"Did I say something wrong again?"
Lin Jingchen watched the girl leave, utterly bewildered. His face was etched with confusion.
*What’s so hard to understand?*
After a moment of blank staring, he turned to me, scratching his head. "Maybe I shouldn’t have called her ‘sis’?"
I rubbed my chin, thinking carefully before answering slowly.
The one thing you never mention to a woman…
Is her age.
Calling someone "sis"? That’s basically suicide.
Sure, some girls love it—but others hate it.
Being called that makes anyone feel like you’re deliberately highlighting their age!
So…
Lin Jingchen getting flatly rejected was only natural.
"No way? She’s an internet celeb though—"
"But there’s always someone who hates that nickname, right?"
"Hmm… I guess you’re right…"
"Stop overthinking it. Eat up."
Seeing him still hung up on the girl, I grabbed a chicken leg and took a big bite.
"Uh… okay."
He finally tore his gaze away and focused on the food, picking up a leek skewer.
"The taste is just as amazing as before!"
One bite, and Lin Jingchen’s face lit up with bliss. The flavor matched his memories perfectly.
"Yeah…"
I nodded in agreement.
So much had changed over time…
But this barbecue stall’s taste remained untouched.
From my first visit till now…
Its flavor had never faded in my mind.
Still absolutely perfect.
…
Around eleven o’clock…
After finishing our meal, Lin Jingchen and I parted ways at a street corner.
His home wasn’t on my route—he lived in the upscale Shi Yuan Residential Complex.
It wasn’t a true luxury district, but a solid goal for middle-class families.
Personally, I didn’t care much. I had my own place.
Small, but perfectly functional.
"So, Kyuubi… these past few days, you’ve been investigating *that*?"
Walking home, I suddenly remembered and turned to Kyuubi.
"Yes."
Kyuubi nodded, understanding exactly what I meant.
"Then why didn’t you let me help?"
Now that I knew Kyuubi was tracking the Bonesoul that invaded reality, I couldn’t help but wonder why it shut me out.
"You don’t have much time left. It wouldn’t be fair to waste your precious days on this. Just… enjoy what remains."
Kyuubi sighed softly before explaining.
It must’ve been worried about my dwindling time here.
It didn’t want me wasting energy on this when it could handle it alone.
"Yeah… guess you’re right. Only six cards left, huh?"
I knew the count well.
Once those six cards were used…
Chu Dongyu would vanish from this world.
"Exactly. Spend your remaining time wisely. Leave the Bonesoul to me."
Kyuubi licked its paw, insisting I shouldn’t squander these moments chasing shadows.
"Let me help anyway. I’ve got nothing better to do."
After weighing its advice…
I looked up and gently refused. I wanted in.
"You’re sure? No regrets?"
Kyuubi sounded surprised.
"What’s there to regret?"
I shot back.
My days were just school and the internet anyway.
My friends didn’t remember me. Even Lin Jingchen—today he recalled me, but who knew how long that’d last?
After my next card use, I’d probably fade from his mind again.
Might as well do something meaningful than wait at home.
Besides…
I couldn’t shake my worry about my brother’s missing persons case.
If he hadn’t gotten involved, I’d ignore it.
But if it’s connected to the Bonesoul…
He’d definitely cross paths with it.
And if he did…
A deep unease settled in my chest.
"Since you’re set on it… I won’t argue. I’ll fetch you tomorrow when you’re free."
Seeing my resolve, Kyuubi relented.
"Tomorrow at noon, then. I’m free after classes."
I checked my schedule—Thursday, only morning lectures. No reason to linger on campus.
My club members had likely forgotten me already. It wasn’t even an important club.
Right now…
Hunting that escaped Bonesoul mattered most.
I couldn’t bear more deaths on its hands.
"Agreed. I’ll find you at noon. I’ll investigate alone tonight—you go rest."
Kyuubi nodded, then leaped off my shoulder.
It planned to work while I slept.
"Don’t you need sleep?"
I tilted my head, curious.
"We don’t rest. Unlike humans, we have no concept of sleep cycles."
Kyuubi shook its head.
"Oh… I see."
I nodded slowly, only half-understanding.
"Anything else?"
"No."
"Then let’s part here."
With no more questions, Kyuubi suggested splitting up.
"Fine. I’ll head home to sleep."
I agreed without hesitation.
Past eleven, exhaustion weighed on me—even if my body felt fine, my spirit was drained.
Especially after burning all my magic earlier. Without that rest stop…
I might not have made it home.
"Goodbye."
Kyuubi vanished into the shadows with a *whoosh*.
"Gone in a flash…"
I stared at the spot where it stood.
*Should I joke about it outrunning Hong Kong reporters?*
But I didn’t want trouble. Smiling faintly, I turned toward home.
Walking under flickering streetlights…
Midnight streets were empty. Only stray cats yowled in the distance.
Overflowing trash bins lined the roads—proof of how much waste people produced.
I patted my full stomach. This was the most satisfying meal all week.
The only one that truly filled me.
Instant noodles always left me *almost* full…
But poverty trapped me. One more pack meant no next meal.
Without my brother’s help today…
I’d probably be starved to death already.
I unconsciously patted my bulging pocket.
After twenty minutes…
I emerged from a dim alley and reached my door.
I looked up at the sky.
They say big cities hide the stars.
True…
Only pitch blackness greeted me. No moon. No stars.
After a long stare, I let out a soft sigh, unlocked the door, and stepped inside.
"I’m home!"
Even knowing no one was there…
I called out habitually before swapping shoes.
"It’s lonely being alone…"
I flicked on the lights and entered the silent living room.
Only my voice and the *tick-tock* of the clock filled the space.
Loneliness crept in.
Before, my father would’ve yelled: *"What time do you call this? Bed. Now!"*
But now…
Even if I wanted to hear it…
I never would again.
Letting out a slow sigh…
I drifted toward the TV.
The photo frame—now empty of my father’s image—caught my eye.
I picked it up without thinking.
In the glass…
My silhouette was fading.
