Chapter Eleven: Confession

In the morning, I awoke from a deep sleep to find Ang already waiting respectfully by the coffin.

“You’re awake, Miss,” Ang greeted me.

“Mmm,” I replied, still drowsy. “What time is it?” I asked without thinking.

“It’s just past nine,” Ang answered calmly.

“Only nine…” I murmured, still groggy. Yesterday, forming the blood pact had cost me a drop of my origin blood, and I was still weak from it. “Wait, it’s already nine?” Suddenly, I snapped awake.

“Yes, just past nine,” Ang confirmed again.

“Why didn’t you wake me?” I said, displeased.

“Yesterday you were utterly spent. In your current state, you can’t withstand sunlight at all,” Ang replied sternly, clearly disapproving of my actions last night.

“I know my own body. Prepare to leave immediately. That’s an order,” I commanded.

“Yes, Miss,” Ang replied helplessly, worry etched in his eyes.

The car slowly pulled up outside Xingyu’s building, but he was nowhere to be seen.

“Let’s go,” I said coolly. By this hour, he must have already left for school. The thought of his injured foot made me anxious; I hoped my mistake hadn’t worsened his condition.

All the way to school, my worry gnawed at me. With Ang escorting me, I made my way toward the classroom, but the umbrella’s shade could no longer fend off all the sunlight. Each step burned my skin, as if I might burst into flames at any moment.

“Sorry I’m late,” I said, finally reaching the classroom. I knocked lightly and entered. Ang waited outside, his face shadowed with concern.

“Liliana, class has been in session for a long while. Don’t be late again next time,” said the teacher at the podium. Clearly, they’d been instructed to treat me with special consideration and did not press the issue.

“Yes, I’ll be more careful,” I replied politely. Under everyone’s gaze, I walked to my seat in the corner, and the lesson resumed.

“Lilith, is something wrong?” As soon as class ended, Xingyu and Lexiaoyou hurried to my side, worried.

“It’s nothing, I just overslept,” I explained.

“Are you sure you’re alright? You haven’t looked well these past few days. If you’re unwell, you should take the day off and rest,” Xingyu insisted, still concerned.

“I really am fine. By the way, Xingyu, how did you get to school this morning? I overslept and couldn’t pick you up, I’m really sorry.” I didn’t want to dwell on my health, so I changed the subject, my tone tinged with worry and apology.

“It’s alright, my foot is much better now. I can walk just fine,” Xingyu smiled, reassuring me.

“Oh, that Mo Chen came looking for you earlier,” Lexiaoyou chimed in.

“Mo Chen? Who’s that?” I was momentarily taken aback, the name sounded oddly familiar, but I couldn’t recall knowing anyone by it.

Lexiaoyou burst out laughing at my confusion. “He’s the one who almost hit us with a ball and then carried Xingyu to the infirmary. Poor guy, it only happened the day before yesterday, and you don’t even remember his name!” She laughed so hard she doubled over.

“Oh, him,” I said, recalling a vague impression.

“Yes, that’s him. He came looking for you this morning, and he was really worried when he found out you weren’t here,” Xingyu said.

I didn’t bother to find out what Mo Chen wanted with me. To me, aside from Xingyu, all other humans were simply what I called “existences.” If I had to include someone else, perhaps Lexiaoyou might barely count as half of one.

At noon, the three of us ate lunch together in the classroom. Shiyu and Lexiaoyou were still very worried about me and kept trying to persuade me to go home and rest. Though I was out of the sun, the lingering weakness gnawed at me, tormenting my body.

“Excuse me, is Liliana here?” As we ate, a male voice called from the classroom door. We looked over to see Mo Chen standing there.

“Over here!” Before I could respond, Lexiaoyou was already waving enthusiastically.

“Ah, Liliana, hello!” Mo Chen greeted me cheerfully, then turned to greet Xingyu and Lexiaoyou as well.

“Liliana, are you alright?” Noticing how pale I looked, Mo Chen asked with concern.

I shook my head to indicate I was fine, but didn’t answer.

“Um, Liliana, do you have a moment? Could you step into the hallway? There’s something I’d like to talk to you about.” Mo Chen approached, stammering a little.

“Lilith, don’t worry about us, go ahead,” Xingyu smiled encouragingly.

“Yeah, go on!” Lexiaoyou egged me on, clearly enjoying the spectacle.

“Whatever you have to say, just say it here,” I replied impatiently. I didn’t want to waste time on someone irrelevant.

