My Little Pink Crocodile - Chapter 34

Chapter 34: I Will Be There

After Qi Yan had recovered, she returned home once to have dinner with her parents.

At the dinner table, her parents no longer pressured her or tried to arrange another political marriage for her. Even at home, Qi Yan’s movements remained unhurried; her elegant and composed manner made it seem as if she were attending a formal gala rather than a simple home-cooked meal. Watching her, her parents felt a growing sense of regret.

They tried to engage her in small talk, and while Qi Yan responded to every sentence with a smile, her attitude could hardly be called close. When the conversation shifted to her pet hospital, her parents laughed with a hint of awkwardness.

As her father spoke about investing more money into her business, her mother studied her, her gaze lingering on Qi Yan’s fair, bare neck. She frowned and whispered a reminder, “Where is your necklace? When you were younger and in poor health, you used to see… unsettling things. That charm the Master gave you shouldn’t be taken off for long.”

Subconsciously, Qi Yan touched her neck. It was indeed empty.

Back when they had returned from that forest, Grace had returned the necklace to her, but it was gone now. Qi Yan thought of a certain possibility and couldn’t help but lower her head with a soft laugh.

“She probably took it to play with,” she said.

She knew clearly that it had been nearly a month since Jiang Yu left, yet no changes had occurred in her life. If there was anything strange, it was only that pets and other animals now showed a level of reverence toward her that bordered on fear. She didn’t know exactly what Jiang Yu had done to her, but she knew the girl wouldn’t harm her.

“Mom, don’t worry,” Qi Yan said, cutting off her mother’s next words.

Her mother remained uneasy but, seeing Qi Yan’s expression, decided not to push further. Thinking of Jiang Yu brought a fresh wave of sadness to Qi Yan’s heart. She turned to her father and asked softly, “Dad, do we have any wine?”

Her father froze for a long moment. It had been so long since he’d heard Qi Yan call him “Dad” that he almost couldn’t believe it. It wasn’t until his wife nudged him that he snapped out of it.

“Yes, yes! I’ll have someone bring it right over.” He started to call for a servant but then, feeling they would be too slow, went to fetch it himself.

He opened the bottle personally. As he poured a glass for Qi Yan, he regained his composure and observed her. Though she still appeared cold and aloof, there was a visible difference from before. He asked cautiously, “Has something made you unhappy?”

Qi Yan took a sip. The liquid was spicy as it hit her throat, but she found it tasted bitter. Hearing his question, the smile in her eyes faded. “Mhm. A little unhappy.”

That was why she wanted to numb herself, just like she used to.

Her parents exchanged glances. Qi Yan always hid her emotions well; for her to admit this meant it was a significant matter. Watching her drain glass after glass with self-destructive abandon, her mother tried to change the subject. She looked around Qi Yan and asked, “That little partner of yours… why isn’t she with you today?”

Qi Yan’s movements faltered. Her expression became unreadable as she said tonelessly, “She went home.”

Her words hit them like a physical blow. Realizing they had just stepped onto a landmine, the parents stared at each other.

Father: She got dumped? Mother: I don’t know!

Seeing Qi Yan’s current state, it was clear she had truly loved that girl. Her father toasted her, offering comfort. “Our daughter is so outstanding; you’ll surely find someone even better.”

They wanted to say more, but Qi Yan glanced at them and interrupted, “Don’t worry about me. I just want to be alone for a bit.”

She propped her elbows on the table, rubbing her temples. A faint flush crept up her pale face—she was clearly a bit drunk, yet her expression remained remarkably disciplined. Seeing this, they knew they couldn’t reach her. Her father muttered a few more comforts and, seeing they were ineffective, tactfully kept her glass refilled.

“Stay the night here then. I’ll have your room prepared,” her mother said worriedly. Since she had been drinking, she couldn’t drive back. Qi Yan nodded.

Once the room was ready, her mother saw her in. “Remember to shower before you sleep. I’ll make some hangover soup and bring it to you in a bit.”

Qi Yan gave a muffled response. Her parents lingered outside the door for a while, hesitating, but eventually didn’t go in.

“What happened? When I saw them at the hospital, they seemed fine,” her mother wondered aloud.

“We don’t know the details yet. Let’s find a time to ask Grace,” her father suggested with a frown.

Qi Yan sat in a room that had become a stranger to her. Everything was kept exactly as it had been; for it to be ready so quickly, it must have been cleaned regularly. She lay on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

“Qi Yan.”

A light, breezy voice echoed in her ear, sounding as if it were coming from a world away. Qi Yan turned her head. The girl’s figure appeared before her eyes, wearing Qi Yan’s pajamas loosely. Her long pink hair was draped over her shoulders, and she rested her chin on her hand. Her exquisite, doll-like face was flushed, and her silver-grey eyes were curved in a smile.

