A side-ponytailed cascade of silver hair framed a delicate, almost mixed-race face.
Her refined features formed a striking profile, and her fair skin made her wine-red eyes even more captivating.
If I didn’t know this was reality, I’d swear a vampire girl from the game had appeared.
I stared a bit too long, until my arm was tugged.
Turning, I saw Evin’s puffed-up cheeks, clinging to my arm with a jealous pout, like a possessive little girl. “Why’s An An staring at another girl? Isn’t Evin enough?”
What’s this girl always thinking about?
I rolled my eyes. “I just think she’s a bit odd.”
“Odd?” Evin asked.
I wasn’t talking about her striking appearance but her unusual behavior.
She’d been standing at the counter since we entered, unmoving.
If she were hesitating over a drink, fine, but she hadn’t glanced at the menu once.
Instead, she stared fixedly at the pudding display.
The cashier called out several times with no response—she seemed oblivious to everything else.
Hearing my explanation, Evin glanced at her, whispering, “Maybe a pudding ghost?”
“What’s that…?” I asked.
“An An hasn’t heard? Ghosts obsessed with pudding, haunting dessert shops and possessing people.” Evin said.
I was speechless. “What kind of urban legend is that? And if it’s a pudding ghost, what’s the point of staring without buying?”
“Good point.” Evin said, nodding.
Then she added, “But An An wears underwear, right?”
And got smacked for it.
“Ow! I shouldn’t have said An An’s flat—don’t hit my head!” she yelped.
I don’t care about my chest, but why does it sound so infuriating coming from her?
While I disciplined Evin, the silver-haired loli at the counter looked away.
Ignoring the surrounding stares, she headed for the door.
Passing us, she paused, studied Evin and me closely, then left.
“Weird girl.” I said, echoed by Evin.
After grabbing the drinks, I got teased by Little Aunt, with Evin predictably stirring trouble.
If real life had a combo meter, Evin’s would be in the double digits.
The morning passed in the cool pool.
After lunch at the mall’s family restaurant, Evin suggested catching a movie nearby.
Seizing the chance, Little Aunt, eyes glinting, picked a horror film.
Her plan to snuggle us was foiled when Aunt Yuyu sat between us, blocking her scheming heart.
When scary scenes hit, Little Aunt could only watch enviously as I clung to Aunt Yuyu.
Of course, Evin didn’t miss her chance, dramatically pressing against me. “So scary, An An, protect me!”
“Cover your eyes yourself. My hands are full.” I said.
“Wah, I’m gonna cry!” she whined.
“Fake. You weren’t this scared in Little Aunt’s car.” I said.
A certain niece fanatic quietly pondered that comment.
For scaredy-cats, closing your eyes is the best way to handle horror movies.
But curiosity often wins, making you peek at the terrifying parts.
Peeking through fingers or behind someone became the go-to method, though it’s not foolproof—you still get spooked if unprepared.
Yes, I’m saying hiccups from fright aren’t weird.
But some people thought otherwise.
“So lame, An An.” Evin said, patting my shoulder, her tone dripping with mockery, forgetting her earlier beatdown.
“Your hands are shaking too…” I said, opting for diplomacy before force.
“That’s me syncing with An An’s frequency to use resonance to stop your hiccups.” Evin said.
“…And then?” I asked.
“Hiccups come from diaphragm spasms, so we need deep treatment at the diaphragm’s spot.” Evin said, her small face serious, looking adorably mature.
But I wasn’t buying it. “Don’t think I don’t know where the diaphragm is.”
“Wrong, wrong, I messed up—gah, I’m dying…” she groaned as I thumped her.
Aunt Yuyu and Little Aunt, approaching, laughed at our antics. “Nice one, Tongtong, hiccuping from a scare.” Little Aunt said.
“Whose fault is that?” I shot back.
“You didn’t sit by me. My warm hug would’ve banished all fear.” Little Aunt said, turning the tables.
That’s scarier than the movie.
Aunt Yuyu smiled, handing Evin and me water cups from the counter. “Here, drink some hot water.”
The hiccups soon stopped, but I didn’t expect we’d head to the entire mall next.
“Didn’t we already shop last time? Why buy so much?” I asked, eyeing Aunt Yuyu’s overflowing cart.
Unseen by me, Evin and Little Aunt exchanged a glance and snickered.
