The Mystery Author and the White Fluffy Cat - A Place Called Home

“Home is not always the place where you were born.

Sometimes… it is simply the place where someone quietly leaves the light on, waiting for you to return.”

— The Last Lantern, by Shadow Raven

The first rays of morning sunlight slipped quietly through the windows of Moonlight Pages.

Outside…

Maple Street was only beginning to awaken.

A bakery across the road had just opened its doors.

The faint aroma of freshly baked bread drifted through the cool morning air.

Somewhere nearby…

A bicycle bell rang cheerfully.

Birds sang among the branches of the maple trees lining the street.

Inside the bookstore…

Everything remained peacefully still.

“…Mmm…”

A pair of sapphire-blue eyes slowly opened.

Xue Meixiu blinked at the unfamiliar ceiling above her.

For one brief moment…

She almost expected to hear the distant chime of the Spirit Bell announcing the sunrise over Shangyue Realm.

Instead…

She heard something else.

The gentle sound of a broom brushing across polished wooden floors.

Swish…

Meixiu sat up slowly.

Curious, she slipped out of bed.

The oversized white shirt Yinju had lent her hung loosely over her shoulders, while the gray sweatpants were still slightly too long despite being rolled neatly at the ankles.

She quietly opened the guest room door.

The second floor overlooked the bookstore below.

From the wooden railing, she could see everything.

Rows upon rows of books.

Morning sunlight painting golden patterns across the floor.

Flowerpots decorating every window.

And…

Mu Yinju.

He was carefully sweeping between the bookshelves with slow, unhurried movements.

Every now and then, he paused to straighten a crooked book before continuing.

There wasn’t a trace of annoyance on his face.

Only quiet concentration.

Meixiu rested both hands on the railing.

“…He’s already awake…”

She glanced toward the old clock hanging on the wall.

Five thirty.

Her ears almost appeared.

“…It’s still so early.”

She quietly made her way downstairs.

Her footsteps were so light that Yinju didn’t notice her until she spoke.

“…Good morning.”

He looked up.

A faint smile appeared.

“…Good morning.”

She smiled back.

“You wake before the sun.”

“So do you.”

“…I suppose I do.”

She looked around curiously.

“Is this… your morning ritual?”

Yinju nodded.

“I clean before opening.”

He gently returned a misplaced novel to its proper shelf.

“It helps me think.”

Meixiu watched him for a moment.

Back in Shangyue Realm…

Servants handled these kinds of chores.

Not because she believed they were beneath her.

But because the First Miss of the Xue Clan was rarely given the chance to do them herself.

Yet here…

The owner of the bookstore quietly swept his own floors without complaint.

It felt…

Peaceful.

Without another word, she looked around until she spotted another broom leaning against the wall.

She picked it up.

Yinju blinked.

“…Meixiu?”

She smiled brightly.

“I’ll help.”

He immediately shook his head.

“You don’t have to.”

“I want to.”

“You’re our guest.”

She tilted her head.

“…Didn’t I tell you yesterday?”

He looked puzzled.

“I don’t like simply receiving kindness.”

“If someone helps me…”

“I want to help them too.”

Yinju remained silent for several seconds.

Then…

A tiny sigh escaped him.

“…Very well.”

Her face immediately brightened.

“I’ll do my best.”

She began sweeping enthusiastically.

For approximately thirty seconds…

Everything went surprisingly well.

Then—

“…Hmm?”

She frowned at the rows of books.

“There are so many.”

She began placing books into neat stacks before sweeping beneath the shelves.

Once she finished…

She proudly looked at her work.

“…Done.”

Yinju walked over.

His gaze moved across the shelves.

Then…

He quietly adjusted his glasses.

“…Meixiu.”

“Yes?”

“You’ve reorganized the bookstore.”

She smiled proudly.

“I thought it would be easier to clean.”

He looked at one shelf.

A detective novel now sat comfortably between a cookbook and a gardening guide.

Another mystery novel rested beside a collection of children’s fairy tales.

A travel guide somehow found itself in the poetry section.

“…You sorted them…”

“…by color?”

She nodded happily.

“They look prettier this way.”

Yinju stared silently at the rainbow-colored shelves.

“…They do.”

“But…”

He gently picked up one of the mystery novels.

“Our regular customers may begin solving mysteries of a different kind.”

Meixiu blinked.

“…Oh.”

She looked around.

Only now did she realize every category had been mixed together.

Her shoulders slowly drooped.

“…I broke the bookstore.”

“No.”

“You improved its appearance.”

“…While simultaneously destroying twenty years of organization.”

