Restricted Fantasy Invasion

Chapter 32
Yan Huan glanced at Tong Yingtong who had already sat down, with an expression that said "Are you sure?"

Although it was indeed a good thing that Tong Yingtong, who spent all day doing nothing in the shop, could finally be put to some use, judging by her history as the "idea queen"-

just a couple sentences and she'd probably blow up Bai Yi's modifier.

"Ding ding!"

Seeing that Yan Huan was still standing there, Tong Yingtong pressed the bell in her hand and just stared at him like that.

That look-if you added a finger-pointing gesture, it'd be just like that husky meme from a previous life.

The meaning was: "Quit babbling, get moving already!"

"."

Forget it, anyway, Sister Tong hadn't been drinking today. Before drinking, her mind was still pretty normal. Probably.

"Alright, I'll get to work then."

Yan Huan raised an eyebrow, but didn't insist any further.

After all, the shop really did need help right now, and Sister Tong didn't know any domain expansions or anything-he could always come back later.

He took one last look at Bai Yi, then turned and left.

Watching Yan Huan leave, the sadness that Bai Yi had managed to suppress with a cup of hot water and a few words began to bubble up again.

She instinctively wanted to sniffle, but under Tong Yingtong's scrutiny, she had to give up.

Ever since Yan Huan left, Tong Yingtong's gaze seemed to unconsciously grow sharper.

She let out a breath, opened her cigarette case, and revealed several neatly arranged slim women's cigarettes inside.

With her left hand, she nimbly spun a flip-top lighter between her fingers, striking it to spark a flame and light the cigarette she took out.

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

Through the drifting smoke, you could see her gaze gradually shift from half-dead to alluring and lazy.

But Tong Yingtong really did give off the vibe of someone hard to get along with-a very typical southern district feeling.

Then, Bai Yi saw her reach into the inside of her own coat, searching for something.

"Pa!"

An electric baton was placed on the table.

Bai Yi's eyes widened, and she glanced nervously at Tong Yingtong, but saw she was still rummaging.

"Pa!"

Next, a folded butterfly knife was slapped onto the table.

"."

Seeing that Tong Yingtong was about to pull out something else from her chest, Bai Yi quickly stood up and said timidly,

"...I'll leave right now, no need to trouble you."

"What's the rush? Sit."

Bai Yi didn't dare to sit, but in the end, Tong Yingtong didn't pull out an M1917 Smith & Wesson or anything-she just took out a small iron hip flask from her chest.

Bai Yi saw Tong Yingtong glance even more cautiously in the direction Yan Huan had left, then open the flask and take a small sip.

So it was just alcohol after all.

But why be so sneaky about it?

Bai Yi didn't get it, but after hesitating for a moment, she sat back down.

After a mouthful of hot liquor, a look of satisfaction appeared on Tong Yingtong's face, and even her tone with Bai Yi became much lighter,

"It's late at night and you're still dressed so neatly-mask, sunglasses-honestly, if someone didn't know better, they'd think you were some stalker. And if you leave now, can you even see the road?"

"."

Honestly, that was pretty much Bai Yi's whole day.

Fully armed, she'd followed Yan Huan all the way here to the southern district.

Feeling a bit guilty, Bai Yi averted her gaze.

"Yeah, I can manage."

At this, Tong Yingtong immediately rolled her eyes.

"Didn't get it? I meant take off your sunglasses and mask so we can talk."

"It's not really convenient for me."

"Oh, so you're too ugly to show your face?"

"."

Bai Yi lowered her head, pursed her lips, and didn't answer.

Seeing her stay silent like that, Tong Yingtong suddenly leaned in a bit closer.

I'll grab it!

The next second, she reached out and snatched the sunglasses right off Bai Yi's face.

With the glasses suddenly gone, Bai Yi's beautiful eyes-already wet with tears-were revealed.

"What are you doing?!"

Bai Yi was startled and tried to snatch her sunglasses back.

But Tong Yingtong just leaned back in her chair, refused to return them, and even looked a bit surprised,

"You're actually pretty cute-what's there to hide?"

"I-"

"And what are you doing here crying alone at a bar in the middle of the night? This isn't the kids' play area at a fried chicken shop, you know. Minors aren't welcome here."

