The Mystery Author and the White Fluffy Cat - Where Stories Quietly Meet

“Sometimes the people we search for are quietly waiting in the place we least expect.”

— The Silent Witness, by Shadow Raven

Sunday morning…

Maple Street welcomed another peaceful day.

The bakery across the road had already begun filling the air with the comforting scent of warm bread.

Cyclists passed leisurely beneath rows of maple trees.

Some carried shopping bags.

Others simply enjoyed the quiet weekend.

Inside Moonlight Pages…

The little brass bell rested peacefully above the entrance.

The bookstore had only been open for half an hour.

Sunlight spilled through the tall windows, bathing the bookshelves in soft golden light.

Meixiu carefully arranged several newly arrived novels.

She smiled happily.

“…Finished.”

Yinju looked up from behind the counter.

“…Thank you.”

She looked around proudly.

“I remembered every shelf this time.”

“…You did.”

A tiny smile appeared on his face.

“…Nothing ended up in the gardening section.”

She puffed her cheeks.

“…Only because I checked twice.”

“…A wise decision.”

Before she could answer—

Ding…

The brass bell chimed.

A young man stepped inside.

Neatly combed black hair.

Gentle amber eyes.

A familiar warmth in his smile.

He paused just inside the entrance.

“…So this is Moonlight Pages…”

His eyes wandered across the bookstore with quiet admiration.

“It feels…”

“…peaceful.”

Yinju looked up automatically.

“…Welcome.”

The moment their eyes met—

Both brothers froze.

Silence.

The bookstore suddenly felt strangely still.

Yichen stared.

“…Brother?”

Yinju blinked once.

“…Y-Yichen?”

For several long seconds…

Neither moved.

Then…

Yichen smiled.

A genuine smile.

“…It really is you.”

Yinju slowly removed his glasses before placing them back on.

As though making certain he wasn’t imagining things.

“…You’ve grown.”

Yichen laughed softly.

“So have you.”

Meixiu quietly looked between them.

“…You know each other?”

Yichen smiled.

“He’s my older brother.”

She blinked.

“…Brother?”

She looked toward Yinju.

“You never mentioned that.”

“…It never came up.”

Yichen scratched the back of his head sheepishly.

“…It’s been several years.”

Meixiu looked between the two of them once more.

The resemblance suddenly became obvious.

Although Yinju’s expression remained calm while Yichen smiled much more easily…

They didn’t share the same eyes.

Yinju’s were dark and quiet.

Yichen’s glowed with a gentle amber warmth.

Yet…

The loneliness hidden within them felt almost the same.

It wasn’t their appearance that made them look like brothers.

It was the silent kindness reflected in their eyes.

As though, despite walking different paths…

The same quiet kindness had never left either of them.

“…I can see it now.”

Yichen laughed.

“Most people don’t at first.”

He turned back toward Yinju.

“…I wasn’t even looking for you.”

“A friend recommended this bookstore.”

“…Lu Yusheng.”

Yinju nodded slightly.

“…I see.”

“He said this place always receives Shadow Raven’s books early.”

At the familiar pen name…

Yinju’s expression remained perfectly unchanged.

“…Sometimes.”

Yichen smiled.

“I’ve been collecting them for years.”

“…I was hoping I might find something rare.”

Meixiu’s sapphire-blue eyes brightened.

“…You like Shadow Raven too?”

Yichen looked pleasantly surprised.

“You’ve read the novels?”

She nodded enthusiastically.

“I finished The Silent Witness.”

“…It made my heart ache.”

Yichen smiled.

“Mine too.”

“I’ve never read mysteries quite like those.”

“They always leave me thinking for days.”

Meixiu held the novel she had been arranging against her chest.

“I’d love to meet the author someday.”

“I want to thank them.”

Yichen laughed.

“If anyone ever figures out who Shadow Raven really is…”

“They’ll probably become famous themselves.”

Yinju quietly adjusted a stack of books.

“…Shadow Raven values privacy.”

“…I suppose that’s true.”

Neither Yichen nor Meixiu noticed the almost invisible smile that briefly crossed Yinju’s face.

After browsing for several minutes…

Yichen selected two novels.

One mystery.

One historical fiction.

He carried them toward the counter.

Yinju scanned them as calmly as always.

“…You’ve started reading historical novels?”

Yichen smiled.

“I thought I’d broaden my horizons.”

“…Shadow Raven keeps recommending history in interviews.”

Yinju’s hand paused for the briefest moment.

“…Does he?”

“Well…”

Yichen laughed awkwardly.

“His editor always mentions it.”

“He says Shadow Raven reads almost everything.”

“…He’s probably right.”

Yinju stamped the books before placing them into a paper bag.

“…Here.”

Yichen accepted it with both hands.

“…Thank you.”

For a brief moment…

Neither brother spoke.

