ORCBRB – Chapter 42
Chapter 42
This year, Christmas Eve fell on a Saturday, which meant Sang Shi'an could have a nice, long sleep before welcoming her new year of life.
The night before, she had excitedly confirmed the list of friends she wanted to invite. Then, at two-thirty in the morning, she called Sang Shiyue to request a change in the decor style for the private room that evening, which nearly resulted in their sibling relationship being severed.
But the next morning at seven, Sang Shi'an was dug out of her bed. The moment she opened her eyes and saw Jian Cenyu, she thought she was dreaming.
It wasn't until the sunlight streamed into the room, making her squint, that Sang Shi'an suddenly realized, “Jian Cenyu, this is called trespassing!”
Jian Cenyu responded with a faint hum, then turned back and pulled off her blanket. “Didn’t you say you wanted to book an entire amusement park for your birthday to experience the life of a princess?”
Sang Shi'an looked up, caught off guard. A light of surprise shone in her eyes, more dazzling than the sunlight on her bedsheets. She had to hide her feelings, murmuring, “Who would want that? It’s so childish.”
Jian Cenyu’s tone became gentle, yet tinged with casualness. “The money’s already spent, and it’ll only take up your daytime. I want to see if people your age like amusement parks.”
Sang Shi'an: “...Huh?”
She foolishly walked right into the trap and asked, “You’re not planning to take someone else there tonight, are you?”
“Don’t you have plans with your friends tonight? I don’t think I have the right to monopolize Her Highness the Princess for a whole day, do I?” Jian Cenyu placed a hand on her chest in a knight’s bow. “But the amusement park was indeed booked specially for you.”
The gesture made Sang Shi'an’s face flush, but she was still a little skeptical. “You really booked it? When I was little, I asked my parents to rent it for a day, and they never agreed.”
The amusement parks in Yancheng were all very famous. Booking one for a regular day would cost at least seven figures, not to mention on Sang Shi'an's birthday, which fell on Christmas Eve every year. The price would be several times higher.
“It’s true,” Jian Cenyu said with certainty. “Waking up an hour later would waste a lot of money, so I had to come and get you early.”
The surprise was so sudden that her morning grumpiness vanished without a trace. Sang Shi'an felt dizzy all over, and even the air seemed to turn sweet.
She asked, “What about the amusement park’s Christmas Eve activities and shows…”
Jian Cenyu confirmed, “They’re all included.”
Sang Shi'an dashed to the bathroom. “Just give me half an hour!”
In the middle of it, Sang Shiyue called to ask if he should come pick her up to go home.
Immersed in the excitement of having an entire amusement park to herself, Sang Shi'an heartlessly told him, “See you tonight. The princess’s time has already been booked by someone else.”
Sang Shiyue couldn’t stop laughing on the other end of the line. He coaxed her for a bit before finding out about the amusement park plan.
When she came out of the bedroom, Jian Cenyu was at the dining table, looking at a PPT.
Sang Shi'an grabbed a slice of toast and held it in her mouth as she leaned over for a look. She couldn’t help but say, “I thought you’d be looking up a guide for the amusement park.”
Jian Cenyu closed her laptop and said lightly, “You might not like the rides I like. I was just looking at something to pass the time.”
Shouldn’t passing the time involve scrolling through entertainment news or playing a little game?
The comparison made Sang Shi'an seem like a slacker who did nothing productive all day.
So, once they were in the car, Sang Shi'an tossed aside the park guide Jian Cenyu had given her, opened the digital materials for a subject she had an exam in next week, and said coolly, “Drive steadily. Don’t disturb my studies.”
Then she turned off the car stereo, looking for all the world like a diligent and studious child.
Jian Cenyu: ...
At eight-thirty, the Aston Martin pulled up outside Universal Studios, half an hour before the normal opening time. But that restriction didn’t apply to them. A team of eight park guides was there to receive them.
Someone came to park the car for them as they got out. The guide team, four men and four women in suits, greeted them elegantly. As they entered the park, their final words were, “We wish you a wonderful date today.”
