Night 6: Insincere Choice 1
"Well done!"
At 11 o'clock in the morning, when the last firefly ball was stuck on the candlestick, the preparations for the "Firefly Tea Bar" co-organized by our Senior S1 class and Middle S1 class were officially completed.
In order to maintain mystery, the refreshment bar was completely covered by an opaque black curtain, which seemed very abrupt in the colorful Summer Night Festival street.
Liuli hunched over and emerged from the curtain with a satisfied smile on her face. She stood on tiptoe and patted my shoulder to show her approval.
I have been praised for my busyness these days. In the past, I would have felt extremely happy and accomplished, but now I am immersed in low spirits and have no energy at all.
Seeing that I was looking so sad, Liuli couldn't help but become curious: "Hey! I'm praising you! Why do you look so dejected?"
"It's okay." I replied to Liuli in a dead voice.
How could I possibly tell her why?
Should I tell her that I lost my mind over her idol and nearly threw him out of the attic?
Last night, after Huang Mingxi and I worked together to place piles of firefly balls in the storage room, Huang Mingxi excitedly dragged me to his mysterious laboratory.
His laboratory is completely different from his parents' laboratory. There are no bottles and jars, nor complicated machinery and instruments.
Huang Mingxi's laboratory is very large, spacious but well-organized.
There were several tall storage racks placed against the wall. The racks were made of wood, with many wooden grids distributed irregularly. Each grid contained an item. There were strange glass bottles, flowers that grew automatically without wind, strangely shaped ornaments, and some that emitted strange light.
Huang Mingxi's laboratory is like a huge museum, but what is placed inside is neither precious cultural relics nor rare treasures, but a lot of... things similar to toys?
Somehow, I didn't feel curious at all. I just thought... this guy's laboratory is really weird... Are you sure it's not a toy room...
Huang Mingxi walked up to a row of wooden shelves, looked around, and soon took out a syringe, which was the syringe used for injections when one was sick. It looked very ordinary.
I held out my arms obediently.
Huang Mingxi raised the syringe and injected the needle very tacitly.
"Wait!" I quickly took a step back.
Shouldn't you use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol before giving the injection?
"This is a specially designed sampling tool. It doesn't hurt at all when you draw the 'sample', and it won't break the skin, so there's no need to sterilize it. Just stick it directly on the skin." Huang Mingxi saw through my confusion and immediately explained with understanding.
How could a tiny syringe be so magical?
I approached with doubt.
Huang Mingxi took the opportunity to scratch my arm, and the silver-shining needle touched my skin. A cool touch came from the tiny needle, and then I saw a tiny red color gathering at the needle tip and slowly flowing into the syringe along the needle tube. After a while, the red liquid in the syringe gradually increased.
The needle really didn't pierce my skin, and I really didn't feel any discomfort at all.
so amazing!
I stared in surprise and looked carefully at this strange "sampling tool".
The red liquid seemed to glow slightly.
What is that red liquid that is shining with a strange light? Is it my blood?
Why do I suddenly feel uncomfortable when I see these liquids?
A feeling of being very dangerous and wanting to escape immediately...
"It will be fine soon. These are your life energies. Proper extraction will not affect your body..." Huang Mingxi's voice was like a layer of gauze covering it. It came from afar and sounded ethereal, as if it would dissipate with the air in the next moment.
What's going on here?
I looked at Huang Mingxi in confusion. Shouldn't he be standing in front of me? Why was the voice so far away? Why did I feel like my life was threatened?
The syringe that was absorbing my "life energy" suddenly became hideous. Without thinking, I pushed Huang Mingxi's hand away.
This time, the syringe with a cold glow did not keep a safe distance from me. Because my movement was too large, the icy cold needle tip sank into my skin.
I took a few quick steps back like a frightened little white rabbit, keeping a distance from the syringe and Huang Mingxi to ensure my own safety.
"This is your enemy." A deep voice broke into my mind.
"What's wrong with you?" Huang Mingxi on the opposite side showed a puzzled look.
Seeing his reaction, I suddenly felt angry - you asked me what was wrong? It was all because of you!
"He is the enemy...your enemy..." These words began to echo over and over in my mind.
The strange thing is that I actually felt that “he” was right and I should do something immediately.
At this moment, a familiar rose scent suddenly filled my nose. I instinctively stretched out my hands, grabbed something soft, then raised it above my head, turned around and rushed out of the laboratory.
Outside the window, a blood-red moon seemed about to fall from the sky.
