The Cold White Moonlight Desires Me Every Day - Chapter 4

For ordinary people, counting is more torturous than wearing shackles, let alone for a patient.

Aunt Yuan tried to dissuade her, but Ruan Tang insisted, leaving her no choice but to comply.

As time passed, the crimson sunset was swallowed by the deepening indigo of the night sky.

Though the bed was newly furnished with soft pillows and blankets, Ruan Tang felt as if needles were hidden within the cotton. After tossing and turning, she finally rose and headed to the basement.

“2034.”

“2035.”

“2036…”

The moment she pushed open the door, she heard soft counting. Simultaneously, Ni Yunshi’s inner voice exploded in her ears.

Biting my handkerchief, sob sob sob…

That old hag stole my woman and made me sulk! My beautiful Shishi is counting her golden beans alone in her empty room!

This bean is Tangtang’s love, that bean is Tangtang’s affection, and these two beans are Tangtang’s overwhelming devotion to me! Hehe!

Ruan Tang’s eye twitched. Crying and laughing at the same time? Has she gone completely mad?

Sensing her gaze, Ni Yunshi looked up and met Ruan Tang’s scrutinizing stare. “What? Did you come to kick me while I’m down?”

My angelic Tangtang has come to rescue me from this sea of suffering!

Bet you didn’t expect this, you old hag! Tangtang only dotes on me, only me!

I keep Tangtang in my heart, and Tangtang lifts me up high!

Seeing Ni Yunshi’s face grow cold while her body couldn’t resist twisting in a contrived manner, Ruan Tang abruptly splashed a bucket of cold water on her: “Finished counting the gold beans?”

“Cough—” Ni Yunshi choked. “N-not yet…”

“How many have you counted?” Ruan Tang pressed.

“Uh…”

Ni Yunshi lowered her head, gazing at the glittering expanse of gold before her, lost in thought.

Brain, brain, have you forgotten to evolve beyond the fish stage? Why didn’t I save my progress earlier?

Tangtang’s going to be angry! How do I appease her?

Kisses? Cuddles? Or… a heart-stirring song?

A heart-stirring song?

Curious, Ruan Tang feigned malice. “The answer?”

“I-I forgot…” Ni Yunshi stammered, her anxiety growing.

“Heh, then do you know what to do?” Ruan Tang sneered, settling beside her, her expression turning icy.

A heart-stirring song!

Ni Yunshi’s slender arms, delicate as dodder vines yet surprisingly strong, wrapped around Ruan Tang, pulling her close. She brushed her lips against Ruan Tang’s, giving her a soft, gentle kiss.

A warm, ticklish sensation surged from Ruan Tang’s core. She narrowed her eyes, purring like a contented cat as she savored the tender kiss, a soft, unconscious moan escaping her lips.

It’s happening! The heart-stirring song!

Ruan Tang instantly snapped awake, turning to find Ni Yunshi staring intently at her.

Though her expression remained cold, the faint blush creeping up her cheeks betrayed the unrestrained excitement simmering beneath the surface.

Normally, Ruan Tang would have relished seeing Ni Yunshi humiliated. But now, she realized she had long since lost control of the situation.

Grumble—

Before Ruan Tang could push her away in embarrassment and annoyance, a soft sound interrupted them.

Ni Yunshi froze, clutching her stomach.

Of course, she’s hungry. She’s been sick all day and only had one meal of bland, convalescent food.

Ruan Tang seized the opportunity to stand up, startling Ni Yunshi.

Ugh! You’re ruining the mood!

Stomach, stomach, you’re an adult now! Why haven’t you learned to feed yourself properly?!

Now I can’t properly serve Tangtang!

Ruan Tang stumbled slightly as she left, her eyelids twitching as she forced out an explanation: “I’m going to the kitchen to get something to eat.”

The night was deep, and the room was utterly silent.

It wasn’t until Ruan Tang’s hand touched the cold water in the sink that she fully regained her senses, her brow furrowing sharply.

If Ni Yunshi is hungry, she can stay hungry! Why should I cook for her?!

Wait… didn’t I come to the kitchen on my own?

Even if she could brainwash herself, the instincts ingrained deep within her would always betray her true feelings.

