Chapter 20: I Love you the most

Bai Yao hadn’t expected their visit. If they’d come earlier, they could’ve eaten together.

She’d made a full table of dishes—too much for four, with plenty left over.

“Why the sudden visit?”

Bai Yao hugged the iris bouquet, her face beaming with a surprised smile.

But inwardly, she was anxious. Had her old teammates figured out she was the Pride Witch?

Why else would they show up unannounced, barging to her door?

It felt like a TV drama where cops nab a criminal in plain clothes, cuffs ready, no warning.

No chance to react.

Her heart raced, like a villain about to be arrested.

“Just checking on you, Yao Yao.”

Long Shu raided the fridge, grabbing three drinks with zero guest-like restraint.

Taking a swig of fizzy soda, she let out a blissful exclamation.

“Ah~ Summer’s meant for ice-cold soda!”

Huang Ran shook her head, exasperated at Long Shu’s antics.

“Yao Yao, you okay? You were with a girl yesterday, so we couldn’t ask.”

“I’m fine, perfectly healthy. That girl was my sister.”

They sat, sipping the drinks Long Shu handed out.

Little White circled Bai Yao a few times, landing softly in her lap.

“Yao Yao, I missed you so much these past few days!”

“Really?” Bai Yao was delighted to hear Little White say that, pinching its soft belly. “I missed you too.”

“Good to know you’re okay. This amusement park incident involved not just a Tarot Society member but a new witch. Who knows what the future holds.”

Huang Ran sighed, troubled. She could hold her own against Tarot Society members.

But against the Pride Witch, she was powerless.

Her strongest attack couldn’t even dent Pride’s defenses, a heavy blow to her confidence.

Worse, Pride’s exposure of human malice shook Huang Ran’s belief in absolute kindness and justice.

She often wondered if sacrificing herself for strangers was worth it.

The answer… she wasn’t sure. Her heart hadn’t settled.

“No big deal. Face whatever comes, right?”

“Future’s for later. Enjoy the now!”

Long Shu chugged her soda, gulping it down.

She didn’t bother with the future—life’s short, live in the moment.

The three of them were doing fine, weren’t they?

Why get all sentimental?

Huang Ran envied Long Shu’s carefree attitude.

So simple, oblivious to complexities.

“Long Shu’s right. Deal with the future when it comes. There’s always a way.”

Bai Yao gently placed her hand on Huang Ran’s, her voice soft and soothing.

It eased Huang Ran’s troubled heart.

“You’re right. I’m overthinking. Let’s talk about happy stuff tonight.”

The trio laughed and chatted, spending a joyful evening together.

By 10 PM, it was time to part.

They said their goodbyes, promising frequent dinners.

Bai Yao washed up and lay in bed, staring at her phone, feeling she’d forgotten something.

At 11:15 PM, the front door stirred.

Bai Yao faintly heard it open.

“Feifei?”

She murmured, frowning, but quickly dismissed it.

Bai Feifei went to school with Ye Xiao Xiao and often hung out together.

Over time, Bai Feifei got used to staying at Ye Xiao Xiao’s, dodging Bai Yao’s homework nagging.

Sometimes she even slept over.

“Feifei’s probably caught up in games. It’s not her.”

Click.

Her bedroom door handle turned, startling Bai Yao.

Who moved that fast?

In the time of a thought, they reached the second floor and zeroed in on her room?

The door opened. In the dark, Bai Yao vaguely saw a tall figure.

The curtains were drawn, her phone screen off.

The room was pitch-black. Bai Yao slowly shifted, aiming to hide in the wardrobe.

But the figure seemed to see her in the dark, swiftly pinning her to the bed.

Before she could scream, Ye Rou’s voice reached her.

“Yao, forgot something?”

“Hiss~” Bai Yao gasped. “Ye Rou, why didn’t you say anything? You scared me! I thought you were a burglar.”

“Sorry~ Didn’t mean to scare you.”

Ye Rou released Bai Yao, lying beside her naturally, pulling half the blanket over herself.

“Why’re you here all of a sudden?”

“You said you’d come over to hang out. I waited forever, but you didn’t show, so I came to find you.”

Ye Rou sounded aggrieved, her voice tinged with a whine.

“Oh… some friends came over, and I forgot.”

Bai Yao scratched her head, giving an awkward smile, hoping to brush it off.

“I don’t care. I want compensation~”

Ye Rou dragged out her words, her magnetic, languid voice dripping with allure.

It made Bai Yao’s head tingle.

“Fine, as long as it’s not too much, I’ll agree.”

“I knew Yao was the best to me~”

Ye Rou hugged Bai Yao, clinging relentlessly, overwhelming her.

“Alright, stop sticking to me—it’s hot. Tell me what compensation you want.”

Bai Yao tried pushing Ye Rou’s face away, but it only made her cling harder.

“Yao, just one kiss~”

“No way, pick something else.”

Bai Yao instantly rejected it, sensing danger in Ye Rou’s request.

She’d sworn off girl-on-girl stuff.

Don’t mess with her.

“No~ No~ I want Yao’s kiss~ If I don’t get it, I’ll cry~”

Ye Rou wrapped herself around Bai Yao, determined to get her kiss.

It gave Bai Yao a headache. Ye Rou was seven or eight years older but acted like a child.

Under her relentless pestering, Bai Yao gave in.

“Fine, you win.” She quickly pecked Ye Rou’s forehead. “There, happy?”

“Mhm~”

Ye Rou nodded, content, hugging Bai Yao blissfully.

My lovely Iris… no.

My lovely spider lily, I love you the most~