In a certain sense, this question was actually quite important.
Ye Zhibai firmly gripped the heavy, exquisitely decorated pen case in her hands.
She turned it over and over, searching high and low.
No price tag in sight.
However—
There were clear traces of one having been torn off.
Even if it wasn’t obvious, she could just barely make it out.
Sister Liang must have worried that she’d feel uneasy upon seeing the price, so she’d ripped it off beforehand.
This only made Ye Zhibai even more convinced of the importance of asking!
Thus, her pale purple eyes locked straight onto Chi Yuliang’s.
“Sister Liang, how much did this cost?”
“…”
Chi Yuliang froze for an instant at the sudden question.
But only for an instant.
She had anticipated that Little Bai might ask exactly this before coming over.
A smile quickly bloomed back on Chi Yuliang’s face.
She waved her hands dismissively with effortless nonchalance, her tone and gestures flowing as smoothly as water!
“What’s this, Little Bai? Have you come into some money? It’s just a little gift from your sister—you’re not seriously thinking of reimbursing me, are you? No need, no need~ Where’s the fun in that? Besides, it’s cheap junk from a roadside stall, just a hundred bucks or so. Take it without a worry!”
“Really?”
“Really!”
“…”
How to put it.
Ye Zhibai could easily scan the QR code on the pen case right now and look up the brand’s price.
But doing that in front of Sister Liang… it’d just embarrass her.
No need for that.
Besides, didn’t she have an even more convenient universal connector in the form of her fox?
Mind transmission, activate!
“Guang Yu, have you recovered any divine power after chowing down on big pancakes all evening? Check this brand of fountain pen for me—find out exactly how much Sister Liang paid.”
“Hey~~ Nope, nope! I used it all up helping you cheat on that exam. Don’t have any left…”
“One cup of soda, plus a crystal ball.”
“Throw in some coconut chunks too! Deal!”
Damn, the fox had learned to haggle for extras!
Ye Zhibai kept up the casual chit-chat with Chi Yuliang, one inconsequential remark after another.
In truth, she was just waiting for Guang Yu’s results.
Sister Liang, I’m waiting for the price.
But what are you waiting for!
At last, the starry galaxy faded from Guang Yu’s eyes. She cradled the back of her head and reported back to Ye Zhibai.
“Not expensive at all~ Super cheap, really.”
“Phew… That’s a relief. How much?”
“Just two percent of your total assets! See? Not expensive!”
Oh, yeah, that does sound… For a broke girl like me, two percent of my total assets—
Wait!
I’ve got two million now!!
The pen case in her hands suddenly felt as heavy as lead.
That was a full ten grand!
Ye Zhibai’s eyes dimmed at once, her silver hair drooping alongside her spirits.
Not because the weight of money was crushing her breath away.
But because—
“Little Bai? You… what’s wrong?”
“Sister Liang… Didn’t we promise each other at my grave? Cough—I mean, my grave from our last life. We swore no more lies between us, not even well-intentioned ones.”
“N-No, Little Bai, I didn’t…”
“I know what this fountain pen brand costs. Ten thousand.”
“!”
Scummy Zhibai—she actually had no clue about the brand.
The human scum who lied right after preaching honesty!
Chi Yuliang’s brows furrowed slightly.
She could see that if this kept up, the whole point of gifting Little Bai would backfire and leave her upset instead.
Better than that—
To just come clean.
Chi Yuliang averted her gaze from Ye Zhibai’s, even shrinking back a cautious step.
She looked every bit the guilty child, all wronged and pitiful.
“Don’t be mad at me, Little Bai… I borrowed ten thousand from home, but! I promised I’d work this summer break to pay it back—no burden on the family!”
Is that even the point?!
How am I supposed to accept it now?!
Yet Ye Zhibai didn’t want to throw Sister Liang’s heartfelt gesture back in her face.
No helping it.
Ye Zhibai steeled herself, gritted her teeth, and made up her mind.
Money was just a worldly possession!
“Sister Liang, I’m keeping the fountain pen.”
“Whew… Good, that’s good! I swear I won’t—”
“But I’ll transfer the money to you via phone.”
“!” As if Chi Yuliang could agree to such an absurd idea!
Guang Yu lounged on the lawn, snatching up a cricket and chucking it into the distance.
