After saying goodbye to Mr. Fernandi, Hexia continued to be busy working at ''Dream of zed ss''. Though it might be possible to receive some subsidies in high school, making her own money still felt more reliable.


    Just as her mother had said, when you can earn your own money, you''ll feel a tremendous sense of freedom because you no longer have to depend on anyone else.


    So, while the bar inside ''Dream of zed ss'' was still under renovation, Hexia finally had another holiday to look forward to.


    Should she go out or stay at home?


    Hexia sat on the bed, as the window on one side of her bedroom let in bright artificial sunshine, illuminating her lower body. Her slightly elongated legs were exposed to the sunlight, fair and radiant, the toes showing a translucent color.


    She had been very busy recently, with work, studying music, and asionally paying attention to school matters.


    Hexiay back down on the soft bedding, gazing at the ceiling above her, her nerves slightly rxed, her brows slowly easing, before her eyes closed once again.


    She would just stay at home and sleep today.


    In the sunlight-streaming window, the fan whirred, stirring a little circting air. Shortly after getting up in the morning, Tn continued to sleep, her legs first curling up, then slowly stretching out to lie on her side, her soft hair scattered amidst the nket.


    Time flowed soundlessly; there was no one to disturb her, no work to attend to, forgetting thoseplex forms and study materials, the young girl enjoyed a peaceful holiday.


    Today was June 5th, Sunday.


    ————


    In the afternoon, Hexia finally got up from bed, not because she didn''t want to sleep any longer, but because she was hungry.


    Ah——


    After a long yawn, Hexia shook her head while sitting on the bed, flicked her hair, and stood up.


    With a simple two-step walk to the mirror, she bent over to look at her reflection, her ashen blonde hair contrasting with her ck eyes. A side fringe partially covered her ear, needing to be pinned back or tied up to fully reveal her delicate ear.


    Sitting at the dressing table, the girl neatlybed her hair, gathered the long strands on one side of her ear, then took a rubber band hair tie and tied it in front of her chest. She did the same on the other side.


    After getting ready, she stood up, opened the nearby wardrobe, rummaged for a dress suitable for summer outings, then slipped into a pair of strappy sandals, ready to go out.


    It was a sunny day. After having something to eat, she nned to take a look above ground.


    Having packed her things, Hexia picked up a small handbag, ced her belongings inside, and left the house.


    Since entering the ninth grade, due to the pressure of academics and financial constraints, she hardly had the energy to worry about other things. Every day, besides studying, she just went home to buy groceries and cook something to eat, then continued reviewing at night, a cycle that repeated endlessly.


    Since her father had also left, she was alone at home without anyone to rely on. Not being admitted to Irene Academy meant repetition would be extremely difficult, not only financially unsustainable but also likely to lead to a mental breakdown.


    Continue reading at m|v-l''e -NovelBin


    A whole year passed like that until she graduated a month ago, and she could finally catch her breath, but she couldn''tpletely rx because she hadn''t received the admission notice, and even if admitted, she had to worry about future employment.


    Now, these problems no longer troubled her, and she could finally rx for a while and do some things she hadn''t been able to do before.


    Like taking a walk on the ground above the Skylight.


    Though there was simted sky underground, it stillcked the grandeur and vastness of the natural sky.


    Entering the vertical elevator leading to the top of the Skylight, the girl watched the numbers on the screen change upwards until thest floor number showed ''0'', and the crimson steel elevator doors slowly opened.


    Stepping out of the Skylight''s corridor, the fierce sunshine immediately hit her, making Hexia squint her eyes. She shielded her forehead with her arm as she stepped onto the dry, nking steel staircase in the gentle breeze.


    Holding onto the handrail on one side, she walked down the stairs and looked outside.


    Before her was a nched world, the ground grey and hard, the wind carrying sand and dust that felt gritty against the skin.


    No wonder people rarely came out, the girl thought, yet she still relished the feeling.


    Outside Payin City''s Skylight, aside from a barren desert devoid of vegetation, there was only arge parking lot. Under the scorching sun, the lot seemed very deste, with hardly any vehiclesing and going.


    Trucks suitable for surface travel would haul their goods to the back, unload them there, then the drivers would park and go rx for a day or two below in Payin City before continuing their journey.


    Continuing to walk away from the metallic floors near the Skylight, Hexia stepped onto the parched earth with her sandals, her white summer dress dancing in the hot wind. She brushed the stray hair beside her ear upwards, then squatted down to examine the ground closely.


    Thend, once muddied by rainwater, now had irregr cracks from the baking sun. With a nudge of her finger, she could crumble the edges into a white chunky powder.


    Grinding the particles between her fingers, they turned into a fine dust that dispersed in the wind.


    Long ago, thisnd was lush with greenery, but now, corroded by acid rain, it no longer supported vegetation.


    Time changes everything; that''s probably what it means.


    Hexia slowly stood up, her forehead now slightly sweaty from the sun. She decided to head back.