After traversing the rugged mountain path for over half an hour, the pair finally reached a wide dirt road. Following its winding trail for several more kilometers, they arrived at a modest-sized city nestled between hills and trees.
Though termed a "small city," by the standards of the vast and wondrous Five Elements Continent, it paled in comparison to the sprawling metropolises—its scale as distant from them as earth is from the heavens.
Bai Yufei lay quietly in Yanran's arms, his bright eyes brimming with curiosity as he took in the alien world around him. Every building, every face, every breeze whispered of a world far removed from the long-forgotten twilight of China's final era. No amount of history could reconcile this strangeness.
Their journey had been long and grueling. Training in the wilderness by day, rushing toward shelter by night—both Lin Ping and Yanran were utterly exhausted. Their first act upon entering the city was to seek out food and rest.
But as the hot dishes filled their bellies and warmed their bones, a problem quickly emerged—two adults might be satisfied, but what of the little one in their care?
"Senior, do you know what babies eat?" Yanran asked awkwardly, her cheeks slightly flushed with embarrassment.
"Er…" Lin Ping froze, clearly caught off guard. After an awkward pause, he muttered, "Well… usually they drink milk. Ahem, I think I'll go rest. You, uh… you handle this part."
With that, he hastily retreated to his guest room, vanishing behind the door and leaving a stunned Yanran alone in the common hall, her cheeks burning crimson.
"Waaah! No! Anything but milk!"Bai Yufei screamed internally, already dreading the familiar scent and texture he had loathed since childhood.
Yanran glanced around nervously, then scurried into her own room. She gently laid the infant down upon the soft bed and exhaled a breath of relief.
"Hmph, useless senior…" she muttered under her breath, though the frustration quickly melted away the moment her gaze fell upon the tiny form nestled in the sheets.
The child was… angelic.
His cheeks were flushed a rosy pink, like a pair of ripe apples; his breathing soft and even, as if dreaming. Yanran felt a wave of affection rise in her chest, so strong it nearly startled her.
"Sweetheart, you're just too adorable…" she whispered, propping her chin on her palms as she gazed at him.
The longer she watched, the deeper the warmth bloomed. Her thoughts began to drift—If I had a child, would they look like this?
She immediately caught herself and shook her head in embarrassment.What am I thinking?! I'm still so young! What nonsense…
But while she studied him in awe, Bai Yufei was also watching her.
In his eyes, the girl before him was breathtaking—like a celestial maiden descended from the heavens, radiant and gentle. Her kindness stirred a memory deep within him, the fleeting image of a familiar face… someone he had once held dear.
Time passed in silent observation, until Yanran suddenly gasped.
"Oh no! I need to find him something to eat!"
She recalled Lin Ping's earlier words, and once more her cheeks flushed scarlet.Milk… but I don't have any! I'd better go find something suitable.
She leaned down, gently patting the child's belly and whispering with a soft smile,"Be good, little one. Big sister's going to find you some food. I'll be back soon."
Then, on a whim, she leaned in and planted a tender kiss on his cheek.
And with that, she disappeared through the door, her heart as light as the wind, leaving Bai Yufei lying there—his tiny hands clutching the blankets, and his mind still reeling from the warmth of that gentle kiss.