Yin Yin had indeed dreamed.

She dreamed of the small river in front of her childhood home, the water flowing with a gentle sound, like a song that never ceases.

She still remembered this river. It was called the Muma River. Back when she was a mischievous child, she always disobeyed her teacher. Whenever the teacher got angry, he would scold them, saying they were cows, and grumble, “The grass by the Muma River is all gone. You lot must’ve eaten it clean!”

At that thought, Yin Yin couldn’t help but let out a giggle. She walked over and squatted down by the river. The clear water reflected the rosy-cheeked face of a girl no older than seven or eight.

Yin Yin touched her own face in surprise, and the little girl in the water did the same.

Had she…… turned back into her seven- or eight-year-old self?

“Xin’er.” A deep male voice sounded beside her ear. She turned her head and saw her adoptive father’s kindly, weathered face.

“Actually, your mother and I didn’t find you on the road. You came to our house on your own.”

His words hit her like a thunderclap, blooming like a flower in her heart.

“I…… came by myself?” Yin Yin’s voice, like her appearance, held all the innocence and childishness of a young girl.

Her adoptive father lowered his head to watch the flowing river and muttered, “That day, your mother and I had just finished working outside. As we returned, we suddenly heard the sound of a baby crying. We rushed into the house in a panic and saw you lying there, not a stitch on. Your mother had always been in poor health and couldn’t bear children. Back then, we both thought you were a gift from heaven.

But our family was poor— too poor to raise a child. We actually planned to give you away. But when we picked you up, you immediately stopped crying and just giggled at us with that soft little voice of yours. Your mother cried right then and there and refused to give you to anyone else.”

At last, her adoptive father turned to face her, his eyes filled with unspeakable sorrow.

“We never wanted to abandon you…… but all these years, we’ve done everything to support your education, no matter how hard or tiring. Still, your mother’s health has gotten worse and worse. I truly couldn’t manage anymore……”

Yin Yin wanted to tell him she never once blamed them— not even a little. But she couldn’t speak a single word. She reached out, wanting to smooth the wrinkles on his brow, but the scene before her suddenly flickered like a broken television signal, distorting into irregular lines.

She blinked instinctively, and in that blink, she was standing once again before the computer in Ji Ting’s room.

On the screen was an empty folder containing only a single Word document.

The name of the document made Yin Yin’s heart skip a beat.

Worldbuilding for 《All Splendor Fades》?

A melodramatic novel like 《All Splendor Fades》 actually had worldbuilding? That was unexpectedly high-brow.

Yin Yin stepped forward and opened the document.

But there was nothing, only a completely blank page. There’s not even a single word.

She suddenly felt a twinge of disappointment, then couldn’t help but laugh at herself. What was she expecting to see, anyway?

Just as she was waiting to wake from this bizarre dream, the keyboard began to clatter as though someone was typing.

Yin Yin was certain there was no one else alive in the room who could type.

But the dead……

She shivered.  Don’t be scared. It’s just a dream. Anything strange is still within reason.

The keyboard began to type on its own. With each keystroke, a string of numbers appeared in the document.

It was seven digits, repeated in a continuous cycle.

Yin Yin nearly went dizzy watching the spiral of numbers.

After the sequence had looped thirteen times, the keyboard finally stopped. The clattering ceased.

Just as she breathed a sigh of relief, the keyboard clacked again— four sharp taps this time.

But this time, instead of the previous digits, a different string appeared.

9527^[1]a meme born from Stephen Chow’s comedies, symbolizing the self-deprecating, absurd, and resilient spirit of underdogs who face life’s struggles with humor and stubborn optimism?

Yin Yin stared at the four digits on the screen. They had a strangely comical feel to them.

But where have I seen it before?

She rubbed her temples, trying to recall.

……

By the time she opened her eyes again, a beam of morning sunlight was streaming in through the window.

It was already dawn.

After a whole night of strange dreams, her head felt heavy and muddled. She lay in bed for a while longer before finally getting up to wash.

But what were those numbers trying to tell her? Did she really appear at her adopted parents’ home out of nowhere?

The dream contained far too much information. Her brain felt like it was about to overload.

……

At breakfast, Ling Long and Helian Kong were both present. At that moment, Helian Kong was haggling with Ling Long, stubbornly refusing to yield to the tyranny of plain rice and pickled vegetables.

Ling Long ignored him completely, only reacting slightly when she saw Yin Yin enter. “Yinyin, you’re up?”

“Mm.” Yin Yin sat beside Ling Long, and someone quickly served her a bowl of porridge and passed her a few white buns.

“Are your hands better?” Ling Long’s gaze briefly fell on her hands.