She lowered her head.

“…I’m sorry.”

For a moment…

Silence filled the bookstore.

Then…

A quiet sound escaped Yinju.

“…Pfft.”

Meixiu looked up.

Another tiny laugh followed.

Not loud.

Not exaggerated.

Just warm.

“…I’m sorry.”

He covered his mouth with one hand.

“I shouldn’t laugh.”

She blinked.

“…You’re laughing again.”

“…It appears so.”

She smiled.

“I like it.”

Yinju looked slightly embarrassed.

“…I’ll help put them back.”

“No.”

She quickly shook her head.

“I made the mess.”

“I should fix it.”

Without another word, she began carefully returning every book to its proper place while Yinju quietly pointed out each section.

“Mystery novels.”

“Here.”

“History.”

“Second shelf.”

“Botany.”

“Next to the window.”

She listened attentively.

Like a diligent student learning something precious.

Nearly half an hour later…

The bookstore finally returned to normal.

Meixiu wiped a tiny bead of sweat from her forehead.

“…Finished.”

Yinju nodded approvingly.

“…Much better.”

She smiled sheepishly.

“I’ve learned something.”

“…What’s that?”

“Human bookstores are much more complicated than Spirit Cat libraries.”

Yinju raised an eyebrow.

“…Spirit Cat libraries?”

She covered her mouth.

“…I’m sorry.”

“I wasn’t supposed to compare them out loud.”

Yinju couldn’t help smiling.

“…I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”

She smiled back.

“…Thank you.”

At that moment…

The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee drifted from the counter.

Meixiu sniffed the air.

“…What is that smell?”

Yinju walked toward the coffee machine.

“…Coffee.”

She followed behind him curiously.

“…Is it another human miracle?”

He thought for a moment.

Then nodded.

“…For many people…”

“…Yes.”

Meixiu giggled softly.

“I think…”

“…I’m beginning to understand humans a little better.”

And as the morning sun continued to rise over Maple Street…

Neither of them noticed that, little by little…

Moonlight Pages no longer felt like a bookstore occupied by one lonely mystery novelist.

It was quietly becoming a home shared by two lonely souls who had found each other when they needed it most.

By eight o’clock…

The little brass bell above the entrance door rang for the first time that morning.

Ding…

An elderly gentleman stepped inside, carrying a folded newspaper beneath his arm.

The familiar scent of old books and freshly brewed coffee welcomed him immediately.

He smiled.

“Good morning, Young Master Mu.”

Yinju looked up from behind the counter.

“…Good morning, Mr. Wu.”

The old man chuckled.

“You’re as punctual as always.”

Before Yinju could answer…

A curious young woman with long black hair, its dark strands kissed by shimmering silver beneath the morning light, peeked out from behind one of the bookshelves.

She bowed politely.

“…Good morning.”

Mr. Wu blinked.

“…Oh?”

He looked toward Yinju.

“I don’t believe we’ve met.”

Yinju nodded.

“This is Xue Meixiu.”

“She’ll be staying here for a while.”

Meixiu offered another respectful bow.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Mr. Wu smiled warmly.

“The pleasure is mine.”

He glanced toward Yinju again.

“…You finally have someone helping around the bookstore.”

Yinju adjusted his glasses.

“…She’s helping because she insists.”

Meixiu nodded earnestly.

“I don’t wish to be a burden.”

Mr. Wu laughed.

“Then this bookstore has become livelier already.”

The old gentleman selected two history books before quietly taking a seat near the window with a cup of coffee.

As always…

Moonlight Pages remained peaceful.

Only this time…

There was another gentle smile inside it.

Throughout the morning…

More familiar customers arrived.

Each of them greeted Yinju by name.

Each of them received the same calm smile.

And each of them…

Eventually noticed Meixiu.

“…Young Master Mu?”

A middle-aged woman carrying several children’s books tilted her head.

“Is she your younger cousin?”

“…No.”

“Your niece?”

“…No.”

“…Your apprentice?”

Yinju thought for a moment.

“…Not exactly.”

Meixiu looked equally puzzled.

“…What is an apprentice?”

Yinju quietly answered,

“…Someone learning.”

She smiled brightly.

“…Then perhaps I am.”

The woman laughed.

“What a sweet girl.”

The next customer needed help reaching a book on the highest shelf.

Before Yinju could walk over…

Meixiu had already hurried across the bookstore.

“I’ll help.”

She carefully stood on the small wooden step stool.

Her fingertips brushed the spine of the requested novel.

“…Almost…”

She stretched just a little further.

“…A little…”

The stool wobbled.

