A Home Awaits

How could one describe the feelings stirring within Ming Yu at this very moment?

She had traveled a thousand li, returning victorious yet utterly spent, now walking the solitary night path back to her dwelling.

The intercity rail carried her hopes, leaving the journey’s hardships and the flashing neon lights outside the window far behind.

A mere artificial river separated the vibrant recreational zone around the station from the adjacent residential district, yet the latter seemed remarkably less lively.

The dim streetlights struggled to cast their glow across the entire street.

As one merged with the profound silence of the night, a peculiar melancholy often settled upon the heart.

Ming Yu should have grown accustomed to it by now. Accustomed to returning home alone, accustomed to the constant companionship of shadows.

Yet, as she realized that amidst the myriad household lights, one glowed solely for her, an ineffable sensation instantly swelled within her heart.

Someone would be waiting for her in the dead of night, ready to offer a sweet, heartfelt ‘Welcome home’ precisely when she was at her most exhausted.

Ming Yu had to concede: the very instant Little Nightingale appeared behind the door, her heart seemed to miss a beat.

The sensation was incredibly subtle.

She couldn’t articulate the precise feeling, only that it was akin to finding a sheltered harbor from the storm, a place where she could finally rest her weary feet without a single concern.

Since she could remember, Ming Yu had always grumbled about hardships and exhaustion, yet these were merely self-deprecating jests. Never had she shed a single tear out of difficulty or despair. No matter the depth of the injustice she faced or the severity of the wounds she sustained.

She knew unequivocally that tears would never solve problems; only fists, blades, and firearms would.

Now, however, a rare, inexplicable impulse stirred within her.

Ming Yu drew a deep breath, striving to quell the tumultuous emotions swirling within her.

The Ming Yu of old would never have succumbed to such unexpected sentimentality, nor would she have revealed such a vulnerable facet of herself.

Not in the past, not now, and certainly never in the future.

Never.

Ming Yu gently closed her eyes. When she reopened them, her gaze was fixed intently on the girl’s delicate face. The fierce intensity that usually resided deep within her eyes had vanished, replaced by a tenderness as soft as flowing water.

Unable to resist, she curved her lips into a soft smile, then stepped forward slowly, opening her arms to Little Nightingale.

“Meoww~ (๑•ᴗ•๑)”

Luna, with remarkable perception, leaped from Little Nightingale’s embrace. Her gaze flitted between her young mistress and her owner, her fluffy tail held high and wagging excitedly from side to side.

“Little Nightingale, I apologize. There was an unexpected delay on the way, which made me late.”

“Ming Yu…”

Little Nightingale could no longer contain the surge of emotion within her. She threw herself directly into the familiar embrace, her arms circling Ming Yu’s slender waist tightly. The scent that enveloped her senses was almost enough to make her swoon.

On clothes, within bedsheets, beside pillows… Every item that bore Ming Yu’s lingering scent had been savored by her until its fragrance was utterly spent.

Feeling the tight embrace around her waist, Ming Yu couldn’t help but chuckle softly. She instinctively raised a hand to stroke the girl’s head, ruffling the long-missed golden hair.

A sudden wave of gratitude washed over her. She was thankful to have encountered Little Nightingale in her distress, to have become her pillar of support, and to be able to remain by her side. Or perhaps, more accurately, she was grateful that Little Nightingale was there to accompany her.

The chime of midnight echoed from the living room.

Where their delicate skin met, the temperature steadily rose.

****

“Little Nightingale, I haven’t showered in over half a month. Let me clean up, change into fresh clothes, and then I’ll return to keep you company, alright?”

“Mm-hm…”

Ultimately, Little Nightingale couldn’t bring herself to voice the latter half of her thought—’I want to be with you.’ She bit her lip, then reluctantly released her hold.

While Ming Yu bathed, Little Nightingale went to the kitchen. She carefully reheated the dishes she had prepared earlier and delicately arranged them on the table.

With bowls and chopsticks set, and chairs pulled out, everything was perfectly arranged, awaiting her arrival.

Little Nightingale gently closed her eyes, deactivating her spiritual perception. She called out to Luna in her mind and swiftly gained access to its vision.

