29. Like a Dream

Late autumn dew condensed on the withered grass, each drop seeming to carry the chill of the entire night. As Su Lin pushed open the heavy wooden door, the hinges creaked softly, a sound particularly clear in the quiet morning. He paused on the threshold, feeling the cool breeze outside, before stepping out.

The morning breeze carried the scent of earth and ripening grain. He took a deep breath, watching the white mist from his exhale slowly dissipate before his eyes. This habit had been formed since the first day they settled here—every morning, he would make sure, to confirm that this was not a dream, that they truly had a place where they could breathe in peace.

The valley gradually took shape in the morning light. The cascading forests in the distance resembled an overturned palette, a cacophony of deep and light ochre and dark red, interspersed with hints of stubborn dark green. The river at the center of the valley remained abundant even at this time of year, its gurgling sound a constant background soundtrack. The water was crystal clear, reflecting the yellowing reeds on both banks. Occasionally, the silvery shadows of fish could be seen glimpsed.

Wisps of smoke curled from the stone chimney, blending with the mist in the valley, adding a touch of human touch to the scene. This house, built of rock and logs, blended seamlessly into its surroundings, as if it was meant to be there. The vines climbing the walls turned a deep crimson, draping the stone house like a thick blanket, preparing it for the coming winter. The thatch on the roof glowed a dry golden brown in the morning light; Lei Qing and A Yan had spent a full fortnight laying it.

Under the newly built porch beside the house hung the last of this autumn's harvest: dried wild mushrooms, bunches of red peppers, and a few bundles of fragrant herbs—Mu Lin's treasures. The windows, scoured by Stardust, were clean and translucent, revealing the simple wooden windowsill and the coarse cloth curtains that Su Lin had just replaced a few days ago.

The cabbages and radishes in the vegetable garden were still stubbornly green, while the wheat fields beside them were a brilliant golden yellow. Heavy ears of wheat bent the stalks, swaying gently in the morning breeze, as if whispering to each other. A few mutant angora rabbits quietly nibbled grass roots by the fence, their fur appearing especially fluffy and shiny in the humid air—these docile creatures were Stardust's personal care, and were now on their third litter.

Su Lin walked under the eaves and touched the hanging bunches of chilies to make sure they were completely dry. His fingers gently brushed against the herbs Mu Lin had been drying, memorizing the texture of the plants. These daily details were precious to him.

"Brother Su Lin."

Stardust's voice echoed from across the wheat field. The young man had grown considerably taller than when he'd first arrived, his fitted coarse clothes accentuating his physique. A healthy flush tinged his cheeks, his eyes bright, his earlier timidity replaced by a calmness brought on by hard work. He trotted over, a wheat ear in hand, panting slightly.

"Look, is it almost done?" Stardust handed over the wheat ear, his eyes shining with anticipation.

Su Lin took the wheat ear and gently pinched the grains with his fingers. The grains were firm and plump, leaving a faint mark on his fingertips. He looked up at the sky. The eastern mountain peaks were just beginning to be tinged with the golden edge of the rising sun.

"Well, let's wait until the sun rises higher and the dew dries up before we start." His voice was gentle, yet hoarse from the morning. "Go get everyone ready."

Stardust nodded vigorously, a bright smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, and he turned and ran to the back of the house, his steps as light as a deer.

Looking at his back, Su Lin couldn't help but recall how he looked when he first picked up this child - skinny and bony, with a look of fear in his eyes, not even daring to speak loudly. Now, Xingchen has not only grown taller and stronger, but more importantly, there is light in his eyes again.

Steady footsteps echoed from the tool shed. Lei Qing emerged, his dark gray combat jacket casually tied at the waist, a fitted vest outlining his broad shoulders. He held several razor-sharpened sickles, his eyes sharp as he examined the blades, as if he were examining an old friend who had fought alongside him.

"Harvesting wheat today?" he asked in a low and steady voice.

Su Lin nodded and handed the wheat ears in his hand to Lei Qing. "Xingchen just checked it. The grains are very full."

Lei Qing took the wheat ear, gently stroking the husks with his rough fingers as he examined it carefully. His palms were large, his knuckles distinct, and covered with calluses from years of handling weapons and tools. These hands were as capable of precisely breaking an enemy's neck as they were of gently checking the ripeness of crops.

"The knife has been sharpened." He weighed a sickle in his hand. The simple sentence made people feel at ease.

Su Lin reached out to take the sickle, his fingertips accidentally brushing against the back of Lei Qing's hand. Lei Qing paused slightly, his gaze lingering on Su Lin's face for a moment before he slowly released his hand.

"Thank you for your hard work." Su Lin said softly.

