After showering, Nangong Shiyu wore a pure white pajama set, a towel tucked under her damp hair. She walked to the socket, picked up the hairdryer, and began to slowly dry her hair.
She’d felt listless all evening. Better to sleep early.
“You’ve been low on energy all night,” Xia Zixin said, stepping out in purple pajamas.
“Yeah, I guess so.”
“Did that little Fiend’s words get to you?”
“Something like that.”
Nangong Shiyu sighed. The Fiend’s words had truly struck deep into her heart.
If only she’d been more careful. If only she’d been stronger. That little boy wouldn’t have died…
“Dead is dead. It wasn’t your fault anyway,” Xia Zixin countered.
“If that’s your fault, every ant accidentally stepped on should blame you too.”
“You can’t compare ants to humans…”
Human life wasn’t the same as ants’. Nangong Shiyu wanted to argue back.
“Actually, they’re the same. Both are lives, aren’t they?”
Xia Zixin was right. Nangong Shiyu couldn’t deny it.
She was correct. The truth was as she said.
“Your worries are unnecessary,” Xia Zixin chuckled deeply. “No need to take responsibility for strangers. If we chased every such thing, humans would’ve died out thousands of years ago.”
Nangong Shiyu nodded. Not everything needed her responsibility. Everyone just needed to mind their own business.
“So don’t let that Fiend’s words get to you. You didn’t do anything wrong, understand?”
Xia Zixin stepped forward, wrapped her in a hug, and gently stroked the back of her head.
“…”
Nangong Shiyu leaned silently into the embrace, letting out a deep breath. Her chaotic thoughts settled. The tightness in her chest dissipated.
“Thank you, Xia Zixin.”
It was truly good to have met her.
“I’ve figured it out.”
Feeling the warmth from Xia Zixin’s chest, Nangong Shiyu slowly closed her eyes.
“I’m really just a little sister…”
Indeed, she was too young. Compared to Xia Zixin, she was really young.
◆
She lay sprawled on the bedsheet, staring at the ceiling, reflecting on her mistakes today.
The room was pitch-black, lights off.
Through the wall, the TV’s murmur drifted from the living room. Her parents watched there. She alone lay in the dark.
No one disturbed her. No one cared. Just as she wished.
She hoped they’d stay quietly watching TV. She just wanted to be alone in the dark, undisturbed.
Undisturbed was so good.
She needed quiet. Only in silence could she properly reflect.
“Nangong Shiyu…”
She whispered his name softly. Warmth and happiness filled her, yet something pierced her chest.
As if a knife twisted inside her.
So painful.
She wanted to cry.
But no tears came.
“What’s wrong with me today?”
Thinking carefully, she’d never been so crazy. Never dared to act like this before… Why so shameless? So wild?
After learning he had a girlfriend, she still ran to interfere…
He liked another girl, not her.
She curled up, easing the pain in her chest and abdomen.
Why…
Why her, not me?
Finally… she’d found someone she liked. Why didn’t he belong to her?
Shen Yining’s nose stung. Tears moistened her eyes but didn’t spill over.
She reached out, silently screaming. No sound came. Afraid of drawing attention.
She just wanted to curl up in darkness, licking her wounds alone.
She poured out her pain. Her anger.
Clenching her fists, nails dug deep into her palms. But that pain couldn’t match the ache in her chest.
With a fierce expression, she glared at the pitch-black sky outside, as if being sucked in.
Why?
Why so obsessed?
Why must she like him?
She asked again and again, hoping to deny it, yet unwilling to betray her heart. She wandered at a maze’s crossroads, unable to decide.
“Should I give up?”
No.
Don’t.
She refused to betray her feelings. Just because she liked him, she wouldn’t give up.
That was all.
So—
Can’t give up.
Absolutely not.
She lacked the courage to quit.
Gritting her teeth, Shen Yining decided.
—Even as a despicable homewrecker, I’ll steal him back.
I don’t know why I like you, but I just do.
She took a deep breath, continuing to reflect. Since she’d decided to fight, she had to keep trying.
Hmm, maybe she’d spoken too harshly today? Would he think her crazy and hate her?
Ah, no. Can’t let that happen.
“Nangong Shiyu…”
She whispered his name again. Her desire to win him over grew stronger.
Think hard: how to raise his affection and snatch him from that purple-haired woman.
Tch, so difficult.
Keep thinking.
Keep thinking!
Keep thinking…
Think…
…
…
Just then, her phone rang on the pillow with a shoujo anime theme song—her years-old ringtone.
Who’d call now?
Could it be Shiyu?
If he called, would he say, “I dumped that annoying girl; come over tonight”?
With that impossible hope, Shen Yining cleared her emotions and picked up the phone.
Ah.
As expected, not Nangong Shiyu.
Hope dashed.
But on closer look, a small surprise.
—Luo Qitian was calling. Nangong Shiyu’s best friend. Would he give her another boost?
If so, that’d be great.
With that hope, Shen Yining pressed answer and held the phone to her ear.
“Hello?”
