A Stroll and a Familiar Scent

“This place is…”

Bai Qiao stepped out of the enclosed vehicle, surveying the unfamiliar surroundings. People moved through the area continuously; it wasn’t quite a tourist destination, but rather a place whose environment could almost rival one. The constant flow of carriages and vehicles truly offered a different sensation from her own world.

Towering buildings stood with a magnificent aura, yet without the oppressive sense of power she was accustomed to. Instead, a profound tranquility permeated the air—no, perhaps it was more akin to the vibrant energy of a bustling urban street.

Having not left the palace in a long time, Bai Qiao felt an unfamiliar surge of excitement. As she watched the passersby, an urge to rush out welled within her. ‘No, such actions are only for adorable, naive girls in two-dimensional worlds,’ she thought.

She shook her head, forcing herself to calm down, and managed to suppress her eagerness as she asked, “So, where exactly are we?”

“It’s the middle of March today…”

“So, we’re here to enjoy the spring scenery?”

“No… it’s March sixteenth, actually…”

“March sixteenth…” Bai Qiao cupped her chin in her hand, the date suddenly feeling familiar.

Seeing Bai Qiao ponder for so long with a furrowed brow, Bai Chen finally couldn’t help but interject, “If I’m not mistaken, it’s our birthday, isn’t it?”

“Ah! It is!” Bai Qiao felt a flush of embarrassment. How long had she been here? She chuckled wryly. That day she used to anticipate every year, the day she’d gather with her brother—she had actually forgotten her favorite day.

Perceiving Bai Qiao’s thoughts, Bai Chen involuntarily reached out to grasp her hand. Yet, the moment their skin brushed, Bai Qiao instinctively pulled back. Bai Chen, seemingly unfazed, shrugged off her reaction.

“Shall we take a stroll?” he asked.

Without waiting for Bai Qiao’s reply, he turned and began walking forward. ‘How utterly vexing,’ Bai Qiao muttered under her breath, but she could only hasten to catch up. After all, she didn’t know her way around here, and getting lost wouldn’t be fun—especially not on her birthday.

Pouting, she trailed behind him, observing the young women passing by. Two or three would huddle together, their eyes fixed intently on Bai Chen. While a fair number of boys also glanced her way, the feeling of being ogled by their lecherous gazes was, ‘Ugh… so awkward.’

Still, she couldn’t help but look at the doll-like faces and fair skin of the swooning girls, swallowing hard. She then cast another look at Bai Chen, her eyes now holding a hint of playful indignation. ‘Why should *they* get to fawn over him? Those should be *my* fans! He’s using *my* face, after all!’

A sudden chill ran down his spine. Bai Chen instinctively turned, his gaze meeting Bai Qiao’s resentful eyes. However, on such a doll-like face, her anger held no intimidation whatsoever; instead, it seemed more akin to a playful sulk.

Bai Chen instinctively placed his hand on top of Bai Qiao’s head, not forgetting to ruffle her hair twice. This action nearly made Bai Qiao gasp for air, her face flushing crimson, yet she couldn’t utter a single word.

“Here!”

Bai Chen presented her with a dazzling ceremonial sword. Its blade was golden, inlaid with what appeared to be precious gems. When unsheathed, the edge was sharp enough to reflect a person’s image. ‘This kind of sword…’

‘I’ve loved collecting pictures of swords like this since I was a child,’ Bai Qiao mused. ‘But even with my illustrious family background, such an item wasn’t something I could simply acquire.’ Thus, Bai Qiao had always contented herself with collecting replicas.

“Your birthday gift,” Bai Chen stated.

“Wow! How did you know I’d like this?!” Bai Qiao exclaimed, only to immediately realize she’d asked a foolish question. They were, after all, the same person. Beyond herself, Bai Chen knew her preferences best.

Bai Chen offered no reply, merely ruffling Bai Qiao’s head once more. Bai Qiao grumbled inwardly, ‘Still… fine, I’ll let it slide, just because… just because you gave me a gift…’

“Speaking of which, Huayu… isn’t she accompanying you?”

“No need. She received a summons yesterday and had to return home for something. She won’t be back for a while.”

“Hmm…”

A fleeting, familiar scent brushed past her. Whose was it? Bai Qiao turned, but the street was as calm as ever, people continuously moving through. Nothing seemed to have happened. ‘Was it a mere hallucination?’ Yet, the scent had been truly familiar. ‘Whose was it… Ah… I can’t recall it just yet…’

****

In a quaint alleyway, a young woman pulled down the headscarf from her face, revealing a delicate yet subtly sinister countenance. Her eyes remained fixed in the direction Bai Chen and Bai Qiao had walked, a barely contained excitement in her self-mutterings:

“I’ve found him, A’Chen…”

‘However, that girl beside A’Chen is quite an eyesore,’ she thought. ‘A’Chen seems to treat her very well, and she feels somewhat familiar. Still, it doesn’t matter who she is; anyone by A’Chen’s side is merely an obstacle to be eliminated.’ A glint of murderous intent flashed in Yingluo’s eyes.