45 A Cradle of Stars

It was the deepest sleep Yao Yuan had had in a long time. He dreamt of a great many things.

From his childhood years to his new recruit days, from mundane paperwork to dangerous gunfights. Finally, he dreamt of her…

"You silly oaf, promise me you’ll stay alive. No matter how tired you might be, you are not allowed to surrender. The most I’m willing to allow is a short nap, like the one you’re taking right now…"

"But… I’m so tired."

"I know… but you can’t give up. You are not only my hope, but the hope of a lot more people, so don’t give up, don’t let these people’s hope die with you…"

"I promise you, but please don’t go… I know this is a dream, but I want you to stay with me…"

Yao Yuan gradually lifted his eyelids, hoping to see her eyes staring back at him. Alas, what greeted him instead were the lights dancing on the room’s metallic ceiling. Resigned to the cruelty of reality, he closed his eyes and went back to sleep.

He sighed inwardly. Dreams will be dreams…