Grumble, grumble… my belly cried like doves in an empty square, and all I had left jingled like a few cold coins in a winter palm. I counted what clung in my pocket; it might keep me breathing for a few weeks. Food, a roof, a place to curl up. If I can go home, that roof is a given. If I don’t find work, I’ll slink back in days—and Dreamsound will laugh me right out of existence.

Wait. If I can go home, are these even problems? I stashed plenty back then. If I get into my old place, I can turn back into a rich—rich loli, ha.

Ahh—my mood rose like a paper lantern catching fire. Home, home.

“Hmm-hmm—hmm-hmm-hmm—hmm-hmm.” My hum bobbed like a sparrow hopping along a railing.

But I’ve got to reach Starfate City first.

I looked at the sky darkening like ink washing over silk and let out a sigh that misted like tea.

That night, I picked a random inn and folded into it like a cat into a warm box. To avoid trouble, I let my aura spill, cold as frost around a window. No one with a death wish pressed it.

Necessary. I hate being poked awake; sleep is a temple, and trespassers get the bell dropped on them.

Next morning, I grabbed some food and aimed for the road. This town loved heavy flavors; the jianbing practically burned like a little red sun. Yesterday’s mushroom soup wore a slick of crimson oil, gleaming like lacquer.

Packed up, I headed the way that kind-hearted girl had pointed, a small compass set in my chest.

By late afternoon, I reached Starfate City. The girl hadn’t lied; her promise held like a taut string.

At the gates, a barrier shimmered like glass river-water and barred me.

“Little miss, without a visa I can’t let you in,” the guard said, helpless as a broom in a storm.

“But I’m a native here… visas like that were a headache twenty-some years ago.”

“Pfft. Little miss, don’t joke. You’re not even thirteen, right?”

“I’m fourteen.”

His face darkened like a raincloud, and he faked a scold. “Please don’t make trouble, or I’ll have to expel you.”

Ugh. The old guards here weren’t this strict. Starfate used to feel like that small town—soft-barked trees and easy rules. What happened these ten years?

Honestly, one look at my clothes and face and any guard could guess: a big-family girl sneaking out for fun. He wouldn’t dare lay a finger. If I’d just leave, his headache would pass like smoke.

But reality bites like winter air.

Today, I—Qingsheng Tangxue—will walk through this gate.

“Hey—” I was just gathering power when a golden-haired loli drifted past me like a warm breeze.

Her smile was gentle, peach-blossom soft, and it landed on me, Qingsheng Tangxue, like sunlight on frost. The guard saw her face and turned green as old copper.

“Uncle Guard, she’s my friend. We’re heading in to prep for school, right?” She winked, a firefly blink.

“Mm.” I nodded and threw the guard a glare sharp as a hawk’s beak.

“Ah, so she’s the little prin—miss’s friend. Terribly sorry to bother you. Apologies, apologies.” He bowed, awkward as a sapling in wind.

Little prin—miss? What a weird title, like a half-carved seal.

I shot the girl a puzzled look, curiosity fluttering like a moth.

“Don’t mind it. I know this guard,” she said, breezy as bamboo leaves.

“Oh.” It felt like we were chatting across dimensions, our words passing like koi through different ponds.

“Let’s go, cute little sister.” Her voice sprinkled stars.

Hey! I’m older than you, everywhere that counts.

…

Inside the gate, I realized the city had molted its old skin. Massive modern buildings rose like cliffs, their upper bridges floating in air like silver threads. Streets were veined with new tech, but the green was lush; leaves and ferns breathed everywhere like riverbanks after rain. No wonder I couldn’t see it outside—the barrier was a painted fan hiding the scene.

“Um, thanks back there.”

“No need. If you insist, how about paying in kind—flesh repayment, meow?” Her smile tilted; my face heated like a kettle.

“Kidding. Let’s be friends. I’m Xuanying’er. You?”

“Qingsheng Tangxue. And don’t toss jokes like that, please. Hmph.” My breath puffed, small dragon-clouds.

“Aww, did little Tangxue take it seriously? Well, it’s not impossible either…”

“I did not!”

“Giggle, giggle—Tangxue, you’re adorable. I won’t tease. I’ve got things to handle. If fate threads us together, we’ll meet again.” Xuanying’er waved, turning with a swish like a silk ribbon.

“Funny, me too. Bye.” Grateful to her, sure, but talking felt like dancing to her tempo, my steps tied like kites to her string.

“We’ll meet again,” the golden-haired girl murmured, licking her lips lightly, her scarlet eyes flashing like a ember under ash.

After splitting from that loli, I followed old memory like a faded map toward the house I’d bought back then.

Compared to the town, Starfate’s faces wore more smiles, bright as new lamps. If the small town lived at warm-rice level, Starfate sat at comfortable tea-and-fruit. Different races thronged like a colorful market; immigrants had rooted here, pieces of many puzzles fitting. That’s why I got stopped at the gate—the city’s rules were thick as bamboo.

Most streets had shifted, but the bones stayed. After half a day, I found my house. I got lost a few times, and the lack of a restaurant gnawed me hollow, but kind passersby pointed me along like lanterns on a path.

Finally, a place to sleep—roof over heart, stone under feet.

…

Ah, this is where I solved my lunch, a pocket of shade by a patient bench. I’m back again, Mr. Bench; the lady at home is cruel as late winter wind.

Here’s the story. I headed home and saw a deep-blue-haired woman opening my door, like midnight fingers on my lock. Could I swallow that?

She dared to pick my door. I rushed up to give her—my horse—no, a big red envelope. My impulse tripped over itself like a sparrow.

Why is Xuewei living in my house?!

More than ten years passed, and even your brother wouldn’t recognize you, heh-heh… The laugh stuck cold, like frost on glass.

“Little girl, why are you grabbing my hand?” Xuewei looked at me, a question in her eyes, thoughts turning like millstones.

“I…” Do I tell Xuewei I’m her brother? No. I can’t. “I mistook you. Ahaha… Sister, do you live here?”

“Yes. It’s my brother’s house. I’m just here waiting for him to return.” Her voice was calm as still water. Her fingers clenched the key like iron.

But he can no longer come back. That thought hung, a crow on a bare branch.

“Big sis, did something happen to that brother?”

“Who knows. Maybe he’s so busy he can’t come home.” Her words drifted like fog over a path.

“Want to come in and sit, little girl?” Xuewei glanced back, her violet eyes like twilight, trying to read my face.

“No… I have to find my sister. I’ll go. Bye, big sis.” I managed a smile that cracked like thin ice and turned to leave.

Looks like I can’t go home. Which means I can’t reach my money. Can’t go back, can’t go back, can’t go back—the chant beat like a drum.

A blue-haired loli, unbearably cute, walked alone down the path, her eyes losing their shine like stars veiled by cloud.

At the door, Xuewei watched the small figure fade. Then she snapped the key, jealous heat flickering across her face like green fire.

Feels like I can’t find any drive…