At that moment, Bai Wan looked a little nervous and stammered, “I... I didn’t have many friends growing up, and I’ve never experienced that sort of thing, so... I really don’t know much.”

“?”

Su Yuening stared at the bashful Bai Wan, speechless.

“What weird thoughts are you having? I was asking... do you have any dreams?” She rolled her eyes, then asked sincerely.

Realizing it was just that, Bai Wan let out a sigh of relief and swallowed back the dramatic line he'd been preparing—‘I once loved…’

Then he began to seriously consider her question.

Dreams?

He honestly hadn’t thought much about that. 

If he had to name one, it would probably be to live as a normal person. Just a regular, peaceful life. Even if it was tiring or boring sometimes, at least he’d have a friend or two. He wanted to experience what having friends felt like.

When Bai Wan didn’t answer, Su Yuening’s expression dimmed slightly. “Honestly, I’m kind of jealous of you sometimes. You’ve got such powerful abilities… unlike me. I’ve worked so hard, but I’ve barely improved. A year ago, I had a lot of close friends. Then, one by one, I watched them die in front of me in that classroom. That feeling of being completely powerless—can you even understand it?”

Bai Wan paused, scratched his head, and replied, “Ah… sorry. I never really had friends, so…”

“…Right. Forget it then.” Su Yuening’s moment of vulnerability was crushed on the spot.

“In any case, I just… really admire your strength. I keep thinking, if I had power like yours, I could protect so many more people.

“Of course, I’m not saying you have to protect people or anything. Everyone has different goals. I was just talking about what I want,” she quickly added, worried he’d get the wrong idea.

Protect, huh?

Bai Wan frowned slightly. He didn’t really understand… why people wanted to protect others.

Suddenly, Su Yuening’s eyes lit up. She pointed toward the sky and exclaimed, “Bai Wan, look! A shooting star! Hurry, make a wish!”

But Bai Wan didn’t look at the meteor. His eyes were completely focused on the girl in front of him. That white-haired girl looked up at the sky, starlight reflected in her eyes.

In that moment, her gaze was as radiant as the meteor overhead. And for the first time, something stirred in Bai Wan’s heart.

Noticing him staring, Su Yuening narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

“Hey. What are you thinking about? Don’t tell me you’re wondering if you can toss me into the river and cash me in for gold and silver again?”

Bai Wan’s expression shifted. “N-No! That was… earlier.”

“What?! So you did think about it after all!” Su Yuening stared at him in disbelief. Good grief, do you even hear yourself?

“Ahem—the shooting star! Quick, make a wish!” Bai Wan immediately changed the subject.

Thankfully, Su Yuening was easily distracted. Her attention was instantly drawn to the sky. 

She closed her eyes, long lashes trembling slightly—pure and beautiful.

Watching her, Bai Wan suddenly imagined: what if one day, this energetic white-haired girl wasn’t around anymore? No one to bicker with him, no one naively trying to save everyone…

Wouldn’t that be unbearably lonely?

He imagined her sacrificing herself like the others in the organization. And suddenly, something in his chest ached.

So this… this is what it feels like to lose a friend?

To have a friend?

He smiled.

Looks like I finally have my first friend.

He brought his hands together and, like Su Yuening, looked up at the beautiful night sky and the shimmering meteor shower.

“I wish… I could be normal.” For the first time, Bai Wan whispered his desire to the heavens.

The shooting star twinkled brighter and brighter, as if responding to his prayer.

He smiled.

And then that smile froze.

The sparkling meteor… made a sharp turn in the sky, then accelerated upward—shooting away from Earth like they were on their way back home.

Bai Wan: “……”

Tears welled up in his eyes.

You bastard! All that blinking wasn’t a response—it was your turn signal?!

Somehow, Su Yuening had opened her eyes as well, looking satisfied. Her wish had been made. It would probably come true, right?

Then she saw the meteor U-turning through the sky and blinked in confusion.

She turned toward Bai Wan.

He was staring at the heavens with a dark expression and muttered, “Ning Ning… your wish has been received by the stars. I believe they’re taking it back to Planet Namek for processing.”

