Steam filled the air, carrying a power that could engulf everything.
When Gan Xun finished her bath, Zhao Chiyun swiped her card and entered the room.
The time was far longer than the “I’ll be right back” she had mentioned before heading downstairs, but she had sent a message in advance to let Gan Xun know, so neither of them said anything more about it.
Gan Xun held a white towel in her hand and simply wiped the ends of her hair. When she saw the bag in Zhao Chiyun’s hand, she asked, “A gift?”
“Yeah, she said since my birthday here was set for yesterday and she missed it, she’ll make up for it with a simple gift first.”
Zhao Chiyun raised her hand and showed it directly to Gan Xun. “A wristwatch that tells the time.”
A delicate women’s watch wrapped around her fair wrist. Judging from Zhao Chiyun’s unfamiliarity with it, someone else must have helped her put it on.
The pink dial was surrounded by tiny diamonds, while the face itself was simple, displaying the current time and date.
No matter the angle, it could not be called a simple gift.
Gan Xun praised it sincerely. “It looks great. You must really like it.”
But Zhao Chiyun had already withdrawn her hand and taken the towel from Gan Xun, making her sit down first.
She wiped Gan Xun’s hair in a practiced manner. “A material possession—it’s merely to my taste.”
She sounded amused yet exasperated. “You say that since phones and everywhere else show the time, why do wristwatches even exist? If it’s just for looking good, I can understand that much.”
“It looks good, and it has symbolic meaning.”
“To distinguish between grades?”
“Pretty much. Yours is top-tier, requires some wealth.”
Zhao Chiyun kissed her cheek. “You even know about this. As expected, well-informed.”
Gan Xun felt her heart stir at the praise and smiled. “I don’t recognize the watch itself, but I know the brand name on the bag.”
At such close range, she no longer smelled that fragrance on Zhao Chiyun.
Zhao Chiyun continued on her own. “I just accepted the gift and walked around nearby with her. Since we talked about birthdays, I brought up things from past years. Hearing details I don’t remember was quite interesting, so I got delayed.”
“Are you mad at me?”
She suddenly leaned on Gan Xun’s shoulder and asked.
The blunt question made Gan Xun tense for a moment, but she quickly replied, “How could I be? You just chatted a bit more. Why would I get mad at you?”
Zhao Chiyun laughed in relief and continued drying her damp hair. “I was afraid you’d get impatient waiting. Before I left, what were we talking about?”
Gan Xun said, “I forgot, but I remember the movie has half an hour of exciting ending left.”
“We’ll finish it tonight.”
After Zhao Chiyun returned, she had been focused on talking with Gan Xun and hadn’t taken off her jacket. Now, feeling a bit warm from the movement, she took it off and draped it over Gan Xun.
Gan Xun didn’t know what she was thinking as she took it and reached into the pocket.
This time, the pocket only held Zhao Chiyun’s own items.
She subconsciously flipped it over and checked the other pocket.
Seeing it was about done, Zhao Chiyun stopped drying her hair. “What are you looking for?”
Caught, Gan Xun fell silent awkwardly for a moment. After thinking, she didn’t hide it. “That handkerchief. I thought you’d keep it.”
Zhao Chiyun drawled slowly, “We were chatting so enjoyably this afternoon that I forgot to return it. I felt it when I went downstairs and remembered, so naturally, I gave it back to her as soon as we met.”
“Used by someone else? I don’t want it. No use keeping it.”
Zhao Chiyun’s tone was matter-of-fact, laced with pride. She seemed like a completely different person from the one who had insisted on wearing Gan Xun’s old dress for her birthday yesterday.
Gan Xun’s heart warmed. She suddenly wanted to apologize, feeling ashamed of her own pettiness.
Zhao Chiyun didn’t seem to hold it against her and no longer dwelled on the matter. In a good mood, she went to change into pajamas.
They ended up finishing that movie.
They kissed during the end credits music.
That night, Gan Xun had a bit of insomnia, but it didn’t disturb Zhao Chiyun’s sleep.
They hadn’t done anything before bed. Last night had been too intense—not just for Zhao Chiyun, but Gan Xun’s arms felt sore too.
She had only helped check the marks on Zhao Chiyun’s back.
The imprints had faded.
Zhao Chiyun slept soundly, her new watch on the bedside table.
Gan Xun understood that people always craved a teammate, no matter the time. As long as one person accompanied them, they wouldn’t be afraid.
Late arrivals, failing exams, traversing time and space.
Zhao Chiyun was an outsider here. Even if Gan Xun was willing to listen to all her stories of the past people and events, she could only stand as a listener.
There might be empathy, but never true resonance.
Now with Li Shutang, who shared her roots and origins, they were like two castaways finally finding each other in the vast sea of people.
They could strategize together, reminisce about the old days, and look forward to the day they returned home.
With a watch to tell the time, neither would feel lonely.
Before sleep, Gan Xun saw Zhao Chiyun sending a message. She had added Li Shutang as a friend. After saying goodnight, she sent a little moon emoji. Li Shutang replied with a hug.
She said to her: [County Princess, today was the happiest day I’ve had in months.]
Gan Xun averted her eyes upon seeing this and pretended to be busy by taking a sip of water.
Rather than suddenly remembering to respect Zhao Chiyun’s privacy, she feared seeing a reply like “Me too.”
The next morning, they woke one after the other, sharing the same pillow and listening blankly to the sound of the waves.
Then Zhao Chiyun buried her face in Gan Xun’s shoulder and neck, inhaling her scent.
Gan Xun didn’t wait for any lines and asked proactively, “Do I smell good?”