I jumped to the top of the attic in a few leaps, flexed my hands, and threw the things in my hands directly down from the roof.
The seemingly complicated process was completed in one go and it took me less than two seconds.
So when the "thing" I threw down started screaming in panic, it was then that I realized what I had done.
"Ahhh!" Huang Mingxi's body drew a graceful parabola in the air and fell into the distance.
"Eh...ah! Oh my god!" I was startled by Huang Mingxi's deafening "magic sound". After being stunned for a few milliseconds, I saw that Huang Mingxi was about to come into close contact with the earth. A sense of crisis and anxiety that the world was about to be destroyed occupied my mind.
Huang Mingxi is going to get hurt!
A few big bright red words floated before my eyes.
I suddenly felt my limbs filled with strength, my blood boiling, and my heart beating rapidly...
No! Can't let him get hurt!
This thought occupied my brain frantically and controlled my limbs to react at the fastest speed so far.
I stepped to the edge of the roof in one step, stepped hard, and with the help of the reaction force under my feet, I rushed to the place where Huang Mingxi fell like an arrow.
3 meters……
1 meter……
0.5 meters...
"thump!"
A body pressed down heavily on the outstretched arm.
I tried hard to keep my eyes open, afraid that I would accidentally drop the catch or not catch it firmly.
Huang Mingxi didn't react for a moment, and when I caught him, he subconsciously hugged my neck.
When I stepped steadily on the ground, both I, who was holding the person, and Huang Mingxi, who was being held in a "princess hug" by me, were stunned for a moment.
After all, Huang Mingxi is much taller than me, so after we both calmed down, I immediately realized that our current posture was very discordant, because Huang Mingxi was looking down at me condescendingly, and I was trying hard to look up at him.
We looked at each other and stood there in a daze for a moment.
"What are you two doing..." A voice suddenly came from behind, and it was like a thunderclap that startled Huang Mingxi and I at the same time.
Oh my god! I've been seen!
An inexplicable feeling of shyness suddenly attacked my brain. I raised my arms and threw the warm body in my arms away.
"Ah! Ouch..." Poor Huang Mingxi was caught off guard and was hit by me again. This time I didn't have time to "save" him, so he immediately fell on his butt and screamed very appropriately.
"Master!" Ji Youran passed by me from behind like a whirlwind and rushed towards Huang Xi.
This is terrible. I seem to have done a series of things that cannot be explained in words...
Seeing Huang Mingxi rubbing his butt in pain, it was impossible for me not to feel guilty.
But I really can't explain what I just did.
It was as if I was... controlled by some strange force, and I couldn't help but feel hostility towards Huang Mingxi.
I seemed to hear a strange voice, and I don’t know if it was an illusion. That strange voice kept instigating me to treat Huang Mingxi as an enemy. The scary thing is that I actually did what “that voice” said!
Oh my god! Is there some terrible change happening to me? How could I have such terrible malice towards Huang Mingxi?
Is it possible that I am becoming a vampire faster?
"I'm... sorry!" I suddenly became flustered, said "I'm sorry" hastily and ran towards my room.
I don’t know how to explain my behavior just now, nor do I know how to face Huang Mingxi.
When I needed help the most, it was Huang Mingxi who extended a helping hand, not only taking me in, but also actively helping me face life. But I "repaid kindness with hatred" and actually wanted to hurt Huang Mingxi!
I'm such a bad girl!
…
"Hey! Chaye!" Liuli's dissatisfied shout brought me back to reality from my frustrating memories.
I hugged Liuli with a sad face, rubbing her smooth face while sighing: "Wow, it's better to stay with Liuli!"
At least I won't have the thought of attacking Liuli.
You know, when Ji Youran met me for the first time, he aroused the "bloodline" impulse in me, making me want to fight with him.
Huang Mingxi, who had been in a safe state all along, successfully drove me "crazy" last night.
Only classmate Ji Liuli, no matter how close I get to her, will never make me have thoughts like "want to hit her", "beat her up quickly" or "teach her a lesson".
Do I have to hide from Huang Mingxi and Ji Youran from now on?
You know, ever since I ran back to my room last night, I have been like a rat crossing the street, avoiding those two people everywhere.
And I'm really scared. When I completely become a blood descendant, I won't be able to stay in Rose Castle anymore, right? For everyone's safety, I should leave Rose Academy, Rose Castle, and stay away from Ji Youran and... Huang Mingxi...
My throat suddenly felt like it was being strangled, and even breathing became difficult.
Huang Mingxi's lovely smile appeared before his eyes, so beautiful and so happy.