The deity watched on, bemused by human fickleness.
One second ago, this Ye Zhibai had been tighter than a miser.
The next, she was scrambling to pay!
If you’re loaded, why not buy your deity more sodas!
At an impasse, Ye Zhibai pulled out her trump card.
“Sister Liang, if you keep this up, I’ll…”
“Whew… Y-You’ll what?”
“I’ll top up ten thousand Q Coins to your QQ account—the kind you can’t cash out.”
“!!”
Little Bai! Since when did you get so ruthless?!
Ruthless, sure—but the perfect stalemate-breaker.
Left with no choice, Chi Yuliang had to bring out her own last resort.
And that—this was the best way to settle it.
“Listen… Here’s what we do. Little Bai, you feel bad about me spending money, but it’s my gift to you. So we split it? Five thousand each. Fair, right?”
Huh?
Why didn’t I think of that! (But no way I’m backing down!)
Ye Zhibai’s eyes darted around, glancing left and right to save face.
“Yeah, that’s exactly what I was thinking.”
“Right?! It’s settled then! Oh… But once I finish working and earn some cash, I’ll pay you back that five thousand.”
Don’t pay me back!!
Guang Yu did some quick math.
Big Sis covers five thousand, Ye Zhibai covers five thousand.
Return the pen for ten grand, and Little Bai’s basically gotten five thousand for free!
That’s enough for how many sodas!
Ye Zhibai: I’d sell you first, fox—not the pen. Thanks.
With that, Ye Zhibai figured they’d wrapped it up nicely.
Because Guang Yu’s transmission was reminding her.
“Hey, tons of maids back there staring from afar~ You think they’re tipping off your sister?”
“Don’t put it so harshly. Yun’er’s just worried. Sigh… Yeah, pretty much.”
Stick around any longer yapping, and once the maids spot that logo on Sister Liang’s clothes isn’t a kangaroo but a big yellow dog, Yun’er’d come charging out.
She gripped the pen case tightly, gratitude swelling in Ye Zhibai’s heart.
This big sister of hers—through changing times, seas turning to mulberry fields—still poured her heart and soul into things, just like always.
She’d even handled the aftermath of Ye Zhibai’s last life’s affairs, all on her own!
How moving, how profound!
And what about Ye Zhibai herself?
Ever since Sister Liang got back from the capital, she’d been too busy here and there. She hadn’t even carved out a chance to sit down at the same table for a proper meal and catch up.
Utterly remiss.
To cap off this nighttime chat, Ye Zhibai ended with a promise.
“Sister Liang, give me a few days.”
“Hm? What do you mean, Little Bai?”
“These next few days… I’ll figure out a way to set up a proper dinner where we can sit down, eat, and reminisce properly. Not standing here in the dim doorway, with you in that… that costume. It doesn’t feel right. Can’t quite put it into words, but… yeah, it just doesn’t.”
Haha… Little Bai’s the same as ever.
When she’s nervous, she trips over her words.
But Chi Yuliang stood there obediently, saying nothing, listening patiently.
She got exactly what Little Bai meant.
She blinked, and once more, couldn’t resist patting her Little Bai’s head!
The more she stroked, the more she adored!
Followed by—that gentle laugh Ye Zhibai loved most!
“Mm-hm! Great! I’m really looking forward to it, then! I miss sitting with Little Bai like old times, no worries, just enjoying a good meal! Ah… But…”
Chi Yuliang smiled wryly, still compelled to bring it up.
“But don’t push yourself too hard, Little Bai. Your little sister seems pretty wary of me. If it’s too tricky, no need—just like today. If we wanna meet, your sister can always figure it out!”
“No need. I’ll talk it over properly with Yun’er. She’s understanding—as long as I explain it well… she’ll get it. Probably.”
“Alright… then? Go for it, Little Bai!”
“No big deal.”
~~~No big deal.
Maybe.
Guang Yu channeled the last of tonight’s divine power for a super long-range peek!
Two hundred meters away, at a villa window—
A certain vinegar jar named Ye Zhiyun had already smashed it entirely. She peered over with binoculars, secretly watching!
Heh.
Ye Zhibai.
Here’s hoping—for your sake—it’s no big deal.
Stay healthy.
