The Common Dream

"Perhaps she truly has the bearing of an empress!"

This was the thought that suddenly flashed through Su Cheng's mind.

Because Cornelia's luck was simply too extraordinary. Flame City was so vast, yet she was the one who happened to find this sky lantern!

How could such a coincidence exist in the world?!

So, at this moment, Su Cheng wondered—perhaps she really did possess the aura of an empress. Perhaps she truly was the chosen one of this world, the legendary darling of fate!

He stared at the lantern on the table, sinking into unprecedented contemplation.

If someone told him now that Cornelia could summon a meteor,

he wouldn’t even bat an eye.

"Hey!"

Cornelia, seeing Su Cheng staring blankly at the sky lantern, put her hands on her hips and puffed out her cheeks in annoyance. "Are you even listening to me?"

"I am."

Hearing Cornelia's voice, Su Cheng snapped out of his daze and turned to her. Pointing at the lantern, he said, "Since you said the most important part is missing, it’s obviously unusable. Why not just throw it away?"

Cornelia pouted and mumbled, "Because… I think you can fix it. And… and…"

She trailed off, lowering her head as if too shy to continue.

For her, admitting that she wanted to release this dream together with Su Cheng was still a little embarrassing.

"What? Fix it?!"

Su Cheng’s face twisted in horror. How did she know he could fix it?!

He was the one who made this sky lantern, and yes, he could repair it.

But the question was—how did Cornelia know?!

Was this the intuition of an empress?!

But he’d rather die than admit it!

"You’re giving me way too much credit. How would I know how to fix this?"

Su Cheng quickly shook his head, insisting he couldn’t.

"Aww… really…?"

Cornelia’s face fell in disappointment.

She had genuinely believed Su Cheng could do it.

Why?

Because in her eyes, Su Cheng was already omnipotent.

He could pluck the moon from the sky or catch turtles from the sea.

Basically, if she could imagine it, he could do it.

So she was absolutely certain—Su Cheng could fix this sky lantern!

"But… fixing this should be really easy."

Cornelia slumped dejectedly by the table, pointing at the lantern’s base. "I just want to restore it to how it was before. Mostly, I need another balloon like the original one."

"Uh, I don’t think we’ll find one. It’s definitely not that simple. Besides, this is a handicraft—we can’t just repair it. If it’s broken, we have to throw it away."

Su Cheng glanced at it and shook his head again.

The moment he said that, Cornelia instantly bristled.

"You dummy!"

She carefully cradled the lantern in her arms and muttered under her breath, "How will we know if we don’t even try?"

"Then… how do you plan to try?"

Su Cheng sighed, reluctantly asking.

Right now, he just wanted to dissuade her from this idea.

"It’s simple!"

Cornelia thumped her chest confidently and pointed at a nearby store. "We just go in there and ask if they sell sky lanterns!"

Su Cheng felt a headache coming on. He patiently explained, "This is a handicraft. Stores don’t sell these!"

"No!"

Cornelia was adamant. "I don’t need a sky lantern. We just need to buy a balloon and some oil, and then maybe we can fix it!"

Without waiting for Su Cheng’s response, she hugged the lantern and scampered toward the store.

"Hey, wait up!"

Su Cheng stood frozen, watching Cornelia’s retreating figure with a sense of helplessness. Eventually, he sighed and followed—mask securely in place.

Why the mask?

Because he had a reputation to uphold.

"Do you sell balloons here?"

Cornelia marched right up to the cashier and asked.

"What kind of balloon are you looking for?"

The middle-aged cashier smiled warmly, eyeing the lantern in Cornelia’s arms.

"Do you have the kind coated in oil?"

Cornelia blurted out without hesitation, as if she’d rehearsed it.

The cashier, however, frowned in confusion. "Balloons… coated in oil?"

Meanwhile, other customers in the store had also perked up at Cornelia’s words. She was undeniably adorable, with a sweet voice that quickly drew attention.

Worse, two ladies recognized Cornelia and began whispering.

"Isn’t that Mrs. William’s daughter?"

"Yes, that’s her. She’s so cute."

"What’s she trying to buy?"

"Something about oil-coated balloons…"

The two ladies’ expressions instantly stiffened.

"She’s using those at her age?!"

"Maybe I misheard?"

"Let’s listen more carefully…"

"It’s the transparent kind—"

Cornelia, noticing the confusion, quickly started describing the balloon’s appearance from yesterday in vivid detail.

Hearing this, the two ladies exchanged glances, their shock growing.

"This… sounds real!"

They huddled together, whispering urgently. Their faces were a mix of disbelief and concern—they couldn’t just stand by!

"Quick, call Mrs. William!"

"Oh! So you mean—"

The cashier finally seemed to understand, though her expression turned a little odd. She pointed toward the chewing gum section. "Just grab one from over there."

