TIMO - Chapter 8
Chapter 8
"Island Master Fu."
A soft, pleasant voice came from behind her. The slight hoarseness from before was gone, and the gentle sound was carried by the wind, seeming to climb the moonbeams to Fu Zhao's ear and pour inside.
Then, with a hesitant tone,
"Little... Fu Zhao."
"I thought since I'm moving in, I should come and say hello to you both."
...What the hell was "Little Fu Zhao"?
But even with the original host's consciousness and her own emotions all mixed up, her feelings for Shi Nan were complicated. She couldn't bring herself to be cruel to this Shi Nan, who knew nothing of the situation. At the very least, she had to be sensible.
Half of Fu Zhao's body stiffened. Figuring she should at least maintain basic courtesy, she turned her head slightly and gave a small nod to the person standing quietly in the moonlight. "Miss... Shi."
She hadn't misspoken. "Miss Shi" was still Miss Shi.
Shi Nan hadn't deceived her; she just hadn't recognized her. When she had first transmigrated and had to identify everyone she knew on the island, she had relied on guesses and reactions. This time, she couldn't blame Shi Nan for not telling her; she just hadn't seen it, hadn't guessed this person was Shi Nan.
But Shi Nan didn't seem too surprised by the fact that she didn't recognize her.
How could the Little Island Master Fu Zhao, known by everyone around her to be deeply in love with Shi Nan, fail to recognize her?
"Nannan, you're here?"
Before she could think any further, her mother, who was radiating the glow of motherly love, leaped up from the swing chair. She ran towards Shi Nan, who was standing outside the gate, with her arms wide open, hugging her affectionately in the warmest of welcomes. "The person who went to pick you up today said they couldn't find you, and we were still looking. Then we saw someone say you were with Zhaozhao, so we didn't disturb you two."
"It's not that I wasn't welcoming you, I just wanted to give you two some private space. After all, it's much better for our Zhaozhao to pick you up personally, right?"
As Fu Wanqing hugged Shi Nan, her gaze shifted back and forth between the identical outfits on Shi Nan and Fu Zhao, thinking to herself that this engagement probably couldn't be broken off. She was relieved, and the gratified glow in her eyes was even brighter than when she had learned Fu Zhao had let go. "Your house was tidied up for you long ago, just waiting for you to move in. Later, have Zhaozhao take you there to familiarize yourself with everything inside."
"The furniture, clothes, and daily necessities inside are all the best we could prepare for you, and there are some decorations too. Our Zhaozhao has also been searching everywhere for novel items ever since she learned you were coming. You can go take a look."
"Okay, thank you, Island Master Fu."
Shi Nan listened quietly as Fu Wanqing finished, her gaze unable to help but drift over to Fu Zhao. Fu Zhao must have just gotten home and hadn't had time to change. She was sitting silently on the grass, her gaze fixed on the wine bottle on the ground, not even sparing her a single glance.
It wasn't until she heard Fu Wanqing say that Fu Zhao should take her to the house that Fu Zhao finally moved. Her eyes flickered slightly before returning to calm. She stood up from the grass and spoke softly, "It's getting late. If it's convenient for you, Miss Shi, I can take you to see your residence now."
So proactive?
Shi Nan tilted her head, surprised that the person who had been avoiding her like the plague just a moment ago was now offering to take her to her residence. She stared intently at Fu Zhao, feeling the watch on her wrist grow faintly warm. She tugged at the corners of her lips, her tone rising slightly. "Alright~ Thank you, Little... Fu Zhao."
Fu Zhao felt uncomfortable all over under Shi Nan's direct gaze. She pressed her lips together, subconsciously avoiding Shi Nan's eyes, and walked to the gate. Feigning composure, she said, "Once is an accident, twice is intentional."
She was referring to Shi Nan's one, then two "accidental" slips of the tongue, "Little... Fu Zhao."
"Ah?" Shi Nan blinked her eyes blankly. The light in them shimmered gently, sending out ripples of light. "Little... I'm sorry, it just slipped out subconsciously. What are you talking about, Fu Zhao?"
Expressionless and giving up on correcting her, Fu Zhao lowered her eyes. "I hope Miss Shi can correct herself as soon as possible. Call me Fu Zhao, or you can call me Little Island Master like the other children on the island. That's fine too."
"Pfft-hahahahaha, Little Fu Zhao, Little Fu Zhao, pfft-hahahaha..."
This time, before Shi Nan could react, Fu Wanqing, who had been watching the two "interact" for a long time, couldn't help but burst out laughing. She leaned unsteadily against Shi Nan's shoulder and winked at her. "It's okay, Nannan. I've got your back. Just call her that. We're not afraid of 'Little Fu Zhao'~"
As if afraid Fu Zhao couldn't hear, Fu Wanqing deliberately emphasized the words "Little Fu Zhao."
Fu Zhao watched the interaction between her mother and Shi Nan like an outsider, helplessly quirking her lips. She pulled the unsteady and tipsy Fu Wanqing off Shi Nan's shoulder. "I'm sorry, my mother is drunk tonight, so she's a bit excited. Please forgive her."
"It's fine." Shi Nan responded quickly. Her hands, which had just been supporting Fu Wanqing, were now empty and fell naturally to her sides. She smiled at Fu Zhao, a hint of disappointment in her eyes. "Island Master Fu seems so lovely. You must have a very good relationship with the Little Island Master."
Fu Zhao helped Fu Wanqing lie down on the swing chair. The person who had been so lively just a moment ago was now still, her eyelids lightly closed, her brow furrowed, as if she were really getting a headache.
"Yes, my mother and I have a very good relationship."
Their relationship was so good that after the original host died, Fu Wanqing, who had lost her island, property, and daughter, couldn't bring herself to blame Shi Nan, the one "Fu Zhao" loved most. She later died, depressed and lonely, in some corner of the island.
