Yu Qingxue feigned calm, smiled openly, rested her chin on her hand and casually stirred the just-served appetizer with her spoon, slightly squinting her eyes as she said:
“The fruit almond tofu is a specialty here. Want to try it?”
“I’m not eating,” Qu Xiqian’s expression was a bit stiff. “I told you, I didn’t come here to freeload; I came to persuade you.”
“I’m quite easygoing. Actually, even if you really were just here for a free meal, I wouldn’t mind at all.”
The two were completely different types: one loved to smile, the other did not.
Though it should have been long gone, the events of that dream resurfaced deep in Yu Qingxue’s mind. She remembered when she had just abducted Gao Sijin and brought him to Eldest Miss Tsukiyuki Rio’s side; as the Head Maid, she had been in charge of Gao Sijin’s daily needs.
She had thought she shouldn’t develop feelings for Gao Sijin.
But one night, she dreamt a dream of grave disloyalty to Eldest Miss Tsukiyuki Rio. A red Ferrari raced like lightning through the streets of Shibuya, with countless maids pursuing them.
In the dream, Yu Qingxue drove the Ferrari, eloping with Gao Sijin.
Escaping Eldest Miss Tsukiyuki Rio’s control, toasting to freedom. The Shinigami’s dry lips always gave off the sweetness of survival.
They should have escaped.
But Eldest Miss Tsukiyuki Rio blocked the only path, piercing Yu Qingxue’s body with a tachi, making her understand that compared to true strength, there was a gap she could never close in her lifetime.
Ending with the death of a disloyal person was, after all, a splendid performance.
The topic turned to the maid in front of her. Yu Qingxue cleared her throat and said:
“You said I’ve died before, and that you saw it. So, do you have evidence? Don’t tell me you’re a future person who came back in time using a time machine from a drawer.”
“I really saw it with my own eyes. If you’re unwilling to believe it, then let me tell you what will happen in the future. If the course of future events matches my predictions exactly, that will prove I’m not lying.”
“Fine, go ahead.”
Yu Qingxue took out a notebook she carried and recorded every word Qu Xiqian said next. She first mentioned stock market trends, the next lottery numbers, the Minister of Foreign Affairs holding online talks with the Five Central Asian Countries, the President of Country A visiting Tokyo, and some unrest soon on the Crimea Peninsula in Eastern Europe.
For each piece of information, Qu Xiqian gave an exact date. To verify, all one needed to do was watch the news every day. Yu Qingxue memorized all this information, a smile curling on her lips. Some of Qu Xiqian’s predictions sounded like they were summarized from big data, but she gave specific dates, and even predicted the lottery numbers. If the lottery numbers matched, then Qu Xiqian’s foreknowledge would be practically confirmed.
“Miss Qu, you said I will die in the future, right?”
“When Feng Na and Tsukiyuki Rio fight, there will definitely be an opening. You’ll take that chance, drive, and try to take him to a place only you know. Your destination is Casablanca in North Africa.”
Yu Qingxue froze again, because she truly had thought of taking Gao Sijin to hide away in North Africa. But verbally, she continued to say one thing and mean another.
“I wouldn’t do that. I hold the highest respect and loyalty for Young Lady Tsukiyuki. I could never kidnap a man for my own selfish desires. Besides, I know that as long as Sijin and I are on this planet, there’s no truly safe place. Even to the ends of the earth or dug three feet into the ground, Young Lady Tsukiyuki would definitely catch us,” Yu Qingxue still smiled, but her chest grew heavier, as if squeezed by a malicious large hand, making it hard to breathe. “What chance is there to escape? What reason to escape? I just want to live. Only by staying alive is there hope, right? I, Yu Qingxue, am the most death-fearing person under heaven; I would never seek my own death.”
Was it fear of death?
Pierced by ten thousand arrows, killed by a single slash, drowning, suffocation, starvation, falling from a height, or passing away peacefully in a wheelchair.
No matter the way of death, Yu Qingxue felt fear. Not because of the unknown or pain of death, but simply because death would render everything pointless. All her countless efforts would vanish in an instant, like finally gathering all the equipment and preparing to conquer the world, only to have the game account suddenly banned.
This was what Yu Qingxue couldn’t bear the most.
She had finally become the head of the Yu Family, making those money-obsessed, cold-hearted family members grovel like dogs. She had finally, during a chance mission, found someone she liked, and he had a slight fondness for her too.
How could she die?
“I…”
But she also desperately wanted to have him, to possess him, to monopolize his gaze. Yu Qingxue often felt like a hardworking chef. The first time was in Bincheng, the second in Tokyo, each time just when the spark of love was about to ignite, Tsukiyuki Rio would appear at the perfect moment, take over, and eat slowly in front of the starving Yu Qingxue.
This is just fucking bullying!
“Your eyes just gave away your heart. What you want to do—not only can I tell, but Tsukiyuki Rio can probably easily see through you too. You have no chance.”
