“Is this the Far North?” After we prepped, Dreamsound blinked us from the open sea to a city gate rimmed in frost.

Snow-laden roofs rose like white shells, strange and beautiful. Here, shape mattered more than height. Back home they stacked buildings skyward to mine the cold air. Maybe up here the sky itself bites too hard.

A blade of chill slid down from above. I looked up on instinct. Day-sun burned pale, and beside it hung an ice-blue full moon, twin lanterns on a white canopy.

“What is it, little Tangxue?” Xuanxiao tilted her head, her smile soft as winter sunlight.

“Up there… is something?”

“Ah, that? That ice moon’s always there. You can only see it in the Far North. Pretty, right?”

“Mm… very pretty.” The feeling snagged, like a fishbone in the throat. Something was off.

“Heh, this is my home turf now.” Xuanxiao struck a pose, light falling on her like falling snow. “Let me show Sister Qing and little Tangxue a proper tour.”

“This city’s got a lovely name: White Words Above the Far North—Baiyu for short. Legend says a god of frost named it. One of the top three mega-cities in the world. Cool, huh?”

“It’s not just for shopping. There’s the most natural ski slope, a confession sanctuary under polar day, the world’s biggest ice rink—stuff like that.”

“Okay, okay—and, whoa, Sis Qing, why—” Dreamsound swatted the tireless Xuanxiao, a crisp tap like a branch snapping.

“Enough. We came to buy, not sit through your brochure. Shengsheng, let’s go.”

“Mm.” Irritation pricked like sleet under a collar. This place felt strange. I looked up again at that round ice moon. It hid something behind its glow; I could feel it.

“Hey? Wait for meee!” Xuanxiao squeaked and jogged after us, footsteps pattering like beads on tile.

Guided by Xuanxiao, we reached the biggest supermarket in the city. Honestly, it dwarfed anything I’d seen anywhere, a glittering iceberg of glass and light. The mainland couldn’t compare.

Why didn’t I ever come play in the Far North… sigh.

Dreamsound caught my shock and smoothed my hair, her hand cool as jade. “Back then, the imperial capital’s biggest market wasn’t smaller.”

True. It’s a hollow city now, but its bones still sing of past splendor. And yet—what use is a song with no singers?

I brushed away that jade-cool hand from my head.

Head pats feel nice, but… they stunt growth!

“Move, move! Supermarket first; later we stroll the streets.”

Strolling? I already felt a no rising like a storm tide.

“This one, this one!” My eyes lit like lanterns. I pointed at a rainbow of sweets. So many I’d never seen. I had to taste them all.

Behind me, Dreamsound pushed a heavy cart of snacks and ingredients and sighed, the sound soft as steam. Xuanxiao, our pack mule, sighed too, her breath misting in the cold.

Why can she shop like a cyclone?!

A helpful auntie tried to solve our buying troubles mid-aisle. Shengsheng didn’t bite. She knew exactly what she wanted; no reminders needed.

No way. I have to claw back home-field advantage, Dreamsound thought, a spark flicking under ice.

Soon, we checked out two full carts. We ran out of space, not desire.

Nnh… I wanted more… But this should last for a long while, right? Probably.

Food done, we turned toward the other half of the mall.

“How about we swing by clothing next?” Xuanxiao’s wink flashed like a fish-scale. “Little Tangxue needs proper outfits.”

Dreamsound caught it in a heartbeat. “Right. Little Shengsheng needs new clothes. Of course, Mommy doesn’t mind you wearing what I wore as a kid.”

Ugh! I’d forgotten I’m wearing her childhood set. The quality’s great… but no! I need my own clothes, right?!

“No. We’re buying clothes. Must.”

Xuanxiao smiled, satisfied. Dreamsound flicked a secret wink. Message sent. Nice work.

Xuanxiao led the way, confident as a sled on hard-packed snow. “Let’s roll. I know this place.”

Shengsheng didn’t realize how terrifying it is to let these two women drag her into a clothing zone.

We stepped in, and a hot-blooded auntie beelined over. Xuanxiao dispatched her with smooth ease, her words neat as trimmed ice. She didn’t need suggestions; she needed hands to carry. No one picks clothes better than her. Qingyu Mengyin was just the same.

