Sitting on a wooden stool that was about thirty to forty centimeters off the ground from Su Yao’s feet, she placed the soft, plush doll on the narrow table.
She rested her head on it, holding a cup in her hand, tilting it slightly before taking a small sip.
Her face wore a defeated, dispirited little expression; her delicate willow-shaped brows drooped, and her eyes were half-closed as she blankly stared at the crowd outside the glass window.
Su Yao couldn’t believe she had spent so much money trying to win a doll from the Crane Game Machine.
She should have known—the machine was empty because the claw was set way too loose.
She should have known, but by then her mind was already clouded…
It was just like the Sleep Game.
Although I’m broke, and haven’t done anything I was supposed to, I have to win at least once.
Then I fought on until 4 a.m., watching the sky outside all night.
Even though she finally won, it felt like she hadn’t won anything at all.
She couldn’t help but question herself: was this meaningful?
Ridiculous!
Perhaps if Mu Nanqiu hadn’t been here, Su Yao wouldn’t have cared about slinking away in defeat.
But since it wasn’t her own money she used, she still felt guilty.
Mu Nanqiu glanced at Su Yao and asked, “Still thinking about what just happened?”
“…”
Su Yao turned her head away in frustration, avoiding Mu Nanqiu’s gaze, swinging her legs in the air.
She sighed softly, thought for a moment, then sighed again.
If it were anyone else, lacking willpower, they would easily fall into Su Yao’s emo mood and start lamenting life.
But Mu Nanqiu always liked to tease people when they were feeling down.
She leaned in close to Su Yao’s ear and teased, “I can tell you’re thinking about it.”
Su Yao blushed all over and buried her face in the doll’s back.
No way was she listening now.
Mu Nanqiu smiled, warming her paper cup in her hands.
When asked how to get rid of negative emotions, Su Yao’s answer was to turn sorrow and anger into appetite.
Like a little train, she roamed the mall, eating nonstop, trying all sorts of snacks she usually couldn’t get.
What’s this? Soft and glutinous—let me try.
What’s this? Fragrant, spicy, and numbing—let me try.
What’s this…
After one full round, she could skip lunch.
Rubbing her already comfortably full belly, Su Yao sat in the chair, sipping fragrant hot tea while watching the clouds drift by.
It was quite pleasant.
But Mu Nanqiu was a little disapproving.
“You, you’re not afraid of getting an upset stomach?”
“…”
Su Yao figured that was tomorrow’s problem, so no need to worry yet.
Mu Nanqiu gave her a somewhat plaintive glare before taking a sip of her room-temperature sweet milk to ease the spiciness and oiliness.
Su Yao’s taste was definitely heavier than hers by quite a bit.
Just walking into that spicy place made Mu Nanqiu feel dizzy from the smell.
If it weren’t for Su Yao insisting that none of it was too spicy, she wouldn’t have even tried.
Soon, she started coughing uncontrollably, her face turning red.
Seeing this, Su Yao realized her mistake and hurried off to buy milk.
Mu Nanqiu wiped the physiological tears from her eyes with a tissue and tossed it into a nearby trash bin.
Coming back, she gently pinched Su Yao’s face, who had been resting her eyes, and said coldly on purpose, “Get up and keep walking.”
“Huh?”
Su Yao was confused.
Didn’t they just stop to rest?
She didn’t want to move, but Mu Nanqiu had already pulled her up.
Now she understood—it was a little payback from earlier.
After walking a short while, Su Yao felt her arches screaming for her to stop or they’d make her pay.
“Nanqiu, Nanqiu, can we rest for a bit?”
“Nope.”
“But I’m really tired.”
“Keep walking. It’s still early before noon. Didn’t you say you wanted to exercise? This is exercise.”
“Hmm, don’t be mad. I’m sorry, okay?”
“No, you didn’t do anything wrong.”
Su Yao pouted, leaning heavily against Mu Nanqiu.
She was just too tired to go on.
They had been walking for two hours already, strolling and pausing here and there, but it was still hours.
They had covered several nearby streets.
Why wouldn’t they stop?
She was dying inside.
She wailed silently, eventually wrapping her arms around Mu Nanqiu’s waist, half-hanging on her.
Finding a quiet spot with few people, Su Yao immediately lay down, resting her head on Mu Nanqiu’s lap.
Though separated by thick fabric, she could still feel its softness.
But as she lay there, Su Yao felt a twinge of doubt.
She pinched her own thigh and could clearly feel soft fat.
Under Mu Nanqiu’s skin, however, beneath the surface fat, were firm muscles.
That made Su Yao clearly realize she was probably really weak.
Just as she tried to get up, Mu Nanqiu pressed her down gently.
