The Abused Novel Heroine Became a Clingy Sweetheart [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 21

When Bai Nianzhao went downstairs, You Ting was already leaning against the car door waiting.

In her slender, fair hand, she held a bouquet of balloon flowers (Platycodon grandiflorum), wrapped in newspaper and tied with a beautiful bow with a ribbon.

Seeing Bai Nianzhao, You Ting shook the bouquet to indicate it to her.

Her eyes were bright, and she trotted over with joyful steps.

The surroundings were noisy with human chatter, but in her eyes, she could only see everything related to You Ting.

The bouquet was tucked into her hands, and Bai Nianzhao expertly held it close.

Then, she bloomed into a radiant smile, showing her affection without any disguise: “Thank you, Sister!”

The daily bouquet of flowers seemed to have become an unstated routine between the two.

Bai Nianzhao once gathered her courage to ask why. You Ting pondered for a moment, then suddenly curved her lips.

“Because flowers are beautiful.”

“And you deserve such beauty.”

The woman’s voice was faint, with little change in inflection, merely stating her thoughts plainly.

But it still made Bai Nianzhao’s ear tips instantly flush red.

It was as if ten thousand butterflies simultaneously flapped their wings, the vibration traveling through every vein, stirring her heart into disarray.

She didn’t say it.

She actually felt that Sister was the one who deserved all the beauty in the world.

Regrettably, Bai Nianzhao thought with a hint of melancholy, she was just an ordinary person.

The only thing she could do was to pour all the unspoken, unfamiliar emotions onto the tip of her pen.

On the porcelain-blue paper, page after page, she devoutly wrote down her prayers.

Wishing her sister a life of smooth sailing and peace, free from disaster and hardship.

All manner of karma and suffering, let her bear it in her stead.

After getting into the car, Bai Nianzhao suddenly noticed that the route the car was taking seemed different this time.

She then remembered that You Ting had mentioned taking her somewhere over the weekend, apparently to see someone.

“Who are we going to see?” she asked, a little curious.

You Ting responded while steering the wheel: “We’re going to the Yan family.”

Yan?

Bai Nianzhao’s eyes widened suddenly. Wouldn’t that be You Ting’s mother’s maiden family?

In other words, her sister’s family?

In the past few days, Bai Nianzhao was not completely unaware of everything happening in the outside world.

She vaguely knew that the Yan family had helped You Ting a great deal behind the scenes.

To be so dedicated and helpful, they must be completely different from the You family.

For Bai Nianzhao, she was about to face what was, in a true sense, You Ting’s “family.”

She suddenly felt a little fidgety.

You Ting glanced sideways, catching the little rabbit’s sudden panicked look, and found it somewhat amusing: “Why are you nervous?”

Bai Nianzhao’s fingers instinctively twisted together again, and she “Ah’ed” a little, unable to offer a coherent answer.

She didn’t know why she was panicking, just vaguely worried.

What if her sister’s family didn’t like her?

What if, what if they asked her to leave her sister?

It was an unfounded train of thought.

Bai Nianzhao knew that saying it out loud would surely make You Ting laugh, so she sealed her lips and shook her head: “I’m not nervous at all.”

“Is that so.”

You Ting didn’t bother to expose the thin-skinned child, only assuming she was shy, and calmly reassured her: “It’s nothing. I’m here.”

A very brief sentence, yet it instantly calmed Bai Nianzhao’s fluctuating heart.

She didn’t know when, but You Ting had already become her steady reliance.

No matter what danger lay ahead, as long as she heard that “I’m here,” an endless well of courage suddenly sprang up within her.

Bai Nianzhao silently responded in her heart, “I’m here too.”

She would also stay by her sister’s side, always.

Until the day her sister no longer needed her.

The drive was short, and they soon arrived at the entrance of the Yan residence.

Just like the first time, the Yan family stood at the doorway, formally and neatly, looking out with eagerness.

The smiles on their faces, when they saw You Ting and Bai Nianzhao step out of the car, were unstoppable.

To Bai Nianzhao’s surprise, the elder Mr. Yan was actually her training class “classmate”—the amiable old man she had met on the first day.

The elder Mr. Yan nodded towards Bai Nianzhao, his voice gentle: “Miss Bai, please don’t mind. I was just curious what kind of person the friend that Ting Ting has been constantly protecting is.”

Bai Nianzhao quickly shook her head: “I don’t mind.”

