Chapter Thirteen: Promise

That would also explain her abrupt change in attitude.

Mo Nian’nian gave herself a deep mental thumbs-up for her cleverness.

Jiang Hu was plunged into an unprecedented restlessness; he had never considered the possibility that Mo Nian’nian might leave him.

He always believed Mo Nian’nian would stay by his side forever.

He didn’t know what this false Mo Nian’nian’s purpose was, but it seemed that as long as he managed to live well, she would depart.

No matter her reason for coming into his life, now that she was here, how could she just leave?

She herself admitted she came for him; so how could she abandon him and walk away?

He wouldn’t allow it!

She was all he had left.

She promised to stay with him, forever, forever never to leave.

Jiang Hu’s eyes darkened, his thoughts spinning.

Mo Nian’nian had no idea she had not only exposed her identity but had also pierced through the thin barrier in the little cub’s heart.

After finishing her meal at leisure, she returned to the sofa.

Nothing was more satisfying than binge-watching dramas on a full stomach; if there was, it would certainly be lying on the sofa, sipping a fizzy drink while watching dramas.

This feeling was simply wonderful.

She squinted her eyes in contentment.

Suddenly, a noise came from the kitchen—a crash, as if something shattered on the floor.

Then came Jiang Hu’s strained cry of pain.

Mo Nian’nian immediately sat up and strode toward the kitchen, asking as she walked, “What happened?”

“It’s nothing, sis, don’t come in.”

Mo Nian’nian ignored him, pulled open the kitchen door, and saw Jiang Hu standing amid a pile of broken porcelain, blood dripping steadily from his hand.

The faint scent of blood wafted over, making Mo Nian’nian wrinkle her brow in discomfort.

“What’s going on? Get up, quickly.”

Jiang Hu looked embarrassed. “I accidentally dropped a bowl. I tried to pick it up, and then—”

Mo Nian’nian rolled her eyes. “You’re old enough to know better. Come out and let me treat it.”

She found gauze and hemostatic medicine, and bandaged Jiang Hu’s hand.

“You really are something. So grown up and still can’t take care of yourself. If you break a bowl, just leave it—why pick it up? Now look, who knows how long this injury will take to heal.”

Mo Nian’nian wasn’t usually one for nagging, but whenever she encountered Jiang Hu, she couldn’t help but say a few extra words.

“I’m sorry, sis. I’m just clumsy... I feel like I can’t do anything right,” Jiang Hu said, his mood low.

Seeing her little cub so downcast, Mo Nian’nian touched her nose, awkwardly trying to comfort him. “It’s not like that... Just be careful next time.”

“I really feel like a failure. I can’t learn anything. If you leave, sis, I don’t know what I’ll do,” Jiang Hu murmured, head bowed, the crown of his head soft and fluffy.

Mo Nian’nian was utterly charmed. “Who says that? I raised you myself. You’re so outstanding—if anyone dares say a bad word about you, I’d beat them until their own mother couldn’t recognize them.”

She wondered what had upset the little cub—perhaps he’d heard something outside?

He looked tall and imposing, yet still needed reassurance and a hug like a child.

Mo Nian’nian’s heart softened further. She couldn’t resist ruffling his hair twice. “Who told you these things? Tell me and I’ll go teach them a lesson.”

Mo Nian’nian was all ready for a fight, like a mother bear about to defend her cub no matter what.

Jiang Hu quietly rested his head on Mo Nian’nian’s knee, arms wrapped around her, “But sis, can you help me for a lifetime? If you leave, what will I do?”

He buried his head deeply in her lap, his voice strange and secretive. “Sis, I’m scared.”

Big cats being needy—Mo Nian’nian simply couldn’t handle it; her heart melted, nearly promising on her life. “Don’t worry, I will always protect you, no matter where you are!”

It seemed that even if she left in the future, she’d have to come back now and then to check on her little cub, just in case he got bullied.

He was still too weak; what if she wasn’t around and he got hurt? She might not be able to return in time.

The more Mo Nian’nian thought about it, the more uneasy she felt. This cub was really too worrisome.

Jiang Hu kept his head nestled in her lap, clinging to her with an almost possessive grip around her waist.

He held her tighter and tighter, as if he wanted to engrave Mo Nian’nian into his very bones.

“I’ll remember, sis.”

Forever.

That was her own promise.

Sister... please, don’t ever forget.

Mo Nian’nian missed Jiang Hu’s gaze—a darkness so dense it seemed to gather all the shadows of the world.

Madness, distortion, and gloom, enough to send chills through anyone who saw it.

Mo Nian’nian did not realize that someone who has spent too long in darkness, upon seeing a beam of light, would do everything possible to seize it—even at any cost.

...

Mo Nian’nian was half-asleep, vaguely hearing someone whispering nearby. She opened her eyes, displeased.

Jiang Hu stood by her bed, fully dressed, his smile brighter than the sunlight outside.

“Time to get up, sis. Breakfast is ready.”

Sunlight poured through the window, falling eagerly upon Jiang Hu, gilding him with a golden glow as if the light favored him particularly.

So early in the morning, it was a visual shock.

Mo Nian’nian was stunned for a couple of seconds, then rubbed her eyes. “How did you get in here?”

Jiang Hu seemed startled, his eyes wide, a bit unsure as he stood there. “I... I saw you hadn’t gotten up for so long. I was worried you’d oversleep... It’s bad for your stomach not to have breakfast.”

He stumbled through his explanation, resembling a frightened kitten.

Mo Nian’nian had forgotten to lock her door. She’d lived alone for a thousand years, and since coming here, Jiang Hu never entered her room without permission, so there was no need to lock it.

She did have a slight dislike of others intruding into her private space, but... looking at this little pitiful figure, it didn’t seem so hard to accept.

She sluggishly sat up, yawning. “I’m not angry.”

Jiang Hu immediately smiled. “As long as you’re not mad, sis.”

His gaze greedily lingered on her exposed skin, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes.

His stare felt almost tangible, tracing Mo Nian’nian’s neck, collarbone, and arms.

Mo Nian’nian seemed to notice, glanced up, and saw Jiang Hu standing obediently before her, still wearing his apron.

Jiang Hu spoke up, “Sis, please get ready quickly and come out for breakfast. I’ll wait outside.”

He turned and left, thoughtfully closing the door behind him, allowing Mo Nian’nian to dismiss the strange feeling she’d just had.

Leaning against the door, Jiang Hu’s gaze could no longer be concealed. He stared at the room, his eyes sickly and obsessed, as if he could see Mo Nian’nian through everything.

The real sister was even more beautiful than in his dreams. If only she could be as she was in his dreams...

Tearful, resisting yet yielding.

Jiang Hu’s eyes reddened slightly, his blood boiling, and it took all his effort to suppress it.