novelraw Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Last night the window had been left open, and the curtain trembled in the early-morning breeze, rousing the boy on the bed.
He opened his eyes in a fog, stared at the unfamiliar ceiling, and felt his limbs heavy, pins and needles running through every nerve. The sensation dragged up last night's unpleasant memories; he rubbed the bridge of his nose in resignation.
Awooo~
From the warm quilt a ball of black fluff wriggled free. It padded to the edge of the bed, shook itself, then stretched in a perfect cat bow, mouth wide. Yan Huan pushed himself up on an elbow, grabbed his fully-charged phone, and saw it was a little after nine.
He sighed and flopped back, burying his face deep in the pillow. He'd fallen asleep trying to figure out how to deal with Ye Shiyu's Modifier, and the effort had triggered a nightmare. In it he stood at the edge of a cliff, body moving forward a step at a time against his will. The helpless certainty of imminent danger felt like torture, ending only when he plunged to his doom.
No prizes for guessing why: after staring down Ye Shiyu's Modifier, even sleep refused to shelter him. If he stayed here long-term, he'd face Bai Yi's Indifference at school and Ye Shiyu's hypnosis at home. His life expectancy would plummet.
I need to run.
Face-down in the pillow, he thought the words with ironclad conviction. Good news: last night's survival instinct had kept him from promising to stay; bad news: he still had to survive the weekend. If he bolted without warning, Ye Lan would only be puzzled, but Ye Shiyu would guess he remembered the hypnosis. So he had to endure.
"Ugh..."
His muffled groan seeped into the pillow.
Normally he woke early on weekends for a jog; today was a lost cause. He gave himself an unplanned holiday.
"Meow~"
Meow-chan nuzzled against him. Yan Huan scratched the cat's head and asked on a whim, "Meow-chan, you don't actually need to eat, right?"
"Don't need to, meow."
"That's a pity—you'll miss out on tasty cat sticks and canned food."
You're the one who's disappointed you can't feed me. Meow-chan saw right through him and replied in a deadpan recitation, "But if you insist on feeding me, I can manage a little."
"Greedy cat."
He swung his legs over the side of the bed, ignoring Meow-chan's mock charge, and headed for the bathroom. By the time he came downstairs, sunlight was pooling in the living room; Ye Lan and Auntie Chen were already there.
"Morning, Xiao Huan. Sleep okay?"
Ye Lan sat at the dining table in a white cotton loungewear dress. Bright morning light painted the faint outline of her slender figure through the gauze. She crossed her legs, the toe of one slipper barely hooked on, rocking gently.
Yan Huan flashed a flawless smile to hide the nightmare. "Slept like a log. No trouble adjusting."
If not for the Modifier's restrictions, he'd have reported Ye Shiyu for unauthorized hypnosis on the spot.
"That's wonderful. Breakfast's ready. Your sister's still asleep—little sloth loves her bed."
Ye Lan's voice was warm; mother and daughter might as well have been from different planets. One angel, one demon.
Auntie Chen brought out a traditional Longguo breakfast: steamed buns, soy milk, and a plate of soft-boiled eggs. Ye Lan took only one egg and, predictably, a glass of banana-flavoured milk.
Seeing Yan Huan still in yesterday's white school shirt, she peeled her egg and said, "I forgot to buy you some clothes on the way back. We'll go shopping today. There's a big aquarium nearby, next to a famous mall—let's head out after breakfast."
"Sounds great, Auntie Ye."
Ye Lan beamed at him. A few damp strands clung to his temples; his hair was adorably rumpled. Boys, she thought; so careless with grooming. Girls would swoon if he paid a little attention. She'd teach him later.
"Here, have an egg."
She handed him one with a bit of shell left for grip. He'd taken two bites when she peeled a second egg and offered it.
Yan Huan blinked up at her, cheeks still bulging. Ye Lan giggled behind her hand. "Easy, tiger. Finish that one first."
She set the second egg down and reached for a napkin to dab his face. At that moment light footsteps sounded on the stairs. Yan Huan didn't turn, yet his spider-sense screamed the newcomer's identity. He snatched the napkin first. "Thanks, Auntie Ye, I've got it."
He wiped his mouth quickly. Ye Lan chuckled and tore off another sheet. Before he could protest, she was gently dabbing the corner of his temple. "You're still wet—going to be a messy kitty?"
So much for spider-sense against Ye Lan. Who expects a second stage after handing out a napkin?
Yan Huan's eyes widened. Perfect timing: Ye Shiyu descended in a black chiffon dress, eyes like frost-knives. Oh great, Hypnosis Goddess, please don't look at me.
"Morning, Shiyu sis."
He forced a greeting; Ye Lan waved her over. "Up already? Grab chopsticks and join us."
"Mm."
