A Bitter Embrace

A cold gust of wind swept past, causing Bai Qiao to instinctively pull her clothes tighter. A moment later, she remembered her current predicament and couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh.

‘What was she even thinking? In that other world, she had no family, no one who cared for her; she had always been utterly alone.’

‘Even Huayu had many close friends, yet Bai Qiao had none. While she could once numb herself with the thought of it being a different world, what about now?’

‘In this world that was her own—no, the world that *had been* her own until today—she remained, inexplicably, utterly alone.’

Bai Chen. Bai Chen had taken her place, surrounded by parents and friends.

And what of her? Friends? Miko? Had Miko now taken *her* place? Considering Miko’s recent actions at home, Bai Qiao felt a wave of despair wash over her.

When faced with a choice between friendship and love, Miko had clearly chosen love. It meant that in this vast world, there was truly no place left for her.

A painful sting pricked Bai Qiao’s eyes. It was a rare sensation, for Bai Qiao was a fiercely strong-willed person who hadn’t shed a tear since her earliest childhood.

‘Eh?’

Her shivering body was suddenly enveloped by a warm presence. Bai Qiao couldn’t help but let out a small gasp of surprise.

“Why are you still out here so late?” Black Sha inquired, his expression impassive.

“I…” Bai Qiao began, then trailed off. “Nothing, I just wanted to wander around outside…”

“You expect me to believe you’re just ‘wandering around’ in this kind of weather?” Black Sha arched an eyebrow.

He then gently lifted Bai Qiao’s chin, holding it until her face flushed crimson and she protested. Only then did he slowly remark, “Your eyes are red. Have you been crying?”

“Snap!” Bai Qiao slapped his hand away. “I haven’t been crying! What would I possibly have to cry about?”

Black Sha gazed at the young woman before him, her heart clearly wounded yet her spirit stubbornly unwilling to yield. A sudden tremor stirred within him.

Unconsciously, he drew her closer, letting her lean against his shoulder.

Bai Qiao’s body stiffened perceptibly, yet she made no move to pull away. The recent events, coupled with her own spiraling thoughts, had left her feeling utterly abandoned by the world, consumed by a desperate, isolated panic.

Thus, when a sudden, warm support presented itself, Bai Qiao found herself surprisingly relaxed.

Black Sha watched the young woman in his embrace, her expression gradually softening into tranquility. A profound sense of peace washed over him.

It was a feeling he hadn’t experienced in centuries, especially not since everyone he cared for had departed, leaving him to lead as a figure of the underworld.

‘Ugh…’ Bai Qiao groaned, clutching her head as she slowly pushed herself up from the bed.

Her eyes widened slightly at the unfamiliar surroundings, but she quickly recalled the events of the previous day. The thought of having actually leaned into a man’s embrace made Bai Qiao’s brow furrow.

She was accustomed to others relying on her, not the other way around. To suddenly find herself in such a position was truly… ‘annoying,’ she mused.

“Ah, you’re awake?”

Her earlier annoyance completely evaporated as she watched Black Sha quietly preparing breakfast. What a serene morning it was…

“Come and eat quickly, or you’ll be late for school soon.” Observing Bai Qiao frozen in place, a faint smile curved Black Sha’s lips.

“Oh, oh oh.” Bai Qiao murmured, taking a seat at the dining table. She had never imagined Black Sha’s culinary skills would be so impressive.

“By the way, would you mind staying here for a while?”

“Huh?” Bai Qiao was momentarily taken aback, failing to grasp his meaning.

“Living alone for too long can really become unbearable…” Black Sha remarked nonchalantly, taking a sip of milk.

“Mmm…” Bai Qiao hummed, almost burying her head in her teacup. “Tha-thank you…”

Though her voice was barely a whisper, Black Sha heard her perfectly clear.

“Well then, my dear classmate Qiao, shall we head to school together?” Black Sha announced, bowing slightly in a gesture of invitation.

His playful demeanor made Bai Qiao laugh aloud. Following him into the car, a sudden thought crossed Bai Qiao’s mind: ‘Perhaps… this isn’t so bad after all.’

****

Bai Chen had been restless, barely sleeping the entire night. Ever since Bai Qiao had left, his heart had felt as though it were being pricked by countless needles, a searing pain that was impossible to ignore.

Yet, he couldn’t show it. Forcing a smile, he stood before Bai Qiao’s bedroom door, which was slightly ajar.

He gently pushed it open and stepped inside. No sudden pillow came flying at him, no angry voice commanded him to leave.

The room was eerily peaceful, as if nothing untoward had ever occurred. Traces of Bai Qiao still lingered, yet she was undeniably, truly gone.

Bai Chen’s footsteps felt heavy as he exited the room. His current identity was merely one he had usurped from Bai Qiao.

She had been living a perfectly good life before he appeared, but now, he had taken everything from her. There was truly nothing left for her here.

Beyond the ache in his heart, Bai Chen was suddenly struck by a terrifying realization: ‘How… how had Bai Qiao spent last night?!’