Sang Shi'an stopped in her tracks, her eyes wide with shock.
Beside her, Jian Cenyu remained elegant and gentle as she replied, “Thank you.”
Noticing the guides’ appraising gazes, Sang Shi'an lowered her voice. “Did you not hear what they said? Why did you just agree?”
Jian Cenyu looked perfectly calm. “You were the one who said you fantasized about booking an entire amusement park for your birthday as a child. That fantasy should include an older sister to play with you. Or would you rather I call your brother and have him come over?”
Sang Shi'an: ...
No way.
Universal Studios was already decorated with a Christmas theme. There were no light effects during the day, but there were parade floats and some themed characters. However, there were also a lot of heart and flower decorations. After walking for a while, Sang Shi'an finally couldn’t hold back. “...They don’t really think we’re here on a date, do they?”
Jian Cenyu also thought it was a bit much, but her stern expression made her look very composed. “These were all decorated early this morning. Don’t young people like this sort of thing?”
Sang Shi'an nodded, letting go of her suspicion. “That makes sense.”
Having a private amusement park was amazing. You could interact with any NPC you wanted, and if you fancied a toy, the stall owner, under instructions from the park, would just give it to you.
This was especially true for the rides. There were no lines, so you could go on them right away. They managed to check off a huge section in just an hour.
Sang Shi'an wasn’t actually that interested in the thrilling and exciting rides where you had to sit properly behind a safety bar. After one round, she started looking for the haunted house.
Twisting an ankle in the dark was a perfectly normal occurrence; she was extremely skilled at it, anyway. The accompanying guides waited outside the haunted house. Sang Shi'an volunteered to lead the way. “Jian Cenyu, seeing as you spent so much money today, I’ll protect you.”
Jian Cenyu lowered her head to put a bracelet on Sang Shi'an’s wrist, yielding the position. Seeing how Sang Shi'an, who used to be so afraid of ghosts as a child that she couldn’t sleep alone, was now determined to walk in front, Jian Cenyu still grabbed her arm before they went in. “Are you sure?”
Sang Shi'an glanced at Jian Cenyu confidently and tucked the panic bracelet inside her clothes, to a spot she wouldn’t be able to reach in an emergency. “We have to complete tasks later. Someone like you who’s been cooped up at school for four years won’t be able to get out.”
Jian Cenyu lowered her head to put on her own bracelet, deliberately taking off her watch to ensure she could react immediately if needed. Once it was on, she took Sang Shi'an’s hand and said slowly, “As expected of a top student who got into Yanjing University. I’ll be counting on you, then.”
The haunted house was all about atmosphere, with the scares coming from a few NPCs who popped out suddenly. The path was clean, so no special incidents could occur. Jian Cenyu’s hand was exactly what Sang Shi'an wanted. She almost let out a laugh in the darkness. “I heard some NPCs will deliberately try to separate companions. You’d better hold on tight.”
Jian Cenyu smiled silently. As they walked into the room, Sang Shi'an’s clear, pleasant voice gradually faded until she clamped her mouth shut.
The classic children’s song “Little White Poplar” played in her ears. Just listening to it was enough for Sang Shi'an to imagine a whole host of ghostly soldiers marching past. She had originally planned to be the hero saving the damsel in distress, but she ended up scaring herself first.
Sang Shi'an swallowed nervously a couple of times and began chanting ‘Namo Amitabha’ in her head.
When that didn’t work after a while, she switched to ‘As swift as the statutes and ordinances.’
Her lips nearly trembled and let the words escape.
The temperature of her hand dropped lower and lower, only to be warmed by Jian Cenyu’s palm.
“Jian Cenyu, are you too scared to speak?” Jian Cenyu’s overly calm demeanor made Sang Shi'an even more panicked, to the point where she wondered if the person beside her had been replaced. “If you’re really scared, I… I can carry you?”
Jian Cenyu chuckled. “No, I was just afraid that talking would ruin the experience for you.”
