Chapter 387: Snowfall Together (3.5k)
Hearing the old musician’s words, those expectant gazes suddenly turned to Su Jiu. It seemed that in their eyes, this girl in the black dress possessed an inexplicable charm, capable of making even a Major General-level expert like Yale retreat, so she should also be able to solve this problem.
“Can it only be… an ordinary performance?”
Su Jiu was slightly stunned. Her gaze fell on the lights above, and after a moment of silence, with her top-tier Initial Stage Battle King strength when not using cheats, she should be able to support such a large energy output.
However, there was no great necessity in doing so. For Su Jiu, healing these refugees could be done with a large-scale Spring Bloom Technique, but the main issue was that the “Rest” ability could easily expose her whereabouts.
The light attribute, combined with the special attributes of the Blood Clan, would easily make people suspect her as the mysterious Blood Clan behind the delayed war.
As for the Spring Bloom Technique, it could be used with other Avatars, and it was something everyone knew…
Just as she was about to say something, a child’s joyful voice suddenly rang out – “It’s snowing!”
“Snow… We’ll have enough water to drink!”
“Quick, go get buckets to catch the snow!!”
“We can live for another half a month!”
Soon, refugees holding plastic buckets that could catch snow hurried over, looking up at the sky with hopeful eyes. Among them were adults and children. More often than not, rather than expecting tomorrow, the snow that could help them overcome the water crisis was the most tangible hope.
As the first snowflake fell upon the sky of the large hospital, the sky began to drift with snow. The snow was light and thin, filtering through the gaps in the leaves of the towering trees, landing on Su Jiu and Bairnis’s Green Silk, bringing a faint chill to their scalps.
“Winter has arrived… Unknowingly, I’ve spent two years in this world, and I’ve gained enough strength to barely protect myself here.”
Su Jiu slowly extended her palm, catching a wisp of the cold air, and spread the coolness within her palm. She looked up at the refugees still wearing thin clothes, then at the broken walls outside the hospital. Her gaze seemed to pierce through the white snow, and she sighed softly.
Those places that might have once housed countless Ordinary People, who had no cheats and no Bloodline, could only silently await the Stronger ones amidst the war fog.
“This performance should not be missed. For these people, songs might be more of a longing.”
Patting Bairnis’s head, Su Jiu signaled for her to release her. After Bairnis let go, she turned to the old musician and said softly, “I also know ‘Rest’. If it’s possible, please let Miss Catherine yield the lead vocal position to me.”
Hearing Su Jiu’s words, the old musician was stunned. The wrinkles on his face deepened, and after a moment, he managed a polite smile and said, “Miss Catherine’s intention was for you to support with some healing Alchemy Arrays, to be used in conjunction with the performance. While ‘Rest’ is indeed a skill, to use it, one needs a certain degree of contact with music.”
The old musician’s words were very subtle, almost clearly telling Su Jiu – no matter how skilled you are, if you haven’t been exposed to music, it won’t work.
Shaking her head gently, Su Jiu said with great seriousness, “I understand some music, and I’ve played the guitar for several years.”
“Really?” a hint of suspicion flickered in the old musician’s eyes.
It was no wonder the old musician was so surprised. In this world, aside from the various professions for improving strength, many other professions were classified as “lowly.” Spending energy learning such “skills” as music was considered a waste of time and unrewarding.
Seeing that the other party did not believe her, Su Jiu casually picked up a leaf, placed it to her lips, and blew lightly. A cheerful and moving melody rose between them, causing everyone to show surprised expressions.
“You can even play with a leaf… Miss Su, please come with me.”
This time, the old musician was truly stunned. He stared blankly at Su Jiu, his expression still astonished, but he quickly broke into a smile, clearly not expecting such a Big Shot to have such leisurely tastes.
