Translations by Pearl

Youran: ……And so, considering all of the above, I believe it's absolutely necessary to use this suicide incident as a starting point to launch a new program focused on teenage mental health.

Finishing my very last word, I picked up my water glass and took a massive gulp, soothing my throat which had grown quite dry from the long pitch.

This program was a decision I had spent a great deal of time turning over in my mind over the past few days.

I didn't want a tragedy like this to play out in Loveland City time and time again, repeating its vicious cycle across different families.

Most importantly, I couldn't forget the profound sadness in those eyes from the memories.

Yet when I set my glass down, eagerly anticipating everyone's feedback, the only thing I received in return was a wall of utter silence.

Youran: .....

The fluorescent lights in the conference room gleamed blindingly bright. Kiki kept her head down, calmly typing away on her laptop, while Willow stared in my direction, her expression completely detached and miles away.

As if repeating a past scene, this situation where absolutely no one stepped up to echo my thoughts was playing out once again.

Deciding to call on someone directly, I shifted my gaze squarely onto Minor, who merely offered me a sheepish, awkward grin.

Minor: Haha, I'm down for whatever you say, Boss. It's just that this topic really isn't my area of expertise, so I don't have much to add.

Youran: What about everyone else? No thoughts at all?

Employee: Boss, I have a few thoughts.

Relieved that someone was finally willing to join the discussion, I let out a breath and gestured toward the unfamiliar employee sitting at the end of the table.

Youran: Go ahead.

Employee: I just feel like this angle might be... a little too niche?

Employee: Our previous exclusive scoops did really well, so shouldn't we keep riding that wave?

Employee: For instance, what if we interview the victims' families, classmates, or teachers? See if there was any teen romance involved? Any school bullying? Or signs of depression?

Employee: That's the only way to keep the topic trending...

Youran: I'm not trying to keep a topic trending.

The words left my mouth before I could stop them, cutting him off.

Youran: I want our programs to be exactly like they used to be—to have social responsibility and a meaningful impact on society.

I put extra emphasis on the words "used to be." The employee froze for a moment, then simply shrugged with a pout, letting the matter drop.

The atmosphere stiffened into a standstill once more, and Kiki stopped taking notes, glancing up at the clock.

Anna: If no one else has anything to say, we're not going to reach a conclusion here.

Anna: Some of our colleagues need to rush over to keep up with the filming for the new micro-drama. Production over there moves incredibly fast, and they're really short-handed.

Anna: Youran, how about we hold off and push forward with this another day?

Youran: .......

Of course I knew exactly which micro-drama Anna was referring to.

Two years ago, in order to keep up with the times, the Loveland Media company had launched a micro-drama division.

Because the company's main focus at the time was still on promoting Odyssey, this department's revenue had always been fairly mediocre.

But during the six months I was gone, it had somehow become a gold-star project, second only to Kiro's brand power.

The shooting schedules revolved entirely on a weekly rotation. Both the actors and the staff members complained endlessly about the grueling pace, yet no one could pull themselves out of this frantic race.

—But compared to the youth suicide crisis unfolding right in front of us, was making this kind of fast cash truly more important?

The pulse in my temples throbbed violently. I did my best to keep my emotions in check, closing my eyes for a brief moment.

Youran: Let's table it for now, then. Everyone can get back to work.

The meeting ended abruptly just like that. As they passed by my side, the employees all carefully kept a certain distance away from me.

It felt as though an invisible line had been drawn right between us.

I returned to my office and sat quietly for a while. Not feeling in the mood for work at all, I decided to go grab a cup of coffee.

While waiting for the coffee to brew, I suddenly caught the sound of muffled voices coming from the dining area just outside the door.

Employee A: ……I seriously feel like Boss has changed a lot since she came back this time.

Employee B: Yeah, I think so too. Plus, she won't listen to anyone else's input at all. She's just completely stuck in her own world.

Employee B: Doesn't she realize those ideas of hers are incredibly boring? Who would even want to watch stuff like that……

I knit my brows in sheer disbelief, only to hear yet another voice chime in.

Employee C: Personally, I think Boss is actually doing all right. At least she hasn't been aggressively squeezing our KPIs like those other companies nearby.

Employee C: I heard that over at Xinyu Media, the monthly performance targets are high enough to scare anyone to death. If you don't come up with a viral idea, you're thrown straight into the bargain bin!

Employee B: Whoa, Xinyu is really that extreme?

Employee C: Yeah, haven't you guys scrolled past that stream by the Detective Brothers?

Employee A: I know about that! They actually snuck into the funeral home to film those high schoolers who died!

Employee C: They're seriously willing to go all out, so it makes sense that they went viral. Man, I want to shoot a viral hit like that too…

Employee B: Forget it, Boss would absolutely never allow it.

The employees' voices gradually faded into the distance, yet I remained rooted to the spot in front of the coffee machine, my head buzzing as I questioned if I had somehow misheard.

Filming inside a funeral home…… has it really come to this point just for the sake of views?

Granted, the media industry had always been one that moved forward by chasing whatever was trending, but for the general standards to have plummeted this drastically was still utterly absurd to me.

That subtle, unsettling feeling washed over me once more, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. I took a sip of my coffee and casually opened up the video page for the Detective Brothers they had been discussing.

The background music blasting out of the phone speaker gave me a sudden jolt, and I hurriedly mashed the volume button down to mute it.

On the screen, the main gates of Loveland High School came into sharp focus.

Two middle-aged streamers with bloated, aggressive faces were dressed in Loveland High uniforms, spraying spit as they spoke directly into the camera.

Streamer A: Family, say less! We crashed the funeral home last time, and today we're bringing you guys an even bigger stunt!

Streamer A: See these Loveland High uniforms we're wearing? Today, we're climbing right over the wall to experience our buddy Wang Xiangyu's school life firsthand!

Streamer B: Once the likes hit 100k, we'll drop part two. Put your trust in the Detective Brothers—even if the person is dead, we'll dig up every single piece of dirt they left behind!

Youran: …What?

A surge of fury shot straight up my spine, and I could hardly believe my eyes.

Publicly exposing the name of a deceased minor completely violated the most fundamental professional ethics of the media industry!

And they were even going so far as to use it as content to experience his life?

Compared to the gossip I had overheard in the breakroom just moments ago, seeing the actual content of the video with my own eyes was a far more massive shock.

I tapped into the comment section, only to find that not a single viewer seemed to think there was anything wrong with their behavior.

Some were even treating it like a sideshow, commenting things like let's see if there are any pretty girls at Loveland High first, or fully supporting 200k likes for a bonus bungee jump without a rope.

My fingertips scrolled mechanically through the feed. Every single video from these Detective Brothers was paired with over-the-top special effects, and the content itself had absolutely no bottom line.

Nauseated to my core, I immediately slapped a report on every single video and backed out of their homepage.

Before the new recommendations on the main feed could even finish loading, a slender hand suddenly appeared from the side and deftly slid the phone right out of my grasp.

???: What are you scrolling through so intently?

A familiar, bright voice rang out, resembling a ray of sunshine piercing straight through the dark clouds.

I lifted my head and found myself looking straight into that sea of gold.

Kiro stood there wearing a soft knit sweater, a brilliant smile capable of washing away all worries resting on his lips as he gazed gently down at me.

Youran: .....

That stage resembling a deep, mysterious forest, the empty and deserted city night, and the sunflower growing stubbornly out of the ruins at our parting……

The images flooded over me like a tidal wave.

Those memories, which didn't feel distant to me at all, were still vividly colorful inside my mind.

This person had explicitly told me that the moment I returned, he would be the very first to come see me.

Yet here we were, crossing paths in a place like the Loveland Media breakroom, leaving me without even enough time to fix the expression on my face as I stood frozen to the spot.

Kiro looked at me, blinking in confusion for a moment, before his gaze flicked down to my phone screen and his smile grew even wider.

Kiro: Oh, so you were just staring at me. Well, that's completely understandable then.

With a quick flick of his wrist, he lined the phone screen up right next to his cheek.

The video that had failed to load a moment ago was already halfway through, and the star of the clip possessed the exact same face as the person standing before me, radiating brilliance on screen.

Neon lights flashed in the video, and a surging tide of supportive comments practically buried every single corner of the screen.

His handsome, exquisite face was perfectly captured by the system without a single obstruction, forcing every character to make way for his features.

On stage, he was a dazzling, blinding sun, but the version of him standing right in front of my eyes felt much more like a tiny star belonging to me alone.

As the video cut to a final close-up of KIRO, Kiro crinkled his eyes at me in real life.

Kiro: Good morning, Boss.

I still hadn't fully recovered from the massive emotional impact of our reunion, and this not-unfamiliar title made me feel a bit out of place, leaving me instinctively reaching for a closer nickname.

Youran: ……How come you don't call me Miss Potato Chips anymore?

The upward curve of Kiro's lips stiffened for a fraction of a second before softening into an expression of helpless amusement.

Kiro: I was just teasing you, silly.

He slipped the phone back into my hand, changing his tone to repeat himself with absolute sincerity.

Kiro: Good morning, Miss Potato Chips. We finally meet again.

His tone was light and cheerful, and his face was bright with smiles, completely identical to the Kiro I had always known.

Perhaps…… he was one of the few who had escaped those sweeping changes?

The heart that had been hanging in suspense finally settled back into place thanks to his familiar tone, and a smile broke across my own face.

Youran: Good morning, Kiro.

Kiro: See? A smiling Chippy is the Chippy I know best.

Kiro: You looked so incredibly upset just now. I only carried out a sneak attack because I wanted to surprise you and help change your mood.

Kiro: I didn't expect it to backfire completely…….

Youran: No, not at all! I was just so surprised that I couldn't quite process it for a second…………

Kiro: Really?

As Kiro asked, he examined my face closely with sparkling eyes, looking exactly like a small animal observing a human.

My cheeks flushed slightly under his intense gaze, and I nodded without fully understanding why.

Youran: Really.

Youran: Speaking of which, I actually wanted to see you the very moment I got back from that place, but I couldn't get through to your phone.

Youran: Later on, I asked Savin, and he told me you were completely locked away writing songs……… Have you officially come out of hiding now?

Kiro's expression stiffened for a fraction of a second, and it took a few moments before a slightly embarrassed smile crossed his features.

Kiro: I'm sorry, I didn't expect to be locked away for so long this time either.

Kiro: Ugh, if I'd known, I never would have gone into hiding at a time like this. It was a total waste of time.

Youran: Don't call it a waste of time.

Kiro: But it really was a waste of time……..

I froze for a moment, the realization suddenly hitting me.

Youran: Don't tell me you hit...

Kiro: Yep, I've got writer's block.

Kiro pouted, giving me a completely honest answer.

Kiro: You have no idea, I've been losing my mind lately. No matter how I try to arrange the music, it just feels off. And the second I finally get a good feel for the melody, I draw a total blank on the lyrics…

Kiro: Ahhh, when is the god of inspiration going to come back to me?!

Listening to him vent his frustrations in such a familiar, rambling manner left me feeling a little dazed.

It felt as though we were simply sitting together on an ordinary afternoon six months ago, with him confiding all his worries to me.

This kind of artistic struggle had popped up countless times throughout his career, and its sheer normalcy brought me a profound sense of relief.

Kiro: Hey, daydreaming again?

Kiro waved his hand in front of my face, snapping me back to reality.

Youran: Sorry, I was just……

I started to explain myself, but Kiro cut me off with a laugh.

Kiro: No need to explain. You just have to tell me whether you're up for it or not.

Youran: Huh? Up for what?

He drew a little closer to me as he spoke, his eyes crinkling into crescent shapes.

Kiro: Up for heading over to the studio to listen to my new song, of course!

Youran: Yes!

I nodded in agreement without a second thought, grabbed my freshly brewed coffee, and walked out of the breakroom by his side.

Arriving at Kiro's studio, the moment I pushed the door open, I caught sight of a certain familiar little guy.

Youran: Cello!

Sunlight streamed in at an angle from the window, catching on that little ball of fluff.

Cello was curled into a heap right in the middle of some scattered sheet music, his tiny belly rising and falling rhythmically, clearly fast asleep.

My heart softened instantly, and I crept over on tiptoe to stroke Cello's plush fur.

Cello let out a vague, rumbling purr, clearly enjoying the scratches.

Youran: It must be so nice to be a cat.

Kiro: What was that?

Youran: Nothing, I just suddenly felt like no matter how much the world changes, cats always seem to sleep perfectly fine.

Youran: …Unlike humans, where absolutely anything could happen the moment you wake up.

Youran: You never know what kind of people you'll run into, what kind of things will happen, what will make you happy, or what will stress you out…………

I gently pinched Cello's ear, mumbling under my breath.

Youran: Sigh, I'd honestly rather be a cat.

Kiro: Hahaha, so true. Humans are the worst, we're definitely better off as cats.

His voice trailed off slightly as he reached the end of the sentence, and he repeated it softly, his eyes lighting up.

Kiro: Hey, I feel like I could actually use that line in the lyrics for my new song!

Youran: You can really do that?

Kiro: Of course! See, you really are my muse. The second you get here, you give me inspiration.

As he spoke, Kiro pulled up his phone's notes app with an utterly serious expression, logging the line straight into his lyric booklet.

I blinked as I watched him, feeling like something wasn't quite right, but the moment I met those sparkling eyes, it felt as though nothing had changed at all.

Youran: By the way, how come you brought Cello over to the studio?

Kiro: He's been living here lately, keeping me company while I write songs.

Youran: Oh, then wouldn't Clayone be incredibly lonely all by himself…… I mean, all by herself at home?

Kiro: Clayone won't be lonely.

I paused, about to press further, but Kiro had already picked up the guitar resting against the wall and plucked a string.

Kiro: Why are we spending all our time talking about those two when we just got here? Let's get back to the main event.

Kiro: The exclusive preview of Kiro's new song starts right now.

For a split second, a faint, unsettling sensation washed over me, but it vanished in a flash. The next moment, the music was already playing.

The plucking was light, and the opening bar felt like he was checking the tuning, or perhaps testing the atmosphere.

Very quickly, a familiar melody flowed from his fingertips like running water.

Kiro: Da-la-la~ la-la……

His soft, gentle vocals blended with the beautiful guitar chords, drawing me in until I was completely immersed before I even realized it.

Following our usual habit, I leaned my head in to rest on his shoulder, but right at that exact moment, Kiro swayed his body along with the rhythm, shifting slightly outward.

Because of that, my head completely missed his shoulder.

I turned to look at him with a hint of awkwardness, only to meet his smiling eyes once more.

Maybe we just missed each other by pure coincidence.

Tossing that tiny bit of dejection to the back of my mind, I threw myself right back into his music.

I let his singing, together with the warm autumn sunshine, soothe my entire mind and body until I felt completely cozy.

As the final note drew to a close, Kiro let out a long breath.

Kiro: How did it feel?

Youran: It's so beautiful. It still has that signature Kiro love song vibe, just like always~

Youran: But that melody in the middle sounded a bit familiar. Isn't that from a discarded draft of an old track you wrote six months ago?

Kiro: Wow, your ears are way too sharp. I can't believe you noticed that…

Youran: Hehe, as long as it's your music, I keep all of it locked in my heart.

Youran: So, are you planning to bring that discarded draft back to life?

Kiro: How should I put it…… I actually didn't want to use it, since it really does have a few flaws.

Kiro: Putting out something flawed for my Miss Soda Pops to hear is definitely not Kiro's style.

Kiro: But no matter how I write the new melody, I just can't seem to express the exact emotion I'm looking for.

Youran: What kind of emotion are you trying to find?

Kiro: Hmm…… It's really hard to describe.

Kiro knit his brows in slight frustration, counting down on his fingers as he looked at me.

Kiro: It's that kind of feeling where you want to keep a person all to yourself, where you want that person to give you their absolute everything, and where you want that person to exist in your life for all eternity……

Kiro: When I tell other people about it, they act like I'm speaking pure gibberish.

Kiro: What about you? Do you think it sounds really strange too?

Youran: How is that strange at all?

I found it completely unbelievable, the words leaving my mouth almost instinctively.

Youran: Isn't that exactly what we mean to each other?

Youran: Kiro, how is it that after six months apart, you've somehow managed to become sillier instead!

Kiro: ......

Kiro parted his lips slightly, his eyes widening in a daze.

His blue eyes seemed to be veiled by a faint mist of recollection, and his tone was brimming with uncertainty.

Kiro: Is that how it is?

Kiro: So between us…… that's the kind of emotion we share?

Before I could even process why he was asking something like that, it was as if a sudden realization had washed over him. His eyes ignited with a brilliant light, and he caught hold of my hand in a tight grip.

Kiro: Yes, I remember now!

Kiro: That really is exactly how it is between us!

Kiro: Youran, I seriously can't live without you!

As the words left his lips, he pulled me straight into his arms.

His embrace was incredibly intense, as if he were holding onto a long-lost treasure he had finally recovered.

Through the thin fabric of our clothes, I could feel his heart hammering at a frantic pace, echoing in perfect synchronization with my own.

I returned his embrace in a bit of a daze, feeling as though I were wrapped in a wave of warm air, though my mind was starting to work a beat too slow.

Could it be that Kiro hadn't viewed our relationship this way before?

Just then, he loosened his hold on me slightly, his blue eyes deep as a hidden pool, brimming with an emotion I couldn't quite read.

Kiro: Youran, let's go out on a date right now.

For a fleeting split second, I thought I felt a faint ripple of Evol energy.

I instinctively tried to track down its source, but the afternoon sun was simply too lazy, and Kiro's smile was far too gentle.

It left me completely unable to focus on these tiny details, and I could only nod my head like a stray leaf caught in the wind.

.

.

.

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Chapter 2-02

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Early the following morning, I arrived at the edge of the West Lake ahead of schedule, locating the small boat I had reserved the previous evening at the small boat pier.

The destination I needed to visit today was Three Pools Mirroring the Moon.

I paid the fare and boarded the boat, waiting a little longer for a few other passengers to climb aboard before the boatman began pulling at the oars, rowing us toward the center of the lake.

A succession of cool breezes swept across the surface of the lake, the water rippling into layer upon layer of crests as the oars cut through it.

I cast my gaze down toward the surface of the water, lifting the camera to snap a photo.

Boatman: Please do exercise caution, miss. Even though the waters of the West Lake are quite shallow, if that camera of yours drops in, it will still be ruined by the soak.

Me: .....

Without a shred of hesitation, I hung the camera back around my neck.

This was the camera the artist had lent to me. It would be one thing if I couldn't complete the job, but I had absolutely no desire to pay out of pocket for a replacement camera.

The small boat sailed toward the center of the lake, the rough silhouette of Three Pools Mirroring the Moon gradually emerging into view.

Boatman: We will be arriving at Three Pools Mirroring the Moon in just a moment.

Boatman: If everyone remains seated in the boat, you will be able to see the reflections of the three stone pagodas cast upon the surface of the lake.

The passengers aboard the boat all grew eager and restless at the boatman's words, lifting their phones to capture the reflections of the stone pagodas resting upon the water.

I lifted my camera along with them, pressing the shutter while aiming at the three stone pagodas.

Beneath the lens, there seemed to flash a silvery-purple glinting…… serpent's tail?

The color of that serpent's tail was dreamlike and illusory, singularly enchanting.

Doubt rising in my mind, I lowered my head to check the photograph, when the hull of the boat suddenly jolted and shook violently.

The very next instant, I plunged directly into the water.

The lake water instantly filled my mouth and nose, and I lifted my head upward with all my might, my legs thrashing in the water as I attempted to keep myself afloat.

Yet no matter what I did, I couldn't maintain my balance, my struggling arms gradually losing all their strength as my body sank downward against my will.

The surrounding sounds were swallowed up by the flowing water, and my vision steadily grew blurry, though a sudden wave of heat pulsed across my chest……

I opened my eyes, only to find the unfamiliar face of a young girl suddenly magnifying right in front of me.

Before I even had the chance to ponder who this person was, a single thought consumed my mind—thank goodness I'm not dead.

The two of us locked eyes, and the young girl suddenly let out a startled cry.

???: Miss, you're awake?

Why is she calling me miss? Where on earth am I right now?

Shifting my gaze away from hers, I sized up the surrounding environment.

The room was filled with an ancient air, the draped curtains soft and bearing a soothing, calming fragrance; the young girl in front of me had her hair styled in twin buns and wore a blue ruqun.

Barring any surprises, I had definitely run into a surprise.

I must have arrived inside a completely new instance world, yet the system hadn't provided me with a single prompt, leaving me entirely devoid of information.

Going by every single time-travel novel I had ever read, usually at a moment like this, the protagonist is supposed to fake amnesia.

I looked back at the young girl once more.

Me: Don't worry, I'm awake.

Me: Who are you? Where am I?

Me: Why can't I remember anything at all?

I massaged my head with my hand, putting on a thoroughly bewildered expression.

???: Miss, why must your life be so bitter!

The young girl's mouth puckered, and she threw herself onto me, weeping a storm while blurting out things like, "that truly scared me to death," and, "it's just wonderful that you were able to return."

I patted her back to comfort her, and once her emotions took a turn for the better, I asked her for details regarding "my" situation.

Through our conversation, I learned that I am the second young lady of the Xu family, a business dealing in medicinal herbs within the city of Lin'an. My name is Xu Y/N, and I have an older brother named Xu Xuan, whom I have depended on for survival since childhood.

The young girl standing before me is the maidservant who grew up alongside me, and her name is Xiaoman.

There was originally a husband belonging to the estate as well; he was a live-in son-in-law, thoroughly gentle and refined.

My husband and "I" shared exceptionally deep affections, but a short while ago, he accidentally fell into the water and drowned while traveling to Zhenjiang to visit relatives, leaving no trace of his corpse behind.

Unable to accept the loss for a time, I followed suit and threw myself into the lake a couple of days ago.

The waters of the West Lake are not particularly deep. After I jumped in, Xiaoman called for people to fish me out, yet there was absolutely no way for them to retrieve me.

In the end, I was rescued by someone else and brought to the opposite shore.

Xiaoman: Miss, you truly scared me to death.

Xiaoman: The master may be gone, but your good days are far from over. You must absolutely never act on such impulses again in the future.

Xiaoman's words carried an underlying edge, making it sound as though she wasn't particularly satisfied with the live-in son-in-law.

Me: Having died once, I can consider myself to have fully come to my senses. I won't go looking for life and death like that again.

I used an excuse to dismiss her from the room.

Me: Xiaoman, I am hungry.

Xiaoman: I will go prepare some food for you right away, miss! I will also send word to the young master so he can return from the manor early.

Me: Mmh, all right. You go on out first.

The absolute second Xiaoman departed, I hurriedly searched my person, and sure enough, my camera was already missing.

The last time I entered the ancient world, it was because I used the camera to take a photo; leaving that ancient world was likewise accomplished through snapping a picture with it.

If I can locate the camera, I might be able to leave this place.

Reflecting upon this, I rolled out of bed.

I searched all over the area, yet I still failed to discover any sign of my camera.

Exhausted and drenched in sweat, I sat down before the table and poured myself a cup of cold tea, when a patch of yellow suddenly flooded the periphery of my vision.

Shining under the illumination of the sunlight, that yellow object cast off a metallic luster, with ripples of light flowing across its surface.

No, that's not right...

It didn't seem to be light flowing across a yellow object; rather, the yellow object itself was moving.

I focused my gaze to look closer, catching clear sight of the distinct scales resting upon its body. It was a snake!

A massive yellow snake, as thick as a water bucket, was currently coiled at the foot of the bed, slowly slithering its way toward my direction.

I wanted to fling the door open and flee, yet my body felt exactly as if some sort of spell had been cast upon it, rendering me entirely incapable of movement.

The swaying motions of the snake's body grew increasingly pronounced, and it arrived right in front of me before long, its freezing scales pressing against my body through my outer clothing.

My teeth chattered, and my voice finally broke through my throat, crying out.

Me: Ah—!

With that shout, strength seemed to be reinjected into my legs. I hurled the teapot from the table straight toward the massive snake, turned on my heel, and bolted outside.

Several servants looked over toward my direction.

Me: There is—there is a snake inside.

The servants snatched up various tools one after another and rushed into my room.

???: What happened?

The sound of a steady, composed male voice carried over.

I turned around, seeing a man dressed in a green robe walk through the circular archway, moving with rapid strides in my direction.

Presumably, this person had to be my older brother, Xu Xuan.

He paid absolutely no heed to the commotion the servants were making, halting his footsteps the moment he arrived in front of me. Catching hold of my arms, he inspected me thoroughly from head to toe.

Xu Xuan: My dear sister, you are at long last awake. You truly scared me to death.

Xu Xuan: Your husband is gone, and I know well that you are grieving, but you must keep on living a good life. If you were no longer around, what on earth would your brother do?

Biting the bullet, I gave him a nod.

The servants filed out from my room, every single one of them wearing a thoroughly dejected expression across their faces.

Servant: Young Master, Miss.

Servant: We didn't spot any signs of a snake inside your room.

There was absolutely no way they could fail to see a snake of that massive size. Just as I was about to question them, a sudden thought struck me—

How could a snake of that massive size possibly materialize inside my room completely without a sound?

Unless it wasn't any ordinary, proper snake, or otherwise, I was experiencing a hallucination.

Xu Xuan knit his brows slightly.

Xu Xuan: A snake made its way inside? Send a couple of maidservants in to look around.

For male servants to enter a young lady's private chambers was, after all, somewhat improper according to the rules of this era.

Xu Xuan: Xiaoman, Guyu, move the young lady over to the eastern wing to stay for now. As for the rest of you...

Xu Xuan pointed a finger toward the male servants.

Xu Xuan: Go search through the surrounding grass and bushes. Do not allow any snakes or insects to startle the young lady.

Everyone complied with his orders with deep respect.

Xu Xuan looked back over at me.

Xu Xuan: Y/N, let us return to the front parlor. Your brother had the servants prepare some old chicken broth to help nourish your body.

I flashed a faint smile toward Xu Xuan.

Me: All right.

I was still fully preoccupied with my camera; when I plunged into the water from the West Lake boat, it should have been together with me.

Since I had arrived in this world, it ought to have come along as well.

Me: Gege, have you by any chance spotted an object that is completely pitch-black, square, and looks rather like a box?

Xu Xuan: Completely pitch-black? I haven't seen anything of the sort.

Xu Xuan: What is the matter?

Me: No, it's nothing.

It wasn't inside the room, and Xu Xuan hadn't seen it either. Where on earth did my camera drop?

...

During the night, I slept within the eastern wing. Before drifting off, I spent a while pondering where the camera could have dropped, and another while considering how exactly I could go about locating it.

