I Turned Out to Be the Dead White Moonlight of the Canary - Chapter 31

Although it was hot, Yan Sheng was genuinely tired after only getting two hours of sleep the night before. Unconsciously, she leaned against Song Shi’an and nearly dozed off again.

 

Song Shi’an poked her cheek lightly. “Go sleep in your room. I can’t carry you right now.”

 

Only then did Yan Sheng obediently sit up again.

 

“Will you sleep too, sis?” she asked curiously, looking at Song Shi’an.

 

Song Shi’an shook her head. “No, I don’t stay up late. Young people like you shouldn’t either.”

 

Yan Sheng’s cheeks flushed slightly. “Mmm, then I won’t sleep either. Are you going back to your room, sis?”

 

Song Shi’an didn’t understand why Yan Sheng insisted on sleeping only if she did, but she couldn’t be bothered to argue. If Yan Sheng wanted to stay up, Song Shi’an wasn’t going to persuade her otherwise.

 

“I’m planning to play some games,” Song Shi’an said softly.

 

Yan Sheng helped her back into the wheelchair, and the two headed to the gaming room together.

 

Song Shi’an had arranged to play in a league match—apparently, they were competing in some tournament recently, though Yan Sheng wasn’t sure which one.

 

She was also surprised that a game with such a classical aesthetic even had tournaments.

 

Later, she realized it was probably just because she hadn’t played many games and wasn’t very familiar with the gaming world.

 

The match was being livestreamed, and as the team captain, Song Shi’an took charge, giving commands over the mic.

 

Before this, Yan Sheng had only watched Song Shi’an’s gameplay and never thought to check out the livestream.

 

But now, on a whim, she remembered she could tune in.

 

She grabbed a nearby tablet and entered the official livestream.

 

Much of the chat was hard for Yan Sheng to follow, but she could still see people praising Song Shi’an.

 

Some complimented her sharp techniques and game sense, while others asked if she was a streamer.

 

[She’s not a streamer, just a regular player.]

 

[Not just any regular player—she’s a well-known whale on our server. She spends big on gear at the start of every season. We basically rely on her for payouts early on.]

 

Yan Sheng wasn’t deeply familiar with the game, but she knew Song Shi’an played many games. She just hadn’t realized how invested she was in this one.

 

Still a regular player, though. Not a streamer or someone affiliated with the devs.

 

Many were rooting for her to win, while others went off-topic to praise her voice.

 

The match lasted a full half-hour. Winning would secure them a spot in the semifinals, but their opponents were tough, dragging the fight out.

 

Song Shi’an rarely competed in tournaments like this, so after the win, she instinctively started reviewing the match—critiquing her teammates without realizing the stream was still live.

 

It wasn’t until the host’s voice came through that she remembered.

 

She had been a last-minute substitute for a gaming friend whose usual teammate had a family emergency.

 

No one expected them to make it to the semifinals.

 

Song Shi’an had always been skilled when playing with them, but her friends knew she juggled multiple games and came from wealth, so they hesitated to ask her at first.

 

Only when they were truly desperate did they reach out.

 

And since Song Shi’an was stuck at home recovering from her leg injury, she agreed without much thought.

 

This competition was entirely online, though officially organized. Only the semifinals and beyond would be held offline, with all preceding matches taking place virtually.

 

Song Shi’an only agreed to participate because it happened to be in Cangnan City—she couldn’t be bothered to travel elsewhere just for a tournament.

 

After the match ended, Song Shi’an turned to see Yan Sheng still scrolling through comments.

 

“I thought you didn’t care for this stuff. Figured you’d be asleep by now.”

 

Yan Sheng shook her head. “I don’t understand it, but everyone’s praising how amazing you are.”

 

Song Shi’an chuckled. “That’s why you’re reading?”

 

Yan Sheng nodded. “Mm. You have so many things you love.”

 

She wanted to learn more about the things she didn’t yet understand.

 

Song Shi’an scoffed. “Just a pastime.”

 

Little Yan Sheng, you’re her pastime too.

 

Yan Sheng hated when Shi Jiu spouted nonsense like that.

 

Song Shi’an took a sip of coffee. “Not sleepy anymore?”

 

Yan Sheng rubbed her eyes. “I am.”

 

“Then sleep. I’ll find something else to do.” Song Shi’an reached out and ruffled her hair.

 

Yan Sheng obediently nodded. “Okay.”

 

Hugging a pillow, she didn’t return to her room, choosing instead to stay by Song Shi’an’s side.

 

Watching Yan Sheng with her eyes closed, Song Shi’an couldn’t shake the odd feeling that the girl was guarding her like some kind of treasure—

 

As if she might vanish the moment Yan Sheng looked away.

 

As Yan Sheng gradually drifted off, Song Shi’an couldn’t help but laugh at her own ridiculous thought.

 

She then browsed other games and arranged to play with friends from her gaming group.

 

The team leader from the tournament privately messaged Song Shi’an, asking if she’d participate in an official interview with all contestants.

 

[No. Not interested.] She declined outright.

 

The organizers even added an explanation beneath their team’s interview segment, likely to appease Song Shi’an’s growing fanbase from the qualifiers.

 

Yan Sheng slept straight through until 3 PM. When she woke, Song Shi’an was gone.

 

The sight of the empty room sent a wave of panic crashing over her.

 

Yan Sheng scrambled up and hurried toward the door—

 

Only to nearly collide with Song Shi’an, who was maneuvering her wheelchair inside.

