Every year around this time after Chapter 8, I will be here, by your side.
Every year around this time—
The drums of the festival would sound day and night, echoing between heaven and earth for a long time.
The smoke from burning incense and candles, and from cooking offerings, was so thick it seemed to push aside the perpetual fog in the mountains.
[Burning incense and slaughtering livestock, making such a big fuss, just to get protection from a complete stranger, really—]
On this day last year, in the same place, the young man heard Xiao leaning against the table, muttering to himself.
—This is so boring.
In previous years, around this time, Xiao would stroll through the human market.
He wasn't interested in crowds, nor in humans... mainly because a certain little girl liked it and insisted on dragging Xiao along.
Xiao was worried that the other person might run out on their own and encounter some danger, so he reluctantly compromised.
Everything is new and interesting to children.
Street performers, the melodious tunes in teahouses, and even the most ordinary street vendors' cries can all be enjoyed with great interest.
The evening was much less exciting.
Fortunately, there was plenty of food available at the market, and the variety was quite extensive.
He only needs to keep one eye to ensure the child doesn't get lost, and the rest is up to you.
Xiao also reflected on this—
Was it because I didn't spend enough time with her back then that things turned out the way they did?
Because he failed to notice the girl's psychological changes during her growth, that vile snake had an opportunity to take advantage of her.
Thinking about it that way, it's somewhat understandable... just kidding!
No matter what, I'm still half a benefactor to that ungrateful little brat.
He was the one who picked up the dying little fox from the snow, raised it to adulthood with every piece of fruit and meat it had, and taught it hunting techniques and the secrets of transformation...
After so many years of living together like family, can it all be wiped away with just one sentence of not showing enough favoritism?
Well, in the end, it's not entirely impossible...
But no matter what, surely I haven't committed such heinous crimes that I need to join forces with foreign enemies to put them to death?
Xiao was very depressed.
Perhaps they're just too bored, since they can't go anywhere or do anything.
He then shared this story with the young man.
Of course, some appropriate changes were made, such as changing the protagonist of the story from myself to a friend whose name is unknown.
It's not that I feel ashamed, it's just basic wariness towards strangers.
After all, Xiao had only known the young man for a short time at that time.
If you don't know the other party's purpose, it's best not to reveal too much.
At this point, some people might ask – wouldn't it be better not to say anything at all?
It is truly watertight.
Like I said before, maybe he just has too much free time.
[A friend of mine—]
The narrative begins with a lie.
The ending was so full of genuine emotion that it left no doubt that his friend was indeed himself.
Xiao was clearly aware of his own unease, and couldn't help but cough lightly, looking at the silent young man beside him.
Why isn't anyone saying anything?
"What are you saying?" the young man asked rhetorically.
This caught Xiao off guard, and she stammered, "Well... after listening to me say all this, don't you have any thoughts at all?"
The young man blinked, his tone calm: "What do you want me to think? Angry, sad, sympathetic, or just 'serves you right'?"
This was supposed to be an infuriating response.
However, because the speaker asked the question so sincerely, the listener felt a sense of powerlessness that was hard to describe.
It's not that I don't feel angry, but rather that I feel it's pointless to get angry.
Because young people don't understand, let alone empathize.
Finally, the conversation ended with Xiao's defeat.
I give up. You're just a blockhead...
Xiao muttered to himself, turned his back, and pulled the blanket over his head.
In fact, the boy said more than once that he was like a block of wood.
Their tone is often complaining, but there are also times when they feel helpless...
The young man naturally knew that "wooden" meant rigid and unromantic.
What he didn't quite understand was, since the other party had already seen through this, why insist on something that didn't exist?
For example, the heart of a lover.
Lan is still asleep.
The young man stood beside him in the house that had been there since the beginning of his memory, listening to the faint sounds coming from down the mountain, and suddenly felt that it was too quiet.
At this time last year, I kept muttering about how boring it was, but in the end, I didn't even step out of this mountain.
The young man clearly told the other person that if they were bored, they could go down the mountain on their own.
I've always been this way; I don't need you to be with me.
Xiao, who had been lying on the table like a boneless person, suddenly straightened up and leaned back upon hearing this, looking as if she had been seriously offended.
[I...when did I ever say I'd spend time with you? Stop flattering yourself!]
【oh. 】
【What "oh"? Don't think I can't tell you're being sarcastic!】
【Ah Xiao.】
The boy grumbled in dissatisfaction, but then suddenly stopped the moment he heard his own name, glancing at the other person with half-open eyes.
The young man was smiling, a very faint smile.
Yet, inexplicably, he couldn't take his eyes off her.
[…What are you doing? Why did you suddenly call my name?]
Xiao softened his tone a bit, but he still sounded quite displeased.
His response was a clear "thank you".
Thank you, Xiao.
I'm not...
I'm very happy.
The words stopped abruptly, and Xiao turned to look at the young man, a look of astonishment flashing in his eyes.
What did you just say?!
He knew he shouldn't be so agitated, but he just couldn't suppress the faint tremor in his voice.
"I said, I'm glad you're here," the young man replied, each word crystal clear.
Seemingly puzzled by Xiao's reaction, he paused and then said, "Or is it that we shouldn't be happy about this situation?"
The young man sat on the edge of the bed, looking up at Xiao as she walked up to him, having to look up because of the height difference.
His usually calm and collected face now showed clear confusion and bewilderment.
—He was seeking his opinion.
— Trying to seek approval from oneself.
Upon realizing this, Xiao suddenly felt a piece of her heart sink inexplicably.
The previous frustration vanished, and Xiao bent down and hugged the young man tightly.
He gently rested his chin on the other person's shoulder and whispered to himself.
It's okay, this is fine, just like this... it's actually fine.
【Ah Xiao?】
Every year at this time from now on, I will be here, by your side.
Xiao spoke very seriously at that time.
Each word fell softly into the young man's ear. Feeling the other's body temperature, which was higher than his own, he heard the boy's heartbeat rising higher and higher.
The sound briefly drowned out the drumbeats outside.
Before we knew it, it was the same time again.
The festival arrived as scheduled, but the boy had vanished without a trace.
It's neither here nor beside him.
This way... might be better, because there's no need to say goodbye in person.
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