Chapter 74: Dan Shu

In front was a dense cluster of historically themed dolls in various shapes and sizes, crafted so lifelike that being surrounded by them felt like truly stepping back into Jiang City a thousand years ago.

But Chu Susu had no time to appreciate them. Even as she weaved through, she had no desire to stop and admire, single-mindedly searching for Han Yao’s figure ahead.

“Miss Han.” Due to Han Yao’s hiding, her voice gradually grew impatient, her address no longer so polite. “Han Yao?”

Chu Susu couldn’t understand why Han Yao had run off after saying just one sentence. Whatever her goal was, it had successfully piqued her curiosity.

Han Yao had changed into lightweight athletic wear that afternoon, complete with sneakers, while Chu Susu was dressed more formally, which greatly restricted her movements. Naturally, she wasn’t as nimble.

There weren’t many places to hide here. Beyond this historical doll exhibit were the other attractions.

Chu Susu finally squeezed her way out, only to see Han Yao sitting on a nearby rest bench again.

She was just about to speak up and press further when Han Yao made a “shh” gesture and pointed upward at the ceiling, as if signaling something to her.

Chu Susu glanced up. All she could see were countless raindrops relentlessly pounding the transparent roof, just like before—but indeed, something was different.

While they hadn’t been paying attention, the rain had imperceptibly grown more torrential. It had started as a drizzle, but the sound of the drops had gradually intensified like the frog in boiling water, until now it was shockingly loud.

“We can’t go out.” Han Yao said softly. “Torrential rain.”

Chu Susu was stunned for a moment. She checked the weather forecast on her phone, then strode back to the entrance of the historical pavilion, staring incredulously at the unbelievable scene before her.

A thick layer of water had already accumulated on the ground outside, making it nearly impossible to walk. And it was foreseeable that it would only get deeper. Drawing from years of driving experience, she immediately judged that even driving in this weather would be extremely unsafe.

How had it suddenly started pouring like this?

Her phone vibrated. The meteorological bureau had just issued a sudden torrential rain warning, confirming her suspicions.

The tour guide also promptly posted a notice in the summit group chat:

“Dear teachers, a sudden torrential rain has hit, and the weather is severe. Please stay inside the venue for now and do not proceed to the next attraction.”

Chu Susu wasn’t sure what to feel.

So she and Han Yao were trapped here?

Staying put was the best option for now, though. The amusement park had no parking areas, and the road at the entrance wasn’t wide enough for cars to drive in, so the organizers couldn’t send vehicles to pick them up.

In this situation, going out would be like crossing a river. They could only wait and see if the rain would stop.

Rebecca quickly sent her a WeChat message asking about the situation. Chu Susu wasn’t affected by this force majeure event and certainly wouldn’t foolishly complain to her boss. She simply replied that everything was fine.

“That’s good.” Rebecca said. “Don’t worry, it should stop soon. I’ll order you a nice dinner later for when you get back.”

After that, the chat box kept showing “The other party is typing,” but Chu Susu waited patiently for the next message, which never came.

She suddenly thought of something and swiped down from the top of her phone to check the network.

No signal.

…Honestly, this was a bit too unlucky.

Being stuck here for an hour or two was no big deal, but no internet on the phone was practically lethal for modern people.

As Chu Susu walked back inside, she saw Han Yao still sitting on that bench. This time, she didn’t hide anymore, letting her sit down beside her.

“Aren’t you scared?” Chu Susu asked. “It’s just the two of us here.”

Han Yao glanced at her and lightly twirled the slightly curled end of her ponytail. “Why would I be?”

She flashed a toothy grin, which somehow carried an eerie chill: “Isn’t this place full of people everywhere?”

From Chu Susu’s angle, she had a perfect view of the historical dolls. With Han Yao’s words, those lifelike, exquisitely beautiful models suddenly took on a terrifying vibe.

The glossy sheen in the dolls’ eyes was like the finishing stroke that brought a dragon to life in painting, as if they were staring straight at them.

Even with Chu Susu’s usual boldness, she couldn’t help feeling a bit creeped out.

She said solemnly, “Don’t say stuff like that. Trying to scare yourself to death? Right, what you said about Han Xuan earlier… what’s the deal?”

“It’s just that.” Han Yao said breezily, showing no intention of explaining. “Literal meaning.”

Chu Susu: …

She was starting to agree with what Zhou Xiaoying had said a little now.

Fucheng’s eldest miss seemed normal on the surface, but actually wasn’t. Her personality was downright quirky.

Zhou Xiaoying had mentioned back then that since Fucheng’s boss was quite superstitious, their family often kept things like Fox Immortals and Buddha amulets. Thinking back on it now, Chu Susu’s gaze toward Han Yao changed.

Yet the person in question seemed utterly oblivious, naturally striking up conversation: “My phone has no signal. Do you still have any?”

“Nope.”

“Then we’re probably really stuck here for a while.” Han Yao said, a bit troubled. “Can’t tell them which venue we’re in. Even if someone comes to pick us up later…”

“You explain the Han Xuan thing first.”