The girl pouted as if throwing a tantrum, letting out a haughty “hmph” just like she used to. As Qi Yan sank into the memory, she heard the girl speak.

“You’re thinking of me again. Why haven’t you come to find me?”

Qi Yan reached out to touch her, but the girl’s eyes darted away. She flipped over and sat cross-legged on the bed with her back to Qi Yan, as if waiting for an answer.

“Because I can’t. I can’t find you anymore,” Qi Yan whispered, her throat tight with bitterness and a lethal sense of helplessness. “Jiang Yu, I can’t find you.”

The person with her back turned tilted her head slightly. “I’m going to be angry, Qi Yan.”

Qi Yan lay back, her arm covering her glistening eyes. she laughed softly, a sound so full of pain it would break anyone’s heart. “Then remember me for a lifetime. Never forgive me.” Every word carried a level of obsession she didn’t even realize she possessed.

The room went silent. Qi Yan lowered her arm and looked over. There was no one else in the room, let alone Jiang Yu. Realizing it was another hallucination, she felt a sudden, crushing weariness. Even after falling asleep, the name she murmured in her dreams was still “Jiang Yu.”

It had become a knot she couldn’t untie, a brilliant drop of vermillion ink carved into her very bones.

The next morning, Qi Yan was woken by a knock at the door. Beside her bed sat the untouched hangover soup. Her head throbbed from the hangover. She struggled to open her eyes and, after surveying the room for a moment, slowly remembered she was at her parents’ house.

She expected her parents to be at the door, but when she opened it, she saw Jiang Yao. Jiang Yao smiled politely, taking in Qi Yan’s unwashed state and messy hair. “It’s been a while, Boss Qi. You seem more… casual than usual.”

Qi Yan’s brow knit. “Why are you here?”

“Business, naturally,” Jiang Yao replied with the same professional smile.

Qi Yan rubbed her aching temples. “Wait a moment.” She tidied herself up and went out with Jiang Yao. The two walked down the street, their tall figures and striking looks drawing many glances.

“You didn’t say it back there. You can say it now,” Qi Yan said, getting straight to the point, clearly having no desire to linger with Jiang Yao.

Jiang Yao took something out and handed it to Qi Yan. “It’s Jiang Yu’s. She asked me to give it to you.”

At the mention of that name, Qi Yan’s hand froze. She quickly recovered and took the item. It was an invitation, its vibrant red color and the “Double Happiness” character on it heralding exactly what it was.

“She…” Qi Yan’s voice trailed off. Her grip on the invitation tightened.

“She is getting married,” Jiang Yao finished for her, observing her reaction closely.

“Then I wish her a happy marriage,” Qi Yan said, a smile tugging at her lips while a flash of desolation crossed her eyes.

“Aren’t you going to open it? She said she wrote it according to human standards,” Jiang Yao noted.

Qi Yan looked down. The red seemed blindingly bright. She suppressed her emotions and looked up with a smile. “No need. Why did she send this?”

Jiang Yao seemed to recall something, her temples throbbing with a headache. “She’s been making a scene; we couldn’t do anything with her. She insisted that you must attend.”

Qi Yan was silent for a while. “I’m very busy.”

It was a hollow excuse, and Jiang Yao saw through it. “It’s not mandatory. If you are unwilling, then so be it.”

As they reached Jiang Yao’s car, Jiang Yao was about to say goodbye when Qi Yan seemed to reach a decision. She tucked the invitation away. “How do I get there?”

Their world wasn’t like human society; you couldn’t just find it with an address.

“You met her at Mount Bumian, right? There is a stream there. Walk to the very end until you see a waterfall a hundred feet high. Hold the invitation and walk straight in,” Jiang Yao explained.

“Tell her… I will be there,” Qi Yan said, her eyes darkening.

Jiang Yao got into her car and rolled down the window. Her gaze was unreadable as she offered a final warning: “Don’t regret it.”

Qi Yan watched the car drive away, lost in thought. Suddenly, a tap on her shoulder startled her.

“What are you looking at?” Grace asked. She followed Qi Yan’s gaze and frowned. “Was that Jiang Yao’s car?”

Qi Yan didn’t hide it. She pulled out the invitation. “Jiang Yu had her deliver this.”

“What is it? An invitation? She’s getting married?” Grace’s curiosity was piqued. She took the invitation, opened it, and frowned. She glanced at Qi Yan furtively. “Did you read it?”

Qi Yan hadn’t the heart to look closely. She answered perfunctorily, “I read it.”

Grace let out a chuckle, her gaze somewhat meaningful. She folded the card and handed it back. “I don’t believe you.”

Qi Yan: “…”

“Why are you here?” Qi Yan asked, changing the subject as she put the invitation away.

“Your parents want to ask about your breakup,” Grace said with a mischievous smile, reaching out her hand. “Bribe me, and I’ll keep your secret.”