After Bringing Joy to the Short-Lived Mad Young Lady - Chapter 10

The red hue descended slowly, the text at the top fading gradually, resembling some kind of countdown.

Fang Yi looked up at the sun in the sky, then at her own hands, feeling as though she, too, was growing faint.

Could an hourglass perceive the passage of time?

She clenched her fists slowly, but an indescribable sense of powerlessness washed over her.

Was she really going to turn into a child?

Fang Yi pressed her lips into a thin line, grabbed Wang Quan’s hand, and said, “Take me home. It’s urgent.”

“Huh? So you’re not coming with me to pick up Zong Heng?”

Wang Quan was disappointed. Zong Heng had just flown in from Yanjing today, and she had hoped they could all hang out together.

But seeing how serious Fang Yi looked, she obediently complied, driving her back to the rundown apartment building.

Parking was difficult in the old neighborhood, and her flashy red Ferrari stood out awkwardly on the entire street.

“Granny, call me if you need anything! I won’t drink today!” she shouted at Fang Yi’s slightly unsteady retreating figure.

Fang Yi waved her hand dismissively, her slender frame quickly disappearing into the stairwell.

Fang Yi rarely found herself in such a state of distress. The system grew nervous: What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell? I—I still have some free band-aids here! No points needed!

Should I call Wang Quan back to take care of you? You don’t look so good.

Fang Yi locked the door behind her, leaned against the table, and gasped for breath. “No need.”

The system’s existence already defied modern science. In unpredictable situations, staying alone and keeping a clear mind was the best choice.

If she couldn’t handle this sudden change herself, calling Wang Quan would likely be useless.

Sweat dampened her temples, and Fang Yi’s obsidian-black eyes grew moist. Before the red on the mission panel completely drained away, she quickly opened several bottles of water, grabbed some bread, and placed them within easy reach.

She also plugged in her phone, prepared the first-aid kit, and updated her emergency contacts…

After finishing all this, she collapsed onto the sofa, waiting for the so-called punishment to descend.

The system was still yammering about something, its noisy voice pressing against her ear, blending with the swaying, overlapping world until it scattered into countless butterflies.

The world grew darker and darker.

……

“So, you’re saying your friend is a plush teddy bear who talks to you and plays games with you, right?”

“Alright, we’ve got a basic understanding of the situation now.”

“Parents, please come over here. Let’s discuss in detail about…”

Amidst the chaotic white light and shadows, a little girl tilted her head up, peeking through the crack in the door.

The doctor in the white coat said, “The passing of a loved one is a heavy blow to a child. As parents, you must pay extra attention to her mental health. Aside from medication, we recommend spending more time with her.”

The woman stood with her back to the door, raising her wrist. The silver watch engraved with every scheduled task gleamed coldly.

She lifted her hand, her sharp aura making the doctor swallow his words.

“I have other matters to attend to. Discuss the details with my assistant. Xiao Yun, take care of her.”

A young woman nearby bowed in acknowledgment.

The door was pushed open, and the woman noticed the little girl timidly standing there. She let out an almost imperceptible sigh before bending down to embrace her.

Though it lasted only a few seconds, the woman’s arms were warm—a tenderness vast enough to shield the girl from all the storms of the world.

But she said nothing, vanishing once more at the end of the hallway, leaving behind only a solitary, proud silhouette.

The lingering warmth on her fingertips felt more like an illusion.

“…”

The girl clutched the hem of her clothes, her lonely figure reflected in the porcelain tiles so white they seemed to glow.

A mischievous boy taunted, “Your mom’s dead! Your dad will find you a stepmom soon—you’re an unloved child!”

Lin Shuxing swung her feet lightly, her expression indifferent, thinking: How nice. I don’t have a dad, but I have two moms. Now, only one remains.

Perhaps none at all.

The law permitting same-s3x marriage was still in its trial phase, and while the technology for female couples to conceive had existed for years, the exorbitant medical costs kept it from becoming mainstream.

Lin Lan was usually busy, so most of the time, it was Wen Qianxue who took care of the child.

Wen Qianxue refused to enroll Lin Shuxing in elite education. Rather than immersing her in the world of fame and fortune from a young age, she preferred her to grow up safe and happy.

