The Abused Novel Heroine Became a Clingy Sweetheart [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 24.1

That night, You Ting looked at the opened envelope on the table, lost in deep thought for a long time.

The letter paper was thin, yet filled with densely packed handwriting.

The last line was still a childish question:

“Jiejie (Sister), did you fall in love with me today?”

It was silly enough to make one smile.

Her fingertip couldn’t help but brush the paper. Through this thin sheet, she could almost see the little bunny sitting properly at the desk, writing down her feelings stroke by stroke.

Her finger paused on the words “fall in love,” lightly tapping them a few times.

The words Old Master Yan had spoken during the day seemed to still echo in You Ting’s ears.

She vaguely felt that cool breeze again.

She couldn’t help but reach out her other hand, placing it over her chest, closing her eyes, and carefully feeling every single heartbeat.

Darkening her vision easily allowed her thoughts to sink, recalling old memories.

The first thing You Ting remembered was that banquet filled with silent conflict.

The first time she saw Bai Nianzhao.

The young girl looked up, helpless and delicate, her clear eyes like a young deer in the forest.

When their gazes met, a spark of hope suddenly ignited in them.

At that moment, You Ting felt as if she was looking at a small injured animal, one that could only hide in a corner and lick its wounds in solitude.

You Ting knew Bai Nianzhao’s fate better than the girl herself. Therefore, she knew this pitiful little bunny would be sent from the Bai family to the You family—leaving one wolf den only to enter a tiger’s lair.

She knew Bai Nianzhao would continue to be ostracized and bullied by the You family, knew that You Aofeng would deliberately try every means to torment her, transferring his own bitterness from his injury and his humiliation by the Bai family entirely onto Bai Nianzhao.

She knew Bai Nianzhao would become battered and exhausted both physically and mentally, yet still be forced to depend on You Aofeng, who had harmed her countless times.

This was the author’s setup for Bai Nianzhao.

The male lead would lightly dismiss everything as a misunderstanding, as if that could erase all past harm.

And that little bunny would be like a Stockholm syndrome patient, twistedly reliant on her former abuser.

Completely becoming a tamed bird in a cage.

Such a life was too tragic. That’s why You Ting walked over without hesitation then, shielding Bai Nianzhao behind her.

When she first started the mission, You Ting only regarded the person as a mission target.

But Bai Nianzhao was a living, breathing person.

She used her own methods, step by step, clumsy yet genuine, to show her sincerity to You Ting.

Faced with such pure affection, You Ting’s first reaction was to retreat.

She had lost her memories, but she had a gut feeling that she shouldn’t have been involved with anything romantic.

The inherent human tendency to seek advantage and avoid harm made You Ting habitually choose to hesitate.

She didn’t want Bai Nianzhao to be sad.

But she was even more uncertain about her own feelings.

The unfamiliar and unclear emotions left You Ting somewhat at a loss when facing Bai Nianzhao.

She wanted to send the girl away, just help Bai Nianzhao from a distance.

But the little bunny kept running up to her three and four times, batting her eyes pitifully.

The frustration just couldn’t be let out.

You Ting was always soft-hearted toward Bai Nianzhao.

Her long eyelashes trembled slightly. Scenes flashed through her mind like a revolving lantern.

Those small, trivial matters she thought she had long forgotten or couldn’t remember were now still vividly clear.

They finally stopped at the night Bai Nianzhao rushed over. The girl held onto her sleeve, her tear-filled eyes full of shattered despair.

“Jiejie,” she pleaded, “don’t abandon me.”

You Ting slowly opened her eyes and sighed very softly.

She should have realized then that, unbeknownst to her, she had long been unable to let go of this little bunny.

Her gaze fell on the page fluttering in the breeze. She reached out her fingertip, tapping the word “love” again.

She suddenly raised her red lips.

Fine, she admitted it.

She seemed to… like Bai Nianzhao a little.

…

…

Since You Aofeng ran to the company building and ended up making a fool of himself, You Ting hadn’t heard any news of the father and son.

One day, she suddenly received a call.

It was actually from Father You.

There was silence on the other end for a long while until You Ting impatiently said, “If there’s nothing, I’m hanging up.”

Father You finally spoke, “Wait.”

He sighed, his voice thick with weariness.

“I’ve actually thought a lot these past few days.”

“When you were little, you actually loved following me around and calling me Dad.”

He had expected to be anxious and sleepless, overwhelmed by all these messed-up affairs. But on the contrary, he had slept soundly these days.

He even dreamt.

In the dream, it was many, many years ago.

All small, fragmented things.

The dilapidated school in the small mountain village where he studied, the red acceptance letter he walked a long way to get.

The train ticket for the first long-distance train ride to a strange city.

The first bonus he received after starting work, the first client when discussing business.

