Chapter 12: A Playful Interruption and a Bold Suggestion

Bai Zhi dreamt, an experience long overdue.

In her dream, she was merely a child, an ordinary seven-year-old girl indistinguishable from any other.

Devoid of immense magical power or foes from other worlds, the young Bai Zhi, much like her peers, was innocent and brimming with fanciful dreams.

Before the dreaming Bai Zhi stood a towering figure.

The figure’s face remained obscured, lost within the dazzling glare of the sun, making it impossible to discern their features clearly.

He extended a hand towards Bai Zhi.

“Grasp it,” a voice urged, “and in doing so, you shall realize your dreams.”

As if compelled by some potent enchantment, Bai Zhi instinctively reached out her right hand.

Yet, in the instant before her fingers could make contact, she abruptly clenched her small, rosy fist and delivered a surprisingly powerful strike to the figure’s knee.

“Did you truly believe you could fool me again?” she cried, “You—!”

With that, the dream abruptly dissolved.

Bai Zhi’s eyes fluttered open, still clouded with sleep, to find Rena looking down at her, a faint shadow of concern etched upon her features.

“…Morning, Rena…”

“It’s far from morning, Bai Zhi; it’s already two in the afternoon.”

Rena replied, a touch of exasperation in her tone.

“I knew you were exhausted, yet I never imagined you’d sleep so profoundly—you wouldn’t stir no matter how I tried to rouse you!”

Bai Zhi reached up to rub the top of her head, her gaze sweeping around the room.

“Ugh… I’m starving…”

“Though lunch hour has long since passed,” Rena announced, rising to her feet, “I’ve saved a portion for you.

I’ll go warm it up now; you can eat it once you’ve freshened up.”

“But I still wish to sleep a little longer…”

Bai Zhi, still groggy and swaying precariously, appeared on the verge of collapsing back onto the bed.

However, the moment her head threatened to meet the pillow, Rena deftly scooped her up, much like one might lift a small kitten.

“Sleeping for too long isn’t beneficial for your health, you know.

For now, let’s prioritize eating.”

“This is nothing short of abuse, Rena! I protest!”

“What nonsense are you spouting? Who ever heard of ‘abusing’ someone by offering a meal?”

Disregarding Bai Zhi’s persistent flailing and protests, Rena simply carried her out of the room.

Having undergone a thorough wash-up, Bai Zhi finally felt fully awake as she settled down at the dining table.

After swiftly devouring the meal Rena had thoughtfully saved for her, displaying an utterly unrefined, almost ravenous eating style, Bai Zhi wiped her mouth and cast a glance around the room.

“Where is Xia Ranxin? Why haven’t I seen her?”

“Ah, that child.”

Rena wore an expression of resignation.

“After helping to clear out the cluttered room this morning, she claimed she simply couldn’t remain idle.

Now, she’s gone outside again, apparently intent on tidying up the area around our doorstep.”

Bai Zhi coughed.

Bai Zhi appeared poised to speak, but the words seemed to catch in her throat the moment she opened her mouth.

“I’ve told you repeatedly not to eat with such haste; no one is trying to snatch your food.”

Rena’s tone was laced with reproach.

“Here, have some water.”

Accepting the cup Rena offered, Bai Zhi drained its contents in a series of audible gulps, before letting out a long, relieved sigh.

“Phew—that’s better.

I nearly choked to death.”

“So, what exactly were you attempting to say earlier?”

“It’s about that, you see.”

Bai Zhi explained, setting down her water cup.

“Isn’t Ranxin currently being targeted by the ‘Shadow Beast’? I was wondering if it’s safe for her to be outside at a time like this.”

“There’s no need to fret about that,” Rena assured her, offering another glass of water.

“The ‘Shadow Beast’ dislikes well-lit areas.

Furthermore, Ranxin is being vigilantly monitored by Lin, who is always by her side, ensuring we’d be alerted instantly should anything unforeseen occur.”

As she spoke, Rena let out a weary sigh.

“Truth be told, my initial intention was for her to get some much-needed rest.

Despite the present danger, this is a rare holiday after all.

One can tell just by looking at her that the child is usually quite exhausted, so she truly ought to seize this opportunity to recuperate properly…”

As Rena continued her rambling, Bai Zhi fixed an intrigued gaze upon her face.