And Fu Zhao had dropped the novel when she read this part. She never saw the final ending for the female lead, Shi Nan, nor did she know which of her pursuers Shi Nan ended up with.
Fu Zhao's movements paused at this thought, but she still picked up the blanket from a nearby chair, shook it out gently, and covered Fu Wanqing with it. Only after doing all this did she turn to look at Shi Nan, a smile gracing her lips. "I'll take Miss Shi back first."
"Aren't you going to take Island Master Fu inside first?"
Fu Zhao shook her head and walked over to push open the courtyard gate. She explained, "It's more appropriate to see the guest home first. I can't keep Miss Shi waiting."
Shi Nan paused for a moment, understanding Fu Zhao's meaning. Fu Zhao's attitude was very clear. She wanted to continue maintaining a superficially polite relationship with her, just like with "Miss Shi" before.
But in the end...
The Little Island Master Fu Zhao would take "Miss Shi" to the fireworks festival and to see the island's scenery.
But she wouldn't take "Shi Nan."
In Fu Zhao's calm, unwavering eyes, Shi Nan saw this established fact. She should be happy, or perhaps relieved. She no longer had so much pressure, nor did she have to feel guilty every time she faced Fu Zhao's deep, reserved gaze.
But...
Shi Nan lowered her gaze slightly, clenching her fingertips. Why did she feel a little uncomfortable?
This discomfort of hers had to be wrong; at the very least, it was unfair to Fu Zhao.
She couldn't possibly force Fu Zhao to continue loving her, could she?
After all, she didn't love Fu Zhao. She just felt a little unused to it.
Having figured this out, Shi Nan nodded lightly at Fu Zhao and walked out of the courtyard gate. "You don't really have to see me out. I can go by myself. Sorry to trouble you, Little Island Master."
"It's no trouble..."
Fu Zhao replied. As Shi Nan walked out the gate, her nose once again caught that faint, rich fragrance. It was surprisingly pleasant.
Fu Zhao came back to her senses and forced the "surprisingly pleasant" thought out of her mind. She closed the courtyard gate and followed Shi Nan's steps. Building 2 was right next to Building 1; they only needed to take a few steps to get there.
She glanced sideways at Shi Nan and, after some thought, decided to speak. "About what my mother just said, about me preparing things in advance... she was just talking nonsense. Please don't mind it, Miss Shi, and don't misunderstand. It's just simple hospitality. There's no need to feel constrained or anything else because of it."
Hearing this, Shi Nan paused and stopped in front of the courtyard of Building 2. Her eyelashes fluttered as she looked sideways at Fu Zhao. Her gaze drifted lightly to the T-shirt Fu Zhao was wearing and deliberately lingered for a moment before she let out a soft laugh. "Alright, I understand. It's all just... the Little Island Master's hospitality."
"I thought... you wouldn't wear this outfit."
Fu Zhao followed Shi Nan's gaze down to the T-shirt she was wearing. She subconsciously tugged at the hem, pressing her lips together in silence for a moment before speaking. "At the time, I didn't know that Miss Shi was this Miss Shi."
"Don't you find it strange? Why I didn't recognize you?"
"Also, thank you for not mentioning this in front of my mother just now. Besides you, no one else should know that I don't recognize you right now."
Fu Zhao decided to just say it outright. No matter how she spun it, there was no good explanation for this matter anyway.
"You don't recognize me?"
This time, Shi Nan was truly surprised. She stared fixedly at Fu Zhao, trying to find any trace of falsehood on her face, but those clear, clean amber eyes told her that Fu Zhao was not lying.
"So... you didn't recognize me simply because you don't know me anymore?"
"Then do you also... not remember me?"
Shi Nan lightly bit her lower lip, her feelings a bit complicated. She knew Fu Zhao was different this time, but she hadn't expected it was because Fu Zhao no longer knew her. And Fu Zhao's feelings for her seemed to have dissipated along with this "unfamiliarity."
No, that wasn't right... She clearly remembered the person "Shi Nan," otherwise she wouldn't have been so flustered just now. But why did she remember her, but not recognize her?
"...I remember you, I just don't recognize you." Fu Zhao nodded, pushed open the courtyard gate for Shi Nan, then turned her head to look at her frankly. "Although I can't tell you the reason right now, Miss Shi, I'd still like to ask if you could help me keep this a secret."
Shi Nan suddenly fell silent, just staring fixedly at her.
Fu Zhao subconsciously avoided Shi Nan's gaze, but in the next second, the person who had been several meters away stared straight at her and took a few steps closer, until only a single step separated them. She could even smell the rich fragrance wafting towards her and could clearly see her own reflection in Shi Nan's beautiful eyes.
"Fu Zhao..."
Shi Nan called out softly, her voice gentle, her eyelashes fluttering.
Fu Zhao subconsciously took a step back, her body hitting the iron gate behind her with a dull thud. The cold touch spread to her forearm, sending a shiver through her.
"Miss Shi... is there something you need to say this close?" she asked, lowering her eyelashes.
Shi Nan raised her eyebrows and glanced at the pink color gradually creeping onto Fu Zhao's earlobe. She couldn't help but let out a soft laugh. Straightening her body, which had been leaning forward, she blinked her eyes, her voice light and lazy.
"But I haven't agreed to your request yet, and you just told me your secret so naively. Aren't you afraid I'll run off and tell someone right away?"
"Little Island Master... being so pure and innocent isn't very good~"
Of course, the "pure and innocent" she was referring to was the fact that Fu Zhao had honestly told her her biggest secret.
Not the fact that Fu Zhao blushed whenever she got a little close.
Author's Notes
Fu Zhao (stubborn version): You're the one who's pure and innocent! You're the one who's blushing!!
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