Chapter 57: Lifelong Entanglement Isn’t Just Between Rivals

Looking at Bai Shuanglian, who was about to pull her into a hug, Ling Xiaoyou didn’t move at all, as if she knew Bai Shuanglian wouldn’t actually go through with it.

Bai Shuanglian’s next action didn’t surprise Ling Xiaoyou, either.

She stopped just short, close to Ling Xiaoyou but not touching.

She breathed in the pleasant fragrance from the girl, shook her head with a soft laugh, and looked at Ling Xiaoyou.

“Even if I wanted you to stay, so what?”

“Would you really be willing to stay with me forever?”

Ling Xiaoyou shook her small head, silent, but her answer was clear in her gesture.

“So that’s how it is.”

Bai Shuanglian ruffled Ling Xiaoyou’s hair.

“I won’t force you to stay.”

“And besides, don’t you dislike me a little? If I forced you to stay, you’d probably hate me even more.”

“So I should at least try not to ruin my image in your eyes.”

At these words, Ling Xiaoyou pouted in secret, wanting to say, ‘You never had a good image in my heart to begin with, you’re just a super pervert.’

But when she looked up at Bai Shuanglian’s smiling face, she couldn’t bring herself to say it.

Somehow, she felt as if she could see the reluctance in Bai Shuanglian’s heart behind her expression.

Suddenly, she shook her head hard, trying to throw out those thoughts and scolded herself internally:

It’s not my fault.

Why should I feel sad for her just because she’s reluctant?

It has nothing to do with me!

Thinking this, Ling Xiaoyou put her hands on her hips, glaring fiercely at Bai Shuanglian.

“Hey, Bai Shuanglian, listen up!”

“Don’t go showing me that sad face!”

“I’m telling you! We’re destined enemies! Of course we’ll meet again! And not just once or twice, either!”

As she spoke, Ling Xiaoyou pointed at Bai Shuanglian with her slender hand.

“And when that time comes, I’ll definitely defeat you!”

“So go ahead and wash yourself… or maybe your neck—whatever, just clean up and wait for me!”

“I, Ling Xiaoyou, will pay you back double for everything you did to me before!”

Ling Xiaoyou’s small chest heaved, and she was slightly out of breath.

Whether it was from the barrage of words or her intense feelings, even she didn’t know.

But seeing her serious little face, Bai Shuanglian could clearly sense her determination.

She looked at Ling Xiaoyou, and for a moment, it felt as if the world had faded away, leaving only Ling Xiaoyou—like the bright moon, like the shining sun, illuminating and filling Bai Shuanglian’s empty heart.

Bai Shuanglian smiled, her expression radiant and dazzling.

It was the first time Ling Xiaoyou had seen Bai Shuanglian smile so brightly. Before, Bai Shuanglian had smiled, but never with such warmth.

For a moment, Ling Xiaoyou was a little dazed, caught up in the beauty of the moment.

Bai Shuanglian gazed at Ling Xiaoyou, her dark eyes shining like a starry sky:

“I don’t feel sad. Whenever I think of your existence, those feelings drift away from me.”

Bai Shuanglian’s words brought Ling Xiaoyou back to her senses.

Her face flushed, and she grumbled inside about getting lost in the moment.

She coughed lightly.

“Is…is that so? Looks like you also acknowledge me as your destined enemy!”

Ling Xiaoyou didn’t dare meet Bai Shuanglian’s gaze; it was too intense, making her face even redder and her words stutter.

“A-a-anyway! I’m your lifelong enemy!”

“Let’s look forward to our n-next meeting—no, to our next showdown!”

With that, Ling Xiaoyou bolted like a startled rabbit, her figure flashing out of sight without a trace.

Looking in the direction Ling Xiaoyou had fled, Bai Shuanglian couldn’t help but laugh softly.

“So cute, Xiaoyou.”

“But a lifelong enemy, huh?”

“But not all bonds that last a lifetime are just between enemies.”

Bathed in moonlight, Bai Shuanglian walked away, her figure like a goddess beneath the moon, softly humming an unknown tune.

***

“Ahhhhh, what did I even say just now?!”

On the road back to the Underworld, Ling Xiaoyou flew along, rubbing her soft cheeks with both hands to dispel the heat and blush.

“What lifelong enemy, what look forward to our next showdown, so embarrassing!!”

Even though she was flying, Ling Xiaoyou was in full salted-fish flop mode, as if her soul had burned out.

Remembering the words she had just said to Bai Shuanglian, the excitement faded, replaced by a wave of embarrassment that kept flooding her heart.

Ugh, too cringey, I’ve lost all face!

But what brought Ling Xiaoyou some comfort was that the only one who’d heard those embarrassing lines was probably Bai Shuanglian, and no one else.

So as long as Bai Shuanglian didn’t tell anyone, things would be okay.

That thought made Ling Xiaoyou feel a bit better.

Still, on the way back, Ling Xiaoyou had the nagging feeling that she’d forgotten something important.

She couldn’t recall exactly what it was, but she knew it was neither too big nor too small.

But since it was only to this extent, Ling Xiaoyou decisively chose to ignore it.

Worrying more would only trouble her for no reason.

After flying for a while, Ling Xiaoyou returned to the Ghostly Grievance Department.

By now, most of the redness had faded from her face, and the heat was gone.

At most, if anyone saw her, they’d think her cheeks looked a bit pink and adorable tonight.

Skilfully dodging her coworkers’ attempts at snuggling, Ling Xiaoyou headed straight for Hong Lingyan’s office.

She pushed open the door.

“I’m back, Sister Ling!”

Hong Lingyan was sitting in front of the computer, looking at something with an auntie’s smile.

But the moment she heard Ling Xiaoyou’s voice, she clearly panicked for a second.

Seeing Ling Xiaoyou come in, she quickly closed a beautiful photo on the screen.

“…Oh! Xiaoyou, you’re back!”

Hong Lingyan tried to look like she was returning from official business, but Ling Xiaoyou had already caught the auntie’s smile.

So Ling Xiaoyou gave Hong Lingyan a strange look.

“Sister Ling, you weren’t looking at something weird in the office, were you?”

Hong Lingyan’s expression stiffened.