Ruan Tang even wondered if she had harbored some unresolved misunderstandings about Ni Yunshi in her past life.

Her thoughts tangled in contradiction when a rustling sound reached her ears.

Ruan Tang looked up, and the impulse to exonerate Ni Yunshi vanished instantly, her expression darkening.

Though the kitchen was dimly lit, she could still clearly see that the sound had come from Ni Yunshi.

In her panic earlier, Ruan Tang had forgotten to close the basement door when she came upstairs. Ni Yunshi had followed her out and was now crouching behind the sofa, peeking in their direction.

Is she trying to escape?

If she really runs, could I stop her?

If I hadn’t confined her for these past six months, would she still be here, locked in a battle of wits with me under the same roof…?

The questions swelled in Ruan Tang’s mind, making her head throb. Meanwhile, Ni Yunshi crept closer in the shadows, her voice growing louder.

That old hag still hasn’t gotten up to cook! Making my Tangtang do it!

Waaah, my precious Tangtang is getting her delicate hands wet for me!

But she won’t let me out! If I rush out to help, will she get even angrier?

So, she wasn’t trying to escape after all?

Lost in thought, Ruan Tang suddenly felt a sharp pain in her hand.

“Hiss—” She gasped, and her wrist tightened.

Looking up again, Ruan Tang saw Ni Yunshi, who had been hiding in the corner just a moment ago, now standing right in front of her.

In the next instant, warmth enveloped her throbbing fingertip.

Ni Yunshi gently took Ruan Tang’s injured finger into her mouth, her eyes betraying poorly concealed concern.

After briefly sucking out the tainted bl00d—a slight sting followed, but far more overwhelming was the heart-pounding sensation it stirred in Ruan Tang.

Tangtang’s bleeding! Thank goodness it’s not deep. Whew—

That damn old hag! She definitely didn’t leave any food on purpose!

Making my Tangtang work so hard! I’ll grind her into mincemeat and feed it to Tangtang to replenish her bl00d!

Despite the inner turmoil, Ruan Tang felt no urge to escape.

Ni Yunshi, oblivious to Ruan Tang’s inner turmoil, reached for the kitchen knife on the cutting board.

“What are you doing?!” Ruan Tang asked warily.

Grind Aunt Yuan into mincemeat!

Grind that old hag into mincemeat!

Let’s make dumplings with mincemeat right now and celebrate the New Year!

Ni Yunshi’s mind screamed, but her body moved obediently, chopping scallions on the cutting board.

“Ruan Tang, don’t even think about finding another excuse to torment me,” Ni Yunshi glared at Ruan Tang, her eyes brimming with resentment.

“Hmph, do I need an excuse to torment you?” Ruan Tang retorted sharply, instantly regretting her words.

Meanwhile, Ni Yunshi swiftly chopped the vegetables and began cooking the noodles.

The movement tugged at the golden chains around her, producing a rich, clattering sound.

As the noodles were ladled into the bowl, the hot broth poured over the seasonings at the bottom, releasing a fragrant aroma that finally snapped Ruan Tang out of her daze.

“You… you’re not going to run?”

When Ni Yunshi had been imprisoned in the basement, she had fought tooth and nail against her confinement. Now that she finally had a chance to escape, why…?

“Ruan Tang, are you deliberately mocking me, trying to humiliate me?” Ni Yunshi sneered, gesturing toward the door with a backhanded wave. “You leave your door unlocked in the middle of the night? How could I possibly escape?”

She was right. There was no escape.

Ruan Tang inwardly cursed her own foolishness.

Ni Yunshi carried the bowl of noodles to the table, slurping them down hungrily while her inner thoughts chattered incessantly.

If I run, I have to take Tangtang with me. Leaving her with that old hag? She cut her hand doing chores today—who knows if she’ll meet with an “accident” tomorrow!

“I discovered some of the servants have sticky fingers, so I reassigned personnel. No one’s on duty tonight,” Ruan Tang explained.

“Huh?” Ni Yunshi paused, surprised by the unexpected explanation.

“The items the servants stole from you will be converted to cash and returned to you later,” Ruan Tang continued, speaking as if to herself.

“Well, you’re surprisingly decent,” Ni Yunshi said, her face still twisted with sarcasm. “So, have you figured out who stole my things?”