So I Had No Choice But to Stop Being the White Moonlight

So I Had No Choice But to Stop Being the White Moonlight – Chapter 92

by Little Panda

I’m Not Going to Be the White Moonlight

No One Else

Outside the window, the sun was bright. The drone of cicadas mixed with the sound of ocean waves; it was muggy, yet threaded with the coolness of seawater washing past.

Chi Qian thought this was the best possible weather for July or August, but she never imagined the wind would whip up enormous waves to crash against the shore, as if to devour everything.

A chill clung to the ground, extending long arms that clawed and gripped Chi Qian’s ankle.

She looked at Shi Jinlan standing in front of her and felt an electric current burst up along her scalp.

She didn’t even need to ask when Shi Jinlan had arrived. Since Shi Jinlan had heard her say, “Darling, you’re the best,” she must have been here for a while.

Had she been watching the whole thing from a distance, silent the entire time?

Then she should be able to tell that I was just playing along to back Song Tang up… right?

But the coldness spreading from all around told her that things weren’t going as she’d imagined.

Shi Jinlan’s brow was lowered, her unhappiness visible to the naked eye. Chi Qian wished she could just slap herself across the mouth.

She stood up from her chair and looked at Shi Jinlan, who was watching her indifferently. She immediately pulled Shi Jinlan’s hand into her own in an intimate gesture and explained, “This is Song Tang, the wedding planner I found. She grew up abroad, and that’s how they address people over there.”

Then, Chi Qian introduced Song Tang. “Song Tang, this is my girlfriend, Shi Jinlan.”

Chi Qian said the word “girlfriend” with such open and justifiable aplomb.

As she spoke, she turned to look at Shi Jinlan, but Shi Jinlan’s expression wasn’t that happy. The effect was far less potent than the time she had called her “Wife.”

Her girlfriend was really hard to please.

Chi Qian lamented internally, thinking that next time she introduced Shi Jinlan to someone, she should say she was her lover.

And standing opposite them, Song Tang was also lamenting.

Lamenting that she shouldn’t have asked Chi Qian to play along with her.

Song Tang had noticed Shi Jinlan before Chi Qian did.

The sound of the wind chime was crisper than the clinking of ice cubes. Two tall women had walked into the sparsely populated bar.

Song Tang was used to keeping her eyes on six roads and her ears in eight directions,¹ so she had noticed the two of them at once.

A tea-colored beam of light fell upon the two newcomers, draping them in a dim glow. Their superior figures looked like the beautiful women from old Hong Kong films shown on late-night television.

Especially the slightly taller one.

Her heavy presence overshadowed the gentleness of the person beside her. A pair of black pupils, dark and deep, swept over casually, and Song Tang’s heart tightened. She felt that this was no friendly visitor.²

It was also because of this that she had pushed the drink originally meant for Chi Qian to the person who had sat down beside her.

Although Song Tang had only ever heard of Shi Jinlan and never seen her in person.

But when that dark silhouette entered her line of sight, even though her steps were casual, her relaxed yet straight gait stamped out a somber, oppressive aura.

In an instant, three words surfaced in Song Tang’s mind.

Shi Jinlan.

And immediately after, she realized she had also been noticed by this person.

And it was not a friendly notice.

Chi Qian had just introduced her to Shi Jinlan. Song Tang mustered her courage and proactively extended a hand to Shi Jinlan. “Hello.”

In just a few seconds, Song Tang’s previously imposing aura had completely collapsed.

Standing before Shi Jinlan, she was, by contrast, like a paper tiger, strong on the outside but weak on the inside.³ In an instant, only humility remained.

“Hello.” Shi Jinlan was unhurried as she responded to Song Tang’s greeting, extending a hand to give hers a light shake. “Which country did you grow up in?”

Compared to when she spoke with Chi Qian, which was full of personal emotion, Shi Jinlan’s demeanor now was filled with an elegant and composed grace, as if she were just having a friendly chat with Song Tang.

“France,” Song Tang said, forcing herself to remain calm, choosing a European country with a rich artistic heritage.

“Comment allez-vous?”⁴ Shi Jinlan’s lips moved slightly as she greeted Song Tang in fluent French.

Song Tang felt as though she had been caught showing off⁵ right in someone else’s area of expertise. Her arm stiffened.

But she had the System as her cheat. She continued with her flamboyant act from before and replied calmly, “Merci Mademoiselle de m’être intéressée, je vais bien.”⁶

Shi Jinlan listened, her gaze deep as she looked at Song Tang, watching until the woman’s heart was about to leap out of her throat. Only then did she give a slight smile and slowly release her hand.

It was unclear what useful information Shi Jinlan had gleaned from their brief exchange, but when she turned back to look at Chi Qian, her gaze had softened considerably.

The female singer on stage had changed to another song. Gentle strumming accompanied a low voice, singing a melodious folk ballad.

Shi Jinlan lowered her head slightly with the tune, her thin lips holding a puff of warm air as she leaned almost imperceptibly against Chi Qian’s ear. “This isn’t a very good place for a narrative. Shall we go somewhere else?”

