Journey in Search of Family (Part One)

Perhaps it was the effect of the glass of milk from last night—though in her heart, Mo Yu attributed the greater credit to Qingxuan—she slept exceptionally well. Maybe it was the deep love she felt from her grandfather before he “left,” or perhaps she sensed herself drawing closer to her family deep inside. It could also be that this unfamiliar new home had, over the years, become the warmest and most secure place she had ever known. Whatever the reason, when Mo Yu awoke, she felt her mental strength had increased greatly, her consciousness stretched farther, her limbs were suffused with an indescribable comfort, and her heart brimmed with unspeakable joy.

She sat up, comfortably leaning against the headboard, gazing in quiet reverie at the slowly rising sun outside the floor-to-ceiling window. Suddenly jolted from her daze, she gave a mighty stretch. That stretch startled her immensely. The inherited space, long hidden on her arm, unexpectedly glowed and surged forth again. The design, like a red spider lily, spun and blossomed on her skin, spreading rapidly and visibly until it covered her entire arm—then it twisted and faded away once more.

Mo Yu was still sitting there, stunned, when she suddenly remembered the little darling inside her space. Would this change have any effect on her beloved companion?

Nervous, Mo Yu instantly entered her own inner space.

“Woof, woof, woof!” As if already sensing something, her little darling immediately pounced excitedly onto her, showering her face with affectionate licks, expressing all the longing of their days apart.

With a wry smile, Mo Yu used considerable effort to pry the little rascal off, then held it in both hands before her face, carefully examining it from every angle. Aside from shinier fur, more agile movements, and greater strength, she found no adverse changes.

Reassured, she set it down and dusted off her pants before standing up. Mo Yu looked around; aside from the original equipment, nothing seemed to have changed. With a self-deprecating laugh, she prepared to leave the space, but her little darling bit her pant leg, tugging her toward the back of the dimension market. Mo Yu’s curiosity was piqued—after all, as a permanent resident of this space, her little companion was likely more attuned to any changes than she was.

Sure enough, her hunch was correct. The little one led her to a tiny opening in the wall behind the dimension market, almost impossible to detect without close inspection, and devoid of any energy fluctuations.

The hole was just big enough to fit her arm. Mo Yu couldn’t resist those large, pleading eyes and the little pink tongue. Perhaps it was curiosity as well, but without hesitation, she plunged her arm into the opening.

She instantly regretted it. A powerful force yanked her in, drawing her body into the hole.

In a flash, Mo Yu vanished from the space and was drawn elsewhere—a place that could be called a space within her space, or a multidimensional realm. Such spaces were exceedingly rare, and each one presented distinct meanings and experiences. At this moment, though, Mo Yu had no concept of what a multidimensional space was. Had she known, she would never have ventured in, for in times like these, survival in the apocalypse was far more important than reckless exploration.

It was as if some primordial force was crushing her, squeezing her through until she finally emerged into the light again.

Mist—mist everywhere. Figures blurred and scattered before her eyes, splitting and dispersing. Mo Yu strained to make out each shadow, each movement, but nothing made sense; these scenes were all too foreign to her. She managed to remember only a few backgrounds before a tremendous force pushed her out again—this time, straight from the space back into the real world. The abrupt shift left Mo Yu startled.

“Are you up?” No sooner had Mo Yu settled herself than the bedroom door was knocked upon. She quickly composed herself, slipped on her soft slippers, and went to the door. Standing outside was the person she knew best.

“Are you awake?” Qingxuan gazed at her, his eyes twinkling like stars. He reached out, fondly ruffling her hair.

“Ahem, ahem…” From the living room came a man’s cough. Pushing Qingxuan aside, Mo Yu saw Hu and Sister Xue sitting on the sofa.

Mo Yu nodded sheepishly at the two. Sister Xue stood, pulling Mo Yu to sit beside her, while Hu made room for Qingxuan.

