Chapter 17: Jie-jie

The walk home from school was stiflingly quiet.

The setting sun stretched their shadows long across the ground. Qiu Mian walked ahead, her steps neither fast nor slow but weighed down by heavy thoughts.

Her mind was a chaotic tangle—the fox mask, Shimizu Yuzu’s timid face, Xia Qingkong’s mischievous smile and that infuriating little poke, Qiu Kui’s dark expression at the end… All the images and emotions swirled together, leaving her exhausted and irritated.

But more than any of that, what truly bothered her was the overly quiet presence behind her.

Qiu Kui followed half a step back, her footsteps lighter and slower than usual that morning. She didn’t steal any of her usual secret glances at Qiu Mian or make any of her small habitual movements. She simply kept her head lowered, her light linen-colored hair falling forward to hide most of her face.

She looked as if she were wrapped in an invisible shell.

Is she upset?

The realization slowly replaced the daytime irritation from “acting” and the chaotic encounters with a faint, sour sense of guilt.

Is it because of Xia Qingkong? Or because… I was so harsh with her today, stopped her from talking to others, and when Yellow Hair insulted her, I couldn’t protect her properly?

No, it’s not just today… Ever since I arrived in this world and became “Qiu Mian,” I’ve always worn this cold face, said hurtful things, and done things that looked like I was bullying her… Even if that’s not how I really feel inside, in her eyes, “Jie-jie” has always been this kind of person, hasn’t she?

Yet she still made breakfast for me and followed me silently all day…

While I’ve only been thinking about using the “plot,” playing the “villain,” and investigating the “killer”…

A complicated wave of self-loathing and heartache made it hard for Qiu Mian to breathe.

Am I being too awful…?

I need to do something… at least before today ends.

It can’t be too obvious… but…

She quietly slowed her pace until they were almost walking side by side.

From the corner of her eye, she secretly watched Qiu Kui.

Qiu Kui seemed lost in her own emotions and didn’t notice.

Her lips were pressed tightly together. Her long lashes cast small shadows on her cheeks.

Those purple eyes that always shimmered with timid moisture now stared emptily at the ground, filled with a sadness Qiu Mian couldn’t quite read.

She really looks… very sad.

Qiu Mian’s heart twisted even tighter.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something—maybe “Watch where you’re walking” or “Are you okay?”

But the words died on her tongue the moment she saw Qiu Kui’s dejected expression.

No… If I say something like that now, it’ll only make her feel worse, won’t it?

But… if I don’t say anything, if I don’t pretend at least a little… how am I supposed to “naturally”… be even a tiny bit nicer to her?

She fell into an unprecedented tangle of hesitation.

Playing the villain was harder than she had imagined—especially when the person in front of her was someone she didn’t actually want to hurt, someone she even wanted to protect.

The stifling sense of powerlessness made her want to sigh.

They continued walking in silence until they reached the apartment building.

Lost in thought, Qiu Mian stepped onto the stairs. Because she wasn’t paying attention, her foot slipped on the last few steps. Her heel caught the edge, and her body lurched forward!

“!”

She let out a small cry, reaching for the handrail—but grabbed nothing.

Just as she thought she was about to tumble embarrassingly onto the cold steps—

A strong force suddenly wrapped around her waist from behind. Another hand quickly caught her arm and pulled her steadily backward!

Qiu Mian’s back collided with a warm, sweetly scented embrace.

It was Qiu Kui.

Still startled, Qiu Mian looked up and met Qiu Kui’s face, now incredibly close.

Because of the sudden movement, strands of Qiu Kui’s light linen-colored hair brushed across Qiu Mian’s cheek, bringing a faint ticklish sensation.

Qiu Kui’s eyes were wide open, staring intently at her. Her breathing was slightly rushed.

“J-Jie-jie! Are you okay? Did you twist anything? Does it hurt?”

A string of soft, concerned questions spilled from Qiu Kui’s usually timid lips.

Her hand remained tightly wrapped around Qiu Mian’s waist while the other still held her arm. The grip was strong, as if she were afraid that letting go would make Qiu Mian disappear or fall again.

Qiu Mian could clearly feel the warmth and strength from Qiu Kui’s body against her waist.

This body was indeed slender, yet the embrace felt unexpectedly powerful—giving a sense of… being firmly protected.

…Her reaction was so fast. And her strength really is incredible.

The thought surfaced again.

But what pained Qiu Mian’s heart even more was the genuine worry in Qiu Kui’s eyes.

