So I Had No Choice But to Stop Being the White Moonlight – Chapter 94

I’m Not Going to Be the White Moonlight

Probing

Perhaps it was because someone had spoken, giving her gaze a place to land.

The steam that had been curling up in Song Tang’s vision seemed to gradually dissipate.

            

In the center of the white mist sat a square table for drinking tea. A fair arm rested on the reddish-brown tabletop.

Yuan Ming wasn’t seated in the host’s position, but on the side, at the right-hand seat, looking up at Song Tang.

Her bright, dark pupils were tinged with the brown of tea, like a cup of strongly brewed tea. It wasn’t bitter, but gentle, putting one’s mind at ease.

            

Song Tang had an impression of the person speaking to her.

Just a moment ago, to escape Shi Jinlan’s cold gaze, she had given the cocktail she’d mixed to this person. As luck would have it, this person knew both Chi Qian and Shi Jinlan, and their relationship seemed to be quite deep.

But why was there no information about this person in the files the System had given her?

            

Could it be that this person wasn’t an important character in this world?

Someone this good-looking wasn’t even considered part of the main cast?

Main System, you have eyes but no pupils!​¹

            

Song Tang felt an inexplicable indignation, completely forgetting that sometimes, being counted as a main character by the System wasn’t necessarily a good thing.

Her exposed skin was covered in a layer of lukewarm heat, and a gentle current of air drifted through the space. For some reason, even though the two of them didn’t know each other yet, being in the same room like this wasn’t awkward.

Song Tang looked at this person, vaguely recalling that her name seemed to be—

            

“Yuan Ming.”

As if confirming the memory in her head, Yuan Ming’s gentle voice sounded by Song Tang’s ear again. Her gaze was as soft as ever as she looked at Song Tang, who was standing at the entrance, and took the initiative to speak. “I haven’t had a chance to introduce myself to Miss Song. My name is Yuan Ming. I’m a doctor at the Ningcheng Medical University Affiliated Hospital. I’m a childhood friend of Ah Qian’s, and also Miss Shi’s family doctor.”

Hearing Yuan Ming’s self-introduction, Song Tang was a bit surprised. It wasn’t because of Yuan Ming’s relationship with Chi Qian and Shi Jinlan, but because she had assumed that such a gentle-looking person would have a background similar to her own in this world—someone in the arts.

            

She never expected her to be a doctor.

Perhaps with this profession as a precondition, Song Tang examined Yuan Ming more closely and suddenly felt that her temperament actually fit the image of a doctor very well. If she were ever sick and had such a beautiful doctor treating her, she felt her illness would heal much faster.

With that thought, Song Tang generously extended a hand to Yuan Ming. Her voice was flamboyant and uninhibited, her red hair floating in the mist like a flame that couldn’t be quenched by water. “Hello, my name is Song Tang. I’m Ah Qian’s wedding planner.”

            

Yuan Ming watched as that flame in her vision burned its way toward her, and unhurriedly extended her own hand. “Yes, I know.”

The swirling mist refracted the light, and the flame seemed to burn onto Yuan Ming’s arm. She maintained her polite demeanor, yet seemed to forget to let go as she continued to shake her hand, adding, “The drink you mixed was also very good. At first, I thought that was your profession.”

That slender hand was layered with warmth, and Song Tang’s palm felt hot. Yuan Ming’s voice remained gentle, but for some reason, hearing her say that made Song Tang’s heart clench uncontrollably.

            

The warm yellow light was blurred by the mist, which also concealed many details that would have otherwise been visible. Song Tang felt that Yuan Ming’s eyes were very gentle, but beneath that gentleness, something seemed to be hidden. She wasn’t a simple person.

Then again, could anyone who spent time with Shi Jinlan be simple?

Thinking this, Song Tang quickly processed it. She guessed that Yuan Ming was appearing before her now partly to probe her—this “person who suddenly appeared”—on Shi Jinlan’s behalf. So, she brushed her skirt and deliberately sat down beside Yuan Ming with an air of casualness, replying, “Just a hobby. If Miss Yuan enjoys a drink, I can mix one for you when we get back.”

            

The light and shadow flickered like a butterfly’s wings across the side of Yuan Ming’s face. Then, a scent she couldn’t quite describe settled beside her. It was like spilled liquor, but without the typically sharp, aggressive impoliteness of alcohol. This scent had been filtered clean, leaving only the purest intensity. It complemented the red flame in her vision perfectly.

Yuan Ming heard her own heart thump once.

Then Song Tang’s voice sounded by her ear again. “But shouldn’t doctors drink less? Otherwise, won’t your hands shake?”

            

Her voice sounded a little troubled, yet also playful. It was hard to say how much sincerity was in her invitation for a drink.

But Yuan Ming wanted it to be one hundred percent.

She replied, “A little now and then is fine.”

