A winter morning, the sky shrouded in gloom, with no sign yet of the gentle sun.
Inside the room, all was silent. Even with the curtains left open, the interior remained dim.
On the slightly messy bed, a girl lay curled up tightly under the covers, sleeping deeply, yet her slightly heavy breathing seemed to betray an unrestful slumber.
But even so, this peace was destined to be cruelly shattered—
“Miss, time to get up for breakfast!”
A sweet girl’s voice sounded alongside a knock at the door, quickly pulling the sleeping girl from her dreams.
Thanks to Mother Lin’s involvement, Lin Xinyuan’s schedule was usually quite regular, but last night, because of That Guy… she hadn’t slept well at all.
Exhausted, she didn’t want to move even a bit, not even enough to open her eyes…
She replied drowsily, “I know…”
Her voice was so soft, the girl outside hardly heard a thing.
Another round of knocking, still no answer from inside. The girl tried turning the doorknob experimentally, not expecting the door to actually open.
Tang Yayun found it odd. Usually her cousin always locked the door, so why hadn’t she today…?
But she didn’t think much of it, simply assuming Lin Xinyuan had forgotten.
Yet as Tang Yayun tiptoed to the bedside and saw the rather messy bedding, her confusion only deepened.
What, did she… mess around on the sheets or something? So messy…
Shaking her head, she decided not to dwell on it, instead leaning closer to Lin Xinyuan and whispering, “Sis? Sis? Time to get up!”
“I said I know…”
This time Lin Xinyuan’s voice clearly held a trace of morning temper. Seeing this, Tang Yayun scratched her head and muttered quietly, “Didn’t sleep well last night? So grumpy…”
Before leaving, she said one last thing, “Oh, then Sis hurry up, breakfast will get cold.”
“…”
The door was closed again, footsteps fading, and the room was once more quiet, as if that conversation had been nothing but a dream…
But before long, the girl in bed suddenly reacted, jolting awake and sitting up straight.
She opened her almond eyes in a panic, and only after seeing the empty space beside her did she relax.
She’d been so exhausted that she hadn’t been able to react right away, so only when Tang Yayun came in did she get flustered.
Luckily, that dumb blond had already left…
“That Guy… when did he leave…”
Feeling relieved, she lay back down, mumbling under her breath.
But at the same time, fatigue swept over her mind again, and she closed her tired eyes once more.
Her breathing grew steady, consciousness sinking into darkness…
The surroundings felt so familiar…
Deep blue water, floating points of light.
But this time, it was as if she’d come to a completely different place—
The liquid soaking her bare, fair little feet was no longer the silent, oppressive stillness, almost invisible, soundless.
Instead, it was clear as nectar, with tender green, unknown water grasses poking out, swaying gently though there was no wind…
Occasionally, flashes of white light flickered through, gliding freely, unhurried, as if strolling in a tranquil courtyard.
The girl looked closely before realizing it was a kind of Strange Fish she couldn’t name—silver scales, slender and sleek, swimming as if in a dance.
But compared to these, the greatest change was above—the sky.
The eternal starless night had faded away, revealing a sky of blue and drifting white clouds.
At that moment, a Bamboo Leaf from who knows where slowly drifted onto the girl’s delicate face, bringing a ticklish sensation.
She gently picked it up, placed it on her palm. The Bamboo Leaf floated away on its own, drifting into the distance…
Water and sky blended as one, reflected in the Mirror of Water, like a Symmetrical World—ethereal and tranquil, soothing the soul…
She was entranced by the scene for a moment, then continued walking forward.
She’d walked this path countless times, but this was undoubtedly the easiest time of all.
Her steps felt light, lighter and lighter…
Before long, the end of the world appeared in her moist, shining eyes, reflecting the Mistress of the Realm.
Beneath a crooked tree now lush with green branches and leaves stood “Her”—a woman who looked almost exactly like herself…
“You’re here.”
“Her” beautiful face wore a gentle smile, gaze warm as she looked at the girl like an old friend.
Her soft, sweet voice was almost identical to the girl’s own, but with a barely perceptible hint of maturity.
The girl, confused and lost, hesitated, unable to believe yet somehow expecting it, “You… are me?”
“Her” shook her head, “Yes, and no.”
“What do you mean? And… why can I talk to you now…” The girl looked around this world, utterly puzzled, “Also, why has this place changed…”
At this, “Her” voice was clear as a bell, “Follow your heart and your state of mind shapes what you see. I am not you, nor am I Her, but you are Her.”
“I want to ask…”
The girl was dazed, wanting to ask more, but the woman just gently nodded, put a finger to her lips in a “shh” gesture, and the girl could no longer make a sound.
“Her” looked up at the blue sky, smiling softly, “That’s all for now. He’s waiting for you.”