Even though she had clearly been upset moments earlier, the instant Qiu Mian might have been in danger, Qiu Kui’s first instinct had been to rush forward and protect her.

“I-I’m fine…”

Qiu Mian shifted uncomfortably, her cheeks warming.

Being held this closely—and in such a “protected” position—made her feel awkward.

Qiu Kui’s scent was pleasant, carrying a faint hint of sun-warmed grass. It wasn’t strong, yet it felt reassuring.

She wanted to tell Qiu Kui to let go, but seeing the worry in her eyes, she could only let out a soft breath.

Qiu Kui, once she confirmed Qiu Mian was truly unharmed, seemed to realize belatedly how intimate their current position was.

Her face flushed bright red in an instant, the color spreading from her ears all the way down her neck.

She slowly loosened the arm around Qiu Mian’s waist, but the hand holding her arm didn’t fully release. It simply lightened its grip.

“S-sorry! Jie-jie! I-I didn’t mean to…” She apologized in a panic, her gaze darting everywhere, too embarrassed to meet Qiu Mian’s eyes again. She wanted to lower her head and hide.

But the moment her left hand released Qiu Mian’s arm, she leaned forward ever so slightly. Her nose brushed lightly across the hair at the side of Qiu Mian’s neck.

Jie-jie’s scent…

A clean, faint shampoo fragrance.

The smell seemed to carry a strange power, gently dispersing the sour anxiety that had been twisting in her heart.

It’s Jie-jie… safe and sound, right here.

Qiu Kui felt her heartbeat skip. Then a warm, full feeling flooded her chest.

The inexplicable displeasure caused by Xia Qingkong seemed to be quietly smoothed away by this accidental embrace and the familiar scent.

Her face still red, Qiu Kui didn’t dare look up. Yet a tiny sparkle of light quietly appeared in her eyes, and the corners of her mouth curved into a small, sweet arc.

Qiu Mian didn’t notice that subtle little movement.

She only saw Qiu Kui suddenly blushing all the way to her neck and apologizing in a fluster. The guilt in her heart grew even heavier.

She’s apologizing? She just saved me… and I haven’t even properly thanked her. I keep being so awful to her…

“Let’s go.”

In the end, Qiu Mian only managed those two stiff words. She turned, took out her key, and opened the door. But her movements seemed just a fraction slower than usual, as if she were waiting for Qiu Kui to catch up.

Once inside, Qiu Mian didn’t head straight to her room. She paused briefly in the living room.

She watched Qiu Kui set down her schoolbag and head habitually toward the kitchen, apparently about to start preparing dinner. Qiu Mian’s lips moved.

“Qiu Kui.”

Qiu Kui’s steps halted. She turned around in slight surprise.

Jie-jie rarely called her by name like this at home. It was usually “Hey” or “You.”

Qiu Mian looked away, her gaze landing on the living room window. Her voice was flat, without much inflection, but her words came a little slower than usual.

“…Make dinner simple tonight.”

She paused, carefully choosing her next words, then added in a tone that still sounded a little commanding but wasn’t quite as harsh as before.

“After you finish… rest early. Don’t make too much.”

Without waiting for Qiu Kui’s reaction, she quickly walked into her bedroom and gently closed the door.

Leaning against the cool door panel, Qiu Mian finally let out a soft breath. Her cheeks felt warm.

Does this… count as caring?

Was it too obvious?

But… seeing how sad she looked earlier, I really…

Also, Qiu Mian, why are you blushing? This is so embarrassing~

She walked over to the bed and threw herself onto the soft mattress, burying her burning face in the pillow.

Whatever. Forget it.

At least… she doesn’t seem as upset anymore?

At least… I made up for it a little, right?

Even if… it’s still far from enough.

Outside the window, night gradually deepened.

From beyond the bedroom door, soft sounds came from the kitchen—along with a faint, lighter-than-usual humming that almost sounded like a little song.

Qiu Kui stood at the counter, washing vegetables as water rushed from the tap.

A faint blush still lingered on her cheeks. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t stop the corners of her mouth from lifting.

Jie-jie… told me to rest early…

Jie-jie… almost fell earlier, but she’s okay…

Jie-jie’s scent… smelled so nice…

She secretly tightened her grip on the green vegetables in her hands. Something inside her chest felt very happy.

The frustration from earlier no longer seemed important at all.

As long as Jie-jie was here.

As long as Jie-jie was safe.

Nothing else mattered.