Chapter 300

Chapter 300: The Present and the Future

Not long after Ajin left in the middle of the night, he also woke up. Upon discovering that neither Ajin nor Hei Dan were there, he went out to search and found Hei Dan sitting on the carpet by the door with his legs hugged.

The little guy sat there, his eyes fixed on the entrance, lost in thought.

Though not entirely coherent, Hei Dan mentioned that Ajin had gone out. However, when Ji Huan asked where Ajin had gone, the child refused to elaborate.

The room was somewhat chilly, and the little monster was dressed lightly. Thus, Ji Huan decided to pick him up first.

Originally, he intended to tuck him back into bed for some more sleep. The little monster did indeed hold onto the covers obediently but wouldn't settle down. So, Ji Huan got up and headed to the kitchen, planning to warm some milk for the child—Ajin had placed the newly bought camel milk in the kitchen yesterday, which he hadn't had time to organize yet.

But as soon as he entered the kitchen and reached for a few cups, Ji Huan immediately sensed something amiss.

His gaze instinctively fell on the milk cup he was holding, Hei Dan's cup.

He examined the handle: there was a tiny chip on it.

That chip had formed when Hei Dan accidentally bumped the cup during his first attempt at washing it. Hei Dan had cried for a long time back then. Eventually, Ji Huan suggested painting a small flower over the chip to cover it, which made Hei Dan smile through his tears.

However, the flower that Black Egg drew seemed invisible to anyone but himself. But seeing the joy on the little one's face, Ji Huan was willing to believe there was indeed a flower there. Thus, every time he reached for the quilt, he would subconsciously glance at that spot, wary of accidentally touching and wiping away the unseen bloom.

Now, the chip in the cup that marked Black Egg's first time washing it for Jiujiu still remained. But...

Ji Huan felt a sense of unease.

Just then, his calf suddenly felt warm. Looking down, he found that the little monster had somehow slipped out from under the bed and pitter-pattered over to him, instinctively hugging onto Jiujiu's slender calf.

After doing this, the little creature lifted its head and, upon noticing the cup in Jiujiu's hand, exclaimed, "Flower is gone."

Lowering his head, Ji Huan met Black Egg's gaze, who was holding onto his calf with eager anticipation.

In that instant, a realization dawned upon him, reminding him of what Black Egg had said the previous night:

"This spoon is so comfortable! More comfortable than the old one!"

Those were Black Egg's words when he'd commented on the ear scoop he'd used the night before. Back then, Ji Huan had sensed something amiss, but weariness had taken over, and Ajin had turned off the lights, causing him to doze off. Now, reflecting back...

Yes... It was the house that was wrong!

Ji Huan combed through every corner of the kitchen, and after meticulous comparison, he finally understood the source of the dissonance in his heart:

This was not their house in Ye Falar.

Despite its identical appearance, it was not their home.

It was an imitation!

No matter how perfect the imitation, it could not deceive those who used and cared for it daily. No wonder he had felt something amiss since yesterday.

Simultaneously, the sound of Grandpa's footsteps echoed from upstairs:

"Little Hua! Let me tell you, there seems to be something off with our house. When I got up to use the toilet just now—"

It was evident that Grandpa had also noticed it.

The trio stood together, comparing and summarizing the oddities they each discovered. Ji Huan glanced out the window—

Though the sky was not yet fully illuminated, a faint light had begun to dawn.

Finally, he opened the door.

The first thing he saw was the trio of Big Bai's family blocking the entrance.

For some reason, they had all slept in the corridor, along with the now sixteen chickens that had multiplied.

He patted Big Bai on the head, then lifted his gaze. That's when he froze in astonishment:

The small courtyard outside the house had vanished!

In its place stood a lush forest.

Trunks so thick that two people holding hands couldn't encircle them, leaves larger than Ji Huan's face, and the air around them was fresh and moist, as if one could drown in the humidity from just a single breath...

It was a forest!

They were actually in a forest right now!

Ji Huan took a deep breath of the seemingly flower-scented air. Immediately after, he heard chirping sounds.

A familiar chirping echoed.

It resembled an ancient musical instrument, akin to an organ or a flute. Ji Huan lifted his head and saw the young Nigadi ascending from the rooftop.

