After a satisfying meal, Qin Yu resumed her role, trailing beside Yanfei.
Perhaps because Hu Tao had stirred her emotions so much, Qin Yu felt drained and listless. Let's wrap this up soon, she thought.
Yanfei smiled. "Alright, let's go for a stroll somewhere else."
"That sounds good, as long as it's not crowded," Qin Yu replied. She really wasn't in the mood for crowds. "Where should we go?"
Yanfei pondered for a moment. "How about the pavilion by the pond in front of Yujing Terrace? It's quite cool there, and it shouldn't be too busy at this time of day."
That place... isn't bad, Qin Yu thought. She nodded slightly, and Yanfei grinned.
"Let's go, then."
But before they reached their destination, Qin Yu ran into someone she knew.
"Oh? Little Yu, and Miss Yanfei! Are you two out for a walk?"
It was Sister Zhang, their neighbor. Qin Yu hadn't expected to see her here.
What should I do? Qin Yu tensed up momentarily.
Then she realized it wasn't a big deal. She just needed to act normal.
Still, Qin Yu hesitated. She had always assumed others wouldn't like her true self, but what if that wasn't true?
Might as well test the waters.
"Mhm," Qin Yu replied casually, without switching into her usual "persona" mode.
Sister Zhang blinked, puzzled. "Little Yu, are you feeling a bit down today?"
"I'm not down."
Because this was the real me—not enthusiastic or energetic in the slightest.
But then again, if I deliberately try to be myself, would that truly be me?
Lost in thought, Qin Yu noticed Sister Zhang rubbing her neck.
"That's definitely a sign she's upset," Sister Zhang said. "Miss Yanfei, did you do something to upset even Little Yu?"
"Huh? Oh, no, no, we were just... playing a game!" Yanfei explained.
Well, if you stretch the definition far enough, it could pass as a game, Yanfei thought, feeling more confident now. She continued her "explanation," saying they were just competing to see who could better embody the main character of a certain story.
Sister Zhang's face lit up with understanding. "Ah, that makes sense! I was wondering why Little Yu suddenly seemed like a different person."
"Ahaha, sorry," Qin Yu chuckled awkwardly.
"Mhm, that's more like it! Everyone definitely prefers seeing you like this, Little Yu!"
For a fleeting moment, Yanfei thought Qin Yu's smile had vanished. But when she blinked again, Qin Yu was still wearing her soft, gentle smile, making Yanfei wonder if she had imagined it.
Just as I thought, Qin Yu mused.
"Wasn't I good enough before?" she asked casually, feigning nonchalance.
"You're miles ahead of your old self, Little Yu," the other person replied.
"Is that... so?"
The answer was unsurprising. Even Qin Yu felt the same way. How could her flawed, real self ever compare to the perfect persona she had created?
But perhaps it wasn't so bad that the persona she had created was now influencing her. With this perfect facade, there was absolutely no chance of her true self being exposed!
Now she could freely indulge in the warmth and affection she craved without reservation. Wasn't that wonderful? With enough Points, she could protect herself.
If this persona she had crafted was her "magic spell," her "crystal slipper," then wouldn't its magic never fade?
Simply perfect.
Logically, that's what she told herself. Yet emotionally, Qin Yu felt as if her "magic" had transformed into a "curse."
It wasn't about wearing shoes that fit her feet; it was about forcing her feet to conform to shoes that were too beautiful to resist.
Enough, she thought. There's no point dwelling on this. There's no turning back now.
Qin Yu abandoned her train of thought, responding instead with a smile and polite words.
"I still have so much to learn from Sister Zhang," she said.
"Oh, stop it!" Sister Zhang chuckled.
After chatting for a while longer, Sister Zhang bid farewell.
Qin Yu let out a soft sigh.
So tired.
But she still needed to keep Yanfei company. She'd take a nap when they got back, since she had to wake up early tomorrow to go out with Shenhe.
Yanfei hesitated before speaking. "Qin Yu..."
"Hmm?"
"If you're feeling uncomfortable, should we head back?" Yanfei asked earnestly.
Huh? Why is Yanfei suddenly so concerned about me? Did she notice something? Qin Yu didn't relax; instead, she grew more alert.
"Why do you say that?" she asked cautiously, testing the waters.
"Even though it's just acting, I can tell you've put your heart into it. I imagine it must sting to have your efforts dismissed... That's why I suggested we go back."
Qin Yu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
This wouldn't have been so bad if there hadn't been another option.
