This is a sequel to "The Last Flight". It would count as another chapter, but it focuses on a different budding ship
Bailu was happy. No—more than happy. Life had always been a blur of herbal remedies, medical knowledge, and strict elders who droned on about duty. But now, for the first time, she felt free, and it was all thanks to her new Papa, Caelus. When General Jing Yuan and Caelus interrupted her lessons with Dan Heng to announce that Caelus was adopting her, Bailu had been confused at first. Adoption wasn't something she had really thought about—wasn't that for kids without places to belong? She had a place, technically. But Caelus's explanation changed everything:
"Now you'll get to travel as far as you want, eat all the delicious food you can imagine, and help people on your terms," he said, crouching to her eye level with a grin. "No more being stuck with those stuffy old people. From now on, I'll take care of you. And I'll protect you from anyone who tries to hurt you, okay? That's what a Papa does."
The words melted something inside her—a strange warmth spreading through her little heart. She didn't know it at the time, but she had craved this more than anything. She had wanted someone who would treat her like a child, not just a prodigy. Someone who would let her be small, messy, and carefree, not just a healer with hands more skilled than most adults. And Caelus was giving her that, along with something even more precious—something she never thought she'd need:
Love.
She had seen love from the sidelines before—other kids with their parents, hugging and laughing and squabbling like they didn't have a care in the world. It was always something foreign to her, like a dream she could never quite touch. But now she had it. And it was amazing.
March 7th was the cool, mischievous Aunt she never knew she needed, always sneaking her extra sweets and taking her on little adventures around the Astral Express. Dan Heng, in his quiet way, had become a patient mentor, correcting her mistakes gently while teaching her how to defend herself with grace. Miss Himeko was like the best Aunt imaginable, always ready with warm hugs and pastries, while Grandpa Welt had all the most thrilling stories about distant worlds and heroic deeds.
And most importantly, she had Caelus—her Papa. He wasn't perfect, but he was hers.
Yet even in the happiness she felt, Bailu wasn't blind. As young as she was, she could see things others missed. Papa was happy when he was with her—but something weighed on him. There were nights when she peeked into his room only to find him sitting on the edge of the bed, head bowed, hands pressed together as if carrying the weight of an invisible burden. And though he smiled at her every morning, that smile never quite reached his eyes. He was trying so hard—for her—but she could see it in the way he moved, how tired he was even after hours of rest.
Nobody seemed to know why Papa wasn't sleeping well. And whenever Bailu asked, he'd just pat her head and change the subject with a chuckle, as if the answer didn't matter. But it did matter to Bailu. She didn't want her Papa to carry that sadness alone. If there was one thing she knew from healing, it was that sometimes, even the strongest people needed help, too.
And so, one day while Papa was out on a mission, Bailu decided to do a little investigation of her own.
Sneaking into his room, she felt a little guilty, but her resolve didn't waver. This was for Papa, after all. She carefully looked around, scanning for anything out of place, but his room seemed normal enough. Clothes folded haphazardly on the chair, a few books stacked by the bedside—nothing suspicious. But then her gaze landed on the photos he kept tucked beside his bed, and a small smile crept onto her face.
There she was, grinning up at him from one picture, March holding her in a playful headlock. In another, Dan Heng stood awkwardly in the background as Caelus and Himeko both ruffled her hair. He's always thinking about us, Bailu realized, her heart swelling with affection. But the ache in her chest only grew stronger. He was surrounded by love—and yet, he still looked lonely.
That's when she found the letters.
Two envelopes, yellowed at the edges, hidden beneath some old papers. The name on one of them caught her eye immediately, and her little hands trembled slightly as she opened it.
Baiheng.
Everyone from the Xianzhou knew that name—the legendary trailblazer who had lived boldly and died too soon, her life a tale of bravery and sacrifice. But Bailu had never imagined that Caelus had known her personally. And from what she could gather from the letters, they had been close. Very close. Baiheng's words were warm, filled with playful jabs and moments of vulnerability that felt so intimate, it made Bailu's heart ache just reading them. But the letters stopped abruptly—just like Baiheng's life.
And suddenly, it all made sense.
Papa wasn't just tired—he was lonely. He was carrying a sadness too deep for words, a sorrow born from loss. Baiheng's absence had left a hole in his heart that nothing seemed to fill, no matter how many people he surrounded himself with.
Bailu folded the letters carefully and tucked them back where she found them, her mind racing. She didn't know the whole story of what had happened between Baiheng and her Papa, but she understood one thing for certain:
Papa missed her. And because of that, he felt incomplete.
But Bailu wasn't the kind of kid to sit still and do nothing. She had made a decision. If Baiheng was gone, then she would help her Papa find someone new—someone who could make him happy again.
The thought made her giggle mischievously as she clasped her hands together.
"Don't worry, Mama Baiheng," she whispered with a determined smile. "I'll find Papa a wife."
Bailu's idea was simple—and in her mind, foolproof. If Mama Baiheng had told Papa to find a Foxian wife, it made sense to follow that advice. And since Baiheng had been a pilot herself, it only seemed logical that Papa's wife should be either a pilot or someone working toward becoming one. With that in mind, Bailu decided to take the Space Anchor Warp straight to the Luofu, determined to find the perfect match.
