Tribbie nodded, seemingly understanding yet not quite. Then, remembering something else, she asked curiously, "So... Mama, which kind of story do you prefer? Or rather, which kind do you find... more interesting?"
She had naturally switched back to calling her "Mama" during private conversations, a term tinged with dependence and intimacy.
Black Herta remained silent for a moment, her purplish-black eyes watching the images flowing across the screen, before slowly speaking:
"As an observer, I have no intention of judging which kind of suffering is more 'advanced' or 'worthy of writing.' Every world, every civilization, every individual, has its unique weight and trajectory."
She paused, a hint of self-mocking amusement entering her tone. "However, if I absolutely had to choose a 'viewing experience'... perhaps it would be placing different 'tragedy templates' together and observing their clashes, misunderstandings, or even a kind of misplaced resonance... For instance, making a resident of Amphoreus, accustomed to 'chronic internal attrition,' suddenly face a crisis of 'acute destruction'; or, having a warrior from a culture of 'magnificent sacrifice' experience what it means to 'tread water through thirty million cycles of reincarnation'..."
Her gaze seemed to pierce through the carriage, directed toward Cipher who was "experiencing life" on the Xianzhou, toward Cyrene who was being "warmly taken care of" by Elysia in the Paradise, and toward Stelle and Long Night Moon who were executing missions in different worlds.
"...Perhaps this would generate some unexpected 'chemical reactions.' The process itself might be far more 'meaningful' than simply immersing oneself in a single type of tragic narrative."
Tribbie blinked, vaguely grasping Black Herta's meaning.
It sounded... quite interesting indeed.
Though it might be a bit too "stimulating" for the people involved.
She couldn't help but smile, a clean and warm smile that dispelled the slight gloom from their earlier heavy conversation.
"I think I understand a little now."
She said softly, hugging the cushion in her arms tighter. "It's like... like different pigments, each having its own heavy shade when viewed alone, but if they happen to mix, they might blend into a strange and brand new color that no one expected?"
Black Herta looked at her and gave a clear, albeit faint, smile this time.
"A good understanding, Tribbie."
She raised her cup and gestured slightly toward Tribbie. "To the 'new colors' that haven't been mixed yet, but are guaranteed not to be boring."
Tribbie also picked up her Fruit and Flower Tea, mimicking a toast by "clinking" the invisible rim of the cup, her smile bright:
"Mhm! And also... to the present moment, where Mama and I can sit here and 'watch stories' together."
Exalting Sanctum - Morning Street Alley.
Qingque rubbed her sleepy eyes, her steps so light they felt like she was treading on clouds, swaying as she shuffled home along the bluestone path.
The morning mist hadn't fully dispersed, and the air was cool, but her mind was still echoing with the clamor of "All of One Suit" and "Self-Drawn After Kong" from last night's card game, along with the frustration of calculating points and the ecstasy of winning, making her eyelids heavy and drooping.
(Ah... so sleepy... I definitely can't stay up all night next time... Yes, next time, for sure...)
Just as her mind drifted, almost causing her to bump into a roadside lamp post, a small figure approached from the opposite direction.
Pale cyan hair, fox ears that looked somewhat listless at the moment, and that highly conspicuous large cyan Tail—it was Huo Huo of the Ten Kings Court.
Although Qingque was terribly sleepy, she still maintained basic courtesy.
She struggled to keep her eyes open, raised a hand, and vaguely waved toward the other party, forcing out a slightly dazed smile. "Yo... Huo Huo... morning..."
However, Huo Huo, who usually flinched like a startled small animal or at least responded softly with "M-morning" upon hearing a greeting, today walked right past her as if she hadn't seen her, eyes fixed straight ahead.
Her pace was even quicker than usual, carrying a sense of... inexplicable resolve?
Qingque's half-raised hand froze in mid-air, and she blinked blankly.
She slowly turned her head, only catching Huo Huo's rapidly retreating back, and... the pair of black Sunglasses perched on her nose bridge that almost covered half her face?
(Huh? Ignoring me? Bad mood? And those Sunglasses... when did she buy those? Does a Judge wear those to work?)
Qingque scratched her hair, which was sticking up from sleep, her head full of questions.
But sleepiness quickly reclaimed its dominance. She let out a huge yawn and decided to push this little incident out of her mind.
(Forget it. Maybe it's new 'Work Equipment' issued by the Ten Kings Court? Or maybe she didn't sleep well last night either? Doesn't matter, doesn't matter, getting home to catch up on sleep is the priority! My bed is calling me!)
She shook her head and continued her sleepwalking journey toward the warmth of her bed.
Qingque's Home.
"You remember how to come home?"
Qingque's Mother was hanging laundry in the yard. Seeing her daughter looking utterly drained, she huffed impatiently. "Look at the state of you. Another night playing cards, eh? Don't you have to clock in at the Divination Commission today?"
Qingque mumbled a confused "Huh?" then slapped her forehead suddenly. "Oh, right! I have work!"
But the next second, she showed a look of sudden realization and waved her hand with a grin. "Ah, Mama, I remember now! I took the day off! Hehe, I requested it in advance!"
"Took the day off? I think you just wanted to slack off!"
Qingque's Mother glared at her, but didn't stop her work. "You're constantly fooling around, only knowing how to slack off and play cards. When will you learn to be a little more sensible, like Madam Fu Xuan!"
"Yes, yes, you are absolutely right to lecture me~"
Qingque brushed her off insincerely, slipping away toward her room as if her feet were oiled. "I'm going to take a nap first. Only by catching up on sleep can I better serve the Xianzhou!"
Before her words faded, she had already darted through the door, leaving her mother to shake her head helplessly.
Returning to her room, which was piled high with various novel trinkets, unfinished work (Slacking Off) tools, and scattered playing cards, Qingque felt like she was back in her happy home.
She kicked off her shoes and dove toward the soft, messy bed.
But just before her head hit the pillow, her peripheral vision caught sight of something extra on her desk.
A Thermos Cup printed with an abstract "Slacking Off" pattern.
"Hmm?"
Qingque propped herself up and rubbed her eyes.
This thing wasn't here yesterday, was it? Did my mother buy it?
To reward my "hard work"?
No way, my mother would never buy something so flashy with strange patterns... Curious, she climbed off the bed, walked to the desk, and picked up the Thermos Cup.
It felt heavy in her hand, and the craftsmanship was quite exquisite.
She unscrewed the lid—
"Ding."
With a soft sound, a cool, smooth object rolled out of the cup and into her palm.
It was a beautiful jade tiles, with a green jade base and a white jade inlay, perfectly sized to fit in one hand.
The jade was warm and delicate. The green base resembled a deep lake surface, while the white inlay was carved with a lifelike, gracefully lined cyan swimming fish. Its Tail seemed to be flicking, ready to leap off the tile, making it extraordinarily vibrant.
"Hey! This is nice!"
Qingque's eyes lit up instantly.
She never had any resistance to these kinds of delicate and interesting trinkets.
Playing with it in her hand, the touch was cool and comfortable, and the carving was impeccable—definitely top-notch craftsmanship.
(Did my mother suddenly become enlightened? Did she know I like these things? Or did one of my card buddies send it? Wait, I didn't lose money last night...)
Several thoughts flashed through Qingque's mind, but soon all her attention was drawn to the beautiful jade tiles.
She loved the feeling of receiving an unexpected surprise like this.
"Who cares? I'm keeping it for now!"
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/SolyuraMT
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"