Bai Yi turned her eyes away and muttered softly,

"But didn't your shop hire minors to work too?"

"...You kids are all so sharp-tongued-are you all planning to take the grad school entrance exam or something?"

Tong Yingtong put the tear-stained sunglasses on the table and casually grabbed an ashtray from the back seat,

"Linmen's part-time law allows a max of 28 hours a week. My staff are all hired legally and compliantly-got a problem with that?"

"."

Flicking her ash, Tong Yingtong lowered her gaze to the sunglasses on the table, her expression turning a bit more serious,

"Weber sunglasses, over five thousand a pair. If you can afford those, you're not from the southern district, are you? Where'd you come from? Looking this pretty, wandering around at night crying-don't you know what could happen? Take off the mask-maybe I can help you."

Bai Yi didn't respond, just reached out and took back her sunglasses.

As she stood up, she said in a low voice,

"No need, I'll go now."

"Suit yourself. Either way, if you leave, I'll call the police."

Tong Yingtong waved goodbye, bored, and pulled out her phone to scroll through videos.

"Call the police? Why?"

Bai Yi turned around in disbelief to look at Tong Yingtong, but Tong Yingtong just gave her a look like she was an idiot,

"Are you crazy? Your phone's broken, you're wearing this torn dress, and you clearly don't carry cash. Where can you even go? Can you guarantee your safety? This is the southern district! If I don't call the police now, am I supposed to wait for the police to show up tomorrow and mess up my business?"

Bai Yi glanced at the phone in her hand-the shattered screen was facing Tong Yingtong, plain as day.

She opened her mouth, but her eyes only stung even more.

Tong Yingtong's concerns weren't really an issue for someone with a pocket watch like her.

But right now, she really didn't know where to go.

Sister Yi Nuo had been found out by her mom, and probably because of her, her mom would definitely scold her hard.

She'd argued with her mom and impulsively smashed her phone, and now she didn't have any cash-couldn't pay for anything, couldn't do anything.

"."

The more she thought about it, the more Bai Yi couldn't hold back her tears.

She didn't know what to do, but she still kept trying to leave again and again.

Why?

Because she really didn't want to go home-not at all. She didn't want to see her mother.

She even just wanted to hide-hide somewhere her mother would never find her.

Two silent tears slowly fell, and she gripped the pocket watch in her hand even tighter.

Tong Yingtong was still looking at her phone when she suddenly felt a chill run down her spine.

She frowned and put down her phone, but out of the corner of her eye, she saw the girl who'd stood up was just full of tears, as if she'd been made to cry by a few words.

???

Wait, girl, you-

You're crying already?

"Goddamn."

She was about to curse, when Yan Huan's voice came from the register,

"Thanks for your business, that'll be 298-plane or-"

Tong Yingtong's Cantonese flair fizzled out instantly. She sat up a bit straighter and could only tap her cigarette in the ashtray, speechless.

She crooked her finger at the crying Bai Yi and said softly,

"You're so young, crying and running all the way here-eighty percent it's family stuff, twenty percent school."

Bai Yi looked up at Tong Yingtong in a daze, meeting her scrutinizing gaze.

Tong Yingtong smiled slightly and said,

"That's right, is it because of family issues?"

"Mm."

"What's the big deal? I'm not exactly young myself and I still argue with my family every day. They used to look down on me, and honestly, it's not much better now. In their eyes, there's always something about me they're dissatisfied with. But look at me, I'm still doing just fine-eating well, drinking well, and there are handsome guys to look at."

Bai Yi blinked, her expression shifting slightly because of something Tong Yingtong had said.

After a moment's silence, she sat back down in front of Tong Yingtong and gently took off her mask.

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

The girl in front of her was truly beautiful.

"That's because you're already grown up and independent. My situation isn't quite the same as yours."

Tong Yingtong took a sip of her drink and rolled her eyes.

"Sure, I'll get it when I'm your age."

"That's not what I meant."

Bai Yi sniffled and said,

"I just don't understand how to get along with my mom. All I want is a simple bit of approval from her, but to get that, I have to force myself to give so much, over and over. Every time, she just compares me to other people. Sometimes I really don't know if what she wants is me, or someone else."

