Lucid Dreamer: Dream Hunt

Chapter 7: Heartbeat

“Students, look up. Do you still remember the textbook passage Daiyu Buries the Flowers? We won't rush to string the plot together. First, let’s savor the flavor of 'Petals wither, flowers fly, filling the sky—'" The fifty-something Chinese Literature teacher pushed up his reading glasses, using his digital pen to circle the phrase "Ode to the Burial of Flowers" on the giant touch screen. His fingertip paused, and his voice, steeped in years of reading, was slow and deep. "Look at the word 'fly.' It's not the wind violently blowing them about. The petals are so light, so soft, like tears shed by Daiyu, slowly drifting down.”

Lu Ziyan couldn't care less what Lin Daiyu was burying—cloth, flowers, or a fan—he wasn't bothered. His mind had already drifted away from the seriousness of the line 'Pure I came, pure I go.' His eyes floated towards the window where Xu Liusè had her head bowed, her pen scratching softly on the paper. Her profile was as still as a gongbi painting in the autumn morning light.

Xu Liusè was unquestionably R-Water's person, and he had been pulled into the Association by R-Water as well. By that logic, didn't he and the ridiculously powerful Xu Liusè become... colleagues in the same faction? There were too many mysteries concerning R-Water and the Association. Xu Liusè must know a lot of the inside story. Maybe... he should try to get close to her after class?

The moment the thought surfaced, Lu Ziyan himself shivered. Get close to that iceberg? He could already picture Xu Liusè giving him that soul-freezing glance, then curtly spitting out words like "Boring" or "Go away."

Yet, the ordinary, real-world heart in his chest retained a strange flutter from last night's handshake and the phrase "You're home." Curiosity, or perhaps an unease about his own destiny, ultimately overpowered his fear of the iceberg.

As soon as the dismissal bell rang and the Chinese literature teacher walked out with his lesson plan, Lu Ziyan used his crutch to 'clack-clack-clack' his way over to Xu Liusè's desk.

Only then did he notice the white cloth tied to Xu Liusè's right arm. Had someone in her family passed away? If the conversation started well, should he express his condolences?

"Uh... Xu ?" He tried to make his voice sound natural and friendly.

Xu Liusè looked up, her clear, icy eyes fixing on him without any emotion, as if he were an inconsequential obstruction that had suddenly appeared in her line of sight.

"Is there something you need?" Her voice was flat and unruffled, blander than plain water.

"Um... it's about the Association ... and your 'Master'..." Lu Ziyan wracked his brain, trying to phrase his question so it didn't sound like he was prying into secrets. "We're in the same camp now, right? There are a lot of things I don't understand, and I was hoping to ask you..."

Xu Liusè's gaze seemed to weigh his words in the air, but her eyelashes didn't even tremble. Then, her eyes shifted indifferently away from his face and back to her physics review material. She picked up the material for the next physics class, her voice still cold: "There's no need. Just do what you're supposed to."

Just as he expected. Lu Ziyan was rebuffed, standing awkwardly in place, unable to leave or stay. A few classmates were already looking over curiously, seemingly surprised that the usually timid and honest Lu Ziyan dared to provoke the class iceberg.

Lu Ziyan returned to his seat in embarrassment. Qing Wen leaned in and whispered, "Ziyan, what did you want with her?" His eyes held sympathy; he clearly knew that Xu Liusè was notoriously difficult to approach.

Lu Ziyan sighed, lowering his voice: "Nothing much, just wanted to ask about the Association ... I joined last night too, and she seems to be part of it, so I thought I'd try to exchange notes... but it turns out she's as untouchable as ever."

"The Association? What association? The one that fights the Asura ?" Qing Wen's eyes instantly lit up, and his voice, uncontrolled, rose slightly.

Lu Ziyan quickly 'shushed' him, nervously glancing at Xu Liusè. She didn't seem to have heard, still writing in her physics material.

However, the next second, Xu Liusè abruptly closed her material and stood up. Her movements were unhurried, yet she radiated an aura that commanded silence. She walked directly to Lu Ziyan and Qing Wen. Her gaze first swept over Lu Ziyan, an expression that made him feel all his small thoughts were completely exposed. Then, her sight settled on Qing Wen .