Her first destination? The Sky-Fairing Commission. If pilots were involved, then someone here was bound to have information, and if anyone could help her, it had to be Madam Yukong—after all, Yukong had been a pilot herself.
The moment Bailu stepped through the commission's grand entrance, she scanned the bustling room. Technicians sat hunched over consoles, monitors flickering with flight patterns and maintenance logs. People moved with purpose, voices low but urgent.
Bailu furrowed her brow.
Maybe this wasn't such a good place to start after all...
She was about to leave when her ears twitched, catching snatches of conversation nearby. She crept closer, recognizing Madam Yukong speaking with a younger Foxian woman.
"Qingni, how have things been going?" Yukong asked warmly, her hands clasped behind her back.
The younger Foxian, who had the same elegant features as Yukong but with a hint of youthful restlessness, smiled. "I think you already know, Mother. But... it's going fine. I've been working hard, and they're actually considering me for the pilot training program."
Yukong's smile deepened. "That's good to hear. I'm proud of you, Qingni."
Qingni straightened, her eyes gleaming with quiet determination. "I just want to make everyone who helped me proud. Especially you, Mother."
Bailu's ears perked up, her tail flicking in excitement. She's training to be a pilot? She gave Qingni a once-over. Qingni was graceful, confident, and undeniably beautiful. Bailu's heart skipped. She's perfect! Papa will love her!
Without hesitation, Bailu marched up to them, her eyes gleaming with purpose. Yukong noticed her first and greeted her with a warm smile.
"Well, Bailu. This is a surprise. What brings you here today?"
"I came looking for someone to help me with something," Bailu announced confidently.
Yukong tilted her head, intrigued. "If you need help, we'll do our best to provide it. What seems to be the problem?"
Bailu hesitated, suddenly realizing she wasn't quite sure how to explain. But telling the truth was usually the best option, right? Taking a breath, she went for it.
"Well... you know I got adopted recently."
Qingni blinked in surprise. "The Dragon Lady got adopted?"
Yukong gave a knowing nod. "Yes. It was a quiet affair because of some political complexities, but Bailu was officially adopted by Caelus of the Astral Express."
Bailu beamed. "Right! Papa's been amazing, and living on the Astral Express has been so fun!"
Yukong smiled at Bailu's happiness, but her expression quickly shifted back to concern. "So, what's the problem?"
The little dragon girl's face grew more serious. "Papa is lonely... and it's affecting his health." She looked between Yukong and Qingni, her expression earnest. "I was hoping to find him a wife—one who's a Foxian pilot, just like Baiheng."
For a moment, Yukong and Qingni stared at Bailu in stunned silence. It wasn't the mention of Baiheng that threw them off—it was the fact that this little dragon, with all the seriousness in the world, had decided to find her adoptive father a Foxian wife.
Yukong stifled a laugh, both amused and touched. Bailu could be surprisingly direct, but this—this was something else entirely. It was bold, innocent, and endearing all at once. The child's logic made sense in a way only a child's could.
"And who, exactly, do you have in mind for Caelus's wife?" Yukong asked, her voice laced with amusement.
Bailu didn't miss a beat. "Miss Qingni, of course! She's training to be an amazing pilot—she's perfect for Papa!"
Qingni's face flushed, her ears twitching in embarrassment as she struggled to find words. "W-what?!"
Yukong's amused smile widened as she gave her daughter a sly look. "Well, Qingni, I have always wanted grandchildren."
"Mother!" Qingni hissed, horrified.
"And it's not like Caelus is someone I'd disapprove of," Yukong added with a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
Bailu grinned brightly, sensing that things were going her way. "Papa's a hero, you know! Across the whole universe!"
"Mother, I can't just—!" Qingni protested, her heart pounding in her chest.
Yukong raised a brow. "And why not? It wouldn't get in the way of your dreams. There's no harm in getting to know him better."
"But..." Qingni faltered, caught between her mother's teasing and the hopeful, eager look in Bailu's eyes. How could she say no to that face? Bailu's sincerity was impossible to resist.
After a long sigh, Qingni relented. "I... I guess I could at least meet him again."
Bailu lit up, practically bouncing on her feet. "Thank you! Come on, let's go!"
Before Qingni could utter another word, Bailu grabbed her hand and began pulling her toward the exit with surprising strength for someone so small. "Wait! Bailu—slow down!" Qingni called, her voice trailing behind them.
Yukong chuckled softly, watching them go. "Good luck, dear," she whispered under her breath, amused by the whirlwind her daughter was about to step into.
And with that, Bailu and Qingni disappeared down the corridor, one filled with mischievous excitement, the other trailing behind in reluctant bewilderment.
Later that day, the Astral Express hummed softly as it drifted through space, its passengers gathered in the lounge. Caelus sat at the center of it all, arms crossed, staring blankly at the odd group assembled before him. March had dissolved into laughter, clutching her stomach, while Himeko shook her head with an amused chuckle. Welt sat off to the side, giving one of his signature bemused smirks, and even Dan Heng, usually so composed, looked faintly entertained.
