She Comes Into My Dreams Every Night - Chapter 40

Chapter 40: Best Friend

The two children walked hand-in-hand down the street.

Lin Jue followed them, invisible, with a black sedan trailing close behind.

Among the little dumplings, the one wearing a pretty dress walked with big, carefree steps, never looking back. In contrast, the well-behaved one frequently turned her head.

Each time Su Huaiwang turned, Lin Jue subconsciously bent down to smile at her. But Su Huaiwang couldn’t see her. She was looking at the black car following them.

“Your aunt and uncle are always following us. Is that okay?” the small Su Huaiwang whispered to her best friend’s ear, a hint of worry in her voice.

The little Tu Zhizhuo dramatically rolled her eyes. “Who cares! We walk our own way!”

Despite the bold declaration, Lin Jue watched the seemingly tough-mouthed child get winded after walking for only a little while.

“Huff, huff, Wang… Wangwang, is your, your house always this far?”

The little Su Huaiwang blinked innocently. “We’re almost there.”

Lin Jue gave her a look of disdain and subconsciously gave her a suggestion of renewed energy.

The child immediately felt her back stop aching and her legs stop hurting. She exclaimed brightly, “Good! Let’s keep going!”

The two children walked on, and Lin Jue pondered as she followed.

This was Tu Zhizhuo’s dream, a manifestation of her memories, impressions, and feelings.

Although it might differ slightly from the real Su Huaiwang, there was no doubt that, as the friend who had accompanied her for the longest time, understanding Su Huaiwang through Tu Zhizhuo was the best method, second only to Su Huaiwang herself.

Tsk, “best friend.”

Lin Jue looked down at the child’s head, her gaze cold.

Little Su Huaiwang was right. It wasn’t long before the two reached her apartment complex.

Of course, it was also possible that the walk wasn’t long to begin with, but in little Tu Zhizhuo’s impression, it was horribly long. Only after Su Huaiwang mentioned it did the path finally reach its end.

Lin Jue looked around. This was the first time she had been exposed to Su Huaiwang’s growing environment.

Tu Zhizhuo’s memory told her this was a famous new high-end development at the time, a popular choice for many middle-class families.

Su Huaiwang’s home was nestled within these small blocks.

Downstairs, Su Huaiwang hugged her friend goodbye, both clearly reluctant to part.

Tu Zhizhuo wasn’t ready to give up and asked her again, “Can you really not come out to play?”

Su Huaiwang shook her head, looking very downcast. “No. Mom said I have to go home right away after class to practice piano and do my tutoring homework.”

“Your mom isn’t home, is she?”

The child didn’t try to hide her expression. Little Su Huaiwang looked up, her expression confused and uncertain. “No.”

“So you’re still eating the meal they left for you tonight?”

Little Su Huaiwang hesitated, then nodded.

Tu Zhizhuo grabbed her hand. “Then I’ll treat you to dinner! Let’s eat together! That way, it doesn’t count as playing, right?”

“But… Mom will be mad if I don’t finish the meal.”

The glimmer of hope the child had just sparked went out. Her beautifully braided hair lost its shine and completely drooped. “Okay…”

Su Huaiwang took her hand to comfort her. “Don’t be sad. We can still see each other in class tomorrow. I’m not like you; the teacher praises your playing. Mom says a slow bird has to start early. I need to practice more so I can play the piano with you.”

Such profound words, coming from such a tiny person. Lin Jue didn’t know if she had actually said these words back then, or if in Tu Zhizhuo’s memory, Su Huaiwang was always the one comforting her like this.

On the other side, little Tu Zhizhuo was still sulking. “You’re not slow! Your mom is wrong! I want to play with you! I’ll play with you no matter how well you play!”

The little-adult-like Su Huaiwang gently stroked her exquisite braids. “Okay, okay.”

The pouting Tu Zhizhuo gave her another fierce hug. “Then I’m going to go home with you again tomorrow!”

Little Su Huaiwang’s eyes immediately lit up, and she smiled brilliantly. “We can walk to your house tomorrow!”