“Stocking up at home’s never a bad idea, right?” Aunt Yuyu said, winking.
“But a baking machine?” I asked.
“Don’t you like making desserts, Little Tong?” she said.
“Only sometimes…” I said, glaring at Evin, who was clearly recalling something inappropriate. “And a shaved ice machine?”
“Shaved ice is perfect for summer, and it’s easy to make.” Aunt Yuyu said.
“…Fine, I give up. Just don’t let it gather dust.” I said, pouting.
To my surprise, Aunt Yuyu continued, “Good. Then Evin and Yoyo, take Little Tong to buy wallpaper and decorations. Make her room pretty.”
“With that money, you could buy me snacks!” I said.
But I was dragged off by the big-and-small duo.
“Hey, leave it to me!” Little Aunt said.
“Yes, Anrou-jie!” Evin chirped.
Reluctantly, I picked a warm-toned style, rejecting Little Aunt’s overly girly pink and Evin’s cartoonish elementary-school aesthetic.
But it didn’t end there.
They dragged me to more stores until nearly 4 p.m., when we met up with Aunt Yuyu.
“Finally, home.” I said, exhausted.
But before I could relax in the car, a cloth blindfolded me.
“What now?” I said, reaching to remove it.
Little Aunt stopped me. “Don’t move. We’ve got a surprise for Tongtong.”
“No taking it off until we say so.” Evin added.
Still skeptical, Aunt Yuyu’s voice reassured me. “It’s a bit silly, but it’s your mom’s idea, so bear with it, Little Tong.”
Mom told them to do this?
Curious about the surprise, I wondered what it was.
But that curiosity soon turned to fear of not surviving this world— “Anrou-jie, let me drive again?” Little Aunt said.
Blindfolded in Little Aunt’s car felt like watching a horror movie with eyes closed—no thrill, just dread.
More like a vegetative state—not knowing when you’d die.
Thankfully, we arrived safely, and the smooth stop suggested no rear-ending.
Relieved, I grew even more curious about the surprise.
I’d just spoken to Mom, and now this? It was hard not to wonder.
Soon, the mystery was revealed.
“Ready?” Little Aunt asked.
“Wait, over here… Okay, take it off!” Aunt Yuyu said.
As the blindfold came off, I adjusted to the sudden light.
A neatly furnished living room greeted me.
“A surprise just to bring me home…” I said, pouting, ready to complain.
But something was off.
Our living room wasn’t this spacious, the kitchen and dining area were different, and the furniture wasn’t familiar.
“Where is this?” I asked, stepping in.
The furniture was brand-new.
Through the living room’s floor-to-ceiling windows, I saw a blue sea, giving the illusion of a seaside villa.
It wasn’t an illusion.
“This is your new home, Little Tong—Bayview Gardens, oceanfront. Your brother and sister-in-law bought it a few days ago.” Aunt Yuyu said, approaching.
Little Aunt and Evin, sprawled on the sofa, acted like they’d known all along, leaving me in the dark.
Hearing the familiar name “Bayview Gardens,” I recalled moving around this time in my past life.
But that was just a high-end unit, nowhere near this multimillion-dollar oceanfront duplex.
Is this another butterfly effect from my rebirth?
My jaw dropped. “Didn’t this cost a fortune?”
“You don’t need to worry about that.” Aunt Yuyu said, patting my head. “Your brother said he’s got a good friend in management at Lin International, the developer. With some discounts, it was about five million.”
Five million’s no small change!
I grumbled inwardly.
That’s like writing fifty-plus premium strategy guides to earn back.
But I knew for Bayview Gardens’ oceanfront, this was a steal—Dad’s friend must’ve pulled strings.
Seeing my thoughtful look, Aunt Yuyu assumed I was worried about cost. “Don’t overthink it. Your brother and sister-in-law made good money abroad. Knowing you love the sea, they decided to buy this.”
That reminded me: in my past life, my parents picked a house based on my preferences too.
I felt touched but also teased inwardly: Guess they do spoil their daughter more.
“Keep the keys safe. You can also use fingerprint unlock.” Aunt Yuyu said, smiling and handing me a keyring. “Your room’s on the second floor, third on the left. Furniture’s set. You and Evin can decorate it.”
“Got it!” I said.
Now I understood why Aunt Yuyu had Yoyo and me buy wallpaper and decorations.
