Falling leaves signaled the transition from summer to autumn.
Meanwhile, Fu Hua's amnesia quietly persisted for over a month.
Even as Li Sushang, requiring the longest recovery period, returned to Taixuan Mountain for her customary evening meals, Fu Hua remained steadfastly stationed there. She never ventured a single step into the Imperial City, diligently maintaining her act of "pretending not to be amnesiac."
"Master..."
"Master?"
"Master!"
Gently stroking the head of the Book of Fuxi, Fu Hua was brought back to reality by Li Sushang's calls. Her clear eyes, bright like the sky, filled with warmth as she looked at Li Sushang and asked:
"What is it, Sushang?"
"Master, I was just asking how long you plan to keep up this charade? Master Zeke is incredibly astute; eventually, your cover will slip!"
Li Sushang, holding an apple with a large bite taken out of it, spoke earnestly.
She had returned to Taixuan Mountain quite late and wasn't fully aware of the events leading up to Fu Hua's memory loss. All she knew was that Fu Hua was currently concealing her amnesia. Despite this limited knowledge, Li Sushang genuinely worried about Fu Hua's situation more than anyone else.
Fu Hua's eyes flickered, and a serene smile appeared on her face as she said:
"It's alright, I think... Qi... I mean, my husband... probably hasn't grown suspicious yet?"
There was a subtle hesitation in her words, but her ever-gentle smile managed to alleviate some of Li Sushang's concerns.
Only the Book of Fuxi, resting in Fu Hua's palm, inexplicably rolled its metaphorical eyes.
After a moment of hesitation, Li Sushang responded, sounding slightly dejected:
"Alright then, if you can handle it, master, that's fine."
"...Why do I feel like your speaking style has changed recently?"
"Well, considering we're now in the Human Union Empire era, I figured I should go online more and learn the trends of the new age. Otherwise, I'd become an Old Antique! What do you think? Am I adapting quickly?"
"Indeed, as long as you're comfortable with it."
Fu Hua reached out and gently patted Li Sushang's head, feeling relieved that her spirited yet kind-hearted great-grand disciple was adapting well to the new era. Although Taixuan Mountain had overcome its period of decline, Fu Hua still held a unique concern for this sole great-grand disciple.
"Master..."
Under Fu Hua's touch, Li Sushang blushed slightly and bashfully lowered her head, yet she willingly accepted her master's affection.
Amidst falling leaves, the scene unfolded: a young woman clad in a warm, antique-style robe, alongside a charming girl smiling with shyness. The gentle autumn breeze caressed their sleeves and hair, creating a heartwarming and picturesque moment.
Then Zeke emerged from the sunlight into the shade, sitting down on the stone bench between them.
"My husband, you're here!" Fu Hua exclaimed cheerfully.
Instantly withdrawing her hand from Li Sushang, Fu Hua picked up the teapot without hesitation and poured a cup of tea for Zeke.
Caught off guard by suddenly losing her master's attention, Li Sushang's eyes widened as she glanced back and forth between Fu Hua and Zeke. Feeling somewhat invisible amidst their shared gaze, she pouted unhappily, chewing on her apple with discontent but unable to do much about it.
Fu Hua continued to gaze warmly at Zeke, her eyes shimmering with tender affection—simply put, the unmistakable stench of love filled the air.
Zeke took a sip of tea and naturally reached for Fu Hua's hand, saying,
"I've wrapped up work for today, so I came by to see you."
"My dear husband, thank you for your hard work... Sushang, there are watermelons near the well in the backyard; please go slice them and bring them out," Fu Hua instructed Li Sushang casually, without ever shifting her gaze from Zeke's face.
Li Sushang silently chewed on her apple, then after a moment, quietly got up and headed towards the backyard.
Well, one was her master, and the other was her grandmaster—a power couple in love. What could a humble and insignificant disciple like herself do?
After Li Sushang left, Zeke gently squeezed Fu Hua's delicate, jade-like hand and smiled softly, asking,
"How did your day go?"
"Hmm, practiced some boxing, packed away all the preserved mustard greens, and chatted with Little Fuxi and Sushang—that's about it. And my dear husband, were your official duties demanding today?"