Ye Shiyu nodded, fetched her own black ceramic bowl and chopsticks, then sat. Once she arrived, Ye Lan stopped feeding Yan Huan and turned to feeding her instead. Yan Huan felt like two nestlings chirping for worms—one of which could hypnotize the other.
Yet he felt Ye Shiyu's sidelong glances. Not hostile, not curious—just... measuring. Message received: I'm behaving. Leave me alone.
Breakfast ended in silence. Afterward, the women needed time to get ready; Yan Huan used the lull to check group chats and text his boss.
"Sis Tong, two more days off. Weekend stuff, not in South District."
"Calling it an absence, 400 yuan docked."
"So heartless—aren't we besties?" He sent an otter-raising-its-head sticker.
"Hmph, you tell me."
While Yan Huan flipped his phone the middle finger, Ye Lan called from the stairs, "Xiao Huan, let's roll~"
"Coming, Auntie."
He stood. Ye Lan swept down in a white pleated chiffon maxi dress, light make-up, hair in a princess twist, crystal hairpins glinting. Yesterday's cheongsam had made her a classical Eastern beauty; today she looked like a European princess.
Behind her, Ye Shiyu wore a black chiffon dress with subtle embroidery at the bodice, skirt longer than yesterday's. Her hair was coiled high; no earrings since her ears weren't pierced, yet she needed no ornament. Youth and beauty stood self-sufficient.
Even after last night's ambush, Yan Huan couldn't deny the truth—Ye Shiyu was stunning.
They really do look like sisters.
That was the compliment Yan Huan had been ready to give, but he swallowed it at the last second; he could almost feel Ye Shiyu's tail bristling at the comparison. If he kept on playing "happy family" in front of Ye Lan, Ye Shiyu might hit red-line rage, drop by his room tonight, hypnotize him, and order him to jump off a balcony.
Jump and the game's over.
Don't jump and she discovers the Modifier doesn't work on him—triggering its next evolution, stripping his resistance, and he still ends up dead.
Better to keep a low profile.
So today's Yan Huan would be the low-EQ version.
"Sure thing, Auntie."
He answered like a blockhead, not expecting Ye Lan to burst into laughter the moment she saw his face. She pinched his shoulder, teasing:
"If we buy anything later, Xiao Huan's carrying both our bags, okay~?"
Stare—
Ye Shiyu's eyes flicked over without meeting his, and Yan Huan—already a walking corpse—gave up resisting.
"No problem."
"Good boy."
"......"
In the car Yan Huan noticed Ye Lan loved talking to him as if he were a kindergartener—especially after she passed him the second banana milk from the front seat. Their driver handled the wheel; Ye Lan rode shotgun; Yan Huan shared the back seat with the resident plague god, sipping banana milk and comparing tones.
Mom and daughter sounded nothing alike. Ye Lan's voice to Ye Shiyu carried none of the same doting. The difference sent another chill down Yan Huan's spine, so he risked another glance at the silent girl beside him drinking her own banana milk. Right now she was motionless, a porcelain doll, but last night he'd seen her vividly alive—pouting just like Auntie Ye.
Random thoughts scattered until they reached the aquarium. The place was huge; they could easily spend the whole afternoon inside. Because it was Saturday, the noon crowd was thick with school clubs running team-building trips, packing the plaza in front of the entrance.
Ye Lan frowned at the blazing sun.
"It's too hot. Come here, my two darlings—let's get sunscreen on first."
She pulled a tube from her bag, squeezed a dab onto her palm, then turned with a bright smile to the back seat.
"Shiyu first?"
Ye Shiyu shrank back, shaking her head. Ye Lan leaned in anyway, her fair hands landing softly on the girl's cheeks, rubbing in gentle circles.
"Mmm—"
The cool lotion made Ye Shiyu shut her eyes; her brows pinched, lips pressed together, head swaying like dough under Ye Lan's kneading fingers. When Ye Lan finally finished, a faint bitter look lingered on the girl's face.
"Next one, Xiao—"
Seeing the execution block ahead, Yan Huan reached out like a condemned man accepting the blindfold.
"I'll do it myself, Auntie. I'm a pro at sunscreen."
"Really?"
"Guaranteed authentic."
He squeezed the lotion and dotted his face four times like a warrior painting war stripes, then rubbed vigorously, finally presenting his cheeks to Ye Lan.
"Done."
"Pfft—you missed right at the hairline."
"......"
He actually was good at it; he wasn't lying. In his previous life every swimsuit episode of an anime had at least one sunscreen scene, and he'd picked up the technique—though mostly he'd been focused on the screenful of smooth skin rather than the application method.
Theory and practice, it turned out, were worlds apart. He should have paid closer attention to the technique.
Sunscreen applied and regrets catalogued, they exited the car at the entrance. Ye Lan opened a parasol behind them; she'd already arranged tickets, so they only needed to queue for the turnstiles.
"Auntie Ye, the line's over here." Yan Huan found the checkpoint in seconds.