“What is it, Bai Zhi? Is there something on my face?”

Noticing Bai Zhi’s steady gaze, Rena inquired with a hint of bewilderment.

“No, it’s nothing of the sort.

I merely find that you, Rena… are increasingly resembling a mother,” Bai Zhi said with a chuckle.

“I feel as though I can already glimpse your future self, post-marriage.

Ah, what a fortunate soul your partner will be!”

“Oh, you… Honestly, to blurt out such things so suddenly…” Rena’s cheeks flushed with warmth.

“Moreover, the age gap between us isn’t substantial.

When that time comes, you, too, will likely be at an age where such matters warrant consideration, won’t you?”

“Me?” Bai Zhi responded with an air of nonchalance.

“As for myself… I might very well remain like this until old age.

After all, as you can see, there are ‘special circumstances’ at play!”

“Will you truly remain in this childlike state your entire life? That is quite a cause for concern,” Rena remarked, sighing with a faint smile.

“After all, you’re entirely incapable of looking after yourself.

Do you recall the utter disarray of your room when I first arrived here?”

“If you’re genuinely so concerned, then simply remain by my side indefinitely!

After all, Rena, your cooking is simply divine; I couldn’t possibly bring myself to let you leave.”

“Don’t speak of me as if I were your exclusive nanny,” Rena retorted, playfully poking Bai Zhi’s slender waist.

“I have important tasks awaiting me, you know.

I’ll be returning once Malik is apprehended.”

“Then allow me to thoroughly enjoy your company before you depart!”

With a playful shriek, Bai Zhi pounced, tackling Rena to the ground.

“Eek?! Wait, Bai Zhi, don’t tickle there—”

Bai Zhi, still shrieking playfully, tumbled into Rena’s embrace, and the two immediately dissolved into a tangle of playful wrestling.

The temperature was perfectly mild, and the afternoon sunlight, filtering through the glass, cast a warm, golden radiance across the floor.

A comforting aroma permeated the air, lending a deceptive sense that this tranquil moment might stretch into eternity.

“Um, I was wondering if there happens to be a shovel here—”

“…My apologies!”

A familiar voice suddenly interjected, abruptly halting Bai Zhi and Rena’s playful antics.

Bai Zhi quickly spun around, her gaze falling upon the diligent student Xia Ranxin, who stood frozen in the doorway, her hands clamped frantically over her eyes.

“I saw nothing, absolutely nothing! I’ll depart at once, so as not to disturb you both…”

…

Bai Zhi cleared her throat, then meticulously adjusted her somewhat disheveled attire.

“Er, Ranxin, as luck would have it, now that you’re here, there’s something I wished to discuss…”

Xia Ranxin’s face flushed crimson upon hearing her words, yet she bravely gathered her courage to respond to Bai Zhi.

“Oh?! Me too?! Wouldn’t a trio be… a touch too audacious?”

“We’re merely discussing something! What on earth have you imagined me to be!”

Ranxin’s words caused Bai Zhi a flicker of embarrassment.

She paused for a moment, then urged Xia Ranxin onward.

“Oh, and while you’re at it, call Lin over as well.”

A short while later, the four individuals were neatly arranged and seated in the living room.

Bai Zhi, clearing her throat with an exaggerated flourish, rose to her feet and excitedly proposed to the assembled group.

“It’s like this… I believe our current state is far too passive!”

“Indeed, that is true,” Rena mused thoughtfully.

“The initiative rests firmly in the enemy’s grasp; we are forced to await the ‘Shadow Beast’s’ offensive before we can even begin to seek an opening.”

“Are you suggesting, Bai Zhi, that you’ve discovered traces of the ‘Shadow Beast’!?”

Xia Ranxin’s eyes immediately brightened, and the other two present likewise turned their gazes towards Bai Zhi, brimming with anticipation.

“Eh?”

Bai Zhi paused, momentarily taken aback, before waving a dismissive hand.

“No, my point is simply that merely sitting here, idly awaiting the appearance of this ‘Shadow Beast,’ is undeniably tedious.”

“Perhaps… we should all go shopping instead!”