Chapter 22: Daylight
Xiang Er was completely enveloped by Shen Yuhe in the old sofa. The unyielding backrest dug into her neck and lower back, but the person in front of her prevented her from adjusting her position. Her neck was forced upwards, and she looked at Shen Yuhe with a mixture of helplessness and appeal.
Shen Yuhe’s unique, delicate sweet fragrance, like a soft, pale yellow veil, enveloped Xiang Er completely. She almost couldn’t feel her own presence, only able to look up at that breathtakingly beautiful face.
Shen Yuhe’s expression was neutral, her beauty perfectly sculpted, like a statue, only exquisite form, her soul unreadable.
Xiang Er stared blankly for a long time, then finally spoke:
“You… please let go of me.”
But Shen Yuhe didn’t release her, her expression still like a statue in a grand temple, detached from earthly concerns, her voice carrying an air of authority and pressure:
“Promise me you won’t reply to him.”
A strange, unique force seemed to take control of Xiang Er’s mind, her eyes unfocused as she nodded:
“Mm, okay…”
Shen Yuhe released her arms and sat up, the cage formed by her body finally broken.
Xiang Er gasped for air, steadied herself on the sofa, and turned to look.
Shen Yuhe suddenly stood up and walked away, her figure tall and elegant, her stride confident, like a radiant celebrity, as she entered Xiang Er’s room.
Xiang Er let out a surprised “Eh?” and quickly followed.
Shen Yuhe stood by the window, her hands gripping the frame, her body leaning forward, gazing out through the blue-tinted glass, as if lost in thought.
Xiang Er followed her gaze.
The weather was beautiful today. Sunlight had been streaming in since early morning, the sky a clear, polished mirror, reflecting the bright light onto countless boxy buildings, piercing through countless panes of glass, until, reaching the room, it became pale and papery.
Xiang Er asked:
“What are you looking at?”
Shen Yuhe replied softly:
“Your world.”
Xiang Er paused, then shook her head:
“But… I don’t think this is my world. This is… many other people’s world…”
But not hers. She had no home, no lover, not even any close friends. To this world, she was merely a passerby, not a resident, so it couldn’t be called her world.
However, having blurted out these words, she felt a pang of embarrassment. Their relationship wasn’t close enough for such a confession. It was awkward; Miss Shen must be secretly laughing at her… or perhaps, with her good upbringing, she would politely smile and let it go…
She didn’t expect Shen Yuhe to turn around, look at her intently, and ask with utmost sincerity:
“Then, where is your world? How can I enter your world?”
Her eyes were unfathomable, time and space swirling within them. Her swan-like neck, lowered in a gesture of humility and sincerity, as she leaned closer, eager… to enter Xiang Er’s world.
Was this real?
The scene was so beautiful, so dreamlike, that Xiang Er couldn’t believe her ears, letting out a surprised “Huh?”
Shen Yuhe repeated her question, her words clear and precise, her eyes fixed on Xiang Er’s face, searching for every nuance of expression.
Xiang Er’s face flushed crimson.
But Shen Yuhe continued to stare, seemingly fascinated by every minute change in Xiang Er’s expression, as if her ordinary face was more worthy of study than a world-renowned painting.
It was a gaze free of judgment, a gaze that made the observed feel… respected, seen in a way they had never been before.
Under Shen Yuhe’s unwavering gaze, Xiang Er’s blush deepened, her fingers clutching the hem of her clothes. She opened her mouth slightly, unsure what to say, but wanting to respond.
She had never been seen with such intensity, such focus. In the orphanage, she was surrounded by other children, no teacher ever singled her out. In elementary school, she was lost among the other, more vibrant children. In middle school, there were always more outstanding girls who caught everyone’s attention. In university, even the boys who pursued her were also pursuing other girls.
No one had ever seen her, truly seen her, the way Shen Yuhe did.
Xiang Er desperately wanted to respond, but… the question was too profound, she couldn’t find an answer. She could only say:
“I, I don’t know where it is either. Maybe someday? Maybe when I buy a house, find a partner…”
Shen Yuhe’s eyelashes fluttered, her eyebrows raising slightly. She nodded, encouraging Xiang Er to continue.
Xiang Er was still racking her brains, trying to think of something else to say, to give the other person a chance to understand her… when a knock on the door interrupted her.
The delivery driver’s voice was loud, audible even in the guest room:
“Your takeout is here! Open the door!”
Xiang Er immediately turned and ran towards the door.
She was still weak from the fever, and wearing plastic slippers instead of her usual cotton slippers. After only a few steps, her toe caught on the slipper, and she stumbled backwards:
“Ouch!”
Her cry was still echoing in the air when a pair of arms caught her, her body limp, her head landing against something soft.
The back of her head felt like it had landed on a thick quilt, no pain, only… a dizzying sense of comfort.
