Late at night, I looked at the deeply sleeping Tang Xiaohua, carefully pulling the fallen bnket over her before quietly stepping out.

  Standing atop the highest point of the mountains, I gazed into the pitch-bck sky, devoid of stars or moonlight, and took a deep breath. Sitting cross-legged, I focused all my energy, searching for the voice that had led me to Tang Xiaohua—the one who never told a word of truth, that damned old fox!

  Only that elusive old fox could unravel my doubts. I knew it: if Tang Xiaohua were just an ordinary girl, there'd be no way he'd have sent a noble fox spirit like me to her side! A scheme—this had to be a scheme!

  It's been at least ten years since that old fox st reached out to me, ever since I formed a bond with Tang Xiaohua as close as family. Tonight, even if it drains all my spiritual energy, I will reach that old fox!

  The mountain wind blew sharply, cutting straight to the bone, yet sweat began to bead on my forehead. I had no sense of how much time had passed. Finally, when a sliver of moonlight spilled down from above, a man′s voice, impossible to pce by age, reached me—or rather, it resonated deep within my mind.

  "You were looking for me?”

  Overjoyed, I quickly asked, “Where are you? I need to see you. I have many questions that must be answered face-to-face!”

  "I am in the water.”

  I opened my eyes to see the nearby river shimmering under the moonlight, its gentle sound filling the quiet night.

  Scrambling to the riverbank, I leaned over, peering into the water. But all I could see was my own reflection; there was no sign of the old fox.

  "Why did you erase my memories from before?” I shouted at the river, ignoring everything else.

  "Your memories have always been there."

  "Impossible!" I felt a spark of anger rising. "Who exactly is Tang Xiaohua? Her powers couldn't have come from nowhere. I need the truth!"

  "When you remember her name, all your questions will be answered."

  "Old fox, are you messing with me?" I punched the water, cold droplets spshing onto my face.

  "This was your own choice. The only one who can truly unravel the mystery is you." The voice gradually sank into the depths, leaving no trace.

  On the surface of the river, only my fragmented reflection remained.

  No matter how desperately I shouted, the voice didn't respond again.

  ′When you can remember her name, all your questions will have answers.′

  I muttered that phrase like a fool, aimlessly repeating it, forgetting my ability to fly with the wind. I walked, dazed and lost, along the winding mountain road in the deep of night.

  Ahead, the roar of an engine echoed, and two blinding headlights pierced directly into my eyes.

  My body was pierced by the cold steel...

  The intense sensation of being completely shattered and torn apart stirred memories that had in dormant for who knows how long.

  I saw a scarlet three-petaled flower float out from my body, tracing a lonely arc through the air before silently vanishing into the distance.

  "Give me your hand. Hey, what's your name? I'm A Tou."

  "My name is... Bu Yu." (不语: Bù yǔ means Silence.)

  Bu Yu...

  Bu Yu...