Chapter 66: Reflection

Jiang Bomu had almost no memory of that day four years ago.

She only recalled the sunset clouds forming a brilliant tapestry, extraordinarily gorgeous. Men and women in exquisite formalwear strolled across the lawn, time flowing slowly, music melodious and lingering.

She already had a certain degree of fame by then. Quite a few people came over to chat her up, but she didn’t feel like talking much, so she simply smiled and exchanged a few perfunctory words. Alone, she listened to music and ate cake, watching the people come and go, sitting like that until the party ended.

That day was Grandma Qiao’s birthday. Beyond that, it held no special significance for her—just another ordinary day in her life.

But for Gu Yu, it was the most meaningful day.

Jiang Bomu didn’t know how to describe her feelings. She only knew the first things that surfaced were surprise and delight. Other emotions tangled together, indiscernible, as she looked at Gu Yu with a complex expression.

For a long moment, she didn’t speak, unsure how to properly treasure a girl’s four-year-long, cautious and tender affection. She only wanted to cherish it carefully.

After a pause, she reached out and embraced her, holding on tightly.

“Xunxun, thank you for your affection,” her voice was slightly hoarse. “I am deeply honored that my presence was part of your youth.”

Gu Yu burst out laughing. “Hearing that first half, my heart actually skipped a beat. I thought you were about to give me the ‘let’s just be friends’ speech.”

Jiang Bomu was tickled by her comment. “As if I could.”

“So, Sister, don’t overthink it. I fell for you first. I’d like you no matter what kind of person you are.” Gu Yu nuzzled her shoulder affectionately. “You’re a dazzling star. Your light will never dim. You’ll always walk a path full of flowers, and I’ll always be by your side.”

No more words were needed. Their breaths intertwined, and kissing became as essential as three meals a day.

“So, you tried to confess to me early on, didn’t you?” Jiang Bomu suddenly remembered something. She continued, her breath still unsteady, “Those first days after you arrived, that time we went for a walk.”

Her little scheme exposed, Gu Yu felt a flicker of embarrassment, then boldly admitted it. “Yeah. Too bad my acting was so good, you didn’t notice at all.”

Jiang Bomu remarked coolly, “Your acting is indeed pretty good. Polish your line delivery, and it’ll be even better.”

“Sister, teach me,” Gu Yu pressed close again. “First, teach me how to enunciate clearly, hmm?”

Tongues tangled, breath scorching.

“You’re too eager a student,” Jiang Bomu turned her face away, panting slightly. “You’ve already mastered it.”

Gu Yu chuckled softly. “Really? Then let me submit my homework to the teacher.”

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was past ten. Jiang Bomu called a halt again. “Time for bed.”

Gu Yu asked, unsatisfied, “Why?”

“You have to travel back and forth tomorrow. You need to sleep early.” Seeing her reluctance, Jiang Bomu coaxed her gently, “Xunxun, be good. We’ll have plenty of time together in the future.”

She was saying this to herself as well. They would have many more todays. Why obsess over this single fleeting night?

Gu Yu froze, only then remembering she had lied about leaving tomorrow. To keep the act going, she immediately hugged Jiang Bomu, fake-sobbing, “But I can’t bear to leave you.”

She’d been so domineering and forward just moments before, pinning her down, and now in the blink of an eye she was a little crybaby. Jiang Bomu smiled and stroked the top of her head.

“You’re even laughing,” Gu Yu huffed indignantly, and began fabricating stories. “You must have a new flame in the film crew. In the leaked on-set photos, you’re flirting with the second and third female leads. Two-timing is one thing, but three-timing at once—which one do you actually like?”

Her little tantrum left Jiang Bomu with no choice but to laugh and say, “I like the one right in front of me.”

The corner of Gu Yu’s lips curved up, but she still made a show of huffing. “Bet you say the exact same thing in front of those two, right? Exactly how many ‘dear little sisters’ do you have?”

Jiang Bomu fell silent and used actions to prove there had only ever been this one dear little sister.

More playful bickering passed another half hour. This time, Gu Yu closed her eyes and took the initiative. “Let’s sleep.”

Jiang Bomu immediately agreed, switching off the lights, leaving only a faint, dim glow.

Gu Yu hadn’t slept with a light on in ages and felt a bit uncomfortable. She grumbled softly, “Sister, why can’t we just turn them all the way off?”

Jiang Bomu’s movements froze for a second. Finally, she said, “I told you, whatever you ask, I’ll tell you. But it’s too late tonight. You need to sleep. I’ll tell you tomorrow, okay?”

Her voice trembled slightly. Gu Yu instinctively opened her eyes and saw Jiang Bomu’s face before her, pale as paper. Her intuition told her this was no small matter. Perhaps it was the most painful scar on her heart. Telling this story would be no different from rubbing salt into a wound.

Even if that wound had healed over with time, it would still hurt terribly when recalled.

“It’s okay,” Gu Yu caressed her face and said seriously. “Wait until you’re completely past it before you tell me.”

“It might… be a very, very long wait.”

“I’ll wait. And I’ll never rush you.”

