Behind the Mask - Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Feverish Heat

The mask was taken off and set on the bed.

As they held each other close, Chu Ye lowered her gaze, her eyes sweeping over Bai Ning's lips. She was startled by her own burgeoning impulse… Bai Ning was so good to her, how could she have such an improper thought?

After taking off the mask, Chu Ye felt even more out of her element.

Bai Ning was still looking at her face. Her fingertips caressed it, and then she smiled, saying slowly, "You kill without batting an eye, yet you blush so easily."

Chu Ye's heart felt feverish. Bai Ning was caressing her face and speaking in a soft, gentle voice; this touch was like pouring oil on a fire. She could only pretend to be calm, pretend she had no improper thoughts, that this was just the purest form of closeness between women.

"It's still early. If you sleep now, you'll wake up again during the night," Chu Ye said.

"Mm," Bai Ning hummed at her, her half-lidded eyes soft and lazy.

Chu Ye's heart beat faster again. She guessed Bai Ning must be drowsy with sleep. Why was she acting so affectionately with her?

"I won't sleep. Just lie with me for a while," Bai Ning said in a low voice.

"Alright." Chu Ye found that she was becoming less and less able to refuse Bai Ning's requests.

During their time in the attic, no one could bother them. Every day, it was just the two of them, peaceful and free.

In the blink of an eye, it was the last day of their confinement.

When Chu Ye woke up, the sun was already bright. An arm was wrapped around her waist as usual, and the bed they snuggled in was filled with warmth.

Bai Ning was still asleep.

Without maids or servants knocking at a set time, Bai Ning rarely had the chance to be lazy. When she slept well, she would stay in bed a little longer.

Chu Ye discovered that Bai Ning seemed to have grown dependent on sleeping while holding her. Naturally, she wouldn't wake Bai Ning, always accompanying her in silence.

They were leaving the attic today. Chu Ye counted the days in her head; she didn't really want to leave the attic anymore.

Here, she was the only one by Bai Ning's side, the only one in her eyes. This feeling made her inexplicably happy.

Chu Ye turned her head slightly. After seeing Bai Ning's face, her gaze lingered for an unknowingly long time. Only when Bai Ning was asleep did she dare to look at her so openly.

After staring for a long time, Chu Ye carefully brushed aside a few messy strands of hair from her face. She didn't know why, but she pushed her luck, placing her palm on Bai Ning's cheek and stroking it gently.

She knew this wasn't quite appropriate, but she couldn't help it. People truly are never satisfied. After her fingers touched her cheek, she wanted to touch her nose, her lips…

Bai Ning stirred.

Feeling guilty, Chu Ye pulled her hand back.

Bai Ning snuggled closer to her side, shifting into a more comfortable position. Her eyes were still closed as she murmured, "Am I beautiful?"

Chu Ye froze completely. "You… you're awake?"

Bai Ning didn't answer her, nor did she open her eyes. She just smiled.

This smile was sweet. Chu Ye stole a glance, and a trace of bitterness suddenly rose in her heart. She thought about the future, how Second Miss would surely hold the person she loved just like this, her gentle smile even sweeter…

Ever since she met Bai Ning, why did these strange feelings keep popping up in her mind?

After leaving the attic, Chu Ye put her mask back on.

Xiao Tao brought her a letter. It was from her Big Brother, Chu Hu.

As Chu Ye read the letter, a smile immediately bloomed on her lips.

Bai Ning had rarely seen her smile so happily, so she asked, "What letter has made you so happy?"

"It's from my Big Brother. He says in the letter that Elder Sister's eye condition has improved," Chu Ye said happily, her voice filled with laughter.

Bai Ning had heard Chu Ye say that she came to Jingzhou to help her Elder Sister get her eyes treated. Once her sister's eyes were better, she could leave this place and return to Xizhou.

She paused for a moment, then smiled at Chu Ye and said, "Your Elder Sister is a good person. Heaven will surely bless her."

"Mm," Chu Ye nodded.

Bai Ning looked at Chu Ye again. For a good while, she didn't know what to say. "You haven't been back for so long. Your Elder Sister must miss you. You should go see her."

Since she started protecting Bai Ning, she hadn't left her side. It was true she hadn't seen her Elder Sister in a long time. Chu Ye thought for a moment and thanked Bai Ning.

After Chu Ye left, Bai Ning stared at the doorway, lost in thought, then lowered her head.

"Miss, are you reluctant to see Miss Chu go?" Nuan Hua was clever and best at reading people.

Bai Ning glanced at her lightly. "You talk too much."