After a moment of silence, Zhao Chiyun burst into laughter, unable to speak properly, though Gan Xun had no idea what was so funny.
Gan Xun laughed along while wondering “?”.
After washing up and doing makeup, they packed their luggage in perfect coordination.
They left the hotel on time and visited the local museum together. Zhao Chiyun carefully browsed the historical records—some from their history, some not.
The world had been shattered and reassembled.
Fascinating.
Gan Xun didn’t dare say it, as the person involved might not find it so. The creator was cruel.
In the afternoon, they hit the restaurant Zhao Chiyun had personally researched. The food was decent, though they ordered too much, so the two ate diligently.
Gan Xun asked her which meal on this trip had made her happiest.
It had only been a few short days with few meals, so it was easy to answer.
Without thinking, Zhao Chiyun said, “Naturally the birthday one. Great view, great company, great wine, great cake.”
The questioner was very satisfied and rewarded her with a sip of her milk tea.
That evening, they returned to Mirror City.
Upon landing, Zhao Chiyun instructed lingeringly, “Next time, we play for more days.”
“Sure, I’ll save up vacation days.” Gan Xun agreed.
When Zhao Chiyun received Li Shutang’s call, they were already in a taxi with Gan Xun, driving homeward on the elevated road.
She wore the new watch on the hand holding the phone, having changed the strap from pink to white.
Gan Xun then learned that Li Shutang had originally arranged for someone to pick them up at the airport, but Zhao Chiyun had turned it down in advance.
“Of course it went smoothly. No need for you to trouble yourself over such a trifle.”
“Tomorrow? Sure, I have a class in the morning and need to head home after six in the evening. Otherwise, I’m free.”
“President Li, don’t tease me. Alright, I’m getting carsick. Talk later.”
After hanging up, she said to Gan Xun, who faced the window but had removed her Bluetooth earpiece, “Shu Tang invited me to dinner tomorrow.”
Gan Xun naturally had no right to say “no,” but she felt exasperated. “What did she tease you about?”
Zhao Chiyun beckoned her closer. Unable to resist the temptation, Gan Xun leaned in and heard her whisper, “She said that back at the Prince’s Mansion, I dared to leave at night, but here I have a curfew.”
Gan Xun felt it was a jab and immediately said, “Tell her I never imposed any curfew on you.”
“Where do you get the nerve.”
Zhao Chiyun laughed. “It’s my own idea. I want you to dine with me.”
Gan Xun suddenly thought that maybe she couldn’t compare to Li Shutang in anything, but she didn’t need to.
Because the one who had Zhao Chiyun now was herself.
Zhao Chiyun loved her well.
Ancient people valued loyalty to sovereign and country. Li Shutang might see Zhao Chiyun as half a liege, plus a full fellow townsman.
She had been straight before—directly rejecting Zhao Chiyun without Gan Xun around, and even dating and getting engaged to a guy in modern times. No such intentions at all.
It was Gan Xun overthinking, plus being timid.
Gan Xun liked blue and found the sea beautiful, but after too much immersion at the beach, perhaps due to autumn, her mood sank unconsciously. That wasn’t good.
Now back in Mirror City, having thought it through, her breathing eased.
At home, she wiped down the suitcase and sorted the clothes and items.
The souvenirs they bought had been shipped to Book Garden and the company, arriving tomorrow. The trip was over.
When it was Zhao Chiyun’s turn to shower, Cui Can video-called. Still wearing a mud mask, she startled Gan Xun.
Cui Can looked at her. “You actually look pretty good.”
“Isn’t it normal for someone fresh off a trip to be in good spirits?”
“Quit pretending. What are you planning to do?” Cui Can sighed.
“Nothing. Just treat it as her having a new good friend, a close confidante.”
The kind she’d regularly dine with.
“A close confidante? You really dare say that. Do we walk together without even holding hands? Aren’t you afraid of old flames rekindling? I saw that Miss Li from Sifeng. Not prettier than you, but a real beauty—now rich and powerful. That’s a real rival!”
“Where would old romance even come from?” Gan Xun disagreed. Even if there was, it was old friendship. Words needed clarity.
“Are you really naive or pretending?”
“She’s straight.”
“And your Zhao Chiyun?”
“What do you mean? You mean Zhao Chiyun will fall for Li Shutang again, and I might end up single?”
Gan Xun chuckled and pointed at the screen threateningly. “She’s almost done showering. I’ll relay everything to her. Wait for her to deal with you tomorrow.”
“Hey hey hey, sister talk time. Don’t sell me out. I didn’t mean that! Just be mentally prepared, don’t be too complacent. But don’t overthink either. You know all the logic, so why message me at three a.m. crying?”
“Who cried? I just couldn’t sleep. I get the logic, but if it really happens, I won’t blame her. We’d part amicably. I’d let go gracefully.”
“Really? If it were me, I wouldn’t be so willing.”
“Aren’t you supposed to advise me? Why keep stirring trouble?”
Gan Xun heard someone slowly speak from beside Cui Can.
“What do you mean stirring? Who’d be willing in that situation? If I got back with an ex, would you be happy?”
“Don’t fight, don’t fight.” Gan Xun felt a mix of emotions but still mediated the meeting.
Tang Sifeng knew what she needed to and wasn’t clueless—just half-believing, half-doubting.
“Dating is consensual. Nothing to feel unwilling about.”
Even if they grew old together until white-haired, it was hard to leave on the same day and moment. One would always be left behind.
If Gan Xun had wanted to be willing, she wouldn’t have gotten together with Zhao Chiyun in the first place.