During that month of calming down, Gu Yu had done a lot of thinking.

She’d always known Jiang Bomu carried many burdens in her heart, but before, she had been too impatient. She always felt that if everything was said openly, they could get along well, so she was eager about every little thing. If Jiang Bomu didn’t tell her, she would get angry, forgetting that Jiang Bomu also needed time to come to terms with things.

One was too hasty; the other, too slow to warm up. Both of them were at fault.

“Thank you,” Jiang Bomu looked deeply moved, kissing her forehead. “Sleep now.”

Gu Yu obediently closed her eyes. Exhausted from a full day, she was already sleepy. Murmuring a sleepy “goodnight,” she fell into a deep slumber.

But Jiang Bomu was wide awake. She brushed aside Gu Yu’s tousled hair, gazing at her features for a long, long time.

Since Gu Yu had asked, she must answer. Besides, she had to face the past eventually. Only by letting go of past entanglements could she better face the future.

Having made up her mind, she held Gu Yu with one arm while carefully fumbling for her phone with the other. She pressed the screen on, wincing at the brightness, and once her eyes adjusted, she opened her memo pad. After pondering for a long time, she typed the first word.

Weighing every word carefully until two in the morning, Jiang Bomu finally finished writing. Just as she was about to send it to Gu Yu, she felt it wasn’t formal enough. At the very least, it should be a handwritten letter. By calculation, she likely couldn’t deliver it before Gu Yu left; it would have to wait until after the holiday.

But at least she had this one matter out of the way, just a few days delayed.

Setting down one burden from her heart, Jiang Bomu breathed easier. She turned off her phone and prepared to sleep, then remembered she’d forgotten to ask Gu Yu what time her ticket was.

The person in her arms slept soundly, even, deep breaths misting over her collarbone, like a light yet searing brand. Jiang Bomu couldn’t bear to wake her. Perhaps she’d already set an alarm anyway.

Of course, her own selfishness was also at play. She hoped Gu Yu would stay a little longer, keep her company a little longer.

Jiang Bomu closed her eyes. Before she could even feel ashamed of her own thoughts, she tumbled into dreamland.

In the dream, she was running frantically through boundless darkness. Just as fear gripped her, a lamp formed from Gu Yu suddenly appeared in her hand, leading her out of the darkness back into light. Before she could even give thanks, the lamp transformed into a feather, tickling her nose lightly and repeatedly.

Jiang Bomu was woken by the itching. When she opened her eyes, she saw Gu Yu’s hair trailing across her face—caught red-handed.

Gu Yu coughed lightly, tucked her long hair behind her ear, and said with a straight face, “It’s already noon. Time for Sister to get up.”

Jiang Bomu snapped fully awake. She asked, eyes downcast, “Are you leaving?”

“Yep,” Gu Yu lied without batting an eye. “I’ll go to Tao Tao’s room to grab my suitcase, then I’ve gotta go.”

She was silent for a moment before speaking. “You haven’t eaten yet. Stay a little longer and eat before you go.”

“No time already. I’ll just grab something on the road.”

Seeing her so rushed, Jiang Bomu didn’t say more and got up, ready to accompany her to Tao Tao’s room.

“No need to go through all that trouble,” Gu Yu nuzzled her face, leaning in continuously. “We still have a bit of time. Sister, I want to kiss you.”

Jiang Bomu gazed into her eyes, nearly drowning in them, but then jolted awake abruptly. She threw off the covers and stood up, saying calmly, “I need to brush my teeth first.”

Gu Yu: “…”

She shuffled lazily after Jiang Bomu into the bathroom, leaning against the glass door with her arms crossed, sighing as she watched the person in the mirror brushing so earnestly. Oral hygiene was important and all, but at a time like this, was such attention to oral hygiene really necessary?

Good thing she wasn’t actually leaving, or else she might really miss her flight.

When Jiang Bomu finished brushing, Gu Yu immediately stepped forward, circling her waist. “Let me taste,” she said, her tone suggestive, “what flavor Sister is now.”

The rich scent of white peach flooded her mouth. The tip of her tongue held a thread of cloying sweetness. Gu Yu tasted it over and over, finally concluding with certainty, “Sticky rice cake with white peach flavor.”

“…That sounds awful.”

Gu Yu laughed so hard she collapsed against her, then put on a piteous look and sighed, “I really do have to go.”

Jiang Bomu played with her long hair and whispered, “Okay.”

There was no more reason to keep her. She should go enjoy her holiday with her friends.

“Remember to miss me, okay?” Gu Yu hugged her tightly. “Until next time.”

“I’ll walk you to Tao Tao’s room.”

“No, you’re dressed too sexy,” Gu Yu carefully covered her half-bared shoulder. “Get changed first. I’ll go get my suitcase.”

Jiang Bomu gave an “mm,” watching her leave. She looked around the room, a sense of loss settling over her. In just a moment, this place would hold only her.

She had just finished changing when a knock came at the door.

Jiang Bomu immediately went to open it. Before she could say anything, she saw Gu Yu pushing her suitcase further into the room.

“Move aside, move aside! I’ve arrived at my stop!”