Without realizing it, I had spent one whole day in Su Wanli’s room.
‘From that groggy state this morning to the way I pretended to be sick just to stay longer… is it time for this to end?’
Meng Wange let out a soft sigh and turned around, picking up the sketchbook from the desk that she had meticulously maintained.
After Su Wanli had fallen asleep, Meng Wange took over her gaming console and operated both characters at once.
Despite the challenge, her past experience allowed her to finish the entire game in only three hours without any setbacks.
In the time that followed, Meng Wange had intended to lean back in her chair and nap alongside Su Wanli. However, before she could close her eyes, she caught sight of Su Wanli’s delicate sleeping face.
Soft eyelashes quivered slightly with every breath, and the corners of her mouth curved into a faint, ambiguous smile. She looked as if she were in the middle of an arrogant dream, boasting about everything she possessed.
Gazing at the scene, Meng Wange’s fingers naturally reached for a nearby brush. She pulled out the sketchbook Su Wanli had brought from her own room and flipped to a blank page.
Actually, the first time the thought of drawing the Eldest Miss had crossed her mind wasn’t because of that art class requirement, nor was it for the sketch of Su Wanli’s back she had drawn to pacify her.
That idea had taken root back at the Welcome Banquet, the moment she saw Su Wanli gracefully drift behind her and place a hand on her shoulder with a sinister expression.
That “wicked mask,” which looked as though it could be peeled off at any moment, gave her a strange urge—she wanted to use her pen to record those fleeting instances.
The happy ones, the excited ones, the panicked, angry, nervous, and arrogant ones… every single expression that belonged to Su Wanli.
Cameras and other media weren’t enough. Only by etching these images by hand could she truly remember the feelings of those moments.
‘Heh, if Su Wanli knew I did this while she was asleep, she might never let me step foot in her room again, let alone see her sleeping face.’
Meng Wange shook her head slightly and tucked the sketchbook back between her textbooks before stretching.
‘In that case, I’ll hide these drawings for now. I’ll ask for her forgiveness when there’s an opportunity later.’
‘Speaking of which, where did Su Wanli go?’
‘If I really made her angry, the most logical thing would be to kick me out, wouldn’t it?’
But Su Wanli had said—
“Stay in this room and don’t move. Don’t go outside, and definitely don’t fall asleep while I’m gone.”
Literally speaking, that seemed to mean she had an arrangement involving Meng Wange. Since sleep was forbidden, she clearly needed to stay awake and focused.
So…
Before Meng Wange could analyze it further, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed as the door was pushed open once more.
Meng Wange instinctively turned her head.
What greeted her was a black-haired girl dressed in a fiery red evening gown. Her long hair was tied up neatly in an exquisite bun at the back of her head, making her look both gorgeous and cold.
“Yo, Meng Wange. Your attitude isn’t bad today. You didn’t sleep when I told you not to, and you didn’t leave when I told you to stay.”
Su Wanli gave a chilling smile as she lightly swirled the goblet in her hand. A faint red glow shimmered in the glass, and her entire being radiated an arrogant, dangerous aura.
“However, that’s not enough. Even if you really beat the game, I wasn’t there to witness the whole thing, so it doesn’t count as a pass. Are you prepared?”
‘As expected, is she angry about the game?’
Meng Wange maintained her usual gentle smile and bowed slightly.
“I understand, Miss Su. Is this to be a punishment? I will do anything, as long as it calms your anger.”
“…Tch, you won’t even argue against such a clumsy excuse. Do you have no self-respect? You just do whatever I say?”
Su Wanli quirked an eyebrow and muttered under her breath before shrugging.
“Whatever, it’s already past 8:00 PM. You’ve spent enough time in my room. Don’t just stand there; follow me out. Oh, and put on some extra clothes. I won’t care if your cold gets worse.”
“Yes.”
Meng Wange obediently grabbed her school uniform jacket and draped it over her shoulders, looking back at the bed one last time before leaving.