Su Jiu glanced at the child who had just been talking about Dr. Liu Gang’s unfinished song. After a moment, she looked back at the old musician and said softly, “I don’t really understand your band’s songs. I wonder if you could play the popular Dragon Country song from before – ‘What Shall I Use to Keep You Here?'”
The songs from the two worlds were mostly similar, but the people who created the music were not entirely the same; they were alternative selves. This song in this world was produced by a not-so-famous band, with the main theme being – survival.
In this world where strength reigned supreme, living like a seed, waiting for the dawn of hope.
“That song is fine, we’ve practiced the melody.”
After a moment of thought, the old musician nodded, but then he quickly remembered something and said with a wry smile, “It’s just that we didn’t bring enough musical instruments this time. The Storage Bags only contain dry rations, so we might not be able to achieve the desired effect.”
“It’s enough.”
Su Jiu looked up slightly at the hospital rooftop balcony and chuckled.
After speaking, she walked towards the hospital, touching her ring as she went, and then took out a White Coat and put it on, as if returning to the place where doctors belonged.
Under the bewildered gazes of everyone, Su Jiu walked through the long corridor. The dirty little faces along the path also looked over, their brown eyes filled with an inexplicable sense of expectation, as if they had forgotten about collecting snow.
She slowed her steps slightly, tilted her head, and looked at the children, sighing softly in her heart – they look so alike.
So much like the students during her volunteer teaching days.
Arriving on the rooftop, Su Jiu met Catherine’s confused gaze. She scanned the surroundings, and finally seemed to spot an item leaning in the corner. Her heart suddenly relaxed, and she stepped forward.
“Here… it still works.”
Gently picking up the worn guitar stained with white snow, Su Jiu adjusted it according to the memory in her mind, and a look of relief appeared on her small face.
Catherine watched Su Jiu’s actions, a hint of surprise appearing in her eyes. Su Jiu even knew how to tune.
She had understood Su Jiu’s intentions during the conversation with the old musician, but seeing her actually start playing the guitar made her feel truly incredible.
Su Jiu didn’t interact with the people behind her, she just continued to strum the strings, trying to recall some of her sense of pitch. Unconsciously, a golden-red hue appeared on her fingertips. With each strum, small golden-red dust particles adhered to the snowflakes.
The surrounding band members exchanged glances for a moment, then turned on the lights again and gently played their instruments. A leisurely melody emerged, the prelude to the song Su Jiu had requested.
…
“Why, when you see the snow falling, do you want to sing?”
“Why, when letting go, do tears fall.”
…
Gently humming the melody, Su Jiu suddenly looked up at the falling white snow and began to sing. Unlike Liu Gang, her voice was like a clear stream, very cold yet sweet, giving a feeling of contentment.
“This snow can heal us…”
The singing was amplified to every corner by the alchemy equipment. As the snow, carrying golden-red dust, landed on the refugees, it brought a faint warmth, causing them to cup their hands and eat the snow in small mouthfuls. As the snow entered their mouths, the coldness turned into warmth.
The children sang along, and the adults looked up at the dazzling spot on the rooftop, each with a slightly weary smile.
In the lawn area, Xu Wutong leaned against the railing, listening quietly, and then slowly closed her eyes, starting to hum softly…
The doctors also came out, only to be astonished to find that the snow landing on their bodies actually washed away their tired spirits, making them feel less weary…
“I hope he still remembers our classmate friendship.”
In the院长’s (Director’s) office, Robert sighed, holding an owl, and came to the window. He suddenly noticed the strange scene outside and was stunned, “It seems like someone is singing outside…”
He opened the glass window and looked outside, seeing pieces of snow, like glittering glazed tiles, falling on smiling faces. Suddenly, a piece of golden-red snow floated in and landed on his brow…
The familiar melody, the unfamiliar singing, the familiar yet unfamiliar tune.
Did someone replace Dr. Liu Gang?