Lu Ziyan's scalp prickled. I'm finished, he thought. Talking about the boss right behind her back. I'm in trouble now. He opened his mouth to apologize: "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have..."

Xu Liusè ignored him completely, only looking at Qing Wen and speaking in her usual flat, emotionless tone: "Tomorrow. You and he come to the Association to report."

"Huh?" Lu Ziyan and Qing Wen froze simultaneously.

Qing Wen was purely surprised and bewildered by the sudden summons. Lu Ziyan , however, felt utter shock and... a trace of indescribable disappointment.

R-Water ... was also interested in Qing Wen? Hadn't he just learned to open the Gate in the Dreamworld? How did R-Water know? And why specifically invite him too?

So, he wasn't the 'special' or unique candidate in R-Water's eyes?

The moment this inexplicable sense of loss cropped up, Lu Ziyan was jerked wide awake—What am I thinking?! R-Water was a mysterious woman who could manipulate his fate and bring endless trouble and danger. He should be scared and resistant, so why would he feel disappointed just because she found someone else?!

This thought sent a chill up his spine. Could R-Water subtly influence his very thoughts? What exactly did that phrase "You're home" and that bizarre handshake plant inside him?

Contrary to Lu Ziyan's shock and uncertainty, Qing Wen's face quickly flushed with excitement after a brief moment of confusion. "The Association? I can go too? Awesome! That sounds so cool!" As an artist, he was full of curiosity and yearning for the dazzling, bizarre Dreamworld , completely oblivious to the potential danger.

After speaking, Xu Liusè didn't give either of them a chance to ask any questions. She turned and returned to her seat, leaving a cold, indifferent back.

Lu Ziyan looked at Qing Wen's excitement, his feelings complicated. Great. The team of unfortunate brothers just got bigger.

Shoudou 18th High School gives one day off every Sunday, so there is no evening self-study on Saturday. When the time agreed upon with Birch arrived, Lu Ziyan was already waiting at the school gate with his crutch.

He was wearing his usual khaki shorts and a slightly faded white T-shirt, blending into the stream of students leaving school. He looked at the traffic on the road, a sudden nervousness creeping in—was he too shabby to go to a high-end restaurant where the average spend started at two thousand yuan? But then he thought, the crutch tucked under his right arm and his injured leg were more eye-catching than any clothes, so it didn't really matter what he wore. Walking anywhere with that thing guaranteed attention.

Not far away, a sleek black sedan, low-profile in design but exceptionally high-quality in texture, was parked quietly by the roadside. The car logo, a rare feathered wing pattern, was recognized by those in the know as a brand specializing in light luxury and customized services, costing a small fortune.

Inside the car, the woman in the driver's seat and the young man in the passenger seat were whispering.

"I wasn't lying, was I? He really does look a bit like him!" Birch pointed at Lu Ziyan looking around by the school gate, his tone filled with the excitement of a new discovery.

The woman in the driver's seat leaned slightly, her gaze passing through the car window and settling on Lu Ziyan's profile, looking somewhat lost in thought. The sunset light outlined the boy's slender silhouette and slightly bewildered expression. She murmured, "Yes, he really does... I was startled the first time I saw him, thinking it was him standing there. Just like two years ago when I first met him, he was also standing across the street waiting for a car to pick him up."

She had long, wine-red hair, as vibrant and serene as a sunset sinking below the horizon, loosely tied at the back of her head. A few strands fell to the side of her neck, catching a soft sheen in the faint light filtering through the window. She was dressed simply in a beige T-shirt and jeans, but they couldn't conceal her shapely figure. Her fingers were long and slender, now unconsciously tapping gently on the steering wheel.

"But you know that's impossible," Birch said in a light tone. "Lü Xin has been gone for a long time."

Hearing that name, the light in the woman's eyes seemed to dim for a moment, and the tapping fingers on the steering wheel stopped. A brief silence fell over the car.

