The Reunion of Selves

The girl lay supine amidst the void, as if gently cradled by an unseen force, utterly defying the shackles of gravity.

Adorned in her signature black and white Gothic gown, she resembled a slumbering princess.

Just as Qi Yue’an felt an irresistible urge to draw closer for a better look, the girl’s eyelashes fluttered faintly. She subtly opened her eyes to a sliver, peeking at Qi Yue’an, before a mischievous yet lively smile bloomed upon her face.

A radiant glow enveloped her, and as her body began to ascend, her garments seemed to be magically remolded, instantly transforming into an exquisite, profound black gown. Her previously half-black, half-white hair now shifted to a pristine, unblemished silver.

“Hi, long time no see. Did you miss me?”

She winked at Qi Yue’an and formed a cute V-sign gesture by her ear, her voice imbued with a cheerful rhythm.

A rare expression of shock crossed Qi Yue’an’s face.

“It’s… you…”

She had believed the other girl had long since fallen into eternal slumber at the crossroads of choice, never imagining that after several months, they would reunite in such a manner, in this very place.

“Hee hee, I’m back!”

The girl landed gracefully, tossing her silver-white hair with a proud flourish. The innate confidence and cheerfulness emanating from her, when set upon a face identical to Qi Yue’an’s, blazed with a dazzling brilliance that Qi Yue’an could never quite attain.

She eagerly leaned in close to Qi Yue’an, reaching out to gently caress her cheek, her gaze filled with both curiosity and concern:

“This new life… and how does it feel to be a girl? Have you truly experienced it?”

“I…”

Qi Yue’an was momentarily speechless, a torrent of complex emotions surging within her. She had always known this day would come, and she had often wished to meet her ‘benefactor’ again. Yet, the thought of her return also brought a fear and anxiety of no longer being needed.

Observing her somewhat flustered and complicated demeanor, the silver-haired girl—now known as Qi Yue—chuckled.

“Did you catch that heartless scoundrel? From the look of it… you seem to have made some progress?”

She giggled. Perhaps because the atmosphere now wasn’t as somber as it had been before, she seemed much more vivacious. Perhaps this was her true personality all along.

Qi Yue slowly approached, then suddenly circled behind Qi Yue’an, who was still lost in thought, and immediately embraced her. The up-and-down motion of her hands instantly broke Qi Yue’an’s train of thought.

“You… what are you doing!”

She immediately struggled free. This sensitive ‘body’ intensely affected her soul, and the sensation of being touched in sensitive areas instantly emptied her mind.

“Why, to ‘boot you up,’ of course. Since you’ve chosen a new life, be more cheerful. You won’t be happy if you keep such a low mood.”

Qi Yue tilted her head and smiled, as if completely uninhibited, a hint of profound meaning in her expression.

“Looking at your spiritual body… it’s completely transformed into this. Have you already experienced… that feeling only girls have?”

This sudden shift in topic made even the usually serious and melancholic Qi Yue’an blush slightly. She glanced away, mumbling under her breath.

“Not yet…”

Although she said this, in reality, this body was far from devoid of adolescent stirrings. Having previously slept nightly with a mature man, such thoughts were not only present, but abundant.

However, driven by a peculiar sense of dignity, she had deceived herself with the strange excuse that ‘this is reserved for him.’

“Oh~ reserved for him, is it~ You’re truly pure, aren’t you~”

Qi Yue’s expression turned teasing. Only then did Qi Yue’an recall that their surface thoughts were, in fact, transparent to each other.

“Ah, what a pity. You transformed too early, and with what happened last time, I couldn’t let you experience a boy’s pleasure first.”

These explosive words made Qi Yue’an recoil a step. Yet, Qi Yue leaned in once more, her eyes sparkling as if with tiny hearts, and she truly seemed eager to try it.

“Um… we have a husband… No… it’s just not right!”

She was pushed back, step by step, until she reached the side of a doorway.

“It seems you’re still inexperienced~ An inexperienced wife…”

Saying this, Qi Yue voluntarily retreated. Yet, Qi Yue’an felt an inexplicable sense of despondency—not because of Qi Yue herself, but because someone who spoke like that likely had experience. Could it be that the identity of ‘Qi Yue,’ within the memories not yet transferred to her, had already shared such a relationship with him?

While the explosive thought of it being someone else wasn’t entirely absent, her rationality still couldn’t conceive of her falling in love with any man other than him.

“However, I’ve never had a husband~ Though Lin Xiao is a rather interesting person, I don’t have *that* kind of interest in him. Rather, Xiyin… or perhaps you, are more intriguing to me~”

Finally seeing an expression of disgust on Qi Yue’an’s face—one that would normally be impossible—she smiled contentedly and began to speak of serious matters.

