Not look so happy."
However, Hua Lei's smile quickly faded.
Her expression turned hesitant as she quietly asked: "By the way, sis, where's little Forget-Me-Not's mother? Did we rescue her? What about the Shadow Fairy?"
Upon hearing these questions, Hua Yu was instantly stunned.
Her expression stiffened, unsure of how to respond.
"Uh..." she stammered, her brain racing to think of a suitable answer.
"Little sister... this is a complex matter..."
Hua Yu just opened her mouth when she suddenly noticed Hua Lei's expression becoming dazed.
Her gaze gradually turned hollow, and her entire being seemed to freeze.
Hua Yu followed her sister's line of sight and discovered that Hua Lei was staring at the barrage in the live stream.
Her heart sank immediately as she realized the barrage had now become extremely frenzied and abstract.
"DANGER DANGER DANGER!"
"Cackling, Forget-Me-Not's mother is already dead!"
"She's dead! The evil Tao Yao killed her herself."
"My dear little sister, as of now, Forget-Me-Not is still in the dark, resting on the lap of her mother's killer! Hahahaha!"
Seeing these barrages, Hua Yu was instantly filled with anger and frustration.
She gritted her teeth, muttering: "Damn! You wretched barrages!"
She turned to look at Hua Lei, realizing her sister's complexion had turned pale.
At that moment, Hua Yu felt a headache coming on.
"It's over…"
...
Just as Hua Yu were trapped in thoughts about how to comfort her sister, in the game world of the Pixie Journey.
Tao Yao, Hiyakura, and Forget-Me-Not had also set off on a new leg of their journey.
Hiyakura didn't know how far they had walked.
She simply followed behind Tao Yao, aware that they stopped and started along the way, sometimes threading through dense forests and other times climbing steep hills.
Though they occasionally encountered small disaster beasts,
In front of Tao Yao's strength, these posed no problem.
Forget-Me-Not walked between the two, occasionally glancing around curiously at the scenery.
Although her heart still bore sadness, the fresh experiences dulled the pain a bit.
Hiyakura remained on guard, perpetually wary of their surroundings to prevent any sudden danger.
Thus, they walked for a full three days.
During this period, Tao Yao and Hiyakura took turns carrying Forget-Me-Not, allowing the little girl to rest properly.
Finally, on the fourth day at dusk, the outline of Cherry Blossom City appeared on the distant horizon.
However, as they drew closer, the sight before them left all three stunned.
Cherry Blossom City had fallen into chaos.
The walls were full of cracks, with some parts even collapsed.
Countless disaster beasts circled in the air, constantly launching attacks on the city.
Within the city, smoke billowed everywhere amidst fire and explosions.
The screams of residents intertwined with the shouts of soldiers, creating an apocalyptic scene.
Hiyakura gaped in disbelief at everything before her.
Her voice trembled with shock:
"What happened?! We just left for a few days!"
"This…"
Tao Yao's expression also turned serious.
She tightly held Forget-Me-Not's hand, as if reeling in shock for a moment before saying:
"Something definitely has happened!"
"Little Hiyakura, we need to quickly find Great Hiyakura!"
Forget-Me-Not looked at the scene before her and couldn't help but recall the day her home was destroyed.
Her body trembled slightly as she gritted her teeth: "Sister, I can also help! I want to kill all these damned disaster beasts!!"
Hiyakura shook her head and gently nodded in response to Forget-Me-Not.
"Okay, you can help too."
Tao Yao looked around and quickly had an idea: "We'll take the small path to the west. There's a secret passage that can bypass the chaotic disaster beasts and lead straight into the city."
The three of them quickly sprang into action, following the direction Tao Yao pointed.
Along the way, they had to repeatedly dodge flying disaster beasts and falling debris.
Finally, behind a secluded thicket,
Tao Yao led Little Hiyakura and Forget-Me-Not.
They found the entrance to the secret passage.
Crawling into the narrow passage, the three of them cautiously felt their way forward.