Years of distance…

Could not disappear in a single morning.

Yet…

Neither of them wished to leave things as they were.

Finally…

Yichen smiled.

“…Would it be alright if I visited again?”

Yinju looked at him quietly.

Then…

“…Of course.”

A warmth spread across Yichen’s face.

“…I’ll come whenever I can.”

He glanced toward Meixiu.

“It was nice meeting you.”

She bowed politely.

“…Likewise.”

As Yichen reached the door…

He looked back one last time.

“…Take care, Brother.”

Yinju gave a small nod.

“…You too.”

Ding…

The bell rang softly as Yichen disappeared into the sunshine beyond Maple Street.

Silence returned.

Meixiu looked toward Yinju.

“…You seemed happy.”

He blinked.

“…Did I?”

She smiled.

“…Just a little.”

For a moment…

He didn’t answer.

Then…

“…Perhaps.”

Only a few minutes later—

The bell rang once again.

Ding…

A middle-aged man stepped inside carrying a leather satchel overflowing with manuscripts.

His slightly untidy hair and tired eyes suggested someone who spent far too many nights reading.

The moment he saw Yinju—

He sighed dramatically.

“…You’re alive.”

Yinju adjusted his glasses.

“…Good morning, Editor Lin.”

Editor Lin Zhiyuan folded his arms.

“I’ve been calling you for three days.”

“…I was writing.”

“You always say that.”

He looked around the bookstore before noticing Meixiu.

“…Oh?”

“…Who’s this?”

Meixiu immediately bowed.

“…Good morning.”

“My name is Xue Meixiu.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Editor Lin’s stern expression instantly softened.

“Such wonderful manners.”

He smiled warmly.

“I’m Lin Zhiyuan.”

“You may simply call me Editor Lin.”

Meixiu tilted her head curiously.

“…Editor?”

He chuckled.

“I help authors turn manuscripts into books.”

Her eyes sparkled.

“…Really?”

“…That’s amazing.”

“I’ve always wanted to meet an editor.”

Editor Lin laughed.

“I wasn’t expecting such an enthusiastic reaction.”

She smiled shyly.

“…I hope that someday…”

“…I can write stories too.”

Editor Lin looked pleasantly surprised.

“Oh?”

“Then I’ll be cheering for you.”

“…Every great author begins with a blank page.”

Meixiu carefully nodded.

“…I’ll remember that.”

Yinju quietly closed the ledger on the counter.

“…Meixiu.”

“…Yes?”

“…Would you mind watering the flowers in the garden?”

She smiled immediately.

“Of course.”

“I’ll be back soon.”

She quietly slipped through the back door toward the little garden.

Outside…

The morning sunlight bathed the garden in a gentle glow.

Meixiu carefully watered the roses, then the lavender, followed by the jasmine and hydrangeas.

Finally…

She stopped before the white camellias.

A gentle smile appeared.

“…Good morning.”

She gently watered them last, lingering just a little longer than she had with the others.

The little garden was alive with birdsong, the rustling of leaves, and the soft murmur of the morning breeze.

Meixiu simply closed her eyes for a moment and enjoyed the peaceful sounds around her.

She never once thought to listen to the conversation taking place inside the bookstore.

Inside…

Editor Lin let out another long sigh.

“…You really surprised me this time.”

Yinju remained calm.

“…About?”

“You.”

He lowered his voice.

“…Since when did our reclusive Shadow Raven start living with a young lady?”

Yinju calmly poured two cups of tea.

“…She’s staying here temporarily.”

“I helped her.”

Editor Lin accepted the tea.

“…You know…”

“If your readers ever discovered that the mysterious Shadow Raven rescued someone and gave her a home…”

“…Half the country would melt.”

“…Let’s hope they never find out.”

Editor Lin laughed quietly.

“…Still as hopelessly private.”

Yinju took a quiet sip of his tea.

Neither of them spoke for a moment.

The familiar silence of Moonlight Pages settled comfortably between them.

Beyond the closed back door…

The gentle splash of water against flowerpots could occasionally be heard.

Meixiu continued humming softly to herself as she tended the little garden.

Completely unaware…

That inside Moonlight Pages…

The very author she admired most…

Was calmly drinking tea with his editor.

And inside the bookstore…

Editor Lin smiled to himself.

“…Your next manuscript…”

“…I have a feeling it’s going to be different.”

Yinju’s gaze unconsciously drifted toward the little garden.

Through the window…

He could see Meixiu gently humming as she finished watering the last of the flowers.

The corner of Yinju’s lips lifted into a faint smile.

Editor Lin quietly followed his gaze.

A knowing smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

He understood what Yinju was looking at.

“…Perhaps.”

Yinju replied softly.

Outside…

The last droplets of water slipped from the watering can as Meixiu finished tending the garden.

The roses shimmered beneath the morning sun.

Lavender swayed gently in the breeze.