“Let’s not do that…” Tu Zhizhuo muttered. “My house is too far… Let’s just come here.”

Her suggestion was rejected, but little Su Huaiwang didn’t mind, simply nodding. “Bye-bye.”

Tu Zhizhuo was still reluctant. “Bye-bye.”

Su Huaiwang turned and walked away. The dark doorway was like a large, devouring mouth, about to swallow her small body.

Lin Jue knew, of course, that this wasn’t the actual situation, but just the impression left in the child’s memory.

The tall building was swallowing her friend.

Ignoring the dejected expression of Tu Zhizhuo standing nearby, Lin Jue lightly tapped her fingers.

“Su Huaiwang?” A stern female voice sounded. The small figure paused, then turned around in surprise:

“Mom?”

The child trotted over to the woman and obediently said, “You came home early today?”

The professional-dressed woman, standing before Lin Jue and Tu Zhizhuo, nodded. “Just came back for something on the way. I misplaced some documents at home.”

She seemed very tall. Lin Jue couldn’t clearly see her face; it was covered by a faint shadow.

Tu Zhizhuo’s impression was at work again.

“Didn’t your friend invite you out to play?”

“But I still have to…” Little Su Huaiwang looked at her mother cautiously.

“It’s okay to skip it for a day. Go play.”

Little Su Huaiwang looked at her friend in disbelief, then at her mother, before finally restraining her excited steps and saying goodbye to her mother. “Then I’m going?”

The stern woman nodded. “Mmm.”

Tu Zhizhuo was already calling out to her. “Hurry up! Put your schoolbag in the car!”

“Wait a moment.” The child obediently stopped and turned her whole body back.

“Take her with you.”

The woman pulled out a child from seemingly nowhere.

“Who is it? Who is it? Why does she get to play with us… Oh.” Tu Zhizhuo, who had rushed over, fell silent.

Little Su Huaiwang bravely reached out and poked the little girl’s face, which was as delicate as a doll’s. “Who is she? She’s so pretty.”

The exquisitely doll-like child blinked and smiled. “Hello, my name is Lin Jue.”

“Lin Jue, that name sounds familiar.” Little Tu Zhizhuo stroked her chin dramatically.

Lin Jue shot her a speechless look. You’re the master of the dream. Who would be more familiar to you?

Little Su Huaiwang greeted her openly. “Hello, I’m Su Huaiwang. Su from Suzhou, Huai from nostalgia, Wang from hope.”

“Su Huaiwang.” The three words were clear, as if the other person had recited them countless times before.

Su Huaiwang’s eyes curved with a smile. She took her hand. “You’re so pretty.”

Lin Jue looked at her, her words heartfelt. “You are too. Very cute.”

Children didn’t yet understand the concept of flattery. Su Huaiwang was visibly happier, her little body leaning extremely close to Lin Jue.

“What do you like to play?”

“Anything is fine.” The cat-like amber eyes constantly watched Su Huaiwang.

Little Su Huaiwang’s cheeks flushed. She leaned over and gently rubbed her soft little cheek against Lin Jue’s.

Lin Jue paused, then rubbed back.

She hadn’t expected such a good bonus in Tu Zhizhuo’s dream.

The child’s excited and happy demeanor instantly turned back to formality when speaking to her mother:

“Goodbye, Mom.”

The woman shrouded in shadow seemed to be on the phone. She only gave a shallow nod and an “Mmm” before ignoring them.

Su Huaiwang grabbed her hand and joyfully ran outside.

Lin Jue watched her, her heart feeling soft, and the nightmare woven from dark hatred was completely forgotten in some corner.

In a sense, Tu Zhizhuo had escaped death.

…

The sky was dimly lit.

Tu Zhizhuo yawned as she went downstairs.

Whether it was because she slept too well last night or because her biological clock had been perfectly trained, she woke up much earlier than usual.

She sat on the sofa, scrolling through her phone for a while, then suddenly realized something and checked the time.

