Lin Ran looked at Little Black with solemnity.
"If one day in the future, Luo Yao is in danger, or if something happens to her... if she dies," Lin Ran's heart ached at the mere mention of the word "dies." Even imagining Luo Yao losing her breath was unbearable for him.
The image of Luo Yao lying lifeless in a crystal coffin from his past life was forever etched into his mind.
It was a pain he could never forget, a suffering he never wanted to relive.
"...If she dies, you’ll save her life. For someone like you, the Creator, that shouldn’t be too difficult, right?"
His eyes were filled with pleading, hoping Little Black would agree.
Little Black fell silent for a moment.
["I can’t promise you that right away. The last major reversal drained too much of my power. But I can assure you, if that day comes and I still have the ability... I will."]
A flicker of hesitation passed through Little Black’s eyes, but seeing the anguish in Lin Ran’s gaze, it softened.
Lin Ran smiled warmly, his gratitude genuine."That’s enough. Thank you."
His smile was as bright as sunlight, radiating heartfelt appreciation.
Little Black sprawled on the carpet, its inner voice incredulous: ["A miracle—you actually said thank you?"]
It stared at Lin Ran in surprise. In its memory, Lin Ran rarely expressed thanks so sincerely.
Lin Ran’s face darkened. He was a civilized person, after all.
He gave Little Black a helpless look, torn between amusement and exasperation at its teasing.
Before Lin Ran could respond, Little Black’s voice chimed in again.
["But verbal thanks aren’t enough. What I need right now is some fish."]
Little Black licked its paw, eyes gleaming with hunger.
Lin Ran immediately replied, "No problem. I’ve already prepared some, and I make sure to replace them with fresh ones every day, just waiting for you."
He walked to the kitchen and brought out a plate of golden fried fish, its aroma irresistible.
["Now we’re talking. Meow—nom nom nom."]
Little Black pounced on the fish, devouring it with relish.ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ ɴovel(ꜰ)ɪre.nᴇt
As it ate, completely absorbed in its feast, Lin Ran felt a weight lift from his shoulders.
He knew that if Little Black accepted his offering, it meant the promise was real.
It brought him immense relief—at least Luo Yao had one more layer of protection.
[Little Black: "Alright, what’s your wish this time? Where do you want to go?"]
After finishing its meal, Little Black licked its lips and turned to Lin Ran.
Lin Ran had already made up his mind.
"I want to see Luo Yao at her loneliest, most desperate moment."
He wanted to understand her past, to know the pain she had endured.
[Little Black: "That’s a tough one. I can’t read her mind—how would I know when she felt the loneliest? But I’ll try. Let me see... Ah, found it. Around this time. Get ready, we’re leaving now."]
Little Black closed its eyes, summoning its power.
"Wait." Lin Ran stopped it, suddenly remembering something. He dashed to the closet.
[Little Black: "What now? You’re slower than a snail."]
Little Black grumbled impatiently.
A moment later, Lin Ran returned with a simple backpack.
"I’m bringing some things along."
[Little Black: "Hurry up already."]
A flash of light enveloped Lin Ran, the familiar sensation of time travel washing over him.
Time rewound at breakneck speed. Lin Ran felt as though he’d traversed a tunnel in an instant, its walls lined with shimmering, multicolored cubes like stars in the cosmos. From one of these cubes, Little Black tossed him out.
When he opened his eyes, he found himself in a familiar primeval forest.
Every plant and tree seemed imbued with mystery. Pale golden sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting dappled patterns like freckles on the earth.
But the forest had changed since his last visit. Back then, it had been late autumn—crisp leaves carpeting the ground, the air tinged with cold. Now, it was summer. Lush greenery surrounded him, the humid air thick as steam.
Lin Ran’s heavy clothing made him break into a sweat instantly.
Beads of perspiration formed on his forehead, trickling down his cheeks. His back was drenched, his shirt clinging uncomfortably to his skin.
He stripped off his jacket, then wrapped it around his waist before slinging the backpack over his shoulders.
"Little Black," Lin Ran called softly.
[Little Black: "I’m here. What’s with the whispering?"]
Its annoyed voice echoed in Lin Ran’s mind.
Lin Ran glanced down but saw no sign of Little Black. He scanned the area—nothing but trees, bushes, and the occasional flitting insect.
"Where are you?" he asked, growing anxious.
[Little Black: "In your backpack. It’s safer here, in case of danger."]
Its tone was smug, as if hiding in the backpack was a stroke of genius.
"Can you believe it? A so-called ‘Creator’ who’s as cowardly as a mouse."
Lin Ran couldn’t resist teasing.
["Can you believe it? A reborn man who owes me his life, yet dares to mock me?"]
Little Black shot back, its mental voice dripping with indignation.
Lin Ran’s expression darkened. He hadn’t expected a cat to out-sass him.
And ever since Little Black appeared, it had insulted and mocked him more times than he could count.
"Fine, fine, oh mighty Creator. I surrender. Now, tell me where Luo Yao is."
Lin Ran sighed. Arguing wasn’t his priority—finding Luo Yao was.
[Little Black: "Are you stupid? How would I know where she is?"]
The reply left Lin Ran speechless.
"Oh, by the way, I think your farm just sent a notification."
Little Black: ???
"Your crops are dead."
After a pause, Little Black’s voice returned.
["Well, your farm sent one too."]
Lin Ran: "I know. My cow died."
Little Black: ...
Lin Ran trudged through the forest, retracing paths from memory.
The terrain was rough—thorny bushes snagged at him, vines tripped him at every turn.