Early in the morning, the first rays of sunlight pierced the pale-purple gauze and fell across the enormous wooden bed.
Xiao Wu slowly opened her eyes. She swore this was the soundest, most comfortable sleep she'd had since coming to the human world. There was none of the pungent sweat stench of Dorm Seven, nor the clamor of dozens of people sleeping together. The air was filled with a faint, soothing sandalwood fragrance.
She turned her head and saw Na'er curled up in the blankets like a clingy little kitten. Gu Tian, who had been sleeping in the middle, and Gu Yue, who had been on the other side, were no longer in bed.
"Creak—"
The faint sound of a door hinge turning rang out. Xiao Wu sat up, rubbed her tousled black hair, and looked toward the bedroom door, which stood slightly ajar. Through the gap, she could see someone bustling about in the kitchen.
Gu Tian wore a white apron and skillfully flipped the food in a frying pan. Gu Yue stood beside him, handing him utensils. Every so often, they exchanged a few quiet words, and Gu Yue's usually cool face wore a rare tenderness and smile.
The scene made Xiao Wu feel as if she were seeing an illusion. The two of them looked like newlyweds who had been together for ages, creating a sweetness in that cramped kitchen that left no room for her to join in.
The feeling stirred a trace of envy in her heart, though she didn't even realize it herself, and made her feel just a little awkward.
"Xiao Wu, you're awake?" Gu Yue came over and pushed the door open. Seeing Xiao Wu sitting dazedly on the bed, she spoke in her cool voice, touched with a hint of amusement. "Come on, get up and wash up. Gu Tian's already serving breakfast. Na'er, you too. Stop lazing in bed!"
Na'er made a couple of sleepy sounds, then rolled over with the blanket before finally sitting up, still bleary-eyed.
When the four of them gathered around the dining table, Xiao Wu's eyes lit up at once.
There were several plates of crisp, refreshing vegetables on the table, and in the very middle sat a plate of bright-red carrot strips, cut into neat, translucent slivers.
"Carrots?" Xiao Wu swallowed, hardly daring to believe it.
At Nuoding Academy's cafeteria, carrots were a costly delicacy, served only in a small portion on weekends when they had an extra meal. For a rabbit like her, eating carrots was an unattainable luxury.
"I heard you like them, so I made a little extra today," Gu Tian said, ladling out a bowl of porridge and passing it to her.
"Thank you, Brother Gu Tian." Xiao Wu eagerly picked up a carrot strip and popped it into her mouth. Its sweet, fresh flavor burst across her taste buds, and the satisfaction of being cared for instantly filled her heart.
"Why is it vegetables again..." Na'er sat in her chair, a few stray wisps of hair sticking up messily. She poked at the greens in her bowl, looking a little aggrieved. "Brother Gu Tian, Na'er wants meat. Even smoked pork would be nice."
"You should eat something light in the morning. It's better for your stomach," Gu Tian replied without looking up.
He finished his porridge in a few mouthfuls, then casually picked up a wooden comb from beside the table and sat down behind Na'er. His long, clearly defined fingers gently threaded through her silver hair as he patiently untangled the mess.
Xiao Wu nibbled on her carrot strips and stared blankly at them. Gu Tian's movements were practiced, and his eyes held a tenderness that made her heart melt. Watching their warm, cheerful interaction, Xiao Wu suddenly felt that the carrots in her mouth weren't quite so sweet anymore.
She felt as if she were sitting there as an outsider who didn't belong.
Should I... move back to Dorm Seven? It feels a little wrong for us to all be squeezed together like this. The thought crossed Xiao Wu's mind, and her fingers unconsciously clenched the hem of her skirt.
"What are you thinking about?"
Gu Tian's voice suddenly sounded by her ear. Xiao Wu jerked her head up and saw that he had finished combing Na'er's hair. Now he held the comb, his gaze deep as he looked at her.
"N-nothing." Xiao Wu lowered her head in a fluster.
"Do you want me to comb your hair?"
"No need. I can do it myself." Though Xiao Wu refused aloud, the little part of her that longed to feel his touch was screaming wildly.
