“Phew, finally got my hair clean.” She scrubbed with body wash until the blood, like rusty dye, spiraled down the drain and vanished. After a while, she stepped out, toweling herself dry like a breeze clearing morning mist. Most of the cuts had closed; seven or eight out of ten were better. Give it a week, and she’d feel like herself again.
“No spare clothes… guess I’ll make do.” The blonde girl grabbed a still-sealed white shirt, tore it open, and slipped it on. The hem fell to mid-thigh, swaying like a small flag in a soft wind.
“First time wearing something like this. Even Lin Fan’s never seen me dressed this way. Shame the first time isn’t for you.” She spun before the mirror, a playful smile blooming. Fresh-washed golden strands lay meekly down her back like silk threads. Her sleeves hid most of her hands, only her fingertips peeking out like shy petals. Her face was exquisite and bright, her posture light, her steps quick as a fawn.
Most people would’ve lost their cool at the sight of Xiao Qianxue like this. She wondered how Lu Ke would handle it later.
“He’s not up yet…” She eased the door open. The college boy still slept on the sofa, breathing deep like a slow tide. “I’ll take a look around first.” She tiptoed through each room. The decor was plain, clean. It was obvious he usually lived here alone.
“So many figures… and Gundam?” She drifted into Lu Ke’s bedroom. The left shelf was crowded with figurines. At the back, a glass case displayed assembled Gundam models, each one standing like a tiny suit of armor under clear water.
“A bit of an otaku, not a shut-in.” Her gaze slid to the desk—some travel guides and survival notes. Most of the books were medical. “So he’s a med student.” If it had been an ordinary person, last night might’ve turned to chaos when she blacked out.
Done exploring, the blonde girl headed for the kitchen. “Heh, today’s break—lunch is on me.” The clock hands pointed at two.
She opened the fridge. “Bacon, eggs, milk, and bread. Perfect.” A simple Western breakfast—she could handle that.
She tied her hair into a single ponytail; the ribbon snapped like a bowstring. She set a pan on the rack. Heat rose like a summer noon. Oil shimmered. She beat the eggs and poured, lifting them the instant they set like a sheet of sunshine. The leftover oil kept whispering as it kissed the bacon.
“There’s a toaster too. That makes it easy.” While the bacon sizzled, she slid bread into the slots and tapped the lever. Click—like a sparrow hopping on a branch.
After a little fussing, she plated the eggs, bacon, and toast in neat clouds and strips. “Done. Time to serve.” She loosened the tie; her golden hair spilled down like a small waterfall.
“That nap felt amazing—ahhh.” Lu Ke finally woke, the morning’s ordeal still heavy on his shoulders. “Huh? Where’s the blonde girl?” He rubbed his eyes. The sofa still bore rusty stains, but the girl was nowhere in sight.
“Done. Time to serve.” A clear, sweet voice rang from the kitchen, and Lu Ke’s head snapped that way.
Right on cue, Xiao Qianxue came out of the kitchen. “Oh my!” A blonde girl in an oversized white shirt stepped into the light. Her face glowed with a dawn-sweet smile, and her eyes—no longer one gold and one red—were now a matching pair of bright, beautiful gold.
“Good morning, big bro.” She set down the plates and greeted the dazed student with a grin.
“Your… your wounds healed?” He stared. Yesterday she’d been half-dead. Today she was making breakfast. His nose tingled; a warm trickle started down. “Must be the morning strain,” he muttered, flustered.
“Mhm. Thanks to you.” Seeing the sudden nosebleed, Xiao Qianxue laughed softly, like wind chimes in a breeze.
“We can talk after. I’ll go wash up first.” Embarrassed, Lu Ke wiped the stubborn trickle. He’d never met anyone this beautiful, and in such disarming casual wear. For a moment, he felt too scruffy to stand in front of her.
“Okay. I’ll finish up and tidy the table.” She smiled, sunlight settling in her eyes.
“Thanks.” He slipped into the bathroom like a gust. “What a way to start the day.” He didn’t overthink it. He brushed and washed fast. The room held a faint body-wash sweetness and a cool jasmine note, like rain drifting through a garden.
“Smells great. I don’t remember buying this brand of perfume.”
Ready at last, Lu Ke drew a steady breath and opened the door.
“Big bro, breakfast is ready.” The blonde girl had poured the milk. On the table, tender yellow eggs, glossy bacon, and crisp toast caught the light like small treasures.
“You made all this?” Lu Ke pulled out a chair and sat.
“Who else?” She sat primly, hands pressing the hem to her knees, her gaze soft on the college boy.
“Thanks a lot. Let me introduce myself. I’m Lu Ke, about to start university.” He flicked his hair and flashed what he thought was his coolest smile.
“I’m Xiao… Xiao Qianxue.” She paused on her name. If that cursed wanted notice was still out there, using it might cause trouble. But she trusted the boy before her. After a heartbeat, she said it anyway.
“Mind if I call you Xue’er?”
“Sure~”