“Well, I…” Mo Chen hesitated, clearly uncomfortable.

“Lilith, if you’re willing, just go with him and hear him out,” Xingyu interjected kindly. “Mhm,” Lexiaoyou agreed, encouraging me.

I shot Mo Chen a cold glance and walked out of the classroom. He thanked Xingyu and Lexiaoyou, then hurried after me.

“Hey, let’s sneak a look!” No sooner had I stepped outside than Lexiaoyou whispered excitedly to Xingyu.

“Spy on them?” Xingyu hesitated.

“We’re Nana’s friends, we have to protect her—make sure no one tricks her. We’re not spying, we’re just keeping her safe,” Lexiaoyou rationalized her behavior.

“Alright then,” Xingyu finally agreed, curiosity and concern overcoming his reluctance. The two of them crept after us, hiding nearby to eavesdrop.

“Liliana, I like you. Will you be my girlfriend?” Mo Chen blurted out, summoning his courage.

“Not interested,” I replied coolly.

“He didn’t even bring flowers—how insincere,” Lexiaoyou scoffed from her hiding spot.

“Liliana, I fell for you the first time I saw you. Please give me a chance,” Mo Chen persisted.

“I don’t know why you like me, but that’s your business, not mine. I’m not interested—don’t bother me again.” With that, I turned and walked back toward the classroom. Mo Chen tried to follow, but Ang suddenly appeared and blocked his way.

“Liliana, I won’t give up!” Mo Chen called after me.

Honestly, I was already feeling weak, and now he had to come and ruin my mood—what a wretched day, I thought.

As I returned, I bumped into Xingyu and Lexiaoyou, who’d just finished eavesdropping and couldn’t escape in time.

“Oh, what a beautiful day! I’m just here to admire the scenery, Nana, don’t mind me—pretend I’m not even here,” Lexiaoyou babbled, staring at the ceiling.

“You both saw?” I asked evenly.

“I didn’t see a thing! Xingyu wanted to come, I just tagged along,” Lexiaoyou shamelessly threw him under the bus.

“No, I just… I…” Xingyu stammered, but couldn’t finish, clearly embarrassed by his actions.

“Forget it, it doesn’t matter. He’s just a tedious person wasting my time,” I said indifferently. Strangely, I wasn’t angry at Xingyu for eavesdropping. On the contrary, I felt a faint, inexplicable joy.

“Hurray! Nana, you’re the best!” Lexiaoyou cheered, pouncing on me the moment I forgave her.

I wondered, what did Xingyu feel when he heard Mo Chen confess to me?

“By the way, tomorrow’s the weekend. Why don’t we all go to the amusement park?” Lexiaoyou suggested, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Sure, let’s do it—consider it a welcome for Lilith,” Xingyu agreed cheerfully.

“I’m fine with it too,” I was about to reply, when Ang, who’d just blocked Mo Chen, appeared beside me.

“Miss, you need to rest,” he said seriously.

“It’s alright. As long as I’m careful, I’ll be fine,” I reassured him.

“But—” Ang started.

“That’s my decision,” I interrupted, in a tone that brooked no argument.

“Yes, Miss,” Ang relented.

“Nana, you don’t have to force yourself. We can go next week,” Lexiaoyou said, worried.

“It’s fine.” I smiled and shook my head, declining her kindness. My strength was fading fast—if we waited until next week, I might not have another chance.

“Alright then,” Lexiaoyou said, seeing my resolve. “Let’s meet at the school gate on Saturday.”

Once we’d settled the time and place, Lexiaoyou left with an apologetic look, and Xingyu and I walked together toward the school gate.

The car stopped outside Xingyu’s building. He got out, followed closely by Ang.

“Mr. Xingyu, please take good care of Miss tomorrow,” Ang bowed and asked.

Xingyu was briefly taken aback, then replied earnestly, “Don’t worry. I’ll protect Lilith—I promise. We’re friends.”

“Ang, let’s go.” Sitting in the car, I was both annoyed by his fuss and warmed by his concern.

“Yes, Miss,” Ang said his goodbyes to Xingyu and got in.

The car drove slowly toward the outskirts.

“Ang, I’m sorry—I was willful today. But just this once, let me have my way,” I said quietly in the car.

“Miss…” Ang’s voice was full of helplessness. “Miss, I’ll follow your wishes, but please take care of yourself.”

“I understand. I won’t push myself too hard,” I promised.