“Oh.”

Before she could lose her balance…

A steady hand gently held the ladder.

“It isn’t going anywhere.”

She looked down.

Yinju stood beside the stool, keeping it steady.

“…Thank you.”

She carefully handed the book to the customer before climbing down.

The young mother smiled.

“You’re very kind.”

Meixiu blinked.

“…Is helping unusual?”

“…Nowadays?”

The woman smiled gently.

“A little.”

Meixiu looked genuinely surprised.

“…It shouldn’t be.”

The customer left with a thoughtful expression.

Yinju quietly watched the exchange.

For Meixiu…

Kindness wasn’t something extraordinary.

It was simply the way she lived.

Late that morning…

Another familiar bell echoed through the bookstore.

Ding…

Mrs. Chen entered carrying three mystery novels.

“Young Master Mu.”

“…Mrs. Chen.”

She returned the books before suddenly noticing Meixiu arranging flowers beside the window.

“Oh my…”

“What a lovely young lady.”

Meixiu immediately bowed.

“Good morning.”

Mrs. Chen smiled so brightly that the wrinkles around her eyes deepened.

“…You’re adorable.”

Meixiu blinked.

“…Adorable?”

Yinju quietly busied himself arranging returned books.

Mrs. Chen lowered her voice conspiratorially.

“Young Master Mu.”

“…Yes?”

“…Where did she come from?”

Yinju answered with perfect calm.

“…Far away.”

Mrs. Chen nodded thoughtfully.

“I can believe that.”

She looked toward Meixiu again.

“She has such a lovely manners.”

Then…

She leaned closer.

“…Is she your girlfriend?”

The entire bookstore became silent.

Meixiu tilted her head.

“…Girl… friend?”

Yinju nearly dropped the book in his hands.

“…No.”

Mrs. Chen smiled knowingly.

“I understand.”

“…No.”

“I really do.”

“…Mrs. Chen.”

She laughed cheerfully.

“Young people always deny it.”

Meixiu quietly walked over.

“…Excuse me.”

Both of them looked at her.

“…What is a girlfriend?”

Yinju closed his eyes for a brief second.

Mrs. Chen laughed so hard she had to hold onto the counter.

“Oh…”

“You really are innocent.”

Meixiu looked even more confused.

“…Is it different from being friends?”

Yinju gently cleared his throat.

“…It’s… slightly more complicated.”

She nodded seriously.

“I see.”

Then she smiled.

“…Then we are bookstore friends.”

Mrs. Chen burst into laughter again.

“Oh, Young Master Mu…”

“…She’s precious."

Even Yinju couldn’t hide the tiny smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

“…She is.”

The words escaped before he realized it.

Silence followed.

Meixiu looked at him.

“…Really?”

He blinked.

“…I meant…”

“…You’re a precious guest.”

She smiled warmly anyway.

“…Thank you.”

For some reason…

Those simple words left both of them feeling slightly embarrassed.

By noon…

The bookstore had quieted once more.

Sunlight poured through the windows, illuminating countless rows of books.

Meixiu carefully dusted the shelves.

Every few moments…

She paused to admire another beautifully illustrated cover.

“…Humans truly have endless stories.”

Yinju nodded.

“…They do.”

She looked at him curiously.

“…Do you think every story has a happy ending?”

He was quiet for a long moment.

Then…

“…No.”

She lowered her feather duster.

“…Then why do humans keep reading them?”

Yinju gently placed another book back onto the shelf.

“…Because even sad stories remind us…”

He glanced toward the sunlight spilling through the windows.

“…that we weren’t alone.”

Meixiu didn’t answer immediately.

Instead…

She smiled softly.

“…I think…”

“…I’d like to write a story like that someday.”

Yinju looked at her.

For just a moment.

Neither of them realized…

Those simple words had quietly marked the beginning of a journey that would one day give birth to a new name beloved by countless readers.

Moonlit Camellia.

But…

That day was still far away.

For now…

She was simply Xue Meixiu.

A girl from another world…

Learning, one peaceful day at a time…

What it truly meant to have a place she could call home.

The next day…

Morning sunlight spilled through the tall windows of Moonlight Pages, painting warm golden patterns across rows of books.

The bookstore had just opened.

A soft bell chimed.

Ding…

Yinju looked up from arranging returned novels.

“…Welcome.”

Several regular customers entered one after another.

Mrs. Chen.

A university student.

A father buying picture books for his daughter.

Everything seemed wonderfully ordinary.

Meixiu stood behind one of the bookshelves.

Watching.

Learning.

Humans fascinated her.

