Chapter 104: Luoluo Seems to Catch a Whiff of Her Aunt’s Scent

The next day, the sky was overcast with a light drizzle.

Du Fang changed into the trench coat that symbolized a Dreamwalker and locked the door behind him, holding Luo Luo’s hand. Turning around, he glanced at Brother Hou’s house with its doors tightly shut.

“I miss Brother Hou’s ginger duck soup…” Du Fang muttered, lips pursed.

Objects evoked memories of people.

Yet, he had to admit, the taste of Brother Hou’s ginger duck soup was the most unforgettable flavor he had ever known.

Beside him, Luo Luo silently watched Du Fang’s gaze fixed on Brother Hou’s door, her eyes filled with a mixture of emotion and recollection. She puckered her lips slightly.

Dad must be feeling down, too.

Here we go again, reminiscing painfully.

Without dwelling too long, Du Fang led Luo Luo out of the residential complex.

The sky drizzled softly as Du Fang opened a black umbrella, mostly shielding Luo Luo’s head while his own shoulder got wet from the rain.

His assistant, Su Xiaoyu, was waiting at the gate as usual, slurping on snail noodles while waiting for Du Ge—almost a habit by now.

Du Fang stepped out and immediately spotted Su Xiaoyu, who tilted her head, held her umbrella crookedly with one hand, and used the other to pick up noodles with chopsticks.

Seeing Du Fang, she quickly put away her noodles, wiped her mouth, freshened up to remove the lingering aroma, and hurried over.

Du Fang was at a loss for words—he had never met a girl who liked slurping noodles this much.

They got into the assistant’s car and headed to the Dreamwalker Tower.

Today, the tower carried a somber air.

In the elevator, Du Fang unexpectedly saw familiar faces—none other than Lan Xiang and Sun Zhe.

Both wore black armbands, and upon seeing Du Fang, they nodded in silent greeting.

“Today’s funeral is for Captain Sun,” Lan Xiang said.

Lan Xiang no longer bore the haughty demeanor he once had, as if he had matured overnight.

He used to think he was incredibly gifted, with limitless potential, viewing the Silver Wolf Squad merely as a stepping stone.

But now, after what Sun Yaohai taught him in the hospital, he truly understood the significance of being a Dreamwalker.

Du Fang nodded. “My condolences.”

When the elevator reached the Wildfire Squad’s base, Du Fang and his assistant stepped out.

The doors closed behind them, and Lan Xiang and Sun Zhe watched Du Fang leave.

Inside the elevator, silence fell again.

Sun Zhe bit his lip, unable to hide his sorrow.

“Brother Lan… my father sacrificed himself. Although the Silver Wolf Squad has received plenty of subsidies, without a senior Dreamwalker at the helm, the Silver Wolf Squad will no longer be a top-tier team.”

His eyes shone with sadness and loss.

Lan Xiang lifted his chin, patted Sun Zhe’s shoulder, and forced a light smile. “Don’t worry. I will bring the Silver Wolf Squad back to the elite ranks.”

“Trust me.”

A fierce fire burned in Lan Xiang’s eyes.

It was a promise to Captain Sun Yaohai.

…

At the Wildfire Squad base, Zhang Changlin smoked quietly by the window, staring outside, lost in thought.

Rain fell softly, blotting the windowpane with a misty veil.

Du Fang glanced at Zhang Changlin with mild surprise, about to greet him when Su Jiuming interrupted.

“Let him be. Sun Yaohai’s burial is today. After all these years as rivals, Old Zhang is bound to feel down. He’s going to see him off.”

Su Jiuming knew Zhang Changlin well.

Du Fang nodded and refrained from interrupting.

After finishing his cigarette without stubbing it out, Zhang Changlin approached.

“Xiao Du, come with me,” he said, his beard unkempt.

Du Fang didn’t refuse. Though he wanted to spar with Zhang, seeing the older man’s mood, he held back.

They took the elevator down to the underground garage.

Zhang Changlin started his old black sedan, and Du Fang sat in the passenger seat as the car pulled out of the Dreamwalker Tower.

About ten minutes later, the car stopped in a silent, deserted forest.

“Where are we?” Du Fang scanned the surroundings—only rain-soaked shrubs and trees.

Zhang Changlin opened the door, letting the drizzle dampen his hair, and walked toward the low bushes, gazing into the distance where a cemetery lay.

“This cemetery is reserved for Dreamwalkers in Jinling City. Those who fall in battle are buried here. It is the resting place of honor.”

He took out a cigarette, lit it, and the smoke curled in the misty rain.

“Sun Yaohai is buried there. Perhaps one day, I will be laid to rest here too.”

Du Fang looked at the graves—many were new, including Sun Yaohai’s, surrounded by wreaths and offerings.

“Sun Yaohai, though he liked to give me trouble, was a qualified Dreamwalker. He had his own principles, which is rare in Dreamwalkers nowadays.”

“Today’s world sees financial tycoons meddling in the Dreamwalker realm, pouring money into cultivating them. Many Dreamwalkers join these tycoons for wealth and resources, serving their interests.”

“This has made it increasingly difficult for Dreamwalkers to hold onto their duties and responsibilities, and their faith grows ever weaker.”

“Whether they uphold their obligations depends on their nature.”

Zhang Changlin exhaled smoke and said to Du Fang, “This is the environment of the Dreamwalker world. It wasn’t always like this.”

He smiled faintly and looked at Du Fang. “I brought you here mainly to share some heartfelt words.”

