Qiqi nodded as if he half-understood, his gaze falling back onto the book as he pointed to the last picture under the starlight. "Mom... loves Ali. The book says... she turned into a star, in the sky, watching."
Yaoyao's heart was gently touched.
Looking at Qiqi's calm profile, he suddenly understood the profound meaning behind Mr. Baizhu giving him this book. Hadn't Qiqi experienced death and now existed in another form?
Qiqi's feelings regarding loss, parting, and memory were perhaps more complex and profound than anyone else's.
"Right! Mom loves Ali the most!" Yaoyao nodded vigorously, but in his heart, he grew curious about the author of this book. The story was so well-written and the illustrations were so well-done; he wondered which talented author had created it.
"Qiqi..." Yaoyao gently took Qiqi's somewhat cold little hand. "What do you think... of this story?"
Qiqi turned his head to look at Yaoyao. Those large eyes still didn't show any strong emotion, but he nodded earnestly.
"Mhm... it's quite good," Qiqi said slowly, then added another sentence, as if speaking to himself or repeating the most important line from the book, "Looking at the stars... it's like... she's still here."
He paused, then looked down at the two little foxes on the cover, reaching out his small hand to cautiously touch the big fox.
"Mom's love... won't disappear," he repeated, his tone becoming more certain, as if this conclusion had found a place to rest within his world of easily forgotten yet constantly repeated memories through this story.
Looking at Qiqi like this, Yaoyao's heart softened completely. He didn't say anything more, only gave Qiqi's hand a firm squeeze.
"Mhm! Just like Qiqi remembers Yaoyao, and Yaoyao remembers Qiqi!" Yaoyao nodded vigorously with a brilliant smile. "As long as we remember, those feelings will always be there!"
Looking at Yaoyao's brilliant smile, Qiqi seemed to be affected by it as well. The corners of his mouth curled up very, very slightly—almost imperceptibly—but his gaze seemed to soften for a moment.
"Mhm... Qiqi... remembers," Qiqi said softly, then returned his gaze to the storybook on his lap, seemingly intending to read it once more.
Sunlight streamed through the window, falling upon the two small figures and that warm yet slightly sorrowful fairy tale book. The scene was quiet and beautiful.
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At the same time, in a small shack in a remote corner.
Lovia had just finished the first draft of a short fairy tale, inspired by the touch of emotion she felt when she happened to meet Yaoyao and Qiqi that day.
She put down her pen and gently blew on the ink, a satisfied smile on her face.
This fairy tale told the story of a lost little Round Sparrow who, with the help of forest companions, finally found its way home.
There were no complex conspiracies or heavy backgrounds in the story, only pure kindness, courage, and a warm destination.
She planned to continue using the pen name "Big Hilichurl" to submit this fairy tale to Sanyu Bookstore.
The previous book, "ali and mama," was published with the shopkeeper's help, and by reducing her own royalties by twenty percent, they were able to print a picture book suitable for children to read and purchase at a more affordable price.
She thought of Qiqi's effort to remember and the Qingxin flowers Yaoyao had given her.
"If they can read more warm stories, it should... be a good thing, right?" Lovia looked at the deep blue sky outside the window and whispered to herself.
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