Chapter 25: A Play

For someone like me, who has never even been on an airplane, this was my first time soaring so high in the sky. The clouds below were dazzlingly white, almost within reach, and I never imagined the sky could hold such breathtaking scenery.

The black dragon carried us for a long stretch until dusk began to settle. By the time it arrived at the city where I lived, it was already deep into the night. I asked the black dragon to drop us off in an uninhabited area on the outskirts. After walking some distance, a taxi approached.

Luck seemed to be on my side tonight—finding a taxi in such a remote place was nothing short of miraculous. We flagged it down, but the driver’s expression changed instantly upon seeing Lin Weiyan and Feng Zimo. His face turned as pale as a ghost, and he absolutely refused to take us.

It was hardly surprising; two people dressed in ancient costumes in the middle of nowhere would frighten anyone. Eventually, I told the driver we were part of a film crew who had gotten lost while shooting late at night. After much persuasion, he reluctantly agreed to give us a ride.

By the time we returned to my rented apartment, it was already past four in the morning. The moment I opened the door, I nearly jumped in fright. There was someone lying on my narrow single bed.

This person looked exactly like me; even the voice was identical. For a moment, I wondered if I was the imposter. The doppelganger, upon seeing us return, bounced over to Lin Weiyan and, in an instant, transformed into a little girl, about seven or eight years old.

“Sister Weiyan, you’re finally back!” she cried.

Lin Weiyan hugged the little girl gently and said, “Come here, let me see if our Xiaoling has become even more adorable.”

The child’s innocent face was bright with laughter. “Of course Xiaoling is adorable! Did you bring me anything delicious, Sister Weiyan?”

Lin Weiyan took a small stone-like object from her pouch. “Here! This is a reward for our Xiaoling.”

The girl received the gift, her eyes curving into crescent moons with delight. “Thank you, Sister Weiyan!”

Lin Weiyan smiled and then turned to look at Feng Zimo and me.

“We’ll head back now. We’ll visit you again when the weather is cloudy,” she said.

I nodded. “Alright, be careful on your way.”

“No worries, don’t fret,” Feng Zimo replied, sprawling unceremoniously on my single bed.

After seeing Lin Weiyan and the others off, I dragged my exhausted body into the room, only to find Feng Zimo already sound asleep on my bed.

“Hey… wake up, make some space for me,” I said, nudging him.

Whether he was genuinely tired or just pretending to sleep, he ignored me completely. In the end, with no other option, I settled on the sofa.

I slept deeply, not waking until the sun was high in the sky.

“Wake up! Someone’s knocking at the door,” Feng Zimo said, patting my face.

I hate being disturbed while sleeping, especially when I’m in the middle of a good dream.

“Who is it? So annoying,” I muttered drowsily.

“You’re asking me? How should I know? It’s not like they’re looking for me,” Feng Zimo replied.

I crawled off the sofa, still half asleep, and shuffled to the door. When I opened it, I found my cousin standing there.

“You’re finally back,” she said. “Why did you choose this time to go off and clear your head? Do you know Sun Wenwen is dead?”

“I heard about Sun Wenwen’s death,” I replied.

I ushered her into the apartment. Upon seeing Feng Zimo, her face filled with confusion.

“And who is this?”

“He’s my friend. I went to visit him these past few days,” I fibbed.

“What does your friend do? Why is he dressed like that? Why have I never heard you mention him?” she asked suspiciously.

Her doubts were understandable—Feng Zimo looked like he’d stepped straight out of ancient times.

“Hello! I’m an actor,” Feng Zimo explained.

I had to admire his skill; he used the same story I’d told the taxi driver last night, and with remarkable finesse.

“An actor?” my cousin repeated, puzzled.

At that moment, Lin Weiyan entered with Xiaoling.

“Brother Chuyun, Xiaoling and I brought breakfast for you,” she announced.

Lin Weiyan had shed her ancient attire and wore a ponytail, a beige dress, and black canvas shoes. With her natural beauty and perfect figure, she could carry any outfit with extraordinary grace. Her alluring eyes seemed capable of melting anything.

My cousin was stunned by Lin Weiyan’s appearance. Even as a fellow woman, she was captivated by her beauty—one could imagine just how stunning Lin Weiyan truly was.

After a long pause, my cousin finally turned to me. “And who is this?”

“She’s…” I began, but was interrupted.

“Hello, cousin. My name is Lin Weiyan. I’ve often heard Brother Chuyun speak of you, saying you’re a wonderful and kind person,” Lin Weiyan said modestly.

My cousin smiled. “You really know how to talk, Weiyan. Don’t listen to him, he exaggerates.”

Then she added, “Weiyan, please have a seat. My cousin isn’t always the best with words, so forgive him if he’s awkward. But let me assure you, he isn’t fickle. Despite being grown up, he’s never had a girlfriend.”

Listening to their conversation, I thought to myself, what is going on? My dear cousin, could you not let your imagination run wild?

I tried to speak, “Cousin, you…”

But Lin Weiyan interrupted me again.

“Don’t worry, cousin. Brother Chuyun treats me very well,” she said.

I was speechless. What were they up to? Feng Zimo was already grinning ear to ear.

The two women gave me no chance to explain and launched into a lively conversation. Xiaoling, the little girl, joined in with her own adorable antics.

Xiaoling chimed in, “Our Sister Weiyan is the best. She bought Xiaoling lots of delicious snacks.”

My cousin pulled Xiaoling into her arms and pinched her adorable cheeks. “Next time, cousin will buy you a mountain of treats, alright?”

Xiaoling clapped her hands. “Alright, it’s a deal. Pinky promise—one hundred years, no backing out!”

No wonder people say three women make a drama. At this rate, not just one, but ten dramas could play out.

“Cousin, you just mentioned Sun Wenwen’s death? What happened?”

At my question, my cousin remembered she had important news to share with me.