When Liangee avoided the scorching heat and arrived at the clear, pristine spring, she draped her garments over a tree branch before dipping her fair, radiant toes lightly into the water's surface. Suddenly, thick, coarse cloths of dark hues emerged from the surrounding crevices, encircling the spring as if to imprison something within.
Liangee startled, her eyes flashing with alarm for a brief moment before she glanced around. Could this be a barrier to prevent others from seeing whoever was bathing here?
How marvelous!
Most springs stored geothermal warmth, yet... this one was entirely different.
Here was a pool that harbored a chill far deeper than the ordinary...
"Are these thick cloths meant to conceal bathers from prying eyes? How extraordinary!"
Liangee pondered before stepping further into the water until it reached her waist, then slowly submerged herself.
"So cold," she thought, running her hands over her shoulders and arms. The water here was frigid, sending an intense chill through her body as if she had plunged into the Antarctic.
With fragments of her memories lost, Liangee's thoughts felt disjointed and hazy, leaving her to endure this emptiness this lack of history or origin.
She lingered in contemplation, but no clues surfaced. Only confusion swirled in her mind, leaving her to sigh softly. Since there was no way to find answers, she could only let go and live as if nothing had happened, waiting for the day her memories might return. But would that day ever come? She didn't even know what she had lost...
Meanwhile, Xinting was brimming with excitement.
Now that no one would disturb her precious time, she no longer had to hide or fret. She hurried to the bookshelf, picking up two of her favorite books before hesitating and putting one back. Clutching the remaining book tightly to her chest, she flopped onto the bed, wriggling with delight as she flipped through the pages, savoring each one. The paper was a gentle yellow-white, easy on the eyes.
Just as she was engrossed, footsteps echoed outside her door. She flinched, her lips twitching as she glanced toward the sound.
Huh? Had her grandfather returned because he forgot something?
But when she turned and saw Liangee, still in the same drenched robes from the icy spring, she snapped the book shut and rushed over.
"Why haven't you changed yet?" Xinting asked.
"I was about to, but I don't know how to wear these fancy clothes. I figured it's better not to bother," Liangee replied before carelessly tossing the garment aside only for Xinting to catch it just in time.
"Let me help you change. If you stay in those wet clothes, you'll catch a cold. Come on, I'll dress you."
Xinting grabbed Liangee's hand, pulling her along to change. Once done, the two sat on the bed, chatting idly.
"Liangee, aren't you embarrassed? I just saw you naked," Xinting asked, blinking innocently.
"Why would I be? We're both girls. I bathe in front of my mother every day," Liangee replied flatly. Xinting's eyes widened briefly before she composed herself.
"You're such a strange one," Xinting muttered, shaking her head slightly.
Seeing Liangee's naivety mirroring her own, Xinting decided to share a long-kept secret. She pulled out a book hidden behind her and revealed it to Liangee. The cover read: "Feminine Graces."
"What's this?" Liangee asked, eyeing the book curiously.
"Haha! It's a guide on feminine graces, of course! I'll teach you how to use them. When we grow up, we'll need them to charm handsome men!"
Xinting giggled, while Liangee frowned, finding her friend's interests bizarre for a five-year-old.
"Romance can wait. You should keep this for yourself," Liangee said flatly, her expression unmoved.
Xinting pouted. "What's wrong with you? This is important! You need to learn these things!"
Liangee sighed. "There are more pressing matters. Have you even packed yet? We leave tomorrow. If you don't prepare, we'll be delayed."
Xinting gasped. "Oh no! I completely forgot!" She bolted up, panic replacing her earlier playfulness. "Liangee, you should sleep first. I'll be up all night packing!"
She dashed to her ornate wardrobe, flinging clothes out haphazardly. "Hmm... this one's nice, but is it practical? Oh! This one's too fancy! And this ah! I wore this to that dream banquet!"
Fabrics piled onto the floor in disarray as Liangee watched, exasperated.
"Where am I supposed to sleep?" Liangee asked, irritation creeping into her voice.
"You can have my bed. I'll sleep in Grandfather's room I need to fetch the jewelry I left with him anyway," Xinting replied cheerfully before flashing a bright smile. "Rest early. You must be exhausted."
Despite her gentle tone, the room resembled a battlefield. With a quiet sigh, Liangee lay down, pulling the blanket halfway over herself before closing her eyes...
...succumbing to slumber, leaving her chaotic friend to her jewels and chaos.
⭐