“I know it’s pretty embarrassing to be three years older than me and still be afraid of ghosts, but I won’t laugh at you. Come on.”
Jian Cenyu, worried that hugging would make it difficult to walk, still refused. “Really, there’s no need.”
When some scary face or another jumped out in front of them, Sang Shi'an grabbed Jian Cenyu and threw herself at her. “I won’t lau—”
The haunted house had a trapdoor. The two of them were pulled in together, falling onto a soft mat inside, and were showered with all sorts of monster-themed plush toys.
Sang Shi'an froze, momentarily forgetting to get up. She just mechanically finished the second half of her sentence, “...gh at you.”
This was the opportunity she had been waiting for. Sang Shi'an’s heart, useless as ever, began to beat very, very fast. Inhaling Jian Cenyu’s familiar, clean woody scent, she even forgot she was still in a haunted house.
The darkness was the best cover. She tentatively reached for Jian Cenyu’s lips.
Just as she was about to kiss her, a hand pushed her shoulder.
Jian Cenyu’s voice was hoarse, whether from the haunted house or something else. “Aren’t you getting up?”
Sang Shi'an pursed her lips in disappointment and reluctantly pushed herself up using a nearby toy. But the toy she pressed on had a smooth surface, and she tumbled down again, falling into Jian Cenyu’s arms.
Jian Cenyu let out a muffled grunt. The hand protecting Sang Shi'an’s waist tightened for a moment before releasing in vain.
Sang Shi'an might have just come here today to torture her.
Sang Shi'an was still apologizing earnestly. “I’m sorry, I really can’t see. Did I hurt you?”
Jian Cenyu’s overcoat had been mussed up, and a corner of the shirt tucked into her skirt had come loose. Sang Shi'an’s hand roamed her waist, probing lightly and heavily.
Jian Cenyu took a deep breath and hurriedly pushed Sang Shi'an away, her tone stiff. “There are cameras.”
Sang Shi'an froze for a second, like a child caught by a teacher in class. She scrambled to her feet, her face beet red. “It was their own trapdoor! Isn’t it normal to have trouble getting up?”
In the darkness, Jian Cenyu sensed Sang Shi'an’s awkwardness and finally extended a hand. “Give me a hand.”
Sang Shi'an went to pull her up.
The moment their palms touched, it was scorching. Sang Shi'an’s heart fluttered again, utterly useless.
Jian Cenyu sensed her tense palm, let out a laugh, and said slowly, “I know it’s pretty embarrassing to be twenty and still afraid of ghosts, but I won’t laugh at you.”
Why did that sound so familiar?
Sang Shi'an thought for a moment, and it dawned on her. She nearly choked. “Jian Cenyu! You’re still mocking me at a time like this!”
Jian Cenyu held her cold hand with one hand and wrapped the other around her shoulders, ruffling the back of her hair. “It’s not embarrassing.”
How could it not be embarrassing? Sang Shi'an thought.
She was flirting with Jian Cenyu because she liked her. But Jian Cenyu liked Kitty, yet she was still hugging and holding her like this. If this continued, she was going to call the police.
But Jian Cenyu didn’t know she liked her, didn’t even know that her own sexual orientation had long since deviated because of Jian Cenyu.
The thought that Jian Cenyu had always seen her as a willful little sister only intensified Sang Shi'an’s sense of loss.
Damn little sister.
“Why are you staring at me?” Jian Cenyu had already found the switch to exit the secret room. As light streamed in, she saw Sang Shi'an’s expression. “Were you really scared by the haunted house?”
Sang Shi'an shook the hand Jian Cenyu was holding and sighed jokingly, “Yeah, my soul was stolen away.”
The corners of Jian Cenyu’s lips curled up as she suddenly leaned closer. “Don’t tell me I have to comfort you like when you were a child?”
Like when she was a child?
Before Sang Shi'an could remember how she used to be comforted, a warm breath was already hovering above her lips, seemingly only a fraction of an inch away.
Sang Shi'an held her breath.