She had never imagined a world where complete strangers could become emotional simply because of stories.

Mrs. Chen hugged a newly borrowed novel close to her chest.

“I’ve been waiting all week for this.”

Another customer smiled.

“I heard Shadow Raven’s mysteries always make people cry near the end.”

Meixiu blinked.

“They cry?”

Yinju quietly stamped another library card.

“Sometimes.”

“…But they’re mystery novels.”

“They are.”

“…Then why cry?”

Yinju thought for a moment.

“Because solving the mystery doesn’t always erase the sadness behind it.”

Meixiu looked toward the bookshelf displaying Shadow Raven’s novels.

She suddenly understood.

His books weren’t only about discovering criminals.

They were about understanding people.

Later that afternoon…

The bookstore became quiet again.

Meixiu wandered toward the mystery section.

She carefully picked up The Silent Witness.

“…May I?”

Yinju nodded.

“Of course.”

She sat beside the window.

Sunlight warmed the pages.

Slowly…

She began reading.

An hour passed.

Then another.

The bookstore remained silent except for the occasional turning of pages.

Finally…

Meixiu gently closed the novel.

Yinju glanced toward her.

“…How was it?”

She remained quiet.

Instead…

She hugged the book against her chest.

“…It hurt.”

Yinju froze.

She smiled sadly.

“The mystery wasn’t about finding the murderer."

“It was about discovering why everyone ignored someone who desperately needed help.”

Yinju lowered his eyes.

“…You understood.”

“I think…”

She gently traced the author’s pen name on the cover.

“…Shadow Raven’s stories aren’t asking readers who committed the crime.”

“They’re asking why no one stopped it.”

Silence settled between them.

For a long moment…

Neither spoke.

Then Yinju smiled.

A very small smile.

“…You’re the first person who’s ever said that.”

That evening…

Rain began falling outside.

Soft.

Gentle.

Customers hurried home.

The bookstore emptied once more.

Meixiu stood near the large front window.

Raindrops slowly slid across the glass.

“…It’s beautiful.”

Yinju brewed tea.

“It rains often during this season.”

“It sounds different.”

“…Different?”

She nodded.

“In Shangyue Realm…”

“…the rain carries spiritual energy.”

“And here?”

She smiled softly.

“It carries memories.”

Yinju looked toward the rain.

“…Perhaps.”

Time passed quietly.

By the time dinner was over…

The rain had already faded into a light drizzle.

Soon…

Even the last droplets disappeared.

The clouds slowly drifted apart, allowing the evening moon to peek through the night sky.

The garden glistened beneath the silver moonlight.

Rain droplets still rested upon the roses, lavender, jasmine, hydrangeas, and countless potted flowers, each reflecting the moon like tiny crystals.

Near the center of the little garden…

The white camellias swayed gently in the cool evening breeze.

Of all the flowers blooming in the garden…

The white camellias remained Meixiu’s favorite.

After dinner…

Meixiu stepped quietly into the little garden behind the bookstore.

As she passed the roses, she gently brushed a few rain-soaked petals with her fingertips.

The calming fragrance of lavender drifted through the cool night air.

Jasmine vines swayed softly along the wooden trellis, while the hydrangeas sparkled beneath the moonlight.

Finally…

She stopped before the white camellias.

A warm smile appeared on her face.

She admired every flower Yinju had lovingly cared for.

Each carried its own fragrance.

Its own quiet beauty.

Yet…

The white camellias always made her heart linger a little longer.

They reminded her of the ancient camellia tree where she had whispered her final goodbye beneath the twin moons.

“…You’re beautiful.”

One flower gently brushed against her fingertips.

Closing her eyes…

She quietly allowed a tiny amount of spiritual energy to gather.

Only a little.

Just enough.

The flower immediately bloomed a little brighter.

She smiled.

“…It still works.”

The tiny bloom shimmered beneath the moonlight.

Not much.

But enough.

The spiritual energy flowing through her meridians no longer felt completely empty.

Slowly…

Very slowly…

Her strength was beginning to return.

From inside the bookstore…

Yinju quietly watched through the window.

He noticed something.

The flowers surrounding Meixiu seemed…

Healthier.

Brighter.

Almost happier.

“…Strange.”

He adjusted his glasses.

“…Perhaps I’m imagining things.”

Far away…

Beyond the boundary between worlds…

The Shangyue Realm.

The Hall of the Four Great Clans had never felt so tense.

Clan elders filled the ancient chamber.

Not a single smile could be found among them.

At the center stood the leaders of the Xue Clan.

Xue Chengyuan.

