Forbidden to Bully the Storybook’s Heroine – Chapter 116

Extra 2: The ‘What If’ Timeline

Furious after their argument, Jiang Yao hadn’t visited the Song Residence again.

Song Muyun, for her part, was naturally reserved. If Jiang Yao didn’t come looking for her, she didn’t dare pay a visit herself. She could only attend banquet after banquet, poetry gathering after poetry gathering, hoping to catch a glimpse of Jiang Yao’s figure.

            

But there was nothing. After their fight, it was as if Jiang Yao truly wanted to be friends no longer. She didn’t go anywhere, and even if Song Muyun went out, she couldn’t see a trace of her. She wanted to apologize but had nowhere to find the person.

Song Muyun was dejected for a long time.

---

The two met again one day, half a month later.

            

A simple, unadorned carriage was parked in front of Zhenbao Pavilion. Jiang Yao leaped out of it with a flourish, then stood to one side with her arms crossed. Several young women emerged from the carriage in turn. The one in the lead was the eldest young miss of the Liang family, Liang Suxin. Behind her, besides her own younger sister Liang Suqiu, were a few of their friends, who followed Jiang Yao into Zhenbao Pavilion in an orderly fashion.

Jiang Yao was inwardly impatient with having to play hostess, but her mother had said that her cousin had helped her a great deal, and she was not to be rude to her two younger cousins. She was to entertain them properly. Thinking about it, she supposed it was true. Although she and Song Muyun had fallen out, she had troubled her older cousin plenty when she was chasing after the girl. Her cousin had even given her advice. It was a debt of gratitude that naturally had to be repaid.

And so, here she was, bringing her cousins to Zhenbao Pavilion to pick out jewelry.

            

She just hadn’t expected her cousins to have invited their own friends…

And she certainly hadn’t expected that the moment they stepped into Zhenbao Pavilion, her gaze would meet that of a woman standing tall on the second floor.

The woman’s expression faltered. The hand hidden in her sleeve clenched tight. A moment later, she turned her head away, as if she had no intention of acknowledging her.

            

Jiang Yao, too, had only paused for a second upon seeing her. She quickly started walking again, calling out to the girls behind her, “Pick whatever you like. It’s on me.”

Such magnanimous words made the young ladies’ eyes light up. Some were shy and demure, whispering, “How could we? I can pay for myself. We mustn’t trouble Miss Jiang.”

Jiang Yao didn’t care about such a small sum, so she shook her head. “No need. You’re already here, just choose. It’s not much money.”

            

Liang Suqiu was the best at acting cute and spoiled. She was young and didn’t hold grudges, and today she was being treated. All at once, she was no longer afraid of Jiang Yao. She sidled up, tugging and shaking Jiang Yao’s sleeve, and wheedled, “Cousin~ I knew you were the best to Qiu’er. Can Qiu’er buy a toumian¹?”

Liang Suxin immediately reprimanded her sister. “You’re still young, what do you need a toumian for? Don’t make our cousin spend so much.”

Jiang Yao said she could, that they could buy whatever they wanted. She was just about to push Liang Suqiu away and tell her to hurry up and choose something when that familiar, cold gaze fell on her again. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Song Muyun standing before a jewelry display, but she wasn’t looking at the jewelry. She was looking at her, the corners of her eyes red, tinged with an indescribable sense of grievance, as if someone had bullied her.

            

Jiang Yao’s hand froze. For some reason, she deliberately chose not to push Liang Suqiu away. Instead, she reached out and, through the fabric of her sleeve, took her by the wrist, leading her to a dazzling array of hairpins. “See if there’s anything you like.”

Liang Suqiu usually only wore the hairpins her brother bought for her. She rarely had the chance to go out and buy them herself with her own money. Her eyes brightened. “Such beautiful hairpins! Can Qiu’er pick any one she wants?”

“Of course. If you want a full set, that’s fine too. Xin’er, you come pick something out as well.”

            

She then beckoned to Liang Suxin.

