With the last piece of wood fitted into place using mortise-and-tenon joints, I surveyed the masterpiece before me and patted my little hands in satisfaction. "Ta-da!"
"Mission accomplished!!"
Ye Qingxian nodded slowly as well. "It really is quite nice. There's a lake right outside the door—it's perfect for taking out the blessed grotto-heaven and living here whenever you're feeling troubled."
"Senior Sister, do you know what it's still missing?" I looked at her, my eyes as sly as a little fox's, and suddenly threw out a devastating question.
"What is it missing?" Ye Qingxian froze.
She genuinely had no idea what was missing.
"Dummy! Of course it's missing a name."
I took Ye Qingxian's hand and insisted on pulling her over to the threshold, where we would leave behind each other's names.
The first name written was Ye Xiaoyao, three elegant characters I carefully carved myself.
I moved aside to make room, waved at Ye Qingxian, and said excitedly, "Come on, come on—write your name here."
Ye Qingxian came over and crouched down beside me.
Obediently, she raised a fingertip and stared at the threshold, carving three characters with utmost care, stroke by stroke.
I paused, staring at the wood. "That's not right, is it? Why didn't you write Ye Qingxian? Are you teasing me?"
Ye Qingxian was utterly baffled by my train of thought. "Baby, that's my family name and courtesy name together."
"Shouldn't one write their courtesy name on formal occasions?"
"Damn it." I ground my teeth inwardly. This mud-legged commoner would fight you refined young ladies to the end.
I was the only one who not only went by Ye Xiaoyao, but didn't even have a courtesy name.
Then my heart began pounding again.
Wait, she called me Baby.
Senior Sister... she called me Baby.
I inwardly