Falling into a hazy, bewildered sleep, I witnessed a spider demon attempting to devour me, and a water ghoul trying to drag me under to drown... Having slept through the entire night, I actually felt far more exhausted than if I hadn't slept at all.

—

Early the next morning, my energy was entirely depleted. As I sat before the mirror doing my hair and makeup, Xiaoman discovered that there were two distinct bruises resting upon my neck.

They appeared as though someone had choked me, yet they simultaneously didn't seem to be caused by a person, because those two marks were remarkably large—it was impossible for a human being to possess fingers that were the size of half a palm.

Xiaoman trembled with fright as she applied powder over my bruises.

Xiaoman: Could it be that the miss brought back some sort of unclean entity with her from the West Lake?

Xiaoman: How could this possibly be something choked out by a person? Why don't we head over to the Lingyin Temple to request a safety talisman?

Me: Xiaoman, you are not allowed to talk such nonsense!

I reprimanded Xiaoman, yet my own heart was completely devoid of certainty as well. If this place didn't harbor supernatural forces that defied the natural order, there was no way I would have materialized here in the first place.

Furthermore, this wasn't the very first time I had encountered demons and monsters...

The one saving grace worth celebrating, however, was that even if there were indeed demons and monsters, they were currently still incapable of doing anything to me.

Xiaoman puckered her lips with a deeply aggrieved expression.

Xiaoman: I absolutely cannot keep this hidden on the miss's behalf, otherwise the young master is bound to blame me if something happens to you.

After Xiaoman finished attending to my washing up, she immediately went to find Xu Xuan to report my condition.

Xu Xuan requested a physician to come and treat me, and the physician prescribed several doses of medicine meant to calm the spirit, yet my symptoms of waking hallucinations and nightmares, far from easing up, actually grew more severe by the day.

Even during broad daylight, the number of times I "ran into evil forces" within the courtyard was so high that it left me somewhat unable to distinguish between reality and fantasy.

Xu Xuan, being a person of ancient times, naturally adhered to the exact same rhetoric as Xiaoman.

He pushed aside his business matters to personally accompany me to Lingyin Temple to burn incense, donating a considerable amount of incense money to procure a protective amulet for me.

Right before our departure, I spotted someone lighting rebirth lamps in front of the incense burner. Thoughts of my husband—whom I had never even met in person—crossed my mind; he had drowned to death, so it was highly probable that his departure from this world had been far from peaceful.

Adhering to the principle that I was already here anyway, I lit a rebirth lamp on his behalf as well, requesting the master to perform a deliverance ritual for his soul, hoping he might ascend to the Pure Land at an early date.

The path leading down the mountain was difficult to traverse, and Xu Xuan chatted with me in a casual, intermittent manner as we walked.

Xu Xuan: Your husband was a live-in son-in-law to begin with. If you happen to take a liking to any other gentleman, your brother will surely seek out another ideal match for you.

Having spent the past few days interacting with everyone, I discovered that aside from the version of myself that existed in their retellings, it seemed nearly everyone possessed a rather mediocre impression of this live-in son-in-law.

Since they weren't genuinely forcing me to get married anyway, I offered a succession of agreements just to escape Xu Xuan's nagging.

Upon returning home, the absolute second I stepped down from the carriage, Guyu came sprinting out in a thoroughly excited manner.

Guyu: Young Master, Miss! The master has returned!

Me: The master?

Xu Xuan: My brother-in-law?

My face was completely blank with bewilderment and shock—

I literally just lit a rebirth lamp for him, and the person is already back?

First I had to put on an act in front of Xu Xuan and Xiaoman, and now I have to put on an act in front of my husband as well.

Xu Xuan cast a glance toward me, flicked his sleeves, and crossed over the threshold with large, strides, heading straight toward the front parlor.

I followed along slowly behind him.

Stepping past the folding screen, my eyes first caught a glimpse of a silvery-purple hemline, and following the edge of his robes upward, my gaze met a cascade of white hair as lush and wavy as sea anemone, draping loosely down.

He possessed an astonishing, breathtaking beauty; merely by sitting upon the pearwood chair, he caused the entire residence to be bathed in a brilliant radiance.

It was Xia Xiaoyin.

How could it possibly be Xia Xiaoyin?!

How could someone like him ever become a live-in son-in-law for anyone... let alone accidentally fall into the water and drown.

A wave of sheer absurdity washed over me.

What felt even more absurd was that Xu Xuan, who had clearly displayed dissatisfaction toward this brother-in-law of his previously, didn't question him in the slightest regarding where he had gone after falling into the water, or why he was only returning just now.

Instead, he simply sat to one side, leisurely savoring tea alongside Xia Xiaoyin.

Xia Xiaoyin clearly noticed my gaze, lifting his eyelids as his smoke-purple eyes rested upon my face like an encroaching mist—indifferent, distant, and evaluating.

After a long beat, he tilted his head, his finger tapping lightly against the rim of his teacup.

Xia Xiaoyin: Y/N.

He called my name, his voice carrying a subtle trace of mockery that left me with an inexplicable, uneasy sensation of having my identity entirely seen through by him.

Me: Mmh, you're back.

Biting the bullet, I offered a reply, yet he didn't give me another response in return, merely letting out a soft, faint grunt.

Wasn't everyone supposed to be dissatisfied with this live-in son-in-law? When he spoke to me in that kind of tone, why on earth did everyone still bear expressions full of joy.

Even Xu Xuan, who had literally just been advising me to remarry a moment ago, was no exception.

Xu Xuan: Xiaoman, my brother-in-law has returned. Hurry over to Zuixiang Restaurant and reserve a banquet table.

Xiaoman was thoroughly excited as well.

Xiaoman: Right away! We must first wash away the dust of travel for the master.

Me: .....

Strange... this is truly bizarre.

Could it be that the moment everyone catches sight of Xia Xiaoyin's beautiful face, they can forgive absolutely everything he does? That is obviously highly improbable.

I resolutely refuse to be someone who is seduced by beautiful looks; I have to clear up the mysteries surrounding his person.

After a moment's thought, I walked over to his side and sat down.

Xia Xiaoyin glanced at me, his eyes appearing not particularly friendly.

Gathering my courage all at once, I pulled at his arm, welcoming an even more freezing glare from him.

Me: Husband, a short while ago when I thought you were no longer with us, I couldn't accept it and followed suit by throwing myself into the lake too.

Xia Xiaoyin watched me in complete silence.

Me: Thank goodness Xiaoman had people fish me out, but my memory was damaged, and I've forgotten a great many things.

I shook his arm, intentionally putting on an affectionate front.

Me: I heard from Xiaoman that the affection between us was exceptionally deep. Won't you tell me a bit about the things that happened between us?

I was trying to bluff Xia Xiaoyin.

Xia Xiaoyin's smoke-purple eyes swept across my face, and he let out a laugh that seemed to hover right on the edge of existence.

Xia Xiaoyin: We will speak of it during the night.

Me: ......

Talk about killing two birds with one stone—not only could he muddle his way through, but he even managed to arrange exactly where he would be staying tonight.

Except sleeping in the same room is not particularly great for me; deceiving people during the day is easy enough, but doing so at night is an entirely different story.

Me: I've been plagued by nightmares constantly when sleeping lately, husband. If you sleep alongside me, I am afraid I might disturb your rest.

Hearing this, Xia Xiaoyin raised his brows slightly.

Xia Xiaoyin: Sleep together?

Me: Are we not sleeping together?

That's absolutely perfect. I failed to keep my excitement in check.

Catching sight of the smile resting upon my face, Xia Xiaoyin let out a soft grunt.

Xia Xiaoyin: Our affections being as deep as they are, I naturally must accompany you.

The words "accompany you" were bitten down upon with exceptional emphasis, carrying a sinister edge as if he were actually saying, "devour you."

I let out an involuntary shiver, the smile still piled high across my face, yet I released my hold on Xia Xiaoyin's hand with lightning speed.

Xu Xuan, appearing entirely incapable of reading the room whatsoever, let out a couple of light, dry chuckles.

Xu Xuan: The affection between my sister and brother-in-law is truly as deep as it has always been.

I offered a couple of dry, hollow laughs in return.

Before long, Xiaoman returned from Zuixiang Restaurant bringing the servants along with her.

We enjoyed the meal together, and then spent a short while watching the moonlight within the courtyard.

Procrastinating until the time could absolutely no longer be delayed, I finally rose to my feet and walked toward the eastern wing, Xiaoman and Xia Xiaoyin following behind me.

His gaze rested upon my person, leaving me with an uneasy sensation of being stared down by some sort of irresistible, colossal entity.

Flinging the door open, in a single instant, I once again witnessed a monster with a bull's face and a human body raising an axe to hack down at me. It was as though I could still smell the immense, foul, and stench-filled hot air blasting out from its nostrils.

Even though I had encountered plenty of bizarre occurrences recently, I still couldn't hold back my terror, taking a step backward.

As luck would have been it, I crashed straight into Xia Xiaoyin.

His chest was remarkably broad, and with that slight collision of mine, I could also feel the freezing chill radiating from his skin.

The eerie, bizarre demonic energy standing before me vanished entirely in a flash.

Xia Xiaoyin forced my body around to face him. Under the moonlight, his smoke-purple eyes appeared incomparably magnificent, yet they simultaneously betrayed a hint of demonic strangeness.

The strength in his hands as he pressed down on my shoulders was immense, nearly crushing me, while the gaze lingering upon my face carried an intense aggressiveness.

I recalled Xiaoman's description of the master—gentle and refined. How on earth was this current appearance of Xia Xiaoyin's gentle and refined?!

I felt uncomfortable being stared down like that, so I twisted my head away.

The very next instant, long, freezing fingers pinched my chin, forcing me to lock eyes with him.

Xia Xiaoyin: This truly is a rarity.

Me: What is?

Xia Xiaoyin had absolutely no intention of offering me an answer, releasing his hold on me in a casual manner.

Xia Xiaoyin: You are not permitted to leave the periphery of my vision for now.

Me: Why?

Xia Xiaoyin: You have an objection?

Yes, I do, of course I do! Is there any live-in son-in-law in the world who is as overbearing as you are?

Yet I only dared to grumble inwardly, not possessing the courage to actually speak it aloud.

Me: No, I don't have any objections whatsoever!

Me: I was just wondering, does my husband intend to accompany me by my side when I bathe as well?

Xia Xiaoyin glared at me, stepping around my person to enter the room a step ahead of me.

A Xia Xiaoyin like this bore some resemblance to the Xia Xiaoyin I had encountered previously, and I suddenly felt a touch of familiarity from him.

Lifting the hem of my skirt, I followed him into the room, turning around to close the doors.

Inside the room, Xia Xiaoyin gave his sleeve a flick, and the two door panels slammed shut right in front of me with a loud thud.

Xia Xiaoyin: I will watch you bathe.

If he had the nerve to say such things, I certainly didn't have the stomach to listen to them.

Me: What if I were to say I am unwilling?

Xia Xiaoyin lay upon the bed with his clothes fully intact, casting a casual glance toward me.

Xia Xiaoyin: Then that depends on whether you possess the capability.

Me: No, I definitely don't possess that capability.

Me: Since you've put it that way, I certainly wouldn't dare to possess such capability.

Xia Xiaoyin withdrew the gaze resting upon my face.

I shed my outer coat, washed up a bit, and climbed into bed, crossing over Xia Xiaoyin to lie down by his side.

Xia Xiaoyin's eyelids didn't stir in the slightest.

The night was as cool as water, and the skin of the person beside me was freezing as well. I wrapped myself tightly within the quilt, urging myself to hurry up and drift off to sleep.

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Part 6

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A darkness resembling a screen shutting off flashed before my eyes, and when I blinked them open again, I discovered I had returned to ancient times once more.

I was currently lying upon the bed inside Yi Yu's room, and the interior of the house had already grown dim.

I touched the area right below my neck, feeling two small, round, shallow puncture marks.

Yet in the very next instant, they vanished without a trace, looking exactly as if they had completely healed over within a brief single second.

I got out of bed and headed straight downstairs, only to find that there was absolutely no one inside the medical clinic.

Seeing that the main doors were just about to be shut closed, I immediately called out at the top of my lungs.

Me: Wait!

I sprinted over quickly, meeting the eyes of Xu Xian, who had paused his movements.

Xu Xian: Meimei, is there something the matter?

Me: Brother Xu…… why is there no one inside the clinic? Are you shutting the doors to go somewhere?

Xu Xian: Didn't Dr. Yi tell you? Starting from this afternoon, the medical clinic will be closing down for two days.

Me: Did he say what the reason was?

Xu Xian shook his head.

Xu Xian: I am not entirely clear, but I suppose it is because today happens to be the Dragon Boat Festival.

Me: Then what about Yi Yu? Where is he?

There wasn't a single trace of his presence to be found anywhere inside the clinic.

Xu Xian: You don't know either?

He let out a sigh.

Xu Xian: How can he leave his own wife completely in the dark without a single word of explanation? Leaving you to worry like this for absolutely nothing.

Xu Xian: I could have stayed behind to look after you, but I promised to go and pick up your sister-in-law, and I must set off this very instant...

Me: It's totally fine, I can take good care of myself.

Me: I'll just wait around here and see. Perhaps he simply went out for a bit and will be back in a little while.

The absolute second the words left my mouth, I suddenly registered that something was off.

Why did these words from Xu Xian sound so incredibly familiar?

I had asked him about his wife before, harboring some curiosity as to whether she was truly Bai Suzhen from the Legend of the White Snake.

But I hadn't asked in such a direct manner—after all, acting as his sister, it would be impossible not to know even the most basic details, so I had merely dropped some indirect hints.

Yet Xu Xian had only mentioned that his wife had returned to her family's home.

He had said back then that he was going to pick her up immediately, and that they would return together the following day.

Yet afterward, it seemed as though I still had never caught sight of that wife of his...

In fact, no one had ever genuinely laid eyes on her.

I paused for a brief moment, asking once again.

Me: I see…… Then when will you be back?

Xu Xian: Tomorrow, we will return together.

The moment those words were uttered, the happy smile resting upon his face began to seem a little peculiar as well.

Me: ……All right, have a safe trip.

I dropped the latch from the inside to lock the door, and the interior of the medical clinic plunged into total silence for a time.

Inside the empty front hall, a wave of chilliness felt exactly as though it were invading my physical body. Turning around, I walked with hurried steps straight back to the room upstairs.

Just as I was thinking of drinking a cup of tea to calm myself down, I discovered a package of my favorite treats resting upon the table, with an envelope placed right beside it.

I unfolded the letter, finding that it was in Yi Yu's handwriting.

The letter mentioned that he had some urgent matters to attend to outside over these next two days and had already made arrangements with the tavern manager to have three meals delivered to me every single day.

He also enjoined me to stay safely inside the medical clinic, and even told me exactly where the money was kept in his room, telling me to go ahead and take it if it wasn't enough.

I marveled at how he was entirely too trusting of me, leaving his entire net worth completely exposed in such a casual manner.

Then, I couldn't help but wonder what on earth could possibly be so urgent that it would make him leave all by himself in such a massive rush.

Ah? Wait a second. Since Yi Yu went out and I am the only single person left in the medical clinic, doesn't that mean my movements won't be restricted at all anymore?

Truth be told, I still suspected that Yi Yu had taken my camera, but I had never found an opportunity to search for it thoroughly, and now I would have an abundance of time.

Let's start right with Yi Yu's room.

The prescription I had dug out right before passing out had already been returned to its original spot, looking as though Yi Yu didn't hold a grudge over the matter either.

I proceeded to root through the space with even greater scrutiny, but right when I was pushing aside the books on the bookshelf, my fingers brushed against something sticky.

I looked down at my hand, spotting a striking streak of red right on my fingertip.

Is this…… blood?!

Shocked, I looked toward the exact spot I had touched just now, and upon that specific edge of the bookshelf, there was indeed a faint trace of blood as well.

The blood trail reached the exact spot where the bookshelf pressed against the wall, and then it vanished from sight entirely.

Why would there be blood inside his room? Did Yi Yu get hurt?

This bloodstain was highly peculiar too, looking exactly as if someone had accidentally left it behind while holding onto the bookshelf to try to walk forward.

But walking forward would lead straight into a solid wall?

I was just thinking of conducting a more careful examination, when unexpectedly, the moment my hand made contact with the surface of the wall, that exact spot seemed to distort all of a sudden.

A powerful suction reeled me straight into that space, a flash of silver light burst before my eyes, and I found myself standing atop an unfamiliar flight of stairs.

Resting right by my feet was a burning fire piston, looking exactly as if someone had dropped it here in a massive rush.

The surroundings were pitch-black, with only the flame illuminating a tiny patch of the area, making it impossible to see what the situation was down below.

I picked up the fire piston and softened my footsteps, and after walking down roughly several dozen steps, I caught the sudden sound of a suppressed, muffled groan.

I halted my movements instantly, focusing my attention to discern the sound carefully.

Intermittent noises drifted over from that direction, looking exactly as though someone were enduring some immense agony.

It wasn't until I thought I caught a faint mention of my name that I confirmed the person over there was indeed Yi Yu.

I hurriedly dashed toward the direction of the sound source.

The firelight melted right into the dark corners.

Me: Yi Yu?

The voice cut off completely in an instant, followed by an order to stop that carried a tiny hint of pleading.

Yi Yu: Don't come over.

I paused for a brief moment, but still continued to press forward anyway.

Me: Are you hurt?

Me: Do you need me to get you some medicine…

The word "or" was swallowed whole by the scene unfolding before my eyes.

In the corner illuminated by the firelight, a sweep of silvery blue-green completely flooded my field of vision.

It was a long, thick, and massive serpent's tail, the scales coating it reflecting a faint, eerie luster.

Against the black ground, the serpent's tail transitioned from silver-white to blue-green, and a thin, nearly transparent layer of membrane lay discarded in a heap at the very end of the tail.

This is…… he was shedding his skin.

Yi Yu, who had originally been half-curled up in the corner of the wall, slowly straightened his body.

Yet piled up all around his body were, unexpectedly, my own blankets and clothes, looking exactly as if they had been fashioned into a nest.

The front of his robes was slightly loose and disheveled, his eyes had already transformed into vertical slits, his gaze was dazed, and his breathing was heavy.

Pure and elegant, yet utterly intoxicating.

He was staring at me with a fixed, unblinking gaze.

Yi Yu: You aren't afraid?

Although this scene was somewhat unexpected, because of everything that had happened before, I had already guessed that he was a snake demon.

Me: I was mentally prepared, so I'm doing all right.

I wasn't sure if it was due to the light, but his pupils constricted a fraction more, making him look increasingly like a mythical beast.

Me: Where are you hurt? Let me see.

Yi Yu: It has already healed, but…

He appeared to be somewhat weak, his serpent's tail shifting slightly as his body sank right back down into my blankets and clothing.

Me: Is there anything you need me to do to help?

Yi Yu: Yes…

Before the word had even fully left his mouth, a sudden tightening clamped around my waist, and I was reeled toward him by something coiled around me.

The fire piston fell to the ground, a silver-blue spark flashed once, and just like that, it went out without a sound.

In an instant, the place plunged into pitch-black darkness once more.

I tumbled into a freezing cold embrace.

That serpent's tail loosened for only a fleeting moment before wrapping itself right back around my legs and waist, locking me securely against the front of his body.

Yi Yu: I need you.

I was sitting right upon his serpent's tail, those scales brushing and rubbing against me.

The fluctuating waves of chilliness and the faint, elusive tickling sensation made me want to pull away slightly, only to be bound even tighter by him.

Me: Yi Yu...let me go a little…

It seemed as though he was completely unable to internalize any words now, merely murmuring to himself in a low, hoarse voice.

Yi Yu: I am in some discomfort……

Yi Yu: Help me.

A warm, soft, yet distinctly chilly sensation pressed against my neck as his kisses began to rain down just like that.

I thought I caught the sound of a contented sigh by my ear, much like the sound of someone partaking in a feast.

The very next instant, he halted his movements entirely, looking exactly as if his sanity was still locked in a fierce tug-of-war.

Is…… is this his skin-shedding period? Why on earth does it look so much like……

Once the initial blindness from the gloom passed, Yi Yu's upper body became faintly visible before my eyes.

The expression of agony resting upon his face didn't seem fabricated in the slightest; on the contrary, it looked exactly as though he was doing everything in his power to conceal this pain right in front of me.

A thin layer of sweat beaded across his forehead, and the veins on the side of his neck were faintly taut and straining.

I couldn't help but panic, completely unsure if this skin-shedding period was exceptionally difficult, yet desperately wanting to soothe his agony.

Yi Yu's eyes were beginning to lose focus a little.

I hurriedly cupped his face in my hands, shaking him gently while calling his name in a soft voice.

Me: Yi Yu? Yi Yu……

I pressed soft, gentle kisses all over his face, continuing to whisper his name.

Finally, I placed a kiss right against the corner of his lips.

The very next instant, the tables turned completely.

The lurking mythical beast had, at long last, captured its prey.

Warmth and chill collided, intertwining deeply, as water and vapor rose to wrap around one another within the cramped, narrow space.

My mind had already dissolved into complete chaos, getting swept up and dragged down into the depths of the ocean alongside him.

In my daze, I thought I caught the sound of festive music and ritual performances celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival outside.

At times it felt faint and elusive, entirely unreal, yet at other times it felt as though it were echoing right around my immediate surroundings.

The musicians were playing a movement, plucking and kneading the strings with varying degrees of force, or perhaps executing a flawless synchronization to stroke and manipulate that single resilient string.

Inch by inch, the string grew soft and supple, as though the cool breeze had entirely siphoned away its strength, ultimately dissolving into a scattered, drifting drizzle.

I felt as if I were about to be robbed of every single breath, and unable to endure it any longer during a brief interlude, I pushed against his shoulders to back away.

Because of the skin-shedding, his state of being had become unstable once more, becoming even more intense just now as the transitions between those two states grew tighter and more frequent than ever before.

I truly couldn't bear it.

Me: That's enough... Let me rest.

Yi Yu let out a soft laugh, pecking kisses along my earlobe and jawline.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the serpent skin that had still not completely shed.

Me: Isn't it finished yet?

Yi Yu: The shedding just so happened to clash with the Dragon Boat Festival. During this specific time, I am a bit weaker than usual.

Me: Is there any way to counteract some of the effects?

Yi Yu: Let me think..... There is a way.

Yi Yu: Only, I was in such a rush when I came in that I didn't bring the item along with me.

Me: What is it? Where was it placed?

Yi Yu: A ritual artifact, though it will still require a bit of help from you.

Me: All right, tell me.

Yi Yu: The artifact is underneath the pillow in my room—a bronze ritual disc engraved with a lotus pattern.

Yi Yu: Take one of my scales, place it into the center of the artifact, and then drop some of your ordinary human blood into it, and that will do it.

I nodded my head, and Yi Yu subsequently released his hold on me.

Taking the scale he handed over, I stood up and got ready to retrieve the fire piston, but my body—which had still not recovered its strength—caused my legs to go weak, nearly sending me tumbling down.

I was caught just in time by Yi Yu's serpent's tail.

Yi Yu: Do be careful.

And who exactly is the culprit behind all this? I let out a soft huff at him and blew upon the fire piston to reignite the flame, catching the sound of his short, brief chuckle from right behind me.

I retraced my steps, quickly locating the ritual artifact exactly where Yi Yu said it would be.

I placed the scale into the center of the artifact and found a needle to prick my finger.

The sharp prick of pain radiating from my fingertip snapped a sliver of my rationality back into place.

The hand I had been about to use to drop the blood into the disc recoiled just like that.

Something feels a bit off…

From the moment I spotted the letter, to the bloodstains I found while rooting through the room, to witnessing Yi Yu's troubled skin-shedding process—everything was entirely too coincidental.

It felt exactly like a trap designed well in advance.

If he truly didn't want me to find out, he definitely wouldn't have let me detect something amiss so conspicuously, and there was absolutely no way I would have found him this easily.

Furthermore, would a mere Dragon Boat Festival genuinely exert such a massive impact on a powerful demon?

I plunged into deep hesitation for a time.

To be on the safe side, it's better not to follow his instructions blindly for now; I should ask a few more questions before making a judgment.

With that in mind, I carried the ritual artifact back to where Yi Yu was.

Yi Yu cast a glance at me, presumably deduction that I hadn't drawn any blood, yet he didn't press the matter, merely leaning against the wall in complete silence.

Me: Yi Yu, I have something to confess to you.

Me: I am actually not exactly an ordinary human being, so my blood probably won't be of any use.

I probed, testing the waters.

Me: How about I help you find someone else instead?

Yi Yu didn't appear the least bit surprised by my statement of not being an ordinary human being.

He fell silent for a brief moment.

When his voice rang out, it still seemed to carry a faint smile, yet it bore an unmistakable tone that brooked no argument.

Yi Yu: That will not do.

Yi Yu: The blood must be provided by someone who is closest to me, someone who bears my aura.

Yi Yu: You are my wife; only you can fulfill this.

Yi Yu: You will help me, won't you?

I clenched my palms tight, doing everything I could to ensure my face didn't betray any trace of abnormality.

Me: Of course.

The train of thought that had been thoroughly scrambled by the succession of shocking scenes earlier was finally gathering back together piece by piece.

Both instances of traveling through time occurred because my camera had captured photos featuring Yi Yu. That meant this camera should be the key item responsible for the shifts in time and space.

And as long as I used it to take a photo of Yi Yu, I would be able to execute the jump.

Me: It's just that with this non-ordinary human body of mine, a problem could arise at any given moment.

Me: Do you still remember that camera I mentioned to you before?

Me: Only with the assistance of that item can I maintain a stable state of being.

Me: A pity it was lost before……

Me: Perhaps within a matter of days, I will gradually fade away into nothingness.

The long serpent's tail trailed across the ground, and not even the most luxurious Shimmering Brocade in all of Lin'an could match a single fraction of its splendor.

Yi Yu stretched out his tail, the very tip of it wrapping around my ankle exactly like a shackle.

Yi Yu: You suspect I am the one who hid it?

Me: Am I wrong?

Yi Yu laughed.

Yi Yu: My apologies. Let us return the item to its rightful owner this instant then.

He was saying sorry, yet his voice didn't sound the least bit sincere.

I felt a loosening amid the strands of my hair, and that bamboo-branch hairpin floated right into the air before my eyes, transforming back into my camera the absolute second I grabbed hold of it.

Suppressing the spike of nervousness inside my heart, I made a show of acting natural as I prepared to use the camera to snap a photo of Yi Yu.

