Spirit City.
The morning sunlight felt a bit chilly.
On the desk in front of the window, Qian Renjue sat alone after breakfast, carefully picking the pollen from the 'Resurrection Flower'
In the courtyard outside, a pink rabbit was enjoying its rare moment of freedom, happily chasing after insects flying among the flowers.
In the whole courtyard, there were only the two of them.
Bibi Dong was still in the Pope's Palace, while Hu Liena was in her classroom at Spirit Academy.
"Squeak!"
The soft-boned rabbit excitedly leaped high, pouncing toward a red dragonfly hovering on the tip of a flower.
While it was in mid-air, Qian Renjue's joyful voice reached its perked ears.
"Silly rabbit, come here! I need you for something."
"Huh?"
(What?)
The soft-boned rabbit turned its head toward Qian Renjue, with a puzzled look in its crimson eyes, while still in mid-fall.
With a thud, it crashed into the flowerbed, startling the dragonfly and sending a few tender petals flying.
"Ouch!"
The soft-boned rabbit quickly popped its head out of the flowers, its soft pink ears drooping as the floating petals landed on its head.
Its little head looked left and right.
"What are you looking at?"
Qian Renjue, watching from the window, waved at the rabbit with a slightly annoyed but smiling expression.
"Hurry up and come here."
"Squeak squeak!"
(Alright, Xiao Wu is coming.)
The rabbit's ears perked up again, and it shook its head before darting out of the flowerbed with its powerful jumping ability, landing directly on the windowsill.
It softly called out, "Squeak squeak!"
(Your Highness, why are you looking for Xiao Wu? Xiao Wu didn't break anything.)
"You broke something? I don't recall blaming you for anything."
Qian Renjue raised an eyebrow, putting the powder puff he was holding into the box of pollen.
(Although Your Highness doesn't blame Xiao Wu, but your mother will!)
The soft-boned rabbit muttered quietly.
There was one time it merely messed up the flowers in the garden and was almost shot to death.
"Haha. Well, that's what happens when you touch things you shouldn't."
Qian Renjue chuckled.
To Bibi Dong, certain things such as a peace time with Jue simply could not be disturbed by others.
(How was Xiao Wu supposed to know?)
The rabbit grumbled to itself. If it had known, it certainly wouldn't have messed around.
Knock knock!
Qian Renjue shrugged, tapping the table lightly. He smiled and said, "Alright, come here. I'm not here to give you a hard time."
"Alright."
The soft-boned rabbit shook off the dust from its body, obediently placing its front paws on the desk and slowly moving closer to Qian Renjue.
"Lie down."
As the rabbit came near, Qian Renjue gave another command.
"Huh?"
The soft-boned rabbit blinked in confusion.
"Quit dawdling."
Qian Renjue rolled his eyes and directly grabbed the rabbit's front limbs, lifting it up.
"Squeak!"
Amid the rabbit's sharp squeaks, Qian Renjue shook its soft body, making sure all the dust was thoroughly shaken off.
(Ah!)
With a flip of his hands, the soft-boned rabbit was now lying belly-up on the desk.
"Squeak squeak!"
(Your Highness! Xiao Wu can clean herself. I can do it!)
The soft-boned rabbit squealed in a fluster, its short legs trying to cover itself modestly.
It seemed a bit shy.
"Don't make a fuss. I'm not giving you a bath."
Qian Renjue spoke gently, soothing the rabbit by lightly stroking its belly.
"Mm..."
The soft-boned rabbit slowly quieted down.
Qian Renjue picked up a small brush and began to further clean its fur.
"Squeak squeak."
The rabbit let out small noises, as the brush moved with just the right amount of pressure, bringing a tingling sensation to its body.
Looking at Qian Renjue carefully grooming it, a gleam flickered in the rabbit's crimson eyes.
Its tense body relaxed, letting Qian Renjue handle it without resistance.
After a while, the preparations were complete.
Qian Renjue held the rabbit with both hands, kneading and rubbing it as if trying to mold it into a ball.
"Haha, soft-boned rabbits really live up to their reputation."
"Mm!"
The rabbit bit its teeth, letting out a low hum.
It felt strange, unable to resist and finding it oddly comfortable.
Hearing Qian Renjue's praise, it even felt a bit proud.
"Haha."
Qian Renjue, noticing its drooping ears, couldn't help but laugh.
"Just a little more, and we're done."
Saying that, Qian Renjue placed the rabbit back on the desk, picked up the powder-like pollen from the box, and started gently patting its body, like powdering a baby.
"Mmm."
(So fragrant. Ah-choo!)
The rabbit's breath became irregular as the flower pollen filled its nose.
Curious, it shut its crimson eyes, letting Qian Renjue finish patting the pollen on its body.
After finishing, Qian Renjue's cheerful voice rang out, "All done!"
The rabbit slowly opened its eyes, now a soft pink, and stared at Qian Renjue.
Holding the rabbit in his hands, Qian Renjue's eyes were full of warmth as he gently rubbed its chubby face.
Out of nowhere, he softly said, "Silly rabbit, will you thank me?"
The rabbit froze for a moment, not understanding, and held Qian Renjue's hand with its little paws, softly squeaking.
"Squeak squeak."
(As long as Your Highness stops calling me a silly rabbit, I'll thank you.)
"Haha!"
Qian Renjue burst out laughing.
"You silly rabbit, still don't quite understand human speech, do you?"
"Huh?"
The rabbit tilted its head, its ears fluttering, still confused.
"But it's alright, you'll understand soon."
Qian Renjue gently patted the rabbit, his gaze becoming meaningful.
"Achoo!"
The pollen on its body made the rabbit sneeze.
Just as it was about to make a sound, it suddenly felt weak, its mind becoming foggy.
"Sleep well."
Qian Renjue whispered softly.
He laid the rabbit down on the desk, gently stroking its head and supporting its body as it gradually lay down.
"Mmm..."
(Your Highness...)
The rabbit's crimson eyes slowly closed, resting peacefully in the warmth of Qian Renjue's hand.
In an instant, the pink 'Soul Absorbing Pearl' around the rabbit's neck began to emit faint strands of pink light, which were absorbed into Xiao Wu's body.
"Thank you."
A soft, gentle voice echoed in Qian Renjue's ears.
It wasn't Xiao Wu's voice.
Qian Renjue suppressed his surprise, smiled, and nodded slightly.
"Yes, may your reunion be a joyous one."
Buzz!
The 'Soul Absorbing Pearl' glowed pink.
The soft-boned rabbit had fully fallen asleep.
Qian Renjue carefully picked it up and placed it on the bed.
Seeing the tears that welled up in its eyes, he couldn't help but smile.
Sitting by the bed, Qian Renjue took out a misty white pearl.
A one-time divine ability: The Dream od Yellow Millet!
"I guess I'll take a good nap too."
Qian Renjue smiled. With those words, he crushed the pearl in his hand.
In an instant, Qian Renjue felt a strong sensation of detachment, he was looking down at the person and the rabbit on the bed before disappearing from Spirit City.