Volume Two: Shadows of the Past Chapter Sixteen: Teacher, I Like You

“Dililili dililili denda... Walking bravely forward on the path...”

As the song reached its climax, everyone couldn’t help but cheer for Chen Jing.

“Woohoo!”

“...Every time I feel down, I look at the sea alone, always thinking of friends walking the same road beside me... After experiencing the myriad facets of life, the warmth and coldness of the world, this smile remains pure and comforting...”

This song from his previous life, “The You of the Past,” always brought Chen Jing a new perspective each time he listened. He felt that, in this moment, singing it for everyone was just right.

“Amazing, boss. Another original,” Wu Wen exclaimed, now a fan who seemed only capable of shouting his admiration.

Tan Xu said, excited, “This song makes me want to grab a sword and roam the world!”

“Heh, I bet you wouldn’t even make it out of the base with a sword.”

“Get lost!”

Balancing his guitar with one hand, Chen Jing gently stroked Molly’s forehead with the other, smiling as he asked, “Did you like it, Lily?”

Molly nodded, her hands clasping his on her head, the slight upturn of her lips revealing her joy.

“Brother, you’re amazing. Sing another! This time, I want one for us girls,” Xie Yuanshan applauded, not worried in the least whether Chen Jing had more songs—she believed her brother was capable of anything.

It was fortunate that it was Chen Jing; if it were anyone else, pulling out another song at a moment’s notice would be impossible.

“Uh… alright, let me think.” Since his little sister had spoken, Chen Jing picked up the guitar again. “Got it. This next song is for everyone, dedicated to our most beautiful innocence.”

He glanced at Molly with a gentle smile. The music started, and he sang softly:

The dark sky hangs low,
Bright stars accompany,
Fireflies dance,
Fireflies dance,
Whom are you missing...

“Xiao Jingzi, why not leave the Dragon Group and the Emperor’s Court? I’ll take you to find other restorative ability users. Even if we have to search the world, I’ll find someone who can heal you. Then, we’ll come back, alright? Just agree to this once… for your sister…”

Stars in the sky weep,
Roses on the earth wither,
Cold winds blow,
Cold winds blow,
As long as you’re by my side...

At the very tip of Tokyo Tower, the two figures remained.

“Teacher, let’s give up. Haven’t we searched long enough? Two years, half the world, even coming to Japan. If we can’t find anyone, so be it. Look at me—I’m still fine. There’s no need to force it.” Chen Jing gazed at the dazzling city lights in the distance, resignation in his voice.

Wang Nianjun smiled encouragingly, “Xiao Jingzi, let’s not give up, alright? If ability users can’t help, we can still trust in science.”

“Forget it, let’s just let things be.” Chen Jing shrugged, then turned to the woman who had always been by his side, grinning, “Teacher, do you know? I like you…”

Fireflies dance,
The flowers sleep,
Pairs upon pairs make beauty...

“Chen Jing, calm down. I’m your teacher and your sister. It’s impossible between us!”

“Why not? We’re not related by blood.”

“I’m more than ten years older than you. I’ve always cared for you as a younger brother and a student. What exists between us is familial love.”

“Age isn’t an issue. You know, among ability users—”

“But I only see you as a child. I… I don’t have those feelings for you…”

“Have you truly never felt that way about me?”

“No… truly not…”

“Heh… haha… alright then…”

“Where are you going… Jing?”

“I want to spend my remaining time doing the things I want. Thank you for all you’ve done for me… sister…”

I am not afraid of the dark,
Only of a broken heart,
No matter how tired,
No matter which way the wind blows...

Everyone gently swayed along with Chen Jing’s song.

After the lively night faded, silence settled in.

Creak—

The door opened softly, and a figure slipped inside.

Wang Nianjun gazed at the sleeping figure on the bed, lost in thought.

After a long while, she moved, walking over and gently placing her right hand on the sleeper’s forehead. A flash of white light illuminated the room.

“Mmm!” Chen Jing’s eyes snapped open. He sat up, looking at the figure beside his bed.