“Du Fang, you are strong—both in potential and current ability. You even harbor a Fallen God within, and you seem to control it. Your future is boundless.”

Du Fang listened quietly.

The forest was deathly silent except for the rain’s soft patter on leaves and tombstones.

Zhang Changlin smoked and continued, “But I hope you don’t let your power blind you. From our time together, I know you’re cold and sometimes ruthless, but you also have moments of passion and warmth.”

“That means you are different from many Dreamwalkers controlled by greed—you still have your basic conscience.”

“I know you’re unique. You won’t belong to Wildfire or Jinling…”

“But as your current captain, I want to say something seriously: This world may seem stable and beautiful, but all its beauty is fragile as paper, like a mirage.”

“We Dreamwalkers are the last line of defense preserving this world’s beauty. If we falter, the world’s order will soon collapse.”

“As Dreamwalkers, perhaps we must have the courage and resolve to uphold our principles even at the cost of our lives.”

Zhang Changlin looked earnestly at Du Fang.

Du Fang glanced toward the distant cemetery, then back at Zhang.

Zhang Changlin said no more. “I hope you use your power wisely… the beauty of this world is fragile.”

“Consider it my plea: If one day this city faces an unprecedented crisis, I hope you will offer your strength for its fragile beauty.”

“And if you can’t help, that’s okay, but please don’t let your power worsen the fragility of this world’s beauty.”

A faint smile crept onto Zhang Changlin’s grim face.

He didn’t demand Du Fang to sacrifice his life to uphold Dreamwalker principles.

He only asked that Du Fang do what he could.

It was a little moral pressure rooted in Zhang’s own selfish hopes, but also a precaution after learning of the terrifying power within Du Fang.

The power of the Fallen God itself was not frightening.

What was frightening was the one who commanded that power.

Du Fang stared at the cold graves, at the lonely tombstones surrounded only by wreaths and offerings.

After a long moment, he slowly nodded and looked at Zhang Changlin.

“Captain Zhang, you must believe me.”

“I love my world. Everywhere I look, there is beauty.”

Under the veil of rain,

Zhang Changlin, smoking, was stunned.

Then he burst into hearty laughter.

…

The old black car returned to the Dreamwalker Tower.

Du Fang and Zhang Changlin had just arrived back at the base when they saw the team happily packing up.

The assistant came out of a room, beaming.

“Everyone, hurry up and get ready—we’re going to my place for a meal!”

Upon seeing Du Fang return, the assistant’s eyes lit up.

“Du Ge, go freshen up. My grandfather said he’ll cook himself. We should head to my house soon.”

Du Fang blinked. “Oh… okay.”

Zhang Changlin was a bit baffled. He watched Su Jiuming gleefully selecting among colorful blazers, Si Nan applying eyeliner on himself, and Chen Xi and Zhao Lu preparing to change clothes.

He felt his face growing darker.

Suddenly, he felt his role as captain was somewhat redundant.

“What are you all doing?” Zhang Changlin asked, frowning as he grabbed the strutting Su Jiuming.

Su Jiuming held a flashy green blazer and smiled seductively. “Going to Xiaoyu’s house for dinner. His grandfather is hosting, and the richest man in Jinling City is cooking personally. How could we not go?”

Zhang Changlin frowned. “Why didn’t I know about this?”

“Oh, Xiaoyu told me to pass the message, but I forgot…”

Su Jiuming rolled her eyes playfully. “But don’t worry, Xiaoyu said it’s fine if you don’t go, but you, Du Du, absolutely must.”

Zhang Changlin: “…”

Was this world full of stabs to the heart?

No kindness anywhere?

“Hmph! So what if the richest man is hosting? Are we Dreamwalkers short of money? Can’t we have some principles and integrity?”

“If I, Zhang Changlin, don’t eat this meal, what of it?”

He scowled at the jubilant Su Jiuming.

Su Jiuming glanced at him. “Mr. Su, Jinling’s richest collector, owns many forbidden artifacts, including numerous high-grade ones…”

Zhang Changlin stiffened.

From afar,

Assistant Su Xiaoyu looked at Zhang Changlin. “Captain Zhang, change your clothes and come along.”

Zhang Changlin looked at Su Xiaoyu, his grim face breaking into a genuine smile.

“All right.”

Su Jiuming: “…”

He was truly foolish.

He actually lectured Zhang Changlin on integrity.

The entire Wildfire Squad changed clothes.

Just as they reached the bottom of the Dreamwalker Tower,

Assistant Su Xiaoyu had prepared a fleet of stretched luxury cars.

Once the team boarded, the cars slowly rolled toward the outskirts of Jinling City, where the largest estate stood.

…

Following a winding asphalt road,

A grand iron gate with European-style design slowly opened, pulled by attendants dressed in black suits.

The stretched luxury cars entered in order.

Through the windows, a castle-like European manor rose majestically.

Veiled by the rain, it resembled a lazy white cat licking its fine fur, exuding both elegance and nobility.

One by one, handsome attendants in white shirts and black vests opened the car doors, courteously inviting the guests out.

Du Fang stepped down, staring at the enormous mansion, momentarily stunned.

It was as if… this was his dream.

Luo Luo’s eyes sparkled lightly as she gasped softly.

But soon, she twitched her cute little nose, puzzled, tilting her head slightly.

She tugged Du Fang’s arm.

Du Fang paused and looked at her.

Luo Luo raised her delicate, adorable face, beaming with excitement.

“Daddy, daddy!”

“Luo Luo thinks she smells Auntie’s scent!”

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