Do Not Approach

89

"Xiaoxiao."

That voice was tender and came from the deepest part of her heart, her source of comfort and vulnerability.

Xiaoxiao withdrew her hand, smiling faintly at Lan'er. "Lan'er, did you hear that?"

Lan'er stared blankly at her, saying nothing. Mu Xiaoxiao gazed into her eyes and whispered, "She is mine."

With Xiaoxiao's smile, the scene seemed to tear apart, as if shifting yet remaining still.

Xiaoxiao's body transformed, no longer her childhood self but the adult she was now. But Lan'er had not changed-she would forever remain twelve years old.

Xiaoxiao looked at her, and Lan'er gazed back. She hadn't expected to see a grown-up Xiaoxiao. Though the general outline was still the same-delicate brows and clear eyes-she had slimmed down, and the brilliance in her gaze was something her younger self had never possessed, like twin flames flickering in her dark pupils.

Xiaoxiao whispered, "See? I really found happiness, just like you said I would."

Tears slipped down Lan'er's cheeks. "So, you're going to forget me, aren't you?"

Xiaoxiao shook her head, placing a hand over her heart. "No. You're like a scar, etched here forever."

In this world, not everyone can be forgiven, and not all pain can be erased. But life must move forward, and days must continue, right?

The departed are gone, but the living must live well. She shouldn't stay trapped any longer-it wouldn't be fair to the young miss.

Qin Yi had embraced her wholly, body and soul. If it wasn't the deepest love, who would offer themselves so completely?

They were inseparable now.

"From now on, I won't come to see you anymore." Xiaoxiao knew these words were harsh, but they needed to be said.

"You left in such a rush back then, and I didn't get the chance to tell you what I wanted to say."

Without realizing it, tears streamed down Xiaoxiao's face as well. She looked at Lan'er with a soft gaze. "I hope you find happiness too, Lan'er. Forget everything. This life was just a dream. If there is a next life, may you live well-may you have loving parents, a few close friends, and someone who loves you with all their heart."

Wasn't that the wish of every child in the orphanage?

How many people, in the darkest hours of the night, wished over and over that in the next life, they wouldn't suffer the same unbearable pain?

If there is a next life...

May everyone live in health and joy, in peace and happiness. And if not-may everyone find their own young miss.

The wind blew, the clouds scattered, and Lan'er's final gesture was to wipe away Xiaoxiao's tears. She said nothing, only smiled through her tears.

......

Xiaoxiao woke up crying in Qin Yi's arms. The young miss held her close, pressing gentle kisses across her forehead. "Xiaoxiao, don't cry... Xiaoxiao..."

It was no longer an unfathomable, sorrowful night. Gone were the lifeless blankets that had once kept her company.

Now, the young miss cradled her gently, kissing away her tears bit by bit. When Xiaoxiao opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Qin Yi's loving gaze.

This time, Xiaoxiao didn't run away. She didn't push the young miss away.

Clutching Qin Yi's clothes, she whispered, "I dreamt of her."