Farewell

“Are you going to be away for a while?”

Lin Hao asked, handing over several bottles of purified serum to Ning Yu.

“Yes, I have some things to take care of,” Ning Yu replied, taking the serum bottles.

“I’ll be back soon, and we can catch up then.”

“Take care,” Lin Hao nodded, then returned to his notebook.

For the past three days, Ning Yu hadn’t gone out for her usual morning exercises, and coincidentally, Shen Yiyue hadn’t called her out for training either.

Despite spending every day together, Ning Yu still felt time slipping away too quickly.

As she walked back to her living area and entered her apartment, she found Shen Yiyue and Shen Qianqian already waiting for her at the dining table.

Knowing she would be leaving quietly tonight, Ning Yu ate in unusually silent contemplation, while Shen Yiyue and Shen Qianqian continued their usual playful banter.

They didn’t notice anything unusual.

After dinner, Ning Yu sat on the sofa with Shen Yiyue as usual, though neither of them picked up a book this time.

Ning Yu stared at the ceiling in a daze, while Shen Yiyue focused on finishing the jellies—leftovers from Shen Qianqian’s earlier snack.

“What are you thinking about, Xiaoyu?”

Shen Yiyue asked after finishing another jelly, then tore open another one and handed it to Ning Yu, pressing it against her lips.

Ning Yu turned her head and took a bite, the citrusy aroma bursting in her mouth, the soft, wobbly texture of the jelly melting against her tongue.

“I brought back a few more bottles of serum today,” Ning Yu said, avoiding the question, and pulled out more of the “glue” that Shen Yiyue hated.

“Ah…”

Shen Yiyue’s face immediately fell, completely missing the subtle expression on Ning Yu’s face.

Ning Yu had added something special to one of the bottles, ensuring Shen Yiyue would sleep until noon the next day.

She fumbled in her pocket for a note, a message she had written for Shen Yiyue, explaining her temporary departure.

Ning Yu knew this was the only way to convey the truth; otherwise, Shen Yiyue would never let her go.

And if she did beg, Ning Yu knew she would cave.

“Can I drink it tomorrow…? I’m still eating jellies,” Shen Yiyue protested instinctively against the unpleasant taste.

“Come on, you should be used to it by now,” Ning Yu said, as usual, handing over the bottles.

Ning Yu opened the lids and quickly finished her share, then looked at Shen Yiyue, who hadn’t moved.

“What’s wrong?”

Ning Yu asked, feeling a bit nervous.

“I was just thinking… would Xiaoyu ever trick me into drinking something strange?”

Shen Yiyue teased with a playful smile, already unscrewing the lid of a bottle.

“Do I seem like the kind of person who would lie to you?”

Ning Yu felt even more nervous, silently adding to herself: I do.

"Well, if someone lies, they have to swallow a thousand... never mind, phew phew phew, I wouldn't dare," Shen Yiyue began to recite a childhood curse but quickly stopped herself.

“If Xiaoyu wants to trick me, make sure it’s a good one, so I don’t find out. I’d be sad,” she winked at Ning Yu, then downed all the serum, including the one Ning Yu had tampered with.

Ning Yu fell silent at her words, feeling a mix of emotions.

After a moment, she forced a smile:

“How do you feel now? Try standing up and see.”

She pretended as usual, wanting Shen Yiyue to check for any changes in her abilities.

Shen Yiyue obediently stood up and grabbed the cup that had been shattered and restored countless times.

“Hmm… I feel the same as always, no… wait…”

As Shen Yiyue took a step forward, her body suddenly went limp and she began to fall.

Ning Yu moved with lightning speed, catching her before she hit the ground and gently laying her on the sofa.

“Clang!”

The cup in her hand shattered on the floor, breaking into countless pieces.

This time, it wouldn’t be restored.

Ning Yu quickly cleaned up the shards, sweeping them together to avoid any accidents.

Then she returned to the sofa, gazing at Shen Yiyue’s pale face under the moonlight, her chest adorned with the golden pocket watch Ning Yu had given her.

Ning Yu stood up, lifting her into a princess carry, feeling her soft, warm body and familiar warmth.

She remembered the last time she had carried her like this was when Shen Yiyue first awakened her abilities.

Ning Yu carried her to her room and placed her on the bed, covering her with a thin blanket.

It was early autumn, and the weather was slightly chilly. Ning Yu went to the window and closed the gap a little.

Returning to the bedside, she placed her note next to the bedside lamp, using Shen Yiyue’s diary pen to hold it down.

【I need to deal with some trouble that might affect you and your sister’s safety. I know you wouldn’t let me go alone, so forgive me for doing this. I’ll be back soon. Wait for me. – Your Xiaoyu】

Ning Yu wasn’t one for flowery words, so she wrote the truth directly to avoid any misunderstandings.

Otherwise, it might turn into some melodramatic misunderstanding.

After securing the note, Ning Yu turned to leave the room.

At the door, she suddenly turned back, her beautiful silver hair falling over Shen Yiyue’s pillow.

She gently kissed Shen Yiyue’s forehead.

In the dark room, Ning Yu stood still for a while, until the moonlight filled the room and the cool night breeze finally woke her.

After closing Shen Yiyue’s door, Ning Yu turned and saw the box of strawberry milk in the corner of the living room, a few cartons missing.

She packed most of the strawberry milk into her system space, leaving a few for Shen Qianqian, the little glutton.

Then she left most of the food and common weapons in the space as well.

When everything was done, Ning Yu was finally ready to leave.

“Creak.”

The sound of the door opening startled Ning Yu, as Shen Yiyue was supposed to sleep until noon the next day.

Turning around, she saw Shen Qianqian coming out of her room to use the bathroom.

"Sister Ning Yu... haven't you slept yet?"

("Sister Ning Yu... haven't slept yet?")

“Uh… I’m about to, you should go back to bed too~”

Ning Yu’s face was hidden in the shadows, her silver hair spilling over the sofa.

After using the bathroom, Shen Qianqian was about to return to her room when she noticed the few remaining strawberry milk cartons in the corner.

She glanced back at Ning Yu in the dark living room, then went back to her room and closed the door softly.

Ning Yu finally stood up from the sofa.