Chapter 40: (Once) A Kind Sister

Church rules deemed red meats like pork and beef true meat.

Fish, a white meat, didn’t count.

So, on fasting days, fish was allowed.

But for noble-born Meng Linna, fish wasn’t her taste.

Early in the monastery, she couldn’t resist.

She snuck out on a fasting day for a secret meal.

That was long ago, when she and Na Naya were close.

They finished dinner quickly.

Na Naya, done first, announced the plan.

“We rest here tonight. Leave early tomorrow.”

Meng Linna was surprised.

“I thought we’d travel overnight?”

“No rush.”

Na Naya shook her head.

“Eat up.”

Meng Linna was nearly done anyway.

They left the diner together.

“Good evening.”

The inn clerk flashed a standard smile.

“How many rooms?”

Na Naya held up one finger.

The clerk gave a knowing look.

“We’ve got plenty of rooms. Top-notch service. Need new sheets? Just call.”

Meng Linna bristled.

“We’re not that kind of relationship!”

The clerk just smiled.

“Just explaining our services.”

Flawless logic.

Meng Linna switched tactics.

“Two single rooms, then.”

Na Naya raised a brow.

“No way. You’re not escaping.”

The clerk smirked, amused.

These kids’ dynamic was interesting.

Realizing she was just a suspect with no say, Meng Linna deflated.

“Fine, your call. One double room.”

Before Na Naya could react, the clerk registered it, winking.

“Make it a twin room.”

Na Naya pushed back the keycard.

***

“Want me to blow-dry your hair?”

Seeing Na Naya post-shower, Meng Linna offered.

“I’ve got hands.”

Na Naya brushed off the gesture.

“Stop trying to suck up. It’s useless.”

Meng Linna’s face fell.

Partly because her olive branch was rejected.

Partly because she couldn’t dry a cute loli’s hair.

That white hair looked so silky.

Drying it might leave her hands scented.

“How do I get you to forgive me?”

Meng Linna felt her remorse was sincere.

But it wasn’t reaching Na Naya.

Others’ remorse lasted fifteen minutes tops.

“Forgive you?”

Na Naya sat on the bed, scoffing.

“Why? So you can toy with me again?”

“I’m really sorry! I won’t do it again!”

Meng Linna raised her hand, swearing.

“‘Toy’ is a bit much, right?”

Na Naya ignored her.

“It’s too late for that. Stop dreaming.”

“Ugh—”

Na Naya dried her hair and lay down.

“Sleep. We leave early.”

***

Next morning, around 4:30 a.m.

Summer sun peeked over the horizon.

Like a light sensor, Na Naya’s eyes snapped open.

“Snore—snore—”

No surprise, Meng Linna was snoring.

Forcing her eyes open for thirty seconds, Na Naya sat up, clearer.

No jobs, but early rising was habit.

She got up and approached Meng Linna’s bed.

Her sleep was a mess.

Loud snoring.

Sprawled chaotically.

Blanket battered, barely covering her stomach.

Limbs splayed.

Gorgeous golden hair tangled, drool-stained on the pillow.

“…”

Na Naya stared, then reached out, grasping the golden hair.

Their first meeting, Meng Linna offered her hair to touch.

Naive little Na Naya held it endlessly.

Meng Linna panicked, her “stern sister” image crumbling.

Stroking the silky hair, Na Naya whispered.

“Sister…”

She caught herself, glancing warily.

Meng Linna was asleep, oblivious to her slip.

Relieved.

Without “that incident,” they’d be close sisters.

Stroking the soft hair, Na Naya’s thoughts drifted.

Meng Linna was clumsy, un-sisterly.

But to lonely, friendless Na Naya at the monastery, she was the kindest sister.

Thinking of “that incident,” Na Naya bristled.

“I’d rather never have met you.”

Memory cut off.

She let go of the hair, yanking off the blanket.

“Get up!”

“Mm—huh!”

Meng Linna, robbed of her blanket, was half-awake.

Groggy.

“Up early. We check out and go.”

“Ugh…”

Meng Linna was barely conscious.

Na Naya pushed her to wash up.

By the time they were ready, it was nearly 5:30.

“Nothing happened last night, huh?”

The clerk, seeing them check out early, was bored.