Grab The Heroine and Run Away Ch. 78.2
The task in the park was to feed three pigeons within ten seconds. However, all the pigeons in the square seemed full, and within ten seconds, at most two pigeons ate the bread they held up.
“Are you competing with me?” Xu Heran tilted her head, “You go first.”
Xin Nuo realized that Xu Heran was giving her a chance, and she shook her head, “No, let’s do it together.”
Xu Heran had no choice but to intentionally move her hand or step back when a pigeon approached. Xin Nuo caught a glimpse of it, a slight smile tugging at her lips, and she let the bread in her hand drop to the ground with a “pop.”
“Huh?” Xin Nuo sighed, “Failed again.”
Xu Heran: “…”
“Let’s compete properly,” she laughed.
“Really?” Xin Nuo asked with skepticism.
“Yes.”
The two girls, dressed in dresses like princesses from a fairy tale kingdom, stepped onto the small square, each standing on one side of the fountain.
As the sun slowly climbed higher, amid Xu Heran’s surprised voice, a crew member shouted, “Xu Heran wins!”
“Ah,” Xin Nuo sighed, “I can’t believe I lost to you in something like this.”
Xu Heran touched her face, “How about I let you win next time?”
“Carry my portion of that, and do your best,” Xin Nuo lightly embraced Xu Heran before being led away by the crew.
“Something’s strange,” Xu Heran whispered, “Is it over like this?”
The director handed her an envelope, “The final task hasn’t arrived yet.”
Xu Heran felt that this episode was probably a celebration of her birthday, but she felt shy to say so. She smiled and accepted the envelope.
“Take the plain train to Aston Manor—huh?”
At the train station, a green train awaited the princesses.
The six winners of the first three mini-games sat in the soft, comfortable, and spacious seats.
“Xu Pearl, what’s your connection to this Aston Manor we’re going to?” Jiang Qiong asked Xu Heran.
“It’s my grandmother’s ancestral property. In our understanding, it’s kind of like our ancestral home,” Xu Heran explained.
The six people sat facing each other, a lace tablecloth spread on the table, filled with snacks and drinks that everyone casually nibbled on.
The windows of the green train opened, revealing the scenery on either side.
“Wow—so beautiful, like something from a movie!” Lin Weining held her face and looked outside in amazement.
Under the vast azure sky, distant green mountains stretched, and nearby meadows were filled with daisies. Sheep occasionally grazed by the stream.
Xu Heran lightly rested her chin on her hand, smiling and silent. Her gaze fell on the distant mountains, covered in glistening white snow.
The snow was beautiful, like Nuo Nuo.
She secretly thought in her heart.
The trees were beautiful, like Nuo Nuo.
The wind was gentle, like Nuo Nuo.
Everything she saw was beautiful, just like Nuo Nuo.
As if noticing her distraction, Jiang Qiong knocked on the table, “Although tomorrow is your birthday, I won’t go easy on you.”
“Hmm?” Xu Heran blinked, pulled the plate towards herself, and lifted her chin to Jiang Qiong, saying, “How do you write ‘go easy’? Write it down and let me see.”
Others: “Pfft!”
“I, Dog Woof Woof, am also very formidable, you know!” Jiang Qiong rolled up her sleeves, “Don’t underestimate me, I’ve suffered great losses!”
Xu Heran nodded earnestly.
So, when the sightseeing train arrived at Aston Manor’s destination, and the director said that only three people could disembark and removing their accessories signified failure, Xu Heran flicked her fingers and knocked off the dog ears from Jiang Xiaoqiong’s head.
Jiang Qiong: “???”
“Wow—”
Dog Woof Woof wiped her tears.
In the end, the ones who got off the train were only Xu Heran, Lin Weining, and Mu Yueliang.
“Sister Fairy, you’re so amazing?” Xu Heran said in surprise, “You actually persisted for so long!”
Lin Weining, who hadn’t won many times in previous games, proudly said, “I’m really great!”
Xu Heran nodded with a smile, a glint passing through her eyes.
Something’s off.