“Much better. That stuff of yours really is a miracle cure.” Yin Yin stretched out her palms toward Ling Long. The wound had already begun to scab over.

“Oh, right, I want to visit Shili Courtyard today to check on Luzhu. I wonder how her injury’s healing.” She took a sip of porridge and looked at Ling Long for approval.

Ling Long frowned slightly. Given what had happened yesterday, he preferred that Yin Yin stay put, but he couldn’t keep her confined to Zhuwang forever. After a moment of thought, he said, “Take Hongwei with you.”

“Okay.” Just as Yin Yin responded, Hongwei appeared in front of her with a swoosh.

Yin Yin: “……”

Hongwei had to be Ling Long’s summoned beast.

Helian Kong waved his hands frantically. “I want to go too! I want to go too!”

Ling Long shot him a cold glance. “Second Prince, you’d best stay put at home.”

Helian Kong drooped instantly and quietly ate his porridge.

────ρя


The capital’s annual Lantern Festival was fast approaching, and the streets were especially lively. As Yin Yin walked along, taking in the festive stalls, she found herself looking forward to the famed event.

As they walked, Hongwei suddenly stopped. Yin Yin also halted. “What’s wrong?”

“Someone’s following us.” Hongwei’s reply was terse and direct.

“Someone’s following us?” Yin Yin frowned. “Who?”

She thought hard, and suddenly, a long-forgotten name surfaced in her mind.

Mo Lingya!

Could it be that the Zhu family had learned that Luzhu survived and specifically sought out Mo Lingya to……?

The more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed. She scanned the area warily, feeling as though Mo Lingya might leap out from any corner at any moment.

“Looking for me?” A cold voice suddenly echoed from above, and Mo Lingya appeared as if from thin air.

Hongwei shielded Yin Yin, staring at Mo Lingya without emotion.

Mo Lingya curled his lips faintly. “Where is that girl who killed Zhu Wuwen?”

“How should I know?” Yin Yin’s words were sharp, but her palms were slick with cold sweat. Seriously, what a cursed year! She keeps running into this jinx everywhere!

She wondered if Hongwei could beat him.

Mo Lingya fixed his eyes on her. “Ling Long won’t reveal it. That’s why I came to ask you.”

“I really don’t know.” Yin Yin’s gaze was sincere.

Mo Lingya suddenly laughed, making her break out in goosebumps. “It doesn’t matter. As long as I capture you, Ling Long will talk.”

Oh come on! That’s not bravery, but pure shameless boldness!

Just as the tension peaked between Mo Lingya and Hongwei, a familiar voice broke the standoff.

“Mo Lingya, walking right into our trap, aren’t you?”

It was Head Constable Xu, patrolling with a team of constables. They happened to encounter the capital’s most wanted criminal.

Yin Yin’s eyes lit up at the sight of Head Constable Xu. Yes! Police Uncle, you’re my hero!  She watched them eagerly. A battle between justice and evil was about to begin!

Mo Lingya glanced at Head Constable Xu and sneered. “You think you can catch me?”

Head Constable Xu straightened up. “No matter where you flee— heaven’s edge or earth’s end— I’ll find you. Until the sea dries and the rocks crumble.”

Yin Yin: “……”

Why does this suddenly feel…… off?

Mo Lingya snorted. “I’m afraid I won’t live to see that day.”

“Don’t talk like that!” Head Constable Xu shouted sternly. “You will live to see the day I arrest you!”

Yin Yin: “……”

Yeah, something is definitely wrong here.

Mo Lingya clearly didn’t want to tangle with Head Constable Xu. He gave Yin Yin one last look. “Seems I’ve had poor luck today. Until next time.”

No, no! Please let ‘next time’ mean ‘never’!

Mo Lingya turned and disappeared in a flash. Head Constable Xu and his men gave chase, kicking up a cloud of dust as they vanished from sight.

Yin Yin stood amidst the cold wind and swirling dust, completely dazed.

At this point, she gave up on visiting Luzhu. Since news of her survival had likely spread, going to Shili Courtyard now might endanger them.

She returned to Zhuwang with Hongwei and found herself with nothing to do.

On the table sat the little figurine Sang Ze had carved for her. Bored, she picked it up and fiddled with it.

It really did resemble the one from her dream. But why would she dream about this doll? Was there something special about it?

Aside from being exceptionally ugly, she honestly couldn’t see what was so special.

Thinking back on last night’s dream, her head started to ache again. She sighed and lay down on the bed.

Next time Ling Long goes out, he has to bring me along!

I’m so bored.  🙁

……

A few days later, Yin Yin finally stopped being bored— because the annual Lantern Festival had begun!

But had she known what was about to happen, she would have chosen to remain bored forever. Truly.