Chapter 47: Approaching

The next day, I took out a folder from my room.

Blue, plastic cover, the same as last time—but the papers inside were different.

Walked to the training room door.

Su Nian was dancing.

Raise hand, turn, spot.

Sweat dripped from her forehead, flicking to the floor.

Her ponytail was tied tight, the hair tie wrapped three times.

I leaned against the doorframe, waiting for her to finish this segment.

She didn’t stop.

Finished the chorus, ended on the last note, stood still in front of the mirror.

Panting, chest rising and falling.

Then turned to look at me.

I walked over.

Handed her the folder.

“This is the third promised song.”

She took it.

Didn’t speak.

Opened the first page, glanced.

Second page, third page.

Eyes scanned left to right, top to bottom.

Then closed it.

“…Okay.”

Her voice was very calm.

Not as excited as the beginning.

Back then when she got the first song, she held the paper and stared at it for a long time, muttering to herself, eyes frighteningly bright.

Now she just put it away, placed it on the chair beside her, stacked together with The Brave and Fool’s Sword—the names decided last night.

Then turned back.

Continued dancing.

I leaned against the doorframe, watching her.

Raise hand.

Turn.

Spot.

Over and over.

Movements smoother than before, breathing steadier, fewer pauses to catch her breath.

Suddenly remembered the beginning.

The day I brought Su Nian back to the agency.

Back then, she was still foolish.

Standing at the entrance, looking around, hands not knowing where to place.

When asked something, she’d stare blankly for a long time before answering.

She’d giggle while eating, giggle while drinking, even the corners of her mouth would lift when zoning out.

‘Now I actually miss that.’

But I didn’t disturb; just leaned against the doorframe, watching.

Just as I was about to leave—holding a shopping list.

The groceries to buy: a list of items: beef five pounds, chicken legs three pounds, shrimp four pounds, pork belly five pounds, vegetables one pound.

“Xiao Xi?”

A voice came from the corner.

Xiao Xi peeked her head out.

Half her body hidden behind the corridor corner, only her head exposed.

Eyes fixed on me, faintly visible.

As if she wanted to look, but was afraid of being seen.

“What’s wrong?”

I asked.

She didn’t speak.

Lips moved, but no sound.

I walked over.

Stood in front of her.

She looked up at me, eyes blinking.

“Want to come along?”

She didn’t speak.

But her eyes lit up.

I held up the shopping list, showed her.

“It’s just some boring things, you know?”

She looked at the paper, at the dense characters on it.

Looked for two seconds.

Then nodded.

“…Mm.”

Voice very small.

But very clear.

I blinked.

“Alright.”

***

Out the door.

In the car.

I was in the driver’s seat, she sat in the back corner.

No talking the whole way.

No need to talk.

In the rearview mirror, I saw her.

Curled up in the corner of the seat, hands on her knees, sitting properly.

Also remembered the time we met—she was squatting on the roadside, like a discarded frog.

Seeing me, she suddenly pounced, grabbing my leg.

I already understood her personality then.

She wasn’t the type who needed to talk all the time.

So—quiet, and comfortable.

***

Supermarket.

Seafood section.

The cold display lights were white, shining on the meat inside.

I pushed the cart, she followed beside me.

Half a step away, not too close, not too far.

I was picking out beef.

Picked up a tray, checked the date, put it back.

Picked up another tray, checked the color, put it in.

She stood next to me.

Eyes fixed on the meat, stared for a while, then looked elsewhere.

A store clerk noticed her.

A young girl, wearing the supermarket’s red apron, walked over with a smile.

“Little sister, eat more.”

With that, she took an extra piece of meat from the display and put it in my cart.

It was the pre-cut steak, twice as expensive as regular beef—but a good pick.

Xiao Xi was stunned.

Looked up at the clerk, mouth opened.

“O…okay…”

Voice very soft, like a mosquito.

After speaking, she shrank back, hiding behind me, only half her head visible.

The female clerk looked, smiled even wider.

“Little sister is really cute.”

I thanked the clerk on Xiao Xi’s behalf.

Then the clerk turned to look at me.

“Elder sister, you also need to eat more.”

I was taken aback.

“…Uh…”

Behind me, Xiao Xi let out a very quiet sound.

“Hehe…”

She was laughing secretly.

Brought the groceries and Xiao Xi back.

Pushed the door open, the training room still had the same scene—this time Shen Wei was dancing in front of the mirror.

Raise hand, turn, spot.

Su Nian was mimicking beside her, movements not as standard as Shen Wei’s, but very serious.

Seeing us come in, Su Nian stopped, turned around.