The sightseeing car that came to pick them up drove across the plains, and in their line of sight were plains, forests, streams, and distant mountains. It was as if they had truly stepped into a dreamlike world.
Until the black, tall manor gate appeared, Lin Weining and Mu Yueliang looked up and exclaimed more than they did throughout the journey.
“Wow!”
The three of them got off at the gate.
“What if I don’t go in?” Xu Heran tentatively asked the accompanying director.
The accompanying director momentarily panicked, then smiled, “You can’t do that. You must go in.”
“For the final task, find the treasure hidden within the estate and unlock the key to the mysterious gate.”
“What about the others?” Xu Heran asked.
The accompanying director smiled and pushed her towards the gate, “Go on.”
Xu Heran chuckled softly, “Conspiracy.”
“Just don’t give me that surprise, okay?”
After Xu Heran finished speaking, she raised her gaze and looked at the estate she was very familiar with.
The estate was expansive, taking about half an hour to walk from the entrance to the building’s entrance, not to mention the orchards and gardens inside. Just the standalone castle building alone had over a thousand rooms.
Xu Heran glanced at the slowly disappearing sun and sighed.
“I’m requesting a Qiuqiu!”
All around, it was quiet, with only the sound of birds chirping. The cameraman clenched his mouth shut.
With no response, Xu Heran paced with her hands behind her back and grumbled, “It’s my birthday, you know!”
The birthday star walked toward the castle, feeling sad and lonely.
“I don’t think they would hide something here, it should be near the building,” Xu Heran analyzed as she spoke. She also spotted Lin Weining heading towards the garden.
By the time Xu Heran reached the entrance, her gaze fell on the tightly shut doors. She pushed on them, but they didn’t budge. The surrounding windows were also closed, their curtains drawn.
The sky gradually darkened, and all the lights in the estate came on. The accompanying director watched Xu Heran’s inaction and hurriedly said, “You need to find the key quickly.”
“The key, huh…”
Xu Heran thought for a moment, stepped forward, and pressed her index finger against the combination lock.
The accompanying director revealed a knowing smile, “You can’t open it, we’ve already locked them all in advance!”
“Alright.” Xu Heran wasn’t disappointed either. She descended the steps and reached into a compartment in a flower bed against the wall, pulling out a box.
Accompanying director: “?”
Right in front of her, Xu Heran opened the box in front of her, revealing the key inside. She smiled and said, “I saw it when I came.”
“Director, you didn’t put much thought into this one.”
Director: “…”
Wasn’t it just to make you find it faster?
Xu Heran opened the door. As the door swung open, the entire mansion room lit up, playful music started playing, and a fluffy bunny stood on the staircase directly across from the entrance, anxiously rubbing its head.
“I’m going to be late, I’m going to be late!”
The bunny turned and scampered away.
With her hands behind her back, Xu Heran leisurely walked into the house.
After three seconds, the bunny hopped back.
“Come chase me!” Song Fenghua shouted.
“Pfft, why is it you?” Xu Heran looked up, “How much did they pay you? I’ll offer double, just tell me the location!”
Song Fenghua, dressed in a doll costume, blushed, her bunny ears drooping.
“No way!”
“Fine.”
Xu Heran sighed, and in the next moment, she raised her eyes, leaped up the stairs as if flying, and Song Fenghua was startled, covering her headgear and sprinting.
“Run fast, run fast!”
A group of bunnies dashed through the corridor, blocking Xu Heran’s path.
“Feeling hot, my friends?”
Xu Heran smiled and asked her previously eliminated companions.
“Not hot, it’s quite cool in the Blue Nation.”
“Did you all come here after getting eliminated? Did you see Xin Nuo?” Xu Heran asked.
Director Liu, who received a message from the accompanying director, held his head in pain.
Right, this familiar feeling.
With a string of bunnies following behind her, Xu Heran circled around the castle. Unfortunately, someone still had a relaxed and comfortable expression. When they reached the hall for the third time, the dolls were tired and sprawled on the carpet, unwilling to move.
“Good bunnies, tell me the location.” Xu Heran squatted down with a smile.
The bunnies on the carpet closed their eyes and pretended to be dead.