He even dreamt of his wedding with Yan Hua.

It was supposed to be a joyous occasion, but he was like an automaton following a set procedure, his face plastered with a forced smile.

The bride beside him wore a white wedding dress, her face blurred in the blinding light, indistinct.

He only heard the woman’s gentle and clear voice, reciting her vows word by word, and saying with a smile, “I do.”

His heart felt inexplicably heavy.

The end of the dream was the hospital—the last place he saw Yan Hua.

A nurse next to him held a crying baby.

The pampered young lady was wheeled out on a narrow hospital bed, covered with a white sheet, ending her brief life.

In that dream, he couldn’t see Yan Hua’s face no matter what.

In those years, his heart and eyes were only filled with Song Zhiqiu; he indeed hadn’t taken a good look at Yan Hua beside him.

After waking, only a trace of melancholy remained.

“In the deep night, I suddenly dream of youth’s affairs, but only dream of idle people, not of you.” (Note)

You Ting listened with an indifferent expression, not saying a word.

Father You seemed to want to say something more, but was stung by You Ting’s cold attitude. He finally just gave a bitter smile, “Forget it, saying any more is meaningless now.”

“I just suddenly feel how my life ended up like this.”

The person who loved him died early. The person he loved was imprisoned. The son he doted on was disabled.

His once most obedient daughter had long become estranged from him.

Now, at his age, his first half of life felt like a fleeting dream. Staying would only invite ridicule, so he could only choose to go abroad.

“I called just to tell you, I’m taking Xiao Feng (Little Feng) abroad. The flight is about to take off.”

You Ting answered with an “Mm,” “Got it.”

Father You hesitated, saying, “If in the future…”

You Ting immediately cut in, “There is no future.”

The other side of the phone was silent for a while. Father You softly responded, “Okay, then that’s it.”

You Ting also said, “That’s it.”

She pressed the red hang-up button, like an invisible pair of scissors cutting off their relationship.

Both knew clearly that after this call, they might never have any contact again in this lifetime.

Father You might regret it, or he might not, but none of that mattered anymore.

The real You family’s eldest daughter didn’t care.

You Ting didn’t care either.

Yan Hua, who might have cared once, had long since dissolved into the world.

After finishing her company work, she planned to drive to the training center.

No particular reason, she just suddenly wanted to see Bai Nianzhao.

When Bai Nianzhao saw You Ting, a flash of surprise immediately crossed her eyes.

She quickly ran over, sweetly calling, “Jiejie!”

You Ting leaned against the car door, straightened up, and curved her lips at her.

The next second, she extended a hand toward Bai Nianzhao.

Bai Nianzhao didn’t understand, tilting her head in confusion.

You Ting smiled.

She raised her brow slightly, “What, you don’t want to hold hands?”

Bai Nianzhao froze, then with disbelief yet ill-concealed joy, she placed her hand into You Ting’s.

Their fingers were clasped tightly, intertwined through the gaps.

They didn’t get in the car but walked forward along the street.

A gentle breeze blew, and the leaves rustled.

Cars drove by in the busy street, and people hurried past on the sidewalk.

Though walking in the bustling human world, their hearts suddenly quieted.

Bai Nianzhao asked, “Jiejie, where are we going?”

You Ting replied, “Just walking around.”

She paused, then turned her head to look at Bai Nianzhao, her eyes filled with a clear, playful smile.

“Little one, want to go on a date with Jiejie?”

Bai Nianzhao’s mind went blank.

She seemed to suddenly lose the ability to speak, only frantically blinking her eyes and staring at You Ting, unable to utter a single word for a long time.

“If you don’t want to, then forget it.” You Ting pretended to let go.

Bai Nianzhao’s stalled rationality finally returned. She quickly grabbed You Ting’s hand.

“I do, I do!” The child nodded like a pecking chick, her eyes sparkling.

An invisible tail seemed to be wagging happily behind her.

You Ting couldn’t help but lightly curve her lips, chuckling, “Idiot.”

Bai Nianzhao didn’t care.

She could be an idiot, as long as Jiejie didn’t dislike her!

After confirming their relationship, the little bunny became even more unrestrained.

She usually acted like a little shadow, following You Ting wherever she went.

But she wouldn’t cause You Ting any trouble, usually finding a spot to curl up, reviewing her textbooks and materials.

When You Ting looked up at her, she would flash a big smile.

A bit silly.

When you like someone, you can’t help but want more contact with them.

You Ting felt that Bai Nianzhao had been acting a little strange recently.

Specifically, after returning home in the evening, Bai Nianzhao always found various reasons to stay in You Ting’s room.

She’d be taking a shower and suddenly claim there was no water, then rush over with half-wet hair wrapped in a bath towel to borrow You Ting’s bathroom.

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