By then, it was already dark.
Many people who lived far away didn't want to return home, so they brought their belongings and stayed overnight within the protective barrier of Qing.The governor's residence remained open all night, with white-robed guards patrolling outside as seen during the day.When Mò Rán and Chǔ Wǎnning arrived, there were no empty rooms left;people crowded every corner.
In one corridor room, at least three or four households huddled together, leaving no space to stand.In the end, they had to settle on a hallway.
There were no bedding, so Mò Rán asked the guards for some rice straw and laid it down softly, then held Chǔ Wǎnning up."Sorry you have to sleep here today."Chǔ Wǎnning said: "It's fine.""Is it?" Mò Rán smiled.
"I feel the same."He lay next to Chǔ Wǎnning, stretched his limbs, and propped his arms behind his head as he looked at the clearly defined wooden ceiling."Younger Brother, those birds really know how to create dreams.
Although this dream is based on someone's memory of survival, it actually details down to the wood grain patterns above the arches, which is quite impressive."Chǔ Wǎnning said: "Bird people are half-spirits;their magical abilities are beyond ordinary humans, even if they haven't reached the pinnacle.""True." Mò Rán blinked and turned over, propping his head up to look at Chǔ Wǎnning.
"I can't sleep.""..." Chǔ Wǎnning glanced at him, "Then I'll tell you a story to calm you down."He originally meant it as a jest, but Mò Rán's face was so thick that he actually laughed and said: "Sure, sure.
Tell me the story of the Seven Fairies and Dong Yong."Chǔ Wǎnning didn't expect him to take it seriously;he paused, then reluctantly turned his head away: "You think very well of yourself.
At your age, you're still ashamed."Mò Rán smiled: "But look, people always remember what they can't have regardless of their age.
When I was young and no one told me stories, I would always wonder if there could be someone who would tell them to me.
As time passed, this thought faded, but it never completely left my mind."Chǔ Wǎnning: "...""Didn't anyone ever tell you stories when you were young?""Yeah.""Hahaha, so you actually don't know how to tell the story of Dong Yong and the Seven Fairies, right?" Chǔ Wǎnning: "…Those words are...
not worth mentioning.""You can't say them because you can't.
When you grow up, you'll be just like our Master—such an uninteresting person that no one will want to interact with you."Chǔ Wǎnning said angrily: "I don't need anyone's attention.
Go to sleep now."After saying this, he lay down and closed his eyes.Mò Rán laughed so hard it made him roll around until he was next to Chǔ Wǎnning.
He looked at the young apprentice who was sleeping with his eyes closed, his long eyelashes making him look very cute.
Then Mò Rán reached out and pinched his face playfully."Are you really asleep?""Asleep.""Hahaha," Mò Rán laughed, "Then go to sleep, I'll tell you a story.""You can tell stories?""Yes, just like how you talk in your dreams."Chǔ Wǎnning closed his mouth.Mò Rán lay next to him, their heads very close with the rice straw as pillows.
Mò Rán laughed for a while, seeing that his younger brother wasn't responding, he stopped laughing so wildly but kept his eyes curved as he looked at the ceiling, occasionally inhaling the rough fragrance of the rice straw.
His voice was calm and serene."The story I'm going to tell you is one I made up myself.
Before no one told me stories, I envied them, but there was nothing I could do.
Every night when lying down, I would make up stories for myself to listen to.
The one I'm telling you now is my favorite;I named it 'Cow Eats Grass'."