Just as Xu Heran was about to deal with the bunnies, tickle them perhaps, footsteps suddenly echoed from the staircase.
Xu Heran raised her gaze, a crimson figure appeared in her eyes.
Her pupils dilated abruptly.
“Intruder.” The girl in the red dress had jet-black hair cascading down her smooth shoulders. She adorned herself with shimmering jewels, resembling a gorgeous and captivating yet temptingly sinful poppy. Leaning against the railing, she smiled gently, “Are you here to find the treasure?”
“No.” Xu Heran stood up, “I’m here to find you.”
“To find me?” The girl arched an eyebrow, a hint of interest flickered in her pitch-black eyes. She lifted her skirt, revealing long, snow-white legs through the high slit. Turning back with a smile, she exuded captivating allure.
“Then come.”
In an instant, Xu Heran pushed aside all other thoughts and followed in the direction of Xin Nuo. As she ascended the stairs, she saw nothing but the woman’s long red dress vanishing around a corner.
She immediately went after her.
The two of them played a strange game in the maze, wearing identical smiles of determination on their faces.
Xu Heran saw Xin Nuo’s flying hair, just like the fluttering hem of her skirt. She gazed at Xin Nuo’s sparkling red dress, like a phantom born in the heart of the night, meeting her in secret during the stillness of the night.
Eventually, she completely lost track of her own direction. She only saw Xin Nuo standing beside the hanging curtain, lips curled up, lowered eyelashes appearing seductive and mocking as she gazed at Xu Heran.
Xu Heran strode forward, extending her arm. Just as her fingers were about to touch Xin Nuo’s smooth back, Xin Nuo suddenly slipped into the curtain and disappeared.
“Tsk.”
Xu Heran tapped the curtain with her finger.
“I’m coming in, need time for everyone to prepare?”
Laughter sounded from behind the curtain, as if they both understood something unspoken. When Xu Heran lifted the curtain, a sudden chorus of cheers and the sound of confetti filled the air. The bunnies and the elegantly dressed girls clapped happily.
“Happy birthday!”
“Congratulations, Little Pearl, on becoming an adult!”
Xu Heran entered the room. It was spacious, with massive screens on the walls silently playing video clips of her career since debut. The staff and managers were all present, relaxed and casual.
“Happy birthday, Ranran. This is the birthday gift from all of us.” Jian Yueyin presented a golden box to Xu Heran.
“Thank you, but personal gifts can’t be exempted, you know.” Xu Heran said with a smile. She lifted her gaze and locked eyes with Xin Nuo, who was standing in the crowd, smiling at her.
“Go to the small room to see it.” Everyone pushed Xu Heran into the small room.
Xu Heran opened the box and chuckled softly.
After a while, Jian Yueyin asked, “Are you ready?”
“I’m coming out now.” Xu Heran said with a smile.
Amidst the music, a beautiful girl dressed in a gorgeous black gown stepped out of the room, standing next to the screen amid applause.
An electronic message slowly appeared.
“When I was little, I always dreamed of wearing adult clothes and imagining myself at eighteen, being able to proudly call myself an adult. Today, you’ve finally reached this day. From now on, you can proudly do more things and reach farther and higher places. Similarly, as an eighteen-year-old, you have more responsibilities to bear. But when you’re tired, please remember, being an adult doesn’t mean the princess dress will reject you. You can still be carefree in the world of childlike innocence. Your world will only expand with each step.”
Go ahead, become the person you want to be, continue to be a happy Little Pearl. May you be safe and happy, may you always have a beautiful smile.
Xu Heran, wishing you a happy eighteenth birthday.
Happy adulthood.
From all of Universal Entertainment.”
“Thank you.” Xu Heran took a deep breath, bowed to the audience below, and said, “Thank you everyone, for giving me a special birthday, thank you!”
“Thank you for bringing us joy as well!”
Jiang Qiong pushed the cake over, and amidst the joyful wishes, Xu Heran made a wish, blew out the candles, and the surrounding smiles carried sincere blessings.
“Tomorrow is your actual birthday, but tomorrow belongs to you and your family. Tonight, we’re celebrating your birthday.” Cui Qi smiled and hugged Xu Heran, “Keep up the good work, Ranran. Your future will be even better.”
