"Wow! Sister Yami is amazing!" Ke Er sprang to her feet. The cold wind tousled her silver hair as she spread her arms wide. Winter’s first sunlight draped her white woolen dress in a soft, warm glow.

A gentle smile touched her lips. Her large amber eyes gazed into the distance, her face bathed in pure daylight. In her innocent heart, beyond the snowy peaks lay a city of boundless beauty—a life brimming with light, free from scorn and hatred. There, every past sorrow would gently fade into memory.

No matter what had come before, Ke Er now faced the future with bright hope, her smile healthy and truly happy.

Just days ago, she’d been a frail, despairing child. Ou Tao felt a quiet swell of pride. "Keep going, Ke Er!"

This was Ke Er’s first time riding such a fast-moving vehicle. Well… Ou Tao was also trying this thrilling "donkey dash" for the very first time.

Yami wasn’t the sharpest. Ou Tao worried she’d forget to turn and plunge straight off a cliff. He had to watch the path closely, calling out turns and slowdowns—annoyingly like manual driving.

Then he spotted a roadside shack in the distance. Its owner, Kemote, was a sharp-tongued swindler from Rod’s village, always loitering near the village gate "guiding" travelers for coin.

A wooden sign stood beside the shop: *"Directions free. Roasted bread: three copper coins."*

Seemed like a normal stall—but Ou Tao knew better from intel gathered on Bika. Kemote was cunning. He’d deliberately send merchants on false routes outside the village, twisting them through mountain trails until exhaustion and cold left them no choice but to buy his overpriced bread.

Ou Tao signaled Yami to halt and fixed Kemote with a cold stare. Kemote looked up. "Well, well—Uncle Rod! What foolish whim brings you and your daughter to the city? That place isn’t for folks like you. Such a pretty girl… planning to sell her to some city lord for a few extra coins?"

"Uncle Kemote, stop with the sarcasm!" Yami snapped. Like every village child, she hated this trickster who stained their home’s name.

"No need to apologize," Ou Tao said calmly. "I’m not coming back. In the city, Ke Er and I will build a good life."

"Keep dreaming! When you crawl back, I’ll be first to greet you! A mere farmer who lucked into a T4 class—thinking you can thrive in the city?"

Ou Tao caught the jealousy beneath the taunt and smiled. "Know why I stopped?"

"Why?"

"I want autopilot."

"Huh?"

"Yami!" Ou Tao beckoned. Yami stepped forward. Kemote’s eyes narrowed. "What a stunning huntress!" His gaze locked onto her legs. "Such beautiful legs!" He swallowed hard, even licking his lips.

Ou Tao continued smoothly, "I mean—a free chance for *intimate contact* with Yami."

"Father! You can’t do that to Sister Yami! She’s a little slow, but she’s kind!" Ke Er tugged Ou Tao’s arm, pleading.

"Adults speak, children stay quiet!" Kemote barked, eyes still glued to Yami’s legs. "Uncle Rod, you’re too generous! Remember your buddy when fortune smiles!" He crouched, hands reaching slowly toward her legs. Yami stood frozen, wearing her usual vacant grin.

"Kemote," Ou Tao said coolly, "did you misunderstand? *Intimate contact*… not the legs."

"Brother Rod! Her legs *are* the best part! If not legs… then what?"

"The head."

The words left Ou Tao’s lips—Yami bent forward sharply. *Intelligence-Draining Headbutt!*

With her intelligence theft now at level 5, Yami ran smoother, handling turns, acceleration, and slowdowns on her own. Travel efficiency jumped—saving Ou Tao over a third of the time. He finally relaxed, watching snowy vistas roll by with Ke Er.

Their first travel day felt less like adventure, more like a joyful outing. They picnicked under pine trees, sharing warm food. While Yami munched dry grass, Ou Tao climbed a branch to pluck wild berries for Ke Er. Crossing a frozen stream, Ke Er hopped lightly across stepping stones; fearless Yami hoisted the whole wooden cart, stomped through the ice, and waded straight across.

Never having left the village, Ke Er bubbled with wonder. "Father, I’m so happy today! I saw thirty-six clusters of snow roses, one hundred twenty-three strings of golden berries, and…"

That evening, curled by their tent, the little girl counted each wonder on her fingers, as if sealing the joy forever in her heart.

Then—snow began to fall. Ou Tao’s device chimed: *"Snow and Ice Festival winter event has begun!"*