Back at the hotel, Mimi continued working on her design blueprints, while I lay in bed, piecing together fragments of memory in my mind.
I closed my eyes, recalling everything that had happened today: Mimi’s words, the ancient temple, the sense of familiarity in my heart. All kinds of clues intertwined in my mind.
Amidst these memories, I gradually drifted off to sleep. I saw a blurred figure walking toward me. I tried my hardest to see the person’s face clearly, but to no avail.
I widened my eyes, staring intently at the approaching blurred figure. It was like a ghost, looming vaguely in the hazy mist, as if it could vanish at any moment.
I tried to focus my concentration, but my vision was blocked as if by a mysterious force. No matter how hard I tried, I could not pierce through that veil of fog to see the person’s true face.
As the distance closed, the figure became clearer, yet strangely, I still couldn’t recognize his features.
With my mouth slightly parted, I softly called out, “Daddy… Daddy…”
As I called out, my vision gradually sharpened. Looking at the person before me, I felt my heartbeat accelerate wildly, as if it were about to burst through my chest.
At that very moment, that figure stood quietly there, gazing back at me without making the slightest movement.
In just that fraction of a second, he evaporated from before my eyes like smoke. Nothing was left in my field of view except endless whiteness and bewilderment.
Filled with absolute terror, I cried out at the top of my lungs, “Daddy! Daddy!” However, the only response I received was empty echoes and an increasingly dense white fog.
Amidst my desperate screams, I suddenly snapped my eyes open, my body trembling violently. The scenery around me gradually came into focus, and there sat Mimi quietly by the bedside, watching me with a gaze full of concern and anxiety.
Seeing that I had woken up, she quickly leaned forward, carefully propped me up, and softly called out, “Older sister…”
“Mimi, I had a nightmare.” I tightly grasped her hand as tears streamed continuously from my eyes.
“Older sister…” She gently reached out, tenderly wiping away the tears at the corners of my eyes, and asked with full concern, “Older sister kept calling for ‘Daddy’ just now. Did you dream of Uncle?”
I looked at Mimi with a dazed expression, unsure for a moment whether to nod or shake my head.
After a long while, I finally pulled her into a tight embrace, murmuring in a low voice, “I dreamed of someone. In the dream, I called him ‘Daddy,’ but… he isn’t my dad.” Hearing myself say this, my voice choked up involuntarily.
Mimi gently patted my back and comforted me, “Don’t worry, Older sister. Take your time, I’ll always be here with you.” I nodded, feeling a little calmer inside.
I reflected on that strange dream. Who on earth was the person in the dream? Why did I call him “Daddy”? As I thought about it, a sharp pain flared up in my head once more. I couldn’t help reaching up to clutch my head.
Seeing this, Mimi hurriedly helped me lie back down. “Older sister, get some rest and don’t think too much. It’s still early, so get a good night’s sleep. We’re heading back to Liaocheng tomorrow.”
“Mm-hmm.” I forced a smile and nodded to put Mimi at ease.
“Older sister, I’m heading back to my room then. Call me if you need anything.” With that, she slowly stood up, appearing ready to turn and leave.
Subconsciously, I reached out and grabbed her tightly, my eyes revealing a trace of lingering reluctance and attachment.
Mimi turned back around, sat down, and gently stroked my hair. A tender smile curved the corners of her lips. “What’s wrong? Did today’s older sister turn into a little kitten?”
I let go of her hand, turned over onto my side, and tucked the covers in tightly, pretending to get ready for sleep.
“Older sister…” Mimi once again leaned close to my side, lowering her voice as she muttered to herself, “Managed by Older sister again.”
With that, she lifted the blanket, slipped under the covers, and gently wrapped her arms around me.
I wriggled my body, trying to break free. Putting on a cold and detached facade, I said, ” Weren’t you going back? Hurry up and go.”
Instead of letting go, Mimi held me even tighter, replying with unwavering determination, “I’m not going back. I’m not going back, I refuse to go back, Older sister.” As soon as she finished speaking, she tightened her arms, pulling me even closer.
Quietly feeling her warmth, I felt an incomparable sense of comfort and peace. Drifted away by this tranquil atmosphere, I slowly fell back asleep.
I do not know how much time passed, but when I opened my eyes again, the sky outside had already grown bright.
Brilliant sunlight streamed through the windows like golden gauze, casting a soft, faint radiance over the entire room.
I turned my head, my gaze falling upon Mimi beside me. There she lay in a completely unladylike, sprawling mess, her nightgown twisted into a bundle and long since losing its original shape.
Accompanied by the steady rhythm of her breathing, her chest rose and fell in a regular cadence, causing her nightgown to shift slightly up and down. Watching this sight, my heartbeat quickened, yet I forced myself to remain calm.
I carefully climbed out of bed, walked over to her side, and gently reached down to pull her nightgown hemward. Then, picking up the blanket from the bedside, I draped it gently over her body, terrified of waking her from her sweet dreams.
Why does she always sleep so soundly? A smile unconsciously curved upward at the corners of my mouth.
Her eyes were tightly shut, her long eyelashes cast downward, and a faint, elusive smile lingered at the corner of her lips. Looking at the sleeping person before me, I couldn’t help leaning in closer. Just as my lips were about to brush against her cheek, I jerked upright.
I whipped around, hurrying away from the bedroom with panicked footsteps straight toward the balcony. Opening my mouth, I drew in a deep breath, trying to calm the heart that felt as though it wanted to leap out of my chest.
I couldn’t help questioning myself: What on earth is wrong with me? Why would I suddenly have the urge to kiss her? This unfamiliar yet intense emotion left me feeling bewildered and completely at a loss.
Suddenly, a thought surged into my mind, Mimi already has someone she likes! At that realization, I shook my head vigorously.
“No way, it must just be my imagination,” I muttered to myself, trying hard to convince myself otherwise.
It was bound to be just an illusion, mistaking my dependence on her for romantic affection.
“Why is Older sister out on the balcony? It’s chilly in the morning.” Rubbing her eyes and letting out a yawn, a sleep-dazed Mimi walked up beside me.
Hearing her voice, I spun around abruptly, my gaze locking directly onto hers. In an instant, a wave of shyness rushed over me, and my cheeks turned beet red.
Not knowing how to handle this awkward situation, I hastily retreated into the bedroom and began packing my luggage.
Taking a deep breath, I managed a light laugh and hurriedly changed the subject. “Um… right, let’s hurry up and pack our things. We still have to go home today.”
Mimi blinked her eyes, a trace of confusion flashing through her gaze, but she didn’t seem inclined to press the matter further. Nodding, she turned back to her own bedroom to pack her luggage as well.
Before long, the two of us picked up our bags and embarked on the journey home.
Easter Egg
Xiyumi was lying sprawled across the bed when Yan Moyi carefully climbed down and reached out to pull Xiyumi’s nightgown hem downward.
Although Yan Moyi’s movements were extremely gentle, Xiyumi had already woken up. Keeping her eyes tightly shut, she quietly savored this loving gesture from her older sister. When Yan Moyi’s fingers accidentally brushed against the skin of Xiyumi’s thigh, a tingling sensation like an electric shock instantly coursed through her entire body, causing her to shiver slightly.
Suddenly, Xiyumi felt a wave of warm breath slowly approaching her, as if it would press directly against her cheek at any second. Suppressing her laughter, Xiyumi waited in eager anticipation for the sweet kiss that was about to arrive.
However, right at that moment, the sound of light, hurried footsteps echoed through the room. Xiyumi opened her eyes in confusion, only to see Yan Moyi fleeing toward the bedroom door in panic, leaving behind nothing more than a retreating figure fading into the distance.