The bck account book was in Er Duo′s chest, while the Xiao Xiang, who Lao Fu had seen sewing, stood before everyone, perfectly intact.

  When Mo Bai realized this, he felt an indescribable joy in his heart. He suddenly picked up Xiao Xiang and spun around a few times. The feeling was like a long-separated couple reuniting. Xiao Xiang looked at Mo Bai in surprise; she never expected that Mo Bai, who usually seemed so dull, had such a passionate side. This made two blushes appear on her face without her even realizing it.

  Xu Mama finally breathed a sigh of relief. Xiao Xiang was still alive, which meant Lao Fu had indeed made a mistake. Now, not only was Xiao Xiang alive, but the account book had also been found. However, how did the account book end up in Er Duo′s chest?

  "Where did you find this?" Lao Fu's eyes were wide open, as if they were two copper bells. His excitement was so intense that it seemed like he could swallow Er Duo whole.

  Er Duo was stunned. He opened his mouth slightly and looked at Lao Fu, saying, "Master, what's wrong with you? This account book is the one you asked me to keep, right? Last night, I was wandering around the streets, and you suddenly appeared out of nowhere and handed it to me." Er Duo, out of habit, touched the spoon hanging on his chest, then added, "At that time, your expression was really strange, and your face was very pale. I even asked if you were feeling unwell, but you didn′t say anything and just left. I thought you were worried about being caught by the officials."

  Lao Fu's body stiffened for a moment. Last night? He gave Er Duo the account book? And asked him to keep it? How could that be? Last night, he was clearly with Xu Mama and Mo Bai. Lao Fu suddenly stood up, looking at Xu Mama and Mo Bai with excitement, shouting, "It's him! It's him! I wasn't seeing things! I really saw him.”

  Xu Mama and Mo Bai both slumped into their chairs, realizing that Lao Fu's words were indeed true. Er Duo's appearance had confirmed what Lao Fu had said—there really was another version of him in front of them.

  "What's wrong with all of you?" Slender, almond-eyed Xiao Xiang looked at the three people in front of her, puzzled and questioning.

  "You're still alive," Mo Bai said with a bitter smile. He could only smile bitterly now. Xiao Xiang was alive, but Lao Fu had seen her dead. Lao Fu was right beside them, yet he had seen himself making new clothes for Xiao Xiang. The ledger was in the corner, but now it was in Er Duo's hands, and it had been given to him by Lao Fu. Mo Bai now felt like he was about to go mad, just like Lao Fu.

  Xiao Xiang looked at Mo Bai in surprise. She never expected him to say something like that. Of course, she was alive. She had always been alive. How could she be standing here if she wasn't? She found it amusing, but at the same time, she felt an indescribable unease in her heart.

  Unexpectedly, Xu Mama remained unusually calm. He even began to hum a little tune:

  "Spring comes, winter goes, welcoming the new spring, sending off the old winter;

  Little one, bring the water, big one, chop the firewood;

  Needle and thread, pulling the line, mixed grains, turning into fruitful harvests."

  …………………….

  Xiao Xiang and Er Duo never imagined that Xu Mama, who was neither male nor female and whose demeanor was so strange, actually had a naturally good singing voice—one that belonged to a true man.

  Lao Fu slowly opened his mouth and started singing along.

  Mo Bai, whose mind had nearly slipped into madness, gradually regained his senses and began humming along with the two of them.

  The sound echoed along the road leading to the city, mingling with the rustling of the leaves and the gentle breeze. Lao Fu, Xu Mama, and Mo Bai exchanged gnces and sighed together.

  "It′s time," Xu Mama was the first to speak.

  "Yes, it truly is time," Mo Bai softly agreed.

  "We really should go home," Lao Fu gazed towards the east, where the rising white mist gently enveloped the moon.