"I think we should just end the role-playing," Qin Yu suggested with a smile. "Then we can properly hang out with Yanfei, right?"
Oh, right! There's that option too... But...
Yanfei seemed reluctant, stammering, "Well, this is..."
Qin Yu understood.
In other words, Yanfei still wanted to continue their current dynamic. Even if it was just for the novelty, her enthusiasm was undeniably strong... or at least, she didn't dislike it.
Switching gears, Qin Yu sighed helplessly. "I really can't win with you. Fine, let's keep going. I'm fine."
"R-really?"
"There's no reason not to."
Yanfei nodded vigorously, her smile radiant. "Thank you! Even though I'm being so selfish..."
Qin Yu brushed her bangs aside and shook her head. It's just for a little while longer.
However, whether they were on the path or at the pavilion, Qin Yu kept running into acquaintances. They were all taken aback by this unfamiliar side of her, but relaxed once they learned the "truth."
"That's good. Little Yu is much cuter this way."
I thought so too.
"Big sister Yu was a bit cold earlier. I didn't like that very much..."
What a coincidence, I don't really like kids either.
"Girls should be more lively, don't you think?"
You should be prettier, don't you think?
Sigh... Let's go back. Qin Yu felt utterly exhausted, both physically and mentally. After only a short while, she tugged at Yanfei's sleeve.
"Can we go back now?"
Yanfei, who had been observing everyone's reactions throughout their outing, hesitated. Finally, she nodded and led Qin Yu back to her law firm.
After hanging the "Closed for the Day" sign, Yanfei returned to the living room.
Qin Yu slumped onto the sofa, letting out a quiet sigh.
This has definitely been the worst outing of my life! But there was no point in dwelling on it. The real me is just uncute, just unlikeable!
Ugh, the more she thought about it, the more frustrated she became. Qin Yu hugged a cushion dejectedly.
Yanfei hesitated before sitting down beside her.
"I'm sorry."
"Huh?" Qin Yu looked up in surprise.
"If I hadn't asked you to do this, you wouldn't have had to go through this," Yanfei said with a deep sigh, sounding genuinely regretful.
Perhaps that was true, but it was her choice to accept it.
"Don't worry about me," Qin Yu said, after a moment's thought, deciding to maintain her current facade for the time being.
"Is that really true?"
What was there to care about? Most of what they said was true anyway.
And ultimately, this was all self-inflicted. From the moment she decided to act this way, she knew this outcome was inevitable. It was exactly as she had anticipated.
Still... she was undeniably tired.
If deliberately acting like herself wasn't her true self, then where could that real self be found? Wherever it was, it certainly wasn't on display for anyone to see.
Qin Yu exhaled softly.
"I don't care, but..."
There was a question she wanted to ask Yanfei.
"But?"
"Why do you want to see this version of me?" Qin Yu repeated the question she had asked earlier.
Yanfei was surprised. She's asking again? I thought I answered last time. Hmm, maybe I should just finish what I couldn't articulate back then!
"I find that side of Qin Yu quite intriguing... Of course, I'm not trying to tease you—"
Before Yanfei could finish, Qin Yu suddenly frowned, set aside her cushion, and gripped Yanfei's shoulders, attempting to pin her down.
Yanfei instinctively resisted, but she immediately felt a force far greater than Qin Yu had ever exerted before.
Has Qin Yu gotten stronger again? Is that even possible?!
Before Yanfei could question how someone with Qin Yu's slender frame could possess such strength, she found herself pinned to the sofa.
Just as the back of her head was about to collide with the armrest, Qin Yu abruptly switched from pressing down to pulling back, stopping Yanfei's fall like a rider reining in a galloping horse at the edge of a cliff.
Then came a gentle downward pressure.
Yanfei consciously stopped resisting, allowing her head to rest against the armrest as she completely slumped onto the cushions.
A wave of heat flushed Yanfei's face, and she could faintly hear her own heartbeat. She never imagined things would progress this way! Her gaze drifted sideways, her thoughts swirling into disarray.
Qin Yu leaned closer, as if intending to press her weight onto Yanfei, drawing her attention back to Qin Yu's face.
Qin Yu's face showed no sign of embarrassment, but instead looked so fragile, as if a gentle breeze could extinguish her. This astonished Yanfei—it was the first time she had ever seen Qin Yu like this.
"That's not what I wanted to hear. Tell me the truth."
"Huh?"
"The question I asked earlier."
Hearing this, Yanfei calmed down slightly.
