Chapter 32: A Plate of Caramel Pudding

Restricted Fantasy Invasion

Yan Huan glanced at Tong Yingying, who had already sat down, with an expression that said, "Are you sure?"

Although it was certainly a good thing that this idler who usually did nothing in the Bar all day could finally be of some use, judging from her past record as the "Idea Queen"...

He worried she might just trigger Bai Yi''s Modifier after speaking a few sentences.

"Ding! Ding!"

Seeing Yan Huan still standing there, Tong Yingying pressed the call bell under her hand, staring right at him.

The way she looked, if she added a pointing gesture, she would perfectly match that one Husky meme from his past life.

Meaning: "Stop dawdling and get to work!"

"..."

Forget it. Sister Tong had not been drinking today anyway, and her brain was still pretty normal before she had a drink... Probably.

Yan Huan raised an eyebrow, not insisting any further.

After all, the Bar really did need help right now, and it was not like Sister Tong was going to unleash some sort of domain expansion. He could always come back to check on them later.

He took one last look at Bai Yi before turning and walking away.

Watching Yan Huan leave, the sorrow that had been temporarily stabilized by his cup of hot water and a few comforting words began to surface once again in Bai Yi.

She subconsciously wanted to sniffle, but under Tong Yingying''s scrutinizing gaze, she had to force herself to stop.

Ever since Yan Huan left, Tong Yingying''s eyes seemed to grow unconsciously sharper.

She exhaled, opened her cigarette case, and revealed several neatly arranged Ladies'' Cigarettes standing inside.

A flip lighter spun nimbly between the fingers of her left hand. With a flick, a flame burst to life, lighting the cigarette she had pulled out.

Beneath her slightly slanted red bangs, her eyes seemed to be ignited by the cigarette between her lips.

Through the dissipating smoke, one could see her gaze gradually transforming from half-dead to alluring and sluggish.

However, Tong Yingying definitely gave Bai Yi the feeling that she was difficult to get along with, carrying a very typical South Ward vibe.

Then, Bai Yi watched as she reached inside her coat, fumbling for something.

"Smack!"

A stun gun was slammed onto the table.

Bai Yi widened her eyes, timidly stealing a glance at Tong Yingying, only to see her still rummaging.

"Smack!"

Next, a folded butterfly knife was slapped down onto the tabletop.

"..."

Seeing that Tong Yingying was about to pull even more things from her coat, Bai Yi hurriedly stood up and said timidly...

"...I will leave right away. I do not want to trouble you any further."

"What is the rush? Sit."

Bai Yi did not dare to sit, but Tong Yingying ultimately did not pull out an M1917 Smith & Wesson. Instead, she produced a compact iron flask from her coat.

However, Tong Yingying cast an even more cautious glance toward the direction Yan Huan had left in than Bai Yi did, before opening the flask and taking a small sip.

''So she was just taking out alcohol to drink...''

''But why is she being so careful about it?''

Bai Yi did not understand, but after a moment of hesitation, she sat back down in her chair.

With a mouthful of strong liquor warming her stomach, a refreshing look appeared on Tong Yingying''s face. Even her tone when speaking to Bai Yi lightened considerably.

"Dressed so thoroughly late at night, with a Face Mask and Sunglasses. Really, anyone who did not know better would think you were some stalking pervert. Besides, if you leave now, can you even see the road clearly?"

"..."

Truth be told, Bai Yi''s itinerary for the entire day had been exactly that.

Fully armed in her disguise, tracking Yan Huan all the way until she arrived here in the South Ward.

Feeling a bit guilty, Bai Yi averted her gaze.

"Yes, I can."

Hearing this, Tong Yingying immediately rolled her eyes.

"Did you not catch my drift? I meant take off your Sunglasses and Face Mask so we can talk."

"It is not very convenient for me."

"Oh, you are too ugly and afraid to show your face to people?"

"..."

Bai Yi lowered her head and pursed her lips, offering no response.

Seeing her remain silently stubborn, Tong Yingying suddenly leaned in closer.

