“Little Snow, Little Rose—what’s up?” Yue Liuyi pushed open the bedroom door, light spilling like dawn mist across the floor.

She found the tiny red‑haired girl lounging on a floor cushion, chatting with Little Snow, like sparrows trading secrets under the eaves.

“Mm, perfect timing, Little Moon.” Little Snow’s voice drifted gentle as falling snow. “I was talking with Little Rose about our next move.”

“Our next move…?” Her heart tightened like a drawn bow before the words left her lips.

“Yeah.” Little Snow’s eyes cooled like winter glass. “The Eldest Prince is finally set to strike the Rangers Lodge. Framing me was only the first snare.”

“Next, they’ll frame more of our people,” she said, the threat spreading like black ivy along a wall.

Dixue flicked her phone screen, fingers light as moth wings, then handed it to Yue Liuyi like a lantern passed in night.

“Huh? Why are there so many names…? Even Senior Dawn Goose…?” The list felt endless, a river of faces flowing under cold moonlight.

On the screen, Yue Liuyi saw profiles—mostly girls—among them that cool, violet‑haired beauty, shining like amethyst under rain.

“These are Rangers Lodge members now wanted,” Dixue murmured, her breath thin as frost. “Even though the enemy’s using them, Dawn Goose’s past as a Murder Fiend is a blade they keep turning.”

“They’re so shameless!” The red‑haired girl’s anger popped like sparks from dry pine. “They locked Little Dessert up, too. She finally walked in the sun, and now she’s roofless again.”

“Uu… Big Sis Dawn Goose isn’t hurt, right?” The worry in Yue Liuyi’s chest fluttered like a trapped moth.

“I’m sorry.” Dixue’s gaze fell like rain. “On paper they’re ‘assisting the investigation’; in truth, everyone’s under control, iron tight as shackles.”

“But in one month, the Rangers Lodge will stage a large jailbreak,” she added, voice steady as a drum in fog. “We’ll pull our captured friends back from the iron river.”

“Eh!? Little Snow, are you going too? Your wounds aren’t healed!” Fear rose in her like a cold tide against stone.

“Don’t worry, Little Moon.” Little Snow’s smile was pale as moonlight. “I won’t go for now, but…”

The silver‑haired girl knit her brows like tender willow leaves, worry pooling like shadow under a bridge.

“You’re worried the rescue might go wrong?” Yue Liuyi asked, the question light as a reed tossed on wind.

“No.” Her tone settled like a slow snowfall. “Several branch leaders will move at once, so the action should hold. It’s the escape route after that—a thorn bush.”

“Where do we run?” she breathed, the problem circling like crows above a field.

“Those who get out need a temporary hide.” Her words came crisp as pine needles. “A planet off the beaten track, quiet as a sleeping lake, and one we know like our own hands.”

“Oh! Dreamwood Star fits like bark to a trunk!” Hope sparked in her like a firefly.

“Maybe.” Dixue’s glance slid to Yue Liuyi, soft as drifting clouds. “Whether Dreamwood Star is right depends on you, Little Moon. There’s… risk.”

“Risk…? Oh! I get it.” The realization clicked like flint striking steel.

Dreamwood Star would hide them well, a forest of shadows and roots. But if the nest was exposed, Rangers Lodge wouldn’t kneel; blades would ring like winter thunder.

Conflict with the Eldest Prince would be a storm you couldn’t dodge, and Dreamwood Star—as the sheltering bough—might take the hail.

“Mm… I don’t know about others, but I don’t see this as a bad thing.” Her resolve settled like a stone in clear water.

After a brief think, Yue Liuyi made her choice, slicing clean as a moonlit knife.

“Eh? Why do you say that, Little Moon?” Dixue’s voice moved like a cautious step on frost.

“Rangers Lodge is famous across Dragon Heaven, and its roots run deep among the people.” Her words rose like a banner in wind. “The Eldest Prince looks strong now, like a wave taking the shore, but long term, it’s better to befriend Rangers Lodge.”

“Mm… that does make sense.” Dixue’s thoughts folded like paper cranes. “My colleagues settle debts and pay back kindness—clear rain for clear soil. If they come to Dreamwood Star, they’ll contribute.”

“But that would drag you into the storm again,” she sighed, worry drifting like mist between pines.

“It’s fine!” Yue Liuyi’s smile flashed like sunlight through leaves. “The moment they went after Little Snow, I was already in the river.”

“Even if you don’t chase it, I will.” Her voice sharpened like a hawk’s cry. “Once I recover the World Tree Maiden’s strength, I’ll put those bastards face‑down on the dirt.”

She clenched her fist, small yet solid, like a young mountain against the wind.

“Hehe, Little Moon, you’re adorable,” Dixue said, warmth falling like spring rain.

She reached out and ruffled Yue Liuyi’s hair, gentle as breeze over wheat.

“Ehe!” Yue Liuyi beamed, cheeks pink as peaches. “Also, don’t worry, Little Snow. I want to revive the Winterwood District—light lanterns, open doors.”

“If everyone from Rangers Lodge comes, that’s perfect,” she added, hope ringing like chimes.

“Eh? Little Moon… got a mischievous plan?” Dixue’s eyes glinted like fireflies over a pond.

“We’ll spread everyone along the streets to run small shops.” Her hands drew lines like paths through a grove. “Senior Dawn Goose can open a restaurant.”

“Senior Maria can start an internet café. Zero Wei and Zaocun can launch a cat café. Breeze can run a flower market—color blooming like dawn.”

“Haha! Shops run by fugitives—now that’s very you, Little Moon.” Dixue laughed, bright as bells in clear air. “A whole street with your flavor.”

“It’s only fun when we’re together,” Yue Liuyi said, warmth pooling like a hearth under winter skies.