Re-birth: The Beginning after the End - Chapter 76

Chapter 76: CHECKING IN

The memory faded, leaving Li Hua with a bittersweet smile. The ghost of antiseptic still lingered in her nose, mixed with the remembered scent of coffee and gunmetal. How ironic that in this new life, she’d encountered someone who might actually meet her impossibly high standards.

After a moment longer, Li Hua rose from the tub, dried herself off, and slipped into her cotton undergarments before quickly making her way back to her room.

When she entered her room, she sat in front of her bronze mirror, combing through her damp hair. The repetitive motion triggered a fresh memory that made her cheeks warm: his voice calling after her as she sprinted away—”Spirit ginseng! Golden cloud mushrooms! Nine-star spirit fruits!”—followed by that dangerous, seductive growl about wanting something to “really sink his teeth into” when he saw her next.

Li Hua’s hand stilled mid-stroke, and she scoffed at his audacity. “Psycho,” she muttered, though the pink still lingering in her cheeks betrayed her affected disdain.

Li Hua shook her head sharply, as if the physical motion could dislodge unwanted thoughts. Tonight would be lighter training, she decided, forcing her thoughts back to the present. Her first priority was checking on Little Firefly in her inner space, and if all was well, she’d just do some yoga and basic stretches.

Her mood saddened slightly as she knew her little companion wouldn’t be welcoming her as he always had. No warm glow greeting her arrival, no excited chatter about her day’s adventures, no gentle presence floating beside her shoulder. The thought of entering her space without his immediate cheerful welcome made her feel extremely lonely. With that thought weighing on her mind, she quickly climbed into bed, adjusted her position, and entered her space.

When she opened her eyes, it was the familiar forest, but it felt eerily quiet now. There was no warm glow, just silver moonlight casting down through the trees. She walked toward her courtyard house, the usual warmth of Little Firefly’s presence notably absent. Her footsteps echoed through the empty corridors as she methodically searched each wing.

The east wing’s training room stood empty. The west wing’s kitchen felt hollow without his presence—he usually loved to float over the island, waiting and watching her prepare delicious treats. Even her room in the north wing, where he often liked to rest on her bed while she sewed necessities, remained still and dark. Her heart rate quickened with each empty room, a growing unease settling in her chest.

Li Hua stepped out into the moonlit courtyard, her eyes scanning the shadowed corners. She was about to head toward the jade pavilion when she heard it: soft, rhythmic breathing coming from the direction of her training area.

Li Hua couldn’t help but smile, a soft chuckle escaping as she made her way toward the sound.

The glow was dimmed significantly as she approached, and his small form vibrated gently with each breath as he absorbed the power. She carefully scooped him up in her arms, cradling him close to her chest. “I miss you,” she whispered, giving him a gentle squeeze. Her usual cold demeanor softened as she watched him for a moment.

While she wasn’t sure how much Little Firefly would change with this missing piece being absorbed, she hoped her little companion’s heart and personality would remain the same. The thought of losing his cheerful nature and warm presence made something in her chest tighten uncomfortably.

Li Hua carried Little Firefly into her house, cradling his sleeping form with uncharacteristic tenderness. In her bedroom, she gently placed him on her pillow and tucked the blanket around his dimly glowing form. After ensuring he was comfortable, she changed into her loose-fitting training outfit and made her way to the training room in the east wing.

The familiar ritual of preparing for exercise helped ground her thoughts. She gathered her hair, which had grown longer and thicker over the years and now hung just below her waist, tying it back with a simple ribbon. The still-damp strands felt cool against her neck as she secured them.

The wooden floor creaked softly beneath her bare feet as she began her warm-up routine. Starting with gentle neck rotations, she moved through a series of increasingly complex stretches, each motion flowing seamlessly into the next. Moonlight streamed through her window, casting shifting shadows as she worked through her poses, her breath steady and controlled.

She transitioned into her yoga practice, beginning with sun salutations despite the late hour. Each pose was executed with precision—warrior poses held with perfect balance, downward dog maintained with strong, stable arms, and cobra performed with fluid grace. As she moved deeper into her practice, her mind began to clear, focused only on the rhythm of movement and breath.

Two hours passed quickly, marked only by the gentle cadence of her breathing and the subtle adjustments of each pose. She finished with a series of cool-down stretches, paying particular attention to her shoulders and hip flexors. The familiar burn of well-used muscles helped center her, reminding her of countless training sessions across both lives.

After completing her final stretches, she returned to her bedroom. Standing before the sink, she cleaned her face and neck with cool water before changing back into her undergarments, her movements precise and efficient despite her physical exertion.

She walked over to Little Firefly and sat beside him. The sight of him bundled up, looking like a softly glowing cocoon, brought a rare tender smile to her face.

“Sweet dreams, Little Firefly,” she whispered, her fingers lightly brushing against the wrapped bundle. “Take all the time you need to grow stronger. I’ll be right here when you wake up.” The words felt strange coming from someone who’d once been known for her merciless efficiency, but in this moment, she couldn’t bring herself to care about maintaining her cold facade.

She lingered for a moment longer, watching the gentle rise and fall of the blanket with each of his breaths, before reluctantly pulling herself back to the physical world. The memory of his peaceful, bundled form stayed with her, a comforting image as she fell asleep.