Chapter ④⑤ When I Saw Her Again
Sounds of surprise came from all around. After all, Yu Hui’s sudden embrace was a little bold.
Originally, Aji and I, as outsiders, were already quite conspicuous. Now, with three famous beautiful girls gathering, and one even lunging forward, the impact instantly spread throughout the ballroom. Although it was mere whispering, the sound of many people discussing in hushed tones could still drown out the not-so-loud music.
Hearing these voices, Yu Hui realized her actions were a bit too intimate and immediately retreated from my embrace, her cheeks already flushed red.
“I’m sorry… I got a little too excited.”
“It’s alright, thank you for your concern.”
This shy feeling is really like Yu Hui. Ah, that’s right, what my girls lack is precisely this kind of shy feeling. Only Yu Hui still has such a sense of shame. Another one is Li… Cough. Although I think Lily started to enjoy it from the middle, M-slaves always use the guise of shame to hide their boundless lack of principles.
After introducing themselves, Yu Hui eagerly asked about my whereabouts these past few days.
“Juncheng, where have you been all these days? Do you know that Teacher Lily and the others have been looking for you? We thought you had encountered some misfortune.”
Neither Ke Ling nor Lily were present at this prom, as they had not yet learned that I had escaped. Yu Hui’s appearance at the prom was likely because she was unaware of the situation. Just as I concealed my whereabouts to avoid involving Lily and the others, Lily and the others did not inform Yu Hui of everything for her safety. Of course, my intentions were the same.
“Well, something happened… but it’s mostly resolved now.” In truth, it wasn’t completely resolved, but to reassure Yu Hui, this was the best thing to say.
“In any case, I’ll tell Ke Ling and Teacher Lily about your safety first. Hmm, I don’t have my phone on me. I’ll go back to the locker room.” Yu Hui was about to return to the locker room when I grabbed her hand.
“No need, Yu Hui, you don’t have to tell them for now.”
“But they’ve been so worried…”
“Then tell them after the prom that I’m safe. Oh, and tell them Xiao An is with me.”
“Xiao An?”
“Yes, Xiao An ran out to find me without leaving any message. They must be very worried.”
“Alright, I understand.” Yu Hui didn’t ask any further questions. She was always so reassuring, able to understand the situation and my thoughts, which is why I trusted her so much.
Seeing that Yu Hui and I had finished our conversation, Natsuki asked us.
“Speaking of which, why are you two here? Now that you’ve come to the prom, aren’t you going to invite beautiful ladies to dance?”
I said with a wry smile.
“Hmph, why bother about others! In the end, this prom doesn’t strictly require attendees to wear formal attire. Otherwise, the invitation would have stated ‘Please attend in formal attire.’ In the end, everyone just wants to stand out.”
“Indeed, and Aji, your attire has attracted quite a bit of attention. Look, some girls around are eager, but they’re too embarrassed to come over.”
Aji snapped his fingers, looking smug as if it was all part of his plan, and laughed.
“Aha! See, I was right! All the other men have become our vassals now!”
I thought it was quite the opposite. Most of the girls around were frowning as they looked this way, probably thinking, ‘These two have such poor manners, why are girls flocking to them? Could it be that you’re a hidden rich young master?’ That kind of thought. In other words, what truly earned me and Aji points wasn’t this casual wear, but the three beautiful girls, including Yu Hui. Just as Boko said, humans are visual beings. No matter where you are, the most beautiful always gets the most attention. And this childhood friend who could so easily provoke Aji’s emotions was simply manipulating him by fully understanding his personality and way of thinking.
“Well then, now there are ‘coincidentally’ two ladies willing to dance with you. As gentlemen, shouldn’t you invite us to dance?”
“Okay! Uh…”
Aji straightened his back, preparing to extend an invitation, but found himself in a dilemma again. He was caught in a shura field between his childhood friend and the class monitor. Tsk tsk tsk…
It’s not good to be so gloating, but I can finally see someone else in distress over emotional matters. I’ve experienced plenty of such heartache. All these tears are for another day. Heh heh, Aji, good luck. I’ll sit here and watch the show.
I sat down on a resting chair placed against the wall by the dining table and continued to feast. Yu Hui sat in the chair next to me.
“Yu Hui, aren’t you going to dance?”
Yu Hui blinked and looked at me without speaking. If I were to suggest she go dance with someone else now, I’d be asking for trouble. Not only would it lower my favorability, but I’d also be branded a brainless scum.
“Um, well, it’s not very presentable for me to dance with you dressed like this, and I’m not very good at dancing… Uh, what I mean is, it’s not that I don’t want to invite you, it’s because…”
“Hehehe…”
Yu Hui suddenly let out a soft laugh, then gave me an understanding smile and said, “I know. I’ve been standing for a while too, and I’m a bit tired. Sitting here beside you and eating something is quite nice.”
