Chapter 33.2

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But what about now? Right now, it wasn’t just about fearing a beating; it was about knowing how disappointed they would be after learning the truth.

Qiao Ziman mumbled, “I’ll go take a shower,” then got up and left, retreating into the bedroom.

Chi Yin watched her retreating figure, a moment of distraction passing over her face before she quickly turned back to smile at He Cuizhen. “Okay, let’s continue, Auntie.”

At nine o’clock, He Cuizhen entered the guest room as scheduled, and Chi Yin returned to her own room. After taking a shower, she lay on her bed and scrolled through the photos they had taken in the afternoon.

There were about a hundred photos in her phone gallery. Some featured He Cuizhen and herself, some had He Cuizhen and Qiao Ziman, and there were a few of the three of them together. Yet, there was only one photo of just her and Qiao Ziman.

That photo was taken at He Cuizhen’s strong insistence, when they stood close together. In the background was the Yangtze River Bridge, with an endless view of the river behind them. She and Qiao Ziman stood with a comfortable yet respectful distance between them, their shoulders lightly touching. Her long hair danced gently in the breeze as she smiled brightly in the sunset. In contrast, beneath the silhouette of the sunset, Qiao Ziman’s elegant brows were shadowed by a hint of sorrow.

Chi Yin stared at the faces in the photo, lost in thought for an unknown period. Eventually, she sighed, her finger gently hovering over the screen before long-pressing to delete the photo.

If it’s not a happy thought, then it’s better not to keep it.

The sound of an animated show played from the living room, accompanied by the occasional clinking of bottles. Chi Yin got out of bed, tiptoed to the door, and opened it just a crack to peek outside.

The living room was shrouded in darkness, with only the television casting a soft glow. Qiao Ziman was wrapped in a blanket, sunk into the sofa, staring vacantly at the screen where “Bears Are Coming” was playing.

“Provoke my bald head, and the bear becomes a sheep.”

In the next moment, Bald Head was sent flying into the air. Qiao Ziman let out a slow, half-hearted laugh and took a sip from the drink in her hand. Chi Yin thought, So it turns out that every time Qiao Ziman feels down, it’s the same old remedy? How wonderfully childlike.

She silently observed for a while, then closed the door and retreated back into her room. After about an hour, the living room fell silent. The next moment, there was a knock on Chi Yin’s bedroom door. “Come in.”

Qiao Ziman pushed the door open, standing awkwardly at the entrance. “I have something to talk to you about.”

Chi Yin glanced at her quietly and patted the space beside her. “Come sit.”

Qiao Ziman hesitated, remaining standing.

Chi Yin said again, “You should sleep another night. Auntie is leaving tomorrow, right?”

The hand behind Qiao Ziman, which held the bank card, unconsciously tightened. After a moment of struggle, she moved over and sat beside her.

“What’s the matter?”

Qiao Ziman took out the bank card she had prepared earlier and pushed it towards her, carefully saying, “This is the money you spent on clothes for my mom today, a total of thirty-four thousand. The bracelet… keep it; that’s a gift from my mom to you. And…”

Chi Yin responded, “Okay.”

As she spoke, she took the bank card from Qiao Ziman’s hand and placed it in the drawer.

Qiao Ziman: “???”

So quick? Why isn’t she asking why? How is she supposed to say the follow-up truth then?

Chi Yin looked at her somewhat dazed expression and smiled. “Did you forget? I, like you, love money.”

Qiao Ziman was momentarily speechless.

“Is there anything else?”

Qiao Ziman gathered her thoughts again.

Then Chi Yin said, “If you don’t have anything to say, I actually have something.”

Qiao Ziman: “Hmm?”

Chi Yin opened her phone and started typing something on the screen. After a moment, a “ding” sound was heard. Chi Yin said, “Check your email.”

While Qiao Ziman lowered her head to check the email, Chi Yin explained, “The document I sent you is the project plan you’ll be responsible for. The specific content is to turn the currently popular online series ‘Master White Fox’ into a game.”

“Yeah, it’s a strategy simulation game with a storyline. Besides managing the entire project, you’ll also be the lead designer for the game characters.”

Wait, Qiao Ziman exclaimed, “Yuri?”

Chi Yin’s expression turned serious. “What’s wrong? Do you have a problem with that?”

“It’s not that,” Qiao Ziman shook her head. “To be honest, I’ve never designed characters of this type before.”

“So, are you willing or not?”

“Who’s unwilling?” Qiao Ziman stared intently at the information on her phone. “To be honest, I’m quite eager to give it a try.”

Her eyes sparkled like stars. “Thank you, Director Chi, for this opportunity.”

The brave Qiao Ziman.
The tenacious Qiao Ziman.
The passionate Qiao Ziman.
The one she likes.

Chi Yin smiled and said earnestly, “You should be thanking yourself.”

“But…” A hint of confusion appeared in Qiao Ziman’s eyes. “Where should I start?”

Chi Yin thought for a moment. “First, understand the novel. Then, get to know this circle. You need to immerse yourself in this community to create characters that are closer to the original and have the soul to resonate with the audience.”

Qiao Ziman replied with an “oh,” nodding as if she somewhat understood but was still a bit confused. She focused intently on the project plan, reading it several times until it was thoroughly ingrained in her mind before reluctantly putting her phone down.

“Chi…”

Noticing that Chi Yin was already fast asleep, Qiao Ziman carefully lay down next to her. “Goodnight.” She thought, Ah, it seems like I missed the best chance to say it out loud.

In the darkness, Chi Yin slowly opened her eyes. She propped herself up and gazed at Qiao Ziman’s sleeping face with a tender look.

Qiao Ziman didn’t seem to be sleeping soundly. Her brows were furrowed, and she occasionally let out murmurs of unease.

“What should I do…”

Chi Yin looked at her, a flicker of heartache in her eyes. “Was it too fast? Then let’s take it slow.”

Qiao Ziman suddenly tensed up, her brows furrowing deeper. “Chi Yin, I’m sorry. Actually… I…”

Chi Yin raised her finger and gently pressed it against Qiao Ziman’s lips. “Shh. I don’t want to hear it.”

She softly kissed Qiao Ziman’s forehead, and the person before her gradually relaxed. Chi Yin’s gaze flickered, a myriad of emotions swirling in her heart. Her memories drifted back to eighteen years ago, the blurred face from her past beginning to overlap with the person in front of her.

“You’re so beautiful, like a doll.”

“I’m Qiao Ziman. What’s your name?”

“Can I be your friend?”

“Why aren’t you speaking? I can’t just call you ‘little mute,’ can I?”

“Everyone, listen up! No one is allowed to bully her because she’s mine.”

*

Lost in thought, Qiuyin gazed deeply at Qiao Ziman. “It was you who made the first move. So…”

“You’re not allowed to run away.”

Author’s Note:

Regarding the “little mute,” it has been mentioned twice before—once by Qiao Ziman and once in a subtle way by Chi Yin. I wonder if anyone has noticed.

(The translator hasn’t… Please comment below if you have!  (  T^T)  Am I blind???)