After the rain in Autumnlake, the pale moonlight rippled across every water-filled pothole.0

Because of the threat of roving soldiers, every household shut its doors early, making the streets particularly quiet. In that silence, there was a subtle chill in the air—one that made Li Yuan long for the warm blankets at home, for Yan Yu, Xue Ning, Sheng’er, Ping’an, and his goddaughter Nian Nian.0

During this outing, Li Yuan had only brought the two white finches; the small sparrow with a beaded neck remained behind to watch over the household.1

At that moment, his gaze shifted to that of the sparrow; then he couldn’t help but smile. Standing right beside it was a big crow.0

The small sparrow clutched the roof ridge with its claws, and the crow had assumed the exact same pose. The two were lined up perfectly, looking unexpectedly harmonious.0

“When Sheng’er grows up, I really need to ask her what’s going on here,”...0