On the contrary, she was happy that her sister could have family members who cared about her so much.

Afraid that Bai Nianzhao might be scared, You Ting naturally reached out and held her hand.

Fingers threaded through fingers, forming an implicit intimacy of interlocked hands.

That bit of warmth climbed from her palm, up to the tip of Bai Nianzhao’s heart, making her face flush and her heart race.

They had a meal with the Yan family. Perhaps because of the person sitting next to her, both You Ting and Bai Nianzhao behaved in a relaxed and natural manner.

You Ting had even grown almost accustomed to this harmonious and warm family atmosphere.

The child had a little wine at the dinner table, and perhaps she was slightly tipsy, as two faint flushes appeared on her cheeks.

Her palm was gently tickled, a slight itch.

You Ting looked down.

There seemed to be a subtle sparkle in Bai Nianzhao’s eyes. She leaned close to You Ting’s ear and whispered sincerely, “It’s wonderful that so many people care about Sister.”

You Ting looked at her, then at the Yan family.

She was usually indifferent to the affairs of the world, but at this moment, she felt a rare softening in her heart.

This feeling, actually, wasn’t bad at all.

After dinner, You Ting and Bai Nianzhao also went to see the room where Yan Hua used to live.

Even though the person had passed away many years ago, the Yan family still had people clean it regularly, maintaining its original appearance.

You Ting had never been here before, and she had no memory of this birth mother.

But perhaps it was the innate connection of mother and daughter, a natural pull in the unseen.

When she saw Yan Hua’s photo, she lowered her gaze and remained silent for a long time.

“In two days, it will be Mother’s death anniversary.”

Yan Hua’s urn was placed in the You family home. Every year on this day, the eldest daughter would make offerings there for a day.

Both by custom and by reason, You Ting naturally had to return.

Bai Nianzhao hesitantly said, “Shall I go back with Sister?”

“No need,” You Ting chuckled softly, “I can go alone, I’ll be back the day after.”

She truly did not want Bai Nianzhao to be tainted by that place, the You family home, even a little bit more.

She extended a slender finger and lightly tapped Bai Nianzhao’s forehead.

Her eyes curved down, “Wait for me to come back, be good.”

On the death anniversary, You Ting, carrying the necessary incense, candles, and paper money for offerings, returned to the You family home.

After a few days, the You family home had become much quieter.

Father You was nowhere to be seen, and You Aofeng’s door was tightly shut; he probably hadn’t emerged from the shadow of being utterly defeated.

Only Song Zhi Qiu was sitting in the living room.

She looked significantly thinner. Seeing You Ting, she no longer displayed a hypocritical smile, just a cold glance.

Since both sides had already fallen out, there was no need to continue the pretense.

You Ting likewise treated her as air, carrying the items upstairs to Yan Hua’s bedroom.

Song Zhi Qiu had superficially claimed, “I’m here to join this family, not to break it apart,” but in reality, she found the idea of sharing a room with Yan Hua distasteful.

So Yan Hua’s bedroom had always been preserved, and the eldest daughter’s annual memorial service was also held there.

After making the offerings, she would stay in the room overnight, hoping that, by relying on these remnants of her mother’s presence, she might see her mother’s figure in her dreams during the night.

Unfortunately, it had never happened.

You Ting finished burning the paper offerings, had the servant dispose of the ashes, and then lit the bought candles in front of the portrait on the room’s table.

After everything was done, she looked at the flickering candle flame and said softly, “I’ve helped you take revenge too.”

Yan Hua’s death might have been a natural disaster, or a human act.

The years had passed, and it was impossible to confirm.

But in any case, it was inevitably linked to Father You and Song Zhi Qiu.

Now, she had relied on the Yan family to crush the You family.

Father You was overwhelmed, scrambling to deal with public affairs, and Song Zhi Qiu and You Aofeng, the latecomers, ultimately ended up with nothing to show for their efforts.

Only this could be considered fair.

After meticulously wiping the dust from the portrait frame with a wet wipe, You Ting finally washed up and went to sleep.

Perhaps her mother’s spirit was watching over her, as that night, she slept exceptionally deeply.

And in her dream, Yan Hua’s figure appeared for the first time.

The woman’s hand gently and fondly stroked the top of her head, softly calling, “Little Ting.”

Unlike Song Zhi Qiu’s affected tone, the woman’s voice was naturally clear and graceful.