 

“What’s the rush? Bathroom emergency?” Song Shi’an asked around a mouthful of ice cream, eyeing her curiously.

 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA– Shi Jiu burst into laughter for reasons unknown.

 

Yan Sheng’s face burned crimson, and she could only nod along.

 

“Yeah…”

 

Song Shi’an shrugged. “Alright, go on.”

 

She then turned her wheelchair. “Someone’s delivering clothes for you later. Pick what you like and keep them.”

 

As she spoke, a dab of ice cream lingered at the corner of her mouth. Yan Sheng stared, struck by how unexpectedly adorable Song Shi’an looked.

 

“Okay. Thank you, sis.” She never refused Song Shi’an’s gifts, knowing her temperament too well.

 

Noticing the ice cream smear, Yan Sheng leaned down and gently wiped it away with her finger—

 

Then licked it off her fingertip.

 

The way Song Shi’an looked at her then made it clear the tables had turned.

 

“Thought you had a bathroom emergency?” With that, Song Shi’an wheeled away.

 

Yan Sheng watched Song Shi’an leave before turning to head to the bathroom. She hadn’t originally planned to go, but after being reminded twice by Song Shi’an, she suddenly felt the need.

 

By the time she finished and came out, the clothing delivery had already arrived.

 

Seeing three or four people in the living room acting somewhat deferential toward Song Shi’an, Yan Sheng straightened herself and went downstairs.

 

As she descended, Song Shi’an pointed at her.

 

“Let her choose.”

 

The moment Yan Sheng reached the bottom of the stairs, the attendants greeted her enthusiastically.

 

Their warmth made Yan Sheng slightly uncomfortable.

 

But what truly caught her off guard were the clothes they had brought.

 

The garments were beautiful, yet what stunned Yan Sheng wasn’t their beauty—it was how familiar they looked.

 

If only you were still alive… If you were, I’d buy you all the clothes you love, even have them custom-made.

 

This one would suit you perfectly.

 

A pang of sorrow struck Yan Sheng’s heart. Suppressing her emotions, she asked Song Shi’an curiously, “Sister, did you pick these out first?”

 

Song Shi’an glanced at her. “They sent them over. Seemed decent, so I had them bring everything. Don’t you like any?”

 

The lead designer was baffled by Song Shi’an’s words—half these pieces had been personally selected by Song Shi’an herself, with strict instructions to include them.

 

Yan Sheng shook her head. “No, I love them all.”

 

“Nothing you particularly like?” Song Shi’an asked casually.

 

Yan Sheng pointed to a black evening gown, a light blue outfit with a cute style, and three other sets.

 

“I really like these.”

 

Song Shi’an nodded in satisfaction. “Not bad taste.”

 

The designer nearly rolled her eyes. “Not bad taste”? More like Song Shi’an was pleased her own preferences got approval.

 

But the young miss Song had always been tsundere. Having worked with her for over a year, the designer understood her temperament well—not a bad person, just slightly temperamental, though easy to handle once you knew how.

 

In the end, only two outfits were rejected while the rest were kept. The housekeeper helped arrange them in the walk-in closet.

 

Checking the time, Song Shi’an said, “About ready. Get prepared to head out.”

 

“Okay.”

 

Song Shi’an lazily crooked a finger. Yan Sheng hurried over. “Yes, sister?”

 

Her eager demeanor reminded Song Shi’an of a puppy.

 

“Push me upstairs. Help me with my makeup.” Though capable herself, Song Shi’an was too lazy, plus she thought Yan Sheng did it better.

 

The results proved her right. When Yan Sheng finished, Song Shi’an examined her reflection approvingly.

 

“Not bad. With skills like these, you won’t starve. Could always work as a makeup artist if needed.”

 

Yan Sheng smiled shyly. “Thank you for the praise.”

 

Song Shi’an hooked a finger under her chin and gave her a rewarding kiss.

 

Yan Sheng brightened instantly.

 

While Song Shi’an changed, Yan Sheng did her own makeup.

 

When she finished, Song Shi’an had the housekeeper bring in a lavender dress—one from today’s delivery.

 

A gentle, soothing purple.

 

After Yan Sheng changed, Song Shi’an looked her up and down. “Good.”

 

Song Shi’an was also wearing a skirt, but hers was black, giving off a somewhat chilly vibe.

 

Just as they finished changing, Yan Wuyou’s call came through.

 

“Ladies, I’m about to head out. What’s your progress?”

 

“Getting ready to leave,” Song Shi’an replied casually.

 

“We should arrive around the same time. If I get there before you, Song Shi’an, you’re dead. Your ‘getting ready’ better not mean you’ve just started doing your makeup,” Yan Wuyou warned sternly.

 

Song Shi’an: “……”

 

Yan Sheng felt like she’d just uncovered something significant.

 

“It’s not like you’ve never stood me up before. No need to be so self-righteous,” Song Shi’an said unhurriedly.

 

Yan Sheng nudged her toward the door where their driver was already waiting with the car.

 

“No, I don’t trust you. Where’s little Yan Sheng?”

 

Hearing Yan Wuyou’s question, Yan Sheng glanced at Song Shi’an, who immediately handed her the phone.

 

“Wuyou-jie, we’re in the car now. We’ve really left.”

 

“Song Shi’an, have you turned over a new leaf? Being punctual for once?”

 

“If I arrive before you do, you’re dead,” Song Shi’an retorted before hanging up.

 

On the other end, Yan Wuyou looked at her half-done makeup and immediately sped up her routine.