So I Had No Choice But to Stop Being the White Moonlight – Chapter 82

I’m Not Going to Be the White Moonlight

Unfinished Business

A breeze picked up, sending a ripple across the flat surface of the lake.

Sunlight traced a shimmering path along the fishing line submerged in the water. In the distance, the lush greenery looked like a surging sea.

There was a considerable distance from the center of the lake to the opposite shore. A low-flying dragonfly landed on a lotus leaf, resting for a long while before flying back in its direction.

Chi Qian felt that from this far away, she shouldn’t have been able to make out the features of the person on the other side. And yet, she recognized Yuan Ming¹ in a single glance.

Three years had passed like a white steed flashing past a crack²; looking back, it all felt like only yesterday.

Chi Qian watched Yuan Ming stand on the opposite shore and thought she still looked the same as she used to. Her off-white dress fluttered gently in the wind, the softest color in the world.

But ever since returning to this world, Chi Qian had never once imagined she would run into an acquaintance other than Shi Jinlan.

Or rather, after she stopped playing the role of “Chi Qian,” she had no idea how to interact with the people she had connected with in this world in the past.

She had only lived in place of the original owner for a time. The friends and family from the original owner’s life were still a part of that life, not hers.

Still, even though there should have been no connection between them anymore, Chi Qian couldn’t help but feel a thrill the moment she saw Yuan Ming.

It was like old friends reuniting, like meeting an old acquaintance in a foreign land³.

Three years, and yet more than three years.

Driven by this feeling, the moment she saw Yuan Ming on the opposite shore, Chi Qian subconsciously wanted to raise a hand to greet her.

But before her hand was even halfway up, she stopped herself.

That’s not right.

Chi Qian snapped back to her senses. The person she was now was not the person she had been. She wasn’t supposed to know Yuan Ming.

Three years had passed. What was the relationship between Yuan Ming and Shi Jinlan now, after all this time?

Didn’t Yuan Ming say back then that she was staying at the university to do research? Why was she at the manor now?

Perhaps from spending too much time with Shi Jinlan, Chi Qian had also grown a layer of vigilance against the unknown.

She turned to look at Thirteen beside her and asked in her mind: 【Thirteen, has Ah Lan told you anything about what happened these past three years? Is she still in contact with Yuan Ming?】

Thirteen was still eating its plump chub, meowing as its muffled voice came through: 【I don’t know (chew, chew, chew), Shi Jinlan didn’t tell me (chew, chew, chew) any of this. But when I was unconscious (chew, chew, chew), I think I heard someone say Doctor Yuan (chew, chew, chew). Yuan Ming is probably (chew, chew, chew) employed by Shi Jinlan.】

【This chub is so good (chew, chew, chew), Host, can you catch me a few more (chew, chew, chew)…】

If this were the past, Chi Qian could never have imagined Thirteen acting so spinelessly.

She just stared at this cat who had now lost all its cool and dignified composure, shot it a helpless look, and gave up on the idea of a familiar greeting.

The lake stretched out before them. Chi Qian’s gaze held a friendly politeness.

She looked at the “stranger” on the opposite shore and gave her a slight nod in greeting.

But just as Chi Qian lifted her head again, the figure that had been in the distance suddenly vanished.

The lush greenery swayed with the wind.

The verdant expanse was empty, without a single trace of that soft, white figure.

Chi Qian’s eyes immediately widened.

What’s going on?

Was I just seeing things?

How could I have such a hallucination?

And even if I were to have a hallucination, I should be seeing Shi Jinlan…

Chi Qian had never been so confused.

A warm breeze carrying a faint chill swept across the lake’s surface, raising goosebumps on her skin and sending a cold sweat down her back.

This place… there isn’t anything supernatural going on, is there?

Chi Qian subconsciously gripped the fishing rod on its stand, staring intently at the spot where she had just seen Yuan Ming. She looked for a long time, starting to wonder if there was something wrong with her.

Or had the world bugged out?

“Miss Chi.”

Just then, a voice suddenly came from behind her.

Madam Housekeeper’s figure appeared, walking up from behind.

Her voice was always gentle and unassuming, but Chi Qian’s attention was so focused on the supernatural event across the lake that even the slightest sound was enough to startle her.

Clatter!

The fishing rod Chi Qian had just been holding fell from her grasp. Thirteen stared forlornly as a fish that was just about to bite slipped away. “Meow… (Host! My fish…)”

“Miss Chi?” Madam Housekeeper was puzzled by her reaction.

“Madam Housekeeper?” Chi Qian stared blankly at the person who had appeared before her. The bright sunlight shone from behind Madam Housekeeper, suddenly bathing the surroundings in a warm glow.

“You’re here!” Chi Qian said, beaming as if she had just found her savior.

“The Young Miss gave instructions that Miss Chi’s physical condition is to be checked on schedule these next few days,” Madam Housekeeper said unhurriedly. She turned half-sideways to make an introduction. “Miss Chi, this is Doctor Yuan. She will be conducting your examination today.”

In less than half an hour, Chi Qian had heard “Doctor Yuan” twice.

She had a premonition. Following Madam Housekeeper’s gesture, she saw the off-white dress that had appeared among the greenery drifting toward her on the lake breeze.

The moment Yuan Ming saw Chi Qian, a gentle smile blossomed on her face.

She proactively extended a hand toward Chi Qian and introduced herself. “Hello, Miss Chi. My name is Yuan Ming. Like Doctor Zhao who saw you last time, I am one of Miss Shi’s family doctors. Doctor Zhao had something come up today, so I am here in her place.”