Snatch!

In the next second, she reached out and pulled the Sunglasses right off Bai Yi''s face.

With the glasses suddenly removed, Bai Yi''s beautiful eyes, already dampened with tears, were fully exposed.

"What... what are you doing?"

Startled, Bai Yi tried to snatch the Sunglasses back.

But Tong Yingying simply leaned back against her chair, refusing to return them. A hint of surprise touched her expression.

"You are quite pretty, so why are you afraid to show your face?"

"I..."

"Furthermore, what is a girl doing coming to a Bar all alone late at night crying her eyes out? This is not a children''s playground at a fried chicken joint. Minors are not welcome here, you know?"

Bai Yi shifted her eyes away and muttered softly.

"But didn''t you hire a minor to work part-time in your store?"

"...You kids are all so quick with your words. Are you all studying for your master''s degrees or something?"

Tong Yingying placed the tear-stained glasses on the table and casually grabbed an ashtray from the seat behind her.

"The Linmen part-time labor law allows a maximum of 28 hours of work per week. My employment is entirely legal and compliant. Do you have a problem with that?"

"..."

Flicking her cigarette ash, Tong Yingying lowered her eyes to the Sunglasses on the table, her expression turning slightly more serious.

"Weber sunglasses, a model that costs over five thousand. If you can afford this, you definitely do not live in the South Ward. Where did you run away from? A pretty girl like you, wandering around crying in the dead of night—do you not know what could happen? Take off the Face Mask. I might be able to help you."

Bai Yi did not answer, merely reaching out to take her Sunglasses back.

Standing up, she said in a low voice,

"No need. I am leaving now."

"Suit yourself. But if you leave, I am calling the cops."

Tong Yingying waved goodbye dismissively and took out her Mobile Phone out of boredom, preparing to scroll through videos.

"Calling the cops? Why?"

Bai Yi turned back to look at Tong Yingying in disbelief, but the woman merely stared back as if looking at an idiot.

"Crazy... Your Mobile Phone is broken, you are wearing that torn skirt, and you clearly do not look like someone who carries cash. Where can you possibly go? Can you guarantee your own safety? This is the South Ward! If I do not call the cops now, am I supposed to wait for them to come investigate tomorrow and ruin my business?"

Bai Yi glanced down at the Mobile Phone tightly clutched in her hand. Its shattered screen was facing Tong Yingying, easily visible at a glance.

She opened her mouth to speak, but her eyes only grew increasingly sour.

Tong Yingying''s concerns were not a major issue for someone possessing the Pocket Watch.

However, she truly had no idea where to go now.

Her Mama had already found out about Sister Yinuo''s place, and it was likely that her Mama would furiously scold Yinuo because of her.

She had fought with her Mama and impulsively smashed her Mobile Phone. Now, without any cash on her, she could not pay for anything and was completely helpless.

"..."

The more she thought about it, the more uncontrollably Bai Yi''s tears fell.

She did not know what to do, yet she kept wanting to leave over and over again.

Why?

Because she did not want to return home at all. She did not want to see her mother.

She simply wanted to hide, to hide in a place where her mother would never find her.

Two silent streaks of tears slid down her cheeks as her grip on the Pocket Watch grew tighter and tighter.

Tong Yingying, who was still looking at her Mobile Phone, suddenly felt a bone-chilling sensation.

She frowned and lowered her phone, catching out of the corner of her eye that the standing girl was brimming with tears, looking exactly as if her few harsh words had made her cry.

???

''No way, sister, are you...''

''Crying just like that?''

"Bloody hell..."

Just as she was about to curse, Yan Huan''s voice came from the cashier area.

"Thank you for your patronage. The total is 298. Will you be paying with Plane or..."

Tong Yingying''s Cantonese flair instantly misfired. She sat up slightly straighter, speechlessly tapping her ash into the ashtray.

She curled a finger at the sniffling Bai Yi, beckoning her over, and said softly,

"Seeing how young you are, crying and running all the way here... There is an eighty percent chance it is because of family issues, and a twenty percent chance it is school issues."