Caught off guard, Chi Qian turned to look at Shi Jinlan. “Where to?”

“Auntie Zhou’s Hot Spring Inn,” Shi Jinlan said, then looked up at Yuan Ming.

The wine glass left a mark along the person’s lips; Yuan Ming almost didn’t catch Shi Jinlan’s signal.

Reacting a beat slower than usual, she said to Chi Qian, “We ran into her when Miss Shi and I went out just now. She knows you’re back and is absolutely thrilled.”

With that, she stood up with her glass, her gaze falling mostly on Song Tang. “Miss Song will come with us too, right?”

Under the dim light, some details seemed to be obscured.

Yuan Ming watched Song Tang and offered a gentle smile, one that was completely different from the atmosphere of the Quiet Bar.

Another customer pushed the door open, and a gust of hot coastal wind blew in. Song Tang was momentarily dazed.

She looked at Yuan Ming’s smile, and under this extended olive branch, she quickly recovered from her stupor and replied with a smile of her own. “Of course.”

Auntie Zhou’s Hot Spring Inn was now a popular attraction on Xiao Yu Island. The road leading up from the foot of the mountain had been repaved.

The asphalt road was wide and smooth, and the shuttle buses ran frequently. Just as the four of them stopped at the bus stop, a shuttle bus drove over from not far away.

The hot spring inn had no off-season, only a peak season and a super-peak season. Throughout the ride, the shuttle bus played a promotional introduction to the island.

The boundless sea gradually unfolded as they ascended the slope, azure blue meeting turquoise green. Both sides of the road were planted with all kinds of holly, forming perfectly symmetrical yet never-repeating patterns.

Chi Qian gazed at the coastal scenery of supernatural workmanship,⁷ feeling as if she had seen it somewhere before. She turned to look at Shi Jinlan. “The design here—”

“I was involved,” Shi Jinlan admitted calmly.

“I knew it,” Chi Qian said upon hearing this, smiling smugly.

Shi Jinlan turned her head slightly, quietly and earnestly observing the person who was so happy just because she had guessed her style correctly.

Perhaps Chi Qian hadn’t noticed, but the two of them were getting to know each other more and more.

Even if it was only a tiny detail with no real proof behind it, they could still accurately connect it to the other.

The sun leaked mottled spots of light through the dense green, like stars in the daytime.

Shi Jinlan looked at the shadow of the person beside her falling on her palm. She opened her hand to let more of it fall, her lips, hidden in the shade, curving up slightly.

The shuttle bus wasn’t carrying many tourists this trip, so they arrived quickly.

Auntie Zhou, having learned of Chi Qian’s arrival from somewhere, was waiting at the entrance. Seeing Chi Qian get out of the bus, she was overjoyed and trotted over to greet her. “Qianqian! Aiyo, my baby! What brings you back!”

It was unclear how Yuan Ming had explained things to Auntie Zhou, but her words were strangely creepy.

However, Chi Qian knew she meant no harm and replied just as dramatically, “I don’t know either! I guess if you survive a great disaster, you’re bound to have good fortune later!”⁸

“It must be Imperial Consort Ah Qing’s blessing.” As she spoke and laughed, a pool of hot tears welled up in Auntie Zhou’s eyes.

Like Chi Qingyan, she looked Chi Qian up and down, who was now standing before her bursting with life and energy, and nodded repeatedly. “So good, you haven’t changed a bit.”

“You’ve changed, though.” There were still quite a few guests around, and Chi Qian didn’t want to get too sentimental here, so she joked with Auntie Zhou.

“You bet I have! Look at me, life is good, and I’ve gained weight again, can you believe it?” Auntie Zhou’s attention was diverted by Chi Qian’s comment, and she chuckled as she looked at Shi Jinlan. “And it’s all thanks to President Shi.”

“It’s your good management,” Shi Jinlan said, standing beside Chi Qian and giving a modest nod.

“Are you staying this time?” Auntie Zhou invited. “I’ve still kept that couple’s suite for you. It was completely renovated two years ago, the room is twice as big now.”

“I want to spend more time at home with my Grandfather,” Chi Qian politely declined, then pulled Song Tang over. “But there’s no room at home, so my friend will be staying.”

“Hello,” Song Tang said with a smile to Auntie Zhou.

Compared to facing the oppressive Shi Jinlan earlier, dealing with Auntie Zhou now was much more relaxing.

“And this is?” Auntie Zhou had never seen Song Tang before and found her unfamiliar.

“Song Tang, a good friend of mine, and also the planner for my and Ah—, Shi Jinlan’s wedding,” Chi Qian introduced her magnanimously.

“Wedding?” The surprise slipped out of Auntie Zhou’s mouth. She looked at Chi Qian, then turned to look at Shi Jinlan and asked softly, “Did the Old Master agree?”

The shadows of the sun hid many of the person’s expressions. Shi Jinlan didn’t answer Auntie Zhou’s question verbally, only giving a very slight nod that seemed to carry some other meaning.

Auntie Zhou was socially adept⁹ and immediately understood something.

