Chapter 39

While one branch of the story unfolds, let us turn to another.

Tang Xiaoyu and Xie Chu, who were currently the center of others’ discussions, were now saying their goodbyes.

To be precise, Xie Chu had personally come to invite Tang Xiaoyu to visit a friend’s Lavender Manor over the weekend to enjoy the scenery. Of course, they wouldn’t be the only ones going; others would be there as well. Xie Chu had even suggested that if Ming Yue was free, she could join them.

Tang Xiaoyu had already intended to let him get closer, so she naturally didn’t refuse. However, when she agreed, she deliberately paused to think for a moment before giving him her answer.

Once the matter was settled, Xie Chu didn’t linger. Tang Xiaoyu saw him off and stood at the doorway, watching his car drive away as she fell into deep thought.

The Xie and Ming families had been old friends for generations. However, starting from their mothers’ generation, the interactions between the two families had become less frequent than in the previous generation. It was only after Xie Chu’s father married his mother—who was a good friend of Tang Xiaoyu’s mother—that the somewhat distant relationship between the two families grew closer again.

After Xie Chu’s mother passed away, the Ming family had been very caring toward him, who had lost his mother at a young age.

Given this background, Xie Chu’s recent actions weren’t particularly abrupt. He was also someone who knew how to maintain appropriate boundaries. Even though Tang Xiaoyu harbored deep suspicions and wariness toward him, she had to admit that his behavior never exceeded what was typical for ordinary acquaintances.

He was warm but not ambiguous, and he never deliberately sought opportunities to speak with her alone.

In fact, if it weren’t for her underlying suspicions and the fact that pursuing her would indeed be a convenient shortcut, Tang Xiaoyu would have found it difficult to believe that Xie Chu had any such intentions based solely on his actions.

This was, after all, the first time Xie Chu had genuinely invited her out. Although it wasn’t a one-on-one outing, it was still noteworthy.

Was this a further step? Perhaps transitioning from acquaintances to friends.

Tang Xiaoyu pondered for a while but found few clues. Still, she reasoned that such a change was unlikely to immediately harm Ming Jiao.

As long as Ming Jiao stayed obediently in the bookstore, even if a hunter showed up at her doorstep, they wouldn’t be able to harm her.

This thought steadied Tang Xiaoyu’s mind, which had been drifting uncertainly as she tried to discern whether Xie Chu’s change was merely a gradual progression or if there was another reason behind it.

Thinking of Ming Jiao, she realized it had been some time since she last visited the bookstore. Perhaps she should go back and check on her tonight.

Just as this thought crossed her mind, she caught sight of Ming Yue striding over from a nearby path—or, more accurately, charging ahead with her head down.

“Ming Yue.”

Ming Yue, lost in her own thoughts, hadn’t noticed Tang Xiaoyu nearby. Hearing her voice, her body reacted faster than her mind, and she halted abruptly. “Sis.”

Tang Xiaoyu studied her, noticing the two insulated lunch boxes in her hands. A thought occurred to her. “Why do you look so upset?”

Ming Yue’s face was tense. “She gave me a nickname—Little Black Cat.”

It was obvious who “she” referred to.

A faint smile flickered in Tang Xiaoyu’s dark eyes, like stars scattered across the night sky—beautiful and bright.

Ming Yue keenly captured this hint of a smile and grew even angrier. “How am I like a cat? And why did she have to add ‘little’?”

So that was the real reason for your anger?

Unlike Ming Jiao, who had a mischievous streak, Tang Xiaoyu decisively shifted the topic to more serious matters to distract her. “Xie Chu was just here.”

At the mention of his name, Ming Yue’s eyes instantly sharpened, as if invisible cat ears had pricked up. “What did he come for?”

Tang Xiaoyu gestured for her to come inside to talk, taking the two insulated lunch boxes she was carrying. “He invited us to spend the weekend at the Lavender Manor in the Western Hills. It happens to be on the weekend—do you want to go?”

Ming Yue thought for a moment and shook her head. “I’ll stay in the city.”

If any emergencies arose, it would be more convenient for her to act, and she knew where the Western Hills were located. They were quite far from the city. For others, it might be fine, but as a student who still had classes, the round trip would waste too much time on the road.

Tang Xiaoyu wasn’t surprised by Ming Yue’s decision and nodded gently. “Alright.”