This was completely different from the times she had pretended to accidentally kiss Jian Cenyu. After all, this was a kiss initiated by Jian Cenyu. Even though it hadn’t landed yet, it was enough to make her heart race out of control, her limbs go numb, and her whole body feel light.
Jian Cenyu lowered her gaze to Sang Shi'an’s slightly parted lips, paused for two seconds, then her lips brushed past, landing only a gentle, comforting touch on Sang Shi'an’s cheek. Her voice was tender and soft. “There, there. If you’re really scared, we can leave. There are plenty of other things to do.”
Sang Shi'an’s heart had yet to calm down, and a flash of expected disappointment crossed her mind.
“...Let’s go out then.”
Jian Cenyu pressed the bracelet, and soon footsteps approached their direction. She expertly pulled Sang Shi'an along, following the staff member out. “Such a scaredy-cat. You shouldn’t play these kinds of games with people next time.”
“You have to experience it a few times to overcome the fear,” Sang Shi'an said with her head down, her voice muffled.
“But it would be good to bring that older brother you like. I just tested it; the atmosphere is great.” Jian Cenyu kicked a haunted house prop out of Sang Shi'an’s way to keep her from tripping.
The thought that Jian Cenyu might use the amusement park to entertain someone else tonight instantly soured the entire haunted house experience for Sang Shi'an. Was everything just now a rehearsal for Jian Cenyu?
Did Jian Cenyu plan to meet Kitty while she was at her party with friends, or was she meeting her brother?
“No way I’m asking him. I hate his guts.”
Sunlight finally fell on her face again. Jian Cenyu squinted and asked, “What’s wrong?”
“I just hate him. I don’t like that older brother anymore,” Sang Shi'an said petulantly.
“Why are you so moody with others too?” Jian Cenyu let out a faint laugh and took her hand again. “Who else but me could put up with you like this?”
Sang Shi'an was furious and retorted, “Oh, so you find me annoying now? Then move out of my house.”
“What kind of logic is that?” Jian Cenyu said helplessly. “It’s me who’s been disliked by you for half a year, and I spent the money I was saving to buy a house on renting this amusement park for you.”
Sang Shi'an did a quick calculation and realized it seemed to be true. “Then… then what should we do?”
Jian Cenyu was utterly charmed by Sang Shi'an’s cuteness. She turned and stopped, her eyes light and gentle. “So, for the sake of your homeless older sister, please continue to take me in.”
Air-freighted Damask rose petals drifted down onto their shoulders, carrying a lingering, exceptionally tender fragrance.
Sang Shi'an hastily looked away. “I was just kidding. You can stay if you want. I’m thirsty, go get me something to drink.”
Jian Cenyu’s lips curled into a silent smile. “Okay.”
While Jian Cenyu went to the drink stand, Sang Shi'an took out her phone and switched to her Kitty account. There was a new message, sent at seven-thirty in the morning.
Jian Cenyu must have sent it to Kitty while waiting for her to get ready.
As she opened the chat window, Sang Shi'an’s palms grew sweaty with nervousness.
It was a very simple sentence: [Are you free tonight?]
Sang Shi'an’s heart was in turmoil, and she didn’t dare to reply.
She was afraid that Jian Cenyu had indeed reserved tonight specifically for Kitty, and that celebrating her birthday during the day was just a convenient test run, a rehearsal for her date with Kitty.
Even though she herself was Kitty, Sang Shi'an couldn’t bring herself to claim the identity. Kitty could be anyone, but she couldn’t be her.
During the time Kitty had been friends with Jian Cenyu, her attitude towards Jian Cenyu had been so poor. A person as smart as Jian Cenyu would surely think it was all a prank. Then, not only would their online relationship be over, but Jian Cenyu might also stop interacting with her in real life.
More importantly, when Kitty first approached Jian Cenyu, she had said such blush-inducing things and worn those little skirts. Sang Shi'an felt she simply couldn’t face that embarrassment.
