"Whimper... Master, it seems like I've been having nightmares these past few days. It scared me to death..."
Cai Wei held the haggard parrot, stroking its little head, filled with guilt and self-blame, comforting it continuously.
"Brother Parrot, I'm sorry, it's my fault, I dragged you into this! I almost got you hurt."
"Master, I haven't had a proper meal for days..."
"I'll go out and make something delicious for you later!"
"Master, our space has become like this, seeing it in such state upsets me..."
"From now on, you can stay outside, just tell everyone you're my pet!"
Brother Parrot seemed comforted, his crying gradually subsided, and he nestled his small head against Cai Wei's chest, like a charming baby...
Cai Wei spent some time soothing the parrot and coaxed it with words before leaving it to check the space.
Outside the space, everything was bare, all the crops had disappeared, there was only a murky small stream left, hiding behind the run-down bamboo house.
