“Elder Sister, what do you think of this painting of mine?” Bai Yan’er held a portrait of Yan Yu with paint still wet, smiling as she showed it to Yan Yu.
The painting was done in gouache, with fresh and soft tones. The Yan Yu in the painting was dressed exactly in today’s dress. The image not only precisely captured Yan Yu’s calm and gentle demeanor, but even the habitual hint of fragility in her eyes was meticulously depicted, showing the painter’s careful observation.
“Mmm, it’s very good.” Yan Yu praised sincerely, then turned her own drawing board toward Bai Yan’er. “Mine’s done too.”
She had also painted in watercolor. In the painting, Bai Yan’er wore that pink Lolita dress, with a sweet and playful smile and lively eyes.
“Wow… thank you, Elder Sister!” Bai Yan’er took the drawing paper, her eyes immediately lighting up, surprise and joy spilling over. As if holding some rare treasure, she carefully cradled the paper in her hands, lowered her head, and let her gaze linger on the painting, as if she could never look enough. “This was painted for me by Elder Sister…”
She murmured softly, then raised her head to look at Yan Yu, her eyes full of sparkling anticipation. “Is this how I look in Elder Sister’s eyes? I’m so happy.”
“Don’t say things like that…” Yan Yu felt her cheeks warm slightly and admonished in a small, embarrassed voice. “Don’t say such strange things outside.”
“Alright,” Bai Yan’er readily agreed, but her smile deepened. “Then I’ll say it at home, only to Elder Sister.”
“Idiot…”
“Hee hee.”
Even though she was joking with Yan Yu on the surface, at this moment, Bai Yan’er was not as calm as she pretended to be.
In fact, she had already noticed the elusive and somewhat out-of-place figure behind Yan Yu while accompanying her around the exhibition, and even earlier. The person was estimated to be over five feet seven inches tall, with a tall and well-proportioned figure, clearly a girl. And that iconic black high ponytail, a few strands of which were still visible even under the hat… Bai Yan’er could almost immediately conclude that it was Su Qinghan’s inseparable friend, the young miss of the Dai family—Dai Feng.
‘Why is this Dai Feng sneaking around following Elder Sister?’
Bai Yan’er felt a flicker of displeasure, as if a treasure in her territory was being coveted by an irrelevant person. But she decided to hold off for now, not to alert the enemy, and instead pretended not to know, waiting to see what would happen.
‘If Dai Feng is stalking Elder Sister because of Su Qinghan… then my contempt and disdain for Su Qinghan will probably deepen a few more levels. But if Dai Feng has another purpose… what other purpose could it be?’ Bai Yan’er narrowed her eyes slightly, a gleam flashing in them.
She didn’t want to rush to conclusions or take action on matters she wasn’t sure about. But regardless, she had to figure out Dai Feng’s real intention for appearing here today. Since Dai Feng was targeting Yan Yu, as long as she and Yan Yu stayed together, she would eventually find an opportunity to observe Dai Feng’s true motive.
So, after finishing the painting activity and each receiving a special creative ice cream from the art museum, Bai Yan’er quietly pushed Yan Yu’s wheelchair toward the exit of the exhibition area. She chatted casually about a few interesting paintings she had seen today, her tone carefree as if she was just tired and ready to leave, but her peripheral vision and most of her attention remained vaguely locked on a certain spot behind her.
Sure enough, that figure dressed all in black, wearing a hat and mask, hesitated briefly before following again at a close but not too close distance.
Bai Yan’er wanted to roll her eyes in that direction, but she controlled herself well in front of Yan Yu, maintaining her sweet and gentle expression.
“Elder Sister, since we finally went out today and visited the exhibition for so long, why don’t we find a place to rest?” Once outside the museum, the afternoon sun was a bit dazzling. Bai Yan’er suggested, “I know a café nearby with a great atmosphere, related to art themes. How about we go have a cup of coffee and take a break?”
“Ah, this…” Yan Yu was slightly taken aback, not expecting there to be a “second round.”
When she first wanted to leave, Bai Yan’er had dragged her into the activity. Now that it was almost time to part, why was Bai Yan’er trying to keep her again?
However, as usual, Yan Yu couldn’t refuse Bai Yan’er when she seemed so enthusiastic. Besides, Ruo Xiaozhen wasn’t here today, and she would be alone in the rented room. Going back to an empty room seemed a bit dreary.
So after a brief hesitation, she nodded and accepted Bai Yan’er’s suggestion. “Alright, let’s go sit for a while.”
They chose a stylish café near the exhibition hall, named “The Palette.”
As they pushed the door open, a crisp wind chime sounded. Inside, Debussy’s “Clair de Lune” flowed through the air, filled with the rich aroma of roasted coffee beans and a faint scent of desserts. The decor was minimalist industrial style, but the walls were hung with paintings and photographs by local artists, and there were books and magazines in the corners.
Bai Yan’er pushed Yan Yu and deliberately chose a window booth to sit in. This angle allowed them to enjoy the street view and the sunlight filtering through the blinds, while also easily using peripheral vision to observe the entrance and other seats.
Almost as soon as they sat down and ordered (Yan Yu ordered a latte, Bai Yan’er a pour-over Geisha), the café door chimed again.
That figure in the black hat and mask also walked in. She casually scanned the shop, then pretended nothing was wrong as she walked to a corner slightly farther from Yan Yu and Bai Yan’er and sat down alone, ordering an Americano.
Bai Yan’er gently stirred the dark brown coffee in front of her with a small spoon, took a sip, and the slightly bitter aroma melted on her tongue. She glanced up, her gaze sweeping over that corner.
Dai Feng’s hat brim was pulled low, but Bai Yan’er could feel that the other’s gaze was fixed tightly on Yan Yu through the shadow of the brim.
‘Sure enough, this person didn’t come for nothing. With that focused posture, it’s probably not entirely because of Su Qinghan… It’s more like she’s developed some interest in Elder Sister herself.’
‘Wait, could this person be… interested in Elder Sister?’
This thought made Bai Yan’er’s fingers tighten on the coffee cup, and her brow furrowed slightly. Some morbid and obsessive thoughts began to form in her mind.
Just then, Yan Yu, sitting across from her, looked up and saw Bai Yan’er’s slightly furrowed brow. Thinking the coffee was too bitter, she naturally picked up the sugar pot on the table and asked softly, “Yan’er, want some sugar?”
Bai Yan’er instantly replaced her expression with a flawless sweet smile, as if the brief strangeness had never existed. “Ah, thank you, Elder Sister.”