The Story of Little Joseph and His Master

Prologue 3

Joseph gently held his owner's warm left hand as they walked together across the colorful rainbow bridge. Clouds floated around them, misty and cool, carried by a soft breeze.

Hand in hand, Joseph and the owner strolled onward, while a refreshing wind drifted from the clear, far horizon, playfully lifting the owner's long, white hair.

The owner's hand was so warm, and their whole body radiated the same comforting warmth.As the breeze grew colder, Joseph felt a slight chill. He leaned closer, wrapping his arms around the owner, and they continued walking down the rainbow bridge together.

After a while, they reached a skewer stand made entirely of white clouds.

Together, Joseph and the owner stepped into a narrow, mirrored hallway that twisted and turned like a maze. Joseph, with youthful energy, dashed ahead, pulling the owner along. Every few steps, Joseph would release the owner's hand, spin around, and then grab it again, all while laughing with joy. After a few heart-fluttering moments, they emerged from the glass labyrinth. The ceiling of glass disappeared, revealing an endless expanse of sky and land before them. Towering overhead was a massive, circular gate, its edges like the intricate lines of a bagua formation, and inside, it was filled with books from the old era.

The owner and Joseph stepped onto a cool, pale blue platform beneath the gate, which lifted them gently into the air.

The two floated down slowly, landing softly amidst a vast horizon. Above them, a soft yellow sun cast a boundless curtain of gentle light. Below, they could see rolling green forests, towering mountains, deep valleys, and farther off, a range of golden hills with falling autumn leaves and a sprawling yellow desert.

Hand in hand, the owner and little Joseph entered the forest. Some of the trees in this forest were made entirely of books, towering high and casting cool, shady spots beneath them. The moist, cool morning breeze rustled through the leaves, brushing over Joseph and the owner as they walked.

After a short while, a small cabin came into view. Inside, a warm, orange glow from a crackling fire flickered against the wooden walls.

The morning air was cold. Holding the owner's hand tightly, Joseph stepped into the cabin. Inside, there was a round wooden table surrounded by five wooden chairs.

Seated in the leftmost chair was someone with white hair, its tips dyed blue and tied with blue ribbons. They had a youthful face, wearing a purple coat, their nails painted a matching blue, and their eyes a soft lavender. This was Qingling, a close friend of both the owner and Joseph.

Joseph had known Qingling for five years now. He often visited Qingling's house, where he would listen to Qingling's stories. Sometimes, Qingling would share tales of his past, and Joseph loved every story.

During those visits, Qingling would light soft, flickering candles and sit by the bed, his crisp voice recounting memories of days gone by. Joseph would often fall asleep to the sound of Qingling's voice. Sometimes, Joseph would crawl into the warm blankets, curling up with Qingling, and as the cool night breeze drifted by, he would close his eyes, only to open them again to a bright new dawn.

Sitting to Qingling's right was Zero. Her eyes were pure white, and she had a slender, graceful human form with a body as white as snow, adorned with elegant blue lines. Zero was born in the New Era. But after the development of AI was halted, Zero's role became limited to repetitive scientific research.

Together, they all shared the warmth of the cabin, connected by the soft bonds of friendship and the peaceful serenity of the New Era.