Chapter 34: No Photos of Myself Together

The blazing midday sun hung high overhead, generously pouring down its scorching rays.

In the Amusement Park, enormous colorful balloons swayed gently in the heat haze, while the Ice Cream Truck’s music mingled with children’s shrieks and the roaring Roller Coaster, humming through the sweltering air.

The ground was heated to the point of burning, sending visible waves of distorted heat shimmering upward.

“Wow… it’s so hot~ I feel like I’m melting…”

Huang Xi wiped the fine beads of sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand, her pink tongue sticking out just a little like a sun-dazed puppy.

She was usually full of energy but even she couldn’t withstand the merciless sun.

Beside her, Mu Yurou was tiptoeing, eyes scanning the stream of people entering the park.

Suddenly, her eyes lit up!

“Oh! Older Sister’s here!”

Mu Yurou’s voice held excitement as she waved vigorously in one direction.

Huang Xi followed her gaze and slightly widened her eyes.

The figure walking closer—was that Older Sister Xi?

But she seemed… different from usual?

The image of Older Sister Xi was always draped in deep black or gray, like a shadow deliberately blending into the background.

But today…

She wore a gentle lavender-purple chiffon dress, as soft as a field of lavender blossoms, shimmering with a delicate glow under the sunlight.

The light fabric of the skirt fluttered lightly with her steps, outlining the slender silhouette unique to a young girl.

The exquisite lace collar and cuffs made her exposed skin appear even fairer.

Her cream-colored leather shoes tapped lightly on the scorching ground, producing a lively “tap tap” sound.

Her silver-white long hair was no longer casually draped but elegantly gathered at the back, revealing a smooth neck, with a few lazy strands falling beside her cheeks, adding a touch of softness.

The whole person… seemed to have stepped out from a dust-covered painting frame, carrying a rare, breathtaking freshness.

Mu Yurou’s heart skipped a beat.

That dress… she remembered it!

When she was about eleven or twelve, she and Older Sister Xi saw it while shopping together.

Back then, she thought that gentle purple perfectly matched her sister’s cool aura, like a princess from a fairy tale.

She had pestered Older Sister Xi for a long time before she finally reluctantly bought it.

Who would have thought… after all these years, the dress still existed… and Sister was wearing it today!

“Older Sister! This way!”

Mu Yurou’s voice was even brighter than usual, waving her arms energetically.

Older Sister Xi saw them and quickened her pace.

Sunlight poured down on her, making that lavender-purple dress seem to glow.

“Xiao Rou.”

Older Sister Xi approached, her gaze sweeping over her sister and Huang Xi.

“Older Sister Xi!”

Huang Xi snapped back to reality, her face blooming into a big, genuine smile, her eyes sparkling as she looked her up and down, “Wow! You look so beautiful today! It suits you perfectly!”

Her tone was filled with amazement and admiration.

Older Sister Xi felt a little shy at the compliment, a faint blush coloring her ears.

She lowered her head slightly, but the corners of her lips couldn’t help curving into a soft, genuine smile.

“Thank you, Huang Xi.”

Her voice softened considerably.

“Oh oh~”

A teasing voice, only audible to Older Sister Xi, whispered near her ear.

Mu Ming, like a living charm, still clung tightly to her right arm, half her body nestled against her.

Her ruby-red eyes were now curiously examining the couple in front of her.

“Tsk tsk tsk, look at these two…”

Mu Ming’s voice carried a mischievous smile, “…they’re really lovey-dovey~”

Her gaze flicked between Mu Yurou’s pale green dress and Huang Xi’s light yellow one.

“They’re even wearing… couple outfits~”

She deliberately dragged the tone, full of playful mockery.

Mu Ming’s eyes lingered for a moment on the complementary, youthful, sweet dresses of Huang Xi and Mu Yurou.

Then, her gaze involuntarily dropped back to herself—

Still wearing that slightly outdated white sailor uniform “stolen” from Older Sister Xi’s wardrobe.

Though clean, under the dazzling sunlight, standing next to Older Sister Xi’s carefully chosen lavender dress, it looked so plain, pale, and even… out of place.

Looking back at Older Sister Xi, who wore the beautiful dress Mu Ming had picked for her, even “forced” her to change into, the entire person seemed to shine.

A strong wave of mixed envy and a faint, barely noticeable jealousy crept quietly around Mu Ming’s heart like tiny vines.

She wanted it too…

Wanted those bright, beautiful clothes that everyone could see…

Wanted to stand in the sunlight openly and proudly…

Wanted… someone to look at her with those amazed eyes…

The hand clutching Older Sister Xi’s arm tightened unconsciously, fingertips pressing just a bit harder.

“All right, all right! Everyone’s here! Let’s go inside quickly! If we stay out here any longer, we’re going to get heatstroke!”

She hooked one arm through Huang Xi’s and naturally reached to take Older Sister Xi’s hand.

Older Sister Xi instinctively pulled back slightly but then stopped, allowing her sister’s warm palm to hold her cool fingers.

“Mm, let’s go.”

Older Sister Xi responded softly.

Mu Ming glanced at Mu Yurou’s hand gripping Older Sister Xi’s, a flash of dissatisfaction flickering in her red eyes.

