Chapter 42 Part 2

The woman approaching from the side for a photo had jet-black, silky long hair cascading over her shoulders. She wore a sharp, professional blue suit that exuded elegance, paired with a girlish pink mask. Upon closer inspection, it was easy to see that her pink mask matched the style of Chi Yumo’s blue one.

Others might not recognize her, but could Chi Yumo fail to?

How long had Shi Youwan been there?

Why had she come?

Hadn’t they parted that night with another “amicable farewell”?

That evening’s dinner of three dishes and a soup had been ordered by Chi Yumo for the regular customer Shi Youwan. As expected, every dish Shi Youwan chose suited her taste perfectly.

During the meal, she had asked for an extra pair of serving chopsticks and thoughtfully picked food for Shi Youwan, even coaxing her to eat half a bowl of rice.

After dinner, Shi Youwan had sent her back to the apartment.

They hadn’t chatted on the way, but she could tell Shi Youwan’s mood that night had been exceptionally good.

When she got out of the car, Shi Youwan had gently said to her, “Good night, Xiao Mo.” Yet she had cruelly shattered that tenderness with an utterly cold message.

—[Having dinner with President Shi and receiving President Shi’s favor is Xiao Mo’s greatest honor. But I know my place. Xiao Mo and President Shi belong to two different worlds, far apart. We can’t be friends. So, let’s end it tonight. Please take good care of your meals and health from now on.]

Shi Youwan hadn’t replied after reading it, hadn’t even looked at her again. She had simply withdrawn her smile, her dim eyes gazing gloomily at the apartment gate, and softly said—It’s okay, Xiao Mo. Whatever you want.

That all-encompassing “it’s okay” again, as if she was always the one throwing tantrums at Shi Youwan.

She had only wanted a clean break, patiently suggesting it multiple times. The stubborn, willful one was clearly Shi Youwan.

It turned out Shi Youwan’s “whatever you want” wasn’t “stop if you want to stop.”

It was—you can hurt me if you want. It’s okay.

Shi Youwan, oh Shi Youwan, so cunning.

In front of everyone, Chi Yumo couldn’t refuse this “fan’s” request. They were all fans; she couldn’t play favorites.

She nodded, indicating it was fine.

The pretty Omega leaning close to her shoulder put away her phone and shyly stepped aside. “You two take the photo.”

Shi Youwan had never taken a selfie and couldn’t bring herself to pose for one. She unlocked her personal phone, opened the camera, and handed it to Chen Qiuxue. “Sorry for the trouble.”

She had just flown in from out of province that evening after finishing work, thinking she’d wait a bit longer, just to catch one more glimpse of Chi Yumo.

Fans had come to see her off, expressing their love for Xiao Mo—she was happy for Xiao Mo. But watching the girls one by one beaming as they posed with Xiao Mo ignited her jealousy. Unable to hold back any longer, she gave in.

The elegant woman’s aura was unique and unforgettable. Even with the mask, Chen Qiuxue recognized her immediately.

She inwardly sighed at Mo Yu’s irresistible charm: first exclusively pampered by the most beautiful host Shen Muxi, now relentlessly pursued by Shifeng Group President Shi Youwan. What a blessed life.

With the boost of high heels, Shi Youwan stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Chi Yumo. Chi Yumo wore a beige double-breasted mid-length trench coat, their figures and auras perfectly matched—even the blue and pink masks complemented each other strikingly.

Mindful of the public setting and the many fans around, Shi Youwan stood properly, only letting her arm brush against Chi Yumo’s.

Chen Qiuxue snapped away in landscape and portrait, full-body and half-body shots. She handed the phone back. “President Sh— All done.”

“Thank you.”

With all the contestants assembled, the lead teacher called out, “Mo Yu, time to go through security!”

Chen Qiuxue called back loudly, “Got it, we’re coming!”

Chi Yumo gave everyone a “thank you” hand gesture, her gaze briefly skipping over Shi Youwan as she turned to leave.