Xu Heran’s eyes were slightly red as she thanked Cui Qi. She cut the cake and distributed it to each of the staff members. By now, the recording had ended, but everyone stayed for a while longer, leaving the estate after sending their blessings to Xu Heran.
In the estate, only seventeen girls remained. Those who had been working at the estate had already returned, bringing food and drinks to the others in the room.
“Let’s raise a toast!” Haya shouted, “Our Little Pearl can finally drink now!”
Jiang Qiong was so excited, as if it were her own birthday, “Tell me loudly how much time is left!”
“Two hours!”
Everyone shouted in unison.
“Let’s party!” Host Jiang Qiong held the microphone, “Tonight at twelve o’clock!”
“You have one more cake, it was made by Xin Nuo after she arrived at the estate!” Lin Weining was also excited tonight as she told Xu Heran.
Xu Heran turned her head in surprise, only to see Xin Nuo with her legs crossed, propping up her chin, quietly watching her.
Tonight’s Xin Nuo was like a mature flower, elegantly blossoming. When Xu Heran got closer to her, she felt that even her breath was sweet.
“Thank you, Sister.” Xu Heran whispered softly in Xin Nuo’s ear, “Thank you.”
“Xu Heran, you look really beautiful today.” Xin Nuo raised her hand, pinched Xu Heran’s cheek, “Big Pearl.”
In the instant she smiled, Xu Heran felt like she was already intoxicated.
“Come on, let’s sing!” Jiang Qiong raised the microphone.
The excitement of everyone continued until midnight. When Xu Heran blew out the candles on the cake that Xin Nuo had made, the excitement reached its peak.
Haya directly placed a bottle of alcohol on the table.
“Come! Drink!”
Laurel looked disdainfully at the table, wondering what kind of alcohol it was. Fruit wine?
So Empress Hua took out a bottle of red wine from the side, “Good fortune.”
Jiang Qiong’s eyes lit up, “I want to drink!”
“Let’s all drink!”
“Cheers.”
The sound of clinking glasses echoed, and a group of people raised their glasses with a hearty atmosphere—
Frozen in place.
Xu Heran remained composed, Xin Nuo’s expression remained calm, Jiang Qiong’s face twisted, Song Fenghua’s eyes showed a look of alarm, Jian Yueyin took a sip and put the glass down. Only Lin Weining furrowed her brows, honestly downing the drink in her glass. She happily put down the empty glass, only to find that no matter how much everyone poured before, the glass remained the same!
Lin Weining: “???”
“Hahaha, I’ll drink with you.” Haya rubbed the flushed head of Lin Weining.
The image of Haya in front of Lin Weining had already started to multiply. She shook her head in confusion and lay down on the couch.
“Cheers?”
Xu Heran said to Xin Nuo.
“Ding.”
The red liquid rushed into her mouth. After the sour and bitter taste, a mellow fragrance followed with a delayed realization. Xu Heran exhaled lightly, feeling that even her esophagus was warm. She chuckled and took the microphone from Jiang Qiong’s hand.
“I want to sing.”
The piano started playing, the room darkened, with only the light and shadows on the screen swaying.
Amidst the music, Xu Heran hummed lightly. She tilted her head back, resting her arm behind her lazily, and began to sing.
“I’ve seen the world, done it all, had my cake now, diamonds, brilliant, and Bel-Air now…” ①
“Will you still love me, when I’m no longer young and beautiful?” ①
“Will you still love me, when I got nothing but my aching soul?“①
“I know you will, I know you will, I know that you will.” ①
The room’s lighting was dim, some people’s gazes fixed on the screen, others swayed to the rhythm of the song, and some gazes quietly focused on the singing girl.
Her hair had grown long, cascading onto the sofa when she tilted her head back. Her slender neck trembled slightly as she sang. Wrapped in a black gown, her lithe body was accentuated. The light from the screen cast mottled patterns on her fair skin. Her eyelashes drooped slightly, and her blue-purple eyes, which were now dark and profound, unintentionally lifted, capturing a quiet gaze.