Like a murmuring stream, it made people feel unconsciously peaceful upon hearing it.

“You’ve grown up so much,” Yan Hua’s tone was full of emotion.

Her finger rested on You Ting’s cheek, slightly cool.

Her gentle voice was dreamlike and illusory, like a sigh, or a self-talked murmur: “It must have been very hard for you all these years.”

You Ting blinked, a slight bitterness welling up in her heart, and she pressed her lips together, remaining silent.

Yan Hua curved her eyebrows, which looked very similar to You Ting’s, and reached out to hug You Ting.

She spoke very softly into You Ting’s ear: “Mom loves you very much.”

“Especially a lot.”

“You are the baby Mom risked her life to bring into this world, so you can’t come to see Mom this early either, okay.”

A faint, cold tear fell onto You Ting’s face.

Yan Hua suddenly pushed her away, raising her voice: “Little Ting, open your eyes quickly, wake up!”

You Ting wanted to reach out, but the woman in front of her was disappearing little by little.

The sad yet gentle smile turned into luminous dust, gently scattering with the wind.

What finally landed in her palm was only a single, crystal-clear tear.

You Ting felt a sharp pain in her heart, and she snapped awake from the dream, her vision blurry as she opened her eyes.

A scorching temperature spread throughout her body, instantly making her realize what had happened.

The room she was in had turned into a sea of fire.

As far as the eye could see, there were wildly twisting tongues of fire.

Thick smoke billowed, and the fire could spread to the bedside at any moment.

You Ting instinctively wanted to escape, but her body was like it was nailed to the bed, unable to muster any strength.

Just as she struggled with all her might, with a loud “Bang!” someone crashed through the door.

“Sister!” A clear and panicked shout entered her ears.

It was Bai Nianzhao.

Bai Nianzhao’s gaze quickly locked onto the figure on the bed. Though surrounded by flames, she rushed forward fearlessly.

Perhaps due to lack of oxygen, You Ting’s vision was blurred, and her consciousness was somewhat hazy.

She could only clearly feel Bai Nianzhao laboriously carrying her on her back.

The child was frail, usually timid like an easily startled little rabbit.

But now, she somehow found the strength, dragging You Ting out step by step with difficulty.

“Sister,” Bai Nianzhao said in a low voice, “I will definitely… definitely not let anything happen to you!”

The high temperature made the air warp, and every step forward in the sea of fire, carrying an unconscious person, was like treading on knife points.

Large beads of sweat continuously rolled down Bai Nianzhao’s forehead.

She gritted her teeth, every muscle in her body aching, but she never gave up the intention of saving You Ting.

She was a cautious person, even one who could be called cowardly.

But she had met You Ting.

You Ting, who never disliked her, You Ting, who taught her to be independent and self-reliant, You Ting, who gave her new hope.

She was… her most, most, most beloved Sister.

Even a coward was willing to give everything for someone worthwhile.

Including life.

Bai Nianzhao felt she had almost reached her limit, supported only by a single breath.

She heard You Ting on her back murmuring weakly: “Idiot, why did you run in… put me, put me down…”

Bai Nianzhao suddenly laughed.

Even though she was clearly at the end of her rope, still panting, she struggled to comfort You Ting: “Don’t be afraid, Sister.”

She said, “I’m here.”

From the third floor to the first floor, she didn’t know how much time it took, only wishing she could be faster, even faster.

Just as she was about to see the hope of escape, the door frame, burning with fierce fire, was swaying precariously, threatening to collapse at any moment.

In that critical moment, Bai Nianzhao used her last bit of strength to shove You Ting out.

She lost her strength and collapsed to the ground, and the beam crashed down with a roar, blocking the path to safety.

Across the boundless fire, You Ting’s eyes widened. She seemed to see Bai Nianzhao smile at her.

She desperately tried to reach out, but her body refused to obey, only able to move her fingers with difficulty.

“No… don’t…”

The wind carried the crackling sound of the fierce fire, faintly resembling the deep, profound chanting in a Buddhist temple.

In the second before losing consciousness, You Ting suddenly remembered those carefully preserved handwritten Buddhist scriptures.

She never thought that one day, Bai Nianzhao would truly fulfill what was written on the paper.

Through mountains of knives and seas of fire, bearing all hardship for her.

Her long hair obscured her face, allowing only an extremely subtle shimmer of light to be seen, slipping down her jawline.

She truly was an absolute… idiot.

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