Chapter Twenty-Two: Tuantuan

“…Of course,” Li Le replied with a smile.

After placating the vendor, Li Le strolled leisurely through the market with Lie for two more laps, but found nothing else of particular interest.

“Sister, let’s go home. We’ve seen everything in the market, and it’s already getting late… If we don’t hurry back, Father will be home soon…” Lie, clutching a pile of goods and a handful of silver coins, blinked regretfully. “It’s a pity neither you nor I have completed the Rite of Ge, so we can’t enter the inner city trading hall… That’s where all the real treasures are…” He muttered, his eyes darting mischievously when he spoke of treasures, as if plotting something.

Li Le glanced sideways at him and couldn’t help herself, reaching out to flick his forehead in warning. “What are you thinking? Don’t get any funny ideas. The trading hall strictly forbids minors from entering. If you sneak in, not only I, but even Brother Bai won’t be able to save you!”

Lie chuckled sheepishly, fumbling to secure his goods, and grinned, “Sister, I’m not thinking anything bad… I was just saying, I wouldn’t really sneak in…”

Wasn’t that already an admission of guilt?

Li Le rolled her eyes, looked him over, and said, “I don’t trust you one bit… You’d better keep your curiosity in check. If that place forbids minors from entering alone, there must be a reason… Control yourself.”

“…If you really want to go, ask Father to take you. If I remember right, the trading hall allows minors to enter accompanied by a mid- or high-ranking guardian, doesn’t it?”

“Uncle Li was assigned to the patrol team, which makes him a mid-tier official in our Cloud City. Surely he’s qualified to take you in?”

The trading hall stood at the very heart of Cloud City, its structure encircling and guarding the central Tower. Its surroundings and every entrance were strictly monitored—only Cloud City’s middle and upper echelons were permitted entry.

Hearing Li Le’s words, Lie’s expression drooped, his tone indignant. “Sister, don’t mention it. Father says I’m not qualified yet, won’t let me enter, only says next year I might have a chance…”

“…What qualifications do I need? I just want to look around, not steal anything. Why be so guarded against me?”

Li Le eyed Lie, whose whole body radiated indignation, and teased him with a smile. “Oh? Why not ask Brother Bai? I bet if you asked, he’d agree to take you.”

She knew full well that Lie revered and feared Brother Bai too much to ever ask for such a favor, but said it anyway. It must be admitted, Li Le had a mischievous streak; a sly, playful cruelty.

The stern, majestic face of his elder brother flashed through Lie’s mind. Hugging his bundle, his expression collapsed as he gazed mournfully at Li Le. “…Sister, are you a devil?”

Modern translation: Are you a demon?

How could he possibly ask his elder brother to accompany him to the trading hall? If Father found out, his legs wouldn’t survive the day…

Li Le watched Lie trudge behind her, burdened with goods and wounded in spirit, and finally felt a pang of conscience. She comforted him, “…Ahem, don’t worry. Next year, after I complete the Rite of Ge, if Uncle Liu won’t take you, I’ll bring you myself. You’ll get to see it all!”

Lie’s spirits instantly revived. He hurried after Li Le, exclaiming, “Good, Sister! It’s a promise!”

Li Le walked ahead, smiling casually. “Of course, it’s a promise.”

Lie was obedient enough, at least to help Li Le carry their purchases to her little cabin before heading home with his own things, looking back every few steps. Before leaving, he reminded Li Le repeatedly to come find him another day and fulfill her promise of telling him a story.

Li Le agreed readily.

After sending Lie off, Li Le shed her grey cloak and looked at the bags and bundles before her, a satisfied smile flickering across her face—these were her spoils.

Had it been her previous life, she’d surely have posted a triumphant photo on social media. Life needed a touch of ceremony, after all.

A thought struck her, and she began arranging her acquisitions neatly on the floor—tying up sacks, lining up boxes, organizing everything into tidy rows.

It ended up forming quite a heap.

She did something she’d always wanted but never dared in her previous life: she dragged a stool as tall as her calf over to the pile, stepped onto it, swept her slender hand grandly, and declared, “All this is the empire I’ve conquered!”

After her words echoed, Li Le felt a twinge of embarrassment, coughing lightly—thank goodness Brother Bai was out on patrol, or this would have been truly awkward.

“Squeak—squeak squeak—”

A familiar chirping from her pocket reminded Li Le, “I nearly forgot this little creature… So many distractions along the way…”

She muttered, extracting the tiny thing from her pocket.

“Squeak squeak—squeak squeak—”

“You met my kin today? I smell other ‘Glow’ on you—I can tell!”

It gestured with its tiny paws, and after a long rest, its voice was stronger and more vibrant than before.

Li Le gazed at it, her senses tingling. So it wasn’t her perception at fault—the little creature before her was indeed special. Of all the ‘Glow’ she had encountered, only this one could express its own will and be understood by her.

This meant that even if it wasn’t rare, it was certainly extraordinary.

As these thoughts spun through her mind, Li Le organized her ideas and asked seriously, “Yes, I met other ‘Glow’ today, but I couldn’t understand a word they said… Tell me, can you communicate with them?”

The little creature seemed struck by something painful. Its expression wilted, it tilted its head, and let out a few dispirited squeaks.

“…They never understood what I was saying either…”

“Squeak squeak—squeak squeak—”

“Since I became aware… Only you have ever understood me…” Its tiny eyes looked up at Li Le, full of closeness and wonder.

If not for this, given the timid nature of Glow, how could it be so bold with her?

Li Le was silent for a moment, her gaze finally reflecting the little creature as she spoke earnestly, “…If I say I hope you’ll stay with me from now on, would you be willing?”

Glow had not yet grasped the gravity of the moment, simply tilting its head and chirping, “Squeak squeak squeak—”

“I can only understand you… Staying with you wouldn’t be so bad…”

Li Le’s eyes warmed at its reply. “…Good, then from now on, you belong to me…”

She sized up the little creature, pondering for a moment before laughing softly. “…Since that’s the case, you can’t be called just ‘Glow’ anymore. You need a name. From now on, you’ll be ‘Roundy’… How about that?”