Nuan Hua grinned and shut her mouth. Sleeping beside each other every night, teaching her the zither... she had never seen her mistress get along so well with anyone. If Chu Ye were to return to Xizhou, wouldn't she be reluctant to let her go?

---

Elder Sister lived in a small house outside Jingzhou city. It was the place they had settled in after arriving in Jingzhou. Although everything was simple, with the three siblings together, it was still warm and cozy.

Before she even entered the courtyard, Chu Ye called out from a distance, "Elder Sister."

The person inside heard her voice and pushed the door open to come out.

The woman held a bamboo cane. She had delicate features, and her eyes were particularly beautiful, though sadly, they were dim and without light.

Although Chu Lan was blind in both eyes, she could move around on her own by using the bamboo cane to feel her way. Her voice was clear and bright. "Ye'er, you're back."

"Mm." Chu Ye took off her mask and stood before Chu Lan.

Chu Lan reached out and carefully felt her face for a moment, then smiled. "You haven't gotten thinner. It seems Second Miss Bai has treated you well."

"Second Miss treats me very well."

"Big Brother told me."

Chu Ye stepped forward to support her arm. "Elder Sister, let's talk inside. It's cold out here."

After going inside, Chu Ye asked about Chu Lan's eyes. Chu Lan had injured her eyes in a fight four years ago. At first, her vision was just blurry, but later she went completely blind. After coming to Jingzhou for treatment, there had been no improvement for a long time, but she had finally shown signs of getting better a few days ago.

"I still can't see, but I can sense a little light," Chu Lan said calmly, without much joy.

"Second Miss said that heaven blesses the worthy, so you'll definitely get better." Chu Ye took a sip of hot tea. "Second Miss Bai can divine the future. Her words are very accurate."

Chu Lan smiled faintly. "You like Second Miss Bai that much?"

Chu Ye, holding her teacup, froze. "…I do not."

Chu Lan smiled without speaking. The moment "Second Miss" was mentioned, her tone changed. Besides, Chu Ye wasn't one to easily discuss her family matters with others.

"If my eyes get better, I must go and see just how beautiful this Second Miss Bai is, and if she's even prettier than our Ye'er."

"You're teasing me again." Chu Ye said enthusiastically, "She's beautiful, and her zither playing is lovely to hear. Elder Sister, you'll definitely like her. When your eyes are better, I'll take you to watch her play the zither."

"Alright, alright," Chu Lan agreed.

Chu Ye and Chu Lan chatted for a while, and then Chu Hu returned as well. It was rare for the three siblings to be gathered, so they cooked a few dishes that evening, drinking and talking.

"Big Brother, have the remnants of Prince Shun's Manor been caught yet?" Chu Ye was concerned about this matter.

"Not yet, but it'll be soon." Chu Hu looked at Chu Ye. "Getting bored staying at the Bai Manor all day protecting the Second Miss?"

Chu Ye didn't say anything. Once the remnants were caught, Bai Ning would no longer need protection. Would they be able to see each other again after that?

"Lan'er's eyes are getting better too. We'll be able to return to Xizhou soon."

Return to Xizhou. After going back, it would be even more impossible for them to meet, wouldn't it? Chu Ye's mind drifted.

"Ye'er, are you happy?"

Chu Ye stared at the wine in her cup and said nothing.

"Ye'er?" Chu Hu called again.

Chu Ye lifted her head and gave a noncommittal "mm."

Chu Lan sensed something was wrong and asked her, "Ye'er, what's the matter with you?"

"What?" Chu Ye didn't understand.

"Didn't you used to always clamor about returning to Xizhou?" Chu Lan teased her, but today, Chu Ye hadn't mentioned it at all. "You don't want to go back to Xizhou anymore?"

"Of course I want to return to Xizhou…" Chu Ye started to say, but then trailed off.

It was Chu Lan, with her delicate mind, who heard that Chu Ye had more to say. But in front of Chu Hu, she didn't press the matter.

Since they hadn't seen each other in a long time, Chu Ye stayed the night, a rare chance to accompany her Elder Sister.

The small house outside the city was much quieter than the city proper. The whistling of the wind wasn't clamorous; it was pleasant to listen to.

The night deepened. Chu Ye stared at the ceiling beams, unable to sleep. Perhaps she had grown used to falling asleep to the scent of Bai Ning's fragrance every night. Tonight, with no one holding her, it felt like something was missing.

"Ye'er."

"Hm?" Chu Ye looked at Chu Lan beside her, who was also still awake.

"In Jingzhou, have you found someone you like?" Chu Lan finally asked her.

Chu Ye paused. "Of course not."

"If you haven't found someone you like, then why would you be reluctant to leave Jingzhou?"