Caelus, on the other hand, couldn't believe what was happening.
Across from him, Bailu perched on the couch, kicking her little legs happily, absolutely pleased with herself. Beside her sat Qingni, a bright blush creeping from the tips of her ears to her cheeks as she fidgeted awkwardly under everyone's gaze.
Caelus rubbed the back of his neck, still trying to process. "So... let me get this straight." He glanced between Bailu and Qingni, disbelief clear in his voice. "You were worried about the lack of sleep I've been getting, and while I was gone, you... entered my room, found the letters from Baiheng, and decided—on your own—to find me a Foxian wife, who also happens to be a pilot."
Qingni looked like she wanted to shrink into the cushions. "I-I haven't even started training yet..." she mumbled, her ears twitching in embarrassment.
Caelus shot her an apologetic look. "Right... sorry about all this."
But Bailu puffed out her chest, undeterred. "You weren't sleeping, Papa, and it was starting to affect you really badly! Everyone could see it—and we were all worried."
Dan Heng nodded, his voice calm but firm. "She's not wrong. You've been pushing yourself too hard these last few weeks."
Caelus sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. He couldn't even summon the energy to be angry at Bailu for sneaking into his room and finding those letters—what was done, was done. Honestly, he was just grateful she hadn't stumbled across the spicy photo of Madam Yukong tucked away in his things. Now that would've been a disaster.
Himeko leaned forward, resting her chin in her hand, a sly smile tugging at her lips. "I think Bailu's method—unorthodox as it is—might actually have some merit. Maybe you should give it a try."
Caelus blinked at her. "What?"
"Dating Miss Qingni, of course," Himeko continued smoothly. "Just because you're walking the path of the Trailblazer doesn't mean you have to sacrifice everything to it. You can find happiness too."
"Exactly!" March chimed in enthusiastically, giving him an encouraging grin. "Think of it as trailblazing a new path forward. Isn't that what you do best?"
Welt crossed his arms, watching Caelus carefully. "They're right. Pushing forward without rest isn't sustainable, no matter how strong you think you are. You need something—or someone—outside the mission to ground you."
Caelus sagged a little under their collective wisdom. They weren't wrong—he knew that much. He had been running himself ragged. Nights had blurred into one another, sleep a distant memory that slipped through his fingers no matter how tired he became. It wasn't just the missions that weighed on him—it was the ghosts of the past, lingering memories of things left unresolved.
And then, as if summoned from the depths of his mind, he heard it again—a voice, soft but achingly familiar.
Baiheng. Don't cling to the past, she whispered gently. Walk forward. Be the man I know you can be.
Caelus closed his eyes for a moment, exhaling slowly. The weight in his chest loosened, just a little. When he opened them again, he met Qingni's gaze.
"Well," he said softly. "I'll give it a shot—if Miss Qingni would have me."
Qingni's golden eyes widened in surprise. "R-Really?" she stammered. She hadn't expected him to agree, especially not so soon.
Caelus gave her a small, sincere smile. "Yeah."
Qingni fidgeted, glancing down at her hands for a moment before nodding shyly. "W-Well... if you're willing to give it a try, I guess... there's no harm in going on a few dates and seeing where it goes."
Bailu beamed, practically glowing with satisfaction as her Papa and Qingni started talking about possible dates. Her tail flicked happily behind her.
"This is going great!" she thought, her heart swelling with pride. Mama Baiheng, I did it! This has to be the start of making Papa happy again.
March leaned closer to Himeko, barely able to contain her grin. "Well, would you look at that. Bailu's plan might actually work."
Himeko gave a soft laugh. "Honestly, I'm impressed. For someone so young, Bailu's pretty sharp."
Welt chuckled quietly from his seat. "Children often see things more clearly than we give them credit for."
Meanwhile, Caelus glanced at Qingni again, still unsure how this would play out—but strangely, for the first time in a while, he felt... hopeful. Qingni wasn't what he'd expected—but maybe that was the point. Trailblazing wasn't about knowing exactly where the path would lead—it was about taking the first step forward, no matter how uncertain.
And with Bailu cheering him on from the sidelines, how could he not try?
"Alright," Caelus said, standing up and offering Qingni a hand. "Let's take it one step at a time."
Qingni hesitated briefly, then smiled and took his hand. "One step at a time sounds good."
As Bailu watched them leave the lounge together, her heart fluttered with excitement. This wasn't just about her Papa getting enough sleep or Baiheng's advice—it was about him finding joy again. And maybe, just maybe, this was the first step toward something wonderful.
"Sheesh," March whispered to Dan Heng as they watched the pair walk off. "Can't believe Bailu managed to play matchmaker."
Dan Heng gave her a rare, amused smile. "With Bailu around, I'm not surprised by anything anymore."
Himeko stretched lazily in her seat, glancing over at Welt. "Think we should start taking bets?"
Welt chuckled under his breath. "Give them time. The real journey is just beginning."
And with that, the Astral Express continued its course, gliding through the endless expanse of stars—just as Caelus took the first step on a new path, uncertain but no longer alone.
