Chapter 80: Kang Ian’s Dream

It had been a long time since Kang Ian last dreamed.

From the very moment consciousness returned, he realized he was inside a dream. That awareness didn’t wake him up. On the contrary, Kang Ian felt an oddly profound sense of relief.

He had forgotten what it felt like to dream.

For a long time now, whenever he closed his eyes, all that awaited him was endless darkness and that detestable clarity of mind. His body could lie still, but his consciousness never stopped working. Time crawled by, minute by minute, hour by hour, stretching into long, interminable days.

But this time was different, Kang Ian was truly dreaming. He wanted to savor this feeling a little longer, except there was something slightly strange about this dream.

Kang Ian walked through the darkness.

There was no clear ground beneath his feet, nor any direction to distinguish front from back. Around him was only dense, thick blackness, so silent that sound almost didn’t exist.

Ahead of him, a delicate ribbon of silk floated in the air.

The ribbon emitted a pale blue-tinted white light, softly undulating through the darkness like a path woven from moonlight. It didn’t turn back to look at Kang Ian, yet it slowly led the way, as if certain he would follow.

Kang Ian had no intention of refusing either.

After all, this was just a dream.

He followed the glowing ribbon, walking for what felt like an unknown amount of time. In this place without day or night, without clocks, the concept of time became meaningless.

Then the darkness ahead gradually began to fade.

Kang Ian stepped out of the black veil, and before his eyes immediately appeared a vast forest.

Towering tree trunks stretched straight toward the sky, so massive that even several adults with arms outstretched couldn’t wrap around them. Dense canopies intertwined overhead, blocking out most of the light from above, giving the forest both a magnificent and an unfamiliar feel.

Kang Ian looked up and glanced around.

"Where is this?"

His voice echoed among the tree trunks, but received no answer. Before Kang Ian could think further, his body began moving on its own.

He started running.

Not running of his own will. His legs simply dashed forward, weaving through bushes and roots protruding from the ground. The speed was so fast that the wind whipped against his face, the scenery on both sides blurring into streaks of green flashing past.

Kang Ian wanted to stop, but his body in the dream completely refused to obey.

Before long, he came to a stop in front of a small house.

The house was built of wood, tucked away deep within the vast forest. The roof was low, the walls plain, and beside it lay a few bundles of firewood neatly stacked. A pale yellow light seeped through the gaps in the window shutters, making the place look so warm it seemed out of place among the silent woods surrounding it.

Kang Ian’s hand rose on its own.

Tap, tap.

He gently knocked on the wooden window frame.

After a moment, the window was pushed open. A pair of glistening black eyes stared straight at him.

Kang Ian froze.

The young face before him was so adorable that he was momentarily at a loss for words. Slightly tousled black hair, round and clear eyes, a small face still bearing distinct traces of childhood.

Kang Ian’s heart trembled, because he recognized that face.

Kei.

No... rather, a much younger Kei.

While Kang Ian was still observing the child before him, he heard his own voice speak:

"Kei, it’s been a while since you’ve been outside. Want me to take you out to play?"

So this child’s name is Kei?

Kang Ian thought to himself that it really did resemble Kei, just like a younger version of him. His whole body gave off a soft, cotton-candy feel, and those two chubby pink cheeks looked like they’d make anyone want to open their mouth and take a bite.

This dream was quite amusing.

The child by the window tilted his head, looking at him, then broke into a sweet smile.

"Okay. Wait for me to put on more clothes, Ian."

Ian? Is he calling me?

Kang Ian murmured inwardly, but the corner of his mouth unconsciously curved upward.

Alright!

This was indeed a dream worth looking forward to.

Very soon, the wooden door opened. Kei, in his tiny form, bundled tightly in a thick, bulky animal-fur coat, ran outside. The coat was so oversized it nearly swallowed his small frame whole,only their face and bright, sparkling black eyes were visible.

Now Kang Ian realized Kei’s outfit looked quite strange.

Leather animal hides, clothes sewn from rough fabric scraps, small boots, and a few accessories that didn’t match any modern attire he had ever seen. It looked exactly like the outfit of a character from fantasy stories.

However, Kang Ian quickly brushed that aside.

This was his dream, and he just wanted to continue this sweet dream with Kei.

Kang Ian bent down and grasped Kei’s small hand.

That hand was very warm.

The warmth spreading through his palm made Kang Ian pause briefly. How long had it been since he had felt such a simple warmth?

Kei looked up at him with excited, dark, gleaming eyes.

"Ian, where are we going?"

"Into the forest."

"What’s in the forest?"

"I don’t know either, but it’s sure to be more fun than staying in that wooden cabin."

Hearing that, Kei giggled.

"So you still want to go?"

"Yeah, come with me, Kei. Hold my hand tightly and don’t get lost."

Kang Ian pulled that small hand and ran forward.

Kei quickly followed, the thick leather coat swaying with every step. The two children ran through the giant trees, the sound of footsteps blending with the rustling leaves.

At some point, Kang Ian started laughing.

Kei laughed along too.

The playful laughter of the two children echoed joyfully through the vast forest, so clear and warm that even Kang Ian didn’t want this dream to end.