How could I hurt him?
"Let me go! Let me go!" Liuli struggled violently and finally escaped from my "clutches". She pointed at me and asked with lingering fear, "What's wrong with you today! Don't come near me casually! Pervert!"
"Pervert?" I snorted absentmindedly, and said self-deprecatingly, "Should I say monster?"
"Ah?" Liuli looked at me blankly, "What are you talking about?"
"Nothing!" I took a deep breath and shook my hands to stretch. "The preparations are all done. There's nothing for me to do next, right?"
Liuli nodded awkwardly, and then suddenly shouted as if she suddenly remembered something: "Ah! By the way! Although your work task has been completed, you still have to come to the tea bar in the evening!"
Are you worried that there won’t be enough people to help?
I nodded readily: "Okay."
After Liuli finished the "inspection" and got a satisfactory answer, she jumped away.
Looking at Liuli's cheerful back, I couldn't help but feel envious.
She can stay with Huang Mingxi, unlike me...
Huh? Stay with Huang Mingxi?
My heart skipped a beat and the temperature of my face rose sharply. I covered my burning cheeks in shock and muttered, "Are you crazy? Why are you always thinking about Huang Mingxi?"
It must be because I feel too guilty that I think about Huang Mingxi all the time! It must be like this!
Some feelings, once they sprout, are like grass on a plain. They can’t be burned by wildfires, but will grow again in the spring breeze. No matter how I ridicule myself or explain myself, the thought of “I can’t live without Huang Mingxi, I really want to see Huang Mingxi” still runs away like a wild horse.
As a result, I wasted the entire day in a daze, wandering around the campus like a wandering soul.
Fortunately, most of my classmates were busy preparing for the summer night festival in the evening, and no one noticed me at all, so I was able to stay there smoothly until the evening.
Then, I accidentally (really accidentally) saw a strange scene.
Speaking of which, although Ji Youran has always given me a bad impression, and he also enjoys bullying me, he has always been respectful to Huang Mingxi and obeyed his orders. However, I actually saw such a scene!
Ji Youran was talking anxiously, and I immediately tilted my ear to listen carefully: "Master! You can't do this!"
Huang Mingxi, who was always calm, responded firmly: "Pay attention to your own identity, Youran. You have already made an irreparable mistake. Do you want to continue making mistakes?"
"Master, everything I do is for you!" Ji Youran held Huang Mingxi's hand with a sad look, as if to say "I will go through fire and water for you without hesitation."
Thinking of this, I shuddered all over and got goosebumps all over the floor.
Ahem! Everyone saw it! I really didn’t mean to eavesdrop, I just “accidentally” heard it! And they seemed to be discussing something very important, so it’s not appropriate for me to go out and say hello now, right?
So... I hid aside and continued to eavesdrop silently.
"You Ran, you know that I hate being deceived the most, but you still deceived me. No matter what, I will never let you make the same mistake again!" Huang Mingxi stressed sternly, "You have no right to deprive others of their right to live in the sunshine!"
I have never seen Huang Mingxi with such an expression. His brows were tightly furrowed, and his obsidian-like deep eyes seemed to be able to shoot out two lightning bolts. After he finished speaking, he pursed his lips into a straight line, looking particularly serious.
I don’t like Huang Mingxi’s current expression at all. This expression, which has lost its cuteness and immaturity and revealed its sharpness, is so distant. For the first time, it makes me feel that we are not from the same world - he looks so high and mighty, and his words and deeds do not allow others to question them at all.
The matter seems very serious, so I'd better not eavesdrop any further.
I finally gave up.
Then, I, who have always been decisive, crouched down and secretly left this "place of trouble".
What are they talking about? Huang Mingxi seems to be very angry...
Oh, right! Why is Huang Mingxi wearing white gloves? Or does it look like... gauze?
I was so focused on Huang Mingxi's expression just now that I didn't pay attention to the white thing in his hand. Now that I suddenly realized it, I immediately thought of the stupid things I did last night.
In the forest, I once grabbed Huang Mingxi's wrist fiercely, and he cried out in pain. It's over. With my strength that can easily crush a wooden board, Huang Mingxi's wrist won't be broken, right?
As I thought of this, my steps, which were about to move, could no longer move.
I should check his wrist and apologize to him if he's hurt...
I should apologize to him for going crazy last night. I must have scared him...
Will he be afraid of me? Will he... never dare to live under the same roof with me again?
Oh my god! What should I do?
The more I thought about it, the more scared I became. I collapsed and squatted down with my head in my hands.
