Chapter Thirty-Two: Luoluo Is My Family

Su Jiuming looked at Du Fang with a touch of amusement. He truly hadn’t expected Du Fang to be so powerfully driven by the lure of money. Dreamwalkers rarely cared for wealth; after all, no one ever knew when they might perish in a dream calamity, and so, to most Dreamwalkers, money was nothing but mist and clouds. “Enjoy the wine while it lasts”—that was the prevailing philosophy. Most Dreamwalkers held little attachment to riches.

But then, Du Fang had only just become a Dreamwalker, and not even officially so. Su Jiuming understood—perhaps this was a child who had lived in fear of poverty for too long. Given time with the Wildfire Squad, Du Fang would surely come to care less about material wealth.

“Little Du, go home, get some rest, and stop dreaming about first place. For the next few days, join us in the training room. Zhang and I will give you some crash training. Who knows, maybe you’ll have a shot at reaching the round of sixteen and earn a consolation prize.”

“The consolation prize isn’t bad—they say each person gets a bonus of ten thousand yuan.” Su Jiuming drained the last of his wine and winked seductively at Du Fang.

“Crash training?” Du Fang was slightly taken aback.

“Of course. Or do you think you’re strong enough to skip it?”

“Being a Dreamwalker isn’t just about facing dream calamities. To put it simply, dream calamities are only one kind of disaster. The real threat to society are the Dream Demons.”

“Especially those hidden among humanity. To avoid dying, they constantly switch hosts. And with every change, a living soul is lost…”

“They are the true menace.” Su Jiuming’s tone turned grave.

“Dream Demons exist in the real world, and just like us they possess all sorts of abilities. So combat skills, the use of forbidden artifacts—these are all part of your training.”

“You need to learn to fight in reality as well.”

“Better yet, get as much real combat experience as you can.”

“Captain Zhang said he’d protect you, but… he can’t shield you every moment.”

“Little Du, now that you’re part of Wildfire, I hope you truly grow, not just hide behind us.”

“Every member of Wildfire carries their own story. Even Xixi, who seems so naive and diligent, has her own tale.”

“We can’t protect you forever.”

These words, spoken by Su Jiuming to Du Fang, were solemn and heartfelt.

Du Fang’s expression also became serious. He nodded earnestly.

He had never wanted to rely on others. From the very start, when he failed the first Dreamwalker assessment and was found to lack any awakened special ability, he could have given up on this difficult path. Yet, he’d always harbored a desire to grow stronger.

“I understand, Brother Su. Thank you.” Du Fang replied sincerely.

Su Jiuming, plucking a white rose from his chest pocket, patted Du Fang’s shoulder gently.

“Of course, Little Du, don’t be a stranger. Treat Wildfire as your own home.”

“Ever since my sister died, I’ve had no home.”

“But after coming to Wildfire, it became my second family.”

This time, Su Jiuming didn’t smile seductively, but with a radiant warmth that was genuinely comforting.

Du Fang pressed his lips together. Indeed, true feelings exist not only in dreams—there is warmth in the human world as well.

“Are you moved?”

“If you are, come give me a hug, Little Du.”

Du Fang: “…”

He almost got swept up by emotion.

This rascal—just coveting my body!

“Oh, right… Brother Su, I heard that those who participate in dream calamity assaults get bonuses… I took part this time too. Is there a reward for me?” Du Fang rubbed his fingers together, a little embarrassed. It was, after all, what he’d earned.

Su Jiuming, who had just opened his arms for a hug, paused for a moment.

Then burst out laughing, his whole body shaking with mirth.

“Yes, yes, there is.”

…

…

The sunset burned red, coloring half the sky.

At the top of the Dreamwalker Tower, the glow spread, making the building look from afar like a blazing torch.

Du Fang left with his ten thousand yuan advance from the latest dream calamity mission, delighted.

To be honest, he really felt a little dizzy from the windfall.

Ten thousand! For simply taking part in a harrowing dream, he’d earned ten thousand yuan!

Making money as a Dreamwalker… was really too easy!

With his wife’s hand resting on his shoulder, Du Fang took Luoluo by the hand. The little family walked down the bustling street. Though the city was noisy and hectic, Du Fang was in such a good mood that even the blaring horns sounded like a cheerful melody.