Gu Tian said nothing. Instead, he walked straight over and stood behind her. That unique aura of the Dragon God enveloped her in an instant. Xiao Wu's body stiffened, and her heart pounded so hard it felt as if it would burst through her chest.
Gu Tian's touch was gentle. His fingertips occasionally brushed the nape of her neck, sending waves of tingling through her. A moment later, a perfectly neat braid hung down Xiao Wu's back.
"All done." Gu Tian put away the comb and patted her shoulder. "Get ready. I'll take you all around the city today. You're girls, after all. You should have a few pretty outfits."
Nuoding City, central shopping district.
The streets here were much busier than the area around the academy. Gu Tian walked down the street with three stunning girls, drawing nearly every passerby's gaze.
Gu Tian was generous, taking them into the finest clothing store in the city. Whether it was Gu Yue's sharp outfit, Na'er's sweet dress, or the pink skirt Xiao Wu liked, he paid without a second thought for anything they tried on and liked.
His lavish spending made the shopkeeper's smile stretch from ear to ear.
They had lunch at Nuoding Grand Hotel in the city. The sumptuous spread, especially the vegetarian dishes cooked with precious medicinal ingredients, made Xiao Wu feel that what she'd eaten before had practically been pig slop.
After the meal, the four of them walked back toward the academy side by side.
Gu Yue and Na'er walked on either side of Gu Tian, chatting and laughing. Xiao Wu trailed half a step behind them in silence. Watching Gu Tian's back, she felt like an outsider all over again.
Just as she was feeling a little down, Gu Yue, walking ahead, suddenly stopped and turned around to take Xiao Wu's hand.
"Xiao Wu, keep up." Gu Yue had a strong grip. Without giving her a chance to refuse, she pulled Xiao Wu to Gu Tian's other side, then moved to stand beside her.
Just like that, Xiao Wu was right next to Gu Tian.
The boy stood within arm's reach. Gu Tian turned slightly toward her and held out his left hand.
"Walk faster. Don't fall behind."
Xiao Wu looked at his broad palm. She hesitated for less than a second before shyly taking his hand.
Gu Tian's hand was warm. The moment he held hers, Xiao Wu felt as if she were melting. She sneaked a glance at him. His expression was as usual, but the corner of his mouth seemed to hold the faintest hint of a smile.
Late at night.
Lying on the enormous bed, listening to the occasional chirping of cicadas outside the window,
Xiao Wu stared into the darkness, her thoughts in a tangle.
She thought back to holding hands earlier that day. Would that make me... a homewrecker? The thought suddenly startled her. After all, Tang San's nickname was also San—"Third."
Then she muttered to herself, "No, wait. Tang San's name has the character 'San' in it too. According to what Brother Gu Tian said, if he really is plotting against me, then he's the unnecessary third wheel, isn't he?"
At that thought, Xiao Wu felt much more at ease. She thought back carefully and realized that she'd known Tang San for barely a month. The so-called brother-and-sister bond now seemed more like some absurd game, especially since her real age wasn't six, but a hundred thousand and six.
If... Tang San really is Tang Hao's son, and really came for my Soul Ring and Soul Bone, then staying by his side would be the truly foolish thing to do.
Xiao Wu clenched the corner of the blanket and swore inwardly, If that's really the case, I'll stay here openly and never go back.
But what if... what if he isn't? What if he really is a good person...
Xiao Wu hesitated for a moment. Tang San's wooden face came to mind, and she glanced at Na'er, who was curled up beside Gu Tian, fast asleep in his arms.
If he isn't a bad person, then why not let him join us too? We could all stay together.
Even Xiao Wu thought the idea was a little strange, even absurd.
I'm not thinking about it anymore. He hasn't come back yet, anyway. When he does, everything will become clear.
Xiao Wu closed her eyes and sank into sweet dreams once again, surrounded by the aura of Gu Tian that made her feel utterly at ease. Unbeknownst to her, the pair of rabbit ears atop her head quivered lightly with every breath.