Chapter 15: Fresh Milk

“Let’s go, it’s nice out. How about a walk? Morning air will lift your mood! It won’t be hot, we’ll go early and come back quick, yeah? If you get tired, I’ll carry you!”

Yin Xing propped her cheek, tilting her head at Sang Shen’s one-man show, then replied flatly—

“…Not going.”

“Please—”

“…Not going.”

“If we leave now, we’ll catch the bus. It’s a quick ride to town.”

Yin Xing didn’t answer, but her face screamed “not going.”

As Sang Shen scratched his head, stumped on how to get her out, a bicycle’s wheel creaked outside.

“Sang—Shen~!”

Qing Qing’s vibrant voice called from the door.

“Qing Qing, you’re here?”

Sang Shen looked out, seeing a girl in a blue-red checkered dress hop off her bike.

Her skirt caught on the pedal, and she and the bike crashed to the ground with a thud.

“You okay?”

“Oops, fine, fine! Skirt’s a bit long, I’ll hem it later~”

Qing Qing grabbed his outstretched arm, wobbling to her feet. Her gaze slipped past his shoulder, sneaking a peek at Yin Xing inside.

“Heading out?”

“Yeah…”

Sang Shen was about to whisper that Yin Xing refused to go when Qing Qing winked at him.

“Uh…?”

“Hmph, Sang Shen, you promised yesterday, and now you’re backtracking?”

“Huh? Promised what?”

Sang Shen was genuinely clueless—not faking it.

“You said you’d call me ‘Qing Qing’ from now on.”

“Oh… that, yeah… forgot, still getting used to it…”

“So, you’re going out?”

“Yup.”

“To town?”

“Yeah, I wanna buy a bike…”

“Great, want me to ride you there? It’s quick~!”

“Huh? You ride me? I was gonna… uh, never mind, Yin Xing doesn’t want to go…”

Before he finished, he felt a pinch on his backside.

Turning, he found Yin Xing behind him, close enough to nearly press her face to his back, staring warily at Qing Qing.

“What’s up, Yin Xing? Wanna stay and watch the house?”

“…Not staying.”

“Then you’ll come to town with me?”

“…Yeah.”

“Ahem…!”

Sang Shen hid his joy, feigning calm.

“Alright, let’s go now? It’s still cool out!”

“…”

“Yin Xing, want to sit on my bike’s back seat? Pushing’s easier—it’s a bit of a walk to the bus stop.”

“How about I push? Qing Qing, you might get tired.”

“Sang Shen pushes? That works too.”

“Yin Xing, how’s that? I’ll push you to the bus stop?”

“…Fine.”

Yin Xing avoided his gaze, murmuring reluctantly.

“The stuff in the basket spilled. What’s that bag?”

“Eek!”

Qing Qing crouched, her long skirt dragging on the ground.

“Milk…!”

“Milk? It didn’t break, did it?”

“No, no, it’s fine.”

Qing Qing held up a glass bottle of milk, shoving it into Sang Shen’s hands.

“Huh… it’s warm?”

“Freshly milked this morning.”

“What?”

“Why’re you looking at my chest?”

“I’m not!”

Sang Shen jerked his gaze away, meeting Yin Xing’s exasperated look.

“Here, Yin Xing gets one too~”

Yin Xing seemed ready to refuse, but Qing Qing was faster, slipping a bottle into her arms before she could react.

“Drink now or put it in the fridge.”

“Where’d this come from?”

“Freshly milked.”

Qing Qing grinned slyly.

“Helped at the ranch this morning.”

“Ranch?”

“Up on the mountain’s peak. Small place, three cows, some sheep, run by a kind old man. I help out sometimes, and this is my pay.”

“There’s a road up there? I’ve only been as far as your place…”

“Yup, paved asphalt, cars can drive up.”

“I’ll put mine in the fridge. Yin Xing, wanna drink yours now? There’s some pastries from Uncle’s house too. They’ll spoil if we don’t eat soon.”

“…Later.”

“Alright, I’ll grab the pastries. Eat when you want.”

Sang Shen dashed inside, afraid Yin Xing might change her mind. He grabbed the pastries from the fridge, bolted out, and locked the door, exhaling.

In that moment, he and Qing Qing worked in sync.