If I did this, I would be able to return to the modern era.

He was capitalizing on my emotions, attempting to exploit my desperate urge to save someone so that I would let my desires cloud my judgment, ultimately tumbling right into his trap and remaining imprisoned inside this timeline forever.

If that was his game, why shouldn't I turn the tables and use that exact same leverage to break free?

The very moment I flipped the switch, Yi Yu's voice echoed out in an eerie, ghostly manner.

Yi Yu: Did you truly believe that you could leave simply by withholding your blood?

A sudden chill shot straight up my spine.

The vertical slits of his pupils had constricted into near-pinpricks, gleaming with a faint, silvery blue-green luster.

It was a sign of complete beastialization.

He had seen right through my intentions and directly concealed his presence.

With Yi Yu's form vanishing from sight, there was no way for me to capture any part of him with the camera anymore.

Only his voice continued to reverberate throughout the space.

Yi Yu: When you tell a lie, you must be fully prepared to suffer the consequences.

In a flash, a streak of silvery blue-green burst through my field of vision, charting a direct course straight toward the camera. I curled my body downward instantly, shielding the camera securely against my chest.

That silvery blue-green streak dissolved into nothingness the split second before it could make contact with me.

This was likely Yi Yu's demonic power.

He wants to destroy the camera!

His state of being was already unstable to begin with, and his current thoughts and actions leaned far more toward a primal, beastly nature.

With his rationality completely overridden by instinct, he was now driven solely by his most intense desires.

This won't do; if things drag on for too long, there is absolutely no way I will be able to keep protecting the camera.

There might very well be other methods designed to trap me lying in wait down the line, and a single careless misstep could mean remaining here for all eternity.

I have to force him to reveal his physical form; only then will I have a chance of snapping a photo of him to return to reality.

Gritting my teeth, I made a desperate dash toward the exit, running as fast as my feet could carry me.

I need to get to a place with light first before figuring anything else out.

The low chuckle of the mythical beast echoed from some unknown quarter, looking exactly as if he were taking his own sweet time watching his prey make one final, desperate struggle.

With the enhancement from my Silhouette, I fled from the secret chamber all the way outside the room.

Looking at the railing on the second floor, I steeled my resolve and directly made a show of throwing myself over the edge.

The absolute second my upper body leaned out, a hand clamped tightly around my waist, pulling me back to a position of safety.

I tried to seize the opening to use my camera, but my hand was seized in a tight grip, rendering me completely unable to move.

Yi Yu buried his head against my neck, his breath tangling all over me.

A voice that was invariably gentle actually overflowed with a hint of crazed obsession.

Yi Yu: Are you truly so unwilling to stay?

Yi Yu: Simply because I am a demon?

Yi Yu: Saying that you weren't afraid of me……

Yi Yu: Liar.

The secure, unyielding embrace allowed my emotions to settle down slightly.

As long as he is still capable of communication, things can work out.

Me: That isn't the reason at all, don't let your mind run wild.

I was just thinking of giving him a proper explanation, but as it turned out, the main doors of the medical clinic downstairs were pushed open at that exact moment.

Xu Xian's voice drifted over immediately following that.

Xu Xian: Meimei, I still felt uneasy…

Yi Yu held me tight and swapped our positions instantly, but it was already too late to conceal his presence by then.

A terrified shriek rang out, followed by the heavy sound of something collapsing onto the floor.

Oh no—Yi Yu was still in his serpent-tailed form right now.

I turned my head to look, only to see that Xu Xian had already fainted from sheer terror.

Me: Let's head back into the room first, and then…

Who could have anticipated that before one wave could even settle, another would rise, as a neighbor's voice echoed from right outside the main doors at the exact same time.

Neighbor: Haha, what is it, are you truly that exci……

Another sharp shriek erupted.

Neighbor: Ahhh! A demon! A snake demon!

The neighbor's figure flashed past the cracked opening of the door for only a fleeting instant before the terrified screams faded away into the distance at lightning speed.

Only a scattering of phrases like "Xu Xian's wife" and "massive white snake" came drifting back through the air.

......This was a massive misunderstanding.

The succession of blunders completely cut through our entanglement, and looking at Yi Yu's serpent's tail, I realized that trying to force my way out would only trigger his negative emotions.

And as for the two of us, it was high time we laid our cards on the table.

Me: Yi Yu, let's head back inside the room first, all right? If more people see you, it will be very bad for you.

Yi Yu: Are you worrying about me? Or are you trying to lower my guard again?

Me: I am worrying about you.

Those were indeed my genuine feelings, so Yi Yu registered my sincerity as well, loosening his hold on me a fraction.

Me: Don't worry, I won't act like I did just now. I want to have a proper talk with you.

He brought me back inside the room.

He still didn't drop his guard entirely, knowing that me pointing the camera at him was bound to be a crucial element, so he used his demonic power to conjure a dense cloud of gray mist to envelop the camera completely.

He held me close in his arms, forcing me to face him directly.

The instincts of a mythical beast are always exceptionally sharp, and he stared into my eyes just like that, intending to use them to gauge the truth or falsehood of every single word I uttered.

The eyes are the windows to one's emotions, reflecting the inner thoughts of a person better than anything else.

Me: Remember to make sure Brother Xu is taken care of in a little while.

Yi Yu: Your very first words to me are about him?

Me: You're the one who scared him out of his wits in the first place.

Me: Also, that wife he keeps talking about doesn't actually exist, does she? Him suddenly deciding that I was his sister—was that your handiwork too?

Yi Yu: An accurate guess.

Yi Yu: He was infected by demonic energy, which caused him to display signs of mental derangement in the early stages. I had originally intended to leave him to his own devices.

Yi Yu: It was merely that you happened to appear at that exact moment, and I had a use for him. So after placing him under hypnosis with my demonic arts, I cleared away the demonic energy for him while I was at it.

Just as I thought. All that talk about using methods from ancient texts was a complete lie; he had been weaving a net to capture his prey right from the very beginning.

However, something else caught my attention.

Me: Infected by demonic energy?

Yi Yu: The remains of a powerful demon crashed into the West Lake, contaminating it with demonic energy that subsequently spilled over and scattered in all directions.

Yi Yu: The mortals in the surrounding areas possessed no resistance against it, so they were naturally left to be slowly consumed by the demonic energy.

So, that was the true cause behind this plague?

Then, the black mist I witnessed him absorbing from the patients inside the medical clinic that day—was that actually demonic energy?

Me: Did you open this medical clinic just to harvest that demonic energy?

Why not simply seize it directly?

Yi Yu replied in a thoroughly deliberate, unhurried manner.

Yi Yu: Demonic energy that has undergone the nourishment of flesh and blood is far more beneficial to my cultivation.

Beneath that gentle exterior, absolute detachment was laid bare.

Yi Yu: Still, it is nothing more than remnants inside the lake. This plague will vanish before very long.

I exhaled a soft breath, looking him straight in the eyes.

Me: All right, my turn.

Me: You know that I am not an ordinary human being, right?

Yi Yu: From the very first moment I laid eyes on you, I knew.

Me: So I didn't lie to you. I truly have no way of living here for a long period of time.

Me: To this world, a life form from another realm can only ever be a passing traveler.

Me: I must return to the place where I originally belong.

Yi Yu: What would happen if you didn't go back?

Although there was no mandatory quest prompt this time, shifting the consequences over to explain it shouldn't be an issue.

Me: Most likely, I will truly fade away.

I put it into gentler terms.

Yi Yu held me tighter in his embrace.

Yi Yu: Where is that place?

I fell silent, completely unsure of how to answer.

Me: I have to go back, Yi Yu.

Me: But I promise you, we will absolutely meet again in the future.

Me: These aren't just words to placate you. Trust me—if I say we will, we absolutely will.

I leaned in closer to him, pressing my lips against his.

Compared to before, this kiss was tender and lingering.

After we parted, Yi Yu held me close, lingering in our shared warmth for a good while longer.

After a brief moment, he withdrew the demonic power enveloping the camera, quietly waiting for my next move.

I turned on the camera and aimed the lens straight at him.

The shutter clicked, and Yi Yu's voice rang out at the exact same moment.

Yi Yu: When we meet next time.

Yi Yu: I will collect your compensation, with interest.

The scene froze upon the camera screen, and with another blink of my eyes, everything transformed entirely.

...

I had returned to that world from before, where I had picked up the oiled-paper umbrella to head out.

Right now, I was lying upon the soft daybed downstairs, the distant, profound notes of music echoing by my ear.

Someone was playing the guqin.

I got up, catching sight of a familiar figure standing with his back toward me under the veranda not too far away.

Stepping to the rhythmic cadence of the guqin notes, I walked toward him pace by pace.

The exact second the music came to a halt, I stood still just a single step away from him.

The fine drizzle tapped against the bamboo leaves, and the eave bells swayed gently in the breeze.

He turned his head around, his gaze no longer putting on a show of unfamiliarity, his features soft and gentle as he looked at me with a faint smile.

Yi Yu: Long time no see.

My fleeting departure was, to him, a literal, agonizingly prolonged "long time no see."

He rose to his feet and walked toward me, and I couldn't resist throwing my arms around him.

I could only whisper the sole phrase that could offer even a shred of comfort.

Me: I didn't lie to you, right?

Yi Yu: No.

Yi Yu slowly stroked my hair.

Yi Yu: The words uttered when we parted—they should still hold true, I assume?

I lifted my head, only to see that his eyes had transformed into vertical slits once more, his icy fingertips weaving through the strands of my hair, sending a sudden shiver running through me.

I was brought along over to that very same bath area where I had once taken my medicinal baths.

This entire residence had been heavily expanded on top of that ancient medical clinic, and many of its areas were vastly superior to how they had been in the past.

Outside the building, the willow strands were drenched with moisture, as the pattering rain continued to fall just like that throughout the entire night.

—

Early the following morning, after Yi Yu accompanied me to wash up, I proceeded to laze around in bed. He pressed a soft kiss against my forehead, telling me that he would come back to call for me when it was time for lunch.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, nuzzling against him.

Me: I will spend much more time with you in the future.

Me: So even if I am out of your line of sight, please don't feel anxious.

Yi Yu: All right.

Watching Yi Yu leave, I put on my clothes and crawled out of bed.

If I allowed myself to indulge blindly in this place, I would only be quickly paralyzed by his "toxins."

It was time to return to the real world.

I retrieved some paper and a pen, writing down a letter for Yi Yu.

It contained a farewell, as well as the words I truly wished to say to him.

Even if there are departures, we will still reunite in the end.

Perhaps when a certain day arrives, he will remember everything we have experienced together, and just like me, possess every single one of our shared memories.

By the time the letter reached its conclusion, the rain outside the window had already ceased.

I walked over to the front of the mirror, reaching toward the area right below my neck as I activated the power of my Silhouette.

Within the mirror, right at the position below my neck, a tiny, silver-blue scale flashed into view.

That was the exact spot where I had been bitten before.

This must be the very "connection" that was causing me to remain trapped here.

Last night, I had asked him about that ritual artifact from back in ancient times.

Yi Yu had mentioned that by utilizing the scale from his heart during his skin-shedding period, combined with my blood, it would be capable of "binding" us together, making me stay behind.

The reason I remained lingering here even after returning from ancient times was likely because this place also harbored something meant to hold me back.

Now, I had located it.

I pinched that scale and, with the enhancement from my ability, pulled it off my neck with ease.

Inside the mirror, my body quickly began to vanish into thin air as well.

I closed my eyes.

When I opened my eyes once more, I was sitting upon a bench right by the edge of the West Lake.

Subconsciously, I looked down to check on my camera, and then unconsciously glanced toward the hand that had been pinching the scale just moments ago.

A single bamboo leaf drifted downward, settling gently into the palm of my hand.

I fell silent for a brief moment, picking it up and walking over to the lakeside. Loosening my fingertips, the bamboo leaf floated onto the surface of the water, slowly drifting away with the flow of the lake.

Of spring's beauty, two-thirds dissolve into dust, and one-third vanishes into flowing water.

I stared at the shimmering, rippling waters of the West Lake for a short while, until a cool breeze blew across the lakeshore and a seabird flapped its wings, landing right upon the bank.

It felt exactly like waking from a daze.

I looked down and turned on the camera in my hands, only to discover that its battery was nearly depleted.

Furthermore, every single one of the photos I had previously taken related to Yi Yu was completely gone, leaving behind not a single trace.

Does this…… mean that I have successfully left the instance?

During this entire period, every single instance of my time traveling seemed to be connected to this very camera. In the world of the instance, it acted exactly like a time machine, and the shutter was the switch.

The camera was given to me by that butler. Could he possibly know something?

If he knew this was a time machine, then what exactly was his purpose in handing this item over to me?

It appears highly necessary to go and confirm this once again.

I pulled out my phone to take a look.

I had spent an exceptionally long period of time inside the world of the instance, yet the date currently displaying on my phone was still the exact same day I originally entered it, with only a few hours having passed in reality.

Since it was still early in the day, I hurriedly packed up my belongings and rushed toward the artist's estate.

I arrived at the artist's estate, and the person who received me this time was, once again, the butler.

Butler: Miss Y/N, have you finished taking the photos so soon?

The expression resting upon the butler's face remained soft and polite, and noticing my hurried demeanor, he even poured a cup of water to help me.

Me: Not yet.

There was bound to be something wrong with this camera; I was incomparably certain of this fact now, which meant the butler who handed the camera over to me was bound to have something wrong with him as well.

Using the excuse that there was an issue with the camera, I threw out a few feelers to test the butler, yet he didn't display a single thing that was worthy of my suspicion.

Could it be that…… I haven't actually left the instance yet? If that's the case, then what exactly is the quest for this instance?

Supposing that I am indeed still inside the instance right now, then this butler might very well be an NPC belonging to it.

If he is an NPC, then no matter how much I probe and test him, he won't expose a single flaw.

Even if I were to ask him directly, he likely wouldn't give me an answer anyway.

However, all of these are merely my own conjectures.

After all, even if I am currently in the real world and the butler is a person belonging to reality, there is still no way for me to bring up things like "time travel" or "instances" with him.

The details I can glean are entirely too vague, and I haven't received any system prompts or identity generation like I did in the past.

As things stand now, outside of simply following the butler's requirements for the time being, there doesn't seem to be any other choice.

After bidding farewell to the butler, I departed from the estate.

The twilight hours began to deepen as I passed by the Broken Bridge, my thoughts drifting back to the events that had unfolded before.

Every single piece of the surrounding scenery was completely indistinguishable from what I had witnessed when I first arrived at the West Lake; this place looked exactly like the real world.

But…… have I genuinely left the instance? Or could it be that this is merely an instance world that is completely identical to the real world?

By the edge of the Broken Bridge, the medical clinic where Yi Yu had been located had also vanished from sight, looking exactly as if it had never existed in the first place.

Yet when I returned for the very first time, it had unmistakably been standing right there.

There is absolutely no way for a building to vanish completely into thin air inside the real world, right? The events I experienced after my time travel were also entirely different from what I knew.

Right now, I must indeed be trapped inside an instance world that mirrors reality.

In that case, what would happen if I used the camera to snap another photo? Would I travel through time once more?

Just to be safe, it's better to throw out a feeler first……

I halted my footsteps and scanned my surroundings, facing toward the Broken Bridge by the roadside. Finding the exact same angle as before, I lifted the camera, and then pressed the shutter with a deeply apprehensive heart.

Nothing happened.

There was no time travel, nor did I feel the least bit dizzy.

How on earth is this time travel triggered in the first place?

Holding the camera, I proceeded to press the shutter against other pieces of scenery surrounding the Broken Bridge.

Still, no time travel occurred.

The butler explicitly mentioned that I should follow the angles of the old photographs to take my pictures. Could it be that this time travel is connected to specific scenery? Is it possible that I will only cross over when capturing the exact locations he requested?

By this time, twilight had already descended, and the streetlamps along the roadside had flickered to life.

There were still three remaining locations left to shoot, but the lighting would be poor at night, the scenic spots were closing up, and the West Lake cruise boats had long since finished their shifts for the day.

It would be better to return tomorrow instead.

————

Moment with Yi Yu

The medicinal bath area had been drawn into an artificial hot spring, the silk-like fine drizzle transforming into a faint, gentle vapor the absolute second it made contact with the spring water.

The refreshing fragrance of the herbs was originally supposed to clear one's mind, yet I found myself feeling somewhat intoxicated from the fumes of that very scent instead.

I felt a shred of regret for agreeing to his terms so easily, and I had completely forgotten to consider whether—if he were to claim the compensation was insufficient—I would even be capable of letting him extract more from me.

He held me securely against his chest, his serpent's tail coiled tightly around my waist, while the tiny scales at the very tip of his tail brushed and rubbed against my calves.

The spring rain fell like fine silk threads, cool vapor settling across his temples and dampening his hair, as the bitter fragrance of the herbs slowly seeped into the crook of my neck inch by inch.

Me: Yi Yu, it's been so long already... haven't I paid you back enough yet?

He lifted his head, those vertical, serpentine slits of his eyes locking onto me through the swirling mist, appearing both otherworldly and deeply affectionate.

Yi Yu: Enough? How could it ever be enough?

Yi Yu: The debt you owe accrues interest over time.

Yi Yu: Principal and interest—I intend to settle the score with you very slowly.

He let out a soft chuckle, pressing a tender kiss against the corner of my lips.

The very next instant, I suddenly realized that a different pair of hands had come to cover my eyes.

Behind my back, another presence belonging to Yi Yu materialized.

Yi Yu: Mmh? Remaining silent... does that mean you prefer it this way?

Yi Yu: This is what you promised me. Is the other me not me as well?

Yi Yu: Do you like this place?

Yi Yu: Snakes have a reverse scale too. Yes, right here, a bit further up.

Yi Yu: Be gentler. If you apply that much force, it will be painful for me too.

Yi Yu: You don't like it here? Then where do you wish for it to be? Here?

Yi Yu: The night is still young. Isn't it a bit too early to rest now?

Yi Yu: This is naturally still far from enough. Mmh, because it is double now, we have to recalculate the score.

Yi Yu: You can't bear it already? Yet I feel you can still hold out a while longer.

Yi Yu: Don't push me away, all right?

Yi Yu: You can still pinch me, so it seems you still have some strength left? Then give me a bit more, won't you?

Yi Yu: You find it overwhelming? Yet your heart is racing so fast. Are you excited? Because of me?

Yi Yu: We haven't reached the end just yet. You cannot run away.

Yi Yu: Endure it a little longer. You won't pass out.

Yi Yu: I love how you look right now. We both love it.

A promise uttered must always be fulfilled, and a debt incurred must be exacted back, principal and interest.

...

Yi Yu at long last released his hold on me.

The supple serpent's tail surfaced from the water, gliding along my arm as the tiny scales sent wave after wave of shivers running through me.

Presumably due to being submerged in the warm spring for so long, that originally freezing touch had also turned warm.

The serpent's tail gently wiped away the water resting upon my face, yet the wicked snake demon still bore an entirely insatiable expression.

Burial his head once more in the crook of my neck, a contented sigh overflowed from the very depths of his throat.

I pushed against him, though despite the gesture, I actually had absolutely no strength left in me whatsoever.

Behind me, a strand of long hair also draped across my chest, while the tip of my ear was still being nibbled and gnawed by his sharp fangs.

Me: Yi Yu.

Me: Is it still not enough? I am so tired... I can't even move.

I didn't even know which Yi Yu in this room I was speaking to.

I caught the sound of him letting out a soft chuckle, two distinct voices overlapping perfectly with one another.

Yi Yu: For what is owed here, let us settle up to this point for now.

Yi Yu: We will head back, and then calculate the remainder.

.

.

.

.

.

Part 5

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For a few days after returning from the market bazaar, I felt that Yi Yu was acting a bit unusual.

During our time together, he seemed to possess two distinct states of being.

The difference between them was incredibly subtle, yet it wasn't completely without a trace.

One state was the Yi Yu I typically interacted with on a daily basis, who would frequently observe and imitate the way ordinary married couples treat one another without making a sound, then put even more meticulous care into replicating it for us.

Yet underneath his actions lay a foundation akin to that of a wild beast, and he had not yet learned how to camouflage it flawlessly.

Once when he took me out shopping, he and I bought a pair of matching couple's jade pendants.

While he went to wait in line to buy some flaky pastry for me, I watched a martial arts acrobatics show for just a short little while, only for the cord of the jade pendant at my waist to be slashed and stolen away.

Me: If I had known, I would have just tucked it safely inside my tunic....

Yi Yu: Don't worry. We will definitely find it and bring it back.

As it turned out, it really was recovered incredibly quickly; the thief had their hand violently snapped by someone, then was dumped straight onto the ground right where that acrobatics performance was taking place.

Before leaving the area, I used my Silhouette Search to investigate the scene, discovering tiny, silver-green specks of light floating right around the thief's injury.

When I turned my head around again, that exact same residue was resting right on the cuff of Yi Yu's sleeve.

It was the identical color of those scales under the candlelight from before.

The other state of being, however, left me a bit unable to see right through him.

He remained consistently meticulous and attentive toward me, from major tasks like cooking meals to minor details like brushing my hair—taking charge of nearly every single matter himself, carrying a subtle hint of a boiling-frog approach.

He was completely airtight, appearing even more gentle on the surface, yet he was far more cold-blooded toward outsiders.

A certain individual who came to the medical clinic for a consultation spoke to me with offensive language, pouring out nothing but vile, crude words the absolute second they opened their mouth.

At the time, I simply walked straight away and then staked out the entrance outside, utilizing my Silhouette to give him a thorough thrashing when there was hardly anyone around.

Who could have anticipated hearing afterward that the man had contracted some unknown toxin, rotting entirely from his mouth all the way down his body, begging for life yet unable to live, begging for death yet unable to die.

I related this matter to Yi Yu.

Me: All I can say is, what goes around comes around.

Yi Yu: Indeed, heaven has eyes.

Yi Yu: I heard that when the government authorities investigated his residence during their case, they ended up discovering a woman's corpse inside a dried-up well in his courtyard.

That exact day happened to be the very date of that individual's arrest. Standing on the outer edges of the crowd, with the assistance of my Silhouette, I caught sight of that familiar silver-green hue once again.

Although none of them were innocent people, it wasn't as if I had never wavered.

Perhaps that other side beneath his fleshly shell, the one I had caught a glimpse of previously, was nothing more than the mere tip of an iceberg.

It wasn't that I feared witnessing the true scale of that iceberg, but he likely assumed I would flee in terror, which was why he refused to swap the entirety of his truth with me.

Yet in reality, if one were to truly keep score, haven't I harbored secrets of my own as well?

That day, I walked back along the road with my thoughts tangled in such a messy clutter, only to spot Yi Yu holding a lantern and searching for me. The absolute second he caught sight of me, he hurriedly gathered me right into his arms.

Yi Yu: Where did you go? I couldn't find you anywhere.

Me: I just went out for a walk by myself.

Yi Yu: No matter where you go from now on, you must tell me first, all right?

Yi Yu: I was so worried.

His embrace carried that familiar warmth and scent, settling my heart and bringing me a sense of peace for reasons I couldn't explain.

At this very moment, and across so many other moments, what I felt was entirely real.

Me: Mmh.

Me: Let's go home.

In the city of Lin'an, right along with the arrival of the damp rainy season, a "plague" of unknown origin began to spread far and wide.

Lin'an's highly developed network of waterways and the frequent movement of its population caused the epidemic to rapidly diffuse, affecting the surrounding prefectures, departments, and counties.

Furthermore, the massive gatherings of refugees only accelerated the transmission of the disease.

In the initial stages, patients would suffer from headaches or aching joints, mirroring the symptoms of those afflicted with typhoid, seasonal influenza, heatstroke, or rheumatism.

Afterward, it would grow increasingly severe, bringing unyielding high fevers, ceaseless vomiting, and unbearable pain.

Baohe Tang had to admit several times more patients every single day compared to before, and Yi Yu refused to let me work in the front hall of the medical clinic ever since the plague broke out.

Therefore, I spent basically every day staying upstairs or in the back courtyard, helping out with miscellaneous chores such as processing herbal ingredients and brewing medicinal decoctions.

And every single day, Yi Yu would have me drink a bowl of medicine, claiming it was to prevent the epidemic, once in the morning and once at night.

After breakfast on this day, it was time for that unalterable, routine ritual of drinking the medicine once again.

The pitch-black, agonizingly bitter medicinal broth carried a peculiar, metallic tang of fresh blood the absolute second it passed my lips.

Suppressing my discomfort, I downed the entire thing in a single gulp.

Yi Yu fed me a piece of dried smoked plum, its sweet and sour flavor neutralizing the bitterness just enough to keep me from throwing the medicine right back up.

Me: This tastes awful…… Twice a day, every single day, it feels just like an execution, and a recurring one at that.

Me: I feel like my soul has been completely drained out of me…

Yi Yu laughed as he looked at my utterly expressionless, life-weary state, giving my face a gentle touch.

Yi Yu: Good medicine is always bitter to the mouth.

That was true, and compared to the agony brought by the plague, this tiny bit of discomfort was absolutely nothing at all.

After I stepped out of the room, I couldn't help but look down toward the lower floor, which was currently packed with people from all walks of life—all patients and their family members.

Me: You must have been incredibly busy lately. Aren't you exhausted?

As I spoke the words, I turned my head to look at him, but taking a closer look, I discovered that Yi Yu didn't show even a single trace of exhaustion; on the contrary, his complexion actually seemed much better than usual.

In stark contrast, Xu Xian had heavy dark circles under his eyes, a stubble he hadn't found the time to shave properly, and a gaze that couldn't conceal his deep fatigue.

Yet Yi Yu's workload was clearly even heavier than Xu Xian's…

Yi Yu: It is a bit hectic, which is why I hired some additional hands to help out.

Yi Yu: These times are turbulent. Stay safely at home and don't run around, all right?

Me: Mmh. You and Brother Xu need to be extra careful too. You absolutely mustn't catch the infection.

Yi Yu gave a gentle smile.

Yi Yu: Are you and Xu Xian very close?

Me: .....

Me: For your portion of dumplings at lunch, how about I fill your bowl to the brim with vinegar?

Me: I possess a feeling it would suit your taste perfectly.

Yi Yu let out a low chuckle.

Yi Yu: In that case, there won't be any dried smoked plums for you tonight.

Me: Fine then, just let me taste the bitterness until I die.

Yi Yu: That won't do.

Yi Yu: I still can't bear to let you suffer.