Taking the keys, I was excited to see my room.
It’s a high-end oceanfront place—it couldn’t be bad, right?
“You and Evin check out the new place. Yoyo and I will head to the old house to arrange the movers.” Aunt Yuyu said, patting Little Aunt’s shoulder by the sofa.
“I don’t wanna move… Kidding, I’m going!” Little Aunt said, grumbling but jumping up with the car keys Aunt Yuyu tossed her.
She turned to me. “Tongtong, anything you need brought over?”
“Terminal, access device…” I said, not wanting my new electronics left behind.
Thinking, I added, “And my alarm clock.”
“Anything else?” she asked.
Before I could think, Evin raised her hand. “And An An’s summer homework!”
You blabbermouth, dummy.
I glared at her.
Aunt Yuyu chuckled. “Alright, call me or Yoyo if you remember anything else. Even if you forget, it’s fine—you can go back anytime, just takes a bit.”
As they headed for the door, Aunt Yuyu paused, calling to me as I started upstairs with Evin. “Oh, Little Tong, when you have time, say hi to the neighbors.”
“Sure, be safe, Aunt Yuyu!” I said, missing Evin’s scheming glance.
On the second floor, following Aunt Yuyu’s directions, I found my room.
Pushing open the white door, a spacious, bright bedroom greeted me.
It had an elegant style, not as lavish as the living room but still impressive.
A private bathroom sat beside the entrance, next to a massive wardrobe.
I realized I could shop with Aunt Yuyu and Little Aunt a few more times without worrying about space.
The bathroom and wardrobe didn’t take much room, leaving the space open.
From the door, I saw a small sofa and low coffee table by the wardrobe, paired with an LCD TV, sound system, and DVD player.
A desk and bookshelf in the corner gave it a mini-living-room-and-study vibe.
Up a few steps, a partition with a long window separated the actual bedroom.
A soft bed sat by floor-to-ceiling windows, offering a clear view of the distant silver beach and sunset-lit sea, even without stepping onto the private balcony.
Even from the door, I could almost feel the cool sea breeze, refreshing and serene.
Less a bedroom, more a mini-presidential suite.
My past-life room wasn’t bad, but this was on another level.
Knowing this would be my room from now on, I grew even more excited.
Spring blooms, facing the sea—who could resist waking to a blue ocean daily?
Especially me.
“Is this An An’s new room?” Evin said, peeking in and scanning around.
Her eyes sparkled at the soft bed.
I caught her look and warned, “Mess up my bed, and I’ll toss you out.”
Twenty-first floor, eighty meters—ignoring air resistance, even a cute loli becomes a dead loli in four seconds.
“Without An An’s scent, I don’t care for it.” Evin said, pouting.
She added, “Oh, since An An has a new pillow and bolster, can I have your old ones?”
Seeing her flushed cheeks, I knew what dirty thoughts she had. “No way. I’ll get my pillow from Aunt Yuyu. Don’t even think about it.”
“Bleh, An An’s so stingy.” Evin said, making a face.
Whose fault is that?
I pouted, heading out.
Evin followed. “Pasting wallpaper? I can help!”
“No, greeting the neighbors first.” I said, shaking my head.
Unexpectedly, Evin clapped. “Oh, it’s getting late. I gotta go!”
“Not staying for dinner?” I asked, surprised she’d leave voluntarily.
I’d been ready for her to stay over—on the floor, of course.
“Next time. See ya, An An!” she said.
Like she had urgent business, the twin-tailed loli waved and dashed downstairs.
Feels like a conspiracy.
Watching her go, I frowned.
Her behavior was too odd not to raise suspicion.
Though that might just be her personality—nobody else would barge into a changing room like that.
Recalling our first meeting, I rolled my eyes.
But her leaving early wasn’t bad.
At least I wouldn’t worry about my new bed or my chastity.
With that, I went downstairs and opened the front door.
My parents’ duplex was in a symmetrical high-rise, centered around a core.
Due to its size, what could’ve been four or more units per floor was just two here.
I rang the neighbor’s doorbell.
Soon, footsteps approached, and the door gently opened.
“Good afternoon, I just moved—” I started, reciting my prepared line.
But I froze, seeing a familiar figure and hearing a familiar voice.
“Good afternoon! I’m Evin. Nice to meet you.”