Every night, Wen Qianxue would tell her bedtime stories—about courage, about love, about the unknown romance of distant lands. She would also craft and play games with her, building the most beautiful castles with blocks…

Lin Lan occasionally joined in, wrapping her arms around them with hands that could stir storms.

They were the happiest family.

Lin Shuxing had two mothers, but petals slowly covered Wen Qianxue. After a long, incomprehensible eulogy, the word “mother” seemed to melt away with the wind.

Dust, white as snow, swirled as dim scenes flashed by:

A woman as pale as a magnolia lay on the hospital bed, gently wiping the little girl’s tears. “Our little star is the best. Mommy will become a star too, watching over you from the sky forever, okay?”

Lin Lan stood by the window, her eyes red, tilting her head up like a trapped beast to hold back weak tears. Then, suddenly, she turned back, gazing deeply at Lin Shuxing.

The little girl didn’t understand what it meant, but Fang Yi, from her god-like perspective, saw it clearly and couldn’t help but hold her breath.

Lin Lan’s gaze was complex, but Fang Yi could discern the deepest emotion within—suspicion and anger.

Had she already known back then that Lin Shuxing wasn’t their child?

But what had Lin Shuxing done wrong?

…

The world dimmed again, slowly illuminated by a single, solitary lamp.

In the darkness, motes of dust drifted down under the light.

The little girl stood in the warm yellow glow, staring blankly at the outline of steel beams in the distance.

A sudden, intense sense of familiarity surged in Fang Yi’s chest. Looking around carefully, she realized with a start—this was an abandoned, unfinished building from her hometown.

She used to play here as a child, coaxing kids her age into small business ventures. They treated this place as their secret base, even hiding spare change in the third steel coil.

But how could Lin Shuxing have been here?

No matter how deranged Lin Lan was, she wouldn’t abandon a child in a place like this!

As shock gripped her, she suddenly noticed her hands growing increasingly faint, until they turned completely transparent—

Boom!

A powerful force yanked her away, her organs twisting as if crushed together.

What—?

When her vision steadied, she looked up to see little Lin Shuxing’s eyes light up before the girl rushed over in tears.

“Teddy bear!”

?!

Fang Yi was enveloped in the little girl’s embrace. She lowered her head in confusion and finally saw clearly—her hands were a soft blue, stuffed with cotton beneath the worn fabric.

She flexed her palm, and the plump stuffed paw moved along with it.

A teddy bear… I’m a teddy bear.

“They said I was sick and that I’d get better after taking medicine.”

“But I’m not sick at all, Teddy. I’m so scared. I’m afraid that if I take the medicine, I won’t see you again. Why did you come so late?”

I’m sorry, I… I forgot.

The girl’s tears dripped onto her cheeks one by one, the dampness seeping through the cotton fabric straight into her heart, like an endless drizzling rain.

Fang Yi stood in the hazy mist, wanting to say something, but the words that came out were: “Goodbye.”

“…?”

What? Don’t go!

Fang Yi jolted awake on the sofa, her mind feeling like it had been scrambled into mush.

She looked around, confirming she was still in the same place. Her body was stiff beyond belief, and she could hear the creaking of her joints as she lifted her arm.

Pushing herself up, she pressed a hand to her throbbing temple. Her numb fingers belatedly realized something had slipped from her grasp, clinking as it hit the floor.

She glanced at her phone screen—it was already 5 p.m. the next day.

The evening sun pierced through the glass, casting an orange-red glow on her face.

Wiping sweat from her brow with her sleeve, Fang Yi slowly reached for the crystal that had suddenly appeared on the floor.

Dreamstone (Bound): Allows free entry into Lin Shuxing’s dreams.

This is—

She opened the system panel to check and found that the purchase date coincided with the year she had a high fever as a child.

In other words, in that forgotten fragment of her childhood memories, had she turned into the teddy bear her grandmother made to accompany Lin Shuxing?

That made sense. She had already fulfilled Lin Shuxing’s 500-point wish back then.

The words on the mission panel reappeared, but this time, the penalty had been changed to the termination of vital signs—in other words, death.

