Hearing that Elysia wanted to share a bed with him, Chang Yuan felt a surge of excitement.
However, he quickly suppressed this feeling.
No, this was Elysia, and she was still young. He shouldn't feel this way.
After taking a few deep breaths to calm himself, Chang Yuan entered a state of tranquility.
Soon, Elysia took off her little shoes and climbed onto the bed, which was just big enough for two children.
Lying next to Chang Yuan, Elysia blinked her eyes and stared at him.
"Big brother Chang Yuan, when are you going to tell me the next story?"
"I'll start now. Hmm, how about a story about a girl named Kiana? It's a bright, cheerful, and uplifting story."
"Really?"
For some reason, Elysia felt like Chang Yuan was teasing her, but she couldn't prove it.
"Of course, why would I lie to you?"
Chang Yuan patted his chest, speaking with certainty.
He was a good person and never lied to anyone.
"Alright, I'll believe you this time, big brother Chang Yuan."
"Great, I'll start now. This is a story about the Honkai..."
Half an hour later...
Seeing Elysia, who had closed her eyes and fallen asleep, with a few tears glistening in the corners of her eyes, Chang Yuan nodded in satisfaction.
As expected of him, he had already made Elysia cry for him.
"Don't worry, I won't let such tragedies happen again."
Gently rubbing Elysia's head, Chang Yuan whispered softly.
In her sleep, Elysia seemed to sense something and tightly grabbed Chang Yuan's clothes with her small hand.
Fortunately, even though Chang Yuan had been stranded in the forest for days, he hadn't forgotten to bathe. Otherwise, he would have reeked by now.
"But, as expected of Elysia, she smells so nice and feels so soft."
Looking at Elysia's pink, chubby cheeks, Chang Yuan couldn't help but want to take a bite.
He wanted to taste what this strawberry cupcake was like.
However, he managed to suppress this almost criminal impulse.
In the end, he just poked Elysia's cheek with his finger.
"Goodnight, Elysia. May time stand still at this moment, and may we never part."
Closing his eyes, Chang Yuan fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning, a soft little hand patted his face.
"Big brother Chang Yuan, it's time to wake up. We need to help Uncle Tock. We can't keep freeloading."
"Mmm, got it. This is so nice."
Blinking his eyes open, Chang Yuan couldn't help but sigh when he saw the pink-haired girl.
"So nice?"
Elysia tilted her head, not understanding what Chang Yuan meant.
But the next second, a warm hand rested on her head.
"It's nothing, just a random thought."
Confirming that this wasn't a dream, Chang Yuan felt a surge of excitement.
Since everything was real, he had the power to change it all.
"Alright, big brother Chang Yuan, let's go help Uncle Tock gather firewood. After all, with our small bodies, we can't do much."
Grabbing Chang Yuan's hand, Elysia led him to where she had previously helped Uncle Tock collect firewood.
Faced with the little pink-haired girl's pull, Chang Yuan obediently followed.
Entering the forest, Elysia and Chang Yuan began gathering fallen branches at the edge.
These were one of the few sources of warmth in the refugee camp.
By noon, Elysia and Chang Yuan returned to the camp.
"Oh, little Elysia and Chang Yuan are back."
Since they had introduced themselves earlier, Uncle Tock could now call Chang Yuan by name.
In this world, there were no surnames, so Chang Yuan was his full name.
"Uncle Tock, is the firewood we gathered enough?"
"It's more than enough. The firewood you collected will last us two days. You two are so diligent."
As he spoke, Uncle Tock scooped a bowl of porridge for Chang Yuan, then another for Elysia.
"Big brother Chang Yuan, don't make me feed you again like yesterday. It's so embarrassing."
Holding her bowl of porridge, Elysia reminded Chang Yuan.
Hearing this, Chang Yuan shook his head helplessly.
Yesterday, he had been in such a hurry because he was starving.
Now that he wasn't as desperate, he wouldn't make the same mistake.
"I won't make the same mistake twice."
After gently blowing on the porridge, Chang Yuan took a small sip.
Seeing that Chang Yuan wouldn't repeat his mistake, Elysia happily ate her porridge.
After finishing, Elysia grabbed Chang Yuan's hand and ran back into the forest.
"Elysia, where are you taking me?"
"Don't ask so many questions. You'll find out when we get there."
Elysia turned her head and blinked at Chang Yuan, keeping it a mystery.
Chang Yuan had no choice but to follow her.
Finally, they arrived at a lake.
"Hehe, little bunny, come here. I'm back to play with you."
Letting go of Chang Yuan's hand, Elysia ran toward a white ball of fur on the grass by the lake.
Chang Yuan took a closer look and realized it was a rabbit.
But unlike ordinary rabbits, it didn't run away when it saw Elysia. Instead, it hopped toward her.
"Is this where Elysia's uniqueness starts to show?"
Seeing this unnatural affinity for animals, Chang Yuan thought to himself.
"Big brother Chang Yuan, look, his name is Little White. Do you think it's a good name?"
"Uh, Elysia, I think Little White doesn't like me very much."
Seeing the rabbit bare its teeth at him, Chang Yuan didn't dare approach. Who knew if rabbits could carry rabies?
"Really? I don't think so."
Turning the rabbit around, Elysia looked at its gentle face, confused.
Chang Yuan's mouth twitched.
This darn rabbit. If it weren't for the fact that it was female, he'd have made it into spicy rabbit heads.
"So, you brought me here just to see this rabbit?"
"Of course not."
Shaking her head, Elysia pointed to the lake.
"Big brother Chang Yuan, you need to take a bath. Your sweat is starting to smell. It's not too strong, but you should take better care of your hygiene."
As she spoke, Elysia took out a small pink bar of soap from the little bag Celia had prepared for her.
Celia had packed her some daily necessities and first-aid supplies, but nothing more.