Bai Yi dazedly looked up at Tong Yingying, meeting her appraising gaze.

Tong Yingying smiled faintly and asked,

"I guessed right, did I not? Because of family?"

"...Yes."

"What is the big deal? I am an adult, and I still fight with my family every day. They used to look down on me, and it is pretty much the same now. In their eyes, I will always find a way to disappoint them... But look at me! I am doing perfectly fine, eating and drinking whatever I want every day, and I even have handsome guys to look at."

Bai Yi blinked. Her expression seemed to shift slightly because of Tong Yingying''s words.

After a moment of silence, she sat back down in front of Tong Yingying and gently unfastened her Face Mask.

Tong Yingying glanced at her, then raised an eyebrow in surprise.

The girl sitting before her was genuinely breathtaking.

"That is because you have grown up. You can be independent. My situation is different from yours."

Tong Yingying took a sip of liquor and rolled her eyes.

"Right, I will understand when I am your age."

"I did not mean it like that."

Bai Yi sniffled and said,

"I just do not understand how to get along with my Mama. All I want is a simple word of acknowledgment from her. But to earn that acknowledgment, I have to go against my own heart and sacrifice so, so much... Every time, she just compares me to other people. Sometimes I really do not know if the person she wants is me, or someone else entirely."

"So, you do not want to live such a tiring life, yet you still want her approval?"

"..."

Bai Yi did not answer, but Tong Yingying propped up her cheek and asked,

"What about your father?"

Bai Yi shook her head and said,

"My Mama remarried, but my stepfather is very busy with work and rarely comes home."

"How does he treat you?"

"Actually... very well. He is not like my Mama. At least he listens to me when I speak."

Taking a swig of her drink, Tong Yingying''s eyes suddenly lit up like two little lightbulbs.

She raised an index finger and suddenly laughed, saying,

"Hey, I have an idea!"

"Huh?"

Bai Yi opened her mouth, just about to say something, when she felt someone approach her side.

She turned her head, only to see an expressionless Yan Huan.

"Sister Tong."

Tong Yingying''s bright, sunny expression with her raised finger instantly froze.

She quickly curled her lips, lowered her finger, and spread her hands helplessly at Bai Yi.

"Now the idea is gone."

While she was at it, she snuffed out her half-smoked cigarette in the ashtray.

Tong Yingying stealthily slid the flask off the table and back into her coat. Yan Huan, meanwhile, glanced at Bai Yi, who had taken off her Face Mask and Sunglasses, and revealed a look of surprise.

"Hold on a second, why do you look so familiar... Are you Bai Yi from our academy?"

Then, that expression slowly transitioned from surprise to excitement.

"Ah? Ah?"

Bai Yi froze slightly, her expression displaying a touch of nervousness.

"No... I... um..."

''Yan Huan actually recognizes me?''

She dodged his gaze, just about to stammer out an explanation, when Tong Yingying asked,

"Your schoolmate?"

"More than that. She is a famous celebrity who has starred in a Movie. I am even a fan of her music; she sings beautifully. It is just a pity she rarely comes to the academy."

''A... a fan?''

Bai Yi''s face flushed bright red. She quickly lifted her head to look at Yan Huan, asking in sheer disbelief,

"Yan Huan... No... President Yan, have you really listened to the songs I wrote?"

Tong Yingying blinked, her gaze darting back and forth between Bai Yi''s suddenly excited, flushed cheeks and the smiling Yan Huan in front of her.

Schoolmates, a handsome boy and a beautiful girl, an Idol and her fan, peers of the same age...

Hiss...

''Why is it that, in comparison, I look like the wicked woman trying to abduct young teenagers?!''

"Of course."

Yan Huan smiled and nodded. He unlocked his Mobile Phone, opened his music app, and revealed his playlist.

A playlist named "Bai Yi" contained exactly two songs, which happened to be the two tracks she had sung.