“The brilliance of life doesn’t actually depend on its length, but on its depth…”
“But if you really take that step, there will be no turning back.”
No path of return.
Must everything be lost just for a brief possession?
A cold wind from outside brushed her cheek. Cola still tasted good, and this restaurant’s Mapo Tofu was also excellent. But sensory pleasure couldn’t bring inner peace. At Tsukiyuki Rio’s mansion, maids had to leave after the age of twenty-five. Would she have to be alone all over again?
Before meeting Young Lady Tsukiyuki, she had always been battling wits against the unscrupulous, money-grubbing scum of the Yu Family. After graduating from her role as a maid, would she have to return to that again?
It wasn’t that she couldn’t return to the Yu Family; she just couldn’t do it alone. She hoped that a man would accompany her then, and that man had to be Gao Sijin.
“Yu Qingxue, I’m not telling you to give up. I’m saying that the opportunity you’re seeing this time is nothing but Tsukiyuki Rio’s test, and it will lead to a death with no burial place.”
In other words, she needed to find another opportunity?
For the sake of ultimately being able to live and enjoy a happy life with him, endure it for now.
The bitterness she endured now would be compensated later. Now Gao Sijin was under Young Lady Tsukiyuki; sooner or later, she’d have him under herself, in more positions than the Young Lady, and even film it to send to her.
Yu Qingxue stood up, paid the bill. After filling her stomach, her heart calmed down as well. Actually, when she thought about it, she didn’t necessarily have to rebel against the Young Lady now, right?
At least every day she could live a carefree life with Gao Sijin, playing games, watching movies. Although they couldn’t kiss or go to bed, they could do everything else.
This year, Yu Qingxue was twenty years old.
She still had five years before she had to leave the mansion at twenty-five. If she had to run away, why couldn’t it be five years later?
Besides, in five years, she might break free from the curse of love, perhaps no longer liking Gao Sijin so much.
With such thoughts, Yu Qingxue walked out of the Kirin Hall Restaurant.
“Oh, Miss Qu, I still want to talk to you.”
Turning around, she found that Qu Xiqian had vanished as if spirited away, leaving Yu Qingxue alone.
“Damn, at least say thanks for the meal, so rude.”
Even when she arrived earlier, there was no sound.
If they really fought, she’d definitely be no match for Qu Xiqian.
Yu Qingxue took out her phone and checked the time. It was already 3 PM. Gao Sijin should be home by now. When she returned, she wouldn’t have to be alone in the empty house. Having never been in love since childhood, Yu Qingxue never expected to suffer such a devastating defeat at the hands of Gao Sijin.
“What a sinful man.”
She stepped on the accelerator, and the car immediately sped toward the apartment in Bunkyo Ward. She sang along with the melody from the car stereo, a Japanese song.
“My life is like scattered flowers~♪ Though the days I can’t return to are few~♪ Laughter and tears, past and future~♪ I am torn apart, a winter flower~♪”
The BMW was like a speeding arrow. Yu Qingxue turned the steering wheel, stomping on the accelerator as always, recklessly changing lanes and accelerating.
Her singing was like a roar; this way of singing was just too joyful.
“Don’t cry, for my loving heart~♪ Tears don’t suit you~♪ Go, just move forward~♪ I’ve made up my mind to stride forward like this~♪ Ah, though there’s no smile in my heart~♪ Though unknown to others~♪ I still bloom proudly~♪ Ah, I am a winter flower~♪”
Back at the apartment in Bunkyo Ward, she pushed open the door. Gao Sijin was playing a PS6. Seeing her return, he immediately pressed the pause button.
“Welcome back.”
“Mm, I’m back.”
The earlier excited singing had already calmed Yu Qingxue’s heart somewhat, but when Gao Sijin approached her, she still couldn’t hold back. She opened her arms and hugged Gao Sijin’s body, her fragrance mixed with citrus perfume making him stunned.
“What are you doing?”
“Nothing, just suddenly wanted to hug you, that’s all.”
Her head rested on Gao Sijin’s shoulder, and the soft, large things on her chest pressed perfectly against him. Gao Sijin wanted to break free. He had already decided to confess to Tsukiyuki Rio soon, so he couldn’t keep lingering ties with Yu Qingxue.
Besides…
Gao Sijin also had a trace of fondness for Yu Qingxue. He worried he might do something foolish. Although he and Tsukiyuki Rio hadn’t officially established a romantic relationship, he didn’t want to treat Yu Qingxue as a backup either, because that would be too unfair to her.
“Sijin, don’t struggle, okay? I’m just hugging you, a hug between friends. I know the one you love in your heart is that Sakura girl, but I want to be selfish once in a while. So just obediently be my body pillow for a bit, let me have my way.”
“Doing this only makes me feel even more indebted to you in my heart…”
Yu Qingxue expressing her feelings so bluntly and frankly made Gao Sijin’s legs tremble, wanting to run away.
Why did fate have to make him meet Yu Qingxue and Tsukiyuki Rio?