She observed Ming Yue’s expression and noticed a trace of worry between her brows. After a moment’s thought, she added, “Ming Yue, if you’re worried about Ming Jiao’s safety, go see her. If being around her makes you uncomfortable, then avoid her. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself—just follow your heart.”

If Ming Jiao could discern Ming Yue’s temperament, Tang Xiaoyu naturally understood it even better. But she also knew that love and hatred in this world are often far from straightforward.

Ming Yue had asked if she still hated Ming Jiao, but in truth, Ming Yue was the one caught between love and hatred for her sister. She loved her but couldn’t forgive or let go of all the hurt and conflicts; she hated her but didn’t truly wish to see her suffer or live poorly.

Ming Yue’s back stiffened, and she lowered her head, responding in an unreadable tone, “She said the same thing to me today.”

Tang Xiaoyu paused mid-step as the evening breeze gently tugged at the hem of her skirt, like a flower being lifted and then set adrift.

“She told me to stay away from people who make me unhappy,” Ming Yue’s voice held no heavy or chaotic emotion, only endless confusion. “I really don’t understand. She can be so kind to outsiders, yet treat us so poorly.”

“Kind” wasn’t entirely accurate—it was more of a casual, comforting, and relaxing thoughtfulness. Her thoughts and words were clear and rational, never sharp or cutting to the point of harshness.

It almost made her jealous of her masked self—how absurd.

In the end, she still cared.

Tang Xiaoyu’s gaze fell on Ming Yue’s head. Her braid had loosened, looking fluffy and disheveled, and Tang Xiaoyu guessed her thoughts were likely even more tangled than her hair.

Perhaps she had been mistaken all along. Even if Ming Jiao had hurt Ming Yue deeply, the scales in Ming Yue’s heart ultimately tilted slightly more toward pulling Ming Jiao back.

But on the other side of the scales lay irreconcilable conflicts, disappointment, the attitudes of others, and even Tang Xiaoyu herself. So Ming Yue could only stand on this side of the balance.

Tang Xiaoyu thought it over but ultimately didn’t offer advice. It wasn’t because she still held a grudge, but because she had mostly figured out the reason for Ming Jiao’s contradictory behavior, though she couldn’t be entirely certain.

Moreover, she wasn’t entirely sure how Ming Jiao would react if she truly knew their identities.

It wouldn’t be too late to wait until things were more settled.

Still, the irony wasn’t lost on Tang Xiaoyu that Ming Jiao, unaware of the truth, had also advised Ming Yue to stay away from her.

Ming Yue hadn’t expected Tang Xiaoyu to offer advice either. She herself felt her emotions toward Ming Jiao were tangled and contradictory—she didn’t particularly want to see her, yet she couldn’t stop thinking about her when they were apart.

This tangled feeling wasn’t a heart-wrenching sorrow, just a persistent discomfort—like wearing your most comfortable clothes inside out and being unable to fix it.

In the past, she wouldn’t have confided her troubles about Ming Jiao to Tang Xiaoyu, because she knew Tang Xiaoyu was even more troubled by them than she was.

But after putting on the mask, Tang Xiaoyu and Ming Jiao actually got along quite well. At first, she found it strange, but gradually grew accustomed to it.

“By the way, sis, I think I saw Blood Cherry near the bookstore today.”

Saying “near” was too vague—it was actually quite far from the bookstore.

The codename Blood Cherry made Tang Xiaoyu fall into brief contemplation, and soon, all the information related to this codename surfaced in her mind.

Her first reaction was that an ability user criminal was lurking nearby, which had drawn Blood Cherry to the area.

If that were the case, there was no need to worry about Ming Jiao. As long as she stayed obediently in the bookstore, it would be fine for a short while. But if it dragged on…

Tang Xiaoyu pondered whether she should take Ming Jiao to another safe house. As for Blood Cherry, if she could quickly resolve the hunter situation and lend a hand to a fellow ability user, it would be a gesture of goodwill.

But it would be best to actually meet the person and confirm the exact situation.

Truly, one trouble subsided only for another to arise. In that case, she really needed to go back tonight to see the person who had brought them endless troubles.

Tang Xiaoyu thought.

Ming Jiao hadn’t expected to think of Tang Xiaoyu during the day and then see her again at night. This time, Tang Xiaoyu had brought quite a few things with her.

Ming Jiao couldn’t help but tease, “Little Black Cat already brought food over during the day, and now you’re here too. You’re really afraid I’ll go hungry, aren’t you?”

Tang Xiaoyu went straight to the fridge to organize the items, her eyes lowered, looking quiet and focused.

