Chapter 20: If You Don’t Have a Mirror, Don’t You Have to Pee?

Chapter 20: If You Don't Have a Mirror, Don't You Have to Pee?

In my dream, I found myself back in that wedding hall, but this time the woman wasn't lying on the ground in agony. Instead, she sat elegantly on a soft couch.

She was dressed in luxurious attire, with a phoenix coronet atop her head, resembling a noble lady about to be married in ancient times. However, a golden thread wrapped around her wrist, making it seem as if she were bound.

Upon seeing me, she smiled softly and beckoned me over.

"Why are you standing there? We're both girls; I can't possibly devour you. Come sit down," she said.

I shuffled my steps, hesitating for a long while before summoning the courage to approach. I didn't even dare to occupy the entire couch.

Noticing my unease, the woman covered her mouth and chuckled. "Bai Ci, are you really that afraid of me? Are you scared that I'll bully or harass you? Don't worry, my sexual orientation is normal."

After her laughter subsided, she poured a cup of wine and offered it to me. I didn't dare to take it.

"I'm not drinking anymore, Mom told me not to accept anything from strangers," I replied earnestly.

This wasn't cowardice; I was simply being cautious.

Who knew what consequences there might be from drinking this mysterious liquid? Dying on the spot would be fortunate; it could be some bizarre poison for all I knew.

"The world is strange, Bai Ci," the woman said with a sorrowful gaze. "To you, I am a stranger. But in reality, we are the closest of kin."

Staring at her, I was speechless for a long while. One thing was certain: I truly didn't know her.

She was stunningly beautiful, so much so that even I felt inferior. Her slender phoenix eyes were captivating, like a dew-covered rose quivering delicately.

"Never mind, Bai Ci. It's understandable that you don't recognize me, considering that bastard intervened," the woman sipped her wine, her cheeks flushing slightly. "By the way, my name is Mingling. You'll learn about our connection eventually. Now that dawn has broken, it's time you woke up."

I slowly opened my eyes to find the daylight already bright outside, with the clock on the wall pointing to ten o'clock.

In the dream, we had only exchanged a few words, yet so much time had passed in reality.

Oddly, Tang Yuan wasn't meowing hungrily by my side as he usually would be at this hour. Had he... starved to death?

Rushing out in my pajamas to fetch cat food for Tang Yuan, I collided with someone the moment I left the bedroom.

The impact sent my nose bleeding profusely, leaving me disoriented. If not for my real nose, it would have surely been crooked by now!

Indeed, who has such a solid chest among the well-meaning ones?

"Apologies, I originally intended to ask what you wanted to eat, but I didn't expect you to come out at this moment," Li Fan's clear and pleasant voice rang out. He then slightly bowed and carefully wiped away the blood from my nose.

I looked up at him. He had changed into casual home clothes, carrying a faint scent of cooking oil. The sunlight illuminated his slightly pale face, making him appear much gentler.

How wonderful it is like this. Finally, the panda sharing the same mountain with him can have a meal.

"Tang Yuan? Have you fed him cat food? If he hasn't eaten by now, he'll starve to death," I asked him.

"No."

Li Fan lowered his gaze. "He's not that easily starved. Besides, if he starves to death, so be it. It's better that way; he won't leave his fur all over the house when he's dead."

"????"

Alright, I withdraw my previous statement. He just moved to another mountain and continued stealing the bamboo shoots.

Noticing my silence, Li Fan continued, "I've already gone beyond the call of duty by rescuing him. If he doesn't have the will to live and starves to death, he'd better not do it in front of me – I'd find it embarrassing."

His words carried the tone of an accomplished older brother dealing with a wayward younger sibling, constantly cleaning up after his messes.

"Are you hungry? Let's have a meal," Li Fan said, leading me towards the living room.

The moment we entered, I was utterly astonished. The dining table was brimming with a lavish spread: eight dishes, three soups, all exuding an irresistible aroma and appearance.

"I cooked," he told me. "I wasn't sure what you like, so I made a variety. Try my cooking."

Li Fan served me a helping of fish-flavored shredded pork.

To be honest, it was incredibly delicious – far superior to takeout. I momentarily felt that even dying after this meal would be worth it.

But when did Li Fan become so considerate and gentle? When did he turn into such a domesticated man? Had his fever from last night scrambled his brain?

Actually, overall, Li Fan was quite a decent person. It would be even better if he didn't constantly give me a hard time. After all, once I accumulate enough virtue, I'll be able to leave smoothly. In the meantime, having him around to please my eyes isn't a bad thing.

"Bai Ci, what are you thinking about again?" Li Fan put down his chopsticks and gazed at me. "Didn't we agree that you're not allowed to badmouth me in your thoughts anymore?"

I hissed and asked, "You can really read minds?"

"Usually not," Li Fan supported his chin. "But I can tell from your expression that you're up to no good."

I exhaled in relief. As long as he didn't have mind-reading abilities, I could manage my expressions. However, it wouldn't be ideal if he were to discover the lewd nonsense in my head.

"Oh, by the way, Li Fan, what happened to you last night?" Concerned, I looked at his still weary eyes.

He dismissed it nonchalantly. "Nothing much, just a close call with someone wanting to skin me for a scarf."

Me: ???

Ah...

How pitiful to be skinned for a scarf...

My first instinct was to keep Li Fan's existence hidden from my father. Otherwise, if my dad's occupational obsession flared up, it might end with him wielding a machete, and that wouldn't end well.

Then I thought about hiding all those leather bags and coats my dad sent me, just in case Li Fan suddenly discovers that I'm wearing something from his aunt.

Wouldn't he strangle me then?

"I have an enemy?" I whispered. "What deep grudge do you have that makes him want to skin you alive?"

Li Fan pondered for a moment. "I don't know him."

"You don't know him?"

Isn't it impolite to want someone's skin when you don't even know them?

I sighed deeply, acknowledging that there were always people more skilled than Li Fan in this world. If I ever met one, I might just become a scarf without any explanation needed, let alone politeness.

"Don't worry, I'm back now, aren't I?" Li Fan tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear. "Besides, I have long legs. If I can't beat them, I can run."

I nodded, focusing on my meal. During this time, Tang Yuan hopped onto my lap, extending its paw to snatch a bite, only to be glared back into submission by Li Fan.

The meal left me quite full, but even so, I polished off several plates and gave high praise. When someone is cooking for the first time, it's best to heap on the compliments, lest Li Fan decides not to cook for me again.

"You really know how to flatter me, cleaning the bowl so thoroughly." Li Fan took the dishes from my hands and headed for the kitchen.

I assisted him in clearing the remaining mess. It wouldn't be appropriate not to help after eating together.

"By the way, Li Fan, there's something I need to tell you." I recounted the story of the woman named Mingling in my dream.

Actually, I was highly suspicious of the connection between Mingling and Li Fan. The context of their impending marriage compelled me to speculate. Moreover, I was curious about what he might have done to offend her.

Li Fan's expression was initially calm, but when he heard the name Mingling, his eyebrows knitted together slightly. I keenly noticed this subtle reaction.

"Is she your wife?" I leaned closer and asked.

"No," Li Fan replied promptly. "And she's not a good person. Don't listen to her words. If she contacts you again in the future, inform me immediately."

A thought crossed my mind, and I asked, "Then, what about me...?"

Li Fan glanced at me, answering even more swiftly this time, "Bai Ci, even if you don't have a mirror, you should know when to use the restroom, right?"