9:16 AM.

Two dogs and one cat were nudging at her feet, begging for food.

She was hungry herself.

Where was Su Huaiwang?

Didn’t she usually get up at eight?

Breakfast is at 8:30. It’s almost 9:30, and they haven’t even had a single piece of kibble.

She looked helplessly at the whimpering two dogs and one cat, scratching her head.

She didn’t know how much they usually ate in the morning, did she? And was today a treat day? Would they get mad if they only had kibble?

After agonizing over it for a while, Tu Zhizhuo decided to go wake Su Huaiwang.

She knocked on the bedroom door on the first floor. “Su Huaiwang?”

No reply.

“Wangwang? Huaiwang? Little Wang? A-Wang?”

Still no reply.

Tu Zhizhuo waited a moment, then looked at the cat circling her legs.

“You’re the one.” She crouched down, grabbed the cat, pressed its paw pad, and the claws extended.

Tu Zhizhuo began manually scratching at the door.

This tactic was effective. After a short while, the door opened with a bang.

“Sorry, I overslept… Tu Zhizhuo?”

Tu Zhizhuo, whose nose was hit by the door, grimaced and rubbed her nose. “Thanks for remembering me, ha.”

Su Huaiwang sighed in relief and said mercilessly, “Then help me feed them the kibble first. I’ll come make breakfast later.”

“Alright.” Tu Zhizhuo swayed her head.

“Thank you.” With that, the door closed.

Tu Zhizhuo hummed a tune as she got the kibble. The three small animals at her feet were so anxious they were tap-dancing.

While pouring, she suddenly felt something was off.

Why was Su Huaiwang’s expression so unnatural just now? Why would she say “thank you” to her? Is that normal?

The sound of the shower came from inside.

Tu Zhizhuo felt even stranger.

Since when did Su Huaiwang have a habit of showering in the morning? Don’t they both shower at night?

Two “woofs” brought her thoughts back on track.

She poured out a large amount of the newly opened kibble. Today was a big harvest for Little Grey and Little Yellow, whose eyes were shining.

Tu Zhizhuo unceremoniously scooped the excess kibble back, her mind still preoccupied with Su Huaiwang’s strange behavior.

This train of thought continued into breakfast.

“I had a nice dream last night,” she mentioned as if by accident.

Su Huaiwang’s hand, holding her chopsticks, paused. She then pretended nothing happened and continued eating. “What dream?”

“I dreamed about when we were kids, the time I walked home with you. Do you remember?”

Su Huaiwang smiled. “You were crying and making a fuss, insisting I play with you. I said I hadn’t finished my homework, and you immediately burst into tears.”

Tu Zhizhuo was a bit embarrassed. “Don’t remember those minor details… Anyway, we didn’t get to play that day, did we? We did in the dream last night. Honestly, it’s so much fun being a kid. You get so happy playing simple games.”

“Mmm, indeed.” Su Huaiwang nonchalantly slurped her noodles.

“And I even dreamed about Lin Jue.”

“Pffft!” Su Huaiwang choked on her noodles.

Tu Zhizhuo looked at her in surprise. “What’s wrong with you? Why are you so excited?”

Su Huaiwang’s face was flushed from choking, and her fingers trembled. “Wh-wh-what did you dream?”

“She turned into a little kid and played with us, you know.” Tu Zhizhuo raised an eyebrow and put down her chopsticks. “I was thinking when I woke up, if only we had really known each other since childhood. A trio would be fun too, don’t you think?”

“Y-yes, yes, exactly, probably…” Su Huaiwang took a deep breath and drank some water.

“So, did you dream about Lin Jue last night too?”

This time, she choked on the water.

Su Huaiwang decided never to eat or drink anything again when Tu Zhizhuo was talking.

“So what?” she said through gritted teeth, glaring at Tu Zhizhuo.

“Nothing.” Tu Zhizhuo shrugged, her expression relaxed. “I was just thinking,

The spring night is short, and the sun rises high; from then on, the emperor no longer holds morning court.”