Liang Suxin, who had just been greeting Song Muyun and her friends with gentle courtesy, heard her and hurried over, also getting extremely close to Jiang Yao.

Normally, Jiang Yao would have subconsciously moved away, but not today. It was as if she was doing it on purpose, standing exceptionally close to them, a faint smile suddenly appearing on her face. She looked so gentle it was almost unlike her.

            

Song Muyun stared, stunned. A friend beside her tapped her shoulder, her eyes full of confusion. “What’s wrong? Are you going to greet Miss Jiang? If you are, you should go now. We have to go for a meal later.”

Song Muyun was holding a hairpin. The thought that Jiang Yao liked women, seeing her so intimate with this group of girls, even smiling at them… she unconsciously tightened her grip. A moment later, a sharp pain shot through her hand. She looked down in a daze. The intricate pattern on the hairpin had pierced her palm, and blood was trickling out.

She instinctively looked up at Jiang Yao, but Jiang Yao was over there, picking out jewelry, and hadn’t spared her a single glance.

            

Song Muyun lowered her head again, disappointed, and shook it at her friend. “I’m not going. You go ahead and choose. Don’t mind me.”

“Oh. Well, be quick about it.”

“Mm.”

            

---

“Zhaozhao.”

As the group was choosing their jewelry, a clear voice suddenly called out.

It was Wu Zhaozhao’s older brother, Wu Yan. Song Muyun recognized his voice, and her expression cooled slightly.

            

Wu Yan approached, and upon seeing her, he feigned surprise and cupped his hands in a salute. “So Miss Song is here as well.”

Jiang Yao remained silent, pricking up her ears.

“Young Master Wu.”

            

Song Muyun performed a curtsy, her voice growing colder and more distant.

Hearing this, Jiang Yao felt an inexplicable sense of relief. Though she said she didn’t want to be on good terms with Muyun anymore, she couldn’t help but watch her, care about her, pay attention to her.

It was rare for a young woman to fall for someone. And once she did, it was for a lifetime.

            

Seeing that she was ignoring him, Wu Yan was about to say something more when his nose caught the faint scent of blood. His gaze drifted down, searching discreetly, and finally landed on the blood seeping from between Song Muyun’s fingers. “You’re bleeding?”

He looked somewhat surprised, but in the next moment, he actually reached out to grab Song Muyun’s hand.

Startled, Song Muyun quickly backed away, instinctively crying out, “What are you doing!”

            

Hearing the shout, Jiang Yao spun around. She saw a man standing before a retreating Song Muyun, seemingly about to make a move on her. Before her mind could even clear, she was already in front of Song Muyun, her hand clamped firmly around Wu Yan’s wrist.

She used considerable force. Wu Yan cried out in pain and said angrily, “Who… who are you? How audacious! Let go!”

Wu Zhaozhao, who hadn’t been in a hurry to step forward before, now rushed over to pry Jiang Yao’s fingers away, saying angrily, “Jiang Yao, what are you doing? Let go, or I’m going back to tell my father!”

            

Jiang Yao rarely spent time in the capital, and Wu Yan was a martial artist who seldom attended poetry gatherings, so he didn’t recognize her. Wu Zhaozhao, however, had seen her several times at such events and knew who she was.

Hearing that the newcomer was Jiang Yao, Wu Yan’s expression changed.

He was highly skilled in martial arts and was used to hearing praise. But ever since Jiang Yao had arrived in the capital, those who praised him as the most outstanding martial artist of the younger generation would always add, “but one wonders how he compares to Jiang Yao of the Prime Minister’s Residence.”

            

They always said Jiang Yao was formidable—not just his master, but his friends too. He had always wanted to test his skills against her, and today he had finally met her. But… he couldn’t even break free from her grip!

The young woman before him was only sixteen. She frowned, looking extremely impatient. Her frame was slender, yet simply by standing there, she exuded an aura of complete security.

The other girls in their group gathered around, asking uneasily what was happening. It was then that Song Muyun, staring blankly at Jiang Yao’s back, suddenly let a stream of tears fall.

