Ye Zhibai rode back to the villa manor in the car, and the moment she laid eyes on that big, soft bed in her room, exhaustion washed over her in waves.
She didn’t even have the energy to think about lunch.
Sorrow was her sustenance, and she’d already eaten her fill that morning!
After all, she’d just come back from the crematorium. Ye Zhibai had no choice but to take another shower—this was the second one in just half a day.
In two lifetimes, she’d never bathed this frequently!
She picked up a Honey Rain Ice City drink for Guang Yu too, to stop her complaints about being squished like a pancake in the car. With that loose end tied up, Ye Zhibai could finally nap in peace.
Of course, per Guang Yu’s request, she added a note for “extra wasabi”—better not to mention how the staff probably thought they were crazy.
With all preparations complete, she dove straight onto the bed and began her exquisite slumber!!
The moment her body sank into the soft mattress, one word came to mind.
~~~
Bliss!
Sister Liang’s situation… there were still plenty of unanswered questions. She’d deal with them later. Ye Zhibai firmly believed in the saying, “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
Because if the bridge wasn’t there when the boat arrived, she’d just have to build one. No other choice—after all, playing it cool was the way to go.
Guang Yu finished her drink and shifted into her cat form, curling up at the head of the bed. The sunlight slanted gently onto her fluffy fur, adding to Ye Zhibai’s drowsy haze.
Ye Zhibai draped her left hand over Guang Yu’s back, basking in the warm afternoon glow.
Sleepiness surged over her in an instant, impossible to resist.
That morning’s farewell to herself… it had taken far too much out of her, emotionally.
She’d never realized before how utterly draining crying could be.
But once drowsiness hit, there was no calling it back.
Ah… wait… shouldn’t she tell Yun’er not to bother with lunch? Otherwise, Yun’er would worry.
It was a good thought, but her body had other ideas.
Before long, Ye Zhibai’s half-closed eyes shut completely. Her chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, her breathing soft, even, and utterly relaxed.
She had fallen asleep.
Ye Zhiyun had no idea. Seeing her sister hadn’t come downstairs yet, she puzzled over it and headed to Ye Zhibai’s room.
The door was ajar—no need to knock.
“Sister, it’s time for lunch… Hmm?”
Ye Zhiyun caught sight of the serene, beautiful scene inside and immediately fell silent.
Shh.
She couldn’t disturb her sister’s rest.
Approaching the bed amid the dappled sunlight, she saw her sister lying on her back, her nightgown riding up so that her snowy-white legs dangled off the edge onto the floor. That cool little face held the special tranquility of sleep.
It left Ye Zhiyun breathless with her beauty.
Ye Zhibai’s chest rose and fell rhythmically, exhaling gentle breaths in complete vulnerability—like a flower ready for Yun’er to pluck.
Ye Zhiyun swallowed hard.
She placed a hand on her own chest and took a deep breath, forcing some calm.
This wasn’t the time to tease her sister.
With gentle movements, Ye Zhiyun first grasped Ye Zhibai’s delicate ankle and slipped off her slippers. Then, sliding her arms under her sister’s knees, she lifted her as steadily as possible—cradling her precious treasure without waking her.
Of course… that didn’t stop Ye Zhiyun from sneakily pinching the soft flesh of Ye Zhibai’s thigh with her thumb and finger.
She supported Ye Zhibai’s head and laid her flat on the bed, then thoughtfully tucked her under a light blanket.
Task complete, Ye Zhiyun leaned down in the peaceful sunlight to gaze at her sister’s sleeping face. Her smile was as sweet as if she’d just popped a piece of candied fruit.
Suddenly, her gaze drifted, and she noticed the cat dozing at the headboard.
“…”
She grabbed it by the scruff and tossed it onto the nearby chair. Guang Yu: Have some manners!!
Ye Zhiyun patiently picked the cat hairs from Ye Zhibai’s hair before finally standing up, satisfied.
When Ye Zhiyun left the room, she even slipped off her own slippers and carried them, tiptoeing barefoot to make as little noise as possible.
At the door, ignoring the cat inside waving its tiny paws in protest, she kept her watery gaze fixed on her sleeping sister.
As she gently closed the door, Ye Zhiyun whispered a soft blessing.
“Sister, sweet dreams…”
Some homes brimmed with joy, while others drowned in sorrow.
While Ye Zhibai returned home to blissfully crash into a deep sleep, relieved after tying up one major loose end…
Tens of li away from the Ye Family Residence, in a mid-range residential complex in Qihai’s urban district, things weren’t quite so rosy for the fallen Eldest Miss of the Lin Family, Lin Zihan.
Well! Actually, Lin Zihan was in pretty high spirits today!
Lin Zihan had just shopped at the supermarket by the complex entrance, carrying a pound of discounted beef in hand. She hummed a tune as she swiped her access card to open the gate, strolling happily into the complex and heading straight for Building 6, where her home was.
Hum de dum~ She got to see Little Bai’er yesterday~ What luck.
Talk about perfect timing! On her way home from school, she spotted the supermarket’s beef on special!
Good things really do come in pairs—today was shaping up to be a great day!
Normally, Lin Zihan wouldn’t splurge on beef. The flower shop’s income barely covered daily expenses.
But this was her way of celebrating Little Bai’er’s discharge from the hospital! Stewing some beef for lunch sounded perfect!
Hee hee, in such a great mood, why did she suddenly crave it so much?
Lin Zihan wove through the complex’s fairly wide gravel paths, greeting the neighborhood elders she passed. They always responded with kind, benevolent smiles and tossed in a compliment or two.
“Zihan, you’re looking prettier every day!”
“Hee hee hee, thanks, Auntie Zhang! You’re getting younger yourself!”
“Look at Zihan, such a sweet talker! Home from school to cook?”
“Yeah, got some beef to stew. Gotta hurry or I’ll be late for afternoon classes.”
“Off you go then, you promising girl! Already cooking for yourself in high school.”
“Just basic life skills~ Nothing special!”
After a quick chat, Lin Zihan kept moving, the picture of elegant, cheerful sunshine—a total ray of joy.
The neighbors called Lin Zihan pretty, and it was no exaggeration.
It’d be polite flattery to anyone else, but for her, it was plain truth.
Anyone could tell Lin Zihan wasn’t from an ordinary family. She had standout poise and grace, especially that striking golden hair that hinted at her once-extraordinary past.
The only odd bit was her slanted bangs—they gave off a bit of a withdrawn vibe. A trim would make her look even sharper.
Old folks: Short hair looks best on young people!
A classic generational gap.
Lin Zihan had lived in this complex for several years now.
She’d fully blended in, becoming one of the locals.
Smiling all the way, she reached Unit 1 of Building 6.
Whether it was the steep stairs or gravity’s pull, her light steps slowed noticeably as she climbed.
Finally, at the door to Room 201—her home—Lin Zihan’s smile faded just a touch, though it didn’t vanish.
Oh dear… time for the keys, time for the keys. Gotta stew that beef quick!