Suddenly, a vivid blush bloomed across her cheeks.

The bathroom.

Within the hazy mist, Luna clung to the edge of the bathtub, unconcerned by the water droplets dampening her fluffy fur. A pair of bright, innocent eyes sparkled with a hint of bewilderment.

The only reason she was there was at her young mistress’s behest.

Once perched, Luna’s vision revealed ethereal, graceful curves hidden beneath the water. Occasional splashes would spray onto her, causing her to instinctively shake her body.

At the dining table, Little Nightingale swallowed hard, her small heart hammering incessantly. Her mind was a tangled mess, yet a twisted surge of emotion ultimately triumphed over reason.

‘If Ming Yu were to discover this…’

‘She would surely despise such a thing…’

‘But…’

Little Nightingale cradled her burning face, her head seeming to emit wisps of steam. Her lips parted slightly and unconsciously, slowly revealing the tip of her delicate, pink tongue, which she then used to lightly tease the air.

****

When Ming Yu finally emerged, wrapped in a bathrobe, leaving a trail of wet footprints, and carrying the damp little white cat through the living room, an enticing aroma wafted towards her. She couldn’t help but sniff the air, and her stomach began to rumble in protest.

After changing into her comfortable pajamas, she ventured out of the bedroom, following the alluring scent directly to the dining table.

The table laden with dishes caused her to pause in slight astonishment. Her gaze then settled on Little Nightingale’s face beside the table, a flicker of surprise in her heart.

‘Did Little Nightingale prepare all this for me?’

‘Little Nightingale can actually cook?’

‘And speaking of which, why is she even here at home?’

Ming Yu distinctly recalled that before embarking on her sea journey, she had asked Qing Shui Ling Yin to look after Little Nightingale for a period.

‘Right, what’s the situation with Qing Shui Ling Yin now?’

Ming Yu considered making a call to inquire, but realizing the lateness of the hour, she decided against it, opting to ask about the situation tomorrow instead.

For tonight, her priority was to soothe Little Nightingale’s emotions.

At this thought, Ming Yu couldn’t help but offer a wry, internal smile. Missing Little Nightingale’s birthday weighed heavily on her.

Having made up her mind, she settled into the seat beside Little Nightingale. Noticing the lingering blush on the girl’s face, Ming Yu couldn’t help but feel a touch of confusion.

“Little Nightingale, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

“No, no, it’s nothing. Please, don’t worry about it…”

Little Nightingale appeared visibly flustered, her very tone shifting as if an unspeakable secret lay buried within her heart.

Perplexed by her reaction, Ming Yu didn’t dwell on it. Instead, she turned her attention to the spread of food before them and inquired softly,

“Did you prepare all these dishes yourself?”

“Mm-hm…”

“Let me try some,”

With that, Ming Yu took a bite. Her eyes lit up, and she exclaimed,

“This is truly excellent.”

“As long as Ming Yu likes it…”

Upon receiving Ming Yu’s approval, Little Nightingale felt that every effort had been worth it. All her days of learning and practice had culminated meaningfully, and two faint dimples instantly appeared on her cheeks.

Throughout the late-night meal, Ming Yu ate with obvious delight. Watching her, Little Nightingale’s heart swelled with a profound sense of satisfaction and accomplishment, making her genuinely happy.

For this singular night, she had awaited twenty-one days.

****

The night deepened, and it was time to extinguish the lights.

Before Little Nightingale could even suggest it, Ming Yu instinctively lay down in her bed, leaving half the space available for the girl.

Everything remained unspoken.

“Good night.”

Ming Yu extended her index finger to gently trace the girl’s delicate nose, then smiled softly. She closed her eyes, and within the enveloping darkness, her breathing soon settled into a calm, even rhythm.

“Good night…”

Little Nightingale carefully slipped into Ming Yu’s embrace, skillfully nestling her head into the crook of Ming Yu’s neck, her arms entwined around her.

Suddenly, a subtle curve touched her lips. She leaned closer, gently taking Ming Yu’s pristine earlobe into her mouth, and slowly initiated a long-prepared psychic technique.

“Oh, but I won’t…”