(PS: He had only added them while on the bus that afternoon.) Yet at this moment, he acted just like a passionate fan who had been following Bai Yi for years.

"I started following your work a long time ago. When I heard you enrolled at Far Moon Academy, I felt incredibly lucky. It is just a shame I barely get to see you once a semester."

A ten-year veteran fan, arriving uninvited!

''So, the Yan Huan that my mother is always talking about...''

''Is actually a fan of the very songs I wrote that she despises the most?!''

"But you have not released any new songs in a long time. I was wondering if..."

"I will! I will write more! New songs will be uploaded very soon!!"

Bai Yi opened her mouth wide, rushing to respond before Yan Huan could even finish his sentence.

"Is that so."

Bai Yi''s heart was pounding wildly. Right now, she desperately wished she could record Yan Huan''s words on her phone.

Then, every time her mother lectured about how amazing Yan Huan was and how she needed to do this or that, she could play the video right in her mother''s face!

No!

She needed to record it and play it on a loop next to her mother''s ear every single night!

Feeling Bai Yi''s fervent gaze, Yan Huan realized his guess was correct.

Earlier, he had indeed heard Bai Yi arguing with her mother outside, though he could not catch what her mother had actually said.

He could only deduce what she truly desired based on her aversion to other activities.

In recent years, she had participated in many variety shows and Movies, but since none of those were "her own decisions," Yan Huan guessed that what she really wanted to pursue was singing—despite it not being highly popular at the moment.

As for why she hated him...

Yan Huan had also picked up some clues from her conversation with Tong Yingying just now.

It likely had something to do with her mother.

"Really? That is fan—"

"Hey, hey, hold on a minute, you two."

The atmosphere over there looked like a perfect fan meet-and-greet, playing out exactly like the first encounter between the male and female leads in a youthful romantic comedy.

Meanwhile, Tong Yingying was on the verge of losing it. Massaging her temples, she quickly interrupted them.

"Shouldn''t the real issue right now be figuring out what to do about her running off to the South Ward all alone? You are a celebrity, your family is rich, and you attend Far Moon... Did you Run Away From Home?"

"...Yes."

Bai Yi nodded in embarrassment.

Tong Yingying''s eyes lit up again, flashing that "I have a great idea" expression.

"Well, there you go! Just call your family right now and have them come pick you up."

"No... I cannot!"

Bai Yi hurriedly refused, clenching the Pocket Watch tightly in her hand. Upon the Pocket Watch, the previously stopped hands suddenly began to quiver.

"Tick... Tock... Tick..."

An illusory, water-droplet-like ticking of a Clock slowly echoed out. And, whether it was an illusion or not, the chatter of the customers outside seemed to slow down for a brief moment.

''No... I do not want to hear my mother''s rejections anymore...''

''If it is going to be like last time again...''

Sensing the surge of Desire fueling her use of the Modifier, Yan Huan''s pupils contracted slightly. He hastily interrupted Tong Yingying, who was wearing an expression that screamed "what a hassle".

"There is no rush. You can sit here and think it over carefully first."

Seeing her brilliant idea rejected once again by the handsome boy and beautiful girl in front of her, veins unconsciously bulged on Tong Yingying''s forehead.

Her hands were itching—the kind of itch that could only be stopped by gripping her stun gun.

"She cannot just stay away from home forever, can she? Staying outside is going to cause trouble, and I cannot bear the responsibility of keeping her in the Bar."

Bai Yi squeezed her skirt tightly. Of course, she knew she could not drag this standoff out forever.

"Sister Tong! Something came up over here, could you come take a look!"

At that very moment, Tian Li called out from the Bar Counter, elevating Tong Yingying''s already irritated expression to the next level.

She scratched her red hair before reluctantly standing up.

"Fine, fine, fine. You kids are so smart, you figure it out. I am just an old woman now; I cannot keep up with your brainwaves."

As Tong Yingying walked away, Yan Huan appeared thoroughly optimistic. He turned to Bai Yi and asked,

"By the way, Bai Yi, are you attending the gaming convention this weekend? Will you be singing there?"