This vision and the sudden appearance of the Dreamstone felt less like a punishment and more like a guide pushing her to complete the mission.

Fang Yi opened her phone. The messaging app was flooded with unread texts—Wang Quan’s ramblings about Zong Heng, inquiries from her junior, and… Lin Shuxing.

What you really wanted… was to see your childhood friend again, wasn’t it?

She hadn’t replied to yesterday’s message from the zoo. Lin Shuxing had sent another one later.

AAA Fiancée: Are you coming to pick me up after school?

Their schools weren’t far apart, and Fang Yi had rented a place nearby.

She had slept for too long, missing so much, and Lin Shuxing hadn’t sent any more messages after that.

A violent knocking at the door interrupted Fang Yi’s thoughts.

“Big Sis? Are you home? Why haven’t you replied to any messages? I was so worried—Zong Heng even wanted to see you today… Big Sis!”

“Big Sis!”

“Damn it, they won’t let me file a missing person’s report because it hasn’t been long enough. I’m going crazy!”

…

Wang Quan was pacing frantically outside the door, the force of her knocking shaking loose bits of paint from the walls. She lifted her leg, gauging the possibility of kicking the door down.

Could she break it open? That’s how they did it in dramas.

Or should she call a locksmith? Was it illegal to break into someone else’s house?

Under special circumstances… probably okay, right?

Just as Wang Quan was hesitating whether to take a gamble, the door suddenly swung open, startling her into a yelp as she jumped up. Seeing it was Fang Yi, she quickly patted her chest twice in relief before excitedly rushing over.

“Big Sis!”

She pulled Fang Yi, looking her up and down. “Ah, I’m just glad you’re okay, safe and sound! You must have been exhausted lately! Whether you work or not doesn’t matter, but next time at least give me a heads up—Huh? Where are you going?”

Fang Yi casually smoothed her hair back and tied it up, her voice slightly hoarse. “Going to pick up a kid from school.”

Wang Quan was puzzled. “Pick up a kid? Let me drive you then. Whose kid is it?”

Fang Yi replied, “Mine.”

When they reached the neighborhood gate, it was rush hour. A neighbor was just returning with her daughter on an electric scooter. The little girl, missing a front tooth, waved her arms. “Big Sis!”

Fang Yi forced a smile and greeted them. After a moment’s thought, she turned toward the garage.

“What’s up?”

“Traffic’s bad right now. I’ll ride my bike instead.”

“Huh?” Wang Quan was stunned, never imagining her Ferrari would face such a humiliating demotion. She pointed at herself. “What about me?”

“Wait, how are you gonna pick someone up on a bike?”

“She has her own ride,” Fang Yi answered.

“Oh, oh—wait, what?”

Although Lin Shuxing attended an ordinary key high school, she was always chauffeured to and from school by a private driver.

Fang Yi herself couldn’t quite explain why she insisted on “picking up” Lin Shuxing. More accurately, she just wanted to see her.

Lin Shuxing rarely voiced her thoughts, so her question—”Are you coming to pick me up after school?”—was already as straightforward as a plea for affection.

You’re not an unloved child. You’re a little star.

If they don’t love you, let them go to hell.

I’ll love you. I’ll be your friend.

Fang Yi pedaled swiftly, lips slightly pursed as the wind brushed past her cheeks.

The roads were indeed congested. The red Ferrari was miserably stuck in traffic, watching Fang Yi’s shirt flutter as she rode ahead.

Outside APU Private Academy.

“Sis! You really came!”

Lin Qingwan spotted that bright figure in the crowd, her eyes widening in delight.

APU required a parent or guardian to sign students out. The car meant to pick her up today had broken down, so she had no choice but to ask Lin Shuxing’s driver for a ride.

She had sent countless messages, betting that Lin Shuxing wouldn’t refuse.

She won the bet.

Lin Shuxing, who secretly longed for someone to pick her up, had shown up—fulfilling Lin Qingwan’s hope.

Truthfully, Lin Qingwan resembled Wen Qianxue. How could Lin Shuxing truly dislike her?

It was just that her arrival had been too sudden, completely breaching Lin Shuxing’s emotional defenses.

