Chapter 45: Blessings
This matter was already laid out openly.
If anyone still wanted to continue this brutal bloodbath in this dim alley, they must be crazy!
Seeing that Ye Zhibai and the others were about to leave, Guang Yu hurriedly started packing his things into his backpack.
Drinks, Osmanthus cakes, the discarded sunflower seed shells… there was quite a lot of stuff.
The snacks were done, time to pack up and leave!
As they left the alley, the city’s commercial district sparkled with the brilliant night lights, the dazzling neon colors making the whole world light up once again.
The brightness made Ye Zhibai squint, her pupils contracting.
Ah… it’s the light, it’s prosperity!
This is the kind of environment normal humans should be in!
After leaving the alley, Ye Zhijun clung to Ye Zhibai’s arm, pulling herself to the side.
She didn’t want to go anywhere in particular,
she just wanted to stay far away from Lin Zihan!
The head maid had already driven the car over, waiting by the roadside.
All of this indicated one thing:
—It was time to temporarily part ways with Lin Zihan.
Lin Zihan obediently stood at the roadside,
even more considerately, she noticed how tightly Ye Zhijun was “guarding her territory” and voluntarily kept some distance from Ye Zhibai.
To advance and retreat appropriately, to bend and stretch when needed—that’s how one achieves great things.
Ye Zhibai stood by the car with Yun’er, but at the last moment, she turned around to glance back.
Lin Zihan smiled and waved her right hand at Ye Zhibai, while also shaking her phone with her left hand.
The meaning was clear—contact me anytime.
The neon lights mixed with the moonlight illuminated Lin Zihan’s flushed right eye, reflecting her now much more genuine smile.
Honestly, Ye Zhibai thought, she and Lin Zihan had probably become friends by now, hadn’t they?
This was Ye Zhibai’s first friend made through her efforts in this life, no… counting her past life as well, it was the first!
Sigh… I hope after her tears today, she can truly release some of the pressure in her heart.
Ye Zhibai also waved back to her in a small gesture.
Yun’er had already gotten into the back seat of the car, and just as Ye Zhibai was about to follow her,
her movement suddenly halted.
“Sister? What’s wrong? Is there something else?”
“Mm… Yun’er, wait a moment, I’ll be right back.”
“Oh… okay then.”
Yun’er pouted in disappointment.
But as said before, her sister had the freedom to act!
Ugh… it’s just that the whole day, she hadn’t absorbed any of her sister’s energy. She was eagerly waiting for her sister to sit in the car, so she could ask for a hug. Now it seemed she’d have to wait a bit longer.
Ye Zhibai turned back and casually grabbed at the air!
“Grabbing air”*—meant grabbing Guang Yu by the collar, and pulling him back just as she was rushing to get into the car to enjoy the air conditioning.
[*” Grabbing air (抓空气, zhuā kōngqì)”– Slang used here to humorously describe the act of pulling someone back (in this case, by the collar) when they’re eager to leave. It’s used playfully, especially about catching someone off guard.]
Then, Ye Zhibai spoke telepathically to Guang Yu, giving her an instruction.
After hearing it, Guang Yu was immediately unhappy!
“Eh…!! Why? That’s not fair!”
“Don’t make a fuss, listen to me. I’ll reward you when we get home.”
“Is it a tasty reward?”
“Mm, it’s a good fruit.”
“Alright!! I’ll do as you say!”
Guang Yu lost out due to his lack of knowledge.
When you hear there’s good fruit, you misunderstand.
But you’ll get good fruit to eat.
After hearing Ye Zhibai’s instructions, Guang Yu happily ran off to prepare.
After telling Yun’er, “Don’t worry,” Ye Zhibai turned and walked back towards Lin Zihan, who was standing a few meters away.
Lin Zihan’s hand, which had been raised in a farewell wave, froze mid-air.
Oh dear… why is Ye Zhibai coming back? Could it be that she wants to give me a goodbye kiss?
Just kidding.
Ye Zhibai walked back with steady steps, her figure illuminated by the car’s headlights flickering in the shadows.
In just a few steps, she was standing in front of Lin Zihan again.
Lin Zihan stood on tiptoe, glancing towards the car, and then asked:
“Ye Zhibai? What is it? Don’t tell me… hehe, could it be that you can’t bear to leave me?”
“No.”
“Ugh… that answer hurts! So, Ye Zhibai, what is it that you want to say?”
Lin Zihan thought that Ye Zhibai must want to remind her of something.
Yes, yes, Ye Zhibai, just speak up. Whatever you say, I’m willing to listen.
But Ye Zhibai only slowly raised her right hand.
The gesture was meant to display the vine ring on her index finger.
Though her smile wasn’t on her face,
as Ye Zhibai’s cold expression reflected off her, the smile blossomed in Lin Zihan’s heart.
“I just wanted to say… I’m really happy today. I received a gift, and I’m very pleased. Lin Zihan, thank you.”
“!?”
Even the honking of car horns on the road became unexpectedly sparse while Ye Zhibai spoke.
Thanks to this, Lin Zihan could hear every word of this precious treasure and store it deep in her heart.