“President—! Xiao Xi—!”

Her voice still loud.

Xiao Xi nodded.

Still holding a small bag in her hand—it was the extra candy the store clerk gave her, forced into her hand.

She put the bag on the table.

Then stood there, not knowing what to do.

I carried the groceries into the kitchen.

While processing the ingredients, the sound of water in the sink.

I turned on the faucet, put the beef in to rinse.

Blood seeped out of the meat, spreading in the water.

A pair of hands reached in.

Very naturally, from beside me, reached into the sink and picked up another piece of meat.

—Chuxue.

She didn’t speak.

Just stood beside me and started washing the meat.

Fingers pressed on the meat, scrubbing carefully.

I glanced at her.

She didn’t look at me.

Just lowered her head and washed, the corners of her mouth still slightly lifted—she always seemed to be in a good mood.

I didn’t say anything.

Silently accepted her help.

Free help anyway.

Why not take it…

‘Wait, have I said that before?’

***

Kitchen door.

Xiao Xi stood there, watching us.

Hands behind her back, leaning against the doorframe.

She didn’t come in to help, nor did she leave.

Just stood there.

Mm, watching Chuxue cut the meat.

After all, I’m a bit weaker than her.

(laugh)

Previously, I would buy pre-cut meat, but after the white-haired one arrived, I stopped buying that.

Xiao Xi had a smile on her face.

Very slight, corners of her mouth lifting a little.

Chuxue and I ignored her.

Knife hitting the cutting board, thump thump.

Washing vegetables.

Sound of water splashing.

The aroma of cooking wafted out.

***

Evening.

I brought back Su Nian’s complete performance outfit.

The white knight costume—an upgraded version of that knight casual wear.

Lighter fabric, sharper cut.

Silver trim on the collar, tight cuffs, skirt hem just covering mid-thigh.

Straight cut with a fitted waist, convenient for movement.

But striking—the fabric would reflect light under the lamps, the silver trim sparkling.

Suited Su Nian’s temperament.

I handed the clothes to her.

She took them, held them in her hands.

Looked for a long time.

Fingers touched the silver trim on the collar.

Touched the buttons on the cuffs.

Touched the fabric of the skirt.

Then looked up.

“President…”

“Mm?”

“…Thank you.”

Voice softer than usual.

Something shimmering in her eyes.

I nodded.

Turned, walked out of the training room.

When I reached the door, I looked back.

She stood in front of the mirror, holding the performance outfit up, comparing it to herself.

Shen Wei watched from beside, mouth open.

Xiao Xi crouched in the corner, eyes wide.

Chuxue leaned against the wall, holding black tea, smiling.

***

11:07 PM.

The training room lights were off.

The lights in the break room were still on—that warm yellow one, not the white ceiling light.

Soft light, shining on a few people.

Su Nian lay on the sofa, hair almost dry.

The cushion cover she had draped over earlier had darkened a bit.

Her legs were propped on the armrest, toes wiggling.

Xiao Xi sat on the floor, back against the sofa leg.

Hugging her knees, sitting.

Shen Wei sat cross-legged on the other sofa, phone in hand.

Screen was on, but she wasn’t scrolling.

Eyes staring somewhere blankly.

Chuxue had her eyes closed, thinking about something.

I stood at the door.

Didn’t enter, nor did I leave.

Quiet.

The air conditioner vent hummed.

Occasionally a car drove by outside, sound muffled.

Shen Wei spoke first.

“So quiet.”

Su Nian turned her head, looked at her.

“Isn’t it usually like this?”

“Usually you’re giggling.”

Su Nian thought for a moment.

Then let out a “hehe” laugh twice.

Shen Wei looked at her speechlessly.

Xiao Xi let out a light laugh beside her.

Very small, but audible.

Chuxue came to, picked up her teacup, took a sip.

Put it down.

“Miss Su Nian danced well today.”

Su Nian was stunned.

“Really?”

“Mm.

The last part, smooth movements.”

Su Nian blinked.

Then the corners of her mouth started lifting.

“Hehehe—”

Shen Wei smiled this time.

“Yes, yes.

That’s the one.”

“Hehe~”

Su Nian laughed even more happily.

“Alright, stop laughing.

If you keep laughing, you’ll get your head knocked again.”

Su Nian covered her head.

“The President isn’t here!”

I leaned against the doorframe, not making a sound.

Shen Wei glanced at me at the door—standing in the shadows.

***

On the wall by the door.

The countdown number was still there.

Black marker, each stroke carefully drawn.

As if traced with care.

Thin piece of paper, the numbers on it, gently lifted by the wind.

—Three days.