"What kind of..."
Zane fell silent for a moment, then frowned and shook his head. Seeing Qingyi's slightly curious expression, he spoke softly.
"I can't really put it into words."
"Huh? You actually can't describe it?"
Qingyi looked mildly displeased, crossing her arms.
"Looks like I need to teach you more than just how to fight—your language skills need work too. You can't even describe how your master looks in your heart…"
Zane shrank back a little at her expression.
"Senior... is that really important?"
"Hmm... Actually, it's not."
Qingyi paused in thought, then smiled slightly. With the peaceful surroundings, the sight was truly lovely.
"After all, I already know."
She gave Zane a mysterious wink, then turned and walked ahead.
Zane stared after her, confused and surprised. He had no idea what she meant and started to suspect she was just messing with him again.
But there wasn't much he could do—Qingyi wasn't explaining anything, and he couldn't exactly force her.
Letting the thought go, he followed after her.
Their walk didn't last long. The garden outside the house wasn't that big—under New Eridu's land price constraints, that was expected. Still, even this small patch of green felt strangely out of place in the city, giving Zane a fleeting sense of unreality.
"Tsk, who would've thought... Senior's actually got some wealth, managing to create a secluded little haven in the middle of New Eridu…"
He glanced back at the modest wall and the greenery inside it, muttering under his breath.
Hearing him, Qingyi turned and raised an eyebrow.
"Me? A rich woman?"
"Disciple, your standards are way too low. That's the first time I've ever heard anyone call me that."
She stretched a little and continued with a smile.
"Besides, I barely spend money. Even when my body gets damaged, it goes on public funds. The salary from the Criminal Investigation Special Response Team isn't that much, really."
Before Zane could respond, she grabbed his wrist and tugged him in another direction.
"Come on, don't dawdle. We've got a place to be—everyone might already be there waiting for us."
"Huh? A place? You arranged this while you were in the room just now?"
Zane looked puzzled, but Qingyi just waved him off.
"Jeez, you ask way too many questions. Just come with me already!"
Without another word, she dragged Zane into the car and drove off without delay.
...
Sunlight streamed over New Eridu, casting its glow into Qingyi's small courtyard.
Through the simple window slats, the light fell on a small palm-sized notebook lying on the table.
The notebook was covered in markings that looked like words—or perhaps some kind of trail—sprawled across every page.
A breeze stirred from nowhere, a strange wind that swept lightly through the room.
The notebook, still open, flipped slowly with the breeze—page by page, like part of some unknown process.
Soon, the newest blank page was revealed—pure white, empty.
As time passed, black markings slowly appeared on its surface. Bit by bit, they filled the page, slowly and irreversibly.
Then another page turned, and the same markings began to fall again.
Meanwhile, in the room where Zane had awakened, the white flowers in the windowsill pot, slightly wilted, gently swayed.
Back and forth.
...
In the car—
"Senior, how long was I out?"
Zane hadn't forgotten what he wanted to ask. He looked toward Qingyi as she drove.
Qingyi's eyes showed a flicker of thought, then she shook her head with a hint of helplessness.
"I don't really remember."
"It's been quite a while, though."
"You don't remember?"
"Senior, you're an Advanced Automaton—how can you forget something like the passage of time...?"
Zane's eyes widened slightly, clearly skeptical.
"Well... if I'm not paying close attention, I really don't remember."
Qingyi turned her head slightly and smiled at him.
"While you were 'asleep,' I stayed by your side the whole time. I was holding on to hope—hoping you'd wake up. So somewhere along the way, I lost track of time."
"That way, no matter how long you slept, I could keep waiting."
Her gaze was soft, like spring blossoms. Zane glanced at her, then said quietly,
"Senior."
"Eyes on the road."
"Ahem..."
Qingyi quickly turned forward, putting on a serious driving face. Zane sighed faintly beside her.
Even the sheriff's like this, huh...
He turned his eyes to the scenery outside, watching it drift by. His eyes gleamed slightly with quiet thought.
After a moment of silence, he smiled faintly and said in a soft voice,
"You stayed with me the whole time while I was unconscious... Heh, you're really good to me."
Still driving, Qingyi replied in a light tone,
"Tsk, well, I am your master."
"But it wasn't just me. Everyone was worried about you. They came to check in often."
Zane nodded slowly, his expression calming. Then he asked,
"Senior, what exactly happened?"
"My memory... it only goes up to Dead End Hollow, when I parted ways with Belobog Heavy Industries. After that…"
He pressed a hand to his temple, trying to recall. But his brows furrowed.
"It's all a blur."
"If it's blurry, then don't think about it."
The car slowed to a stop. Qingyi parked and turned to him, her expression serious.
"Zane, the past doesn't matter that much. What's done is done—and it can't be changed."
"You're awake now. That's what matters."
"Senior... I just want to know what happened. It's not a big deal, is it?"
Hearing her words, Zane opened the car door and stepped out, a little bewildered. Qingyi's tone seemed to be hiding something, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
She'd been acting mysteriously ever since he woke up.
Qingyi got out of the car too and came to stand beside him.
"Zane, don't ask anymore. And stop thinking about it."
"Just do this one thing for me, okay?"
Her words caught him off guard. Zane stood there, stunned.
He hadn't expected Qingyi to speak like that.
Before he could respond, she pulled him forward toward the nearby plaza, speaking softly as they walked.
"Zane, when the time comes, you'll know everything you want to know. For now, don't ask. Just let things unfold naturally, all right?"