Jingliu nodded slightly, her tone still flat, but she uncharacteristically spoke a few extra words: "I have long heard of the Medicine-Carrying Dragon Girl. A pleasure to meet you. Jingliu."
"You know me?"
Bailu was slightly surprised but quickly became happy. "That's even better! Jingliu... Older Sister?"
She tried calling her that, and seeing no objection, she continued on her own: "Are your eyes uncomfortable? Why are you wearing an eye patch? I'm a Physician, you know, do you want me to take a look?"
As she spoke, she genuinely moved two steps closer, her small hand already subconsciously raising, seemingly wanting to touch the black silk cloth.
Baiheng was scared out of her wits and almost performed her "mouth-covering" technique again—this time, the target was Bailu!
She darted forward and blocked Bailu, forcing a dry laugh to smooth things over: "Miss Bailu! Guest, her... her eyes are fine! It's just, just a personal habit! Right, Guest?"
Facing the Little Dragon Girl who was practically right in front of her, Jingliu did not move, only slightly leaned back half an inch, creating a little distance.
She refused steadily: "Thank you for your kindness. There is no serious problem, it is merely an old habit."
Bailu was stopped and felt a bit disappointed, but she didn't insist, only muttering: "But wearing an eye patch is so inconvenient... Are you sure you don't need a checkup? My medical skills are quite good!"
"Miss Bailu,"
Jingliu suddenly changed the subject, her black 'gaze' seemingly sweeping lightly between her and Miss Bai Xing. "How did you and Miss Bai Heng meet?"
The question was asked naturally, as if it were just the usual curiosity of a host toward a Guest's friend.
Baiheng's heart skipped a beat.
Bailu, however, was completely unguarded. When asked, she immediately remembered today's "adventure," her eyes lighting up, and her chatterbox opened:
"This is a really interesting story!"
She gesticulated excitedly, "The first time this young lady snuck out... er, the first time I came out for a stroll, I was almost caught by the Alchemy Commission attendants! It was Sister Bai Heng who helped me cover up, pointing them in the wrong direction to send them away!"
Baiheng tried hard to maintain a smile on the side, but her mind was frantically recalling what excuse she had fabricated at the time.
"And then we met again today!"
Bailu continued, "I was just wandering around casually, and then Sister Xi Tong—"
She pointed to System, who had been quietly standing by the door acting as a backdrop. "Sister Xi Tong said she wanted to take me somewhere fun! Though Sister Bai Heng looked really nervous..."
Baiheng: "..."
Jingliu listened quietly, no emotion visible on the face covered by the eye patch.
Only when Bailu described "Sister Bai Heng helped me cover up" and "pointed them in the wrong direction," did the finger resting on her knee move slightly.
(Yes... she was always like this before.)
The figure in her Remembrance, who had fox ears and a brilliant smile, would always use seemingly casual tricks or loud laughter to divert attention and help those around her during various "non-compliant" moments.
It wasn't well-thought-out strategy, but a reaction that was slightly adventurous yet full of pure goodwill.
The way this "Bai Heng" acted... was too similar.
And the unreserved trust and intimacy in Bailu's narration were exactly the same as those people surrounding Baiheng in her Remembrance.
(Coincidence? Deliberate? Or...)
Jingliu did not press further.
She only nodded slightly after Bailu finished speaking: "I see. Miss Bai Heng is very enthusiastic."
The words were spoken flatly, but they inexplicably made Baiheng's hair stand on end.
She quickly waved her hand: "Not at all, not at all! It's what I should do! Miss Bailu is so cute, it was just a small favor!"
She paused, feeling she needed to take control of the situation. "Um... Guest, Miss Bailu might need to stay the night as well... What do you think?"
She asked cautiously, mentally prepared to be questioned or refused.
Jingliu merely nodded again, her voice revealing neither pleasure nor displeasure: "Mm."
Just like that?
Baiheng was slightly disbelieving.
"The room..." she probed.
"You may arrange it." Jingliu had already turned her head back, once again 'looking' toward the sparse starlight outside the window, appearing unwilling to say anything more.
Baiheng felt like she had been granted an amnesty. She quickly pulled Bailu, who was still eager to talk more with Jingliu, and signaled System with her eyes to follow. The three of them quietly exited the living room and headed toward the stairs.
Not until the sound of footsteps disappeared on the second floor was Jingliu once again the only one left in the living room.
She maintained her upright sitting posture, motionless for a long time.
The night wind passed through the half-open window, bringing faint sounds of the city from afar and rustling the leaves of a small potted plant by the window.
Jingliu seemed to glance at the leaf, or perhaps she didn't.
She just softly sighed.
The sigh dispersed into the night wind, lighter than a feather falling.
(Baiheng...)
The name silently crossed her mind, carrying the heat of blood and fire from centuries ago, as well as the coldness and dust settled by the long passage of time.
(If it truly is you... why won't you acknowledge me?)
(If it isn't you... these coincidences are simply too numerous.)
(And that Dragon Girl...)
The hand resting on her knee slowly clenched, then slowly relaxed.
Ultimately, all surging thoughts subsided into a deep, pool-like silence.
Only beneath the black eye patch, a resolve colder than solid ice and deeper than the night, silently gathered.
The night is still long.
And some people, some things, will always wait for a moment of "clarity."
She has all the patience in the world.
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