Just as Gu Nanqiu had said, the next day when Yue Yiyue woke up, her fever had gone down.
She yawned and scratched her neck, staring blankly at herself in the mirror.
She had gained weight.
Her face had filled out.
But she still hadn’t grown taller.
Yue Yiyue brushed her teeth while checking information about nearby gyms, and she casually messaged her mom to complain about Wu Zhen’s trash-tier father.
She also guiltily admitted that she had spent a bit too much money lately.
Moments later, a transfer arrived for exactly 7,429.30 yuan.
Yue Yiyue looked at the sum: “Mom, did you send me your entire salary for this month?”
Mom replied quickly, showing a six-figure balance, followed by a cute emoji pack that said, I have money!
“Baby, this is just some pocket money I’ve scraped together recently.”
“Baby, spend more. Mom’s money is all yours…… Only like this does my work have meaning…… Alright baby, tell Mom what you’re planning to eat for breakfast this morning?”
Yue Yiyue thought for a moment: “Steamed rolls, soy milk. I don’t feel like eating oil sticks today. Mom, when are you coming back?”
She casually accepted the money, then switched to the Orange App to select some yarn.
Autumn had arrived, so winter was definitely not far off.
She would knit one for Nanqiu, one for Mom, and as for Gu Ye……
She would definitely ask for one too, so she might as well knit one for her.
For Sister Ye Qiu, emmmm… Yue Yiyue pictured her refined appearance and figured a handmade scarf like that probably wouldn’t suit her neck.
Yue Yiyue hesitated for a long time and searched the red Book.
She changed into the sportswear she had bought before, went for a warm-up jog first, and on the way back with breakfast, she played with a little dog for a while.
Unfortunately, the black down jacket picked up some light-colored dog hair. Yue Yiyue thought she would buy a lint roller on the way home that evening.
When she got home, Gu Nanqiu was already awake and watering flowers on the balcony.
Hearing the door open, Gu Nanqiu pattered over in her slippers to the sink to wash her hands.
Yue Yiyue followed behind her. She’d put the breakfast on the table and come to wash her hands too.
During breakfast, Gu Nanqiu suddenly said, “Gu Ye went back.”
Yue Yiyue paused mid-bite into her bun: “Ah? So soon? Then I bought three extra buns today; we can reheat them for lunch.”
She lowered her head to nibble on a steamed roll, then asked, “Do I still need to bring her breakfast tomorrow?”
“No need.” Gu Nanqiu put the perfectly warm soy milk back beside Yue Yiyue: “She went back to her hometown for some urgent family matter. She might even drop out of School. It was so sudden that she left overnight.”
?
She understood every word, but put together, Yue Yiyue couldn’t make sense of it.
What on earth had happened that she even had to drop out?
After three years of hard study under the cold window?
Just give it up so lightly?
Yue Yiyue instantly forgot to eat and froze in place.
After a long while, she finally squeezed out, “Tell me the truth. During the physical exam at the start of school, did she find out something was wrong with her health?”
Gu Nanqiu was silent for a moment and just told Yue Yiyue to eat first and not overthink it.
That non-answer made Yue Yiyue’s heart sink.
Suddenly, the meal lost all its flavor.
She hadn’t spent much time with Gu Ye, but the girl was actually pretty nice.
Like a kid; Yue Yiyue always felt like she was taking care of a Little Sister.
“If you can contact her and she needs money, she can tell me.”
Yue Yiyue sighed: “Tell her not to stand on ceremony. With something like this happening, sigh.”
Listening to Yue Yiyue’s mutterings, Gu Nanqiu’s head hung lower and lower. She thought to herself that she hadn’t lied to Yiyue at all.
Gu Ye really had dumped the last puzzle on her and left carefree.
Anyway, Yiyue had come up with a reasonable explanation herself. Mm!
Anyway, they wouldn’t see each other anymore.
————
Time flew by, and soon it was time for the agreed-upon meal.
As soon as Yue Yiyue entered, she was handed a banner with four playful and cute big characters on it—Save My Dog Life!
Standing in the crowd, Yue Yiyue raised her glass to Gu Nanqiu, who was smiling at her from the side.
Gu Nanqiu’s eyes curved in a smile. She imitated Yiyue’s gesture and raised her orange juice.
Amid a burst of cheers, they celebrated together.
Celebrating Xie Ying’s discharge from the mental hospital at last.
Celebrating the girl who had been emotionally manipulated by making a wish finally breaking up “decently,” with the lawsuit for debt recovery proceeding smoothly.
Celebrating that Gu Nanqiu had not become a victim!
The night passed joyfully. Yue Yiyue’s face was flushed with excitement—a rare sight for her.
After drinking half the night, someone laughed and said: “Let’s keep this group chat. If anyone needs anything in the future, just call out in the group. We’re all studying out of town; it’s not easy.”
She set her beer aside, patted her chest: “I’m super good at writing articles!!!“
“I can fix things—pipes, computers. Need anything, ping me. I’m the AA repair guy Old Chen in the group!”
“Me me me! I’m super good at eating. I’ll recommend shops to you all, all flavors available.”
After several rounds of food and drinks, some people left for their affairs. Yue Yiyue sneaked out to pay the remaining bill.