Looking at his slightly curved eyes, I couldn't resist smiling along with him, which scattered a bit of the heavy, suffocating mood that had lingered for days.

Me: All right, all right, go get back to work.

Yi Yu headed back downstairs carrying the medicine bowl. I didn't return to my room immediately, but walked over to the top of the stairs instead, watching Yi Yu perform physical examinations on the patients.

While he was conducting an inspection, I utilized my Silhouette to look over the scene.

Inside the crowded clinic, the bodies of the patients were all shrouded in a layer of dull, ash-gray color.

Yi Yu was currently checking the pulse of one of them, and the absolute second his hand rested upon the person's wrist, black, mist-like tendrils emerged from the patient's body and entered right into Yi Yu's palm.

Tense with anxiety, I was just about to go over and investigate, only to discover that it was actually Yi Yu who was voluntarily absorbing those black mists.

Wherever he examined, the black mist would seep out from that exact spot following the trajectory of his movements, then gather together to be taken in by him.

I quietly stepped back.

Although I had long since guessed that he wasn't an ordinary human being, what exactly was he? A sorcerer? A warlock?

And what on earth was that black mist? Why was Yi Yu absorbing it?

Furthermore, how exactly am I supposed to return to my own world? Don't tell me I have to help eradicate this entire plague? I don't possess anywhere near that kind of capability.

Good grief, am I a walking encyclopedia of questions or what…

My mind was in a bit of a messy tangle for a moment, so I simply went back to my room and lay down on the bed to blank out for a while.

As of right now, a cure to completely eradicate this plague had still not been found, yet the conditions of those who had come to see Yi Yu for a consultation had actually obtained effective relief.

I had made sure to observe them closely before, and just like Old Man Li, they all possessed that small medicine pouch that Yi Yu distributed exclusively to his patients.

As for that specific medicine pouch, no one besides Yi Yu knew what the formula was.

So, could the key be resting right here?

Perhaps it was because lying on the bed felt a bit too comfortable, but I gradually felt my head grow heavy, and I ended up drifting straight to sleep just like that.

...

I was roused by the sound of Yi Yu's voice.

When I woke up, my eyelids felt incredibly heavy, the world felt like it was spinning around in circles, and I didn't possess a single ounce of strength in my body.

I registered the abnormality occurring within my own body.

Me: What's wrong with me?

The moment a certain thought crossed my mind, I couldn't help but panic a little.

Me: Don't tell me I've caught the plague?

Yi Yu stroked my hair.

Yi Yu: No, it is merely a common cold.

Only then did my heart finally settle.

The absolute second he finished speaking, he brought over a bowl of medicine from the side, making a move as if to feed me.

Yi Yu: I tested it, it isn't too hot.

I just drank some this morning... Forget it, staying alive is what matters most.

After downing the medicine, I lay back down to sleep again, but it wasn't long before a fever flared up inside me.

The burning heat left me completely dazed and muddled, and my body felt exactly as though it had been filled to the brim with lead.

In my heavy stupor, I seemed to brush against something soothingly chilly, and I couldn't resist drawing closer and closer to it.

Afterward, I thought I caught the sound of a low chuckle, and that patch of chilliness suddenly became elusive, acting as if it were close yet staying out of reach.

I had no choice but to press even closer, clutching onto it even tighter.

Only, whatever this thing was…… it dug into my hands a little.

I forced my eyes open with great effort, only to find myself holding onto Yi Yu in a tight embrace, my entire body squeezed into his chest with absolutely no space left between us.

Everything surrounding me was filled with his scent, looking just like a completely airtight cocoon.

I couldn't help but feel my face grow hot; I was already running a fever, and now I was breaking into a sweat all over again.

I shifted my body to back away, only to be reeled right back in by Yi Yu's hand resting on my lower back.

Yi Yu: Bathing while running a low fever helps clear the vital energy and blood circulation. The hot water has just been prepared for you over at the bathhouse, shall I take you there?

I nodded my head and was just about to get up, when my body suddenly felt completely weightless.

Yi Yu swept me right up into his arms.

With my head resting against his shoulder, everything within my line of sight consisted of his neck, his prominent Adam's apple, and the sharp outline of his jawline.

He brought me behind the folding screen, placing me onto a stool to the side.

I lowered my head and was just about to loosen my garments, only to discover that Yi Yu had not left.

I lifted my head to look at him. Because of the fever, my vision wasn't entirely clear, making me feel as though his eyes resembled a mist-shrouded valley—damp and profoundly deep.

Yi Yu: Do you need some help?

I shook my head, yet the very next instant I gazed at him, my body inexplicably felt as if all its strength had been sapped away.

Flustered, I clutched his belt tightly to keep myself from tumbling backward.

Yi Yu's hand patted my back reassuringly.

Yi Yu: But you look as though…… you are having a bit of difficulty.

Me: It's fine, I can manage. You should…… go out first.

He fell silent for a brief moment.

Yi Yu: All right, let me check the water temperature one more time.

He took two steps over to the edge of the bath, but suddenly seemed to glitch out for a split second. Following that brief pause, he retracted the hand he had extended toward the water's surface, cast a glance at me, and turned to ask instead.

Yi Yu: Do you need me to help you undress?

Huh? Didn't he just ask that a moment ago? Why on earth was he asking all over again?

This time, however, he didn't wait for my response. Returning to my side, he began to help me remove the hair ornaments from my head.

Me: No, there's no need. I can do it myself.

Yi Yu: Why?

The dense mist from before had faded from his eyes, revealing a raw, primeval marshland.

Yi Yu: We are husband and wife, the absolute closest existence to one another.

Yi Yu: Since we are the closest, there is no need to treat me like a stranger.

He lowered his gaze slightly.

Yi Yu: I am merely helping you. I will not do anything else.

Didn't he just agree to leave after testing the water temperature? Why was he changing his tune all of a sudden?

Yi Yu: The bath floor is somewhat uneven, and since your body is lacking strength right now, you might take a fall.

Yi Yu: I will only help you with this single step, all right?

Seeing that his expression was clear and the worry in his eyes didn't appear fabricated, I relented and agreed.

Yi Yu tore off a strip of cloth to blindfold his eyes, then turned his body away.

I truly lacked any strength, and combined with his overwhelmingly intense presence, it caused me to take an incredibly long time just to remove a couple pieces of clothing.

I still kept my innermost garments on, then gave a soft verbal cue to indicate I was done.

Yi Yu tilted his head a fraction, appearing to discern the direction of my voice, before walking over to my side and bending his body down.

Fingertips carrying a soothing chill brushed against my shoulders and the bends of my knees. The stark contrast in our skin temperatures caused me to shrink back instinctively.

Yi Yu swept me up and took two steps forward and to the side.

Yi Yu: Have we arrived?

Yi Yu: Is it here?

Even though his voice was as gentle as flowing water, it carried an inexplicable, heavy dampness that felt almost suffocatingly sticky.

Me: A little further forward... To the, to the left.

The edge of his black cloth boots pressed against the rim of the bath, knocking a piece of soapberry down into the water, which sent soft ripples cascading across the surface of the pool.

The clouds of steam continued to climb upward without pause.

He placed me slowly down into the water, the waterlogged hems of his sleeves looking just like soft water plants.

Yi Yu: I will be right outside. Call me if anything happens.

Only after his figure departed did I slide the remaining garments off my body, letting out a long sigh of relief as I sank relaxedly into the water.

Floating upon the surface of the water appeared to be a handful of dried medicinal herbs, carrying a light, delicate scent that smelled quite pleasant.

I soaked comfortably in the bath, and combined with the efficacy of the previous medicine, my body and spirit gradually recovered.

By the time I finished changing into fresh clothes and walked out, Yi Yu was sitting upon the daybed, looking somewhat absentmindedly at the strip of blindfold cloth in his hands.

Catching sight of me coming over, he directed a faint smile toward me.

Yi Yu: How are you feeling?

Me: Much better.

He drew me along to sit down, the smile at the corners of his mouth dimming a fraction.

Yi Yu: Just now when I helped you undress and get into the water, I…

Me: Not at all, didn't I handle the clothes myself?

Yi Yu: Oh.... I misspoke.

Appearing to have caught the satisfactory answer, his smile grew genuine once again.

I understood the situation in an instant; it looked like his state of being was hopping back and forth between the two extremes all over again.

No wonder his reactions during the bath felt so bizarre.

Following my observations over these past few days, I discovered that his two states shared memories most of the time, and it was only on rare occasions that certain fragments failed to be stored away.

Whenever that happened, he would act exactly like he did just now—failing to remember some minor details clearly, and then ending up picking a fight with himself over it.

Yi Yu: Do you want to sleep for a bit longer? You need to get plenty of rest when you are sick.

I nodded my head, but suddenly felt that this was an opportunity, so I inquired.

Me: I was buried under the blankets earlier and broke into a sweat, and since I just finished my bath, would it be all right if I went to sleep in your room instead?

I wanted to see if I could uncover some clues inside his room, or perhaps find that specific prescription for treating the plague.

Yi Yu: You may.

Yi Yu brought me into his room and then headed downstairs to tend to his work. Hearing his footsteps fade into the distance, I locked the door and began to root through the space with light, quiet steps.

Yi Yu's room was simple and elegant, filled mostly with books alongside a handful of calligraphy works and paintings. Everything was arranged very neatly, so searching through it wasn't a highly difficult task.

Among a pile of medical texts and manuscripts, I discovered a small casket. Upon opening it, the exact small medicine pouch from before was resting right inside, and pressed underneath it lay a sheet of paper annotated with a cinnabar brush.

This should be the one.

I skimmed over it roughly, only to discover that this was nothing more than a common formula for treating colds.

Refusing to give up hope, I flipped the paper over to the back, but it was a complete blank.

In a flash, I felt something chilly and slender crawl right up onto the back of my shoulder.

Before I even had the time to process it, something appeared to deliver a light bite right below my neck. My consciousness blurred at lightning speed, the vision before my eyes went black, and I lost consciousness just like that.

—

When I woke up, the first thing I detected was the clean fragrance of wood. Opening my eyes again, an unfamiliar, plain-colored bed curtain came into view.

I sat up slowly.

Upon the desk by the window, incense was burning inside a burner.

Looking around this room, I felt a bit dazed for a fleeting instant.

The layout here was nearly identical to the one at the medical clinic, yet it possessed a handful of items that shouldn't exist there.

For instance, the light fixture on the ceiling.

Am I dreaming?

I suddenly remembered that I seemed to have been bitten by something right before passing out, and I hurriedly reached up to touch my neck.

Yet there wasn't a single wound or trace of any kind resting there.

The clothes on my body were still the exact ones I had worn when heading to the Broken Bridge.

So, have I returned to the modern era? Then where on earth is this place?

I got out of bed and was just getting ready to head outside to take a look, when I spotted my camera hidden behind several books on the desk.

As I picked up the camera, I noticed an open ancient text lying right beside it, and I couldn't resist casting a glance over.

The accompanying illustration of scales on the page caught my attention.

Beside the classical text on the page lay annotations written with a calligraphy brush.

They weren't anything profound, looking much more like folktales or local legends.

This specific page mentioned that every single time a snake demon sheds its skin, it advances to a higher tier. Its outward appearance will align more closely with that of humans, and its aura can be hidden even more deeply.

However, with every single shedding of skin, it discards its old skin formation. In other words, it dissolves its old self to evolve.

The essence blood of a high-tier demon can strengthen the physical body, dispel illnesses, and heal wounds. However, ordinary humans will experience some initial symptoms of discomfort after consuming it—or rather, a rejection reaction.

As I read on, I couldn't help but recall that single scale under the candlelight from before.

Along with the faint metallic tang of blood inside the medicine I drank every day, and how I developed conditions mirroring a common cold right after drinking it…

The answer was already staring me right in the face.

Right at that exact second, the sound of the door being pushed open interrupted my train of thought.

Immediately following that, a familiar, gentle voice echoed from right behind me.

???: You're awake?

I turned my head back, only to see Yi Yu standing at the doorway, clad entirely in modern attire.

Me: Dr. Yi?

His expression remained unchanged, his tone carrying a hint of curiosity.

Yi Yu: You know me?

Yi Yu: Though… do I look very much like a doctor?

He actually wasn't that modern doctor Yi Yu?

So that meant this place still wasn't the genuine real world?

Yet the camera was still right here...

Me: I'm sorry, I'm just muddled from sleeping, I called you by the wrong name.

Me: Where is this? How… did I end up here?

Yi Yu stepped into the room.

Yi Yu: It is fine, my surname is indeed Yi.

Yi Yu: I am called Yi Yu, and this place is my residence.

Yi Yu: When I returned from going out, I found you unconscious in front of my home. It just so happens that I possess some medical knowledge, and seeing that you were in no major danger, I settled you here first.

Me: Thank you.

So in all likelihood, right after I used my camera to take a photo of the Broken Bridge, I had already crossed over from the real world into this current world, and immediately following that, I traveled back to ancient times.

The building captured in the photo back then was actually this place, so what about that figure from behind—could it be the Yi Yu standing right before my eyes?

Yi Yu: You are most welcome.

Yi Yu: It is still raining outside, you may leave after the rain stops.

He cast a glance at the ancient text in my hands but didn't say much of anything, simply walking over to open the window.

The sound of the rain grew clearer with the opening of the window, revealing bamboo outside that looked increasingly vibrant and green amid the misty downpour.

Me: Thank you, but I still have some matters to attend to, so I won't trouble you any longer.

Even though I also wanted to obtain some information from this version of Yi Yu, my priority right now was still to head over to the Broken Bridge and see if I could try to return to the real world.

Yi Yu fell silent for a brief moment, giving me a slight nod of his head.

Yi Yu: All right.

Yi Yu: There is an umbrella by the door, take it with you.

I thanked him once again, then walked outside carrying my camera.

Stepping to the doorway, I opened the oil-paper umbrella that was leaning against the side of the door.

It appeared to have quite a few years on it, yet it had been preserved exceptionally well, and… it looked so incredibly similar to the one he was holding when Yi Yu and I first met.

The doubts inside my heart were growing deeper and deeper.

I walked along the small path toward the Broken Bridge while holding up the umbrella, and after walking for just a short distance, I felt as though someone was watching me the entire time.

I turned my head back, looking toward the exact direction where that gaze was coming from.

Yi Yu was standing right in front of that window, his eyes lowered as he watched me.

After a brief moment, he shifted his gaze down to an object resting in his own hands.

He held his head low, appearing to be wiping down something resembling a hairpiece.

Why does it look somewhat familiar?

I lifted my camera, wanting to snap a photo so I could see the details clearly, but since the object was resting in Yi Yu's hands, his hands ended up in the frame along with it when I took the shot.

In the zoomed-in image, the hairpin in his hands—crafted from green jade and shaped like a bamboo branch—was strikingly identical to the one the ancient version of Yi Yu had gifted to me.

An utterly absurd thought flashed through my mind in an instant.

Could he actually be the ancient Yi Yu?

It was completely impossible for a human being to survive for such an immense length of time, unless…

I lifted my eyes once more, and the exact second my gaze locked with Yi Yu's, time and space shifted yet again.

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Part 4

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Darius Vogel is a bit of a clingy spirit.

Darius: And regarding this matter—

I was participating in a meeting at the Vogel base of operations.

While we were in the middle of a serious discussion, Nica, who was sitting in the seat opposite me, kept sending me smirks. On the other hand, Ring was fidgeting nervously, repeatedly looking our way and then darting his eyes away.

Kate: Um......

Darius: What is it? Is there something you didn't understand?

Kate: It's not that......

Unable to bear this atmosphere any longer, I finally grabbed Darius's cheeks and voiced my protest.

Kate: Could you please let me down now......!?

Darius, who had been proceeding with the meeting while keeping me perched on his lap, knit his brows for a fleeting moment.

—

Several months have passed since I was injured protecting Darius.

Ever since then, he has... transformed into a total clingy spirit.

Darius: I don't recall giving you permission to go out on your own.

Kate: Eh, I was just taking a short walk though....... I'm sorry.

Darius: Why are you out of bed......? I don't recall giving you permission to leave it.

Kate: I just wanted some water...... so, I'm sorry?

Darius: I told you, didn't I? I don't recall giving you permission to leave my side—

Kate: I only let go of your hand for a split second!? I'm standing right next to you, aren't I!?

...

I’ve been scolded by Darius like this more times than I can count.

He’s likely terrified that I’ll get hurt again the moment he takes his eyes off me.

So, while I understand why he’s being so sensitive about it......

(Surely it's okay for us to be apart during a meeting......?)

Darius: ......Heh. So, you’re talking back to me now?

Kate: It’s not like that...... I just thought it might be a bit much to be clinging to each other when we aren't alone......

The twins, who had been watching me sitting on his lap and held captive with eyes full of pity, stood up.

Nica: The meeting’s basically over anyway, so we’ll be taking our leave now.

Ring: Yeah. Um...... please, don't mind us and carry on being lovey-dovey.

Dealing with an irritated devil is nothing but trouble.

Knowing that all too well, the twins made a hasty exit.

Darius: We’re alone now. If you still have complaints, I’m listening.

Looking at Darius and his somewhat triumphant expression, I let out a sigh and wrapped my arms around his neck.

Kate: .......I don't mind when it's just the two of us. But when other people are around, it's just embarrassing.

Darius: Why? Lovers should be together, shouldn't they?

Darius: Besides, if I'm physically close to you in public, fewer insolent fools will think they can come between us.

Darius: Making it known that you belong to me is the fastest way to handle things.

Clearly not feeling the least bit guilty, Darius adjusted his hold on me and pulled my body closer.

Darius: And if I show you off this much, you won't be able to cheat with other men or run away, will you?

Kate: I would never do such a thing.

Darius: Whether you would or not isn't the point. There’s meaning in crushing the possibility entirely.

His hand stroked my thigh as he hiked up my skirt.

I squirmed at the ticklish sensation, but his fingertips only began to trace the space between my legs.

Kate: Hih......!

As an involuntary gasp escaped me, a look of pure satisfaction crossed Darius's face.

Darius: Though, I’ve disciplined you so that only I can satisfy you, so I think trying to run away would be futile anyway.

He toyed with that sensitive spot through my underwear with his nail, and a wave of sweet pleasure began to spread.

Kate: W-wait a moment...... mmn!

I tried to stop him in a panic, but it was in vain as Darius stole my lips.

The tip of his tongue entered my mouth, easily entangling my own.

No matter how desperately I resisted, his body wouldn't budge an inch, and I was left with no choice but to surrender to his melting kiss.

(I shouldn't be doing this here......!)

A kiss that gave me no room to breathe, and the sensation between my legs growing gradually wetter—

The view through my hazy, fluttering vision was filled with honey-colored eyes drenched in lust—

Kate: —!!

In that instant, my lower abdomen throbbed, and a burst of pleasure exploded through my entire body.

Noticing that I had reached my limit, he removed his glove and slid my underwear aside, sinking his fingertips into my private depths.

Darius: I don't recall disciplining you to come just from being watched...... I wonder where you learned that?

Kate: There’s... no one else but you, Darius...!

Darius: I should hope so. If another name had come out of your mouth, I wouldn't have forgiven you for the rest of your life, even as a joke.

Kate: Nnh......!?

He forced me to take the hem of my skirt between my teeth and made me kneel on the sofa.

Staring at my exposed center, he moved the fingers inside me with an expression of pure rapture.

Darius: It’s already such a mess in here, and I’ve only used one finger. You really were looking forward to this, weren't you?

Kate: Mmn!

I tried to let go of the hem of my skirt, but he shot me a warning look. I squeezed my eyes shut and bit down hard on the fabric, resting my hands on his shoulders as I tried to endure the pleasure.

Darius caught my eye and let out a wicked little chuckle before adding another finger and suddenly churning deep inside me.

Kate: Mnnn—! Ah!!

The lewd sound of friction echoed through the room, and my mind went blank for a split second—long enough for the skirt to slip from between my teeth.

Kate: Ah...... ahh.......!

My knees shook uncontrollably, and the nectar spilling from my center dripped onto the sofa.

(I’ve made such a mess......!)

Tears pricked at my eyes from the sheer embarrassment when a sudden knock at the door rang out—

Nica: Sorry, I forgot some paperwork. Are you guys... busy in there?

Kate: !

I gasped and clapped a hand over my mouth, but Darius simply pressed his hardened heat against my entrance.

(Wh-what are you......)

He pressed an index finger to his own lips, signaling me to stay silent. I stared at him, my eyes wide with shock.

(You can't be serious!?)

There was no sign he intended to stop despite my resistance; I was forced to simply endure him pushing inside.

Kate: .........

As the hot pillar slowly stretched me open, a numbing pleasure surged through me, and I clamped my hand over my mouth with everything I had.

But—the moment he struck my very depths, a shameless cry leaked through the gaps of my fingers.

Kate: Nha......

Nica must have noticed, as it went quiet on the other side of the door for a beat before he let out an exasperated sigh.

Nica: Seriously? You really are busy. Whatever, I don't care, just don't get any... mess on my documents.

Kate: !

Nica: Oh, and make sure you air the place out. Anyway, have fun~

His footsteps receded until I could no longer sense anyone nearby.

I felt like I was going to die of shame.

(This is exactly why I didn't want to do this here...!)

As I covered my face, half-sobbing, Darius looked down at me with a cold, piercing gaze.

Darius: .......I told you to be quiet, didn't I?

Kate: Whose fault do you think—Aaah!?

He suddenly hoisted my hips up only to slam me back down with all his weight, gouging into my depths as if trying to break right through me.

The sudden, violent wave of pleasure made my entire body shudder and my back arch before I even knew what was happening.

While I was lost in the throes of a climax, Darius stripped off his coat, gripped my waist tight, and began to relentlessly core through me again and again.

Kate: Yaah...... stop...... wait, h-hng!!

Darius: I can't believe you let another man hear you making those sounds.

The lewd sound of liquid echoed throughout the room.

Ignoring my protests, Darius was visibly incensed. I was treated like a mere doll, left with no choice but to gasp and pant atop his lap.

Darius: This is your punishment. You're a bad girl, Kate.

Kate: Ah!

I reached my limit again and again, only for him to pour his heat into me once more.

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the sofa was a mess, soaked in fluids that could have belonged to either of us. My reason had already vanished...... Unable to think, I surrendered my limp body to him.

Kate: No...... I can't...... anymore......

In response, Darius laid me down on the sofa, grabbed both of my legs, and hiked up my hips.

The sight of where we were joined was completely exposed. I tried to look away in shame, but he began to core through me yet again.

Darius: Look. Even though it's such a mess in here that you shouldn't be able to take any more, you're still begging for me.

Kate: Yaah......

The liquid spilling from my center traced a path down my stomach, dripping all the way to my navel.

The warmth made my body shudder, causing me to reflexively squeeze around his length......

Darius: Such a lewd, helpless little lover... so weak for pleasure that you can't even control your own voice.

Kate: Aaah!

With his full weight bearing down on me, an exceptionally sharp wave of pleasure crashed over me alongside a dull ache.

Darius pulled my trembling body into a tight embrace, wearing a smile of pure delight as he kissed me.

Darius: And I must be truly insane too, being this madly in love with someone like you.

I don't remember anything after that.

When I finally came to, I was in bed, sleeping in the arms of a devil with the face of a sleeping angel.

—

And then, a few days later—

Ring: Did you change the sofa?

Darius: Yeah. I didn't like the old one, so I threw it out.

The soiled sofa had been replaced with a brand-new one.

Ring: You bought one much larger than before. The color is different, too.

Darius: I thought it would be better to have plenty of room. Besides, stains won't show as easily on this color.

While speaking with Ring, Darius directed a meaningful smile toward me.

Darius: Right, Kate?

Ever since then, whenever I sit on that sofa, I can't help but remember that day.

————

LETTER

A Request for the “I Love You” Proxy Service

I want you to continue being my proxy for those three words until the day I finally speak them and die.

This is something only you can do.

You’re the one who broke our promise and wandered the border between life and death. Don’t you dare tell me you won’t listen to this request.

I will never forgive you if you, the person who made me realize what loneliness feels like, go and die before I do. If you leave first, I truly will invade Britain, you know?

......I’m saying all these things, but the truth is, I just can’t stand the thought of it. I can no longer imagine a life without you. I simply don't want to be left behind in a world where I can't hear your “I love you.”

Darius Vogel

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Blind Love Chapter 21 | IkeVil Masterlist

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After Gavin departed, I remained deep in thought for a very long time.

The following day, I requested everyone within the company to strictly regulate the direction of public opinion, ensuring we avoided any tendency toward excessive sensationalism.

Condemnation was never the ultimate goal; the true focus lay in ensuring that no tragedy would ever repeat its steps.

At the same time, in response to Gavin's investigation, I made another trip over to the Task Force headquarters.

I lay flat upon the platform of a massive instrument, watching the apparatus whirl around the vicinity of my brain without pause.

Youran: What was that just now?

Gavin: We are conducting a deep scan of your brain.

Gavin: As of right now, there is no way to determine exactly what that person did to you.

I stepped out from the glass enclosure, reflecting back upon the sensations I felt at that moment.

Youran: Whenever those threads were in my vicinity, I would experience a highly noticeable headache, and a great many memories felt as though they were being dragged to the surface.

Youran: Could he perhaps be a memory-related Evolver as well?

Gavin: There is a possibility of that.

Gavin: Furthermore, he was aware that you had utilized your powers for an entire day.

Gavin: He must have been trailing you closely this whole time.

The light within his eyes steadily grew colder, and his brow knit together automatically.

Gavin: He was unaware that I would return, so that moment was indeed an opportune time to catch you vulnerable.

Gavin: Though it cost me some time, I failed to uncover any subsequent traces of him whatsoever.

Youran: Could he be connected to this incident?

Gavin: His movements were far too clean; it resembles something directed squarely at you.

Gavin: Yet we cannot entirely rule out whether he is detached from this series of occurrences.

Youran: That person mentioned that he was also a former graduate of this school.

Gavin: I will look into this matter.

The manifestation of that mysterious man was like an invisible, hidden landmine, layering even more uncertainty over myself as well as this bizarre collective suicide incident.

Youran: Did you happen to locate anything on that distorted wall afterward?

Gavin: Nothing.

Everything felt entirely jammed inside a dead end.

The children who went to the gymnasium to commit suicide together, the potential existence of an Evol apparatus, the bizarre wall that produced a momentary distortion, the mysterious power and the man……

As well as this entire world, overflowing with a subtle sense of detachment and apathy.

Gavin: I reviewed the statements. You mentioned that you headed to the gymnasium because you discovered every single one of them had left behind similar remarks.