"So, you don't want to live so exhausted, but you still want her approval?"

"."

Bai Yi didn't answer, but Tong Yingtong propped up her face and asked,

"What about your dad?"

Bai Yi shook her head and said,

"My mom remarried, but my stepdad is really busy with work and is rarely home."

"How does he treat you?"

"Actually... he's very nice. He's not like my mom-at least he listens to me."

While drinking, Tong Yingtong's eyes suddenly lit up, like two little light bulbs.

She raised a finger and suddenly said with a smile,

"Hey, I have an idea!"

"Huh?"

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

She turned her head and saw Yan Huan's expressionless face.

"Sister Tong."

The bright, sunny look on Tong Yingtong's face instantly froze, her raised finger stiff in midair.

She immediately pursed her lips, withdrew her finger, and spread her hands at Bai Yi, saying,

"Never mind, it's gone now."

She also stubbed out the remaining half of her cigarette in the ashtray.

Tong Yingtong quietly tugged the flask on the table back into her arms, while Yan Huan glanced at Bai Yi, who had taken off her mask and sunglasses, showing a surprised expression.

"Wait a second, why do you look kind of familiar... are you Bai Yi from our school?"

Then, that look shifted from surprise to excitement.

"Ah?"

Bai Yi was a little stunned, her expression tense.

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

Did Yan Huan actually recognize her?

She avoided his gaze and was just about to stammer out an explanation when Tong Yingtong asked,

"You two are classmates?"

"Not just that, she's a celebrity! She's even acted in movies-I'm actually a fan of her music, she sings really well. It's just a shame she hardly ever comes to school."

Singer... fan?

Bai Yi's face flushed bright red. She quickly looked up at Yan Huan and asked in disbelief,

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

Tong Yingtong blinked, glancing back and forth between Bai Yi's suddenly excited, blushing face and Yan Huan's smiling one.

Schoolmates, handsome guy and pretty girl, idol and fan, a striking pair of the same age...

Hiss.

Why does it feel like, compared to them, I'm the bad woman luring a young boy?!

"Of course."

Yan Huan nodded with a smile, unlocked his phone, opened his music app, and showed his playlist.

In a playlist named "Bai Yi," there were only two songs-her two tracks.

PS: He'd only added them in the car that afternoon. But right now, he was as enthusiastic as a fan who'd followed Bai Yi for ages.

"I've been following you for a long time. When I heard you'd transferred to Yuanyue, I was honestly pretty happy, but it's a shame I barely see you even once a semester."

A ten-year veteran fan, showing up uninvited!

So, the Yan Huan her mother always mentioned...

Was actually a fan of her own songs-the very ones her mother looked down on the most?!

"But you haven't written any new songs in ages. I wonder-"

"I will! I'll be uploading new songs very soon!!"

Bai Yi blurted out, not even letting Yan Huan finish.

"Really."

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

Then, every time her mother started in about Yan Huan or what she should do, she'd just play this video for her!

No!

She'd record it and loop it in her mother's ear every night!

Feeling Bai Yi's eager gaze, Yan Huan realized his guess was right.

He had indeed heard Bai Yi arguing with her mother outside earlier, though he hadn't caught what her mother said.

He could only guess her desires from her distaste for other activities.

In recent years, she'd done a lot of variety shows and movies, but since none of those were "her own decisions," Yan Huan guessed what she really wanted was to sing-even though it wasn't that popular.

As for why she disliked him...

Yan Huan had picked up some clues from her conversation with Tong Yingtong.

It might be related to her mother.

"Really? That's-"

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

The atmosphere over there was like a fan meeting, just like a scene from a youth romance where the male and female leads meet for the first time.

Meanwhile, Tong Yingtong was about to lose it. She rubbed her brow and quickly interrupted,

"Isn't the real problem right now how to deal with her running off alone to the southern district? You're a celebrity, your family's rich, you go to Yuanyue-did you really run away from home?"

"Mm."

Bai Yi nodded sheepishly.

Tong Yingtong's eyes lit up again, flashing her "I've got a great idea" look.

"There you go! Call your family right now and have them come pick you up."

