Chapter 59: Entwined

Right—she’d almost forgotten that part.
Wanting strawberry cake was only an excuse to keep Bai Yanci—no appetite, no real wish to eat—thrown to the back of her mind long ago.
Her head was full of how to keep Bai Yanci, ease the relation—and questions piled up, especially about Yang Yufei—no chance to ask.
Bai Yanci didn’t wait for answer—walked to the kitchen alone.
Busy as she was—only came to cook because she’d finally wanted to eat something.
Watching Bai Yanci’s back and skilled hands—her mind still hung on the unfinished story.
The rest wasn’t hard to guess—Xi Yue couldn’t dissuade Bai Yanci. Bai Yanci was a thread of the War God’s consciousness—dwelling in the jade rabbit—great-immortal rank was only a matter of time.
Craving power that fiercely—Bai Yanci wouldn’t miss any chance near Diting.
She noticed—this room too was construction phantom—time flowed different from reality. A long while—oven chimed—Bai Yanci cut cake careful, brought it: “Done. Try it.”
Bai Yanci gentle—eyes like water—if not for imprisonment she’d be the devoted wife she’d dreamed of—the perfect lover.
Moon in the water she couldn’t touch—reflection only dreams allowed.
Sickeningly sweet—still she took a forkful. Bai Yanci had loaded sugar this time—cloying sweet—yet she tasted bitterness.
“How is it?” Bai Yanci propped chin on hand, looked up. “You tried new colors in painting—I tried new recipe in cake—do they match?”
What did that have to do with anything! Hers was distraction—accident!
Bai Yanci did it on purpose—knew she couldn’t take too sweet—dumped sugar in—some petty revenge maybe.
Under Bai Yanci’s half-forcing gaze she took another bite—sweet flooding mouth—sweet until bitter.
She set the fork down—appetite gone: “Not as good as before.”
Heartfelt—honest—and only after speaking realized the double meaning.
Bai Yanci’s mind was fine—face darkened: “I’m busy usually—call Yang Yufei for errands. If nothing else—don’t call me again.”
“Don’t go.” She caught Bai Yanci’s lifting foot. “Don’t misunderstand—I didn’t mean that…”
If Bai Yanci really wanted to go—a ordinary human couldn’t hold her.
But Bai Yanci let her grip—relief—she pressed further—arms around Bai Yanci’s waist—head nuzzled close: “Sister, how busy can Qixie be? Stay with me tonight—please?”
“Ridiculous.” Bai Yanci’s words were harsh—still didn’t pull free. “My plan can’t fail—you’re wasting my time.”
“Sister, I’ve wasted so much of your time already—what’s the point saying that?” Closer—tighter hold. “Or was dating me part of your plan from the start?”
“Ke-ke—let go.” Bai Yanci’s face flushed and paled—awful color.
“I won’t.” She clung like glue—didn’t budge. “Sister—you said yourself our relationship wouldn’t change. Don’t tell me Lord Bai of the moon breaks her word?”
“…Of course not.” Bai Yanci lost all fight at that.
She seized Yi Ke’s hand—immortal power shoved her to the bed—forgot grace and propriety—tore clothes piece by piece—not gentle kiss.
Real warm body under her—fire in her chest roared—almost tore last reason down.
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Yi Ke didn’t struggle—gentle as always. Between kisses she heard Yi Ke low: “Sister—you have me in your heart. You can’t fool me.”
“No need doubt—I have you of course.” She answered. “I love you—I said I’d die for you.”
Yi Ke used the daze: “Then am I Milt, Xi Yue, or Yi Ke?”
She heard the probe—the question Yi Ke had cared about most once. Dizzy—she didn’t want her usual clarity.
“Must there be a ranking?” she asked.
“Mm.”
“Important?”
“Important.”
She looked up at the lover before her—more like Xi Yue—outlines overlapping.
Result she’d pushed for—goal reached—not happy.
“Yi Ke is fine. I don’t want you to pay any price—only stay safe and happy beside me—that’s enough.” Soft. “If you could—stay forever—that would be enough.”
“As you wish.” Yi Ke pressed close again—touched her cheek gentle—breath on breath—kissed again.
Yi Ke’s touch was tender—no pity from her—she bit the lip until blood—licked the bead clean.
After exposure of course she missed Yi Ke—missed terribly—day and night.
Same soul—different memory—core the same—in private heart she still ranked them.
Lonely centuries—great wrong—stole Spirit Tide jade pendant—willing immortal warrant—separate Xi Yue’s consciousness from the artifact—dreamed Xi Yue’s return.
Maybe she was mad—these days even dreams were Yi Ke in human form—not moon immortal Xi Yue—never before.
Though Yi Ke was beside her—the heart felt worlds away.
No official business—dared not come. Afraid—afraid of the lover’s cold gaze and disgust—afraid to the bone.
Centuries ago—in Xi Yue’s disappointed eyes she’d been flayed alive once—hell’s taste—didn’t want again—wanted escape as always.
When Yang Yufei reported Yi Ke wanted strawberry cake—hope stirred again.
Maybe… her lover didn’t hate her that much—room to turn back.
So she came.
A thousand years’ experience knew it might be act—to fool her—she accepted anyway—stopped running.
Already more than expected—Yi Ke still spent effort on her—would spare energy to play along—what more to want?
That was enough.
Next morning Yang Yufei mixed medicine—brought it herself—knocked—left at door.
After a night entangled Yi Ke just woke—Bai Yanci sat bedside—proud face again: “Ke-ke, take your medicine.”
One night of storm—body sore—lazy—no strength.
Construction phantom—without the maker’s leave—no coming or going at will.
“Ke-ke?” Bai Yanci held the bowl—called again.
She’d made a scene once—one night of warmth—not enough trust. Bai Yanci was cautious—wouldn’t release her.
She muttered: “Medicine at Mu’s, medicine here too? Who knows what’s in that black soup…”
“Antidote—for the red pills. Poison not cleared—bad for my next plan too.” Bai Yanci said. “I’m not your viper foster mother—why harm you?”
Harm no—but use yes.
She knew—with Bai Yanci no bargaining. Antidote or poison—Bai Yanci watching—only drink.
Drained the bowl—asked: “What’s an inhibitor?”
Bai Yanci looked up: “Inhibitor is inhibitor.”
…Same as saying nothing.
What had Bai Yanci learned in the mortal world these years? Nonsense speak mastered too.
Rage and madness useless—only flattery worked—she swallowed displeasure: “Tell me more about Xi Yue? Last time you stopped halfway—I want to know what happened after.”
Bai Yanci refused without thought: “When full consciousness returns you’ll remember yourself.”
“Sister—I want to know now.” Old trick—wheedled again. “I’m so bored—nothing fun here—you’d watch me rot?”
Bai Yanci didn’t lift eyes: “You’re not a plant—how would you rot?”
This rabbit had zero sense of humor.
Bai Yanci’s eyes went to the sketch board. She pouted: “It’s the information age—internet age—travel age. No phone, no air outside. Besides—I’m past entrance exams—don’t want to live with a drawing board all day…”
Maybe sincerity—or conscience—Bai Yanci took phone from robe, tossed it: “Give up leaving. You can’t trick me anyway.”
“Lord Bai mighty, Lord Bai wise.” She flattered. “SI and bureau together aren’t your match—I can’t beat you—I won’t play tricks.”