Chapter 61

“So, how are we handling Xu Jinghe’s situation?”

It was an obvious change of topic, and Miao Bai naturally understood.

Both of them understood perfectly in their hearts and didn’t mention what had just happened.

Miao Bai simply said, “He’ll be fine because he didn’t kill the person.”

“I thought Baldhead was scared to death.” Meng Bai thought about it right away and realized something was off. “Murdered? Then who killed him?”

Miao Bai asked, “Who do you think killed him?”

Meng Bai’s heart skipped a beat as she wondered if it could possibly be Miao Bai who did it, though the idea felt strange.

Miao Bai noticed her subtle expression. “Why are you looking at me with that weird expression?”

Meng Bai shook her head. “Nothing.”

“You think I killed Baldhead?”

Meng Bai choked a little and asked cautiously, “So… did you?”

Miao Bai replied, “……Not to that extent yet.”

“Oh.” Meng Bai couldn’t imagine who could have killed him. She knew nothing about Baldhead except for that one encounter last night.

“Have you given the recording storage card to the teacher?”

“I have.”

“Then everything’s fine.” Miao Bai even subconsciously reached out and patted Meng Bai’s head to comfort her.

The pat made Meng Bai’s heart bubble with warmth, and her tone lightened. “So, what exactly does Teacher Xu know? Xu Jinghe just said that she was in the classroom on the day Ye Hong jumped, and she lingered at Ye Hong’s seat.”

“I don’t know.”

Meng Bai furrowed her brows. “You definitely know a lot, but you just won’t tell me.”

Miao Bai didn’t refute her. “I don’t want to affect your mood, and besides, your exams are coming up soon. How’s your studying been going lately?”

It was rare for Miao Bai to ask about Meng Bai’s studies; she seldom brought up such topics.

“It’s going okay.”

“Pretty impressive?”

Meng Bai leaned in closer, her clear gaze sparkling with amusement. “Does being first in the grade count as impressive?”

Miao Bai’s lips curved up. “So, you’re first in the grade?”

“I’ve always been!”

Meng Bai swore that before this, she had never sought rewards for it. She always thought doing well in school was just what she should do—nothing worth mentioning.

She didn’t know why things felt different with Miao Bai.

She craved Miao Bai’s praise.

When Miao Bai said, “Oh, then you’re pretty impressive.”

“Do you want to reward me for it?”

Miao Bai hesitated for a moment. “What kind of reward? Nothing too much.”

“Not too much. I just want to hug you. Is that okay?”

A hug was indeed a very innocent request.

Her bold, straightforward, and pure expression of her feelings made it impossible for Miao Bai to refuse her.

It was strangely disarming, leaving Miao Bai a bit at a loss, even inexplicably nervous, though she couldn’t pinpoint why.

“How do you want to hug?”

“How else is there to hug?”

Meng Bai stepped forward proactively, wrapping her arms around Miao Bai.

Before Miao Bai could fully react, Meng Bai pressed her whole body against her.

It was a warm and sincere embrace.

In that instant of closeness, Miao Bai felt something peculiar in her heart.

She couldn’t quite describe it.

But it was special.

“Just hugging like this?” Meng Bai’s voice sounded by Miao Bai’s ear, and she added with a laugh, “But this one doesn’t count. This was just a demo.”

Miao Bai pulled back slightly. “Who does that? You clearly already hugged me.”

“That’s no good.” Meng Bai pouted. “I said that one was just a demo—no real effort, no feelings in it.”

Her little scheme was so obvious; she might as well have said she wanted to hug again.

Miao Bai didn’t call her out and just smiled at her. “So what counts as one with feelings, with heart?”

Meng Bai’s eyes gleamed. “Fine, let you feel one with real feelings, with heart.”

She hugged Miao Bai again, her hands naturally resting on Miao Bai’s waist, as if it was the most natural thing in the world for them.

Unlike before, her heartbeat seemed even faster.

When her ear pressed against Miao Bai’s collarbone, she could clearly hear Miao Bai’s heartbeat.

Thump, thump—

Meng Bai looked up at her and smiled. “See? This is one with feelings, with heart.”

Miao Bai’s heart tingled, and she felt a bit uneasy. She gently pushed back. “How much longer are we hugging?”

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to hug or that it was torture—it was panic.

Even Miao Bai herself was puzzled why a simple hug was making her act so out of character.

