The matter had finally been aired out.
Anyone who wanted to drag this tragic showdown any further in the dim alleyway was just plain crazy!
As Ye Zhibai and the others prepared to leave, Guang Yu hurriedly stuffed her things back into her backpack.
The drinks, osmanthus cakes, and the melon seed shells she’d cracked open during their chat—there was quite a pile.
The melon’s done—time to pack up!
They emerged from the alley.
The dazzling night lights of the city’s commercial district burst into view, with vibrant neon signs illuminating the world once more.
The sudden glare made Ye Zhibai squint, her pupils contracting.
Ah… it was light, it was glamour!
This was the kind of place normal people belonged.
Once out of the alley, Ye Zhiyun clung tightly to Ye Zhibai’s arm, pressing herself as close as possible.
She wasn’t heading anywhere in particular.
She just wanted some distance from Lin Zihan!
The Head Maid had already pulled the car up to the roadside, waiting patiently.
Everything signaled one thing.
—It was time to bid Lin Zihan farewell for now.
Lin Zihan stood obediently by the curb.
Ever the picture of propriety, she had noticed Ye Zhiyun’s possessive clinging and tactfully put some space between herself and Ye Zhibai.
Knowing when to advance or retreat was the mark of someone destined for greatness.
Ye Zhibai followed Yun’er to the sedan and paused to glance back one last time.
Lin Zihan smiled and waved with her right hand, while shaking her phone with her left.
The message was clear—keep in touch anytime.
Neon lights mingled with moonlight, casting a glow on Lin Zihan’s flushed right eye and highlighting the sincerity in her smile.
Honestly, Ye Zhibai felt like she and Lin Zihan had become real friends.
This was the first friend she’d ever made through her own merits—in this life, or even counting her past one!
Sigh… she hoped this good cry would help Lin Zihan release some of that pent-up pressure in her heart.
Ye Zhibai waved back with a small gesture.
Yun’er was already settled in the back seat of the car. Just as Ye Zhibai moved to follow,
she froze mid-step.
“Sister? What’s wrong? Is there something else?”
“Mm… Yun’er, wait just a second. I’ll be right back.”
“Oh… okay.”
Yun’er pouted, looking a bit forlorn.
But she’d said it herself—her sister was free to do as she pleased!
Wah… she’d gone all day without soaking up any sister energy. She’d been so eager for a hug once they were in the car, but now she’d have to wait a little longer.
Ye Zhibai spun around and snatched at thin air!
“Snatching at thin air” meant grabbing Guang Yu by the back of her collar and yanking her back before she could dash off to the car for some AC.
Then, Ye Zhibai used mind transmission to give Guang Yu a specific instruction.
Guang Yu’s face fell the moment she heard it.
“Hey…!! Why? That’s not fair!”
“No arguing. Do as I say, and I’ll reward you when we get home.”
“Is it something tasty?”
“Mm, a nice fruit.”
“You got it!! I’ll do it!”
Guang Yu suffered from her lack of book smarts.
If there’s tasty fruit on offer, how could she not get it?
Of course she’d eat the fruit.
Task assigned, Guang Yu scampered off happily to prepare.
Ye Zhibai called out a quick “Don’t worry” to Yun’er, then turned and headed back toward Lin Zihan, a few meters away.
Lin Zihan’s farewell wave hung in the air.
Oh? Little Bai’er was coming back… did she want a goodbye kiss to make up for it?
Just kidding.
Ye Zhibai approached with steady strides, her figure passing through the beams of the sedan’s headlights.
In just a few steps, she stood before Lin Zihan again.
Lin Zihan tiptoed to peer toward the car, then asked,
“Little Bai’er? What’s up? Hehe, don’t tell me… you can’t bear to part with me?”
“No.”
“Wah… such a heartbreaking answer. So, what does Little Bai’er want to say?”
Lin Zihan figured Little Bai’er had some final instructions for her.
Yeah, whatever Little Bai’er said, she’d listen. She was all ears.
But Ye Zhibai simply raised her right hand slowly.
The gesture revealed the vine ring on her index finger.
No smile graced Ye Zhibai’s face.
Yet the sight, reflected against her cool expression, warmed Lin Zihan’s heart with a smile of its own.
“I wanted to say… I had a great time today. I’m happy with the gift. Lin Zihan, thank you.”
“!”
Even the blaring horns of passing cars seemed to quiet down, coinciding perfectly with Ye Zhibai’s words.
Thanks to the hush, Lin Zihan caught every precious syllable, etching them into her heart.