So it had come too.

The surroundings seemed to have startled the petite creature, but as a Nigadi bold enough to seek work in its youth, its courage swelled upon seeing "the boss's" family. It soon soared into the air, clearly enjoying the comfortable humidity in this area, trilling happily.

Ji Huan couldn't help but feel a slight sense of relief upon seeing the little Nigadi in this situation. Big Bai still stood in the corridor, accompanied by Little Lu, while Ailuo Ka was eagerly preparing to jump down the stairs beside them.

"Mm, Ajin, what are you up to..." Ji Huan muttered, gripping the railing outside the staircase as he descended slowly.

He was now certain that Ajin was behind all this.

No wonder he had been urged to "rest first" and "finish the remaining tasks after daybreak" since yesterday.

What did "after daybreak" signify?

Indeed, the sky was beginning to lighten.

Ji Huan thought to himself, looking up at the sky.

Hei Dan had already called down the young Nigadi, who was happily sprawled on the dew-soaked ground. The little Nigadi invited "Boss" and his family to sit on its back, a gesture that dovetailed perfectly with Ji Huan's thoughts. Thus, accompanied by Hei Dan and Grandfather, the entire family climbed onto the back of the young Nigadi.

With a joyful cry, the little Nigadi took off again, this time soaring even higher than before.

Soaring over rooftops and treetops, Ji Huan finally got a clear view of the landscape below.

They were indeed in a forest, but...

As the young Nigadi flew farther away, Ji Huan saw a city.

A city?

More precisely, a small town.

The architectural style was completely different from those in the towns near Ye Falar, a style that Ji Huan was gradually becoming unfamiliar with yet still held dear in his heart!

This was...

The human world? !

This realization sent a jolt through Ji Huan's heart.

It was only just dawn, far from the time when humans would engage in large-scale activities. However, there were always early risers. Finally, when Ji Huan sat on Little Nigadi's back and saw the first human stepping out, he...

...was dumbfounded.

"Little Hua, that monster... is a human, right?" Grandfather was clearly equally astonished, his words disjointed. What he said would have sounded hilarious under normal circumstances.

But no one laughed at him now.

Ji Huan was utterly stunned. Black Dan looked at Jiujiu, then at Grandfather, finally tilting his head in confusion.

Unlike Jiujiu and Grandfather, Black Dan's memories of the human world were incredibly faint. However, it was worth remembering that he had several picture books that Ji Huan had brought from the human world.

Those picture books were Black Dan's first friends, and with them, he had learned many common sense lessons that human children should know. He recognized many things from the human world and could even read.

"What... is going on here..." Ji Huan's mind was completely muddled.

Unbeknownst to him, he had already allowed Little Nigadi to land.

They found themselves standing in front of a breakfast stall in a narrow alley within the town.

The scent of noodles, frying oil, and beans...

It was the familiar yet alien aroma of myriad human lives that Ji Huan knew.

In that moment, he suddenly felt timid. But when he saw Hei Dan, who seemed even more timid by his side, he mustered up his courage.

"Come on, let's go. Uncle will buy you fried dough sticks," Ji Huan said, his voice stiff from not having used human language in a long time.

"Wait—do you have any money, Little Hua?" Grandfather held him back, whispering softly.

Ji Huan nodded and took out the purse he carried with him. From its depths, he fished out an even smaller pouch.

Opening it, he revealed several tattered banknotes.

"This is the money left from before..." He couldn't bear to part with it, so he kept it close, tucked away at the bottom of his purse as a memento.

The three generations stood at the very end of the queue, with little Nigadi instructed to hide carefully.

However...

An unexpected incident occurred while they were waiting in line.

Despite having waited for a long time, not only did they fail to move forward, but more and more people lined up in front of them.

Ji Huan wanted to strike up a conversation with someone but suddenly realized that others seemed unable to see them.

After attempting a few times, he confirmed that indeed, they were invisible to others.

The trio stood silently at the tail-end of the bustling crowd, observing people come and go. They stood there for a prolonged period.

