Chapter 73

Yu Ranran was all sweet and coquettish in front of Li Zhao, but once away from her, she was quite chatty. Perhaps because Su Mi was Li Zhao’s friend, she treated her with exceptional warmth and kindness.

It wasn’t long before they had wandered through most of the exhibition. The southern side of the gallery was Li Zhao’s works exhibition area. Yu Ranran said she didn’t quite understand her painting intentions and was afraid of explaining them wrong, so she led Su Mi back to the central area of the exhibition hall.

It was the activity area right in the center of the gallery. Su Mi stopped there and saw some staff members moving boxes, seemingly preparing for some event.

Su Mi asked curiously, “What’s this for?”

Right in the center of the area stood a tree with a very interesting shape, its trunk painted in sky blue. Beside it was a small box filled with lots of pink things.

They had also set out many tables and chairs, like they were setting up a market.

“It’s an event for the art exhibition,” Yu Ranran said with a sweet smile. “A Zhao and I have been dating for a month, so this exhibition has a couples theme. Couples with tickets get half price and can join these activities directly. There are puzzle-solving and lottery segments. Why don’t you two play later? A Zhao and I put a lot of heart into planning them.”

Su Mi said, “……I’ll ask later.”

She thought to herself silently that it was so sweet—no one would guess they’d only been dating a month if she didn’t say.

But Su Mi had always approached things she didn’t understand with respect, understanding, and well-wishes.

It was just that doing these couple activities with Shen Han…

Su Mi felt a bit embarrassed.

Not to mention she hadn’t figured out how to face Shen Han’s overly polite “pursuit,” which could almost pass for familial affection.

Just thinking that Li Zhao would see made Su Mi not want to face it.

After all, in Li Zhao’s eyes, she was still an omega who had “pretended to be a beta to deliberately approach Shen Han” with “ulterior motives.”

Sigh…

Su Mi had a bit of a headache.

Yu Ranran led her to the gallery’s private office, knocked on the door, and poked her head in.

“A Zhao, are you done chatting?” Yu Ranran walked in and, right in front of Su Mi and Shen Han, sat on Li Zhao’s lap. Li Zhao wrapped an arm around her waist, and the two shared a mushy, sticky kiss.

Su Mi: “……”

That sticky, ambiguous romantic atmosphere nearly rubbed off on Su Mi’s side, making her feel utterly uncomfortable. She averted her gaze in bewilderment, only to notice Shen Han also looking away. Shen Han stood and walked toward her, perfectly blocking the kissing pair.

Su Mi clutched her skirt hem and cleared her throat lightly. “Sis, do you want to see the exhibition?”

“Mm, let’s go.”

Shen Han closed the door with a hint of exasperation and walked with Su Mi toward the exhibition hall. She explained, “Li Zhao’s dating style is like that.”

Su Mi caught a whiff of complaint in her tone and inexplicably felt a bit relieved.

She wasn’t critiquing Li Zhao’s views on romance; she just thought it was good that Shen Han didn’t seem too accustomed to it either.

Walking side by side with Shen Han, Su Mi couldn’t help whispering, “Little Ran Sis said earlier that they’ve only been dating a month and have only known each other that long.”

Shen Han said, “Mm. Li Zhao keeps her dating, life, and friendships separate, so just take it in stride.”

Su Mi glanced at her. So was this one reason why Shen Han and Li Zhao got along so well despite their different outlooks?

They didn’t seem like people from the same world. They’d been introduced as middle school classmates, but Su Mi couldn’t imagine what Shen Han was like back in middle school.

Come to think of it, Shen Han and Li Zhao really did have a good relationship—Shen Han’s paintings were even kept at Li Zhao’s place and shown to her new girlfriend.

In contrast, she, the dry little sister, only knew about that one painting at the Southern Garden staircase and hadn’t even known Shen Han had a habit of painting.

Right, that painting…

Thinking of the violin-playing woman whose face couldn’t be made out, Su Mi felt strangely off—curious, concerned, extremely concerned, but she didn’t know how to ask.

In that light, Shen Han rarely told her about herself.

With a sigh, Su Mi walked with Shen Han to Li Zhao’s exhibition area. Li Zhao’s works mostly featured nearby scenery and small objects. Su Mi even spotted the familiar teaching building of Lolan Academy.

She let out a “Ya!” and pointed it out to Shen Han.

Shen Han smiled upon seeing it and took the initiative. “The sky was especially beautiful that day. Li Zhao and I were chilling on the rooftop, brought up our art sketchbooks, and painted together. Mine’s kept in the Southern Garden.”

Shen Han painted one too? Su Mi was stunned and subconsciously replied, “I think I’ve never seen any.”