Lei Qing simply shook his head, his gaze returning to the sickles. He was always like this, a man of few words, but every movement spoke of protection.

A flurry of hurried footsteps echoed from the training grounds. Ah Yan burst into the courtyard like a ball of fire, his short red hair damp with sweat, a few strands plastered to his forehead. He wore only a sleeveless linen vest, revealing bronzed arms with defined muscles. The heat rising from his body was especially noticeable in the cool morning air.

"Is it time to harvest the wheat?" His eyes sparkled. He took the sickle from Lei Qing and spun it nimbly in his hand, creating a gust of wind. "Look, I'll show you my skills!"

Su Lin couldn't help laughing. "Don't chop the wheat straw in a mess again. The last time you cut the field, we spent twice as much time to sort it out."

A Yan moved closer to Su Lin and deliberately rubbed his cheek with his sweaty forehead, "That was last time! This time, I promise it will be clean!"

Su Lin was tickled by him and pushed him away with a smile, "You stink of sweat, stay away from me."

"You dislike me?" Ah Yan pretended to be hurt, but his hands naturally wrapped around Su Lin's shoulders. "Isn't it for protecting you that I train so hard?"

Lei Qing coughed lightly, his eyes sweeping over A Yan's hand on Su Lin's shoulder. A Yan awkwardly withdrew his hand, muttering, "I know, I know. You're the only one who has too many rules."

Mu Lin approached from the riverbank, a ceramic pitcher in hand. His long, silver-blue hair was loosely tied up with a wooden hairpin, a few strands draping over his cheeks, swaying gently with his steps. He wore a simple, elegant blue cloth robe, the sleeves of which fluttered gently in the morning breeze, making him look like he had stepped out of an ink painting.

"I got some spring water and added some mint leaves." He placed the pitcher in the shade under the porch eaves, his eyes sweeping across the golden wheat fields, a faint smile on his lips. "It looks like a good harvest."

Su Lin walked over to Mu Lin and helped him straighten the slightly tilted wooden hairpin. "Why didn't you call me to fetch water early in the morning?"

Mu Lin tilted his head slightly and let Su Lin's fingers gently comb his hair. "Seeing that you were sleeping soundly, I didn't have the heart to wake you up." His voice was very soft, like a feather brushing against the tip of his heart.

The sun gradually brightened, dispersing the mist in the valley. The five of them stood at the edge of the field, their division of labor needing no further explanation. Lei Qing and A Yan were responsible for the main harvest, Su Lin and Xing Chen followed behind to bundle the wheat, and Mu Lin was responsible for transporting the bundles to the nearby drying yard.

Lei Qing was the first to enter the wheat field. He bent down, grasping a handful of wheat stalks with his left hand, and shoved his sickle along the ground with his right hand. The sharp blade scraped past with a crisp, rustling sound, and the golden wheat fell to the ground. His movements were efficient and rhythmic, leaving the wheat neatly spread out behind him wherever he passed. Sweat quickly soaked his vest, clinging to his throbbing muscles, reflecting the luster of strength in the sunlight.

A Yan chose another ridge, swinging his sickle with wild, wide movements. The sickle seemed to come alive in his hands, whizzing through the wheat stalks with surprising efficiency. Occasionally, though, he lost control, stirring up a lot of dirt and broken grass.

"Brother Yan, be gentle," Xingchen whispered behind him, "The wheat grains are almost shaken off!"

"I know, I know!" A Yan responded without turning his head, but his movements subconsciously became lighter.

Su Lin and Xingchen followed behind, expertly gathering the harvested wheat and tying it into sturdy bundles with soft straw. Su Lin's movements were meticulous, resulting in evenly sized, firm bundles. Xingchen imitated his meticulous work, not even bothering to wipe the beads of sweat from his forehead.

"Take a break if you're tired." Su Lin used his sleeve to wipe the sweat from Xingchen's forehead.

Xingchen shook his head, his eyes sparkling, "I'm not tired! We grew all of this with our own hands."

Mu Lin shuttled between the ridges of the fields and the drying yard, carrying two or three heavy bundles of wheat at a time, his steps remaining calm. With a slight induction of his supernatural powers, the temperature of the air around him dropped a few degrees, dispelling the sweltering heat of the labor. Occasionally, he would stop, wet a cloth with the condensed water, and pass it to Lei Qing and A Yan, who were sweating the most.

"Thank you." Lei Qing took the towel, thanked him briefly, and wiped the sweat from his neck. Their eyes met briefly in mid-air, each one expressing a tacit understanding and satisfaction at this achievement.