            

The sound of the woman behind her trying to suppress her sobs reached Jiang Yao’s ears. Jiang Yao shuddered, her expression instantly turning cold and fierce. “If you dare lay a hand on a woman again, believe me, I’ll cripple you!”

The girl who had been on the battlefield was filled with a murderous aura, looking absolutely ferocious. For a moment, Wu Yan was completely intimidated, staring blankly, unable to speak.

When he finally came to his senses, he was filled with shame and anger. “Who was laying a hand on anyone? Her hand is injured, I just wanted to take a look at the wound!”

            

Hearing that Song Muyun’s hand was injured, Jiang Yao’s body stiffened again. The other girls also asked with concern how she had gotten hurt. Only Wu Zhaozhao was furious. “My brother just wanted to look at Muyun-jiejie’s injury! Let him go! Muyun-jiejie, say something!” she yelled impatiently at Song Muyun.

They weren’t the only ones in Zhenbao Pavilion; people were already peeking at the drama. Wu Zhaozhao felt both humiliated and angry—not just at Jiang Yao, but at Song Muyun too. My brother was just concerned about you, why did you have to shout so loudly!

She was about to explode.

            

Song Muyun paused, then walked over and gently tugged on Jiang Yao’s arm with her injured hand. Her voice was even softer than its gentlest moments, tinged with a hint of pitifulness. “Jiang Yao, he suddenly tried to grab my hand just now. It scared me to death. The Song family has rules. If he had touched me, I would have been punished again when I got home.”

She lowered her head, and crystalline tears fell one by one. She looked utterly pathetic.

And so, everyone noticed that Jiang Yao’s expression grew even darker. She squeezed Wu Yan’s wrist until his face was pale and twisted in pain. Wu Zhaozhao tried to slap Jiang Yao’s hand away, but the two Liang sisters squeezed her aside.

            

After pushing her away, the Liang sisters said tentatively, “Cousin, don’t make a scene. Otherwise, Uncle will scold you again.”

“Am I afraid of him scolding me? Go pick out your jewelry. This is no business for little girls.”

As long as she didn’t let go, he would continue to be humiliated. The young man was full of pride. Seeing her casually chatting with others, his entire face flushed red with anger. “Jiang Yao! Do you want to fight me?!”

            

“I’d be delighted.”

Hearing his challenge, Jiang Yao abruptly released his hand. He stumbled back a few steps, unable to control his momentum, only to see her grip the sword at her waist. It looked as if she truly intended to fight him!

Fortunately, the manager of Zhenbao Pavilion arrived just in time to mediate and soothe both sides.

            

Song Muyun, upon hearing the Liang sisters say Jiang Yao would get a scolding, also reached out and clutched a corner of her sleeve. “Let’s just forget it,” she said softly. “He didn’t actually touch me. Don’t get yourself scolded by Uncle because of this.”

“What would he scold me for? For seeing an injustice and drawing my sword to help²?”

Jiang Yao didn’t turn around, so she didn’t see the injured hand Song Muyun was deliberately showing. But her slightly stiff posture relaxed a little after she spoke.

            

The ladies and misses who frequented Zhenbao Pavilion all knew who they were. The Wu family had lost face. Wu Zhaozhao’s young face was also full of anger, and she suddenly turned on Song Muyun. “That’s right, he didn’t even touch you, so what were you yelling for?”

The other noble girls hadn’t expected Wu Zhaozhao to lash out at Song Muyun. They quickly turned to look at her.

But they saw her lower her eyes, weeping, revealing a side of herself completely different from usual. “I’m sorry, I was just frightened. No man has ever reached for me like that before.”

            

The dynasty prized the conduct of a gentleman. No gentleman would attempt to grab a woman he had no relation to in public. If he had actually succeeded, and someone who didn’t know the full story saw it, rumors would surely spread.

The other young ladies fell silent. The way they looked at Wu Yan changed, as if they were looking at some frivolous rake.