"Oh, come on, not again. You always get like this when Lü Xin is mentioned," Birch tried to break the slightly heavy atmosphere, teasing her with his usual cheerful tone. "The lively girl Yang Zhuotong , who could stay energetic after playing for two days and two nights, is gone~"

Hearing this, the woman took a gentle breath, tilted her head back, and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, her bright eyes were once more filled with a smile, as if the gloom of a moment ago was just a mirage. She casually ran her hand through the strands of hair on her forehead, revealing a bright and somewhat easy-going smile.

"It's fine, I haven't been sad for a long time. It's all in the past. People who love each other will eventually part, right? Maybe it's better to end quickly before it even starts, rather than stay together for fifty years only to be separated by death..." Her voice was soft, as if she were speaking to Birch , yet also telling herself.

"It's best if you think that way!" Birch immediately chimed in. "Everyone misses the vibrant you."

"I've had enough of that," Yang Zhuotong shook her head, as if trying to shake off the last trace of melancholy, her smile becoming bright and straightforward. "Zhuohua , let's go pick him up."

The engine emitted a low, steady hum. The black sedan smoothly pulled out and stopped precisely in front of Lu Ziyan , who was still looking around for that Tianqiong A9.

The passenger window rolled down, and Birch poked his head out, waving with a sunny smile: "Hey, Lu Ziyan !"

Lu Ziyan was startled. He looked at the unfamiliar car and Birch inside, taking a moment to realize: "Birch? Why this car? I was waiting for the Tianqiong!"

"The driver took that car for maintenance," Birch jumped out efficiently, helping Lu Ziyan with a hand and pulling open the rear door. "This is my sister's car. She was free today, so she drove us."

Lu Ziyan followed the direction Birch pointed and looked at the driver's seat. The woman turned her head at the same time, smiling and waving a greeting to him.

In that instant, Lu Ziyan felt his breathing pause.

Her eyes were like amber holding sunlight, bright and warm. Her smile was cheerful and generous, with a natural, reassuring affinity. Her fire-wine red hair made her skin look even fairer. She radiated a healthy, vibrant, and strangely comforting aura. Unlike R-Water's elegant distance, Yang Zhuotong's beauty was direct and fervent, like the brightest ray of light on an autumn day.

"Hello there, Lu Ziyan. Birch has mentioned you. I'm Yang Zhuotong. You can just call me Jie (older sister)!" Her voice was also lovely, clear yet with a hint of lazy magnetism.

Lu Ziyan's face flushed instantly, and his heart pounded so fast it felt like it would leap out of his throat. He clumsily scrambled into the back seat, nearly dropping his crutch, his tongue tied as he replied, "H-hello... Hello, Jie..."

Birch stifled a laugh at his awkwardness and settled into the passenger seat.

The car smoothly merged into the slightly congested evening traffic. The street view and the noise outside seemed to be filtered by an invisible barrier, becoming blurry and distant.

Inside, Yang Zhuotong skillfully navigated the steering wheel while chatting with Birch in the passenger seat. Her conversation was easy and natural, the topics casually revolving around school anecdotes and difficult homework. She occasionally made a pointed tease at Birch, which prompted the boy to yelp and argue back. A comfortable and pleasant atmosphere permeated the car. Soft jazz music flowed from the premium audio system, interweaving with her clear, melodious laughter.

Yet, all of this seemed to be happening in another dimension for Lu Ziyan in the back seat.

He sat rigidly upright, his spine absolutely straight, daring only to rest half of his buttocks on the overly soft leather seat. His hands were placed neatly on his joined knees, the knuckles slightly white from the tension. He clutched the stainless steel crutch tightly in his arms, its cold touch the only thing that made him feel somewhat real at the moment.

All his senses seemed to be firmly captivated by the figure in the driver's seat.

He could clearly smell the faint, subtle scent of fruit from her hair, mixed with the high-end car fragrance, drifting into his nostrils and causing his heart to inexplicably race. He dared not look directly, only using his peripheral vision to catch a glimpse of her fingers resting on the steering wheel—slender, fair, with neatly trimmed, rounded nails, appearing swift and strong when she shifted gears; to catch the beautiful curve of her profile, and the bright, smiling eyes that occasionally met his in the rearview mirror.

