Jiang He was quite obedient outside, and thus escaped a close call with the security cameras.
"This is called a traffic light. When the red light is on, it means you can't go. When the green light is on, you can cross,"
Xu Qing indicated the traffic light above and continued to educate, "This is also a law. If you don't comply, not only are those cars dangerous, but you could also violate the law. You must remember this well."
A tall and a short person stood in front of the traffic light, looking up at the countdown of the red light, their expressions solemn.
They looked like two fools.
For Xu Qing, who was accustomed to idling at home watching movies, whether it was educating someone from the ancient times or shopping with a girl, it was quite interesting. As he took Jiang He around the block, his previously slightly nervous mood gradually relaxed.
Jiang He followed obediently, silently taking in this modern world. Everything on the street seemed novel to her—street lights, green belts, shops along the road, and even the honking of cars would draw her gaze.
"Like anything?"
Xu Qing hadn't forgotten the hairband he had promised at noon. He stopped in front of a small stall by the street and, looking at the dazzling array of trinkets, asked Jiang He, "Do you like any of these?"
He casually picked up a fluffy ear headband, intending to try it on Jiang He's head, but then thought better of it and just raised his hand to indicate it.
Based on appearance alone, as long as she stayed silent and motionless, she already looked like a modern person; she didn't need these ornaments as a finishing touch.
Jiang He still didn't speak, glanced at the headband in his hand, and then turned her attention back to the items on the stall, carefully looking over each one.
After a moment's wait, Xu Qing had already fancied a blue hairband adorned with two delicate little butterflies. Seeing Jiang He was only looking and not acting, he took it, asked the stall owner for the price, paid with a QR code, and then handed it to Jiang He.
"Let's go with this one, it's good for tying your hair up."
"..."
Jiang He took it, looked at it, and then tried stretching it a bit to understand how to use it, and tied it at the back of her head.
Her long hair gathered back, it looked less gentle and more capable than when it was loose. Xu Qing couldn't help but take another glance, then turned and continued walking forward with her.
Night slowly fell, and the streets became more crowded. Xu Qing spoke much less and led Jiang He into a family-style restaurant, sitting in a corner. He called the owner over to order two servings of fried pancakes and a plate of smashed cucumber.
The fried pancakes in Jiangcheng were a specialty—sliced into thin shreds and stir-fried with bean sprouts, although some variations included green beans or cabbage. However, the bean sprouts gave the best texture, aromatic and appealing.
This kind of small shop not only served authentic taste but also generous portions. Xu Qing had been frequenting these shops since his high school days and would still stop by from time to time even after graduating from university.
"This is a place to eat. The lunch we had was also bought from here. And the food delivered yesterday, that was by that person... He bought it from here then delivered it to my place, and I paid him."
The restaurant was noisy, with Xu Qing quietly explaining to Jiang He in their secluded corner.
Sitting by the window, Jiang He continued to watch the dazzling street lights outside without responding, her expression complex.
The passersby on the street, the flashing neon lights, the flow of traffic—all of it was so alien.
She felt out of place here.
Sensing Jiang He's low spirits, Xu Qing's voice grew softer until he fell silent, leaning back in his chair and watching the Heroine across the table.
If she couldn't return, being alone in this world—and an undocumented resident at that—
It meant she couldn't work, had no income, no stable residence, couldn't travel far, and even couldn't marry. She could only roam within a small area or spend the rest of her days in a shady factory—
She had no future.
Unless she disclosed her identity, and then accepted being manipulated. However, Xu Qing didn't think Jiang He would meekly become a lab rat; if given a choice, she would rather retreat into the primordial forest than let others control her.
Not until the fried pancakes were served by the owner did Jiang He finally withdraw her gaze, and Xu Qing shifted his eyes away as well. He pulled two pairs of disposable chopsticks from the holder, handing one pair to Jiang He.
"Let's eat."
"Mm."
After heading out, Jiang He made her first sound, immersed in eating her meal.
Seeing her eat with ease, Xu Qing felt relieved, bowed his head to eat a few bites, then stood up. He signaled to Jiang He, who was looking up at him and took out a bottle of mineral water and a bottle of beer from the refrigerator nearby.
Returning to the table, he pushed the mineral water in front of Jiang He, then used his chopsticks to flip open the beer, took a few gulps from the bottle to moisten his throat.
Keeping this lady hero by his side, things turned out to be much more complicated than he had imagined...
He could only take one step at a time.
Deep in thought, Xu Qing didn't even bother with garlic, eating a few bites of the stir-fried pancake and taking sips of beer. When Jiang He set down her chopsticks, the plate in front of him was also empty. After downing the last of his beer with a satisfied burp, he stood up to pay the bill.
The two stepped out of the restaurant into a world where the city lights were just coming on, the night life of the modern city just beginning. Neon lights flashed alternately, the streets were bustling with people, and the noisy voices of the crowd mingled with the honking of car horns, creating a lively scene.
Xu Qing looked up at the night sky, let out a breath, then gave Jiang He, who was faithfully following beside him, a smile.
"Let's go, time to head back."
...
They returned home in silence, and by the time they arrived it was already half past seven; the evening news had just ended. Xu Qing didn't pay it any attention but, after locking the door, turned to look at Jiang He, who had already taken a seat on the sofa and seemed to be lost in thought. He contemplated for a moment before speaking.
"Do you believe it now?"
At his question, Jiang He moved her head slightly, lifting her eyes to look at him. She stayed silent for a moment, then took out her Iron Dart from her waist and began to trace its scratches with her finger.
"...But it's not necessarily a bad thing. Look, everyone is living and working in peace and contentment, enjoying life with fried pancakes and cola, beer and computers—there's no need to worry about being senselessly attacked... Oh, well, that's something to be still concerned about."
Xu Qing intended to comfort her with a few words, but he ended up speaking in a jumble of nonsense, not really sure what he was saying. After a moment of stillness by the door, he walked over to sit beside her on the sofa.
"To be honest, if you can solve the identity issue, you can enjoy many things here that you didn't have access to before. Even if you relied on your physical strength to do manual labor, you could live an easy and comfortable life. It's actually a good thing."
Life is but a few decades, and sleeping with one eye open is too exhausting.
This prosperous age is worlds apart from the ancient times.
"I want to go home."
Jiang He clenched the Iron Dart tightly, its tip digging into her palm, feeling a slight pain.
Xu Qing sighed, "But you can't go back."
Jiang He fell silent.
In the room, only the ticking of the wall clock remained, occasionally punctuated by the sound of cars outside, and the faint coughing of an upstairs neighbor could be heard.
After a while, Jiang He slumped her shoulders, tossed the Iron Dart onto the table, and lowered her head, "That identity... how can it be resolved?"
"I'm not an official, and I don't quite understand the situation at present. We'll find a way sooner or later. But first, you need to integrate into society without giving yourself away," Xu Qing reassured her, "Don't worry, I'll help you."
"Thank you, Hero."
Jiang He bowed with a fist, paused, and then added, "If it becomes too troublesome..."
"It's necessary. Having an identity is very important."
Xu Qing's spirits soared being called Hero. Glancing around the table and then scouring the trash bin, he asked, "Where's that paper I sorted out yesterday?"
Jiang He blinked, "You crumpled it into a ball and threw it away."
"I know, but it should be in here," Xu Qing said, rummaging through the trash can with his hand.
"..."