Chu Ye fell silent. She was still reflecting on why, the moment her sister mentioned a "sweetheart," the person who immediately came to her mind was Bai Ning.

Hearing no reply from Chu Ye, Chu Lan chuckled softly. "Our Ye'er's heart is stirring with first love."

Chu Ye didn't rush to refute it. She asked, "Elder Sister, what are the first stirrings of love like?"

"It's when you suddenly have someone on your mind," Chu Lan answered.

"I think about you and Big Brother too."

"It's different." Speaking of this, a faint light seemed to appear in Chu Lan's dim eyes. She spoke unhurriedly, "When you're thinking of your sweetheart, the feeling is sweet, sour, bitter, and astringent…"

Chu Ye quietly gazed at Chu Lan's profile. After a long while, she finally asked with a smile, "Elder Sister, do you have a sweetheart?"

Chu Lan also smiled, but didn't answer.

Chu Ye didn't press further. She thought her Elder Sister must have a sweetheart; otherwise, back in Xizhou, when so many people came to propose marriage, her sister wouldn't have refused every single one.

But why wasn't her Elder Sister with that person?

Even if you think about someone, it doesn't necessarily mean you can be together.

Chu Ye drifted off into a hazy sleep. It seemed she had many dreams, but when she woke up, she couldn't remember any of them, only that Bai Ning had called her "Ye'er."

The next day, after finishing breakfast, Chu Ye left in a hurry.

"And she says she doesn't have someone she likes," Chu Lan muttered to herself.

"You're talking about Ye'er?" Chu Hu heard this and let out a laugh. "She has to guard Second Miss Bai all day without leaving her side. Where would she find the time to meet someone she likes? Besides, Ye'er is just like you, she doesn't think anyone is good enough."

Second Miss Bai?

Chu Lan's expression became subtle.

---

Bored and restless on her own, Bai Ning had painted a new picture and was just adding the finishing touches. Suddenly, she heard footsteps outside the study. She immediately looked up, a smile appearing on her face.

The knock on the door had just sounded.

"Come in," Bai Ning said to the person outside.

Chu Ye pushed the door open and entered. She looked at Bai Ning before the desk. "How did you know it was me?"

She couldn't explain it; she just knew. Bai Ning urged in a low voice, "Aren't you going to close the door?"

Chu Ye closed the door. After meeting Bai Ning's gaze, she took off her mask. She remembered what Bai Ning had told her that day.

"How is your Elder Sister?"

"Her eyes still can't see, but she can sense light now. The doctor said that as long as she can sense light, she'll recover quickly."

"That's good."

Chu Ye walked closer and saw that Bai Ning was painting. "What are you painting?"

"Nothing, just a few strokes to pass the time." Seeing Chu Ye approach, Bai Ning tried to put the painting away.

"Let me see."

"It's not finished yet." Bai Ning continued to put it away.

Chu Ye found it strange. Why did it seem like the Second Miss was feeling guilty about something? She took another step forward, wanting to see. "If it's not finished, why are you putting it away?"

Bai Ning took the paper and wouldn't let her see.

They had been together day and night these past days and had long since grown familiar. In front of Bai Ning, Chu Ye's childish side emerged. She was just too curious, so she grabbed Bai Ning's hand, insisting on seeing.

Bai Ning turned to look at her with a smile. "Don't mess around."

Chu Ye leaned in closer. She didn't see the painting, but the tip of her nose brushed against Bai Ning's, touching. She was still holding Bai Ning's hand, and she thought Bai Ning could surely feel how hot her palm was.

"Why did you come back so early?" Bai Ning asked softly, face to face. She didn't shake off Chu Ye's hand, just let her hold it.

Chu Ye searched for a reason for coming early. "Elder Sister made some pastries and asked me to bring them for you to try."

Remembering that Chu Ye had come in empty-handed, Bai Ning stared straight at her and asked, "Where are the pastries?"

Chu Ye was about to be embarrassed by Bai Ning's stare. "I forgot to bring them."

Bai Ning's smile was gentle, and she laughed for quite a while.

Chu Ye also smiled, pressing her lips together. She seemed to understand what her sister meant by "sour, sweet, bitter, and astringent," yet she was willing to fall into it.

The painting on the desk fell to the floor.

Chu Ye's eyes were sharp and her hands were quick; she picked it up before Bai Ning could.

She unrolled the scroll and looked at it. Suddenly, as if frozen in place, she saw that Bai Ning had painted her—the scene under the ancient tree outside Linglong Workshop, where she had taken off her mask.

Chu Ye looked at Bai Ning. "You had seen me long ago…"

No wonder that back in the cave, the first time she took off her mask in front of Bai Ning, Bai Ning had been so calm, not surprised at all.

---

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