The lead girl chased after her with a question. “Sister Mo Yu, we have one more question we all want to ask! Why did Sister get an Other Shore Flower tattooed on her wrist? Does it have special meaning?”

Chi Yumo paused, thought for a moment, and didn’t have Chen Qiuxue translate. She typed on her tablet: [Because the Other Shore Flower blooms on the Yellow Springs. Passing through the Yellow Springs brings rebirth.]

Satisfied with the answer, the girls waved goodbye and headed toward the airport exit in a group.

One girl who hadn’t spoken the whole time suddenly turned back, ran up to Chi Yumo, and blushing, handed over the gift she’d clutched for hours. “Sister Mo Yu, this is the Peace Blessing Bag I got for you at Jinyun Temple. I hope it blesses you with safety and smooth sailing, joy without worry, and success in all things.”

The girl ran off after delivering it.

Chi Yumo looked down at the delicate, lightweight yet heavy bag in her palm, her heart aching with each beat. She clenched her fingers around it and strode forward, letting the pain in her chest sink deep.

—Sister, this temple is famous far and wide, very spiritual. The incense burns bright year-round, with lots of out-of-town tourists coming to pray, draw lots, and get blessings. Want to go worship too?

—No thanks. Fate is in our own hands. I don’t believe in gods or Buddhas.

Her true first encounter with Shi Youwan wasn’t outside the police station at age twenty. It was in Tong’an Town, the summer she was nine.

Tong’an Town was the town from Grandma’s old stories, Chi Yumo’s birthplace, her hometown.

After regaining her memories, the first place she went was remote southern Tong’an Town.

Her childhood home was gone, replaced by new buildings. Not a single neighbor was familiar; no faces from her memories remained.

She visited her father and grandfather.

Crying, she asked if Grandma had reunited with them.

And if they knew where Mom was.

Tong’an Town nestled by mountains and rivers, bordering the historic cultural town of Lin Yao Ancient Town. Over a decade ago, it was a pastoral hill town with wooden houses, preserving many ancient stilt-style buildings and independent courtyards.

The Chi family had one such courtyard, filled with flowers and plants, fragrant year-round.

On a cicada-filled summer evening, the nine-year-old girl carried two big bags of cat and dog food out in the sunset glow to feed the strays on the streets.

But in a remote, dim alley, she stumbled upon two boys tormenting a big orange cat. One held it by the neck, the other dripped wax on its tail.

—What are you doing? Let it go!

—Get lost, none of your business.

—I’m not leaving! Don’t hurt the kitty! What grade are you in? Didn’t your teachers or parents teach you to love animals?

—Tch, stray cats that steal food and no one wants—what’s there to love? Come closer and we’ll burn you too!

In the struggle to save the stray cat, the girl got scalded by the candle.

The tearless girl, biting her lip, shielded the orange cat with her whole body, not letting the boys take it. Until a scolding voice came from the alley mouth. The boys fled, dropping the candle.

With the threat gone, the girl relaxed, her senses rushing to the burn. It hurt so much tears fell.

Her arms went limp, and the frightened cat yowled and escaped her grasp.

The woman who drove off the boys and protected her and the cat was Shi Youwan.

The young woman wore a fashionable, elegant blue long skirt shirt, stepping into the alley like a celestial fairy.

—Little one, you’re hurt? Where?

—Here, it hurts so much.

Sitting on the ground, she sobbed and lifted her right hand to show the woman the wound. The wax alone might not have been too bad, but it was scalded with flame and oil.

The woman half-squatted, gently supporting her injured right arm and blowing on the burn. She checked the other arm too.

—Scratched up so much by the cat—why didn’t you let go sooner?

—The kitty didn’t mean it. It was just too scared, too hurt, and scratched me by accident.

—You’re very brave, a kind-hearted girl. But that wrist burn is serious; it needs prompt treatment. And the cat scratches are bleeding—you need a rabies shot within 24 hours. Do you remember your family’s number? I’ll lend you my phone to call your parents, okay?