Lady Xue Wanqing.

Husband and wife.

Patriarch and First Madam of the Xue Clan.

Both remained silent.

An elder of the Hua Clan was the first to break the oppressive silence.

“…Where is Meixiu?”

No one answered.

Another elder slowly rose to his feet, his expression dark.

“You imprisoned the future guardian of Shangyue Realm.”

“Then she disappeared.”

“Explain.”

Silence.

The air inside the Hall of the Four Great Clans grew noticeably heavier.

No one dared to speak.

Then—

Hua Qingran stepped forward.

The young successor of the Hua Clan, known throughout Shangyue Realm for her gentle nature, no longer wore her usual warm smile.

Her emerald eyes were calm.

But beneath that calm…

Burned quiet anger.

“Before anyone speaks another word against Meixiu…”

She slowly turned.

Her gaze settled upon Shen Mingzhu.

“…I have a question.”

The entire hall followed her line of sight.

Mingzhu instinctively stiffened.

“…Where exactly were you…”

“…when the Sacred Moon Pearl disappeared?”

The question echoed through the chamber.

Mingzhu’s heartbeat skipped.

“…I…”

Before she could continue—

Yan Zichen spoke.

His arms remained folded across his chest.

His voice was colder than anyone had ever heard.

“Answer the question.”

Yue Jingchen lowered the scroll in his hand.

“…Your testimony…”

“…doesn’t match the statements given by the attendants on duty that night.”

Murmurs spread among the elders.

Mingzhu’s face gradually lost its color.

Inside her sleeves…

Her hands began to tremble.

Why…?

Why are they questioning me now?

Everything was supposed to end…

Meixiu was blamed.

Meixiu was imprisoned.

Meixiu left.

So why…?

Why won’t this end?

Another elder slowly rose from his seat.

His expression was grim.

“The Sacred Moon Pearl has yet to be found.”

“The future guardian of Shangyue Realm has vanished.”

“And now…”

His sharp gaze fell upon Shen Mingzhu.

“…your testimony is beginning to fall apart.”

The chamber became deathly silent.

For the first time since her scheme began…

Shen Mingzhu felt genuine fear.

She had believed that once Xue Meixiu disappeared…

The truth would disappear with her.

But reality had chosen another path.

Without Xue Meixiu…

Shangyue Realm had not become peaceful.

It had become divided.

Back in the Human World…

Meixiu quietly looked up at the single moon hanging above Moonlight Pages.

The silver light bathed the little bookstore in a gentle glow.

“…I wonder…”

“…are Qingran…”

“…Zichen…”

“…and Jingchen…”

“…doing well?”

A small, wistful smile appeared on her lips.

“I miss them.”

She didn’t know…

That at this very moment…

The three friends she missed most were risking everything to uncover the truth she had never defended herself against.

They had never stopped believing in her.

They had only begun searching too late.

And beneath the light of the same moon…

The lies surrounding the Xue Clan were beginning to crack.

Little by little.

Like thin ice welcoming the arrival of spring.

Several days passed peacefully.

Life inside Moonlight Pages gradually settled into a comfortable rhythm.

During those quiet days…

Yinju quietly stopped by a clothing store on his way home from buying groceries.

He returned carrying a simple paper bag.

Meixiu tilted her head curiously.

“…What’s that?”

He placed the bag gently on the table.

“…Some clothes.”

She blinked.

“…For me?”

He nodded.

“They’re just everyday clothes.”

“…Nothing expensive.”

Meixiu carefully looked inside the bag.

A few simple blouses.

Comfortable sweaters.

A couple of skirts.

A pair of jeans.

Even a light cardigan.

She gently ran her fingertips across the neatly folded fabric.

“…They’re beautiful.”

Then she looked up at him.

“…But I can’t accept so much kindness without giving something in return.”

Yinju adjusted his glasses.

“…Consider them a welcome gift.”

She hesitated.

“…A welcome gift?”

“…You’re staying here.”

“…You’ll need more than one outfit.”

She blinked several times.

“…You mean…”

“…I don’t have to wear the same clothes every day?”

Yinju looked at her for a moment.

“…Preferably not.”

Meixiu’s sapphire-blue eyes sparkled with genuine amazement.

“…Humans own so many kinds of clothing.”

“…The Human World is amazing.”

A tiny laugh escaped Yinju before he could stop it.

“…I suppose it is.”

Meixiu carefully folded each piece once more before carrying them upstairs.

One by one…

She placed them neatly inside the wardrobe of the little guest room.

Looking at the clothes resting on the shelves…

A warm smile slowly appeared on her face.