Meng Bai didn’t let go. How could she? Miao Bai had finally agreed.

Her arms tightened instead, hugging even closer.

She could clearly feel how stiff Miao Bai’s body was. As Meng Bai drew near, her nose tip brushed against Miao Bai’s neck.

The fair skin carried a fragrance so alluring that Meng Bai felt a sudden urge to kiss it.

She suppressed the impulse and whispered, “Almost… let me hug just a little longer.”

Miao Bai laughed at her. “A little longer is fine, but can you not squeeze so tight?”

“That’s no good.”

“You’re like a rope—you’re about to tie me up.”

Meng Bai’s voice was soft and coquettish. “Then I’ll be the rope. Call me silly if you want. Whatever. I’m tying you up anyway.”

Miao Bai wanted to say something, but the words died on her tongue. She indulged Meng Bai’s actions and accepted her words.

She even found Meng Bai a bit adorable, to the point where she wanted to ruffle her little head.

The thought was dangerous, yet she willingly let Meng Bai hold her, doing nothing to stop it.

After a while, the person in her arms went still.

Miao Bai looked down and saw Meng Bai with her eyes half-closed, leaning against her, looking like she had fallen asleep.

“Hey…” Miao Bai patted Meng Bai’s cheek.

Meng Bai didn’t speak or open her eyes.

“Wake up. No pretending to sleep.”

Meng Bai broke character in a second, finally opening her eyes with a smile on her face. “Alright, I need to head to school. I’ve got class this afternoon.”

“Mm.”

“Want to walk me to school?” Meng Bai glanced at the sky; the sun had hidden behind the clouds, and the weather had turned overcast.

Autumn sunlight really wasn’t lasting, after all.

Miao Bai didn’t refuse. “Sure.”

*

Going to school with Miao Bai was a magical experience.

Because no one else could see her, the exclusivity brought an irresistible joy.

Meng Bai invited Miao Bai to ride her bicycle. At first, Miao Bai refused, of course, but she couldn’t resist Meng Bai’s enthusiasm.

In the end, Miao Bai compromised.

Meng Bai tinkled the bike bell, her voice rising cheerfully. “All set? We’re heading out!”

Miao Bai said expressionlessly, “Just go your way. No need to tell me.”

Meng Bai rode her bicycle wildly, and the familiar road only spurred her to pedal even faster.

“Ride slower,” Miao Bai said. “There’s no rush.”

“No can do,” Meng Bai replied. “This is how fast I always go to school.”

She really was riding too recklessly.

It left Miao Bai feeling like she was floating in her seat.

“Who’d dare ride your bike after this?”

“You would. You’re an immortal—immortals don’t fear a fall.”

Miao Bai couldn’t help but laugh, even as she shook her head. There was logic to it, and yet there wasn’t.

“So, you like me because I’m an immortal?”

The moment the words slipped out, Miao Bai watched Meng Bai’s ears turn visibly red—small and soft. She didn’t even need to touch them to know they were burning.

She’s so cute.

“Didn’t I already tell you? It’s not because you’re an immortal. It’s because you’re Miao Bai!”

“Oh? So because I’m an immortal, that means I’m not Miao Bai?”

“I’d like you anyway.”

The reply came without a pause, striking Miao Bai’s heart like a hammer. Deep down, she’d known the answer all along, so why had she even asked? Probably just to hear it straight from Meng Bai’s mouth.

And why crave those words spoken aloud?

She couldn’t let herself dwell on it. The answer was too plain to ignore.

Time was short, so Meng Bai sped down the road like the wind.

The air whistled past their ears, and Miao Bai said nothing more.

The sky hung heavy and gray, but her mood was unexpectedly bright. For the first time in ages, Miao Bai felt truly alive.

She felt human again, even if the word felt strange on her tongue.

Meng Bai’s presence was melting away the dull ache in her heart, restoring her ability to sense affection.

Ten minutes later, school loomed ever closer. Just as Meng Bai reached for the brake, Miao Bai spoke up.

“Meng Bai, do you have any fantasies or expectations about your first love?”

“Huh? What?” Meng Bai squeezed the brake and twisted around to face her.

Their eyes met, and Miao Bai repeated herself. “Do you have any fantasies or expectations about your first love?”

“Of course.” Meng Bai came to a full stop, her face utterly serious. “I thought you knew—”

“Knew? I have no idea.”

“I figured I’d made it obvious—that all my fantasies and expectations are about you.”