Ignoring the fact that in the nearby car, Ye Zhijun was secretly watching with murderous intent,
Lin Zihan couldn’t resist reaching out both hands, holding Ye Zhibai’s right hand.
What Ye Zhijun was thinking in her heart, she blurted out without the slightest hesitation.
“Ye Zhibai… you’re truly beautiful. Please tell me! Can I confess to you?”
“Can I just assume you’re joking?”
The question left Ye Zhibai momentarily stunned!
“Good friend, you’re acting strange!”
But Lin Zihan quickly rubbed Ye Zhibai’s hand and giggled, adding:
“Just kidding~! Did I scare you, Ye Zhibai?!”
“Yes.”
“That means… my prank was a success! Hmm… this sort of thing requires a step-by-step approach. No need to rush.”
She whispered the second half, so softly that it was almost inaudible.
Ye Zhibai couldn’t even be bothered to hear what she said!
Ye Zhibai spoke, “Because… you, you, you… if you’re going to hold my hand, just hold it! Stop stroking the back and palm of my hand so much!”
Thankfully, Ye Zhibai’s back blocked Ye Zhijun’s view.
Otherwise, there would have been another flying kick.*
[*” Flying kick(飞踢, fēi tī)” – This phrase is used humorously to describe a sudden, intense reaction as if someone might kick out of anger or frustration.]
Soon, the sound of footsteps echoed from the cobblestone road to the north.
Upon hearing this annoyingly familiar sound of footsteps,
Ye Zhibai knew right away—it was the “actor” she had arranged.
Ye Zhibai turned her head north, taking Lin Zihan along with her to look.
They saw a brown-haired little girl in white stockings, carrying a large sunflower, waving as she ran toward them.
Lin Zihan’s eyes widened in surprise.
Isn’t this the little girl who suddenly appeared at the flower shop earlier and distracted my mom?
Why is she showing up again?
Don’t kids these days have homework to do at home?
As she ran closer to them, Guang Yu was already imagining the “good fruit” reward she would get when she got home.
A pure, innocent smile appeared on her young face, and even her breathless greeting sounded sweeter.
“Good evening, big sisters! You—! Wah!!”
Thud!!
Guang Yu had almost made it.
She was so close to reaching the finish line.
But at the last moment, she tripped over the edge of the pavement and fell flat in front of Lin Zihan and Ye Zhibai!
“Little sister?!”
Lin Zihan was so frightened that her face went pale.
Ye Zhibai slapped her forehead in exasperation.
Guang Yu…
Guang Yu: Why are you giving me such a big salute?!
Together with Lin Zihan, she quickly helped up this “actor” who wasn’t doing a good job.
Putting everything else aside, Guang Yu’s defense was truly high!
She had fallen hard just now, but when she stood up, she was still grinning!
She dusted herself off and, as Ye Zhibai instructed, reluctantly pushed the sunflower in her hands toward Lin Zihan. “Big sister, this is for you!”
“For… for me? Uh… no, little sister, are you alright? You fell so hard just now.”
“No problem! I’m sturdy! Ahem… big sister, just take it!”
“……”
“Why… why?”
Lin Zihan still remembered.
Wasn’t this the flower her mom had given to this little girl?
Seeing Guang Yu being so sincere yet clueless, Ye Zhibai realized she had to step in.
Thinking quickly, Ye Zhibai came up with a reason on the spot.
“Here’s the thing, Lin Zihan. When I was buying drinks, I chatted a bit with this little girl. She said she was waiting nearby for her parents to get off work. She also said if she got something nice, she would give it to me as thanks for buying her a drink. Kids are so innocent… how could she have known we’d run into her again? But look, we did meet again. She must think the flower she’s holding is precious, so she wanted to give it to us, right? Little sister, is that right?”
“Eh…?”
“Is——that——right?”
“Yes, yes!! That’s exactly it! This is my gift to big sister in return!”
Ye Zhibai nodded with satisfaction. “Yes, good deeds are rewarded, that’s how it is.”
Then, she took the sunflower, still wrapped in paper, from Guang Yu’s hands.
She held it up in front of Lin Zihan.
“So, just take it. After all, this flower… was wrapped by your mother’s own hands.”
Ye Zhibai had said it for this moment.
She’d heard that Lin Zihan’s mother loved children and often gave flowers to kids.
But… she had probably never given a flower to her daughter, right?
Perhaps out of guilt, or maybe helplessness,
this mother didn’t dare to face her daughter and give her flowers.
So… Lin Zihan had never received such a blessing from her mother.
Even if the blessing was always there in her heart, if it wasn’t spoken, who would know?
Ye Zhibai thought Lin Zihan may seem happy now, but once I left, she’d be walking back to the flower shop alone on this bustling street.
Loneliness would still find her in the end.
The years of shadows in her heart couldn’t be illuminated by a few simple words from Ye Zhibai.
So… at the very least, Ye Zhibai wanted to give her this bouquet.
For her, a bouquet infused with the blessing of her mother, wasn’t that, in some way, a form of comfort for the soul?
