After dropping Carole off at school, around 10 PM, Ryan finally arrived at Hua's rented house. He nearly stared in disbelief upon exiting the car.
Before him stood a two-story, self-built house, its exterior clad in ceramic tiles, the gate somewhat dilapidated, with faded red couplets still hanging.
This was a typical self-built rural house common throughout Shenzhou. Surrounding it were plots of farmland and vegetable gardens. Across the road was a blue-roofed factory, its gates locked; a stray dog barked in the distance.
The surrounding houses were tens of meters away, with few lights visible. Aside from the dog barks, only the summer cicadas chirped.
It wasn't merely quiet; it was practically deserted.
"Aren't you scared living here alone?"
"Not at all. It's much quieter than the city. Besides, didn't my family often go to the countryside?" Hua opened the door, gesturing to the dark houses around them. "Last month, there were many people living nearby. Then the government encouraged relocation, and they all moved out. It saved me over 200 yuan in rent."
Seeing Hua's smug expression, Ryan rubbed his forehead. This junior sister was both stubborn and thrifty; a smarter girl would've haggled for a higher housing allowance.
A haunted place isn't a desirable place to live; once people leave such an area, who would willingly pay rent?
He carried his briefcase up the steps, casually asking, "Aren't you afraid of ghosts?"
"There are no ghosts, only thieves, but I've chased them all away." Hua raised a small fist, a triumphant expression on her face. "Come on in, Senior Brother, have a look around."
Inside the gate was a small courtyard, about one or two hundred square meters. Hua had cleaned it meticulously; miscellaneous items were stacked in a corner, covered with a waterproof tarp. The most prominent feature was the abundance of fitness equipment.
Homemade pull-up bars, wooden dummies, stacks of sandbags, and even some workout clothes.
"Not bad. You haven't given up on your martial arts training." Ryan clasped his hands behind his back and nodded repeatedly. He'd been her teacher, in a way.
"I've taken all your advice to heart. I even topped the class in the final exam." The girl suddenly became more lively, as if finally in her element.
Seeing her eagerness for praise practically written on her face, Ryan pulled a box from his bag and tossed it over. "Looks like I have to give you this gift. Open it."
Hua quickly opened it to reveal a pair of tiger-shaped gauntlets, made of an unknown but clearly precious metal.
The girl was stunned, then clasped them tightly in her hands, solemnly nodding. "I'll continue to work hard."
"You're already working hard enough. Sometimes I wish you'd relax a bit, do things more befitting your age." Ryan's tone softened. Unlike when he with Kevin, he'd treated Hua like a younger sister from the beginning, without any ulterior motives.
"Ahem… like wearing prettier clothes."
Hua turned her head, confused, noticing several short skirts and cartoon-print panties hanging on the clothes rack in the corner. Her face flushed crimson, and she quickly gathered them into her arms.
"No, Carole left them here a few days ago!"
The girl's panic was evident; the stiffness and formality disappeared. Ryan, unlike his teasing with Mobius, subtly averted his gaze.
"I was encouraging you. Don't treat me like an old fossil."
"Then… I'll try?"
"Ahem… more attempts would be good. By the way, where's my room?" Ryan felt the awkwardness and changed the subject.
"It's downstairs. I've already prepared your room and checked the internet connection; it shouldn't cause any delays."
Hua led Ryan inside. The self-built house was somewhat run-down, lacking many household appliances, but impeccably clean. Every item was displayed with almost obsessive orderliness.
The main room's table held a simple dinner, typical Jiangnan fare, untouched.
"I was afraid I wouldn't have enough time, so I prepared dinner early. Would you like to take a shower first? I'll reheat the food quickly."
"It's alright, I'll just rest for a bit. Do you think I'm being too polite?"
"That's true. Then rest for a while."
Hua pulled out a recliner, quickly grabbing a plate and heading to the kitchen. Ryan had stayed at her martial arts school for half a year; there was no need for formality.
Ryan sat on the recliner. It was old, patched together with wire; but the girl had meticulously wrapped the wire ends. He looked up at the stained, yellowing ceiling.
For a while, he thought of nothing, only the sounds from the kitchen. His ever-active brain finally quieted.
He didn't smell blood, wasn't immersed in profound research, nor did he need to engage in intellectual or physical battles. Returning to Shanghai and seeing Hua brought a profound sense of normalcy.
It felt like returning to being an ordinary person. Time slipped away unnoticed in mundane activities, dissolving into dust.
And he didn't dislike this feeling.
'I've been constantly strategizing against Herrscher; I should rest.'
Even if Shanghai might be destroyed, it didn't matter now. Path's principle was simple.
Focus on the immediate, step by step, towards the future. Enjoy the present moment.
Looking at the yellowed ceiling, Ryan gradually closed his eyes, soon falling into a deep sleep.
"Dinner's ready…" Hua approached, carrying a plate, and noticing Ryan sleeping, instinctively slowed her steps.
He must be exhausted.
She set down the plate, slightly bending down to carefully observe the man. Her green eyes flickered, her thoughts unreadable. After a moment, she pulled up a chair, propping her chin on her hand, quietly observing him.
'Senior Brother is keeping a big secret. He often disappeared, claiming to be studying in Japan, but I didn't believe him.'
