The auction concluded perfectly.
Chixia still needed to stay and manage order, so Yangyang and Noah walked side by side on the road back to Jinzhou.
"I really admire you, Noah."
At this moment, the feathered-haired young woman had stars in her eyes, looking very happy:
"You actually spent a fortune to bid on that vehicle and gave it to A Shang without blinking an eye."
"After all, it's her father's only relic. And I'm not short on money."
Noah shrugged, instead teasing Yangyang:
"But you—not only donated a piano for auction, but also lent A Shang 100,000 Shell Credits. I saw when she came to repay you."
"Turns out you're the real hidden little rich girl."
Hearing Noah's praise, Yangyang instead became a bit shy:
"Not at all~ 100,000 Shell Credits is already all my savings—not exactly a rich girl."
"Alright alright, impressive."
Noah didn't probe further. Recalling how he had repeatedly refused Yangyang before due to his emotional knots, he initiated a duo invite:
"Free today? Want to help the Pangu Terminal researcher with the animal language module?"
"No, today I promised to help someone write a letter, and there are some other commissions."
"How about tomorrow? I want to go to the wilds and clear some Tacet Discords."
"Tomorrow's not convenient. I agreed to swap shifts with a colleague—she has something tomorrow, and I can't back out."
"Can you contact Baizhi for me now? I messaged her, but she didn't reply."
"A mirage suddenly appeared in Zhongzhou. Baizhi went to Zhongzhou—it's normal not to reach her."
"Uh."
Noah hadn't expected it to be his turn to be repeatedly refused. What goes around comes around.
Regarding Baizhi going to Zhongzhou, the original Wuthering Waves plot did mention it—it would probably be around the Moon-Chasing Festival before she returned.
"Alright."
Duo became solo. Noah felt a bit regretful.
For him, solo was efficient—he could speed through anything—but when time was plentiful, he actually didn't like acting alone.
"Really sorry. I'm not refusing you on purpose. When I'm free later, I'll definitely find you."
Yangyang looked at Noah apologetically, sincerely stating:
"Later, no matter if you want to fight Tacet Discords or do something else, I'll definitely accompany you."
"It's fine, no big deal."
The two parted at Jinzhou's north gate.
City Hall.
Sanhua organized the documents on her desk neatly and orderly. Every file was placed in the prescribed sequence, with even the corners pressed perfectly uniform.
Looking at the empty yet tidy room, Sanhua was somewhat lost in thought.
Soon after, she picked up the broom in her hand and swept the room again—one that she had already cleaned countless times and was spotless.
The more she cleaned, the more an irrepressible bitterness grew in Sanhua's heart.
No matter how clean she made this house, the owner of this house would never return.
So this heartbreaking feeling was called parting?
"Sanhua!"
A familiar voice came from behind. Sanhua did not turn around.
She must be hallucinating again, hearing the Magistrate's full-spirited voice.
How could it be... The Magistrate clearly...
"Sanhua!"
...Not a hallucination.
Sanhua turned around, repeatedly confirming the real, pure, and even more stable and powerful frequency in her eyes. Her usually expressionless face couldn't help but show emotion:
"Magistrate..."
"It's me."
Jinhsi stepped into this office room filled with the scent of books once more. A feeling of regaining what was lost arose spontaneously.
"Jinzhou, I have returned."
She sat in her seat, familiarly touching a document, only then realizing she had already handled at least half a month's worth of major and minor affairs in advance.
In the past, she was certain her life was short. But now, holding time sequence power, her lifespan was nearly equal to the heavens—eternal youth.
Was Noah in the same situation?
Now with nothing to do anyway, perhaps...
Jinhsi's gaze shifted, moving away from the desktop:
"Sanhua, help me locate Noah's position."
The command issued, her words carrying a joy even Jinhsi herself hadn't noticed. Sanhua silently exited the room, returning shortly after:
"Magistrate, the honored guest is at Court of Savantae Mountains."
"..."
Jinhsi fell silent, recalling the last time at Court of Savantae Mountains when she heard Noah say "The people of Jinzhou live in a thoroughly rotten world."