“Hm? What, did you develop feelings for that bed? Do you want me to lend you the blanket for another nine nights?”
“May I?”
“Of course not! Is there something wrong with your head? Can’t you tell when I’m being sarcastic!?”
Su Wanli crossed her arms, rolled her eyes, and turned away with a wave of her hand.
“Hurry up and follow me. If you make us late, you’ll be sorry.”
Meng Wange blinked and followed behind her.
‘Wait… this direction seems to lead upstairs?’
The Su Residence had four floors. She remembered Zhang Ma mentioning that besides the study, the fourth floor contained—
After walking a few steps, Su Wanli pushed open the glass doors in front of them.
*Clatter—*
A cool night breeze blew against her face, carrying a faint scent of moisture.
It was the roof, complete with a swimming pool.
The moonlight wasn’t particularly bright tonight, but the sky was filled with brilliant stars, gathering into a silver river across the night sky.
“…Cough, what are you staring at? Even if you’ve never been on a Ferris wheel, surely you’ve seen stars before?”
Su Wanli’s voice pulled Meng Wange’s gaze back from the sky.
The girl had already taken a seat at a round glass table near the edge of the roof, beckoning Meng Wange with her finger. Her black hair shimmered in the night like a piece of silk blowing in the wind.
“Meng Wange, do you know why I called you out here?”
“For punishment?”
“…That’s right.”
Though she admitted it, Su Wanli’s expression stiffened for a moment.
“Cough, it’s good that you’re prepared. I said I’d let you ‘dry out outside the Su family’ for a bit, and I don’t break my word. Come, sit down, and close your eyes.”
“…Close my eyes?”
Meng Wange was slightly stunned, but she sat down and gently closed her eyes as instructed.
“Heh, how obedient. Next, cover your ears. Tight. You aren’t allowed to hear a single sound.”
Meng Wange complied.
Soon, besides the sound of the wind on the roof, there were some muffled footsteps.
“Tch, didn’t I say to be quiet? Fast, fast, put the things down and leave… Wait, leave the lighter with me!”
Even though she was covering her ears, some voices still leaked through.
“The wind on the roof is so strong, I can’t get the fire started… Zhang Ma, come back and block the wind for me… Okay, okay, it’s lit, hurry up and go!”
Meng Wange resisted the urge to open her eyes and remained sitting quietly.
“Ssss, that’s hot… Why is the wind blowing toward me… Alright, alright, it’s already lit, get going!”
Accompanied by the faint sound of a fuse burning, everything seemed ready.
Su Wanli circled behind her and gently pulled Meng Wange’s hands away from her ears. Her fingertips rested on the girl’s shoulders as she spoke in a malicious tone.
“Alright, Meng Wange. Guess—how am I going to punish you next?”
Meng Wange shook her head slightly.
“My apologies, Miss Su, I cannot guess. If it is a severe punishment, I ask that you show some mercy…”
“Hmph, that’s not for you to decide. I’ll do whatever I want; you have no right to refuse.”
Su Wanli nodded with satisfaction, walked back to the opposite side, and snapped her fingers.
“Alright, open your eyes… Wait, not yet… Okay, you can now.”
With another flick of a lighter, Meng Wange slowly opened her eyes.
What greeted her was a white porcelain plate.
On the plate sat a cake shaped like layered flower petals, looking exquisite and magnificent. A thin golden fuse circled the cake, blooming with tiny sparks.
Was this the “Mille-feuille Romance” they had eaten at the dessert shop?
However, the inscription had changed from “Forever Love” to—”Happy Everyday.”
“Hmph, I have always been fair with my rewards and punishments. Making you come out here to catch a cold is the punishment. As for this cake, it’s your reward.”
Before Meng Wange could speak—
*Whish—!*
*Whish, whish—!*
Sharp whistling sounds suddenly pierced the night sky.
The next instant—
Radiant fireworks exploded brilliantly beneath the stars, intertwining with the golden sparks of the cake to illuminate the entire night.
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