“…Thank you.”

Little by little…

The guest room no longer felt like a room she was merely borrowing.

It was quietly becoming a place she could call her own.

Morning began with the scent of freshly brewed coffee.

Books returned to their proper shelves.

Flowers were watered.

The little brass bell above the door continued to welcome every visitor with its familiar chime.

Ding…

“…Good morning.”

“…Welcome.”

“…Take your time.”

Yinju’s calm voice never changed.

Meixiu had also found her own routine.

She swept the wooden floor before opening.

She watered every flower in the little garden with the same gentle care Yinju had always shown them.

Roses, lavender, jasmine, hydrangeas…

Each greeted the morning with quiet beauty.

Last of all…

She always stopped before the white camellias.

They still reminded her of home.

Smiling softly, she would greet them just as she greeted the others.

“…Good morning.”

She had even learned how to operate the cash register—

Although she still accidentally bowed too deeply whenever a customer bought a book.

One afternoon…

A little girl purchased a fairy tale.

Meixiu accepted the payment with both hands before giving the child the book.

“…May this story make you smile.”

The little girl blinked.

Then smiled brightly.

“Thank you, Big Sister!”

After she left…

Yinju looked at Meixiu.

“…You don’t have to give customers blessings.”

Meixiu tilted her head.

“…Really?”

“In Shangyue Realm…”

“…we always bless someone when giving them a gift.”

Yinju smiled faintly.

“…Books aren’t usually treated like gifts.”

She looked toward the little girl skipping happily down the street.

“…I think they are.”

Yinju couldn’t argue with that.

Meanwhile…

Across the city…

A lecture hall buzzed with conversation as university students packed their bags after class.

“…Did you finish the assignment?”

“…Barely finish them at all.”

“…Professor Chen gave us too much reading.”

Near the back row sat a young man with neatly combed black hair.

Mu Yichen.

Unlike his quiet older brother…

Yichen was naturally cheerful.

He laughed easily.

Made friends quickly.

And somehow managed to remain optimistic despite carrying a loneliness he rarely spoke about.

As the classroom emptied…

Another student hurried over.

He carried far too many books in his arms.

One slipped.

Another nearly followed.

“Ah—!”

Before the entire stack could collapse—

Yichen caught them.

“…Careful.”

The other student smiled sheepishly.

“Thanks…”

“I would’ve started another book avalanche.”

Yichen laughed.

“You really carry a library everywhere.”

“…Occupational hazard.”

Yichen steadied the top of the stack until Yusheng had everything balanced again.

Yusheng let out a relieved sigh.

“Thanks… My name’s Lu Yusheng.”

“I’m Mu Yichen.”

They smiled at each other before continuing across campus together. Before long, Yichen noticed the titles Yusheng was carrying.

Every single one belonged to the same author.

Shadow Raven.

Yichen smiled.

“…You’re a fan too?”

Yusheng’s eyes immediately lit up.

“Too?”

Yichen nodded.

“I’ve collected every novel.”

“The older ones were impossible to find.”

“I searched secondhand bookstores for months.”

Yusheng looked as though he’d discovered a lifelong friend.

“No way.”

“You actually found The House Without Footprints?”

“It took me almost a year.”

“My favorite is The Silent Witness.”

“I cried at the ending.”

“…Me too.”

The two exchanged an understanding look.

Sometimes…

Book lovers became friends faster than anyone else.

Yusheng suddenly remembered something.

“Oh!”

“If you like Shadow Raven…”

“You should visit a bookstore called Moonlight Pages.”

Yichen looked curious.

“I’ve never heard of it.”

“It’s small.”

“But somehow…”

“They always receive Shadow Raven’s newest novels almost immediately.”

“Sometimes even before the larger bookstores.”

Yichen blinked.

“Seriously?”

Yusheng nodded enthusiastically.

“And if all the copies are sold out…”

“The owner lets people borrow them from the reading corner.”

“He’s incredibly kind.”

Yichen smiled.

“That sounds unusual.”

“It is.”

Yusheng smiled as he hugged the stack of books a little closer.

“I’ve never met a bookseller who understands readers so well.”

For some reason he couldn’t explain…

Those words lingered in Yichen’s mind.

That evening…

While organizing his own bookshelf at home…

Yichen’s gaze settled upon a familiar collection.

Every published novel by Shadow Raven.

He gently ran a finger across the spines.

“…I wonder…”

He picked up The Silent Witness.

“…Where are you now…”

“…Brother?”

His smile slowly faded.

Years had passed since Mu Yinju had quietly left home.