Su Yuening froze, then narrowed her eyes. “Bai Wan. Why aren’t you looking me in the eye?”

“My neck’s twisted. Can’t turn my head at the moment,” he replied, very unconvincingly.

Su Yuening immediately understood. “Bai Wan!!! You’re beyond cursed!!”

Even a shooting star gets ejected from Earth when he makes a wish? Unreal!

“I didn’t mean to,” Bai Wan said sheepishly. “I swear.”

“Shut it. We’re done. I’m cutting you off. Friendship over!!”

“No, no, you’re my first friend! You promised we’d share joys and sorrows!”

“I fuc—!!”

For the first time in her life, Su Yuening was this close to swearing out loud. But she swallowed it down, utterly exasperated.

Why did I ever promise something like that? Can I take it back now…?

Still, being friends with Bai Wan, even if it was dangerous—wasn’t without its perks.

She remembered how, in their last dungeon, he’d stood in front of her without fear, releasing that terrifying blood-red eye and forcing the paranormal entity to back down. She had to admit—he had looked a little cool at that moment.

But being friends with him… the entry threshold was way too high. She wasn’t sure she could survive it.

Ding.

Su Yuening’s phone buzzed. She glanced at it and turned to Bai Wan. “Let’s go. The captain says the skewers are ready.”

Bai Wan’s stomach growled. He was definitely hungry.

And so the two walked slowly back through the woods. Neither said a word. But in that peaceful atmosphere, walking silently through the forest somehow felt… healing.

…

Before long, they reached the campsite.

Captain Zhou Lu’s skewers looked mouthwatering. Fat and lean cuts of beef were glistening with juices and seasoning, giving off an irresistible aroma even from a distance.

One of the skewers was especially huge—juicy, plump, and golden-brown. Both Su Yuening and Bai Wan were drooling as they stared at it.

Suddenly, Bai Wan pointed into the forest with a shocked expression. “Oh shit! The Painter's here!!”

Su Yuening flinched, eyes darting toward the trees. But there was nothing there.

She turned back in confusion—only to find that Bai Wan had already taken the biggest skewer… and eaten half of it.

“Bai Wan!!! You’re despicable!!” Su Yuening lunged to snatch it back.

Bai Wan dodged, speaking righteously. “Ning Ning, this is for your own good. A lesson! You’re too easy to fool. One day, some male ghost in a dungeon will trick you for sure!”

“As if! Paranormal entities are way more innocent than you! Give me a bite! I’ve had my eye on that skewer!”

Bai Wan grinned smugly. “Too naive, kid. Big skewers go to the worthy! What, you think you’re some feather assassin and I’m scared of you?”

“Bai Waaaaan!!” Su Yuening exploded. The second he mentioned the ‘feather assassin’ nickname, she lost it.

She charged and kicked at him. “Witness my Bankai: Featherstorm!!”

“Hey! Dodge! Dodge! Behold my ultimate Kun Flash!”

And just like that, the two of them ran around bickering and wrestling like children. 

Captain Zhou Lu and the others watched with amusement, as if watching a sweet romantic comedy.

“Ah… to be young again,” Zhou Lu sighed.

Just then, a man wearing loose robes appeared beside him out of nowhere. He was smiling as he watched the scene unfold.

“The vibe in Lan City’s branch is really nice. I’m honestly a little envious.”

Zhou Lu jumped. He hadn’t noticed anyone approaching, and when he turned and saw the man’s face, his expression shifted dramatically.

“D-Doctor?!”

That one word silenced everyone. Even Su Yuening and Bai Wan stopped mid-wrestle and turned to look.

Bai Wan stared curiously at the ordinary-looking man now sitting on the ground. He wore a pair of black glasses, his eyes squinting, the picture of harmlessness.

So this is one of the three greats among the paranormal hunters… the Doctor of the Paranormal: Fang Hanxin?

Fang Hanxin smiled at Bai Wan.

“So this is our ‘Family’, huh? I’ve heard so much about you. It’s a pleasure to meet you—ah no, I should say... long time no see, Bai Wan.”

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