“Is that so, then that’s good.” She will always be by my side…
On the other side, Aji finally made his decision. He took one person by each hand and walked into the dance floor. Natsuki looked embarrassed, while Han Chun’ai still smiled, but her cheeks were also slightly flushed. It seemed Aji had really gone all out. It’s estimated that tomorrow, everyone’s social media and group chats will be flooded with this scene, and even campus news will come up with sensational headlines.
“Juncheng, your friends have the same romantic misfortune as you.”
“…Uh, what do you mean, ‘the same as me’?”
“Tell me honestly, what is your relationship with Teacher Lily?”
Suddenly asked about my relationship with Lily, my heart tightened. I originally wanted to say it was just a normal teacher-student relationship, but the image of Lily that surfaced in my mind made me refrain from saying it. Instead, I said, “A relative…”
“Heh, isn’t it a master-servant relationship?”
“Of course not, the contract was long… Huh?”
I turned to look at Yu Hui beside me in disbelief, only to find that she had let down her pinned-up hair, and the atmosphere she exuded had completely changed. It’s impossible for Yu Hui in this world to know that Lily and I were once master and servant! Unless it’s the Yu Hui from the original world! Could it be that Yu Hui, like Lan, has also entered this Spiritual World?
“This Western-style formal wear is much more convenient to wear, but I still prefer the twelve-layered robes, heh…” Yu Hui narrowed her eyes and chuckled, covering her mouth with her right hand, which was wearing a glove. It was a completely different person!
‘She’ isn’t Yu… Who is she! Who replaced Yu Hui!
“You…”
‘Yu Hui’ suddenly put on a pitiful expression, leaned over and snuggled into my arms, looking up with tear-filled, hazy eyes, stroking my face as she said, “You don’t remember me… Heh.”
“…Impossible…”
I felt like I had been swept by a mudslide on a rainy day and then struck by lightning. My whole being exploded. She is, she is… “A…, A–”
A’nou, my wife, the love of my life. She is Saito Kibicho… Then… I…..
Amidst the flames and smoke, “You are Juncheng An.”
That voice echoed in my chaotic mind, shattering all the memories that surfaced. I leaned back on the chair, breathing a sigh of relief, my body drenched in sweat.
“Yes. I am Juncheng An… …”. ‘She’ was not a stranger; in fact, our bond was incredibly deep, for ‘she’ was once ‘my’ wife. Although that was all in a past life, hundreds of years ago from now.
“Why are you here… What about Yu Hui?”
“Don’t worry, ‘this child’ is fine, and I have no intention of replacing her. It’s just that ‘this place’ has some connection with ‘me’, so I can appear. ‘Others’ are still fragments of memory and won’t appear like me.”
“A connection with you?” This Spiritual World? Does it have anything to do with Yu Hui’s past life as ‘Saito Kibicho’?
“-.- This has nothing to do with you, does it? You are no longer my believer, and I am just a ‘memory fragment’ that can only appear in this ‘fleeting illusion’.”
“Then why did you appear?”
“Since I have a rare opportunity to appear, of course I want to stretch my legs. What, do I need your permission for this?”
“Not at all, how dare I. Please, do as you please…”
“Hmph, you look exactly like Nobunaga, but your personality is completely different.”
“You are also completely different from Yu Hui.” Yu… A’nou was silent for a moment, then said with a bitter smile or perhaps with resignation.
“Indeed, life is fifty years, and compared to eternity, it is but a dream…” “You don’t need to apologize. The deceased are gone, and the living move on. We are merely the passing clouds, and you are the proof of our existence… Our souls are the same.”
This person truly lives up to her name, like a beautiful butterfly breaking free from its cocoon, giving one a dreamlike feeling. “But Yu Hui’s personality is too soft, and you have her completely under your thumb. In the future, she’ll only be bullied by the main wife. Alas! Poor me, having gone through nine reincarnations, I was only able to be your wife in one lifetime, and I couldn’t even leave you with offspring~ Ah~ I’m so pitiful~” What is this all about now… When she called me just now, she suddenly started crying pitifully, and one cry of ‘Nobunaga’ almost made me lose myself. Do women become so dramatic?
“So, I hope you can speak a good word for me in front of the main wife and fight for Yu Hui’s position, okay?”
“Say… the main wife…”
“Humph, isn’t she the one who occupies your dreams?”
“She’s here.”
“Ah?” Following A’nou’s gaze, I looked towards the entrance of the hall. The music in the hall suddenly stopped. The men and women on the dance floor also ceased their dancing, and all eyes turned to her. Just because of her entrance.
I couldn’t help but stand up and murmur.
“Lianbing.”
When I saw her again, I finally understood. I had already fallen deeply in love with her.