When he recognized who it was, he paused, then shook his head with a smile, “Ruoqing, you seem to be getting fonder of late-night visits, huh?”

“You’re leaving tomorrow,” Sun Ruoqing replied, ignoring his question.

“Yeah, all good things must come to an end. Every meeting brings a parting. Don’t be so sentimental. If you miss me, you can call or come find me.”

Sun Ruoqing stayed silent, thinking for a moment before climbing onto Chen Jing’s bed.

“Huh? Ruoqing, what are you doing?” Startled, Chen Jing quickly grabbed her shoulders.

“I want… to give myself to you tonight,” Sun Ruoqing murmured, her voice barely audible.

Chen Jing could only smile wryly, “Ruoqing, isn’t this too sudden?”

“Don’t you like me?” Seeing his hesitation, Sun Ruoqing bit her lip.

Shaking his head, Chen Jing replied, “It’s not that I don’t like you. It’s just, I don’t have my abilities anymore. I’d be afraid to touch you—if you got too excited and lost control, your power might flare up, and I’d end up a literal roast chicken.”

“I’ve already surpassed level six,” she replied.

“Huh?”

Summoning her courage, Sun Ruoqing looked at him, “I’m a level seven domain user now. I can fully control my energy. Even if… that happens… you won’t get burned.”

“What?! That fast?” Chen Jing was genuinely elated for her advancement.

Of course, he was happy purely for her breakthrough, not for any other questionable reason.

“Yes, so I can give myself to you now.” As she spoke, she moved to continue.

“Wait, wait!” Chen Jing quickly stopped her. “Let’s not rush this, okay? This is too sudden.”

“You don’t like me?” she pressed again.

Chen Jing admitted honestly, “Of course I do.” Then added, “But just because I like you doesn’t mean we have to do this.”

“As long as you like me and I like you, there’s no problem.” This time, Sun Ruoqing didn’t just reach out—she even started to use her powers.

“Hey! Hey! Stop!”

Without his abilities, how could Chen Jing possibly resist a level seven domain user? He was quickly subdued, pinned to the bed.

Just as he resigned himself to his fate, Xie Yuanshan’s voice called from outside the door.

“Brother! Are you asleep?”

In that instant, Chen Jing seized the opportunity, calling out, “Not yet! Wait, I’ll come open the door!” He shot a pleading look at Sun Ruoqing.

She frowned, sighed, and reluctantly released him.

Once free, Chen Jing hurriedly straightened his clothes and opened the door.

“Ah? Ruoqing, you’re here too?” Xie Yuanshan entered, sticking out her tongue playfully. “Sister, why are you here with my brother so late?”

Chen Jing and Sun Ruoqing exchanged glances and answered in unison:

“Discussing Jingzi’s injury.”

“Practicing Molly’s abilities.”

Xie Yuanshan: “Uh…”

Chen Jing gave a helpless smile and tried to explain, “Talking about how Molly’s abilities affect my injuries.”

“Alright, finish your discussion first.” With that, Xie Yuanshan hopped over to his bed.

Sun Ruoqing asked, “Xiao Jiu, why are you looking for Ah Jing?”

Xie Yuanshan replied naturally, “I came to sleep with my brother.”

“Huh?!” Both Chen Jing and Sun Ruoqing were stunned.

“Yeah, just to sleep with my brother,” Xie Yuanshan said, turning to Chen Jing. “Three years ago, you told me girls shouldn’t sleep with boys casually. Then I asked when it would be okay, and you said at least after I’m an adult. Well, I’m an adult now, so I came to sleep with you—is that a problem?”

Hearing this, Chen Jing rubbed his forehead, unable to meet Sun Ruoqing’s gaze. “That’s not what I meant at the time. I just wanted to tell you not to get too close to other boys.”

The truth was, Xie Yuanshan had always clung to Chen Jing, even at fifteen still asking to sleep with him—just sleeping, nothing else. Back then, he’d made up an excuse, thinking she’d outgrow it. Who could have guessed she’d remember it all these years later?