"No, I can't!"

Bai Yi refused at once, clutching her pocket watch, while the hands-previously still-suddenly began to tremble.

"Tick... tick... tick..."

The illusory ticking of a clock sounded out, slow and watery, and for a split second, it seemed like even the chatter outside slowed down.

No... I don't want to hear my mother's rejection again.

If it's like before again...

Feeling her urge to use the modifier rising, Yan Huan's pupils narrowed slightly, and he quickly cut off Tong Yingtong, who was looking "annoyed" all over.

"There's no rush. You can sit here a bit longer and think it over."

Having her brilliant idea shot down again by these two pretty faces, a vein throbbed on Tong Yingtong's forehead.

Her hand itched-the kind of itch that only holding the electric baton could fix.

"She can't just never go home, right? It'll be a hassle if she stays out, and I can't take responsibility if she stays in the shop."

Bai Yi clutched the hem of her skirt. She knew she couldn't keep dragging things out like this.

"Sister Tong! Something's up over here, can you help me check it out?"

Just then, Tian Li's voice came from the bar, making Tong Yingtong's already annoyed expression even worse.

She scratched her red hair, then stood up reluctantly.

"Fine, fine, you two are the smart ones. You discuss it. I'm already an old woman, I can't keep up with your brainwaves."

As Tong Yingtong left, Yan Huan looked quite optimistic and turned to Bai Yi, asking,

"By the way, Bai Yi, are you going to the game convention this weekend? Will you be singing there?"

"Hey-"

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

"Probably not. I'll just be meeting everyone there."

"I see."

"I've never sung in public before, and it's been a long time since I've even been to a recording studio."

"Really? That's a shame. I thought I'd get to hear you sing there, Bai Yi. Actually, the student council's treasurer had two tickets, and I specially asked for one because I wanted to see you."

Yan Huan smiled gently, took out the ticket that Yaqiao Mu had given him, and showed it to Bai Yi, saying this with a hint of regret.

Bai Yi's pupils shrank slightly. She glanced at Yan Huan, but then quickly averted her gaze.

The event was on Sunday, with rehearsal on Friday and coordination on Thursday, and now it was already Wednesday night.

Besides, her mom would definitely not agree to let her sing there.

After all, in her mother's eyes, her songs were only mediocre at best.

But Yan Huan specifically grabbed a ticket-was he really going just to see her?

For some reason, her heart, which had been so resistant, suddenly started to consider going home and then attending the event on the weekend.

"Xiaohuan, over here!"

"Coming, give me a second."

"Hurry up, it's urgent!"

Besides, staying here any longer would just get in the way of others.

Bai Yi opened her mouth, hesitated for a moment, then finally whispered to Yan Huan,

"If I call my mother later, could you talk to her for me?"

Yan Huan turned his head, raising his eyebrows.

"Of course."

"."

"You want to call your mom?"

"Mm."

Yan Huan smiled and handed over his phone, while Bai Yi reached out her pale fingers and dialed a string of numbers on the keypad.

Click, the call connected.

Yan Huan took the phone, pressed it to his ear, and after a few seconds, the call was answered.

"Hello, is this Auntie? May I ask if you're Bai Yi's mother? I'm her classmate, Yan Huan. Here's the situation-"

Listening to Yan Huan's polite conversation, Bai Yi just lowered her head, not daring to listen for fear of hearing her mother's reproachful voice.

Unexpectedly, at that moment, her stomach growled uncontrollably.

"Grrr~"

Her face flushed bright red, and she hurriedly covered her stomach.

Bai Yi had only eaten once at her best friend's place in the morning, and had been out all day. Now that it was evening, she was naturally starving.

She quickly snuck a glance at the boy beside her. Seeing that he was still talking to her mother and didn't seem to notice her embarrassment, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Alright, I'll pass the phone to her."

As the call was wrapping up, Yan Huan said this and handed the phone back.

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

But looking at Yan Huan in front of her, she hesitated for a moment and still took the phone.

"Hello."

"Stay there, I'll come over right away. Be ready tomorrow; there's an event this weekend."

There was no scolding, not even any extra emotion. Zuo Jiangqin's voice was as cold and indifferent as a notification.

