Cricket Scarf, Knit with a Snap

In the dormitory on the second floor of the Ray of Hope.

Several children, now dressed in fresh, identical white outfits, stood obediently in a row.

Number One, an expressionless woman, led Little Bai over.

Little Bai still clutched her tattered doll. After arriving, she quickly ran to her brother Shitou's side, holding his hand and timidly glancing at Gu Yan.

She seemed worried that her tardiness might have upset him.

After Number One returned to the group, the Claw respectfully reported, "Sir, everyone is here."

"Mm," Gu Yan responded softly, then smiled warmly at Little Bai and the others. "Very good."

"Now you all look lively and spirited!"

"Next, let's move on to the part everyone enjoys..."

"Each of you will introduce yourselves."

"Tell us your name, hobbies, or dreams—anything you'd like to share. Don't be shy."

"Who wants to go first?"

At this, the children exchanged glances, feeling a bit shy and hesitant.

Fortunately, Shitou stepped forward to introduce himself.

He took a deep breath and said, "My name is Shitou. I've been called that since I was little."

"My dream is to give my sister a good life."

"My hobby is protecting my sister."

"And now... besides protecting her, I also want to help you, sir!"

Shitou looked at Gu Yan with admiration. No one had ever treated them so kindly before.

They were given food and new clothes, and for some reason, Gu Yan seemed to exude a magnetic charm that made Shitou want to get closer to him.

Little Bai then spoke up in a soft, clear voice. She looked at Gu Yan nervously and said, "Little Bai... also wants to help you, sir..."

After speaking, she seemed to realize that interrupting might be impolite, or perhaps she was self-conscious about her white hair, which she thought made her look strange and frightening. She quickly blushed and lowered her head.

But she still stole glances at Gu Yan.

He felt so warm...

Following the two siblings' introductions, the others began to share their stories.

A seven-year-old named Xing Le explained that his parents had died in a car accident when he was five. His family's assets were taken by relatives, and he had been wandering ever since.

A six-year-old named Xing Xing, the same age as Little Bai, and another seven-year-old named Lin Lin shared similar stories to Xing Le.

As for Little Bai and Shitou, they had been rescued from human traffickers, and their parents were also deceased.

In short, their backgrounds were clean.

At least Gu Yan saw no issues. He smiled and said, "Good, now we all know each other."

He pointed to the Claw and the others and said to Little Bai and the children, "These older brothers and sisters will teach you new things. You must listen well and study hard."

"I'll also come to visit you when I can. I hope to see a different side of you by then."

Hearing this, although the children were reluctant to see Gu Yan leave, they nodded one by one and said, "Yes, sir! We'll work hard!"

"When you come back, we'll definitely be different!"

"That's right, sir!"

Gu Yan smiled and nodded, giving a few more words of encouragement before leaving with Old Gao.

......

In the car.

"Phew~~ Talking to kids is exhausting~~"

"Honestly, I'm not usually this gentle and kind."

Gu Yan sighed, looking utterly drained.

Old Gao glanced at him through the rearview mirror and chuckled. "Really? I thought you seemed to be enjoying yourself."

Gu Yan smirked. "Oh? Old Gao, that might just be your imagination."

"I was only being kind for the sake of the plan."

"Little Bai and the others are part of the plan. They'll be useful to me in the future."

At this, Gu Yan let out a sinister laugh: "When they find out I've been using them all along, they'll probably cry and throw a fit~~"

Old Gao started the car and smiled faintly. "Perhaps. So, where to next, sir? What's the plan?"

Gu Yan's expression turned serious. Although he should be heading to Long Zaitian to instruct him on building the Ray of Hope, it was almost noon, so...

He leaned back in his seat and pulled out his phone to scroll through short videos. "Hmm... The plan is for you to take me to Leng Qingqiu's place."

"You go to Long Zaitian and tell him to start construction on the Ray of Hope."

Old Gao: "........."

......

At the Leng Family mansion.

In the study.

Leng Qingqiu sat at her desk, knitting something. On the table lay a ball of yarn and a knitting tutorial book.

"Not bad. I thought it would be harder."

Leng Qingqiu knitted a scarf, her tone dismissive. "A mere scarf? Easy as pie. Once I finish, Gu Yan will be so touched he'll fall to his knees and weep."

[The other me, you really know how to handle your furnace. I support your knitting idea.]

Little Cold had come to realize that when it came to manipulating people, Leng Qingqiu was far more skilled. Thus, she now understood and supported Leng Qingqiu's every move.

Leng Qingqiu was pleased but still a bit annoyed. "Hmph, as if I needed your approval?"

"By the way, haven't you been appearing a bit too often lately?"

"Back in the day, you used to stay quietly inside me."

[Because the old you would never knit a scarf.]

[Nor would you cry, throw tantrums, or laugh over that furnace. You even sleep like a normal person now, which is so inefficient.]

[I come out to make sure you don't abandon your revenge.]

"?"

"What are you talking about? What do you mean?"

Leng Qingqiu was furious, convinced that Little Cold was belittling her. "How could I ever give up on revenge? Revenge is my life's purpose!"

[...Allow me to borrow a phrase from the internet to respond.]

"? What?"

[I can't say.]

Ugh!

Her fists clenched.

Little Cold, what have you been learning online?

Wait, how are you even accessing the internet? Our minds are separate!

Leng Qingqiu suddenly became suspicious.

Ever since Little Cold came into existence, their memories had stopped being shared.

Only the memory of the Leng Family massacre was common to both.

So what did Little Cold mean by that?

She asked warily, "When did you get online? Can you come out? How come I didn't know?"

[.........]

[The other me, our furnace is here.]

Little Cold changed the subject.

And Leng Qingqiu, predictably, fell for it. She snapped, "He's *my* furnace! Little Cold, shut up!"

With that, Leng Qingqiu quickly cleared the desk, hiding all the yarn and knitting materials.

She didn't want Gu Yan to see her knitting a scarf for him.

After all, she was the Night King!

Knitting a scarf for a man? Her subordinates would laugh her out of the room if they found out!

[Why not tell him you're knitting a scarf? Isn't that a way to boost his affection?]

"Affection? Where did you learn that term? Just shut up and watch!!"

[Got it!]

"?"