Ignoring Ye Zhiyun’s murderous glare from the nearby car,
Lin Zihan reached out with both hands and clasped Ye Zhibai’s right one.
Whatever was on her mind spilled out without restraint.
“Little Bai’er… you’re so beautiful. Please! Can I confess to you?”
Can I pretend you’re joking?!
The question left Ye Zhibai stunned!
Bestie, something’s off with you!
But Lin Zihan quickly rubbed Little Bai’er’s hand and grinned.
“Just kidding~ Did I scare you, Little Bai’er?!”
“Yes.”
“That means prank success! Mm… these things have to happen step by step. No rushing.”
Her last words were a whisper, barely audible.
Ye Zhibai was too distracted to catch them!
Because…
You… you’re holding my hand, fine! But stop stroking the back and palm like that!
Good thing Ye Zhibai’s back blocked Yun’er’s line of sight.
Otherwise, there’d be a flying kick incoming for sure.
Soon enough,
the sound of pattering footsteps echoed from the northern gravel path.
Ye Zhibai recognized that infuriating rhythm right away.
Her “actress” had arrived on cue.
Ye Zhibai turned north, pulling Lin Zihan to look that way with her.
There, a brown-haired loli in white stockings bounded toward them, backpack slung over her shoulders, hugging a big sunflower and waving enthusiastically.
Lin Zihan’s eyes widened in surprise.
Th-this wasn’t that little girl from the flower shop who had suddenly appeared and distracted Mama?
Why was she here again?
Didn’t kids nowadays have homework to do at home?!
As she neared the pair, Guang Yu pictured the “nice fruit” reward waiting at home.
A pure, innocent smile lit up her childish face.
Even her panting greeting sounded sweeter!
“Big sisters! Good evening! You…! Whoa—!!!”
Thud!!
Guang Yu was so close, practically at the finish line.
But at the last second, she tripped over the curb and went sprawling right in front of Lin Zihan and Ye Zhibai!
“Little sister?!”
Lin Zihan paled in fright.
Ye Zhibai slapped her forehead in exasperation.
Guang Yu.
Why bow in such a grand ceremony?!
She and Lin Zihan hurried to help the useless “actress” to her feet.
Say this for Guang Yu—her defenses were top-notch!
She’d faceplanted hard, but she popped up grinning as ever!
Regrouping, Guang Yu followed Ye Zhibai’s instructions. Though reluctant, she shoved the sunflower forward toward Lin Zihan. “Here, big sister! This is for you!”
“F-for… me? Uh… no, little sister, are you okay? That was a nasty fall.”
“I’m fine! Tough as nails! Ahem… big sister, just take it!”
“……”
Wh-why?
Lin Zihan remembered clearly.
Wasn’t this the flower Mama had given the little girl?
Seeing Guang Yu play it so straight, with zero improv skills,
Ye Zhibai had to step in herself.
Quick thinking, she whipped up an excuse on the spot.
“Here’s the thing, Lin Zihan. While I was buying drinks, I chatted with her a bit. She said she’d wait nearby for her parents to get off work and that if she found something nice, she’d bring it over as thanks for the drink. Kids are so innocent… how could she know we’d run into each other again? But here we are. She must think this flower is special, so she wants to give it to us, right? Isn’t that it, little sister?”
“Huh…?”
“Is—that—what—happened?”
“Yes! Exactly! It’s my thank-you gift for the big sister!”
Ye Zhibai nodded approvingly. “Yes, good people get good rewards. That’s how it works.”
Then she took the still-wrapped sunflower from Guang Yu’s hands.
She held it out to Lin Zihan.
“So, take it. This is… a flower your mama wrapped with her own hands.”
That was exactly what Ye Zhibai had aimed for.
She’d heard Lin Zihan’s mama loved kids and often gave them flowers.
But… had she ever given one to her own daughter?
Perhaps out of guilt, perhaps helplessness,
the mother had never mustered the courage to hand her child a bouquet.
So Lin Zihan had never received such a blessing from her own mother.
A blessing might linger in the heart, but if unspoken, who would ever know?
Ye Zhibai felt that although Lin Zihan seemed happy right now, once she left, Lin Zihan would have to trudge back to the flower shop alone along this bustling street.
She would still feel lonely, wouldn’t she?
The gloom that had lingered in her heart for years couldn’t be completely dispelled by a few words from Ye Zhibai.
So… at the very least, Ye Zhibai wanted to give her this bouquet.
For Lin Zihan, wouldn’t a bouquet imbued with the blessing from her own mother offer at least some solace to her soul?
At the very least, it was definitely better than leaving it with Guang Yu!
What did Guang Yu know about flowers anyway? She only knew how to pluck them!