The footsteps beside her halted.

From the corner of her eye, she saw Shen Han turn her head, reach up to tuck back a stray lock of hair.

The words were out, and Su Mi’s heart sank.

Oh no, that sounded thoughtless—like she was complaining that Shen Han wouldn’t let her see them…

Her neck twisted back like a wound-up toy, creaking as she turned with an innocent expression. Sure enough, Shen Han had taken it that way.

Shen Han chuckled lightly, her demeanor relaxed and composed. “Every door in the Southern Garden is open to you. But every time, you’d just hide in the living room eating pastries and fruit, never going anywhere else.”

Su Mi: “……”

So pointed, too pointed.

She could practically translate it directly in her head.

It was like they shared a telepathic connection—Shen Han knew what she cared about and was telling her.

In truth, Shen Han would tell her anything if she asked.

It was just that she had never been curious enough about her.

……There was some truth to that.

Su Mi couldn’t help starting to reflect.

It was true. Before Shen Han showed that bit of interest in her, Su Mi’s view of her had always been based on the original plot, taking the Shen Han from the original plot as the standard. She could pin all of Shen Han’s actions onto that.

She had thought the original plot represented the world’s consciousness—nothing understood Shen Han better.

Who knew that now, she’d realize the scant mentions of Shen Han in the original plot didn’t even scratch the surface of the real one.

Su Mi tried to gloss over her slip-up. “You never invited me to see them either. I’m a guest—I’d prioritize politeness, of course.”

Shen Han turned to her, her breathing lightening as if in calm. “Then I invite you now. Would you like to?”

Su Mi’s eyelashes fluttered wildly, her lips pressed tight. “……”

She didn’t dare speak.

How did Shen Han always have a way to make the topic turn ambiguous in one second?

Su Mi didn’t know how to respond.

Shen Han didn’t press, just wanting to convey her attitude to Su Mi.

She paused, then pointed to another painting on display.

“Do you remember this pond?”

Su Mi looked. “The one in the school backyard?”

Shen Han hummed. “Back in middle school, Li Zhao was one of the few friends I got along decently with. We both liked painting, so in our spare time after classes, we’d often wander the campus sketching together.”

Su Mi’s attention was instantly diverted, her eyes widening with curiosity.

Lolan Academy students were generally well-off, with diverse hobbies. During the months Su Mi studied there, she had indeed seen people painting in the scenic campus.

She hadn’t expected Shen Han to have been one of them.

So amazing—she couldn’t picture it.

But just imagining Shen Han in Lolan Academy’s navy pleated skirt uniform, hugging a sketchbook and painting in the campus, felt magical.

Su Mi couldn’t help asking, “Why? I thought someone as outstanding as you, Sis, would have lots of friends.”

Shen Han chuckled lightly, stating it matter-of-factly in a soft voice. “Because I skipped grades. I had a lot of courses to study both in and out of school—no time, and no need to make friends there.”

Skipped grades!

Su Mi’s mental image of Shen Han in school instantly shrank a size.

Kind of cute.

Su Mi asked curiously, “So how did you meet Li Zhao?”

Shen Han said, “She’s from a medical family and an old acquaintance of my mother’s. We’d met at home. The first time she saw me at school, she just…”

Su Mi nodded knowingly, matching Li Zhao’s personality. “Latched on?”

Shen Han smiled sardonically. “Not like I said it.”

“Hey hey, you weren’t badmouthing me, were you?”

Speak of the devil—Li Zhao’s voice rang out deliberately from behind.

She had her arm around Yu Ranran and raised a brow. “Appreciating my artwork?”

Su Mi deliberately said, “Sis was saying how you latched onto her back when you were classmates.”

Li Zhao let out an exaggerated “Whoa.”

“Come on, your sister needed me too. How can you say latched on? It was mutual… Aiya, never mind, joking. I’m a staunch AO Party member.” As if pinched by Yu Ranran, Li Zhao abruptly dropped the topic and said, “Our event’s about to start. You two should join.”

She pointed to the activity area not far away, where some people had already gathered. Even the bare sky-blue hand-painted tree Su Mi had passed earlier now had pink wish cards hanging on it.

Just looking at it screamed… couples.

Su Mi turned to Shen Han, handing her the reins.

As she hoped, Shen Han paused and didn’t agree. “Might not be convenient. Didn’t you say you had something for me? Give it first.”

Li Zhao let out an “Ah.” “Right, the mental power training gift for little sister Su Mi. Ranran, where’s that yellow gift box?”

Yu Ranran covered her mouth in surprise. “That one? I thought it was a prize for this event—I already put it in the prize pool.”

