Chapter 295: Book of Fuxi, Willing to Offer Kindness
"Ahh! This is delicious! This too! Why is everything so tasty!!!"
After a fierce battle comes a grand feast.
For fusion warriors and Herrschers, Honkai energy is the fundamental essence of everything. The nutritional value of food is negligible to their bodies.
But the craving for food isn't simply about survival — it's a symbol of life, a form of enjoyment, and a deeply ingrained human habit.
"Fu Hua," immersed in the exquisite dishes Su provided, which had endured through millennia, was practically intoxicated with delight.
She had even abandoned utensils like forks, knives, and chopsticks, using both hands to ravenously shove food into her mouth like a starving beast. Her cheeks bulged with food, and she looked nearly moved to tears.
"…Um, have you been starving her lately?"
To avoid flying splashes of soup, the remaining three sat a full ten paces away from the table. Unable to hold back, Su asked the floating Book of Fuxi beside him.
Book of Fuxi sighed deeply, holding her forehead.
"Sigh, of course not."
"Then why is she being so... so... unrestrained?"
"Please don't ask me. I had no idea what was going on in that idiot's head… But, Lord Su, could I trouble you to teach me these dishes sometime?"
Book of Fuxi rubbed her tiny hands together, floating over to Su with an awkward and fawning smile — damn it, if not for that brat, I, Book of Fuxi, wouldn't have to stoop this low! But what choice do I have? Taking care of a blockhead and a brat is a never-ending headache.
Su blinked, surprised, as he looked at the small doll-like figure with hair cascading to her feet. His usually squinted, clear eyes opened slightly, a gentle smile forming on his face.
"Sure, no problem. Actually, Sigurd also asked me for them a few days ago. I've already organized the recipes, I'll send you a copy too."
"Young Sigurd as well? Makes sense. Kiana and that kid on my side are somewhat similar. Anyway, thank you, Lord Su."
Book of Fuxi bowed deeply in gratitude, full of politeness.
Su chuckled and waved his hand dismissively.
"Alright, alright, it's just a small favor. No need to be so formal. Honestly, Kevin and I aren't used to all this 'lord this' and 'sir that' stuff. You don't have to be so reserved."
"How could I not? The two of you are former Thirteen Flame-Chasers of the Previous Era, your deeds are legendary — how could I not show respect!"
"You're exaggerating. I've seen it clearly — Fuxi and Nuwa didn't bring you into this world just to make a tool. And Hua already sees you as a dear family member. If you're family to a friend, then you're our friend too. There's no need for so much distance between friends… Besides, we're really not used to all that. Right, Kevin?"
Su turned and looked at Kevin, who was quietly eating a large bowl of egg noodles, smiling as he asked.
Kevin paused, swallowed his noodles, and nodded.
"Mm."
Honestly, it's really just Su who isn't used to this formal stuff. As for Kevin — a high-ranking member of World Serpent — he's surrounded by people calling him "Lord" or "Master" all day. He's long used to it.
But Su made a good point. Since Fu Hua treasures her as family, there's no need to stand on ceremony. And since Su clearly wanted Kevin to help ease Book of Fuxi into comfort, how could he refuse his friend?
Book of Fuxi touched her chin, her little brows furrowing in hesitation.
Truth be told, she still preferred to stick to proper manners. But with Su's kind smile, Kevin's agreement, and remembering the snippets she'd heard from Fu Hua, Fuxi, and Nuwa about the two, she finally nodded hesitantly.
"Well… then I won't stand on ceremony."
Su nodded in satisfaction and gently poked the little doll on the head.
Just then, Book of Fuxi's eyes twinkled mischievously, and she began to circle the two of them, grinning with a sly, street-smart gleam.
"Since we're friends now, you two have to take good care of me from now on! After all, one of you is the master of World Serpent — you must have impressive business acumen. The other controls the Cosmic Juggernaut — surely you're not lacking in resources. Our family, on the other hand… Fu Hua — I usually call her Blockhead — has no concept of worldly affairs. Everything falls on my tiny shoulders to support the household. It's a tough life. So, if I ever need help in the future, I hope you two can be generous. I will be forever grateful!"
Book of Fuxi flitted around the two, lightly patting Su's cheek with her tiny palm, then tapping Kevin's shoulder, like a sprite dancing through a field of flowers — the only issue being that this sprite had an exceptional knack for climbing social ladders and eyes full of glittering money signs.
Su was speechless for a moment, then chuckled and gently tapped the little doll on the head again.
"Alright, alright. I promise I'll help you when the time comes."
Kevin, holding his bowl of noodles, remained silent for a few moments. Then, his lips curled upward ever so slightly as he nodded.
"Alright," Kevin replied.
Su, eyes widening in surprise, looked at him.
"Kevin… did you just smile?"
"…Did I?"
"You did! See, I knew you needed to spend more time around people. Otherwise, you're always so cold it's like you're not even human."
"It's simply unnecessary. I don't want to invest emotion into people who are unrelated. They can't keep up with our time, and they likely won't survive in the long term plans. So there's no need. But she… Book of Fuxi, feels like a friend's child. It's comforting. And her body is mechanical, unrelated to the Stigmata Project."
Kevin, for once, spoke a relatively long string of words. Holding his bowl in his left hand, he put down his chopsticks with his right and raised his palm toward the floating Book of Fuxi.
She blinked and, playing along perfectly, gently perched herself in Kevin's palm and knelt down, looking adorably obedient.
Kevin gazed at the tiny sprite in his hand. The corners of his mouth curled up again, and the normally icy tone of his voice carried a rare hint of warmth.
"Let's work well together. From now on, we're friends."
"Mhm! I'll be counting on you… Kevin."
Book of Fuxi beamed, suppressing the lingering sense of formality she hadn't fully shaken off.
Her materialism was more a facet of her personality than a true reflection of her heart.
With her keen insight, she could naturally sense in these two men a familiarity — something akin to the Fu Hua she had served for her entire life: a loneliness born of being abandoned by time.
Everywhere they looked, they saw only strangers. All but a few old faces had vanished, and there was no one left to hold dear. That's the kind of people they were.
Whether it was Kevin, emotionally detached, or Su, seemingly gentle and open, both were like Fu Hua — they had once poured all their tenderness into the world. And the world… never returned that tenderness in equal measure.
If she could, Book of Fuxi wished to help — even if only as a silly little companion. As long as she could bring the slightest warmth to these hearts weathered by solitude, it would be worth it.