After leaving the Divination Commission, Fu Zhu stood outside the main gate and glanced left and right, suddenly realizing he had no destination.
Looking at the bustling streets, he had no idea where to go or what to do.
"Hmm... I guess I'll call Little March."
Fu Zhu took out his phone to call March 7th, deciding to just get things out in the open to save them both the awkward back-and-forth. He knew, however, that doing so might make their future interactions even more strained.
The call rang for only a moment before March 7th hung up.
Fu Zhu was about to dial again, but a message from March 7th came through first.
[March 7th: Fu Zhu, can we talk about... that... later? My head's a bit of a mess right now.]
[Fu Zhu: Okay.]
On the other end, March 7th clutched her phone tightly. She only let out a breath when Fu Zhu's reply came in, but her heart still felt... itchy. Fu Zhu's single word, "love," echoed endlessly in her ears.
She didn't know why, but she desperately wanted to know if Fu Zhu had said it only to save Fu Xuan, or if he had used the opportunity to confess his true feelings.
"Being this hesitant isn't like you, March."
Xing's head suddenly popped out from the side with a mischievous grin, her hand darting out as if to snatch the phone from March 7th's grasp.
"Or should I ask my old bro for you?"
March 7th jumped, frantically shielding her phone with both hands against her chest as she turned away from Xing.
"I can do it myself!"
Xing giggled and pulled her hand back. She was only trying to spook March 7th; she had no real intention of snatching the phone to question her brother. Even she knew it was best for them to sort this out themselves.
She just needed to be the third wheel, watch the drama, and eat melon seeds!
Seeing that Xing had given up, March 7th breathed a sigh of relief, but then she couldn't help but turn back and ask, "Xing, do you think... Fu Zhu was just acting?"
Xing propped her head on her arms, her eyes half-closed as she looked at March 7th with a knowing smile. She didn't answer the question, instead posing one of her own.
"Has our Little March truly fallen for him?"
"Nonsense!"
Embarrassed, March 7th slapped Xing's shoulder before trying to justify herself. "I-I'm just a little concerned, that's all."
"Hehe, if you think back carefully on what happened then, you might just find your answer~"
After hearing Xing's words, March 7th couldn't help but purse her lips. She looked down at her left hand—the very hand Fu Zhu had held.
"What happened then...?"
In the afternoon, after eating lunch alone, Fu Zhu stopped by a flower shop to buy a flower and a pot before heading to a ferry dock near the Sky-Faring Commission to meet up with Yukong and the others.
By the time Fu Zhu arrived, the dock was already crowded. Yukong, Jing Yuan, Fu Xuan, Dan Heng, Welt, Xing, and March 7th were all there. Besides them, there were many others Fu Zhu didn't recognize at all.
Fu Zhu quietly greeted his friends and then stood silently beside the Astral Express crew.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Yukong was the first to step forward. She placed the flower in her hand onto a star skiff moored at the dock, then tilted her head back and softly murmured about the days she had spent with Tingyun.
Listening to Yukong's whispered words, many in the crowd couldn't help but wipe away tears. Even Fu Zhu and the others, who hadn't known Tingyun for long, felt a wave of sorrow.
Finally, it was time for Fu Zhu and his group to offer their flowers.
Fu Zhu plucked the flower planted in his pot, held it in his hand to convert it into an MC Cornflower, and then planted it back in the pot before placing it on the star skiff.
Xing noticed Fu Zhu's small action and couldn't help but lean over to ask, "Old bro, why'd you pull out the flower just to change its look?"
"This flower will never wither. Though I never truly knew Tingyun, I hope her next life can be like this flower."
As someone who had "died once," Fu Zhu knew all too well how cruel death was for a young woman still in the prime of her life.
She must have had so much left to experience, only to have her life stolen away.
Finally, Yukong activated the star skiff, allowing it to fly off on its own toward the distant sky until it completely vanished from sight, becoming just another star.
Yukong stood with her back to the crowd, raising a hand to wipe the tears from her eyes with her knuckles. She then turned around, forcing a composed smile.
"Everyone, thank you for coming to see this child off on her final journey. If she knew, she would be so happy to be loved by so many people. Truly, thank you all."
The crowd simply lowered their gazes slightly, not knowing what to say at a time like this.
The funeral ended in this somber atmosphere. Although Yukong and the others were deeply reluctant to let go, reality demanded their attention to many other matters.
The departed was gone; the living must carry on.
After the service concluded, Fu Zhu instinctively glanced towards March 7th, thinking of pulling her aside for a private chat. But the moment their eyes met, she looked away evasively. He knew she was still confused, and now was not the best time to talk.
Fu Zhu gave up on the idea and instead approached Welt.
"Uncle Yang, when is the Express planning to head to the next destination?"
Welt was a little surprised by the sudden question but answered truthfully.
"Hm, probably in about seven days. Before we came to the Luofu, [The Family] sent an invitation to the Astral Express. There are only ten days left until the appointed date. If you have anything you need to do, you should hurry. We need to set aside some time for preparations."
Hearing there were still seven days until departure, Fu Zhu felt a sense of relief. That was just enough time to go to Herta Space Station and participate in the simulated MC research, with plenty of time to spare.
"Got it. In that case, Uncle Yang, I'm heading to Herta Space Station. Herta asked me for a favor before, to help out at the space station after I finished my business on the Luofu."
Welt naturally agreed. He never stood in the way of a young person's ambitions.
"Alright. Just be sure to come back and meet us on time."
"Okay."
After speaking with Welt, Fu Zhu didn't forget to inform Dan Heng, Xing, and March 7th that he was going to Herta Space Station.
"Huh? Old bro, why are you sneaking off to Herta Space Station again without me!"
Xing puffed out her cheeks, clearly unhappy that Fu Zhu hadn't included her.
Fu Zhu couldn't help but poke her puffed-up cheek with a finger. "You can come with me right now. It's not like I said you couldn't."
Xing, poked by Fu Zhu, instantly deflated. Her eyes darted around for a moment before she shook her head with a giggle, rejecting his offer.
"Forget it! I promised Little Gui and the others I'd help with the ghost-hunting, so I don't have time. You go on your own, old bro!"
"Alright, then I'm off."