Chapter 100: Soothe

Beyond the mist, the wailing of the wind and snow grew clearer, the violent howl intertwining with the oppressive silence inside, together forming a singularly unique melody.

Shuang'er stopped her sobs, sniffing softly; her wet, big eyes darted between her sister and Feifei, and the intense grievance made Ling'er's heart clench.

She clenched her lower lip, a metallic tang of blood rising in her mouth; her fingertips trembled uncontrollably, as if all her strength had been sapped by that sharp rebuke just now.

Feifei swiftly gathered the bowls and chopsticks, then pulled Ling'er and Shuang'er upstairs, the three entering the bedroom.

The door clicked shut behind them, shutting out the outside noise; Feifei switched on the light, and the bedroom was instantly bathed in soft light.

Shuang'er sniffed, her big eyes still glistening with tears; she timidly glanced at her sister's tense profile, her small hand unconsciously wringing the hem of her clothes.

The recent grievance was magnified by this unfamiliar silence; she edged closer to Feifei, seeking Feifei's protection.

Ling'er was almost staggered as Feifei led her to sit beside the bed; she lowered her head, her soaked cuff sticking to her skin, cold and clammy, just like her present mood.

That uncontrolled scream still echoed in her ears; Shuang'er's terrified gaze was etched into her mind like a brand, leaving her ashamed and unable to bear it.

She clenched her fists tight, nails biting into her flesh, trying to use that sharp pain to quell her heart's frantic pounding and the shame threatening to drown her; droplets trailed from her hair tips onto the dark sheets, spreading a small dark wet stain.

Feifei's gaze swept between the two, and she let out a silent sigh.

She released her grip on Ling'er's hand, turned and walked to the small chest in the corner of the room, from which she took a dry, soft towel.

She did not give it to Ling'er, but first pulled Shuang'er to her front, gently wiping the still-wet tears on the little girl's face and the damp hair on her forehead that had been splashed with water.

"Look at this little face all blotchy," Feifei said, her voice deliberately lightened, carrying a soothing power: "Shuang'er, be good; earlier I wasn't angry with you—I was just troubled myself and got startled. Don't be afraid." Her movements were gentle, her fingertips warm as she slowly eased the panic from Shuang'er's face.

Shuang'er pursed her lips, her voice thick with nasal tone as she whispered: "Really? Does Sister dislike Shuang'er for talking nonsense?" Her big eyes furtively glanced at the silent figure beside the bed.

"Of course not," Feifei affirmed, simultaneously giving Ling'er a glance with her eyes; her voice was neither loud nor low, yet clearly reached Ling'er's ears: "How could I dislike Shuang'er? She's just... a bit shy, a bit embarrassed, not knowing what to do."

Ling'er also stepped forward, reaching out to wipe the tears continually slipping from Shuang'er's face: "Shuang'er, don't cry; Sister didn't mean it, Sister is just..."

Seeing Ling'er unable to continue, Feifei pulled Shuang'er to sit properly on the bed: "Shuang'er, sit nicely; Feifei sister will talk with you all, okay?"

Shuang'er nodded, sitting obediently on the bed; her small figure exuded a sense of calm.

After soothing Shuang'er, Feifei pulled Ling'er to sit down; the mattress sank slightly, forming two rounded arcs.

She turned her side, her gaze falling on Ling'er's lowered head and the damp nape of her neck; within that tense curve, a hint of fragility and stubbornness showed.

"Ling'er." Feifei's voice dropped, carrying an unavoidable penetrating force, no longer the gentleness she had shown when soothing Shuang'er earlier.

She reached out, wiping the water from Ling'er's face and clothes, then gently placed the towel beside her tightly clenched fist, whose knuckles had whitened.

"Lift your head!" Her tone was calm as water, yet held an undeniable force: "Shuang'er said what she said; liking is liking—what's there to hide? Do you intend to keep concealing it forever, pretending nobody knows?"

Ling'er's body trembled slightly; the towel placed beside her hand felt like a branding iron, making her fingertips involuntarily recoil.

She stubbornly kept her head lowered, as if doing so could hide her in a safe shell; damp hair stuck to her cheeks, the cold sensation briefly clearing her muddled thoughts.

Li Qingxuan's deep, silent gaze; Li Feifei's knowing, mischievous smile; Shuang'er's words exposing her hidden thoughts—all these images collided frenetically in her mind, nearly choking her.

"Feifei sister, I... I'm sorry." Ling'er's voice broke apart, each word as if forcibly squeezed from deep in her throat, thick with nasal tone and uncontainable sobs.

She still kept her head firmly lowered; wet strands clung to her scorching cheek, the icy-hot sensation making her even more confused.

"I... I shouldn't have yelled at Shuang'er... I... I scared her...... and furthermore..." Tears finally burst forth, large drops falling onto the back of her hand clenched around the towel, spreading a small dark water stain.

Her shoulders shuddered violently from repressed sobs, as if trying to vent all her shame, panic, and feeling of having nowhere to hide through this silent trembling.

Feifei quietly watched her, not interrupting the surging emotion; she let Ling'er vent her feelings, gently patting her back.

Only after Ling'er's emotions had completely subsided did Feifei reach out, take the towel from her hand, wipe the tears from her face, then gently place both hands over the back of Ling'er's tightly clenched hand, whose joints were whitened and veins slightly bulging.

"Silly girl," Feifei's voice low and clear, carrying a force that penetrated her tears, directly reaching Ling'er's lowered ear: "It's not me you owe an apology to."

Her fingertips exerted slight pressure, preventing Ling'er's instinctive pull-back; the force was gentle yet undeniable.

"You shouted at Shuang'er because you panicked, you were afraid. What are you afraid of?" She leaned forward slightly, her sharp gaze trying to catch Ling'er's evasive eyes: "Are you afraid Shuang'er will voice your thoughts, expose the feelings you dare not admit?"

Her words were like a precise lancet, a light flick opening a crack in Ling'er's layered panic.

Ling'er gasped sharply, like a drowning person struggling to surface, only to choke herself further into disarray.

She instinctively wanted to shake her head in denial, but her throat felt blocked; finally, resigned, she nodded slightly, accepting Feifei's words, and Ling'er's eyes reddened again.

Feifei's words precisely struck her heart—the sudden, unpremeditated feeling exposed before Feifei that was hard to put into words.

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