Running away from home.
This was a word Ling Ruo had never truly contemplated.
She looked into Si Qing's eyes and, without conscious thought, nodded, her palms beginning to sweat.
Si Qing smiled at Ling Ruo. "Then let's head towards the North Sea together. That way, we can still go see the stars. Didn't you say you wanted to see the stars of the North Sea? Let's go now, without another moment's delay."
"Okay!" Ling Ruo grabbed Si Qing's hand, mustered her courage, climbed over the window, and jumped to the ground.
Si Qing pulled Ling Ruo along.
Under the cover of night, the two of them ran all the way to the dock, untied the ropes binding the boat, and set off rowing.
The entire process was seamless, without a single pause or hesitation.
Ling Ruo had never imagined she would actually leave like this. As she sat on the boat, watching the flowing water beside them, she slowly came back to her senses and then asked Si Qing, who was in front, in a voice filled with unease, "We've left, but where are we going?"
And would their father and mother really not chase after them?
Si Qing looked at Ling Ruo. "We're going to the North Sea, didn't I say? Sister, don't overthink it. We're going together. As for whether they can catch up, we'll talk about that later."
Ling Ruo nodded.
Si Qing noticed Ling Ruo's discomfort out of the corner of his eye and pursed his lips.
His sister had been controlled for too long, to the point where she had almost no thoughts of her own. Although she knew to protect him, she didn't know how to protect herself.
If this continued, his sister would eventually become like the girls of the Divine Witch Clan, losing her sense of self.
Therefore, he would not allow such a thing to happen.
...
It took Si Qing and Ling Ruo two days and two nights to finally see the North Sea.
Along the way, Ling Ruo gradually shed the shadows of the Divine Witch Clan and became more and more lively.
She used the reeds to weave two small straw hats, one for herself and one for Si Qing.
Upon finally reaching the North Sea, the two of them used fences and stones to build a rudimentary house and settled down for the time being.
"Sister, look at this huge seashell!" Si Qing squatted on the North Sea coast and dug a large, colorful seashell out of the sand.
Ling Ruo's eyes widened, and she let out a gasp, quickly leaning closer. "This seashell is so beautiful! If we collect a few more, can we make a wind chime?"
Si Qing nodded.
The two of them collected a pile of shells and walked forward, carrying them.
Not long after, they saw a man dressed in black, wearing a black hat, lying on the beach not far away. His clothes were soaked, and his face was as pale as paper.
"Is that a person? But his feet seem to be turning transparent." Ling Ruo's eyes widened. It was the first time she had encountered such a situation, and she cautiously dared not approach.
Si Qing mustered his courage and walked over. He reached out to feel for a pulse, only to find that the person had spiritual energy fluctuations but no pulse at all.
It wasn't right to say he was dead.
But if he wasn't dead, he was also not quite like a living person.
"...Let's move him inside first." Si Qing hesitated for a long time before finally making a decision. The siblings, each dragging one side, forcibly pulled the man into the small stone house.
Ling Ruo reached out and poked the man's boot, finding that her fingertip could actually pass through it.
This proved that the man was not corporeal but a spiritual entity.
So, was this guy a ghost? But how could a ghost appear in broad daylight?
With such doubts, Ling Ruo kept staring at him while making the wind chime.
After an unknown amount of time, the man slowly opened his eyes.
The small stone house was filled with a chilling aura the moment he awoke.
"...You saved me? Thank you so much," the man said, looking at Ling Ruo and Si Qing. "I am a judge from the Underworld. I was caught by a wave while passing by, and my spiritual body was damaged, causing me to fall unconscious in the sea and be washed ashore. If I were exposed to the sun for too long, my spiritual body could be further damaged. Fortunately, you saved me. I am extremely grateful."
"It's nothing, it's nothing," Ling Ruo said, waving her hands. She pointed to Si Qing. "It was my brother who decided to save you. And after we saved you, we just brought you here. We didn't do anything else. Are you feeling any better now?"
"I'm much better," the judge nodded.
He then took out a brush and a thin booklet from his embrace and began to meticulously write something on it.
Ling Ruo and Si Qing did not go over to disturb him.
After an unknown period, the man, who claimed to be a judge, put away his book and pen. He then emerged from the house, stood up, and tidied his clothes. "What are your names? And why are you living here?"
Ling Ruo was more cautious and did not answer directly. "We're just here to see the stars. We heard there's a meteor shower in the North Sea."
The judge nodded.
Then, with a light stroke of his hand on the Book of Life and Death, he found the names of the siblings based on their auras.
Ling Ruo.
Si Qing.
The judge looked at their life records and fell into a silence.
After a while, the judge looked into Ling Ruo and Si Qing's eyes and said faintly, "I've just checked. There is indeed a meteor shower in the North Sea tonight. However, a meteor shower isn't that spectacular. Why don't you change direction and go elsewhere? Perhaps there are better sights."
Ling Ruo and Si Qing exchanged glances. Finally, Si Qing spoke the truth. "But we don't know what sights there are elsewhere, and we haven't seen much, so we're not sure."
"We only know that the scenery of the meteor shower in the North Sea should be good, so we thought we'd come and see. After we've seen it, we'll go elsewhere."
The judge persuaded them a few more times.
Seeing that the siblings were still determined to watch the North Sea meteor shower and had no intention of leaving, he sighed and said, "It is all fate." Then he stood up and instructed:
"Since that is the case, then stay and watch. By the way, you two, extend your hands."
Ling Ruo and Si Qing looked up and instinctively opened their palms.
The judge placed a red dot on each of their palms before continuing, "As thanks for saving my life, I will leave a mark on your hands. This mark will ensure that you will not be separated. As for the rest, it depends on your own future fortunes."
As he said this, he took out his whisk and gently tapped Si Qing's forehead. "And you, remember, do not be mistaken. Do not trust others."
After speaking, the judge vanished without a trace.
Ling Ruo looked down at her palm, confused, and rubbed it vigorously, but felt nothing.
"What did that guy mean by what he said?" Si Qing rubbed his forehead.
"I don't know," Ling Ruo shook her head. "Never mind that. Since he's gone, let's go fishing quickly so we can watch the stars tonight."