She wanted to reach out and grab Mu Yurou’s hand too, but the hand she stretched forward passed right through Mu Yurou’s as if a phantom.

“Hmph…”

She snorted lightly, hugging Older Sister Xi’s arm tighter.

The three of them (plus one invisible charm) merged into the bustling crowd, heading toward the colorful, music-filled Amusement Park entrance.

The huge cartoon archway’s multicolored bulbs struggled to sparkle even under the blazing sun.

The air was thick with the sweetness of popcorn, the smoky aroma of grilled sausages, and the mingled scent of sunscreen and sweat.

“What does Older Sister want to play?”

Mu Yurou asked excitedly, fanning herself with her hand.

“Anything is fine. I’ll follow you guys.”

Older Sister Xi’s gaze swept over the spinning thrilling rides with a hint of detachment.

“Then… how about we warm up with the Merry-Go-Round first?”

Huang Xi suggested, pointing to the nearby dreamy, music-driven, undulating spectacle.

The giant painted horses and Pumpkin Carriage sparkled in the sunlight.

“Great, great!”

Mu Yurou immediately agreed.

There was quite a queue, mostly parents with children and young couples.

Older Sister Xi stood quietly in line, seeming somewhat withdrawn.

Mu Ming looked around curiously, pointing out the bright, intricately carved horses.

“That golden one is so pretty! The one with wings! Ah! The Pumpkin Carriage! I want to ride that one!”

She pointed excitedly, but only Older Sister Xi could hear her voice.

When it was their turn, Mu Yurou and Huang Xi happily ran toward two white horses side by side.

Older Sister Xi was gently pushed by Mu Ming into the small Pumpkin Carriage decorated with vines and flowers.

“Wow! We’re actually sitting on it!”

The music started, and the Merry-Go-Round slowly began to turn, rising and falling.

Sunlight filtered through the stained glass canopy, casting mottled shadows dancing on Older Sister Xi’s purple skirt.

Mu Yurou and Huang Xi on the horses nearby laughed brightly with the ride’s motion; Huang Xi even took out her phone, turning sideways to take pictures of Mu Yurou.

Mu Yurou made a cute peace sign at the camera, her smile dazzlingly radiant.

Mu Ming leaned on the Pumpkin Carriage’s window frame, her ruby eyes staring unblinkingly at the sweet couple beside her.

Watching Huang Xi carefully adjust the angle for Mu Yurou’s photos, watching the happy flush on Mu Yurou’s face.

Watching the loving gazes they occasionally exchanged during the spinning ride.

That pure, sunshine-blessed joy and intimacy…

Like a tiny needle, it gently pricked Mu Ming’s heart.

She turned her head to look at Older Sister Xi sitting quietly inside the carriage.

Older Sister Xi was looking at her sisters too, her red eyes carrying a faint, almost imperceptible gentleness, but more so a calm detachment.

“Hey…”

Mu Ming’s voice carried a trace of loneliness even she didn’t realize, gently poking Older Sister Xi’s arm, “…look at them…”

“Hm?”

Older Sister Xi snapped out of her thoughts and looked at her.

“…So silly.”

Mu Ming pouted, trying to look disdainful, but her envious gaze betrayed her, “…laughing so loudly…”

The Merry-Go-Round gradually came to a stop.

Mu Yurou jumped off her horse and ran over, cheeks still flushed with excitement: “Older Sister! Was it fun? Take pictures, take pictures! Let’s take a group photo!”

Without waiting, she pulled Older Sister Xi out of the carriage and beckoned Huang Xi over.

Huang Xi held her phone, set the timer, and ran over.

The three squeezed into the frame.

Mu Yurou held tightly to Older Sister Xi’s left arm, and Huang Xi intimately draped her arm over Mu Yurou’s shoulder.

Older Sister Xi’s body stiffened slightly as she forced a somewhat unnatural smile for the camera.

“Click!”

The photo froze.

In the picture, Mu Yurou’s smile bloomed like a flower, Huang Xi’s eyes were warm and affectionate.

And Older Sister Xi, wearing that gentle purple dress with silver hair pinned back, showed a somewhat restrained expression, but the delicate beauty forced into the sunlight was clear.

To her right was only empty sunlight.

The black-haired girl clinging tightly to her right arm, desperate to be caught in the photo, existed only in her perception.

“Nice shot!”

Huang Xi looked at the photo with satisfaction.

Mu Yurou leaned in to look, smiling even more happily: “Older Sister looks so pretty today! Right, Huang Xi?”

“Yeah! Super pretty!”

Huang Xi nodded enthusiastically.

Mu Ming watched them comment on the photo without her, watched their undisguised happiness.

Then looked at herself… just a transparent ghost.

A sharp sting of bitterness and grievance surged up.

Suddenly, she tugged sharply on Older Sister Xi’s arm, her voice repressed and irritable, with a faint trace of crying:

“Hey! This damn place is boiling hot! So noisy! Let’s go play something else! The Ghost House! It’s cooler there!”

A stubborn light flickered in her red eyes, unwilling to look at that glaring scene of sweetness any longer.