Chapter 42

After conversing for most of the evening, both Ming Jiao and Tang Xiaoyu felt that although they hadn’t revealed their identities, they had still engaged in a heartfelt exchange, gaining insight into each other’s true thoughts.

Setting aside some lingering issues, their overall mood was pleasant.

As it was getting late, Tang Xiaoyu didn’t plan to stay overnight. Although her meeting with Xie Chu was scheduled for the day after tomorrow, she still had other matters to arrange.

Ming Jiao had anticipated this and wasn’t surprised, accompanying her out of the bookstore.

Somehow, today Tang Xiaoyu didn’t insist she return immediately, and Ming Jiao didn’t want to go back either. The two walked side by side along the small street outside the bookstore.

It wasn’t yet the hottest part of summer, and the evening breeze remained cool. The Milky Way hung high in the sky, and in the distance beyond the street, colorful lights flickered amid faint, indistinct noises—the muffled sounds of mundane life.

Ming Jiao paid no mind to the mundane world; she only cared about the person beside her. But repeating safety reminders would sound tedious, so she refrained from saying anything.

“Nightingale, after this is over, let’s go out and explore somewhere.”

Tang Xiaoyu turned her head to look at her, “Where do you want to go?”

Asking meant she agreed.

Ming Jiao’s lips curved slightly, “Anywhere is fine. We’ve known each other for so long, but we’ve never gone out together for fun. Life isn’t just about the schemes and intrigues before us—there’s poetry and distant horizons too.”

Tang Xiaoyu realized she had to admit she didn’t want to refuse Ming Jiao’s suggestion. Since they already considered each other friends, there was no need to dwell on minor details.

She suddenly recalled Xie Chu’s invitation to visit the lavender garden in the western hills. The scenery there must be romantic, but with all the underlying schemes, even the most beautiful views were tainted by shadows, making it hard to feel anticipation.

“The suburbs of Creek Lodge Mountain are covered with maple trees. In autumn, when the leaves turn red, the scenery is stunning,” Tang Xiaoyu said. “If you’d like to see it, we could take a walk there.”

“That does sound lovely, but autumn is too far away,” Ming Jiao brushed aside the strands of hair on her forehead. “Let’s pick somewhere closer for now—maybe see a movie or visit an amusement park.”

As for meals, she’d rather not; she still preferred Tang Xiaoyu’s cooking.

Tang Xiaoyu nodded, “Alright.”

By then, they had reached the end of the street, where a new road began. It was time for Ming Jiao to turn back.

Ming Jiao paused her steps, then seemed to remember something. “I recall there’s an ice cream shop at the end of this street that makes delicious ice cream—it’s newly opened. If Little Black Cat visits next time, I’ll treat her.”

As soon as she said it, she realized her habit of offering food had taken over, completely forgetting she’d just advised the other to stay away from her, the source of trouble.

A flicker of thought passed through her eyes, and she changed her mind. “No need to wait. Hold on for me.”

Without waiting for Tang Xiaoyu’s response, she hurried excitedly toward the street corner.

Tang Xiaoyu didn’t stop her, taking a few slow steps forward but not going all the way.

Although she wore simple silver-rimmed glasses today and her attire was ordinary, unlikely to draw attention if she approached, she still halted after the ice cream shop came into view, waiting for Ming Jiao.

Under the distant, bright white lights, Ming Jiao’s face was exceptionally clear—so clear that Tang Xiaoyu could see her animated expression as she spoke with the shopkeeper at the door, and even imagine the lighthearted tone she used in conversation.

What a contradictory and elusive person. Sometimes she seemed lazy, as if she didn’t care about anything. Yet, in these small matters, she radiated boundless enthusiasm.

Tang Xiaoyu gently lifted her fair, delicate chin. The icy depths of her dark eyes seemed to soften as they caught the light, the swirling currents within growing gentle and calm.

Ming Jiao soon hurried back from the ice cream shop to Tang Xiaoyu’s side, carrying a foam box that appeared to hold quite a few ice cream bars.

“Here, I bought two of each flavor so we won’t miss out on our favorites,” Ming Jiao said, handing the box to Tang Xiaoyu. “I thought children might like ice cream. If none of you want it, you can share it with friends.”

After a moment’s thought, she added, “Just don’t tell anyone I bought it.”

Tang Xiaoyu instinctively looked up at her, faintly grasping at something in the haze, but when she withdrew her attention, her palm remained empty.

Ming Jiao had reacted on impulse earlier and now had to come up with a reasonable explanation. “I’m just afraid she’ll feel obliged to bring me meals again. Judging by her age, she’s probably still in school—no need to trouble her with such trivial matters.”

Tang Xiaoyu gave a slight nod, noticing Ming Jiao’s empty hands after passing over the box. “I thought you wanted some too.”

“Not that badly,” Ming Jiao replied with a casual smile, her peach-blossom eyes focusing intently on Tang Xiaoyu once more. “Besides, eating it is more about the enjoyment. I’d rather wait until your next visit so we can have it together.”

Tang Xiaoyu, captivated by her gaze, felt an urge to look away yet instinctively sought her own reflection in those eyes. Almost involuntarily, she murmured, “We could have some now.”