Gavin: This must have been located through the utilization of your Evol as well. No one made any mention of this during the previous investigations.

Youran: Yes, you could say I gained inspiration from the security guard's memories.

Youran: Memories reside right inside everyone's brain, yet people are always bound to overlook or forget things, even though they won't fade away too quickly.

Youran: Though perhaps, it is also because my powers have grown stronger.

I flashed a faint smile toward Gavin. As we spoke, we had already stepped past the main gates of the Task Force headquarters.

Youran: Then I'll be taking my leave first.

I feigned a tentative air of carefreeness, slowly turning my body around and deliberately preparing to pace forward with lingering steps.

Gavin: Hold on a moment.

Youran: What is it?

Almost in the blink of an eye, I turned back around, my eyes widening with pleasant surprise.

He didn't seem to anticipate that I would spin around quite so fast, freezing up for a brief second as he fought hard to suppress the automatic curl of his lips, pressing his mouth into an incredibly unnatural line.

Gavin: ……Are you really that happy?

Youran: Next time you look back the moment I tell you to hold on, I'll tell you then.

I squinted my eyes at him with a smile, stepping right back into the space directly in front of him.

Youran: What's on your mind?

Gavin gazed deeply at me, hesitation and inner turmoil silently pulling at him from all sides before ultimately settling into a low, quiet murmur.

Gavin: Are you free after this?

Youran: Yes.

Gavin: I haven't mentioned the time or place yet, nor have I told you what we are doing.

Youran: It doesn't matter.

I quietly accepted all of his scrutiny and wavering uncertainty, hands clasped behind my back as I looked up at him.

Youran: If you feel self-conscious about it, you can just answer me the exact same way next time I make a request like this.

Gavin: It's all next time?

Youran: It's all next time.

Gavin: Then next time it is.

The autumn breeze drifted lazily by, weaving its way through the space between us. It gently coaxed the hem of my skirt upward, making it appear as though it were interlaced with his shadow.

Gavin: Let's go.

With those words, he took a cool stride forward. Suddenly, as if a thought had just struck him, he tilted his head to look at me.

Gavin: You still have my helmet with you, right?

Youran: Do I?

Gavin: Going back on your word?

Youran: Then you'll have to let me give it some proper thought.

Gavin: Think faster.

The corners of his mouth pulled into a handsome, reckless curve. Gavin straddled the motorcycle with effortless ease, leaning back as he watched me.

Gavin: I only have one spare helmet on me right now.

Gavin: If you can't recall, I'll have to head back inside to borrow one from someone.

Naturally, Gavin merely wanted to hear me admit the truth, and he ultimately still managed to borrow a helmet from someone.

The absolute moment the motorcycle ground to a halt, catching sight of the scene laid out before my eyes, I caught my breath entirely out of instinct.

Standing before me was a two-story cottage that appeared completely charred by fire. Menacing black ash stretched dreadfully across every single corner of the structure, resembling nothing less than the skeletal remains left behind after violent tongues of flame had devoured it.

It appeared far too dilapidated, leaving one only capable of vaguely discerning from the outer walls and architectural style that it seemed to be an old house.

Its perimeter was securely cordoned off entirely, and the tall iron sheets had long since broken out in mottled patches of rust, bleached and buckled by the relentless battering of wind and rain, as though they had stood guard right here for an eternity.

Had it been preserved here in this exact manner the entire time? Why?

Was this connected to the matter currently under investigation as well?

Yet Gavin remained completely silent throughout.

Offering merely a casual glance, he led me down from the motorcycle, holding me close as he vaulted over the barricade and stepped inside.

Youran: Ga—Gavin, is it really all right for us to do this?

Gavin: Don't worry about it. I'll take responsibility.

He pushed the door open with practiced familiarity. Along with the faint dust dispersing into the air, an even more glaring, roaring blackness flooded into the entirety of my vision.

Perhaps even Gavin himself had failed to realize that his footsteps had grown heavier and his posture had become tighter, his hands even automatically clenching into fists.

Gavin: You still recall what I mentioned to you previously regarding our research into Evol prints and Evol energy wavelengths, correct?

Youran: I remember.

Gavin: Evol energy remnants are far more resilient against dissipating or being artificially erased than we initially imagined.

Gavin: Looked at from another perspective, it is much easier to detect than standard fingerprints.

He cast a casual glance across the perimeter, turning his body toward me.

Gavin: This time, an exceptionally unique Evol wavelength was detected during the autopsies of those children.

Youran: Mmh, I witnessed it inside your memories before.

Gavin: I previously examined a scene and uncovered three varying degrees of Evol prints upon it.

Gavin: And this specific Evol wavelength happens to share the exact same bandwidth as one of the faintest Evol prints detected there.

Youran: ......The exact same bandwidth?

Gavin: They aren't completely identical, but the proportions match perfectly. There is bound to be a reason behind this.

His voice was incomparably calm, as if stripped of every single nerve, leaving behind nothing but a freezing annotation.

Gavin: That scene…… was right here.

Gavin: I want to utilize your Evol to locate the dead ends within memory.

Youran: ……But I am incapable of retrieving memories through inanimate objects, just like back at the gymnasium.

Youran: I require a person to serve as the medium.

Gavin: That person is standing right in front of you.

Those stern, severe eyes locked onto me without a single blink, roaring with a piercing, biting gale.

Gavin: What you need to view is precisely my memory.

Gavin: This is the place where my mother passed away.

I froze entirely.

I stared at Gavin, finding the reality somewhat difficult to accept, yet he appeared so utterly distant, mirroring the blackness stretching out before us.

Gavin: I can cooperate with you to recall the circumstances of that moment.

Gavin: Though there are bound to be omissions, so I hope you can help pay close attention.

Gavin: There is no need to take my feelings into consideration.

He was far too calm, resembling nothing less than an unfeeling machine, which left me momentarily at a complete loss for words.

Youran: …..But…… you…

Youran: I cannot avoid taking your feelings into consideration.

Gavin: This is the fastest, most efficient method.

It felt as though there was some sort of unshakeable force residing within him, rendering him obstinate, yet simultaneously keeping him steadfast.

Gavin: This side is the living room, and over there are the balcony and kitchen. The staircase is situated in the eastern corner, and there are three rooms upstairs.

Gavin: Bringing you here was simply to let you get a general sense of the building's layout.

Gavin: That way, when we step into the memory, it won't be too disorienting.

Gavin went on introducing the pitch-black house to me in such a matter-of-fact, straightforward manner.

Ash swirled along with the casual movements of his arms, tracing out one somber, gloomy trajectory after another.

Gavin: Do you have any other questions?

Youran: ......

Gazing into those eyes that had been entirely stripped of emotion, I took a deep, lingering breath.

Youran: No.

Youran: Let me double-check one last time—you are truly all right with this, correct?

Gavin: I'm fine.

Youran: All right.

I caught hold of his hand. His palm was far more damp and cold than I had anticipated, resembling someone who had been trapped inside a torrential downpour for an eternity.

Gavin seemed to stiffen for a brief fraction of a second, yet he slowly squeezed my hand in return.

Youran: Then let's begin.

In just a single instant, I was pulled back by Gavin into a peaceful afternoon.

Sunlight streamed through the window and into the room, casting neat patterns of light and shadow across the floor.

Dust motes floated quietly, and the entire room was bathed in a clear, pure warmth, as if the very grain of the wooden floorboards was gently breathing.

A thick rug was spread out across the floor, adorned with intricate floral and geometric patterns, laced with winding lines of gold thread.

The tassels along the edges were slightly unraveled, bearing the worn, fuzzy texture of passing years.

The world before me was so simple and cozy, feeling exactly like waking up from a childhood nap on a lazy afternoon.

Gavin: Mom, I'm back from playing basketball.

Suddenly, a voice that sounded a bit youthful yet completely carefree broke through the quiet.

Woman: How come you didn't play a little longer?

Gavin: I told them I had to come home for lunch and study this afternoon, so I ran back.

Woman: Well look at that, our little Qi is finally starting to look like a real high schooler.

Gavin: School doesn't even start for a few more days.

The owner of the memory shook the sweat from his hair, tossed the basketball into the corner by the sofa, and dashed off to the kitchen to help the woman carry the freshly cooked dishes over to the dining table.

The woman sat down by the table, the soft, warm light brushing over her gentle features.

Woman: Oh, by the way, I bought you a new backpack. You can wear it when you go to orientation in a couple of days.

Gavin: I'm not a kid anymore, you didn't have to. The old one works perfectly fine, and you just bought me that new basketball last month.

Woman: But this is high school. A new chapter deserves a fresh start.

It was such an incredibly ordinary afternoon, the boy and the woman sitting in a space completely flooded with light.

They ate their lunch, chatted, and talked about the future.

Just watching this, their smiling faces began to blur continuously in my vision. I fought hard to keep my eyes wide open, but tears kept welling up in my eyes time and time again.

Woman: All right, then hurry up and get to your tasks. Didn't you say you wanted to watch the closing ceremony tonight?

Gavin: Yes!

He quickly wolfed down his last bite, gathered the empty bowl and plate, and sped off to the kitchen to wash them in a flash before stepping back into the living room.

Like a soldier, he raised his right hand and touched his fingertips lightly to his temple.

Gavin: Reporting, Comrade Wen Ran! I'm heading upstairs to study.

Woman: Received, Soldier Gavin. You just ate, so take a little break before cracking open the books. Don't push yourself!

Gavin: Roger that!

His voice sounded so incredibly buoyant, like a gust of wind that had never known what it meant to fall, brimming entirely with the essence of light.

The screen followed the boy's perspective up to the small room upstairs, where basketball posters and various star charts were stuck to the wall.

All sorts of mystery novels and exercise workbooks lined the nearby bookshelf, and a white model airplane cast a brilliant glare against the backdrop of the balcony.

His quilt looked soft, his water cup was a clean white enamel mug, his new school uniform was neatly ironed and hung to one side, and the new workbook on the desk was only opened to the third page.

It felt as though everything was waiting for a fresh start.

A room like this was so ordinary, resembling the exact kind of space any typical teenage boy would have.

He would laugh out loud, goof around, get drowsy during class, and scratch his head when he couldn't solve a problem.

He would compete to win against boys from other classes on the sports field, and he would pretend to casually approach a girl he liked……

He would welcome every tomorrow with anticipation and passion.

Only, I had heard about—and witnessed—the things that happened afterward.

The hazy world turned into a sheet of black, and amid the darkness, I heard Gavin's calm voice.

Gavin: I got tired from reading later on, so I fell asleep.

Gavin: That living room is the final impression I have.

Along with his words, that warm scene seemed to freeze into a photograph, and no matter how close one drew to it, the warmth within could never be touched again.

Youran: ……What happened next?

I didn't hear Gavin's voice rise in response, leaving nothing but a sort of silent waiting.

The moment I parted the next fragment of memory, everything turned a blazing, crimson red.

Fire raged wildly, as if the entire space had been set ablaze, with fierce tongues of flame curling upward to lick the ceiling.

Wooden beams let out deafening cracks in the intense heat, and glass shattered in an instant, its shards glowing cherry-red in the firelight like a shower of falling embers—

Everything was drowned and swallowed up within it, just like the rest of the memories.

I stood right in the middle of the flames, the heat wave seemingly crashing against my face like a ravenous beast, mercilessly dragging everything down into a crimson abyss.

Gavin: At first, I only felt hot. The moment I opened my eyes, I was thrown back by the wind.

Gavin: I didn't know what was happening. By the time I could react, everything was already engulfed in a massive fire.

Youran: So you never actually came down to the living room.

Gavin: No.

Youran: Then this memory…… isn't something you actually witnessed.

Youran: You've been imagining it all along…… right?

The voice inside my head didn't speak again, but a wave of pain pulsed from his hand as he squeezed mine harder and harder.

Just like his heart.

This scene of everything burning to ashes was a fire that belonged to him alone. Standing in the middle of the living room, he had never stopped being scorched by this massive blaze.

He wished he had actually stood here.

Just the thought of it made my heart wrench tightly, leaving me almost unable to breathe.

Then, the agonizing screams belonging to that teenage boy finally echoed in my ears.

Gavin: Mom!!!

Gavin: Mom!!!!!

Gavin: Let me go!!! Let me go!!!!

Countless times, the boy tried to fling himself into the raging flames, only to be pinned ruthlessly to the ground.

Gavin: Mom!!!!!!!

He fell to his knees, his shoulders shaking violently with heavy, ragged sobs.

Gavin: Save her! I'm begging you, please save my mom!

Man: It's not that I'm leaving her to die. It's that you are completely useless! You failed to save your own mother!

The man stood tall in a crisp military uniform, looking utterly cold and ruthless under the reflection of the roaring fire.

Gavin's fingertips dug deep into the cold, hard asphalt, his nails tearing back as they left behind a trail of bloody streaks on the road.

Tears streamed uncontrollably down his face, mixing with the dirt and sweat, hitting the ground with soft, faint splatters.

Gavin: Please…… I'm begging you…

Man: You should never have been born in the first place. You are the absolute greatest mistake of my life!

Through the chaos of the blaze, the boy raised his trembling head, his eyes locking with the woman's despairing gaze through a window framed by swirling fire.

Gavin: I'm sorry…… I'm sorry…… I'm so sorry……

The boy curled into himself, his back arched as he helplessly repeated those words over and over again.

Instinctively, I ran toward the flames. The exact second a cluster of sparks exploded, I saw the beautiful woman offer one final smile, heartbroken yet incredibly tender.

But in that very instant, the massive fire engulfed her face, shattering everything to pieces.

He seemed to lose all control over his shaking body, buried his head against the ground, and wailed.

Countless people passed him by, but it felt as though the entire world had been reduced to nothing but fire, scorching his eyes and his tears.

My own heart felt as if it were being torn to shreds, tears continuously spilling over.

I wanted to hold this boy close, I wanted to rescue that woman, I wanted to scream at that heartless man, and I wanted to extinguish this violent, consuming fire.

But I couldn't do a single thing.

All I could do was wipe away my tears and fling myself into the flames again and again.

I knew exactly why I had to be here. I had to find some kind of clue that his younger self had overlooked back then.

Only then could that boy truly stop crying.

I kept rewinding the memory right in the middle of the fire, turning it over carefully, searching through it over and over.

Even as the hand grasping mine squeezed tighter with an agonizing ache, I kept running right back into the blinding light of the fire.

Please…… please let there be something……

I couldn't even stop myself from praying, desperate for heaven to actually leave something behind—anything that could help him, anything that could act as a beacon in this towering inferno.

Suddenly, at the exact moment Gavin was blasted outside the house, a dark, blurry shadow seemed to slip out of the building at the same time.

But it happened too fast, almost like an illusion.

My heart hammered wildly, practically leaping into my throat. Holding my breath, I carefully rewound the memory once more.

That blurry dark figure appeared time and time again. Out of pure instinct, I squeezed his hand tight and cried out in excitement.

Youran: Gavin! There was someone else! Right when you were thrown out of the house by the wind, another person ran out too!

Youran: I saw it!

Youran: I saw them!!

The scene cut off in an instant. I gasped heavily for air, but I couldn't make out Gavin's face in front of me.

He was too blurry, and tears kept welling up, clouding my vision entirely.

Gavin: Don't cry.

Those freezing fingertips rubbed rigidly against my face with force, revealing his still peaceful features.

Youran: I saw them... Gavin…… someone else was there. But I couldn't make out their face..... They were too far away...

Youran: No matter what I did, I couldn't see them clearly. I'm sorry…

Gavin: This is enough.

In this very moment, it felt as though the tears he had run out of long ago were spilling from my own eyes instead.

Youran: Why didn't you let me do this sooner? You must have been investigating this for a really long time.

Or rather, from the moment many years ago when he finally became willing to face the flames, he had already been moving forward.

I had no intention of scouting through all of his memories; it was simply that the occurrences related to his mother were far too distinct, causing them to imprint directly into my line of sight instead.

He took a deep breath, remaining silent for a long time before he finally spoke.

Gavin: Because before, I didn't want your pity.

Gavin: Or maybe, I just needed to find that answer on my own.

He paused, letting go of my hand.

Gavin: But that doesn't matter anymore. Right now, I just need the answer.

The faint moonlight drifted into the ruined room. He stood perfectly straight, carrying a sort of unshakeable, solitary courage and stubborn determination.

When he held me close and vaulted back over the barricade, he looked at me with immense gravity.

Gavin: Thank you, Youran.

In this moment, he looked exactly like a gust of wind preparing to set sail once more.

Only this time, he was about to set off alone.

Ultimately, Gavin drove me back home.

As I hopped down from the motorcycle, I caught hold of his hand.

A flurry of images flashed through my mind in an instant, finally freezing on the sight of Gavin kneeling in front of a small niche at the funeral home. Inside the tiny compartment was a photograph of a little girl.

I had seen this child's picture before. Her name was Tian Jing, and she was one of the children who had passed away.

Gavin: Don't be afraid. Just wait a little longer.

Gavin's voice was quiet, yet it carried an immovable determination.

Gavin: I'll find the truth.

Gavin: I'll bring you home.

..

The hazy white mist on the glass display slowly cleared away, finally reflecting Gavin's face.

Youran: Gavin…… you paid the storage fees for Tian Jing, didn't you?

Gavin: It's no big deal.

Gavin: But tomorrow, I need to go place her memorial tablet inside first.

Youran: Tomorrow?

I froze for a moment, not entirely processing his words right away.

If it was tomorrow…… then what was that image I just saw?

But Gavin didn't address my hesitation, pulling his helmet on instead.

Gavin: I'll catch that guy as soon as possible, and I'll send people to protect you.

Gavin: Just like I promised, I will absolutely keep you safe.

Youran: Gavin, I don't need that kind of promise from you.

I looked straight at him, clenching my fists.

Youran: If you really want to make a promise to me, then promise that once everything is resolved, you'll take another walk with me under the ginkgo trees.

Gavin: .....

Gavin looked at me, snapped his visor down, and revved the throttle.

This time, he didn't make a promise.

The roar of the engine faded away, and my Father pulled back the sheer curtain a short distance away. Moonlight flooded into the space, casting a faint, cold layer over his features.

Father: You should go.

Behind him stood a loosely dressed man.

He had changed into an equally soft, loose cotton linen shirt, standing up after stretching in a lazy, indolent manner.

Father: Don't be so impatient next time.

Father: None of them are enemies, including my daughter.

??: You've played the part of a father for a long time, but don't forget why we are here in the first place.

The man vanished back into the darkness.

??: If you want to go home, it's only normal to be impatient, isn't it?

Staff Member: You can just make the payment right here.

Early the next morning, Gavin rushed over to the funeral home.

With a sharp beep, Gavin finished paying, picked up a small wooden box along with a memorial tablet, and knelt down in front of the pre-booked niche.

He carefully pushed the box inside, arranging it meticulously before finally placing the white memorial tablet right at the front.

He didn't know why he was doing this.

But thinking back on earlier, he had already stepped forward.

Gavin: Don't be afraid. Just wait a little longer.

Gavin: I'll find the truth, and I'll bring you home.

When he stepped past the main gates, he dialed a number, and the person on the other end picked up almost instantly.

Lucien: Commander Gavin, you're up quite early. Gavin: You received the brain scans sent over last night, right? Gavin: How long until we get the results? Lucien: That depends entirely on what sort of results you are looking to obtain, Captain Gavin. Lucien: It is highly complex—perhaps it might provide us with an unexpected surprise.

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Chapter 2-01

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Kagetoki: As we prepare for the massive war against the rebel army, we should reduce any unnecessary obstacles as much as humanly possible.

Kagetoki: If that is the case, there is only one single thing we must do.

Kagetoki: Grant death to every single piece of vermin that could potentially become an enemy of the Kamakura Shogunate in the near future.

His chilling, brilliant gaze shone with a deep, inner light, as if completely seeing through the hearts of everyone present.

A beat behind him, his subordinates raised their voices in unison.

Kagetoki's Subordinate 1: This is a battle of vengeance!

Subordinates: Oohhhhh!

As if the atmosphere—swollen to its absolute limit with tension—had suddenly ruptured, everyone's eyes flashed with a feral intensity.

(The battle is about to begin.)

(But...... how exactly does Kagetoki-san plan to win this with only this many men?)

By the time the subordinates scattered to make their preparations under Kagetoki-san's orders, the curtain of night had already fallen completely.

(What on earth is going to happen from here on out......)

Having quickly finished putting on his battle gear, Kagetoki-san walked over to me.

Kagetoki: Yoshino.

Yoshino: Y-yes!

Kagetoki: As you heard, we are going to completely annihilate the enemy now.

Kagetoki: There is absolutely no need for you to come along. Return to the inn and stay put.

Yoshino: ......I understand.

(Is it truly all right for me to do that? Matsue-san lost his life, and every single person besides me is going to fight.)

The morale of his subordinates was so incredibly high it was almost terrifying.

(Matsue-san must have been deeply adored for them to care this much after all his years of service......)

On top of that, Kagetoki-san's heavy, razor-sharp orders were visibly keeping everyone completely focused.

Yoshino: Kagetoki-san, did you issue the order to fight strictly to avenge Matsue-san?

Kagetoki: The dead desire absolutely nothing. As I stated moments ago, conducting an annihilation campaign here is purely a matter of efficiency.

Kagetoki: However—I suppose that is true.

Kagetoki: If there is any sort of tribute a man like myself can offer, it would likely be nothing more than piling up the corpses of the enemy.

(......What an incredible look in his eyes.)

If I had to describe the light burning in the depths of his eyes, it was like a flame frozen solid.

Should I interpret it as a lingering kindness toward Matsue-san, or absolute ruthlessness toward the enemy who murdered him...... I simply couldn't tell.

(The one thing that remains absolutely certain is that Kagetoki-san's sole objective is the subjugation of the enemy.)

(......If he prioritizes efficiency above all else, the Shogunate has absolutely no obligation to rescue the villagers, right?)

Feeling a sudden chill run through me, I looked up at Kagetoki-san.

Yoshino: Um, what is going to happen to the people of the village......?

Kagetoki: We will leave them to die. —If I were to say that, what exactly would you do?

Yoshino: ......That's—

I forced myself to swallow the protest that had surfaced reflexively.

(I already know that Kagetoki-san's intellect is sharper than anyone else's in the Shogunate, and that his decisions can be entirely cold-blooded at times.)

(Our circumstances are already disadvantageous enough for a fight, so I can't just speak purely out of emotional whim......)

After thinking desperately, I parted my trembling lips to speak.

Yoshino: I will...... establish a set of priorities.

Kagetoki: Priorities?

Yoshino: Within a scope that doesn't hinder the operation in any way, won't you please allow me to come with you......?

Yoshino: If anyone from the Shogunate sustains severe injuries, I can treat them immediately.

(Going to a battlefield is terrifying. But overlooking lives I might actually be able to save is far more terrifying.)

(If I want to achieve something, I have to sacrifice something else.)

To make that happen, my own fear needs to be prioritized below my courage and rationality.

Yoshino: After I have exhausted absolutely all of my strength for the sake of the Shogunate—

Yoshino: If there is even the slightest margin left to save the lives of the villagers, please...... please allow me to extend a helping hand.

Kagetoki: ........

(......Please.)

Clenching my fingertips tight, I braced myself from the very pit of my stomach.

Kagetoki: That is a rather clumsy negotiation.

(......!)

Kagetoki: However, I will acknowledge your resolve in attempting to push your own perspective through to me.

Yoshino: Eh?

Bewildered by the slightly softened tone of his voice, my eyes widened.

Kagetoki: Throwing a tantrum out of pure emotion is nothing more than childish stubbornness, but you are actively searching for a way to maintain your own sense of logic.

Kagetoki: I find that quite agreeable. This is merely my personal opinion, but...... the speed at which you grow is entirely fascinating.

Yoshino: W-well, then...... does that mean you will permit me to come along?

Kagetoki: If you truly possess that level of preparedness.

Kagetoki-san continued to speak, as if testing my resolve.

Kagetoki: Within the strategies I had drawn up, the rescue of the villagers was actually included from the very beginning.

Kagetoki: However, I calculated that half of them would highly likely end up dead.

(Half of them...... But Kagetoki-san was thinking about the villagers all along.)

Feeling a small wave of relief wash over me, I listened intently to his words.

Kagetoki: I fully intended to leave you behind, but if you cast aside your fear of the battlefield and assist us as an apothecary......

Kagetoki: We should be able to further reduce the number of lives pointlessly scattered.

I couldn't look away from Kagetoki-san as he locked his sharp gaze onto me.

I knew that if I showed even a single shred of a half-hearted attitude right now, he would leave me behind without hesitation.

Yoshino: ......There has never been a single day where I have been more grateful to be an apothecary than today.

Yoshino: I will do absolutely anything I can. I will do my utmost to ensure I do not cause any trouble for anyone.

Yoshino: So please, utilize me within your strategy, Kagetoki-san. I beg of you!

After finishing my sentence, I bowed my head deeply.

Kagetoki: Raise your head. This is a mutual alignment of interests, not an instance of me granting a one-sided favor.

(Kagetoki-san......)

Kagetoki: There is nothing disadvantageous about minimizing unnecessary casualties. This is not a matter of a noble spirit of self-sacrifice; it is purely a calculation.

Kagetoki: If murdering innocent villagers were to work in our favor, I would do so without a single moment of hesitation.

Wanting desperately to uncover his true intentions, I took a step closer to him.

Yoshino: —When you say it works in your favor, whose favor exactly do you mean?

(Kagetoki-san's? Or the Shogunate's?)

Kagetoki: The world's.

Yoshino: Eh?

Kagetoki: ......I am merely jesting.

Even as Kagetoki-san immediately brushed it off, his answer remained strangely stuck in my mind......

As the completely unpredictable battle was about to begin.

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Chapter 11

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Once upon a time, there lived a lonely vampire who was destined to live for eternity. She was the very last survivor of the purebloods.

As the sole survivor, her tragic fate...... meant that she would surely die if she did not consume a human.

Having lived through a vast stretch of time, her life was now finally drawing close to its bitter end.

The ultimate time limit before her life completely expired...... was the night of the very next full moon.

However, no matter what she did, she simply could not bring herself to bite a human.

Because if a human were to be bitten, they would transform into a vampire, forced to live out an entire eternity.

Knowing the sheer emptiness and crushing loneliness that came with eternity, she chose to hide away, quietly awaiting her final moments in a mansion nestled deep within the forest.

Sebastian, who served faithfully by her side, desperately wanted her to bite a human, so one day he selected five men from the town...... and locked them away inside the mansion.