As the last word left “Her” lips, that long-forgotten sensation of falling returned, the world before her eyes slowly darkening.
And just before all faded, “Her” tone suddenly became playful and sweet, “Maybe this is the last time we meet, but maybe not~”
“As long as■■■
The girl could hear no more, as if sinking into an abyss. The world was suddenly silent…
“Xiaoyuan…”
“Xiaoyuan?”
“Time to get up…”
When Lin Xinyuan finally regained consciousness, fragmented voices echoed in her ears, breaking the silence of darkness.
She… what happened…
It was like… she’d dreamed of that place again…
What was it that someone said?
Her mind foggy, the girl slowly opened her eyes, the world before her still blurry.
As it gradually cleared, and she could just make out that familiar, handsome face, her senses slowly returned.
Lin Xinyuan’s soft voice carried a bit of hoarseness, “Mmm… so tired…”
“Didn’t sleep well last night, huh?”
Qin Nanfeng pinched her fair, soft cheek, eyes filled with amusement.
Hearing that, Lin Xinyuan’s mind snapped back. Just thinking about it made her angry; she glared at That Guy, weakly trying to swat away his mischievous hand, “What do you think! It’s all your fault…”
“Eh? Is Xiaoyuan not feeling well?”
Qin Nanfeng let go obediently, but didn’t plan to give up, slowly leaning closer to the girl, his laughter low, his voice gentle.
Hearing this, Lin Xinyuan immediately remembered last night, and her face flushed bright red in an instant. She felt like her neck… no, her whole body was burning…
That feeling—she couldn’t forget it. She’d never imagined something like that would ever happen…
But she didn’t dislike it, as long as it was that dumb blond… Besides, it was… actually kind of… nice…
Of course, she couldn’t say that aloud—she’d seem way too desperate… Ugh…
“Nice… nice, my foot… so gross…”
Lin Xinyuan acted like a little kitten, baring her teeth and making “meow meow” noises, using her tiny paws to try and scare off her Owner who kept teasing her.
She pushed at Qin Nanfeng’s face, which was getting closer and closer, but afraid she’d hurt his eyes, she didn’t use much force at all. Her tough act was all bark and no bite, making the young man’s smile even wider.
He leaned in closer.
So cute…
Thinking this, a glint flashed in Qin Nanfeng’s eyes. He planted his big hand beside the girl’s head, his face coming right up to hers.
The heat and familiarity of his breath was just like last night, making Lin Xinyuan’s body temperature soar, her legs turn weak, and her mind go blank, unable to muster even a hint of resistance.
She quietly closed her eyes…
But after a while, nothing happened, as if time itself had frozen…
She was just about to open her eyes in confusion when, as soon as her vision cleared, that handsome face suddenly closed in.
“Ah… mmm…”
This time, it didn’t last long before ending, but even so, her breath was all out of rhythm, leaving her gasping for air, her mouth full of the young man’s taste and warmth.
“I haven’t even brushed my teeth…” The girl spoke awkwardly, shy and mumbling.
He just chuckled, “It’s fine, I don’t mind. Besides… Xiaoyuan is fragrant…”
“Pervert… gross…” Lin Xinyuan scolded, nibbling her rosy lips, her eyes faintly shining.
“Heh… you can think so if you like…”
Their faces were so close they could see themselves in each other’s eyes, and no one knew how long that lasted. In the end, it was the girl who first couldn’t withstand the young man’s intense gaze.
Her breathing grew a bit ragged, her face flushed, eyes cast down, too embarrassed to meet his gaze.
She muttered, “Can we… get up now…”
Lin Xinyuan’s tone was awkward, with a hint of pleading.
Clearly she was the one in the right!
How did it turn out like this…
“Of course.”
Qin Nanfeng chuckled, nodded, and finally ruffled her hair until it nearly became a bird’s nest, only then satisfied enough to let go, leaving Lin Xinyuan full of silent complaints.
But Qin Nanfeng didn’t mind at all, naturally sitting upright with a perfectly serious face. He raised an eyebrow, “Is Xiaoyuan still sleepy now?”
As he spoke, he narrowed his eyes, “Or… maybe you’re still not fully awake? I wouldn’t mind…”
He didn’t finish, but Lin Xinyuan understood That Guy’s meaning all too well.
“Not sleepy!”
She glared back, only to see That Guy eyeing her with mischief. Startled, she hurried out of bed, scrambling into the bathroom, afraid Qin Nanfeng might try something else.
Though she really did like that dumb blond… she truly liked how close he was to her.
Mm… it really did feel nice…
But early in the morning… it still made her feel embarrassed…
And besides, hasn’t it been said… Girls should be reserved, you can’t be that… ugh… desperate…