Li Zhao looked instantly regretful. “What a coincidence. Looks like you’ll have to do a few activities, earn three activity points, and draw for it at the end.”

Su Mi: “……”

Are you guys… acting a bit too obviously fake?

She wavered.

Her gut told her that after she and Shen Han left, Li Zhao had probably schemed this with Yu Ranran on purpose. But was there really a need to go this far? Was she overthinking?

Li Zhao grinned. “Ranran, little sister might be worried the activities are too hard. Why don’t you explain them?”

Yu Ranran was quick on the uptake and showed Su Mi. “The activities A Zhao and I designed are all super simple—brain teasers, puzzles, crafts. Even just hanging a wish note on the tree earns activity points. It’s our heartfelt creation—give it a try?”

After a couple more persuasions, plus a “You’re already here,” Su Mi still took a point card with Shen Han.

It wasn’t exactly a point card—it was a small square picture frame. According to Yu Ranran, participating in activities earned fragments of paintings by her and Li Zhao. Collect 3-4 pieces, and the “point card” turned into a collectible ornament.

The picture frame was exquisitely designed. Even though not large, its patterns were intricate and clear, like a fine handicraft.

If it weren’t couples-themed, it was definitely something Su Mi would spend time on.

Su Mi looked around. The wish notes area had the most people—even non-participants wanted to hang a string of petals for themselves and their partner. But the lower branches were limited, so it was crowded down there.

Per the activity instructions nearby, these petals would eventually be painted into a artwork by Li Zhao and Yu Ranran for gallery display.

Su Mi stared, undecided. She kind of wanted to knock out that easy task first but really didn’t want to squeeze with the crowd.

“Want to do that one?”

Her wrist was suddenly grasped and gently lifted.

Shen Han pulled her forward to the wish tree staff.

Shen Han asked for two petals and a pen, handed over the point card, successfully got a puzzle piece, and handed it all back to Su Mi.

“Hold this.” Shen Han said.

Su Mi clutched the point card, feeling like a little stewardess wife, and said okay.

They went to a table nearby and started writing on the wish petals.

Su Mi toyed with the pen cap, unsure what to write.

A wish tree like this probably didn’t count for much anyway—no need to take it too seriously?

She glanced over, but Shen Han sat primly, eyes downcast, seemingly seriously drawing something on her petal.

Fine, then me too.

Su Mi lowered her head and earnestly wrote: Zero.

Hoping Shen Han’s blackening value would return to zero soon.

That way, the task would be complete, and both Shen Han and she could live normal lives.

And then…

She paused and swallowed the rest of her hopes.

In a blink, Shen Han also folded her petal closed.

Su Mi was a bit curious. How would she hang it? The branches were somewhat high—even with Shen Han around 180 cm, she probably couldn’t reach directly.

She was just thinking that when she saw Shen Han hand the petal notecard in her hand over to her as well.

The two of them stood under a slightly higher branch. Su Mi tried reaching up for it and discovered that the branch was still miles away.

She immediately felt a bit defeated. “I can’t reach it, Sis…”

Before she finished speaking, Shen Han didn’t seem surprised at all. She looked up and said, “Mm, I’ll help you.”

How would she help?

Su Mi was stunned for a moment and hadn’t reacted yet when suddenly, an arm wrapped around her lower back.

Shen Han gripped her waist with one hand while using the other to hold down her skirt hem and support the back of her thigh. She didn’t seem to use much strength at all as she effortlessly lifted Su Mi up.

Su Mi:!!!

The scenery around her suddenly rose up, and Su Mi got a huge scare. She nearly cried out.

Her face instantly heated up. …

P-public place! This was way too conspicuous!

She didn’t even dare to turn back and look at the reactions of the other couples.

She blinked frantically. Su Mi kept her head down and raised her hand, just wanting to hang the two pink petal notecards on the highest branch as quick as she could.

Before Shen Han set her down, with her head still tilted up, Su Mi vaguely saw that the notecard next to hers—the one from Shen Han—had opened up a bit.

Inside seemed to be a very carefully drawn…

Door key.

It was as if Shen Han was asking, Do you want to open this door?

Su Mi’s eyes widened. She froze for a moment, lowered her head, and met the gaze of Shen Han, who was looking right at her.

Shen Han was watching her, her ice-blue eyes holding what looked like a vast sea of stars, faintly shimmering.

She knew Su Mi had seen it.

One high and one low, the hand Shen Han had on her waist pressed a little tighter. Suddenly, she said softly, “What do we do?”

Su Mi stared blankly. “What do we do about what?”

Shen Han said, “If someone sees the wish, can it still come true?”