The real reason I did it... Does Qin Yu really want to know? She must have seen through my pretense all along. How embarrassing.
"...Never mind. I'm sorry," Qin Yu mumbled, retreating as if she regretted reaching out. It's probably best if I don't hear it.After a short break to collect myself, this will all just be a distant memory.
But Yanfei seized her hand.
"The truth is... I simply wanted to see that side of you. It's... it's really strange, isn't it? When the real you is right here... Please don't laugh at me." Yanfei avoided Qin Yu's gaze.
"Is that true?"
"It is! Why would I lie? It's weird enough as it is, right?" Yanfei whispered, thoroughly embarrassed.
That's true.
Still, it might just be the novelty of it all. This isn't the usual me, so naturally, I want to see it—that's all there is to it.
But hearing her say that still makes me a little happy.
Evaluation: A+
Right, it's really strange.
Ignoring the perfect me, she's choosing to look at this unlovable version instead. And she even made such a selfish request.
Yanfei has become infinitely stranger than she was at the beginning! Who's responsible for this? It couldn't possibly be me, could it? Qin Yu thought, reaching out her hand.
"Close your eyes for a moment."
"Close my eyes?!"
Why such a dramatic reaction?
Yanfei's tongue twisted nervously. "What are you going to do?" she desperately wanted to ask, but she feared it would ruin the moment.
The unfinished kiss from her dream flashed through her mind, and Yanfei's chest tightened. Her breath grew hot. A whirlwind of wild guesses surged through her thoughts, threatening to overwhelm her composure.
"Mmm..." Finally, Yanfei gave a soft murmur and closed her eyes.
"Don't open your eyes."
Is it... is it finally happening? Yanfei held her breath.
Qin Yu's hand slid from Yanfei's shoulder to gently cup her cheeks.
With her eyes closed, Yanfei felt Qin Yu's warmth even more intensely. This... feels surprisingly pleasant, she thought.
Then she distinctly sensed Qin Yu's breath drawing closer.
Yanfei's heart pounded wildly, as if trying to escape her chest.
Suddenly, she felt something soft and warm brush against her left eyelid. Yanfei froze in shock—could it be...? Had she just been kissed on the eye? Why on the eye?
Evaluation: S
Yanfei felt utterly bewildered and embarrassed.
How bizarre! But... it doesn't feel bad at all? Does it mean something special? As these thoughts raced through her mind, she sensed Qin Yu's breath receding. She opened her eyes.
What greeted her was Qin Yu's bright, adorable smile.
"Yeah, you really are strange."
Even if Qin Yu was only indulging a momentary whim and would likely lose interest later, Yanfei couldn't deny that, at least for now, she still wanted to see this version of herself.
Qin Yu removed Yanfei's hat and reached out to stroke her hair.
Yanfei finally snapped out of her daze. Qin Yu's smile had completely stolen her thoughts, leaving her mind blank. It wasn't the usual warm and vibrant smile Qin Yu wore, nor was it the kind she might put on during a performance. Yet it was so profoundly unsettling.
In that moment, Yanfei felt as if she had finally glimpsed a deeper understanding of Qin Yu.
As Qin Yu stroked her hair, Yanfei found the sensation deeply comforting, yet something felt off. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was being treated like a large dog.
Satisfied, Qin Yu tried to withdraw her hand.
Instinctively, Yanfei grabbed it, startling Qin Yu slightly. Yanfei herself found her actions strange, but she pulled Qin Yu's hand back to her head.
Does Yanfei want me to keep petting her? Why is she suddenly being so clingy...?
Qin Yu wasn't eager to continue. The earlier kiss on Yanfei's eye had already left her feeling awkward, even though it had been her own decision.
Good, this way Yanfei won't ask about what just happened.
Don't ask. If you do, I'll get flustered.
Qin Yu's ears burned as she continued gently stroking Yanfei's hair. Noticing Yanfei's eyes, she couldn't help but marvel inwardly once more.
Such beautiful eyes.
Yanfei had many questions, like why Qin Yu had kissed her eyelids. But somehow, none of it seemed important anymore.
"Qin Yu... do you want to go out for dinner tonight?" Yanfei asked nervously.
Qin Yu switched back into her usual persona, smiling warmly. "Sure. Where should we go?"
"You decide. As long as I'm with you, I'll be happy! Anywhere is fine," Yanfei replied, giggling uncontrollably.
Ha? Isn't that embarrassing to say out loud?!
Evaluation: S+
Don't pop up. Who asked for this? Go away.