He was thoroughly on his guard against her very existence as a vampire, but that was only in the beginning.

As they shared more and more conversations, he and she gradually began to connect with one another from the bottom of their hearts.

Would she transform him into a fellow vampire to share her existence, or...... would she release him and allow herself to fade away from this world completely?

The night of the full moon—the ultimate time limit before the flame of her life finally expired...... was now fast approaching.

Recalling Sebastian's anxious expression, I stepped out onto the balcony to endure another sleepless night.

(Just as Sebastian said, once the next full moon arrives, I will fade away completely.)

(I could avoid that fate if I were to bite one of the humans invited to this mansion...... but is that truly the right thing to do?)

Any human bitten would be transformed into a vampire, just like me.

For me, that was a reason more than enough to hesitate.

(......An existence that amounts to eternity really isn't such a wonderful thing.)

Once you stop counting the passing days and months, a staggering, unfathomable stretch of time merely lies before you, entirely stagnant and dead.

I simply couldn't bring myself to force a human to shoulder a lengthy, crushing loneliness that showed no sign of ever ending.

(Besides, there might very well be some sort of proper reason why every single member of my kind, save for myself, has perished.)

(If that's the case, then perhaps I should just fade away as well, rather than trying to prolong my life any further.)

Whenever those thoughts began to take root, I would find myself unable to sleep, just like tonight.

Just as a melancholy sigh escaped my lips—

(Ah......)

As if to sweep away the heavy darkness in my heart, a light, fluid piano melody drifted through the air.

(Wolfgang......)

Lured by the beautifully clear notes, I made my way toward the piano room.

Knocking softly against the closed door, I gently pushed it open.

Mitsuki: Wolfgang, you're still awake?

When I called out to his back as he played, Wolfgang didn't stop his hands for a single second as he tossed a reply back to me.

Wolfgang: You've certainly learned to call me by my name rather familiarly.

Mitsuki: Do you dislike it?

Wolfgang: ......I don't particularly mind.

Wolfgang: Because you are my friend. I'll make a special exception just for you.

Hearing his voice sound slightly bashful, a happy smile spread across my face.

(When Sebastian first brought him here, he wouldn't even give me the time of day.)

(But now, he's really opened up to me.)

As we learned more and more about each other, the time we spent together like this had naturally grown longer.

Wolfgang: So, did you need something?

Mitsuki: No. I just heard your piano, so I thought I'd come listen to it up close.

Wolfgang: ......You really never get tired of it, do you?

Mitsuki: Yep. Whenever I listen to your piano, Wolfgang, it somehow makes me feel completely at ease.

On nights when I couldn't sleep, I had made it a routine to pass the time like this, letting Wolfgang play the piano for me.

We had grown close to a degree that would have been entirely unimaginable in the beginning, but—

I hadn't told Wolfgang a single thing about the fact that I would fade away if I didn't bite someone by the time the full moon arrived.

(......If possible, I want to keep him from ever finding out.)

I didn't want to force any unnecessary inner turmoil upon him, nor did I want to destroy the precious time we were able to spend together right now.

Mitsuki: Hey. Keep playing for me, please.

I asked that of Wolfgang as if trying to avert my eyes from the anxiety surging up within me once again.

Wolfgang: ......I suppose I have no choice.

Though his words were blunt, Wolfgang always granted my requests in the end.

(He's hard to read, but he really is a gentle person.)

As a deeply romantic melody eventually began to flow through the room, I closed my eyes, entirely enchanted.

(......It really is beautiful.)

The fluid, airy notes never failed to brush away my melancholy, carrying it far away to somewhere else.

(A human's lifespan is so incredibly short, so how can they create something so absolutely magnificent?)

To me, the fleeting lives of humans—sparkling like shooting stars before vanishing into the night—seemed so breathtakingly radiant—

—

The next day—

Around the time I finished waking up and getting dressed, Sebastian paid a visit to my room.

Sebastian: Good morning, Mitsuki-sama. How is the progress of your interactions with the humans coming along?

Mitsuki: Good morning, Sebastian. ......Um, there isn't really any change, I suppose.

Sebastian: No change...... which means there has been absolutely no progress, just as before?

Sebastian: Goodness, you really are incredibly helpless when it comes to romance, Mitsuki-sama.

Sebastian spoke with an exasperated sigh.

Sebastian: Mitsuki-sama, I am begging you, please close the distance between yourself and one of those men as soon as possible.

Mitsuki: C-close the distance between a man and a woman......?

As I stood there utterly bewildered by his suggestive phrasing, Sebastian held something out toward me.

It was a pool cue used for playing billiards.

Mitsuki: Eh? This is......

Sebastian: I have set up billiards and various board games in the lounge.

Sebastian: Please, go ahead and spend the day entirely alone with the man who has caught your heart.

(So he basically wants me to go deepen my bond with someone for the time being......)

Feeling relieved that his suggestion was far more wholesome than I had anticipated, I accepted the cue from him.......

...

(I came all this way thinking I'd love to play a game with Wolfgang if I'm going to do it anyway, but—)

(......How on earth should I invite him?)

I froze right in front of Wolfgang's door.

(Even if I ask him directly, he'll probably just say something like, 'Do you honestly think I would ever play something like that?')

Ever since he arrived at this mansion, I hadn't seen Wolfgang show an interest in a single thing unless it was related to music.

As I paced back and forth on the spot trying to figure out a plan, the door suddenly swung open from the inside.

Mitsuki: Ah......

Wolfgang: ......What are you doing?

As Wolfgang looked down at me with his quiet eyes, the words spilled out of my mouth before I could stop them.

Mitsuki: W-well...... Um...... Ah, I'll play with you!

Because I wasn't emotionally prepared, it came out sounding like a stubborn child trying to act tough.

Wolfgang: Huh......?

Mitsuki: Um, you see! Humans live in towns bursting with entertainment, right? I just thought it must be difficult for you to be so bored.

Mitsuki: Why don't we play some billiards?

Hiding my restless, fluttering nerves as best as I could, I gestured toward Wolfgang with the pool cue in my hand.

Wolfgang: ......

(......He looks so incredibly baffled......)

Wolfgang: So what you're saying is, you've been pacing around in front of my door this whole time because you wanted to play with me?

Mitsuki: You noticed......?!

Wolfgang: Your footsteps were loud.

(I don't think I was making that much noise, though......)

Given how deeply immersed he was in music, his sense of hearing might simply be on a completely different level from an ordinary person's.

As I tried desperately to suppress the embarrassment flushing through me, Wolfgang let out a soft, involuntary chuckle.

Wolfgang: You're like a child.

Wolfgang: And here I was told you were a legendary pureblood vampire who has lived for a vast stretch of time.

Mitsuki: W-well...... The number of years I've been alive has nothing to do with it.

Even as I shot that retort back at him, a strange sensation washed over me.

(......How bizarre. It's almost as if I'm acting giddy and restless with excitement.)

Ever since I was left all alone in this mansion as the last pureblood vampire, my heart had never fluttered like this.

(Being with Wolfgang is so much fun.)

(—Even if this is nothing more than a borrowing of time until the night of the full moon.)

The moment that thought crossed my mind, a violent, painful ache constricted the depths of my chest.

Wolfgang: Nine-ball? Or straight pool?

Mitsuki: Eh......?

When I looked up, a faint, subtle smile was playing on Wolfgang's lips.

Wolfgang: Since I have no choice, I suppose I'll play with you.

With those few words from Wolfgang, the heavy melancholy that had been threatening to cloud my heart vanished into thin air.

Afterward, I decided to play billiards with Wolfgang in the lounge, but—

(Ugh...... I just can't seem to hit it right......)

As I leaned over the table in an incredibly awkward posture trying to aim at the ball, Wolfgang watched me with an exasperated look on his face.

Wolfgang: Have you never done this before? —Billiards.

Mitsuki: Well...... even though I live in this massive mansion, I've never really had anyone to play a game of billiards with.

Since Sebastian is a butler, it was extremely rare for us to sit down and play a game together like this.

Wolfgang: In that case, I'll teach you.

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Part 2

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The war had ended, and just as our normal daily routine was beginning to return—

Mitsunari-kun had traveled back to Sawayama Castle alongside me to assess the conditions of his territory.

Shinnojo: Mai-sama? Whatever is the matter, sitting down here at the foot of the bridge?

Sakon: Could it be that you are playing hide-and-seek?

(Ah, Shinnojo-san and Sakon-san!)

Mai: S-sorry, but could you keep your voices down just a little bit?

Being called out to by the two men who served as Mitsunari-kun's vassals, I frantically scanned our surroundings.

(Okay, there's no one around. Thank goodness.)

Shinnojo let a gentle look wash over his face.

Shinnojo: ......Are you truly playing hide-and-seek?

Sakon: If you happen to be pursued by an enemy instead, this Sakon shall protect you in our lord's stead!

Sakon thumped his own chest with fierce bravery, causing my eyes to dart around out of sheer guilt.

Mai: Well, it's not an enemy...... It's just...... I'm trying to make sure Mitsunari-kun doesn't find me, or something along those lines......

Shinnojo, Sakon: Eh?

(I know, it's completely shocking to hear......)

Mai: It's not what you think! We haven't had a fight, and of course it's not because I've come to dislike Mitsunari-kun or anything like that.

Shinnojo: What a relief. I was prepared to use absolutely any means necessary to mediate the situation and keep you here with all my might......

Sakon: Ah, if push came to shove, I would have secretly—

Sakon: No, it is probably best that I keep that to myself.

(Their loyalty to Mitsunari-kun really is incredibly profound!)

Mai: I'm sorry for causing a misunderstanding. To be precise, it's not that I'm running away from him.

Mai: I've just been keeping my distance because staying by his side will only cause him trouble.

Shinnojo: Trouble......?

Sakon: With you by his side, Mai-sama, I highly doubt our lord would ever feel that way.

Mai: That's because...... well......

(Ugh, this is way too embarrassing to explain.)

As the two of them tilted their heads in confusion—

Mitsunari: Ah, so this is where you were, Mai-sama.

(Wah, Mitsunari-kun......!)

Shinnojo: Mitsunari-sama, were you not in your room writing replies to the accumulated correspondence?

Mitsunari: Yes, but I noticed that Mai-sama was nowhere to be seen, so I was in the middle of searching the castle grounds for her.

Stepping closer to me, Mitsunari-kun gently draped the haori coat he held in his hand over my shoulders.

Mitsunari: It must be chilly out here. Shall we head back to our room soon? We mustn't let you catch a cold, after all.

Sakon: .......My lord, I do not believe the weather is particularly cold today.

Mitsunari: We cannot afford to risk even a slight possibility. Now, please take my hand. There are many uneven surfaces around here.

Mitsunari-kun offered his hand to me with a bright smile.

(Yep, this is the kind of offer I can't possibly refuse.)

...

Shinnojo and Sakon watched their lord and his companion walk away, completely dumbfounded.

Shinnojo: ......That seemed rather uncharacteristic behavior for Mitsunari-sama.

Sakon: Aye, it is a shock. That is the first time I have ever seen our lord fussing over someone else's well-being.

...

(Shinnojo-san and Sakon-san both seemed pretty shocked by that.)

(Well, to be fair, so am I.)

Lately, Mitsunari-kun had been fussing over me in every possible way.

He had been paying attention to even the tiniest details of my daily routine, constantly checking if I was hungry, if I was sleepy, or if I was feeling unwell.

Mitsunari: Mai-sama, what is it that you are carrying?

Mai: The books were starting to overflow from my desk, so I thought I'd put them back on the shelves.

Mitsunari: It is dangerous for you to carry such heavy things. Please leave it to me.

(Ah......)

Stepping away from his writing desk, Mitsunari-kun walked over to my side and effortlessly scooped up several volumes.

Mai: I'd feel bad interrupting your work. Besides, a few books really aren't that heavy at all, so I'm fine.

Mitsunari: I do not mind in the slightest. I simply need to return these to the shelf, correct? First, as for the text on economics......

Mitsunari: ......

Still clutching the books, Mitsunari-kun began wandering back and forth in front of the bookshelf.

Mai: Could you put that one on the far left of the very top shelf?

Mitsunari: Ah, right here. Next, the text regarding military tactics is......

Mai: It goes right in the middle of the second shelf.

Mitsunari: You are quite right. This is a tremendous help.

(He’s certainly full of enthusiasm when it comes to helping me.)

(I’m happy that we get to spend time together like this, but I feel terrible making him put his own work on hold.)

(And on top of that...... he seems a bit overprotective. Even just last night......)

..

Mitsunari: Mai-sama, you are rubbing your eyes. Is it time for you to head to bed?

Mai: Are you still going to be working, Mitsunari-kun?

Mitsunari: Yes, so please go ahead and rest without me.

(Working late must be so exhausting for him......)

Mai: All right. But make sure you don't overdo it, and get some rest yourself, okay?

Mitsunari: Yes, I shall do exactly that.

Mitsunari: Oh, but before that......

(Wah......!)

Before I could even register what was happening, Mitsunari-kun swept me up into his arms and carried me over to lay me down on the futon.

Caught in the gaze of his violet eyes beneath the faint glow of the candle, my heart began to thud nervously.

Mitsunari: I shall sing you a lullaby to ensure that you get a peaceful night's sleep.

Mai: Eh......

Mitsunari: Getting plenty of sound sleep is surely the best way to keep your health in perfect condition, after all.

(A lullaby from Mitsunari-kun is a rare treat indeed!)

Mai: But aren't you busy? I'd really prefer it if you prioritized your own responsibilities first.

Mitsunari: Ensuring that you rest is my absolute highest priority, you know?

A soft kiss dropped onto my forehead, and a gentle smile graced Mitsunari-kun's features.

..

(He ended up singing me that lullaby after all.)

(Mitsunari-kun's singing voice was absolutely wonderful...... Wait, no, that's beside the point!)

(He's definitely taking this doting behavior a little bit too far, isn't he?)

Just as I was dwelling on this lingering doubt, Mitsunari-kun turned back toward me.

Mitsunari: Phew, I have finished lining up all the books. Shall we take a brief break?

Mitsunari: I have prepared some of those sweet treats you like so much, after all.

His outstretched fingertips gently brushed against my cheek.

(Ah, there it is again......)

The sheer frequency with which he would reach out to stroke my hair or touch my cheek had definitely increased lately, and I knew it wasn't just my imagination.

Mitsunari: ......Mai-sama?

Mai: Ah, no, it's nothing! Thank you for the sweets, I'm really happy to have them.

Mitsunari: Hehe, seeing you happy brings me great joy as well.

Faced with his completely innocent smile, I chose to hold my tongue.

(I can definitely feel how deeply he treasures me, but......)

(What is this strange, lingering sense of unease......?)

Things continued on like this until one particular day—

A grand banquet was scheduled to be held in order to celebrate the completion of the repairs on Azuchi Castle's main keep.

Passing through the castle gates, Mitsunari-kun and I looked up at Azuchi Castle.

Mai: Wow, it's completely back to normal!

Mitsunari: Yes, and it has been adorned with even more luxurious decorations than before.

Mitsunari: It will effortlessly showcase the power of the Oda clan to the daimyo and all of Hinomoto, bringing us one step closer to Unifying the Realm. Nobunaga-sama is truly remarkable.

(I see, so it wasn't just a simple restoration. It also serves as a public demonstration, acting as a symbol of their absolute authority.)

Mai: It means we're drawing even closer to a peaceful world, right?

Mitsunari: Precisely.

While I had felt relieved when the wars and rebellions stirred up by Kicho and Motonari's faction finally quieted down, seeing the reconstruction with my own eyes filled me with a renewed sense of comfort.

Mitsunari: Mai-sama, let us head inside soon. The wind is starting to grow cold.

Mai: I'm still fine. I want to appreciate the beautiful main keep for just a little while longer.

When I made the request, caught up in the excitement of sightseeing, a slight shadow crossed Mitsunari-kun's expression.

Mitsunari: Very well. In that case, I shall shield you from the wind.

Mai: Wha......!

His arms slipped around me from behind, and Mitsunari-kun pulled me into a tight embrace.

Mitsunari: There, you should be fine now.

Mai: Y-yeah, I suppose so......

(He’s being overprotective again.)

(And on top of that, I can intensely feel the stares of the people walking past us.)

(If any of the other warlords catch us like this, they're definitely going to tease us......)

Ieyasu: .......

(Ieyasu!?)

Mitsunari: Ah, Ieyasu-sama. It has been a long time!

Mitsunari-kun smiled at him brightly, but......

Ieyasu: I hear nothing, I see nothing. This is merely a visual and auditory hallucination.

Covering both ears with his hands and turning his face away, Ieyasu looked thoroughly, deeply annoyed.

Mitsunari: So you have arrived as well, Ieyasu-sama.

Mitsunari: If you are on your way to an audience with Nobunaga-sama, please allow us to accompany you.

(Mitsunari-kun isn't phased in the slightest, as usual.)

Ieyasu: Don't follow me. You two should just stay right there and flirt without making a scene in front of everyone else.

Mitsunari: So you were looking out for us. I am deeply grateful for your constant consideration, as always.

(I'm pretty sure that wasn't consideration at all......)

Mitsunari: I am simply shielding Mai-sama from the wind.

Mitsunari: Mai-sama is someone incredibly special and precious to me.

Mitsunari: I cannot tolerate anything that might harm her, even if it is nothing more than a cold breeze.

(Ah...... There's that familiar sense of unease again......)

Ieyasu: ......I didn't ask.

Shrugging his shoulders, Ieyasu started walking away without another word.

...

The sun went down, and the grand banquet finally began.

(What an incredible crowd of people. You can really feel Nobunaga-sama's absolute power.)

Nobunaga: Everyone is assembled. You all did exceptionally well to repel Kicho and his faction during this recent war.

Nobunaga: The main keep has been fully restored, and before long, I shall achieve the Unification of the Realm. Every last one of you shall bear witness to that grand display alongside me.

Warlords: Yes, my lord!!

Nobunaga: Indulge yourselves to your heart's content tonight.

The moment Nobunaga-sama raised his sake cup, the grand hall instantly overflowed with lively, boisterous voices.

Sitting right beside Mitsunari-kun, Hideyoshi-san let out a soft, quiet sigh.

Hideyoshi: A great deal has happened, but I am simply glad that everyone made it back safely.

Masamune: What's the matter, Hideyoshi? Are you already drunk?

Keiji: Can you really blame him for wanting to drink? Hideyoshi had more than his fair share of things to worry about, after all.

Mitsunari: Hideyoshi-sama, allow me to offer my apologies once more......

Hideyoshi: It is quite all right, Mitsunari. You and Mai returned to us safely, and that alone is more than enough for me.

Ieyasu: Are you her father?

(He really does sound like one......!)

Mitsunari: Even so, I cannot simply let the matter rest. Therefore, please allow me to pour sake for everyone tonight.

Mai: Eh!

Hideyoshi, Masamune: Pouring sake......?

Keiji: Are you serious?

Ieyasu: Stop right there. If you try it, you're bound to make it overflow from the cup, without a doubt.

Mitsunari: I shall be perfectly fine. Truth be told, I have been undergoing training for this very task.

(When on earth did he find the time to train for that......?)

(Ah, everyone is casually trying to hide their sake cups.)

Mitsunari: I shall begin by pouring for my neighbor, Keiji-dono.

Keiji: Whoa, hold on a second. Why don't you pour for Ieyasu instead of me? He looks thirsty.

Ieyasu: Hah? You must be joking. Give it to Mai instead of me.

(He passed it off instantly! But I suppose I can't blame him.)

Mai: Um, well, then I'm sorry to go first, but could I have some?

The moment I held out my cup, Mitsunari-kun pulled the sake flask back for some reason.

Mitsunari: No, this alcohol is a bit too strong for you to drink, Mai-sama.

Mitsunari: I have prepared some tea for you instead, so please drink this.

Mitsunari-kun slid a tray bearing a teacup right in front of me.

(He actually went out of his way to prepare this in advance.)

Mitsuhide: My, my. Things are certainly getting interesting here.

Mai: Wah, Mitsuhide-san? You weren't here just a moment ago......

Mitsuhide: I arrived just a short while ago. I was watching because I heard Mitsunari was going to pour the sake, but—

Mitsuhide: To think that Mitsunari, who used to be looked after by Mai, is now the one fussing over her instead.

Hideyoshi: Hey, don't just stand on the sidelines enjoying this while keeping yourself out of harm's way.

Masamune: But it really is rare to see Mitsunari fussing over someone else like this.

Mitsunari: Yes, because I, too, wish to support the person who is precious to me.

Mitsunari: Furthermore, Mai-sama, your body does not belong to you alone right now.

(Eh...... wh-ut?)

Warlords: ......!?

Hideyoshi: No way...... Mitsunari...... Is that what this means?

Nobunaga: Ho. So the two of you have finally been blessed with a child.

(Nobunaga-sama was listening to this too? No, wait, that's not even the main problem right now......!)

Mai: No! M-Mitsunari-kun, saying things like that is going to cause a major misunderstanding in so many ways!

Mitsunari: ? Whatever do you mean by that?

Ieyasu: ......Go examine yourself in a mirror.

Masamune: Looking at him now, it seems like that milestone is still quite a ways off.

Seeing Mitsunari-kun tilting his head in genuine confusion, the surrounding warlords seemed to realize it was all just a mistake on his part, letting out amused huffs and sighs.

(I think Mitsunari-kun has grown a lot, but he's still just as beautifully oblivious as always.)

And even as I was being swept along by the chaos, I suddenly realized something.

(Just as I thought, the reason Mitsunari-kun has been acting so overprotective is......)

...

Ieyasu: Mai. A word.

Right in the middle of the banquet, the moment I stepped out into the corridor, Ieyasu immediately showed himself as well.

Mai: Is something the matter, Ieyasu?

Ieyasu: I was bothered by Mitsunari's attitude earlier today, but you noticed it too, didn't you? The meaning behind his behavior.

Ieyasu: You need to have a proper talk with him.

(Ieyasu is always so blunt with Mitsunari-kun, but he really pays close attention.)

(And he actually followed me out here just to tell me that.)

Mai: Yeah, I know. Hehe......

Ieyasu: What?

Mai: Oh, nothing. It's nothing at all.

Ieyasu: ......Strange girl.

Turning his face away, Ieyasu remained curt and thoroughly stubborn.

It was just so incredibly characteristic of him.

(Mitsunari-kun looks up to Ieyasu so intensely.)

(I'm truly glad that everything that happened didn't end up ruining the relationship between the two of them.)

...

The banquet finally drew to a close near the middle of the night, and I returned to our palace chambers alongside Mitsunari-kun.

Mai: Tonight was so much fun, wasn't it?

Mitsunari: Yes, it was wonderful to be able to converse with everyone.

(Mitsunari-kun must have drank quite a bit, but he hasn't changed at all. It's amazing.)

Mitsunari: Mai-sama, you must be exhausted. Please go ahead and rest just like this.

Mai: Wait, before that...... Atchoo!

Mitsunari: M-Mai-sama......

When the chilly night air made me sneeze, Mitsunari-kun knit his brows and instantly pulled me into his arms.

Mitsunari: I am terribly sorry for failing to notice the cold. As I thought, it would be best for you to head to bed immediately......

Mai: More importantly, I want to talk with you, Mitsunari-kun. Please.

Slipping my arms around his broad back, I held him tight.

Mitsunari: Could it be that you have something you wish to discuss with me?

Mai: Yeah. Lately, you've been by my side constantly, always trying to lend a hand right away, haven't you?

Mai: Is that...... because I almost died in that ocean?

Mitsunari: ......

His long eyelashes cast downward, and after a heavy silence, a sigh escaped his thin lips.

Mitsunari: ......So you had noticed after all.

(I knew it.)

Mai: During the banquet, when you said that my body didn't belong to me alone, it all clicked.

Mai: I realized that you treasure me even more deeply than I could have ever imagined.

The sheer shock he experienced when he thought he was going to lose me had undoubtedly left a wound on Mitsunari-kun's heart.

The violet eyes before me wavered with vulnerability as they reflected my image.

Mitsunari: When I became aware of the darkness within my own soul and resolved to stain these hands...... I truly believed I would never be able to see you again.

Mitsunari: I told myself that would be perfectly fine, so long as you were simply out there, breathing and alive.

Mitsunari: However, you were far too strong, Mai-sama. —And you loved me to an almost perilous degree.

Mitsunari: When I learned that you had thrown yourself into the ocean, I felt as though my very soul had left my body......

(Mitsunari-kun's hands...... they're trembling.)

My chest ached at the sound of his raspy voice, which sounded as if he were reliving a horrific nightmare.

Mitsunari: You are my happiness, my love. You are my...... my entire life.

Mitsunari: To the point where the human being known as myself can no longer even exist without you. —I love you, so deeply, so profoundly.

(Mitsunari-kun cares for me this much.)

Even as I felt overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the emotions directed at me, I wanted to accept every single piece of them.

Mai: Let's stay together forever.

Mai: We'll eat our meals together, comb each other's hair, and before we go to sleep, we'll tell each other about the fun things that happened that day.

Mai: I want to keep walking through a beautiful, happy life like that with you, Mitsunari-kun, for the rest of our days.

Mitsunari: Yes...... Mai-sama......, of course.

(I'm so incredibly glad that I traveled through time and met you, Mitsunari-kun...... I truly feel that way from the bottom of my heart.)

As I closed my eyes, a kiss dropped onto my lips.

Feeling a wave of heat rise behind my eyelids from the overwhelming tenderness of the kiss, we wrapped our arms around each other's bodies.

The drifting clouds drifted over the moon—

And in the room slowly staining a deep indigo, we forgot all about the passage of time, confirming our love and feeling the steady thud of each other's heartbeats through our touch.

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Blissful Ending Chapter 13 | Both Ends Epilogue

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Emma: .....!

The kiss pressed against my forehead was incredibly gentle, almost to the point of tickling.

Emma: Getting caught off guard by a kiss right as I was trying to check the scent of the ground coffee beans......

Emma: This is just like the fantasy you told me about before.

M: No, it’s a little different.

Emma: Eh? —......Ngh.

This time, a meltingly sweet kiss was dropped onto my lips.

Matias: Now it’s perfect.

(......!)

Being stared down from such close proximity by his snow-colored eyes made my head spin uncontrollably.

(It’s precisely because he’s always envisioning a love-filled life with me,)

(That even the shortest moments in our daily routine become this sweet.)

(I really don't think there’s anyone else out there quite as full of love as Matias-sama......)

Basking in an affection so deep I felt as though I might drown in it, I thoroughly enjoyed our precious coffee time together—

—The next day.

