Star of Another Day

Chapter Two: The Eccentric（2）

As Longfei was about to answer, he suddenly saw Xue Qingsong in the room, got startled, and lost his grip on the window frame, falling backward! Yumeng Wei screamed and leaned out to grab him but only caught a piece of his clothing as he fell too fast.

Frantically, she leaned out the window, fearing the worst after having brought him back from the Snow Mountain and cared for him so diligently. To her astonishment, there was no one below – Longfei had vanished again!

Xue Qingsong hurried over, also noticing the empty ground below. Recalling similar incidents on the Snow Mountain, he asked in surprise, “Where did he go? Does this happen often?”

“This is the second time I’ve seen him disappear…” Yumeng Wei began, but suddenly turned around, feeling a presence. Longfei was standing right behind them, looking scared and unsure of what to do.

Yumeng approached him, comforting, “Don’t be afraid, this is Teacher Xue Qingsong. He was with us when we brought you back from the Snow Mountain. He’s very kind; you don’t need to be scared.”

Xue Qingsong cautiously approached, maintaining a distance, full of questions but unable to ask. After a moment, he extended a fist in a universal mainland greeting, which Longfei curiously imitated, bumping fists with Xue Qingsong.

Xue Qingsong marveled, “Yumeng, did you teach him this greeting? He’s quite good at it.”

“I didn’t teach him; he must have learned by watching you. He learns quickly but is shy. Now that he’s greeted you, he should recognize you and not be afraid anymore.”

Chuckling, Xue Qingsong joked, “If not for his size, I’d say he’s like a baby!”

Yumeng Wei, smiling, asked Longfei, “Did you use your agility skills to get up here? I told you to use the door; you scared me!”

Longfei, looking sheepish, muttered, “Agility skills are fun…”

Xue Qingsong laughed heartily, seeing them together like a mother and child. He wanted to ask more but had pressing matters and had to leave. “I must go now, but I'll come to visit again,” he said, patting Longfei’s shoulder. “Next time, I’ll come to play with you!” Longfei smiled slightly at him as Xue Qingsong left the Pavilion, leaving Yumeng Wei to chide Longfei like a strict mother, taking him to the back yard study to learn writing.

Spring turned to autumn, and Longfei had been at Yumeng Wei’s residence for over half a year. Snow City, located in the north, remained cool even in summer, necessitating warm clothing all year round. By autumn, Longfei was proficient in conversing with the Snow people and showed great interest in reading, spending days engrossed in books in Yumeng Wei’s study.

He showed little interest in martial arts, though he had mastered the agility skill in spring, surpassing Yumeng Wei. Xue Qingsong, seeing his potential, wanted to teach him some moves, but Longfei remained indifferent, losing interest quickly after imitating them, preferring to return to reading. After several attempts, Xue Qingsong gave up.

One day, Xue Qingsong visited with news: the Snow King, having heard of Longfei's rapid progress, wanted to meet him the next day. Yumeng Wei quickly briefed Longfei on the Snow Palace's customs and the Snow King's preferences. Longfei, remarkably intelligent, memorized everything after one explanation.

The next morning, Longfei, dressed in a new blue outfit prepared by Yumeng Wei, looked strikingly handsome. Yumeng Wei felt a stirring in her heart at his presence. Longfei donned a black cloak and followed Yumeng Wei out. It was his first time leaving the residence since arriving in the Snow region. His mysterious origin had raised suspicions among the elders, and Yumeng Wei had been extremely cautious, not allowing him to leave the house and instructing her staff to keep silent about him, so he had only been able to view Snow City from afar.

Longfei was fascinated by everything he saw on the way, his attention captured by every detail. If not for Yumeng Wei holding onto him, he might have gotten lost countless times. They turned corners and walked down a broad street lined with large estates instead of the closely packed shops. Yumeng Wei explained, “This is Shenwu Street. At the end, there are 168 steps leading up to the Snow Palace.”

Longfei nodded, still looking around. Yumeng Wei smiled, “Now that you've grown so much, you can explore more after we return from the Snow Palace, to experience the world.” Delighted, Longfei suddenly lifted her in a twirl, drawing curious glances from passersby. Yumeng Wei, blushing, pushed him away and hurried towards the Snow Palace.

As they ascended the steps, the red Snow Palace came into view. “It’s huge, much bigger than it looks from the Snow Viewing Pavilion!” Longfei exclaimed. Yumeng Wei laughed, “Of course, it’s the Snow King’s residence. Remember to mind your words when you meet him; he wields supreme power over life and death in the Snow tribe.”

They reached the palace gates, guarded by four large armored creatures, the Jia Beasts, twice the height of a normal person, with protruding noses, deep eye sockets, short legs, long arms, and two horns on their heads. Excited, Longfei exclaimed, “Jia Beasts!”

Surprised, Yumeng Wei asked, “How do you recognize them without ever leaving home?” Longfei proudly replied, “I read about them in your study, ‘Chronicles of Monsters and Eccentrics’, Snow Tribe section, page 423.” Amazed, Yumeng Wei said, “Your memory is incredible, remembering everything from just one read. I am truly impressed!”

Longfei responded, “But I don’t have your skill in writing. I need to read more.” Shocked, Yumeng Wei asked, “Have you read all the books at home?” He replied, “I’m on my second round. Some boring books need only one read, but I keep revisiting a few favorites…” Yumeng Wei blushed, remembering Longfei’s story was also in her book. Noting his indifference, she suggested, “You can ask the Snow King to allow you access to the Taixue Pavilion. It has far more books than our home.” Longfei happily agreed.

Jia Beasts, a species in the Snow tribe, have thick black shells for withstanding severe cold and are incredibly strong. Though animalistic, they possess high intelligence and have been loyal guards of the Snow Palace since being domesticated 300 years ago. Their only drawback is their slow movement and declining population.

After a thorough check of their passes, the Jia Beasts allowed them into the Snow Palace. Inside, Longfei was again captivated, contrasting the palace's opulence with the simplicity of Yumeng Wei's home. She reminded him to be mindful of his behavior as they walked a long distance inside, finally reaching a large red hall.

An official, upon seeing Yumeng Wei, hurried inside to announce their arrival and soon gestured them to meet the Snow King. Entering the inner palace, Longfei was distracted by the surroundings, barely noticing the Snow King seated on the stairs. Yumeng Wei glared at him and knelt to greet the King: “Yumeng Wei greets the Snow King, may your majesty's power shine like the Tenglong Snow Mountain!” Longfei, following suit, knelt too, but his eyes wandered, appearing distracted.

The Snow King laughed heartily, “Rise. Longfei, look up. Let me have a good look at you.” Longfei stood confidently and faced the King. The King scrutinized him, recalling his pale and weak appearance when first brought from the Snow Mountain. Now, Longfei looked healthy and spirited, a stark contrast to the languishing figure of the past.

Curious, the Snow King asked, “Longfei, you were found in a cave on the Snow Mountain. Do you remember how you got there, or who trapped you?” Longfei looked puzzled and replied, “Your Majesty, I don’t recall how I ended up in the cave. I can't remember anything before coming to the Snow tribe, and trying to remember gives me headaches.”

The King knew from Xue Qingsong that Longfei couldn't speak a word when he first awoke. It was remarkable how quickly he learned to converse. Suddenly recalling something, the King continued, “I heard you have a purple crystal in your chest. Let me see it.”