The scent of jasmine drifted softly through the air.

At the center of the little garden…

The white camellias bloomed as serenely as ever.

She looked quietly pleased.

She knelt beside one of the flower beds.

Being careful not to draw attention…

She allowed the smallest thread of spiritual energy to flow from her fingertips into the soil.

Just enough to nourish.

Not enough for anyone to notice.

The flowers seemed just a little brighter than before, as though responding to her gentle touch.

Had anyone else been watching, they might have thought it was only the morning light.

A soft smile touched her lips as she withdrew her hand.

“…There.”

“…Grow well.”

Behind the window…

Yinju happened to glance toward the garden.

He watched quietly.

Something about Meixiu caring for flowers always brought an unusual sense of peace.

Editor Lin followed his gaze.

“…She certainly loves this place.”

Yinju nodded.

“…She does.”

Editor Lin smiled knowingly.

“So do you.”

Yinju looked at him.

“I’ve always loved it.”

“I don’t mean the bookstore.”

Editor Lin lifted his teacup.

“I mean…”

“…having someone here.”

Silence.

Yinju quietly looked back toward the garden.

Meixiu was now humming softly as she wiped a few leaves dry with a small cloth.

She looked perfectly content.

“…It’s quieter than before.”

Editor Lin chuckled.

“You call this quiet?”

“I watched you live alone for years.”

“The loudest thing in this bookstore…”

“…used to be the coffee machine.”

Yinju lowered his eyes.

“…Perhaps.”

“…I’m simply getting used to not being alone.”

Editor Lin smiled into his teacup.

He said nothing.

Some answers didn’t need to be spoken aloud.

A moment later…

Meixiu gave the garden one last satisfied look.

Several sparrows hopped across the stone path, chirping cheerfully beneath the white camellias.

A gentle smile touched her lips.

“…Good morning.”

After a quiet moment…

She returned inside.

The little brass bell above the back door gave the faintest jingle.

Editor Lin looked up.

“…Finished?”

She nodded happily.

“The flowers all had enough water.”

Editor Lin smiled.

“I can tell.”

“They look healthier than the ones outside my apartment.”

Meixiu blinked.

“…Really? I wonder why.”

Yinju quietly hid the smile threatening to appear.

“…Perhaps they like being talked to.”

She looked thoughtful.

“…Do flowers enjoy conversations?”

“I think they do.”

Editor Lin chuckled.

“…That’s a very author-like answer.”

Yinju calmly sipped his tea.

“…Maybe.”

A few moments later…

Editor Lin reached into his satchel.

“I almost forgot why I came.”

He carefully placed a thick envelope on the table.

“…Your royalty statement.”

Yinju glanced at it.

“…Thank you.”

“And…”

Editor Lin produced another stack of neatly bound papers.

“…Your readers have been sending letters again.”

Meixiu looked curious.

“…Letters?”

Editor Lin smiled.

“Hundreds of them.”

“Some thank the author.”

“Some ask questions.”

“And some simply want him to know…”

“…that his stories helped them through difficult times.”

Meixiu’s eyes widened.

“…People write letters just to say thank you?”

“They do.”

She looked genuinely amazed.

“…That must make the author very happy.”

Editor Lin looked toward Yinju.

“…Sometimes.”

Yinju quietly avoided his gaze.

“…I read every one.”

Meixiu smiled warmly.

“I think…”

“…stories must be wonderful.”

“They can reach people you’ve never met.”

Editor Lin nodded.

“They often do.”

“…Long after the final page.”

Curiosity slowly appeared on Meixiu’s face.

“…Editor Lin?”

“Hm?”

“…How do you know if someone has become a good writer?”

Editor Lin leaned back thoughtfully.

He didn’t answer immediately.

Instead…

He looked around the bookstore.

Rows upon rows of books surrounded them.

Some famous.

Some forgotten.

Finally…

He smiled.

“A good writer…”

“…isn’t someone who uses beautiful words.”

Meixiu listened carefully.

“It’s someone who makes another person feel understood.”

Silence settled gently over the bookstore.

She quietly repeated the words in her heart.

“…Feel understood…”

Editor Lin nodded.

“Readers rarely remember every sentence.”

“But…”

“They remember how a story made them feel.”

Meixiu lowered her gaze to the little notebook Yinju had given her the previous evening.

She gently held it closer.

“…I see.”

The conversation drifted toward lighter topics.

Editor Lin spoke about amusing misunderstandings with printers.

Customers who accidentally bought cookbooks instead of crime novels.

Authors who missed deadlines.

Meixiu laughed often.

Yinju listened quietly.

Occasionally correcting one exaggerated detail.

“…That happened once.”

“Three times.”

“…Twice.”

“…Three.”

Editor Lin grinned triumphantly.

“I keep records.”

“…I know you do.”

Meixiu smiled.