Ming Jiao looked at her, unsurprised, as if she had expected Tang Xiaoyu to indulge her whims. But instead of clinging to her as she usually did, she simply smiled. “It’s too late. You need your rest.”

A breeze stirred, gently swaying her skirt as she spoke softly, her voice almost tender. “Let’s head back.”

After parting ways with Ming Jiao, Tang Xiaoyu didn’t seek out a secluded corner to activate her abilities and leave as she usually did.

She walked a short distance before turning back to glance at Ming Jiao’s retreating figure heading toward the bookstore. But they had already drifted apart, and all she could see was the hazy night.

Would Ming Jiao overthink the question she had asked today?

Overthinking was inevitable, but would she guess her true identity?

Probably not, and she likely wouldn’t even try.

The world was full of ironic coincidences. That night and everything that followed had been unpredictable, but even before tonight, Ming Jiao might have inferred from her demeanor that they knew each other or had some history of conflict.

Yet she would never guess it was her.

At this thought, Tang Xiaoyu’s eyes dimmed with melancholy. She couldn’t discern whether she wanted Ming Jiao to know or not.

Between Nightingale and Ming Jiao, everything was pure and beautiful. But between Ming Jiao and Tang Xiaoyu, they had likely never exchanged a single kind word.

Even if Ming Jiao didn’t hate her as much as she appeared to, their past animosity and confrontations were undeniably real.

No matter what, one day she would reveal her identity to Ming Jiao and clarify all the gratitude and grudges standing between them.

The bright moon shone brilliantly, its radiance spilling everywhere.

Ming Jiao, caught up in her high spirits, stepped on the tree shadows under the moonlight, amusing herself for quite a while before noticing how exceptionally quiet the night was and how unusually peaceful her surroundings felt.

[System, you’ve hardly spoken tonight,] she teased. [Do you need to contemplate your system life too?]

The System replied, [Not really. I’m still thinking about matters related to you, Host. You just had a perfect opportunity—why didn’t you consider just coming clean with the protagonist?]

It let out a long sigh. [You know who she is but have to pretend you don’t. She thinks you don’t know who she is, but in reality, you do. Aren’t you both tired of living like this?]

Its sighs grew even louder. [Even if you’re not tired, watching you exhausts me.]

Ming Jiao chuckled. [And you claim you don’t worry too much.]

[I never said that,] the System muttered. [Host, what exactly are you thinking?]

[Now isn’t the right time. The situation is still a muddy mess, with everyone jumping around in it. There’s no need to distract her at this moment.]

Ming Jiao said, [Besides, her telling me herself is different from me suddenly revealing that I’ve known all along.]

A rare look of vexation crossed her flower-like, enchanting face. [When that day really comes, she might be very angry.]

But when the right moment arrived, she would still tell Tang Xiaoyu—just definitely not now.

[Really?] The System was skeptical and struggled to understand. [But the protagonist is very rational. Even during your worst times, she never abandoned you. Would she really get angry over something like this?]

[This isn’t a small matter—not for either of us.] Ming Jiao lowered her gaze and smiled faintly, her peach-blossom eyes veiled in a shadow like gray mist. [System, you still don’t understand how delicate and complex human hearts can be.]

The System wasn’t actually foolish; it could often follow her thoughts and reasoning. But it still couldn’t grasp the intricacies and entanglements of the human heart.

It didn’t realize that rational people might seldom get angry, but when they do, it’s the most troublesome kind of anger.

The System truly didn’t understand. It thought human love and hatred sounded simple and straightforward—just two words. But truly comprehending them was far too difficult.

Tang Xiaoyu returned home and was somewhat surprised to find Ming Yue still awake, though she quickly remembered that the next day was Saturday.

Ming Yue wasn’t startled to see her back but couldn’t help glancing a few extra times at the foam box Tang Xiaoyu retrieved from her storage space.

Tang Xiaoyu walked straight to the kitchen. “It’s all ice cream. It’s probably not good to eat so late. You can have some tomorrow—just take it from the fridge.”

As she spoke, she crossed the living room and reached the refrigerator in the kitchen.

After storing the ice cream, she thought of Ming Jiao’s promise to eat it together. Not particularly fond of snacks to begin with, her interest in these sweet ice creams was even lower.

Just as Tang Xiaoyu was about to tell Ming Yue she planned to rest, she noticed Ming Yue padding silently over to her.

Tang Xiaoyu felt she must have spent too much time with Ming Jiao, as her thinking had been heavily influenced. Watching Ming Yue approach in her black-and-white pajamas, the first word that floated into her mind wasn’t Ming Yue’s name or her code name, but Little Black Cat.

She truly needed to keep some distance from Ming Jiao for a while.

Under Ming Yue’s innocent, round-eyed gaze, Tang Xiaoyu felt a subtle pang of guilt and reached out to pat her soft hair. “Do you have something to discuss with me?”

Ming Yue silently looked up at Tang Xiaoyu. She could sense that her current mood wasn’t bad, but perhaps the matter they were about to discuss would ruin her good spirits.

“Butler Qiao has returned.”