She didn’t see that beneath her head was a mass of thick, black, writhing substance, a viscous liquid spreading out, then contracting, its end… connected to the beautiful woman’s shoulder.
The beautiful Shen Yuhe looked at Xiang Er in her arms with concern and asked softly:
“Are you alright?”
Xiang Er was still dazed, her mind sluggish, unable to process what had just happened. In this warm, soft embrace, her entire being cried out: So comfortable, I want to sink into this, I want to fall asleep and never wake up…
But she couldn’t.
Her gaze focused, and she saw Shen Yuhe’s beautiful, concerned face.
Her mind cleared considerably, a smile involuntarily appearing on her lips:
“I’m fine, thank you… you saved me again.”
Shen Yuhe smiled back, her other arm tightening around Xiang Er’s waist, the tips of her fingers, trailing black shadows, caressing the delicate skin.
Merge… merge… this was what Akhe desired.
No matter who merged with whom… it was what It desired…
The delivery driver’s voice, now impatient, rang out:
“Do you still want your food? If not, I’ll just leave it at the door!”
Xiang Er quickly stood up, straightened her clothes, and ran to the door, calling out:
“Just leave it at the door!”
The delivery driver grumbled:
“Tch, so there was someone home. Taking so long to answer… Alright, I’ve left it at the door, come get it quickly.”
The sound of footsteps faded away. In the guest room, the beautiful woman stood motionless, looking at the mass of black shadow beside her, her expression unreadable. Without a single movement from her, the black, viscous liquid retracted, quickly coalescing into a new, beautiful arm.
Even the white sweater was perfectly intact on the arm.
Shen Yuhe slowly walked out of the guest room.
Xiang Er had already opened the door and brought in a large wooden food box, exclaiming:
“Wow, this box is beautiful!”
She placed the food box on the coffee table in the living room. There was no dining table in the apartment; they usually ate at the coffee table or in their rooms.
She took out the assortment of delicate dim sum from the wooden box. Along with the large pot of steaming hot seafood porridge, it looked quite appetizing. Xiang Er went to the kitchen to get some utensils, feeling slightly embarrassed about having to eat at the coffee table. She brought out spoons, small bowls, and small plates, serving Shen Yuhe a small bowl of porridge and placing a plate beside it.
“Sorry, it’s a bit simple. I’ll treat you to a proper meal when I’m feeling better.”
Xiang Er said with a smile, holding her small bowl.
Shen Yuhe sat motionless on the sofa, not picking up her chopsticks, a faint smile on her face, as she watched Xiang Er’s bowl with interest.
Xiang Er:
“Um, you should eat.”
Shen Yuhe picked up her chopsticks. Her grip was awkward, her five fingers unsure where to go, the chopsticks splayed out. She adjusted her grip for a long time before managing to hold them properly.
Xiang Er watched, thinking that perhaps Shen Yuhe was used to knives and forks, her lifestyle more Westernized, which was… rather cute.
Wanting to be a good host, Xiang Er picked up a crystal shrimp dumpling and placed it on Shen Yuhe’s plate.
Shen Yuhe picked up her chopsticks, looked at Xiang Er, and, imitating her, tried to pick up the dumpling.
But the dumpling seemed to be playing hard to get. Its skin was round, plump, and slippery, its filling soft and overflowing, a true test of chopstick skills.
Xiang Er quickly ate half of her porridge. It was her first proper meal in days, and the warmth of the food spread through her body, making her sigh contentedly. She picked up some other dim sum with her chopsticks.
While eating, she glanced at Shen Yuhe, her chewing stopping abruptly.
How… how adorable…
Shen Yuhe’s long, white fingers, holding the ebony and gold chopsticks, should have been a beautiful sight—but the chopsticks were at odds with her fingers, sticking out at odd angles. Her fingers were too long, the chopsticks too long, neither yielding to the other, clanging against the plate.
Shen Yuhe seemed to be getting frustrated. This was the first time Xiang Er had seen this expression on her face. Her brows were furrowed, her lips pursed, even her delicate nose wrinkled. Her entire face was tense with effort, yet she still couldn’t tame the two ebony “beasts.”
Xiang Er’s heart fluttered. This was too cute! Getting frustrated over chopsticks, what a silly, beautiful woman! And she looked even more beautiful when she was frustrated, like a goddess of fate… her goddess of fate!
Shen Yuhe stopped, glaring at the chopsticks.
Xiang Er felt a sudden chill. She looked outside, and the previously sunny midday sky was now overcast, the sun hidden behind thick clouds, lightning flickering within them.
Was it going to rain again?
As she was thinking this, she saw Shen Yuhe look up.
She still looked frustrated, her cheeks slightly flushed, accentuating her beauty.
She suddenly reached out and grabbed Xiang Er’s wrist across the table, staring intently into her eyes, her voice low and commanding, her words firm and resolute:
“Come here and feed me!”
Xiang Er:
“Huh? … Ah!”
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