“…You two seem like good friends.”

Editor Lin looked toward Yinju.

“We’ve known each other for a long time.”

“…Long enough.”

Yinju nodded once.

“…Yes.”

Some friendships never needed grand declarations.

Simply years.

Outside…

The afternoon sunlight gradually softened.

Customers continued drifting in and out of Moonlight Pages.

Some purchased novels.

Others stayed only long enough to enjoy a quiet cup of coffee.

Life moved at its own gentle pace.

Near one of the shelves…

A little boy stared up at a book placed just beyond his reach.

Before he could ask…

Meixiu had already noticed.

“…Would you like that one?”

He nodded shyly.

She carefully took the book down and handed it to him with both hands.

“There you are.”

The little boy smiled brightly.

“…Thank you, Big Sister.”

She smiled back.

“…You’re welcome.”

Editor Lin quietly watched the exchange.

“…She’s remarkable.”

Yinju followed his gaze.

“…She is.”

The words came naturally this time.

Without hesitation.

Editor Lin noticed.

But chose not to tease him.

Not yet.

Instead…

He simply smiled to himself.

Sometimes…

People who spent years writing stories about lonely hearts…

Needed someone to quietly rewrite their own.

And perhaps…

Without either of them realizing it…

That story had already begun.

Elsewhere…

On the other side of the city…

Mu Yichen stepped off the bus with a paper bag containing the books he had just bought.

He smiled to himself.

“…Brother seems well.”

The years between them suddenly didn’t feel quite so heavy anymore.

He looked down at the bookstore’s receipt tucked inside the bag.

Moonlight Pages.

“…I’ll visit again.”

He had no idea…

That every visit would bring him one step closer…

To discovering that the quiet bookstore owner he had just reunited with…

And the mysterious novelist he admired most…

Had always been one and the same.

The afternoon passed peacefully.

Sunlight slowly shifted across the wooden floor, leaving warm patches of gold between the bookshelves.

The steady rhythm of turning pages filled the bookstore.

Occasionally…

The brass bell above the entrance chimed as customers came and went.

Ding…

“…Welcome.”

Ding…

“Thank you for visiting.”

Ding…

“Please come again.”

Moonlight Pages settled back into its familiar rhythm.

Near the reading corner…

Meixiu carefully arranged several books that customers had returned.

She paused every now and then to admire an illustrated cover.

“…Humans truly never run out of stories.”

Yinju smiled faintly as he stamped another library card.

“…Neither do people.”

She tilted her head.

“…What do you mean?”

He placed the stamp neatly beside the counter.

“Every person carries stories.”

“Some simply never write them down.”

Meixiu thought about those words for a long moment.

“…Then…”

“…perhaps books are where forgotten memories go.”

Yinju looked at her.

“…Perhaps.”

Editor Lin quietly watched the exchange over the rim of his teacup.

A smile slowly appeared.

No wonder…

The atmosphere inside Moonlight Pages felt different now.

The bookstore had always been peaceful.

But now…

It felt alive.

The little brass bell chimed again.

Ding…

An elderly woman stepped inside carrying a cloth shopping bag.

“…Young Master Mu.”

Yinju inclined his head politely.

“…Good afternoon, Mrs. Zhao.”

Mrs. Zhao smiled warmly.

“I came to return these.”

She carefully placed three novels on the counter.

Before Yinju could reach for them…

Meixiu had already accepted them with both hands.

“…Thank you.”

Mrs. Zhao blinked.

Then laughed gently.

“My goodness…”

“What lovely manners.”

Meixiu smiled.

“…I’m happy to help.”

Mrs. Zhao looked toward Yinju.

“You’ve found yourself a wonderful assistant.”

Yinju adjusted his glasses.

“…She insists on helping.”

“I enjoy it.”

Mrs. Zhao chuckled.

“I can see that.”

She lowered her voice just enough for Meixiu not to hear.

“…She’s brought more smiles into this bookstore.”

Yinju remained quiet.

Then…

“…Yes.”

“I think she has.”

Not long afterward…

Mrs. Zhao wandered toward the mystery section.

Meixiu quietly followed.

“…May I help you find something?”

The elderly woman smiled.

“I’m looking for a gift.”

“My grandson has just started reading.”

Meixiu looked thoughtfully across the shelves.

Her gaze lingered on one familiar cover.

The Seventh Key.

She carefully picked it up.

“…This one.”

Mrs. Zhao looked surprised.

“A mystery novel?”

Meixiu nodded.

“I cried after reading it.”

“…Even though it was about solving a crime.”

Mrs. Zhao smiled.

“Then it must be special.”

She accepted the book.

“I’ll trust your recommendation.”

From behind the counter…

Editor Lin nearly laughed into his tea.

“…Your newest employee is advertising your books.”

Yinju quietly replied,

“…She’s advertising good stories.”