"Eh?"

Bai Yi was slightly taken aback, but then shook her head.

"Probably... not. I will just be making a public appearance to meet everyone."

"I see."

"I have never sung in front of a public audience before. I have not even been to a recording studio in a long time."

"Really? What a shame. I thought I would be able to hear you sing there... The Student Council''s Accountant happened to have two tickets, so I specifically asked for one just to go see you."

Yan Huan smiled faintly, pulling out the ticket Yabashi Ki had given him from his pocket to show Bai Yi, speaking with a hint of genuine regret.

Bai Yi''s eyes widened slightly. She turned her head to glance at Yan Huan, then quickly retracted her gaze.

Sunday''s event required rehearsals on Friday and coordination on Thursday, and right now, it was Wednesday night.

Furthermore, her Mama would absolutely never agree to let her sing up on that stage.

After all, in her mother''s eyes, her songs were nothing more than amateurish drivel.

But Yan Huan had specifically grabbed a ticket just to go see her?

For some reason, her previously intensely resistant heart suddenly sprouted a tiny desire to return home and attend the event this weekend.

"Xiao Huan, over here!"

"Coming, give me a second."

"Hurry up, it is urgent!"

''Besides, staying here indefinitely will only get in people''s way.''

Bai Yi opened her mouth, and after a moment of silence, she finally whispered to Yan Huan,

"Then... if I call my mother in a bit, can you talk to her for me?"

Yan Huan turned around and raised an eyebrow.

"...Of course."

"..."

"Are you going to call your Mama?"

"...Yes."

Yan Huan smiled and handed over his Mobile Phone. Bai Yi reached out a fair finger and tapped a string of numbers onto the dial pad.

Tap. Dial.

Yan Huan took the phone back and placed it against his ear. After a few seconds, the call connected.

"Hello, good evening, Auntie. Is this Bai Yi''s Mama? I am her schoolmate, Yan Huan. The situation is like this..."

Listening to Yan Huan''s polite and composed voice, Bai Yi could only lower her head. She did not even dare to listen in, terrified of hearing her mother''s reproachful scolding.

Unexpectedly, right at that moment, her stomach let out an uncontrollable growl of hunger.

"Grumble~"

Her face burned bright red, and she hurriedly clutched her stomach.

Bai Yi had only eaten one meal at her best friend''s house that morning, and had been running around outside the entire day. Now that it was night, she was naturally starving.

She hastily stole a discreet glance at the youth beside her. Seeing that he was still conversing with her mother and seemed completely unaware of her predicament, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"...Alright, I will hand the phone over to her."

The conversation reached its end, and Yan Huan said this before handing the phone back to her.

Bai Yi shrank back fearfully, not wanting to take it at all.

However, looking at Yan Huan right in front of her, she hesitated for a moment before finally taking the phone.

"Hello..."

"Stay right there, I am coming over immediately. Prepare yourself tomorrow, there is an event this weekend."

There was no scolding, nor even a shred of extra emotion. Zuo Jiangqin''s voice came through, cold and detached like an automated notification.

That voice ruthlessly pierced Bai Yi''s heart, leaving an aching pain. She opened her mouth and murmured in agreement,

"Okay."

Yet her heart was filled with boundless regret—regret that she had made the call in the first place.

"Beep, beep, beep~"

She hung up.

Bai Yi''s body felt as if that phone call had completely drained her strength. She set Yan Huan''s Mobile Phone down, and after a delayed pause, finally gave Yan Huan a soft, "Thank you."

"No problem. Just sit here for a while. I still have some things to take care of."

"Mhm."

Bai Yi nodded.

It was only now, after Yan Huan had left, that the emotions pent up in her heart began to leak out again.

''What if I go back and fight with my mother again?''

''Or rather, maybe we will not even be able to fight. Maybe my mother is already completely disappointed in me. After all, I have never been able to become what she wants me to be...''

''What if I am truly just not suited for singing?''