"Great!"

Cornelia beamed and hurried toward the display. Just as she reached out to grab a box, Su Cheng—still masked—suddenly intercepted her.

"Let me handle this. I’ve got an idea."

Su Cheng glanced around nervously. This was bad—the neighbors definitely knew Cornelia’s mom. If word got out about what they were buying…

Just the thought made his scalp tingle.

No way!

This had to be stopped!

He grabbed Cornelia’s arm. "Come on, let’s go. I’ll figure something out."

"Really?!"

Cornelia’s eyes sparkled with excitement. "You can really do it?"

"Of course!"

Su Cheng puffed out his chest proudly. He grabbed a pack of actual chewing gum from the shelf, placed it on the counter, and muttered, "I can’t believe even buying something is this troublesome with you."

"Well, you wouldn’t help earlier!"

Cornelia stuck out her tongue, though inwardly, she was thrilled.

The sky lantern could be fixed after all!

"Oh! They were just buying gum!"

"We misunderstood."

The two ladies sighed in relief, cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

Su Cheng paid and left with Cornelia, chewing gum in hand, completely oblivious to the ladies’ expressions behind them.

Back by the lakeside, Cornelia eagerly handed the lantern to Su Cheng. "Here you go!"

Su Cheng took it, his emotions strangely mixed.

If he didn't help, Cornelia would end up doing something foolish and embarrassing. If word of this really got out, her reputation as a girl would be completely ruined. To protect Cornelia's reputation, she had no other choice.

Wait, why did that line sound so familiar?

Su Cheng shook his head, forcibly pushing the strange thought out of his mind.

He turned to look at Cornelia, who was gazing at him with hopeful sapphire-blue eyes. "Su Cheng, can you really fix it?" she asked.

"Of course!"

Su Cheng nodded without hesitation, then sat down on a stone bench. Cornelia climbed onto the bench opposite him, and the two faced each other.

"By the way, where's Big Yellow?"

Su Cheng fiddled with the sky lantern while glancing around, but the familiar figure was nowhere to be seen. He couldn’t help but ask curiously.

"Oh! Big Yellow? He went home."

"Can you call him out?" Su Cheng continued.

"Sure, I'll just order some takeout."

Cornelia pulled out her phone, ready to place an order.

"Then summon him. I need him for something."

Su Cheng wasn’t surprised—after all, Cornelia’s character setting was that every time she ordered takeout, it would inevitably get stolen.

The kid who used to steal it had already been dealt with, so now only Big Yellow was left.

And for some reason, after stealing the takeout, Big Yellow would always come looking for him.

He had no idea why.

Nor could he explain the phenomenon.

He could only chalk it up to Cornelia’s innate skill.

"Okay."

Cornelia nodded, lowering her head to tap away on her phone.

Meanwhile, Su Cheng kept examining the sky lantern in his hands, his mind already planning what he’d have Big Yellow do next—he needed the dog to buy some condoms for him.

He really did need them.

After all, he’d have to give them to the club president later.

Buying them himself would be too embarrassing.

So, he figured he’d just send Big Yellow on the errand.

About ten minutes later.

A sturdy golden retriever came bounding toward Su Cheng, wagging its tail excitedly, a takeout bag clenched in its jaws.

"Wait, where are the clothes I bought for him?"

Su Cheng was shocked. Last time, when he’d bought a red sweater for Yaya, he’d also splurged on a hat-and-cape set for Big Yellow. But now, the dog was completely bare—no sign of the outfit anywhere.

"You mean the hat and toy sword?"

Cornelia quickly explained, "Some kids from your neighborhood stole them when we were at the park last time."

"What kind of brats would do something so rotten!?"

Su Cheng’s expression darkened. That set had cost him several hundred! And now it had been snatched by some kids?

Big Yellow dropped the takeout bag on the ground and immediately trotted over to Su Cheng, rubbing affectionately against his legs before flopping onto his back, belly up, begging for pets.

Cornelia, seeing this, hopped down from her seat and affectionately scratched Big Yellow’s white belly. "Big Yellow, did you eat well today?"

"Woof! Woof!"

When Su Cheng didn’t pet him, Big Yellow scrambled back up, wagging his tail and barking as if answering Cornelia’s question.

Su Cheng, however, was still mourning the loss of his hard-earned money. Right then and there, he made up his mind—once Yaya got back, he was going to get revenge!

He’d send Yaya to steal all the clothes drying on those kids’ balconies. Let them experience the pain of losing property too!

But for now…

He had more pressing matters to deal with.

"I need you to do something for me."

The moment Su Cheng spoke, Big Yellow immediately straightened up, sitting at attention like a well-trained soldier-dog.

"Woof~!"