A little later…

The bookstore grew quiet once again.

Editor Lin stood and stretched.

“…I suppose I should stop pretending I’m working.”

Yinju looked up.

“…You’re leaving?”

“I do have an office.”

He smiled.

“They’ll begin wondering whether I’ve resigned.”

Meixiu bowed politely.

“…It was a pleasure meeting you, Editor Lin.”

“The pleasure was mine.”

He smiled kindly.

“And…”

He looked at the little brown notebook she carried beneath one arm.

“…Don’t stop writing.”

She gently held the notebook closer.

“…I won’t.”

Editor Lin nodded with satisfaction.

“…Good.”

“Stories have a habit of finding the people meant to write them.”

She smiled softly.

“…I’ll remember that.”

Before leaving…

Editor Lin paused beside Yinju.

He lowered his voice.

“…Take care of yourself.”

“I do.”

“You skip meals.”

“…Occasionally.”

“You forget to sleep.”

“…Sometimes.”

“You disappear whenever you’re writing.”

“…Frequently.”

Editor Lin sighed dramatically.

“…Hopeless.”

A tiny smile tugged at Yinju’s lips.

“…Probably.”

Editor Lin glanced briefly toward Meixiu, who was happily dusting bookshelves nearby.

“…At least now…”

“…someone might remind you to eat.”

Yinju unconsciously followed his gaze.

“…Perhaps.”

Editor Lin smiled knowingly.

“…Good.”

He gave a casual wave.

“I’ll see myself out.”

Ding…

The brass bell rang softly as he disappeared onto Maple Street.

For a while…

Neither Yinju nor Meixiu spoke.

The bookstore settled once more into its comforting silence.

Then…

Meixiu looked toward the window.

“…Editor Lin seems very kind.”

Yinju nodded.

“…He is.”

“He worries about you.”

“…Too much.”

She smiled.

“I don’t think there’s such a thing.”

Yinju looked at her.

She continued dusting a nearby shelf.

“…People only worry because someone matters to them.”

“…Otherwise…”

“…they wouldn’t.”

Her words lingered quietly in the air.

Yinju lowered his eyes.

“…You’re probably right.”

Later that afternoon…

The bookstore became almost completely empty.

Only the quiet ticking of the old wall clock remained.

Meixiu wandered toward the reading corner.

She carefully opened the brown notebook Yinju had given her before.

The first sentence she had written the night before greeted her.

Once, beneath the light of two moons… there lived a white cat searching for a place to belong.

She smiled.

Then…

Slowly…

She wrote another line.

The cat believed she had lost everything.

Until one ordinary human quietly opened a door.

She paused.

Her cheeks grew slightly warm.

“…That sounds familiar.”

She smiled to herself.

Then continued writing.

Not because she wanted to become a famous author.

Not because she wished to impress anyone.

Simply because…

She wanted those memories to remain.

Across the bookstore…

Yinju happened to glance up from the counter.

He noticed her quietly writing.

He didn’t ask what she was writing.

Some beginnings…

Needed to remain private.

Instead…

He returned to his own manuscript.

The scratching of two fountain pens quietly echoed through Moonlight Pages.

One belonged to an author whose stories had already touched countless hearts.

The other…

Belonged to someone writing her very first pages.

Neither interrupted the other.

They simply wrote together.

Far away…

Beyond the boundary between worlds…

The Hall of the Four Great Clans remained tense.

Within the Yue Clan archives…

Ancient scrolls lay scattered across a large wooden table.

Yue Jingchen carefully unrolled another faded record.

His silver eyes scanned each line.

“…There’s another mention.”

Hua Qingran immediately looked up.

“What does it say?”

Yan Zichen stepped closer.

Yue Jingchen read aloud.

“The Sacred Moon Pearl answers only to truth. False accusations may deceive people… but they leave no resonance upon the Pearl.”

Silence filled the room.

Hua Qingran slowly frowned.

“…Then…”

“…if Meixiu truly didn’t steal it…”

Yue Jingchen nodded.

“…The Pearl itself should still remember who touched it last.”

Yan Zichen’s golden eyes narrowed.

“…Then we finally have something.”

For the first time in many days…

The three friends felt genuine hope.

The truth…

Was no longer just a belief.

It was becoming something they could prove.

Meanwhile…

Unaware of everything unfolding beneath the twin moons…

A young woman sat peacefully inside a little bookstore.

Writing the second sentence…

Of what would one day become a story loved by countless readers.

And just outside…

The maple leaves swayed gently in the afternoon breeze.

As if quietly applauding the beginning of another unforgettable tale.

The afternoon sunlight gradually mellowed into the warm amber glow of early evening.

Inside Moonlight Pages…

The number of customers slowly dwindled.

A university student returned a stack of borrowed novels.

An elderly gentleman finished reading by the window before leaving with a gentle wave.