She shook her head fiercely, dispelling the thought of going to find Noah, instead falling into deep self-reproach:
Jinhsi, oh Jinhsi—how can you indulge in comfort? You should more diligently fulfill the duties of Magistrate, serving everyone in Jinzhou City.
In a high position, one should worry before the world worries and rejoice after the world rejoices.
Jinhsi calmed her heart, suppressing herself to sit back down, reaching for a document to review again.
Silently reading the text word by word, she wrote her decision at the end of the paper.
Finally, Jinhsi raised her head:
"Sanhua, how much time has passed?"
"One minute."
"Ah—why is time so slow?"
She clearly hadn't used time sequence power!
"Magistrate, in the past, you always complained time passed too quickly."
Sanhua held her forehead, feeling her Magistrate had undergone quite a change.
Suddenly, her Magistrate pushed the documents on the desk aside and issued another order:
"Go fetch the maps and interior designs of vacant new houses in Jinzhou—prioritize those close to City Hall."
Court of Savantae Mountains.
After cooperating with the Pangu Terminal for the Chronicles task, Noah lay in the flower cluster where he had been before, checking his panel.
"I spent 170 pulls for Jinhsi's six chains earlier. Time to organize what I have now."
5-star characters: 0-chain Rover (Spectro), 6-chain Jinhsi, 1-chain Verina, 5-star permanent selector *1.
4-star characters: 5-chain Sanhua, 5-chain Danjin, 4-chain Chixia, 3-chain Yuanwu, 2-chain Taoqi, 1-chain Youhu, 1-chain Yangyang, Baizhi, Mortefi.
5-star weapons: Ages of Harvest, Emerald of Genesis, Static Mist.
4-star weapons: Rank 5 Fantasy Variation *1, Nuclear Fusion Star Disk *2, Commando of Conviction, Undying Flame... at least one of every 4-star weapon.
Hundreds of 3-star weapons.
Unknowingly, he was no longer that newcomer who arrived empty-handed, lost and flustered.
"These blue-quality 3-star weapons are useless to keep but a pity to discard. Later, find a reason to give them to Jiyan."
Noah switched to Verina character, casually sprouting two slightly larger green leaves to shield his eyes, enjoying the warm autumn sunlight for a brief rest.
"Big brother Noah, lying like this will hurt the flowers and grass."
A familiar voice rang out—it was Verina.
Noah removed the leaves. His casual greeting turned to shock upon seeing the visitor fully.
Unlike her energetic appearance the previous day, today's Verina had heavy dark circles, looking very weary.
"Nana, what's wrong with you?"
"Big brother, yesterday I kept trying to sprout the male-sterile rice you mentioned—it's too hard."
Verina sighed, obediently sitting beside Noah:
"Not only did I fail, but I overused resonance power. The side effects kept me from sleeping at all— even the star flowers on me are wilting."
Worried this appearance would scare everyone, she came to Court of Savantae Mountains to hide temporarily.
"Don't rush, Nana. This can't be forced."
Noah pulled out a bottle of sleeping aid Baizhi had given him before:
"Want a bottle of sleeping aid? Huaxu Academy product—drink it and fall asleep in ten seconds, wake for sure after one hour."
Somewhat hesitantly taking the sleeping aid, Verina glanced at Noah, then trustingly unscrewed the cap and drank.
The agitated resonance energy from overuse was instantly suppressed after drinking the aid.
Ten, nine, eight, seven... three, two, one!
Her eyelids grew heavier, consciousness darkened, and she finally fell asleep peacefully.
In the dream, there were massive rice plants seemingly able to hold up the sky. On golden rice ears, every grain was as big as a peanut.
Clear autumn skies, harvest winds rustling the golden fields with a whooshing sound, rice fragrance drifting.
Under those massive rice ears, an elderly man resting in the shade kindly waved to her.
An indescribable warmth rose in her heart. Verina ran toward the elder.
The elder smiled kindly, gently stroking her head.
A golden rice ear heavy with grains was passed to her palm—heavy weight, carrying the fragrance of soil and vibrant life, like the earth's bounty.