Shìjiè Míngxīng's Perspective
The days following my mother's big news were some of the most eventful of my new life. Mother smiled all the time, a soft glow in her eyes, but I also found her pensive, with a hint of worry when her gaze fell upon me. I could understand, having heard the whispers floating in the air. Words like "fifth soul ring" and "dangerous hunt" often resonated, mixing the joyful atmosphere with barely veiled anxiety.
Father began writing many letters and often spoke with people outside, their voices deep, sometimes distant. Through all these discussions, one name kept coming back to my ears: Su Ming. An old friend. His wife had died, leaving behind a small boy. And that boy lived in the neighboring town, entrusted to the good care of a trustworthy woman. Then, I heard their voices, soft and grave, late into the night. "Taking him there," "to safety," "during the hunt." I understood. They were leaving, and so was I.
This decision made me very excited. For the first time since my rebirth, I would be able to move around without being constantly under my mother's watchful eye. I felt my small muscles tense with this new anticipation. Leaving home? My mind began listing things. New sights to see. New people. It was exciting, and a little scary at the same time.
Just as my small heart beat faster at the thought, Sys's voice resonated in my head. Still emotionless, like a robot, but I had gotten used to it over the past month. Sys, despite its recent awakening, had bothered to note my preferences and expectations regarding my projects, but I hadn't yet had time to truly understand what it was, or what it could do.
[System alert: Martial soul cultivation protocols optimization in progress. Requires an intensive processing period. Estimated: 2 years offline. All active functions suspended. Imperative need to avoid early martial soul awakening during this period.]
I blinked, my small hand clutching one of my wooden toys. Two years? Without that voice? It was a bit like a great book had just opened, but someone immediately closed it. Disappointing? Yes. I hadn't yet had time to finalize my plans, or even understand the extent of its capabilities. But despite that, my mind grasped the logic. To become strong, and especially to reach the level I desired, more preparation was needed. If my plan worked as expected, a new power system might emerge.
[Analysis and communication functions will be suspended. Do not worry, Host. This period is crucial for your optimal development.]
The voice died out, like a blown-out candle. And silence returned, heavier than before. I was alone again, truly alone with my thoughts. I was already preparing to find a way for my parents to let me train earlier, but it seemed I would have to postpone that. Another two years before I could begin my plans.
The last days at home were sweet, but a little sad. Mom hugged me tight, kissed my forehead. Dad did little magic tricks with his fingers, but his smile didn't reach his eyes. I felt their love, warm and soft. It was a strange feeling. I didn't really remember my past life, just some essential information like my name, how certain objects were named, and fragments of the Third Young Master's novels. But despite all that, I knew that whatever my old life was, I had never felt such warmth. Whether it was my mind, my body, or my rapidly beating heart, we loved this feeling. I wanted to protect them. I wanted to be their Star, the star that would illuminate their World.
On the morning of their departure, Mother's eyes were red. She buried her face in my hair. Father, meanwhile, looked like he wanted to break a stone with his gaze. We had rented a carriage that took us to town. The journey lasted two days, during which we laughed a lot, despite the palpable sadness in the air. Mother told me fairy tales, and Father showed me the different shapes of the clouds. It was a last precious moment, a prolonged farewell.
Arriving in town, a small town bustling with the cries of merchants and the laughter of children, we went to a modest but well-maintained house. There, a man and a woman awaited us. The man was massive, his face seemed stern, especially with his scarlet hair, but his eyes were kind. It was Su Ming. As for the woman, she had a round face and eyes sparkling with benevolence. I would learn later, this was Madam Li, the neighbor and guardian of Su Faming.
The adults greeted each other, their voices filled with a mixture of relief and regret.
"Su Ming, my old friend," my father began, his voice deeper than usual. "I sincerely thank you for welcoming us, we know it's a heavy task."
Su Ming shook his head, his gaze settling on me with unexpected gentleness. "Xiao Wang, Xiao Chou, it's no problem. If my level wasn't so low, I would have accompanied you. I'm sure Faming and the others will be delighted to have a new playmate. And especially since Madam Li is a trustworthy woman with a gift for children." He placed a hand on the lady's shoulder.
Madam Li smiled, her wrinkles deepening at the corners of her eyes. "Don't worry, he'll be in good hands. Children always get along well."
Mother stepped forward, her eyes glistening with tears. "Take good care of our Shìjiè Míngxīng... He is..." She searched for her words, her throat tight.
Madam Li took her by the arm. "Don't worry, my dear. He will be like my own grandson. Come on, your journey is long."
Mother held me in her arms one last time, a hug so tight I could feel her heart beating. "Be good, my star. We'll be back soon." Her tears dampened my neck. Father ruffled my hair, a quick, strong gesture. "Take care of yourself, little one."
And then, they left. Their silhouettes disappeared down the bustling street, carried away by the crowd and the city noises. A large hole opened in my chest. It hurt. My eyes welled up slightly. But at the same time, a burning curiosity rose. The stage was set.
After their departure, I stood there, rooted, staring at the street horizon. Madam Li, who was supposed to look after me, stayed by my side, keeping a respectful silence, waiting for me to compose myself. After a moment, I turned my head towards her, wanting to thank her, but I only met a soft, kind smile. I couldn't help but act shy, lowering my head. She then took my hand, her palm warm and reassuring, and led me to the house next door, from where we could already hear joyous cries of children playing.
