During the seventy-year reform in the mortal realm, Wanquan, Qianhui, and Shanjue never truly left Heaven for a single day.
They simply went back and forth.
Go to the mortal realm to check progress for a few days, return to Heaven for one night. Go again for several months, come back for a meal.
Zhenshi's body remained in Heaven the entire time.
She watched her parents appear every few days, each time a little more tired than the last, and each time with something a little... different about them.
When Wanquan returned, he would stand behind her, watching her play chess with Jinqiao.
He never spoke. He just watched.
When Qianhui returned, she would bring small things from the mortal realm—a different kind of leaf, a smooth round stone, a pressed flower.
Shanjue returned the least often and was always the most exhausted. He would usually lie down under the World Tree and fall asleep on the spot, wake up to drink some tea, and then leave again.
Pangu was always there.
Jinqiao was always there too.
Zhenshi once asked Jinqiao: "Grandpa Artisan, why don't you go with them?"
Jinqiao thought for a moment. "Too far."
Zhenshi smiled.
---
**Day 10** (the 10th year in the mortal realm), Qianhui returned with a small flower.
"This is from the mortal realm." She handed it to Zhenshi.
Zhenshi took it and looked at it for a long time.
"Will it wither?"
Qianhui nodded. "Yes."
Zhenshi said nothing. She tucked the flower into the blank book Jinqiao had given her.
---
**Day 25** (the 25th year in the mortal realm), Wanquan returned while Zhenshi was playing chess.
He stood behind her, watching the board.
"This move is wrong."
Zhenshi looked up. "Then teach me."
Wanquan didn't move.
He simply reached out and moved her piece to another position.
Jinqiao across the board smiled. "Now you'll win."
Zhenshi stared at that move for a long time.
---
**Day 50** (the 50th year in the mortal realm), Shanjue returned. For once, he didn't fall asleep immediately.
He sat beside Zhenshi, watching her brew tea.
"Uncle, are you tired?"
Shanjue thought for a moment. "Not really."
Zhenshi handed him the tea.
He took it, drank a sip.
"Yours is better than Jinqiao's."
Zhenshi smiled.
---
**Day 70** (the 70th year in the mortal realm), all three returned together.
Wanquan stood beneath the tree, saying nothing.
Qianhui's eyes were red-rimmed.
Shanjue stood nearby, also silent.
Zhenshi was no longer the little girl who needed to be held.
She walked over and embraced Qianhui first.
Then she looked up at Wanquan.
Wanquan reached out and gently touched her head.
Shanjue watched from a distance and gave a slight nod.
Pangu and Jinqiao stood side by side.
"She's grown up," Pangu said.
Jinqiao raised his teacup, took a sip. "Mm."
---
That night, Zhenshi asked Jinqiao: "Grandpa Artisan, why have you always been here?"
Jinqiao thought for a moment. "Because there's someone here waiting to ask me questions."
Zhenshi was startled. "Who?"
Jinqiao looked at her and smiled.
"You."