Su Yao glanced up but only saw the underside of Mu Nanqiu’s chin.
Turning her head back, she looked at the distant spot, then the nearer one, and finally the legs right in front of her.
She closed her eyes.
The place was quiet with few people and no passing cars—a rare chance to rest properly.
Su Yao liked places with no one around, though it was a bit too empty, which made her feel unsafe.
But with Mu Nanqiu providing a sense of security, she didn’t have to worry and could enjoy the calming effect on her heart.
After stopping, her entire body relaxed.
The fatigue made her want to sleep deeply.
“Don’t fall asleep.”
“Oh.”
Su Yao was just about to doze off when those words snapped her awake.
She shifted her head slightly, resting the back of it against Mu Nanqiu’s lower abdomen and curled up a bit more.
No matter how she tried to adjust, the bench was uncomfortable to lie on.
Since she couldn’t sleep, she could only let her mind wander.
Before long, Mu Nanqiu urged her to get up.
Reluctantly, Su Yao sat up.
Although she wasn’t supposed to sleep, she had—due not only to exhaustion from walking but also from staying up too late last night and waking early this morning.
Glancing at her phone, less than ten minutes had passed since she was woken up.
She sat there dazed, watching Mu Nanqiu whose legs had gone numb.
Mu Nanqiu pushed herself up with her hands and, after standing, stretched her right leg despite the tingling.
She turned her head to look at the still-dazed Su Yao and lightly tapped her on the head.
“I said no sleeping, didn’t I?”
“Hehe.”
Su Yao didn’t know how to explain, so she just grinned sheepishly.
Mu Nanqiu laughed too and suddenly placed her hand on Su Yao’s neck.
The icy cold sensation made Su Yao shiver and stiffen, curling her neck to trap Mu Nanqiu’s hand.
“Let’s go to the Movie Theater.”
“Now?”
It was just over twenty minutes to noon—prime meal time.
Mu Nanqiu gave Su Yao a long look before turning away to smooth out her wrinkled coat and said slowly, “Meal times have fewer people.”
“Oh!”
Fewer people was definitely better.
Su Yao thought about it and agreed—fewer people was best.
Maybe they’d even have the theater to themselves.
As a New Era Youth who was used to quiet environments during Production, Su Yao disliked being disturbed by other sounds while appreciating the content.
Once, she had stayed up late watching Meng Ton Fodder and forgot to close the window.
She heard heavy breathing and sharp moans from downstairs and thought there was a ghost.
She was scared all night in bed, only realizing the truth the next day.
Since then, she had learned some pretty avant-garde knowledge and even mastered some handy skills.
Getting off track again.
“Let’s go quickly!”
Su Yao was a bit excited since it was her first time going to a Movie Theater to watch a film.
She had no idea what it would feel like.
After taking a detour, the two arrived at the Movie Theater entrance.
Inside, the decor was elegant and simple—no flashy lights.
There were plenty of tables for waiting, and two rows of massage chairs.
Near the entrance, they could see posters of the latest movies.
Su Yao scanned them all, and they looked pretty good, but none she recognized.
Being naturally talentless in cooking, Su Yao never followed any stars or had favorite game characters.
She didn’t know how people got these interests but figured it probably didn’t affect her life much.
Mu Nanqiu went to the counter first to collect tickets, then ordered a bucket of popcorn and a drink, all filling snacks.
Su Yao followed like a little assistant; Mu Nanqiu paid, and Su Yao carried.
After scanning their tickets, they entered.
Just then, Gu Qin hurried in.
The two counter clerks had been about to squat down for a meal, surprised by the sudden arrival.
They straightened up politely and smiled at Gu Qin.
“Hello, Miss. How may I assist you…”
“Give me one ticket. The movie that’s about to start, now!”
Gu Qin cut her off impatiently, throwing out her request.
“Hurry.”
“Ah, okay, okay.”
The clerk was puzzled but agreed.
After working so many years, she had seen all sorts of customers and wasn’t surprised.
Ticket in hand, Gu Qin didn’t even look at it and rushed straight to the entrance.
Rounding the corner, she saw two figures enter Five Hall.
Gu Qin quickly followed.
Yesterday, Mu Nanqiu had suddenly told her not to follow, and in a very stern tone.
She already felt something was off.
Sneaking after them, Gu Qin discovered Mu Nanqiu secretly meeting a girl in the library!
Not only that, they were so intimate in a public place.
Gu Qin wanted to intervene but feared Mu Nanqiu would dislike her for it.
She could only bite her nails and watch from the shadows as the two laughed and chatted happily.
Today, she followed again, and sure enough, Mu Nanqiu was still with that girl!
***
(Sorry for the delay, two more chapters coming tonight as compensation)