Each time, that brief, almost negligible eye contact, was like a faint current of electricity shooting through his limbs!

"Hm? Lu Ziyan, what's wrong? Are you a little unused to this car?" Yang Zhuotong's voice, filled with laughter, suddenly projected towards him precisely through the rearview mirror.

"Ah?! N-no! Very used to it! The c-car is great!" Lu Ziyan was like a statue that had suddenly been unlocked, visibly jolting. He waved his hands frantically, his tongue tied, his speech incoherent. He could feel a fiery heat rush from the base of his neck all the way to his ear tips. He knew without looking that he must look like a ripe tomato.

"Oh~" Yang Zhuotong drew out the sound, her smile deepening. "Then maybe Birch is too loud and bothering you? Hey, Birch , quiet down, your classmate looks uncomfortable."

"Jie! I wasn't!" Birch protested in an aggrieved tone, turning his head to look at Lu Ziyan, who was so embarrassed he was practically shrinking into a ball, and immediately burst into laughter. "Ziyan, why is your face so red? Are you hot? Jie, can you turn up the AC?"

"Not hot! Not hot at all! Really!" Lu Ziyan wished he could find a hole to crawl into, his voice as quiet as a mosquito's hum, his head buried even lower. He felt his hands and feet were stiff and extraneous no matter where he put them. Even his breathing became cautious, afraid of disrupting the harmony in the car.

He had never experienced this feeling before.

Facing Xu Liusè , it was an appreciation based on peerless beauty, mixed with a sense of distance—like admiring a cold, exquisite oil painting, knowing its beauty but not daring or wishing to get close.

Facing R-Water , it was a suffocating mix of fear, curiosity, and a sense of being controlled—like staring into the abyss, mysterious yet dangerous, making him only want to escape.

But the feeling for Yang Zhuotong right now was an attraction, sudden, forceful, and direct, without any reason. It came on so fast and strong, like a ray of sunlight piercing the clouds without warning, instantly illuminating his dull, gray everyday life.

There are always a few times in life when you experience love at first sight. It gives you no room for thought or analysis, only attacking your senses in the most primitive way—accelerated heartbeat, rushing blood, burning cheeks, and dysfunctional speech.

This pure, instinctive heartbeat made him dizzy, his mind blank. All his rationality and composure were utterly defeated the moment those smiling eyes glanced his way. He felt like the clumsy clown again, naked and suddenly kicked into a spotlight. All the lights were shining on him, and he didn't know where to put his hands or feet. He could only awkwardly, stiffly, and with an inner turmoil, endure this sudden baptism—sweet yet utterly disheveled.

Lu Ziyan finally remembered his humble clothes and plucked up the courage to whisper, "Um... is it inappropriate for me to go to such a high-end restaurant dressed like this?"

Birch chuckled, turning his head. "What are you thinking? It's not a state dinner, just a casual meal! You could wear a tank top and flip-flops and it wouldn't matter!"

Casual meal? A casual meal with an average cost of two thousand? Lu Ziyan felt the vast disparity of the world once again.

Unexpectedly, Yang Zhuotong interjected: "He has a point, though. Since it's our first formal meeting, it wouldn't hurt to dress a bit more formally." She steered the car, saying naturally, "There's a shopping plaza around the next corner, and we have time. I'll take you to buy some new clothes."

"Ah? No, no! That's too much trouble!" Lu Ziyan was startled, quickly waving his hands. It was already embarrassing to accept a free meal; how could he let her buy him clothes?

The building ahead was the famous landmark, Wanjin City, a top-tier shopping center that only existed in super-first-tier cities like Shoudou. It was less like a mall and more like a vast, utterly luxurious modern art museum. Constructed entirely of glass and special steel, its lines were cold and futuristic. Inside, it featured a hollow atrium design that stretched out of sight, with natural light pouring down from the dome, illuminating the layered, circular, and well-arranged corridors. It housed luxury brands from all over the world, with window displays resembling art exhibitions. The number of staff here always seemed to outnumber the customers. They could instantly judge a guest's identity and purchasing power, but would never make anyone feel uncomfortable—of course, that was only for the wealthy.

