Eve, the youngest and most cherished daughter at the Lord’s knee, was as bright as the Sunshine of midsummer, her very nature enough to chase away all gloom and filled with an endless curiosity about the world.
Since the Little Fox Incident in the forest, this little Sun seemed to have found a new orbit, tirelessly chasing her Star.
From then on, the Forest where Luo Shen once wandered alone now held a new kind of “coincidence.”
Almost every day, whenever Luo Ling stepped into that familiar woodland, he would always spot that lively, bouncing figure around some corner or clearing.
At first, Luo Du was quite unaccustomed to this.
He had long been used to solitude, to building his own little world out of silence.
The wind in the forest, the song of birds, the fall of leaves—these were his most familiar companions.
Eve’s arrival was like a stone cast into the surface of a tranquil lake, stirring ripples across it.
Yet, Eve’s enthusiasm was so pure, her innocence carrying a peculiar magic that quietly melted the walls of Luo Du’s heart, so used to refusal.
She would flock to his side like a cheerful Magpie, chattering as she shared the latest happenings in the Village:
Whose cow gave birth to twins, which mischievous child poked a wasp nest and got chased, or how sweet and fragrant the freshly baked Honey Bread at the Bakery was…
Without warning, she would grab his wrist, dragging him to see every peculiar flower she discovered or a cluster of brightly colored Wild Berries.
She would even lean in, secretive, and excitedly whisper in his ear about the fattest Crabs hiding beneath a smooth stone downstream.
“Luo Ling gege, look, look!”
That afternoon, Sunshine filtered through the thick branches, dappling the forest floor.
Eve, as if discovering treasure, raised a pale blue flower high.
The petals were delicate and star-shaped, trembling slightly between her fair fingers, like frozen starlight.
She approached Luo Shen, presenting her find with the pride of offering a treasure, her nose nearly brushing his face, eyes shining with anticipation.
Luo Du’s gaze landed on the delicate flower, dew sparkling on its petals, exuding a faint, sweet fragrance.
He froze for a moment, then looked up at Eve.
The girl’s cheeks were flushed by the Sun, and her clear eyes were brighter than the purest spring in the woods, now gazing at him with a dazzling, triumphant joy.
His heart felt as if something soft had brushed against it, and the corners of his mouth rose involuntarily in a shallow yet genuine smile.
“Yes, it does look like it.”
Like the brightest, gentlest Star in the night sky.
“Hehe, I knew you’d like it!”
With his answer, Eve’s smile curved mischievously, like a Little Fox that had stolen honey.
She proudly tucked the Blue Star Flower into her Braid, the azure bloom against her dark hair making her skin look even fairer and more lovely.
She quickly searched the surrounding grass, soon picking another similar flower.
Before Luo Ling could react, she stood on tiptoe, and, without a word, pinned the little flower—still cool with morning Dew and her own warmth—to Luo Ling’s collar.
“Now, Luo Du gege is just like me!”
She stepped back, looking him over and clapping her hands in satisfaction, as if she’d completed a remarkable masterpiece.
Luo Du looked down.
The pale blue flower stood out against his faded Gray Homespun Clothes, yet somehow, it felt oddly harmonious.
That plain fabric seemed to come alive with this splash of color.
His body stiffened, and by reflex, he almost reached to remove the flower—it was too conspicuous, too… childish.
However, when his gaze met Eve’s eyes, filled with hope, joy, and a faint, nervous tension, his half-lifted hand, as if guided by an invisible force, slowly lowered again.
His Adam’s apple moved, and finally, he simply made a soft sound of agreement, letting the little Blue Star Flower settle on his chest like a lively, dancing spirit.
Sunshine shone through the leaves, touching that hint of blue and scattering a warm light, quietly entering the lake of his long-stilled heart.
Day by day, Luo Ling gradually grew accustomed to the sound of Eve’s chattering at his side, her unreserved closeness, and the way she looked at him with those bright, sparkling eyes, sharing all her joys and sorrows.
He began to look forward to each “accidental” meeting in the Forest, began to expect the sound of her laughter echoing among the trees, began to unconsciously respond to her jokes, and even started sharing Wild Berries he picked and the rabbits he caught in his traps.
Their footprints covered every corner of the Forest behind the Village.
In spring, they picked Wild Berries heavy with Dew by the stream, racing to see who could gather more and secretly slipping the reddest, plumpest ones into each other’s mouths.
In summer, they hid beneath thick shade, sharing a Watermelon chilled in Well Water, listening to the cicadas and speaking of fantastical dreams.
Eve would pester Luo Ling to tell stories he’d heard “before” (though Luo Ling always spoke vaguely, choosing only tales of Forest Spirits or Idylls).
In autumn, they collected fallen Pine Cones and beautiful Maple Leaves.
Eve crafted little trinkets from them, while Luo Du helped her gather piles of dry twigs for Firewood for winter.
In winter, they played and chased each other through the snow, building a crooked Snowman, Eve’s face flushed red from the cold, her laughter ringing louder than the North Wind.
Luo Ling still didn’t speak much, but his gaze was no longer so distant.
In front of Eve, he let down all his defenses, revealing the ease and gentleness a young man should have.
He patiently taught Eve which plants were poisonous and which were edible.
When she nearly fell while climbing a tree to reach a bird’s nest, he caught her with swift reflexes.
When she pouted because she couldn’t reach the highest Wild Berries, he quietly picked them and placed them in her hand.
Eve followed Luo Shen like a little tail, relying on him, trusting him.
She knew that although Luo Ling gege was quiet, he was always the most dependable.
No matter what trouble she faced, the first person she thought to ask for help was always Luo Du gege.
And Luo Du could never refuse those trusting eyes.
The villagers gradually grew used to seeing these two inseparable children together.
This peaceful Forest became warmer and livelier because of their presence.
The longing in Luo Du’s heart for a quiet life became more tangible and fierce because of Eve.
For the first time, he felt so clearly that he was truly “alive”—not for some distant, elusive mission, but for the simple joy before him and the warmth of the girl by his side.