The sun was slowly descending, casting golden hues over the village, making the thatched roofs and dried-earth walls glow. Hei Tian walked slightly behind, the basket full of herbs strapped to his back. His steps were steady, but his thoughts drifted.
He didn't speak. No need. No desire. He observed.
Yun Lue, on the other hand, kept glancing at him from the corner of her eye. She hadn't forgotten the way he had calmly help Jin Fu, nor his strange attitude—too calm for a child. She felt he was... different. Not just stronger. Not just smarter. Different in the way he was present without trying to be.
When they reached the village, the children were met with the curious gazes of the villagers. A few adults came forward to inspect the baskets, thank the children, and collect the useful plants. Hei Tian was lightly praised for his seriousness, but no one insisted—he didn't like that.
Once everyone had scattered, Yun Lue approached him quietly, hands behind her back.
— "Do you... want to walk a little?" she asked, hesitant.
He stared at her for a moment, without answering. Then he simply nodded.
They walked in silence, passing by old Tan's vegetable field, then along the stream where a few threads of clear water flowed.
— "You know," she finally said, "I don't talk much to the others either. Not really. They laugh, they shout, they fight... but sometimes I feel like they don't see anything."
Hei Tian kept walking, silent.
— "But you... you look. Not like them. You really look."
A short silence, then he replied, without looking at her:
— "Looking is natural. They're the ones who forget."
She smiled. A small, fragile smile, but sincere.
— "So... can we look together, sometimes?"
He stopped. So did she. He turned to her.
— "As long as you don't make too much noise."
She stifled a laugh. Not mocking. Light.
— "Deal."
They resumed their walk, two quiet silhouettes in the descending light.
That evening, after a simple and silent meal at old Chen's, Hei Tian lay down on his straw mat. He wasn't thinking about the girl, nor even about the day. He was thinking of one very simple thing: "This world is quieter than I thought. But it won't stay that way."
Though he didn't know why, he was certain of it.
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