“Hey, Xiaoyu, we’re here to discuss something,” Sister Xue said, smiling, “I won’t beat around the bush with you two. We’ve all seen your skills—you’re easily among the best in our commando unit. The higher-ups are very impressed. Though you haven’t been with us long, there’s a good opportunity for you now.” She looked at Mo Yu’s attentive expression, lowered her voice, and continued, “The higher-ups have decided to assign you two to protect an important individual.” She paused, a bit frustrated at Mo Yu’s calm demeanor, but knowing her personality, she quickly composed herself and went on, “This job is not exactly simple, but it’s much better than those life-and-death missions outside. The benefits are good, too, but… well, you know…” Sister Xue suddenly became hesitant.

“Sister Xue, just say it. Is there something you can’t tell us?” Mo Yu finally understood and responded unhurriedly, which relieved Sister Xue greatly.

“You know, since you just joined, the higher-ups haven’t had a chance to test your loyalty. So at first, you won’t be given any truly critical tasks… Are you still willing?” Sister Xue looked apologetic.

“Sister Xue, thank you so much,” Mo Yu stood and bowed, her tone full of gratitude.

“No need, no need, it’s only right. Anyway, it’s almost noon, and you don’t seem to have much to eat here. Why don’t you and Qingxuan come to our place? I’ll cook something nice for you as a little celebration.”

“Oh, Sister Xue, that’s too much trouble.” Mo Yu scratched her head, embarrassed.

“Oh, you silly child, it’s nothing! It’s what I should do.” Sister Xue stood, laughing. “Old Hu, let’s go home and get ready.”

“All right, we’ll head off then. You two tidy up and come over,” Hu patted Qingxuan on the back before following Sister Xue out the door.

Mo Yu watched them go until they were out of sight, then closed the door. “Did you tell Sister Xue about me?” She flopped back onto the comfortable sofa, hugging a soft cushion.

“I did. I mentioned it when we left yesterday,” Qingxuan joined her, pulling Mo Yu into his arms. “I thought Hu and Sister Xue might have some connections, and I can’t bear to see you suffering anymore. When you’re hurting, I feel it too.”

“Mm.” Mo Yu nodded emphatically against his chest.

……

Good times are always fleeting. Mo Yu, Qingxuan, and Hu’s family spent a delightful day together. In conversation, Mo Yu probed several times but found no mention of her uncle’s family, nor any trace of her powerless parents. Still, she was not discouraged; her intuition told her that reunion was near.

To gain, one must first let go. Mo Yu and Qingxuan secured a relatively safe, well-paid job, but in exchange, they gave up their thirty-day break for a mere three days of rest and adjustment. Sister Xue and Hu suggested they move closer to work, but Mo Yu politely refused. However grand or humble, there was no place like her own home, especially since Qingxuan had cleaned and arranged everything by hand—she could hardly bear to make him do it all over again.

That evening, back home, Mo Yu nestled against Qingxuan. They sat together on the balcony, gazing at the stars.

The post-apocalyptic sky was not truly blue; it was tinged with red, instilling a sense of oppression. Even the stars overhead were dim, only a scattered few visible.

“Have you ever experienced the loss of family?” Mo Yu asked.

“In a way, yes,” Qingxuan replied, toying with Mo Yu’s slender, fair fingers.

“Oh? Really?” Mo Yu looked up at him.

“Yes.”

Every time you pretended to abandon me, left me behind, my heart was wrenched, the pain unbearable—I could hardly endure it.

The weather in the apocalypse changed on a whim. Just now, the sky was clear, but suddenly the wind howled. Qingxuan leapt up, rushing to bring in the laundry he’d just hung out the day before. Mo Yu now truly lived up to the title of “hands-off manager,” needing neither to worry nor to lift a finger; she simply grabbed the cushion from her chair and shuffled outside in her slippers.

Bang! Bang! Bang! A sudden pounding on the door startled her. Peering through the peephole, Mo Yu was surprised to see a familiar face.

“How did you find this place?” Mo Yu leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed.

“Never mind that now! Hurry and come with me! You have to see who I found on the road.” The visitor’s neck, still sore from being wrung by Mo Yu the day before, stretched anxiously. “I’ve seen this person before, I think with the old man in that village. I don’t know the exact relationship, but you really should go. He’s barely alive, muttering a string of names—including yours. So come see for yourself!”

“Wait for me!” she called, but before the words were out, Mo Yu had already vanished. Hearing the commotion, Qingxuan dashed after her.

“Honestly! What tempers you two have!” the visitor grumbled as they hurried away.