“Alright, it’s time for business. Since I woke up, I’ve discovered some interesting things. Look.”

She gestured towards the boundless space around them.

“Here, many things depend on ‘belief’. For example, if you believe you can fly, then you can fly!”

As she spoke, she leaped lightly, and her body defied all logic, hovering in the air before performing a graceful turn.

“Things like gravity only exist if you believe they do. In a way, this place is like an idealistic dreamscape!”

She landed again, and taking Qi Yue’an’s hand, she suggested:

“To distinguish us, why don’t we change our hair colors? I’ll keep mine white, and you can turn yours pure black. How about that? It could be a symbol of our fundamental essences.”

Qi Yue’an hesitated for a moment, then imagined it as requested. Her half-black, half-white hair indeed seemed to be steeped in ink, swiftly transforming into a cascade of lustrous black, a stark contrast to Qi Yue’s dazzling silver locks.

“Yue, you… why did you fall into slumber?”

“Yue? Heh heh… That’s truly your style. You can just call me that from now on. As for why I fell into slumber…”

Qi Yue’s smile softened slightly, taking on a hint of seriousness.

“At that time, your consciousness had just undergone a tremendous change. Your soul gem was like a fragile seedling. My very existence was a burden to you. To protect you, and to allow you to better adapt and stabilize this new self, ‘Qi Yue’an,’ I chose to temporarily fall into slumber, entrusting my body entirely to you.”

She paused, her tone resuming its cheerful lilt.

“After all, as your counterpart and opposite, my reason for existence is to hope that ‘I’—whether you are Qi An or Qi Yue—can find happiness. And the fact that you are still here is already the greatest fortune.”

With the conversation flowing, much of the initial awkwardness between them dissipated. They joined hands and together pushed open the shimmering door of light and shadow.

Beyond the door was not the expected chaos, but a vast ruin permeated by an inexplicable sense of sanctity and desolation.

It was as if an entire civilization had left behind its messages and remnants, bearing similarities to the outside world’s Earth, yet appearing far more ancient and sacred. A boundless, azure light, emanating from the high heavens, cast an overwhelming sense of solitude.

Beneath their feet lay a path of broken flagstones. In the distance, a majestic, temple-like core building loomed, surrounded by countless ruined and dilapidated structures that nonetheless hinted at their former glory.

The air shimmered with motes of light. Occasionally, blurred, faceless figures flitted past, some evoking a strange sense of familiarity, others entirely alien. The entire scene was like the lingering echo of a magnificent civilization’s demise.

This was not a place of utter desolation. Some relatively intact buildings still emitted wisps of cooking smoke, but as if in a post-apocalyptic world, most of the inhabitants there mechanically repeated the same actions, never seeming to tire.

Continuing their exploration, they reached the core area of this massive architectural complex. Encircling the central temple was a bustling, lively district that stood in stark contrast to the surrounding decay.

A tall wall enclosed it. Upon entering, they found someone already waiting for them at the city gate.

Qi Yue’an’s pupils contracted slightly upon seeing her face.

Her appearance was identical to Qi Yue’an’s, though she wore her hair in a neat, high ponytail, and her identical silver eyes held a hint of sunny, cheerful disposition.

“Welcome to ‘An City’! You can call me Qi Li, and I’ll be your guide.”

She introduced herself with a smile.

Though small, the city was fully equipped, divided into residential, administrative, industrial zones, and a central plaza. The girls within the city, despite varying clothing and hair colors, all shared Qi Yue’an’s face.

They greeted the ‘two’ newcomers with friendly smiles and curious glances, creating a warm and ordinary atmosphere, as if their arrival was the most natural thing.

Qi Li explained that to distinguish themselves, everyone adopted different names. Only the newest ‘individuals’ to arrive could inherit the titles of ‘Qi Yue’ or ‘Qi Yue’an’.

Throughout the journey, Qi Yue naturally, almost forcibly, held Qi Yue’an’s hand, eagerly looking around. Qi Yue’an, on the one hand, felt a little unnerved by the many gazes, and on the other, speculated about the true nature of these girls.

“Newcomers already? Hello!”

A ‘Qi Yue’an’ with pigtails ran over, seemingly eager to talk.

“How is Xiyin? What about Bai Jin?”

She eagerly asked these questions, but was then playfully hit on the head by another girl nearby, causing her to squat down and start whimpering.

“Hua, what are you doing…”

However, the girl who should be called Qi Hua stood with her hands on her hips, her face set in a deliberately stern yet endearingly fierce expression.

“Ye, that’s rude.”

“Don’t ask newcomers such questions…”

“Ugh… I just wanted to confirm… what if they’re still here…”

As she spoke, the atmosphere between the two inexplicably grew somber.