Lin Zihan dazedly took the sunflower from Ye Zhibai’s hand.
She gripped the sunflower’s stem.
Gazing at the flower blooming like a radiant sun, she fell into a daze.
Mama’s voice echoed in her ears, drowning out the chaotic clamor of the commercial street’s advertisements and blaring car horns.
—”Grow up strong, just like the little sun on a sunflower. You kids have to always be happy, got it?”
—”Always so reckless, always falling down… Sigh, be more careful! Don’t get hurt.”
—”Take good care of your eyes and cut back on computer time. Your generation… such pretty eyes, yet you never take care of them. What a shame…”
Lin Zihan had heard these words countless times.
Whenever children visited the flower shop, Mama would always give them such advice.
But in truth, these were words Mama had said to her.
And she had heard them all.
Word for word… so many times over?
She had already received Mama’s blessing long ago.
Her nose tingled.
Lin Zihan hugged the sunflower to her chest.
When she looked up at Ye Zhibai, the redness around her eyes hadn’t fully faded yet, and a fresh sheen of tears glimmered in her gaze.
“Woo…! Little Bai’er, I’m begging you… don’t make me cry anymore. I really… you really… woo, hurry up and go! If you don’t leave soon, I’ll end up hugging you and bawling again!”
What an utterly transcendent threat that was.
But this time… Lin Zihan was strong enough.
She wasn’t some crybaby!
She bravely wiped away the tears forming at the corners of her eyes.
Even though she couldn’t quite suppress the faint sob in her voice, Lin Zihan clutched the sunflower tight. Her blonde hair swayed, scattering the light and shadows.
Her smile was… just like a child’s—innocent and carefree.
“Little Bai’er! And this little sister too, thank you both. Yeah, I’ll take this sunflower!”
“Good… Lin Zihan, if you like it…”
“Hey! Don’t call me Lin Zihan, Little Bai’er. Aren’t we friends? You should call me Zihan! Or Little Zihan works too? Hehe… Friends use nicknames for each other, don’t they? That’s what you said, Little Bai’er—friends share everything without holding back!”
Quoting me right back at me, are you?
Turning my own words against me?!
There was no helping it.
They were officially friends now anyway.
So Ye Zhibai gave the new form of address a try.
“Got it, Zihan.”
“That’s the spirit! Phew… this flower smells so nice. Hmm? But this sunflower barely has any seeds. Weird—has it not ripened yet?”
“……”
Guang Yu!!
You scumbag!
Did you snack on all the seeds?!
Can’t catch her, can’t catch her!!
Guang Yu had already slipped away after completing her sunflower delivery mission!
Hehe, a smart fox doesn’t take losses right in front of her!
“Sister, were you just… giving Lin Zihan a sunflower?”
“Yeah, she was holding it on her way back to the flower shop. She looked really happy.”
“But if you leave the sunflower at the flower shop, won’t it just get sold as merchandise again?”
“No, Zihan said she’d set this sunflower aside separately and take it home later.”
“Zihan, huh.”
On the road to University City to meet up with Chi Yuliang, with Ye Zhibai in the sedan, Yun’er reliably unleashed her full vinegar-jar potential.
Since when had Sister started calling Lin Zihan “Zihan”?
Thanks for asking—just moments ago.
But it was fine.
Yun’er was hugging her big sister tight to recharge her energy right now~ She was in a good mood and didn’t want to dwell on petty annoyances.
To cool down Yun’er’s odd little thoughts, Ye Zhibai added one more line.
“The sunflower is proof of our friendship.”
“Here’s hoping it’s just friendship. Hmm… Sister, more importantly, shouldn’t you answer my other question?”
“Go ahead.”
You have to tell me first so I know if I can answer.
Yun’er nestled in her sister’s arms, rubbing her cheek against her arm. A flicker of doubt shone in her eyes.
“The little girl who brought you that sunflower just now—who is she?”
“Just a kid I ran into on the road.”
Ye Zhibai glanced sidelong at the other side of herself, where Guang Yu sat pressed against the car door, grooming her own tail with her little hands.
And then came Ye Zhiyun’s next words.
They nearly made Little Zhibai’s eyes pop out!
“Run into on the road… okay then… I thought it was another new fox spirit!”
Cough!
“Sister, are you okay?! Did you choke?!”
“No… I’m fine…”
Yun’er, Guang Yu looks like an elementary school kid!
Do I really look that shady?!
But in a certain sense…
Guang Yu really was a “fox” spirit.
Guang Yu: So rude! If you’re going to link me to foxes, at least call me the Fox God!
