1362: Realizing That It Is All Just a Dream

Realizing That It Is All Just a Dream

Far away from the woods came the sound of the families there to fetch the bride. Famous looked in that direction and realized that they were very close to Binhai. Even if he could not catch up in time, he doubted anything would happen. Even if something did happen, he could always catch up from behind later. Everything should be fine.1

His suspicion for this Galaxy had, unconsciously, slowly disappeared. This was not because it liked to be fooled by it, but because this Galaxy had pointed out something that it had long thought of but had been avoiding—it was not surprising because this Galaxy was what it had created. It was part of it, was born from its will, and knew its heart better than anyone else. It was not the same as Old Time Tea, who was very close to itself in the real world.

"Are you leaving?" asked Famous.

Galaxy nodded.

"But...how do you get out? This is my imagined world, or...should I say that this is a closed-loop system formed by my spirit? It is not a real space that exists. No matter whether it is you or the real Galaxy, you don't really have a way to leave, do you?" Famous asked.

However, if it did not leave the imagined world, how could it enter Zhang Zian's dream world?

"Meow! You will need to send me out," Galaxy said.

"You need me to send you out? How do I do that?" Famous was clueless. It had never done this kind of thing, or even thought about doing so.

Galaxy shook its head, laughed, and teased, "Meow! You will have to come up with a solution then. But I know you will eventually come up with one!"

Famous thought, "I hate two things most. One is using my brain, and the other is when people deliberately do not tell me something!"

"Then.. Will you come back?"

On this journey, Famous had always believed that the one playing the leading role was Old Time Tea, while he was in a supporting role. Galaxy was merely a sort of lucky charm that existed. However, even if that were the case, he was already accustomed to Galaxy's existence. He was used to having it around and watching it catch butterflies while he rested.

Galaxy tried to look like he was thinking hard, but then he smiled and said, "This is the world you created, Famous."

Famous didn't reply.

There was too much information in his mind, and he was feeling too overwhelmed to use his brain further. "In short, you will be able to deal with the other elfin, right? Although you said that I created you, and you are, therefore, not the original Galaxy, I feel that you are very strong too!"

Galaxy held back a smile and said, point-blank, "The other elfin is very strong. The dream is its home ground! Any foreign object that invades the dream will be suppressed by it, and it may lose most or all of its power. So, whether it is me or you, while we may try our best, we will merely act as guides. Whether or not he can wake up depends on Zhang Zian's own willpower!"

Famous sighed. "So we will have to let him fend for himself after all... What I understand the least is why he willingly let himself go into a deep sleep and then into the dream? If he had not done so, then we wouldn't have to deal with such a big mess right now."

While Famous talked with Galaxy, the younger version of Old Time Tea had been thinking about what Famous had told him. Although the current version of it was subject to historical limitations and, therefore, it couldn't understand some of the things said, it nevertheless had a general understanding of what had happened.

"I have a few guesses that I can think of." It narrowed its eyes and smiled.

"Oh?"

Famous was stunned. The Old Time Tea in the real world, be it in terms of knowledge or wisdom, was far superior to this younger version of Old Time Tea. In addition, the real-life Old Time Tea was diligent and eager to learn. It had learned a lot of new human knowledge from watching TV, such as the information about "rapid eye movement sleep." Famous knew none of these things... Therefore, how was it possible that both he and the Old Time Tea in the real world had no clue how to handle the situation, but this younger version of Old Time Tea could guess what had happened after listening to a mere few sentences?

The younger version of Old Time Tea saw its thoughts and smiled. "That is because I do not know Zhang Zian, while the real Old Time Tea knows him. This is the difference—if it does not bother you, you won't be affected by it. If it means something to you, you will be affected and cannot focus on the solution. Bystanders can always see the situation more clearly than those involved. I can be a true bystander, but the real-world Old Time Tea cannot."

Famous listened carefully. What this Old Time Tea was saying made a lot of sense.

Old Time Tea lifted a front paw and looked down carefully. "Brother Famous, you always say that this is your imagined world and that I am just a projection of Old Time Tea from the real world. However, I do not fully agree with this. This is because I have observed this world very carefully. This world is highly realistic. Every blade of grass and every tree, every breath taken... They do not seem to be something created fictionally. So, I will insist that, Brother Famous, you must have made a mistake. This so-called imagined world you speak of is actually a dream..."

Famous wanted to refute this, but Old Time Tea lifted its claws and stopped him. "Reality and illusion are merely separated by a single thin line. I don't want to believe that I am a false existence. I don't want to believe that everything I experienced as a result of life and death is fictitious. I refuse to believe that my fate is sealed. I want to see what Binhai looks like, and I want to witness the happy marriage of Miss Wu Jia. Therefore, I'd rather believe that all this is true... Presumably, Zhang Zian is also thinking the same way."

"Because the dreams are too good, I am willing to believe that it is true. Because there are things that are embarrassing, I don't want to wake up."

"Because of feelings involved, I am trapped in this dream... However, a dream is a dream. If you don't notice it is a dream, then once you do notice it, even if the dream is good, you will not feel as nostalgic towards it, because it is destined to be false."

"There are feelings?"

Famous did not understand. Where was the connection between sentimentality and trapped dreams? It does not seem to make sense.

Old Time Tea gave a slight smile. "Brother Famous, I wonder if you have ever heard this before... 'If you do not know how to pity and cherish, no one will be willing to be with you.'"

Famous shook his head. How should it put this... For a foreign dog to understand ancient Chinese poetry, that might be a little too difficult...

"It doesn't matter if you don't understand it. You need to know that you can only be trapped in a dream if you value relationships. So I am very envious of you, that you are able to know such a human friend."

Old Time Tea smiled and looked at it.

On the horizon in the east, the top of a mountain loomed high. The mountaintop was blurred by the passing of a group of clouds.

Although the mountain did not seem to be too far away, to even try going toward it was likely to be a great distance.

Was that... Mt. Hidden Fog?

Binhai. They were almost there.

Famous suddenly remembered. He had been very confused as to why he had created such an imagined world. Why had he created it in this country and specifically this era? What was its purpose in loitering through this imagined world that it had created?

It seemed to be somewhat clear on that reason now.

Everyone had a town of Binhai in their hearts, a holy place in their hearts and minds. It was a peaceful land that could allow them to escape reality.

The process of arriving here was a process of learning about yourself all over again.

Famous's eyes became clearer than they usually were. It stared at the young version of Old Time Tea and said, "Old Time Tea, you said something wrong."

"Oh? Would you care to tell me the details?" asked Old Time Tea.

Famous suddenly raised his voice and snarled loudly, "Don't confuse my imagined world with those who mess around with other people's dreams!"

With that, it woke up.

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