Chapter 46: Unfathomable Feelings
A Moment of Comfort
Fu Qingyue nestled tightly in Yu Li’s embrace, silently expressing her grievances. Consequently, Yu Li, with a gentle smile, stroked Fu Qingyue’s silver hair. For an unknown length of time, the two remained locked in this tender moment.
As the sun slowly set, the sky gradually darkened. Yet, Yu Li continued to comfort Fu Qingyue until the trembling in her arms subsided.
“Little Qingyue, feeling better now?”
At the sound of Yu Li’s voice, Fu Qingyue slowly lifted her head, revealing misty eyes.
A Glimpse of Warmth
Gazing at Yu Li, who radiated a maternal warmth, Fu Qingyue froze momentarily. Having always been alone, she had never known care or affection. Whenever sadness struck, she yearned for someone to stay by her side, offering words of affirmation. Now, Fu Qingyue’s heart swirled with complex emotions. Surprisingly, this long-desired connection had found her today.
‘Maybe… it’s not a bad thing…’
Realizing her thoughts, Fu Qingyue felt a twinge of surprise but soon returned to Yu Li’s embrace.
‘Am I… becoming even more dependent on Li Bao… is that okay?’
This thought lingered in her mind, impossible to dismiss.
A Gentle Reassurance
“Little Qingyue?”
Seeing Fu Qingyue burrow back into her arms, Yu Li called out, puzzled. However, Fu Qingyue offered no explanation, simply indulging in her need for comfort.
“Little Qingyue sure loves to act spoiled… but that’s okay, right? As long as you want, I’ll always be here.”
Yu Li spoke softly, her lips curving into a slight smile, her silver vertical pupils glinting.
‘Just like this… depend on me more.’
On Fu Qingyue’s silver halo, the black patterns tied to Ye Sheng were slowly fading.
‘What kind of emotions will you show me next?’
Unaware that everything was part of a calculated plan, the silver-haired girl remained lost in this gentle haven.
A Shift in Emotions
After a long while, Fu Qingyue finally lifted her head, meeting Yu Li’s gentle smile. Suddenly, embarrassment washed over her.
“Little Qingyue, all good now?”
At Yu Li’s question, Fu Qingyue’s ears flushed red as she realized her actions. She had clung to a girl she’d known for only two days until nightfall. Even though Yu Li was her most important friend, she felt utterly mortified.
“Little Qingyue?”
Noticing Yu Li’s puzzled look, Fu Qingyue replied sheepishly: “Sorry… Li Bao… I’m fine now.”
“Hm… that doesn’t quite sound like you’re fine.”
Seeing Fu Qingyue’s hesitant response, Yu Li gently ruffled her hair. “It’s okay, Little Qingyue… whatever thoughts you have, I’ll support you.”
An Unexpected Frustration
Upon hearing Yu Li’s words, Fu Qingyue fell silent. Truthfully, she wasn’t entirely fine—she felt unwilling.
“I… I’m not reconciled.”
“Not reconciled?”
“Yeah, do men… really like big chests that much?”
Fu Qingyue glanced downward. Although not entirely flat, she clearly couldn’t compare to Lan Yi or that red-haired woman.
“…Huh?”
“Every time… it’s these kinds of women with that figure…” Frustrated, Fu Qingyue gestured a circle at her chest.
Indeed, whether Lan Yi or the red-haired woman, their only commonality was their striking figures. Unexpectedly, Yu Li hadn’t anticipated Fu Qingyue’s focus on this.
“Little Qingyue… that’s what you’re thinking about?”
“…Is that wrong?”
“It’s not exactly wrong… but I thought you’d feel more… you know, anger from being betrayed or something?”
Caught off guard, Fu Qingyue froze, touching her chest. Unlike the pain described in books, she felt only a strong sense of unwillingness.
“I… don’t know.”
A Cloud of Confusion
Fu Qingyue felt lost. As Yu Li pointed out, pain would be normal, yet she didn’t feel it. Instead, she simply hated—hated being abandoned.
It was the same with Lan Yi. She only resented Ye Sheng for leaving her for Lan Yi.
Now, she struggled to understand herself, unable to discern her true feelings for Ye Sheng.
Seeing Fu Qingyue sink into confusion, Yu Li reached out and flicked her forehead lightly.
“Ow.”
“Silly Qingyue, if you can’t figure it out, don’t think about it. There’s plenty of time,” Yu Li said with a chuckle, watching Fu Qingyue snap back to reality. “Besides… you can tell me anything you’re thinking. I won’t let Little Qingyue be alone again.”
“Li Bao… thank you.”
A Hurried Departure
“Hm, but not right now.” Yu Li shook her head helplessly, pulling her phone from her bag. “Silly Little Qingyue, check the time!”
Glancing at the phone, Fu Qingyue saw the time and froze, her eyes wide with shock.
“Does Little Qingyue’s house have a curfew?”
“Y-yeah!”
Flustered, Fu Qingyue stammered. The last time she returned home late without informing the butler, he nearly stormed the school. Since then, she’d strictly followed her curfew.
“Sorry, Li Bao, I have to hurry back.”
“Mm, if anything comes up, text me.”
“Okay, Li Bao… goodbye.”
Reluctantly glancing at Yu Li, Fu Qingyue summoned a faint breeze beneath her feet and dashed toward home.
A Lingering Trace
Yu Li watched Fu Qingyue’s figure disappear before turning to leave.
She extended her hand, her fingertips entwined with traces of Fu Qingyue’s emotions, leaked during her earlier breakdown.
Bringing the emotions to her lips, Yu Li took a light sip.
“…Not my favorite flavor.”
The emotions were sweet yet tinged with sourness, like grapes… and Yu Li didn’t like grapes.
Liuli’s Awakening
“Little Liuli… time to wake up and eat.”
(Wha?)
Perhaps stirred by the word “eat,” Liuli, who had been asleep since the movie began, finally woke, popping out of her space.
(What’s for food?)
“…You sure can sleep. Here, take these.”
Liuli suddenly received a bundle of emotions from Yu Li, almost thinking she was still dreaming.
(Ugh… what did you do while I was asleep… wow, these are Fu Qingyue’s emotions? Grape-flavored!)
“This is for you too.”
Yu Li handed over her barely touched grape-flavored milk tea to Liuli’s fox paws.
(Wow, what’s with you today? Suddenly so generous—there’s no scheme here, is there?) Liuli eyed her suspiciously.
“If you don’t want it, give it back.”
(Wah, don’t even think about taking it back—it’s all mine!)
Fearing Yu Li might change her mind, Liuli clutched the milk tea and emotions, zipping back into her space.
“…Silly.”
An Unexpected Confrontation
Yu Li shook her head helplessly, about to head home, when someone blocked her path. A figure with fiery red hair stood before her, exuding arrogance: “Found you… the little bug following me earlier was you, wasn’t it?”