The moment the Waitress saw her, she teased, “You’re the twelfth person tonight to come pay the remaining bill. Too bad, a super pretty girl already covered it earlier~”
“It’s so delicious! I heard about what you all did; you’re amazing! I always said that Cake God was weird. How could eating a cake fulfill all wishes?”
Yue Yiyue chatted awkwardly with the Waitress, who asked for details, until Gu Nanqiu’s heavenly voice came from behind: “Yiyue, come here quick. I have something urgent to talk to you about.”
Only then did Yue Yiyue bid farewell to the curious waitress with relief and run to Gu Nanqiu.
She linked arms with Gu Nanqiu and let out a breath: “Good thing you came in time. I really didn’t know what to say to her just now. That was close!”
“If you don’t want to talk, just say you have something to do and leave.” Gu Nanqiu smiled and smoothed Yue Yiyue’s hair: “Time to go back.”
“You’re full, right?”
“Stuffed ages ago.” Yue Yiyue patted her slightly bulging little belly: “Alright, my ab plan is delayed a few days. Eat first.”
Such a vibrant Yue Yiyue was nothing like her previous dead-eyed self, always seeming worried about something, her face weighed down by worries.
Gu Nanqiu sighed inwardly that Yue Yiyue’s adaptability was truly strong. She finally had that spirited look from when she was eighteen.
She picked up the banner from the seat and said goodbye to everyone.
Yue Yiyue held Gu Nanqiu’s hand as they strolled through the mall together.
“I bought Sister Ye Qiu a scarf, the L House New Model. It won’t be too cheap, right?” This was what Yue Yiyue had researched during a boring online class.
She found proxies, confirmed the product, and finally secured it; it was already on the way.
“Mm, that brand……” Gu Nanqiu dragged out her tone, teasing Yue Yiyue without giving an immediate answer.
Yue Yiyue tilted her head to look at Gu Nanqiu, patiently waiting for the answer she wanted.
She heard Gu Nanqiu hem and haw for a long time.
“It’s a thank-you gift. I think my life is worth more than that, and I told Mom too!” Yue Yiyue hadn’t directly told Gu Nanqiu she was planning to give her a scarf.
She wanted to give Nanqiu a little surprise.
Then crochet a little golden flower; Nanqiu would definitely like it.
Hearing the second half, surprise flashed in Gu Nanqiu’s eyes, and she raised a brow. But she didn’t show it on her face: “I see. If it’s just a thank-you gift, she’ll like it as long as it’s from you.”
“Even if it’s a roadside one for ten-odd yuan, she’ll treasure it!” Gu Nanqiu pointed to a clearance scarf hanging nearby for 19.9: “Just buy one of these. Better to use the rest of the money to go out and play.”
That brand seemed to cost thousands; anyway, it wasn’t something Yue Yiyue liked buying.
Even if she used that woman’s money to buy it, she’d keep a neat little notebook jotting down the exact amount and when it was spent, complete with remorse.
“And Yiyue, you thought of giving her something, but didn’t think of me? I feel like my neck is empty, with cold wind pouring in.”
Yue Yiyue pretended not to catch the hint and pointed to the mochi across the way: “Let’s buy some. We’ll eat them together tonight. Tomorrow I’ll dig out some high-collar clothes for you; problem solved easily.”
……. Blockhead.
Gu Nanqiu thought irritably that Sister Ye Qiu was really lucky. Just doing that one tiny thing got her a gift from Yiyue.
She really…… envied it.
Not jealousy, but an emotion called envy echoing in her chest.
Gu Nanqiu savored this novel feeling carefully. So this was what Wu Zhen had felt at first toward He Wu receiving his father’s care.
Envy.
Wu Zhen was really a good kid; too bad she had such a garbage dad.
“Nanqiu—don’t zone out. Come quick and see what flavor you want?”
“Strawberry Cake?”
“No no no, I don’t want to touch that thing this month—no, this year!”
“Strawberries too!!!“
————
The days after that returned to normal.
They went to class together, cooked, took walks after dinner, and hit the gym together.
It was as if they didn’t live in a world full of Weird Tales and all sorts of messed-up Rules.
Except for the inexplicable footsteps from upstairs from time to time.
Yue Yiyue reported it to Property Management several times.
After they checked several times, one day they called over three shamans, looking fully prepared.
Fine, Yue Yiyue got it. She wouldn’t trouble Property Management anymore.
But after complaining to her mom, some time later, Yue Yiyue suddenly realized she hadn’t heard sounds from upstairs for a long time.
That was pretty good too.
During this time, Yue Yiyue’s workouts were finally showing results. She had gained some meat on her body and face.
Gu Nanqiu would poke at it when idle, praising the feel, and casually bought a humidifier for the home.
It could play music too.
Approaching Double 11, she also bought a dishwasher, a robot vacuum, and smart voice-activated furniture, giving the house a little makeover.
Lying on the sofa, Yue Yiyue felt like this was her own beautiful dream.
The kind where even after waking, she would still feel happy.
The texter would occasionally send her Aunt Zhang’s payment details.
indicating she’d faithfully followed Yue Yiyue’s instructions and completed her tasks.
Ignoring those crazy love confessions, Yue Yiyue seriously wrote a thank-you letter.
Then asked what the purpose of doing this was.
This was the first time there was no instant reply.
After a long while, the first voice message came.
An indistinct female voice, carrying a hint of resentment and a special eerie ghostliness—It’s what I once owed……