“She’s my sun.” ①
“I know you will.” ①
“…”
As the song ended, in the darkness, their hands quietly intertwined.
Their fingers interlocked.
“Would you like to?” Xu Heran passed the microphone to Xin Nuo, “Sis, would you like to sing a song for me?”
Xin Nuo’s gaze resembled stars in the night sky. She turned her face slightly, looking deeply at Xu Heran. After a while, she chuckled softly.
“Sure.”
“In stories, they often write about unexpected evenings, bike rides, and conversations between him and her…” ②
“Just now, I kissed you. Do you also like it? Otherwise, why would you keep holding my hand…” ②
“Slowly falling for you
Slowly getting close
… ②
Slowly giving myself to you…” ②
“Because taking it slow is the best reason.” ②
Normally, apart from the SGS stage and concerts, Xin Nuo rarely sang in public, especially a sweet love song like this. Could it be that the alcohol had gotten to her, causing even the usually aloof girl to let loose?
Someone chuckled while thinking that.
And some people, one singing “Will you still love me?” and the other singing “Slowly falling for you…”—apart from the members of SGS, people laughed and applauded, feeling an ambiguous atmosphere. The subtle smiles on the faces of SGS’s girls couldn’t be contained anymore.
Xin Nuo sang quietly, sitting in a relaxed posture. Her red dress moved like a fish swimming in the darkness. Her black lashes were dense and curled upwards in an elegant arc. When she lifted her gaze, the light from the screen fell into her bright, dark eyes.
The girls next to her watched her quietly and attentively.
In the moment Xu Heran laughed, Jiang Qiong suddenly felt like it was a wedding ceremony. The atmosphere in the room suddenly turned ambiguous. Amidst the smiles that couldn’t be held back, Laurel placed a newly opened bottle of red wine on the table.
“Come on!”
“To peace!”
“To love!”
“…”
The group of people played until late at night and were guided by the maids to rest in their rooms.
Xu Heran waved to the maids and stood up, swaying a little as she did. “Shall we go?” she said to Xin Nuo, “Let’s go together.”
Xin Nuo looked at Xu Heran’s flushed face and neck due to the alcohol, slowly nodding.
“Tap, tap.”
A quiet corridor, with only the shadows of two people. Xu Heran led Xin Nuo to her own room, which was on a different floor from the guest rooms. She walked ahead, swaying slightly. Xin Nuo followed behind her, silently watching her figure.
The girl was truly happy, swaying as she hummed a song. And so, her lips curved into a smile as she followed.
“Tap.”
The heavy room door opened, and Xin Nuo caught a whiff of a pleasant scent, making her involuntarily relax.
Xu Heran leaned against the door, turning her head slightly. The eyes beneath her bangs seemed unusually quiet and dim due to the effects of alcohol. Cold and dark.
“Would you like to come in and sit?”
Xin Nuo lifted her lashes, her expression faint. Her gaze carefully studied Xu Heran’s face. After Xu Heran raised an eyebrow, Xin Nuo nodded nonchalantly.
She hadn’t even finished nodding when a long hand suddenly reached out and pulled her into the room.
“Bang.”
The world grew dim.
Xin Nuo’s back gently bumped against the wall, her brows slightly furrowing.
Xu Heran’s bedroom curtains were tightly drawn, with only a bedside lamp casting a dim yellow light. However, it couldn’t reach the doorway. In the dimness, the two could only see each other’s eyes.
At some point, the girl leaned forward, her arm propped against the wall beside Xin Nuo’s face. Her other hand slowly rested on Xin Nuo’s shoulder, tentatively approaching her cheek.
“Why hide?” Xu Heran’s soft voice spoke, her breath, tinged with the scent of alcohol, brushing against Xin Nuo’s face.
For some reason, Xin Nuo suddenly felt a bit dry in the mouth. She lowered her eyelashes slightly and averted her face. “Don’t like the smell of alcohol.”
“Is that so?” Xu Heran then pinched Xin Nuo’s chin, tilting her face toward herself. “Why don’t you like it?”