There had been no arguments.

No dramatic farewell.

Only distance.

Their father rarely mentioned Yinju anymore.

The house had continued moving forward…

As though one son had simply disappeared from its story.

Yichen never accepted that.

Whenever he read Shadow Raven’s novels…

He was reminded of his older brother.

Not because he believed they were the same person.

Simply because…

The quiet sadness inside those stories reminded him of the gentle brother who had always protected him.

“…I hope…”

“…you’re doing well.”

He carefully returned the novel to its place.

Without realizing it…

His path was slowly leading him toward the very bookstore where the person he missed most quietly lived.

Elsewhere…

Moonlight Pages prepared to close for the evening.

Meixiu stood on a small stool, carefully placing a returned book onto the highest shelf.

“…Almost…”

She stretched just a little farther.

“…Almost…”

The book slipped.

“Oh!”

Before it could fall—

A hand gently caught it.

Yinju placed it neatly on the shelf.

“There.”

Meixiu looked up at him.

“…You’re tall.”

“…Average.”

“…Average humans are convenient.”

Yinju chuckled softly.

“…I’ll accept that compliment.”

She smiled.

For the first time since arriving in the Human World…

Her smile reached her eyes without hesitation.

And Yinju noticed.

The sadness she had carried on the day they met…

Was slowly becoming lighter.

Like morning mist disappearing beneath the sunrise.

Neither of them realized…

That another chapter of their lives was quietly approaching.

One that would begin…

With a university student…

A devoted fan…

And a younger brother…

Walking toward a little bookstore called Moonlight Pages.

The following Saturday…

Morning sunlight poured through the windows of Moonlight Pages.

The bookstore was busier than usual.

Children browsed the fairy tale section.

University students occupied the reading corner.

An elderly couple quietly searched for travel books.

The familiar little brass bell never seemed to stop ringing.

Ding…

Yinju moved calmly between the shelves, helping customers whenever they needed recommendations.

Meanwhile…

Meixiu had discovered another talent.

She remembered exactly where every book belonged.

“…History is on the third shelf.”

“…Fantasy is near the window.”

“…Poetry is upstairs.”

The regular customers had already begun smiling whenever they saw the gentle young woman.

Some even assumed she had always worked there.

Around noon…

A delivery truck stopped outside the bookstore.

Several cardboard boxes were carefully carried inside.

Meixiu tilted her head.

“…More books?”

Yinju nodded.

“They arrived earlier than expected.”

She crouched beside one of the boxes and carefully read the label.

New Releases.

Her sapphire-blue eyes sparkled.

“…Can I help?”

“Of course.”

Together…

They opened the boxes.

Fresh books filled the air with the unmistakable scent of newly printed paper.

Meixiu inhaled deeply.

“…They smell wonderful.”

Yinju smiled faintly.

“…I think so too.”

She carefully lifted one of the books.

“…Human stories are born like this…”

“…One page at a time.”

Several hours later…

The bookstore finally grew quiet again.

The last customer waved goodbye.

The brass bell chimed one final time.

Ding…

Yinju turned the wooden sign.

CLOSED.

Meixiu stretched her arms above her head.

“…Today was busy.”

“It usually is on weekends.”

She looked around proudly.

“…No books fell today.”

“…That’s an improvement.”

She puffed her cheeks.

“…It only happened twice.”

“…Four times.”

“…I was being optimistic.”

Yinju couldn’t help smiling.

“…I noticed.”

After dinner…

The two of them sat together in the little garden behind the bookstore.

Around them…

Roses and lavender swayed gently beneath the evening breeze.

The sweet fragrance of jasmine lingered in the cooling air.

Clusters of hydrangeas glowed softly beneath the fading sunset.

Near the center of the garden…

White camellias bloomed quietly beneath the first hints of moonlight.

They had quietly become Meixiu’s favorite corner of the garden.

The evening sky slowly filled with shades of orange and gold.

Meixiu looked upward.

“…The moon will appear soon.”

“…Yes.”

Silence settled comfortably between them.

It was no longer the silence of strangers.

It had become the quiet understanding of two people slowly growing accustomed to one another’s presence.

After a while…

Meixiu spoke.

“…Yinju?”

“…Hm?”

“…May I ask something?”

“You may.”

She hesitated.

“…Why did you become a writer?”

Yinju remained silent for a long moment.

The evening breeze wandered through the little garden.

Roses nodded gently along the fence.

Lavender and jasmine filled the air with their calming fragrance.

Nearby, the hydrangeas shimmered softly beneath the fading light, while the white camellias swayed quietly near the center of the garden.