“Let’s have a couple of drinks. I don’t know if we’ll be able to tomorrow…”
Robert gently released the owl, watched its receding shadow, and then leaned back in his chair, quietly listening. His gaze fell on a yellowed photograph, his eyes becoming increasingly hazy…
He reached into his Storage Bag, held a glass of brandy he didn’t know how long he’d kept, and drank it down heartily, getting his beard stained with alcohol.
“Do you want to see the sea of flowers bloom?”
“Do you want to see the swallows return?”
“If they don’t return.”
“Then for whom should I exist?”
The song continued to sing softly. Bairnis, who was still dazed where she stood, suddenly reached out and touched her head. White snow and golden-red snow intertwined. After watching for a long time, she quietly walked towards the rooftop.
I…
Live for my mistress.
But my mistress told me to live for myself…
Then I will obey my mistress’s wishes.
Soon, Bairnis’s figure appeared on the rooftop. Her gaze fell on Su Jiu, who was sitting on a small chair in the center, looking at her back as she hummed with her feet dangling.
My mistress is still so unattainable.
If I were still a Duke as before… perhaps I could be worthy of my mistress, but…
Looking again at the snow drifting around Su Jiu in the sky, Bairnis’s hand suddenly conjured a butterfly umbrella radiating blue light. She walked to Su Jiu’s side and held the umbrella over her, remaining silent for a long time.
Then, with her other hand, she gently cleared the small snowflakes from Su Jiu’s hair. Gazing at the Green Silk dyed white by the snow, Bairnis seemed to lose herself for a moment. With a courage she didn’t know where it came from, she murmured in a voice so soft it could probably only be heard by herself:
“Does this… count as growing old together with my mistress?”
“It does.”
Her delicate ears twitched. Su Jiu glanced at the small figure beside her, was momentarily surprised, smiled faintly at her, and continued to sing, her voice seeming to gain a bit more gentleness and less of the coldness.
The white snow suddenly arrives, filling the mountains and trees like silver flowers. Today, we share the snowfall, so it can certainly be considered growing old together.
…
“In this vast galaxy, what are you?”
“What are you in her gentle eyes?”
“Shining, falling, yet reluctant to part.”
“So life, it is as brilliant as a song.”
Su Jiu looked gently at Bairnis behind her, gently playing the tune in her hands, her eyes filled with an indescribable feeling.
When they first met, Bairnis was the same. She longed to live, but her life was shackled, and she could only hope to die with dignity. She didn’t want to be the “heroine” of a Qiong Yao novel, but reality was like that.
“Mistress…”
Hearing the word “It does,” Bairnis’s nose suddenly smarted. She pursed her lips, and a crystal clear drop inexplicably slid down her face. She suddenly smiled as well.
Her gaze fell below to the hospital. She released countless butterflies, and these butterflies carried the golden-red snow into the hospital, or under the eaves…
Until she met her.
But she used a spark to ignite her unlit night, and now, she also wanted to convey that spark to the people in the darkness.
Because, life is indeed as brilliant as a song.
Just as Bairnis was releasing the small butterflies, Su Jiu suddenly grasped one of her hands. Their hands clasped together, seeming to carry a hint of warmth.
As the song ended, Su Jiu suddenly looked up at the sky, turned her head, and smiled at Bairnis, softly saying, “There’s an old saying in Dragon Country that perfectly describes the relationship between people like us, who are not comrades but are like comrades.”
“Comrades…”
Hearing Su Jiu’s words, Bairnis initially felt a strange disappointment. Was she indeed just a comrade in her mistress’s eyes? Then, her heart uncontrollably began to anticipate the rest of her words…
Comrades are not bad either. At least they have a “relationship.”
“Then Mistress, what is the saying?”
Biting her lip skin again, Bairnis forced a rather unsightly smile, and said in a voice as quiet as a mosquito’s hum.
While Bairnis was lost in her thoughts, Su Jiu gently stroked her head with eyes full of tenderness, also removing the snow from her hair, and softly uttered:
“Hold your hand, and grow old together with you.”