Ye Shiyu held the parasol over her mother. Just as they were about to move, Ye Lan's phone rang in her bag.
She glanced at the caller ID and gave Yan Huan an apologetic smile.
"Xiao Huan, give me a minute. I have to take this work call—it might take a while. You and sis wait here, all right?"
"No problem."
Yan Huan blinked. Understanding that Ye Lan couldn't discuss business in the crowd, Ye Shiyu obediently handed the parasol back to her mother and watched her walk off to a quieter spot.
Amid the bustle, the two of them—an eye-catching pair—stood a little apart. Ye Shiyu stayed rooted; Yan Huan stepped closer and suggested,
"Shiyu sis, let's move over there? It's shadier and we're not blocking the path."
"...Okay."
She nodded, scanned the area, then pointed toward the souvenir shop beside the ticket windows. The shop was large, stocked with ocean-themed merch and drinks.
"That way."
"OK."
Yan Huan took the lead; Ye Shiyu followed silently to the entrance. He glanced around; she resumed her doll impersonation, gazing at the queue with an unreadable stare.
Her beauty and that stillness made passers-by uncomfortable. They avoided her gaze, then avoided her entirely. In moments a bubble formed around her, pushing tourists away—yet Yan Huan remained at her side, just as uneasy.
"Shiyu sis, want something to drink?"
Trying to break the silence, he eyed the drinks counter, half-tempted. Ye Shiyu swept her gaze across the spacious shop, spotted something, and answered:
"...I want to look around inside."
So are we drinking or not?
Yan Huan sighed. "Then go ahead, sis. I'll buy the drinks."
"Mm."
She turned and disappeared into the shop.
Watching her go, Yan Huan stepped to the counter, skimmed the menu, and muttered,
"Two Blue Lemon Zings, one Large Banana Yum... what even are these names?"
"Coming right up~"
"Welcome!"
Soft music played inside. Customers browsed shelves of souvenirs, and staff greeted everyone with practiced smiles.
Ye Shiyu stood before a rack, eyes sweeping the items: whale models, dolphin plushies, shark keychains—standard aquarium stars. People loved them, yet she merely glanced and moved on.
Sea-turtle backgammon, manta-ray puzzles—niche but cute. She passed them without pause.
The staff near the entrance lost interest, deciding she was just another browser.
"Welcome!"
As the greeter welcomed new tourists, Ye Shiyu kept scanning until, in a corner, she found what had caught her eye earlier: a pale-blue jellyfish keychain. Its tentacles dangled like crystal threads, the workmanship exquisite; it hung alone at the edge of the shelf.
Without hesitation—like an explorer unearthing treasure—her eyes lit, the jellyfish capturing all her attention.
She reached for it immediately.
At the same instant, another fair hand closed around the same keychain from the opposite side. Caught between them, the jellyfish hovered above the shelf.
Startled, Ye Shiyu turned and saw a girl who had been too focused to notice her earlier. The stranger blinked in equal surprise.
First came the sight of thick, naturally wavy golden hair, then a face of startling beauty mere inches away.
Her features were more sculpted than Ye Shiyu's, her pupils a crystalline blue that caught the light. Clearly a different ethnicity from Ye Shiyu.
Where Ye Shiyu possessed delicate, refined beauty, this blonde woman's face carried sharp, aggressive angles.
About the same height as Ye Shiyu, she wore a black athletic tee and a black baseball cap with someone's signature scrawled across it. Her body had more pronounced curves, her muscles taut and defined—definitely someone who worked out.
When she realized someone else had grabbed the keychain, her brow arched slightly. As her pink lips parted, a prominent fang peeked out.
Like a golden-haired lion cub, the girl spoke, her voice pitched higher than most.
"Huh?"
Ye Shiyu didn't react, simply maintaining her grip on the keychain.
The blonde girl held firm as well, showing no intention of letting go.
This identical response sparked an unspoken tension. After a moment, the blonde girl clicked her tongue softly.
She glanced at the price tag on the keychain, then lifted her chin toward Ye Shiyu.
"I really want this one, so it's mine. Pick out something else at the same price—I'll pay for it. Deal?"
The offer of a free souvenir to avoid conflict seemed generous, but it didn't work on Ye Shiyu.
Ye Shiyu stared at her without moving, seemingly oblivious to the irritation in the other girl's tone. She didn't sound like she was speaking to someone competing for the item—or even to another person at all.
She spoke softly.
"No."
"What?"
The blonde girl's expression darkened instantly. She gave a cold laugh.
"Interesting. What if I insist on having this one today?"
She gradually increased her grip, making Ye Shiyu's fingers clutching the keychain turn white—proof of her considerable strength.
Ye Shiyu's face remained expressionless. As if sensing the change in the other girl's emotions, her phone in her hand lit up on its own in an eerie fashion.
Her tone remained unchanged.
"I said no."