Big Yellow lifted his head, awaiting orders from his great commander, Su Cheng.

"Just wait a sec."

Su Cheng turned around, pulling a pen and paper from his pocket, and began writing something on the table. Cornelia, curious, tried to peek, but Su Cheng blocked her with his hand.

"Ugh, like I even care what you're writing!?"

Cornelia pouted, annoyed, but she didn’t try to look again. Instead, she awkwardly busied herself playing with Big Yellow.

A minute later.

Finally, Su Cheng put down the pen. The note now had a hundred-yuan bill clipped to it. He held it out to Big Yellow. "Take this in your mouth, go to a store farther away, and show the note to the shopkeeper. He’ll give you what we need."

Big Yellow obediently took the note and money in his mouth, nodding.

"What are you making him buy?"

Cornelia couldn’t hold back any longer. She leaned in, trying to read the note.

Su Cheng quickly nudged Big Yellow with his foot. "Go, hurry!"

Before Cornelia could get a good look, Big Yellow spun around and bolted off into the distance.

"Hey—!"

Cornelia stomped her foot in frustration, glaring at the retreating dog before turning back to Su Cheng. "Why do you have to be so secretive!?"

"It’s nothing, just some materials to make the sky lantern fly," Su Cheng explained vaguely before swiftly changing the subject. He handed the pen to Cornelia. "Didn’t you say you wanted to release the lantern? Write down your wish first."

Cornelia froze for a moment before taking the pen, her head lowering slightly as if embarrassed. "Actually, I don’t really have a wish… I just wanted to… with you…"

As she spoke, her white-stockinged feet rubbed together nervously—part shyness, part anxiety.

Finally, she mustered the courage to look up at Su Cheng, her bright eyes shimmering with hope.

"That… promise between us."

Su Cheng blinked, then chuckled.

This side of Cornelia was rare.

Now he understood—this so-called promise must be incredibly important to her.

Definitely not something trivial, like warming milk.

So, he decided to test the waters.

Asking directly might hurt her feelings.

Su Cheng nodded. "If I made a promise to you, and you still remember it, then no matter what, I’ll keep it."

"Thank you…"

Cornelia bit her lip, her eyes turning red, but she fought back the tears. Taking the pen, she wiped her eyes and sat down, determined. "Then let’s both make a wish for this dream together!"

With that, she bent over the lantern, carefully writing on the inner paper:

"I want to fulfill my dream together with Su Cheng!"

Su Cheng frowned. The wording was too vague—he still couldn’t figure out what exactly the promise was or what dream Cornelia wanted to achieve.

"Here, your turn."

Cornelia handed the pen back to Su Cheng, her eyes shining with anticipation, as if willing him to write something just as affirming.

Even if he didn’t know the specifics…

That didn’t stop him!

Taking the pen, he wrote beside her words:

"I want to fulfill my dream together with Cornelia."

As expected, the moment he wrote those words, an unprecedented joy blossomed on Cornelia's face. She clenched her fists in excitement, her eyes glistening with unshed tears as if she might burst into crying at any moment.

"Wonderful!"

"This is truly wonderful!"

Overwhelmed, Cornelia threw her arms around Su Cheng, nuzzling against his chest—so much so that he could even feel dampness seeping through his shirt.

Having such a delicate beauty in his embrace only filled Su Cheng with shame.

After all, he had no idea what this so-called "promise" even was.

And now, seeing Cornelia's tearful yet radiant happiness, his heart ached with unbearable guilt.

Yet, this very incident only strengthened his resolve. If he could simply erase his own existence, then Cornelia would never have to suffer because of him again.

Suddenly, the golden retriever returned, a plastic bag clutched in its mouth.

……………………

Meanwhile.

Not far from the two, a young and beautiful lady—Mrs. William—was desperately searching for her daughter. Finally, her efforts paid off when she spotted the girl by the lakeside.

There, on the stone bench by the water, two figures were engaged in some activity. One, her daughter with golden hair, faced her direction, while the other—a boy—had his back turned. Both were bent over, engrossed in whatever they were doing, with a dog lingering nearby.

Just as Mrs. William prepared to approach, their conversation froze her in place, rendering her motionless.

"Let me blow it!"

"No, it's dirty!"

"Come on, let me try!"

"I told you, it's dirty!"

"How stingy!"

Cornelia pouted in displeasure, but when she glanced up and saw her mother standing rigidly behind Su Cheng, she gasped. "Ah! Mom?!"

"Hmm?"

Su Cheng, mid-breath into inflating a balloon, instinctively turned his head toward Cornelia's line of sight. There stood a woman in an elegant gown, her delicate features framed by cascading dark hair, exuding an air of captivating allure.

The air thickened, time itself seeming to halt.

"Pfffft—"

Only the sound of the deflating balloon echoed between the three.