Finally…

He answered.

“…Because stories remember people.”

Meixiu listened quietly.

“When I was younger…”

“I believed memories disappeared.”

“But after writing my first novel…”

“I realized something.”

He looked toward the bookstore.

“…Even if someone is forgotten by the world…”

“…they can still live inside a story.”

Meixiu lowered her gaze.

“…That’s beautiful.”

He smiled faintly.

“…Maybe.”

Her eyes slowly wandered across the little garden.

She admired the roses, the lavender, the jasmine vines, and the blooming hydrangeas that Yinju had lovingly cared for.

At last…

Her gaze settled upon the white camellias she loved most.

They still reminded her of the ancient camellia tree where she had whispered her final goodbye beneath the twin moons.

A gentle smile appeared.

“…Then…”

“…perhaps I want to write stories too.”

Yinju looked at her in surprise.

“…You want to write?”

She nodded.

“I’ve seen so many beautiful things.”

“The twin moons.”

“The spirit forests.”

“The flower spirits.”

“The ordinary people who smiled despite difficult lives.”

“And…”

She smiled softly.

“…the Human World.”

“…I don’t want those memories to disappear into silence… the way people do.”

Yinju quietly considered her words.

Then…

He stood.

“I’ll be right back.”

A few moments later…

He returned carrying a simple notebook.

Its cover was plain brown.

Unused.

He gently placed it into Meixiu’s hands.

“…Every story begins somewhere.”

She stared at the notebook as though it were a priceless treasure.

“…For me?”

“…For you.”

She carefully held it against her chest.

“…Thank you.”

Yinju smiled.

“…Don’t worry about writing something perfect.”

“Just write honestly.”

She nodded earnestly.

“…I’ll try.”

“…That’s enough.”

Later that night…

After Meixiu had gone upstairs…

She opened the notebook beneath the soft glow of a bedside lamp.

The first page remained blank.

For several minutes…

She simply stared at it.

“…What should I write?”

She thought about Shangyue Realm.

About the twin moons.

About the camellia tree she had left behind.

About the lonely bookstore owner who had rescued a frightened white cat without asking for anything in return.

A small smile appeared.

Slowly…

She picked up the fountain pen Yinju had lent her.

The ink touched the page.

She wrote only one sentence.

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

She read it once.

Then smiled.

“…Perhaps…”

“…this is where my story begins.”

Far away…

Across the city…

Mu Yichen stood in front of his own bookshelf.

Tomorrow was Sunday.

No classes.

He remembered Lu Yusheng’s recommendation.

Moonlight Pages.

“…Maybe I’ll visit.”

He smiled to himself.

“…At the very least…”

“…I might find a Shadow Raven novel I haven’t read yet.”

He had no idea…

That the owner of that little bookstore…

Was the older brother he had spent years wondering about.

At the same time…

In another part of the city...

Editor Lin Zhiyuan finished proofreading the latest reprint of The Seventh Key.

He rubbed his tired eyes.

“…That stubborn author…”

He sighed affectionately.

“I should visit him one of these days.”

He smiled to himself.

“It’s been months since I last checked whether he’s eating properly.”

Completely unaware…

That when he finally visited Moonlight Pages…

He would discover that the reclusive bestselling author he worried about…

Was no longer living alone.

Beyond the boundary between worlds…

The twin moons shone quietly over Shangyue Realm.

Deep within the archives of the Yue Clan…

Yue Jingchen slowly unrolled another ancient record.

His silver eyes paused.

“…Found it.”

Beside him…

Hua Qingran looked up.

“What is it?”

Yue Jingchen placed one finger upon a faded line of text.

“The Sacred Moon Pearl…”

“…records every spiritual resonance it touches.”

Silence.

Yan Zichen frowned.

“…Meaning?”

Yue Jingchen slowly closed the scroll.

“…If the Sacred Moon Pearl truly vanished…”

“…then somewhere…”

“…its final resonance still remains.”

For the first time…

Hope quietly appeared in the eyes of the three successors.

Because lies…

Could deceive people.

But they could never deceive history.

And slowly…

Piece by piece…

The truth was drawing closer.

Meanwhile…

Shen Mingzhu…

Who had believed her deception would disappear together with Xue Meixiu…

Found herself sleeping less with each passing night.

Because the truth…

No matter how deeply buried…

Always found its way back into the light.

Under one moon…

A lonely mystery novelist had unknowingly become someone’s safe haven.

Under two moons…

Three loyal friends continued searching for the truth.

And somewhere between those two worlds…

A new story had just written its very first sentence.

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