Flustered and cautious, Sang Shi'an tapped open the keyboard and replied: [My mom came to Yancheng this week, and I have to pick her up from the airport tonight. I might not be free. Can I contact you later, Cenyu Jiejie?]
Just as she sent the message, Jian Cenyu’s footsteps drew near. She was holding a brown sugar pearl milk tea. Sang Shi'an bit down on the straw. The milk tea was very sweet, yet it tasted bitter. “What are we doing next?”
“Whatever you like,” Jian Cenyu suggested. “I’ll have them arrange a parade float so you don’t get tired from walking.”
Sang Shi'an responded with a quiet, “Okay.”
She looked up and saw Jian Cenyu communicating with the guide. Her gaze still fell on the fields of hearts and seas of flowers, and a cheerful English song played in the background. Nothing had changed from before.
Afterward, Sang Shi'an followed the map and played through almost the entire Universal Studios. An amusement park without queues was quick to get through. As the sun began to set, Sang Shi'an sat in the Ferris wheel, watching the gilded dusk spread across the sky, heralding the end of her birthday gift.
“Why the long face? You screamed your throat hoarse on the roller coaster just now. Still haven’t had enough?” Jian Cenyu’s fingertips brushed through Sang Shi'an’s stray hairs, her gaze very close.
Sang Shi'an’s eyes darted around. “You older people wouldn’t understand.”
They were only three years apart. Jian Cenyu let out a short laugh and teased with a calm expression, “Then what should we do? Skip dinner and I’ll stay with you all night?”
“Mom would be sad,” Sang Shi'an shook her head. “She said she has a surprise for me.”
Jian Cenyu guessed, “Did Auntie hire people in cartoon costumes to dance for you again?”
“Yeah, it’s been a staple since I was a kid.” Sang Shi'an couldn’t help but lean onto Jian Cenyu’s shoulder, shaking with laughter.
Jian Cenyu let her lean there, watching the scenery outside the Ferris wheel with her.
After a while, Sang Shi'an suddenly brought it up. “Jian Cenyu, you haven’t wished me a happy birthday yet.”
Jian Cenyu: “Isn’t it the same if I say it at dinner?”
“It’s not the same. So many people will wish me a happy birthday later, I won’t have time to reply.” Sang Shi'an took out her phone, which had already run out of battery and shut down. “This time is specially reserved for you.”
Jian Cenyu said softly, “Then happy birthday, An'an. I hope you’re happy every day.”
Sang Shi'an let out a troubled “Ah?” “Is that all?”
Jian Cenyu seemed thoughtful. “What else do you want?”
Sang Shi'an thought for a while, nearly half an hour. Just as the Ferris wheel was about to reach the ground, she gestured to the staff outside to keep it going, then finally spoke. “Um, how about you wish that I and the one I love will finally be together?”
Jian Cenyu’s eyes clearly widened in a daze for a moment before she met Sang Shi'an’s expectant gaze and said, “In the haunted house, didn’t you say you hated that older brother?”
“Can’t I like him again now?” Sang Shi'an said. “Just tell me if you’ll wish it for me or not.”
Her eyes were very bright, like jewels sparkling in the moonlight. Jian Cenyu’s heart beat uncontrollably. She stared at Sang Shi'an for a long moment before saying to her in a gentle, calm voice, “I wish that you and the one you love will finally be together.”
Sang Shi'an feigned a nonchalant laugh, leaned in to hug Jian Cenyu’s shoulder, and said, “Thank you, I like it very much.”
I really like today’s trip, and I really like this blessing that will probably be hard to realize.
And I really like you.
When Sang Shiyue’s call came, it was already close to five in the afternoon. Sang Shi'an looked at the wide, gridlocked road and could only regretfully tell her brother that all roads led away from her home.
When she got home, she was, as expected, immediately whisked away by Sang Shiyue. He nagged her from the parking lot to the living room, threw her into her room to quickly change into a pretty little dress, and then had her face a room full of uncles and aunts. Sang Shi'an expertly put on a sweet smile, greeted each of them, and then received a pile of beautifully wrapped gift boxes.