“Hmm?”

Qi Yue’an looked on curiously. She had initially intended to answer, but seeing the situation, she decided against it.

“It seems you are a rather fortunate newcomer.”

Qi Li, sensing her confusion, explained,

“Everyone here… is a ‘me’ who has already concluded their own story. Most of us… have lost all our companions. Although time has passed and we are no longer as secretive as we once were, if we encounter a world where companions still exist, or even a faint connection remains, we would spare no effort to see them again.”

A helpless, slightly mournful smile touched her lips.

“We… are just a group of lonely souls who have lost their own worlds, huddling together for warmth here.”

“So, please be lenient with them, alright?”

The words were steeped in a seemingly undying sorrow, yet strangely mingled with a sense of acceptance and release.

“Yes, I will.”

Qi Yue’an clutched her chest and nodded. She had never truly lost a companion, but the thought of Xiyin almost vanishing before her eyes made her tremble involuntarily.

That pain of loss was something she could never grow accustomed to.

She continued to wander through the isolated city, initially intending to inquire for information from others. However, after the recent scene, she, who was already not good at socializing, found it even harder to speak.

Qi Yue had long since let go of her hand, curiously exploring the surroundings, her boundless energy secretly impressing Qi Yue’an.

“By the way… newcomer, how do you so skillfully use clone techniques, and even play two completely different personalities? Teach me! I’ll trade you photos of Xiyin that I secretly took when I was alive!”

Qi Li seemed to have been holding back for a long time. Seizing the opportunity when there were fewer people around, she finally couldn’t resist asking, her tone almost pleading,

“Onegai, this is really important to me.”

Qi Yue’an froze for a moment, then awkwardly turned her head, vaguely brushing her off. How could she know any clone techniques? It was simply inconvenient to explain her special situation of having a dual personality.

Moreover, based on previous experience, she worried that once she exposed herself as Qi An’s personality, these energetic girls would swarm her, asking endless questions and even getting physical.

However… private photos of Xiyin? To be honest, she was indeed a little curious, and wondered what the relationship was between this Qi Li and the Xiyin from her world.

A slight blush crept onto her face. She remembered ‘Miss Xingxing,’ the substitute she had met in the apartment, who seemed to have a close relationship with Xiyin in her perception.

Furthermore… in her heart, Xiyin’s position was unparalleled. It was Xiyin who had pulled her from the eternal rain, and who had risked her life to save her when Lin Xiao took her away.

She never regretted her pleading posture at that time; Xiyin was more important than dignity.

‘I wonder how she’s doing now…’

As she pondered, a stack of sealed photos was slipped into her hand.

“It seems you’re also a ‘Xiyin Faction’ member! As expected, this is the mainstream. Here, consider it my welcome gift to you.”

Qi Li, as if finding a kindred spirit, said excitedly,

“‘Qi Yue’an’ should definitely be with ‘Xiyin’! Those ‘Bai Jin Faction’, ‘Bai Zhi Faction’, and even the evil ‘Lin Xiao Faction’ or the narcissists of the ‘Qi An Faction’ are simply incomprehensible.”

These words made Qi Yue’an break into a cold sweat. The sad atmosphere from earlier instantly became somewhat… unhinged.

“Alright, the introductions are pretty much done. Feel free to look around yourselves. Don’t forget about the evening gala.”

She could only watch as the other girl smiled meaningfully and waved goodbye.

Joyful times are always fleeting. In this warm atmosphere, akin to a day trip through a small town, a specific moment quietly arrived.

The girls in the city stopped their tasks and gathered around the ‘two’ newcomers, leading them towards the central plaza under the guise of local tradition.

At the end of the plaza, an elegant floating promenade connected to the most magnificent temple. Hundreds of girls chanted a familiar song in unison.

Under the silent gaze of countless ‘Qi Yue’ans,’ the temple’s heavy doors slowly opened, and a figure emerged, walking calmly.

It was a girl clad in pure white sacred attire, her face identical to everyone else’s, but her eyes were a brilliant golden, like liquid gold.

A matchless sacredness and majesty radiated from her. Her demeanor transcended that of a saintess, more akin to a deity descending to the mortal realm.

Most chillingly, her fundamental existence seemed entirely different from the ‘collective’ that included Qi Yue’an and all the girls in the city.

Her gaze calmly swept over everyone present, finally settling on Qi Yue’an and Qi Yue.

“Qi Yue’an.”

Her voice was ethereal and serene, devoid of any emotional fluctuation, as if stating an established fact.

“Your true body has not actually entered this place; only your consciousness has probed in. Nevertheless, we welcome your visit.”

She nodded slightly.

“I am the City Lord of An City. You may call me… Qi Wei.”