255 Old Friend's Visit

That interlude seemed to have eased Bai Ye for a little while. He drifted back to sleep afterward with me in his arms, and no more nightmares haunted him this time. It was past noon when we woke up again, refreshed and ready as we made our way back to East Village.

A hint of liveliness had trickled back to the settlement now that the protection spells were in place. It was nowhere near how busy things should be for New Year yet, but at least the roads were no longer empty by the time we arrived. Sparse figures dotted the market square, trading meat and essential household items. A few men traveled between the hills and houses, axes on their shoulders or fresh wood on their back. Occasional squeals from children drifted on the wind as they took their breaks in the yard, and I was both surprised and relieved to see Yang-Yang dashing out of his front door the moment we were within sight, running toward us with a bright grin.