“…They’d probably have to…”

“You first.”

“…search venue by venue.”

“Explain.”

Han Yao pursed her lips and shot her a dissatisfied glance. Only now did she finally show a bit of the Eldest Miss’s bossy demeanor: “I’m talking about something important, and all you care about is Han Xuan.”

But no matter what she said, Chu Susu remained unmoved, insisting, “You first.”

“What if I don’t?”

“Then I’ll leave you here alone to get scared to death by the dolls.”

Though Han Yao didn’t seem particularly afraid of the dolls, considering they were the only two stuck here, no internet was boring enough. Losing someone to talk to would be deadly dull.

“Fine.”

The wise chose wisely, and Eldest Miss Han promptly compromised.

Chu Susu asked, “She’s from our school… our school’s middle school department?”

After all, Han Xuan hadn’t skipped grades, and the age gap was there. She couldn’t be in their grade. When Chu Susu was in her first year of high school, she should’ve just started first year of middle school.

“Yeah.” Han Yao answered lazily. “That’s right.”

Chu Susu asked, puzzled, “Did I know her back then?”

Han Yao frowned, her eyes full of exasperation: “How would I know? I’m not a mind reader in your belly.”

“Then why did you ask me earlier? You don’t remember Han Xuan either?”

“Han Xuan would occasionally come to the high school side to find me. Some people saw her.”

“Oh?”

“But I figure, since you don’t even remember a classmate from the next class over like me, you probably didn’t know her back then.”

“Really?”

The exasperation in Han Yao’s eyes thickened: “Would I lie to you? I’m a puppy if I do.”

“…Are you a kid or something?”

Chu Susu thought to herself, You don’t seem all that human either.

Still, she couldn’t help but find it odd. They didn’t seem compatible personality-wise. They hadn’t exchanged many words before half-seriously bantering and sniping at each other.

High school Chu Susu had a much shorter fuse than now. If they’d known each other back then, they would’ve fought for sure.

Seeing only a faint look of disdain in her eyes without further comment, Han Yao suddenly let out a soft “Eh?” as if surprised by something.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“…Fun fact: People can stay silent.”

“Mind your own business whether I make sounds or not.”

Whatever. Chu Susu told herself not to bicker with this Eldest Miss.

Han Yao fell silent too, slowly recalling a scene from long ago in the high school building that was still vividly etched in her mind.

…

In the bustling hallway where everyone hurried to class, Han Yao found her path blocked by a slender figure.

The other girl wore light makeup, her bright red lips strikingly vivid.

“What do you want?”

Back then, Han Yao’s personality was far more abrasive—at least by her own assessment. Others might say she was equally abrasive then and now.

Thus, she cast an indifferent, impatient glance at the person in front of her: “Out of the way.”

“Nope, blocking you.”

The girl blocking her puffed up her cheeks, her pretty face furrowed with inverted willow brows:

“Han Yao, how do you even act like a big sister? That’s your own little sister—why won’t you give her any pocket money?”

Behind her, a small, skinny figure tugged lightly at her clothes:

“Forget it, it’s not her fault…”

“It is her fault.”

The pretty girl turned back, lecturing her sternly: “You don’t even have money for breakfast. Your family’s in the wrong. She’s your sister—she should give it to you, right?”

Han Yao listened, utterly baffled:

“She can’t afford breakfast? If it bothers you that much, buy her some. Why come to me?”

Talk about trouble coming out of nowhere.

Unexpectedly, a barrage of criticisms followed.

“Do I have blood ties with her? If I did, I’d definitely take good care of her… Though I would anyway even without.”

The girl spoke rapidly, then added:

“But I can’t keep an eye on her every single moment! Anyway! As her older sister, why can’t you give me some pocket money?”

“……Where would I even get money from?”

The pretty girl sneered coldly, lowering her head to glance at the item in Han Yao’s hand.

It was a bulging wallet—one could imagine how many bank cards and wads of cash were stuffed inside.

……She’d been careless.

More and more onlookers gathered. Han Yao only felt a headache coming on. She took a deep breath, opened her wallet, randomly pulled out a card, and tossed it to the other girl. “Take it.”

The girl inspected it. “No, this won’t do. I want the savings card in your name—not your parents’ credit card.”

Han Yao put on a smiling expression, her gaze sweeping toward the little figure hiding behind the girl. She saw the other one giving her a pleading look.

……(Damn it).

Thus, Han Yao discontentedly pulled out another card and handed it to the girl.

“Mm.” She nodded in satisfaction. “Then that’s it for today. If it’s not enough later, I’ll come find you again.”

With that, she led the skinny little girl away.

Han Yao: ……

“Chu. Su. Su.”

She murmured softly, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that—

She’d become the vicious female side character in their little romance.

(Damn it).

—

While Han Yao was lost in thought, Chu Susu didn’t notice. She was observing her surroundings.

She’d felt something off earlier, and now that weird sensation was growing stronger and stronger.

“Han Yao,” she said. “Don’t you feel like… over there……”

She pointed off into the distance.

“Seems like……”