Yuan Ming’s introduction was poised and graceful, showing no surprise at seeing a face identical to the one from the past.

Chi Qian suddenly felt a little lost.

Did Shi Jinlan tell her everything about my return?

But if Yuan Ming is someone Shi Jinlan trusts enough to tell these things, why wasn’t she the one who has been examining me these past few days?

Most importantly, isn’t the timing a little off here!

Why did I just see her on the opposite shore a few minutes ago, only for her to suddenly teleport in front of me!

It couldn’t be some strange refraction of summer light that created a mirage⁴ on the other side of the lake, could it?

The warm sunlight fell gently across Chi Qian’s vision.

One of them stood casually in the sun while the other was sheltered in Madam Housekeeper’s shadow. A halo of color ringed the sun, making the gently smiling Yuan Ming in front of her feel unreal.

Unsure if it was some unfinished business from a past life, Chi Qian felt an inexplicable sense of guilt and apprehension toward Yuan Ming.

She clenched and unclenched her empty hand before politely extending it toward her. “Hello.”

“Hello, Miss Chi.” Yuan Ming shook her hand, her gaze gentle. After letting go, she asked, “Miss Chi, do you often sweat this much?”

The question caught Chi Qian completely off guard.

Could she really admit she was nervous about seeing Yuan Ming?

Judging by Yuan Ming’s current reaction, Chi Qian felt she probably didn’t know she was the Chi Qian from the past.

And Yuan Ming wasn’t Shi Jinlan. To her, Chi Qian really wasn’t the childhood sweetheart⁵ she was once familiar with.

Her childhood sweetheart was gone.

And she was the one who had made her disappear.

At this thought, Chi Qian’s tense emotions eased slightly due to her guilt.

She forced a calm smile and, facing the sun, fanned herself with her hand. “It’s a little hot outside.”

“I see.” Yuan Ming nodded lightly, taking note.

She then turned to Madam Housekeeper and said, “Butler Chen, I’d like to give Miss Chi a more thorough examination. You can head back first; I’ll get back on my own when I’m done.”

Chi Qian didn’t know what kind of status Yuan Ming held in Shi Jinlan’s household, but Madam Housekeeper did not object. “Very well, Doctor Yuan. Please contact me when you are ready to leave, and I will send a boat to pick you up.”

“Thank you for your trouble.” Yuan Ming took the medical kit from Madam Housekeeper’s hands and gave her a slight nod.

The tranquility was broken by the rumble of an engine. The lotus flowers swayed, pushed by the current.

Chi Qian’s gaze passed through the swaying willow branches, and she finally heard the sound of a moving boat on the still water. A small speedboat cut through the lake, heading for the opposite shore.

Chi Qian curiously watched Madam Housekeeper’s boat depart, and then she heard Yuan Ming’s gentle voice from beside her. “Miss Chi, shall we go inside or stay here?”

Chi Qian was still a little unused to hearing that form of address from Yuan Ming’s lips.

She looked around. If she took Yuan Ming indoors, it would be too easy to expose herself with nothing to do. Out here, there was still a fishing rod. If Yuan Ming had any suspicions, she could pretend a fish was on the line to change the subject. It was safer.

“Let’s just stay here,” Chi Qian decided.

“Alright.” Yuan Ming nodded, sat on a rock next to Chi Qian, and began her consultation. “I’ve reviewed Doctor Zhao’s records. Your asthma is congenital, correct?”

“Yes… and no.” Chi Qian nodded, then shook her head.

She didn’t want Yuan Ming to know she was the same person who had been her childhood sweetheart for a few short months.

She wasn’t here to reunite with her, nor did she want fate to be too cruel—to let her have something back, only for it not to truly be hers.

If she said the asthma was congenital, it would be too similar to her past self.

Besides, how could this be congenital? Back in her original world, she had been a healthy, energetic person who loved to run wild and drink strong liquor. Could an asthmatic do any of that?!

“I think it’s acquired. I don’t really remember,” Chi Qian said, scratching her cheek as she prepared to play dumb.

“Miss Chi, you shouldn’t joke about your health. While asthma may not seem different from normal when it’s not acting up, the threat this condition poses to your health will become more and more serious as you age.” Hearing Chi Qian’s evasive answer, Yuan Ming’s expression grew serious.

The distant wind blew across the lake, the shimmering water dazzling.

As Yuan Ming spoke, she lowered her eyes, her gentle demeanor vanishing. Her dark pupils were filled with the authoritative pressure of a doctor.

Chi Qian blinked and obediently admitted her mistake. “I’m sorry.”

“Please open your mouth and let me take a look,” Yuan Ming said, continuing her examination and taking a “popsicle stick” from her kit.

“Ah—”

Chi Qian vaguely remembered being examined like this often as a child. Seeing the tongue depressor, she opened her mouth by reflex.

She sat perfectly straight, holding her mouth open in a wide, steady arc—the very picture of a model patient undergoing an asthma check-up.

Seeming somewhat gratified by her patient’s sudden professional and proper attitude, Yuan Ming’s tense brow slowly relaxed.

Her movements were gentle and her gaze was serious. After a moment of inspection, she gave Chi Qian a nod of approval. “It seems there are no longer any abnormalities.”

Chi Qian let out a sigh of relief.

But to her surprise, Yuan Ming didn’t release the hand holding her chin. Her gentle eyes curved slightly as she smiled at her. “It seems that in the years we’ve been apart, Ah Qian has taken very good care of herself.”

---

The author has something to say:

Qianqian: So my online alias⁶ can’t fool anyone after all! (flips the script)

---

---