The familiar brass bell rang one last time.

Ding…

“…Thank you.”

“…Have a pleasant evening.”

The bookstore became wonderfully quiet once more.

Only the soft ticking of the old wall clock remained.

Meixiu carefully finished arranging the last returned books.

She stepped back proudly.

“…Done.”

Yinju glanced toward the shelves.

Every book rested exactly where it belonged.

“…Perfect.”

She smiled.

“I remembered every section.”

“…You did.”

She folded her hands behind her back.

“I’m improving.”

“…Very quickly.”

Her smile widened just a little.

Receiving praise from Yinju always felt strangely rewarding.

A comfortable silence settled between them.

Not awkward.

Simply peaceful.

Meixiu wandered toward the front window.

Outside…

The maple trees lining the street danced gently beneath the evening breeze.

Golden leaves drifted lazily onto the sidewalk.

People walked home carrying groceries.

Children laughed as they raced bicycles down the street.

She watched quietly.

“…Humans always seem busy.”

Yinju looked up from the ledger he was updating.

“They usually are.”

“…Why?”

He considered the question.

“…Because life keeps moving.”

“…Even when we’re tired.”

Meixiu lowered her gaze.

“…That sounds difficult.”

“…Sometimes.”

“…But…”

A faint smile appeared.

“…It’s also what makes ordinary days precious.”

She softly repeated his words.

“…Ordinary days…”

Back in Shangyue Realm…

Every day had been carefully planned for her.

Lessons.

Ceremonies.

Etiquette.

Cultivation.

Duty.

Very few days had simply… existed.

Yet here…

An ordinary afternoon spent shelving books somehow made her happier than many grand celebrations ever had.

“…Yinju?”

“Hm?”

“…Do humans ever become bored?”

He smiled faintly.

“Frequently.”

She blinked.

“…Really?”

He nodded.

“That’s one reason stories exist.”

“They let people travel…”

“…Without leaving home.”

Meixiu looked toward the endless bookshelves surrounding them.

“…Then…”

“…bookstores are places where people go on journeys.”

Yinju quietly closed his ledger.

“…I like that.”

Just then…

A familiar rumbling sound echoed through the quiet bookstore.

Grrr…

Meixiu immediately froze.

Her sapphire-blue eyes slowly lowered.

The sound had come from…

Her stomach.

Silence.

Yinju looked at her.

She looked at the floor.

Another tiny rumble.

Her cheeks gradually turned pink.

“…It appears…”

“…I’m hungry.”

Yinju couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped him.

“…It appears so.”

She covered her face with both hands.

“…Please pretend you didn’t hear that.”

“…I’m afraid the entire bookstore heard it.”

She let out a tiny groan of embarrassment.

“…Even the books?”

“…Especially the books.”

She peeked at him through her fingers.

“…You’re teasing me.”

“…A little.”

She stared for a moment.

Then…

She laughed.

A light, genuine laugh that echoed warmly through Moonlight Pages.

Yinju found himself smiling again.

Somehow…

Ever since Meixiu had arrived…

The bookstore had become a place where laughter appeared far more often than silence.

A short while later…

The two of them stood together in the small kitchen upstairs.

Meixiu watched attentively as Yinju prepared dinner.

“…You’re making noodles today?”

“…Yes.”

“…Can I help?”

He looked around the kitchen.

Then handed her a basket of vegetables.

“…Could you wash these?”

She accepted the basket with both hands.

“I can do that.”

She carefully rinsed each vegetable beneath the running water.

She treated every carrot…

Every mushroom…

Every leafy green…

With almost ceremonial care.

Yinju quietly watched from the stove.

“…You don’t have to wash them quite so carefully.”

She looked puzzled.

“…Fresh vegetables worked very hard growing.”

“…They deserve kindness too.”

Yinju paused.

“…I suppose they do.”

Dinner was simple.

Warm noodle soup.

Steamed vegetables.

Fresh fruit afterward.

Meixiu tasted the soup.

Her eyes brightened immediately.

“…Delicious.”

“…I’m glad.”

She smiled sheepishly.

“I still think your cooking is extraordinary.”

“…It’s only home cooking.”

“…Exactly.”

He looked at her curiously.

She smiled.

“…I think food made for someone’s home tastes different.”

Yinju quietly lowered his eyes.

“…Maybe.”

After dinner…

The dishes had been washed.

The bookstore downstairs had already been locked for the night.

Outside…

The evening sky slowly deepened into shades of indigo.

One by one…

Stars appeared overhead.

Meixiu stepped into the little garden.

The cool night breeze gently brushed against her hair.

The fragrance of jasmine drifted softly through the little garden.

The roses rested quietly beneath the moonlight.

The lavender swayed gently in the evening breeze.

Even the hydrangeas shimmered beneath the silver glow.

At the center of it all…

The white camellias glowed serenely beneath the moonlight.