Luckily, Sun Ruoqing knew well how attached Xie Yuanshan was to Chen Jing, so she didn’t think anything inappropriate.

Seeing them fall silent, Xie Yuanshan asked, “Aren’t you going to keep discussing?”

“Uh, Ruoqing and I already finished talking,” Chen Jing replied.

“Okay, then sleep with me, brother. I don’t get to see you often, and you’re leaving tomorrow. No matter what, I want you to stay with me tonight.”

She knew well enough about the ways of men and women, but to her, her brother wasn’t just any man—he was the most important person in her life, so she didn’t care about those things.

“Uh...” Chen Jing looked helplessly at both women, unsure what to say.

Seeing him frozen, Sun Ruoqing rolled her eyes and said exasperatedly, “Jingzi, why are you just standing there? Get in bed and sleep!”

“Huh?” He looked at her, puzzled.

Xie Yuanshan also asked, “Sister, are you staying to sleep with us too?”

“Yes, come here, Xiao Jiu, lie down next to me,” Sun Ruoqing said with a smile, beckoning her over.

“Yay! Finally, the three of us can sleep together again!”

Hearing her cheer, Chen Jing paused, remembering that as children, the three of them really had slept together before. The thought brought a warm smile to his face. It’s just sleeping, after all—why not enjoy the good fortune?

“Brother, come sleep in the middle. I like hugging you, and I think Ruoqing does too, hehe!”

Sun Ruoqing: “...”

“Sigh… alright.” Chen Jing lay down between them, both girls snuggling close. He immediately felt soft arms around him, the gentle, fragrant warmth of two young women at his side.

Perfect bliss!

“Brother, what’s this?”

“...Don’t move around, just sleep.”

“Oh!”

“...Yuanshan, I told you not to move and yet you’re still moving.”

“Huh? I didn’t move?”

Chen Jing: “...”

Sun Ruoqing: “...”

“It’s… nothing, just sleep...”

In another room, Molly, now fully awake, saw the woman suddenly appearing before her. Strangely, she didn’t feel afraid; instead, there was a comforting aura about this older sister.

Rubbing her sleepy eyes, Molly asked, “Sister, who are you? Why are you in my room?”

Wang Nianjun gently ruffled Molly’s hair and said, “I’m your father’s teacher, and also his sister…”

“Ah? So you’re my mother!” Molly said in delight.

Wang Nianjun was caught off guard, embarrassed. “Uh? Molly, why do you think I’m your mother?”

“Because Dad said so.”

“Hm?”

Molly continued, “Dad said, if a pretty sister ever comes to see me and says she’s his teacher or his sister, then that sister is my mother.”

Wang Nianjun paused, then shook her head with a bitter smile.

She stroked Molly’s hair again and asked, “Did your father tell you anything else?”

Molly thought for a moment. “He also said that if he’s ever gone, he’ll send me to my mother.”

Wang Nianjun fell silent.

Molly went on, “Dad said, ‘Mother is the best woman in the world. She’ll definitely take good care of you.’”

Wang Nianjun’s eyes grew vacant. The best woman in the world? Did Xiao Jingzi really think so?

Molly looked at the quiet woman before her and asked softly, “So, are you my mother?”

Wang Nianjun returned from her thoughts, hesitated, but ultimately didn’t answer directly. Instead, she said seriously, “Will you promise your sister something?”

“What is it?” Molly asked, puzzled.

“First, promise you won’t tell your father you met me, alright? You can feel that I mean no harm, can’t you?”

Molly thought for a moment, then nodded.

Wang Nianjun smiled, stroked her head, and continued, “Molly, if one day your father needs you, will you help him? It might require you to give up a lot.”

Without hesitation, Molly answered, “Of course! Dad is the most important person to me. No matter what happens, I’ll help him!”

Wang Nianjun smiled. “Then let’s make a promise: if your father ever needs your help, be brave and help him without hesitation, alright? I promise that I’ll keep you safe, no matter what.”

“Mm-hmm! I promise!”

“It’s settled, then. Molly, you must remember our promise…”