“What are you apologizing for? He was the one with wandering hands. Do you want to fight or not? If you do, just say the word. We can take this outside.”

            

Jiang Yao was not one to give anyone an easy way out. Her words left Wu Yan speechless. She was forceful, unafraid, and her cool, detached confidence made him hesitant to test her.

So many people were watching him, all of them high-born young ladies. His future wife might even be among them. If he lost face in front of them, he might never be able to hold his head high again.

A moment later, the young man came to his senses and suppressed his rage. He just snorted coolly. “I have to meet with His Highness the Seventh Prince shortly. I don’t have time to compete with you.”

            

With that, he turned his head away stubbornly, making it seem as if Jiang Yao was the one forcing his hand.

Jiang Yao saw through his cowardice and chuckled. Seeing that more people were paying attention to them, she didn’t want to cause a bigger scene. She didn’t care for herself, but she was afraid that if word got back to the Song family, Muyun would suffer for it.

Therefore, Jiang Yao just looked at him and said, “Then you will apologize to her. You were in the wrong here. I’ll let you leave only after you’ve apologized.” She drew the longsword at her waist halfway from its sheath, revealing a flash of bright steel. The manager of Zhenbao Pavilion was frantic, terrified they would actually start fighting right there. He kept a hand on Jiang Yao’s, telling her to calm down.

            

Song Muyun hid behind Jiang Yao, looking terrified and afraid, like a delicate flower. The other young ladies were all dumbfounded. They had never seen Muyun so… so… so delicate before…

Wu Yan, relying on his sister’s acquaintance with her, had often been improper, but this was the first time he’d done it in front of so many people. That was why she had cried out in fright. Luckily, Jiang Yao was here. Luckily, Jiang Yao was protecting her.

Wu Zhaozhao had wanted to speak up for Wu Yan, her face full of indignation, but just as she was about to open her mouth, Jiang Yao’s gaze swept over her. The sheer force of it compelled her to shut her mouth again.

            

She could only fume in silence.

Wu Yan’s face was stiff. After hearing the whole story, others began to complain about the Wu family’s rudeness. Finally, unable to bear the pressure, he apologized with an ugly expression on his face, then quickly left. He didn’t even wait for Wu Zhaozhao, just shot Song Muyun a strange glare and followed his brother out.

“What kind of person is she? I knew we shouldn’t have invited her today.”

            

One of the young ladies complained delicately, then turned to apologize to Song Muyun. “It must have been Zhaozhao who told Young Master Wu we were coming here,” she said softly. “We won’t invite her next time.”

Young Master Wu probably liked Muyun. He often asked Wu Zhaozhao where they were going, and then he would follow. The last few times had been fine, he had been relatively proper, but today he had actually tried to grab her! It was too much.

“It’s alright. He didn’t touch me, so let’s forget it.”

            

“Oh my, your hand is really bleeding! Let’s go to a physician’s hall and get it bandaged!” someone exclaimed, noticing the red on her palm.

But Song Muyun didn’t move. She looked at Jiang Yao, who was standing in front of her.

Jiang Yao was still attending to the other girls, her voice impossibly gentle. “Go on, pick out your jewelry. Anything you like. There’s nothing for you to worry about here.”

            

The group of girls looked at her with a mixture of admiration and reliance that made Song Muyun’s heart ache fiercely.

After everyone had been coaxed away, Song Muyun thought she would surely have a word with her now. Seeing her turn around, she was just about to offer a demure word of thanks when she heard her say, “If your hand is injured, go get some medicine for it. And don’t treat just anyone as a friend. I was here today, but what will you do in the future when I’m not around?”

After she spoke, she glanced at the injured hand, then went over to the Liang sisters. Her words left Song Muyun stunned. What did she mean, when I’m not around?

            

Did she really not want to be on good terms with her anymore?

A thick fog quickly gathered in the girl’s beautiful phoenix eyes as she stared blankly after Jiang Yao’s retreating back.

The other young ladies were also dumbfounded. They exchanged glances, guessing that the two must have had a fight.