When Lu Ziyan visited the city center in junior high, his favorite thing to do was buy a cup of bubble tea, walk into a shopping center like Wanjin City, drink it while browsing, and point out various luxury items behind the glass with his classmates. Once the bubble tea was finished, they would simply walk away—never buying anything.

"It's fine. Consider it a welcome gift." Yang Zhuotong winked at him through the rearview mirror, her smile playful and irresistible. "Zhuohua , you go with Ziyan to pick something out."

"Got it!" Birch readily agreed.

Lu Ziyan wanted to refuse, but the car had already turned into Wanjin City's underground parking lot. He was dazedly helped out of the car by Birch and dazedly led into the brightly lit mall, which was saturated with the scent of luxury perfumes.

Yang Zhuotong was clearly familiar with the place. She expertly led them into a menswear store with a simple style but excellent quality. Her eye was sharp. She picked up a few pieces of casual wear that looked expensive, held them up against Birch and Lu Ziyan , and quickly made a decision.

"Try this set." She handed a set of casual clothes to Lu Ziyan .

Lu Ziyan , clutching the clothes, was pushed into the fitting room by Birch. He was glad his fractured leg used a lightweight polymer splint, which was barely visible under long pants. After changing, he stood in front of the mirror, looking at the person reflected back at him with a sense of unfamiliarity. The fitted cut and high-quality fabric indeed made him look much more energetic.

"Hey, I actually look decent," he muttered quietly. This was the first time he had worn such expensive clothes.

Birch was waiting outside. When Lu Ziyan emerged, Birch looked him up and down and whistled: "Not bad! It fits perfectly."

Lu Ziyan nervously tugged at the corner of his sleeve. "This... is nothing..." In his eyes, this was the absolute best.

Yang Zhuotong also walked over, examined him closely, and then naturally reached out to straighten the inward-folded collar for him, her fingertip inadvertently brushing his neck. Lu Ziyan tensed up, as if struck by a weak electric current, his face instantly turning scarlet.

"Hmm, much handsomer now," Yang Zhuotong nodded with satisfaction, her smile still bright.

Lu Ziyan's heart pounded. He almost couldn't look her in the eye, stammering, "The... the money for the clothes... I-I'll pay Birch back later..."

Yang Zhuotong laughed at that, waving her hand. "I said it's a welcome gift. Come on, let's go eat. I'm starving."

In the end, Lu Ziyan , wearing his new clothes, which made him feel like he had been repackaged, sat back in the car. His old clothes, placed in a paper bag beside him, reminded him that everything that had just happened was real.

The atmosphere at Luxurious Coast was even more elegant and quiet than Lu Ziyan had imagined. Soft lighting, exquisite tableware, quietly conversing guests, servers in well-tailored uniforms... everything made him feel a bit constrained. But unexpectedly, the discomfort and awkwardness he had anticipated didn't last long.

Perhaps it was because of Birch's usual lively conversation, or perhaps Yang Zhuotong's natural and easygoing attitude—she skillfully ordered the food, even asking about Lu Ziyan's preferences. Her every word and gesture made him feel neither looked down upon nor uncomfortable.

However, the taste of the meal itself was a blur in Lu Ziyan's memory. He vaguely recalled the fresh sweetness and springy texture of the lobster meat and the smooth, salty flavor of the oysters, but his attention was overwhelmingly drawn to Yang Zhuotong across the table.

He remembered her vibrant eyes when she spoke, and the slight curve of her lips when she smiled. He remembered the silver crescent-moon earring, inlaid with deep red gemstones, gently swaying by her ear when she raised her hand. He remembered the deep blue barrette clipped to the side of her forehead. The comb's teeth were very close together, and for some reason, he clearly counted them: thirteen teeth.

Compared to Yang Zhuotong's bright smile, even the most delicious food seemed to lose its flavor.

This might have been the most distracted yet the most reluctant to end meal Lu Ziyan had ever eaten in his life.