Qiao Yun watched Bai Ting ascend the stairs until she vanished from sight. Only then did he turn to Bai Mo. "Brother Bai Mo, since it’s like this, I’ll head back first. I’ll come to pick her up in three days!" He wanted to leave early, giving them this last bit of time together.
"Little brother, why not stay for a meal before you go?"
"Nah, I’ve got some things to handle back home. Can’t linger." Qiao Yun sounded a little helpless.
"Alright, if you insist, I won’t keep you," Bai Mo said. He stepped outside and instructed the maid waiting at the door to fetch Bai Ling and Qiao Shan.
The maid, Xiao Qing, was a survivor from a small village during the war-torn era. Bai Mo had found her at just four years old. Since then, she’d stayed with House Bai as a servant.
Xiao Qing knew exactly where to find Bai Ling. Whenever free, Bai Ling always retreated to the small grove behind the villa—a well-known habit among the Bai family. So Xiao Qing headed straight there.
As expected, Bai Ling was in the grove. Xiao Qing approached her from behind and bowed slightly. "Second Young Miss, Young Master Qiao. The head of the house calls for you both."
"Mm, got it, Xiao Qing. And how many times have I told you? No need to be so formal around me." Bai Ling spoke with a hint of exasperation.
She’d reminded Xiao Qing countless times to drop the stiff manners, but the maid never listened. It left Bai Ling feeling helpless.
Xiao Qing knew the Second Young Miss was approachable, but this was basic etiquette—her duty. She smiled faintly. "It’s my role, Second Young Miss. Please don’t worry about it."
Bai Ling sighed softly. "I just can’t get used to it. Remember, no next time—or I’ll deal with you!" Xiao Qing hid a smile. She’d heard this threat before, but Bai Ling never followed through.
"Understood, Second Young Miss," Xiao Qing replied dutifully.
Bai Ling shot her a helpless glance. She’d given up correcting Xiao Qing’s stubbornness. To Bai Ling, family meant everything—a warmth she’d only felt with her sister in her past life. She cherished that bond deeply, treating even the lowest-ranked maid like kin. She’d never looked down on anyone.
Turning to Qiao Shan beside her, she said, "Let’s go back." She walked off without waiting. Qiao Shan hurried after her.
Back in the main hall, Bai Ling approached Bai Mo. "Father, you called for me?"
"Mm. Spend these next few days with your sister."
"What’s wrong with Sister?" Bai Ling tilted her head in confusion—a gesture identical to Bai Ting’s. Truly, sisters through and through.
Even Bai Ling didn’t realize how she’d changed. In the past, she’d never make such a childish motion. Now, it came naturally.
"Your sister leaves for the magic academy in three days."
"Why?" Bai Ling pressed, still puzzled.
"You’re too young to understand some things. Just cherish these days with her. She’ll miss you terribly." Bai Mo’s tone was heavy with meaning.
"Oh! I’ll go to her right now!"
"Go ahead." With her father’s permission, Bai Ling headed upstairs to a room on the second floor.
Qiao Yun had been watching silently. Seeing Bai Ling disappear upstairs, he finally spoke. "Well, we should take our leave too, Brother."
"Mm, travel safely, little brother."
"Will do!" Qiao Yun turned to Qiao Shan beside him. "Let’s go." Qiao Shan hesitated, reluctant to leave so soon. He’d wanted more time to chat with Bai Ling, but he couldn’t refuse his father. "Okay…"
Qiao Yun saw right through his son’s longing. Earlier, Qiao Shan’s eyes had been glued to Bai Ling as she climbed the stairs. Qiao Yun chuckled inwardly. "I’ll probably be back here soon anyway." He walked out without glancing back—making it clear: *I’ll return in a few days. Your choice if you join me.*
Qiao Shan’s eyes lit up. "Really?" But by the time he looked up, Qiao Yun was already at the hall’s exit. Qiao Shan rushed after him.
Watching them leave, Bai Mo turned back inside.
At Bai Ting’s door, Bai Ling knocked gently. "Sister, are you in?"
Bai Ting had been sulking on her bed. Hearing Bai Ling’s voice, she sprang up instantly. Barefoot, she dashed to the door, yanked it open, and pulled Bai Ling inside. Bai Ling didn’t resist—she was used to her sister’s forceful affection. Now, knowing Bai Ting would soon leave, she indulged her even more.
Bai Ting dragged Bai Ling to the bed. Catching her off guard, she pushed Bai Ling onto the soft mattress. Bai Ling lay there, accustomed to this routine.
Seeing her little sister sprawled like a helpless kitten, Bai Ting couldn’t resist. She jumped onto the bed, hugging Bai Ling tightly as they rolled around. "Ah~ replenishing my sister quota!" she chirped between rolls.
Bai Ling sensed Bai Ting’s sadness. She stayed quiet, letting her sister cling on. *Just hold on for now.*
After five full minutes of rolling, Bai Ting finally stilled. She lay beside Bai Ling, staring at the ceiling.
"Father said you’re leaving in a few days?" Bai Ling’s voice was breathless from the roughhousing. She, too, gazed upward.
"Mm. Will you miss me when I’m gone?" Bai Ting kept her eyes on the ceiling.
"Yes. I’ll follow in your footsteps. When I’m your age, I’ll find you." Bai Ling’s voice was firm. She wouldn’t lose this family—not after finally having one who loved her. She’d protect it fiercely, even if it meant using her past-life abilities or revealing her secret memories.
That power from her previous life was her deepest secret. No one knew—not even her closest sister.
Hearing this, Bai Ting’s lips curled into a radiant smile.
"I’ll miss you too. Even if I can’t get my sister fix for a long time, I’ll wait for the day you come to me." Bai Ting had her own resolve. If Bai Ling said she’d do it, she believed her.
"Don’t worry. I’ll make it happen." Bai Ling held her own conviction.
After a few minutes of silence, Bai Ling spoke again, her voice lacking confidence. "Father asked me to keep you company these days." She’d wrestled with those words for a while.
Bai Ting propped herself up on an elbow, turning to face Bai Ling with a mischievous grin. "So, Father’s handing you over to me for these days?"
Bai Ling felt a shiver but nodded stiffly. Seeing her confirmation, Bai Ting’s grin widened. She flipped over, pinning Bai Ling beneath her. "Then I’ll stock up on all the sister time I’ll miss later." With that, her hands darted out, tickling Bai Ling from head to toe.
