So, this is what it feels like to be cut by a blade. It really hurts.
Chang Yuan's hands trembled slightly, but he didn't let go.
"Chang Yuan!"
Seeing Chang Yuan's hands covered in blood, Elysia cried out in shock.
She immediately picked up a rock, ready to throw it at the villagers.
But against so many people, what could a small rock do?
However, this wasn't a hopeless situation.
Chang Yuan looked at the villagers and shouted, "Kalpas, are you just going to stay ignorant? These people don't appreciate you. They don't see you as family. They're just using you as a blood bag."
As soon as Chang Yuan finished speaking, the figure tied to the frame stirred.
Snap!
The frame was violently torn apart, and the wooden sticks were pulled out of his body.
"Kid, how do you know my name?"
"We'll talk about that later. Save us first!"
"Hmph, if you don't give me a satisfactory answer later, you'll regret it."
Kalpas snorted, then in a flash, all the villagers surrounding them fell to the ground.
However, it seemed Kalpas didn't want to hurt them too badly, so they were only knocked unconscious, with the worst injuries being a few broken bones.
"Kid, explain yourself now, or you'll end up like them."
After dealing with the villagers, Kalpas ignored his own injuries and walked up to Chang Yuan.
Chang Yuan's hands were still bleeding slowly. Seeing this, Elysia quickly took out a small first aid kit from her backpack.
She first gave Chang Yuan an antibiotic shot to prevent infection from the rusty weapons, then disinfected the wounds with hydrogen peroxide. Finally, she wrapped his hands with bandages.
"Because I know you. You're not as fierce as your tone and appearance suggest. You just want a place to call home. You're not from this world, so you feel lost and want to find a sense of belonging."
"..."
After hearing Chang Yuan's words, Kalpas fell silent.
He had never told anyone these things, nor would he ever.
But that made him even more curious about how Chang Yuan knew.
"How do you know?"
"...I can't tell you right now. But we'll meet again in the future, and I'll explain everything then. Consider it repayment for saving our lives."
"..."
Kalpas didn't say anything more. He crossed his arms and turned to leave.
But Elysia stopped him.
"Uncle, do you need me to bandage your wounds and stop the bleeding?"
"No."
"Okay, I'll do it."
Ignoring Kalpas' refusal, Elysia started bandaging his wounds.
When she finished, she even tied a bow.
Chang Yuan almost burst out laughing.
If he weren't afraid of Kalpas' fiery fists, he would've laughed out loud.
A tough guy like Kalpas with a bow-tied bandage? That was just too funny.
After Elysia forcefully bandaged his wounds, Kalpas quickened his pace to leave.
This little girl was too enthusiastic for him to handle.
"Chang Yuan, don't do anything so dangerous next time. If you hadn't caught that sickle, you could've been seriously hurt."
"But if I hadn't, you would've been the one hurt. I promised to protect you, and I won't break that promise."
Chang Yuan smiled.
If it were the future Elysia, she might not need his protection.
But the current Elysia hadn't even encountered the Honkai yet. She was just an ordinary girl.
Perhaps only after being exposed to high concentrations of Honkai energy would Elysia's hidden powers awaken.
Then, she would become humanity's strongest fighter—at least until the MANTIS soldiers appeared.
But for now, Elysia was just a normal girl who needed his protection.
"You're such an idiot. I could've dodged that."
"But what if you couldn't? I never want to gamble on such uncertain possibilities." Unless I have to—like gambling on your survival.
Chang Yuan didn't say the last part out loud.
"Sigh, whatever. It looks like I'll have to feed you for the next few days. But who was that uncle? How do you know him?"
"...That's my secret. But in the future, I'll tell you everything. Just let me keep it for now, okay?"
"Hmm, alright. Everyone has their secrets. I know you wouldn't hurt me."
Elysia didn't press further.
That night...
"Ah, open wide."
"Ah~"
Seeing Chang Yuan open his mouth, Elysia blew on the food to cool it and fed him.
"Mmm~, Elysia, your cooking has improved again."
"Yeah, yeah, it had to. I can't believe I have to cook for you, a guy four years older than me. You're going to have trouble finding a girlfriend."
"Hehe, what can I do? I have no talent for cooking. I'll have to rely on you, Elysia."
Chang Yuan shrugged helplessly.
He had no talent for cooking. If he did, he wouldn't have ordered takeout every day before transmigrating.
The money he spent on one takeout meal could've fed him for two days if he cooked himself.
"So, it's not you taking care of me. It's me taking care of you."
"Hmm, let's go with that. Keep going."
"Yes, yes. Ah, open wide."
"You don't have to say that. I'll open my mouth myself. I'm not a kid."
"Only kids say they're not kids."
"Compared to me, you're more like a kid."
"Pfft, you're the one being fed by someone younger. You're the kid here, Chang Yuan. Hehe."
One year later...
"So, this is Shenzhou? It really feels different from other places."
Looking at the lanterns and decorations, Elysia could feel the festive atmosphere of the New Year.
They had arrived in Shenzhou just in time for the Lunar New Year.
"Yeah, according to Shenzhou customs, you should greet people with 'Happy New Year' during this time. Some might even give you a red envelope."
"Hmm~? That sounds nice. Hey, Chang Yuan, what's that over there?"
Seeing a shop with the character "五" (five) on its sign, Elysia became curious.
Chang Yuan turned to look and immediately understood what it was.