Round One (14)

Si Jiu understood now.

It turned out that not only could spirits get drunk, they could also suffer from hangovers. When she came to her senses, her head throbbed terribly, and she realized she’d blacked out.

Well then.

It wasn’t the first time she’d lived through such a night. She’d simply drunk too much, and her mood was so foul that her drunkenness had reached absurd levels. She had sworn—sworn never to get drunk again.

Rubbing her aching temples, Si Jiu stretched languidly.

“You’re awake?”

Si Jiu turned her head. “Little fool?”

Shen Yu’s expression was complicated. “If you’re awake, hurry back into the mirror. Uncle called and said he’d be home soon.”

“Didn’t he say he’d be gone for two days?” Si Jiu pursed her lips, muttering quietly, “Can’t stand to be away from his little Tang Tang, can he?”

Judging by her reaction, she had no memory whatsoever of what she’d done last night.

Shen Yu’s expression grew even more tangled. He had so much he wanted to say, so many questions to ask. But under Shen Huai’s threat—no, his instructions!—he couldn’t say a word.

“Everything went smoothly, so he’s coming back early.”

Fine. Time to return to her prison.

Si Jiu pulled a long face. “I want walnut crisps… You said you’d make them for me.”

Shen Yu: I dare not, I dare not.

“Shen Huai, that annoying pest,” Si Jiu muttered as she drifted away.

Shen Yu: I dare not listen.

Si Jiu floated back into the bronze mirror, sitting cross-legged in silence.

Wasn’t little fool’s expression a bit odd just now? Had she done something to him after getting drunk last night?

It was not without reason that Si Jiu suspected as much. She had, after all, a record in this regard.

She knocked her own head hard, then slapped the mirror with a loud thump, scolding herself, “Useless!”

Shen Huai heard the noise from outside the door.

A silent smile tugged at his lips; he coughed deliberately, and sure enough, the room fell quiet instantly.

Never before had he opened this door with such a joyful heart.

Even if that joy was laced with too much unease.

Creak—

The door swung open.

Si Jiu pressed her face against the mirror, so she could claim a small slice of perspective at its edge, watching the entrance.

Shen Huai entered, seated in his wheelchair, a box resting on his knees.

Si Jiu’s gaze followed him closely.

All right. Next, he’d surely go to see “Tang Tang,” then kiss, embrace, lift her up… Well, maybe not lift her high.

She’d seen it all before, yet it still made her inexplicably bitter.

It was like raising a precious pet with painstaking care, only to watch it suddenly turn away, giving its affection to a stranger who’d never done anything for it.

Damn it! The more she thought about it, the angrier she got!

If only she didn’t suspect she’d lose in a fight… she’d rush out and beat him up right now.

A body of pure yang, so impressive?

Well… for a spirit like her, a pure yang body was indeed a natural nemesis.

Ah—so frustrated!

In the corner of Shen Huai’s eye, he caught sight of the “person” in the mirror, her entire face pressed against the glass. Though blurred by the bronze, he could still conjure her every expression in his mind, knowing precisely what she was feeling now.

He fought to keep a straight face and stopped beside the canopy bed.

This time, he did not lift the gauze curtain.

“I brought some walnut crisps. Xiao Yu has excellent skills; I imagine they’re delicious.”

He opened the box on his lap, revealing a mound of walnut crisps—small, square, just a bite each.

But there were plenty, piled high like a little mountain.

And wouldn’t you know it, he placed them right in front of the bronze mirror. Might as well have set them under Si Jiu’s nose.

Though she couldn’t actually smell them… she felt as though the sweet aroma of walnut crisps was wafting right into her nostrils.

She wanted them so badly, so desperately.

Why walnut crisps! Why put them right under his nose!!

“Really not going to eat?” Shen Huai spoke as if addressing “Tang You,” picking up a piece.

Si Jiu watched as the delicate, adorable walnut crisp was gently pinched by those pale, slender fingers, then slowly carried away… Her gaze followed helplessly, reaching out with an imaginary hand, silently crying: No!

The pastry entered his mouth; she could almost taste the crisp, tender texture.

“Mmm. Truly delicious.”

Shen Huai swallowed the treat and wiped his lips, offering a solemn review.

Get lost! Who wants to hear your critique. I want to eat them myself!

She hadn’t noticed that, since entering, Shen Huai hadn’t glanced even once at “Tang You,” hadn’t called out “Tang Tang” at all.