Lin Lan claimed they were twins, with Lin Qingwan being the younger sister who had been abducted as a child and suffered greatly.

Lin Shuxing couldn’t be bothered to question the truth. If Lin Lan said so, then it was so.

But the stark difference in how Lin Lan treated them was obvious to everyone.

She had once overheard the household staff mention that the cars sent to pick up Lin Qingwan were always from Lin Lan’s backup fleet.

“Sis, just sign here,” Lin Qingwan pointed, her voice bright and chirpy, as if showing off to her classmates. “This is my sister! Isn’t she pretty?”

Lin Shuxing shot her a glance. “Shut up,” she said, her tone light, the words trailing upward—almost amused.

But when she saw the previous entries, her raised wrist froze instantly, and her expression visibly darkened.

She would never mistake Lin Lan’s handwriting.

That busy Ms. Lin—had she actually found time to pick up her child from school?

Lin Qingwan, lost in her joy, twirled her skirt like a blooming flower, completely oblivious to Lin Shuxing’s change in demeanor.

“Sister, which school do you want to apply to? How about going abroad with me? Let’s beg Mom together—she’ll definitely agree.”

Lin Shuxing’s face tightened, and she quickened her pace toward the parking lot without answering.

Not far away, a woman in a pale yellow cardigan watched their retreating figures, wiping away tears with a smile as she murmured, “My child…”

She was Lin Xinyou, Lin Qingwan’s adoptive mother—the other mother whose child had been switched all those years ago.

Lin Lan had lied to Lin Shuxing. They weren’t twins—just two children raised together for eighteen years, bound by some affection.

Ordinary people had to make choices. But Lin Lan? She wanted it all.

With a haggard expression, Lin Xinyou reached out and lovingly caressed the air.

How she longed to hold her own daughter, to ask if she was happy today, if anything had troubled her at school.

But she knew she couldn’t provide a better life for her child. Keeping her promise to Lin Lan—to stay away—was the greatest blessing she could give.

Years of a failed marriage had left her exhausted. At least Lin Lan’s arrival had saved Lin Qingwan. She was genuinely grateful to Lin Lan for raising both children so well.

She was the one who had failed them. She shouldn’t ask for more. Just watching from afar was enough to fill her heart.

“Lin Shuxing! Lin Qingwan!” A man clutching a briefcase suddenly shouted from the crowd, “I’m your father!”

His face was alight with greedy delight as he charged forward, as if afraid no one would hear him. “I’m your dad!”

Lin Shuxing frowned and raised a hand to block the man’s advance. “Who are you? Keep your distance.”

Lin Qingwan, shorter than Lin Shuxing, shrank behind her in alarm, tugging nervously at her sleeve as they retreated.

The man seized Lin Shuxing’s arm like he’d grabbed a golden goose, his raised voice instantly drawing countless stares. “You don’t know me, but I know you!”

Lin Shuxing winced at the painful grip. Noticing Lin Qingwan trembling behind her, she could guess the man’s identity. Her eyebrows lifted, her expression turning sharp. “A grown man, scamming at a school gate? Have you no shame?”

She tilted her head toward Lin Qingwan. “Call Wang-jie. Have her come over.”

Wang-jie was her personal driver, a retired soldier currently parking the car.

“Hah, I’m just here to see my daughters. You wouldn’t want to make a scene, would you? No need to panic—let’s just talk, have a little chat.”

The man’s forced smile had twisted into something ugly as he stared at Lin Shuxing, as if clutching her origins gave him the power to destroy her.

No—no!! That’s my daughter!!

From the corner, the usually timid woman in the pale yellow cardigan suddenly widened her eyes and lunged forward, snatching the man’s briefcase and smashing it into his face with all her might.

Again and again, until his wild claims turned to incoherent mumbles, and his grip on Lin Shuxing finally loosened.

“Let go! Let go, you drunken gambler! Had a few drinks and lost your mind?!”

The woman’s voice, less like a wail and more like the desperate cry of a cornered animal, pierced the air.

Lin Shuxing pulled Lin Qingwan aside, rubbing her reddened wrist as she watched the chaotic scene unfold with a gloomy expression.

Too loud.

So loud it made her heart ache.