At least, at least it was surely better than leaving it with Guang Yu!
What does Guang Yu know about flowers? She’d just tear them apart!
Lin Zihan dumbly accepted the flower from Ye Zhibai’s hands.
She grasped the sunflower’s stem.
Looking at the flower blooming like a little sun,
she fell into a daze.
Her mother’s voice echoed in her ears, drowning out the noisy street ads and honking cars.
—”Grow strong, like the little sun on a sunflower. You kids should always stay happy.”
—”You’re so clumsy, always tripping… Ah, be careful, and don’t hurt yourself.”
—”Take care of your eyes, don’t spend too much time on the computer. You young people… your eyes are so beautiful, but you never take care of them. What a shame…”
These words, Lin Zihan had heard countless times before.
Her mother would often say this to the kids who came to the flower shop.
But in reality, these reminders…
Mom always said those things to me.
And I’ve already heard them.
Not a single word was missed… I’ve heard them so many, many times, haven’t I?
I’ve already received all of Mom’s blessings.
Her nose tingled with emotion.
Lin Zihan hugged the sunflower close to her chest.
When she looked up at Ye Zhibai, the redness in her eyes had not completely faded.
In her gaze, a new glimmer of tears appeared.
“Wuu…! Ye Zhibai’er, I’m begging you… don’t make me cry anymore, I… you really… wuu, you better leave quickly, or I’m going to hug you and cry all over you again!”
Now that’s quite an otherworldly threat.
But this time… Lin Zihan was strong enough.
She wasn’t just some crybaby!
Bravely wiping away the tears that hadn’t fully formed, though she still couldn’t fully suppress the sob in her voice, Lin Zihan held the sunflower, her golden hair swaying, scattering light and shadow.
She smiled… just like a child, innocent and carefree.
“Ye Zhibai’er! And little sister too, thank you both! Mmm, I’ll cherish this sunflower!”
“Alright… as long as you like it, Lin Zihan…”
“Hey! Don’t call me Lin Zihan, Ye Zhibai’er, aren’t we friends? You should call me Zihan! Or maybe Xiao Zihan? Hehe… between friends, shouldn’t we use affectionate nicknames?”
Ye Zhibai spoke, “You’re the one who said it—between friends, there should be no secrets, and nothing left unsaid!”
“Are you using my own words against me?!”
“No choice.”
“Well… we’re officially friends now anyway.”
Ye Zhibai decided to give it a try and change how she addressed her.
“Mm, I got it, Zihan.”
“That’s more like it! Ahh… the flower smells so nice. Hmm? But this sunflower hardly has any seeds. How odd, maybe it’s not fully ripe?”
“……”
Ye Zhibai: Guang Yu!!
You cheeky fox!
Did you eat all the sunflower seeds?!
No use catching her now!!
Guang Yu had completed her task of delivering the sunflower and had already slipped away!
Guang Yu: Hehe, a smart fox never suffers a loss!
Ye Zhijun said, “Sister, did you just give Lin Zihan a sunflower?”
“Mm, when she went back to the flower shop, she was hugging the sunflower, looking happy.”
“But if she takes the sunflower back to the shop, won’t it just be sold as merchandise again?”
“No, Zihan said she’d set it aside separately and take it home later.”
“Zihan… huh.”
On the way to the university to meet with Chi Yuliang, in the car, Yun’er continued to live up to her title as the reigning vinegar jar of jealousy.
Ye Zhijun pondered, When did Sister start calling Lin Zihan just “Zihan”?
Thanks for asking, just now.
But thankfully, Yun’er was busy tightly hugging her sister to recharge her energy~ She was in such a good mood that she didn’t want to dwell on these troublesome matters.
To cool off Yun’er’s strange thoughts, Ye Zhibai added another line:
“The sunflower is a symbol of our friendship.”
“Let’s hope it’s just friendship. Hmm… Sister, more importantly, shouldn’t you answer another question I have?”
“Let’s hear it.”
You’ll have to ask first before I know if I can answer.
Yun’er snuggled into her sister’s arms, rubbing her cheek against her arm, a trace of doubt flashing in her eyes.
“That little girl who brought you the sunflower earlier, who is she?”
“Just a kid I ran into on the road.”
Ye Zhibai glanced out of the corner of her eye at Guang Yu, who was sitting on the other side, leaning against the car door, using her tiny hands to groom her tail.
Then Ye Zhijun said something that made Ye Zhibai almost fall over from shock!
“A kid you ran into… well, that’s fine… I thought she was another fox spirit!”
Cough!
“Sister, are you alright?! Did you choke?!”
“No… no, I’m fine…”
Yun’er…
Guang Yu looks like an elementary schooler!
Do I seem that shady?!
Though, in a way, Guang Yu is a “fox spirit”* after all.
[*” Fox spirit(狐狸精, húli jīng)” – A mythical creature in Chinese folklore, often depicted as a beautiful and seductive woman with supernatural abilities. It’s also used to describe someone cunning or sly, though in this case, Yun’er is just teasing.]
Guang Yu: So rude! Even if you have to compare me to a fox, at least call me a fox deity!