The entire morning session of court finally came to an end, and Matias-sama at last returned to his office.

However, without even a moment to take a breath, officials and other judges began visiting the office one after another.

(It’s a sight I’ve grown completely used to by now, but......)

Ever since I started working right alongside him as his secretary, the sheer scope of his busyness had hit home even harder.

On top of his official duties as a prince, he handled his work as a judge, and even shouldered the very core of state affairs. In reality, it was as if he were carrying the responsibilities of three different people all by himself.

(I really want him to get some proper rest, but I also know his workload is piled so high that I can't just casually say so.)

(If only I could lighten that burden for him, even just a little bit......)

Lars: I'm coming in.

Lars-san, a fellow judge, showed his face in the office almost at the exact same moment he knocked.

Lars: About that afternoon trial we spoke briefly about this morning......

Matias: If it’s that matter, I have already compiled the materials. Emma, I'm sorry, but could you hand me the documents?

Emma: Yes.

As I handed the relevant documents to Matias-sama, Lars-san looked at the two of us with an expression that suggested he had a lot on his mind.

Lars: ......This is a question that's way past overdue, but is the desk right next to yours strictly reserved for your "future bride"?

Matias: It is.

Lars: Man, it’s quite a bit different from what I had imagined......

Matias: Different, how?

Lars: Well, for my part, I had completely braced myself to be forced to watch a daily display of lovey-dovey flirtation, you know?

Lars: I just think it's a lot more businesslike than I expected.

Matias: ......Hmm.

Matias-sama glanced at me with his "work face" before returning his gaze to Lars-san.

Matias: During official duties, her position is strictly defined as my secretary.

Matias: In addition, my family precepts forbid letting personal feelings interfere with work.

Matias: As someone who carries the weight of this nation, it would set a terrible example to blur the lines between public and private matters.

Lars: Still as thorough and rigid as ever, I see.

Lars: Well, as long as you two are in agreement, it's not my place to stick my nose into it.

Waving his hand casually, Lars-san left the office.

In the brief silence before the next person arrived, the sound of a scratching pen resonated through the room.

(Once the reports from the officials are fully wrapped up, I need to start on the preparations for the afternoon trials.)

(Cross-referencing the litigation materials with the interview reports, and then—)

Matias: ......Emma.

Emma: Yes, the trial schedule, right? Here it—

Matias: No, that is not it.

Matias-sama stopped the hand that was driving his pen forward.

Matias: Do you have any grievances regarding our current arrangement?

Emma: Grievances?

Matias: Yes.

(Is he talking about how strictly we separate public and private life, I wonder?)

Emma: I have absolutely no problem with the way things are now. Just being able to stay by your side and help you like this makes me happy enough.

Emma: When it comes to keeping public and private life separate, I actually think this is the best possible arrangement for us right now.

Matias: ......I see.

A sigh escaped his lips, carrying a mix of understanding, relief, and perhaps a tiny hint of apology.

(If there is just one thing on my mind, though—)

Probably because we spent so much of our time acting as boss and secretary, the number of people who actually knew we were lovers was surprisingly small.

It seemed barely known at all outside the castle town, and nobles visiting from distant territories were always completely caught off guard by it.

(......That’s probably where those recent "rumors" came from, too.)

Lately, a few nobles had apparently been whispering around that the reason he kept a woman he had found guilty by his side was out of a sense of "guilt."

Matias-sama had offered to deal with it, but I told him that I wanted to wait and see how things went for a while.

(Ever since I decided to live my life with a member of the royal family, I knew gossip would always follow us around.)

(If we tried to address every single minor rumor, there would be no end to it.)

(But...... I hate the idea of anyone doubting Matias-sama's love.)

(I wonder if things would change at all if we could become famous as Achroite's most lovey-dovey couple......)

Official: Excuse me.

An official gave a polite bow and stepped into the room.

(This is someone participating in the afternoon trial. If that's the case, this should be the document they need......)

Emma: Matias-sama.

When I held out the rolled-up document, Matias-sama extended his hand without looking at me, and—

Matias: Thank you.

Emma: ......!

In the split second of the handoff, his fingertips softly brushed over mine.

(That just now...... wasn't an accident, was it?)

A touch far too sweet for someone in the middle of work left my fingertips tingling with a heat I couldn't shake off.

Until the official finally left the office, I kept my head cast downward, trying my best to hide my burning face.

Emma: Um, what you did just now......

The moment we were alone together again, I spoke up, and those snow-colored eyes locked onto me.

Matias: I was merely abiding by the law.

Emma: ......The law?

Matias: Article 12 of the Lovey-Dovey Lovers Act: "When your lover is wearing a lonely expression, you must never look the other way."

Matias: Even if it is a piece of legislation that exists solely between the two of us, a law is a law. Absolute compliance is required.

Matias: Besides, to the current me, the laws made between just the two of us carry far more weight than any family precept.

The hand that had stroked my fingertips only moments ago now reached up to gently caress my cheek.

Matias: As your lover, I am not permitted to violate it under any circumstances.

(Maybe I was wearing a lonely expression just now because I was thinking about those rumors.)

(He noticed how I was feeling and did that to cheer me up.)

(He really is the Guardian of the Law through and through......)

The moment the sound of a knock echoed through the room, the hand that had been caressing my cheek pulled away.

Even after the next official entered the room, the burning heat that had spread all the way to my ears refused to subside.

—

—A few days later.

An evening party was being held, and I had arrived to attend it alongside Matias-sama, but—

Woman 1: Matias-sama, let's go over there together!

Woman 2: Such a well-built physique...... Would you mind if I touched it?

Woman 3: Ah, you truly are wonderful...... Please, look this way......

Matias: I'm sorry, but could you let me through? Additionally, I would appreciate it if you did not touch me so carelessly.

At the center of a crowd of women that seemed even larger than usual, Matias-sama wore a thoroughly exasperated expression.

(He’s as incredibly popular as always.)

(I want to go help him, but there are so many people that I don't feel like I can even reach him......)

Right as I was agonizing over what to do—

Matias: !

(Ah......)

.

.

.

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Part 3

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—

In the early days of summer, the passionate southern sunlight filtered down through layers of dense foliage, scattering flecks of fragmented gold across the brick-paved ground.

A warm breeze brought with it the rich, sweet fragrance of gardenias, while blooming bluebells and lisianthuses swayed gently along both sides of the path, painting the small June city into a vibrant ocean of flowers.

Looking into the distance, pairs of lovers dressed in wedding attire strolled through the streets and alleys, their boisterous laughter drifting over from afar, making it feel as though the very air were floating with the scent of deep romance.

When I stepped out of the dressing room, this was the exact scene that greeted my eyes.

I couldn't help but stop in my tracks, taking in the surrounding scenery.

???: Hello, miss! Are you looking for your groom? Do you need any help?

I turned my head. A young woman I didn't recognize was looking at me with a touch of concern. Her white T-shirt bore the words "Cupid Express—Cupid Bicycle Race," suggesting she was likely a staff member for this event.

It seemed she had mistaken me for a bride participating in this wedding bicycle race, so I rushed to explain.

You: No, I—

Before I could even finish my sentence, my attention was instantly captured by a brilliant, eye-catching flash of color beneath the shade of the trees.

Jesse: Y/N!

Jesse waved at me, jogging over all the way in high spirits.

The blazing sunlight illuminated his face inch by inch. The young man was beaming with smiles, and even the tips of his brows carried a sense of joy he couldn't possibly conceal.

The staff member beside me looked at me with a touch of confusion, then followed my line of sight, her expression melting into an understanding smile.

Staff Member: It seems you two don't need any help after all. Wishing you a very happy wedding!

Hearing those words, Jesse, who had just come to a halt right by my side, smiled until his eyes crinkled into half-moons.

Jesse: Thank you!

Staff Member: You're very welcome.

Staff Member: You two look wonderful together. Good luck with the race in a bit!

The girl couldn't resist offering her compliments, then bid us farewell with a smile. The moment the staff member walked away, I quietly nudged Jesse in the waist.

You: Now you've let the staff member get completely the wrong impression.

Jesse blinked, wearing an expression as pure and innocent as a puppy's.

Jesse: Did she get the wrong impression? We really do look wonderful together in what we're wearing.

Jesse circled around me, taking in the formal dress I had just changed into.

Jesse: As expected of our great designer, Y/N—you look absolutely stunning!

He turned to the side, showing off the formal suit he had changed into.

Jesse: What do you think? The fit of this suit on me isn't half bad either, right?

Jesse had changed into a pure white suit jacket, his collar formally fastened with a bow tie, paired underneath with a pink satin shawl-collar vest. The tailored fit delineated his tall and upright silhouette even more spectacularly.

Jesse: The sizing is completely spot-on. As expected, nobody knows me better than you do.

You: It fits even better than I imagined!

Throughout the design process, I had pictured the image of Jesse wearing this very suit countless times.

Yet at this very moment, the sunlight cascaded over his shoulders, the gentle breeze parted a few stray strands of hair across his forehead, and the lines of his jaw looked sharp and clean.

He gazed toward me against the light, one hand resting in his pocket, still carrying a touch of a young man's free-spirited, uninhibited charm.

The smile blossoming at the corners of his lips, along with the damp warmth of his breath, quietly sprouted within my heart.

???: Well, well, look at you two hiding over here and whispering secrets to each other again.

A familiar voice interrupted my train of thought, causing Jesse and me to turn our heads at the same time.

Gao Xuan had already changed into the cathedral-train wedding dress I designed for her, standing right by the flowerbed behind us. Gathering up her skirt, she stepped forward and took my hands in hers.

Gao Xuan: Y/N, I am absolutely in love with this wedding dress you designed! It's especially perfect for taking wedding photos here.

You: I'm just glad you like it. You are the most beautiful bride today.

Watching her excited expression, I couldn't help but smile along with her.

Six months ago, at her Cafe, bearing that exact same excited smile, Gao Xuan shared the news of her marriage with us, warmly inviting Jesse and me to serve as the best man and the maid of honor.

As her close friend from our junior high school days, I agreed without a single moment of hesitation, and I even took on the commission to design the formal attire for her wedding.

Directly following that, at Jesse's strong insistence, the outfits for the best man and the maid of honor were also added to my work checklist.

Jesse: Serving as the best man for Sister Gao Xuan is a highly important mission. Aside from yours, whose design could possibly be worthy of such an important occasion?

Watching Jesse play the rogue with such perfect confidence, I laughed and gave his shoulder a light tap.

You: You always know exactly what to say.

Jesse: I'm telling the absolute truth. Sister Gao Xuan, wouldn't you say so?

Gao Xuan sat across from us, looping her arm through her boyfriend Yang Ming's. Looking at Jesse and then at me, she couldn't resist bursting into laughter.

Gao Xuan: You two seriously haven't changed a bit. Every single time I see you, you're constantly flaunting your romance.

Jesse directed a beaming smile toward me. Beneath the surface of the table, a hand reached over quietly, settling over the back of my hand.

..

Consequently, Jesse and I traveled along with Gao Xuan and her partner to this passionate southern city.

They, along with twenty other pairs of newlyweds, would ride bicycles to traverse between the city's major hotels and complete various challenges. The first-place winners would secure full sponsorship for their wedding venue.

The race was scheduled to begin in two hours, but at this moment, Gao Xuan was the only one appearing here, which left me feeling a bit confused.

You: Is Yang Ming not here?

Gao Xuan: He said he left an important item back at the hotel and just rushed back for it.

Gao Xuan: It's quite all right. I'll wait for him to return here, which gives me the perfect opportunity to discuss the wedding photos later on with the photographer.

You: Do you need us to help out?

Gao Xuan waved her hand dismissively.

Gao Xuan: No, it's fine, you don't need to keep me company. It's still early, so you two go wander around first. It's a rare chance for you to enjoy a trip here.

Gao Xuan turned her gaze onto us, revealing a deeply meaningful smile.

Gao Xuan: This place is known as the City of Romance. It couldn't possibly suit you two any better.

With one hand draped over my right shoulder and her other hand resting on Jesse's left shoulder, Gao Xuan shoved us both straight out of the race's waiting zone, her movements so rapid that the two of us were left staring at each other in blank surprise.

Jesse: Sister Gao Xuan really is exactly the same as she used to be—still that quick-witted, no-nonsense big sister leader.

You: Yeah, she definitely lives up to her reputation as Boss Gao, managing the Cafe entirely on her own and making it thrive.

Jesse: In that case, we absolutely mustn't let her kind intentions go to waste.

A melodious bossa nova tune drifted over from the distance. Jesse offered me a slight bow, extending his hand like the most elegant invitation at a formal gala.

Jesse: May I invite this beautiful young lady to tour the City of Romance with me?

His emerald-green eyes were illuminated by the sunlight. The lines he delivered in that theatrical cadence always caused a person to fall under his spell unconsciously.

You: Of course. This young lady won't permit you to have any other travel companions, you know.

Mimicking his tone in a half-playful manner, I extended my hand and rested it upon his palm, only to be instantly gripped firmly by him.

Jesse: My pleasure, my one and only partner.

In the month of June, pothos and wisterias draped downward along the railings of the balconies lining the street.

On both sides of the road, exquisite and compact houses were scattered in between, their colorful exteriors completely adorned with fresh blossoms.

I strolled leisurely down the street with my arm looped through Jesse's, as if we were traversing through a fairy-tale world.

You: It really is a City of Romance.

Every now and then, the crisp ring of bicycle bells would echo through the air. A few pairs of newlyweds speeded down the sloped paths on their bicycles, seemingly making their final preparations for the race.

Following the sloped path, we arrived at the square in the center of the city, where streets extended from all directions and converged.

A group of middle school students was listening to an explanation about the clock tower under their teacher's guidance. Before long, they grew boisterous and noisy, forcing the young teacher to wave the small flag in her hand and raise her voice.

Jesse: Weren't we exactly like that during our school spring trips back then? Just a massive crowd of people causing a happy ruckus.

You: Yeah, every single time you would sneak over to find us, and you always carried a ton of snacks on your back.

Jesse: Which were then completely divvied up between you and Sister Gao Xuan, all under the beautiful pretext of helping me lose weight.

Jesse let his brows droop in mock grievance, then burst into laughter with me at the exact same moment.

Seeming to have reached their free time, the students scattered in all directions.

Boys and girls began blowing soap bubbles across the square. The multicolored bubbles floated past our faces, refracting a kaleidoscope of shimmering halos beneath the sunlight.

Jesse: It really makes a person nostalgic. I can't believe Sister Gao Xuan is already getting married now. It instantly makes me feel like I've grown so old.

Watching him reveal a touch of melancholy, I couldn't resist reaching out to pinch his cheek.

You: You aren't old at all. You're still practically a youth, my little—Tang—yuan—

I intentionally made an exaggerated expression, pronouncing each syllable with a deliberate pause as I called his name. Jesse was instantly amused by me.

Jesse: My lady, quick, look over there.

I instinctively turned my head, and a soap bubble settled right on the tip of my nose before popping gently. For a split second, a kaleidoscope of multicolored sights flashed across my field of vision.

I couldn't help wrinkling my nose, immediately turning around to glare at him in mock annoyance.

You: Well, look at you, Tangyuan. The second I say you aren't old, you go right ahead and physically demonstrate that you really are incredibly childish.

Jesse: So what if I'm childish? I have you to pamper me anyway, right?

This guy was truly getting more and more fond of pushing his luck, but then again, who could possibly refuse those sparkling eyes of his?

Jesse: All right, all joking aside. Let me help you wipe that off.

Jesse laughed as he pulled out a tissue, lightly dabbing the tip of my nose before lifting his hand to brush away the remnants of the bubbles caught in my hair.

The warm pad of his finger brushed against the tip of my ear, whether intentionally or not, instantly kindling a spark of heat.

With the edge of my ear burning slightly, I reached out to loop my arm through his, leaning halfway against his shoulder as we set off together.

Amidst the gorgeous bubbles filling the sky, I lifted my eyes to look at the massive clock face towering over the square. There was still an hour left before the race began. What should we do first?

Option 1: Call Gao Xuan Option 2: Walk back to the racecourse to check on things Option 3: Ascend the City Observation Deck Option 4: Option 5: None of the above

—

Option 1: Call Gao Xuan

You: Why don't we check in with Gao Xuan first to see how things are going over there? I wonder if Yang Ming is back yet.

Jesse: Mm. I can't imagine what could be so important that he'd leave Sister Gao Xuan stranded like that.

Thinking about it that way, I found it a bit strange as well and immediately picked up my phone.

Once the call connected, Gao Xuan's voice sounded visibly anxious.

Gao Xuan: He's still not back, and his phone won't go through either. I'm just about to figure out a way to head back to the hotel.

Picturing Gao Xuan rushing around while wearing that cathedral-train wedding dress, I shook my head.

You: It'll be way too inconvenient for you to move around in that dress. Why don't we—

An idea formed in my mind, and I looked over at Jesse. As our eyes met, he seemed to catch my drift instantly, giving me a decisive nod before picking up the conversation.

Jesse: Why don't you let us head over to the hotel to check first? We're at Axis Square right now, so we're a bit closer to the hotel.

You: Exactly! You stay right where you are and keep an eye out for any updates on the race!

You: In case any sudden emergencies pop up, you'll be right there to coordinate with the staff.

Jesse: Don't worry, we'll make absolutely sure to drag your groom back for you!

With Jesse and me playing off each other perfectly, Gao Xuan burst into a sudden laugh on the other end of the line, and the atmosphere instantly lightened quite a bit.

Gao Xuan: All right, I'll get everything ready for the race here. Let me know the moment anything comes up on your end.

Jesse & You: Will do!

Hanging up the phone, we immediately quickened our pace and rushed toward the hotel.

Rounding the intersection, we spotted a figure in white rushing out from the hotel's revolving doors from a distance.

Jesse: Is that him?

You: It looks like it.

Yang Ming, dressed in a white shirt and white trousers, seemed to notice us and came running over.

Jesse: Did something happen? Sister Gao Xuan has been looking all over for you. She said your phone won't go through at all.

Yang Ming looked at us with a face full of dismay, explaining out of breath.

Yang Ming: I can't find the wedding ring, and my phone just happened to die on me.

Yang Ming: I searched all over just now, only to realize I probably left it in my jacket pocket.

Yang Ming: I was originally planning to present the trophy along with the ring to Xuanxuan at the end of the race.

Seeing his utterly soul-crushed expression, Jesse and I exchanged a glance.

Jesse: Where is that jacket now?

Yang Ming: It was probably sent out for laundry along with the other clothes this morning. I'm just about to go ask the front desk.

Jesse: Come on, let's go together.

At the hotel entrance, Yang Ming explained the situation to the security guard. The guard warmly helped call the laundry department, and after just a couple of words, he looked over at us.

Security Guard: They said the clothes were just picked up by the truck.

Right at that exact moment, a van roared past us from behind, the words "Laundry Service" prominently displayed in bright white across the rear window.

The security guard immediately lowered his phone, pointing toward the vehicle.

Security Guard: Yes, that's the one!

We all poked our heads out in unison to look, but on the wide-open road, all that could be seen was the dust left behind by the van as it sped away.

Jesse: Where is it heading?

Security Guard: To the laundry facility forty kilometers away. I reckon it won't be delivered back until tomorrow or the day after.

Jesse and I looked at each other, our eyes filled entirely with helplessness.

Jesse: Is there any way you could call the driver and ask them to pull over?

The security guard found the driver's number in his contact list, but his consecutive attempts all resulted in a busy signal.

We lapsed into silence together. What other method was there to intercept that jacket as quickly as possible? My brain began to work rapidly.

You: The laundry van hasn't driven too far off yet. Why don't we give chase?

Yang Ming: The downtown area is under traffic control today because of the bicycle race. It'll probably be very difficult to catch a taxi.

Yang Ming let out a sigh.

Yang Ming: It looks like we have no choice but to wait for the clothes to be delivered back……

Just as we were standing at the hotel entrance completely at our wits' end, the sound of a car horn suddenly echoed from behind us.

Is it a car? I didn't have time to think it through and immediately leaned my body out, waving my hand toward it. Instead, I saw a vintage car that looked as though it had been born in the wrong era driving straight toward me.

In a flash, my arm was grabbed by Jesse's hand, and I instantly tumbled into a warm and familiar embrace.

Jesse: Careful!

The vintage car slammed on its brakes with a sharp screech, coming to a halt just before hitting us.

Shaken, I patted my chest and met Jesse's eyes. His brows were knit slightly, and he was holding me tightly in his arms.

Driver: Hey, young lovers, are you standing in the middle of the road re-enacting Titanic?

The driver rolled down the window, the words "Cupid Express" on his white T-shirt looking exceptionally prominent.

Here was our chance! Jesse and I exchanged a smile and quickly stepped forward.

Once we explained the situation clearly, the driver knit his brows.

Driver: Young people, it's not that I don't want to help you, but this mascot of mine has to be transported over before the race concludes.

Driver: The place you want to go is just too far. I'm afraid I can't help you out.

He pointed toward the backseat of the vintage car, and only then did I realize that it was fully loaded with the bicycle race's mascot—Cupid Lambs.

Watching the hope that had just risen pop like a soap bubble with a sudden snap, I could hardly conceal my disappointment and instinctively turned my head to look at Jesse.

Jesse: Please wait a moment.

Jesse turned his head to look at the security guard, opening the digital map on his phone and handing it to him.

Jesse: Sir, does your laundry van have a fixed driving route?

Taking the route map that the security guard had sketched out, Jesse displayed it to the driver.

Jesse: The laundry van only just drove out and hasn't gone far. Could you give us a ride for a stretch so we can intercept it?

Jesse: It shouldn't take very long, and we also hope to make it back to the racecourse before the competition ends.

The driver squinted his eyes to examine the map seriously, then clapped his hands together breezily.

Driver: All right, that's no problem. I know this area like the back of my hand. I'll take you through a shortcut, it'll be quick.

In an instant, both Jesse's and my eyes lit up. Yang Ming pressed his hands together, thanking the driver repeatedly.

Yang Ming: Thank you so much!

Driver: Mind you, you'll have to squeeze in with them.

The driver pointed to the little lambs in the backseat. Jesse and I were already overjoyed and couldn't care less about that, nodding our heads repeatedly.

Jesse: No problem!

Jesse turned around and patted Yang Ming on the shoulder.

Jesse: There's no need to worry now. You head back to the racecourse first to get ready for the competition. Leave the wedding ring to us.

Jesse: What you need to do is get to Sister Gao Xuan's side as quickly as possible and win that championship together with her.

Yang Ming: I'm counting on you two!

Yang Ming waved farewell to us, hopping onto a shared bicycle and speeding away.

Jesse and I leaped into the vehicle immediately, and the vintage car started up at full power. Squeezed tightly together, the plush little lambs bumped and swayed, competing with one another to tumble onto our laps.

I caught a little lamb that had nearly flown directly into my face, while Jesse beside me was also struggling amidst the pile of plush, trying his hardest to maintain his balance within a sea of fluff.

The driving instructor, brimming with drive, took us tearing down the wide-open road all the way.

Sitting inside an ancient car with a mountain of cute plush lambs while dressed in formal wear made it feel as though we were participating in a parade.

Thinking of this, I couldn't resist smiling.

Driver: Hold on tight, we're taking a shortcut!

The driver whipped the steering wheel around for a sharp turn, and the vintage car veered into a fork on the right side.

Right then, a familiar silhouette emerged at the end of the road—it was none other than that laundry van driving along at a leisurely pace.

Jesse: That's the van! Sir, can you get a bit closer?

Driver: No problem.

The driver slammed his foot down on the gas, and the vintage car gradually closed the distance with the laundry van. It wasn't until the two vehicles were driving side-by-side that we breathed a small sigh of relief, rolling down the window and waving our hands at the courier on the other side.

You: Hello! We left something behind in a clothing pocket!

Jesse: Could you please pull over for a second—

However, the courier was holding a phone in his hand, his mouth moving continuously, completely failing to notice our waving hands.

Jesse stared at him intently for a moment, his brows drawing together slightly.

Jesse: No wonder his phone kept returning a busy signal earlier. The guy has actually been driving while on a phone call this entire time.

Sure enough, the courier glanced from time to time at the phone screen propped up against the windshield, completely immersed in a highly animated conversation.

Driver: Goodness, that is far too dangerous.

Hearing our words, the driver shook his head.

Jesse: We have to find a way to stop him. It can't go on like this.

As luck would have it, right at that moment, the courier suddenly stepped on the gas, and the van surged ahead, leaving us trailing behind once more.

The laundry van turned down a sparsely populated path, heading straight toward the outskirts of the city.

The pedestrians on both sides grew fewer and fewer. Jesse's lips thinned into a straight line, and his expression turned serious.

Jesse: We need to think of something. We can't let him get onto the highway.

You: What should we do now?

Driver: I have a plan. Hold on tight!

The moment the words left his mouth, the driver hit the accelerator, and the vintage car, moving at full speed, veered into an alleyway, darting rapidly through various side streets.

The sudden burst of speed brought about a roller-coaster-like sensation of weightlessness. I gripped Jesse's arm tightly, letting the rushing wind brush past my cheeks and whip up my long hair.

Very quickly, we overtook the laundry van. Once a decent gap had been established, the driver swung the steering wheel hard, and the vintage car came to a dead stop right horizontally across the middle of the road.

The courier suddenly realized what was happening and slammed on his brakes in a frenzy. With the piercing screech of tires rubbing against the pavement, the van also ground to a halt in response.

You: !!

The inertia inside the vehicle propelled the plush lambs forward like an avalanche, sending them rolling all over the ground.

Jesse gripped my right hand tightly, shielding me in his embrace. Warmth spread gently from his palm, bringing an immense sense of security.

Jesse: Are you okay?

I nodded, tugging at his sleeve. Catching my drift, Jesse immediately hopped down from the vintage car, standing directly in front of the van to block it.

A plush lamb slammed "thud" right against the front windshield. Only then did the courier snap back to reality, rolling down his window in utter bewilderment and poking half his head out.

Courier: What on earth is going on here?

Jesse: We have a mission to complete.

Courier: A... mission?

After briefly explaining the situation to the shocked courier, we immediately opened the backseat of the van to search for Yang Ming's jacket.

Identical laundry bags were piled up like a small mountain in the back. As the door opened suddenly, they began to slide down one after another. Jesse hooked his arm around those bags, burying his head inside to rummage through them.

You: It's a white suit jacket. Let's see if we get lucky; maybe we'll find it right away.

The moment the words left my mouth, Jesse suddenly lifted his head, a smile spreading across his face.

