When she got home, the exhaustion from that incident fully washed over her.
Yan Yu declined Ruo Xiaozhen’s worried questions, only saying she was tired. She wheeled herself to her room and gently closed the door.
The small, familiar space brought her some sense of security.
She leaned against the headboard and closed her eyes, but the image of Su Qinghan’s calm, expressionless face as she handed over the card still flashed before her.
Her phone vibrated.
Yan Yu looked at it—it was Bai Yan’er.
She hesitated for a moment, then finally answered.
“Hello?”
“Sister, you… made it home? Are you feeling unwell anywhere?”
“Mm. I’m home. I’m fine.” Yan Yu’s voice was a little hoarse.
“That’s good,” Bai Yan’er seemed relieved, her tone brightening slightly. “Sister, lately… do you have enough money? If you need anything, you must tell me. Don’t be polite with me.”
“No need. I still have enough for now.” Yan Yu paused, then added, “Thank you, Yan’er.”
“Don’t mention it between us. Sister, you’re living alone outside, so take good care of yourself. Oh, and if you have time, come visit my place? I’ll cook something delicious for you.”
“…Mm, okay.”
Yan Yu replied, a faint warmth passing through her heart.
In this cold world, Bai Yan’er’s pure concern was as precious as a spark in the frigid night.
“Oh, right, Sister. I feel like… you’ve become much gentler than before.”
Yan Yu was slightly startled.
“Have I?”
“Yes!” Bai Yan’er said firmly. “Before, Sister was always cold to me, didn’t say much… Now you answer my calls, say ‘thank you,’ and even agree to visit me… You’re still a bit formal, but it just feels different.”
Yan Yu held the phone, saying nothing.
She no longer harbored those complicated resentments and distance toward Bai Yan’er.
Perhaps this calm acceptance, in Bai Yan’er’s eyes, had become a rare “gentleness.”
“By the way, Sister,” Bai Yan’er’s voice lowered again. “If you don’t mind… maybe you could move in with me in the future? My place has plenty of space, and I live alone—it’s very empty. I can take care of you, and you won’t have to struggle with sharing a place with strangers…”
This proposal surprised Yan Yu.
“No need, thank you. I’ve already found roommates to live with outside. We get along well.”
“I see,” Bai Yan’er’s voice carried undisguised disappointment. “Well… that’s a shame. But Sister, if you’re living with others, you must be careful. If anything happens, tell me immediately!”
“Mm, I know.” Yan Yu glanced at the darkening sky outside the window. “Yan’er, I still have homework to do. Let’s talk next time?”
“Sure, sure! Sister, go do your work! Remember to rest early and don’t tire yourself out!”
“Mm, you too. Goodbye.”
“Sister, goodbye!”
Yan Yu hung up, set the phone aside, and looked out at the heavy dusk.
—
On the other end of the line.
Bai Yan’er clutched the phone, now with the call ended, standing still, unmoving for a long time.
Two faint blushes had spread across her fair cheeks, unbeknownst to her.
She pressed the phone gently to her chest, feeling her heart beating irregularly.
A strange, sweet emotion, like spring vines growing wildly, quietly entangled her heart.
She was happy about her sister’s gentle response just now.
But this happiness seemed… different from the previous desire to make amends and grow close to her family.
Before, she thought her sister was an important family member, so she wanted to get close, to be good to her, to earn her sister’s recognition and acceptance.
But now…
Just a single phone call, a few plain “mm,” “okay,” “thank you”—they made her heart race and her cheeks burn.
When she heard her sister refuse the offer to live together, the intense disappointment far exceeded the level of “regret.”
She even started to uncontrollably imagine what it would be like if her sister really moved in with her…
Having breakfast together in the morning, saying goodnight in the evening, watching her sister’s quiet profile…
“Ah…”
Bai Yan’er let out a soft gasp, suddenly pressing her cool hand against her burning cheeks.
Something was wrong.
This feeling… it was too wrong.
How could she feel this fluttering attachment toward her sister?
This wasn’t just familial affection anymore.
Was she… sick?
Or perhaps…
Bai Yan’er shook her head, casting aside those chaotic thoughts, but the corners of her mouth lifted uncontrollably.
Whatever.
Anyway… her sister was gentler to her now than before.
That was enough.
—
In Yan Yu’s room.
After hanging up, she was about to do her homework.
Suddenly—
[Detected intense emotional fluctuations from key supporting character ‘Bai Yan’er.’ Interaction with Host aligns with ‘Substitute’ plot derivative branch development.]
[Comprehensive evaluation of recent role-playing behavior (including deviation, correction, and plot progression)…]
[Current Role-Playing Progress: 10%]
[Stage Reward Released: Appearance Level Upgrade.]
[B-level Appearance → S-level Appearance (Refined bone structure, peerless features) Loaded.]
[Detected that S-level Appearance is compatible with multiple temperament styles. Please select the dominant temperament tendency. This choice will affect others’ first impressions of the Host and certain interaction judgments.]
[Generating options…]
[A. Cold and Distant (Like a winter plum under moonlight, unattainably high)]
[B. Alluring and Charming (Eyes brimming with emotion, radiating charm)]
[C. Quiet and Obedient (Gentle and soft, easily arousing protective instincts)]
[D. Lively and Playful (Full of vitality, innocent and bright)]
A series of messages crashed into Yan Yu’s consciousness.
Appearance upgrade? S-level?
She instinctively looked toward the half-length mirror in the corner of the room.
The girl in the mirror was still pale and thin. The features seemed the same, yet upon closer inspection, something was different.
The contours of her face seemed redrawn, every angle perfectly placed—neither too much nor too little.
Her skin seemed to have gained a subtle luster, no longer that sickly pallor.
Especially her eyes. The naturally upturned corners remained unchanged, but the color of her irises seemed deeper. When she looked at someone quietly, it was like holding a cold, deep pool, easily capturing one’s gaze.
This was S-level?
Yan Yu raised her hand, fingertips lightly touching her cheek, then returned her gaze to the four options floating in her mind.
Cold and Distant? Her nature was somewhat cold, but now she needed to lower her presence, not attract attention or appear unapproachable.
Alluring and Charming? The complete opposite of Jiang Muyun’s “White Moonlight” purity. It might create contrast, but it was too prominent and would invite unnecessary trouble and scrutiny.
Lively and Playful? Completely inconsistent with her current frail, disabled persona. Instant dissonance.
Then, only one remained…
Quiet and Obedient.
Gentle, soft, non-threatening. Easy to let one’s guard down around, and even… arouse sympathy and protective instincts.
This suited her current identity as an “abandoned, frail former substitute” very well.
It would help her blend into the environment better, reduce hostility from others, and conveniently observe and advance her “role-playing.”
With hardly any hesitation, Yan Yu silently said in her mind: ‘Choose C, Quiet and Obedient.’
[Choice confirmed. Temperament tendency ‘Quiet and Obedient’ loading…]
That faint warmth washed over her body once more.
Yan Yu quietly watched herself in the mirror.
Perfect.
A mask better suited for playing the role of “Yan Yu” had been born.
She let out a soft breath and moved her wheelchair.
The act had to continue.
And with this new “face” and “temperament,” perhaps she could perform even more smoothly.
As for the faint alertness toward Bai Yan’er’s abnormal reaction, it was temporarily pushed aside.
For now, surviving and obtaining the rewards were the most important things.
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