In addition to obtaining partial judicial immunity in the Current Circumstances and formal membership status, he had also, with the Dongxia Genealogy's approval, taken over Ai Qing's original position, becoming the new Xinhai Inspector.

Once he officially assumed office in two weeks, he would receive the necessary authority and materials from headquarters, becoming the Astronomical Society's representative in Xinhai.

Inspectors usually had to undergo training and assessment at the London border before being formally appointed. He didn't know why, but when it came to his turn, the process was so perfunctory and sloppy—just an electronic notification and file authentication.

Did I just 'progress' out of nowhere like that?

"What the hell?" Huai Shi sighed, completely bewildered. After all that messing around, not only was I not dismissed, I actually got promoted? What are those people in the Central Management Department of the Jurisdiction Bureau thinking? Shouldn't a problematic young person like me be put through more trials?

In the end, I can only conclude—they're out of their minds.

Anyway, I'm definitely not going to be as diligent as Ai Qing. I'll slack off whenever possible, procrastinate if I can, push off work if I can, and goof off if I can... If the Astronomical Society isn't afraid, then what am I worried about?

I have complete confidence in myself.

I'm not sure about other things, but I'm extremely skilled at courting disaster.

—Give me two months. Before the New Year, I can make this position disappear!

Afterward, the ocean will be vast for the fish to leap and the sky high for the birds to soar. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

Engrossed in some inexplicable fantasy, Huai Shi propped himself up and leaned against the headboard, finding a comfortable position. Soon, he noticed a small box among the fresh flowers on the bedside table.

The packaging looked familiar; it seemed he had seen it somewhere before.

When he reached out and opened the box, he saw a dazzling crystal lying on black velvet—a miracle formed by faith and prayer.

Holy Grace.

Underneath the crystal was a small note. Someone had left a message in exquisite handwriting. It resembled a farewell, yet bore no signature.

Huai Shi was stunned.

After a long, long time, he picked up the note and gazed at the message: "The sun will rise as usual?"

He chuckled.

No matter what happened, the sun would still rise as usual, illuminating all that was old or new, then set as usual, throwing both good and bad into the darkness.

Even if some things seemed like earth-shattering changes or incredible miracles, whether someone was born or faded away, arrived or departed… it wouldn't stop.

The world would be the same without anyone. Everyone is the same in that respect.

No one is indispensable, just as no one is inherently barred from existing.

And no farewell is unacceptable.

"…Why not just say goodbye directly?"

Huai Shi shook his head and sighed helplessly.

Where on earth did she learn such a hardcore way of saying goodbye?

Or is she really so strong that she's cast aside even the possibility of reunion, intending to bid me farewell forever? Let her be. After all, a troublemaker like her would stir up some major incident even if thrown to the Border.

We'll see when the time comes.

Yes, even if she comes knocking on my door, crying and looking at me with those pathetic eyes, begging her 'dear brother Huai Shi' to help her, willing to slave away like an ox or horse, to shatter into pieces in return, I absolutely won't go soft!

Thirty years on the river's surface, thirty years at its bottom...

Never underestimate a youth for being poor!

Imagining Ai Qing humbling herself and pleading with him, Huai Shi couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Much later, amidst the slowly rising drowsiness, he fell into a deep sleep.

Outside the window, the night faded bit by bit.

After an unknown amount of time, the dim Sky Dome gradually brightened with soft morning light. A new day was dawning, as the old one drew to a close.

The sun rose as usual.

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