The eighteen-year-old girl lightly chuckled, holding Xin Nuo’s face and pressing her thumb against the corner of her slightly moistened lips, gently pressing down, then releasing.
“Sister, the song you gave me, I really like it.”
“But, the lyrics are wrong.”
“And the kiss?”
“Will you give it back to me?”
Xu Heran’s voice grew softer and lower, her head also dipping down gradually. Her arm fell, resting against Xin Nuo’s lower back.
It was unclear who had bewildered the other, but in the darkness, lips and teeth met, entwining together.
Xin Nuo’s hand was looped around Xu Heran’s neck, mouth agape, letting Xu Heran conquer and explore.
…
Clothes were scattered on the floor.
On the bed, Xin Nuo lay with her hands spread out, feeling pain all over her body. She tightly closed her eyes, pulled the blanket over herself, yet her chest still ached.
Xu Heran… Xu Heran was too overwhelming, too terrifying.
“I’ll get you some clothes.”
Having just helped Xin Nuo shower, Xu Heran had put on her own sleepwear and found a nightgown. She supported Xin Nuo to sit up and helped her put it on. The white hem of the dress cascaded, covering her thighs but failing to conceal the subtle contours. Xu Heran’s eyes darkened, and she lowered her head.
“Xu Heran…” Xin Nuo softly called, tears instantly welled up at the corners of her eyes.
Where did she learn this from, after all!
After some time, someone finally rose and opened a drawer, pulling out some clothes. She walked to the edge of the bed, half-knelt, and gently held the slender leg that hung down from the bed, helping her put on the garment.
Xin Nuo lay there, her arm covering her face.
Xu Heran glanced at her, unable to resist a soft chuckle.
“Let’s do it again.”
“Xu Heran!”
The author has something to say:
①Young And Beautiful- Lana Del Rey
I’ve seen the world, done it all
Had my cake now
Diamonds, brilliant, and Bel Air now
Hot summer nights, mid-July
When you and I were forever wild
The crazy days, city lights
The way you’d play with me like a child
[Chorus]
Will you still love me when I’m no longer young and beautiful?
Will you still love me when I got nothing but my aching soul?
I know you will, I know you will, I know that you will
Will you still love me when I’m no longer beautiful?
[Verse 2]
I’ve seen the world, lit it up as my stage now
Channeling angels in the new age now
Hot summer days, rock and roll
The way you’d play for me at your show
And all the ways I got to know
Your pretty face and electric soul
[Chorus]
Will you still love me when I’m no longer young and beautiful?
Will you still love me when I got nothing but my aching soul?
I know you will, I know you will, I know that you will
Will you still love me when I’m no longer beautiful?
[Bridge]
Dear Lord, when I get to heaven
Please, let me bring my man
When he comes, tell me that You’ll let him in
Father, tell me if You can
All that grace, all that body
All that face makes me wanna party
He’s my sun, he makes me shine like diamonds
[Chorus]
Will you still love me when I’m no longer young and beautiful?
Will you still love me when I got nothin’ but my aching soul?
I know you will, I know you will, I know that you will
Will you still love me when I’m no longer beautiful?
[Outro]
Will you still love me when I’m no longer beautiful?
Will you still love me when I’m not young and beautiful?
② “Slowly Loving You” by Karen Mok
In the book, they always write about unexpectedly pleasant evenings,
Riding bicycles and their conversations,
The girl’s white clothes, the boy loves to see her wear,
So many scenes,
So many are romantic,
So many hearts ache,
Meeting and parting amicably,
So many days couldn’t be finished watching,
Just now, when I kissed you, did you like it too?
Otherwise, why did you keep holding my hand?
You said you really want to take me back to your hometown,
Green tiles, red bricks,
Willow trees and moss,
Past and present,
Are all the same,
You said you would be like this too,
Slowly loving you,
Slowly becoming intimate,
Slowly sharing myself,
Slowly walking with you,
Slowly, I want to match your pace,
Slowly giving myself to you,
Slowly loving you,
Slowly reminiscing,
Slowly accompanying you as we age,
Because slowly is the best reason.
Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Sinensis
Proofreader: Ruu
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