The door to the house opened to a scene of joyous chaos. Children's laughter, sounds of toys clattering, and overflowing energy. A small boy with bright blue hair and round, marble-like eyes stepped forward, a stick in his hand, his small mouth forming an O of surprise when he saw me. It was Su Faming.
"Papa! Who's that?" he called to Su Ming, without taking his eyes off me.
Su Ming smiled, placing a hand on his son's head. "This is Shìjiè Míngxīng, my little Faming. He's going to stay with us for a while. He comes from far away."
Su Faming approached, scrutinizing me from head to toe, then burst out laughing. "Hi Shìjiè Míngxīng! Want to play stick fight? I have a super stick!" He proudly brandished his twisted piece of wood.
My mind assessed the situation: an energetic child, direct, unfiltered. He was looking for a playmate. Easy. To blend in, I had to play along. The innocent child facade was my best armor.
"Play!" I babbled, extending my small hands towards his stick with a wide child's smile. The events that followed for the rest of the day were a whirlwind of shouts and laughter. Su Faming was a real tornado of energy! He dragged me through the garden, then into the small courtyard.
"Look, Shìjiè Míngxīng! We're racing to the tree!" No sooner had he finished his sentence than he darted off, his small legs flying. I ran after him, a little unbalanced at first, but I quickly got used to it. The wind blew on my face, Faming's laughter echoed in front of me. And I laughed too, a laugh that came effortlessly.
Soon, other neighborhood children joined us. A small girl with dark braids and lively eyes, Xiao Mei, arrived skipping. "Let's play hide-and-seek? I'm counting first!" Then, Tie Tou, a slightly older boy with a lot of energy, asserted himself. "No! We're playing warriors! I'm the leader!" He wielded a broken branch like a sword. Dazhuang, slower, a little shy, followed silently, his own limp branch in hand. And finally, the twins, Lianhua and Taohua, two inseparable little shadows, appeared from behind a bush, whispering secrets to each other.
I observed the organized chaos. Alliances formed, arguments broke out and died down in an instant. I found myself running, hiding behind a barrel, laughing when Su Faming tickled me to get me out of my hiding spot.
"No! I saw you, Shìjiè Míngxīng!" Faming shouted, his eyes sparkling.
"Not fair!" I replied, my small voice a little nasal, but the game was so engrossing that I no longer thought about analyzing my intonations.
We played hunting "soul beasts" (which were just frightened chickens), building "fortresses" (piles of mud and stones), and gathering "treasures" (wildflowers and colorful leaves). I saw Xiao Mei logically directing the twins to build a fairy house under a big oak tree. I saw Tie Tou organizing stick duels, Dazhuang following his orders without flinching.
My senses were saturated. The smells of earth, fresh grass, flowers. The sounds of laughter, childish arguments, wind in the leaves. The sensation of mud between my fingers, of sun on my skin. It was a deluge of information, not cold data, but vivid and tangible experiences. And in the midst of it all, I felt... good. Not just a spirit on a mission, but a child playing.
The late afternoon arrived, marked by Madam Li's call. "Little ones! Home!" The children dragged their feet, but the smell of dinner wafting through the air quickly dispelled their reluctance. We ate a simple but delicious meal of fresh vegetables and rice. I ate with a hunger I hadn't felt in a long time. Su Faming next to me recounted his day's exploits, his eyes shining.
After the meal, Su Ming and Madam Li laid out mats on the floor for us. Fatigue quickly overcame me. My small body, accustomed to the calm of my room, was exhausted by all that running and laughing. As I lay down, I saw Su Faming fall asleep almost instantly beside me, his small face serene.
The world of children was far more direct and spontaneous than anything I had analyzed until then. It was chaotic, unpredictable, and... strangely comforting.
Madam Li's Perspective
Madam Li leaned over the mat, a soft smile illuminating her wrinkled face. Little Shìjiè Míngxīng lay there, deeply asleep. His small cheeks were still a little red from running, and a lock of black hair was stuck to his damp forehead. He held a small pebble tightly in his hand, no doubt a "treasure" from his day.
She watched him for a moment. At the beginning of the day, he had seemed so quiet, so reserved. A little lost, like a small bird fallen from its nest. But Su Faming had been a good instigator, and the other children too. She had seen laughter erupt on his face, had heard him shout during the games. He even had a dried mud stain on his cheek, a remnant of an imaginary battle.
Her grandmother's heart filled with tenderness. These little beings, so fragile and yet so resilient. She knew the sadness that weighed on Shìjiè Míngxīng's parents, and the one that dwelt in Su Ming. But seeing these children play, laugh, and fall asleep side by side, she also knew that life, even in adversity, always found its way.
She delicately brushed his cheek with her fingertip, removing the small lock of hair.
"Sleep well, little one. The world awaits you, and it is full of beautiful things," she murmured, her smile widening.
She straightened up, extinguishing the small oil lamp. The silence of the night enveloped the room, filled only by the regular breathing of the sleeping children. Tomorrow would be another day, full of games and discoveries.