“Luoluo, is there anything you’d like to eat? Daddy’s got money now—he’ll take you out for a feast!”

Du Fang straightened up, speaking with confidence.

Luoluo hugged her little pink pig plushie, Qiqi, and lifted her delicate face, smiling happily at Du Fang, “Daddy, I want roast duck!”

“Roast duck? No problem—Daddy will make it happen!”

Du Fang grinned. Then he glanced at the hand of his wife, draped over his shoulder.

“Sweetheart, do you want to eat something… never mind, how about a hand spa?”

His wife’s fingers raised one, swaying gently in the breeze.

Du Fang immediately understood—that meant no.

She really was thrifty.

Du Fang felt elated.

The sunset stretched his shadow long across the street.

Not far behind, a red sedan was quietly following.

Inside sat Lin Liuli, watching the youth walk beneath the setting sun. Her gaze was complex, as if after an inner struggle.

Then, she pressed down on the accelerator.

The engine roared. The car sped up and pulled ahead, stopping right in front of Du Fang.

“Du Fang.”

The window rolled down. Lin Liuli greeted him.

“Doctor Lin?”

Du Fang, holding Luoluo’s hand, was just about to go buy roast duck, not expecting to run into Dr. Lin here.

She stepped out of the car. Perhaps from driving, she’d taken off her trench coat, revealing a crisp white blouse that accentuated her graceful figure.

“Can we talk?” Lin Liuli folded her arms, looking at Du Fang, her red lips parting.

Du Fang always felt a certain pressure in her presence—perhaps the natural anxiety of a patient before a doctor.

“Is something the matter, Dr. Lin?”

He sensed she was hesitating, as if she had something to say but wasn’t sure whether to voice it.

Du Fang really wanted to take Luoluo for roast duck and didn’t have time to dawdle.

“Is there something wrong with my condition? Just tell me straight, I can handle it. I’m in a hurry—gotta get roast duck for Luoluo.”

“I just got paid today. Whatever Luoluo wants, I have to make her happy.” Du Fang smiled.

Lin Liuli paused, glancing at the empty air where Du Fang’s hand was clasped.

Luoluo, was it?

Sometimes, Lin Liuli truly didn’t understand Du Fang. She knew he was aware that no one else could see Luoluo—that perhaps Luoluo existed only in his heart.

Yet, Du Fang poured so much love into her.

“Why are you so good to Luoluo? Maybe she doesn’t even exist. She could be an illusion. Maybe… she’s actually a monster!” Lin Liuli blurted out.

Du Fang stiffened, surprised at her words. He looked at Lin Liuli, his eyes earnest, even tinged with anger.

“Doctor Lin, I don’t know if this is part of your treatment.”

“But Luoluo… is my family.”

Family.

Lin Liuli froze, as if struck by lightning.

After a long moment, she smiled, her long lashes trembling.

Her gaze softened.

“You’re right. Luoluo is your family.”

“Family is the most precious thing. Don’t wait until you lose it to regret.”

In Lin Liuli’s dark eyes, there seemed to flicker a trace of pain.

…

A rainy night.

A schoolgirl, bloodied and weeping, in her uniform.

A father and mother, twisted into monstrous forms by possession of a Dream Demon.

…

The painful memory made Du Fang’s words strike deep into Lin Liuli’s heart.

“It’s nothing. You’re much better now.”

“I just came for a checkup.” Lin Liuli smiled. Suddenly, she no longer wanted to carry out her mission, or bring Du Fang back to the organization.

As for the organization’s questions…

Who cared!

“Take good care of Luoluo. She’s your most precious family,” Lin Liuli said, her usually cool face now deeply serious, as if demanding a promise.

Du Fang beamed.

“Thank you for all your care, Doctor Lin.”

He bowed in gratitude.

Lin Liuli’s face turned cold again. She waved him off, turned, and got back in her car.

She drove away.

In her rearview mirror, Lin Liuli seemed to see, beneath the setting sun, the youth waving at her with a radiant smile.

His smile was like a rare ray of sunlight cleaving through endless darkness.

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