Chapter 24

“Shh.”

“You’re here!” Meng Bai’s voice dropped to a whisper, but the delight in her eyes was ready to spill over.

“I just got here a moment ago.”

“Huh?” Meng Bai’s eyes curved into crescents. “Didn’t you say you don’t like barging into other people’s spaces?”

Miao Bai had mentioned she disliked intruding on someone else’s territory, yet here she was, standing right in this room.

Meng Bai asked purely out of curiosity, eager to hear how she’d respond.

“Just passing by, so I popped in to check on you.” Miao Bai lifted her veil. “Too sudden? Next time I’ll call you from outside the window.”

“No, no, no—you can come into my room anytime you like.” Meng Bai’s gaze settled naturally on Miao Bai’s face.

Miao Bai was slender, her jawline smooth and flowing. Her thin lips carried an air of detachment, but her eyes were stunning—slender like willow leaves, sometimes glowing with a soft light.

Meng Bai’s eyes drifted upward, toward those beautiful eyes.

But she only glanced briefly before looking away.

It was that feeling of wanting to peer into a secret, only to shrink back because the other person’s gaze seemed to pierce straight through you.

Standing there facing each other was awkward.

So Meng Bai stepped closer and lightly tugged at Miao Bai’s sleeve. “You’re so tall. Want to sit down?”

Miao Bai towering over her like that felt a bit intimidating.

“Not really that tall.” Miao Bai glanced down at her and realized she’d spoken too soon.

She was a good half a head taller than Meng Bai—no wonder the girl always had to crane her neck to look up at her.

They sat.

The little bed was the same little bed, and for the first time, Meng Bai thought maybe a smaller one wasn’t so bad after all.

This way, she could sit just a bit closer to Miao Bai.

Meng Bai scooted toward her. “I was actually planning to come find you, but my dad got back.”

“Yeah, I heard.” Miao Bai’s eyes fixed on the floor, then she added, “I also heard you’re in love.”

“Ah, no! You sound just like my dad—only catching half the story!”

“Not in love, then?” Laughter rippled in Miao Bai’s eyes. “I thought you were dating that blond guy.”

“!!! Who likes him? I’m not blind!” This time Meng Bai was truly flustered. “Don’t tell me you actually think I like Zhou Chuxing. Him? Even his nose isn’t good enough for me!”

She’d gotten worked up just saying it.

The corner of Miao Bai’s mouth curved upward. “Oh~ Fair enough. You’re still young. Not supposed to date yet.”

“I’m not young! I can date if I want to—I’ll be eighteen soon, and once I hit eighteen, I’m an adult!” Meng Bai fixed her gaze on Miao Bai and blinked. “But come to think of it, I don’t even want to date boys. Sounds boring.”

She propped her hands behind her on the bed, swinging her bare feet gently in the air, revealing her fair ankles.

“So, Miao Bai… have you ever been in love?”

“Yeah.”

She actually said yeah.

Meng Bai turned to her in surprise. “Even you date?”

“I keep telling you, I’m no immortal.”

“Oh. So, are you still with him?”

“That was ages ago.” A haze clouded Miao Bai’s eyes. “Too far in the past. I barely remember it.”

What kind of man could possibly be worthy of Miao Bai?

In Meng Bai’s mind, she was an exalted figure, like someone observing the world from on high, untouched by mortal desires.

Yet here she was, admitting she’d been in love.

It felt oddly incongruous.

“Hmm, I can’t picture it.” Meng Bai voiced her thoughts aloud. “Can’t imagine what kind of guy would be good enough for you.”

“Oh, it wasn’t a guy.”

“Not a guy!” Meng Bai’s brows furrowed. “Not a guy? Then what—a eunuch…?”

She couldn’t help thinking Miao Bai’s tastes were downright peculiar.

She waited, expecting some explanation, but Miao Bai just fell silent.

When she glanced over, Miao Bai was staring right at her.

“No way—it really was a eunuch?!!!”

Miao Bai nearly laughed. “Not exactly.”

“You’re so weird, then.” Meng Bai scratched her head, utterly baffled. She had to admit she was pretty clueless about this stuff. “Dating seems way too complicated. Think I’ll skip it.”

A soft chuckle escaped Miao Bai—brief, like a dragonfly touching the water’s surface.

But Meng Bai knew she was laughing.

“Hey, what’s so funny now?”

Miao Bai’s gaze softened. “Nothing. You’re just… really cute.”

Cute enough that she wanted to reach out and ruffle Meng Bai’s hair.

“Cute? Zhou An calls me dumb sometimes.”

Miao Bai nodded. “Mm. I agree.”

“So which is it—dumb or cute?!”

“Both.”

“I’m not dumb!” A flush crept into Meng Bai’s cheeks. “I’m top of the class. I’m super smart.”

The earnest way she defended herself was utterly endearing.

In that instant, Miao Bai found the girl endlessly fascinating.

Being around her actually made her feel happy.

They were about to say more—

Knock knock knock!

Meng Xingzhong rapped on the door from outside. “Dinner! What’re you doing locking the door just to go in your own room, you little rascal?”

“Coming!” Meng Bai turned back to Miao Bai. “Don’t leave yet, okay? I’ll be super quick.”

Miao Bai nodded. “No hurry. Take your time eating.”