She walked toward them almost instinctively.

“…Good evening.”

She smiled.

“…Did you have a peaceful day too?”

The flowers swayed gently.

She laughed softly.

“…I’ll take that as yes.”

Behind her…

The back door quietly opened.

Yinju stepped outside carrying two steaming mugs.

“…Tea?”

She turned around.

“…Thank you.”

He handed one to her.

The fragrant steam curled into the cool night air.

They stood together beneath the moon in comfortable silence.

After a while…

Meixiu spoke.

“…I used to think home was a place.”

Yinju listened.

“…The Xue Clan.”

“…My room.”

“…The ancient camellia tree.”

She looked down into her cup.

“…But when I left…”

“…I realized…”

“…I had been remembering people more than places.”

She smiled faintly.

“…Isn’t that strange?”

Yinju gently shook his head.

“…No.”

He looked toward the warmly lit windows of Moonlight Pages.

“…I think…”

“…Home is wherever someone quietly waits for you.”

Meixiu slowly followed his gaze.

The bookstore windows glowed like little lanterns against the evening darkness.

A warm light.

Waiting.

Without realizing it…

A gentle smile appeared on her face.

“…Then…”

She looked at the bookstore again.

“…Perhaps…”

“…I’m beginning to understand what home really means.”

Yinju didn’t answer.

He simply looked toward the little bookstore he had spent years living in alone.

For the first time…

It no longer felt quite so empty.

Elsewhere…

Mu Yichen sat at his desk with The Seventh Key open before him.

Yet…

He had been staring at the same page for nearly ten minutes.

Instead of reading…

His thoughts kept drifting back to Moonlight Pages.

To the peaceful bookstore.

To the gentle young woman named Meixiu.

And to his older brother…

Who had smiled more during one afternoon than Yichen could remember seeing in years.

A small smile tugged at his lips.

“…I’m glad.”

He whispered the words to himself.

“…He isn’t alone anymore.”

He still had no idea…

That the author whose words he admired most…

Had been quietly serving him some books only hours earlier.

Nor did he know…

That fate had only just begun weaving their lives together once again.

Outside his window…

The moon shone quietly over the city.

The same moon that illuminated Moonlight Pages.

The same moon that reached across worlds…

Where, beneath twin moons, three steadfast friends continued searching for the truth.

And beneath one moon…

A lonely novelist…

A girl from another world…

And a little bookstore…

Were slowly becoming something neither of them had expected.

A family.

Several peaceful days passed.

Life at Moonlight Pages gradually settled into a rhythm that felt wonderfully ordinary.

Every morning…

Yinju swept the wooden floors before opening.

Meixiu watered the flowers in the little garden.

The roses welcomed the dawn.

Lavender swayed gently in the breeze.

The jasmine vines climbed a little higher each day.

The hydrangeas bloomed more beautifully after every rainfall.

And the white camellias…

Still remained Meixiu’s favorite.

She greeted them every morning without fail.

“…Good morning.”

Sometimes…

Yinju would quietly hear her speaking to them through the open window.

“…Did they answer you today?”

Meixiu smiled.

“…Not with words.”

“…But flowers always answer.”

He glanced toward the little garden.

The roses stood taller than before.

Lavender swayed gently in the breeze.

The jasmine vines seemed fuller each day.

The hydrangeas bloomed with quiet brilliance.

And the white camellias…

Their blossoms somehow seemed brighter than ever.

“…I see.”

Whether it was his imagination…

Or something he simply could’t explain…

The entire garden seemed healthier since Meixiu had begun caring for it.

Inside the bookstore…

She had also become surprisingly popular among the regular customers.

Mrs. Chen always brought her homemade pastries.

Mr. Wu greeted her every morning before reading his newspaper.

Children began looking for the gentle “big sister” who always recommended fairy tales with an earnest smile.

One little boy even tugged gently at Yinju’s sleeve.

“…Is Miss Meixiu working today?”

Yinju looked toward the history section where she was carefully helping another customer.

“…She is.”

The boy grinned.

“…Good!”

“She always tells me which stories have happy endings.”

Yinju glanced toward Meixiu again.

A faint smile appeared.

“…That sounds like her.”

One quiet afternoon…

Meixiu was carefully dusting the highest shelves.

She paused when she noticed a familiar row of books.

Every spine bore the same author’s name.

Shadow Raven.

She gently traced a fingertip across one of the covers.

“…Someday…”

She whispered.

“…I’d like to thank this author.”

Yinju happened to be shelving books nearby.

His hand paused for the briefest moment.

“…Why?”

She smiled softly.

“Because…”

She held The Silent Witness close to her chest.

“…His stories taught me that sadness isn’t something people should hide.”

“…They taught me that kindness matters.”

She looked down at the cover.

“…I’d like to meet someone who can write stories like these.”

