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Join the ServerMemories traversed time, journeying from the distant past to the vivid present.
It wasn’t a dream one would call sweet, yet its inherent beauty was undeniable. Now, that protracted dream culminated in a single, lucid moment of awakening.
Cai propped herself up on the bed, pushing with her elbows to lift her body. The corners of her hazy eyes, still clouded with sleep, grew damp.
“I haven’t dreamed of it in so many years… It truly gave me the illusion of returning to those days.”
If human consciousness could linger forever within a dream, Cai would undoubtedly wish to remain perpetually immersed in the first, ethereal half of hers.
Yet, this was merely a fleeting sentiment, a passing moment of introspection. She dismissed it as simple self-consolation, not truly taking it to heart.
Unable to find sleep again, she rose from her bed and stepped out of the room, intending to wander for a while.
Her bare feet padded softly across the floorboards. Suddenly, a voice echoed through the darkness:
“You’re still awake?”
Recognizing the familiar voice, Cai’s steps faltered.
She stood frozen in a corner of the pitch-black environment. Someone afflicted with nyctalopia would surely not be able to see her.
However, by an unfortunate coincidence, Wang Xiaole possessed not only excellent eyesight but also acute hearing.
The crystal lights illuminating the room had not yet been kindled.
Wang Xiaole could accurately pinpoint Cai’s location because her ears had caught the faintest of sounds.
After her initial surprise, Cai gradually collected herself as the moments passed.
Then, she turned her head, gazing at the figure slowly becoming discernible in the dark, and tentatively parted her lips.
“You’re awake too?”
“Ah, how should I put it… I don’t have that blessing.”
“May you sleep well from now on.”
Cai habitually pressed her palms together, offering a blessing, then revealed a smile obscured by the darkness.
“Would you like me to make you a cup of coffee?”
“No need. I’ll make it myself.”
The boiled water was ready. By carefully aiming the kettle at the cup’s opening, the scalding hot water transformed the coffee granules into a rich, viscous liquid.
No noticeable water stains marred the tabletop, and a sweet aroma diffused into the air. All of this prompted Wang Xiaole to inwardly praise it as ‘perfect.’
Coffee was divided equally into two cups: one for Cai and one for Wang Xiaole to treat herself.
In that brief, serene moment, only the sounds of breathing and swallowing echoed, one after another, creating a tranquility that was profoundly healing.
Between the two of them, silence persisted for a considerable time.
How should she begin?
Such an experience was undoubtedly a first for Wang Xiaole. Precisely because of this, she didn’t know what would be best to say right now.
After much thought, she slowly spoke.
“Cai, why are you so kind to me?”
Though she had already guessed the answer, hearing the response directly from the other person would undoubtedly feel different.
If anyone else had posed a similar question, Cai would surely have smiled and stated, ‘No comment.’
But Wang Xiaole was different. Cai believed she was the reincarnation of her beloved, and thus granted her a special privilege.
The Sacred Maiden rubbed the bottom of her cup with both hands, her eyes reflecting a profound depth.
With a faint hint of melancholy, she voiced the words in her heart to the other person.
“I believe you are the one I’ve been searching for!”
As soon as she finished speaking, her lips were covered by the now-empty cup. At the upward-tilted rim, a bitter smile spread, tinged with a hint of astringency.
Wang Xiaole’s emotional intelligence was far higher than it appeared on the surface, and she immediately sensed the shift in the atmosphere.
She didn’t feel she had said anything wrong, yet the aura surrounding Cai had indeed become unsettling.
At this moment, if anyone were to accidentally utter a wrong word, the cold air would surely become laced with frost.
Unable to speak carelessly, Wang Xiaole changed the subject, feigning profundity as she sighed.
“The one you’re looking for, they are a fortunate person indeed!”
As she raised her voice, Wang Xiaole paid attention, pricking her ears to listen for any movement from the other side of the table.
There was no sound at all. The faint sighs from earlier seemed to have been swept away by the air, vanishing without a trace.
In her imagination, Wang Xiaole pictured the girl tilting her head, sitting upright and looking in her direction.
Silence doesn’t always signify tranquility; sometimes, it can be a clear signal.
Cai was using her unspoken reaction to prompt the other person to continue. The latter, guessing the former’s need, spoke with delight.
“Isn’t that person fortunate, to receive your affection?”
“How do you know the one I’m looking for is someone I love?”
“I just know!”
Disregarding the Sacred Maiden’s current confusion, Wang Xiaole continued, almost talking to herself.
“In this world, there are many popular people, both men and women. However, not everyone can be yearned for by a deeply devoted girl for so long.”
These words served as a profound affirmation of Cai’s unwavering devotion.
At this moment, in the listener’s eyes, the two figures of the same person merged in the next instant.
Then, a single short sentence connected the past and the present, transforming into a comfort that was centuries overdue.
“Am I right? You incredibly stubborn—foolish woman!”
This was comfort, and also a long-awaited greeting after their reunion.
It was Wang Xiaole’s voice, unmistakably, but imbued with a new, previously absent touch of沧桑, instantly pulling the dazed girl back to those bygone years.
The cup clattered onto the table. At this moment, Wang Xiaole heard the girl’s trembling voice.
“Can you make egg-fried rice?”
“Many people can.”
“That’s true… If one day you had to give egg-fried rice a different name, what would you call it?”
“Let me think… How about ‘Golden Jade Rice’?”
“Which kind of skirt do you like?”
“Skirts that are almost transparent on the bottom half are the best!”
“From your aesthetic perspective, which uniform do you think suits me best?”
“A black and white maid outfit, paired with a hairband, looks even better!”
This was enough questioning.
By the end, Cai wasn’t just trembling in her hands; her entire body and heart were shaking.
Her swaying body rose from the seat, stumbling towards Wang Xiaole, and upon reaching her, made a request.
“Can you…”
*Thump!*
Before the girl could finish, Wang Xiaole had already acted.
The latter raised her arm, closing her right hand, and gently tapped the former’s head.
After the tap, one sentence was essential.
“Cai, I’m back…”
As her words fell, she was embraced tightly by the girl she deeply loved.
The one doing the embracing had tears soaking her entire face.
“You’ve finally returned to my side…”
That disheveled, tear-streaked face looked even more beautiful than when she smiled.
Wang Xiaole, however, didn’t cry, though her current expression looked far worse than if she had openly wept.
It seemed that feigning strength was no easy feat.
Since a moment ago, snow had begun to fall.
Perhaps, throughout the entire year, snowflakes were most fitting to appear on this very day.
February 14th, Valentine’s Day—the two received the best gift.
The adventure continues! If you loved this chapter, I Just Wanted An Ordinary Life This Time is a must-read. Click here to start!
Read : I Just Wanted An Ordinary Life This Time
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