This thought arose in Hua's mind—pure intuition. She recalled one time when he returned to the martial arts school; though well-concealed, she'd glimpsed a gunshot wound.
But since Ryan didn't mention it, she wouldn't ask. She didn't care about his secrets.
"He rushed back to Shanghai for something important." She muttered, tempted to pry into his secrets, but swallowed the impulse. She clasped her hands in front of her chest, only two thoughts occupying her mind.
The first thought was the book Carole had given her.
The second thought was this is the perfect opportunity to spy!
No, I'm being silly.
She shook her head, regaining composure.
"If only I could help…"
"Huh?"
Despite the soft voice, the ever-vigilant Ryan woke up. He opened his eyes to see the delicate face inches from his own, his reflection shimmering in her clear green eyes.
He didn't dodge or respond, merely wiping his face. "How long was I asleep?"
"Not long, about ten minutes."
"I slept soundly, felt like much longer." Ryan stretched, feeling strangely refreshed. "Why are you staring? Let's eat."
"Okay, I'll serve the rice." The girl gently rose and turned at the kitchen doorway, casually saying, "Senior Brother, sometimes I think you're even more tense than I am."
Ryan was momentarily stunned, then shook his head with self-deprecation. This girl's intuition was sharp.
Soon, the food arrived—fresh vegetable stir-fry, braised chicken, sweet and sour pork ribs; the presentation was exquisite.
As a martial arts family, the Huas valued etiquette, emphasizing silence during meals. Only the clinking of chopsticks and bowls punctuated the summer cicadas' chirping. Ryan asked for a second bowl of rice, finally breaking the silence.
"Ask anything you want. I can see you're holding back."
"No, I don't." The girl looked up, briefly meeting his gaze before asking softly, "I just want to ask… how long do you plan to stay this time?"
"A long time, or a short time. It depends on when they arrive." Ryan sipped his soup, then placed a rib on Hua's plate. "Eat more meat; you look too thin."
They? What does he mean by long or short? And I'm definitely not thin!
Hua was used to Ryan's enigmatic nature; she silently hoped he'd stay longer. Then he asked another question.
"Hua, when is your summer break?"
"The final exams are over; we're waiting for the graduation ceremony. Of course, I'm not in a hurry to return; I can work in Shanghai and stay with you…"
The last few words were almost inaudible. Ryan didn't seem to hear them; he continued eating. "Don't wait for the ceremony. Pack your things and go home this weekend. If possible, bring your friend."
Clang!
The rice bowl fell on the table. Ryan looked up to see Hua staring at him, her displeasure evident. Her expression, usually stoic, was now animated with anger.
"Senior Brother, are you planning something big?"
"Yes, something you can't handle. Listen, I don't want to send you away, but for your safety…"
"I'm not a child anymore. I can't be protected by you and Father forever."
Hua's voice rose. Ryan blinked; it was the first time he'd seen her like this.
But Ryan wasn't stupid; he understood her outburst, but the complexities of Herrschers and Honkai were impossible to explain simply. He felt a headache coming on.
As he pondered, the girl put down her bowl, strode into the courtyard, and unleashed a punch on a sandbag.
Bang!
The sandbag burst, sand scattering everywhere. The girl turned, her spirit high.
"I've trained so hard all these years, isn't it so I can help you someday?"
Ryan held his bowl, sighing softly, unsure what to say.
A temperamental child?
Hua was a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl, far from the Celestial Phoenix of the future. Her honest, traditionally-raised personality made her essentially a child.
"I was wrong. You're one of the 13 Flame-Chasers; you need a bit of fire."
He muttered, slowly rising, silently passing Hua, and unleashing a punch on a nearby sandbag.
Boom!
He didn't just break it; he obliterated it. The tattered fabric flew beyond the courtyard wall; the scattered sand lightly stung Hua.
The girl's eyes widened, her green pupils contracting. He was a human monster; it wasn't a punch; it was a rocket launcher.
"Even with my strength, I can't handle what's coming. Do you understand now?"
Hua fell silent. She knew Ryan never lied; the implication was that her staying would become a liability.
A surge of frustration made her drooping hands tremble slightly. After a few seconds, she suddenly looked up.
"Senior Brother, can you always protect me?"
This girl was persistent; and who said she was unemotional?
The angle of the question was unusual. Ryan couldn't fabricate a lie; he shook his head. "No, everyone will eventually be involved. Life or death will depend on your own abilities."
"That's not true. I have to face it eventually. Isn't it safer with you by my side?" A stubborn, even cheerful, expression appeared on her face.
Honestly, straightforward and far more effective than endless arguing. A small-scale Honkai encounter would provide a practical demonstration.
Ryan understood Hua's personality; words wouldn't work. He didn't see it as a personal attack, deducing logically:
A seventeen-year-old girl would naturally be curious about the "true world," possibly harboring heroic fantasies, imagining him as a secret agent saving the world.
The best I can do is prevent her from being crushed by the truth.
"Get up early tomorrow; I'll check your training."
Ryan left, leaving Hua stunned in the courtyard. After a few seconds, she realized what he'd agreed to.
He'd agreed to her help, to let her approach the real world.
She looked at the torn sandbag, clenching her fists.
Finally, let's make this day count!