Yinju quietly adjusted another book on the shelf.

“…I’m sure…”

He chose his words carefully.

“…He’d be happy to hear that.”

She smiled brightly.

“…I hope so.”

Neither of them noticed…

That the person she wished to thank…

Was quietly standing only a few steps away.

That evening…

After dinner…

Meixiu returned to the little notebook Yinju had given her.

The pages were no longer empty.

One sentence had become three.

Three had become a page.

A page had become several.

She wasn’t writing quickly.

She often paused for several minutes before adding another line.

Sometimes…

She erased entire paragraphs.

Sometimes…

She simply watched the moon through the bedroom window until inspiration quietly returned.

Tonight…

She dipped her pen into the ink once more.

Slowly…

She wrote:

A lonely cat crossed into another world believing she had lost her home.

Instead… she found someone who quietly opened the door without asking where she came from.

She read the words again.

A warm smile appeared.

“…Thank you.”

She wasn’t sure whether she was thanking the notebook…

The story…

Or Yinju.

Perhaps…

All three.

Downstairs…

Yinju remained behind the counter long after the bookstore had closed.

An unfinished manuscript rested before him.

Yet…

For several minutes…

He had written nothing.

Instead…

He found himself listening.

The faint scratching of a fountain pen drifted from upstairs.

Scratch…

A tiny smile touched his lips.

“…She’s writing.”

He lowered his eyes toward his own manuscript.

Then quietly resumed writing as well.

For the first time in years…

Moonlight Pages echoed with the sound of two writers creating stories beneath the same roof.

Neither knew…

How deeply those stories would one day change countless lives.

Across the city…

Editor Lin Zhiyuan sat inside his office.

Stacks of manuscripts surrounded him.

He sighed as he finished replying to another publisher.

His assistant looked up.

“Still thinking about Mr. Mu?”

Editor Lin smiled.

“…He’s different.”

“Different?”

“He spent years shutting everyone out.”

He remembered the quiet bookstore.

The warm atmosphere.

The young woman smiling as she arranged books.

And Yinju…

Smiling far more often than before.

“…But now…”

“…I think he’s finally letting someone in.”

His assistant smiled knowingly.

“…That’s good.”

Editor Lin nodded.

“…Better than good.”

Elsewhere…

Mu Yichen stood outside his bedroom window.

Moonlight spilled across the quiet street below.

He smiled as he remembered the bookstore.

“…I’ll visit again.”

Not because he hoped to buy another novel.

Not because he needed coffee.

Simply because…

Moonlight Pages somehow felt welcoming.

Like a place where people could quietly rest.

He had no idea…

That every visit would slowly bring him closer to discovering the truth.

Not only about Shadow Raven…

But about the brother he had admired since childhood.

Beyond the boundary between worlds…

The twin moons shone over Shangyue Realm.

Within the Yue Clan archives…

Another ancient scroll had been carefully unrolled.

Yue Jingchen studied a faded diagram.

His expression slowly changed.

“…This…”

Hua Qingran stepped beside him.

“What is it?”

He pointed toward a circle drawn around the Sacred Moon Pearl.

“…The final spiritual resonance…”

“…can only be revealed…”

“…during the Moon Reflection Ceremony.”

Yan Zichen frowned.

“…When is it held?”

Yue Jingchen quietly closed the scroll.

“…Seven days from now.”

Silence settled over the room.

Hua Qingran slowly clenched her hands.

“…Then…”

“…we only have seven days.”

Seven days…

To uncover the truth.

Seven days…

Before Shen Mingzhu could destroy whatever evidence still remained.

Far away…

Inside her own room…

Shen Mingzhu stared into the darkness.

Sleep refused to come.

Every passing day tightened the invisible knot in her chest.

She could feel it.

Something was changing.

The lies she had carefully woven…

Were beginning to unravel.

Back in the Human World…

Moonlight Pages stood peacefully beneath the moonlight.

Warm light glowed from its upstairs windows.

Inside…

One room held a quiet mystery novelist.

Another…

A girl from another world writing the first pages of her own story.

Outside…

The little garden rested peacefully beneath the moonlight.

The roses nestled quietly among their emerald leaves.

Lavender danced gently with the night breeze.

The sweet fragrance of jasmine drifted through the air.

The hydrangeas shimmered softly beneath the silver light.

And at the heart of the garden…

The white camellias swayed gently beneath the moon.

Their petals glowed with a quiet radiance.

As though they already knew…

That this little bookstore would soon welcome new encounters.

New truths.

New beginnings.

And perhaps…

A reunion that neither brother believed possible.

For now, however…

The night remained peaceful.

And beneath one quiet roof…

Two lonely souls slept without realizing…

That they had already become the home each had been searching for.

ns216.73.217.9da2

Reading Theme:

Font Size:

Line Spacing:

Paragraph Spacing:

Load the next issue automatically