Chapter 24: The Gift
A Moment of Peace
A gentle breeze brushed by, and birds chirped cheerfully. The serene environment gradually calmed Lan Yi’s restless heart. She followed Yu Li obediently, like a well-behaved child, only lifting her head when Yu Li stopped.
“This is…”
Lan Yi looked surprised. She hadn’t expected Yu Li to bring her here—to the park where they first met.
For some reason, the small park was empty except for Yu Li and Lan Yi, eerily quiet, as if the world had cleared the way for their date.
“I don’t know the school grounds that well, Senior.”
Yu Li turned back with a helpless smile, explaining why she chose this place.
“So I brought you here. But… for the current Senior, this place is perfect, isn’t it?”
She gently pointed at the dark circles under Lan Yi’s eyes, impossible to hide.
“Senior, you look exhausted. How long has it been since you properly rested?”
“I…”
Being called out by her junior made Lan Yi feel awkward. She wanted to explain, but the words caught in her throat.
“Shh… come with me…”
Yu Li didn’t wait for a response. Smiling, she placed a finger on Lan Yi’s lips, silencing her, then took her hand and led her to a nearby lounge chair.
“Senior… it’s a rare chance. Take a proper rest, okay?”
Yu Li sat on the chair, brushing her lap to invite Lan Yi to lie down.
“Huh?”
Lan Yi froze, unsure how to react. With this junior, she always felt out of her depth, effortlessly swept up in Yu Li’s unpredictable rhythm.
“Come on, I already know today’s Senior is just a silly girl who only says ‘huh.’”
Yu Li chuckled helplessly, then suddenly grabbed Lan Yi’s hands, firmly guiding her to lie on her lap.
“Senior… we have plenty of time… rest well…”
Yu Li leaned down, whispering softly in Lan Yi’s ear.
Forced to lie down, Lan Yi felt nervous. Resting on the lap of a junior she barely knew, hearing her gentle whispers, her heart raced.
Yet, she felt an inexplicable sense of peace, a feeling she hadn’t experienced in a long time.
In the empty park, under the scorching summer sun, a cool breeze blew, and the faint scent of the girl beside her enveloped her. Everything allowed Lan Yi’s tense heart to relax.
As her heartbeat steadied, sleepiness crept in. Pillowed on Yu Li’s lap, Lan Yi drifted off to sleep.
Seeing Lan Yi asleep, Yu Li’s smile faded. Her fingers gently brushed Lan Yi’s face, her silver eyes devoid of emotion, lost in thought.
A Gentle Dream
For the first time in a while, Lan Yi had a normal dream. No scornful gazes filled with fear, no relentless suitors, no endless work—just a girl who was always by her side.
That girl didn’t demand anything from her, didn’t require her to give anything to maintain their bond. She was always herself, always wearing that adorable smile, like an angel sent to heal her.
But… dreams always end.
As time passed, the sky gradually darkened.
The sleeping girl let out a soft whimper and opened her hazy eyes.
Upon waking, she immediately saw the cute black-haired girl, who looked at her with a helpless expression.
“Senior, you’re awake?”
“Mm… good morning…”
Still half-asleep, Lan Yi saw the smiling girl and instinctively thought she was still dreaming, mumbling a greeting.
As her vision cleared and the dream merged with reality, she realized the girl was her junior.
“Mm… Junior Yu Li… Y-Yah!!”
Fully awake now, Lan Yi let out a startled cry and scrambled to sit up.
She glanced at the “pillow” she’d used for hours, then quickly looked away, her cheeks flushing.
Even now, Lan Yi couldn’t believe she’d let her guard down so completely with a junior she barely knew, even feeling a hint of dependence.
None of this escaped Yu Li’s notice.
“Hmm… looks like Senior really enjoyed it, but we can’t do this all day, okay?”
“No… I didn’t mean it like that… I!”
Lan Yi stammered, her explanation growing more chaotic.
“So you didn’t like it?”
Yu Li tilted her head, smiling at Lan Yi.
“No, that’s not… I…”
To say she didn’t like it would be a lie, so Lan Yi instinctively denied it. She couldn’t deceive herself—this was the best sleep she’d had in days.
“Pfft… haha, I get it, Senior. If you want, I can be your ‘pillow’ again next time~”
“Mm… thank you…”
Lan Yi lowered her head, covering her face with her hands. Though embarrassed by Yu Li’s teasing, she didn’t refuse, honest with her feelings.
Yu Li smiled, but her smile was odd. Though she was smiling, her eyes held no warmth.
“…As long as you really want it.”
“Huh? Did you say something, Junior Yu Li?”
“Nothing~ Just saying it’s your fault we skipped class all afternoon.”
Lan Yi glanced at the time, realizing it was nearly the end of the school day.
She had really… slept for a long time.
“Sorry, Junior Yu Li… I’ll explain to the teachers.”
“Pfft, Senior, you’re too serious. I was kidding.”
Seeing Lan Yi’s earnest expression, Yu Li burst out laughing, waving her hand to show she was joking.
“More importantly… let’s continue our date~ There’s one last place to go.”
Yu Li said, taking Lan Yi’s hand again.
“I’ve prepared a… gift for you there, Senior. I hope you’ll accept it happily~”
“Huh? A gift?”
Lan Yi was surprised, not expecting Yu Li to have planned something else.
“Yup~ But we’re running out of time, so we gotta hurry!”
Yu Li, ignoring Lan Yi’s confusion, pulled her along as they started running.
A Courageous Step
They didn’t know where they were headed, but the number of students around them grew. Lan Yi, who would normally feel afraid, was bolstered by the warmth of Yu Li’s hand.
‘As long as we’re together… I don’t think I’ll fear those gazes anymore…’
Lan Yi thought to herself, a faint, relieved smile curving her lips.
Finally, Yu Li stopped, turning to Lan Yi with a gentle smile.
“Senior, we’re here… This is the last stop for our date today.”
Pulled out of her thoughts by Yu Li’s words, Lan Yi instinctively looked around. They were surrounded by students, packed tightly together… just like that day.
Panic surged, and her voice trembled as she asked Yu Li.
“This is… Central Plaza… Junior Yu Li?”