Chapter Thirty-Two: "Journey" and the Gift

That evening, Lily tried to invite Liu Shiqin and the others from the orphanage to join her for dinner, but was politely refused with the excuse of not feeling well. Instead, Shiqin only asked Lily for some compressed biscuits and water.

Closing the door behind her, Lily couldn't help but sigh. If she had known, she would have suggested bringing food to Shiqin's room and kept her company; at least then she might have had a chance to talk with her for a bit.

"Don't rush, don't rush," Lily murmured softly to herself.

The longer John remained missing, the slimmer the chances for his team to rescue him. But this was an issue that concerned Lily and St. Lance's Orphanage, not Liu Shiqin. To Shiqin, everyone at the orphanage were strangers; Lily couldn't force her to do anything.

Moreover, Lily now realized that the information Shiqin shared with her that morning was already a way of repaying the orphanage for its help. If she wanted more, she would have to either become her friend or offer something in exchange.

Having come to this conclusion, Lily did not linger outside Shiqin's door. Instead, she went down to the third-floor common area to look for Aiden.

Aiden was the most familiar with the "junk" storage area downstairs. Lily wanted to try trading some items with Shiqin for useful information. After all, the importance of information disparity had been obvious since the information explosion decades ago—let alone in a world now so strange and unfathomable.

If Shiqin was willing to reveal a little more, it could mean immeasurable help for the people at the orphanage.

Yet Lily didn't find Aiden; instead, the Natasha twins tugged at the corners of her skirt.

Composing herself, Lily crouched down to their level and smiled. "Natasha, Natasha, good evening. Is there anything I can help you with?"

Neither twin answered at first. After a brief glance and clasp of hands, Natasha fished a sealed envelope out from her layered cake-like skirt and handed it to Lily, while Natasha spoke up at the same time: "The black-haired sister gave this to us this afternoon and told us to deliver it to you after dinner."

"A letter from Miss Liu Shiqin?" Lily was taken aback, accepting the envelope and feeling its contents—perhaps only a page or two.

What could this mean? She had already thanked Lily in person that morning. There was no reason to write a separate letter of thanks… Could this be some custom from her homeland?

Despite her confusion, Lily thanked the twins sincerely before walking to the exercise room on the third floor, the quietest spot with the fewest children.

The envelope wasn't sealed, just folded over itself. Lily easily drew out two neatly folded sheets of letter paper.

Taking a slow breath, Lily unfolded the pages and began to read.

Good evening,

Miss Lily.

I'm sorry to say farewell in this way.

At this line, Lily's eyelids twitched. She wanted to rush to the fourth floor and check Shiqin's room, but restrained herself and resolved to finish reading first.

I'm sorry to say farewell in this way.

The reason I didn't describe the "Guests'" abilities in detail is because tonight I intend to attempt a "visit" to my original destination. Whether I succeed or fail, you won't find me in the guest room anymore.

The "Guest's" ability, in Western terms, can be understood as teleportation. As far as I know, every orphanage in Xia covered by the fog tornadoes has at least one "Guest." That is why I was so surprised when I learned St. Lance's Orphanage had none.

What surprised me equally was that your orphanage knows absolutely nothing about the "Paths." The only explanation I can think of is that the British government has deliberately kept these things from you. I borrowed your copy of "A Comprehensive Study of the Mist 2.4" from the two young girls. There are many ambiguities compared to the version I read in Xia.

I'm sure you have already realized that the world is no longer what it once was, and we "chosen children" are the first to glimpse a fragment of its reality.

On the second page, I've written brief notes on the abilities and outward signs of the "Paths" I mentioned earlier today. I hope this will help you all at St. Lance's Orphanage.

It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Lily. Your Chinese is truly impressive—it surprised me.

Liu Shiqin

Lily didn't immediately read the second page. Instead, she took the letter and made her way to Shiqin's room on the fourth floor, knocking softly.

No answer.

Lily smiled wryly, turned the handle, and pushed the door open.

As expected, there was no sign of Liu Shiqin. The bedding was folded with military precision, the pillow resting quietly atop the neat square, and the window stood open, the curtains swaying gently in the night breeze.

Moonlight filtered through the mist, casting a silvery veil over the room's lone desk. Half the surface glimmered in the faint light, the other half swallowed by darkness.

Just as Lily was about to leave, something shimmering on the desk caught her eye. After a moment's hesitation, she stepped closer and discovered a small, exquisitely crafted wooden stick. The head was large, while the tail tapered into a rounded cone. The head was carved into a charming cloud shape, and the grain of the wood rippled along the shaft.

Picking it up, Lily was surprised by its weight, almost doubting that it was made of wood.

She didn't know what it was, but she found it beautiful—she liked it very much.

"Could this be a gift from Miss Shiqin?" Lily wondered.

After all, she was the only one likely to come to Shiqin's room first, having been entrusted by the twins to deliver the letter.

After a moment's silence, Lily gazed out at the hazy moonlight and whispered, "Thank you for your gift, Miss Shiqin. I truly love it."

Glancing once more at the meticulously folded bedding, Lily backed out, closing the door behind her.

She would return to her own room to read the second page of the letter. Perhaps she could figure out which "Path" was hers. Yet she remembered the way Shiqin had spoken of the "Paths" that morning, her expressions and choice of words. Lily had the sense that there were more than just a few "Paths"—when Shiqin listed them, it was more as if she were offering examples.

With that, she quietly departed.