Chapter 23: Shopping

“Sister… you?” That sounded exactly like wheedling. How could she refuse?
“I’m really fine—mostly healed, really.” Bai Yanci dressed fast—khaki scarf— “Ke-ke, shall we go?”
So quick—so smooth—Yi Ke stared: “You…”
Words died—swallowed the refusal.
Bai Yanci was unfair—face, movement—everything elegant.
She had no power to refuse this person.
Bai Yanci in front—judgment scrambled—all plans scattered.
Jintian winter—colder daily—snow heavier—few pedestrians.
Holding room nearby—Bai Yanci not fully healed—wounds still closing. Refused blink-to holding—took a cab.
Warmer in the car—draft or leak—chills anyway.
Always cold—school days Mu used to pack a scarf or heat patches—gentle: “It’s cold outside—wrap up—don’t get sick.”
Now she knew—that was false love.
Real love—never a drop from Mu.
Rubbing hands for warmth—scarf wrapped around her.
Turn—Bai Yanci had tied it careful—pretty knot—taste flawless.
Stunned—only staring—forgot what to do—what to say.
“What are you looking at? Am I that pretty?” Looked away fast. “Don’t read into it—I didn’t grab it for you.”
Back—heart sweet—arm through Bai Yanci’s again—voice soft: “Sister—know yourself.”
“Know what?”
“Sister.” Light laugh. “Do you know you’re beautiful?”
Bai Yanci choked—too much data—coughed twice—ice beauty in the taxi.
Fun—leaned closer—hand on Bai Yanci’s: “Sister—I’m still cold—what do we do?”
“So icy—am I hot or are you?” No more cold act—hand on her forehead. “No fever—what’s wrong with you?”
“Cold constitution—always was.”
Without pause Bai Yanci gripped both her hands—shared warmth: “Better? Warmer?”
“Y-yes. Much better.”
Her turn to blank—this rabbit was direct!
Wanted a little wish fulfilled—got more than expected.
Bai Yanci more active than imagined—she didn’t dare weigh the tiny possibility.
Fine—didn’t stop her being happy.
Warmth brief—then holding room.
Lin Qingzhu had stayed on guard since she left.
Healing type—if Chu He worsened—handle it.
“Go back—tell Jiang-jie to relieve you—I’ll handle here.”
Door—Chu He still unconscious—flame same as yesterday—no worse.
Moon trip—power up—Spirit Tide pool water—should fight the filth in her flame.
On the way Bai Yanci said—Spirit Tide jade was sacred artifact—pool water absorbed jade power over years—purification too.
One drop into Chu He’s flame—wait—moon forbidden art—strip a cluster—into the unconscious girl.
With pool water—filth couldn’t backlash—cleaned clear—azure again.
Power didn’t lessen the strip pain.
Many forbidden casts now—she hid it well. This time—looking at Bai Yanci—didn’t hide.
Leaned on the doorframe—tears from pain: “Sister—it hurts so much.”
“What’s wrong?” Bai Yanci at once—wanted to heal. “Too many casts lately—no more forbidden art. Special body or not—flame recovery can’t keep up.”
“Your wounds aren’t healed—don’t spend power on me.” Stopped the healing—shook head—weak pitiful act. “If you don’t listen—I’ll get mad.”
Bai Yanci lost—thought—asked: “What can I do to help?”
Fake mysterious think—plan ready long ago: “Done here—come shopping with me.”
“What?”
“Forgot?” Seeing her puzzled—laugh. “I promised—when this was over—I’d take you shopping.”
“But you…”
“Come on—how many buts.” Teasing. “Don’t call yourself Bai Yanci—call yourself Bai But.”
“…You’re asking for it.” Provoked—teeth tight—no way to hit back.
Handed off to Jiang Ran—straight to Jintian’s biggest mall.
In the door—dragged Bai Yanci to clothes: “Pick—like it—take it. You always roast my taste. I got paid—I’m buying.”
Bai Yanci one glance: “What is this? Wearable?”
Low urgent: “My goddess—quiet—so rude.”
Bai Yanci shh—relief.
On design—Bai Yanci’s tongue could kill—lick your lips and die of poison.
Several rounds—immortal sister grudgingly entered a shop—tried a set on.
Taste good—design sense—suited her.
Clerk: “Beauty—model face! Made for you—tailored!”
Not flattery—white clothes matched her aura.
That face—even a sack would beat most beauties.
Bai Yanci blank—stripped—tried another—clerk lost.
“She’s… introverted.” To clerk. “Everything she tried—new set—pack—deliver Tinglan Apartments.”
Clerk—no surprise—money god—grin: “Sure sure—introverted’s fine—steady—big things ahead!”
Leaving clothes—Bai Yanci’s eyes caught another shop.
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A bakery—ordinary—a strawberry cake in the window.
“What’s that?”
Moon palace sounded grand—no little cakes? No cakes—what else was missing?
Sudden ache for her.
“Little cake—delicious—want to try?” Bought two—sat side by side—both on the table. “I don’t like sweets—all yours.”
Fork—small bite—brow knit: “So sweet.”
“Don’t like it?”
Next second—knew not to ask.
Elegant—several more bites—half gone fast.
She waved—ordered bigger strawberry cake—delivery to Tinglan.
“Dinner tonight then.” Feed-success pride. “Sister—want to try more?”
Bai Yanci shook head—pushed one cake to her: “You really won’t eat?”
“Really don’t.” Smile—pushed back.
“Why not?”
“Used to love it.” Thought—years ago memory. “At the bureau Mu said I was sick—body needed care—forbade all this—over time I stopped wanting it.”
“Habit—not dislike.” Pushed the other cake to her. “Your foster mother’s not watching—try. Want me to feed you?”