Flower Fairy: After transmigrating again, I became An'an's younger brother.

Dark Shadow Nine Thousand Years Old's wine-red eyes were fixed on Xia Tong's face. When he saw Xia Tong raise his hand to touch his neck, his brows furrowed even more.

"Kid, how are you feeling? Are you alright?"

Her voice held a barely perceptible tension. "What did that flower fairy do to you in your dream?"

Xia Tong took a few deep breaths, then shook her head and stood up, supporting herself on the ground.

"fine,"

He turned to look at the pot of daphne on the windowsill. "It was just a slight stimulation that forced me to wake up from the dream."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the pot of daphne on the windowsill suddenly began to move without any wind.

The soft, golden-pink light shimmered like breath, the petals unfurled, and the fragrance became several times stronger than before.

The light converged and stretched, eventually coalescing above the flowerpot into that familiar figure—the Daphne odora fairy, King Shanmeng.

She was floating lightly in mid-air, but the smile on her face had lost some of its dreamy ethereal quality and gained more genuine curiosity.

Why?

Why don't humans want to stay in a happy dream world?

Previously in the dream, Shan Meng saw Xia Tong create ice blades with magic, and she initially scoffed at it because the power of nature couldn't do anything to her in the dream.

However, Xia Tong did not attack her as Shan Meng had imagined. Instead, she turned the blade on herself and used suicide to escape the dream.

"I don't understand, if I was so happy in the dream, why did I have to leave?"

Shanmeng's voice remained gentle, yet carried a childlike bewilderment.

She then floated a little closer, her gaze falling on Xia Tong's face, as if trying to find the answer in his expression.

Seeing Shan Meng approach, Xia Tong subconsciously took a step back, after all, she had been caught in the trap before because she was too close.

At the same time, the Shadow Nine Thousand Years Old saw Shan Meng flying over and quickly flew to Xia Tong's side, shielding Xia Tong behind him. The smile on her face was gone, but her chin was still slightly raised, and her tone revealed undisguised disdain:

"Hey, stay away from him. Your 'game' almost made my man sleep until next year, which is not fun at all."

Upon hearing her words, Shan Meng finally shifted her gaze from Xia Tong's face and landed on Shadow Nine Thousand Years Old.

Instead of showing anger or fear at being threatened, she became even more curious.

"Are you a flower fairy? Would you like to play together?"

She didn't seem to care much about Shadow Nine Thousand Years' warning, and even gave him that carefree smile, saying, "Your dream... must be very deep and special, right?"

The Shadow Ninth Prince frowned, clearly showing no interest in this "invitation" and instead becoming even more wary.

Xia Tong turned slightly to the side behind the Shadow Nine Thousand Years Old, looking directly at Shan Meng.

"Daphne Flower Fairy King, your power is truly gentle. The dreams you weave are beautiful and flawless, capable of making people forget all their worries, leaving only pure joy. No one can deny this."

Shan Meng blinked, slightly surprised by Xia Tong's affirmation.

"In reality, there are indeed people who, because they have experienced too much pain, voluntarily immerse themselves in a beautiful dream forever and regard it as their final destination."

Xia Tong continued, speaking at a measured pace, "If it was their own choice when they were sober, no one else has the right to interfere."

Then he changed the subject...

"However, some people sleep and rest so that they can better face reality and move forward when they wake up. Real life certainly has its difficult and bitter aspects, but it also has its beauty that dreams cannot replace."

Then Xia Tong pointed to Ni Ni's window.

"Ni Ni's family and friends are worried about her. If she falls into a permanent sleep, she will miss out on so many future possibilities, including the genuine joy of sharing with family and friends."

Xia Tong met Shan Meng's confused eyes and finally said:

"So, I won't deny your dream. I just hope... that you can give everyone who steps into your dream the opportunity to 'know everything and still be able to make their own choices.'"

"If someone knows everything and still wants to stay in the dream, that's their freedom. But similarly, please give those who long to wake up and embrace the real world—even if it's not perfect—the freedom to leave."

As Shan Mengfei flew through the air, the smile on her face faded.

She tilted her head slightly, neither refuting immediately nor dismissing it, but simply falling into deep thought.

The right to choose...?

This word was somewhat new to her. Her dreams were of giving, of shelter, of pure joy.

She never imagined that this gift might also require a door that could be opened from the inside.

Her gaze then slowly shifted between Xia Tong and Shadow Nine Thousand Years Old.

A human who would rather harm himself than lose his mind, and a flower fairy with a unique aura.

Such a combination, could it be...?

Shan Meng couldn't help but recall that somewhat ancient legend.

—The legend about the "destined one," about the "flower fairy magician."

Was that why he came? To... "subdue" him?

The thought stirred something within her, yet strangely, she felt no aversion or resistance. Perhaps it was because of the respect and understanding in his words.

She nodded slightly, as if accepting some important information.

Immediately, the light around her flickered softly, and the atmosphere inexplicably shifted from the ideological confrontation to a more relaxed atmosphere with a sense of inquiry.

I will think about what you have to say.

Shanmeng's voice returned to its gentle tone, but it lost that naive and elusive quality and became more earnest.

"Well then, before I figure this out... human, what's your name?"

Xia Tong was slightly taken aback, not expecting her to ask this suddenly, but she still answered her question: "My name is Xia Tong."

"Xia...Tong..."

Shan Meng savored the two words, a hint of understanding flashing in her eyes. Then, that childlike, sly smile returned to the corners of her mouth.

She noticed that Xia Tong had consistently referred to her as the "Daphne Flower Fairy King" in their previous conversations.

He didn't seem to know her real name.

This discovery suddenly gave her a brilliant idea.

"What a lovely name, Xia Tong."

Shanmeng lightly twirled in the air. "Your words are interesting, and you yourself are interesting. So, before deciding whether to accept your proposal, let's play a game, shall we?"

"game?"

"Hmm! It's a very simple game."

Under the cold gaze of the Shadow Nine Thousand Years Old, Shan Meng stopped at a safe distance.

She stood with her hands behind her back, leaned slightly forward, and wore an expression that was a mixture of anticipation and apprehension.

"If you can guess my name—the name of the Daphne Flower Fairy King—then I'll seriously consider your earlier suggestion regarding the 'right to choose'."

She paused, her smile deepening, and the air around her rippled with soft, golden halos carrying the fragrance of daphne.

Then Shanmeng gracefully floated back a short distance, hovering above the daphne flowers on the windowsill, her hands elegantly folded in front of her.

Then, she closed her eyes, parted her lips slightly, and a series of ethereal, dreamlike, and childlike songs flowed out:

"The spirits of the wind"

Let's blow away the clouds and smog.

Sleeping flowers,

It's quietly blooming.

My dear, my partner.

In the shade of the trees, in the sunset,

In the layered, beautiful illusion,

Let's fly together.

When the song ended, Shanmeng opened her eyes again, her eyes filled with pure joy and an undisguised anticipation.

She floated forward a short distance, a mischievous smile on her face, and said to Xia Tong:

"My name is hidden in this children's song."

She tilted her head slightly, her pigtails swaying, and her smile was both sweet and mischievous.

"Let's guess, Xia Tong. Only if you guess correctly can you continue our conversation."