            

Song Tang liked to drink, and she especially liked to drink with beautiful people. Chi Qian used to tease her, saying she drank alcohol like it was tea, with a mountain of quirks, being picky about everything and anything.

But now, hearing Yuan Ming’s words, Song Tang didn’t even think before sealing the deal. “So I’ll take that as a yes?”

“Of course.” Yuan Ming gave a slight nod.

            

Having just arrived in a new place and already made plans to drink with a beautiful new jiejie, Song Tang was overjoyed. They weren’t familiar with each other yet, their only link being Chi Qian. Song Tang was very aware of boundaries and was thinking about whether to use Chi Qian to close the distance between her and Yuan Ming.

Yuan Ming seemed to have the same idea. “I heard from Ah Qian that Miss Song grew up abroad. How did you two meet? You seem to have a very good relationship.”

Yuan Ming must have also heard when Chi Qian introduced her to Shi Jinlan earlier. Since her identity had been casually decided by this person, Song Tang decided not to change it. “That’s right.”

            

However, the “abroad” she was from was very far away indeed, even farther than France. She hadn’t expected that besides having to deal with Shi Jinlan, she would also have to handle Yuan Ming in more detail. But compared to the ice-cold Shi Jinlan, Song Tang wasn’t as tense or guarded around Yuan Ming.

Thinking quickly, Song Tang followed the same principle the System used to fabricate Chi Qian’s identity and began weaving a story based on how she and Chi Qian had actually met. “To be honest, when I was studying abroad, I had a work-study job at a bar.​² Ah Qian and I met at that bar, just like how I ran into you all today.”

“Is that so?” Hearing Song Tang’s explanation, Yuan Ming lowered her eyelashes slightly and remarked in a soft voice, “What a peculiar friendship.”

            

“Why else do they say some people are born to be friends? Ah Qian and I just inexplicably hit it off.” Song Tang poured herself a glass of water and drank it with the bravado of someone drinking liquor.

With her throat moistened, she explained the process of getting to know Chi Qian in more detail. “Ah Qian came to my bar often. That girl has a discerning palate, too. No matter what I mixed, she could always point out one or two things about it. After that happened enough times, we got familiar.”

“Besides, she always came when business was slow, so it was nice to have someone to chat with.”

            

Perhaps the warm environment was relaxing, Song Tang thought, as she found herself speaking her mind. She looked at the watermarks on the table; their crystalline gleam was somewhat similar to the lights in her bar, but it still wasn’t her bar.

She had said too much.

Realizing this, Song Tang looked up with a smile and said to Yuan Ming, “Sorry, I got a little carried away.”

            

“Not at all.” Yuan Ming shook her head, her gentle pupils reflecting Song Tang’s face.

With a start, Song Tang realized that Yuan Ming had been watching her very intently from the beginning. This person possessed a non-aggressive gentleness that made it easy for others to let down their guard. Such a gaze wasn’t strange in itself, but only when you realized you were being watched did you discover how ambiguous it actually was.

She was just looking at you like that, her gentle gaze holding a profound depth, as if trying to see something in you.

            

What’s there to see on me?

Song Tang’s heart pounded. She met Yuan Ming’s gaze without flinching and asked with a hint of meaning, “I didn’t realize my story was so fascinating to Miss Yuan.”

“It is a very interesting story.” Yuan Ming didn’t look away. Her gentleness had a strength to it, and she responded to Song Tang with composure.

            

This time, it was Song Tang who was at a loss. She didn’t feel any aversion toward Yuan Ming because of this gaze. After all these years in the bar, Song Tang could easily distinguish between a stare and admiration. She was certain that Yuan Ming’s eyes held only admiration for her, with no other vulgar thoughts.

But her heart was still racing. This feeling of self-consciousness from being watched was unsettling.

What’s with this friend of Chi Qian’s?

            

Does she look at everyone like this?

“What’s taking Ah Qian so long?” Song Tang was truly unsure and feigned a natural tone as she broke her locked gaze with Yuan Ming.

Shua—

            

And just like that, Chi Qian really did seem to be Song Tang’s savior.

As she was speaking, the door was pushed open from the outside. A breeze squeezed in from the opening, pushing out some of the room’s heat.

Amidst the swirling warmth, a fair, slender ankle appeared in Song Tang’s line of sight. Her eyes lingered on it for a second before traveling up the leg that had stepped inside.

            

The cold moon was like frost. Song Tang watched as the porcelain-white legs in her vision were replaced by a white yukata with small pink flowers. As expected, when she raised her gaze, she saw Shi Jinlan’s expressionless face.

Her cool and tall figure cast a shadow on the woven straw mat, painting a picture of Song Tang’s ashen mood.

Shi Jinlan was here.

            

Chi Qian wasn’t.

Wouldn’t this place turn into a joint interrogation by two courts?​³

Ah Qian, I hope I’m still sane when you get here.

            

Just as Song Tang was feeling that her future was uncertain, she vaguely saw a small, pineapple-like head pop into her vision.