Ah Yan went straight to the water pitcher and took a few big gulps from the water ball that Mu Lin had condensed. He breathed a sigh of relief and said, "It feels so good! This job is more tiring than fighting, but looking at this golden wheat, it's worth it!"

The sun shone on everyone, dyeing their hair a light golden color. Su Lin looked up at his companions, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart. Lei Qing's focused profile, A Yan's bright smile, Mu Lin's gentle eyes, Xing Chen's serious expression - these were all treasures he wanted to protect.

The air was filled with the delicate fragrance of cut wheat stalks, mingled with the scent of sunlight. The rustle of sickles, the rustle of bundles being tied, and the occasional chatter blended into one. Even the rabbits seemed to be drawn to the atmosphere, squatting far away by the fence, peering curiously.

The work continued until the sun rose to the top of their heads. The vast wheat fields were harvested, and the golden sheaves piled up like small hills on the drying yard. Everyone's face was tired, but also filled with satisfaction and joy.

Lunch was served under the eaves. Mu Lin baked a large loaf of wheat bread, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Su Lin cooked a thick soup with leftover rabbit meat and freshly picked wild vegetables. Xingchen washed the crisp, sweet, and juicy wild fruits that morning. Everyone sat or stood around, enjoying the sweetness of their labor.

"Hey! This is bread made from wheat we grow ourselves!" Ah Yan took a big bite, chewing it with relish, and declared incoherently, "It's ten thousand times better than the black lumps synthesized in those crappy bases!"

Lei Qing slowly sipped his soup, his gaze sweeping across the golden harvest drying in the field, then onto the smiling faces of his companions. The corners of his hard lips softened. "Hmm," he murmured, his agreement evident.

Mu Lin chewed slowly and smiled, "This is such a large first harvest, beyond our expectations. After drying and threshing, it will be enough for us to eat for a long time, and we can even leave plenty of seeds."

"You could also try grinding some flour and making noodles or dumplings." Su Lin's eyes sparkled as he looked at the bread in his hands. His cooking skills had indeed improved significantly thanks to everyone's "encouragement"—mainly because A Yan always devoured whatever he cooked, while Mu Lin would subtly offer suggestions for improvement.

Xingchen ate his bread in small bites, listening to the adults' conversation, his face full of pure joy. He carefully collected the crumbs that fell on the table, preparing to feed them to the rabbit later.

In the afternoon, the sun grew warmer, and the wheat bundles on the drying yard needed to be turned regularly. This was a relatively easy task, primarily handled by Su Lin and Xingchen. Lei Qing began repairing the wooden handle of a sickle, which had become loose from excessive use. Mu Lin dragged A Yan to inspect the ventilation holes in the reinforced granary—a small, semi-underground storage room they had built of stone and wood to store future grain.

Su Lin and Xingchen chatted casually while turning over the wheat bundles.

"Brother Su Lin, are we going to live here forever?" Xingchen suddenly asked.

Su Lin paused for a moment, then continued to turn the wheat bundle. "As long as we're together, anywhere is home."

"I like it here." Stardust said softly, "It's quiet here, there are no bad people, and I don't have to go hungry."

Su Lin reached out and ruffled the boy's hair, "Then guard this place well."

Elsewhere, Lei Qing repaired his sickle with practiced concentration. His palm firmly gripped the handle, while his other hand meticulously trimmed the burrs from the wooden handle with a knife. Each movement revealed years of accumulated experience.

There was a sporadic conversation between A Yan and Mu Lin from the granary.

"Reinforce this area a bit more," Mu Lin said in a gentle but firm voice. "Winter snow and wind might come in through here."

"I know, I know," Ah Yan responded, then complained, "Mu Lin, you're too cautious. This granary is so strong it could even withstand a bomb."

"It's never a bad thing to be cautious." Mu Lin replied calmly.

As the sun set, the entire valley was stained a rich, warm orange. The wheat sheaves drying in the drying yard seemed to burn in the sunset glow, gleaming with a warm light. Smoke rose from the chimneys of the houses again, blending with the evening mist to create a warm painting.

The dinner was exceptionally sumptuous, full of celebratory flavor. The main course was a pie Mu Lin had made with fresh wheat flour, dried meat, and mushrooms. The crust was crispy and the filling delicious. Lei Qing contributed a small, unopened jar of jam he'd treasured from the northern base. A Yan dug out some bird eggs and insisted Su Lin make egg drop soup. Even Xingchen prepared a small pot of sweet and sour jam using the wild fruits he'd gathered.

The five of them sat around the large wooden table in the room, the light from the oil lamp dancing on the table, illuminating everyone's face with warmth and softness. The aroma of food, the laughter of their companions, and the quiet night outside the window intertwined into a comforting warmth.