Why did I run away like that last night?
But at that time I was really afraid to see Huang Mingxi's reaction! If he looked at me as if I were a monster, I would be very sad, because he is my "friend"!
"Hey! Stop squatting there and blocking the way, okay?" Just as I was feeling sorry for myself, Liuli walked up to me and looked down at me, "Is this the latest way to attract customers? I've never seen this before."
I looked up and realized that I had absentmindedly walked back to the refreshment bar co-organized by our S1 class, and was squatting at the door acting as a door god!
"Uh...no." I stood up awkwardly and dusted myself off.
Liuli frowned and complained, "You three are acting weird today. Why are you being so mysterious? Are you hiding something from me?"
strange?
talk about me?
I quickly touched my head and found no strange horns or ears had grown; I licked my teeth and found they had not become sharp; I cautiously took a few steps back and carefully felt my physical condition and found no urge to attack innocent passers-by.
"I'm not weird, am I?" I asked guiltily.
Liuli rolled her eyes, with an expression that she couldn't bear to watch: "Your behavior right now is very strange, okay!"
"Hehe..." I was speechless and could only laugh dryly.
Liuli was too lazy to pay attention to me. She told the students following behind her to lift the black curtain.
Before this, the shops on both sides of the tea bar had already lit up beautiful neon lights, and only the tea bar was shrouded in darkness. If you didn't look carefully, you would think this was an empty space.
However, when the curtain was drawn, the Firefly Tea Bar, emitting soft fluorescent light, gradually revealed its true appearance.
Round firefly balls dotted the entrance of the tea bar, flickering on and off. In order to prevent insufficient lighting in the tea bar, Liuli had arranged for electricians to dot a row of low-wattage night lights around the tea bar. The light pink and bright blue night lights illuminated the firefly tea bar, and with the fireflies as the finishing touch, the entire tea bar looked like a fairyland in a dream, full of fantasy.
"Wow!" Students from other shops exclaimed in amazement.
Just as everyone was surprised at the scene before them, the door of the refreshment bar opened and two rows of neatly dressed waiters walked out with elegant steps.
The girls in white tutus and the boys in elegant suits bent down gracefully and said in unison, "Welcome to the Firefly Tea Bar, S1 Class."
"Wow! The arrangement for Class S1 this year is also great! I can't wait to go in and take a look!" A girl cheered excitedly, and then she pulled her friend next to her into the refreshment bar.
“It looks like fun!”
The boys were not willing to be left behind and started walking towards the refreshment bar in twos and threes.
The venue that Liuli applied for special approval from the school is very large, so the entire Firefly Tea Bar occupies a considerable area.
Although the tables, chairs and props inside were arranged by me and the activity committee members, when I saw the students who were eager to try, I also had the urge to go in.
This is the result of the joint efforts of the students. It is a proud thing to receive praise from others.
"What are you waiting for! Let's go in and take a look. If there are not enough people, we will go to help!" Liuli pushed my waist with her elbow and blinked her right eye mischievously.
So we joined the crowd entering the Firefly Tea Bar.
"Welcome!" Jasmine, who was in charge of the door reception, greeted us with a smile when we entered the refreshment bar. When she saw that it was me and Liuli, her smile suddenly froze for a moment, but she quickly adjusted herself and gestured very professionally, saying, "Please come this way, two guests."
I thought she would ask me to help. After all, the Firefly Tea Bar was almost full of people. Another boy in charge of the door temporarily stopped the students from rushing in, and the students waiting outside the door had already started to get their queuing cards.
Looking at the orderly scene in the tea bar, and thinking that after a period of getting along, Jasmine is not as repulsive to me as she was at the beginning, and her relationship with Liuli has also eased, I feel full in my heart, with a sense of relief that after going through hardships and obstacles, the clouds have finally cleared and the moon is visible!
Liuli and I followed a male classmate in the class towards the seats assigned to us.
"Ah!" Liuli, who had been walking side by side with me in silence, suddenly screamed, "Oh! I have something else to do! Excuse me for a moment!"
Then without waiting for my reaction, she turned and ran away.
"Hey!" Liuli, relying on her small stature, dived into the crowd and immediately disappeared.
"Chaye-san, your seat is here," the boy said politely.
I hesitated for a while, thinking that it was a bit inappropriate to enjoy myself when everyone was busy, so I refused and said, "Well... I'd better go and help!"
"Wait!" Unexpectedly, the boy blocked my way with a quick step. He still had a smile on his face, but his movements were very determined: "Please take a seat over there!"