            

Normally, Jiang Yao loved to follow Muyun around.

“Ahem, Muyun, why don’t we go to the physician’s hall first?” someone offered, taking Song Muyun’s arm and looking with concern at her palm, where the blood had already dried.

Song Muyun forced a smile. There was no water here, nor a bronze mirror, otherwise she would have seen that there was no trace of a smile in her eyes. In fact, her expression was quite frightening.

            

At such a young age, she had already stunned her friends into silence.

She said, “It’s fine. You all continue choosing. I’ll just have Jiang Yao take me to the physician’s hall.”

Her friends: …

            

Does Jiang Yao look like she’s willing to take you to a physician’s hall?

Wake up! She’s not even paying attention to you!!!

Song Muyun couldn’t hear their internal screaming. She was already walking toward Jiang Yao.

            

Jiang Yao had been keeping an eye on Song Muyun, waiting to see if she would go to the physician’s hall. Who knew that not only would she not go, she would come looking for her, to trouble her.

She was a ‘mirror polisher³‘. Wasn’t she afraid of being laughed at again?

The footsteps behind her grew closer. Jiang Yao handed over the jade bracelet she had just picked out. “Wrap this up,” she said softly.

            

She didn’t turn around, but she heard the girl she had been trying to please for so long speak. Without even any pleasantries, she said directly, “Jiang Yao, my hand is bleeding. Take me to the physician’s hall.”

Jiang Yao: …

Seriously? With that attitude, if I were even slightly less patient, I’d ignore you completely. I might even get angry!

            

She didn’t speak, feigning interest in the jewelry. Seeing this, a flash of annoyance crossed Song Muyun’s face.

She was a person who cared deeply about face, and she had always been reserved. Having fought with Jiang Yao, she didn’t know how to make up, what to say, or how to say it. She didn’t understand, and it made her feel particularly helpless.

A moment later, she heard a sullen, defiant voice. “Fine. If you won’t take me, I won’t go. It’s just a small cut, anyway.”

            

She handed the blood-stained hairpin to the attendant, telling him to wrap it up, that she would take it. Then she stood beside Jiang Yao, not moving an inch.

Coincidentally, the hairpin was very expensive. Song Muyun had just spent all the money she had on her.

When Jiang Yao frowned and urged her again to go to the physician’s hall, telling her not to be so careless with her own body, her long lashes trembled. She looked at Jiang Yao with eyes full of pitiful grievance and said softly, “I have no money left. The people at the physician’s hall won’t see me.”

            

Jiang Yao: …

She was born under an unlucky star, and Song Muyun was that star.

“I’ll give you the money. Go by yourself.”

            

She took out her purse⁴ and held it out, but Song Muyun’s eyes flickered between the purse and her, and she didn’t take it. She just silently turned her head away, completely ignoring her.

Jiang Yao: …

“I still have to buy jewelry for them. I don’t have time to go with you.”

            

She couldn’t stop her heart from softening, but she told herself not to. She looks down on a ‘mirror polisher’ like you anyway, what’s the point of going soft?

Hearing that she had to buy jewelry for them and so couldn’t accompany her, Song Muyun suddenly whipped her head around and glared. It was a fierce look, but it held a hint of their former closeness.

But perhaps remembering they were still fighting, she said nothing and just waited to the side.

            

Jiang Yao, however, was waiting with growing anxiety. Several times she wanted to urge Song Muyun to leave, to go to the physician’s hall and get some medicine. Although the wound was no longer bleeding, it would be safer to have it treated, to put her mind at ease.

It was a classic case of the eunuchs panicking when the emperor was calm⁵. Song Muyun herself wasn’t worried, but she was over here, worried sick.

Jiang Yao frowned as she watched the group of girls pick out jewelry. Song Muyun stood a short distance away, not making a sound, just standing there quietly.

            

After a moment, she couldn’t take it anymore. She called out to Liang Suxin, who came running over. “Cousin, what is it?”

“I have to leave for a moment. When you’re done choosing, just tell the manager to put it on my account.”

