Chapter 23: The Joy of a Grand Dream (New Book—Please Add to Your Collection)

The ethereal voice did not answer Xi Yan’s question, and in the end, he drifted into unconsciousness…

…

Chirping.

Chirping.

The sudden call of birds pierced the air, and the blazing sunlight shone upon Xi Yan’s face. The dazzling light and the noisy sounds roused him from his groggy slumber.

“So noisy…” Xi Yan grumbled before even opening his eyes.

But as soon as he complained, he sensed something was amiss. Birds singing? How could there be birdsong? Ever since the apocalypse, he hadn’t heard a single bird.

Startled, Xi Yan sat up abruptly and looked around. He found himself sitting on a soft and comfortable bed. The room was small but tidy and clean. Next to his bed was a window, open to the morning air. When the breeze blew, the white gauze curtain fluttered gently.

Outside the window stood a large tree, one he found intimately familiar. Every summer, insects would gather by that tree, and some would inevitably find their way inside. He and his sister would then begin their campaign to rid the house of bugs.

This was the place he and his sister called home! Xi Yan was utterly stunned.

He couldn’t have been more familiar with this place. After leaving the orphanage, he and his sister had worked tirelessly, renting this very apartment—a modest two-bedroom with a kitchen, living room, and bathroom.

But after the apocalypse, their home had been destroyed by the Fallen, and the siblings had been forced to wander, struggling for each meal.

“Brother, what’s wrong? Why do you look so dazed? Hurry up and eat breakfast—we need to get to work soon!”

At that moment, someone Xi Yan had missed day and night, someone who occupied his every thought, walked in—Celine.

Xi Yan’s mouth fell open, unsure of what to say.

Celine brought the breakfast to his bedside and set it on the nightstand, looking at him helplessly. “Brother! If you don’t eat, you’ll be late today and lose your perfect attendance!”

He glanced at the food, then at Celine, and finally pulled her into a tight embrace.

Celine was startled by his sudden gesture. “Brother… what’s wrong? Are you not feeling well? If you’re sick, take the day off. I’ll—”

“Sis, I missed you so much…” Xi Yan said, his voice muffled as he held her.

She gently patted his back, her tone soft and concerned. “Brother, what’s wrong? Did you have a nightmare?”

He released her and scrutinized her face, then pinched himself—hard. It hurt.

So it wasn’t a dream! For a moment, Xi Yan was stunned, then elated.

Celine, seeing his strange behavior, quickly grabbed his hand. “Brother, why are you hurting yourself like that?”

He burst out laughing, happiness bubbling up uncontrollably. “No! I’m not hurting myself. I’m just so happy! Sis! Sis! Hahaha!”

He was as delighted as a child, but Celine only frowned and smiled helplessly, watching him with gentle exasperation.

After a few seconds, Xi Yan composed himself, took the breakfast she brought, devoured it in a flash, got out of bed, changed his clothes, and hurried out the door to work.

As he walked down the street, Xi Yan was filled with joy. The city was bustling, lively, and peaceful.

There was no sign of ruins, no Fallen. He pinched himself again, confirming it was not a dream.

So, he thought, if this isn’t a dream, then the apocalypse must have been—a nightmare.

Wait… the apocalypse? What was I just thinking about the apocalypse? He suddenly stopped, confused.

He could no longer recall what had been on his mind.

But the sight of people rushing through the streets reminded him: if he didn’t hurry, he would be late for work. So he quickened his pace.

Five minutes later, breathless, Xi Yan arrived at his company’s building, took a moment to recover, and dashed inside.

Catching an elevator during rush hour was a challenge. The building had more than thirty floors, and his office was on the twenty-ninth. If he missed this elevator, he’d have to wait at least ten minutes for the next.

“Wait! Please wait!”

He called out to those inside, and someone held the door for him. Xi Yan made it just in time.

A busy day began. Immersed in work, Xi Yan felt an unusual sense of fulfillment, but something tugged at his mind, as though he’d forgotten something important.

Just before lunch, his colleague Xiao Yun approached his desk. As he was organizing documents, preparing to eat, he paused to ask, “Is there a new assignment?”

Xiao Yun smiled and shook her head. “No, I just wanted to invite you to lunch. You spoke up for me to the boss yesterday, and I want to thank you.”

Relieved that it wasn’t more work, Xi Yan relaxed. Xiao Yun was the boss’s secretary and often brought news of new projects.

Yesterday, Xiao Yun had nearly botched a project, so Xi Yan had kindly intervened on her behalf.

But he didn’t particularly like Xiaoyu and had no desire to have lunch with her, so he declined politely. “No, thank you. My sister brought me lunch.”

As they spoke, the lunch break arrived. Xi Yan packed up his papers and stood to head to the cafeteria.

Yet Xiao Yun persisted, blocking his path. Whether intentionally or not, as she reached for him, her thin jacket slipped from her shoulder, revealing her bare skin.

Xi Yan frowned and looked away. “I have to go eat. You should, too.”

He tried to step around her, but no matter which way he moved, she blocked him.

Seeing that he remained unmoved, Xiao Yun lost patience. She grabbed his arm, forcing him to meet her gaze. “Xi Yan! I like you. Isn’t it obvious?”

He pressed his lips together, offering no reply, his gaze cold.

She went on, “If you’ll be with me, I’ll take care of you. What do you say?”

Furious, Xi Yan shook her off and looked at her with icy disdain. “I hope you’ll show some self-respect.”

With that, he pushed past her and walked to the cafeteria.

When he returned to his desk in the afternoon, he found it cleared out. Standing beside it, Xiao Yun watched him with a look of smug satisfaction.