Jesse: Looks like luck is on our side.

The zipper of the laundry bag slid open, revealing a white suit jacket with its pocket gaping open. A little lamb with wings sat perfectly upright on top of the bag, its paw pointing right toward a velvet box that had fallen onto the floor.

You: This is the one! This box must contain Yang Ming's wedding ring.

Jesse picked up the velvet box, carefully lifting the lid, and a silvery-white diamond ring sparkled brilliantly beneath the glare of the sun.

He raised his brows, turning around to flash me a peace sign.

At this very moment, the courier finally couldn't hold back the confusion in his heart any longer, lowering his voice to question us.

Courier: Are you two... a couple of secret agents?

Jesse and I exchanged a smile. He let out a theatrical cough to clear his throat, replacing his look with an expression of pure gravity.

Jesse: That's right. Our mission is to recover these garments and investigate traffic violations.

Jesse: We are issuing a formal warning regarding your conduct of driving while holding a mobile phone.

After receiving repeated assurances from the courier, we helped the driver pack up the plush toys and hitched a ride back to the racecourse in his vintage car.

The driver delivered his cargo right on schedule, bidding us farewell with a smile and a wave. We stood at the intersection watching that antique-looking vehicle amble away at a leisurely pace, looking just like a warrior who had fulfilled his duty.

Jesse: Come on, let's go check on how the race is going.

You: In that case, I'll go check in with the staff to confirm how Gao Xuan and her partner are doing.

...

Upon learning that Gao Xuan and Yang Ming had successfully set off, I breathed a sigh of relief. Squeezing my way out of the crowds lining the racetrack, I instantly spotted Jesse sitting on the lawn not far away, lifting his head to gaze at the sky.

You: Tangyuan!

I waved to him with a smile, and he turned his head around.

The shrouding layers of clouds drifted away at this exact moment, and the early summer sunlight instantly cascaded down. It traced the clean, handsome lines of Jesse's features like the most exquisite paintbrush, outlining his silhouette in a golden contour.

Bathed within the suddenly expansive brilliance, a shimmer of light gold surfaced within the depths of his emerald-green eyes. Jesse watched me intently as I came running toward him, seemingly falling a bit under a spell.

Jesse: So beautiful……

He murmured the words under his breath, directly followed by a slightly bashful smile. As if attempting to conceal something, he gave the white jacket in his hands a wave.

Jesse: Want to come sit over here? I have a parasol.

He lifted his suit jacket to shield the top of our heads, carving out a tiny sanctuary. I bent down and slipped inside, curling up close to him and naturally taking his hand in mine.

The direct sunlight was completely blocked out, casting down a pocket of cool shade. Looking out from my perspective, I could only see the high, vast expanse of the clear blue sky.

The faint, drifting fragrance of flowers filled the air with an ambiguous warmth, giving me the sudden illusion that beneath this wide sky and distant clouds, the entire world held nothing more than the two of us, clinging tightly to one another.

Jesse's fingers stroked along my wrist, then deftly slid upward to find my pulse. Pressing down gently for a few seconds, a sly, knowing smile surfaced on his face.

Jesse: Your heart is beating so fast.

You: That's... that's completely because of our secret agent operation just now!

The sensitive skin of my wrist registered the heat of his fingertips, and the edges of my ears began to burn self-consciously.

Jesse burst into a soft laugh. Grasping my wrist, he pressed my palm firmly against the left side of his chest.

I could feel the solid press of his chest as his laughter-laced voice floated down from above, lightly brushing against my ear along with the warm breath he exhaled.

If there were a mirror here right now, the edges of my ears and my cheeks would probably be completely flushed. I knew I had walked right into his trap, but I still couldn't resist striking back in a low voice.

You: Your heart is obviously beating just as fast……

Jesse: Because you're here.

Jesse drew even closer, gently cupping my cheeks.

Jesse: How did I perform today?

You: Incredibly amazing. It was just like being in a movie—no, wait, you were honestly even cooler than a movie's male lead!

Jesse: In that case, my leading lady, why don't we bring this movie to a perfect closing scene?

The fabric cascaded completely over our heads, blocking my line of sight. In the darkened space, every single one of my senses outside of vision suddenly became sharply magnified.

A familiar, gentle warmth pressed against my lips, followed by a tender, tentative movement. I closed my eyes, completely surrendering myself to this passionate and lingering kiss.

We didn't part until our oxygen was entirely spent and we were forced to separate.

Our burning, breathless exhalations fell against each other's cheeks, and I heard his low, raspy whisper.

Jesse: From the past to the future, you are the singular reason behind every beat of my heart.

His words swept away the hazy mist of memory, and I was finally able to see clearly where those once-hollow yearnings were always meant to belong.

The hidden pride of the young boy and the budding affections of the young girl from days gone by came crashing in like wild ocean waves, intertwining here and now, never to be parted again.

And so I opened my eyes, looking at the person standing right before me. Deep within the depths of those emerald-green eyes, a quiet fire seemed to be burning fiercely.

You: For me, you are too.

I looked straight into those brilliant eyes, and then I pressed my lips to his.

We remained hidden away like this in a world that belonged only to the two of us, until cheers drifted over from the distance, signaling that the bicycle race had seemingly reached its final verdict.

Standing up from the lawn, Jesse held my hand as we walked together toward the finish line of the race.

Gao Xuan and Yang Ming were completely surrounded by the crowd, waving enthusiastically at us from a distance the moment they spotted us.

With one arm shielding me, Jesse used his other hand to part the crowd, trying to squeeze our way in. But things didn't go as planned; we were blocked by the surging waves of people, unable to make any forward progress.

Seeing Yang Ming waving with sheer urgency, Jesse lifted the velvet box slightly to show him, and then tossed it over.

Jesse: Catch!

The velvet box traced a perfect arc through the air, caught securely by Yang Ming in the very next second.

Seeing me staring blankly under a spell, Jesse turned his head. The afternoon sun slanted westward, softening the sharp contours of his features.

Jesse: What are you thinking about?

You: I was just thinking... if you would also leap up like that in the future, reaching out your hand to catch the ring box.

He lowered his head slightly, the tip of his nose brushing gently against mine, his voice slow yet incomparably certain.

Jesse: Of course.

Jesse: For you, I will make absolutely sure to catch it seamlessly.

Amidst the warm, enveloping sunlight, the haze lingering within the depths of Jesse's eyes gradually dispersed.

I could finally see with perfect clarity that what those emerald depths held was every single piece of scenery within my world at this very moment.

—

Option 2: Walk back to the racecourse to check on things

The lazy sunlight spilled across the brick-paved ground. On one side of the square, the aroma of roasting coffee beans drifted over from afar, where tourists sat in front of the open-air cafe, leisurely enjoying their afternoon tea and pastries.

Within the relaxed atmosphere of the small city, we walked unhurriedly along the medieval streets, soaking in the comfortable passage of time.

You: I wonder how things are going over on Gao Xuan's end. Why don't we head back and check on her?

Jesse: Mm, whatever you say.

When we returned to the starting line of the racecourse, we could see Gao Xuan from a distance, waving to us anxiously. Jesse and I exchanged a quick glance and immediately ran over.

Jesse: Sister Gao Xuan, is Yang Ming still not back yet?

Gao Xuan: No, and he isn't answering his phone either.

Gao Xuan: I've already asked the staff to help head over to the hotel to see what's going on, but there's no news yet...

Perhaps due to all the rushing back and forth to search for him, Gao Xuan's cathedral-train wedding dress had become a bit wrinkled. I bent down to help her smooth it out, then gave her shoulder a reassuring pat as I stood back up.

You: Gao Xuan, let me take you to the dressing room first so you can change into that shorter formal dress for the race.

You: That way, the moment Yang Ming gets back, you two can head straight onto the course to compete.

Gao Xuan nodded, and we accompanied her to the entrance of the dressing room. Right at that moment, Gao Xuan's phone suddenly rang.

On the phone, Yang Ming apologized to her repeatedly, explaining that he had searched for ages only to realize that his phone and the wedding ring had been sent out for laundry together inside his jacket pocket. Because of this, the surprise plan he had prepared for her after the race had completely fallen through.

Gao Xuan held her phone, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

Gao Xuan: You big dummy, just hurry up and get back here for the race.

Right at that exact moment, the racecourse broadcast began to urge the participants.

Broadcast: Check-in is about to begin. Will Newlywed Couple Number 11 please proceed to the starting point immediately, or it will be deemed a forfeiture.

Gao Xuan and the two of us were instantly frozen to the spot. Yang Ming, who was still back at the hotel, would most likely not make it back in time.

All kinds of strategies flashed rapidly through my mind, only to be dismissed by me one by one just as quickly. Shaking my head, my eyes suddenly caught sight of the formal suit Jesse was wearing.

That's it! Why don't we... I lifted my head excitedly, and as our eyes met, Jesse also gave me a subtle wink.

Jesse: Looks like we're thinking the exact same thing.

He turned to face Gao Xuan, speaking in a serious tone.

Jesse: Sister Gao Xuan, why don't Y/N and I take your places and participate in the bicycle race?

He smoothed down his white suit jacket, then gestured toward the dressing room.

Jesse: There isn't much time left. Have Y/N change into that shorter dress, and we'll still make it if we head out right now.

Gao Xuan pondered for a brief moment, then nodded her head breezily.

Gao Xuan: Looking at the situation right now, this is definitely the best way.

Gao Xuan: As for that dummy, let's make him make amends for his mistake by going to chase down that wedding ring!

Watching her wave her hand with such large-and-in-charge swagger, neither of us could help bursting into laughter.

Gao Xuan immediately picked up her phone to assign Yang Ming his mission. Jesse went to buy some time with the staff, while I rushed toward the dressing room, changing into the shorter wedding dress I had designed for Gao Xuan at absolute lightning speed.

I walked briskly to the racecourse to join up with Jesse. Gao Xuan, who had been waiting on the side, instantly shoved the map in her hands into my grasp and explained the rules to us.

Gao Xuan: The rules of the race are that the groom is responsible for riding the bicycle, while the bride sits in the backseat and navigates for the groom.

Gao Xuan: As for the check-in locations, they are set up at major hotels across the city. After completing the challenge missions at all locations, the first newlywed couple to cross the finish line will become the champions of this race.

Staring at the unfamiliar map and check-in locations in my hands, I couldn't help but feel a touch of worry. This was our very first time visiting this city; would I really be able to navigate properly for Jesse...

As if reading right through my anxious mood, Jesse gave my shoulder a gentle pat.

Jesse: Don't worry. While you were changing your dress just now, I seized the time to cram the traffic layout of this city.

Jesse: I've pretty much memorized the route by now, so when the time comes, you just need to keep an eye out to find the landmarks surrounding the check-in locations.

Perhaps it was his supremely confident expression that injected a bit of assurance into me, because I mimicked him, putting on a look that screamed we were bound to win.

You: Mm! I believe we can absolutely do this!

In order to pump myself up, I spoke a bit loudly, drawing the attention of the competing couples nearby.

They began whispering among themselves, seemingly treating Jesse and me as their number one rivals.

You: Great, looks like I really have to put in one thousand percent of my effort this time……

Jesse: There's no need to force yourself to act tough in front of me. Just leave it all to me, Jiejie.

You: Someone calls me Jiejie with his mouth, but it looks like his hands don't think that way at all?

You: What was that idiom again? Insubordination?

I spoke in a highly theatrical manner. Hearing this, Jesse crinkled his eyes, smiling with a touch of slyness.

He drew close to my ear quietly, his warm voice brushing against the side of my neck.

Jesse: Insubordination? Just how exactly are we talking about breaking the rules here?

A faint wave of heat hit my cheeks, but thankfully, the sound of the broadcast echoed from a distance right at that moment.

Broadcast: The Cupid Bicycle Race is about to begin! Please take your positions, everyone.

Gao Xuan grabbed one of us in each hand, shoving us toward the racecourse.

Gao Xuan: The race is about to start! It won't be too late for you two to show off your romance once you get back.

I let out a couple of self-conscious coughs, turning my head around to flash her an OK sign.

You: We'll bring Cupid's blessing right back to you.

Gao Xuan tilted her chin up in response, pinching her fingertips together to blow us a little finger heart.

Gao Xuan: Fight on! I believe in the lovelove power of you two.

Jesse straddled the bicycle, and I gathered up the hem of my dress before settling onto the backseat, naturally wrapping my arms around his waist.

The exact moment I looped my arms around him, I clearly felt his body give a sudden, subtle shudder. Jesse turned his head around very quickly though, looking back at me.

Jesse: Hold on tight to me, don't let go.

You: Mm!

Broadcast: 3, 2, 1...

The countdown hit zero, the sound of ceremonial cannons boomed, and the race officially lifted its curtain.

Charging straight into the colorful confetti dancing across the sky, the bicycle surged away from the starting line at a rapid pace. The warm wind came roaring past, whipping up my tied-back hair.

The wheels spun rapidly, and the scenery along the road melted into abstract lines, blurring past our eyes. We rounded Axis Square and the fountain pool, steering toward the main street of the small city.

You: The first location is Hotel de Ville, right over there.

Parking the bicycle at the entrance, we dashed into the courtyard garden following the direction of the signposts. This mission was titled "A Taste of Tipsiness."

The newlyweds needed to cooperate with one another to complete a wine-tasting task, during which the two were not permitted to converse. One party had to be blindfolded and drink the alcohol brought to them by the other, then state the name of the liquor.

You: As long as we can guess five types correctly, it counts as a successful check-in.

After reading the mission description, I looked over at Jesse teasingly.

You: This is exactly what you're best at, Student Xia Tangyuan, whose alcohol tolerance is an absolute bottomless pit.

Jesse: Putting it that way is still a bit of an exaggeration..... But I should be able to manage. Why don't you do the feeding, and I'll do the guessing.

I took the strip of cloth from the staff member's hands, and Jesse leaned down slightly. I blindfolded his eyes, then tied it into a beautiful ribbon bow.

The staff member brought over four trays containing all sorts of compact wine glasses, filled to the brim with alcohols of varying hues.

Secretly praying in my heart that everything would go smoothly, I brought the wine glass to the edge of Jesse's lips.

Jesse tilted his head back in obedient cooperation, instantly giving me the sudden illusion of feeding a small animal.

Jesse: Champagne. White beer.

Jesse: Sangria—the kind we tasted at that Tablao in Seville.

Staff Member: Correct.

Jesse: The fourth type…… a Tequila Sunrise. We went to drink it after the wrap party ended, remember?

You: Of course, we both ended up drunk that time……

Remembering that after-party, a faint wave of heat surged up behind my ears.

Staff Member: The final question will increase in difficulty. Not only do you have to name the type of alcohol, but you must also state its recipe.

Jesse: Looks like it's still a cocktail.

Placed on the tray was a small glass of amber-brown liquor. I picked it up with utmost care. Catching the aroma of the alcohol, Jesse revealed a highly confident smile.

Jesse: A Long Island Iced Tea. Vodka, rum, gin, tequila, and lemon juice.

The staff member shook their head, however.

Staff Member: This is a variation of the Long Island Iced Tea. There is still one more important ingredient.

Jesse: Oh? In that case, please let my bride give me another taste.

Hearing that form of address, my cheeks self-consciously flushed crimson. Steading my mind, I brought the wine glass in my hand to his mouth.

Stray drops of alcohol spilled onto the corner of his mouth, so I grabbed a tissue to wipe it for him.

The exact fraction of a second I brushed against the corner of his lips, my finger suddenly collided with an unexpected wave of warmth.

A deft tip of a tongue lightly licked the pad of my finger, a trace of a warm and ambiguous sensation vanishing in the blink of an eye.

My cheeks burned a bit as I rapidly retracted my finger, only to see the corners of his mouth tilt upward into a gentle curve.

Jesse: Orange juice.

Staff Member: Correct! Congratulations to you both, you may proceed to the next challenge item.

Jesse yanked off the blindfold cloth in one swift motion. Sweeping his gaze around, the other newlyweds were still battling through hardship, causing him to enthusiastically loop his arm through mine in high spirits.

Jesse: It seems this is exactly what they mean by Heaven rewards "love."

You: What on earth kind of bizarre phrasing is that?

Jesse: Naturally, it's a spontaneous piece of inspiration from Literary Giant Jesse Xia, deeply moved by the sight before him.

Jesse: It looks like... we are incredibly suited for this "newlywed challenge."

You: It looks like…… Literary Giant Jesse Xia is getting very into character.

Jesse: I'm not acting a part. I'm entirely serious.

Jesse winked at me, his smile carrying a touch of playfulness.

He straddled the bicycle, and I hopped onto the backseat, continuing on toward the next location.

Although we expended a bit of time on locating the landmarks, we completed every single challenge with plenty of excitement but no actual danger.

Jesse: Only the final stretch of the race is left!

The final stretch of the racecourse was located on Mont-Highlands at the edge of the downtown area. The difficulty of the ascents and descents was no small matter, making it a rather grueling task for the competitors.

Rounding the curve at the base of the mountain, we steered up the winding path toward the summit. Catching sight of us, the staff members lining the road smiled and flashed us a victory sign.

Staff Member: Fight on! You're not far from victory!

You: Tangyuan, it feels like we actually have a real shot at winning the championship!

Jesse: That's amazing!

He quickened his pace as he spoke, his voice sounding just as brimming with drive as it always did.

Right at that moment, a powerful gust of wind suddenly whipped past our side. I turned my head around, discovering that another newlywed couple was trailing right on our heels.

They closed in on us at a rapid pace, seemingly attempting to squeeze into the right-hand curve to overtake us.

You: Careful, someone's behind us!

I immediately called out to warn Jesse. But they had accelerated far too quickly, and we no longer had time to dodge out of the way.

The gap between the two bicycles grew tighter and tighter. A sudden slam of the brakes during the turn sent my body instantly losing its balance, tilting over toward the left side, immediately followed by the sound of fabric ripping apart.

Right at that exact second, my wrist was suddenly grabbed by a large hand with distinct, elegant knuckles. Jesse's anxious eyes filled my field of vision as he caught me just in time, steadying my body.

Jesse: Y/N! Are you okay?

You: Yeah, I'm fine.

We had no choice but to pull over and check for damage. Not far away, the newlyweds who had attempted to overtake us seemed to have been affected as well, grinding to a halt all the same.

Jesse: That was a foul.

Jesse knit his brows slightly, his tone freezing over. But the other couple didn't look even remotely apologetic; they merely cast a completely indifferent glance at us before riding away.

Having no time to spare for anything else, he turned straight around and crouched down by my side.

Jesse: How is it? Did you get hurt anywhere?

I shook my head. A subtle shimmer rippled within his eyes, his expression completely stripped of the irritation from a moment ago, leaving behind nothing but pure worry.

You: Thank goodness you caught me just now.

Unfortunately, a piece of the inner lining had gotten tangled into the bicycle chain, and despite attempting to yank it out several times, I couldn't get it free.

Jesse: Let me take a look.

Jesse dropped to one knee right in front of me, his hand brushing against the stitched seam at the edge of the dress. He lifted his head, looking up at me inquiringly.

Jesse: Is it all right to tear it open here?

You: It doesn't look like we have much of a choice.

I tried to rip the hem along the stitched seam, but my strength was too lacking, causing me to accidentally damage the lace trim instead.

Left with no alternative, I could only look up silently, casting a pleading gaze at Jesse.

Jesse: In that case, does this count as me committing insubordination under official orders this time?

He looked at me teasingly, instantly breaking my serious expression into a laugh. With a sharp rip, the hem of the dress was successfully torn away by him.

You: I'm so sorry, Gao Xuan. I'll make sure to sew it back up for you when we get back.

Muttering under my breath, I gathered up the remaining skirts and hopped back onto the backseat of the bicycle once more.

Passing the final uphill stretch, we arrived at the highest summit. In an instant, our field of vision grew endlessly vast, and the mint-colored clear sky felt as though it were right within arm's reach.

I took a deep breath of the crisp, fresh mountain air, immediately followed by a rush of weightlessness—the final downward stretch of the racecourse led straight as an arrow toward the finish line in the downtown area.

The beautiful streetscape, looking just like a fairytale kingdom, had already emerged ahead. I closed my eyes, wrapping my arms tightly around Jesse's waist.

With my cheek pressed flat against his warm back, feeling that same comfortable and reliable warmth as always, Jesse's effortless, laughter-laced voice floated over through the wind.

Jesse: My lady, hold on tight, we're almost there!

Flowing clouds and the warm wind of early summer chased past us, the roaring currents lifting my long hair as the suit jacket and bridal skirt fluttered wildly in the breeze, serving as the most flawless footnote to our youth.

The fragrance of flowers and grass swirled all around us, and as our speed accelerated, we overtook bicycle after bicycle.

Amidst a sky filled with celebratory confetti, we were the very first to cross the finish line, completely enveloped by cheers and applause.

Jesse leaped down from the bicycle ahead of me, and unable to suppress the joy in my heart, I naturally threw my arms right around him.

You: You truly are our most incredible Tangyuan Knight!

Jesse: What do you mean by "our"?

Bright light danced within those emerald-green eyes as Jesse looped his arm around my waist, drawing close to my ear to whisper softly.

Jesse: I am a knight who belongs solely to you.

He lifted his hand, gently brushing away the confetti that had settled on the tips of my hair.

Right at that moment, an atmospheric buzzkill of a commotion suddenly echoed from the judges' table.

Following the sound, we looked over only to discover that the newlyweds who had nearly crashed into us earlier were currently locked in a loud argument with the staff.

Man: On what grounds are you saying we fouled! The rules of the competition never stated that overtaking isn't permitted!

Staff Member: The competition rules dictate riding on the right side!

Staff Member: Your conduct of overtaking from the right constitutes a violation, and it severely threatened the personal safety of other competitors.

Staff Member: Therefore, we must disqualify your second-place result.

Hearing their exasperated, furious bickering, Jesse and I looked at one another and smiled, walking toward the award podium.

Emcee: Congratulations to these newlyweds for winning the wedding dress bicycle race championship! Would the two of you be willing to accept an interview from us?

The emcee brought the microphone right in front of us, smoothly picking up two angel lamb plushies and stuffing them into our arms.

Emcee: Having secured the hotel sponsorship, do you have any acceptance speeches? Or perhaps any plans for the wedding?

You: We……

For a moment, I didn't know whether I should just go along with the misunderstanding and play along, instinctively turning my head to look at Jesse. He smiled, smoothly taking the microphone.

Jesse: We want to hold a grand wedding on the hotel lawn—

Jesse: Let the earth, the sky, and the wind that accompanied us through the completion of this race all come to witness this moment.

Following his description, I self-consciously pictured that exact scene in my mind; it would undoubtedly be incredibly beautiful.

Emcee: That sounds wonderful! Congratulations to you both once again!

You: Mm, thank you.

Jesse took my hand, placing a tender yet solemn kiss upon it.

People began to applaud enthusiastically, and as I lifted my eyes to look into the depths of his, I tumbled right into his clear, brilliant smile.

Cradling the trophy, we walked through the crowd, running straight into Gao Xuan and Yang Ming as they came jogging over.

Gao Xuan: You two were amazing! That "marriage proposal vow" just now was truly so romantic!

Jesse: When the time comes for me to actually propose, it will definitely be even more romantic. I'm just afraid my lady will say I'm committing "insubordination" again.

He stole a glance at me, and I couldn't resist giving his waist a gentle poke.

Gao Xuan and Yang Ming looked at us, both bursting into laughter.

Gao Xuan: You two truly flaunt your romance anytime, anywhere.

Jesse scratched his head a little sheepishly, looking over at the two of them.

Jesse: Right, Yang Ming, did you find your wedding ring?

Yang Ming nodded his head, pointing toward his right hand which was tightly clasped with Gao Xuan's.

Gao Xuan: Even though this big dummy didn't manage to pull off the ceremony he pictured, having this thought of his is enough to make me happy.

Gao Xuan looked down at their intertwined hands, a blissful smile spreading across her face.

Jesse handed over the trophy in his hands along with the wedding venue prize voucher to them. Gao Xuan accepted the voucher but politely declined the trophy.

Gao Xuan: This trophy is something you two won, so you should keep it.

Gao Xuan pulled Yang Ming along, and together, they gestured a massive heart shape toward us.

Gao Xuan: All of Cupid's blessings are going straight to you two.

Jesse and I burst into laughter at the exact same time. I leaned against his shoulder, and he lowered his head, gently nuzzling his cheek against my hair.

Jesse: What should I do? I've been struck by Cupid's arrow.

You: Oh? You don't want it?

I pretended to pluck the sharp arrow from his chest, but he caught my hand in reverse and pressed down, as if driving it even deeper instead.

Jesse: Too late.

Jesse: The god of love says I need a kiss to find my salvation.

Jesse's breath drifted over to the edge of my lips, his prominent throat catching slightly as he lowered his voice.

The sunlight gradually tilted westward, quietly retreating along with the arrival of dusk. Within the June breeze, the only thing I could taste was the damp air.

The fluttering hem of my dress was stained with scattered bits of gold. Perhaps, this was the entire meaning of summer.

—

Option 3: Ascend the City Observation Deck

You: Let's find a spot with a better view to watch Gao Xuan and her partner's race, shall we?

Jesse: I know just the place. Follow me.

Rounding a few small alleys, Jesse brought me up to the observation deck at the summit of the mountain.

Beneath our feet, countless streets radiated outward with the square at the absolute center, looking just like a fresh blossom in full bloom.

Standing by the edge of the terrace were several coin-operated telescopes that looked as though they had come straight out of the last century, overlooking the city landscape.

You: Look, they have coin-operated telescopes here! It feels so retro.

Jesse: Doesn't it look a bit like the kind we used to see by the riverbank when we were kids?

I remembered it instantly. The riverbank from our childhood did indeed have similar coin-operated telescopes.

Back then, our pocket money was scarce, so every single time we would crowd close together shoulder-to-shoulder, each of us peering through a single eyepiece.

Seeing the corners of my mouth curve upward, Jesse also smiled in perfect understanding, dropping a coin into the telescope.

Jesse: My spotter, come find where Gao Xuan and Yang Ming are.

I pressed my eyes against the eyepieces. Within the lens, tiny figures dressed in black-and-white wedding attire were running through the medieval-style streets and alleys, looking so adorable they resembled miniature toys in a fairytale town.

Unfortunately, due to the resolution, it was impossible to make out people's faces clearly. I searched around for a full loop but still came up completely empty-handed.

You: I can't find them... Tangyuan, why don't you come over and take a look too?

Acting almost entirely out of habit, I shifted a bit to the right, freeing up the left lens for Jesse.