Liang Suxin glanced at her, then at Song Muyun standing nearby, and seemed to understand. She nodded. “Okay, I will. Don’t worry, cousin.”

            

Jiang Yao walked over to Song Muyun with a grim face and looked at her sideways, feigning indifference. But her words were another matter entirely. “Are you going to follow me or not? Not going to the physician’s hall anymore?”

Though her tone was harsh, she had made a concession.

Song Muyun’s eyes lit up. She obediently followed behind her as they left Zhenbao Pavilion together.

            

On the bustling street, Jiang Yao was exceptionally silent. She didn’t even look back at her once. Wasn’t she afraid she’d get lost?

Song Muyun thought this, and suddenly stopped, staring at Jiang Yao’s back. She wanted to see how long it would take for her to notice she wasn’t following.

But it took no more than five steps before Jiang Yao stopped and turned around.

            

Seeing that she was standing right there and hadn’t wandered off, Jiang Yao breathed a sigh of relief. Just as she was about to speak, the chaotic sound of hooves arose. Her expression changed. A horse came charging around the corner, galloping wildly toward the still-unaware Song Muyun’s back. Jiang Yao’s pupils shrank. She spun, her toes tapping the ground as she covered the distance in a few bounds, landing behind Song Muyun. She put all her strength into a kick aimed at the horse’s neck. The horse let out a long whinny and collapsed, sending the rider on its back tumbling to the ground.

Jiang Yao didn’t have time to see who it was. Her arm was already being clutched in panic.

Song Muyun had seen the sudden change in Jiang Yao’s expression, heard the clamor of the crowd, the horse’s frantic neighing, and someone shouting to get out of the way. She had wanted to move, but it was too late.

            

Just as her mind went blank with fear, Jiang Yao saved her.

Jiang Yao saved her.

The realization made her heart pound faster and faster in her chest.

            

Jiang Yao had gotten a huge fright herself. When the girl grabbed her arm, she instinctively pulled her close, checking her over and over, asking if she was hurt anywhere, if she was scared. Even knowing the horse hadn’t hit her, she couldn’t help but worry.

Song Muyun leaned obediently against her side and shook her head. “I’m fine. Who was that on the horse, riding so fast? A lot of the commoners’ stalls were knocked over.”

Jiang Yao looked over coldly and saw the person lying on the ground, gasping for air.

            

After a good while, he managed to stand up, then rushed to help his fallen horse. Finally, he looked at Jiang Yao in a rage. “Jiang Yao! Who gave you permission to kick this prince’s horse!”

Jiang Yao shielded half of Song Muyun’s body behind her. Her expression was cold as she performed a curtsy, but there was no respect in her face. “This female subject was wondering who would be so bold as to gallop through the streets. So it was the First Prince.”

“Since you know it is this prince, why haven’t you knelt to admit your fault? This prince might yet forgive you!”

            

Normally, Murong Chun would not have made an enemy of Jiang Yao, but this was his new prized horse! A new one!

He hadn’t even had time to tame it, and now Jiang Yao had kicked it so hard he didn’t know if it was dead or alive. His heart ached!

Hearing this, Jiang Yao almost laughed in anger. “You’ll forgive me? Why don’t you think about how you’re going to explain this to the court officials tomorrow?”

            

The First Prince was baffled. Did Jiang Yao intend to report this to the Prime Minister?

But instead, Jiang Yao curtsied to the side, calling out, “Uncle Censors, was your meal good?”

Murong Chun’s neck stiffened in shock as he looked over. He saw two Censors sitting at a small stall nearby, eating noodles. In their hands were bowls of noodles with debris in them, clearly inedible. Their faces were livid.

            

Murong Chun: I didn’t check the almanac⁶ before leaving home today. That must be it!

How could he run into both Jiang Yao and the Censors?

These two Censors were famously upright and incorruptible. In the past, they had often submitted memorials impeaching even Jiang Heng for failing to discipline his daughter and for abusing his power. And that was just for Jiang Yao beating someone up when they happened to see it. Now, he had galloped his horse through the streets and run right into them. He was going to be impeached to death!

