Chapter 68.1

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“Little Mute, help me!”

Chi Yin’s heart clenched. She sprang to her feet and rushed toward the front door.

Halfway there, she suddenly stopped. Why was she panicking like this? It was completely irrational. Chi Yin forced herself to slow down, counted a few seconds, and only then opened the door.

And there she was—Qiao Ziman, eyes red and watery, bursting into the room like a frightened little rabbit. She glanced around quickly, then headed straight into the bedroom.

Chi Yin blinked. What the…??

“This is your room, right?” Qiao Ziman asked, not waiting for an answer. She kicked off her shoes and shoved them under the bed, then yanked open the wardrobe and squeezed herself inside. “If He Cuizhen—my mom—comes looking, and asks if I’ve been here, please, please, I’m begging you, just say no!”

Seeing Qiao Ziman like that—so desperate, so pitiful—Chi Yin found herself nodding before she could think better of it.

Not long after Qiao Ziman disappeared into the wardrobe, there was a knock at the door.

Sure enough, it was He Cuizhen, broom in hand. She glanced around the living room before looking down at Chi Yin and asking, “Have you seen Qiao Ziman?”

Chi Yin froze for half a second… then shook her head.

“Alright then,” He Cuizhen said, though her eyes landed on the boxed meal sitting untouched on the coffee table. She frowned slightly. “Didn’t like the food? Or just not feeling hungry?”

He Cuizhen let out a sigh and gently ruffled the top of Chi Yin’s head. Softly, she said, “Eat a little something, okay? Don’t go starving yourself. And remember, if you’re home alone, keep the door locked. Stay safe. And when you have time, go hang out with Qiao Ziman.”

Chi Yin’s gaze flickered.

This… might’ve been the first time someone had ever shown her this kind of care.

She pressed her lips together and gave the smallest of nods.

Once He Cuizhen left, Chi Yin stood still for a moment, then slowly walked over to the coffee table, sat down, picked up the chopsticks, and started eating. One bite after another, quietly, steadily. Until every last grain of rice and morsel of food on the table was gone.

She gently set the chopsticks down, then spoke her second sentence of the day. “…It was good.”

Back in the bedroom, Chi Yin glanced toward the tightly shut wardrobe. She walked over, gave it a light knock—a subtle cue for the little troublemaker inside to come out.

She waited.

Nothing.

Chi Yin: “…”

Don’t tell me she fell asleep in there.

Actually… that was entirely possible.

Chi Yin opened her mouth to call out—

—and let out a full, satisfied burp instead.

Chi Yin: “!!!”

So embarrassing.

She clapped a hand over her mouth and dashed back to her desk, ears burning red. She perked them up like radar, listening for any sound from the wardrobe behind her.

One minute passed.

Finally, she relaxed. The little troublemaker had really fallen asleep.

One second she’s getting chased, the next she’s out cold. Unbelievable.

Chi Yin’s eyes curved with a quiet smile. She laughed to herself for a while before opening her textbook again, trying to focus. Ten minutes later, her eyes were still glued to the first line on the page. She hadn’t moved at all.

She shook her head, trying to concentrate.

Another ten minutes passed, and Chi Yin couldn’t take it anymore. She set the book down, stood up, and tiptoed over to the wardrobe. After a moment of hesitation, she reached out and gently grasped the handle.

Just as she started to pull—

The wardrobe door suddenly pushed open from the inside, making Chi Yin jump back with a jolt.

“Ahhh, that was such a good nap! Little Mute, your clothes smell amazing,” Qiao Ziman said as she climbed out of the wardrobe, stretching with a big yawn.

Chi Yin: “…”

Why did I even worry about her?

Before she could respond, Qiao Ziman stepped forward and grabbed both of Chi Yin’s hands.

“Thank you,” she said, eyes bright with sincerity.

The unfamiliar softness of Qiao Ziman’s hands startled Chi Yin. She instinctively tried to pull away. What is she doing? Let go!

But Qiao Ziman ignored her resistance and only gripped tighter—squeezing and giving their joined hands a playful shake.

Chi Yin tugged, but couldn’t break free. She let out a sigh. Fine. Whatever.

She gave in.

But Qiao Ziman, emboldened by her silence, only got bolder. Leaning in close, she took a dramatic sniff. “Little Mute, you smell so good.”

Then, letting go with one hand, she reached up and pinched Chi Yin’s cheek. “Wow—it’s so smooth! Like a peeled egg!”

Chi Yin: “…”

If you asked her how she felt right now? Full of regret. She never should’ve let this little menace inside. She should’ve let her mom catch her—and give her a proper scolding. Make her cry, even!

Qiao Ziman, completely unaware of the storm brewing in Chi Yin’s mind, reached out and gently flicked her long eyelashes. “They’re so pretty… Little Mute, seriously—how can someone this good-looking walk around with such a cold little face? You’re like a mini adult! That’s no fun at all.”

Chi Yin’s brow furrowed. She was just about to snap when—

Qiao Ziman let go, dug into her pocket, and pulled out a lollipop. She held it up in front of Chi Yin’s face.

“For you,” she said cheerfully. “Thanks for saving me.”

“No!”

Only little kids eat lollipops!

Chi Yin turned her head away in defiance.

“Hey, hey, hey, Little Mute—what’s with that look like I just offended your ancestors?” Qiao Ziman circled around in front of her, unwrapped the lollipop in a flash, and before Chi Yin could react—

Plop! She popped it right into Chi Yin’s mouth.

Chi Yin: “!!!”

What the heck?!

Qiao Ziman completely ignored her furious glare, flashing a bright, dimpled smile.

“Listen, this is my absolute favorite—strawberry flavor! I don’t just give this out to anyone, you know. Come on, try it—is it sweet?” she said, then shamelessly pinched Chi Yin’s cheek again.

Her eyes sparkled as she blinked at her expectantly. “Is it sweet? Is it? Is it?”

Chi Yin reluctantly rolled the lollipop across her tongue. The sugary, sticky sweetness slowly melted into her mouth. She huffed internally. It’s… fine, I guess.

“All right, I’m heading out. Gotta go make peace with He Cuizhen.”

Chi Yin: “???”

Didn’t they just have a massive fight?