She held the bike steady while he lifted Yin Xing onto the back seat like a kitten. Handing the bike to Sang Shen, he pushed it forward slowly.

It wasn’t faster than walking, but sitting was easier.

And so:

Sang Shen pushed, Yin Xing sat, and Qing Qing hopped alongside, pausing for roadside flowers or grass, then catching up with a sprint.

The morning sun wasn’t harsh yet, and the cicadas’ song felt lighter…

***

Maybe because they were three, the walk to the village entrance felt shorter.

Qing Qing greeted villagers along the way, eagerly introducing Sang Shen and Yin Xing.

But… if she’d introduced them in every past cycle, how did she stay so enthusiastic?

Repeating over and over, yet always finding the world fresh.

“How does she do it…”

He murmured.

Before he could think more, Qing Qing’s excited voice rang out.

“Whoa, the bus is here! Perfect timing!”

“Where do I park the bike?”

“Give it to me.”

“You’re not going to town?”

“Nope, got other stuff to do~”

“Alright…”

Sang Shen nodded. As Qing Qing held the bike, he moved to lift Yin Xing by her armpits, but she dodged clumsily.

She jumped down awkwardly, as if unused to her body, and after steadying herself, stared at the approaching bus, avoiding Sang Shen’s gaze.

“We’re here.”

“Then we’re off. Thanks, Qing Qing.”

“Have fun~!”

“Ahem, not fun, just buying a bike…”

Sang Shen coughed, reaching for Yin Xing’s hand. She swatted it away, stepping into the bus first.

The bus was empty except for them.

Yin Xing walked to the back, taking a window seat in the last row. Sang Shen hurried after, paying their fares as he passed the conductor.

With a soft exhaust hiss, the conductor closed the door. The driver gulped the last of his tea from a large plastic jug, and with a clunk, the bus started.

The back window was open. As the bus moved, early summer’s warm breeze rushed in.

Scenery slid backward. Qing Qing, waving, vanished from sight.

Cicadas’ chirps blurred in the wind.

Through a short tunnel, then a long downhill stretch.

Sunlight splashed on their faces, drawing sweat from their skin.

An odd joy bubbled up. Maybe because, in his memories, riding such a minibus to town always brought happy moments.

“…Watch out for women.”

Yin Xing’s voice broke the silence, calm.

“Qing Qing? She’s… no worry, she’s different.”

“All the same.”

Yin Xing glanced at him, pausing before continuing.

“…Don’t let women fool you. They’re masters of disguise.”

“Ahem… yeah… okay.”

Sang Shen scratched his head, not arguing, but teased lightly.

“If there’s a good woman in the world, she’s gotta be a man transformed, right?”

“…”

Yin Xing’s brows furrowed.

“Uh… sorry.”

“…You only need to trust me. I’m your future self. In this world, only I won’t harm you.”

“I absolutely trust you.”

“…Really?”

“Of course. If I lie even half a word, I’ll turn into a girl like you…!”

“…”

“Ahh, what am I saying… sorry, shouldn’t have said that…”

“…It’s fine.”

“Huh…?”

Surprised she replied, Sang Shen looked up, staring at her pretty face.

She turned away, as if the window’s scenery was suddenly more interesting.

“Oh, hungry? Want breakfast? I’ll open your milk.”

Sang Shen was already twisting the cap, handing it over.

Yin Xing glanced at him, her look hinting at annoyance at his presumption, but she silently took the warm milk.

Sang Shen opened the pastry bag, breaking off a piece of old-fashioned egg cake and holding it to her mouth.

“I’ll feed you. Even if you can’t taste, you gotta eat breakfast.”

Yin Xing eyed the dwindling pastries, asking softly, “…What about you.”

“Me? I… ate noodles this morning! Heh… if it’s hard to swallow, sip the milk. It’ll be like a milk cake, probably tasty!”

“…No flavor.”

“Well… there’s a bit of aroma, right?”

“…Yeah.”

“Come on, another bite.”

“…Not done yet.”

“Oh, no rush, take your time. This bus isn’t fast.”

“…Sang Shen.”

“Yeah?”

“Do you hate me?”

“Why ask that? Of course not. I even kinda like you—uh, I mean like, like family…”

“Oh.”

For some reason, Sang Shen felt Yin Xing looked disappointed.