“These cat-ear pajamas look perfect. Little Tangxue, try them on~”

“Waaah! Such a cute white-silk long dress! Shengsheng, this size is spot-on. Quick, put it on—” Wait, why do you know my measurements?!

“This one, this one! White-silk pantyhose. Ice-silkworm fiber—bouncy, silky, cool. Touch must be sooo… eheheh~” If you want to wear them, buy them for yourself! Your drool’s showing, Xuanxiao!

“Ah, and camisoles too. Little Shengsheng’s six now. Soon she’ll—” You started developing at six…? Cold sweat pricked my neck. Their thoughts were sliding somewhere dangerous. I wanted to go home.

“By the way, boss, these are waterproof, right?” Dreamsound slipped the question in like a blade in snow.

The owner, a woman near forty, nodded. “Mhm, pretty miss, all of these are fine underwater. Not just waterproof—we added enchantments.”

“Good. Shengsheng, come here. Be good. Try this uniform first.” A tiny grade-school uniform. The tailored top and over-knee skirt had a crisp charm. Dreamsound knew her daughter’s shape by heart; she didn’t need a fitting. But chances to make Shengsheng try girly outfits were rare. Shengsheng loathed dressing up on her own. Dreamsound had to seize the day. Everything she picked had to be tried.

“…” I took the clothes without a word and slipped into the changing booth.

When it’s like this, don’t act up. End it fast; escape the bitter sea. I told myself, breath steady as falling snow.

Naive. The joy of a clothing store is trying every style under the sun. Otherwise, why come? Our little Shengsheng didn’t get that.

This uniform… fits surprisingly well. I stared at the mirror. Ice-blue hair sloped down my back like a frozen waterfall. My face still had baby-soft roundness, a hint of green. Red and white tones framed a gentle, cute aura. The long skirt kissed perfect white-silk calves, hinting warm skin beneath. Pale-blue eyes caught my shy reflection. I looked like a tiny “grown-up,” a cherry blossom in winter.

Looks good. I can buy this. I opened the door. Xuanxiao stood there with a bunny onesie in her hands and went slack, her mouth a small cherry, her face screaming I’m dying from the cute.

I eyed the little rabbit onesie. Are you camping me?

“Waaah, Shengsheng’s so cute~ Come let Mommy hug you~” (*＞▽＜*)

I’m short, so what hit me wasn’t a face-wash—it was Dreamsound’s stomach, soft as a warm pillow. A static buzz ran through me, then fled.

No time for fluff. Danger bells chimed. These two women… were wolves in velvet. I had to cough and bail.

“Ahem. Sis Qing, we’re here to buy clothes, not play. Let Shengsheng switch to the next.”

“Oh, right! Shengsheng, change quick~ Mommy picked a few more…”

I saw the mini-mountain of dresses behind Dreamsound and went green.

Run. Or I’ll be done for.

“Drea—my stomach hurts.” I crouched, face pale, a hand on my belly.

“Don’t try to run, little Shengsheng.” Dreamsound’s smile was sweet as frost wine. “Mommy’s got confidence in healing magic.”

Tch. I forgot the Merfolk royal blood doesn’t fall ill. I basically yelled I want to flee. This was bad. Xuanxiao was watching too, and she knew the terrain like her own palm… aaah, there’s no way out!

“Fine. But pick fewer clothes…” With no plan left, I surrendered a little, like a snowflake melting on a tongue. Please let Dreamsound spare me…

“Mhm! That’s Mommy’s good girl. Don’t worry. After you try these, we’ll only pick a little more.” She patted my head, gentle as falling sleet.

“Yep, just a liiittle,” Xuanxiao chimed, a grin bright as sun on ice.

For some reason, their smiling faces made a cold fear lick my spine.

… A little. Just a liiittle—heh. Heh-heh. Heh-heh-heh…

“Sis Qing… didn’t we go too far?” Xuanxiao glanced at Shengsheng, already played to pieces, her gaze unfocused, like a candle guttering in wind.

“No. Our little Shengsheng’s tough.” Dreamsound pinched Shengsheng’s cheek, soft as dough. Shengsheng didn’t answer.

“See? She fell asleep from tiredness.”

“This is obviously broken, aaah!”