...Time returns to the present.
Jiang Qingning stared blankly at the familiar face before her. Back then, she had inexplicably asked that question. At that moment, she felt a bit bewildered, not understanding what the other person meant to convey. And the other person did not press for her answer.
"...I still dream about it."
Leaving those words behind, she did not linger any longer and slowly walked away. Until now, ten years later, Jiang Qingning once again saw that purple-haired woman from back then—Acheron. Which made her involuntarily recall the scene from back then...
"Mmm~"
Song Qianqian gently took a small bite of the peach. The sweet aroma instantly spread, the flesh tender and juicy, blossoming with a refreshing sweetness on the tip of her tongue. The corners of her mouth lifted slightly, revealing a faint smile. This simple flavor acted like a gentle balm, slightly soothing her originally tense mood.
'No wonder Acheron recommended this peach. It tastes so sweet! But...'
Despite the myriad of emotions in her heart, Song Qianqian couldn't help but look at Acheron with confusion. She saw Acheron calmly extend a hand, reach into her wide purple sleeve, and as if performing a magic trick, pull out a second peach and take a bite.
Song Qianqian: (๑˙ー˙๑)
Although Song Qianqian had long known Acheron had a special fondness for peaches, she still couldn't help but silently complain.
'Carrying two peaches on you is one thing, but how on earth do you store things in that sleeve, hey!'
Moreover, Song Qianqian reasonably suspected that Acheron's sleeves definitely held more than just these two peaches, making her wonder if this was the legendary 'Sleeve Cosmos' from novels.
"Is it not tasty?"
Seeing the other person staring at her, Acheron looked somewhat puzzled at the peach in Song Qianqian's hand. She thought to herself it shouldn't be; after all, she had personally selected each peach with care. Nevertheless, the kind-hearted Acheron took out another intact peach from her sleeve and offered it to her.
The meaning in her eyes was clear.
Song Qianqian (ᗜ_ᗜ): 'I saw it! Where did that peach you just bit go! Acheron, you really do have more than two hidden! Case closed. Even if Acheron's sleeve isn't some 'Sleeve Cosmos,' it's definitely no different from a Storage Ring or the like.'
She solemnly waved her hand, declining Acheron's kind offer. Song Qianqian knew very well just how much Acheron loved peaches. For the latter to be willing to share one with her was already a gesture of their best friend bond. Having one to satisfy her craving was enough.
As for Jiang Qingning beside them, the corner of her mouth twitched. Although she was also curious about Acheron's miraculous sleeve, what concerned her more was that when she had faced Acheron in the past, she had felt the other was mysterious and unfathomable, exuding the aura of a master.
But seeing her now... Jiang Qingning: (°ー°〃)
'Ugh... steady on. At least she's still as ridiculously strong as before. No, for someone like her, maybe 'monster' is a more fitting term.'
Jiang Qingning wiped the cold sweat from her forehead with lingering fear, nearly letting her guard down due to a moment of relaxation. To be honest, over the past ten years, she had often remembered the other and presumptuously thought she had grown stronger. But seeing her now, Jiang Qingning could almost conclude:
'The Acheron before me might be even more formidable than than Special Grade.'
"little Qian."
After exchanging pleasantries for a moment, Acheron suddenly shifted her gaze to Jiang Qingning beside them. Seeing this, the latter's body couldn't help but tremble slightly. Song Qianqian immediately understood Acheron's meaning and introduced with a smile:
"I almost forgot! This older sister is called Jiang Qingning. I happened to meet her when I first entered this mysterious forest. Thanks to her timely intervention, otherwise I might have already been eaten by a two-meter-tall giant wolf. Later, I noticed she was injured, so I offered to travel with her."
Song Qianqian answered truthfully. Hearing this, Acheron showed no suspicion and thanked her sincerely.
"Thank you for looking after my friend."
"Acheron, would bringing this older sister along cause any problems?"
After Acheron finished speaking, Song Qianqian immediately asked seriously. However, before Acheron could answer, Jiang Qingning waved her hand dismissively, taking the initiative. She refused in a distant tone:
"No need, little sister. After all, this older sister isn't exactly a good person. Saving you earlier was merely a convenient act. Moreover... just a moment ago, this older sister was planning to use you as bait and escape alone."
Jiang Qingning's tone was icy as she chose to lay her cards on the table. Although Acheron arrived later, Jiang Qingning always felt the other should be well aware of her thoughts. So she decided not to continue muddling through.
"So next..."
"I know."
Before Jiang Qingning could finish, Song Qianqian directly interrupted. Her eyes were calm as she met Jiang Qingning's gaze without evasion... Just as the atmosphere was about to become deadlocked, Acheron broke the stalemate.
"It's fine. Afterwards, try not to stray too far from me."
With those words, Acheron proactively walked ahead to lead the way. Acheron had indeed seen through Jiang Qingning's thoughts, but she also understood Song Qianqian. Although the latter hadn't been through society's harsh trials like Mo Xi had, this girl's head was definitely not foolish; on the contrary, she was quite shrewd.
Traveling together, part of it might genuinely be out of kindness. But similarly, being with such a 'superhuman' would also be safer in this unfamiliar and dangerous environment. Now, since this girl wanted to bring her along, she might as well follow her wishes.
With Acheron's decisive word, in the end, it was Jiang Qingning who first uncomfortably averted her gaze. This discovery caused Song Qianqian's originally serious expression to abruptly change. She raised a triumphant, sly smile and teased:
"Looks like the 'bad' older sister isn't as scary as I imagined!"
After saying this, not waiting for a rebuttal, Song Qianqian hurried to catch up with Acheron.
Jiang Qingning: ...
She watched the two figures gradually walking away with a complex gaze. In the end, she couldn't help but let out a sigh, then also slowly followed. Jiang Qingning understood that she had been easily handled by a little girl. This girl hadn't asked a single extra question about her earlier words from start to finish.
"little Qian, when did you become so perceptive?"
"What kind of talk is that! I've always been clever, okay! Otherwise, who would be best friends with a big block of wood like you?"
Song Qianqian pouted with extreme dissatisfaction. She wasn't some naive airhead like Mu Yao. Earlier, how could she not have seen what Jiang Qingning was thinking? However, after spending a long time with Acheron, she felt she had become even more attuned to changes in others' emotions.
Jiang Qingning might indeed have considered harming her. But given the situation at the time, Song Qianqian knew very well she was just dead weight. It was only human nature for the other to have such thoughts, and she wouldn't blame her for it—especially since she had also saved her.
And... even though this older sister said such harsh words, when she had intervened to save her, Song Qianqian could clearly sense the goodwill emanating from her. This was the real reason Song Qianqian hoped Acheron would be willing to help her.
Thinking of this, Song Qianqian swept away the gloom and turned to look at Acheron smugly.
"Hmph, 'One takes on the color of one's company.' I think there's some truth to that saying."