''Maybe the long-cherished dream I have held onto is just my own wishful thinking. Maybe I really possess no talent at all, and it is impossible for me to ever make anyone like my songs...''

''I hate this so much.''

''Other people''s judgments.''

''If only I simply did not exist.''

''But, am I not already like that now?''

''I have the power of Indifference, yet I am still in so much pain.''

''If that is the case...''

''Why should I be the one who does not exist?''

''Wouldn''t it be better if everyone else ceased to exist instead?''

"Click, click, click."

The instant that thought surfaced, the Clock in her hands began to spin with accelerating speed.

That perfectly still Hour Hand began to tremble, seemingly signifying the awakening of some terrifying power.

And all around her, the clocks mounted on the Bar''s interior walls appeared to be slowing down bit by bit, as if they were being dragged down and weighed heavily by a force leaking from within her body.

"Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock... Tick-tock, tick-tock... Tick... Tock..."

"Clack."

Just as these dark thoughts consumed Bai Yi, a plate was suddenly placed right in front of her eyes.

She snapped back to reality, and the chilling aura surrounding her instantly dissipated.

Bai Yi looked down at the table before her, where a plate of caramel pudding now sat.

''Pudding?''

Turning her head, she saw Yan Huan standing there with a warm smile.

"I..."

Staring at the pudding on the table, Bai Yi hurriedly held up her broken Mobile Phone.

"Thank you... but my phone is broken. I will pay you back later once my Mama gets here."

"There is no need. Weren''t you starving just a moment ago? Go ahead and eat."

"Eh?"

''He heard my stomach growling earlier?''

Bai Yi''s face flushed deeply with embarrassment, leaving her looking somewhat flustered.

From the other side of the room, Tong Yingying''s voice drifted over once again.

"Xiao Huan! Come over here and collect the cash! Print the receipt!"

Bai Yi was just about to say something, but Yan Huan raised a finger to his lips, gesturing for her to stay quiet.

"Shh. I made it for you in secret. If Sister Tong finds out, it will probably cause a lot of trouble."

"How could I accept this... I..."

Yan Huan smiled gently and simply said,

"I am your fan, after all. What is wrong with treating my Idol to a little something to eat?"

''F-Fan?!''

''I...''

Bai Yi''s breathing quickened. She hastily bowed her head in thanks.

"Thank you..."

"It is nothing."

Yan Huan smiled and was just about to leave when he suddenly thought of something and turned back around.

"Oh, by the way, Bai Yi."

"Ah?"

Bai Yi looked up at him, unsure of what he wanted to say.

Turning his head back, Yan Huan spoke with profound sincerity.

"Your songs are truly beautiful. I am eagerly looking forward to when you upload your new tracks. And... please do your best this weekend. I will be there in the audience watching you."

"..."

"Xiao Huan!"

"Coming!"

Bai Yi sat there, watching Yan Huan answer the call and head off to handle his tasks right after finishing his sentence.

Yet his words felt as if they had not left her side; instead, mingling with the caramel pudding lingering before her eyes, they radiated a faint vanilla scent.

Seemingly quite hungry, she slightly opened her mouth, using a spoon to scoop up a small piece and place it onto her tongue.

A perfectly balanced sweetness blossomed across her taste buds, much like the words she had just heard.

Sure enough, everything he had said was hidden right here.

And this was the very first time Bai Yi had ever heard someone tell her they loved her songs.

The harsh sounds of her mother''s rejections still echoed in her ears, and the endless, day-after-day comparisons had fueled her resentment.

She had deeply resented that boy who was seemingly superior to her in every way.

Yet she never expected that the heartfelt acknowledgment she had been waiting for for so long would actually come from the very boy she had been sick and tired of.

"Sob... sob..."

Having only taken a single bite, she lowered her head and began to weep silently.

The Pocket Watch in her hands seemed to melt along with the piece of pudding dissolving in her mouth, its rapidly spinning hands reluctantly slowing down little by little.

"Tick... Tock..."

Soon after, it fell completely silent.