—I do, but I don’t want to call them. Earlier… Mom took me for shots, and it wasn’t that painful. I can go home by myself.

From childhood, she’d vowed to be strong and stand tall. No easy tears, no whining about pain, no worrying her parents or grandma. And she’d really gotten the vaccine last year.

That time was while feeding a stray dog mom—some hungry puppies crowded in, and her finger got nicked by puppy teeth during feeding.

—You’ve had it?

—Yeah! I never lie.

—Rabies immunity lasts six months. When was your last shot? Over six months ago?

—Over…

—Come on, I’ll take you.

She didn’t want to worry her family, but she couldn’t resist this fairy sister at all. Once pulled up, her feet followed willingly.

Shi Youwan searched on her phone and insisted on taking her to the nearest clinic.

—Little one, what’s your name?

—Chi Yu. Chi from ‘late,’ Yu from ‘encounter.’ And you, Sister?

—I’m not from town. Just call me Sister.

—Oh. Then like my mom and dad, call me Xiao Yu.

Hearing the fairy-like sister say she wasn’t local and wouldn’t share her name, Chi Yu inexplicably felt a twinge of loss.

Of course—tourists stayed a day or two then left. Young people from Tong’an left for the wider world; no outsiders came to settle.

They might never meet again in this lifetime. Even if she shared her name, it’d be forgotten in time.

Wax scald plus flame burn—skin broken, flesh exposed.

After cleaning Chi Yu’s wound, the doctor bandaged it. Praising her bravery, he assumed Shi Youwan was her sister and warned it might scar.

—Xiao Yu, the doctor uncle said this might leave a badge of courage. Would you mind?

—Badge of courage?

—Yes.

—I don’t mind! Sister, I like badges of courage!

At insistent Xiao Yu’s pleading, Shi Youwan walked her home.

Over the half-hour journey, a vague distance lingered between them, yet Shi Youwan’s every word and action warmed her like spring breeze.

Hesitating, Xiao Yu bottled up so many things she wanted to say or ask, but said nothing.

They’d just met, yet would part forever—who wouldn’t be sad?

—Sister, come to my house for dinner?

—My mother is waiting for me.

—Then… thank you for paying the medical fee, Sister. Where are you staying? I’ll bring the money tomorrow.

—You helped the kitty, I helped you—that’s passing on kindness. No need for money. If you feel you owe me, be my half-day guide tomorrow morning. Show me the fun spots around town.

—Yes! See you tomorrow, Sister!

In little Chi Yu’s heart, Mom was the world’s most beautiful woman. This new sister was the second most beautiful she’d ever seen.

The next day, she had Mom tie her hair in high pigtails, wore a rarely used dress, and prettied up to meet the sister.

That half-day, they saw waterwheels, terraced fields, and the temple bustling with pilgrims.

—Sister, do you live in a big city? Far from here?

—Very far.

“It’s so far away… That would mean a long flight, a long train ride, and a long bus journey, wouldn’t it? It’s so tiring, so Big Sis, you won’t come back to Tong’an Town again, right?”

“Yeah, I probably won’t come back.”

“Big Sis, when are you leaving? There are still a few places a little farther away that I want to take you to see.”

“This afternoon. Xiao Yu, there’s no time left. I have to go—you head home.”

“See you later, Big Sis! I’ll always remember you.”

“Xiao Yu, remember this: protecting the weak and acting bravely for justice are virtues, but you must also protect yourself. Don’t get hurt, and don’t let anyone bully you so easily, got it?”

“Yeah, I got it. Big Sis, I’m an S-Grade Alpha. When I grow up, I’ll become even braver and stronger than my dad, and protect everyone I want to protect!”

“Good. Then Big Sis wishes you all your dreams come true and that you become an extraordinary person.”

“I’ll work hard!”

“And remember to get your vaccines on time.”

Would the memory of a nine-year-old child be permanent?

When that event held enough preciousness for you, the answer was yes.