            

It wasn’t even time for morning court, but Murong Chun’s head was already starting to ache.

Jiang Yao suggested, “If Your Highness is willing to offer some compensation to the vendors whose stalls you destroyed, perhaps you can make amends for your mistake.”

A vein throbbed on Murong Chun’s forehead. He didn’t want to speak to Jiang Yao at all, but when he looked up, he saw two Censors staring at him furiously. In the end, with a dark face, he had his guards bring money.

            

Jiang Yao didn’t bother with the aftermath. She took Song Muyun and left, heading to a physician’s hall to have her hand bandaged and treated.

The physician also took her pulse and checked her complexion, saying that she hadn’t been resting or eating well these past few days. Her body was extremely weak. He prescribed her some medicine to calm her nerves and nourish her qi and blood, telling her to drink it daily.

Jiang Yao stood by and listened the whole time. Only after the physician had finished his diagnosis and wrapped up the medicine did she reach out, take the packet, and say to Song Muyun, “Follow me.”

            

She still seemed to be angry with her, not giving her a single pleasant look.

Song Muyun obediently agreed and followed behind her.

Now is not the time for her to be lecturing people with that cool and detached air, Jiang Yao thought. It’s always like this. Whenever she wants to please me, she puts on this obedient and docile act. Once I’m coaxed, she goes right back to how she was.

            

Jiang Yao walked in front, ignoring her. So Song Muyun went up to her herself, walking side-by-side with her. Her voice was tinged with guilt, but for once, she sounded like an ordinary girl with emotions. “Are you still angry? I really didn’t mean it like that.”

The girl’s eyes were full of sincerity, but Jiang Yao couldn’t see them. She knew that if she saw that look, her resolve would turn to mush, so she refused to turn her head.

Her voice, however, was cold and merciless. “I’m a ‘mirror polisher’. Since Miss Song cares so much about what others think, it’s best you associate with me less. Lest they laugh at you, too, when they’re laughing at me.”

            

She really was still angry.

Song Muyun anxiously reached for her sleeve, but Jiang Yao dodged. Stunned, she heard her low, sharp reprimand. “Isn’t your hand injured? Stop moving it around!”

“Oh. Then look at me.”

            

Her voice was soft, almost like she was wheedling.

Jiang Yao glanced at her. Emboldened, Song Muyun audaciously cupped Jiang Yao’s chin, not letting her turn away. Then she looked into her eyes and said, word by word, “Jiang Yao, I’ve thought about it for a long time. More than not being laughed at, I want to be friends with you. I want to, even if people laugh.”

She didn’t yet understand her own heart. She only knew she couldn’t bear to part with Jiang Yao. Not seeing her for days had made her so miserable she wanted to cry. Every night she was filled with regret. Why did I have to speak to her like that?

            

Jiang Yao chuckled, her chin still held high. “But I’m a ‘mirror polisher’. I like women. If you get too close to me, aren’t you afraid I’ll fall for you?”

She suddenly broke free from that impertinent hand and moved closer to Song Muyun.

They had unknowingly turned into a deserted alley. Song Muyun subconsciously took half a step back, her back against the wall, staring blankly at Jiang Yao.

            

A moment later, she looked down in a fluster, her voice laced with helplessness. “Why would you like me? I’m not a ‘mirror polisher’.”

“So certain, are you?”

Jiang Yao toyed with a strand of her soft, dark hair and sighed. But you clearly like me a lot. When I was close to Liang Suxin and Liang Suqiu, your eyes were about to burn a hole through me.

            

Song Muyun forced herself to remain calm, controlling her breathing. “Of course. I’m not a ‘mirror polisher’. You can only… you can only go like someone else.”

“I know you’re not a ‘mirror polisher’. I was just joking. Actually, the one I truly like… is your friend.”

Song Muyun, whose face had been bright red from her proximity, went: “Huh? Huh?????”

            

She snapped her head up.