“Okay! I’ll hurry!” Meng Bai yanked a cardboard box from under the bed and shoved it toward Miao Bai. “If you get bored, read something. All my treasures are in here!”

~~~

After Meng Bai left, the little room was Miao Bai’s alone.

It was an ordinary space—nothing remarkable about it.

Small, yes, but impeccably neat.

Miao Bai had always appreciated cleanliness and order. A quick scan showed everything in the room arranged just so.

And it had one other virtue: excellent natural light.

The window was positioned perfectly. On bright days, the sun would flood the room; at night, moonlight would filter in generously.

Nice. Miao Bai liked it.

With time on her hands, she opened Meng Bai’s cardboard box.

Curious about these so-called treasures, she rummaged through—only to find books, along with a few green walnuts tucked in.

Walnuts counted as treasures too?

Miao Bai picked one up, then randomly selected a book and flipped it open. At the table of contents was a long passage in neat handwriting.

Meng Bai’s reading notes.

The script was graceful and orderly, a perfect match for her.

Miao Bai began to ponder one thing: this child really liked reading. She would surely make something of herself one day.

Outside the room, Meng Xingzhong’s voice carried in now and then, met by Meng Bai’s halting replies.

“Eat more, eat more! Just look at how skinny you’ve gotten!”

“I’m not hungry. Why force me if I don’t want any? Besides, I’ve got tons of homework today. I want to get to it.”

“Pork—you don’t want it?”

“No more, no more! I’m stuffed, really!”

Miao Bai frowned as she listened.

Hadn’t she told her to eat slowly? It had only been a few minutes since she’d stepped out, and now the girl was already bolting back to the room.

“Stop right there!” Meng Xingzhong’s voice boomed. “One more half-bowl!”

“I can’t!”

Footsteps drew nearer until, with a click, the door flew open. Meng Bai stood in the doorway, poised to lock it behind her.

Miao Bai glanced up, and their eyes met.

Meng Bai: “?”

Miao Bai nodded toward the door. “Aren’t you going to finish eating?”

Meng Bai furrowed her brow and murmured, “Didn’t want you waiting too long.”

“There’s plenty of time.” Miao Bai’s slender fingers idly traced the book’s cover. “Go back and keep at it.”

“No.”

“Then I’ll head out.”

“Don’t! I’ll go eat right now!”

Meng Bai spun on her heel and dashed away, quick as a flash.

Moments later, Meng Xingzhong’s laughter rang out from the other room. “That’s more like it. Eat up and grow big and strong.”

~~~

Never had a meal dragged on so endlessly.

She feared keeping Miao Bai waiting too long, feared returning to find her gone.

Yet this was Miao Bai’s command—she dared not disobey.

And so Meng Bai picked at her food, her mind elsewhere entirely.

Meng Xingzhong tried chatting with her. “Oh, right—didn’t you say you wanted a new bicycle?”

“Hm?” Meng Bai looked up. “Yeah, are you really getting me one?”

Meng Xingzhong nodded. “Your birthday’s next Sunday, isn’t it? When have I ever reneged on a promise?”

“Oh, great. Anything new is fine. This one’s ancient—it squeaks the whole ride.”

“High time we replaced it. I figured we’d head to town when we’re free, pick you up a mountain bike. You know, one that can handle the hills!”

“That’s too pricey, Dad.” Meng Bai was ever the sensible one. “No need for anything fancy. Something under a hundred bucks will do.”

“Your old man can swing it…”

A few more exchanges, and dinner was finally done.

“Off to homework.” Meng Bai’s feet carried her without a thought; all she craved was her bedroom. Even talk of a new bike barely sparked excitement.

Meng Xingzhong waved her off grandly. “Go on, then.”

Meng Bai made straight for her room.

Inside, she found Miao Bai perched on the bed, nose in a book.

Her head was bowed, raven hair curtaining half her face and leaving only crimson lips and porcelain skin in view—like the barest glimpse of an iceberg. Those thin lips pressed together, sending a pebble skipping across the lake of Meng Bai’s heart.

Miao Bai—she was so beautiful. The ten thousandth time the thought struck her.

Meng Bai shut the door softly behind her. “All done eating.”

A touch of pride crept into her voice, as if to say, See how well I listened?

Miao Bai looked up and snapped the book shut. “Mm, good. Then I’ll be off.”

“Hey! You’re leaving already?”

“Don’t you have homework?”

Ah—so she’d overheard the talk outside.

Meng Bai’s face heated with awkwardness. “Finished it ages ago. Just stringing Dad along.”

Miao Bai paused, her gaze settling on Meng Bai. “So, what are your plans for tonight?”

“Play with you.” Meng Bai’s eyes held a hopeful glint. “Can we?”

“Play what?” Miao Bai lobbed the question right back.

Right—what to play?

Nights in the small town were dull, strewn with boredom.

TV, homework, a bit of reading, then bed—that summed up Meng Bai’s entire world of fun.

Disappointment flickered through her in that moment.

If only she could suggest something exciting.

But her mind blanked. She’d never tried anything, never even seen it.

“Sorry, I don’t know what we could play.” She sighed, her expression drained. “You must think I’m boring.”

Miao Bai fixed her with a deep, steady look. “I meant—if you can’t think of anything fun, I’ll decide.”

“!”

This woman wielded magic like that: one breath to drop you into despair’s depths, the next to soar you to the heights—like a bullet train rocketing your spirits upward.

A young girl’s heart was an open book; Meng Bai’s joy lit her face. She grinned ear to ear. “So you’ll take me out tonight?”

“Only if you want to go out.”

“Yes!!!!”

“Somewhere beyond the small town?”

“Yes yes yes!”

“If that’s what you want,” Miao Bai lifted her hand to cover Meng Bai’s eyes, “close them first.”