With her hair casually clipped up, Chi Qian walked out briskly from beside Shi Jinlan, saying as she went, “Sorry, I’m late.”

“Not at all, not at all! Come sit.” Song Tang’s dying embers rekindled at once.​⁴ She quickly waved Chi Qian over, gesturing for her to sit beside her. “I’ve prepared a ton of proposals for you.”

            

Chi Qian hadn’t expected Song Tang to be so enthusiastic and felt a little unused to it. As soon as she sat down, Song Tang pulled a large folder from the bag she’d brought. Different colored tabs were stuck densely all over the outside, a clear sign of the creator’s dedication.

Chi Qian felt that her usually spontaneous friend was being exceptionally professional today, which made her start to fantasize about the proposals she had made. Even though this was a low-point System mission, Song Tang was truly and dutifully playing the role of her wedding planner.

Chi Qian flipped through the folder she brought. It was filled with all sorts of plans, all of them for a traditional Chinese wedding with a Phoenix Coronet and Robes of Rank.​⁵

            

The unique solemnity and elegance of a Chinese wedding were sketched out on the paper in just a few strokes. Looking at the red paper-cut Double Happiness character,​⁶ Chi Qian finally felt a sense of reality about her own wedding.

This wasn’t just a mission to help Shi Jinlan reach a generic story ending; this was her wedding with Shi Jinlan. She would give it her all to secure Shi Jinlan’s position as the protagonist and make the System submit to her.

She would stay with her forever.

            

Chi Qian’s eyes jumped between the exquisite wedding gowns, nearly dazzled by the choices, but she still felt something was missing.

The pages turned, and even more vibrant colors leaped off the paper. Just as Chi Qian was hesitating about whether to tell Song Tang that she wasn’t entirely satisfied with the gowns she had gathered, the pages turned to reveal design sketches instead of the ready-made clothes popular on the market.

A replica Diancui​⁷ coronet studded with pearls, lifelike and delicate embroidery—it was all perfectly aligned with Chi Qian’s tastes.

            

“I love this one!” Chi Qian pointed to the second design sketch for Song Tang.

“I think this one looks good too.” Song Tang immediately nodded and switched to their encrypted language. “I heard you say before that Little Bi’s wedding dress in Chicheng was gorgeous, so I based the design on that.”

“Wow, Tangtang, you actually remembered!” Chi Qian’s heart felt like it was enveloped in warm steam and melted at once.

            

She still remembered how, whenever the System showcased its monthly selection of high-quality missions, her eyes would be glued to the big screen, full of envy, every time it got to the ancient history channel. Song Tang’s teasing words about her being hopeless were still fresh in her ears. Chi Qian never thought that she would now design one for her too… well, several.

“I remember everything you say. Take a look at these next few too.” Song Tang was exceptionally generous, flipping through the following pages for Chi Qian.

“Tangtang, you’re the best.” Chi Qian didn’t know what was wrong with her, but ever since returning to this world, her tear ducts had become incredibly weak.

            

In this world, it wasn’t just romantic love that could move a person. Familial love was like that, and so was friendship. This was especially true for Chi Qian, a lonely child who had grown up by herself. The more intense the emotion, the more strongly it resonated with her.

This also led to Chi Qian, who had stopped beside Shi Jinlan, drifting closer to Song Tang as she flipped through the pages, like a ship veering off course.

“It’s nothing. I even raised a goose, you know. I’ll make sure your and Miss Shi’s coronets are absolutely perfect!” Song Tang declared, glancing at Shi Jinlan beside Chi Qian.

            

Her eyes were full of goodwill, but the expression on Shi Jinlan’s face hardly changed. Her tall figure knelt ramrod straight, her long eyes slightly downcast. In her silence, she seemed to be thinking about something.

What is she thinking about?

It can’t be me, right?

            

Song Tang’s heart pounded, and she recalled having the same question as Thirteen back then. She didn’t think it could be her, but she was still anxious.

Shi Jinlan truly was a fearsome beauty.

Their Qianqian was amazing.

            

As she thought this, Song Tang took a pen from her bag, now even more determined to give Chi Qian a perfect wedding. “There’s more here. If there’s anything you’re not satisfied with, I can change it for you anytime.”

“Let me see—”

As Chi Qian spoke, a hand cut across her line of sight.

            

Shi Jinlan, whom she had been neglecting for a while, leaned over. Her hand pressed down on the folder in Chi Qian’s hands, pulling it to the space between them. “Together.”

Chi Qian suddenly realized she had been ignoring Shi Jinlan and was about to apologize when her voice was cut off.

A warmth climbed up her leg, which she had casually placed under the table. Shi Jinlan was sitting upright, but her lowered hand had come to rest on Chi Qian’s thigh.

            

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The author has something to say:

Xiao Ming: Lanlan, if you squeeze over a bit more, I can get closer to my wife!

Lanlan: O_O

            

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