Arga, who had been observing quietly, finally stepped in. With ease, he plucked the mango and handed it to Ningning. They exchanged glances, then smiled wordlessly at each other.
"This all feels too perfect. It's like this world was created just for us," Arga said at last, breaking the silence with a reflective tone.
"It really does," Dery replied, pointing toward a fish pond at the foot of a small hill. "Look at that. Even the fish here seem happy."
The three of them approached the pond, watching koi and tilapia swim joyfully in the clear water. Sunlight reflected off the water's surface, revealing the fish's shimmering colors. Ningning crouched down and dipped her hand into the water. A small fish swam near, as if expecting food.
"It's so friendly!" Ningning giggled. "Fish in the city aren't like this."
"Because here, they feel free," Dery said as he walked toward a chicken coop near the pond. The chickens clucked happily, and a chick even hopped onto Dery's foot, making him laugh softly.
Ningning then pointed to a beehive on a low tree. Bees buzzed busily from flower to flower. "Look at the flowers! Lavender, wild roses, sunflowers... they paint this place with such cheerful colors."
Arga smiled faintly, watching Ningning's happiness. He looked up at the flawless blue sky, then at the majestic mountains towering in the distance. "This place..." Arga paused, searching for the right words. "Dery, Ningning, I think I'm starting to understand why you love it here."
Ningning hugged the orange in her hands, her smile widening. "Because this place isn't just beautiful, Arga. Here, we can feel alive again."
Arga nodded slowly. For the first time in a long while, he felt a heavy burden in his heart beginning to lift. Amid the perfect natural beauty, with his friends by his side, life felt lighter – and perhaps, a bit more meaningful.
Arga looked at Dery with genuine gratitude. "Thank you, Dery, for bringing me here. Look at Ningning. She's so happy."
Dery nodded, smiling broadly. "You don't need to thank me, Arga. Besides, Miss Ningning has been here before, but I've never seen her this happy. It's like it's her first time experiencing this."
"You're free to take all the fruit here," Dery continued, gesturing toward the orchard. "After that, we'll head to the city to deliver the harvest." He then walked toward his companions, who were busy loading food supplies onto a cart.
Amid light laughter and casual conversation, that morning felt utterly perfect. It was as if, in this place, time moved slower – giving them the space to truly savor each moment.
That morning, the atmosphere in the small village nestled in the mountain valley felt so serene. The cold air blew gently, carrying the fresh scent of damp earth and foliage. The contrast was stark with the sudden commotion engulfing Kashgar City, where its three main districts were bustling with activity. People flocked to the main hall of Kashgar City, located in District 1, home to Ningning, Arga, Sana, and Nico. District 2, Dokdo, was predominantly inhabited by Japanese and Korean residents, while District 3, Hindia, housed people from Taiwan and Southeast Asia. That morning, everything seemed to converge on the main hall.
The crowd began to pack the area, their faces a mix of curiosity and anxiety filling the room. Nico and Sana, who had heard the urgent news, rushed down the cobblestone streets, trying to weave through the dense throng. The air buzzed with noise, unanswered questions hanging heavily.
"Where are the leaders of Districts 1 and 2?" a loud male voice rang out from the center of the crowd. The man's face was tense, his eyebrows sharply knit. He was arpin n, a prominent figure from District 3.
Not long after, a man stepped forward calmly. His face appeared relaxed, a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere surrounding him. "Sorry I'm late," he said in an even tone.
Arpin turned sharply, his gaze filled with disdain. "You've been spending too much time in District 2, Ayato," he snapped.
Nico and Sana exchanged glances, shock evident on their faces. That name, Ayato, suddenly brought them back to memories of the previous night. "The sushi vendor from last night is the leader of District 2?" Nico thought, barely able to believe it.
But arpinwasn't finished. His anger seemed to peak. "And that woman! She never shows up for meetings, not even ones as important as this. I've disliked her from the start," he grumbled, his tone accusatory, referring to the leader of District 1, who was still nowhere to be seen.
Ayato remained composed, even offering a faint smile. His demeanor radiated an aura of brilliance and wisdom, while arpin resembled a spark ready to ignite into flames at any moment. Amid the tension, Nico carefully observed the situation. He knew that if Ningning didn't arrive soon, things could take a disastrous turn.
"Sana, wait here. I'll head to the main gate. If they're not here yet, I'll go find them," Nico said firmly.
Sana nodded, though worry was etched across her face. Nico quickly ran through the crowd, his breathing heavy as he picked up speed. The path to the main gate felt interminably long. His mind raced with concerns. "This could become a major problem. Where are you, Ningning? Where are you, Arga?" he muttered under his breath.
Upon reaching the main gate, Nico saw a caravan of carts carrying harvested produce. From afar, he immediately recognized Ningning and Arga at the very back of the group. Without hesitation, he shouted, "Ningning! Ningning!"
The call made them turn. Ningning, who was holding a basket of fruit, quickly set it down, while Arga stepped forward, his expression filled with questions. "What is it, Nico?" he asked, trying to grasp the situation.
Nico arrived, panting heavily, his face flushed from running. "Calm yourself, Nico," Arga said, patting his shoulder. "Speak slowly. What happened?"
Nico tried to steady his breathing. "The Japanese… their district…" he said haltingly. "The leader of District 3 brought urgent news. Everyone's already gathered at the main hall."
Arga and Ningning exchanged glances. Worry began to cloud their faces. Without further delay, they abandoned the harvest carts and hurried toward the main hall. The usually tranquil streets now brimmed with an air of tension, as if something monumental awaited them.