Chapter Thirty-Five: Who Is It That Won't Even Spare the Dirt?

Du Fang’s emotions remained unsettled for a long time. He kept staring at the adorable pink pig plush, Kiki. This plush… was actually alive! Du Fang had never realized it. It was the first time he discovered that the pig could move and make sounds. How extraordinary!

He reached out, fiddling with the pig plush, feeling the softness of cotton in his hand—it certainly seemed like a toy. But why could it move? Could it be that this pig was also a forbidden artifact? Du Fang couldn’t help but wonder.

The pig Kiki glanced at Du Fang with its piggy eyes, lowering its head in a meek and docile manner. “Moo-oh, moo-oh.” It even took the initiative to nuzzle against the hem of Du Fang’s trousers, as if trying to please him. This pig was clever.

Du Fang smiled, gently stroking Kiki’s head, his face softening into a gentle smile. Indeed, the prompt from the “Family of Love” panel wasn’t baseless. This pig Kiki truly had something special about it. No wonder Lulu clung to it every day.

Kiki appeared to enjoy Du Fang’s touch, even feeling moved, perhaps a little overwhelmed by the affection. Du Fang’s lips curled into a gentle arc. “Kiki, is it?” he said. “Since you can move and make sounds, stay by Lulu’s side and keep her company.” Du Fang spoke softly.

Kiki paused, glanced at Du Fang, then responded with another “moo-oh, moo-oh.” “I’ll take that as a promise. Lulu doesn’t have other playmates—please, be a good companion to her,” Du Fang continued.

Lulu’s uniqueness meant she could never have friends her own age, nor attend school, nor make new acquaintances. Thus, Du Fang could only entrust Kiki with the task of alleviating Lulu’s loneliness. Though the “Family of Love” panel had hinted that Kiki was not so simple, Du Fang’s only request of her remained unchanged—just this one thing.

Du Fang tossed the living plush Kiki onto the sofa, then sat cross-legged at the coffee table with Lulu. The table was piled high with snacks bought from the food street. Father and daughter sat together, feasting merrily. Laughter echoed through the living room.

Kiki, sprawled on the sofa, dared not move much, gazing with envy at the father and daughter lost in their joyful meal, a little drool escaping her lips. On Du Fang’s shoulder, his wife Yaya’s hand quietly lifted her middle finger, as though examining the ring she wore there—her husband’s first gift to her. She was delighted!

After admiring it for a while, Yaya’s hand danced on Du Fang’s shoulder, her forefinger and middle finger transforming into two long legs, twirling in a playful waltz.

…

Jiangling City First Girls’ High School.

Following a dual mutated dream disaster, the girls’ high school was now utterly silent. The warning tape had not yet been removed; the entire campus remained sealed off.

Those students who had undergone inspection were released, returning home to rest.

Under a moonless, windy night, the sound of tires rolling over gravel rang out. A black, extended luxury sedan slowly approached, stopping at the gates of Jiangling City First Girls’ High School.

“Master, we’ve arrived.” The driver’s door opened, and a man in a tailcoat stepped out respectfully, opening the passenger door. A pointed umbrella tip touched the ground. Black leather shoes pressed onto the pavement, and then, with a pop, the umbrella opened.

To wield an umbrella at night—how unusual. Yet the driver remained as courteous as ever, sensing nothing amiss.

The figure walked up to the school gate, taking a deep breath.

“Old Chang, do you know why this girls’ high school suffered a dream disaster?” the figure asked, his voice refined, carrying a noble elegance.

“In this campus ruled only by grades, there was a girl whose grades were abysmal—she often failed. Yet once, not only did she pass, she scored high. She was overjoyed, but soon accused of cheating, scolded by her parents, berated by teachers, and spurned by all. She wept in the night, unable to bear the pressure. In a night just like this, she jumped from the highest building on campus. Her departure was far from peaceful.”

“So, I helped her create this dream disaster. She died for failing and cheating, so now all those who fail exams and those who cheat must die as well.”

The figure spoke quietly, his tone tinged with regret. “Such a vibrant body, yet she didn’t cherish it—it’s heartbreaking.” He mourned the ruined flesh.

“Master, let’s not lament the body now. The forbidden artifact we buried in this dream disaster… has disappeared,” the driver reminded, head bowed.

The elegant figure, savoring the scent of blood in the air, froze.

“Yes… I thought the forbidden artifact would drink the blood of many dream-walkers, raising the quality of the ‘hand’ sealed within to its peak, but… it’s gone! Who took it?!”

The figure covered his face, trembling and wild, like a remorseful specter howling in the dark.

“But what matters isn’t the artifact itself—it’s the hand inside! Such flawless flesh, that is the Hand of God! The essential element for my next perfect body! I will find it! I must reclaim it!”

He gripped the umbrella, consumed by madness. He stepped forward, entering the campus. Countless fragments of the dream disaster swirled up in a storm. The figure seemed to walk through time and space.

He reached out and grasped. Shattered glass and silent black matter gathered in his palm like fine sand.

“Why is there a chunk missing from the Mud of Calamity? Who did this?! Even the earth wasn’t spared!” The figure roared in fury, his composure shattered.

After a long while, he grew eerily calm again—cycling between frenzy and silence, his laughter low and shallow.

“Well then, since the Mud of Calamity was taken, it won’t be hard to find you…”

…

The next day.

Clear skies. Brilliant sunshine, perfect weather.

Du Fang stretched lazily, climbing out of bed after a restful night. He made breakfast for Lulu. After they enjoyed a delicious morning meal together, he donned a black trench coat, packed his phone and pistol, and prepared to take Lulu to Dreamwalker Tower.

Su Jiuming had told him that today he needed to go to the Wildfire Squad’s base, where Captain Zhang, Su Jiuming, and others would put him through special training for the upcoming Dreamwalker Invitational for newcomers.

Competition comes third, friendship second, prize money first. Du Fang was aiming solely for the tournament’s prize. At the very least… he hoped for a consolation prize as a top sixteen finisher—even that was a ten-thousand-yuan reward!

After breakfast, Du Fang took Lulu out, locked the door, and stepped into the elevator.

“Ding~”

The elevator doors opened. Du Fang was surprised to find it packed with furniture. A sweating young man was busy moving pieces out.

“New neighbor?” Du Fang wondered aloud. He realized the apartment next door had been vacant for ages.

The young man smiled brightly. “Yes, you must be a resident here—pleased to meet you. We’ll be neighbors from now on, let’s get along.”

Du Fang returned a gentle, polite smile. “Do you need help?” he offered warmly.

Though he had experienced much indifference and coldness in the real world, Du Fang firmly believed that if everyone offers a little kindness, the world will become warmer.

“No need, no need—just a few things, I’ll be done soon. You’re headed to work, aren’t you? Go on, don’t be late!” the young man replied hurriedly.

“Hey, we’re neighbors now, no need for formalities.” Du Fang grinned, rolled up his sleeves, and started helping move furniture, washbasins, suitcases, and more from the elevator.

After a busy spell, the job was finished.

“All done. I’ve got to run—let’s chat another time.” Du Fang took Lulu’s hand, stood in the elevator—he still needed to head to Dreamwalker Tower.

The elevator doors began to close, together with the smiling face of the young man. As the doors shut completely, Du Fang noticed that the young man had a monkey-face mask hanging at his waist.

Seeing this mask, Du Fang paused, his expression shifting. Suddenly, he realized he had never bought Lulu any toys.