"For our wheat! For our home!" A Yan was the first to raise the wooden bowl filled with water and proposed loudly.

"For the sake of family." Lei Qing agreed in a deep voice and raised his bowl.

Mu Lin, Su Lin and Xing Chen also raised their bowls with a smile. The five wooden bowls gently clinked together, making a crisp sound, symbolizing their cherishment and commitment to this land and this home they built together.

After dinner, everyone remained reluctant to leave, moving to the open space outside. The autumn night had already begun to cool, and Xingchen had swiftly lit a bonfire in the center of the clearing. The dancing flames dispelled the chill and illuminated the five faces gathered around them.

The night sky was a deep, inky blue, the Milky Way streaking across it, its stars scattered like diamonds, so clear they seemed almost palpable. The silhouettes of distant mountains appeared serene and majestic beneath the starlight. The valley was completely silent, save for the crackling of the burning campfire and the faint gurgling of the distant river.

A Yan and Xing Chen were once again arguing quietly over the details of a board game's rules. This time, even Mu Lin joined the discussion, acting as a gentle referee. Lei Qing sat slightly behind Su Lin, one arm casually draped over the wooden stake Su Lin leaned against, forming a protective semicircle. He didn't join in the conversation, simply watching the dancing flames in silence. Occasionally, his gaze flickered to Su Lin's profile, which was softly illuminated by the flames. Deep within his eyes was an incomparably profound peace, borne of the vicissitudes of life.

Su Lin leaned back against the wooden stake, feeling the warmth of Lei Qing's arm on his back. He listened to A Yan's noisy arguments and Mu Lin's smiling mediation. He watched Xingchen's cheeks puff up slightly in dissatisfaction. Then he looked up at the valley they had transformed, now brimming with vitality and hope. His heart was filled with a profound and peaceful happiness.

The light from the bonfire danced on everyone's face, revealing a different expression: A Yan's flamboyance, Mu Lin's gentleness, Xing Chen's innocence, Lei Qing's composure. Su Lin's eyes swept over them one by one, and his heart softened.

"It's so fast," he sighed softly, gazing at the starry sky, as if talking to himself, or perhaps to those around him. "It feels like only yesterday we were worrying about our next meal, our next safe place to stay. Now, we have more than enough food, a roof over our heads, and…" He paused, his voice softer, "and you too."

The crackling bonfire illuminated the glimmer in his eyes.

A Yan stopped arguing, turned around, and grinned, with firelight dancing in his amber pupils: "Of course! With me here, how can I let you starve and freeze?"

Mu Lin looked over with a gentle gaze, understanding and tenderness: "Because we are together."

Stardust nodded vigorously, his eyes firm: "This is home."

Lei Qing didn't say anything, but he slightly tightened his arm that was resting on the wooden stake. That silent movement was more powerful than any words.

As the night deepened, the stars grew brighter and brighter. Ah Yan pulled out a crude homemade instrument from somewhere and tried to play a few notes. Mu Lin hummed an ancient tune softly, his voice as clear as water. Xingchen leaned against Su Lin, his eyelids beginning to twitch. Su Lin gently put his arm around the boy's shoulders, making him feel more comfortable.

Lei Qing added a few more sticks to the fire, and the dancing flames made his face look much softer than usual. His eyes never left Su Lin, filled with so many inexplicable things - protection, cherishment, and a kind of hidden tenderness.

The bonfire gradually died down, the embers emitting their final warmth and glow. No one hurried to get up and return to the house, as if everyone wanted to make this moment of perfection, peace, and heart-to-heart connection linger a little longer.

Su Lin felt his shoulder sink, realizing Xingchen had fallen asleep against him. He gently adjusted his posture to make the boy sleep more comfortably. A Yan also quieted down, gazing up at the starry sky, lost in thought. Mu Lin's singing had long since ceased; he was lost in thought, watching the dancing embers.

Lei Qing's hand had already reached Su Lin's shoulder, warmth filtering through the thin fabric. Su Lin tilted his head slightly, meeting Lei Qing's gaze. In the fading firelight, his eyes, always sharp as an eagle's, were now incredibly soft.

At this moment, Su Lin felt that as long as these people were around him, he had nothing to fear.

Finally, it was Mu Lin who stood up first. "It's time to rest. We still have to turn and dry the wheat tomorrow."

Lei Qing patted Su Lin's shoulder gently, then leaned over and picked up the already sleeping Xingchen. A Yan yawned, stretched, and pulled Su Lin up.

Everyone returned to the house one after another. Su Lin stood at the door and took one last look back at the valley in the night before gently closing the wooden door.