That voice stabbed painfully at Bai Yi's heart. She opened her mouth and answered,

"Mm."

But inside, she was filled with regret-regret for having called her.

"Beep beep beep~"

The call ended.

It was as if Bai Yi's strength had been drained by that phone call. She put down Yan Huan's phone, and after a moment, finally managed to say, "Thank you."

"It's nothing. You can sit here for a while; I still have something to do."

"Okay."

Bai Yi nodded.

Only after Yan Huan left did the emotions in her heart begin to spill out again.

What if she got into another fight with her mother after going home?

Or maybe, they wouldn't even fight-maybe her mother had already given up on her. After all, she had never been able to meet her mother's expectations.

What if she really wasn't suited for singing?

Maybe her long-held wish was just wishful thinking, and she really had no talent at all-there was no way anyone would like her songs.

She hated it.

Other people's opinions.

She wished she didn't exist.

But isn't that exactly how she was now?

She had Indifference, but it still hurt this much.

If that's the case...

Why should she be the one who doesn't exist?

Wouldn't it be better if everyone else disappeared instead?

"Tick tick tick"

As this thought emerged, the watch in her hand began to spin faster.

The [hour hand], which had been motionless, started to tremble, as if symbolizing the awakening of some kind of power.

Meanwhile, the clocks on the bar's interior walls seemed to slow down bit by bit, as if weighed down by some force leaking from within her.

"Tick tick tick... tick tick... tick."

"Tock."

Just as Bai Yi was thinking this, a plate was suddenly placed in front of her.

She snapped back to reality, and the cold atmosphere around her suddenly dissipated.

Bai Yi looked in front of her-there was a plate of caramel pudding.

Pudding?

She turned to the side and saw Yan Huan smiling at her.

"I-"

Staring at the pudding on the table, Bai Yi quickly raised her broken phone.

"Thank you... but my phone's broken. I'll pay you back when my mom comes."

"No need. Weren't you hungry just now? Go ahead and eat."

"Huh?"

Did he hear her stomach growl just now?

Bai Yi's face turned red with embarrassment, and she looked a little flustered.

At that moment, Tong Yingtong's voice came from over there.

"Xiaohuan! Come over and collect the money, print the bill."

Bai Yi was just about to say something when Yan Huan put a finger to his lips, signaling for her to be quiet.

"Shh, I made this for you in secret. If Sister Tong finds out, it'll probably be a hassle."

"I... I really can't accept this..."

Yan Huan smiled gently and simply said,

"I'm your fan, you know. What's wrong with treating my idol to a little something?"

Fan... fan?!

I-

Bai Yi's breathing quickened, and she hurriedly thanked Yan Huan.

"Thank you."

"It's nothing."

Yan Huan was about to leave when he suddenly seemed to remember something and turned back.

"Oh, right, Bai Yi-"

"Huh?"

Bai Yi looked at him, not knowing what he was about to say.

Yan Huan turned around, speaking with utmost sincerity.

"Your songs are really beautiful. I'm looking forward to your new uploads, and please do your best this weekend. I'll be there to watch you."

"."

"Xiaohuan!"

"Here you are!"

Bai Yi just looked at Yan Huan in front of her, watching as he finished speaking and then left to go about his own business.

Yet his words seemed to linger, not leaving at all, instead mingling with the caramel pudding before her, diffusing a hint of vanilla.

Maybe she was a little hungry; she parted her lips slightly and gently scooped a piece with her spoon, putting it into her mouth.

The perfectly sweet flavor blossomed, just like the words she had just heard.

As expected, everything he said was hidden here.

And this was the first time Bai Yi had ever heard someone say they liked her songs.

Her mother's voice of denial still echoed in her ears, and the endless daily comparisons made her resentful-

Resentful of that boy who was always better than her in every way.

Yet she never expected that the recognition she had waited so long for would come from the very boy she was so tired of.

"Wuwu... wuwu..."

Just one bite, and she had already lowered her head, silently crying.

The pocket watch in her hand seemed to melt along with that piece of pudding, its cursor reluctantly slowing down bit by bit.

"Tick-tock... tick-tock..."

Then, everything fell completely silent.

(End of this chapter)