After a few rounds of drinks, Sang Shiyue took Sang Shi'an to make toasts. The first table was the one where Jian Cenyu was sitting, filled with business partners who were on good terms with the Sang family. Sang Shi'an’s glass was filled with a low-alcohol white wine. She followed Sang Shiyue, graciously greeting the elders, and when it was Jian Cenyu’s turn, she politely called her ‘Jiejie.’
When the cake was brought out, it was, as expected, pushed on a cart by several people in mascot costumes singing the birthday song. Twenty candles were lit, but Sang Shi'an no longer asked childish questions like whether she could make twenty birthday wishes. She just symbolically closed her eyes, her mind actually blank.
This continued until seven-thirty, when the guests began to leave. Sang Shi'an went with her parents to see them off. Her aunt stood beside her, smiling as she inquired, “I see the Jian family also has plans to marry off their daughter. Is something good about to happen?”
The remaining guests were all very close relatives. The Sang and Jian families had intentions of a marriage alliance, which directly affected their companies’ development, so they hadn’t hidden it from their relatives. Everyone had heard some whispers beforehand.
“How are they not a good match? He’s handsome and she’s beautiful. I was just staring at the Jian family’s daughter for a while. She’s grown up so well. It’s a pity I didn’t have a son back then.”
“It wouldn’t be your turn anyway.” Another person lowered their voice and pointed towards the garden. “Look, the two of them are getting along so well.”
Only then did Sang Shi'an realize that Jian Cenyu and Sang Shiyue had disappeared together at some point. Although they no longer needed to entertain outside guests, the relatives were still there. Sang Shiyue’s disappearance at this time was not in line with his usual thorough way of handling things.
Seeing that her parents were taking care of the relatives, Sang Shi'an also quietly slipped away to the garden. The brilliant lights gradually faded, leaving only the dim glow of the garden lamps.
She drifted aimlessly through the garden like a ghost. A very high-class fragrance of pine and orchid hung in the air. As she passed a corner, she heard the faint sound of conversation coming from deep within the greenhouse.
“...Since we’re not suitable for each other, I think it’s better to make it clear sooner rather than later.”
“I thought you, Jian Cenyu, didn’t really mind the elders’ matchmaking. It made it hard for me to refuse all this time. But why bring it up with me today?”
“The clinical trial results for CRISPR-Cas9 were much better than projected. I was direct with my father a while ago and made him choose… Just take it as a joke.”
After a moment of silence, Sang Shiyue’s low laughter could be heard. “Then I should congratulate you in advance.”
“I’ll talk to my parents. It was their idea in the first place. After all this, they should come to their senses.” Sang Shiyue flicked the lid of his lighter, the sound especially crisp in the quiet environment. “But is that the only reason you want to call it off? Nothing else?”
“Other reasons?”
“For example, do you already have someone you like?” Sang Shiyue’s voice held a hint of roguish teasing. “I’ve known you for so many years, I can be considered half a brother. Who is it? Tell me so I can give up for good.”
Jian Cenyu’s voice also carried a smile. “Not as good as you. Not as mature, not as steady.”
Sang Shiyue laughed twice. “Is that supposed to be a compliment? You sound just like An'an with that infuriating mouth of hers—”
A sound of hurried footsteps came from around the corner. Sang Shiyue and Jian Cenyu exchanged a glance and quickly turned back, only to see an empty greenhouse corridor. There was no one there.
“Was that An'an just now?” Sang Shiyue seemed to suddenly remember something, annoyed. “I almost forgot about this little ancestor. When she heard about our potential marriage, she was so happy she rushed into the living room to confirm. She even asked me several times if it was real. Now that she’s heard we’ve broken it off, she’s probably going to throw a tantrum.”
Jian Cenyu’s face, however, had lost the relaxed expression she had when they were clearing the air. The smile on her lips gradually flattened. As Sang Shiyue was calling Sang Shi'an, she suddenly turned and chased in the direction Sang Shi'an had disappeared.
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