Part One: A Date with the Outside World
“The world outside had changed over eight years.
Fortunately…
friendship had not.”
Morning sunlight streamed through the dining room windows.
The aroma of freshly baked bread and coffee filled the air.
Yu Mingyue happily sat at the dining table, eating breakfast.
“…”
“…Brother Mingzhe.”
Gu Mingzhe looked up from the newspaper.
“Yes?”
“…Can I have another steamed bun?”
Before he could answer—
A bun appeared in her bowl.
Then another.
Then another.
Yu Mingyue slowly looked around the table.
“…”
“…Why do I suddenly have four?”
Lu Yanxi calmly took another sip of coffee.
“You asked for one.”
“I know.”
“The rest are ours.”
“…”
“…You’re sharing?”
“No.”
“We’re feeding you.”
Yu Mingyue looked helplessly toward Xie Chengyi.
“…Chengyi-ge.”
He calmly peeled an egg.
“You’ve become their latest project.”
“What project?”
“‘Healthy Yu Mingyue.'”
“…”
“…Can I resign?”
“No.”
“…Too bad.”
Everyone laughed quietly.
The dining room, once silent for years, had become lively again.
At that moment—
Bang!
The front door flew open.
A familiar voice echoed through the entire Lu residence.
“XIAO YUE’ER!!”
Yu Mingyue instinctively smiled.
“…She’s here.”
The next second—
Gu Mengmeng rushed into the dining room like a small whirlwind.
She stopped dramatically in front of the table.
Placed both hands on her hips.
Looked at everyone.
Then pointed directly at Yu Mingyue.
“I’m borrowing her.”
Silence.
Lu Yanxi calmly folded the newspaper.
“For what?”
“Shopping.”
“No.”
“…”
“…Excuse me?”
“Denied.”
Gu Mengmeng stared at him in disbelief.
“You didn’t even think about it!”
“I did.”
“For how long?”
“Half a second.”
“…”
“…You’re unreasonable!”
Lu Yanxi remained unmoved.
“She just recovered.”
Gu Mengmeng immediately turned toward Gu Mingzhe.
“Brother!”
Gu Mingzhe adjusted his glasses.
“No strenuous activities.”
She quickly nodded.
“No problem.”
“No crowded places.”
“…”
She hesitated.
“…That’s…
a little difficult.”
“No cold drinks.”
“…”
She turned toward Xie Chengyi with hopeful eyes.
“Chengyi-ge…”
Xie Chengyi looked at her quietly.
“Be back before dinner.”
Gu Mengmeng’s eyes lit up.
“I knew you were the nicest!”
“Because I’ll be going too.”
Her smile froze.
“…”
“…What?”
Lu Yanxi stood up.
“I’ll drive.”
Gu Mingzhe closed the newspaper.
“I’ll come.”
Gu Mengmeng slowly turned toward Yu Mingyue.
“…”
“…Did I accidentally invite all three of them?”
Yu Mingyue nodded sympathetically.
“…Looks like it.”
Gu Mengmeng dramatically covered her face.
“This isn’t shopping anymore.”
“This is a security convoy.”
Xiao Bai floated invisibly above the table.
“Host.”
“…Hm?”
“I have performed a calculation.”
“What calculation?”
“The probability that today’s shopping trip proceed peacefully…”
“…And?”
“…Three percent.”
Yu Mingyue nearly laughed out loud.
She quickly picked up her cup to hide her smile.
Gu Mengmeng noticed immediately.
“What are you laughing at?”
“…Nothing.”
“You’re definitely laughing.”
“I suddenly remembered something funny.”
Xiao Bai proudly folded his tiny arms.
“My calculations are highly entertaining.”
Yu Mingyue bit her lip to stop herself from laughing.
…
After breakfast—
Gu Mengmeng immediately grabbed Yu Mingyue’s hand.
“Let’s go!”
Yu Mingyue had only taken two steps before Lu Yanxi’s voice came from behind.
“Wait.”
She obediently stopped.
“…Hm?”
He looked at her from head to toe.
Then frowned slightly.
“What?”
“…Go change.”
Yu Mingyue blinked.
“…Why?”
“You can’t go shopping in pajamas.”
She looked down.
Pink rabbit pajamas.
Rabbit slippers.
“…”
“…”
“…I forgot.”
Gu Mengmeng burst into laughter.
“Hahaha!”
“You almost went to the mall like this!”
Yu Mingyue covered her face in embarrassment.
“…I’ll change right now.”
She hurried upstairs.
Xiao Bai floated after her.
“Host.”
“…What?”
“I believe entering a commercial establishment in sleepwear would attract attention.”
“…Thank you.”
“I strive to be helpful.”
“You’ve been remarkably observant these past two days.”
“I am learning.”
Yu Mingyue smiled.
“…Let’s learn together.”
Inside her bedroom…
She opened the wardrobe.
Then froze.
Rows upon rows of clothes.
Almost all of them…
Were soft.
Loose.
Simple.
Designed to make medical examinations easier.
Most had been chosen by the adults around her.
Not by her.
Yu Mingyue gently touched one pale blue dress.
“…”
“…Xiao Bai.”
“Hm?”
“…I don’t know what I like.”
The room suddenly became quiet.
For eighteen years…
She had chosen clothes that were practical.
Warm enough.
Comfortable enough.
Easy for doctors to examine.
She had never once asked herself—
What kind of clothes does Yu Mingyue like?
Xiao Bai floated quietly beside her.
Then…
He smiled.
“Then today…”
“…We’ll find out.”
Yu Mingyue looked at the wardrobe once more.
A small smile slowly appeared.
“…You’re right.”
She closed the wardrobe door.
Turned around.
And for the first time…
Walked downstairs dressed not for doctors, examinations, or convenience…
But simply in something she had chosen for herself.
The outside world…
Was waiting.