The villainous magical girl's daily mission is to find fault.

Chapter 391 The Person in the Dream, The Ideal Past

Nan Xiaofeng's memory of her "mother" is very vague.

Since I can remember, I have never seen my mother and can hardly understand what a "mother" is.

"That is selfless love, that is giving love; a mother's care brings warmth."

In a class when she was a child, Nan Xiaofeng read this text and tried hard to construct the image of the "mother" described in the book in her mind.

My dad said she was a gentle woman who could cook well, spoke with elegance, and was kind and polite to everyone. Everyone would like her.

...But where did she go?

No matter how I asked, my dad just kept saying that my mom went to a very far place and would never come back.

Later, I gradually understood what was going on, and in the end, I didn't ask anymore.

The mother is a stranger; she doesn't exist.

Even her father rarely appeared in her sight. What she saw most often was his busy back and his tired expression when he answered the phone.

My biggest companions were magical girl anime on TV and magical girl toys I bought with my allowance.

But deep in the girl's heart, there remained a question that had never been answered for many years:

What exactly is a "mother"?

.

"We went to the park to play today, did you have fun?"

A warm spring breeze caressed her face, bringing Nan Xiaofeng back from her reverie.

This is a road that feels both strange and familiar. Banyan trees hang their roots overhead, and the bright spring sunlight filters through the gaps between the roots and leaves, casting dappled light on the concrete road.

Sitting on a somewhat old bicycle, the rims creaked and the rustling of leaves being crushed mingled with the sound of the wind, giving Nan Xiaofeng a strange feeling:

It felt like I had returned to my childhood, to that innocent and naive age.

The girl turned her head and looked at the back of the woman riding a bicycle beside her.

A fluffy fox tail landed beside her, and her long golden hair was braided, with a few strands occasionally fluttering in the wind, making it hard to know where to look.

"..."

Nan Xiaofeng remained silent, unsure how to respond.

My head is foggy, and I feel like I've forgotten something important. I feel like something's wrong with the scene in front of me, but I can't quite put my finger on it.

Is the fox spirit in front of him his "mother"?

But isn't she Xin Yuehu? Why am I with Xin Yuehu...?

"Whoa!"

"!!"

Suddenly, the bicycle jolted violently, as if it had run over something. The jolt almost threw Nan Xiaofeng off, but he hurriedly grabbed the fox spirit beside him to steady himself on the seat.

"Are you alright? You accidentally stepped on the curb by the roadside. Did you hurt yourself anywhere?"

"……No."

Nan Xiaofeng shook her head and answered softly.

The fluffy fox tail gently wrapped around its back, as if worried that it might fall, bringing a wonderful sense of security.

I feel like I've never experienced this sense of security before.

The bicycle soon arrived at its destination.

This is a green park built around a lake. There is a sand area with slides and climbing frames specially prepared for children. Many children gather on the sand to play and run around.

Nan Xiaofeng jumped from the back seat to the ground, and the fox girl beside him naturally took his hand and walked towards the sandy area where the children were gathered.

"What a beautiful day! Lots of clouds and the sun isn't too strong. It's the perfect day to spend in the park."

The fox spirit smiled and looked down at herself, her smile radiant.

"No homework today, you can play in the park all day long!"

……

A mother's love is invaluable.

For many, the carefree childhood spent with their parents is the most beautiful time of their lives.

Nan Xiaofeng stood blankly by the lake, gazing at the setting sun gradually sinking in the west.

Is this the childhood I experienced?

No, absolutely not. Nan Xiaofeng thought firmly.

My childhood was spent watching TV at home all day long, looking at the unchanging scenery outside the window, waiting for my father's tired smile, and another long phone conversation.

No one has ever accompanied me to the park before.

No one would ever play with me all day long.

This is definitely not my childhood, definitely not my past.

It's all fake, all fabricated by Xin Yuehu.

...But why?

Nan Xiaofeng turned around and looked at the sandy area where the number of children was gradually decreasing. She looked at the smiling adults beside the sandy area and the happy smiles on the children's faces as they eagerly showed off their sandcastle creations to their parents that afternoon.

"It's time to get ready to go home."

A gentle voice came from beside me.

Hyacinth looked at the fox girl who had somehow appeared beside her, and seeing her outstretched hand, she involuntarily reached out and grasped it.

Did you have fun this afternoon?

"……Um."

"My friends and I built sandcastles and played in the water together."

"You can't go swimming by yourself."

"We just scooped up some water from the shore to build sandcastles."

"That's awesome!"

Back home, sitting on the sofa waiting for dinner, Nan Xiaofeng watched an old magical girl anime on TV.

The theme song mingled with the sounds of stir-frying in the kitchen, blending with the crisp clinking of spatulas against the pan, transforming the fragrant aroma into a gentle call:

"Dinner's ready!"

"I made your favorite braised meatballs today, and tomorrow I'm planning to make braised pork with potatoes. The day after tomorrow... what should we eat the day after tomorrow? Do you want shredded pork with green peppers or twice-cooked pork?"

"...twice-cooked pork".

"Then let's make twice-cooked pork!"

The fox girl chuckled, rubbing her head as she urged herself to eat more.

The food was delicious.

The white fungus dessert after the meal was delicious.

Walking dogs in the neighborhood is a leisurely activity.

As night fell, Nan Xiaofeng changed into his pajamas and sat on the edge of the bed, with the fox spirit still tidying his clothes beside him.

"These are the clothes you'll wear tomorrow... The school uniform is right here. Remember to wear your jacket tomorrow morning, the weather forecast says it'll get colder tomorrow."

"It's getting late, time to go to sleep."

"……Um."

For some reason, Nan Xiaofeng nodded in response unconsciously.

Only after saying it aloud did Nan Xiaofeng realize that she felt a little reluctant.

With companionship, care, and a mother nagging beside me, why would I develop such feelings in such an ordinary life?

But if I were to fall asleep right now, would this kind of life... just vanish into thin air?

"..."

The girl gently grasped the hand of the fox spirit beside her.

The fox spirit paused for a moment, then smiled and turned to look at the girl beside her.

"What's wrong? Don't you want to sleep yet?"

"..."

The girl nodded gently, but then stubbornly shook her head, still holding on tightly.

"You've already played until very late today, and you have school tomorrow. If you want to play a little longer..."

The fox spirit smiled and touched her head, sat down on the edge of the bed, turned off the main bedroom light, and, using the dim light of the bedside nightlight, pulled herself into her arms, gently patting her back.

"Sleep, sleep, my dear baby."

A melodious and gentle lullaby flowed from her lips.

With a fluffy tail covering her body and a warm embrace enveloping her, Nan Xiaofeng felt increasingly drowsy. After struggling for a while, she finally closed her eyes.

"Sleep, sleep."

"Mommy won't leave, Mommy will always be with you... forever and ever..."

"Mom will become the star in your dreams, and will always be there to protect you..."

"So... go to sleep, go to sleep..."

As the song faded into the distance, the girl's consciousness drifted into a dream, and she fell peacefully asleep.

The hyacinths are sleeping soundly in this gentle haven.