She felt a brief pang of regret, then quickly moved on from her own question. She turned to Chi Qian, her face beaming so much her eyes nearly disappeared. “Getting married is wonderful! If you need anything from me, you have to remember to tell me. Don’t treat me like a stranger,¹⁰ you hear me!”

“Of course,” Chi Qian said happily, not noticing the subtle interlude just now. “I definitely won’t be polite!”

“Are you all going to discuss the wedding details later? Let me open a private hot spring for you. The main feature of our hot springs here is clearing the mind and brightening the eyes.¹¹ A good soak can really open up your thoughts,” Auntie Zhou said, hospitably leading them into the lobby.

“Indeed, a soak would be better,” Shi Jinlan, who was walking behind Auntie Zhou, unexpectedly added in a soft voice, despite her usually taciturn nature.

Chi Qian reacted almost instantly.

Shi Jinlan was referring to the last time Thirteen had contacted her and suggested she go for a soak too.

At this thought, Chi Qian turned and shot Shi Jinlan a look.

But Shi Jinlan just gave a faint smile and naturally took the hand that had swung toward her.

Their fingers intertwined.

“Then… the one in the very middle on the east side, Jianjia Pool, 104.” Auntie Zhou was better with computers than her own son. She made her selection and opened the best private hot spring pool for the group.

Four people, four key cards. Auntie Zhou counted them out and handed them over. “Four, take these.”

She didn’t stop moving, rummaging through a high-end cabinet behind the counter for something. “Perfect, I just got a batch of high-quality bathrobes in. Satin, very nice. Wait, I’ll get them for you.”

Auntie Zhou was swift, quickly finding three of them.

But she couldn’t find the fourth one no matter how she looked. It seemed there weren’t enough stocked at the front desk.

As the nominal host of this gathering, Chi Qian took the initiative to let Shi Jinlan and the others take their key cards and locker number tags to go change first, while she went with Auntie Zhou to the back storeroom to get hers.

“Found it. Take it and go wear it.” Auntie Zhou was efficient, quickly pulling a bathrobe from a shelf in the storeroom.

The thin garment was like a flower petal. As she spoke, it floated into Chi Qian’s hand. On top of it were the key card and locker number tag Auntie Zhou had prepared earlier.

“This is the number for the changing room. Go on in, there’s no one else,” Auntie Zhou said, patting Chi Qian’s shoulder with a kind expression, urging her to go.

Although Chi Qian didn’t remember many things, she felt a heartfelt anticipation for the hot spring.

It was as if this place held countless indelible memories for her.

Following this feeling, Chi Qian glanced at the number tag in her hand, said, “Thank you, Auntie Zhou,” and walked toward the changing rooms.

Auntie Zhou’s Hot Spring Inn seemed to follow its old management system. The changing rooms for the private hot spring area were all concentrated in one place, composed of small individual stalls.

Chi Qian looked at the number tag in her hand and followed the serpentine arrangement of changing rooms to the one in the very center.

Beep!

With a crisp sound, the door unlocked. Chi Qian stepped into her designated space…

The misty steam from the nearest private hot spring drifted over, a white mist. What entered Chi Qian’s eyes was a smooth, bare back.

Chi Qian’s hand holding the basket tightened, and her feet froze in place.

She was far too familiar with the back before her. Two delicate shoulder blades spread out like a butterfly’s wings, rising and falling gently with each breath.

Shi Jinlan frowned and asked tentatively, “Ah Qian?”

“It’s me.” Chi Qian’s throat was dry.

She finally understood what Auntie Zhou meant by “no one else.”

The author has something to say:

Auntie Zhou: After the deed is done, I flick my sleeves and go, deeply hiding my merits and fame.¹²

Lanlan: Thank you, love from Xiao Yu Island.

Footnotes

An idiom (眼观六路耳听八方, yǎnguānliùlù’ěrtīngbāfāng) meaning to be extremely observant and aware of one’s surroundings.
An idiom (来者不善, láizhěbùshàn) meaning someone has arrived with unfriendly or hostile intentions.
An idiom (外强中干, wàiqiángzhōnggān) describing something that appears powerful but is actually weak.
French for “How are you?”
The original term is 装逼 (zhuāng bī), a popular slang term for acting cool or pretentious.
French for “Thank you for your interest, Miss, I am well.”
An idiom (鬼斧神工, guǐfǔshéngōng) for uncanny, exquisite craftsmanship that seems to have been made by gods or spirits.
A common saying (大难不死，必有后福, dànànbùsǐ, bìyǒuhòufú) expressing optimism after surviving a calamity.
An idiom (八面玲珑, bāmiànlínglóng) for being smooth and capable in social situations.
The term is 见外 (jiànwài), which means to be overly formal or distant with someone you should be close to.
A phrase (清心明目, qīngxīnmíngmù) from traditional wellness concepts about purifying one’s mind and vision.
A famous line from a poem by Li Bai, expressing a cool, detached attitude after accomplishing something great.

I’m Not Going to Be the White Moonlight

Footnotes

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