Hearing this, she glanced up at Ming Jiao and suddenly said, “I hadn’t planned on coming, but you might be a natural trouble radar.”

Her tone was indifferent, and the remark was abrupt and inexplicable, but Ming Jiao quickly understood she was referring to Xiao Ying.

Although Ming Jiao herself felt that the frequency of incidents around her was no less than that of Tang Xiaoyu, the destined protagonist, she still flashed an innocent smile. “Just realized it now?”

She took two leisurely steps back, resting one hand casually against the fridge, her posture exuding the pride of someone spoiled and indulged. “But it’s too late to regret it now.”

A flicker of thought and surprise passed through Tang Xiaoyu’s dark eyes. She turned to look at Ming Jiao. Instead of trying to argue or deny it, Ming Jiao had confidently taken the remark in stride—this meant she at least knew something about the situation. “What’s going on?”

Xiao Ying’s identity was practically an open secret in the ability user world, so there was no need to be cautious when discussing it.

Ming Jiao said, “I’ve met Blood Cherry. She’s a signed model at my studio. Once, by chance, I saw her in action. Her characteristics are very distinctive—as soon as Mountain Sparrow mentioned it, I could confirm it was definitely her.”

Tang Xiaoyu turned around completely, even forgetting about the half-open fridge door. “You mean she might have realized you know her identity and came specifically to find you.”

“That’s a possibility,” Ming Jiao said. “But it could also be for some other reason we’re not aware of.”

Given that the System had already conducted a thorough search, the likelihood of an ability user criminal hiding nearby was very low. Perhaps it was due to the former possibility, or perhaps some misunderstanding had led Xiao Ying to misjudge the situation.

“I don’t think she minds her identity being known. One more person knowing won’t make a difference, and I certainly won’t leak the secret. Why not find an opportunity to meet and talk with her?” Ming Jiao suggested.

Tang Xiaoyu had the same idea and nodded. “That’s fine, but I’ll be going somewhere farther away for the next few days. Wait until I return, and I’ll go with you to see her.”

Deep down, she was an extremely cautious person. Even though Xiao Ying couldn’t quite be considered their friend yet and belonged to the neutral faction, she still maintained ample vigilance.

Ming Jiao glanced at her. In this aspect, she differed from Tang Xiaoyu—if it were up to her, she would have immediately taken the initiative to meet with Xiao Ying.

Going alone wouldn’t have bothered her in the slightest.

This approach to handling matters had nothing to do with whether one had external advantages; it was purely determined by personality.

But within Tang Xiaoyu’s caution, she sensed a protective desire and a unique partiality, and she didn’t dislike this feeling. “I’ll follow your lead.”

Tang Xiaoyu, feeling the constant chill from beside her, finally remembered to close the refrigerator door.

Receiving such a docile response from Ming Jiao suddenly reminded her of what Ming Yue had said not long ago.

It seemed that since getting to know Ming Jiao as Nightingale, she had always been… well-behaved and obedient, though those words didn’t quite fit.

She always seemed to be scheming some restless, mischievous idea, yet she never truly crossed the line. Her casual attitude was measured just right to keep others comfortable.

She could be so good to outsiders, yet treat us so poorly.

Ming Yue’s words gently echoed in her ears.

Although Tang Xiaoyu was the outsider to Ming Jiao—perhaps even an enemy—the meaningless speculation she hadn’t indulged in for a long time resurfaced from the depths of her heart.

What would Ming Jiao’s reaction be if she knew she was Tang Xiaoyu?

Ming Jiao had grown accustomed to Tang Xiaoyu’s gaze, evolving from initial alertness and annoyance to later confusion and curiosity. Even now, when Tang Xiaoyu looked at her, there was an unshakeable haze in her eyes.

But it wasn’t entirely true that she couldn’t grasp Tang Xiaoyu’s thoughts. At the very least, whenever Tang Xiaoyu’s mood dipped, she could keenly detect it.

Ming Jiao leaned forward slightly. “What’s wrong? Thinking about some troublesome headache again?”

The window in the room was open, and cool evening breezes occasionally drifted in, lifting her long, cascading hair. As she leaned closer, a strand gently brushed against Tang Xiaoyu’s cheek.

Tang Xiaoyu’s mind wavered, thinking, You are my biggest trouble.

“Nothing. I just hope that when I’m cooking, you can restrain your desire to ‘help’ and actually make things worse.”

“Save me some time.”