"As usual."
"Sounds like something is troubling you?"
Zeke's brief response hinted at something unusual to Fu Hua.
Pausing briefly, Zeke's gaze deepened slightly as he replied evenly,
"Mainly because it's too quiet."
"How so?"
"In recent days, casualties from Honkai incidents have nearly become fewer than those dealt with internally for law violations and disorder."
"So you're saying, the scale and frequency of Honkai Disasters are decreasing?"
Fu Hua pondered the implications, her brows gradually furrowing.
Zeke nodded, confirming Fu Hua's speculation, and responded coldly:
"The ultimate trial has not yet arrived; this decline in Honkai is abnormal. Compared to data from recent years, there's been a sharp decrease over the past week... akin to the receding tide before an impending tsunami."
Taken aback, Fu Hua hesitated and asked:
"You mean, the calm before the storm?"
"I don't know for certain. Without reference points or precise formulas, I can't draw definitive conclusions. However, I sense an increasingly palpable unease."
Zeke narrowed his eyes, a fleeting icy and heavy aura surrounding him momentarily.
A scientist discussing intuition and perception might sound somewhat unscientific. However, Zeke knew that from the perspective of Information Origin Theory, the concentration of information bodies within him had reached an unprecedented scale and density. In such circumstances, significant changes in the world's information body would inevitably affect his own, manifesting as psychological sensations—these intense intuitions held nearly the same weight as rigorous experimental data for him.
Fu Hua nodded understandingly. Zeke's intuitive reactions reflected shifts in the global information field, while her path in metaphysics also involved similar phenomena, like vaguely sensing distant emotional responses closely tied to herself. Consequently, Fu Hua comprehended Zeke's concerns well.
"Whatever happens, I will face it with you. Hand in hand, through life and death," Fu Hua expressed deeply, her gentle voice flowing like a clear spring into his heart, swiftly dispelling Zeke's gloomy aura.
Zeke sighed, shaking his head slightly, and tenderly caressed Fu Hua's delicate hands, saying:
"Apologies, I didn't want to burden you with my worries."
"What kind of talk is that, dear husband? As partners, we should support each other through thick and thin—it's only natural." Fu Hua smiled radiantly, her beauty outshining any blossom.
As Zeke gazed at her beaming face, his own expression gradually softened into a gentle smile.
"Cough! The watermelon is here. Are you two still interested in eating or have you become satiated solely by love?" Amidst the suffocatingly romantic atmosphere, Book of Fuxi, which had been cradled in Fu Hua's hands all along, rolled its eyes and addressed the oblivious couple.
Just then, Li Sushang arrived carrying juicy slices of watermelon.
Zeke and Fu Hua released their intertwined fingers, both momentarily speechless—especially Fu Hua, whose blush extended down past her neck due to her thin skin.
Later, Zeke decided to stay for dinner at Taixuan Mountain.
Fu Hua went inside to prepare the meal.
Meanwhile, Zeke, Book of Fuxi, various members of Taixuan Mountain returning for their evening meal, along with Elysia and other freeloaders, gathered in a pavilion outside the garden. They engaged in discussions that were best held without Fu Hua's presence.
"It's somewhat strange. When I examined her yesterday, Hua's mental domain had largely recovered, but her memories have not returned. Any thoughts on what might be causing this issue, Zeke?" Su rubbed his chin, looking troubled and concerned as he gazed at Zeke—the only medical expert present who could discuss such matters with him.
Zeke glanced around, noticing how Book of Fuxi, Elysia, Fuxi, and Nuwa were all avoiding eye contact, either pointing to the moon while talking about the sun's brightness or feigning scientific debates. Clearly, they knew something was amiss.
With a calm gaze sweeping across their faces, Zeke slowly replied, "...I don't know."
"I see, yes, you're right. The human mind and consciousness are the most complex structures, filled with uncertainties. It seems we can only observe patiently and hope she fully recovers soon." Su sighed helplessly, his squinted eyes betraying genuine concern and worry for his old friend despite his habitual expression.
As for when Fu Hua would regain her memories... Only time would tell.