Eventually, it was Ji Huan who heard Hei Dan's growling stomach. Glancing at the little monster licking his lips, Ji Huan finally took three fried dough sticks from the basket and two cups of soy milk and doufu nao. He placed the money in the palm of the proprietress, who ignored him completely, before returning to Grandpa and Hei Dan with their breakfast.

On his left was Jiujiu holding the soy milk, on his right was Grandpa with his doufu nao, and in Hei Dan's small hand was an oily fried dough stick, which the little one was enjoying immensely.

"Is it delicious?" Ji Huan asked him.

The little monster nodded vigorously.

Ji Huan stroked his tiny head affectionately.

Why did Ajin leave them here…? What was his purpose?

Everything felt so surreal, as if it were a dream.

A hometown they never imagined returning to…

They were actually back?

Ji Huan preferred soy milk, while Ajin's heart belonged to tofu pudding. The surplus of both were for Hei Dan, allowing the little one to taste both treats. The little monster precisely consumed half of each, carefully sealed the lids, and stowed them away in his quacking backpack.

Hand in hand with Hei Dan, the trio began their leisurely stroll down the main street.

This was clearly not Badu Town, but even so, since it was part of the human world, it carried a similar atmosphere.

Ji Huan examined his surroundings attentively.

He gazed at the high school students with their backpacks, the hurried salarymen, and the grandpas and grandmas returning from grocery shopping.

Occasionally, there were elementary school kids too.

If it were Hei Dan now, he would be welcomed into any primary school, right?

Hei Dan would undoubtedly be the most well-behaved and intelligent child in his class.

If they hadn't left back then, he should have graduated from university by now. Perhaps he'd be searching for a job.

Grandfather's health is much better now...

All the repressed nostalgia for their hometown surged forth in an instant.

Ji Huan watched with utmost seriousness.

Whenever he saw a toy that would suit a child on the street, he bought one for Hei Dan. He even let Hei Dan ride those electric carousel rides found by the roadside.

He couldn't quite recall their name, but it seemed many parents brought their children to ride them.

Given that no one could see them, the owner rushed out of the house when they inserted coins and the machine started whirring. However, he quickly returned to his meal.

Ji Huan had spent all the coins in his pouch.

They were now transformed into various trinkets within the bellies and hands of the family of three.

It should have been a very joyful day.

Yet, for some reason, everyone seemed a little down.

"Does Hei Dan like it here?" Ji Huan asked softly, as he watched Hei Dan distribute the items.

Hei Dan looked up at him and nodded.

"Do you want to live here?" Ji Huan inquired further.

This time, Hei Dan nodded initially, but then quickly shook his head.

"Why is that?" Ji Huan asked gently.

"For here, Ajin isn't around~" the little monster whispered softly.

In the end, it was impossible to hide from his beloved Jiujiu for too long. As the little monster gazed at Jiujiu, he suddenly burst into tears.

"So tell me, where has Ajin gone?" Thus, Ji Huan asked the question he had put forth to the little monster earlier.

Back then, the little monster had held back some information.

Ji Huan didn't pressure him. Eventually, when the little monster couldn't hold it in any longer, he would reveal everything honestly.

Normally, he was very patient, but today, with the matter involving Ajin, an inexplicable irritability nagged at him, making it hard for him to wait any longer.

Fortunately, it seemed that the little monster had reached the limits of his patience as well.

Sobbing, the little monster clung to Jiujiu's neck.

"Ajin...Ajin went to kill someone!"

He recounted Ajin's words verbatim.

"Killing is not something good children should do, but Ajin said if I didn't go, Jiujiu would die, Grandpa would die... Everyone would die..."

"Jiujiu, don't blame Ajin—"

With these simple words, Ji Huan grasped the situation entirely.

He swiftly recalled Little Nigadi and dashed towards that imitation of "home," not knowing where to find Ajin. All he could do now was return to where they started.

But then—

What after arriving here?

Back then, it was Ajin who had led them away. Now that Ajin was no longer around, how were they supposed to return using the same method?

In an instant, Ji Huan's mind was in disarray. Right at the peak of his confusion, suddenly—

"Ajin?" A sharp pang of pain stabbed his heart, and Ji Huan shot up. He rushed out the door, only to catch sight of a familiar silhouette amidst the trees.

Was that—a bus?